Ashburton guardian dairy focus, february 2016

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Dairy FocusFEBRUARY, 2015

EMISSIONS TRADING SCHEME

Pages 3-5

Opportunity or misguided bureaucracy

2 Farming www.guardianonline.co.nz2 Dairy Focus www.guardianonline.co.nz

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COMMENT FROM EDITORINDEX

There is a fine line between the social license to farm and unnecessary costs that take it a tad too far.

In today’s world it’s wonderful to see farmers genuinely co-operating and immersing themselves with the idea of a sustainable future.

That acknowledgment opens the door to learning and growing and helps the perception of what we do in the community. But there is a limit, and the Emission Trading Scheme falls within that at this present point in time.

Federated Farmers argue that the current structure of the scheme is in its genesis and is clunky. Interestingly there is no suggestion that agriculture should stay out of the ETS long term – but not until the structure provides farmers an incentive for being low on emissions.

When that happens it will provide an interesting complexity to our New Zealand brand and could actually be seen as an opportunity to show that we really care about our environments.

Because we do.In meetings around the country the

conversations have shifted between farmers. Once defensive and at times hostile, a decade ago, many farmers could not understand the issues of

sustainability. Nowdays that response is almost never heard. Instead farmers are trying their best to understand how they can best utilise issues to help their farming practices. It is reassuring and a nod that we are heading in the right direction.

So while the ETS is not on our radar in the short term it will need to be further down the track.

In other news there has been no surprises in the GDT and for many it’s a case of business as normal, even if the bottom line is hurting.

Please continue to keep watching over the fence. If you’ve got holiday homes, why not offer them to someone you know is struggling? Those days off farm could make a huge difference as it can be easy to become immersed in your struggles.

Pot luck dinners for clusters of farmers in your area can be a wonderful way of communicating in a relaxed environment.

But whatever you’re doing, keep talking to each other. Some of the humour on social media from dairy farmers has been a welcome relief and is a great trait of Kiwis when the going gets tough.

And focus on the future, knowing this is cyclical and will improve. The banks believe it, professionals believe it, so let it be your own mantra. Stay strong.

Nadine Porter

RURAL REPORTER

Tweet us @farmjourno

3www.guardianonline.co.nz

Green Party Primary Industries spokesperson Eugenie Sage says the ETS has been hopeless in signalling to businesses to move to a low carbon economy.

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An opportunity for agricultureThe Government remains firm on agricultural emissions being outside of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) despite the Green Party and a Westpac report criticising its exclusion.

Westpac’s controversial independent report said not including agriculture would pass the financial burden of emissions onto other businesses and households.

And Green Party Primary Industries spokesperson Eugenie Sage said by being part of the ETS, agriculture could be shown to be taking much greater steps to give integrity to the New Zealand brand – and could be seen as a marketing opportunity.

“That clean green brand that we rely on to market all of our produce is looking very ragged around the edges in terms of water quality.”

Ms Sage said we were competing with green countries like Ireland and needed to have a credible brand.

A new Ministry of Environment review revealed all businesses surveyed believed ETS could do more to drive down carbon emissions in the business sector and

encourage more tree planting.“It (the Westpac report) confirmed

that ETS has been hopeless in providing a signal to businesses to move to a low carbon economy – particularly to farmers.”

Ms Sage was “really disappointed” the review continued to rule agriculture out of the scheme as it was responsible for 40 per cent of New Zealand emissions.

“The whole Fonterra growth strategy of 3 per cent growth annually cuts right across any real attempts to reduce emissions. If you have a farmer model where you put people, planet and profit first you are likely to reduce emissions, have fewer stock but reduce inputs like vet costs.”

Green Party Co-leader James Shaw said banks and businesses would end up paying so that the agricultural sector could pollute for free.

“National is actively choosing not to shift New Zealand to a clean, low-carbon economy, which will put both the future of our economy and environment at risk.”

Continued P4

The Emissions Trading Scheme continues to be a thorn in agriculture’s side with Westpac now joining a growing number of businesses complaining about the primary industries exclusion. Do they have a point? Is this an opportunity for Brand Inc. or are we already doing our fair share? Nadine Porter talks further with those at the forefront of the argument.


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However Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy was adamant agricultural emissions would only be included in the ETS once practical technologies were available for farmers to reduce their emissions.

“And more progress is made by our trading partners on tackling their emissions.

“Adding a carbon tax to agriculture would hammer these industries which are the backbone of New Zealand’s economy.”

Mr Guy said it would drive up the cost of farming, and “ironically” mean that consumers buy more products from overseas farmers who are not as environmentally efficient as here.

“Given that New Zealand only contributes 0.15 per cent of the world’s carbon emissions, such a policy would be shooting ourselves in the foot while doing little to improve the environment.”

Since 1990 dairy farmers had decreased greenhouse gas emissions per kilogram of milksolids by 18 per cent.

“We are strongly supporting the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases which now has 46 member countries. It targets research that will help grow more food, and more climate-

resilient food systems, without growing greenhouse gas emissions. In December last year we announced an extra $20 million in funding for the GRA, on top of our initial investment of $45 million.”

Utilising entry into the ETS for the New Zealand brand was a nice concept, except for the lack of competitive advantage it would provide for the vast bulk of what the primary industries are producing according to Federated Farmers.

Climate Change spokesperson Anders Crofoot said while niche markets may have some potential, there were no market signals entry into the ETS would actually increase demand.

“People are very concerned about food quality and traceability, production methods in terms of animal welfare but not whether we are in the ETS or not.”

However the primary industry would keep “an eye” on consumer trends, he said.

“But unfortunately what consumers say and do don’t match up. It’s distressingly common for people to say we want organics but they don’t buy it because they say it’s too expensive.”

Mr Crofoot said agriculture was already paying within the ETS – just like everybody else but conceded that message was not getting through to businesses outside the primary sector.

Agriculture makes up 40 per cent of our total emissions.



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“From fuel to electricity we are bearing the same costs.”Yet the perception was different, he said.

“I was amazed a couple of years ago at a Federated Farmers board meeting where we had an outside speaker on ETS who thought because we weren’t in the ETS we were getting rebates on fuel and other inputs…Farmers are bearing the same costs as every other New Zealander.”

The primary sector was not good at telling good news stories and this was something Federated Farmers was looking to improve, including media releases continuing to highlight how agriculture is already paying its way in terms of emissions.

“And it’s not that agriculture is sitting there doing nothing. In terms of production efficiency we are doing it with less greenhouse emissions and are moving along quite well.”

Decreasing by one kilogram per hectare per year, Mr Crofoot said agriculture had done much to lower emissions.

“And there’s considerable money being invested in research that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

He understood the public’s confusion over why agriculture wasn’t joining with the work already happening to decrease emissions but said it was because of the “blunt” structure the current ETS offered.

“Farmers get whacked at the producer ends whether they are incredibly efficient or inefficient. The way it’s structured means everybody in agriculture gets hit with the same blunt instrument. If you’re getting charged $25 per tonne regardless of your efficiency you’re only option is to cut productions which is not beneficial.”

He hoped the current review would see the scheme have more depth.

“Certainly if they could find a way

back to farm and offered an incentive to change behaviour, it could have potential.”

Farmers accepted there was an issue with emissions and they would need to address it in the same way they’ve had to address other issues around their social license to farm including water.

However legislation was never the answer, he said.

“If regulation is your lead into it I think it makes changing behaviour far more difficult.”

WHAT GROUPSARE SAYING

� GREEN PARTY:

� Opportunities for NZ clean green brand if we join

� Fonterra growth strategy cuts across any decreases made in emissions

� Future of economy at risk

� FEDS:

� Already paying via fuel, electricity etc

� Have been making 1 per cent emissions per kilogram per year

� Current scheme is clunky and does not reward e� cient farmers

� Being part of ETS would only be advantage to niche markets

Federated Farmers climate spokesperson Anders Crofoot says businesses don’t understand farmers are already paying on services they use.



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UK

Tesco shows support

Tesco has announced that it will extend its additional financial support for British dairy farmers until mid-April.

