The following information is brought to you through CHB Mail - Tukitalk 

 

 

Sallie Moore

sallie.moore@chbmail.co.nz

 The next collection of unwanted farm chemicals will be onAugust 8.

Three times a year the Hawke's Bay Regional council sends out a truck from Auckland to collect unwanted farm and agricultural chemicals.

Hazardous waste officer, Fred King, says this is a freeservice.

He says the unwanted chemicals fall into three categories: those that are completely banned for use in New Zealand, such as DDT, those which are banned for use on the crop they were purchased for and chemicals which are no longer needed when farm management changes.

Fred says the Regional Council prefers their collector to go to farms to pick up chemicals, rather than have them delivered to a central point.

"If the containers are in doubtful condition the contents have to be transferred into safe containers - it's too risky to transport dubious chemicals that could leak.

"Sometimes the labels have fallen off, so farmers don't know if the contents are safe to dispose of or not, and we are lucky to have Ray McGregor - our collector - who is one of the foremost in his field. We rely on his expertise and experience to identify and deal with chemicals."

Fred says the collected chemicals are divided into two groups, "What I call 'the intractables' - like DDT - which have to be sent to Europe for destruction by high temperature incineration, and 'the NZ treatables', which can be neutralised by acid or rendered inert by other treatments here in New Zealand.

"It costs a fortune to send the 'bad' chemicals off for incineration, but there's no other choice.

"Chemicals from around the country are saved up and packed into United Nations-approved drums so there is no risk of leakage while they're being shipped."

If you have unused or suspect chemicals to dispose of,contact Fred at the Hawke's Bay Regional Council on (06) 835 9200.

 

 

 

Nuffield Scholarships Applications Now Open

Applications are open for the 2008 New Zealand Nuffield Farming Scholarships.  Farmers have until the end of August to apply for New Zealand's most prestigious farming award.

Nuffield Scholarships promote leadership and the implementation of innovative practices in agriculture through worldwide study and networking.

The scholarships give successful applicants the opportunity to develop a better understanding of New Zealand and international relationships by studying farming, agricultural marketing or agricultural organisational practices.

Normally two or three scholarships are awarded each year, giving winners the opportunity to travel overseas to study the latest agricultural developments, and meet leaders and decision makers not accessible to the ordinary traveller.

Nuffield Farming Scholarships have been offered to innovative New Zealand farmers for more than 50 years.

Past scholars include government ministers, agri-businessdirectors, and industry and community leaders.

Scholarships are for approximately six months, and include two weeks in Asia and six weeks in Europe or North America depending onthe scholarship offered.

Study in other regions will also be considered.

Scholarship applicants must demonstrate an ability and desire to participate in leadership in agriculture and the wider rural community.

Applications for 2008 scholarships close Friday, Augus t29 at 2pm.

Those interested in applying should visitwww.nuffield.org.nz or email: nuffield@fedfarm.org.nz

 

 

 Dairy farmers: check bobby calf withholds or put industry at risk

 

 "It's essential that dairy operators know the withholding periods for any products they use around the seasonal calving period. Choosing the wrong product could be disastrous for their business and the whole industry if a random check identifies residues," Eric said.

Many cattle drenches have meat withholding periods of two weeks or more, and unless there is a separate bobby calf with holding period on the label, the restrictions also apply to bobby calves born during the meat withholding period. The general rule is that if a calf is born during the withholding period, it is not suitable for slaughter until such time as the cow would have been suitable for slaughter.

A few weeks ago, a consignment of New Zealand beef bound for South Korea was contaminated with endosulfan, in a near-repeat of an incident that occurred in 2005. The ramifications of this latest scandal are not yet clear - the Agriculture Minister has announced that the incident is being investigated.

In 2005, traces of endosulfan were also found in a cattle consignment shipped to Korea. Imports of all New Zealand beef were immediately suspended and a large number of cartons ended up being investigated. In all,over 4,000 kg of product had to be tracked, even though most of it was unaffected.

