North Canterbury News: February 27, 2020

NEWS
North Canterbury News, February 27, 2020
3
The Widest
Music Variety
Canterbury farmers are no strangers to adry summer.
Farmers are now hoping March rains will come, to set
them up for autumn and winter. Robyn Bristow reports.
Tune in nowtolisten on
104.9 for North Canterbury
103.7 for Hanmer Springs
andKaikoura
Big dry ... The parched hills south of Cheviot frame aworked paddock.
PHOTO: ROBYN BRISTOW
Withering end to summer
FarmersinNorthCanterbury have plenty
of drought experience and can take credit
for beinginreasonableshapeasdry
conditionsbite, the chairmanofthe
HurunuiAdverse Events committee,
Winton Dalley, says.
Mr Dalleywas commenting as weeksof
hot and dry weather, bringing high levels
of evapotranspiration, affect the region.
He saysifanything was learnt from the
2014­2017 droughts,itwas the need to
make decisionsearlyonwhat farmers
could control.
‘‘It’s good practice to have plans and
deadlinesinplace to destock, send stock
out to graze,and buy in supplementswhile
they are available at an affordableprice,’’
he says.
The committee is monitoringhow
farmersare coping in the dry conditions,
and remindsthem of the wealthof
experience and information available to
help them throughthe dry spell.
‘‘Seeking advice and support from your
rural professionalsisawisemove,
whetheritisfinancial, stock health, stock
disposal or advising on supplementary
feed and green feed crops.
‘‘They haveawealthofknowledge to
assist your decision­making.
‘‘Remember, too, looking out foryour
neighbour is of paramountimportance.’’
On top of normal demandfor freezing
worksspace, in otherparts of the country
thereare reportsoflongerdelays due to
the coronavirus slowing exportdemand.
‘‘So bookinginearly is amust.’’
Mr Dalley saysthere was goodspring
growth and generally agood production
season, becoming dry as normal from
December on.
‘‘While we usually expectthe autumn
rainstokick in from next month and set us
up for winter, we will be in an
uncomfortable position if the rains don’t
come this year, andfarmers needto
prepare for that eventuality.’’
RuralSupport Trust chairman Andy
Munrosays the trust has not yet received
any requests for help.
‘‘Butwehave been madeawarethat
morale was slipping in certainareas and
we are monitoring the situation regularly.
‘‘We would encourage farmerstocontact
us if they want afree and confidential chat
to one of our team,’’ Mr Munro says.
Cheviot has missed most of the rain
lately and some springs are drying up.
Cheviot­based Dan Maxwell, the meat
and wool chairman for North Canterbury
Federated Farmers, says farmers are
beingproactive and making decisions
regularly, as needed.
‘‘It’svitalthat farmers are decisiveover
the next monthifno substantial rain
arrives.Alwayshave adate set, and if it
doesn’t rain thenimplementtheir action
plan. A10K hit to the budget can soonturn
into a15K hit if conditions continueto
deteriorate.’’
Tony Finch, from DairyNZ,says
Kaikoura farmers are reporting similar
impacts from the dry weather, with
dryland farmers saying conditions are as
bad as they canremember. Even those
with the advantagesoflimited irrigation
are experiencing challenges to keep up
with livestock demands.
Farmers havebeen forcedtomake
systemchangestomanage. However,if
there is no rain by March they willneed to
considerdrying­off options.
Despite that, overall farmingspirits
remaingood, reflecting the promising milk
price.
Anyone concerned abouthow farmers
or their families are coping are urged to
call the North CanterburyRural Support
Trust on 0800 787 254. Beef +Lamb New
Zealand, Dairy NZ andthe Ministryfor
Primary Industrieshave material on their
websitesfor dealing with drought
conditions.
Caring for North Canterbury
Dr John Dehn
Full Mole Checks
using Dermoscopy
Surgical Management
and Aftercare
Comprehensive, Affordable, Convenient
Ph 03 9204060
52 Pegasus Main Street,Pegasus 7612
www.pegasusmedicalcentre.co.nz
Southern Cross
Affiliated Provider
For selected services
1890742
e-commuter bikes
12 MONTHS INTEREST FREE *
*conditions apply
More
e-Brands
More
e-ChoiCe
NEED YOUR BIKE
SERVICED FOR
SUMMER?
On-site bike mechanic
48 hour turnaround
484 Cranford Street
Phone 03 925 8987
Simply Furniture now trading
upstairs on mezzanine floor.
CuBe ella RiDe HYBRiD eBike
our cute ella ride Hybrid from germany
blends environmentally friendly e-mobility with a
refreshingly stylish take on bicycle design that you’ll
love: Strong integrated luggage carrier Shimano
9-speed gears and boschmotor make light work of
any journey, plus powerfulhydraulic disc brakes.
JUsT $4,195
Melo Yelo Townee eBike
ultra-wide step-through with frame-integrated
battery.the townee is the latest generation in
step-through bikes, with the battery integrated into
the front of the frame whichresults in abike that
has exceptional weight distribution.
JUsT $2,395
HYBRiD F18 CRuise eliTe eBike
theF18 Cruise elite has the same low step
through as the F18 Cruiser making itideal for
riders of all heights. However the Cruise elite
boasts larger sport tires, reduced weight and
performance motor tuning for tackling trailsmore
than streets.
JUsT $4,950
For our Full range viSit our webSite: www.emegastore.co.nz
sCoTT suB CRoss eRiDe 30 laDY
eBike theSCott SubCross eride 30’s
frame is ePowered by a400wh boschbattery.
with this you can get to where you are goingfaster
and more comfortably than ever before. throw in
wider rims and 47cSmart Samtires and the result
is one sleek speedy and well equipped bike.
Was $3,799 noW only $3,399