Six months ago, the retailer announced it would provide additional financial provision for farmers who produce milk that goes into its own label cheddar cheese products. The winter supplement payment, which means Tesco pays 29.58p/L and will be reflected in the cheese price that Tesco pays to the processor, was initially intended to conclude at the end of February.

However, given the inclement weather and challenges faced by First Milk farmers during these uncertain times in the dairy market, Tesco has extended the payment to support the farmers.

The retailer has made this investment to give them further additional financial assistance until April 17 to help them cover their production costs.

Kenya

Farmers urged to up skill for dairying

Farmers in Kirinyaga have been encouraged to embrace dairy farming and put more emphasis on continuous training, technology and skills development.

Governor Joseph Ndathi said dairy farming is a key driver in the livestock sub sector, with a high potential to put the county on the milk production map.

“Our milk production is largely unexploited. We want to make dairy farming more appealing to our farmers because that is where the money lies,” said Ndathi during the launch of the Kirinyaga Dairy Farmers Association at Kerugoya Stadium.

The association, which was launched during the county’s agri-business trade

fair, will be fully owned and managed by the dairy farmers from the county.

According to the Kenya Dairy Board, the country produces more milk than any other in Africa, but farmers have not maximised production per cow compared with European cattle, which can produce more than 35 litres a day.

In 2015 alone, the country had an estimated population of 80,905 dairy animals with an estimated milk production of 78,664,720 litres, of which 20 per cent was consumed at the farm, while 80 per cent marketed largely in the informal market.

US

New website aims to connect to customers

Florida Dairy Farmers has launched a new website to help connect and familiarise consumers with the state’s dairy industry and farmers.

The new floridamilk.com will help tell the stories of Florida’s dairy farming families and the work they do to produce wholesome milk, care for their cows and be good stewards of the environment.

Consumers will be able to learn about

some of the state’s milk producers and their respective family farm operations through in-depth farmer profiles and videos. Visitors to the site will also find scientifically based nutrition information and resources that detail the many health benefits of milk and other dairy products.

This website also features the new “Milk Blog” where the public can stay up to date on the latest news and events involving Florida Dairy Farmers, as well as a new and improved recipes page where consumers can find a variety of recipes for delicious foods featuring dairy products.

In addition, consumers browsing on the go will have no problem accessing the vast array of information available on the site as it is fully optimised for mobile devices such as cell phones and tablets.

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AustraliaLonger milk shelf life

A new frontier has opened up in the competitive battle for Australia’s multi-billion dollar milk market with a new $31 million plant opened in Cobden in Victoria’s west to process microfiltered milk sourced from local farms.

Microfiltered milk is pasteurised like other milk, but also goes through a microfiltration process that removes more than 99 per cent of the non-harmful bacteria that causes milk to sour.

The new microfiltration Anchor brand milk will have a shelf life around a third longer than normal milk, a big edge for the brand with use-by date a key decision factor for consumers.

Regular milk lasts about 15 days on the fridge shelf. Microfiltration extends this to 21 days.

While microfiltered milk is already available in Canada and the United Kingdom, the new Anchor milk is the first microfiltered milk in Australia and will initially be sold in Victoria

at Woolworths. Those spruiking the premium brand milk say it is “clean on the palate and has distinctly no after-taste”.

CHOICE’s Tom Godfrey said the new microfiltered milk was great news for consumers who had a problem with milk going off.

But he added that at $3.29 for two litres of full cream, Anchor milk consumers were paying 65 per cent more for microfiltered milk compared to supermarket private label milk, for a 40 per cent longer shelf life in the fridge.

Aussie Govt not likely to block sale

The Federal Government is unlikely to intervene in the sale of Australia’s largest dairy, the Van Dieman’s Land Company (VDL) to Chinese interests, according to political commentators.

The Federal Treasurer Scott

Morrison is unlikely to step in to block the sale of VDL to Moon Lake, say political commentators.

Tasmanian businesswoman Jan Cameron, who is underwriting a counter bid for the company, has called on the Federal Government to stop the sale to Moon Lake Investments.

Ms Cameron said the ability to block the sale was now “firmly in the hands of Mr Morrison.

“This is why I have pointedly sought to both meet with the Minister and to clearly point out why this sale needs to be stopped, and federal government intervention is needed,” Ms Cameron said.

The sale is now before the Foreign Investment Review Board, which is expected to announce its decision soon.

Dairy farmers need to be alert for virulent infection

Dairy farmers should be on the alert for a virulent infection that can spread rapidly through herds and be difficult to treat.

Mycoplasma was an emerging cause of untreatable mastitis that had caused significant problems in Australian dairy herds since 2006, Sydney University Associate Professor John House told a Gardiner Foundation presentation in

Melbourne recently. If an outbreak was not identified quickly, it could spread through large numbers of animals and be costly, he said.

One large farm estimated an outbreak cost it $1 million.

The disease could infect both calves and cows and caused pneumonia, tendinitis, middle-ear infection and endometriosis and was potentially fatal.

No treatment was available for milking cows, which had to be culled.

Mycoplasma bovis was also shed in milk, so milk from the hospital herd could not be fed to calves or they could all end up with the disease.


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Steady progress in rural broadband rollout

Communications Minister Amy Adams says the Government’s Rural Broadband Initiative (RBI) is making steady progress, with 87 per cent of new and upgraded towers complete.

“Compared to a year ago, there has been a 32 per cent increase in rural New Zealand households and businesses able to connect to faster and more reliable broadband,” says Ms Adams.

“As a result of the strong progress of RBI, almost 280,000 rural households and businesses can now access fixed wireless or improved fixed line broadband.”

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upgraded towers nationwide. “The RBI is also extending mobile

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DairyNZ scholarships

Fifty-five DairyNZ scholarships have been awarded this year to Lincoln, Massey and Waikato university students as part of a wider drive to attract more motivated young talent into the dairy industry.

DairyNZ has awarded the annual scholarships to successful students undertaking degrees in agriculture or related fields, with a particular interest in the dairy industry.

DairyNZ industry education facilitator Susan Stokes says the quality of applications this year was particularly high and bodes well for future talent coming into the dairy industry.

“This support for outstanding young scholars is part of the industry’s drive to encourage talented, motivated people into the industry as future research scientists, farm advisors, farm managers, farm owners and rural professionals,” says Ms Stokes.

Thirty-one students at Lincoln University, 22 at Massey University and two at the University of Waikato will receive a DairyNZ scholarship, funded by the levy invested by DairyNZ on behalf of dairy farmers.

“We received applications from 168 students from 135 schools and the high standard made our selection process challenging – a good problem to have, but it does mean some very good students missed out this time round,” says Ms Stokes.

LIC posts half year result

Livestock Improvement Corporation (NZX: LIC) has announced its half-year result for the six months ended November 30, 2015.

LIC total revenue for the six-month period was $145 million, 9 per cent down on the same period last year. Net profit after tax (NPAT) was $15.9 million, down 46 per cent from the previous year.

LIC signalled reduced earnings in October (NZX, October 20, 2015), as a result of the lower forecast milk payout and reduced spending on-farm.

It is now expected that the year-end result will be closer to a break-even position, chairman Murray King said.

“The season’s lower forecast milk price has created challenging financial situations for many dairy farmers, and as a co-op we are closely linked to that.

“This result is a reflection of that, and as we continue our essential capital expenditure programme; it is very much in line with what we anticipated in October although we now expect the year-end result to be closer to a break-even position.

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Farmers urged to take advantage of free chemical

disposal

When it comes to tackling on-farm environmental issues, “free” is not a word that farmers or growers often hear. But that’s exactly what Agrecovery Rural Recycling is offering the Canterbury rural community: free or subsidised collection and disposal for many unwanted or expired agrichemicals.

“We are able to provide this service largely free of charge due to the financial support of our 64 manufacturers and distributors, plus contributions from Environment Canterbury,” says Jason Richards of Agrecovery.

To take advantage of the collection, users of agrichemicals should book

these by March 25 via the Agrecovery website.

