Strathern Farm has won the UWG Ruralco Grand Champion and Feed Wheat Awards at the 2024 United Wheatgrowers Awards - Page 9 Perfecting the craft Summer 2024 www.waterfordpress.co.nz
2 | Contents These conditions are prescribed for the sake of understanding between the Company and its clients. Advertising is charged for on the basis of space taken up using a standard tabloid page. Actual space may be reduced during the printing process but this will effect all advertisers equally so no credit will be given for any reduction in size due to processing. The Company reserves the right to alter, change or omit entirely any advertisement or article that it considers to be objectionable or which may contravene any law. In the event of a failure on the part of the Company to insert advertising as instructed the Company may publish the advertisement at the first available subsequent reasonable date unless the advertisement features date sensitive material. Every care shall be taken to publish the advertisement in accordance with the advertisers instructions as to page and position but the Company reserves the right for whatever reason to place advertising in a different position and in doing so shall incur no liability whatsoever. Advertisers must advise Rural South immediately of any error or omission in advertisements and shall work constructively to remedy the situation which in the first instance shall be a rerun of the corrected advertisement in the next available issue of Rural South. Where advertisement proofs have been faxed or mailed to the client 48 hours prior to the nominated printing cut off time acquiesce shall be taken as confirmation and acceptance. Corrections made by telephone shall be accepted but the Company reserves the right to decide whether a further proof should be faxed or mailed to the client. Accounts for advertising are due for payment within seven days of publication of the newspaper. Accounts not paid within this time may incur a penalty of 3% per month until the account is paid. Any debt collection costs incurred by the Company will be added to the account of the debtor. Views and opinions expressed in Rural South are not necessarily those of the editors, Waterford Press Ltd or publisher. Rural South welcomes contributions from freelance writers & journalists. All articles published at editors discretion. Rural South accepts no responsibility for loss of photos or manuscripts. #businessrural #yourstory www.waterfordpress.co.nz Royalburn Station ����������������������������������������������������������������������� 03 Arhee Farming ���������������������������������������������������������������������������� 04 Bayer ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 06 Peter Hewson ����������������������������������������������������������������������������� 08 Strathern Farm �������������������������������������������������������������������������� 09 Jade Garden Produce ����������������������������������������������������������������� 10 Simon Davies ���������������������������������������������������������������������������� 11 Tikana ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 12 Frano Volckman ������������������������������������������������������������������������� 13 Glenwillow Farm ������������������������������������������������������������������������ 14 Hayden and Alienor Diack ����������������������������������������������������������� 16 Knightlea Farm ��������������������������������������������������������������������������� 17 Oakdale Farm ���������������������������������������������������������������������������� 18 Sam Fenwick ����������������������������������������������������������������������������� 19 Sandle 2 Dairy Farm ������������������������������������������������������������������ 20 Belmont Stud ������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 21 4 Rivers Farming Company Ltd ��������������������������������������������������� 22 Arlake ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 24 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Awards �������������������������������������������� 26 Black Origin �������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 29 Bluestone Coloured Merino Stud ������������������������������������������������ 30 Craigmore Station ����������������������������������������������������������������������� 32 Dunrobin Station ������������������������������������������������������������������������� 33 David Bell ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 34 Glenrobin Stud ���������������������������������������������������������������������������� 36 Glenaan Station �������������������������������������������������������������������������� 38 Hill Valley Simmentals ����������������������������������������������������������������� 39 Hillgrove Rams ��������������������������������������������������������������������������� 40 Jeff Farm ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 42 Ken Ferguson ����������������������������������������������������������������������������� 44 The Gums Partnership ���������������������������������������������������������������� 46 Lammerlaw Romney Stud ����������������������������������������������������������� 47 Kakahu Angus ����������������������������������������������������������������������������� 48 Lone Star Farms ������������������������������������������������������������������������� 50 Matatoki Herefords ��������������������������������������������������������������������� 55 Matakanui Station ����������������������������������������������������������������������� 57 Nigel and Neville Beer ����������������������������������������������������������������� 58 Peters Genetics ��������������������������������������������������������������������������� 59 Peter Adam ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 60 Pikoburn Angus ������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 63 SJC Speckle Park ��������������������������������������������������������������������������� 64 Barrhill Chertsey Irrigation �������������������������������������������������������������� 66 Avenel Agriculture ��������������������������������������������������������������������������� 67 Cederman Bros ������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 68 Burnell & Son Transport Ltd ������������������������������������������������������������ 70 Catalyst Performance Agronomy ����������������������������������������������������� 72 Green Contracting Oamaru �������������������������������������������������������������� 74 High Country Contracting Ltd ���������������������������������������������������������� 75 Hyslop Groundspread ���������������������������������������������������������������������� 76 Luisetti Seeds ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 78 Ikon Machinery Ltd ������������������������������������������������������������������������� 80 K J & H Chalmers Limited �������������������������������������������������������������� 81 M&M Ag Services ��������������������������������������������������������������������������� 82 Maniototo Irrigation ������������������������������������������������������������������������� 83 Molloy Agriculture Ltd ��������������������������������������������������������������������� 84 Opuha Water ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 87 Nick Wilson Contracting ������������������������������������������������������������������ 88 Noksee Fencing ������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 90 Plasback ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 91 Ravensdown Aeroworks ������������������������������������������������������������������ 92 Renwick Transport Ltd �������������������������������������������������������������������� 93 Ross Bros Transport ������������������������������������������������������������������������ 94 Southland Honda Motorcycles ��������������������������������������������������������� 97 Summerfield Fencing ���������������������������������������������������������������������� 98 Superior Fertiliser ��������������������������������������������������������������������������� 99 Tamlet Sheep Genetics/ Tamlet Farm �������������������������������������������� 100 Western Fencing ��������������������������������������������������������������������������� 101 VetSouth Ltd ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 102 Waikiwi Vet Services Ltd ��������������������������������������������������������������� 104 Wholesale Seeds �������������������������������������������������������������������������� 105 Chalmers AG ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 109 Honda Country ������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 110 King Contracting ��������������������������������������������������������������������������� 111 Matthew Tayler ����������������������������������������������������������������������������� 111 Summit Contracting ���������������������������������������������������������������������� 112 Heasley Fencing and Earthworks ������������������������������������������������� 113 64 | From price takers to price makers 78 | Founded on long term relationships 83 | Now consolidated for a stronger voice 47 | Lammerlaw Stud’s open invitation OUR PARTNERS: RESEARCH & MARKETING Sam Dart, Adam Feaver, Chris Graves, Megan Hawkins, Lisa Moffat, Annie Patrick, Chris Pearce, Adam Shirra, Leo Smith, Alasdair Thomson sales@waterfordpress.co.nz PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT General Manager Luke Lynch luke@waterfordpress.co.nz Graphic Artists Connor Gosnell, Anton Gray, Francesca Hildawa, Sophie McCleary, Liki Udam. art@waterfordpress.co.nz CONTENT COORDINATORS Alissa Crosby, Ann-Marie Frentz, Michelle Phelan. OFFICE AND ACCOUNTS Helen Bourne accounts@waterfordpress.co.nz Jill Holland reception@waterfordpress.co.nz Lyn Barlow lyn@waterfordpress.co.nz Christchurch Office 112 Wrights Road, Addington, Christchurch Phone 03-983 5500 PO Box 37 346 www.waterfordpress.co.nz Queenstown Office 70 Glenda Drive, Queenstown 9300 MANAGING DIRECTOR James Lynch james@waterfordpress.co.nz BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Chris Pearce chris.pearce@waterfordpress.co.nz EDITORIAL Editor Randall Johnston randall@waterfordpress.co.nz Journalists Alexia Johnston, Kelly Deeks, Hugh de Lacy, Tracey Edwardes, Russell Fredric, Aimee Wilson, Bernadette Cooney, Richard Loader, Kim Newth, Karen Phelps, Sue Russell, Rosa Watson, Randall Johnston, Virginia Wright.
