50CELEBRATING

YEARS

ATSNEWSFEBRUARY / MARCH 2013

2012 ATS Longbeach Coastal Challenge

Farming across generations

Sticking to our roots since 1963

Good practice

vital in plan uptake

Editorial ENquiriES

Our team welcome your contributions, enquiries and letters. Please post or email to:Charlotte Mackenzie Marketing Manager charlotte.mackenzie@ats.co.nz

www.ats.co.nz

upcoming Events6 February Waitangi Day ATS will be closed 6 FebruaryIf members have any emergency requirements the Duty manager can be reached on 03 307 5100 or 027 487 6865.

9 March Mayfield A&P Show

16 MarchMethven A&P Show

16 MarchThe ANZ Young Farmer ContestAorangi Regional Final

20–22 MarchSouth Island Agriculture Field DaysLincoln University Farm

29 March–1 AprilEaster ATS will be closed 29 March–1 AprilIf members have any emergency requirements the Duty manager can be reached on 03 307 5100 or 027 487 6865.

ATS celebrates is Golden Jubilee this year. It is a time of great celebration for our co-operative which has grown from truly small beginnings.

From the CEo

In this edition of the ATS News we take a look at our past and our future with several articles focussing on the business and some of those people involved along the way.

Our cover features Brian Lill, who attended the first meeting in Jack Brand’s living room 50 years

ago to discuss the formation of a trading society. He became one of the first provisional directors and went on to serve on the Board for 10 years. We also talk to ATS’s first secretary, Jack Ross about those early days.

Another former director, Ian Totty, shares his thoughts on ATS, co-operatives, his dairy farm operation, and his long association with both co-operatives and dairying in New Zealand. Fast forward to the present day, and we also feature our newly elected Directors, Mark Saunders and Gabrielle Thompson. Both share insights into their respective farming and business operations and their thoughts on becoming Directors of ATS.

Other features in this ATS News include a behind the scenes look at the hugely popular ATS Longbeach Coastal Challenge, which has become an important event for mountain bikers, runners and walkers with more than 900 lining up to take part last year.

There is also an informative article on Canterbury’s Land and Water Plan process which has attracted a vast number of submissions from a wide range of interested parties. Richard Rennie talks to some of the industry players and takes a look at GMP (Good Management Practices) and how they are a preferred option for many industry groups going forward.

Keep an eye out for more 50th anniversary events. We will continue to share commemorations and celebrations with you throughout this very special year.

Neal Shaw, Chief Executive

diSClaiMEr: All information contained within ATS News is to the best of the author’s knowledge true and accurate. Opinions expressed are those of the author and not of Ashburton Trading Society. Items herein are general comments only and do not constitute or convey advice. This newsletter is issued as a helpful guide to members.

aSHBurtoN

97 Burnett St Tel: 03 307 5100 Fax: 03 307 6721 ashburton@ats.co.nz

MEtHVEN

88 Main St Tel: 03 303 2020 Fax: 03 302 8184 methven@ats.co.nz

raKaia

68 Elizabeth Ave Tel: 03 303 5440 Fax: 03 303 5430 rakaia@ats.co.nz

HEad oFFiCE

PO Box 131 Ashburton Tel: 03 307 5100 Fax: 03 307 6721 ats@ats.co.nz

CoNtriButorS:

Anita Body, Richard Rennie, Ele Ludemann, Marie Taylor, Linda Clarke and Ian Hodge

PHotograPHy:

Charlotte Mackenzie, Marloes Leferink, Melody Shaw, Angela Watson, Hayden Marshall and Beef + Lamb NZ

adVErtiSiNg ENquiriES:

Please contact the Marketing Department on:Tel: 03 307 5100 marketing@ats.co.nz www.ats.co.nz

FroNt PagE PHoto

Brian Lill, one of the first Directors of ATS

Contents

18

Find ATS on Facebook www.facebook.com/ 0800BUYATS

50CELEBRATING

YEARS

42

Features regulars Profiles Etc2 Farming across generations5 Sticking to our roots since

1963 6 good practice vital in plan

uptake14 Continuing to grow from a

strong core18 Bringing a woman’s

perspective to the atS Board

22 trojan lifts pasture production on the coast

42 2012 atS longbeach Coastal Challenge

9 Irrigation efficiency delivers optimal farm returns

11 thoughts from across the rivers

13 Cobalt and Vitamin B12

27 is low magnesium holding back your cereal crop?

29 Keep an eye on your girls this summer

17 regenerating our environment

Southern Woods

21 Keeping your electrical pulse beating

ElectraServe

33 the farmer’s contractor ACL

35 a picture paints a thousand words

Ashburton Signs & Graphics

46 News at atS48 atS out and about49 Classifieds

2

22

14

6

5

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FEATURE

Farming across generations Ian Totty can trace his dairying and co-operative heritage back more than 140 years. His great-great grandfather John Mathieson set up New Zealand’s first co-operative dairy factory on the Otago Peninsula in 1871. By aNita Body

While the dairy connection hasn’t remained constant throughout, successive generations have built on the endeavours of those before them and have established an enduring connection with dairying and the Mid Canterbury region, particularly the Staveley and Bushside areas near Methven. This tradition is set to continue when Ian’s son John, returns to the family’s dairy farm making him the fifth generation in Mid Canterbury and fourth at Lawn Hayes.

From a young age, Ian’s father Eddie helped on the farm and delivered billys of milk to households on his way to Allenton School. He was about 10 when Ian’s grandfather Charlie moved the family to Staveley from Ashburton. This was a whole different concept from today. Each generation has built on that original farming legacy and John will do the same. Ian believes there’s huge satisfaction in carrying on from what others have done.

Ian’s first farm was 452 acres which he bought in 1969. He sold that to buy into his father’s 700 acre block, and since then he has kept adding to it. Today Ian and his wife Kate farm 467 hectares. The dryland dairy farm is set beneath the mountains, which provide a magnificent vista. “Dairying is the best option for this land, in this area. Put the two together and it works for us,” says Ian.

Over the years the Totty’s have spread their farming ventures to meet changing markets. Initially the farm started with 20 cows and a few pigs on 90 acres and built to 150 cows, 2,000 breeding ewes,

pigs and crop during Eddie’s time. It grew to accommodate 220 cows, 5,000 breeding ewes, goats, crops and beef fattening. Then when dairying had the potential to lift the operation to a different level, the Totty’s grew their herd and reduced sheep numbers down to a tiny flock of 30.

The farm now operates two sheds—a 36 a side herringbone for 500 Jersey-cross cows on the home block Lawn Hayes and a 20 a side on the Bushside block for around 280 Friesians. While the land is contiguous, it is not conducive to milking from one shed.

Lawn Hayes is the farm’s name and harks back to the original owners. Ian’s father ran the Staveley Jersey stud herd. He used to show cows at the Methven, Mayfield, Ashburton, Timaru, Winchester and Christchurch A & P Shows and was something he was very keen on. The stud no longer exists with stock being sold on a commercial basis these days instead of pedigrees. “Dad and I always looked at bloodlines before the days of AI. Now we use the best semen available and have made some good progress. We now have a commercial cow that is hardier and suits our conditions.”

“We tend to be two weeks later calving (in mid-August) and two weeks earlier drying off, with a shorter growing season here. So we have developed a cow that can cope with these conditions.” Cows also have to be well suited to the climate with an annual rainfall of around 1,200mm and snow during winter months.

Despite it being the norm for dairy farmers to operate run-off blocks, the Totty’s operate a self-contained unit, wintering their cows, rearing all young stock and growing their own winter feed, which is important to them. “I can see Canterbury having some issues in the future over the number of dairy farms here.” Ian says there’s a real possibility the number of dairy operations could over-tax the ability of supporting farms to supply silage, straw and feed to dairy farms. It has been one of the reasons for the huge success in dairying in Canterbury—the availability of support land. But people have bought run-offs and then decided to put a shed on them, and now they have two units which need run-offs.

“There are a number of very special and high producing cropping farms in Canterbury and as such they don’t want to run cattle in the winter and pug up their soil and destroy land for next year’s crops.” Availability of land for dairy support could become an issue and because of this, the Totty’s will continue to have a strong policy of being self-reliant. Ian believes it is going to be more important to be self-contained and to control your own destiny.

Over the years, the Totty’s have carried out their dairy developments themselves as time and finances allowed and have built two new sheds and two new staff homes.

Currently the farm employs a contract milker, Sidney Stewart, who is responsible for hiring all staff (two herd managers, two full time staff and two part-timers). He’s been with the Totty’s for 10 seasons and has worked his way through the ranks over that time. Ian thinks it’s important to empower people with responsibility, that way you get the best out of them and they get the satisfaction of a job well done. “How can you develop if you are not allowed to do things?” he says.

It’s meant a shift in focus for Ian, who now concentrates mainly on cropping and tractor work. It’s also allowed him to ease back a little. He’s been farming for over 50 years—since he left school at 16. He’s had some time away over the years—to

lEFT: John, Victoria, Kate, Charlotte and Ian Totty, Hilary was awayRIgHT: Ian and John inspecting a paddock of Triticale

FEATURE

attend Lincoln to get his DipAg; a Young Farmer’s exchange to Australia; and to travel abroad. In recent years Ian and Kate have completed a number of overseas holidays which have seen them get off the beaten track and meet the locals.

Retirement will come when son John returns to the farm. He’s currently working and travelling overseas. Ian was careful not to foist the farm on any of his four children, but when John declared his interest it set in motion the necessary steps to facilitate succession planning. “You have to treat everyone fairly, but the one taking over also has

to be treated a little differently so they are able to survive,” says Ian. “It’s getting hard to come in and take over. When I bought my first farm (in 1969) it cost $105 an acre. Recently the same farm sold for $11,000 an acre. The family is united in their desire for the farm to stay within the family and plans are already underway which see John buying into the company.

Staunch supporter of co-ops

Ian’s dairying heritage is firmly linked to New Zealand’s co-operative history thanks to his great-great grandfather and it’s a fitting link for someone who’s a staunch supporter of co-ops. He spent nine years as an ATS Director and left to make way for the Board’s first independently appointed Director. He’s been a long term member, with his father among the first 500 to join the co-op. “I feel a loyalty to ATS as it set the standard and still does. It still has competitive prices on most products despite being smaller than some of the other co-ops. United strength gives us power and stability, control on inputs and also on selling, as is the case with Fonterra,” says Ian, who describes himself as a very strong co-op person.