“While we can’t guarantee all booked chemicals will be free or subsidised, our funding tends to cover the majority of bookings.”

Richards says that more than 75,000kg of potentially harmful chemicals have been collected over the past seven years.

“Typically we hear from farmers who are leaving a property and need to get rid of expired products, or new owners who find unknown chemicals in sheds.

“There is also a large portion of users who simply don’t want to leave unwanted chemicals lying around; they want them safely disposed of.”

In 2014/2015 financial year, more than 4600kg of agrichemicals were collected from Canterbury, making up around 20 per cent of the national volume.

Synlait adds more senior management

Three new senior management positions will add business development and process improvement capability to Synlait’s Senior Leadership Team.

Managing Director and CEO John Penno said the decision follows an

assessment of business areas that require additional focus to ensure the company continues to deliver against its growth aspirations.

“Building our business development capability will significantly improve our ability to take advantage of emerging opportunities that will accelerate our growth,” said Mr Penno.

“We also want to drive more value for our customers in the way we plan and execute our business operations. Placing greater emphasis on process improvement and integrated business planning will achieve this.”

Border Levy garners more than $2m in first month

A new border clearance levy has raked in more than $2 million in its first month - with that take set to rise

dramatically. The controversial levy was a surprise measure in the last Budget and kicked in at the start of the year.

People with a return ticket to or from New Zealand are now hit with a total charge of about $22 that is included in the price of their airfare.

Figures supplied to the New Zealand Herald show that last month the border clearance levy generated $2.08 million, excluding GST.

Customs collected $1.142 million, and the Ministry for Primary Industries received $938,000.

The January collection is a fraction of the $26.27 million expected in the levy’s first six months. About 85 per cent of passengers last month were exempt from the levy because of pre-bought tickets. That percentage will drop to zero by the end of the year.

www.guardianonline.co.nz10 Dairy Focus www.guardianonline.co.nz

Rugby player Scott Barrett is not one to take his eye off the ball, either in his sports career or while finishing his Degree at Lincoln University.With his sights set firmly on his future, Scott made the wise decision to get Lasik treatment at Laservision Eye Clinic Merivale - freeing him from the hassle of wearing glasses or contact lenses.If it’s time you kicked your eyesight issues into touch, call us now for a FREE ASSESSMENT to find out if Lasik treatment is right for you.

Gamechanger.

Call 0800 52 73 71

Scott Barrett www.laservision.co.nz

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SAFERRURALROADS

SAFERRURALROADS

RURAL

ROADS COWS CROSSING

Do your cows cross the road?You need to use crossing mats, warning signs and lights.

You need to think about the safest place and time to cross.

Lastly, clean up after your cows - it can get slippery!

SAFER RURAL ROADS It’s your responsibility.

w w w.ashbur tondc.gov t.nz

Around the trapsSouthern Field Days in GoreOur enthusiastic new agricultural advertising representative Trudy Bensted was at the Southern Field Days in Gore recently where she snapped some of the exhibitors.


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Having explained the steps of preventative trimming last month, we can now take it a step further and talk about the treatment of lame cows.

Remember how we said that the outer claw is often higher than the inner claw?

This means that the outer claw is carrying a greater portion of the weight, with the result that the live tissue inside the outer claw is under more stress than the inner claw.

Well, when a cow gets laminitis (a disease in the foot that damages the blood vessels of the claw and weakens the live tissue) the outer claw will suffer more because of this extra stress.

So when we trim this claw preventatively we spread the weight evenly over the two claws and the effects of the disease will be minimised.

If however, it has got to the point where the outer claw has become too badly affected and the cow has ended up lame, then we need to go further.

If this claw has suffered more because of the extra pressure then

the logical thing to do for this cow is to minimise the pressure as much as we can.

We now lower the claw even further so that the outer claw ends up being lower than the inner claw. In this case the inner

claw will end up taking a bigger part of the weight.

You may now ask, “How will that help the cow because now the inner claw is going to be over stressed. Won’t that cause further problems?”

That would be true if the inner claw had to deal with this extra pressure for a long time, like two or three months.

But because the outer claw will grow back in time, it is not an issue.

Having trimmed the outer claw thinner, the live tissue inside this claw is getting rest and can heal.

Taking the pressure off the wound is the key to overcoming lameness and most people know this.

We often see lame cows that have been trimmed by a staff member where the wound has just been dug out, the theory being that you take the weight away from the wound and spread it out over the rest of that claw.

But this is wrong. The weight has to go to the other

claw. The whole lame claw needs to be

released from weight. Finally, we now need to take all the

loose horn away. If you can put your fingernail

underneath the horn then bacteria and dirt can get in there and this is just a recipe for infection.

So, when you see an under-run sole all that horn needs to come off.

That may mean that the whole sole has to come off in some cases.

Don’t be afraid to do so; just try not to make the claw bleed.

If the lame claw ends up with the live tissue exposed and you can’t create enough height difference between the two claws, then you should glue a claw block to the healthy claw.

This way the sore claw is artificially raised off the ground.

The theory here goes: if in doubt use a claw block.

Claw blocks are always cheaper than lame cows.

On our website www.veehof.co.nz you can find the full five step schedule on hoof trimming.

I highly recommend you print, laminate, and display it in the cowshed.

You can always call us if you have any other questions or would like to sign up for one of our training workshops.

Treating your lame cows

Fred Hoekstra

VEEHOF DAIRY SERVICES

Taking the pressure off the wound is the key to overcoming lameness in cows. You can artificially raise the sore claw off the ground with a claw block.

Precision SpreadingAccurate variable rateProof of placementSpreadmark certifiedExperienced driversMini spreader11 spreadersCovering Canterbury area

Contact Gavin on Ph: 03 324 2082 Mob: 027 487 5639 Or phone 0800 100 123

RECORD-APR15

2 Farming www.guardianonline.co.nz12 Dairy Focus www.guardianonline.co.nzPASTURE MANAGEMENT FEATURE

Throughout the length and breadth of New Zealand there are many opportunities for farmers to be involved in professional development.

There has been a significant gap around executive education aimed specifically at rural professionals be they vets, consultants, accountants, local and regional government

or other organisations dealing with the rural sector. That is until recently…

Agri One is a joint venture company owned 50/50 by both Lincoln and Massey universities. The result of this partnership is an increase in real-world skills and

knowledge for participants on our courses, and therefore the idea is to help increase a farmer’s productivity and profitability. Agri One’s mandate is about empowering those in and around the primary industries to continue to learn and grow by upskilling themselves and their organisations.

Courses like governance, succession, farm financial management and advanced farm systems modelling have been developed for and with industry due to the demand for academically robust, relevant, high quality programmes.

Joint research in farm business management occurs through OneFarm which is a project of work within Agri One.

This collaborative research between the two big agricultural universities helps keep New Zealand at the forefront of farm business management skill and knowledge. Over $800,000 worth of scholarships have been given by OneFarm in order to encourage more people to research and train in farm business management, which has been hugely successful in building knowledge and capability with the universities and across the sector and helps define some of the executive education courses available. Both DairyNZ and RMPP help fund OneFarm which shows the commitment from industry to support farm business management capability.

Gary Massicks, a recent

graduate from the Farm Governance training course and farm consultant said. “Even though I have been in governance positions and been advising family businesses for years, the course taught me heaps about what we do as family business consultants and how important it is to get this right.

“I started using the tools

and learning from day one of the programme. It was a challenge to go back to formal learning, but so important especially given the complex nature of today’s family businesses requirements. I would highly recommend anyone who is working in an advisory capacity to ‘go back to school’ and complete this programme.”

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Agri One leads the way in filling skills gaps

I would highly recommend anyone who is working in an advisory capacity to ‘go back to school’ and complete this programme

“

13www.guardianonline.co.nz PASTURE MANAGEMENT FEATURE

Early recovery for season at riskRecovery in dairy prices now risk arriving too late to enable a confident start to the 2016/17 season, according to Rabobank’s latest industry report.

General manager of Country Banking in New Zealand, Hayley Moynihan, said while dairy prices were expected to remain tight this year, recovery will be driven by how quickly brakes can be applied to global milk production.