| 3 The reality of Kiwi farming, muck & all Royalburn Station Sunflower crop 2024. Richard Loader Royalburn Station embraces 485 hectares of sheep and beef farmland on the Crown Range, just above Arrowtown and for the last seven years has been owned and operated by Carlos Bagrie and Nadia Lim, with the support of a passionate team. Over the last two years, Royalburn’s diverse farming operations have been showcased on Nadia’s Farm, a TV3 show that portrays the reality of Kiwi farming, with wide appeal to rural and urban audiences. For its endeavours championing the rural sector, Royalburn Station was named a Finalist in the 2024 B+LNZ FMG Rural Champion Award. “We were nominated by our General Manager Michelle Wallis,” says Carlos. “Michelle has been part of our journey right from the beginning. The nomination was really about the positive impact that Nadia’s Farm has had on the wider agricultural community.” Carlos acknowledges that he and Nadia were initially very reluctant to do the show and worried that it could be misconstrued or taken in a direction they didn’t want it to head. “We worked very closely with Warner Bros to ensure Nadia’s Farm reflected a high level of authenticity to showcase to an urban audience what actually does happen on a farm. Neither of us wanted to create a show just for entertainment purposes, it needed to be genuine and informative. I’m a fifth generation farmer and I didn’t want to hide from any particular story - it was important to show what real farming actually looks like, because MEAT & WOOL » Royalburn Station while the rural community watch it, we’re predominantly talking to an inner city audience.” In retrospect the show resonated very well with both urban and rural audiences, which was very heartwarming because it demonstrated that people in the city actually care where their food comes from and how it is grown. “The people in the rural sector were also very supportive and encouraging of us doing the show. The feedback from the farming community has really been quite overwhelming.” True to Carlos and Nadia’s wishes, the show also portrayed the trials and tribulations of farming and didn’t shy away from showing failure, and the couple’s learning through the journey. As for being named a Finalist, Carlos says there was some pretty exceptional company in the room at the awards ceremony. “There are so many people in the agricultural sector doing amazing things, and it was hugely humbling to have been given any accolade, let alone named a Finalist in the awards. The Awards ceremony is a celebration of agriculture and the people doing things in the sheep and beef industry. There’s so much misinformation and misunderstanding around what agriculture looks like and I have seen a lot in my overseas journeys with the Nuffield Scholarship. Right now, I just think that it’s so crucial that we take the time to look at all the great things that are going on. I was born into rural New Zealand; I love the land and the rural community, and it was just a privilege and humbling experience for Royalburn to be a finalist in the B+LNZ awards, and one of the highlights of 2024.” Call 03 208 3004 | www.mainlandminerals.com Every farm is remarkably unique. Starting with soil tests and assessments of the physical and biological aspects of your farm, we then recommend either combination of both) to ensure that your soils and pastures get exactly what they need. experience that tells us exactly how to maximise pasture, crop performance and animal health. We really do consider the bigger picture, because it’s about more than just fertiliser … it’s about the future of both your family and your land. FINE PARTICLE GRANULAR Bet Toge ter ther Proud to partner with Royalburn Station
4 | ARABLE » Arhee Farming Brad’s methodical approach to cropping Maisie, Ruby and Brad Lindsay in the sheep yards. Karen Phelps Central Southland farmer Brad Lindsay’s methodical approach to crop management has earned him recognition as a finalist in the 2024 Arable NZ Cereal Grower of the Year award. “It’s quite humbling to be recognised. I do put in a lot of work, take pride in what I do and like to run a successful operation,” says Brad who has been back on the family farm for nearly nine years. The operation at Drummond near Winton spans three blocks, with the main 200-hectare home farm complemented by a recently purchased 35-hectare block and a 20-hectare leased area. The business structure sees the land and operations managed through Arhee Farming, owned by Brad, his wife Bridgette, and his parents Brian and Jenny. Brad, who regularly attends Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) events in Southland and is a member in FAR’s Southland Growers Leading Change group, has developed an innovative system that combines strategic nitrogen management with an intricate crop rotation programme to achieve consistently high yields. Before planting spring barley, he conducts potentially mineralizable nitrogen testing alongside deep N testing for available nitrogen. This data-driven approach allows him to calculate soil nitrogen provision accurately and determine the precise amount needed for application. “It’s about trying to apply just the right amount. It saves money and also the environment,” explains Brad. The second main factor in the farm’s success is a methodical 11-year rotation system. “It’s about trying to maximise our wheat in our rotation as it has a higher yield with a higher gross margin. So we grow that as much as possible without exposing ourselves to disease risk,” says Brad. The rotation begins with four to five years of permanent pasture, followed by spring barley, winter wheat, and then returns to spring barley before introducing