Selwyn_Times: October 18, 2023

Selwyn Times Wednesday October 18 2023
10
NEWS
Probes
improve
soil testing
FARMERS NOW have a way of
trying before they buy.
They can follow and compare
the readings of different soil
moisture probes following the
installation of a demonstration
site at the Foundation for Arable
Research (FAR) Kowhai Farm at
Lincoln.
FAR technology manager
Chris Smith said the project
aims to look at the various soil
moisture monitoring services
commercially available to arable
growers.
Nine different providers are
represented. Growers are invited
to log in to any of the providers’
portals to find out what moisture
probe readings look like on the
companies’ software platforms.
Smith said moisture probes are
a valuable tool for managing the
timing and application rate of
irrigation, particularly at critical
growth stages of a crop’s development.
The probes also monitor
soil temperature.
Multi-level probes add an
additional benefit for monitoring
the movement and penetration
of moisture in the root zone after
a rain or irrigation event.
Farmers can access the portal
at far.org.nz
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
New support for landowners
A NEWLY formed group aims
to provide more support to
farmers and land users on the
eastern side of the district.
Eastern Plain Land Users
Group (E-PLUG) represents
farmers and landowners
between State Highway 1, the
Selwyn River, the Christchurch
boundary and Te Waihora Lake
Ellesmere.
E-PLUG chair Grant Miller
said the group represents a
huge range of land-use types
on the eastern plains which fall
outside of the Central Plains
Water and Ellesmere Sustainable
Agriculture catchment groups,
from traditional sheep, beef,
deer, dairy and arable operations
through to lifestyle blocks
and non-productive and
ADVICE: Eastern Plains Land User Group represents farmers and landowners between SH1,
conservation areas.
the Selwyn River, the city boundary and Te Waihora Lake Ellesmere. ​
“Some landowners don’t know
where to start, so we’ll be there regulations and compliance confidence.
Any farmers, growers or
to lend a hand. It means that requirements. Farmers who Well-known journalist, landowners within these
in the long-term, everyone will join the group will receive a television host and rural mental geographic boundaries are
be on an equal footing when one-on-one consultation with an health advocate Matt Chisholm encouraged to attend the
it comes to future regulations experienced rural advisor. The will be the guest speaker at the launch to hear what services
and compliance
advisor will assess the business, official launch of the group. and opportunities are being
requirements,”
identify any knowledge gaps and “We are very fortunate to have made available to them through
Miller said.
provide feedback and support Matt Chisholm join us for the E-PLUG.
The group
on how these gaps can be filled, launch. He will be our guest The night will include an
has recently
both at farm and catchment speaker for the night and will introduction to E-PLUG,
received Ministry
level.
entertain us in his trademark a project overview and
for Primary
Miller said the group’s goal honest, sincere and humorous information on becoming a
Industries
is to help landowners become way.”
member.
funding to Grant Miller compliant and improve their The launch will be at Tai
To register email admin@
support farmers
environmental outcomes so Tapu Community Centre 5.30- eplug.co.nz or contact Bridget
as they navigate environmental they can get on and farm with 8.30pm on Friday, October 27. Radford on 021 412411.
BIKETOBER
Christchurch’s Cycling Festival
Saturday 21 October
Meet outside
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Lincoln Pantry
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Ride Lincoln
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ride,
led
Full programme biketoberchch.nz
bike.
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