However, most other agricultural sectors would have a strong year, particularly beef producers, wool and horticultural products.

Lamb producers were the exception with Rabobank expecting prices to remain under pressure because of sluggish demand.

Right - Rabobank’s 12 month NZ farmgate price outlook at a glance.

Throughout the length and breadth of New Zealand there are many opportunities for farmers to be involved in professional development.

There has been a significant gap around executive education aimed specifically at rural professionals be they vets, consultants, accountants, local and regional government

or other organisations dealing with the rural sector. That is until recently…

Agri One is a joint venture company owned 50/50 by both Lincoln and Massey universities. The result of this partnership is an increase in real-world skills and

knowledge for participants on our courses, and therefore the idea is to help increase a farmer’s productivity and profitability. Agri One’s mandate is about empowering those in and around the primary industries to continue to learn and grow by upskilling themselves and their organisations.

Courses like governance, succession, farm financial management and advanced farm systems modelling have been developed for and with industry due to the demand for academically robust, relevant, high quality programmes.

Joint research in farm business management occurs through OneFarm which is a project of work within Agri One.

This collaborative research between the two big agricultural universities helps keep New Zealand at the forefront of farm business management skill and knowledge. Over $800,000 worth of scholarships have been given by OneFarm in order to encourage more people to research and train in farm business management, which has been hugely successful in building knowledge and capability with the universities and across the sector and helps define some of the executive education courses available. Both DairyNZ and RMPP help fund OneFarm which shows the commitment from industry to support farm business management capability.

Gary Massicks, a recent

graduate from the Farm Governance training course and farm consultant said. “Even though I have been in governance positions and been advising family businesses for years, the course taught me heaps about what we do as family business consultants and how important it is to get this right.

“I started using the tools

and learning from day one of the programme. It was a challenge to go back to formal learning, but so important especially given the complex nature of today’s family businesses requirements. I would highly recommend anyone who is working in an advisory capacity to ‘go back to school’ and complete this programme.”

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Agri One leads the way in filling skills gaps

I would highly recommend anyone who is working in an advisory capacity to ‘go back to school’ and complete this programme

“


If you cut your nitrogen by 80 per cent tomorrow, would you expect your production to drop? Of course it would… if you did nothing else. Optimising nitrogen use is one of the holy grails in a drive to produce food for a booming world population, all whilst looking after the environment.

A growing number of farmers are successfully dropping their N to astoundingly low levels in an approach that provides a wide range of benefits. To support farmers findings, BioAg conducted a series of US based replicated crop trials. Reducing N by 15 per cent, BioAg’s liquid product range provided a staggering 26 per cent yield increase above standard fertiliser practices. How is it that biological farmers can dramatically reduce nitrogen without reducing production?

The journey starts with an appreciation of soil health’s role in driving the nitrogen cycle.

Soil structureDespite common perceptions, your number one yield limiting factor is not nitrogen, its air. Improving yield starts with a soil that can breathe.

Without adequate airflow, roots and microbes curl up and die. Natural mineral and water cycles also breakdown. Compacted and waterlogged soils lose valuable nutrients including N, and reduce those microbes responsible for providing N to your crops.

Air, and water, moves into soil through the gaps in soil aggregates; the crumbs formed by soil microbes.

Just like constructing an apartment building, microbes

and earthworms make hallways, stairwells and living spaces. Poor soil structure turns these apartments into a tarmac. This loss of structure stalls the natural nitrogen cycle.

The recent State of the Environment report shows that 78 per cent of dairy farms were badly affected by compaction in 2013. This is a double whammy for farmers and the environment, as compacted soils require more N and lose more N into the atmosphere and waterways . Research shows, that depending on the type of N used, up to ten times more N is lost from compacted soils; requiring more inputs to maintain production.

Often when considering natural nitrogen inputs, farmers most often think of legumes, particularly clover and rhizobia for N fixation. However, in healthy soils among the most common organisms are free-living bacteria which fix nitrogen into the soil. These free-living N fixers require air, so compacted soils will have less of these important organisms.

The high use of soluble nitrogen creates a vicious cycle; putting farmers on a treadmill of decreasing

returns due to the breakdown of soil carbon, thus a loss of humus and an increase of microbes which love to feed on N. The loss of carbon creates the conditions for compaction, increasing runoff and erosion and limiting root growth. Just too really put the boot in, these soils then require more irrigation, creating more vulnerable farm systems. How efficient is your

N fertiliser?Our modern farming practices are leaky and inefficient. In dairy systems only 15-35 per cent of the N applied is actually made available to the plant, with the majority of applied N lost to the air and waterways (globally this figure is 5-15 per cent). There wouldn’t be many businesses happy with those kinds of inefficiencies. So why do we tolerate it in farming?

Increasingly fertiliser companies are focussing on add-on products to improve N efficiencies, like DCD, Nitrapyrin and Agrotain. Even projections for best practices around nitrogen, the soundest estimates offer 60 per cent efficiency at best. These products will enable fertiliser companies to continue business as usual,

without addressing the key issue; why do you need to add soluble N, and why is the nitrogen cycle not working optimally? The success of Biological Agriculture begins through building a foundation to enhance natural cycles, using proactive practices which address the root causes, versus reacting to symptoms.

Fostering underground livestock is an essential ingredient to reducing N inputs. One key in profitably reducing N, is through the addition of carbon based biological foods and stimulants to improve soil structure and nitrogen storage while maintaining yields .

Plants require nitrogen in different forms throughout the growing season; applying large volumes of N at once is ineffective in supporting plants through the year.

Biological production creates significantly less emissions and leaching, while providing nitrogen in plant available forms when plants need it.

Microbiology and Soluble N

Many plant species are completely dependent on microbial partners for growth and survival. High inputs of soluble N fertilisers dramatically change microbial communities; reducing organic N and C, microbial diversity and overstimulating bacteria.

Fungi to Bacteria (F:B) ratios are important for soil structure and pasture health. New research has also shown that soils higher in fungi reduce N leaching. Mycorrhizae, a plant symbiotic fungus, have been shown to reduce leaching by

40 per cent. These important fungi also produce a substance called glomalin, a relatively stable soil protein important in soil structure.

Degrading soil health and the addition of soluble N reduces the F:B ratio, creating more bacterial soils with time.

During the life and death processes which drive healthy biological systems, nitrogen goes through a variety of forms before being taken up by plant roots. Bacteria consume N and hold it in their bodies. If the soil foodweb has been compromised, through compaction or high soluble N applications, there is often lower predation from protozoa and nematodes. This means N becomes immobilised or bound in the soil, unavailable to plants. Not all synthetic N is detrimental, adding small amounts of N (five units/Ha) has actually been found to be beneficial for soil microbiology, acting as a catalyst to help stimulate the natural N cycle.

New research highlights that high yields can be maintained and inputs reduced through good management of soil, water, energy and biological resources.

Feed your soil Soils are an ecosystem; supporting and feeding soil microbes have huge benefits across the entire farm enterprise. Reducing nitrogen can be profitably and sensibly done through enhancing microbiology and soil health resulting in huge leaps forward for the environment and farming bottom lines.

Full referenced article

available on request.

Getting more bang from your nitrogen investment

2 Farming www.guardianonline.co.nz14 Dairy Focus www.guardianonline.co.nzPASTURE MANAGEMENT

By changing the way we farm and improving the soil through stimulating and promoting beneficial biology we can increase pasture production and performance.

By adding bio-stimulants and organic matter we can help promote beneficial organisms to enhance soil fertility, health and performance.

This will help you get more value out of your fertiliser programmes and unlock your soil’s potential.

It might sound daunting, but pastoral systems in New Zealand already generate a significant amount of organic and dead matter. The crucial element that is often lacking is the biology.

This can be remedied by using a bio-stimulant like Effective Microorganisms (EM).

EM is used in more than 140 countries around the world and has quickly gained recognition for its huge success in a variety

of areas. EM works effectively

in conjunction with both biological and conventional systems and stimulates biological activity getting natural processes to function, the way nature intended.

