Guardian Farming November

An Ashburton Guardian Advertising Feature

Changes in the grasscause changes inthe horses ... page 6

November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010November 2010

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interesting • informative • essential

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Couple on their annual AI pilgrimage south ... page 4

ASHBURTON GUARDIAN_DAIRY SUPPLEMENT APR 2010

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Page 2 GUARDIAN FARMING

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GUARDIAN FARMING Page 3

What’s inside/happening

GuardianfarmingfarmingfarmingGuardianfarmingGuardianfarmingGuardianfarmingGuardianfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarmingfarminginteresting • informative • essential

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

Please direct any correspondence to: Amanda Niblett, on 307-7927email: [email protected] to: Lance Isbister, on 307-7953email: [email protected] write to PO Box 77, Ashburton.

Advertising: Phone 307-7900Email: [email protected]

Publication date: November 2, 2010.

Next issue: December 7, 2010

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

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Couple on their annual AI pilgrimage south ................................................. P4Changes in the grass change horses ................................................................ P6Trees and resource e� ciency .............................................................................. P7Winchmore update - October ....... ..................................................................... P8Foreign investment - friend or foe? ................................................................P10Federated Farmers to re� ne foreign investment policy ..........................P11Industrial feature ............................................................................................P12, 13Looking back on � ve years of columns ........................................................ .P14Pondering strongly held beliefs .......................................................................P15Water whisperings ................................................................................................P16Lincoln news - two research projects .............................................................P17Book a gift to community ...................................................................................P18Rare horse breed arrives .....................................................................................P19Walls come a-tumbling down ....................................................................P20, 21Weather by the moon .........................................................................................P22

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• Canterbury Park All Prime Bobby Calves and Pigs • Tinwald

• Canterbury Park Store Sheep, Lamb and Store Cattle

• Temuka

• Tinwald

• 80th Royal NZ Show, Christchurch

• 80th Royal NZ Show, Christchurch • Temuka Store Cattle

• 80th Royal NZ Show, Christchurch

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• Canterbury Park All Prime Bobby Calves and Pigs• Tinwald


• Tinwald Cattle

• Waimate A&P Show

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• Temuka Store Cattle

• Temuka



• Temuka • Loe, Pattie and Dohne Ram, Canterbury Park


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Annual AB pilgrimage southLance Isbister, Ashburton Guardian rural reporter

Arti� cial Breeding technicians John Rae and Linda Smith have been making their annual pilgrimage to Southland from their Tauranga home for the past decade.

This year however, the Livestock Improvement (LIC) technicians couldn’t pass up the opportunity to fertilise cows in Mid Canterbury after LIC Upper South Island regional manager Hayley Petrie asked them to work in her area.

The couple had experienced Mid and South Canterbury last year when they took time to cycle through Mt Somers, Geraldine and Tekapo, while enjoying the unique hospitality of station farm stays. “That 10 days was magic, we loved coming down here and salmon � shing.”

Back in Tauranga the couple work on a kiwifruit orchard for 16 weeks when John drives a truck carting the kiwifruit and Linda audits pickers.

When they � y down from the North Island, they are reunited with their home away from home, a camper van, which enables them the freedom to tour the South Island before and after the busy Arti� cial Breeding (AB) season. They hire a car to make their runs to local farms as cows come into season.

John has been involved in dairying for most of his life, and � rst started as an AB technician more than 30 years ago. When John � rst started arti� cially inseminating, most herds averaged less than 200 cows and he would be � nished by 10.30 in the morning.

Throughout his career he has seen more women take up the straw and syringe as AB technicians, he said there were also many other people in their late 50s working as AB technicians.

“As long as your � tness is up to it, it’s something that you can do through to retirement age.”

The couple started arti� cially inseminating cows last week, and have a run of seven di� erent dairy farms in which they will arti� cially inseminate an average of between 250 to 300 cows a day.

Over the course of seven to eight weeks they will return to those farms as more cattle come into heat and cycle.

Although they had a run of 11 farms in Southland last year, John said on average the herd sizes were smaller compared to Mid Canterbury, but they still inseminated the same number of about 7000 cows in the AB season.

“The advantage for us (in Mid Canterbury) is that there are fewer stops in a day,” John said.“I don’t get the feeling that big is beautiful, but it does work here, we are seeing some extremely well run farms, it’s a management thing really.”

Linda said over the years John has honed his runs down to a � ne art, knowing exactly how long it will take to reach the next farm.

She said technology such as cell phones and the Datamate breeding information recording tool has made their runs much easier as John can call farmers and let them know if they will be late.

“It means we can keep to a timetable so the farmer knows when we are going to be there and doesn’t have to hang around waiting (to assist).”

John said the rising plane of nutrition in cows was crucial for successful breeding.“As long as cows are well fed it makes a huge di� erence with cycling.”

He recalled working in Southland two years ago during November when it snowed and found it interesting that the conditions had no e� ect on conception rates.

John said the advent of AB technician assistants as well as the Datamate have made a huge di� erence in recording breeding information, allowing the technician to focus on delivering the semen.

Technology has come a long way since the 1980s when John used to extract semen from a test tube, now long-life straws have made the whole process much easier.

John said they were now getting a larger proportion of farmers wanting crossbred dairy cattle as well as DNA proven bull semen.

“More than 50% of the cows we will do this season will get into DNA semen.”While some farmers can be very selective with which bull semen goes into which cow, Linda enjoys the process of matching the bull semen with the right cow number.

John said through this breeding technology farmers are trying to advance the genetics of their cows, but were not solely focused on increasing milk production.

He said when it came to genetic traits farmers considered everything from teat and udder placement through to their hooves to develop stock with the best traits.

PHOTO LANCE ISBISTER 151010-LI-212

Tauranga couple John Rae and Linda Smith have been able to see the sights throughout the South Island as travelling AB technicians, using their caravan as a home and base during the AB season.


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Changes in the grass change horsesNot only do horses go ‘doolally’ when spring hits but the incidences of laminitis, mysterious bouts of ‘colic’, head-� icking, allergies and respiratory problems rise signi� cantly at the same time.

Many mares become shockingly ‘hormonal’, geldings can become aggressive, people report mysterious personality changes, muscle soreness, sweating easily, not to mention ‘losing the plot’ when they get to the competition. On one recent ‘Adult Riding Club’ trail ride, � ve riders got bucked o� !

The reading on the ‘Fun-ometer’ hits rock bottom when horses do scary things, people quickly lose con� dence and there are even some people who don’t bother riding their horses until spring has well and truly come and gone.

This is a real shame as spring is when we get all motivated again, it’s when we want to go to the shows, go out on the trail with our friends or when we want to put our mares in foal. Yet spring, followed closely by autumn can be a nightmare time for many horse owners.