"This incident was a lesson for the industry,"Eric said. "The damage of a situation like this goes beyond the immediate impact of that one lost sale. It puts the reputation of the whole industry at risk. If this kind of thing was a common occurrence, the entire New Zealand industry could be destroyed."

BOBBY CALVES 

Caption: If you're planning to sell off bobby calves asvealers, you need to make sure you're drenching with safe products.

 

 Stock prices improving

Sallie Moore
sallie.moore@chbmail.co.nz

Livestock prices have shown a very strong improvement in the past fortnight.
Williams & Kettle livestock manager, Vern Wiggins, says the rise in the works schedule has inspired a rise in store values.
"Store lambs are $10 to $12 up, cattle prices have increased by 20 to 30 cents a kilo.
"In lamb ewes of any quality are selling $20 to $25 better than the same quality ewes three to four weeks ago.
He says at the Stortford sale last Wednesday the top cut of ewes scanned with twins went for $90. A line from the same property scanned with singles sold for $87 and other good in lamb ewes sold from $65 to $75.

 

 

Takapau ploughing centenary
Sallie Moore
sallie.moore@chbmail.co.nz

The Takapau Ploughing Match club celebrates 100 years in October.
Secretary, Barrie Bayliss, says the club has had an annual competition except for a short break during the Second World War.
He says 22 clubs compete at the national ploughing championships,
"There are more clubs than that, but entries are restricted to 22 for the nationals."
Barrie says this year's competition will be held at Chris Minehan's property on Speedy Road on Saturday, October 11.
He expects entries from outside Hawke's Bay, including some from the Heavy Horse club in Waikato.
Local Clydesdale breeder, Stephen Muggeridge, is also expected to compete.
Barrie says competition ploughing is all about evenness.
"If you can't plough straight you may as well not compete.
"Usually competitors use a two-furrow plough and aim to produce two furrows of exactly the same size and shape, setting the plough to achieve this is the complicated part."
He says modern technology is less important than the ploughman's skills in competition.
"Ploughing is a very individual sport. You can get tuition before the event and have a tutor before the competition to assist in setting up, but you can't have any help during the competition."
Barrie says the club is encouraging vintage ploughing for the centennial competition, saying some of these are three-furrow ploughs and even more difficult to set.
He would like to hear from past members of the Takapau Ploughing Match club, and from anyone else interested in competition ploughing.
You can contact him on (06) 858 8765 or email: ashley.wpk@xtra.co.nz

 

CHB Mail

Sallie Moore

sallie.moore@chbmail.co.nz

After weeks of seeing high quality breeding ewes and cows going to the works, livestock agent, Hamish Hewitt, says "The lift in price for in-lamb ewes at the Stortford store sale last Wednesday brought them back above works value. I hope the increase has stemmed the tide of capital stock being sent to slaughter."

Hamish says the percentage of scanned dry ewes is up considerably, so quite a few more ewes than usual have been culled, and there are a number of reasons for in-lamb ewes being killed:

* the high dollar and the droughts have knocked farmers' confidence.

* there has been a real swing back to traditional breeds in both sheep and cattle.

"In sheep there's a U-turn away from composites back to Romneys and other traditional breeds, so presently no-one seems to want composite ewes and it's also been reflected in the store value of composite lambs.

"The future is looking good for farmers - we've been telling them that for two years, and now they're starting to believe it, and once we're past the shortest day things always look brighter.

"I hope we have turned that corner and some of those top animals will be retained.

"That's definitely so with sheep, but cows might take a bit longer, because there isn't that much feed and farmers can't afford to send them out grazing," (competition from dairy grazers.)

In the South Island capital stock are being killed to clear the way for dairy support as well as farm conversions, he says, and he knows of one local farmer who sent 3000 capital ewes to the works to take on dairy grazers instead.

At Stortford Lodge last week, he says a line of 288 beautiful 600kg Angus cows was bought by works buyers but he hopes that will be the exception from now on.

Hamish says Angus cattle have been bringing a premium over exotic breeds for the past year.