EM will not only add to the microbial population, but will also stimulate resident microbes speeding up the recycling of organic matter and nutrient breakdown saving you in fertiliser budget.

This stimulation can lead to increasing nitrogen fixation capacity directly through the increase of N fixing bacteria, and indirectly by increasing clover growth, increasing mycorrhizal activity and promoting fungal and earthworm activity.

Enhancing fertiliser inputsThe microbes in EM

will solubilise compounds largely unavailable to plants and make them available for uptake,

allowing the plant to put more energy into growth.

Therefore the microbes create a more efficient use of added nutrients, generating a better growth response from fertiliser inputs.

EM is cost effective, works effectively with most fertilisers and can be mixed with other products, decreasing your application costs.

EM is a product with a multitude of benefits, many of which are discussed and implemented all around the world.

In addition to enhancing fertiliser, EM can also provide nutrient sources outside of fertiliser inputs, these include:• Fixing atmospheric

nitrogen• Converting organic

matter to plant nutrients

• Decomposing organic residues

• Recycling soil nutrientsTo learn more about

this technology visit our website – www.emnz.co.nz.

FOR PRODUCT PURCHASES AND INFORMATION

PHONE (03) 374 6323EMAIL [email protected] www.emnz.co.nz

MICROBES FOR ENHANCEDSoil Biology • Fertiliser Performance • Yields • Environment

Effective Microorganisms (EM)

is a low cost microbial inoculant that will improve crop and pasture yields and enhance fertiliser

and effl uent performance.

Improve yields by improving soil health


If you cut your nitrogen by 80 per cent tomorrow, would you expect your production to drop? Of course it would… if you did nothing else. Optimising nitrogen use is one of the holy grails in a drive to produce food for a booming world population, all whilst looking after the environment.

A growing number of farmers are successfully dropping their N to astoundingly low levels in an approach that provides a wide range of benefits. To support farmers findings, BioAg conducted a series of US based replicated crop trials. Reducing N by 15 per cent, BioAg’s liquid product range provided a staggering 26 per cent yield increase above standard fertiliser practices. How is it that biological farmers can dramatically reduce nitrogen without reducing production?

The journey starts with an appreciation of soil health’s role in driving the nitrogen cycle.

Soil structureDespite common perceptions, your number one yield limiting factor is not nitrogen, its air. Improving yield starts with a soil that can breathe.

Without adequate airflow, roots and microbes curl up and die. Natural mineral and water cycles also breakdown. Compacted and waterlogged soils lose valuable nutrients including N, and reduce those microbes responsible for providing N to your crops.

Air, and water, moves into soil through the gaps in soil aggregates; the crumbs formed by soil microbes.

Just like constructing an apartment building, microbes

and earthworms make hallways, stairwells and living spaces. Poor soil structure turns these apartments into a tarmac. This loss of structure stalls the natural nitrogen cycle.

The recent State of the Environment report shows that 78 per cent of dairy farms were badly affected by compaction in 2013. This is a double whammy for farmers and the environment, as compacted soils require more N and lose more N into the atmosphere and waterways . Research shows, that depending on the type of N used, up to ten times more N is lost from compacted soils; requiring more inputs to maintain production.

Often when considering natural nitrogen inputs, farmers most often think of legumes, particularly clover and rhizobia for N fixation. However, in healthy soils among the most common organisms are free-living bacteria which fix nitrogen into the soil. These free-living N fixers require air, so compacted soils will have less of these important organisms.

The high use of soluble nitrogen creates a vicious cycle; putting farmers on a treadmill of decreasing

returns due to the breakdown of soil carbon, thus a loss of humus and an increase of microbes which love to feed on N. The loss of carbon creates the conditions for compaction, increasing runoff and erosion and limiting root growth. Just too really put the boot in, these soils then require more irrigation, creating more vulnerable farm systems. How efficient is your

N fertiliser?Our modern farming practices are leaky and inefficient. In dairy systems only 15-35 per cent of the N applied is actually made available to the plant, with the majority of applied N lost to the air and waterways (globally this figure is 5-15 per cent). There wouldn’t be many businesses happy with those kinds of inefficiencies. So why do we tolerate it in farming?

Increasingly fertiliser companies are focussing on add-on products to improve N efficiencies, like DCD, Nitrapyrin and Agrotain. Even projections for best practices around nitrogen, the soundest estimates offer 60 per cent efficiency at best. These products will enable fertiliser companies to continue business as usual,

without addressing the key issue; why do you need to add soluble N, and why is the nitrogen cycle not working optimally? The success of Biological Agriculture begins through building a foundation to enhance natural cycles, using proactive practices which address the root causes, versus reacting to symptoms.

Fostering underground livestock is an essential ingredient to reducing N inputs. One key in profitably reducing N, is through the addition of carbon based biological foods and stimulants to improve soil structure and nitrogen storage while maintaining yields .

Plants require nitrogen in different forms throughout the growing season; applying large volumes of N at once is ineffective in supporting plants through the year.

Biological production creates significantly less emissions and leaching, while providing nitrogen in plant available forms when plants need it.

Microbiology and Soluble N

Many plant species are completely dependent on microbial partners for growth and survival. High inputs of soluble N fertilisers dramatically change microbial communities; reducing organic N and C, microbial diversity and overstimulating bacteria.

Fungi to Bacteria (F:B) ratios are important for soil structure and pasture health. New research has also shown that soils higher in fungi reduce N leaching. Mycorrhizae, a plant symbiotic fungus, have been shown to reduce leaching by

40 per cent. These important fungi also produce a substance called glomalin, a relatively stable soil protein important in soil structure.

Degrading soil health and the addition of soluble N reduces the F:B ratio, creating more bacterial soils with time.

During the life and death processes which drive healthy biological systems, nitrogen goes through a variety of forms before being taken up by plant roots. Bacteria consume N and hold it in their bodies. If the soil foodweb has been compromised, through compaction or high soluble N applications, there is often lower predation from protozoa and nematodes. This means N becomes immobilised or bound in the soil, unavailable to plants. Not all synthetic N is detrimental, adding small amounts of N (five units/Ha) has actually been found to be beneficial for soil microbiology, acting as a catalyst to help stimulate the natural N cycle.

New research highlights that high yields can be maintained and inputs reduced through good management of soil, water, energy and biological resources.

Feed your soil Soils are an ecosystem; supporting and feeding soil microbes have huge benefits across the entire farm enterprise. Reducing nitrogen can be profitably and sensibly done through enhancing microbiology and soil health resulting in huge leaps forward for the environment and farming bottom lines.

Full referenced article

available on request.

Getting more bang from your nitrogen investment


By changing the way we farm and improving the soil through stimulating and promoting beneficial biology we can increase pasture production and performance.

By adding bio-stimulants and organic matter we can help promote beneficial organisms to enhance soil fertility, health and performance.

This will help you get more value out of your fertiliser programmes and unlock your soil’s potential.

It might sound daunting, but pastoral systems in New Zealand already generate a significant amount of organic and dead matter. The crucial element that is often lacking is the biology.

This can be remedied by using a bio-stimulant like Effective Microorganisms (EM).

EM is used in more than 140 countries around the world and has quickly gained recognition for its huge success in a variety

of areas. EM works effectively

in conjunction with both biological and conventional systems and stimulates biological activity getting natural processes to function, the way nature intended.

EM will not only add to the microbial population, but will also stimulate resident microbes speeding up the recycling of organic matter and nutrient breakdown saving you in fertiliser budget.

This stimulation can lead to increasing nitrogen fixation capacity directly through the increase of N fixing bacteria, and indirectly by increasing clover growth, increasing mycorrhizal activity and promoting fungal and earthworm activity.

Enhancing fertiliser inputsThe microbes in EM

will solubilise compounds largely unavailable to plants and make them available for uptake,

allowing the plant to put more energy into growth.

Therefore the microbes create a more efficient use of added nutrients, generating a better growth response from fertiliser inputs.

EM is cost effective, works effectively with most fertilisers and can be mixed with other products, decreasing your application costs.

