EXPORTQUALITY MEAT AT AFFORDABLE PRICES <strong>North</strong>wood We Are Open PORK LOIN CHOPS $11.00 Per kg MON-FRI 9:00AM-6:00PM SAT 9:00AM-5:30PM SUN 9:00AM-5:00PM NORTHWOOD SUPA CENTRE 1RADCLIFFE ROAD BELFAST WWW.PRIMERANGEFRESH.CO.NZ
Weeds in the spotlight By DAVID HILL, Local Democracy Reporter Aproject to support weed control on the Waiau Toa Clarence River is set to receive afunding boost. The Kaikōura Zone Committee has given its support to an $11,800 grant to the Waiau toa /Clarence River weed control rafting trip, which is being led by council staff. Environment <strong>Canterbury</strong>Kaikōura senior biodiversity officer Heath Melville said the project was the continuation of the Waiau Toa Clarence Braided River Weed Strategy, which the zone committee has supported since 2014. The project has cost $190,500 to date, with Land Information New Zealand contributing $106,000 and the balance paid by Environment <strong>Canterbury</strong>. ‘‘This workisabout protecting species directly related to the braided river environment,’’ Mr Melville said. ‘‘It is amatter of getting the weed threat down enough so it becomes a moreresilient system.’’ He said the additional funding, if approved by Environment <strong>Canterbury</strong>’s water and land committee, would fund Clarence River Rafting to transport Environment <strong>Canterbury</strong> staff and equipment up the river to complete weed control work. He anticipated it would be a‘‘two to three raft mission’’, depending on how many staff and volunteers were available, and take place over four days. Staff would be dropped off along river terraces and beaches with nap sacks to target weeds, including known sources of buddleia and willow. ‘‘Previous efforts have this section relatively clean of gorse and broom, which has been completed in two stages over two years,’’ Mr Melville said. Councillor Grant Edge said he supported giving the additional funding to the project. ‘‘It is such amajor project and it is important work which is getting results.’’ Asecond project was considered, to support landowners at Mt Fyffe with a pest control project, with the zone committee declining support for now. The landowners will asked for more information and invited to reapply later in the year. LDR is local body journalism cofunded by RNZ and NZ On Air. 1993653 We canassist in the following: Rotaryboom irrigators service andrepairs Dairyshed yard work –gates,rails etc. Trailermanufacturingand repairs Full timeworkshopattendancefor emergencyrepairss Over countersales andcourier deliveries Chains, bearings RURAL LIFE <strong>North</strong> <strong>Canterbury</strong> <strong>News</strong>, <strong>February</strong> <strong>29</strong>, <strong>2024</strong> Young farmers to showcase their skills Lincoln University student, Phoebe Smailes,aged 21, is one competing in the upcoming twoday Tasman FMG Young Farmer of the Year Regional competition for athird time. Ms Smailes is one of 155AgriKidsNZ, FMG Junior and FMG Young Farmer contestants from <strong>Canterbury</strong> tothe Coast who have put their names forward for a shot at victory in the Tasman Regional Final. It is being held tomorrow Friday March 1and Saturday March 2, at the <strong>Canterbury</strong> Agricultural Park in Christchurch, and is the third regional competition to find New Zealand’s top young farmers for <strong>2024</strong>. Seven regional finals are taking place across Aotearoa between <strong>February</strong> and April, with only the top contestants qualifying for aspot at the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final, being held in Hamilton in July. After competing twice before, Ms Smalies is confident this year she has what it takes to have asolid go at claiming the regional title. ‘‘Over the last two years of competing at the FMG Young Farmer of the Year regionals I’ve learnt that you’ve got to do it for your own personal development, not anyone else’s, and Iamdefinitely focused this year on getting the job done,’’ she says. ❛Over the last two years of competing at the FMG Young Farmer of the Year regionals I’ve learnt that you’ve got to do it for your own personal development, not anyone else’s, and Iamdefinitely focused this year on getting the job done.❜ This year’s contest has much to offer spectators, with the fastpaced headtohead competitions always amajor highlight. Every couple of hours during the daylong competition, contestants compete sidebysidetofinish arange of challenging tasks within a30minute time limit, all while trying to complete other tasks. Judges are looking for the ultimate allrounder, with challenges that involve machinery, fencing, livestock, plus afew odd balls thrown in to test competitors general knowledge skills. In the past, these have been cooking, sewing, fish deboning or other creative skills. Day one tomorrow will be fullonfor the contestants, while Saturday, March 2, will see the FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year and AgriKidsNZ school teams in action as they too try to make it into the grand final. Contestants will compete in one of three categories depending on their age. Primary school students, some as young as eight, can enter the AgriKidsNZ contest, while high school students, working in teams of two, areeligible for the FMG Junior Young Farmer of the Year competition. Day two concludes for the young farmer contestants with a formal dinner and the questionandanswer buzzer quiz, giving them one final chance to earn points before the winners are announced after two days of ■ ■ Blinds Indoor and Outdoor Security Doors and Windows Phone 308 5903 weekdays l Email: agserve@xtra.co.nz On call 7days: Doug: 027 282 2245 15 MalcolmMcDowell Drive, Ashburton 21 ■ Magnetic Insect Screens ■ Retractable Fly Screen Doors 10c Sheffield Crescent, Burnside Ph: 03 358 9237 competition. WANTED Small forestry block for firewood or export. Macrocarpa, Douglas &Radiata Anything considered Phone 027 443 8462 www.chcbs.co.nz PK trailer repairs and maintenance Wire rope supply andsplicing Alloyand stainless weldingng Mainlinerepair Pivotmechanicalmaintenance, gear boxesand fencewalkers General engineering 2656872 2652252 CONTACTYOURNORTH CANTERBURY BASEDWELLDRILLING TEAM FOR ALL WATER WELL DRILLING &WELL SERVICING REQUIREMENTS · Water well drilling · Lifestyle block supply · Rural water supply · Pump testing · Submersible pump installation and removal • FARM FENCING • YARDS • EARTHWORKS FORPROFESSIONALSERVICE FROM AN EXPERIENCEDTEAM 027222 1587 ·malcolm@hydrill.co.nz 2632578 Scott Heasley 0275 350 302 |heasleyfencing@xtra.co.nz www.heasleyfencing.co.nz 2539907
Change language