He says Mid Canterbury is a very special place to live in and make something like ATS happen.

“There is huge heart in Mid Canterbury. I’m not sure exactly what it is, but it is a very community minded area and I am proud to be part of it.”

Over the years Ian has also played his part within the community as the first chairman of the Foothills Young Farmers, followed by a stint as district chairman and two years on the National Executive. He was the local chairman of the Mid Canterbury Federated Farmers Dairy Section and also spent two years on the Dairy Section national executive.

Ian also spent 14 years on the boards of the Temuka, and later, Alpine Dairy Companies. At the formation of the Temuka Dairy Company there were 18 bulk dairy suppliers in Mid Canterbury now there are more than 300 involved in the same area. These days it is Ian’s youngest daughter Victoria who is keeping up the involvement with co-operatives working for Fonterra as a Sustainable Dairying Advisor.

Ian is looking forward to the coming years as he supports the next generation farming at Lawn Hayes. He might just find some time to play golf and bowls in Methven and if he’s lucky, some grandchildren to enjoy.

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50CELEBRATING

YEARS

When he and Alan Franks, George Scarth, Brian Lill, Harry Dalton and Jack Ross attended that first meeting in March 1963, it is fair to say none could foresee the growth and success which would follow. The formation of the Ashburton Trading Society took place a few months later in July, with Jack Brand becoming the society’s first chairman, and Messers Franks, Scarth, and Lill being joined by Phil Curd, Eric Pilbrow and Gilbert Blair to form the provisional Board of Directors.

Jack Ross was appointed secretary/treasurer—a role he continued for 25 years. “We were offered the job and my business partner, Harry Dalton said ‘you are going to be doing the work’ and so he left it up to me to take it or leave it. It appealed to me and I could see a great deal of potential so I agreed to be secretary.”

ATS has been a big part of Jack’s life and during his time as secretary the society “grew and grew and grew” —so much that he had to pass on his tax work to his partners. “It was great to see it develop.”

Those first Directors had very different tasks and roles compared to their present day counterparts. In those days it was up to Directors to approach prospective suppliers and recruit new members. From ATS’s inception in 1963 until 1976, card suppliers made up all of ATS’s business and following the establishment of the Society in July 1963, the Board began approaching local businesses and oil companies.

Mid Canterbury farmers had their first opportunity to hear about the Society at a meeting in October

1963 where the first members were formally approved. By early 1964 ATS had about 40 members.

Today there are more than 2,600 Shareholders and the Board of Directors is charged with governance and setting strategic direction as opposed to the day-to-day running of the business. To this end the Board has six elected directors (Phil McKendry, Ian Mackenzie, Alister Body, James Sim, Mark Saunders and Gabrielle Thompson) and one board appointed independent director (Andrew Priest).

While the scale, governance, management, and operations of the Society have evolved in a manner that those at the founders meeting in 1963 would not have been able to envisage, the heart of ATS remains the same. It remains a co-operative. The lowering of costs to its farmer members is still its core purpose. Membership of the Society is still restricted to farmers, the same as in 1963. As in 1963, suppliers are vetted and closely managed to ensure value is delivered to members. While it now operates three retail stores, card suppliers continue as they have since 1963 to constitute the largest part of the co-op’s business when measured by turnover.

The recent 49th Annual General Meeting of ATS shows the Society is in good heart with around 140 shareholders in attendance and six candidates vying for the two positions on the Board left vacant by retiring Directors David Keeley and Richard Watson. The Chairman, Phil McKendry, and Chief Executive Neal Shaw not only presented a review of the previous year but also gave a strategic overview of ATS’ operating environment. The picture presented was of a very firm platform moving forward through this important anniversary year and beyond.

Sticking to our roots since 1963It is 50 years since Jack Brand convened a meeting in his Beach Road living room to discuss the possibility of establishing a local rural co-operative society. By aNita Body

ToP: Jack Brand, ATS Founder and Chairman (1963–1965)MIDDlE: Bert Oldham, Chairman (1974–1986) with Jack Brand, Founder and Chairman (1963–1965)BoTToM: ATS’s second store, on Havelock St

FEATURE

Brian Lill is the only surviving member of that seven-strong Provisional Directorate.

He was also responsible for moving the motion at the July meeting in 1963 “that a Trading Society to be called the Ashburton Trading Society Ltd be formed…”

He remembers that at that time there were plenty of detractors, with many saying it wouldn’t last five years. “Many of those that made those predictions have gone now.”

“The idea for the trading society originally came from Alan Franks. He was the prime mover.” Alan had come from the Harewood area near Christchurch and was a horticulturalist. As such he had bought horticultural goods through a co-op. When he moved to the Ashburton area he approached the local Federated Farmers branch, asking them to look at forming a co-op. At that time Jack Brand was the provincial president.

“Jack asked me about it as I was developing the farm at Montalto and had found that a lot of products were expensive.” From these discussions, the Ashburton Trading Society was born.

Brian’s association with the Board of Directors lasted about 10 years and it was only because of a clash of meeting commitments (with Federated Farmers) that Brian stood down from the ATS Board. “I was sad to leave at that time. It wasn’t long after this that ATS had its first retail shop in West Street.”

Since then the Society has gone from strength to strength, and Brian has enjoyed watching the progress over the years and is especially pleased to be part of this year’s Golden Jubilee celebrations.

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good practice vital in plan uptakeAugust 2012 marked a milestone in Canterbury’s Land and Water Plan process, with the plan’s formal notification going ahead. By riCHard rENNiE

FEATURE

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However there are a number of steps before it becomes a reality for the region, including an extensive consultation and submission process.

Submissions on the Plan formally closed in late December, with almost 400 received on the Land and Water Plan, making it one of the most highly submitted plans ever put forward for the region. The submissions represent opinion from a hugely diverse range of interested parties.

Agricultural groups submitting on behalf of farmers included Federated Farmers and Beef + Lamb New Zealand and their submissions reveal conditional support of a plan that starts with a collaborative, consultative approach.

Both Federated Farmers and Beef + Lamb have endorsed the use of the Overseer nutrient model as a means of modelling farm nutrient losses. However, the Feds in particular have reservations about the model’s suitability for regulatory or compliance base lines. Shortcomings in Overseer peculiar to Canterbury include weaknesses in capturing irrigation data.

Beef + Lamb maintains where Nitrogen losses into water are unlikely to reach set levels then a simple nutrient budget or record of fertiliser applications may suffice to meet Environment Canterbury’s compliance needs. This could well prove the case for more extensive, un-irrigated

sheep and beef properties in the upland areas of Canterbury.

All 10 of Canterbury’s designated catchments will ultimately determine recommended levels and limits, phasing in over the coming six years.

The Hurunui-Waiau catchment zone has been notified, with mid-2013 listed as a possible time for it to become operative. Other pressured catchments including Selwyn-Waihora and Ashburton are due to be notified this year (2013).

Nutrient allocation maps underlie these catchments and identify the catchment’s status with respect to its water quality status. The catchments fall into five broad allocation categories and essentially reflect the intensity of land use in the Canterbury region.

Farmers are being encouraged by all industry groups to recognise and understand the nutrient allocation aspect of the Plan.

Being informed, knowledgeable and proactive will help the industry achieve its goal of having an audited, self managed approach to staying within Plan limits.

Developing and using industry developed Good Management Practices (GMP) are preferred by all industry groups, and often the GMPs reflect what the majority of farmers have already built into their farm system and procedures.

The alternative is having abstract and “one size fits all” imposed conditions. This is likely to involve a myopic focus on nitrate loss alone which could lead to a “cap and trade” nutrient management system with the unintended consequence of not improving overall water quality.

Alongside applying GMPs, farmers can calculate modelled nutrient losses from their farm using Overseer, and then have some parameters to compare against for their industry, within the context of their catchment’s nutrient allocation.

Dairy farmers in Canterbury already have DairyNZ data providing them with that ability to see where they sit within their region for estimated nitrogen losses. The data indicates on average 50% of Canterbury’s dairy farms are estimated to be losing 30–40kgN/ha/year.

DairyNZ is drawing on farm systems research and trials to have best practice methods available to its farmer levy payers to draw on. Practices to “mop up” surplus nutrients being lost from farm systems will initially help boost farm profitability.

At its simplest level GMPs around nitrate management for dairying could be adapting more of a “little and often” approach on nitrogen application, as recommended by DairyNZ, and avoiding winter application when drainage losses are greatest.

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FEATURE

However nitrate losses are only one facet of water quality parameters, and further research is determining the levels of losses around phosphorous, sediment, and faecal or bacteria contamination, also key parameters requiring GMPs on farm.

Riparian fencing and planting are GMPs increasingly applied in the dairy sector, and contributing to a reduction in the levels of phosphorus, sediment and bacteria in waterways.

NIWA work has shown stock exclusion improves water clarity through reduced faecal matter, while the planting will deliver some reduction in phosphorous release into water way systems.

Limits are being set for respective allocation zones in the region, and knowing where a farm sits on the nutrient bell curve will indicate the focus needed by the farm owner to change management practices.

For the arable sector, Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) Director of Research Development, Roger Williams, believes many arable farmers are already ahead of the game in nutrient management and have effective GMPs in place.

High input costs and tight margins have seen the sectors best operators use GMP practices including nutrient calculators and strategic nitrogen inputs for some time. Nitrogen losses on straight arable farms can often be below 20kgN/ha/year.

“Where it can be harder to achieve is when you combine other income like wintering dairy cows, and this is quite common, it can push the losses out higher.”

FAR recently released a comprehensive guide on GMPs and nutrient management in its “FAR Focus” publication, available to all levy paying members. It highlights some key GMPs for farmers, covering the water quality parameters that fertiliser, soil and water management impact upon.

Practices like keeping a record of Olsen P tests helps identify when P levels exceed the optimum range, a point that makes no economic sense, and monitoring identifies the risk of phosphorus contamination of fresh water form soil sediment in run off.

Another is matching cultivation to soil type and contour. This reduces the loss of valuable top soil and practices including strip and not tillage on light vulnerable soils help reduce

loss to wind, and sediment run off into water systems.

Leaving a 2m margin between cultivation area and the waterway helps reduce the risk of sediments entering waterways, with steeper slopes requiring a greater width. Such buffer zones are often already stipulated in regional plans and subject to council assessment.