garden peas as a break crop. The cycle continues with winter wheat, spring barley, and winter barley before returning to permanent pasture. This careful planning has resulted in impressive yields, with barley consistently achieving at least 8 tonnes per hectare, sometimes reaching 10 tonnes. Wheat performs even better, averaging 12 tonnes per hectare, with some paddocks producing up to 15 tonnes in the dryland farming situation. The company maintains strong local connections, selling wheat and barley directly to dairy farming clients through long-standing relationships. Its pea crops are grown under contract for Townsend Seeds International in Rakaia. Complementing the arable operation is a sheep breeding and finishing component utilising approximately 70 hectares of pasture. The farm runs Textra breed composite sheep sourced from a local Riverton ram breeder, finishing Proudly supporting Ahree Farming info@matakanui.co.nz all lambs on-site alongside approximately 1,000 traded lambs. Brad says the sheep operation works in well with the cropping with paddocks destined for spring planting being sown with forage oats in autumn. This provides six months of grazing for finishing trade lambs while maintaining soil quality. The operation’s self-sufficiency is another key feature, with all work conducted in-house using their own equipment and two neighbouring farmers are casual tractor drivers. Brad works full-time on the farm, while Bridgette splits her time between farming duties and her nursing career. They have three children Ruby, 10, Maisie, 5 and Frank, 3. Brad’s father Brian still works part time on the farm while easing into retirement and Jenny still shows a keen interest in the farm. The family is already undertaking succession planning, with Brad and Bridgette, the fourth generation on the farm, which has been in the family for 112 years, recently purchasing a 35- hectare block of the home farm marking the beginning of a gradual transition to acquire the remaining land in the farming business.
| 5 ARABLE » Arhee Farming Harvest 2024. Innovation in Fertiliser Efficiency Promises Major Gains for Farmers If you buy a beer, would you tip 65% down the drain? It's a question that Shane Harold from Fert Wholesale Direct regularly asks farmers and he hasn't had anyone say yes yet. But it's what most farmers are doing with their fertiliser every day, he says. This stark comparison highlights a critical ine iciency in New Zealand farming. After 40 years in the fertiliser industry, including 26 years with a major co-op, Shane established Fert Wholesale Direct to revolutionise how farmers access and apply fertiliser. "In New Zealand when we apply normal granular urea to pasture and achieve a ten to one response it is only using 35% of the nitrogen applied," explains Shane. "We were achieving 10 to one back in the 80s when I was at university so we haven't improved." The company's groundbreaking, patented ONEsystem technology used by Fert Wholesale Direct is changing this equation dramatically. In independent trials, the system has more than doubled the standard response rate to 23:1, representing a signi icant advancement in nutrient e iciency. The innovation lies in the product selected and application method. ONEsystem uses prilled urea, which contains ten times more granules than conventional urea, combined with NBPT (a urease inhibitor) applied during spreading. The timing of the application is crucial, says Shane, as it maximises the inhibitor's e ectiveness. Operating in Southland, Central Otago, and Canterbury, the system has proven so successful that it has been utilised for a number of years by a company in Victoria, Australia. The technology ensures better coverage and reduced ammonia volatilization, while enabling some foliar uptake as the prills dissolve on plant leaves. The importance of sulphur is another focus for Fert Wholesale Direct. "The rule of thumb is that you need one kilogram of sulphur for every four kilograms of nitrogen to maximise pasture growth on sulphur de icient soils," says Shane. "If you don't have that ratio the response to nitrogen is decreased signi icantly." This understanding has led Fert Wholesale Direct to develop fertiliser products that maintain this crucial ratio in every granule. The company has also introduced variable rate application technology for phosphate and potassium, applying nutrients only where needed, guided by instant soil testing capability. The business model itself represents an innovation in the industry. "We o er fertilisers at today's world prices, without the need to have capital tied up in ownership," says Shane. “This allows farmers to lock in fertiliser products through contractual relationships at current world prices, potentially achieving signi icant savings in farm expenses.” With his agricultural degree from Massey University focusing on New Zealand soils, Shane brings deep expertise to the challenge of improving nutrient e iciency. His mission is to increase farm productivity while protecting the environment, a balance that becomes increasingly crucial as farming faces growing environmental scrutiny. As New Zealand agriculture grapples with the twin challenges of maintaining productivity and reducing environmental impact, Shane says that innovations like ONEsystem suggest that sometimes the solution lies not in using more, but in using smarter. Farmers, are you concerned about improving your fertiliser ef ciency and environmental footprint? The ONE System which through independent trials shows a doubling of response to N. And more recently, our Revolutionary Compound Urea/SOA product where every granule contains both forms of N. Then Fert Wholesale Direct Ltd can help.
