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2 May 2015 CANTERBURY FARMING

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Canterbury Farming prints material contributed by freelance journalists, contributing columnists and letters from readers.

The information and opinions published are not necessarily those of Canterbury Farming or its staff. Canterbury Farming takes no responsibility for claims made by advertisers.

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New Zealand vets are rejoicing in the news of the passing of the Animal Welfare Amendment Bill which will mean greater transparency and enforceability of animal welfare laws, creating a stronger national reputation for animal welfare.

The New Zealand Veterinary Association was an important part in shaping the bill and they say the key changes legally recognise animal sentience which is sensation and feeling in animals for the first time in New Zealand law.

NZVA president Dr Steve Merchant says: Veterinarians are at the vanguard of animal welfare advocacy, and public support is behind us in the call for greater clarity on issues concerning animal welfare and increased sanctions for animal cruelty.

An ima l we l f a r e expectations have been rapidly changing, and practices that were once commonplace for pets and farm stock are no longer acceptable or tolerated. The bill brings legislation in line with our nations changing attitude on the status of animals in society.

He believes the inclusion of sentience shows that people are obliged to meet all aspects of their animals physical health and behavioural needs, and New Zealand is at the forefront of progressive animal welfare legislation.

The New Zealand Veterinary Association president Dr Steve Merchant

The bill provides a clearer definition of surgical procedures and the policy has been retained that these procedures must be performed by veterinarians or veterinary students under qualified supervision.

Veterinarians will play a key role in developing regulations around these procedures which will be enforceable by law.

The Codes will now provide a clearer benchmark for compliance, rather than just being guidelines.

Dr Merchant says mandatory standards for the export of live animals are also strongly supported and was a central issue in the NZVAs submission on the bill. Standards now take into account the treatment and environment the animals are in at their destination.

There will be more certainty for exporters and overseas markets about animal welfare requirements. Veterinarians will also have a more substantial role in the assessment and monitoring of the export process, accompanying expor ted animals to ensure their welfare is being met.

Vets will continue to work with the Ministry for Primary Industries and other organisations to develop regulations and strengthen animal welfare legislation.

Regulations will need to be very precise and clearly defined to ensure high compliance with animal welfare standards as defined

by the Animal Welfare Act. This will ultimately benefit animals as well as New Zealands economy and international reputation.

The bill is the result of the first major review of New Zealands Animal Welfare Act 1999 in 15 years, which defines animal welfare standards.

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New Zealand farm opened in ColombiaDairy Solutionz Ltds 117 hectare, 300-cow demonstration dairy farm has been opened by Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos in the Narino region of South Colombia.

Dairy Solutionz chief executive Derek Fairweather, explains, Our organisation has been working in Colombia since 2012 and has actively been developing the demonstration dairy farm for the past 18 months.

The project will benefit Colombian farmers as 400,000 families rely on the dairy industry to live on. European free trade deals threaten the local dairy sector by making it harder for them to compete with imported products once the current 33 per cent tariffs are lifted over the next 10 years.

This will ensure there are major downstream benefits in terms of reducing poverty in the region and improving the local populations health and welfare status. For the farmers we are working with in Colombia, dairying is how they support their families, he said.

Their livelihood is under threat by globalisation and free trade. Working with the Government of Colombia, this demonstration farm is a tangible message of hope and sets a clear pathway as to how they can be competitive.

By transferring Kiwi technology into their local dairy economy, we are literally providing an economic lifeline to one of the most

important yet impoverished dairy regions.

The two million dollar development was funded by the Colombian government and Corpoica, which is the equivalent of our crown research institutes here in New Zealand.

Having President Santos officially open our farm is a huge honour. Its a great endorsement for the Kiwis and Colombians working on the farm and others back here in New Zealand who have played a part in the establishment of this unique project.

The farm is 2,800 metres above sea level and the weather is similar to the Waikato where ryegrass and clover do well. It is the first demonstration farm in the tropics that uses New Zealand technology.

It is managed by Dairy Solutionz Kiwi farm manager Paul Gibson, and is New Zealand in design. The project directly benefits 14 New Zealand businesses through exports and establishes proof of profitability, which will lead to increased technology exports in the future as these create value for Colombian farmers.

Corpoica chief executive Juan Lucas Restrepo attended the opening and

said he believed the farm is a step in the right direction regarding the competitiveness of the Narino region.

We recognise New Zealand leadership in dairy technologies, breeding, pasture species and pasture management systems, and we need to prove that here in Narino. We look forward to, and invite the partnership with New Zealand companies in supporting and adapting their intellectual property to the Colombian context.

Mr Fairweather says the Narino demonstration farm and similar farms provide a partial solution to the issue of global food security.

Securing enough food to nourish growing populations around the world is one of the top priorities for many governments, and we believe one of the answers to the food security issue is harnessing the untapped benefits of the worlds tropical environments. It just so happens that New Zealand cows and pasture thrive in the high tropics. Were using Kiwi ingenuity to take tropical land and create rich food bowls which will benefit largely

From left to right: President of Colombia Juan Manuel Santos, CEO of Corpoica Juan Lucas Restrepo, Researcher for Corpoica Edwin Castro, Farm Conversion Manager for

Dairy Solutionz (NZ) Ltd Paul Gibson and Farm Engineer for Dairy Solutionz (NZ) Ltd Nelson Medina

poor rural economies, he says. At Dairy Solutionz we see our role as adapting New

Zealands dairying expertise on a global scale, and to help Colombia and other similar

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Climate changeWage issueThe Government is seeking

feedback on what New Zealands climate target should be, and I went to Nelson to one of their hastily arranged public meetings (six days notice) to hear what those attending had to say, and to put a vision of how New Zealand might make curbing emissions an economic opportunity.