A GMP practice as applicable to arable as it is to pastoral farmers includes low rate variable irrigation technology, matching moisture application to better suit soil drainage profiles.

It is one technique that will avoid excessive moisture on easily drained soil, and increasing it on heavier soils, and minimises the nutrient losses through the soil profile through wasteful overwatering.

Ian Mackenzie, Federated Farmers spokesman for water and the environment said he would like to see all farmers identify those activities and farm aspects that may affect overall water quality, not just nitrogen levels.

“If all farmers adopted these practices around New Zealand, from the most extensive run holder to intensive horticulturalist, then they would effectively keep the industry’s licence to farm in this country.”

quartz Hill sows seed on environment plansThe sheep and beef sector has also recognised the need to educate and inform farmers about the growing need to manage and understand land and water management on farms.

Recently Quartz Hill Station owned by Colin and Hilary Guild was the venue to launch Beef + Lamb NZ’s Land and Environment Planning toolkit.

Quartz Hill was the ideal venue, with the Guilds having claimed the Silver Fern Farms Livestock award in the 2009 Ballance Farm Environment awards.

The Environmental Planning toolkit has been taken off the shelf and refreshed by Beef + Lamb. Its re-launch reflects a growing demand from levy paying farmers for a definitive guideline that helps them achieve certifiable environmental status for their farm businesses.

The toolkit provides farmers with a step by step process to develop a Land and Environment Plan (LEP) for their farm, recognising no two farms are alike.

It includes a more modular format, and individual modules address specific issues in detail including areas like managing runoff of phosphorous, nitrogen and sediments, and stock exclusion from waterways.

The toolkit’s LEP process has three levels, with the first a simple risk assessment or farm mapping method for identifying farm environment risk areas and how to address them.

The next two levels on see farmers capable of building a plan up to a standard comparable to what regional councils would use, and the hope is completion of a LEP to a certain level

will see farms compliant with regional council environmental requirements in coming years.

In launching the tool kit, CEO Dr Scott Champion said family based sheep and beef business had long recognised the importance of caring for the environment.

With greater regional council pressure to meet standards and limits, the toolkit would help provide farmers with information of good environmental management that will also help improve production.

Dr Champion said the Canterbury launch was an ideal region to choose, in light of the developing Land and Water plans in the region.

“We believe LEPs will be a useful tool for sheep and beef producers to take control of the issue themselves and develop innovative solutions to their individual environmental challenges.”

Located in the headwaters of the Selwyn River, the Guilds’ 2910ha property highlights the sort of steps that more farmers can take to offer a sustainable, compliant farming operation.

The family have made particular efforts to protect the tussock country in the sensitive headwater region.

Some of the station’s cold, less productive country has been left to revert to native bush and two sensitive areas including rarer red tussock country

have been covenanted into a QEII Trust. Some tussock has even been left within some paddocks to provide valuable stock shelter.

Under the LEP programme Colin and Hilary’s property is rated at a Level 2, and Quartz Hill highlights how production and environmental aspects can be successfully integrated.

For example the property has almost 100 dams on the steeper country designed to capture runoff under heavy rain conditions, minimising sediment and nutrient loss.

“But they also provide stock water, and increase the amount of bird life we have here,” says Colin.

He says the LEP process has helped categorise the work he and Hilary have already done into three key areas - nutrient management, stock/pasture management and shelter, highlighting the environmental issues within each and how to deal with them.

It has also clearly laid out the sustainable foundations of Quartz Hill for his daughter Georgie and partner Dan Harper to build upon as they step into their management role this year.

“From my point of view the LEP launch will help sow a seed in farmers’ minds to having to think about these aspects, and provides a way to categorise and target them that is quite logical,” he says.

IMAgE: The Environment Planning toolkit being launched at Quartz Hill Station

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Federated Farmers water spokesman Ian Mackenzie believes many farmers carry a lot of intellectual property specific to their business around in their heads. It means they are often doing much of what such plans would require, but not recording it.

“It can be frustrating to regulators, but I think there is a lot more monitoring going on than is appreciated at times, particularly for cropping farmers, where application time can be critical to a crop’s failure or success.” So the plans may simply require some formal record keeping of those practices as they are carried out.

But for farmers needing to sharpen their irrigation management skills, there are a number of good management practices (GMPs) specific to the irrigation process to adopt.

This goes right back to understanding how much water is being lost in the first place, through evapo-transpiration.

The losses are spread from a daily average loss of 2mm early in the season through to 5mm a day at the height of summer, with strong nor’west conditions often pushing it to 10mm.

Understanding evapo-transpiration rate is more relevant alongside an understanding of the soil’s water holding capacity, particularly its Readily Available Water.

That is what plants can take up before reaching their stress point. On heavy soils that may be as

high as 75mm, on lighter nearer 50mm, and on very light 25mm.

Knowing these two variables are critical to efficient irrigation system design. It will be required to deliver sufficient water to put moisture in the soil within that plant available range, but must also be capable of returning in time over the next round of irrigation to keep the moisture in that critical band, even in the highest evapo-transpiration periods.

Ian acknowledges some tension between a system’s designed delivery capacity and water availability does no harm in enforcing efficient use of the resource. “However you do not want to squeeze people too hard, when real pressure comes on the system could not cope.”

Efficient systems run well ensure minimal nutrient loss through the soil profile, optimal plant growth, and conserved energy costs from only applying as much as required. Good record keeping is a GMP to track water use efficiency through the season, including irrigation event dates, durations, volume, rainfall and evapo-transpiration rates.

New technology inevitably brings efficiency gains, with a typical centre pivot utilising a 20kWh pump, versus a 70kWh pump on the older gun type irrigators. Irrigation audits are a GMP Ian recommends for analysing centre pivot efficiency. Checking pressure flows through the run will ensure not only an even water delivery, but steady speed of the irrigator throughout the run.

An irrigation audit will also determine a system’s energy efficiency, checking pumps, motor filters and pressure regulators. Some systems have too many pressure regulators, while dirty and blocked filters or nozzles will reduce efficiency.

ATS Energy Account Manager Tracey Gordon reiterates the need to check irrigation equipment through the season, rather than just taking a glance over it at the start. Leaks and cracks can develop in the course of irrigation rounds in both moving and stationary equipment, costing energy and water.

“It is surprising how often you may pass by irrigators, and see literally thousands of litres pouring out of broken pipes or fittings,” she says. Detecting leaks can often be as simple as looking for the darker green patch around pipes and joins underground.

Having soil moisture meters not only increases irrigation efficiency, but also knowledge of irrigation costs. Knowing when to irrigate, how much is required and calculating the electricity cost is valuable knowledge to pass onto staff.

“It gives them a better understanding of just how important it is to switch the system on and off at the right time,” she says.

EnergyREGULAR

Tracey Gordon ATS Energy Account ManagerTel: 0800 BUY ATS (289 287) Mobile: 027 652 2133tracey.gordon@ats.co.nzwww.ats.co.nz/energy

Irrigation efficiency delivers optimal farm returns

For farmers already managing their irrigation resource effectively, proposed Land and Water plans for Canterbury may well prove to be simply a “tick the box” exercise, confirming practices they already undertake. By riCHard rENNiE

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The legal requirement to not only look after the land but protect waterways too is relatively recent and good farmers have no problem with that.

Most do all that’s required and more but water plans proposed by several regional councils have caused concerns that they’re being expected to do the impossible.

No sensible person would argue against the need for clean water, least of all those of us who live beside or close to it, swim in it, fish from it, boat on it and drink it.

However, there is debate about how achievable some of the standards expected for lakes, rivers, creeks and streams and about the tools for measuring the quality of them.

Even when it’s agreed there’s a problem it’s not always easy to identify the cause.

Dairy farming gets the blame for degraded waterways, but sampling some years ago showed water in the Kakanui River was cleaner downstream of several dairy farms than it was above it.

This was put down to sheep on dry land properties higher up the catchment grazing more intensively during a drought, leaving a much lower grass cover and then their droppings were washed into the river when it rained. The dairy

farms were irrigated, had better grass cover and far less run off during wet weather.

Cereals and grains don’t contribute effluent as sheep and cattle do but cropping farms use high applications of fertiliser which could contribute to nutrient loss to waterways.

“No sensible person would argue against the need for

clean water, least of all those of us who live beside or close to it, swim in it, fish from it, boat

on it and drink it.”

No matter which farming practices contribute to any degradation in quality, the challenge is monitoring water when it moves and the weather plays such a big role.

No matter what precautions farmers take, they can’t control severe rain storms which can wash away soil and take nutrients with it.

Nor can they take immediate action to remedy a problem if, as is the case now, it takes days to get the result from water tests.

Another concern is what test results are being compared with.

A creek near us used to be little more than a series of stagnant ponds except during floods. Now it flows all year round thanks to irrigation.

The water quality is far higher than it used to be in its natural state but some tests say it’s still not good enough. Farmers get no credit for the irrigation which improved the water quality and are being blamed because it still isn’t good enough.

Fencing waterways, planting riparian strips and doing nutrient budgets can all be used to help protect and enhance waterways. But water plans proposed by some councils expect far more than this—so much in some cases that some farms would be uneconomic.

Being good stewards of natural resources for future generations requires sustainable practices. That is supposed to require a balance of economic, environmental and social considerations. By that measure some plans are out of balance.

thoughts from across the rivers Good farmers have always regarded themselves as stewards of the land, looking after and enhancing their properties for future generations. By ElE ludEMaNN

Ele Ludemannhomepaddock.wordpress.com

REGULAR

Opinion

12 ATS NE WS

Contact Ed today for a free consultation

For all your fencing requirementsFor all your fencing requirementsIncludIng:

• dairy conversions—from fencing plans to installation

• custom built cattle yards 10–500 head

• Hay & calf rearing sheds

Phone: 0274 399 322Email: edbodyfencing@yahoo.co.nz

ATS NE WS 13

Cobalt is utilized in the rumen by rumen bacteria and other micro-organisms as part of their own metabolism. These micro-organisms make vitamin B12 which is then utilised by the ruminant. Whilst a considerable amount of this Vitamin B12 is excreted much of it is used in the production of a volatile fatty acid called propionate. Propionate is a key energy source for ruminants, and a deficiency of propionate will lead to poor appetite and eventually death from starvation if left untreated.

“Propionate is a key energy source for ruminants, and a deficiency of propionate will lead to poor appetite

and eventually death from starvation if left untreated.”