6 | ARABLE » Bayer Decades of ag excellence recognised David Weith. Karen Phelps After nearly 42 years in the industry, David Weith’s outstanding contribution to New Zealand’s arable sector has been acknowledged with the prestigious Agronomist of the Year 2024 award at the annual Arable Awards of New Zealand celebration. The Bayer Regional Business Manager for Mid-South Canterbury, who was nominated by one of his customers, has played a pivotal role in three world-record crop attempts. “I really enjoy agronomy and imparting my knowledge, particularly to younger people in the industry,” says David. Despite his townie origins, Weith’s passion for agriculture was kindled during his youth while working on his uncle’s cropping farm in Mid Canterbury. After completing his studies at Lincoln University, where he earned diplomas in Agriculture and Farm Management, he briefly worked as a stock agent before joining what would eventually become Bayer New Zealand Limited. His expertise has been instrumental in achieving remarkable results, including a Guinness World Record for barley of 13.8 tonnes per hectare in 2015 with Warren and Joy Darling in Timaru. He was part of two successful Guinness World Record wheat yields with Eric and Maxine Watson in Mid Canterbury, first setting a wheat world record of 16.791 tonnes per hectare in 2017, then breaking it again in 2020 with 17.398 tonnes per hectare. “To put this in perspective the world average wheat yield is approximately 4.48 tonnes per hectare while barley is around 2.4 tonnes per hectare. The NZ Agronomist of the Year Award recognises excellence in the ield of agricultural science and innovation, honouring an agronomist who demonstrates exceptional expertise, leadership, and a commitment to sustainable farming practices. Nominees are evaluated based on their contributions to improving agricultural productivity, environmental stewardship, and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies that bene it the farming community and broader environment. This year’s recipient, David Weith, Bayer Crop Science’s Regional Business Manager for Mid-South Canterbury, works alongside Bayer's merchant customers and some of Canterbury’s top farmers, introducing innovative Bayer crop protection products and new methods and technologies. He has helped push crop quality and productivity to world record levels, providing much of the agronomy advice for the winter barley and two winter wheat world records achieved in Canterbury. He is also heavily involved in training the new generation of young agronomists and farmers. David’s expertise covers cereal crops, herbage, amenity grass seed, clover, high-value vegetable seeds like carrots, radishes, and brassicas, as well as maximising the yield of fodder beet, a valuable feed option. He joined the Bayer team in 1983 and is one of the company’s most experienced and knowledgeable sales managers. 2024 Agronomist of the Year Agronomist of the Year 2024. BAYER CROP SCIENCE NZ The hard work and innovation of New Zealand’s arable industry was celebrated at the annual Arable Awards of New Zealand. We are enormously proud of Bayer Crop Science’s David Weith who was named Agronomist of the Year 2024. David was recognised for his up-tothe-minute knowledge of crop options and agronomy, and the support he offers merchants and growers to help them produce high quality, profitable crops. BAC3230 Proudly sponsored by: We’re with you in the field cropscience.bayer.co.nz FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK: Bayer New Zealand Crop Science DAVID WEITH Bayer Crop Science - Timaru Bayer’s David Weith pictured with his ‘2024 Agronomist of the Year Award’.