 

Certainty High Priority – Federated High Country chairman Donald Aubrey called for the government to provide certainty to pastoral leaseholders at the Federated Farmers High Country conference in Wanaka today. He said secure land tenure is the most important issue for high country farmers and pastoral leaseholders require a rental that is affordable, practical, recognises economic constraints and reflects the market. >>>MORE

Diary Giveaway – Catch up with Federated Farmers at Mystery Creek National Fieldays next week. Staff and farm-leaders are giving away free diaries, talking politics and policy and canvassing members’ views. National board members Charlie Pedersen, Don Nicolson, Frank Brenmuhl and Keith Kelly will be manning the stand in the grand pavilion, site P2, Wednesday through to Saturday.

Tale For Sale – Grass grubs, a hard case truck driver and a river rescue have inspired a book written by former Ruapehu president Richard Steele. Richard has had a tall tale and three short stories published and on sale at Mystery Creek, National Fieldays. The book is being promoted at a function hosted by the Rural Communities Trust between 5pm and 6pm on Thursday 12 June 2008 at the National Bank Pavilion. Members are welcome and signed books are available for purchase at the event. Richard and wife, Rachel are also taking orders, contact them by email: steelefarming@wnation.co.nz or on 07 896 6277. A percentage of the sale of the book will go to the Rural Communities Trust.

Leadership Report - The importance of strong leadership was emphasized to participants of the Federated Farmers Advanced Leadership Course last week. Hawke’s Bay representative, Tania Kerr said the course gave her new insight into the responsibility Federated Farmers has in representing farmers and made her realise the role farmers needed to take in law and rule making. She said it also provided a great insight into how Federated Farmers operates and how members can make best use of Federation resources. To register your interest in a Federated Farmers leadership course, contact your provincial president or phone 0800 327 646.

Federated Farmers looks forward to working with those electricity lines companies considering alternatives to rural electricity supply through existing lines.

New Wool Company Welcomed

Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre section chairman, Keith Kelly is welcoming, in principle, the formation of a new company, The Wool Company Limited, to manage New Zealand’s coarser wools. But he says he needs to see more detail before giving it the green light. PGG Wrightson has announced the sale of its wool operations, except its shareholding in Merino New Zealand to the new entity for a net $46 million. This includes the niche wool exporter, Bloch and Behrens which it recently acquired. Keith Kelly says while the move is said to be part of the ‘Model for Change’ concept, he needs to be convinced that this new arrangement will work for the benefit of the nations producers of coarser wools. He says if this proves to be the case then growers will be supportive. In the meantime he is seeking more information on the new arrangement

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For more information:

Charlie Pedersen, 027 446 3480

Environment Court rules in favour of farmers

Federated farmers 09.05.08

The Environment Court has ruled in favour of farmers on the Banks Peninsula who have been fighting for the right to farm their land for over a decade.

Federated Farmers Banks Peninsula Branch Chair Pam Richardson says she is relieved but at the same time frustrated.

“Although we have won and it is a relief, this fight has consumed us for 11 years. We are tired, it has sapped our energy. We have spent thousands of hours and dollars to get to this end.

Mrs Richardson believes the court’s decision recognises the good faith and effort put into mediation proceedings by farmers.

Federated Farmers had worked hard to come up with rules and landscape designations that were fair through a task force formed by the Banks Peninsula District Council (now merged with Christchurch City Council) and through mediations ordered by the Environment Court on the Banks Peninsula District Plan.

Farmers negotiated in good faith with Environment Canterbury and other parties and made concessions to obtain a result that everyone could live with. Although the extent of landscape designations was not fully resolved it was anticipated that the views of the major parties would not change greatly from the agreements made.

“We were incredibly disappointed to find that Environment Canterbury sought greater restrictions than had been indicated in mediation and that the matter would have to proceed to court.

Federated Farmers supported Christchurch City Council’s stand against Environment Canterbury in court.

Federated Farmers felt the matter should not have had to go to court at all and the case was a waste of farmer’s time as well as ratepayer’s money.