Cobalt deficient sheep are often lethargic, have pale gums and are not eating well. They often have “stray” wool with pink tips, and often have a discharge from both eyes without any other obvious eye problems. This discharge from the eyes in cobalt deficient sheep can be enough to mat the wool on the face. These animals quickly lose weight despite being offered abundant pasture. Changes in feeding behaviour may occur

and some animals may be seen eating soil and wood, or licking posts and wire.

Cattle can be similarly affected showing poor coat quality, poor appetite, abnormal eating behaviour and weight loss, despite plenty of feed on offer. In cattle and sheep fertility can be adversely affected, and lambs can be lacking vigour and have poor survivability.

“Cobalt deficient sheep are often lethargic, have pale gums

and are not eating well.”

Cobalt is inherently low in some soil types and in some geographical areas of New Zealand. It is readily leached through soils following heavy rainfall. This can result in low pasture cobalt levels in rapidly growing grass. Canterbury has an abundance of volcanic soils and these are well known for being marginal to low in cobalt concentrations.

It is common to see cobalt deficiency in growing lambs and young cattle in this area and it is also common for vets to see a good response to cobalt or vitamin B12 supplementation in Canterbury.

The response following supplementation is often very quick with noticeable results seen within

a few days. Appetite and vigour improve, coat quality improves and weight loss declines.

Blood testing or liver biopsy testing animals of any age or stage for cobalt/vitamin B12 deficiency is commonplace, and supplementation programmes are readily available in consultation with your Vet.

“Maintaining growth in lambs or heifers at this time of the

year is critical.“

Maintaining growth in lambs or heifers at this time of the year is critical. You may be finishing lambs or trying to achieve good heifer calf growth rates through the summer. You can be sure that regular cobalt or Vitamin B12 supplementation through the summer period will enhance the vigour of your young stock ensuring their body condition and immunity are sufficiently robust to take them in to autumn.

Cobalt and Vitamin B12As summer is here once again, it is timely to reinforce the Cobalt/Vitamin B12 message. The reason is that ruminant animals are almost totally dependent on a dietary source of cobalt or injectable vitamin B12, and ruminants tend to get less dietary cobalt during summer when, on average, they are grazing longer cobalt deficient pasture and eating less soil, which is a source of cobalt.By iaN HodgE

Animal Health

REGULAR

VetEnt RiversideAshburton 03 308 2321Timaru 03 687 4445Mayfield 03 303 6042Rakaia 03 302 7931

VetEntLincoln 03 325 2808Leeston 03 324 3575Halswell 03 322 8331

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FEATURE

Continuing to grow from a strong core A strong co-operative is a cornerstone for new ATS Director Mark Saunders.By MariE taylor

“The essence of ATS is to lower costs to farmers, and this is not just marketing spin,” the Lagmhor dairy farmer says. However he describes himself as much more than just a dairy farmer, and that he is prepared to stand up and be counted.

Mark, who hails from a sheep and beef background at Kaiwaka in Northland, has been farming in the district since 2003.

He’s been heading south for almost all of his farming career, which started when his Waikato dairy farming relatives “gave me a go”.

He trained at Waikato Polytechnic then at Massey, and found his passion in a quest for more knowledge and climbing the ladder.

He first moved to Waikato because his holiday work was often on his mother’s family dairy farm at Te Aroha. He started work near Tirau in 1994 and by 1997 was a lower order sharemilker at only 21, milking 370 cows at Te Aroha.

It was pretty tough in the mid 1990s, and he found he was the only one of 34 grandchildren who went farming. “It’s not a good indictment on the industry.”

“I was a single guy with a bit of knowledge and a lot of drive, and opportunities were a bit limited in the North Island. The South Island held better prospects.”

“I left a drought in February 2000 in Waikato and bundled up my fox terrier and my gear into a two wheel drive Hilux ute, and headed south.”

He found a job at Wreys Bush in Southland. The first people he worked for offered him an equity partnership on a five-year old conversion - within six months of arriving.

“So I was running a 1,000 cow farm, owned by North Island investors, and managing four staff. It was my first senior management position, and I had great support from the others around me. I was exposed to other facets of the business, with the guiding hands of the investors.”

It was a really golden opportunity to learn he says.

He was asked to speak at a conference in Palmerston North, where he met Pennie, who became his wife.

“She was working as a dairy sire analyst for Ambreed in Waikato and she chose me.” Mark admits this joke is wearing a little thin now!

They were both then drawn to Canterbury, where Pennie’s parents Marg and Pete Ormsby were involved in many equity partnerships.

The following year, 2004, saw them all work together to create a joint venture conversion which is only 10km away from where they live today.

For a while Mark was running both family farms, but now is only running the one they are living on.

“Since then we have brought more shares in the business at market value, and our shareholding has grown to 60% of a 1,600 cow business.”

Waioto Farm is in two blocks only six km apart at Lagmhor—the milking platform is 430ha with an 80 bail rotary shed, and the runoff is 128ha.

The farm grew in three stages in terms of land purchases, but the shed is well positioned in a central location.

It is all spray irrigated with three pivots and three roto-rainers keeping production going on the free-draining Lismore stony silt loam soils.

Mark says the inputs on their farm are modest, at 500kg of supplement/cow/year and wintering off.

“We don’t feed grain; we are grass focussed. Our best production is 1,600 kgMS/ha, and 420kgMS/cow.”

“Our targets are to keep costs under control; I am not chasing production. We are already milking enough cows through the parlour.”

Mark says 4.30am is the earliest their cowshed starts, and their staff want to be home by 5.30pm at night.

“We have grown into a substantial farming business. Most of the year we start milking in the shed at five in the morning.”

Mark describes himself as “the operations guy” on the farm, while his father-in-law is the developer who converted the farm.

Pennie and Mark are very much a team—she handles all the financials and administration of the farm, including the payroll, wages and contracts for the seven staff. She also carries out administration work for a couple of family businesses.

The busy couple have three young boys: Hugh is seven, Will is six and Luke is three. The boys love making huts and have thrived on ripper rugby over the winter. They love the water and are progressing from knee-boarding to water-skiing this summer.

Mark explains his family has always been big on being involved in the community.

He was chairman of the first young farmers club he joined at age 18, and with his nomadical dairying career has been chairman of four different young farmers clubs.

“I want to see people progress and grow through things like I have.”

He’s also held leadership roles in the Mid Canterbury AgITO, where he convened the dairy trainee of the year for Canterbury for two years. Latterly he’s been involved in the regional finals of the Young Farmer of the Year.

Mark is also on the committee of the local Lagmhor School, and involved with the pool and with pea straw fund raisers.

From this work he became involved with Fonterra as a farmer networker doing supply liaison work, such as encouraging members to vote and giving information about shares.

While he was mentoring some young farmers in the Young Farmer of the Year competition,

ABovE: Pennie and Mark SaundersBEloW RIgHT: Pennie and Mark with their children from left: Hugh, Will and Luke

FEATURE

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he went along with them to the Ashburton Toastmasters.

“This is like mental squash on a Wednesday night. Often when you go, you might’ve worked 70 hours in the week and it is the last thing you want to do, but you come home at 9.30pm buzzing.”

He enjoyed the educational aspects, and says the impromptu speaking was “a good buzz”.

“It’s a good supportive group of people from a cross-section of the community. You wouldn’t go there to talk about cows and grass.”

Mark was the local president for a year. Now he’s up-skilling again with the one-day courses run by the Institute of Directors.

He’s delighted with his new opportunity to be part of the ATS Board and use his wide mix of skills.

“This is a massive opportunity for me to grow and learn from others.

What I hope to achieve is to help keep ATS grounded and focussed. ATS is a successful Mid Canterbury co-operative, and its drivers are to offer low-cost inputs to farmers to run their businesses.

There is a fair bit of competition in the sector and ATS needs to be at the top. The rest of the country is looking at mergers but I don’t know if that is a good idea.

We want to keep the business strong, and we need to protect what we have already. But we can’t be too entrenched and too conservative. We need to be sustainable and to keep looking after our locals.

If you grow, you have to grow in a strong way, rather than putting the co-operative at risk.

This is an ethos we live by and it is how we run our farm. We have to maintain the bottom line.”

Mark, who has just lodged a submission opposing parts of the Environment Canterbury Land and Water Plan, says he is prepared to stand up and be counted.

“Rural NZ co-ops don’t happen without people standing up and being part of it—you have to be involved,” Mark says.

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PROFILE

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Tel 0800 800 352 Fax 03 347 9223 info@ southernwoods.co.nz www.southernwoods.co.nz

Southern Woods8441 Main South Road Templeton Christchurch

ABovE: Like a pot of gold, Southern Woods is a treasure you need to visitMAIN IMAgE: The rustic retail and office areas nestle in amongst a park-like atmosphere

a species then advise on growing techniques, like training them to grow against a fence. Being creative with space is essential when there is a shortage of it. There is also ready advice available on how to grow gourmet items like truffles.

Planting woodlots or forestry blocks is a great option for larger properties and something to think about at this time of the year. Sustainable species like eucalyptus and wattles are commonly used in a seven-year rotation of planting, growing and selling for timber or firewood.

“Anyone with a spare back paddock can grow a woodlot, they are great for unproductive soil.”

There’s also plenty of information on the nursery’s website, with a big list of fact sheets able to be downloaded free.

Robyne said while farmers were planting to meet new regulations, they could also see the good they were doing.

The business also works with Solid Energy on the West Coast replanting mined areas. “We supply the plants to plant over the land after mining. Solid Energy send cuttings and seedlings from plants that are in the area and we grow them and return them ready for planting.”

Much of the regeneration work is carried out in big tunnel houses behind the nursery’s shopfront and plant store.

A constant challenge in Canterbury are the nor’west winds, meaning shelter and hedges need to be planted deep so they are not blown over as they grow taller. Mixed boundaries, including natives and exotics, are also becoming popular with no need for trimming.

The SH1 nursery has plenty of display hedging to help both urban and rural customers see what the end result will look like, and can point them to good examples in their own neck of the woods.

Edible plants, like fruit frees and berries, are always popular. Robyne said lifestyle block owners and town gardeners often want trees suitable for smaller spaces and staff could help them choose

Southern Woods plant nursery, based on State Highway 1 just 3km south of Templeton, sell trees and shrubs that are valued not only for their beauty but for shelter, sustainability, financial and food-producing ability.