The Nelson meeting was a bit of a shambles. The Government officials clearly werent expecting the 80 people who turned up, although a conspicuous absence was Nick Smith, the local MP and Minister for the Environment.

The Minister for Environment officials told the meeting that the formal Q&A section would be followed by open discussion in smaller groups.

But with the crowd clearly sceptical of the Governments lacklustre approach to climate policy, the officials changed the structure of the meeting halfway through to shut down opportunities for more discussion. The well informed public overwhelmingly wanted emissions reductions of at least 40% by 2030.

Several people asked why the Governments discussion document had focussed on

the supposed economic costs of climate action and hadnt contained more discussion of the economic benefits and opportunities of a cleaner economy.

The officials generally brushed these concerns off, saying predictions are too hard to make accurately, although that hadnt stopped them making predictions of the hypothetical costs of climate action.

It is worth noting that Treasury has predicted that without action to curb New Zealands emissions growth, the potential costs from only having a small emissions reduction target could be up to $52 billion for the period 20212030. This could severely constrain the Governments ability to fund core government services in the future.

New Zealand can achieve better economic performance and cut carbon emissions at the same time, yet the Government discussion document goes to considerable length on alleged costs of cutting carbon emissions and provides no mention, let alone analysis, of the economic benefits of cutting emissions.

Bloomberg New Energy Finance say that new funds for wind, solar, biofuels and other low-carbon energy technologies gained 16 per cent in value to US$310 billion, last year alone. This shows that the economic upside to reducing carbon emissions could be greater than any downside.

In New Zealand we have the possibility of a major shift to agro-ecological farming systems, which could cut agricultural emissions significantly while increasing returns, but the officials apparently arent checking meaningful options. Remember, organic milk powder is currently selling for $10,000 per tonne.

With a decent price share to farmers, herd sizes (and emissions) could be reduced, while export returns are increased.

Tourism has reignited the 100% Pure New Zealand brand. Primary production could also focus on that aspirational brand, reducing emissions and securing the best value returns for New Zealand. Tell the officials. Submissions close 5pm Wednesday 3rd June http://bit.ly/1GQ4z26.

So too has the drop in Global Dairy Trade (GDT) which indicates further downward pressure on dairy farm income. The summary by an observer might be that the dairy industry is the last place to start a career which is the worst possible outcome from the challenges that the dairy industry faces.

There have been many studies and reports into agriculture that identify people as the biggest asset and threat to the long term success of our primary industries. If we cant attract the best we wont be the best. And the advice at almost every forum on food is that we must produce the best to ensure demand and payment for New Zealand produce delivers returns that allow our farmers to farm profitably.

Any farmer who thinks squeezing their workers

through longer hours or lower pay should leave farming immediately. We dont need a reputation of being unkind and mean employers.

While there will always be the good and the bad it is essential that agriculture builds a reputation where skills and initiative are rewarded well.

The growing reliance on migrant workers and their families to milk and manage our cows is a two edged sword. We have identified the energy and enthusiasm they bring to difficult tasks.

But if we take this opportunity to employ these visitors to our country for granted or the conditions for Kiwis are undermined as a result, then the inevitable political response will be swift, effective and not necessarily helpful for farmers.

The dairy industry has been built on cooperation. We have shared the risks and rewards but if we exploit workers and think they should contribute their labour for less than a fair days pay then we have our collective heads in the sand.

Underpaying and working staff excessive hours without reward cannot be tolerated in agriculture or we will chase away the very people we need; the motivated, intelligent and energetic young Kiwis who are the future of agriculture. Industry leaders have a responsibility to identify the rogue employers and shame them into an immediate change of their ways. We are a small country made up of strong rural communities. Being fair to each and every member of our communities is the hallmark of a good country.

A Green Perspectivewith Ste an Browning, Green Party spokesperson on Agriculture

OConnor Commentswith Damien OConnor Opposition Spokesman on Agriculture

The issue of wage and pay rates on dairy farms has been raised in the media recently.

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The Indian summer causes havoc

The city folk are loving the Indian summer that continues as I write this, but it continues to cause havoc for the farming industry.

Many parts of the North Canterbury district are being crippled by a lack of pasture, and reserves are already exhausted.

Other areas appear to be green but closer inspection shows theres no growth.

Winter feed crops have taken on that purple colour that screams messages of drought, and poisoning of animals if eaten.

Reports are coming in of people selling all or most of their capital stock and in one case the family are literally closing the gate and working in town until the grass starts to grow again.

What is most worrying is the effect on those who are farming.

Sheep and beef farmers are buckling under the conditions and the financial stress, and are selling off stock.

Cropping farmers are being told prices are coming back malting barley for

example is well back on last year, and aphid pressure is coming onto autumn sown crops.

Horticultural producers have just been through a brilliant year only to face very deflated world prices because of political goings on in the Northern Hemisphere.

Dairy farmers problems are very well known and the national media are totally on to that which only makes the dairy farmers feel worse. All this leads to bankers and accountants becoming very important in farmers lives.

The banks are still hanging in there at the moment, but are watching debt levels very closely. It is all about servicing the debt not just taking it on. All the accountants and bankers I know tell me they are desperately wanting their clients to talk to them. There is help, and farmers are not expected to trade out on their own.