Exactly what is it about the spring grass that causes such changes in our beautiful horses? Is it that the spring grass gets high in sugar? High in protein? Becomes riddled with mycotoxins?

At ‘Provide It’ we’ve been gathering forage

tests to get right to the bottom of it. And a consistent pattern has emerged that con� rms the recommendation of changing your pasture management so that your horse has zero access to grass in growth mode!

Note the emphasis on the word zero, Jenny Craig paddocks mean the horse is grazing very short grass which is the worst and strip grazing doesn’t work because the horse quickly gorges on the new break then spends the rest of the day eating the regrowth behind.

If there is a bit of a dry spell, then it rains, the new growth is potentially LETHAL to your horse.

A horse from South Canterbury had repeated bouts of ‘colic’ or abdominal pain. The grass was not even considered as a possible cause, therefore it was left on the grass and more bouts soon followed.

A forage test revealed crucial mineral ratios that were excessively wide, crude protein levels through the roof and a Dietary Cation Anion Di� erence that was hundreds of times higher than what it should have been. The gist of all this is that the grass was very dangerous and the horse could have died. The horse was removed from the pasture and has not had any more bouts.

The o� ending grass this horse had been

consuming was short and much more dangerous than if it was in a more mature stage of growth.

The safest pasture management system is to provide a good ‘dry lot’. Maybe this takes the form of a track along under the trees or around the perimeter of the paddock. Maybe it is your round-pen or other large yard. Basically during ‘dodgy grass’ times your horse lives in here with access to plenty of hay.

This means you can allow the grass in his paddock to get more mature, even make your own hay. Then you can let him have a feed on it for half an hour morning and night or whatever � ts your schedule.A small feed every day with their goodies: salt and premium vitamins and minerals including selenium, keeps them in tip-top condition

“Changes in the Grass Make Changes in the Horse” – this is such an important subject, I don’t believe you can get the best out of your horse or enjoy him to the utmost unless you understand exactly how grass a� ects their health and behaviour.

When the penny drops it is like somebody gave you a new set of glasses, you will see ‘grass-a� ected’ horses everywhere, certainly at every show or event. You won’t believe until you actually do it just how many problems evaporate when you eliminate vegetative grass from their diet!

Jenny Paterson, B.Sc

To create a good ‘dry lot’, spray out an area or a track. Let the grass in the paddock grow long and/or make your own hay.


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Trees and resource effi ciency

It has been sad to watch the eradication of 100 plus years of tree planting on our farms over the past 10 years.

Trees help us in many ways and their bene� ts extend far beyond their impact on climate.

Trees are natural coolers, they absorb carbon dioxide keeping the air cool and clean. Leaves clean the air by absorbing dust and other harmful particles. During the day they release oxygen which we breathe. They also release water vapour into the air. These droplets of vapour form clouds and bring us rain. Trees are a natural home for millions of birds and insects many of which are natural predators for problems such as grass grub.

Trees provide shelter in the heat of summer, the chill of winter and most importantly help to break the speed of wind on our windy plains. Have you noticed the dust rising and blowing as you drive to Christchurch in recent times?

Tree roots hold the soil together and protect it from being washed away by heavy rains. The top soil is extremely precious as it is considered to take between 100 to 500 years for an inch to form, depending on the climate and the type of base rock. When the soil is washed or blown away it settles in the riverbeds or lakes as silt. This reduces the amount of water these rivers can hold and causes � oods in many parts of the world.

Trees have many uses including providing feed for bees at times of year when other food sources are in short supply. Leguminous trees such as wattles and tree lucerne � x nitrogen in our soils. Trees provide timber for a range of uses including furniture and we take for granted that trees also provide us with the endless amounts of paper which has become part of our daily lives.

Recycling paper and cardboard and treating it as a resource has never been easier or more important.

Bene� ts of recycling paper and cardboardPaper and cardboard are made from the cellulose � bres in woodpulp. To reuse these � bres old paper and cardboard have to be soaked and agitated. The process can be repeated a number of times before the � bres disintegrate. Fewer chemicals, energy, water and trees are used to produce recycled paper and cardboard than to produce virgin material.

For every tonne of paper recycled the savings are:

• At least 30,000 litres water

• More than 4000 KW of energy, enough to power the average house for 6 months

• 35% less water pollution and 74% less air pollution

• 2.5 barrels of oil

• More than 3 cubic metres land� ll space

In addition recycling creates six times as many jobs as land� lls.

Recycled paper requires 28 to 70% less energy to produce than new paper. Additionally recycled paper is not generally rebleached and if it is oxygen is used rather than chlorine.

Despite the wide availability of paper recycling depots and centres in New Zealand paper and cardboard make up 20% of what is sent to landfi lls. Paper is organic so when it rots in a land� ll it produces methane which is a potent green house gas 20 times more potent than carbon dioxide.

All grades of paper and cardboard are accepted for recycling at the Ashburton and Rakaia Resource Recovery Parks and at drop-off sites at Methven, Mayfi eld, Hinds, Willowby, and Mt Somers.

By recycling the past you can play a part in delivering the future

Sheryl Stivens Eco effi ciency Co-ordinator Mastagard Ashburton


Winchmore update - OctoberJohn Carson

Phone 308 4079

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According to the long term weather data here at the Research Station, we are once again for another month, 30mm of rain behind the long term average for October, although as has happened before I quote these � gures around the 21st – 25th of each month and before the month has ended more rain has arrived.

However it is good to be aware of how it is looking out there, often we can think it’s dry or it’s wet but just how dry or how wet is the real question. I guess I am fortunate to have this information on-hand and can put actual numbers around your thoughts, as to how the season is shaping up.

The evaporation rate for October averages 82.5mm of moisture lost, to date (21st) it adds up to 52.4mm so we could easily lose another 30mm before the end of the month with the winds we are experiencing at the moment.

The soil moisture has decreased from 26.8% to 22 .9% based on a 20cm depth reading. The 13 frosts so far this month have kept the soil temperature in check; it has climbed from 9.5°C on the 20th to 11.1°C on the 21st.

Pasture growth is � nally starting to move although there is not too much growth able to be pushed ahead or considered for supplements at the moment. Growth rate according to my pasture cages is between 43 and 47 kgDM/ha/day. Short of the 23 year average of 51 to 56 kgDM/ha/day. I would expect that growth will really kick in once more of the snow disappears from the hills and there is less chance of frosts keeping the soil temperature down.

This month got the tailing completed, both commercial and science with a ewes to the ram percentage of 150

from the commercials. The science mobs are yet to have their � nal numbers checked o� but one of the mobs will be up over 180 percent, the other not quite as good.

Cultivation has been a stop-start a� air with the weather messing things up a bit, however we are not too far behind and the second big tractor makes it easier to catch up if necessary.