Knowledgeable staff can provide a huge range of information, from advice and design for plant layout on farms and homes, to shelter belt options, hedging, forest and woodlots, and edibles.

The nursery owned by Murray Mannall and now managed by Nalin Gooneratne, celebrated its 25th anniversary last year. Staff have seen many changes in the region, from the removal of trees for big spray irrigators to the imposition of a new southern motorway at their door.

Marketing Manager, Robyne Hyndman, said the nursery would be taking its own advice and blocking motorway views and traffic noise with the clever use of trees and plants as a buffer.

She said while trees had been removed as farms intensified with spray irrigation, an increasing number of farmers were planting shrubs that provided effective shelter for stock without interfering with the overhead centre pivot or lateral.

Dairy farmers were also increasingly using riparian planting such as natives and other plants near effluent ponds and water ways to reduce contamination via run-off.

Southern Woods is also working with corporates like Westland Milk Products on company-wide projects helping its dairy farmer suppliers lessen their environmental footprint.

regenerating our environmentTrees and plants are among the few things that actually appreciate in value over time.By liNda ClarKE

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Bringing a woman’s touch to the atS Board

FEATURE

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Sheep work and driving the tractor is all in a day’s work for new ATS director Gabrielle Thompson. By MariE taylor

The 36-year-old vet farms with her husband Peter, his brother Christopher and father Selwyn 30km northeast of Ashburton at Dorie, near the mouth of the Rakaia River.

She and Peter have a two-year-old daughter Frances, who spends a lot of time on the tractor with Gabrielle—even before being born.

The 365ha family farm was originally part of a larger Harrison property, and has an old homestead, built in 1865 which is still standing. Selwyn and Christopher lived there until only four years ago.

Peter’s maternal grandfather was rehabilitated to Hollyfort after World War II under the returning veterans scheme which offered loans to buy land. It has been farmed by the family since then.

Originally carrying 2,500 ewes, the farm has more recently been converted to cropping and store lamb finishing.

It is now fully irrigated, and was one of the first properties to install a 500m long centre pivot irrigator back in 1999. Other longer pivots were added later.

In the last five years the Thompsons have grown ryegrass seed, fresh peas for Watties, potatoes, wheat and barley. In the past they have also grown hard peas, corn, and provided dairy support.

They are aiming to finish 10,000 store lambs a year, with 5,500 finished last year and 7,000 the target for this coming year.

Once the ryegrass seed is harvested, the grass is then used to finish the lambs. During winter, swedes are used in a rotation to feed the lambs, and Peter recently sowed 60ha down for this winter.

Gabrielle was brought up in the North Island, first in Tokoroa, onto Auckland, then Wellington. Her family are now in Auckland.

She had five years at Massey University studying veterinary science, and when she graduated headed south to Ashburton in late 1999.

The practice she came to, Riverside Vets, was then a mixed practice.

Contrary to expectations, Peter was not one of her clients – they met at the gym in 2000, and married in 2006.

In 2004 she and Peter bought the small animal department of Riverside Vets, renaming it Pets n Vets, which specialises in small animals.

It’s been a steep learning curve from 2004 when Gabrielle says she hardly knew what GST was. “I have learnt so much about how to run a business. Peter has been very involved in it too.”

From that small beginning, the business has grown rapidly, to where she and her business partner Ngaire Dixon from Queenstown now own

five veterinary practices in the South Island.

Then in 2011 they merged with a North Island company CareVets, and as a result, their practice changed its name. There are 15 clinics nationwide.

Now Gabrielle runs the financials, marketing and promotions for the clinics, as well as the supplier relationships.

She is confident this management experience will have a positive contribution to the governance role she now has at ATS.

Gabrielle is the first woman on the ATS board, but isn’t daunted by this prospect.

She’s enthusiastic about contributing, particularly in helping attract the younger generation of farmers to become shareholders in the co-operative.

“I don’t know how I would be able to do business now without a smartphone. Imagine what it will be like in five years time with our communications all cloud based. Farmers will be carrying ipads, and expecting information to be available at their fingertips at any time. We have to be there with them.”

Gabrielle has recently become chair of another co-operative, a group of vets in Christchurch who have merged their after hours services.

Working in co-operatives is very interesting with a range of people’s differing opinions and skills, she says.

“With our co-operative, ATS, it is really important that we keep the main aim of offering the best prices and best delivery to the shareholders.”

“It could be quite easy to get carried away and let other aspects drive the business such as gaining new members. But we have to make sure that the reason we are gaining new members is for the business to succeed.”

In her own business, she has always been very driven to make sure everyone enjoys what they are doing. “My principal aim in our business is staff happiness.”

So when it comes to making decisions for the good of the whole clinic, these are based around quality of life first, rather than based on the bottom line.

They like to celebrate successes with drinks or flowers. She says the business does better if

everyone is happy in their work, people get on well and work as a team.

And she feels that ATS operates in the same way, with its results driven by how happy its shareholders and staff are with the business.

But it’s not all work for Gabrielle and her family. In their spare time they are keen on hunting, fishing and travelling.

“I am really into cooking. I like to make everything from scratch—pasta, cheese and bread. We try and be as healthy as we can with our home grown food.”

Gabrielle is happy that chance landed her in Ashburton—and that love has kept her there.

“It is a wonderful community, easy to live and work in, safe and friendly, but with great opportunities.”

“I am impressed to see how much Ashburton has changed in the last 12 years but still kept its community spirit and small town advantages. I look forward to spending the rest of my life here.”

ABovE: Gabrielle, Frances and Peter ThompsonBEloW: Gabrielle with their daughter Frances

FEATURE

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ToP lEFT: ElectraServe’s easily recognisable vanToP RIgHT: Apprentice Electrician Jack CameronABovE: Senior Electricians Elliot Page and Mitch Moore wiring up a dried food processing plant

ElectraServe166 Moore St Ashburton 7700Tel: 03 308 9008

service@electraserve.co.nz www.electraserve.co.nz

time and frustration. Water at the push of a button has never been easier, says Blair.

Rural work has also included wiring up new dairy sheds and calf sheds and, just as importantly, electrical maintenance on existing sheds.

ElectraServe not only install the electrical gear, their electricians lay wiring including connections to the new fibre-optic cables linking the district to ultra-fast internet communication.

Blair says the company has a commitment to training apprentices and on-going education for their electricians; ensuring staff are leaders in their field. Growing its staff with mostly local people means they know the district and what is important to their customers, both rural and urban.

Another line of work in rural areas is the conversion of overhead lines to underground, especially where they cross over farm yards. Underground cables are not affected by snow or wind, meaning fewer hazards on the farm and fewer interruptions to vital farm activity.

The non-stop nature of farming and commerce means ElectraServe operates a 24-7 service response, including Christmas Day and all public holidays. In harvest time, farmers who need augers and grain driers operating can be helped on the spot.

Blair said one of the challenges of running a business with such a diverse customer range was

ensuring electricians’ fleet trucks were equipped with whatever might be needed in the field and matching the right electrician to the job.

Local knowledge is important and the company is proud of a history of quality work and important projects, including the Barrhill Chertsey Irrigation Scheme and Ashburton Trust Event Centre.

Whiteware repairs and the installation of heat pumps, ventilation systems and home automation systems are also an important side of the business, in homes or commercial buildings.

ElectraServe keeps commerce hubs like the Heartland Building, Mitre 10 Mega, Somerset House and many other similar clients operating electrically, maintaining heat pumps and making sure they comply with electrical specifications needed to meet annual building warrant of fitness checks. Their electricians are also working on EA Networks’ new base in the Ashburton Business Park north of the town and will soon start on the town’s new arts centre.

The well-known Ashburton Company has the largest team of electrical trade’s staff in Mid Canterbury and deals with all manner of electrical jobs – from wiring new dairy sheds and spray irrigators, to repairing household appliances and powering up commercial premises.

“We have trouble explaining to people what we do, as it’s so broad. Farming clients are very familiar with our rural service and irrigation speciality but perhaps not so familiar with our residential services, such as washing machines repairs, house wiring and the installing and servicing of heat pumps and other electrical heating and ventilation systems,” says General Manager Blair Watson.

The company has established roots in the community and once traded as Smith + Church Electrical from the space now occupied by United Video on Cass Street. The retail and service divisions began operating separately in 1995 – Smith + Church Appliance Extreme sell TVs and other appliances from the Mitre 10 shopping complex and ElectraServe has redeveloped its headquarters on the corner of Cass and Moore Streets, where their 30 plus trade staff are based.

Blair said designing and building irrigation systems had been core work for ElectraServe’s rural team over the past 40 years and over the time they had built up vast experience in this field.

Business founder Graeme Church, can remember one of their first irrigation jobs involved installing a pump starter for a submersible, to pump water to a Southern Cross gun irrigator.

They have also assisted many farmers to update their older pumps to automated systems, saving

Keeping your electrical pulse beatingIf it’s got an electrical pulse, ElectraServe can sell, service or fix it.By liNda ClarKE

PROFILE

FEATURE

22 ATS NE WS

With its mix of persistence, production, feed value and natural endophyte, Trojan is an exceptional, resilient pasture, and one of the best perennial ryegrasses ever developed by Agriseeds.

Since its introduction it has become the latest pasture benchmark for NZ farmers, and continues to set new standards of performance on thousands of farms nationwide.

Persistence

Trojan is a re-selection from Tolosa—which also delivered excellent persistence—and has been sown in 74 separate replicated trials since 2005, across many soil types and farm systems. Persistence to date has been excellent, even under very testing dryland conditions.

2005–11 Mt Possession trial, persistence under sheep grazing*

Entry

ryEgrass ground covEr (%) aftEr 5 yEars*

TROJAN NEA2 52 A

ALTO AR1 45 AB

HILLARY AR1 41 BC

BRONSYN AR1 40 BC

MERIDIAN AR1 33 C

NUI WE 21 D

*Trial run at Mt. Possession, Canterbury, sown on 31/10/05, point analysis undertaken on 26/04/11 to calculate ryegrass ground cover. Significance lettering given for 5% LSD level, cultivars with the same letter are not significantly different.

Mt Possession Station has light soils with annual rainfall averaging 550 mm. Trojan was included in a trial sown there in 2005, under normal sheep and beef grazing. As of 2013 Trojan continues to out-persist all other commercially available varieties in and it is significantly ahead of Nui, which has persisted very poorly.