Having been in a situation myself when I thought there was no point to carry on, and yes I was that low, I was saved by my doctor.

I found that when I was in the black hole I didnt think I was in I hid it from others and certainly didnt want to talk about it, even to my closest mates. Therefore I want you to promise me, if you ever get a twinge of everything getting too bad and there being no way out, go to your GP and tell them you think you may need help.

Depression is not a disease, its an imbalance of things that can be fixed. Doctors are trained to help and they are probably helping most of your mates, not that youll ever know that.

Since I have admitted Ive been there, I am totally astounded how many others wear the same badge. The drought will break, it always does, but remember you arent alone!

Animal welfareOne of the most important issues I look after in my role as Primary Industries Minister is animal welfare, especially on farms.

New Zealanders care deeply about how animals are treated. Sixty eight per cent of households have at least one pet, and we earn around $25 billion a year by exporting animal products such as meat, milk and wool.

How we treat animals matters not just to animals, but to ourselves and overseas markets. Increasingly consumers are demanding higher standards on things like our environmental footprint and how animals are treated.

In general I think we have a strong system but we can do more, which is why Parliament recently passed the Animal Welfare Amendment Bill.

For good farmers and animal keepers they will notice very little difference. But for those who are not meeting current minimum standards in codes of welfare, there will be clearer rules and these will be easier to enforce.

Country Matterswith Rob Cope-Williams

From the MinisterNathan Guy, Minister for Primary Industries

C o m p l i a n c e notices will allow inspectors to handle lower-level offending without going to the courts, and there will be real focus on educating people to treat animals properly.

The Ministry for Primary Industries will continue to take a tough line on the very small number of people who dont treat animals properly, and there have been a number of convictions this year already.

Much of the detail of the Bill will be in new regulations yet to be developed. MPI is now talking to industry groups as part of this process, and will consult with the wider public as well.

Another important feature of the new law is that it bans the use of animals to test finished cosmetic products, or ingredients that are

intended for use exclusively in cosmetics.

To the best of our knowledge there never has been any animal testing for cosmetics in New Zealand, but this amendment will send an important message that this kind of testing is unacceptable to New Zealanders and will never happen here.

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Country Lawwith Ronald W. Angland & Son

Money Talkwith Andrew Wyllie

Bad apples and civil claimsEvery now and again youll strike one in life the bad debtor.

The bad debtor is a particular kind of human that has no qualms about pocketing others money and promptly forgetting about their debt. Whats theirs is theirs and whats yours is theirs. It is a depressingly common matter for the courts.

Theres a specific body of law covering bad debtors in construction contracts those situations where theres a shonky contractor not paying his subbies or a tradesman that shows up to a worksite once in a blue moon and then disappears and is harder to communicate with than a Mumbai call centre.

We will focus more on the standard civil situation where a debt is owed directly with no grey areas were talking the kind of debtor that is profoundly incontinent when it comes to spending habits one minute tearfully on the brink of pawning their last tatty shawl to put a bowl

of lukewarm rice before their twelve starving children and the next minute drinking cocktails at the casino. These con artists would be best to move into acting, where their skills might better fund their habits. Your first option in dealing with the bad debtor is to test your patience and be flabbergasted by the colourful array of creative excuses that blossom as your debt gets prioritised well behind a brand new jet-ski and other such crucial matters.

Given the nature of the bad debtor, the second option of calling the debt in is the only effective approach. Claims under the value of $15,000 can be heard in the Disputes Tribunal, where no lawyers can be used by either side and you will argue it out yourself. However, the Tribunal is a bit more touchy-feely than the court system, so if the debtor still doesnt pay you might end up having to go to

court eventually anyway. Filing a civil claim in the District Court has been streamlined with changes made mid last year. Your lawyer can help you file a claim.

The claim must be filed and served on the debtor. If the debtor responds and raises any valid legal points the courts will give opportunity for the matter to be resolved privately or by way of a settlement conference with a judge, failing which the matter would proceed to a trial. If there is no response from the debtor your lawyer can seek judgement by default (the debtor cant just play dead). If their response doesnt disclose a legal defence then you may seek summary judgement (the debtor cant make empty excuses). The options are all intended to prevent the waste of a courts valuable time on straightforward, cut and dried matters.

If you have any bad debtors driving you to distraction you might want to drop in and have a word with your lawyer.

This article has been prepared by Craig Wakelin, a Solicitor with Ronald Angland & Son, Solicitors, who may be contacted on Tel: 03 324-3033 or e-mail [email protected].

Investment Markets UpdateCovering the quarter ended 30 April 2015.

The global economic outlook remains positive. Europe is beginning to surprise, with industrial production the strongest in 10 months and household consumption and i nv es tmen t activity growing.

In the United States, while recent economic growth has been weaker than expected, consumer confidence remains at a record level with employment growth expected to result in an activity pick-up in the second half of the year.

China is an area of weakness but, as has occurred elsewhere, authorities are relaxing monetary policies to boost the economy. Latest measures include a reduction in required bank reserve asset ratios.

At 18%, Chinese bank reserve ratios are still well above the lows of 7.5% during the Global Financial Crisis, so there remains ample room to lower ratio requirements as a means of boosting money supply.Global Equity Markets

Equity returns for the April quarter were positive across all the

major markets we follow. However, the bulk of the positive returns were enjoyed in February, with United States and Australasian markets in particular being weaker in March and April. The strongest local currency returns were delivered by European and Japanese equities (helped by a lower Euro and Japanese Yen). Both regions have undertaken significant monetary policy stimuli and indicated that this will continue for some time yet.