Part of the winter and some of the recent wet days have given us the chance to tidy up some of our machinery, namely the drill and replace some bits and pieces that needed attention. I think we are fortunate here around Ashburton to have good suppliers for all the parts,

materials or services we need, which means that the “� ve-minute” � x and repair job we started that turns into a “major” � x and repair doesn’t cause as much stress as it would in some other areas of the country I have worked in.

I guess we all know and say that, “life’s too short to be stressed out”, easy to say but some times hard to follow.

I trust that even though this will be read after Labour weekend we will have been able to have had the opportunity for a break, spend time with family and friends and re� ect on the good things available to us in this area of Canterbury.


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Speculation about foreign investments and o� -shore buying of New Zealand land is a sure-� re way of getting a reaction, whether it is in the political arena or on an individual level.

The topic is highly emotive as it often strikes at the heart of what we as New Zealanders hold dear – our land and our waterways. Add to that any potential economic implications and it’s no wonder foreign investment is a popular talking point for politicians as it’s usually likely to provoke a response.

It has recently hit the headlines again, following last month’s Labour Party Conference and its subsequent policy announcements. Given we are now entering the 12 month lead-up to the next general election, I’m sure we will continue to hear a lot more about foreign investment policies from many of our politicians.

Labour’s stance is that too much New Zealand land has been bought by foreigners and it proposes most applications from overseas buyers should be rejected. No matter which political party it is, foreign land ownership has been happening for decades.

High pro� le cases such as the potential sale of Crafar Farms have all added fuel to this emotive topic and while there is merit in discussing the issues raised, I think it is time to put emotions aside and look at the facts relating to foreign investment.

The purpose of the Overseas Investment Act 2005 is “to acknowledge that it is a privilege for overseas persons to own or control sensitive New Zealand assets” and it addresses this by requiring overseas investments in those assets “to meet criteria for consent” and to have conditions imposed.

While the Act talks about monitoring and enforcing these conditions, this is probably an area lacking some transparency as far as the general public is concerned. We often know about foreign investment proposals through the media (such as in the Crafar case) but will we know about subsequent conditions imposed and if an overseas buyer is adhering to these rules?

This is an important part of the process, and there has to be clear, strong management. It cannot be about emotions and scaremongering.

Labour’s policy announcement regarding foreign ownership of land was clearly tugging at the heart strings, with much emphasis placed on the need to make land and farm ownership more accessible to New Zealanders.

One commentator in The Press, Vernon Small, summed it up well when he said “(David) Parker’s view (Labour’s Overseas Investment spokesman) is that the limits on foreign investments, particularly on farmland, are not just about populism and economic nationalism but have a central part to play in Kiwis’ sense of aspiration and on their potential social mobility; that pricing farms and other major assets outside the reach of most New Zealanders strikes at the heart of the Kiwi dream...”

The inference is that overseas interest will in� ate prices making the purchase of farmland in particular unobtainable to many. But limiting access to overseas farm ownership might not change this, especially if there is a perception availability of these properties is scarce and thereby exclusive.

There has always been foreign ownership in New Zealand, not just of land, but also commercial and other business related assets. These overseas interests are not all bad and many do bene� t our country and our economy. Sometimes it is easy to forget just how much overseas ownership has become an everyday part of our lives – just look at our commercial trading banks.

Selling out to foreign ownership is about a perceived lack of control but is that really the case? If foreign investment provides jobs and helps drive the economy then should we be saying no or limiting our options? These are all important questions and they often get lost in the heated and emotive debates which follow political announcements or media reports of proposed land purchases.

The whole issue of who owns our farmland and its value also plays on the urban – rural divide which is very much alive and well in New Zealand. There have been many environmental and on-farm practices showcased by the media as being cruel or unnecessary, and all of these add to what I believe is a growing rift between urban and rural New Zealanders.

While I obviously do not condone illegal or cruel behaviour, there are a number of rural realities which are often lost on our urban counterparts, and this lack of understanding continues to grow as more people become further removed from their country cousins. It’s worth asking the question where did my ham or beef steak come from or the milk for my latte?

If we can eliminate some of this emotive banter and get back to the hard facts we will go a long way towards � nding good solutions to some of these issues. We may even � nd the problem is not anywhere as big as we � rst imagined.

Foreign investment friend or foe? Neal Shaw, ATS Chief Executive

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Foreign investment policyFederated Farmers is looking forward to receiving the detail behind Labour’s newly announced foreign investment policy, as it similarly awaits detail from the Government.

Federated Farmers’ president Don Nicolson said the farmer advocacy group wishes to take a principles approach to foreign investment in farmland, as it will be a major item before our November National Council.

“Five hectares may be in the Overseas Investment Act, but as a farmer, � ve hectares might as well be 50 square metres. It’s important we understand the detail behind Labour’s new policy and for that matter, the Government’s recently announced changes.

“For us the property right is sacrosanct. What is farm policy today, could tomorrow become shares in a New Zealand company or for that matter, a unit in Takapuna.

“Things are not black and white. It’s incredibly complex so the last thing we need is for it to be interpreted overseas as a possible political veto on foreign

investment.“We have to be very careful about the signals we send. Eighty-two percent of the $17.2 billion New Zealand Superannuation Investment Fund is for instance, invested overseas.

“The Government is itself borrowing $413 a second, or $250 million a week, to help take the sharp edges o� the recession. Doing that may help insulate the domestic economy but it massively increases pressure on the already high Kiwi dollar.

“Appreciating the vast amounts of foreign money coming into New Zealand makes you look at an ATM machine in a whole new light.

“What’s also missing is a real debate around the principles underpinning foreign investment. Somehow we’ve skipped to solutions instead of understanding why we allow direct foreign investment into New Zealand and why New Zealanders invest overseas.

“In 2009, Kiwis were the sixth largest ‘foreign investors’ in Queensland, buying 2669 land parcels worth almost $AU60

million, according to Queensland’s Foreign Ownership of Land Register.

“I think if the shoe was on the other foot, you’d have many people crying foul.

“It’s why our starting point is not in the negative but the positive. Irrespective of

whether they’re from Manila or Manitoba, the New Zealand farm system can be made better by the people who enter it from outside of New Zealand.

“That’s why re� ning Federated Farmers’ policy on foreign investment at our National Council will be led by principles.”

Don Nicolson, president, Federated Farmers

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The Riverside Food Bar has become a famous spot for both business people and truckies a like, gaining a reputa-tion for hearty food that is lip-smacking good, at a great price.

A delicious meal doesn’t have to cost a fortune, and when you step inside the Riverside Food Bar, you are greeted with a massive selection to satisfy the rumble in your tummy.

On a cold day, or when you need a sub-stantial feed, you can’t go past their hot food area, full of hearty fare from stuffed

sausages, to fi sh and chips, a pre-prepared meal or their popular sea-soned chicken. Also comforting favourites – pies, sausage rolls and toasted sandwiches.