| 7 ARABLE » Bayer The Bayer Regional Business Manager for Mid-South Canterbury, who was nominated by one of his customers. Improve soil, plant and animal health, while reducing costs through the e ciency of foliar feeding. In one pass - mix and apply: Granular Fert Dissolve Urea, SOA, DAP, Compound Blends Fine Particles Suspend Lime Flour, Mag Oxide, Trace Elements Small Seeds Chicory, Plantain, Red & White Clover, Turnip, Rape Biologicals & Organics Compost, Fish Hydrolysate, Seaweed Extract, Molasses Herbicides Broad-spectrum and Selective Herbicides “We’ve noticed how even the grass is growing and the grass sward is very, very thick. We have got a lot greater plant density since we’ve been using the Tow and Fert.” Allan Marx - Dairy Farmer To book your free on-farm demo today call: 0800 337 747 or contact sales@towandfert.co.nz Metalform's Tow and Fert is helping farmers tackle mounting environmental pressures while improving their bottom line through innovative liquid fertiliser, ine particle and seed application technology. The Tow and Fert range enables farmers to dissolve granular fertiliser in cold water for foliar application, resulting in signi icant reductions in fertiliser usage (for example nitrogen) without compromising grass production. "Foliar application of nitrogen has a much higher Nitrogen Response E iciency compared to granular application. Our customers are experiencing up to 50 percent reduction in nitrogen use without compromising dry matter growth," says Tim Henman, Tow and Fert Global Sales Manager. The technology arrives at a crucial time for farmers facing increasing regulatory pressures and soaring input costs. The company's lagship product, the Multi 4000, can cover one hectare in just three minutes at 12 kilometres per hour, with a 22-metre spread width. Its 4,000-litre capacity allows farmers to dissolve and suspend signi icant quantities of fertiliser e iciently, with the ability to load inmerely 15 minutes using its optional crane system. "We have developed a tool that dissolves urea in cold water quickly," says Tim. "The machines can hold insoluble ine particle products in suspension along with oversowing seeds and apply themwithout any blockages or issues like a normal boom sprayer might experience.” Importantly spraying fertiliser on pasture with a Tow and Fert machine helps farmers meet nutrient Tow and Fert Helps Farmers Meet Triple Bottom Line budget by greatly reducing the amount of fertiliser lost into the environment. Tim says the system's e iciency stems from its ability to deliver nutrients in a form that maximises uptake by both plants and soil. This improved e iciency not only reduces environmental impact through decreased leaching and greenhouse gas emissions but also translates into signi icant cost savings for farmers. The technology's versatility also allows farmers tomix multiple products simultaneously, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, humates, molasses, seeds, selective herbicides, and various micronutrients. This multi-product capability reduces the number of passes required, further improving e iciency and reducing soil compaction. Since its launch in 2010, the technology has gained traction across multiple continents, withmachines now operating in New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, UK, Chile, Uruguay, and South Africa. With ive models in its range, starting from the ATV-compatible Multi 500 up to the tractor-drawn Multi 4000, Metalformhas developed solutions suitable for operations of all sizes. All machines feature the company's patented recirculation boom design and are constructed with 100% stainless steel trash pumps, ensuring durability and reliability in the ield. “As farmers worldwide have the challenge of maintaining productivity while meeting increasing compliance, the Tow and Fert systemo ers a practical and proven solution to these concerns.” These records have recently been surpassed which is quite sad but just adds to the challenge,” says David. “You’re advising people and then to achieve records like this is a cool thing to do. It’s given me profile all around the world. I’ve travelled quite a bit to Europe and the USA so it’s opened a lot of doors.” In his role, David services Bayer`s distribution network, agricultural consultants and contractors while maintaining direct relationships with farmers. His longevity in the industry has seen him working with up to four generations of farming families, building trust through honest advice. “If you recommend something that’s not right it comes back to haunt you so integrity is everything,” explains David. “I don’t just recommend Bayer products. If we don’t have a suitable product then I will recommend another company’s product that will do the job.” His commitment to nurturing the next generation of agricultural professionals extends beyond his commercial role. For 28 years, he has served as a judge for the Methven Agricultural and Pastoral Association wheat competition, which has recently expanded to include Mayfield and Ashburton, effectively becoming a Mid Canterbury competition. “We encourage farmers to come with us on the day of judging so they can learn as they go. Most farmers don’t get out of their own comfort zones on their farms so it’s really cool for them to join the group and look at other people’s crops so they can compare them with their own,” says David. The agricultural legacy continues in the Weith family, with his son Sean now working as a researcher at the Foundation of Arable Research. “He’s done a PHD in plant biology so he’s quite a bright boy,” says David proudly. The award recognition comes after decades of dedicated service to the industry. “Winning the award is pretty humbling and it’s cool to be recognised by your peers. I must be doing something right I suppose,” says David who was previously nominated for the award and came runner up. David’s focus continues to be on introducing and overseeing innovative crop protection products while working with some of New Zealand’s most talented arable farmers. His expertise spans various crops, from cereals to high-value grass and vegetable seeds such as carrots, radish and brassicas, as well as fodder beet. As for future goals? “I’d like to help get those Guinness World Records back.”