EM is a product with a multitude of benefits, many of which are discussed and implemented all around the world.

In addition to enhancing fertiliser, EM can also provide nutrient sources outside of fertiliser inputs, these include:• Fixing atmospheric

nitrogen• Converting organic

matter to plant nutrients

• Decomposing organic residues

• Recycling soil nutrientsTo learn more about

this technology visit our website – www.emnz.co.nz.

FOR PRODUCT PURCHASES AND INFORMATION

PHONE (03) 374 6323EMAIL [email protected] www.emnz.co.nz

MICROBES FOR ENHANCEDSoil Biology • Fertiliser Performance • Yields • Environment

Effective Microorganisms (EM)

is a low cost microbial inoculant that will improve crop and pasture yields and enhance fertiliser

and effl uent performance.

Improve yields by improving soil health


Feed troughs built to last


Locally owned and operated, Hanham Concrete has been providing quality concrete products and services in the South Island for more than 50 years.

During this time, the company has grown in both size and scope, with their concrete products now found throughout the South Island.

They specialise in rural products such as troughs, tanks, multi-use

bunkers and silage pits. They also have a broader product range including killing sheds, sumps, risers and precast panels, to name a few.

Effluent tanks and sumps are another main focus for the company. Their effluent sumps can be tailored to suit all your requirements and can be built in high water tables.

All of their products are made using steel-reinforced concrete and they include micro fibre in their

concrete to give extra strength and durability to their products.

They are of robust construction, the company always aiming for superior workmanship and long lifespan for every product that leaves their facilities.

Hanham Concrete has also always been interested in new products and want to continuously raise their

standards of quality and the range of products they offer.

They pride themselves in being able to offer custom solutions to achieve maximum satisfaction their customers.

For a well-built concrete product, be it a trough, a bunker or an effluent tank or any other concrete product Hanham Concrete specialises in, you can be confident you will get the best quality out of Hanham Concrete.

Reduce wastage this springCall us now for a quote andstart planning ahead today.

205 Wilkins Road, Tinwald, Ashburton | 03 308 4816 | www.hanhamconcrete.co.nz

FEED TROUGHSAVAILABLE NORTH CANTERBURY TO NORTH OTAGO

Visit our website for more on how the

Maintaining your pastures and cows is nevereasy with mother nature around. Keep your pasture safe from pugging and minimise feed wastage

“

Feeding your cows quality, maintain your pastures to keep quality.


SLURRY & MUCK SPREADING

PONDS • SUMPS • WEDGES • TANKS • SAUCERS

Joskin Ferti-spaceHorizon Muck Spreader• Muck• Wood chip• Lime• Poultry manure• Organic waste• Living Earth Compost available

Joskin Euroliner Slurry Tankers

24,000 and 28,000 litres

18m Dribble Bar

Umbilical System

Storth Mega Mix Lagoon Pump

www.mattlovett.co.nz

M: 027 281 2089P: 307 2124E: [email protected]

CONTACT MATT TODAY

PO Box 22, Rangiora [email protected] www.wesco.co.nz

FREE PHONE 0800 643 643

CALL TODAY TO FIND THE PASTURE TO SUIT YOUR DEMANDS.

LARGE YIELDS LOW COSTS, QUALITY SILAGE

• Wanting to increase milk production

• Balance between grass and clover

• Extra protein and nitrogen fi xation

• Not wanting to re grass as often but still maintaining quality

• A product Superior in long rotation farming management practice

Matt Lovett provides farmers with an efficient slurry and muck spreading business throughout Canterbury. Matt believes slurry is a much undervalued product. It is a great organic fertiliser which is suitable for all crops on farms.

Applied at the right rates it can bring bad paddocks back to life. With the advantage of slurry already on farm Matt can spread large amounts (up to a million litres a day per tanker) anywhere on farms and is not restricted like other systems.

The loss of volatile nutrients is also significantly reduced when the slurry is layed directly on the ground at the foot of the plants with the 18m dribble bar. The dribble bar is the answer for quick paddock recovery

unlike other systems that can take up to four weeks.

Also available is the Joskin Ferti-Space Horizon Muck Spreader. This large-capacity machine is able to carry more than 28 cubic metres.

It has horizontal beaters and two wide spreading discs which allows even spreading.

We can supply Living Earth compost – a certified organic, weed-free compost which contains slow-release nutrients.

It is designed to spread different produces including dry slurry, compost, organic waste, lime, wood chips and poultry manure.

Contact Matt for all your slurry and muck enquiries.

Stir, pump & spread

Tankers applying slurry.

Time to consider spring pastures Wesco Seeds is a retail and wholesale seed company operating in New Zealand, dealing directly with farmers, seed resellers and rural retailers.

Wesco seeds offer an excellent seed variety range. From Perennials, Italians right through to a full brassica range we have a lot of product on hand and in store now. We also do a lot of custom mixers, name any seed and we will mix it for you.

The Wesco product range now includes new Elite Pasture Mixes, our popular Premium Dairy Mixes that increase milk production, stock fattening feeders, High Sugar performers, seed for Pasture Recovery and over sowing, cost-effective Italian Mulching Mixes, Bush burn mixes, Brassicas and more. Plus note our extended small seed selection.

For organic growers, most of our seeds can be issues with a certificate for auditing purposes, you can request this with orders.

ONE OF OUR MANY PRODUCTS SAXON PPR

• Our most popular dairy mix due to increased milk production in all areas of the country.

• Also recommended for sheep and beef due to its increased fattening capacity.

• The balance of grasses and clovers in this mix has proven very successful because of excellent bulk of feed and longevity.

• Strong clover base - total of 20 per cent for extra protein and nitrogen fixation.

• Includes Fascinate High Sugar Tetraploid Italian for incredible feed with reports of reduced scouring.

• Recommended sowing rate 30-32kg per hectare.

Feed troughs built to last


Locally owned and operated, Hanham Concrete has been providing quality concrete products and services in the South Island for more than 50 years.

During this time, the company has grown in both size and scope, with their concrete products now found throughout the South Island.

They specialise in rural products such as troughs, tanks, multi-use

bunkers and silage pits. They also have a broader product range including killing sheds, sumps, risers and precast panels, to name a few.

Effluent tanks and sumps are another main focus for the company. Their effluent sumps can be tailored to suit all your requirements and can be built in high water tables.

All of their products are made using steel-reinforced concrete and they include micro fibre in their

concrete to give extra strength and durability to their products.

They are of robust construction, the company always aiming for superior workmanship and long lifespan for every product that leaves their facilities.

Hanham Concrete has also always been interested in new products and want to continuously raise their

standards of quality and the range of products they offer.

They pride themselves in being able to offer custom solutions to achieve maximum satisfaction their customers.

For a well-built concrete product, be it a trough, a bunker or an effluent tank or any other concrete product Hanham Concrete specialises in, you can be confident you will get the best quality out of Hanham Concrete.

Reduce wastage this springCall us now for a quote andstart planning ahead today.

205 Wilkins Road, Tinwald, Ashburton | 03 308 4816 | www.hanhamconcrete.co.nz

FEED TROUGHSAVAILABLE NORTH CANTERBURY TO NORTH OTAGO

Visit our website for more on how the

Maintaining your pastures and cows is nevereasy with mother nature around. Keep your pasture safe from pugging and minimise feed wastage

“

Feeding your cows quality, maintain your pastures to keep quality.


SLURRY & MUCK SPREADING

PONDS • SUMPS • WEDGES • TANKS • SAUCERS

Joskin Ferti-spaceHorizon Muck Spreader• Muck• Wood chip• Lime• Poultry manure• Organic waste• Living Earth Compost available

Joskin Euroliner Slurry Tankers

24,000 and 28,000 litres

18m Dribble Bar

Umbilical System

Storth Mega Mix Lagoon Pump

www.mattlovett.co.nz

M: 027 281 2089P: 307 2124E: [email protected]

CONTACT MATT TODAY

PO Box 22, Rangiora [email protected] www.wesco.co.nz

FREE PHONE 0800 643 643

CALL TODAY TO FIND THE PASTURE TO SUIT YOUR DEMANDS.