On the lighter side of life, they stock a mouth watering array of fresh sand-wiches, rolls, Panini’s and wraps, plus fresh salads. They have a large selection of home baked scones, tea buns, muffi ns and slices, and for a refreshing break, there is a cool selection of drinks and ice creams.

To pick you up in the morning, since they are open from 5:30am, come in and grab a hot Robert Harris coffee, for your jump start to the day.

Neill and Margaret Chapman took over the food bar 7 years ago, and take pride in preparing fresh, hearty food daily to their loyal regulars. They both grew up in Ashburton and have always been involved in the food industry, both locally and in Timaru. They get to know their regulars, where they work and what their favourite foods are, and that enables them to keep

well stocked in the tasty favourites. They even have out of town regulars that stop in on their way through town.

Parking and access is easy, trucks have no problems fi nding space, and once the road is re-opened and sealed through Dobson Street West, there will be a more direct route to them from town.

Hot coffee, hearty food and friendly smiles, come and see why the Riverside Food Bar has so many happy regulars that love their food.

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Pyne Gould Corporation Limited (PGC) will expand its range of specialist financial services available to the farming sector with the launch of Pyne Gould Rural, a division which will sit within PGC’s principal finance subsidiary, MARAC Finance Limited.

Launched in October, Pyne Gould Rural will primarily offer livestock, seasonal and working capital financing, as well as leasing solutions direct to farmers.

Head of Pyne Gould Rural, Will Purvis, said seasonal and working capital financing and leasing solutions allow farmers to use capital more efficiently “particularly those farmers who are looking to expand or to channel investment directly into appreciating assets”.

He said over-exposure to agriculture by some established providers in the rural lending sector and the exit of many non-bank financial institutions from the industry created the opportunity for Pyne Gould Rural to provide innovative and highly-specialised financing solutions for farmers.

“Pyne Gould Rural’s financing packages will enable clients to purchase capital stock or machinery that will help them grow their farm business. It will also allow them to take advantage of opportunistic trading stock purchases.”

Based on data from MAF’s Agricultural Production Statistics, he estimates the national value of capital breeding stock (dairy, sheep and beef ) to be around $10.5b.

Trading stock is estimated at around $3.4b, with annual lamb sales adding $2.0b-$2.5b. The total value of agricultural machinery is estimated at $3.5b-$4.0b.

“So there are significant assets on-farm that can be used by farmers to generate future business opportunities and grow profitability.”

Mr Purvis said Pyne Gould Rural’s focus on productive farm assets means lending packages can be specifically tailored to meet the needs of individual farmers. Loan terms will be more flexible than those offered by traditional trading banks.

“Farmers can have complete confidence because they are dealing with a financing partner that is New Zealand-owned and operated, and has been part of the fabric of rural New Zealand since the 1850s.”

He said Pyne Gould Rural will initially focus its financial services operations on the South Island and then grow from there.

Pyne Gould Rural will be included in the proposed merger with CBS Canterbury and Southern Cross Building Society to create a New Zealand NZX-listed financial services group.

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In September 2005 I was asked by the Guardian owner together with the then publication manager if I would write (unpaid of course) an opinion piece for a new monthly publication they were planning to launch in October that year. Hence Guardian Farming commenced.I agreed to give it a go for six months trial, bearing in mind, my School Certi� cate English mark of 41% hardly constituted journalistic ability.My rules were simple, I write - Guardian prints. Change anything more than typographical errors and the deal ceases. That’s how I de� ne an opinion piece.I’m amazed that � ve years, 60 editions and over 90,000 words later I’m still receiving comments from as far a� eld as Invercargill and Auckland. Originally articles were mostly of an agricultural � avour, but after a couple of years were expanded to any topical item I chose.My aim has always been to pro� er an opinion, often backed with a few statistics and give my view (with reasons) of what I think needs to be done to rectify a situation. I hoped to make readers think about issues.And yes I do have some pet topics.Land and water use, raising the age of retirement, student loan availability, the welfare system and its link with employment and work ethics, the decline with what I would loosely call “Christian” values, the penal system (particularly as it relates to alcohol o� ending) and its

application by the judiciary, and many, many more.One issue that continues to cause concern is the apparent inability or unwillingness of judges to use the penalties available when dealing with repeat o� ending in relation to motoring o� ences.To continually see court cases where one fourth to a seventh of alcohol related driving o� ences are met by a monetary penalty (often unpaid) so called community service (seldom doing meaningful work) and a few months disquali� cation from driving is an insult to the justice system and the majority of law abiding citizens.A car crushing law to try and alleviate the problems of so called “boy racers” was introduced about a year ago with great fanfare.I’ve unsuccessfully endeavoured to obtain � gures on the number of vehicles disposed of under this legislation a number of times, but have seen neither TV footage or photographs of instances of this law being enforced.Deprivation by seizure is often the most e� ective deterrent to further o� ending. Why not use the laws available by rigid enforcement.I well remember as a seven year old boy, picking wild blackberries for sale at King Bros greengrocer for nine pence a pound, to buy a blue toy metal tractor which I had seen in a shop. This was my absolute favourite toy and I spent countless hours

building a farm with kindling wood posts and binder twine fences to pull imaginary implements around my “paddocks” . This was � ve years prior to having a real tractor to work the farm and in the days of seven draught horses.My cunning parents knew full well that hiding my tractor for a few days was a much more successful deterrent for my misdemeanour than either hand or razor strop as a penalty.When it comes to driving o� ences I don’t believe legislation is to blame. Seizure or disposal of vehicles needs to be the norm to stop persistent o� ending. Legislation was changed to enable this to happen – why not use its powers?On a more topical note, I’m appalled by the current industry action being taken by some members of the Post Primary Teachers’ Association.I’m totally aware that many teachers are absolutely dedicated to the hugely important role they have in society. The work ethic of many is total commitment to good results. Unfortunately an increasing percentage of others seem more intent on personal gain. Maximum class disruption at examination time is an irresponsible decision, doing little to enhance public perception of the sector.I would have expected so-called “intellectuals” in our society to acknowledge the current economic situation in relation to salary expectation.I understand each of the three preceding

years has produced a 3-4% salary rise. Demand for a further 4% (compared with accepted levels in other professions), in the current climate equates to greed, particularly as we witness the continuing growth in numbers of “teacher only” days.My background of education knowledge is far from extensive, but I do come from a family where my mother was a teacher, and my only brother a 40 year secondary teacher.Years as a member and chairman of Wakanui School Committee remind me of the total commitment of school teachers in years gone by, albeit at primary level.As principal not only did they teach full time, do all the administration work, often drive the local bus twice a day, clean and maintain the buildings and under contract mow the grounds and maintain the swimming pool. This was all achieved with three school age pupils and a need to maintain the grounds of the department owned house where they resided.I’m reluctant to trot out the old cliché “You only work six hours a day, 40 weeks of the year”. I know that is far from the truth for most in the profession. However if teaching is your chosen career, be aware it can be stressful, rewarding, challenging, frustrating and a host of other adjectives.In my view education is so important that the needs of the pupils should be paramount.Unfortunately this is not always the case.


