Ashburton Courier: June 24, 2021

www.ashburtoncourier.co.nz
RURAL
Ashburton Courier, June 24, 2021
Ruralco instore days
Ruralco’s annual instore day will
extend beyond thethree Mid
Canterburystores this year and
includeanonline option for
members. Over the past 26 years
the Ashburton basedfarmer cooperative
has runthe instore
daysthroughretail outlets in
Ashburton, Methven and Rakaia,
offering discounts to members.
In 2020they looked different as
covid sawthe business create a
new format to offer great deals
and thelatestinagricultural
technology. The annual
19
promotion runsinstore and
online from July1to 2, but online
until July4.RuralcoCEO Robert
Sharkie said the marquee will be
backinthe Ruralco Ashburton
store andover90businesses
were duetobeon site with
fantastic deals. Therewill be
coffee andrefreshments allday
withfood trucks servingvarious
options for astanding lunch
between 10am and3pm.
The Methven andRakaia
stores will also have great deals
and offer refreshments.
Rising two year old bull, Mt Possession Q53 set anew Souh Island record.
PHOTO SUPPLIED
Q53 bringsin $88,000
Angus stud breeders, Donald
and Leigh Whyte and Ryan
and Sarah Hussey, of Mt
Possession Angus, have sold a
rising two­year­old bull for an
impressive $88,000.
The bull, called Mt
Possession Q53, wassoldat
the on­farmsaleatthe Mt
Possession Angus stud at
Hakatere Station on June 14.
The price set anew South
Island record.
‘‘I knew he was agood bull.
Iwasn’t anticipating that sort
of money though,’’ Mr Hussey
said.
‘‘He’s just areally,
complete package. Great
phenotype, the data on him is
just outstanding right across
the board and fantastic
temperament.’’ Mt Possession
Q53, was born on Hakatere
Station on October 3, 2019.
He had good breed plan
data, growth,fertility, carcass
traits, pedigree and
phenotype (the physical
attributes) ‘‘He looks good
and is well put together,’’ Mr
Hussey said.
‘‘The really pleasing thing
about him is he actually by a
bull that we bred as part of
the stud, out of acow thatwe
bredaswell.’’
The sire’s name is Mt
Possession M13; he wasborn
in 2016.
The couples have a50/50
partnership in thestud,
which is run at Hakatere
Station, ownedbythe Whyte’s
in theMid Canterbury high
country.
Mr Hussey, who is also the
manager of the sheep and
beef side of thestation’s
operation, said the auction ­
which was their first on­farm
bull sale ­had been quite a
success with 19 bulls sold out
of the 20 up for sale.
Smoke-free
burning means
acosynest…
Learn clean burning
techniques, fora
healthier region at
warmercheaper.co. .nz
Lowpollutiondaysand nights
require everyone with firesto
burn smoke-free.
You’ll getawarmer home,
uselessfirewoodAND help
improve Canterbury’sair quality.
Wiggy wins rural award
Rural personality and
farming advocate Craig
‘Wiggy’ Wiggins has been
recognised for his
contribution to the
agriculturalindustry winning
the Ravensdown Agricultural
Communicator of the Year
award.
The award recognises and
honours those who use their
skills to effectively
communicate issues, events
and information relevant to
the sector. It was presented
by Ravensdowngeneral
managercustomer
relationshipsBryan Inch to
Mr Wiggins during Fieldays at
Mystery Creek.
Mr Wiggins,based at
Dromore,near Ashburton, is
apassionate farmer, horse
trainer, commentator,
announcer,and MC.Heset up
WhateverwithWiggy, last
year during covid lockdown,
an ongoing weekly Zoom
forum for farmers to engage
with industry leaders and
politicians to discuss issues of
importance to the
agriculturalcommunity. He
wasaleading organiser and
facilitator of the Agri Connect
rural mental healthseminar,
which taught attendeesthe
tell­tale signs of mental strain
and where to direct farmers
for help.New Zealand Guild
of Agricultural Journalists
and Communicators
president Jackie Harrigan
said Mr Wiggins facilitated
muchneeded discussions
within the agricultural sector
and kept politicaland
industry leaders appraised of
the mood on farm. The
Whatever withWiggy
platformhad been‘‘an
invaluablecommunication
platformfor members’’
especially during the covid
lockdownwhen many were
feeling isolatedand
overworked.
LE22559-V2
…and better
breathingfor
our tamariki.
Buyone,get onehalf
price. On nursery
items,not babies.
Buyone get one half price on
Mountain Buggy and
Phil&Teds nursery products*
Buyany twoqualifyingitems andget the second item half price. Second item must be of equalorlesser value than the first item.Appliestoqualifyingproductspurchasedatthe
same time within asingle transaction.Subject to availability.Valid 16th June -13thJuly. Discount is offour full retail price. Notavailableinconjunctionwith anyother offer. Excludes
clearance, gift cards, flooring.Limitsand other exclusionsmay apply. Personalshoppersonly,trade notsupplied.