This has boosted the competitiveness of their local industries as well as their regions exporters. While United States equity market quarterly returns were largely flat in New Zealand dollar terms, they have retained their out-performance relative to global markets, measured over a 12-month period.Australian and New Zealand Equity Markets

Australian equities under-performed most markets. The Healthcare and Financial sectors weakened during March and April, with Healthcares weakness largely a function of share price fundamentals becoming a little stretched. Meanwhile banks came under pressure as regulators continued to signal the need for higher capital requirements.

Resources were the best performers, recovering on the back of a bounce in commodity prices. New Zealand equity market returns also lagged over the quarter, particularly the electricity generators, with the market needing to absorb a significant placement of Trustpower shares and the second instalment payable by Meridian shareholders.

Fixed Interest MarketWith global inflation lower

than expected and many central banks either cutting rates or implementing quant i ta t i ve eas ing measures, it is difficult to see short or longer-term interest rates moving significantly from current levels. A change in the global savings glut is a necessary pre-condition to shift this outlook, most likely requiring a widespread consumer boom in the United States.

The Reserve Bank of New Zealands monetary policy statement has provided more scope for the New Zealand official cash rate to be cut; certainly the possibility of near-term increases has been curtailed. Even the United States normalisation of monetary policy is expected to be slower. The United States authorities are still indicating increases in short-term interest rates later this year, but expectations are that increases should be staged with authorities likely to take a breath after each, to gauge impacts before successive moves are made.

If youre new to investing please see Forsyth Barrs Introduction to Investing guide available at www.forsythbarr.co.nz/investing-with-us/new-to-investing/ or contact Andrew Wyllie, an Authorised Financial Adviser with Forsyth Barr in Christchurch. He can be contacted regarding portfolio management, fixed interest, or share investments on 0800 367 227 or [email protected]. This column is general in nature and should not be regarded as personalised investment advice. Disclosure Statements are available on request and free of charge.


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Tool upgrade welcomedEnvironment Canterbury has welcomed a recent upgrade to the nutrient loss measurement tool, OVERSEER.

OVERSEER is a management tool used for estimating nutrient losses from a farming activity under the proposed Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan.

The current model requires users to enter information about their farming system, such as production, location and soil types and based on this information, a nutrient budget is prepared which estimates the long-term average nitrogen loss from a property.

When updates are made, the most recent version must be used to calculate the nitrogen baseline and loss.

Chief executive Bill Bayfield said improvements to the irrigation component of OVERSEER would demonstrate the beneficial nature of enhancements made to irrigation efficiency.

It is important to note that while the improvements introduced by OVERSEER 6.2 will change estimated nutrient loss numbers, they

will not change the reality with regard to actual nutrient losses, Mr Bayfield said.

Environment Canterbury will help to ensure users are provided with options for dealing with OVERSEER version changes. We are committed to working with other councils, the owners of OVERSEER and industry in seeking solutions to these challenges. A plan change later in 2015 will be held to help address these.

Environment Canterbury wishes to ensure that the focus is on good management practices by farmers and nutrient outputs. OVERSEER provides a method of benchmarking against good management practices. Its strength is the way it can be used in a relative, rather than an absolute way. Our challenge is to develop policy that allows for this.

Environment Canterbury assures farmers who have made investment decisions based on previous versions

of OVERSEER they will not be disadvantaged as a result of these changes.

The planning framework for land use and water quality interactions is based on management of nutrient outputs rather than inputs, he said.

Landowners have maximum freedom to decide how best to manage their land to minimise nutrient losses. This approach, which is of benefit both to farmers and to water quality outcomes, will not change with a new version of the measurement tool.

It is not Environment Canterburys intention to immediately require more farmers to get a consent to farm just because of an OVERSEER upgrade. We will work with individual farmers, industry bodies and zone committees to focus on achieving the outcomes anticipated when the proposed Canterbury Land and Water Regional Plan was drafted. Environment Canterbury chief executive Bill Bayfield

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BY ANN MORGANPHOTOS COURTESY OF SCOTT FOWLER PHOTOGRAPHY

DEIDRE HIRA GREW UP AMONGST WOMEN WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THE SHEARING INDUSTRY FOR MANY GENERATIONS AND HER AUNT JUNE KARA IS STILL A ROUSIE TODAY AGED 73.

Its natural to me to work in the sheds. My mum was a wool handler and cook, my dad, a shearer, and my grandma also a wool handler. I started learning the trade of wool handling when I was 14-years-old, and I went on my first course in 1988 to get certified, said Deidre who is known as Aunty or Nanny Dre in the industry.

I work for a contractor, moving around the country from property to property. I enjoy the challenge dealing with the animals and time frames.

Wool handlers prepare the wool to go to the scourers to be processed, taking the fleece from the shearers as

they finish each animal to sort. Every run is monitored through a wool classer. Our job is to get the best price possible for our clients.

The gang consists of eight or nine girls and six or seven shearers who have a routine they work to which keeps the system going. The contractor generally puts teams together with personality and skill levels spreading out evenly with experience, confidence and character.

When we first arrive on a site we usually shear the main flock, starting with the ewes, then we move on to others such as hoggets and two tooths, the wethers and the rams.

Often shearing is broken up and the gang will move to another client after the main flock is taken care of, allowing the farmer time to bring in the next mob. This can be a week apart, especially on big stations, because of the thousands of sheep in some places.