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Thanks for thatSeveral weeks ago I was in a Subway restaurant in Christchurch. The queue was rather long and I was waiting (reasonably) patiently with my son to place his order.

At the front of the queue, paying for their lunch was an otherwise unremarkable couple. Having paid they walked to a table in the corner where they sat down and said grace before eating.

It could be that I don’t pay much attention to those around me, but I don’t often see people saying grace in public. Seeing this couple giving thanks for their food gave me cause to ponder some beliefs I had naively accepted as a modern idea by the self-help and success experts.

I accept we should identify things each day for which we are grateful, and in doing so we will be happier and more positive people.

Well I am grateful to the couple in Subway - who were more remarkable than I � rst recognised – for making the penny drop for me. That society had been grateful long before the modern day gurus re-branded it for the 21st century.

The same can be said for the various versions of the ‘law of attraction’, which suggests our mind can attract success towards us. Most, if not all religions have a pathway to success through a quiet request

in the right ‘ear’. Whether or not you believe in divine intervention, it can not be argued that we are more likely to recognise an opportunity if we are waiting and expecting one to come our way.

So looking back to ‘gratitude’. Much is said about employers showing appreciation to their sta� for the good work they do, and this is an important part of management.

However, we employees should not overlook the work our bosses put in to keeping our jobs sustainable.

Maybe we should have a ‘thank the boss’ day, most of us appreciate our jobs but don’t go out of our way to show it as well as we could.

Rob Stevenson, Teamwork (SI) Limited

Handy tips forjob applicants• Read the advertisement, if the ad says “must have retail

experience”, explain what retail experience you have. Explain each requirement one by one

• Where a cellphone number is provided to apply, ring it, don’t send a text

• If applying by email, ensure you give a contact phone number. Make it as easy a possible for the employer to contact you

• Employers like to see a stable work history. If your CV indicates you change jobs too often explain why. If you don’t know why, or don’t have a good explanation then get some advice on what has been going wrong and how to inprove

• If you are expecting a prospective employer to ring you, do your best to pick up when they ring. No employer will want sta� who are di� cult to contact

• If you are going to be late for an interview, ring to let the employer know. If you arrive late without explanation you will have some serious ground to make up

• Each position requires specifi c skills but the most important qualities you need to show are reliability, honesty, and a genuine desire to SUCCEED.

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The spring and more particularly the equinox have pretty much lived up to its de� ning qualities this year. Irrigation and the season are upon us and Leeston Show was about right. What must be made right by all irrigators is the need to install water meters and what would be right would be to take a look at the e� orts of Irrigation New Zealand. Unashamedly this article urges you to become a member.

No earthquake(s) stories despite their continuing presence. And the “worst” concerns have been largely non-existent. The buckled casings, broken screens, damaged pumps and the like have not been outcomes. The worst e� ect(s) have been the cracked and broken mainline, and for the most part older � brolite mainline. I am unaware of any irrigators who are not up and running because of the earthquake.

Last month I harped on about the equinox. Typically, because of this phenomenon, windy weather is usual for the four to six weeks after September 22-23. That would take us through to about November 4-5. So it has been, October has been stormy and windy. Just think how many times (on average once a week) you have woken to fresh snow on the alps and to very low levels on occasions – remember the Methven races and the images reaching mainstream television.

That has meant the beginning of most weeks have started with very low soil temperatures, 7-7.5°C and taking all week to get back up to 12-13°C. Then another little south-west blast, some snow and back down to where they started the week. Little wonder the poor plants are not wanting or stimulated to grow rapidly.

Day length compensates a little now and even with lowish daily water use, irrigation is required. At this time of writing (Sunday 24) it is still a “take it easy approach” with depths and frequency.

I took time out a fortnight ago to attend the Irrigation New Zealand water meter workshop and AGM at Methven (that doesn’t read all that well because I always attend the AGM). Never mind I was there. However, what did go through my mind was – “why were so few irrigators there?”

When you take the consultants, industry, regional council o� cers, the odd central government o� cer and a couple of reporters, there were very few irrigators/farmers there. This was disappointing given the importance and relevance to you all of the subject matter. Water metering is here to stay and you have very little time to be organised, get them installed and ensure they are operative. You almost

all fall into the greater than 20L/s category. Do you know:a) When you must have an operative

water meter, data storage, data retrieval and reporting system installed and operating by? And

b) What are your best options and ongoing responsibilities?

This was a great opportunity to get it sorted and to have your queries answered. It is not just a matter of buying a meter and having it � tted into the head works. So here are just a few key points to consider and quickly:a) You have a take over 20L/s, you need

to an operative water meter and data retrieval system operating by 10 November 2012;

b) 2012 you might think is a long way away. But, there are 3600 groundwater water meters plus about 35 new consents each month to be � tted by then and it won’t be done during the irrigation season. Just note the new consents take precedence because they must be operating before the consent can be exercised;

c) Of the 7383 groundwater takes in Canterbury just 1712 takes have been metered to date;

d) This does not count the 1352 surface water takes that may need to be metered as well;

e) You might have to make some signi� cant changes to your head works structure to accommodate a water meter – time again; and

f) Finally but not least, you need to test run to make sure that not only the meter works, but that the data retrieval and reporting works. To date 41% of the data received is rubbish – errors in the data, damaged cables, � at batteries etc, etc.

So, what does this have to do with INZ you might ask. It has been actively working at central government level and regionally (so far only Canterbury) to reach a sensible set of standards and guidelines.

So, what has this got to do with you, you might ask? Well the few have funded the INZ sta� ers for the many to reach this sensible end point.

Water metering is just the beginning. The Land and Water forum report has a whole bunch of things in their sights that will a� ect how we can irrigate in the future – environmental � ows, allocation, use (aka annual volumes), permit trading and others.

Let’s not have the few carry the burden for all irrigators. If you irrigate you need to be a member of INZ – it is the pre-eminent organisation looking out for irrigators.