LARGE YIELDS LOW COSTS, QUALITY SILAGE

• Wanting to increase milk production

• Balance between grass and clover

• Extra protein and nitrogen fi xation

• Not wanting to re grass as often but still maintaining quality

• A product Superior in long rotation farming management practice

Matt Lovett provides farmers with an efficient slurry and muck spreading business throughout Canterbury. Matt believes slurry is a much undervalued product. It is a great organic fertiliser which is suitable for all crops on farms.

Applied at the right rates it can bring bad paddocks back to life. With the advantage of slurry already on farm Matt can spread large amounts (up to a million litres a day per tanker) anywhere on farms and is not restricted like other systems.

The loss of volatile nutrients is also significantly reduced when the slurry is layed directly on the ground at the foot of the plants with the 18m dribble bar. The dribble bar is the answer for quick paddock recovery

unlike other systems that can take up to four weeks.

Also available is the Joskin Ferti-Space Horizon Muck Spreader. This large-capacity machine is able to carry more than 28 cubic metres.

It has horizontal beaters and two wide spreading discs which allows even spreading.

We can supply Living Earth compost – a certified organic, weed-free compost which contains slow-release nutrients.

It is designed to spread different produces including dry slurry, compost, organic waste, lime, wood chips and poultry manure.

Contact Matt for all your slurry and muck enquiries.

Stir, pump & spread

Tankers applying slurry.

Time to consider spring pastures Wesco Seeds is a retail and wholesale seed company operating in New Zealand, dealing directly with farmers, seed resellers and rural retailers.

Wesco seeds offer an excellent seed variety range. From Perennials, Italians right through to a full brassica range we have a lot of product on hand and in store now. We also do a lot of custom mixers, name any seed and we will mix it for you.

The Wesco product range now includes new Elite Pasture Mixes, our popular Premium Dairy Mixes that increase milk production, stock fattening feeders, High Sugar performers, seed for Pasture Recovery and over sowing, cost-effective Italian Mulching Mixes, Bush burn mixes, Brassicas and more. Plus note our extended small seed selection.

For organic growers, most of our seeds can be issues with a certificate for auditing purposes, you can request this with orders.

ONE OF OUR MANY PRODUCTS SAXON PPR

• Our most popular dairy mix due to increased milk production in all areas of the country.

• Also recommended for sheep and beef due to its increased fattening capacity.

• The balance of grasses and clovers in this mix has proven very successful because of excellent bulk of feed and longevity.

• Strong clover base - total of 20 per cent for extra protein and nitrogen fixation.

• Includes Fascinate High Sugar Tetraploid Italian for incredible feed with reports of reduced scouring.

• Recommended sowing rate 30-32kg per hectare.

2 Farming www.guardianonline.co.nz18 Dairy Focus www.guardianonline.co.nzDAIRY SHEDS FEATURE

Kleantech products in a store near youKleantech is a family business and is proud of the great customer service and after care support they have provided to their customers since 1991.

With Kleantech's extensive knowledge of servicing all makes and models of cleaning machines in New Zealand, Mike was able to hand pick machines suited 100 per cent to our conditions and people. No one else in the market can claim this as they are always changing suppliers or models. Kleantech still sells machines we sold in 2000. Why?... because they are good and work well. Kiwis are a very different breed to the rest of the world, where we fix everything instead of replacing them, so quality is 100 per cent the top consideration.

When you are looking for the very best quality water blaster, drain cleaner, commercial vacuum cleaner, Power Take-Off (PTO) machine or pump, you want advice you can trust from someone with experience to guide you in the right direction.

If you want a machine that

will do the job right and last the distance, Kleantech has quality cleaning machines that out perform all others and can be serviced locally. So, before you jump at the cheap deal at your local hardware store, give us a call first.

There are specific machines for specific needs and we really know the best options. Contact us and we're happy to discuss your specific requirements with you and find the right machine for the job.

Distributors can get any machines/parts needed from the team at Kleantech - who will go the extra mile to provide fast service and will endeavour to get the courier organised the same day if possible.

Spare parts for all makes and models of commercial cleaning equipment in New Zealand.

Kleantech holds stock for every commercial water blaster and vacuum cleaner on hand. We have a large collection of machine drawings for most machines on the New Zealand market.

No one beats our knowledge in the field. No one!

� Keeping your dairy shed clean

� Machinery looking like new

� Drain cleaning equipment

0800 KLEANTECH0800 553 268

0800 KLEANTECH (0800 553 268)Mike 021 492 [email protected]

Wholesale importer & distributor of quality Italian industrial, commercial & domestic cleaning machines & accessories.

ENQUIRE NOW

Competitive prices, superb quality COLD WATER BLASTER HOT WATER BLASTER CUSTOM MACHINES

PUMPS PTO VACUUM CLEANERS

DISTRIBUTORS NZ WIDE

DISTRIBUTORS NZ WIDEKiwi owned family business since 1991

Ashburton ITM

19www.guardianonline.co.nz DAIRY SHEDS FEATURE

Call Ashburton ITM today on 307 0412 for a very competitive quote.

92 Dobson Street, AshburtonPhone 307 [email protected]

HOURSMon-Fri: 7am-5pm

Sat: 8am-12noon

ASHBURTON3 BAY LEAN-TO FARM SHED

Shed illustration only

Delivery Mid Canterbury

SHED 1 - 10.8X6M• 2.4M Back Height• 3.0M Front Height• 3.6M Bays• 6M Deep• H5 Hi Strength Poles• 0.9 kpa Snow Load• High Wind• 0.4 Zincalume Steel

SHED 2 - 13.5X6M• 3M Back Height• 3.6M Front Height• 4.5M Bays• 6M Deep (Clear span)• H5 Hi Strength Poles• 0.9 kpa Snow Load• High Wind• 0.4 Zincalume Steel


Bird proof

PMR GRAIN SYSTEMS CROP STORAGE AND HANDLING SYSTEMSWE ARE BASED IN ASHBURTONCOVER THE WHOLE SOUTH ISLAND

TEL 03 303 7266 MOBILE 0275 146 609 EMAIL [email protected] 0274 151 390 EMAIL [email protected]

www.pmr.co.nz

Dairy Feed and Crop Storage SpecialistsDairy Feed and Crop Storage Specialists

PMR are able to supply total feed delivery systems through our supplier GSI into both rotary and herringbone dairy complexes.

PMR offer• Site Consultation • Supply • Design • Installation and Repairs• Site Consultation • Supply • Design • Installation and Repairs• Site Consultation • Supply • Design • Installation and Repairs

SILO LADDER SAFETY CAGECages, platforms and handrails can be ordered to meet AS/NZ Standards. Can be designed to suit seed cleaning equipment, breweries and all manner of on farm or factory sites.

WAKELY ROLLER MILLSSuitable for processing a wide range of crops. From 1.5tph through to 30tph plus.

SKIOLD DISC MILLS

The all round mill for the grinding of grain and crops. Low power consumption, quiet operation and minimum dust levels.Superior to mill grain.

Previously Helmack ITM, the company has new owners and has changed their trading name to Ashburton ITM. The company is part of Sutherland and Co, of Kaiapoi, but remains a member of ITM, New Zealand's largest group of independent timber, hardware and building supply merchants.

Sutherland and Co have a sawmill based in Kaiapoi, commissioned in 1920, which has had a long history of producing quality oregon and pine timbers.

Ashburton ITM is here to help you whether it is for a small project at home or a large house project.

With their own frame and truss plant, no job is too big or too small for them.

Their store can provide you with paint, tools, power tools and hardware including timber, board products and fencing materials.

And, if you need a shed, look no further. Ashburton ITM has a variety of size options at very competitive prices.

Ashburton ITM are proud to provide their customers with great service, value and a great product range, you can depend on them for all your building needs.

ITM "We'll see you right".

In shed feeding systems

PMR Grain Systems offer the full process:• Consultation• Design• Engineering• Installation

ConsultationAfter initial contact has been

made, one of our team of experts will normally visit your site to ascertain your requirements and make recommendations.