High yield

Trojan’s total dry matter yield is exceptional. On average, over eight years of national yield testing, it significantly outyielded all other cultivars except Arrow, producing 10% more than the average trial yield.

More important than total yield is when Trojan delivers it. This cultivar has superior production in the critical shoulders of the season—winter/early spring and autumn—when feed is of the highest value in pastoral systems. This gives it a smoother seasonal growth curve which better meets stock demand.

Feed quality

Trojan has several characteristics which deliver high quality feed.

It is late heading, with a date of +16 days. This means delayed heading over earlier cultivars and better late spring feed quality and easier management through this period.

It also has reduced aftermath heading (AMH). This is the level of secondary seeding that ryegrass shows through summer, following the main spring seeding. Trojan has lower AMH over many other diploid cultivars, meaning better summer pasture quality, and less mowing to keep it leafy.

Trojan has tested at a very high average ME of 12.3, which makes it very palatable.

Natural endophyte

Trojan and NEA2 have evolved simultaneously together over many years to create a unique ryegrass/endophyte relationship.

This is very important, because the relationship between host cultivar and endophyte is complex, variable and at times unpredictable.

Trojan is the only perennial diploid ryegrass in NZ which comes with its own endophyte already built into its genetics, and this strong, natural partnership between the two delivers good insect protection with no compromise on animal safety. Trojan with NEA2 delivers an excellent combination of insect control and freedom from ryegrass staggers.

The partnership between Trojan and NEA2 also ensures higher endophyte transmission rates from one plant generation to the next.

2003–11 AYT diploid ryegrass aftermath heading scores (where 9 = no AMH)*

Entry scorE

Trojan NEA2 7.2 a

Expo AR1 6.9 a

One50 AR1 6.5 a

Revolution AR1 6.3 a

Alto AR1 6.2 a

Extreme AR37 5.9 ab

Bronsyn AR1 5.9 ab

Ultra AR1 5.8 ab

Matrix SE 5.8 ab

Arrow AR1 5.7 b

Samson AR37 4.8 c

Kamo AR37 3.6 d

Commando AR37 3.5 d

*Visually scored on a 1 to 9 basis, where 9 = no seedheads. Data is combined from 15 scores from 6 AYT’s: 2003–05 Massey (Manawatu); 2005-08 Burnham (Canterbury); 2007-10 Massey (Manawatu); 2007–10 Chertsey (Canterbury); 2008-11 Courtenay (Canterbury); 2009–11 Courtenay (Canterbury). Cultivar must have a minimum of two scores to be included. Significance lettering given for 5% LSD level, cultivars with the same letter are not significantly different. SE = Standard endophyte.

technical data for trojan Trojan perennial ryegrass with NEA2 endophyte brings together a unique combination of features which—up until now—no other perennial ryegrass has been able to give New Zealand farmers.

TROJAN RYEGRASS

standard ryEgrass

Trojan delivers both winter/early spring and autumn growth, smoothing seasonal production.

autuMn WIntEr sPrIng suMMEr

FEATURE

trojan lifts pasture production on the coast Summer yield for irrigated one year-old Trojan ryegrass was hitting 70 to 80 kg DM/ha/day on the McGuire farm at Dorie as the family headed into January this year. artiClE SuPPliEd By agriSEEdS

Eleven hectares of Trojan was sown grass to grass in December 2011, and ‘the cows love it,’ according to first year sharemilker Gretchen McGuire.

“Establishment was quick and now I am grazing Trojan every 17 to 19 days,” she said in early January. “Feed quality is excellent due to the late heading and little aftermath heading.”

Trojan was an easy choice to help lift total DM production as paddocks first converted for dairy cows in 1997 run out and begin to put the brakes on farm performance. The McGuires aim to renew 10 to 12% of the farm a year.

Gretchen found out about Trojan when she attended a training session at Agriseeds.

“It took my interest because it contains Tolosa breeding, and during my time working for Lincoln University at Ashley Dene I helped with a trial where Tolosa out-performed all the other varieties. So I thought Trojan will surely do the same!”

Owned by her parents Mike and Sue McGuire since 1987, the farm is 167 ha and comprises free-draining Templeton silt loams watered by one centre pivot and three Rotorainers plus K-lines and sprinklers.

“We’re in the business of growing grass.””

Gretchen and her brother Rohan are milking 600 cows this season, and in January was ahead of her budgeted production of 265,000 kg MS. Last year the farm did 256,000 kg MS.

“Pasture is an extremely important feed source for us, compared to buying in and feeding supplement, as we are then not exposed to a competitive market and the added expense of feeding out. We are first year sharemilkers and we need to keep expenses as low as possible. We’re in the business of growing grass.”

As well as older, poor performing pastures that need to be renewed, potential grass production is currently limited by existing irrigation (another pivot will be installed next season), and the farm’s coastal location.

“Our back boundary is the ocean, so we’re exposed to cold easterlies which slow grass growth and the salt air can stunt and burn the grass along the coast line,” Gretchen says.

That said, per cow production in the first week of January was 1.79 kg MS/day and she was pretty happy with that, as it was 5% up on the previous season.

For more information on Trojan ryegrass, contact ATS.

BEloW: Rohan and Gretchen McGuire, left, with Brad Elliott—ATS Dairy Key Account Manager, photographed in a young Trojan paddock a week before Christmas

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Anna Bedford 027 499 7617Russell Hamilton 027 677 4499Michael Robertson 027 464 2972

Tel: 0800 222 090www.ballance.co.nz

This is not something that New Zealand farmers have traditionally had to deal with, as under less intensively farmed land, soil reserves were often sufficient to meet crop demand. Today, however, it is recommended that you carry out regular soil testing and supplement with a Mg-containing fertiliser, such as Serpentine Super, if soil Mg levels are low. The key points to keep in mind are:

• Regularsoiltestingisbestpractice;

• SoilQuicktestMglevelsshouldbeabove8–10;

• AfertilisercontainingMg,e.g.serpentinesuper, will increase soil Mg levels.

Magnesium has a number of roles in plants: it is important for plant photosynthesis and may also be linked with crop water-use efficiency. It is found in mineral form in the soil solution, and on soil particles, where it exists both in an exchangeable form and a non-exchangeable form.

When magnesium in the soil solution is removed, through leaching or plant uptake, some of the exchangeable form is released from the soil surface. The reserves of exchangeable Mg are only slowly replenished as a result of the weathering of clay particles. This can lead to short-term deficiencies, particularly in the spring when plants are growing quickly—however, it is important to note that these issues can self-correct given time.

The levels of other cations in the soil, such as calcium and potassium, will also have an impact,

particularly in soils with a low cation exchange capacity (e.g. light, stony soils). If you have been applying lime for some years, calcium levels are worth keeping an eye on. Practices that promote nitrate leaching can also increase the rate of Mg loss, as it can be carried down the soil profile along with the nitrate. Other factors that may have an exacerbating effect include high or low pH; poor root systems; compacted soils; and pests and disease.

“If your crop is suffering from Mg deficiency you will notice it appears yellow from a distance

and the plants will look unthrifty, as though they are

short of water.”

Regular soil testing to monitor soil nutrient levels is important. If Quick test Mg levels have dropped below 10 in wheat, or 8-10 in barley and oats, then it is time to talk to your ATS or Ballance rep about strategies for Mg replenishment.

What does Mg deficiency look like?

If your crop is suffering from Mg deficiency you will notice it appears yellow from a distance and the plants will look unthrifty, as though they are short of water. The symptoms will show up first in older leaves, which will become pale and mottled while their veins remain green.

Leaves may curl at the edges and will sometimes develop a reddish margin.

Confirming a deficiency

You can confirm a Mg deficiency by carrying out plant tests. Collect a good number of samples from around the paddock (around 20-40 individual, or pairs of tillers, cut at ground level). It is best to collect two separate samples—one of healthy plants and the other of affected plants—so that a comparison can be made. It is best to collect wheat and barley samples at GS30 (ear at 1cm) or GS32 (second node detectable). The optimum magnesium range is 0.1-0.3% w/w.

The remedy

Serpentine Super is one option for correcting deficiencies and maintaining Mg levels. About 50% of the Mg in it is immediately plant available, while another 25% is gradually released the next year. Applications of around 20-30 kg Mg/ha/year (350-550 kg/ha Serpentine Super) would be typical, but your ATS or Ballance rep will be able to advise you on the best options for your crop.

is low magnesium holding back your cereal crop?Under a regime of continuous cropping, magnesium (Mg) deficiencies can begin to appear, particularly if depletive crops such as potatoes and maize are part of the rotation. artiClE SuPPliEd By BallaNCE agri-NutriENtS

FertiliserREGULAR

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The range of SealesWinslow nutritional products are available through ATS.

As the cow’s body temperature rises there are some substantial changes to metabolism which impact on her efficiency. Keeping the cows cool by providing shade or even spraying them with cold water in the collecting yard can help, as can ensuring that water troughs are working effectively.

Check water troughs for:

1. level and flow rate Does the trough have enough water to cater for the cows’ requirements?

Time taken observing activity around the trough is well worthwhile.

2. Spoilage Over time soil, plant material and bird and cattle faeces builds up in troughs and needs to be cleaned out. These could increase levels of coliforms and algal blooms which form stringy green layers. As these decay, they can release toxic compounds which can affect production and health. Troughs should be cleaned with a disinfectant such as hypochlorite (then rinsed) to reduce bacterial numbers. Observe the cows drinking behaviour. Are they drinking or just sipping/lapping?

3. Access Conditions under foot are very important. The cow puts a lot of pressure on the front feet when drinking from a trough. Consider

moving troughs to a new location where necessary.

Cows also generate heat through the process of digestion and it is important that the diet is balanced and working effectively to reduce the production of heat.

It is also important to ensure that feed pads and in-shed feeders are clean. Old feed harbours mould which in turn produces Mycotoxins which are harmful to both stock and staff. Mycotoxins can reduce production, fertility, feed conversion and general health. Be on the lookout for runny noses, low intakes and even feed refusal. It is important to keep feeding areas clean and spoilage free.

We are now well into the grazing season and by now ‘the grass inspectors’ (the cows) will have told you which paddocks they do not like. A paddock which is not liked by cows will quickly deteriorate and the effectiveness will significantly reduce. These ineffective paddocks are a drain on profit and a waste of land and should be considered for a summer brassica crop or new pasture.