Deidre retrieves the fleece off the board after the sheep is shorn and places it on a table where oddments are removed and it is ready for the classer to check. It is then pressed into an average of 175-185 kilogram bales. The bales are then branded, pulled out and stacked.

They sweep the board for the shearers and keep every

COLLECTING THE FLEECE FROM THE SHEARER


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Different prices are paid for oddments according to length and colour. Each section of wool has a different quality. She explains the lower the micron, the finer the wool the better quality, which gives the best price and makes better clothing and products.

The work is seasonal, although some workers are full time and stay on to help with crutching and other necessary jobs.

Some of the families we work for have been on these farms for many generations with properties passed down since the 1800s. They are really hard workers, and are always checking we are ok and that we have our needs

met. It is a family atmosphere and we all look out for and support each other, she says.

Ultimately the end result is rewarding and the travelling side gives variety. Often the scenery is beautiful and we see places people never get to see. We can be looking out over the snow capped alps or a beautiful lake or up north we see the giant sand dunes and gorgeous forests like a kauri kingdom. The jobs can also take you overseas.

After hours there are still chores to be done and cleaning our personal shearing equipment to keep it all up to scratch.

I would definitely recommend others look at this as a career option.

This line of work it is never boring. Training happens on site and there are also shearing and wool handling courses available. We learn about back and body care and participate in stretching and warm ups before starting work, which helps reduce injury.

When my children were young, my commitment to the job was limited and I didnt travel so much. The nature of the job allowed me to work part time which made things easier as in those days there was no daycare. It is versatile and according to where you are at and your ability to commit generally there are allowances if pre arranged.

I love the job, all aspects of it, and the industry has

been good regarding my family and they also love it. Three of my sons are in the trade now. Hura is in the United States, Michael is in Australia, and Taare is in the South Island. My daughter Hutia is a wool handler and cook.

My whole family love the work and lifestyle and the generations before me did too. I guess future generations will as well.

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The produce of our small boutique cheese makers is especially prized, as it is inspired by the ancient traditions of Europe, but infused with a verve and innovative spirit unique to our young nation.

Today, gourmands in Paris or New York may very well enjoy a slice of Kiwi cheese with their after-dinner vintage. But back in the early 1990s the art of cheese making was somewhat arcane here, and finding the tools, techniques and mentoring to establish a cottage industry seemed like a far off dream.

It was in this environment that Rangiora cheese artisan

Elizabeth French began an odyssey which has come to fruition with awards, accolades and a range of truly unique soft cheeses. The owner of what would eventually grow to become Mount Grey Cheeses looked into the hobby of home cheese making in 1993, turning to a United States company for the necessary equipment to turn pure Canterbury white gold into a tasty slice or two. A leaf through the pages of United States cheese making periodicals provided inspiration, and soon her goal of producing self-sufficient cheese for the family was realised.

It was to be another ten years before the leap from home craft to boutique artisan was made. Those busy years were spent running a vineyard a very complementary trade, as wine and cheese go so well together.

But the demands of the vines and press put paid to any time spent on dairy pursuits, and it was not until later and another four or five years of hobbyist cheese making that Mount Grey cheeses was launched in 2012.

From the initial kitchen-c ra f ted Camember t , formulated with the help of another local North

Canterbury cheese maker, Elizabeth took the big step of creating a small factory adjacent to her home.

Its one thing to make ten cheeses in your kitchen, but to take on a factory is quite daunting, she says.

And while that factory was a small affair by the yardstick of some of New Zealands huge dairy concerns, it was the incubator for some great ideas, and a place where Elizabeths family came together in support of her art. Her son took the lead on construction, while her youngest daughter stepped up to work on administration. Milk was collected personally

by Andy Bryenton

New Zealands fine cheeses are renowned around the world - sourced as they are from one of the planets most abundant and verdant dairylands.

Elizabeth French is proudly open for business as a boutique cheesemaker

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from local dairy farms, and before long another of Elizabeths daughters an ex-baker came on board to make production run smoothly day to day.

The milk comes from healthy, happy Holstein-Friesian cows a breed prized in Europe by cheese makers. Mount Greys cheeses are universally of the soft varieties delicately flavoured Brie and Camembert, richly marbled blue, and the inimitable Yorkshire styled cheese

dubbed Mrs French in honour of Elizabeths mother. Even the salt used in the cheese making process is sourced from nearby lake Grassmere.

Recognition came quickly and not just from the people who bought Elizabeths cheeses at local farmers markets. Soon after opening the doors, two of Mount greys creations the creamy Barnes Blue and the unique Mrs French were sent to the prestigious NZ Champions of Cheese competition, both winning silver medals. With

such a good start, its no surprise that the little factory tucked away in Rangiora is now so popular. And as to the name well, one only has to look up above the North Canterbury skyline to see the peak of Mount Grey catching the light. And the well-known landmark has a connection to cheese, as well.

In colonial times, Mount Grey Station was a vast cattle farm, stretching from the sea to the foot of the mountain. In 1852 Major Edward Oconnell and his wife Sarah took

possession, but the Major died tragically early, leaving Sarah to operate the large steading on her own.

She was known for her determination and savvy, taking on what was, in those days, very much a mans job and succeeding.

She was also known for the fine quality of her home-made cheeses. A fitting name, then, and a great touchstone from history for this thriving boutique industry turning Canterbury milk into gourmet gold.

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12 May 2015 CANTERBURY FARMING WATER

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Never a dull momentJust when one thinks youve seen it all one is jolted back to reality. Sure it has been warm and dry, but really irrigating in May! Will the warm dry continue and what does that bring for the next irrigation season, potentially just three months away.