Water WhisperingsTony Davoren, Hydroservices


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Two “war zones” in nature provide the setting for a pair of Lincoln University research projects backed by more than a million dollars from the Government-initiated Marsden Fund, administered through the Royal Society of New Zealand.The projects concern the way weeds become winners when migrating to new environments free from traditional enemies, and the mechanism by which the microscopic fungus Trichoderma, used in plant inoculants, defends itself against attack by the immune system of host organisms.The invasive weed work will be carried out by Lincoln University ecologist Professor Richard Duncan in collaboration with the University’s Professor of Plant Biosecurity Philip Hulme, and the fungus project will be conducted by Post-Doctoral Fellow Dr Artemio Mendoza Mendoza, in collaboration with the Director of the Bio-Protection Research Centre, Professor Alison Stewart. Their work will contribute to the theoretical understanding of weed invasion success and fungal immune mechanisms.Both scientists are members of the Lincoln University-based Bio-Protection Research Centre, a Centre of Research Excellence.Professor Duncan’s project “Testing the dynamic enemy release hypothesis for invasive species”, assessed by the Marsden Fund’s Ecology, Evolution and Behaviour Panel, has received a three-

year grant totalling $785,000.Dr Mendoza’s project “Overcoming plant immune responses - the key to fungal symbiosis”, assessed by the Cellular, Molecular and Physiological Biology Panel, has received a Fast-Start grant valued at $300,000 also over three years. Marsden Fast-Start grants are designed to support outstanding researchers early in their careers.Professor Duncan says the phenomenon of weeds � ourishing when moved to new environments free from their usual natural enemies is well known. It is termed the “enemy release hypothesis”. Less understood is the way in which the initial bene� ts of escaping their enemies can be followed by attack from a new range of antagonists which the invasive species has not previously encountered. “The survival process of invasive species in new environments is very � uid and dynamic,” says Professor Duncan. “Some species bene� t a lot through release from their traditional enemies, while others do not. We want to gain an appreciation of the circumstances under which they do well and identify the situations in which it is less of an issue. We’re looking to develop a body of theoretical knowledge about how the process works.”Professor Duncan will use clover species and antagonistic soil microbes for his investigation.Most of the work will be done in greenhouse experiments at Lincoln University with comparative studies

conducted in Europe where the clover species originate. Dr Mendoza’s project is focused on proteins in the tiny, soil borne fungus Trichoderma, a micro-organism with bene� cial pathogen-killing properties used in inoculants against a number of diseases of commercial vegetable crops.Using cutting edge technology and working at the single cell level, Dr Mendoza wants to establish how Trichoderma defends itself against attack during the process of plant root colonisation, in other words, how it defeats the host plant’s immune system and establishes itself to carry out its protective task.“Our attention is on all the proteins and genes expressed during the interaction of Trichoderma with the targeted plant,” he says. “Most plants are infested by fungi without any outward signs of disease. These fungi are called endophytes and they can improve plant growth, provide resistance to disease and tolerance to environmental stress. The fungi themselves derive nutrients from the plants they colonise, so the relationship is a symbiotic one. “Despite bene� tting from the relationship, plants still react to endophytes by activating their immune systems. “How endophytes evade or suppress a plant’s immune system is largely unknown. We are hypothesizing that a

molecular-level ‘dialogue’ between the endophyte and the plant takes place which eventually provides predisposing conditions for successful fungal colonisation. “The key seems likely to be protein-mediated cross-communication between plants and fungi at the initial contact stage.“Our research will address two questions - how do plants and endophytes establish a friendly relationship and what are the signals involved in the successful dialogue when the encounter takes place.“We know that when Trichoderma interacts with the host plant it secretes proteins to avert attack by the plant. The host plant in turn recognises these proteins and secretes proteins of its own in response and a ‘battle’ ensues.“We want to identify the proteins secreted and record the morphological changes that take place and the genetic pro� les of Trichoderma during the interaction.“The study will contribute signi� cantly to understanding how endophytic fungi modulate or evade plant defences and will provide fundamental new insights to processes required for the establishment of plant colonisation by endophytic fungi. Not all Trichoderma are able to colonise the root systems of other plants. We need to determine which proteins of Trichoderma are capable of reducing the host plant’s defence system.”Dr Mendoza will use maize as the host plant for the Trichoderma in his investigation.

Lincoln news

History of iconic Castlepoint Station


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The positive face of farming immigration was celebrated on Labour weekend, with Federated Farmers’ Wairarapa provincial president and former New Yorkers, Anders Crofoot and his wife Emily, launching a book about their iconic hill country Castlepoint Station called Castlepoint, coastal station and settlement.

“We realised that unless oral histories were recorded, we’d lose the many and varied personalities that have come and gone through Castlepoint Station,” Mr Crofoot said.

“Before he died, the late great Peter Laing � lled a number of tapes about the rich tapestry that is Castlepoint Station. This is especially important for the development period, where Castlepoint went from just 3000 stock in the early 1950s, to 30,000 in the 1990s.

“Our sadness with the project comes from the fact that Peter’s wife, Nan, passed away before she could see the magni� cent tribute this book is. Alex Hedley, of Hedleys Books, has done a superb job editing the material recorded by Peter and later � eshed out by Nan.

“Alex also did numerous interviews to craft a book that is very much the story

of New Zealanders. It’s a rich 272 pages and 300 images of Kiwi farmers doing the seemingly impossible.

“Emily and I see our assistance with the book, is our way of giving back to the Wairarapa community and the wider Laing family. They warmly welcomed us, a family of Americans from the eastern seaboard, into their East Coast community.

“As New Zealanders, we sometimes overlook just how important our history is and what a rich history Castlepoint has.

“Emily and I have been farming here for the past 12 years and you couldn’t get a stronger contrast with up-state New York if you tried.

“Emily was raised on a seventh-generation family farm whereas my background was in quantitative analysis. I guess fairly unconventional for a modern Kiwi sheep and beef farmer.

“But we’ve had no regrets at all about moving half way around the world

with our family. We bonded with the community almost as soon as we unpacked our suitcases.

“The book itself tells the story of the wider Castlepoint and coastal community, about that iconic lighthouse, the historic beach races and even the � shing industry.

“Yet this is not just a history because Castlepoint, as a modern and innovative hill country station, is � rmly in the twenty-� rst century,” Mr Crofoot said

Book a gift to community

Alex Hedley signs a copy of his new book Castlepoint: Coastal Station and Settlement for Sharon Laing, whose husband Bill worked for the station.

Rare horse breed arrivesGlenda Felts

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Timaru horse breeder Megan Kelly has high hopes for her latest addition a pure breed Morgan � lly carrying a rare colour gene recently shipped to the Timaru Port from Melbourne.

The Morgan � lly named Haymeron Park – Dream Jeanie carries a cream gene enabling her to breed coloured horses. Her o� cial colour was described as smokey black following a colour testing in America – meaning she is a black horse with a cream gene.

The introduction of the Morgan � lly into New Zealand breeding circles is seen as an opportunity to produce something new.

“She is the � rst Morgan horse with a cream gene to be imported here and the only smokey black Morgan in New Zealand,” Megan said.