8 | ARABLE » Peter Hewson Careful water management required Peter Hewson’s use of tillage practices, particularly in response to local rainfall, was highlighted. Bernadette Cooney Esk Valley farmer Peter Hewson has been named Cereal Grower of the Year at the 2024 Arable Awards, recognising his exceptional management of a 475-hectare mixed cropping and beef operation in South Canterbury, inland from St. Andrews. Peter oversees 360 hectares of autumn-sown crops, including wheat, barley, forage rape, turnips, cocksfoot, fescue, maize, ryegrass, and, for the first time, winter linseed. His yields are impressive, with winter wheat averaging 9.5 tonne, but being dryland can range from 8–11 tonnes per hectare, and barley around 8–9 tonnes. Additionally, 80 hectares of his farm remain as permanent pasture. Judges praised Peter’s outstanding farming practices, especially his strategic crop establishment and careful water management in his dryland system. His use of tillage practices, particularly in response to local rainfall, was highlighted. Peter explains that the absence of north-west winds, common in mid-Canterbury, coupled with the heavier, moisture-retaining soils, means his farm requires less irrigation, though the land can become difficult to traverse when wet. “We don’t get the north-west winds like they do in mid Canterbury, so we don’t dry out as much and we’ve got a lot of heavier soils that hold the moisture. We can get very wet and hard to travel on, so doesn’t need as much irrigation,” says Peter Hewson adapts his cultivation and drilling techniques to the conditions, using a mix of minimum tillage, direct drilling, and strip tilling. “We’re flexible in how we establish crops,” says Peter, “We have direct drilled certain paddocks for the last three years and we strip till maize and everything for winter is direct drilled so we’re not losing soil when we get heavy rain.” He manages nitrogen to optimise yields and maps paddocks for variable rate fertiliser and lime for good soil fertility. Peter and his wife Nicole are the fourth generation of Hewson’s on the dryland farm where they live with their three daughters, having returned to the farm in 2016 to lease the farm from Peter’s parents David and Robyn. “The plan was to lease for five years and if it wasn’t for us, we could sell machinery and leave. In March 2023 we purchased the farm outright from mum and dad.” Beyond cropping operations, Esk Valley Farming bring in 150 Friesian bulls for fattening for sale before the winter and around 3000 store lambs annually, fattening them to a target kill weight of 22 kgs. Up to 1500 hogget’s are grazed in spring also and are all gone by Christmas. “I like fattening stock,” says Peter, “don’t hold them back on the feed. I get great satisfaction looking at the finishing weight and knowing we’ve got the most potential out of that animal.” Hewson is also active in the farming community, serving as vice arable chair for Federated Farmers in South Canterbury and president of the Sutherlands Discussion Group, a part of the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR). This group brings together 15 local farmers monthly to discuss sector challenges such as herbicide resistant grasses, soil management, and crop allocation. QUALITY & SERVICE FOCUSED Check us out at www.indeng.co.nz Corner North & Latter Streets, Timaru Phone: 03 684 4888 Email: sales@indeng.co.nz Proud to Support Peter Hewson www.standrewstransport.co.nz Cell: 027 329 555 Phone: 03 612 6605 Main Road, St. Andrews PO Box 137, Timaru Email: satrans@xtra.co.nz Proudly supporting Peter Hewson