Knew it three days of north-west weather May 5, 6, and 7, and itchy fingers couldnt help themselves. We had been at a staff planning meeting in Hanmer those days and there was a little

from El Nio this season and in the last week has gotten stronger.

(See figure 1)The SOI has been strong

and over the last month or so has averaged 7.3, an indication of a strong event (anything over 6 is considered strong). This would suggest a prevalence of south-westerly to westerly weather, which though might be cold are not traditionally big rainmakers for Canterbury.

So how do we stack up for groundwater given irrigation is possibly just one season away. Once again I have a favourite site I like to follow in this case bore M36/1926 (an ECan observation bore) in the mid plains. There are a couple of features that stand out: The droughts of

201213 and 201415 and subsequent water use (comprising environmental flow and pumping) resulting in water levels falling to about the same level (56.695mbgl and 56.366mbgl respectively);

Much more water was used in 201415 given water level started from a much higher level following the very wet autumn and early winter of 2014; and

Groundwater recharge, including the immediate kick-back (consistently about 2m) when everyone turns off, has followed a

similar pattern recovering to 51.651.7mbgl in May of both years.What is required this

year are large rainfall events in autumn (doesnt look promising with 15 days of autumn to go), and early winter (as occurred in June 2013) to rapidly recharge groundwater. With El Nio predicted to strengthen for 2015 likely bringing more south-westerly and westerly

Irrigation Issues with Dr Tony Daveron

wager whether we would see irrigators going on the way back to Christchurch. Sure enough, in an area where irrigation has not been restricted there they were at least three centre pivots

and a couple in the distance that couldnt be confirmed (pivot or otherwise because water was certainly being applied). Beggars belief in May when soil moisture levels under irrigation were not sufficiently low to warrant irrigation there they were for all to see.

However, if for no other reason than it is a good lead line, it made me think we could be in spring and irrigation needs to be close to the forefront of thinking. Climate scientists are again warning of pending El Nio for spring and summer 201516. On top of an El Nio this season a second stronger event might not be that welcome.

The thought of El Nio generates two immediate concerns: When will irrigation

start, and What about water supply?

In the first instance, how good is the evidence. Well the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) that I watch from Weatherzone has not waned

weather, these are very different conditions to the strong La Nina conditions of 2013 (more easterly weather).

(See figure 2)Time will tell, but with El

Nio predicted, low water levels are not a palatable thought for such a spring or summer. Lets rain dance for a couple of trend-breaking easterly or south-easterly storms.

Figure 1: Weekly SOI trend 4 (from Weatherzone)

Figure 2: Water level record in M36/1926

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Blue Skies Weather

Weather Watch by Tony TrewinnardLike March, April saw frequent fronts and low pressure systems moving over the country, and more so the North Island, bringing periods of northerly or northeasterly airflow to Canterbury but also a few southerly or southeasterly spells.

One such cold outbreak mid-month brought snow to low levels on the foothills and upper plains.

As in March, temperatures in Canterbury were above normal in April, generally by +0.5 to +1.0deg, but by up to +1.5deg along the coast and eastern Plains. This was due to both warmer daytime and night-time temperatures. Sunshine hours were below normal by 1020%, reflecting increased cloudiness from humid northerly airflows. Rainfall was again mixed, with most inland areas and mid Canterbury experiencing near normal rainfall for the month, but south Canterbury above normal by 3070%, and much of North Canterbury below normal by 2050%. This was the fifth below normal month for many North Canterbury locations.

By near the end of May this month was shaping up to again be drier than usual in North Canterbury, but with near or above normal rainfall elsewhere. Temperatures are tracking a little cooler than usual due to an increasing frequency of southwesterly airflow, while sunshine hours are a little above normal.

In the tropical Pacific, ocean temperatures are increasingly moving towards El Nino conditions. By some measures a weak El Nino has already developed and is getting stronger. The current pattern is similar in many ways to the same time last year, when a developing El Nino seemed likely, but never

fully eventuated. Ocean temperatures around the New Zealand coast remain warmer than usual. The Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) continues to move steadily towards moderate to strong El Nino conditions this month.

The latest computer models are now favouring the development of a strong El Nino over the next three to six months, but it must be noted that this is the time of year the computer models have least accuracy. In particular, a similar prediction was made at this time last year, but only some of the factors needed for a full El Nino were in place, and the prediction foundered. Again this year we have not all of the necessary factors working together, so it remains to be seen how successful the current

computer model forecasts will be. Our current expectation is to see a moderate strength event or fairly short duration, peaking in the spring time, and decaying by early next summer. A strong La Nina event often follows short-lived El Ninos of this type and this looks increasingly likely. The change from El Nino to La Nina often brings prolonged dryness to Canterbury.

Looking at previous years with similarly developing El Nino patterns, we find that most were characterised by increased frequency of cool southwesterly airflow over New Zealand, and as we move through autumn and into winter, we confidently expect to see this trend continue.

From June right through to August we expect to see anticyclones dominant in the

Forecast Canterbury

Rainfall Temperature Sunshine Airflow

June Near normal A little colder than normal

A little sunnier than normal

More southwesterlies

JulyA little wetter than than normal

A little colder than normal

Near normalMore southwesterlies

August Drier than normal

Near normal Near normalMore anticyclones

September Drier than normal

Warmer than normal

A little sunnier than normal

More northwesterlies

Tasman Sea with some low pressure systems over or near New Zealand, and frequent periods of southwesterly airflow. Inevitably, being the winter season, some of these southwesterly airflows will tilt southerly and bring cold outbreaks.

