RURAL LIFE 28 <strong>North</strong> <strong>Canterbury</strong> <strong>News</strong>, <strong>January</strong> <strong>14</strong>, <strong>2021</strong> 2309605 WILTSHIRE SHEEP SALE SALE DAY 20 th <strong>January</strong>, <strong>2021</strong> 2331680v2 HOMEKILL &Wild Game Meat Processing 313 0022 MEAT2U.NZ Contact: Andrew Heard 021 272 7522 Mt Cass Station Symonds Rd, Waipara Pasture boost from summer rain By DAVID HILL <strong>North</strong><strong>Canterbury</strong> pasturesare looking lush and green afterSanta delivered rain. Whileholidaymakers enduredawet Christmas,farmers spoken to by the <strong>North</strong><strong>Canterbury</strong><strong>News</strong> say the unexpected rain has given them a welcome boost. ‘‘It’s very good and it’s still giving,’’ Cheviot farmerSimon Lee says.‘‘From late October to early December it was dry, but we’ve agood rainover the last fortnight or three weeks—it’s very unusual for this timeofyear.’’ The recent rainfollowed amildAugust whichproduced some unexpected pasture growth at Mendip Hills Station and set the farm up for agood season,he said.‘‘It’s been agood growing season. The stock are in verygood condition and we had good lamb drafts and prime lambsatweaning last month.’’ Federated Farmers <strong>North</strong> <strong>Canterbury</strong> dairychairman Karl Dean saidthe rain came at the right time, with some farmers facing adry seasonamonth ago. ‘‘It was just getting abit drier thanwe wouldlike.Wehaven’t had ahuge amount of rain, so Isupposefarmers wouldbeabit pessimisticaswe’restill well behind the 12month average. ‘‘People wererunningshort and feeding out supplements in December, but everyone is back on track with plenty of grass.’’ Damp squib ... Hot, dry haymaking weather has been in short supply in <strong>Canterbury</strong> this summer. PHOTO: FILE Mr Dean says his farm received 40 percent lessrain in 2020compared to a normalyear. Milk production was holding up strongly, with Mr Dean’s cows tracking at 1.75kgofmilk solidsaday per cow, while some farmers were achieving up to 1.9kg. Federated Farmers <strong>North</strong> <strong>Canterbury</strong> president Cam Henderson says the extra rain creates an unexpected headache — ‘‘whattodowith all this extra feed’’. ‘‘Apart from the rubbishbarbecue weather, it’s been apretty goodsummer so far. ‘‘There’s plenty of grassabout,but there’snot the same energy in it without the sun. People are cuttinghay, but it’s a bit soggy,soithasn’t helped the quality.’’ Arable farmers havebeen caughtout for theirearlyseason crops,but the timing of the rain was idealfor autumn crops, Mr Hendersonsays. ‘‘Therewill be somepretty big yields if the weather holds. ‘‘But the overallwater levels are still low and the(Waimakariri) river is not particularly high yet,soIthink everyone isjust abit wary about irrigation.’’ Henderson to stand down at May meeting By DAVID HILL Cam Henderson is hoping for an uneventful few months, after the challenges of 2020. The Federated Farmers <strong>North</strong> <strong>Canterbury</strong> president is preparing to stand down after four years in the top job at the group’s annual meeting, expected to be held in May. With his second child due in April, Mr Henderson will be hoping to avoid last year’s experience, where he became a dad for the first time as the country went into lockdown. ‘‘In some ways it was good having a quiet time, with no facetoface meetings and having the house to ourselves, but this time around with a second child we would be quite happy to have that extra help.’’ Life has certainly changed for Mr Henderson since he took on the role of provincial president. ‘‘I was asingle man when Ifirst stepped up as president and now I’m married with asecond child on the way. ‘‘I think it’s time for someone else with abit more energy and who is getting more sleep to take it over.’’ RangioraToyota 2012Highlander Limited •3.5LPetrolV6Auto, •Alloys, Leather •7-Seater,Camera $ 19,995 WANTED Quality used late modelToyotas. Contactustoday if 2020 HiluxSRPrerunner you’relooking to sell! 2020 HiluxSRExtraCab 2015HiluxSingle Cab WAS$31,995 NOW •2.8L Turbo Diesel Auto •2.8L Turbo Diesel Manual4WD •3.0L TurboDiesel Manual4WD $ •Camera, Bluetooth $ •Bluetooth $ •Bulbar,Racking 29,995 •Only 200kms 41,995 •Only250kms 48,495 $ •59,100kms 33,995 Percival Street,Rangiora • Ph (03) 313-8186any time • www.rangiora.toyota.co.nz 2010 LandRoverDiscovery SE •3.0L TurboDieselV6 •Leather,7Seater •Climate Air Signature CLASS 2018 Highlander GXL •3.5LPetrolAWD,Alloys •7-Seater,Satnav, Leather •29,700kms $ 47,495 20<strong>14</strong> Highlander GXL •3.5LPetrol6-SpeedAuto •Alloys, Leather •121,700kms $ 29,995 2018 Highlander GXL • 3.5L Petrol Auto, Leather •7-Seater,Satnav,Keyless •Done 29,000kms $ 47,995 2018 Highlander GXL •3.5LPetrol8-Speed Auto •Leather,Satnav •59,500km $ 44,995 FINANCE &INSURANCE AVAILABLE 23429<strong>14</strong>
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