So, what do cows ‘like’? If you give cows a choice on which grass they prefer then the answer is always; the sweetest, easiest to harvest grass they can find (unless they have a lack of fibre and/or minerals). So to maximise intakes and make the cows’ job easier we need to ensure that grass is tasty and easy to harvest. The key things that

make grass tasty are sugar levels and sodium content. Observing the cows grazing behaviour can yield a lot of information. If they appear to spend a lot of time ‘nosing’ around and selecting, rather than tucking in, then this shows they’re not that impressed with your cooking! Consider having some foliar tests done to confirm.

Docks, nettles and other weeds around aeration ponds provide a constant supply of weed seeds for application with dirty water and slurry on grassland. Spraying them off now can stop this problem. Remember, a single dock plant can shed up to 60,000 seeds in a season!

Keeping dry matter intakes up at this time of year is crucial to keeping the milk flowing.

For a dead simple rule of thumb to work backwards from what your cows’ actual production is - use the following sum:

(Production … kgsMS x 65 + 65) / 11.2 = Dry matter intake in Kg’s

For example cows doing 1.6kgsMS x 65MJ + 65MJ maintenance = 169MJ / average feed quality @ 11.2MJ = 15.1kg’sDMI

If dry matter intakes are at the lower end of the 3-4% of the cows’ liveweight band then the cows could be eating more and the diet should be reviewed.

Keep an eye on your girls this summer We welcome the summer sun, but for cows, temperatures over 22°C can induce heat stress resulting in depressed intakes, reduced feed conversion efficiency, drops in production and health issues. artiClE SuPPliEd By SEalESWiNSloW

NutritionREGULAR

30 ATS NE WS

ATS NE WS 31

32 ATS NE WS

PROFILE

ATS NE WS 33

MAIN IMAgE: ACL mechanical repairs truck ready for serviceBEloW: Diggers operating on the pipeline project

the farmer’s contractorDealing with water is a growing part of the business life of Ashburton Contracting Limited. The Ashburton Company, known widely as ACL, is one of the biggest civil contractors in the district and is involved in irrigation, wastewater and drainage projects throughout the region.By liNda ClarKE

thing to be part of. It has wide-ranging benefits for the whole district.”Dave said another area of expertise of the company was the fitting of flow meters to surface water takes and irrigation systems. All water-users must have flow meters fitted to monitor their “takes” of water and Environment Canterbury is currently enforcing water measuring rules that came into force in November 2012.

ACL staff have fitted flow meters at various points on the Ashburton District Council’s stock water network and for farmers on irrigation systems, so can offer sound advice and install what is required.

A new feature is ACL’s vehicle workshop, with a new full-length lube bay (equipped with brake testing equipment). A team of qualified mechanics working under Mike Johnson’s management can service, repair or overhaul vehicles from car fleets to heavy plant, farm machinery and even motor homes at the South Street workshop or ACL can put mechanics where the breakdown is.

Mike says “Nobody wants a breakdown at vital times like harvest, and the mechanics can advise maintenance programmes for trucks, trailers and tractors, as well as diggers and scrapers.” The workshop specialises in pre COF (certificate of fitness) checks.

Employing 120 staff, ACL sees itself as a key part of the local Mid Canterbury community providing jobs and sponsorship for a number of local teams, events and individuals. They have recently committed to a Gold Sponsorship for the new EA Networks Sports Centre and have provided significant input to its development through ACL’s general manager Gary Casey.

Civil and excavation manager Dave Rowlands said ACL was a major sub-contractor on the Barrhill Chertsey Irrigation Scheme project and water projects whether big or small have helped the district become more productive.

His department is one of nine at ACL and much of his work involves services to keep the booming dairy industry in motion – like laying lime on laneways and removing trees to make way for spray irrigation, or doing conversions and installing underpasses.

ACL’s many resources are handy for rural and farmer clients, he said.“You go to pull a tree out and the farmer says he has a blocked pipe. You look at the pipe and it’s knackered, so our drainage guys replace it. But if the pipe is under a driveway, then our construction guys are on hand too.”

Big or small, in the town or country, ACL says all of its clients are important. Dave says the big irrigation projects allowed ACL to plan long-term for plant and people. ACL are currently working with the Water Infrastructure Group on a project at Duntroon, and the prospect of the Ashburton Lyndhurst Irrigation Limited (ALIL) expansion looms in 2013. This is a two-year project installing 200km of pipe network and the construction of offtake structures and pumps. “These projects are large and involve significant resources in terms of men and machines, and the Water Infrastructure Group have used ACL because of our ability to be flexible. We have critical size and capacity, and an ability to make it happen.”

These important water projects close to home give him a buzz. “It is a growth area and it is an exciting

ACLPO Box 264 South Street Ashburton 7740

Tel: 03 308 4039 Fax: 03 308 0288 acl@ashcon.co.nzwww.ashcon.co.nz

Dobson Street Depot Tel: 03 307 8302 South St Workshop Phone: 03 308 7400

34 ATS NE WS

PROFILE

ATS NE WS 35

ABovE: Young signwriter Jack CockburnMAIN IMAgE: Tanya, Hal and Mark outside their Tinwald premises

Signs for vehicles are many and varied, and include replicating factory images on restored cars and tractors, or creating an individual motif designed to make the vehicle stand out in a crowd. Customers sometimes bring their own designs or ask Mark to draft one up on the computer while they wait. He uses the latest Coral Draw software.

Mark says signs here need to be sturdy and able to withstand harsh New Zealand weather conditions. Signs that see a lot of traffic are real estate signs—Ashburton Signs and Graphics can easily make signage for people selling their properties privately, which can include quality interior images that give potential buyers plenty of information.

revamped slowly, to fit their needs and better assist customers.

Mark says there are frequent challenges and they are asked to create or copy all manner of signage. They make signs for vehicles, buildings, construction companies, posters, logos, stickers, safety signage and more.

The most important part of the job is finding out what the customer wants. Mark is brutally honest and won’t sell a $100 sign when a $20 one will do the exact same job. His customers are all over the country and he regularly despatches work by courier. Most of his work though can be seen around Mid Canterbury in corporate logos and private designs, on pavement signs, wheel covers, signs, flags and business cards.

It is a dream job for the man who painted murals and private portraits as a hobby in his younger years. He and wife Tanya bought Ashburton Signs and Graphics a year ago; he had been working for the previous owner since 2002 and was hooked on the busy and diverse nature of the job.

There is little time for hobby painting these days as he and young signwriter Jack Cockburn work long hours from their base in the Tinwald Shopping Centre.

Mark says it is a family-run business with an emphasis on quality signage at a rational price. They work hard to keep things simple, provide a good service and be approachable to their customers.

He grabbed the chance to buy it and knows the product, the customers and business potential in the local marketplace. Tanya takes care of the books and daily administration.

The shop and workroom is at the southern end of the shopping centre and the space is being

a picture paints a thousand wordsA picture paints a thousand words, as Mark Twiname knows well. The co-owner of Ashburton Signs and Graphics makes his living by producing visual statements for his clients, from farm safety signs and elaborate decals to logos and pop-up signs. By liNda ClarKE

Ashburton Signs and Graphics121 Main South RoadTinwald 7700Tel: 03 308 0075

Fax: 03 308 0359ashsigns@vodafone.co.nz

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ATS NE WS 37

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FEATURE

42 ATS NE WS

2012 atS longbeach Coastal Challenge Organisers of the ATS Longbeach Coastal Challenge are scratching their heads about how to improve this year’s event. The 2012 challenge was a cracker, with a record 900 athletes lining up to bike, run or walk the beautiful but testing sea-side track. By liNda ClarKE

The event is jointly run by the Hinds and Districts Lions Club and Longbeach School as a fundraiser. Chairman of the organising committee Robert Ellis said the partnership had been a huge success, with around $70,000 raised since 2007.

Proceeds from the event are split between the two groups. The Lions have returned their share to the community through school projects at Hinds, Carew and Lowcliffe (before it closed). Longbeach uses its share on its students.

Robert said the challenge was a community event aimed at families and young people and the funds raised were distributed with that in mind, to mostly Mid Canterbury causes.

However funds raised from the 2011 event are about to be spent on an adventure playground for the 115 students at Central New Brighton School in Christchurch. The project has been held up by proposed school closures in the quake-damaged city, but was recently given the green light.

“The school was not badly structurally damaged, but the children have been emotionally damaged. It is a chance to make their lives a little happier.”

The ATS Longbeach Coastal Challenge has grown from just a couple of hundred mountain bike riders in 2007 to the 900 that lined up last November. Robert said adding new categories for runners, walkers and younger riders had been key to its success, along with fostering a real family atmosphere for athletes and their support crew.

A good dose of sunshine on race-days helped too.

The course starts and finishes from Tannaghmore Farm near the Hinds River, and takes in the farming properties of Keith and Rosemary Townshend and Longbeach Estate. Riders and runners are treated to some stunning coastal scenery, if they take time to look.

Competitors can mountain bike over a 35km or 23km course, or a 12km family course, run 21km or 12km, or walk 12km. Categories are designed to cover all levels of fitness and ability, from weekend warrior and serious athletes, to those just wanting to have some family fun.

The 2012 men’s open winner Anton Cooper shot around the 35km open men’s course in 1 hour 15 minutes—the world junior cross-country mountain bike champ setting the fastest time of the day.

The course receives year-round attention from the Lions and is generally regarded as technically challenging with short climbs and descents typical of a coastal environment. It is a combination of farm tracks, gravel roads and coastline.

Robert says about 100 man hours are spent on the track in the months leading up to race-day. The course is inspected in May for gorse and other potential problems and again in spring to check where the sea has eroded sections. It is actually based on an old cross-country course for

horses and some of the jumps can still be seen along the way.

Lions members walk the area again in November prior to the big day, while Longbeach School’s community helpers prepare the start-finish area and recovery zone.

On race-day, around 80 people are involved in marshalling, administration and feeding the masses. The emphasis is on fun and safety, and a great day out.

ATS has been a major sponsor of the challenge since its inception, and in November 13 staff were among the entrants.

Chief Executive Neal Shaw was a member of the ATS team in the 23km team mountain bike ride, but punctured 3km short of the finish line leaving ATS store honours to Jono Pavey. Brian Taylor was their fair play rider, turning around to help Neal who eventually had to put his bike on the back of a support vehicle.