Therefore we expect Canterbury to see mostly near normal rainfall for the next few months, with sunshine hours possibly a little above normal, and mean temperatures a little cooler than usual. Come September, we may start to experience an enhanced period of spring westerly or northwesterly airflow, which may herald the start of a prolonged period of drier than normal months. There is some risk this dry period could last through next summer.

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Structuring irrigation development Last month I wrote about the need for large scale water storage and the problems the irrigation industry faces financing and structuring these developments.

sound and affordable if there is full uptake from day one, but the issues arise when there are 200 to 300 potential shareholders that all need to commit upfront to cover the significant construction costs.

This is challenging and a unique feature for irrigation water supply infrastructure.

There are two options to address this either construct the scheme only for those in from the beginning and foreclose future opportunity, or build the infrastructure which will allow for optimal future potential.

Typically, the gap is between the initial capital cost and the 510 years that it takes to reach full uptake by shareholders. For new schemes, those that get in first have to fund those that come in later.

This approach used to be achievable as low cost low efficiency irrigation systems could be installed and then upgraded over time as debt was paid down. But new

limit based environmental requirements mean that more investment is now required in efficient systems from day one. The gap is also being compounded by the uncertainty the new limits setting legislation has created.

Given these increased demands and costs, local and national government need to play a bigger role in helping to plug this uptake gap. One simple solution is the Government funds the dry-shares and is then paid out as new shareholders come on board and turn them into wet-shares much like the Crown Fibre Holdings initiative.

There is yet to be a scheme built in New Zealand where 100 per cent uptake has not occurred in under 10 years, and concerns over government providing subsidies to individuals have no substance as each individual shareholder pays their cost (in the context of full uptake in getting water to the farm gate).

New irrigation schemes in New Zealand provide significant public good, but these benefits are not being fully reported or recognised.

All the irrigation schemes currently under development p rov ide s i gn i f i can t environmental benefits such as river augmentation, aquifer recharge and flushing flows that cleanse the river systems; and also social benefits like providing domestic water supply and offering recreational opportunities on dams.

Under the current scenario, new irrigators are being asked to fund new modern infrastructure to fix up yesterdays issues whilst also providing for the next generations well-being.

This is not equitable and there needs to be a public good contribution made towards such public good aspects.

It needs to be recognised that the new irrigators are not the ones that have created the environmental legacy issues.

Long-established irrigation infrastructure has boosted many regions in New Zealand

like Central and South Canterbury and North and Central Otago. For every $1 an irrigator makes at least another $3 is created in the local community.

The wealth of Ashburton, Timaru and Waitaki Districts owes much to the availability of water. Similarly, the Ruataniwha Water Storage Project has the potential to change the high unemployment and faltering Central Hawkes Bay economy, while also significantly benefitting the main centres of Napier and Hastings. And the same applies for the Wairarapa.

So it is clear that this water supply infrastructure enables the growth and regional development which is urgently needed. This infrastructure is becoming less polarising politically as people start to realise the pragmatic benefits for the country.

Water is a natural resource which if effectively and sustainably managed can go a long way to future proofing our economy and ensuring the country has surety of water supply for a range of purposes.

I concluded by talking about the options that exist for governance and management co-operatives, private capital and hybrid models that use aspects of both.

Another signif icant challenge to getting new water infrastructure off the ground in New Zealand is the uptake challenge by new users. All current development proposals are economically

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Six Principles of Sun Tzu and the Art of BusinessPress headlines that

Fonterra is facing a supplier crisis of confidence and risks haemorrhaging milk to private companies as fed-up farmer shareholders react to its latest financial results, deserves some comment. Loyalty can be fickle amongst farmers when they are hit directly in their financial pockets and facing a financial slump caused by low dairy returns worldwide.

New Zealand has an increasing number of propr ietar y dair y companies and also the Chinese are undertaking major investments in dairy processing here, in competition to Fonterra.

At a Fonterra meeting I attended in Northland, Fonterra representatives confirmed they were negotiating to supply milk to the Chinese milk factory at Pokeno and that there was nothing to stop the Chinese from building more of these plants throughout the country.

If Fonterra is required to supply these establishing companies with milk under the current legislation for a three year period,

it will certainly I believe, alarm Fonterra suppliers who see competitors using Fonterra milk to establish their businesses and then competing for Fonterra suppliers.

I believe the current legislation should be changed and these competitors should be made to stand alone from the beginning.

There are st rong indications that Chinese interests are planning to buy a significant number of farms throughout Northland and elsewhere and that these farms will supply processing plants financed and built by the Chinese.

Open Countr y, New Zealands second largest milk processor, an independently owned company, is looking at the options of building a milk plant at their Affco Horotiu plant or expanding its Whareroa site.

It is claimed over 500 Fonterra milk suppliers are waiting to join their company, due to their extreme dissatisfaction with Fonterras payout performance.

The Chinese have been traders for thousands of years. The famous Chinese

military tactician Sun Tzu in 512BC wrote a book called The Art of War. The theories of his book are still widely read throughout the world today.

Many Chinese businesses and others throughout the world follow the six major principles of Sun Tzu, being

capture your market without destroying it, avoid your competitors strength and attack their weakness, use foreknowledge and deception to maximise the power of business intelligence, use speed and preparation to swiftly overcome the competition, use alliances

and strategic control points in the industry to shape your opponents and make them conform to your will, develop your character as a leader to maximise the potential of your employees.