“That’s why I brought it in because it’s a colour gene that’s not here. She’s also unrelated to any Morgan here so she’s new bloodline for our breeding pool.

“It brings us in something that

we don’t have – a colour range - she can produce palominos and buckskins which we haven’t been able to do here in the Morgans because we didn’t have that colour genetic.”

Prior to arriving in New Zealand the � lly had been bred by Megan’s friends on a property called Haymeron Park, Morgan Stud, at Bonegilla in Victoria, Australia. Megan had � rst seen the � lly when it was six weeks old then had to wait a year for the horse to be old enough to travel.

Originally Dream Jeanie’s sire named Baptiste Levis Strauss had been imported from Canada to Australia three years ago.Before leaving Melbourne Dream Jeanie was placed in quarantine for three days where she was treated for parasites internally and externally. Her journey by ship lasted over four days housed in a container which also had another four horses. Further inspection was carried out by MAF on arrival at the Timaru Port.

When the process was completed Dream Jeanie was

then transported to her new home at Kelford Morgan Farm; south of Timaru. Since the reunion Megan said she had been well pleased with her choice.

“She’s a nice cut of a horse and I think she will integrate well into our breeding programme.”

Megan said the Morgan horses can all be traced back to the single foundation American sire born in 1789 originally owned by Justin Morgan. To this day the horses still carry the characteristics of the original horse.

These horses are characterised

by their size, usually averaging between 14 or 15 hh; a nicely de� ned build featuring a sea-horse carriage; an attractive head, a sensible mind and a kind eye.

“Their claim to fame in folk-lore is that they would out-pull the draught horse; out-trot the trotter and out gallop the galloper.”

Over the last three years in New Zealand the Morgan horse team from Invercargill has won the silver plough competitions.Megan is con� dent that the horse’s addition will improve the future blood stock and her colouring will be of particular interest.

“Some people buy speci� cally for colour. I would like to think we buy speci� cally for breed and for con� rmation. That is one thing we can say about her she has true and straight legs and she will be an asset to us.”

“We will show her; ride her; drive her. She will be a multi-task horse. She won’t be bred until she’s at least three so basically she is just going to grow and grow.”

Timaru horse breeder Megan Kelly enjoys some time with her latest arrival Dream Jeanie as she settles into her new home at Kelford Morgan Farm.


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The Earth has a magnetic � eld which e� ectively extends several tens of thousands of kilometers into

space. This magnetosphere is estimated to be at least 3.5 billion years old. The sun has a vastly larger magnetic � eld that extends about a light year into space, carried through the solar system by the solar wind, a stream of energetic charged particles emanating from the Sun. Solar maximum is the term for the maximum in solar activity that takes place approximately every eleven years; solar minimum is the lowest point of solar activity. The last solar maximum was in 2001. The last solar minimum ended halfway through this year, after which solar activity has stepped up.

There is a radiation belt around Earth called the Van Allen Belt. Beginning at an altitude of 1000 miles, and extending at an altitude of 25,000 miles, it contains lethal bands of radiation. That is why all the space stations from the US and Soviet Union, like Mercury, Gemini, Soyuz, Skylab and the Space Shuttle, except Apollo, have maintained altitudes of well below 1000 miles. In 1998 the space shuttle � ew to an altitude of 350 miles. Even at that height, still well below the radiation belt, the crew saw � ashing lights with their eyes shut

that they described as shooting stars, due to radiation penetrating � rst the shuttle’s shielding, then their spacesuit’s shielding, then their skulls, and � nally the retinas of their closed eyes.

Earth is only the 3rd rock from the Sun, so light and solar energy takes just 8 minutes to reach us. Because Earth’s magnetic � eld de� ects most of the charged particles, we are somewhat protected from the destructive solar wind. The charged particles get trapped in the Van Allen radiation belt, but some get through. When they do, some particles from the solar wind manage to reach the Earth’s upper atmosphere and ionosphere in the auroral zones. The solar wind is then observable on Earth when it is strong enough to produce phenomena such as the aurora, geomagnetic storms and earthquakes.

Before the solar wind hits Earth, it strikes Earth’s magnetosphere, which in turn can spark geomagnetic activity before the actual arrival of the solar wind stream on Earth. On the 12th of January a strong solar wind impacted the magnetosphere - the same date as a devastating quake hit Haiti, causing mass destruction and killing over 200,000 people. And the monster Chilean

quake was preceded by just a few days by the collapse of the largest magnetic � lament ever observed on the Sun.

Many weird colours and e� ects were observed in the Canterbury sky just before the 4 September earthquake, and the sunspot/solar wind speeds increased between 3rd-7th(initial damage), 17th-18th(shakes decreased after 18th), 28th-29th(shakes increased 1st-4th) September, and 19th-21st October (shakes increased 18th-20th), indicating the involvement of the Sun. So, if the Sun is responsible for the energy, what is the role of the Moon?

Looking at research into aurora sightings one � nds that most are around new moon phase, appearing to indicate that the Moon could have some in� uence of when the auroras will be visible. One could argue that a bright moon such as a full night moon could inhibit the sightings of an aurora. This is true to a degree, but the brightness of many auroras is usually su� cient for many of them to still be seen, even if they are less spectacular, and even in daylight. The intensity of the aurora displays has been linked to the sunspot cycle of 11-years, and when the sunspot cycle is low so are the aurora displays at a low ebb or nonexistent. At time of this

writing it is high, and auroras, as well as earthquakes are being seen and felt in many places.

However, the main question at issue is, whether the Moon has both a gravitational e� ect on the Van Allen belt, which may be the cause of lightning, and on the charged particles that form the aurora’s display. As these same particles escape from the Van Allen Belt to form the aurora display, it may well be that the particles will only escape into the ionosphere, from whence the auroras are visible, when the Van Allen Belt has gravitationally been drawn-in closer to the Earth. What would skew it thus? When the Moon is in a powerfully gravitational position, such as perigeal and new, with nodes lining up, perhaps the lunar gravitation also causes the Van Allen Belt to extend enough towards the Moon as to allow-through the charged particles, which produce both auroras, strange lights, weird feeling air, unsettled animals and birds, and geomagnetic activity that can lead to eruptions, volcanoes and earthquakes.

Earthquakes are under the ground. What exactly is down there? At the heart of our planet lies a solid iron ball - almost as big

Walls come a-tumbling down


Kermode Street, Ashburton Phone 307 9800

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ElectricityAshburtonYOUR POWER PARTNER

as the Moon itself and about as hot as the surface of the Sun. Researchers call it the inner core, and it is 70% as wide as the moon; really a world within a world. It spins at its own rate, as much as 0.2 degrees of longitude per year faster than the Earth above, and it has its own ocean: a very deep layer of liquid iron known as the outer core. It has its own tides and kingtides.