The challenge ticks all the boxes from a sponsor’s and participant’s view, Neal said.

“It’s a great community event and we really enjoy being involved in it. What we also like about it is that the money raised goes back into the local community.”

The event in 2013 will be run on November 24. Mark it on your calendar.

results of the 2012 atS longbeach Coastal Challenge run:JUNIoR 12kM RUN: Amy Cullimore (1.14.22), Guy Roadley, Elisha FlemingSENIoR WoMEN 12kM RUN: Hollie Woodhouse (0.59.47), Millie Hughey, Alison FlemingSENIoR MEN 12kM RUN: Jake Bell (0.56.03), Chris Laming, Toby How21kM oPEN WoMEN: Martina Fellman (1.45.02), Christina Clarke, Alexandra Thornton.21kM oPEN MEN: Nathan Turner (1.31.10), Barry Pascoe, Mark O’Reilly.

21kM vETERAN 1 WoMEN: Corina Fellman (1.56.46), Bernadette Ewer, Marion Meates.21kM vETERAN 1 MEN: Peter Trainor (1.31.41), Roger Tackney, Jayson Spital.21kM vETERAN 2 WoMEN: Moira Tarry (2.02.53), Louise Wynn, Donna Harvey.21kM vETERAN 2 MEN: David Gardner (1.32.22), Peter Richardson, Rene Fellman.

Mountainbike:35kM JUNIoR: Craig Oliver (1.17.51), Ben Oliver, Henry Jaine35kM oPEN MEN: Anton Cooper (1.15.07), Logan Horn, Brad Hudson35kM oPEN WoMEN: Kristine Marriott (1.37.06), Ingrid Cooper, Sara Taylor35kM vETERAN 1 MEN: Al Killick (1.20.58), Richard Dukes, Jason Blair35kM vETERAN 1 WoMEN: Annie Blair (1.38.36), Lyndal Donnelly, Rebecca Brooks

35kM vETERAN 2 MEN: Andrew Chappell (1.27.53), Dallas Bean, Stephen Roberts35kM vETERAN 2 WoMEN: Polly Taylor (2.15.18), Susan McConchie23kM TEAM CHAllENgE: BNZ Team 1 (3.18.22), Grant Thornton, ANZ23kM JUNIoR: James Friel (1.19.53), Kees Donaldson, Josh Heney23kM SENIoR: Jason Lill (1.14.37), Murray Thomas, Raewyn Mundt

CloCkWISE FRoM ToP lEFT: Amy Cullimore ; ATS Chief Executive Neal Shaw presenting BNZ with their award; Paul Taylor; Ayako, Alec, Brian and Daniel Taylor; Ed and Eva Body; the boys out for a ride; the Clowns

FEATURE

ATS NE WS 43

44 ATS NE WS

hot summer colour

MelaMine serving trayavailable in two colours $23.20 each

MelaMine spotted bowlsalso available in blue and in coupe plates.From $8.30 each

MelaMine tuMblers and Mugs, available in Four coloursFrom $5.90 each

Mens Kowhai shirt only $46.90

scanpan utility Knives

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living light globe lantern candles

seven colours availableonly $34.25 each

wild appetite bbQ essentials.rubs, chutneys, sauces and more from $27.00

DISClAIMER: Products available through ATS Stores, members price as pictured. We cannot guarantee availability of stock on all pictured items.

scanpan 2pce cheese KniFe set$10.80 each

ATS NE WS 45

and Mens cooltec shirt only $77.60

News at atSATS, Celebrating 50 yearsThe cover of this ATS News features Brian Lill, the only surviving member of the seven-strong Provisional Directorate which was responsible for the formation of the Ashburton Trading Society in 1963. Fifty years ago he moved the motion “that a Trading Society to be called the Ashburton Trading Society Ltd be formed…” To find out more about Brian and the first meetings of the proposed co-op, see page 5.

ATS is now in its Golden Jubilee year. You will have already received your ATS calendars showcasing many events over the last 50 years. Keep an eye out for more celebrations planned for the coming months.

50CELEBRATING

YEARS

ADF Milking Open DayATS staff Nicky Hogg, Steph Beeston, Dave Steel, Brad Elliot and Maree Smith recently attended an ADF Milking Open Day held at ATS members, Michael and Nicky Loe’s farm, which featured a short presentation on the system followed by the opportunity to see a small mob of cows milked.

ADF Milking works by injecting teat dip into the manifold of the claw-piece directly after milking. The liner is then disinfected and flushed with clean water which helps to ensure the cups are clean and free of contamination before being placed on the next cow.

The benefits of the system include:

The reduction of mastitis—teats are most receptive to disinfectants and •emollients directly after milking, and cross-contamination is also reduced

Saves time—it removes the need to dip and flush liners manually•

Saves money—reduced labour costs due the automatic dipping and •rinsing, and reduced vet costs

Easy installation—can be installed on any make or type of milking parlour •with minimal disruption to milking

To find out more about the system or any other dairy requirements, please call the Customer Service team on 0800 BUY ATS (289 287).

arable y’s—growing the next generation of arable farmers Arable Y’s is a FAR initiative which aims to build confidence in, and create opportunities for the next generation of arable farming. It is primarily aimed at those aged 35 and under, who are involved in arable farming and are looking at ways to up-skill in all areas of their business. ATS is proud to support such an initiative and sees great value in further educating the next generation in agriculture.

Workshops are held monthly and cover a wide variety of topics such as succession planning, crop growth stages, the basic principles of chemical application, record keeping, communication, and weed identification.

ATS’s Graeme Fulton, Arable Key Account Manager, Bill Cabout, ATS Retail Assistant Manager and Rowan Craw, Marketing Assistant, attended Arable Y’s recent meeting which included a visit to Timaru Concentrators Ltd where the group of around 20, from a range of backgrounds, were able to look around the vegetable juice plant which produces a range of juices for the Japanese market. This enabled them to obtain a greater understanding of the specifications necessary to become a contracted supplier and the extraordinary growth the business has experienced.

This was followed by a farm tour courtesy of Hamish McFarlane and Matt Casey where the group was given a brief overview of the farm’s operation which includes carrot, barley and blueberry crops. They were able to get up close to the crops, learn about how they were grown, the herbicides, insecticides and fertilisers used, and to ask any questions. The day ended with a barbeque sponsored by ATS.

These meetings are free and there’s no need to register. For more information go to the FAR website at www.far.org.nz/events

atS supports united Wheat growers 2013 Competition ATS is proud to support the 2013 United Wheat Growers Annual Competition for a third consecutive year.

Crops harvested in 2013 are eligible for entry, with judging taking place in the autumn of this year. Nationwide entries are invited across three classes of wheat (milling, feed and biscuit).

If you are growing wheat and would like to enter please contact Rowan Craw on 03 307 5102 or rowan.craw@ats.co.nz.

46 ATS NE WS

Ballance iPad Winners, instore Days 2012Middleton G & J

Hart DL

Wakare Ltd

Carr N,G & A

Whyte DA

McDowell AK

Clucas Farming Ltd

Glenone Holdings Ltd

Morrison A&B

Murdoch J&J

High producing cows susceptible to phosphorus deficiencyVetlife have conducted a survey to measure the phosphorus levels in blood plasma so to identify the risks to freshly calved cows.

Keep an eye out for a summary on the key survey findings on the ATS website and in the April ATS News.

ATS NE WS 47

Computer updates

The start of a new year is always a good time for computer updates.

If you haven’t updated your internet browser for a while it might be useful to take a few minutes and complete these easy steps to enhance your website visits and make the most of websites like our newly revamped ATS website.

The steps you follow will depend on which internet browser you use.

If you use Internet Explorer:

Click the Start button•

Click All Programs•

Select Windows Update•

On the left hand side, click Check for Updates•

If any updates are found, click View Updates•

Select the Internet Explorer Updates and click Install•

If you use Safari, Firefox or Chrome:

Visit ninite.com•

Under Web Browser, select Safari, Firefox or Chrome•

Scroll to the bottom and hit Get Installer•

Note: You can also use this site to install any other updates you may want at the same time—simply scan through the list and select the programmes you would like.

Once you’ve completed your browser update, take the opportunity to visit the new ATS website at ats.co.nz

ABovE lEFT: Christmas Crackers, Trish Corbett, Joan Stocker, Anne Marie Blair, and Marilyn CrossABovE RIgHT: Christmas Cheer, Lal Mulligan, Jan Clucas, Helen Rapsey, Pam Morrison, and Neal Shaw

atS WinnersRecent Gift Basket Winners:ATS In Season Survey Gift Basket—Philippa Rooney

Christmas Gift Basket—Rose Shefford, Rachel Robinson

Christmas colouring competition winners:

atS—supporting our rural community ATS has sponsored the Ashburton Golf Club’s ATS Women’s Teams Christmas Tournament for several years, with the most recent being just as successful as previous years with a great turn out of teams and outfits.

Winners• —Christmas Cheer: Lal Mulligan, Jan Clucas, Helen Rapsey and Pam MorrisonBest Dressed• —Christmas Crackers: Trish Corbett, Joan Stocker, Anne Marie Blair and Marilyn CrossSome other recent events sponsored by ATS include the ATS Longbeach Coastal Challenge, featured on pages 42 and 43; Flight for Life held at Lake Hood; Hinds Lions Sea Fishing Competition; Methven Golf Club Tournament; and the South Island Show Jumping Champs.

If you would like to apply for sponsorship for your community event, visit ATS Ashburton reception when in store or go to the ATS website www.ats.co.nz to download an application form and to find out more about the sponsorship process. Applications are reviewed monthly and need to be received prior to the 25th of the month.

Kate McIlroy, age 10 Olivia Wilson, age 11

James Tarbotton, age 5 Ella McSweeney, age 7

The winning art works are currently on display in the Ashburton Customer Lounge. Take the opportunity to view these the next time you visit the Ashburton store and don’t forget to take advantage of the facilities available to ATS members.

48 ATS NE WS

atS out and aboutChristmas with atS1. Julie Wan and Vicky Bartlett / 2. Angela Dodunski and Penny Leech/ 3. Wayne and Karen Gregory / 4. Liam Begg / 5. Judy and Emma Neumann / 6. Emmily Harmer, Paula Roulston and Glenys Byrne / 7. Jack Hansen /

6

5

43

1 2

7

ATS NE WS 49

Classifieds uSE your atS Card aNd SaVE

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