| 33 T T Russell Fredric Lime big contributor to economy Fernhill Limeworks is a certified organic quarry bulk lime for agricultural spreading, knap rock for dairy lanes and creates lime-based fertiliser mixes. Southland: Fernhill Limeworks REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Lime, in its various forms and applications, makes an essential contribution to agriculture and ultimately to the New Zealand economy. Based in Central Southland amidst huge deposits of the mineral, Fernhill Limeworks is a certified organic quarry that has been extracting the mineral for eight decades and has made a worthy contribution to agriculture in the south. It supplies bulk lime for agricultural spreading, knap rock for dairy lanes and creates limebased fertiliser mixes to specification. The quarry is also a Ballance consignment store that either holds or can supply Ballance products that include superphosphate, potash, urea SustaiN and Cropzeal, as well producing organic mixes to order for various clients. Fernhill Limeworks manager Craig (Oz) Harvey says this service supplies a market that complements its traditional bulk lime supply. Agricultural lime neutralizes soil acidity and raises soil pH, improves soil texture by loosening clay particles and assists bacteria in transforming nitrogen to usable forms. “Lime and magnesium can sometimes be overlooked in the application of acidic artificial fertilisers. You need to keep the pH anywhere between 5.8 and 6.2 to make the grass grow,” Craig says. It is recognised that changes in the soil chemistry and biology produce many benefits. These include stimulating vigorous growth of clovers and other legumes and an overall increase in pasture production leading to significant increases in animal production as measured in live weight, wool weight and milk solids. In dairy herds, supplementing feed with magnesium and calcium, especially during spring and early summer, will increase milk production and reduce the risk of calcium deficiency. These deficiencies result in milk fever, or hypocalcaemia, which results in several serious metabolic disorders and infectious diseases. The process of extracting and supplying lime includes drying the ‘green’ lime after it has been crushed in a lignite-fired plant. Craig a more sustainable form of energy can be used in the future, but this is currently not viable. “Woodchip-based dryers have not worked so well for our competitors; we are waiting to see what happens. This government might make it a bit easier.” In the meantime, the plant is faced with considerable emissions taxes, while general cost increases during the past two or three years have resulted in the cost of lime increasing by about 15%. However, at around $41 a tonne, it is still a reasonably low cost product that produces significant benefits in a farm system. The past two years have been challenging, but the improvement in the forecast dairy payout for this season, plus the change of government, is creating some hope and is keeping lime works ticking over, Craig says. “Our sheep and beef farmers have been feeling the pinch. It will probably be another 12 months before we start to see an upturn.” “I went to the [Southern] field days and spent three days amongst the farmers and I think there’s a bit more pep in the step so to speak. We just need the lamb price to come up.” Proudly supporting Fernhill Limeworks For all your Electrical needs, contact Brendon today 027 520 6963 abelectricalltd2001@gmail.com Specialists in All Auto Electrical Repairs & Servicing 4 V i c tor i a Avenue , I nv ercarg i l l Phone 03 2 1 8 3 200 admin@ajautoelect r i cal .net .nz Proudly associated with Fernhill Limeworks Ltd 2745Waimea Highway, RIVERSDALE | Ph. 03 202 4044 | andrews.transport@hwr.co.nz • Livestock • Bulk and General Cartage • Fert. Cartage & Spreading We are a locally owned and operated company servicing and supporting the rural communities of theWaimea Valley and greater Northern Southland Area.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=