Earth’s magnetic � eld actually comes from this ocean of iron, which is an electrically conducting � uid in constant motion. Sitting atop the hot inner core, the liquid outer core seethes and roils like water in a pan on a hot stove. The outer core also has its own hurricanes - whirlpools powered by the Coriolis e� ect of Earth’s rotation. These complex motions generate Earth’s magnetism.

New moons in particular, when in perigee, activate the Earth’s inner and outer core which a� ects the mantle. As a result of a fragile magnetic � eld, the charged particles may be responsible for all forms of extreme weather, including earthquakes and volcanoes.

In the � rst week of September the Moon was in new moon phase and the second closest for 2010, a powerful enough gravitational position to be capable of twisting, distorting and warping the Van Allen Belt, potentially letting-through destructive particles.

But there were warnings before September. The solar graph below correlates well with the following shakes. The 9th -12th August perigeal new moon, fourth closest for the year, saw a wave of shakes of above 4-mag in Wairarapa, Fiordland and Wellington. On 14th a 4.5-mag hit Hawkes Bay. More activity occurred on 17th and on 25th (full moon) including a series of 5-mag shakes around Wanganui. One would think there is enough of a plottable cycle here, rendering extrapolation to plot potential clusters ahead.

The reality is we are powerless to stop any of this. The forces are immense. Just one medium-sized solar � are has about the same amount of energy that the whole human population uses within a year. If an earthquake is going to occur there is nothing to stop it.

Some comfort is that it would be most unlikely for a massive-size earthquake to revisit the same region so soon. Moreover, if earthquakes are going to start doing that, they might arguably

revisit Napier, Wellington, Inangahua and Edgecumbe well before knocking on Dar� eld’s door.

Archaeologists now claim Jericho’s walls likely fell because of an earthquake. It is King Canutish to think Man can build a wall against Nature. Nature has dealt with ease to this country’s second biggest city 2216 times during less than 8 weeks. Whole hills and � elds have changed shape, an unimaginably massive

tonnage of earth and solid rock. The next time around, the galactic energies of the super demolition team of Moon & Sun, will surely reduce to � ne gravel any underground concrete structure in their determined way.

Such a ‘protective” wall is estimated to cost $200 million dollars. The region is already cash-strapped. And some families still don’t have toilets and clean drinking water.

Walls come a-tumbling down Ken Ring

Sunspots x solar wind

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Weather by The Moon: November ForecastGeneral November may bring average rain, less sunshine than normal and average temperatures.

Two distinct precipitation spells are likely, in the fi rst and last weeks. There may be chances of localised fl ooding at the end of the fi rst week.

Atmospheric disturbances bring windier conditions about 2nd-6th, 9th-11th, 19th-20th, 23rd-25th and 28th-29th.

Average potential for maximums is 16-18C and for minimums 6-9C.

About 7

November 1st-6th,25th-30th

November 7th-24th

November 2nd, 27th

November 11th-13th, 20th-25th

November 1st-2nd

November 13th, 21st-26th

November 7th-8th, 17th-19th

November 7th-12th

November 19th-24th

November 1st-4th, 25th-30th

76mm

78mm

77mm

109hrs (Novemberaverage 181hrs)

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodummary, outlook periodNumber of rain days:

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Mostly dry

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Estimated precipation for Ashburton:

Rakaia:

Methven:

Estimated sunshine amount for Ashburton:

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Estimated rain timing

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1st N

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Temperature trends, max and min

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Compounds Concentrates Calf Muesli & Pellets

Wide range of trace elements and minerals included

Nutritionally balanced for optimum growth

Made from top quality ingredients

Golden Stockfood LtdBryant Street, Tinwald

Phone 03 308 4388 Fax 03 307 8052 Mobile 027 292 4467FRESH FROM THE HEART OF NEW ZEALAND’S GRAIN CAPITAL

DairyFarmers

ATTENTION

A farm shed is a capital investment – simply that. It must contribute to the pro� tability of the farm or it is a drain on the operations’ resources.A shed contributes to farm pro� tability by doing what it is designed to do at a reasonable initial purchase price and for reasonable purchase cost within the farm budget. Will it continue to do its job with only the most basic maintenance that does not hit the farm budget or take up valuable productive time? Remember – time spent on maintenance is not pro� table time on the farm.In considering all of the above it becomes obvious that the prudent farmer with the long-term view will not look past Alpine Farm Buildings.Ian and Jo Snowball have a lifestyle block on Hepburns Road at Ashburton, where they engaged

Alpine Buildings to build a base for their spraying contracting operation. The base needed to be big enough to house their equipment and a workshop.Alpine Industries

visited the property to mark out the shed and then supervised its ongoing construction in August 2009. The building has three open bays and two closed-in bays.Ian and Jo said the two young men from Alpine worked solidly to erect the building, and their workmanship was outstanding.“From start to � nish, we were impressed with the high quality of workmanship, even down to the clean-up where no nails were left and all the o� -cuts were removed - even in rough weather conditions.”Ian and Jo have no hesitation in recommending Alpine to any prospective purchasers and welcome prospective purchasers to view their work at Hepburns Road.Alpine, the experienced team to call on for all your shed requirements. Based in Timaru and Ashburton, Alpine Buildings has a team that knows farm buildings – and knows what farm buildings are right for Mid Canterbury farmers.The team at Alpine can supply a range of kitset buildings that include haysheds, wintering barns, covered yards, storage sheds, workshops, implement sheds and calf sheds. These are all crafted from top quality components and will last for years with the minimum of maintenance.

Alpine Farm Buildings

Phone now on 0800 428 453 Let us listen to your needs and help decide on the best

designed building for you, or ask for an information pack

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Haysheds Workshops




ALPINE CLEARSPAN SHEDSALPINE CLEARSPAN SHEDS




ALPINE CLEARSPAN SHEDSALPINE CLEARSPAN SHEDS

KITSET & FULLY ERECTEDBy your local professional team.

Phone now on 0800 428 453for a FREE information pack.

Take a look at Alpine Farm Buildings

Truly, Alpine sheds stack up to the profi tability test every time

Jo and Ian Snowball


CFA

R 6

/10

® COMET and OPUS are registered trademarks of BASF.COMET and OPUS are registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997 Noʼs: P6017. P4365

The ideal mixing partner for superior control of fungal diseases in wheat, barley and ryegrass.Every cereal grower knows how important it is to use the right combination of fungicides. COMET® is the proven premium strobilurin fungicide for wheat, barley and ryegrass. The right combination of COMET® and OPUS®, the market-leading triazole, provides superior broad-spectrum disease control in all situations.

COMET® goes further, works faster and lasts longer than other fungicides.The end result is just what you’re looking for: increased yield and improved grain quality.

Ask for Comet® by name at your local BASF distributor.

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Guardian Farming November