Clearly they are a tenacious people. They never give up. We would do

well to learn from them if we are going to survive in a free-market open economy that invites overseas investment.

It is up to us to make sure that we dont become slaves in our own country. We must retain 100% control from the farm gate to the worlds markets.

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DAY 3 10th JULY:DAY 3 COURSE: 8:00am 5:30pm// Working With Micronutrients> Introducing Micronutrients For Soil Fertility Needs> Baron Use and Cautions> Considering Iron and if its Needed> Manganese for Soil and Crops> Copper Importance and Uses> Zinc for Fertility and Crop Needs

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All across the world 2015 is being promoted as the The year of the soils with the focus on breathing life back into our land. Massive amounts of chemical use, GMOs crops and high production costs have seen agriculture change in many countries at the expense of soil life and food quality.

Wikipedia states:Despite the increased popularity of the use of

the term sustainability, the possibility that human societies will achieve environmental sustainability has been, and continues to be, questionedin light of environmental degradation, climate change,overconsumption, population growth and societies pursuit of indefiniteeconomic growthin aclosed system.

Scary stuff, but as time goes by - looks like being a fairly accurate. If we are to turn the tide and be truly sustainable then a lot of people will have to take a very hard look at their farming practices, across all types of agriculture.

The over use of soluble plant feeding fertilisers developed by man, and once seen as a better option to a more natural biological approach, plus regular indiscriminate use of the herbicide Roundup means soil quality has been degraded to a point that it now desperately needs remedying.

Carbon loss, depleted humus content, tied up nutrients and reduced moisture holding ability are just some of the problems facing modern farming practices. High producing agricultural industries export nutrient with their crops ie grapes, maize, baylage etc but replacing this nutrient in a balanced way while improving soil biology is largely misunderstood.

This is due in part to a lack of understanding around how nutrients interact and the levels in which they should be found in the soil.

Within New Zealand more and more people are looking at ways to revitalise our rapidly depleted soils and return to producing high quality, nutrient dense, disease resistant produce.

Cancer rates are skyrocketing and it doesnt take a genius to work out why, but it does take conviction to change.

Unbeknown to many the soil fertility work, science and calculation systems required to achieve this change has already been pioneered; its called The Albrecht system.

Dr William A Albrecht (1888- 1974) worked on many areas of soil fertility starting in the 1920s and went on to become the chairman of the Department of soils and senior emeritus professor at the university of Missouri.

He was widely recognised as the foremost authority on the relation between soil quality, food quality and human health.

Albrecht once said; It is not the over powering invader we must fear but the weakened condition of the victim.

This statement inspires a different way of thinking; rather than buying a cure find out why the sickness is there in the first place.

We are very lucky to have Neal Kinsey of Kinseyag services as a regular visitor to New Zealand. Neal studied under Albrecht and is the foremost authority on the Albrecht system in the world today.

He wrote the very popular book Hands on Agronomy which is a must for anyone interested in soil fertility.

He works in over 65 countries and is often referred to as the consultants consultant.

People who attend Neals courses always leave with a very enlightened view on soil fertility and I have yet to see any unhappy attendees. The most common comment is it just all makes sense.

New Zealand farming is at a crossroads and many people are starting to choose the healthier option.

Remember; it is everyones responsibility to ensure that future generations can farm the land in a healthy, truly sustainable way without destroying our number one natural resource, the soil.

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The rate of the rapid decline in export log prices in April and May has been unprecedented. My records show wharf gate prices expressed in New Zealand dollars per Japanese Agricultural Standard cubic metre are now at their lowest point since September 2008.

The big drop in NZ wharf gate prices, equivalent to about 32% in two months, is a reflection of reducing price settlements in China, slight increases in shipping costs and a slightly firming exchange rate. This almost perfect storm sees stumpage prices reflected as a price per tonne or cubic metre to the NZ forest grower having fallen close to 85% over the same period.

As would be expected, it is something close to carnage out there. Logging crews and trucks are being parked, production is dropping daily and many people are looking for work. This is bad news for an industry desperately needing to hang on to skilled labour, which includes continuing training and the emphasis on safe work practices.

A further casualty rests with the consistently performing domest ic sawmilling industry. Whilst log supply is variously ok right at present, as harvest production slows, then supply is going to be a problem unless there can be a rapid change in log diet.

One br ight l ight amidst the carnage of an industry experiencing an unprecedented commodity price and demand swing, is pruned log prices. These are continuing to sell well in China and prices at the wharf gate, whilst under a little downward pressure, are holding up well. Indeed the price margin between pruned logs and the nearest value export log has crept out to over NZ$50 per tonne. This reflects the margins we last saw in the 1990s. As reported last month, all

marketing ears and eyes are focussed on China and what will happen next. At time of writing, daily consumption across the eastern seaboard is running at a not too shabby 70,000 cubic metres per day, the equivalent of about two million cubic metres per month.

However a staggering 50+ vessels delivered cargo from NZ and Australia in April. With the addition of eight shipments from the United States and Russian volume running at about 400,000 cubic metres per month, port inventories have climbed quickly to 4.5 million cubic metres.

The more positive news is that most were expecting this and therefore prices seem to have rounded out somewhere in the bottom of the pit. Deliveries to NZ ports are slowing with about a 5% drop in April and 2025% expected in May.

A 25% drop represents a production loss of about 300,000 cubic metres. I suspect a further 510% drop will be seen in June w

canterbury farming, may 2015

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