North Canterbury News: August 12, 2021

NIWA assists local farmers
Waimakariri farmers are
usingscience to ‘‘justify’’
theirirrigation decisions.
Afive­year collaborative
project involving NIWAand
apilotgroupofWaimakariri
farmers has seenashift
from a“just­in­case”
approachtoirrigation to a
“justified” approach, where
landownersuse real time
data and forecasts to make
science­based irrigation
decisions.
Throughoutthe NIWA­led
IrrigationInsight
programme, farmershave
been provided with daily
data includingmeasured
rainfall, soil moisture,soil
temperature,drainage, and
estimated evaporation as
well as two,six and 15­day
rainfalland weather
forecasts.
This dataisavailable in
both mobileand desktop
systems, in an easy­to­read
graphical format.
Soil moisture is measured
at eight locations vertically
downthe soilprofile, 10
centimetres apart, which
keepstrackofthe amountof
water and the depththe
water reaches in the soilto
help farmers assesshow
muchwater is needed in the
coming days.
The soil moisture sensors
provideanindicationof
how wet or dry thesoil is
through the top 30 to 40
centimetres, while the
lower levelshelp to identify
occurrenceofdrainage
below the plant rootzone.
NIWAhydrologist Dr MS
Srinivasan says the Ministry
of Business Innovation and
Employment fundedstudy
has shown the benefits of
shared learning.
2400852
Roger Hunter
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0275 071 022
Pilot project ... Fernside dairy farmer Julie Bradshaw
discusses an irrigation pilot project with NIWA hydrologist
Dr MS Srinivasan.
PHOTO: DAVID ALLEN
‘‘It has shown us how
farming and science can
work effectively together.
‘‘We havebeen adapting
our models and information
toolsaswego, keeping an
open mindand making sure
farmers’ voices are an equal
part of the discussion.
Having the practical input is
vitalfor us.’’
Over the fiveyearsthe
studyhas grown to include
20 farmsaslandowner
interestinusing the data
toolshas grown.
‘‘Farmers in the study
have been able to use the
information we have
gathered both operationally
and for the development of
theirdetailedFarm
EnvironmentPlans (FEPs)
and audits,’’ Dr Srinivasan
says.
‘‘Althoughthe study ends
in September, the group has
agreedthey will continue to
work togetherasthey have
learned so much from each
other.’’
Instead of providing
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complexdata reports,
NIWA has developed easily
interpreted visual
informationand regular
weatherforecast outlook
videos throughout the
project.
Farmerscan logontothe
websiteand see theirsoil
moisture data,along with a
customised localforecast
for the next fivedays, along
with longerterm
predictions in the weather
outlook videos.
Dairy farmer Julie
Bradshaw saysaninitial
phone call from
Environment Canterbury
Waimakariri land
management advisor Anna
Veltman led to the
formation of the initial
group of fivefarmers
located near the Cust Main
Drain.
‘‘Gaining the scientific
knowledgeofwhat’s
happening on our farms has
been areal game changer
and NIWAhave beenso
supportive.’’
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RURAL LIFE
North Canterbury News, August 12, 2021
Canterbury
35
Focus on strong wool
By DAVID HILL
There is plenty of causefor optimism
among wool growers, Daniel Maxwell
says.
The FederatedFarmersNorth
Canterbury meat and wool chairperson
was commentingonrecent developments,
including efforts by the Strong Wool
ActionGroup, anew research initiative
and proposed merger between the
country’s two largest woolco­operatives.
‘‘It’sthe most positive news we’ve seen
in the strong wool industry for quitesome
time. It’sexpected to make ahuge
difference to our bottom line,’’ Mr
Maxwell says.
‘‘The proofwill be in the pudding, but
it’s great to finally have some positive
news.’’
Organisations such as Cavalier­
Bremworth, Big Save Furniture and
Merino New Zealandhave come on board
to championstrong wool,whilethe Strong
Wool Action Group is making abid to
breakinto the United States market with
branded wool.
The Wool ResearchOrganisation
(WRONZ) recently announced anew
research initiative with the Ministry of
Business,Innovation and Employment
(MBIE), while anew farm assurance
programme and aproposed merger
between Wools of New Zealandand
Primary Wool Co­operative is cause for
plenty of optimism, Federated Farmers
meat and woolchairperson William
Beetham says.
‘‘We’re really pleasedtosee industry
players worktogether to end
fragmentation and concentrate on driving
extravalue from the superior attributes
we all knowthat strong wool entails.I
believe it’s all adding up to anew dawn
for New Zealand strongwool.
‘‘We’re moving beyondsellingour clip
as araw productaswelook for high value,
branded consumer products that
capitaliseonstrong wool’s natural,
sustainable, super­warm,fire­retardant,
non­leaching, moistureand mouldresistant
credentials.’’
WRONZ and MBIE havejoinedforces
for research intothe development of
uniquewool particles, powders and
pigments with global export potential for
applications as diverse as cosmetics,
printing,luxury goods and personalcare.
The new farmassurance programme
has beenbacked by 23 wool companies
and aims to build systems to ensure a
standard of supply and traceabilityto
meets market expectations.
Farmers will get to vote on the
proposed merger in November, and by
then the Primary Wool Co­operativewill
becomethe ownerofCPWool brokersby
buyingCarrfields’ 50 percent holding.
‘‘I’m really buoyed by this
determination to lift our game, tell the
exceptional story of our wool’s
provenance, and get better returnsfor
New Zealand farmers,’’ Mr Beethamsays.
Afarmersroadshow is touringthe
country to discussthe proposed Wools of
New Zealand and Primary Wool Cooperativemerger
and is stopping
Amberley Pavilion on Douglas Road next
Monday, August 16, at 3pm.
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