“This decision is the culmination of over a decade of negotiation and mediation, we are glad to put it to bed. We just hope that in the future local and regional government will work in partnership with us to benefit both the community and the environment.” Mrs Richardson said.

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For more information:

Pam Richardson; 03 304 6825, 0274 478 551

 

Central Hawke's Bay Farmer in Grand Final

Pic left: Grant Charteris

By Sallie Moore

sallie.moore@chbmail.co.nz

Tikokino deer and beef farmer, Grant Charteris, has won the East Coast regional final of the National Bank Young Farmer contest.

The 30-year old deer and beef farmer is delighted, saying it is the fifth time he has made the regional final - and the final year he is eligible.

The regional final was held in Napier last weekend, with eight finalists from the region, which stretches from Gisborne to the Wairarapa.

Grant says it was a hard-fought day, but everything fell into place.

"The practical went well, the exam was hard but I did alright, and in the question round the points just kept coming, and I won by 30 points!"

He says this will be his first time in the grand final, where the seven regional winners compete for more than $80,000 worth of prizes.

This year's final will be at Ashburton on 10 -12 July.

In preparation, Grant is brushing up on his farm computing and technical skills, general knowledge and practical skills.

He has to develop a market innovation project, a 30-minute power point presentation, and prepare a speech for the final.

The grand final covers every aspect of farming in New Zealand, and contestants have no idea what they're going to encounter.

Grant says he looks to improve every aspect of his farming knowledge, as every point counts in the grand final. That includes his own areas of deer, sheep and beef, he lives next door to forestry and hopes his neighbour will help him with his forestry study.

"I've been calling on friends in viticulture and horticulture for help, and it's amazing how much you pick up in the regional finals about dairying - I'll never be able to compete with a dairy farmer, but the idea is to keep your farming knowledge broad, not necessarily vast.

"Being consistent is what comes through at the end of the day," he says.

 

Drought Worries Not Over

Sallie Moore

editorial@chbmail.co.nz

Although the countryside is rapidly turning green, the effects of the drought are far from over.

The Ministry of Agriculture estimates the drought will cost farmers around $1.24billion this financial year, in decreased production and extra costs for supplementary feed.

With very little quality feed available, farmers are worrying about having enough to take their stock through the winter. Many are hoping the current mild temperatures continue, that the wind stays away and that winter will be kind.

One immediate effect of the drought is a shortage of feed grain, especially maize, which farmers use either directly or as processed stock feed to supplement pasture.

Local stock firms are warning clients they may not have good supplies of grain-based supplements available during the winter.

Lucerne crops suffered badly during the drought, and most didn't manage a third cut. With the crops now going into their dormant winter stage, lucerne will also be in short supply.

As a consequence of last year's drought, very little hay remained in barns after the winter, and although farmers made as much hay and silage as possible during the summer, hay crops were light.

Hay contractors say in many cases they harvested only half the normal number of bales.

Because the drought is so widespread, there will be little extra hay available from outside Hawke's Bay, and some local farmers have already been feeding out supplements earmarked for winter.

Central Hawke's Bay pastures respond very quickly when the rain comes, but to keep the grass growing the ground temperature has to stay up, which is a mixed blessing at present, as it also encourages the proliferation of facial eczema spores. A drop in ground temperature and a few days of icy southerlies would take care of the facial eczema threat but would also slow grass growth.

Last week's rain is the first step in Central Hawke's Bay farms' recovery from the drought. Farmers now face a complicated balanced act, juggling available feed with the increasing nutritional needs of their stock.

As the weather gets colder, the animals require more feed to maintain body condition and, as spring approaches, to prepare for the demands of late pregnancy and then feeding their new lambs and calves.

The most careful feed budget still has to be flexible, as no-one can predict how long a cold spell will last, or when a week of rain will put pastures under water or reduce them to mud.

Celebrate the return of green to the Central Hawke's Bay landscape, but don't delude yourself that the drought is over. Its effects will be with us for many months to come.

 

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