| 9 ARABLE » Strathern Farm Strathern Farm perfecting the craft Mary and Steve Blain with kids Benji and Chester. Randall Johsnton Strathern Farm has won the UWG Ruralco Grand Champion Award and Feed Wheat Award at the 2024 United Wheatgrowers Awards. The awards were held at the Wigram Airforce Museum on August 15, bringing together growers from all around New Zealand. Speaking from the home farm at Flemington near the coast south of Ashburton, Steve Blain says while he knew they were in the running, the award was rather unexpected and it turned out that their Dawsum feed wheat crop really impressed the judges with a nice balance of high yield and exceptional quality. “We are really pleased about it obviously. Growing conditions were pretty much ideal for the crop of wheat that was judged and we knew it was a great example of that variety but we didn’t really expect it to be recognised in this way,” he explains. “It was an exciting event to be a part of and many of the top operators were there.” Steve attended along with his wife Mary and mother and father Peter and Glenys. Father Peter still works on-farm pretty much full-time and the two have developed a streamlined system that also allows them to reduce labour requirements. While still an important element of the business and one they have managed to refine well over the years, wheat is only about a quarter of what they grow. They like to experiment with growing new and emerging varieties. They also grow ryegrass, cocksfoot, clover, red beet, brassicas, peas and lease a paddock for potatoes. “We don’t just deal with one seed company, we work closely with a lot of agronomists and they have been invaluable over the years. It’s also handy having some great friends and neighbours in the industry. We share tips on how to get better yields and for the most part, everyone is trying to help each other.” The winter has been kind this year and the lead up to summer has been superb weather wise. “We have a few creeks running through the farm and when we get big rainfall events, we flood quite badly, thankfully we haven’t had any of that this year.” “We are always trying to refine our irrigation. Rainer Irrigation in Ashburton has done our three centre pivots and we also have RotoRainers. It’s just so important with these crops, if you’re a few days late getting water to crops at important growth stages, it can result in a huge difference in yield. We have some oddly shaped blocks of land which makes irrigating them difficult.” www.ruraltransport.co.nz Ashburton (03) 308 4079 Waimate (03) 689 6100 Kurow (03) 436 0849 Fairlie (03) 685 8911 T R A N S P O R T L T D • Stock Cartage • General Freight • Fertiliser Spreading •Bulk Cartage • Hiab Hire • Cool Storage Brophy Knight are proudly supporting Strathern Farm For accounting and business advice, contact: Greg Wall, Brendon Adam, Marcus Schoonderbeek, Angus Lindsay or Emma Hastings P SRS 03 302 8115 email: nzoffice@spsnz.co.nz Proudly supporting Strathern Farm SOUTH PACIFIC SEEDS (NZ) LTD SOUTH Specialists in Hybrid Vegetable Seed Production EXTENSIVELY TESTED, WORLD LEADING CEREALSEED FDUUƫHOGV FR Q] &DUUȴHOGV VNLOOHG DQG SDVVLRQDWH DJURQRPLVWV DUH FRPPLWWHG WR DGGLQJ YDOXH DW WKH JURXQG OHYHO WKURXJK WDLORUHG VROXWLRQV XQLTXH WR \RXU IDUPLQJ RSHUDWLRQV Discover our award winning range. Over 50 years experience in Electrical and Irrigation Solutions • New Homes • Solar Installs • Smart homes • Electrical Repairs • Audio & Visual • Commercial • Alterations & Renovations • Industrial & Irrigation • Heating, Cooling & Ventilation United Wheatgrowers Grand Champion and Feed Wheat award winners, the Blain family. The team do just about everything on the farm themselves, except for spreading base fertiliser, baling and trucking where contactors are used. “We also own shares in a spray company with a few neighbours called Spray Care Limited, with just one modern self-propelled sprayer and a local operator who looks after about four farms in the area,” Steve explains. With these two awards under their belt and the summer season shaping up well, production and quality is looking good as the team proceed into 2025.
waterfordpress.co.nzRkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=