System designOnce we have consulted with you,

we are able to fully design a Feed Delivery System to suit your tailored requirements

Product supplyFrom the final design we are able

to prepare quotations for the relevant feed delivery equipment and supply as required.

EngineeringPMR Grain Systems’ engineering

services can manufacture all types of specialist equipment. PMR Grain Systems can also carry out repairs to existing machinery and have a fully

equipped welding and fabrication workshop at the Hinds site.

InstallationOnce the equipment has been

delivered we have a fully experienced and trained installation team who are able to install our full range of products.

About the GSI GroupGSI is the largest manufacturer

of steel farm grain bins, commercial storage grain bins and grain silos. In addition they offer a huge range of grain drying and handling equipment.

Flex-flo delivery systemNothing beats GSI’s Flex-Flo Feed

Delivery System in flexibility and adaptability. Using the PVC tubing as the carrier of feed not only provides flexibility in the design process, but also reduces dust, provides protection against insect and rodent contamination and reduces operational noise.

Both tubing and augers are available in a variety of models. Whether it is ground/rolled feed, mash or pellets, we have the system to suit your needs.

We offer a unique blend of products and services to complete feed delivery systems.

2 Farming www.guardianonline.co.nz18 Dairy Focus www.guardianonline.co.nzDAIRY SHEDS FEATURE

Kleantech products in a store near youKleantech is a family business and is proud of the great customer service and after care support they have provided to their customers since 1991.

With Kleantech's extensive knowledge of servicing all makes and models of cleaning machines in New Zealand, Mike was able to hand pick machines suited 100 per cent to our conditions and people. No one else in the market can claim this as they are always changing suppliers or models. Kleantech still sells machines we sold in 2000. Why?... because they are good and work well. Kiwis are a very different breed to the rest of the world, where we fix everything instead of replacing them, so quality is 100 per cent the top consideration.

When you are looking for the very best quality water blaster, drain cleaner, commercial vacuum cleaner, Power Take-Off (PTO) machine or pump, you want advice you can trust from someone with experience to guide you in the right direction.

If you want a machine that

will do the job right and last the distance, Kleantech has quality cleaning machines that out perform all others and can be serviced locally. So, before you jump at the cheap deal at your local hardware store, give us a call first.

There are specific machines for specific needs and we really know the best options. Contact us and we're happy to discuss your specific requirements with you and find the right machine for the job.

Distributors can get any machines/parts needed from the team at Kleantech - who will go the extra mile to provide fast service and will endeavour to get the courier organised the same day if possible.

Spare parts for all makes and models of commercial cleaning equipment in New Zealand.

Kleantech holds stock for every commercial water blaster and vacuum cleaner on hand. We have a large collection of machine drawings for most machines on the New Zealand market.

No one beats our knowledge in the field. No one!

� Keeping your dairy shed clean

� Machinery looking like new

� Drain cleaning equipment

0800 KLEANTECH0800 553 268

0800 KLEANTECH (0800 553 268)Mike 021 492 [email protected]

Wholesale importer & distributor of quality Italian industrial, commercial & domestic cleaning machines & accessories.

ENQUIRE NOW

Competitive prices, superb quality COLD WATER BLASTER HOT WATER BLASTER CUSTOM MACHINES

PUMPS PTO VACUUM CLEANERS

DISTRIBUTORS NZ WIDE

DISTRIBUTORS NZ WIDEKiwi owned family business since 1991

Ashburton ITM

19www.guardianonline.co.nz DAIRY SHEDS FEATURE

Call Ashburton ITM today on 307 0412 for a very competitive quote.

92 Dobson Street, AshburtonPhone 307 [email protected]

HOURSMon-Fri: 7am-5pm

Sat: 8am-12noon

ASHBURTON3 BAY LEAN-TO FARM SHED

Shed illustration only

Delivery Mid Canterbury

SHED 1 - 10.8X6M• 2.4M Back Height• 3.0M Front Height• 3.6M Bays• 6M Deep• H5 Hi Strength Poles• 0.9 kpa Snow Load• High Wind• 0.4 Zincalume Steel



Bird proof

PMR GRAIN SYSTEMS CROP STORAGE AND HANDLING SYSTEMSWE ARE BASED IN ASHBURTONCOVER THE WHOLE SOUTH ISLAND

TEL 03 303 7266 MOBILE 0275 146 609 EMAIL [email protected] 0274 151 390 EMAIL [email protected]

www.pmr.co.nz

Dairy Feed and Crop Storage SpecialistsDairy Feed and Crop Storage Specialists

PMR are able to supply total feed delivery systems through our supplier GSI into both rotary and herringbone dairy complexes.

PMR offer• Site Consultation • Supply • Design • Installation and Repairs• Site Consultation • Supply • Design • Installation and Repairs• Site Consultation • Supply • Design • Installation and Repairs

SILO LADDER SAFETY CAGECages, platforms and handrails can be ordered to meet AS/NZ Standards. Can be designed to suit seed cleaning equipment, breweries and all manner of on farm or factory sites.

WAKELY ROLLER MILLSSuitable for processing a wide range of crops. From 1.5tph through to 30tph plus.

SKIOLD DISC MILLS

The all round mill for the grinding of grain and crops. Low power consumption, quiet operation and minimum dust levels.Superior to mill grain.

Previously Helmack ITM, the company has new owners and has changed their trading name to Ashburton ITM. The company is part of Sutherland and Co, of Kaiapoi, but remains a member of ITM, New Zealand's largest group of independent timber, hardware and building supply merchants.

Sutherland and Co have a sawmill based in Kaiapoi, commissioned in 1920, which has had a long history of producing quality oregon and pine timbers.

Ashburton ITM is here to help you whether it is for a small project at home or a large house project.

With their own frame and truss plant, no job is too big or too small for them.

Their store can provide you with paint, tools, power tools and hardware including timber, board products and fencing materials.

And, if you need a shed, look no further. Ashburton ITM has a variety of size options at very competitive prices.

Ashburton ITM are proud to provide their customers with great service, value and a great product range, you can depend on them for all your building needs.

ITM "We'll see you right".

In shed feeding systems

PMR Grain Systems offer the full process:• Consultation• Design• Engineering• Installation

ConsultationAfter initial contact has been

made, one of our team of experts will normally visit your site to ascertain your requirements and make recommendations.

System designOnce we have consulted with you,

we are able to fully design a Feed Delivery System to suit your tailored requirements

Product supplyFrom the final design we are able

to prepare quotations for the relevant feed delivery equipment and supply as required.

EngineeringPMR Grain Systems’ engineering

services can manufacture all types of specialist equipment. PMR Grain Systems can also carry out repairs to existing machinery and have a fully

equipped welding and fabrication workshop at the Hinds site.

InstallationOnce the equipment has been

delivered we have a fully experienced and trained installation team who are able to install our full range of products.

About the GSI GroupGSI is the largest manufacturer

of steel farm grain bins, commercial storage grain bins and grain silos. In addition they offer a huge range of grain drying and handling equipment.

Flex-flo delivery systemNothing beats GSI’s Flex-Flo Feed

Delivery System in flexibility and adaptability. Using the PVC tubing as the carrier of feed not only provides flexibility in the design process, but also reduces dust, provides protection against insect and rodent contamination and reduces operational noise.

Both tubing and augers are available in a variety of models. Whether it is ground/rolled feed, mash or pellets, we have the system to suit your needs.

We offer a unique blend of products and services to complete feed delivery systems.

100% Canterbury Family Owned and Operated

LIQUID WASTE MANAGEMENT

LIQUID WASTE MANAGEMENT

Charlies TakeawaysA Division of Robsons Canterbury

Rakaia 0800 372 004Christchurch (03) 349 8871

[email protected] www.robsonenvironmental.co.nz

In the waste businessfor 40 years

Septic tank emptying and maintaining, pumps supplied and fitted

ALL ANIMAL EFFLUENT EMPTIED AND SPREAD

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:

Documents

Ashburton guardian dairy focus, february 2016