North Canterbury News: October 12, 2023

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RURAL LIFE 36 The North Canterbury News, October 12, 2023 FARM FENCING • YARDS • EARTHWORKS Scott Heasley 0275 350 302 |heasleyfencing@xtra.co.nz www.heasleyfencing.co.nz 2539901 Targetedwillow removalonthe WaiparaRiver From 23 Octoberweare carryingout follow-up aerial spraying as part of ourwillowremoval programme on a15kmsectionofthe WaiparaRiver betweenBarnetts Road and theWaipara River mouth. Access may be restrictedattimes for health and safetyand signage willbeerectedonsite. Weed control clearsthe activepart of the river channel that carries fast flowing water during floods. Clearing the activechannel also allows for better habitat and canimprove biodiversity. This follow-up targeted spraying is required following mechanical removalbecausetheseinvasivetrees cangrow from just a remaining stump or branch. Visit ecan.govt.nz/current-works for more information. EXPORTQUALITYMEATSATAFFORDABLEPRICES ERP9027 New role ... The Waimakariri District Council’s new pestfree ranger Richard Chambers, of Ashley, at the Northbrook Wetlands in Rangiora last week. PHOTO:SHELLEY TOPP Anative birdlife focus By SHELLEY TOPP Increasing Waimakariri's native birdlife is the key focus for Waimakariri District Council’s newest Green Space member, pestfree ranger Richard Chambers. ‘‘We are working towards (the Government’s vision of) apestfree New Zealand by 2050,’’ Richard, who lives in Ashley, says. ‘‘My role is to support anyone who has an interest in reducing introduced pest numbers.’’ He has seen firsthand how pestfree trapping programmes can revive native birdlife in parks, reserves and domestic gardens, after recently helping urban groups establish pest control in backyards and bush reserves. ‘‘It is awinwin for these communities –more birds in the trees and less rats and possums in our gardens,’’ he says Richard’s work in Waimakariri began helping the Silverstream Reserve and Ashley Gorge trappers to be better equipped with traps, and organisational tools to record what they are trapping. ‘‘They are doing an amazing job already so they don’t need much help. ‘‘Then we will work on Northbrook Wetlands and Matawai Reserve (in Rangiora), Kaiapoi Lakes Reserve and Whites Road Reserve (in Ohoka) to initiate some trapping. ‘‘These are wonderful natural reserves and trapping will improve both them and the neighbourhoods around them.” The council role appealed to Richard because of the opportunity it gives him Instore & Online 9-15 Oct to help native birds thrive by removing the predator pests, many of which can’t survive alongside them. ‘‘I also love helping people come together to enjoy and support the environment around us,’’ he says. ‘‘I grew up thinking many of our native birds only lived in the bush miles away from people. ‘Now Iknow that if we can remove the obstacles many of these birds will happily live alongside us. ‘‘Getting tui and New Zealand pigeon (Kererū)into Waimakariri gardens is what this job is all about.’’ However he knows community support from volunteers to help with trapping work will be vital. ‘‘We can’t do this alone. ‘‘People in Waimakariri love the outdoors and this kind of work in the local reserves would appeal to many who want an excuse to spend time improving their local patch,’’ he says. ‘‘We are keen to talk with anyone who can get afew people together to work on apest control project. It is very rewarding work.’’ The council’s Green Space team is also running abird monitoring programme this month and again next April. ‘‘By counting the birds we have now we will be able to look back in 10 years and see how much of adifference we made to the bird life,’’ Richard says. If people want to help Richard with his trapping work or need support from him, they should contact the Waimakariri District Council's Green Space community projects officer, Mike Kwant at Michael.kwant@wmk.govt.nz. 303 COLOMBO STREET, SYDENHAM MON-FRI 8:45AM-6:00PM SAT 8:45AM-5:30PM SUN8:45AM-5:00PM
OverseerFM backed By ROBYN BRISTOW An independent evaluation of OverseerFM shows farmers,growers and regional councils can have confidence in the nitrogenleaching estimatesfrom New Zealand’s most comprehensive farm management tool. Over the past two years, scientists from AgResearch,Plant &Food Research, NIWA and Manaaki WhenuaLandcareResearch have evaluated OverseerFM's performance for New Zealand farmingsystems as part of ascience programme, carried out in conjunction with the Ministry for PrimaryIndustries (MPI) and Overseer Ltd. The evaluation shows Overseer is performingwell against measured lossesofnitrate, withthe tool rated as very goodfor grazed pastures, and satisfactoryand goodfor crop systems. Jill Gower, chief executive of Overseer, saysthe science programme has reaffirmed OverseerFM’s role as auseful decision supporttool that allows farmers and growers to make more informed decisionsabouttheir farm management practices, boost productivityand profitability, and improve the environmental impact. ‘‘Importantly, the Technical Advisory Group(TAG) set up to establish and review OverseerFM has also noted the validationwork has improved confidence in the use of the Overseer model. ‘‘As aresult of the science programme, Overseer has also undertakenaseries of improvements to the farm management tool to further enhance its valuefor farmers and growers, including the release of new software versions in December 2022,and April 2023,’’she says. Ms Gower says farmersand growers are increasingly relying on OverseerFMasanindicator of farm sustainability. ‘‘Gaps in any research tends to be filled by wellinformedassumptions. This scientific programme demonstrated thatkey assumptions that were afocus of the technical review of OverseerFM are valid after all. ‘‘As government and industry groups invest moreinimportant research and share insights, confidence in critical toolslike OverseerFMwill only improve.’’ Ms Gower says Overseer Limited is alsoworkinghard to improve the understandingofOverseerFMand the way the tool should be used. ‘‘Especially as we see more and moreusers and organisations engagingwith the software to understandand manage their greenhousegas emissions, as well as their nitrateleaching. ‘‘Wewill continue to develop OverseerFM to improveits utility, reliability, and usability. ‘‘This will include providing insights and information that enables farmerstofollow and communicate their progress so their hard work and investment can be recognised and rewarded by theirprocessors, local governmentand ultimately customers. Moreinformation about the science programme and about OverseerFM can be found on the OverseerFM website. Makeyour everyday better NEW TS 112 Husqvarna Series Engine -10.9hp -38" Cutting Width TS 142 Husqvarna Series Engine -19.0hp -42” Cutting Width Offers valid 01/09/23 -31/12/23while stocks last,atparticipating Husqvarna Dealers. Your local authorised Husqvarna Dealer: 5YEARDOMESTIC WARRANTY # # Terms and Conditions apply,see HUSQVARNA.COM fordetails. RURAL LIFE The North Canterbury News, October 12, 2023 HOT PRICE! $ 5,990 TC 138T Husqvarna Series V-Twin Engine -23.0hp - 38” CuttingWidth 275 Flaxton Road, Rangiora 03 313 6640 |sales@brandmowers.co.nz www.brandmowers.co.nz INTROPRICE $ 4,690 37 HOT PRICE! $ 8,490 husqvarna.com 2612836 TAKE A CLOSER LOOK... Discover the Zimmatic difference. Zimmatic pivot and lateral-move systems combine high-quality components with exclusive structural designs and innovative features for a long-lasting solution you can count on. Contact your local Zimmatic dealer find out more. 0800 438 627 www.zimmaticanz.com
Page 1 and 2: Thursday,October 12,2023 | Issue106
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Page 5 and 6: Milestone for Kowai building By JOH
Page 7 and 8: OCTOBER DEALS SORTED. OCTOBER DEALS
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North Canterbury News: October 12, 2023

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