The Future of the Heartland
A Forum held at Te Mania Angus Bull Stud, Conway Flat, on Friday 17th April 2015.
Sound science, cutting edge technology, wedded to a deep and abiding respect for the land. That was the message which came across resoundingly at the Forum. Over 400 farmers had gathered for a full day of presentations from a wide variety of expert farmers, agricultural leaders and politicians. Given that North Canterbury is deep in one of the worst droughts in living memory, and farmers are facing the bad news of a further fall in dairy prices, coupled with a soaring dollar, it might have been a day for doom and gloom. What was delivered was a resounding vote of confidence in the sector, in the sure and certain knowledge that rain will come eventually, dairy incomes will rise and farmers can get on with the job at which they are experts, feeding the world’s burgeoning population.
Four main topics emerged as the day developed. The first was the problem of biosecurity in a nation dependent on trade and with an ever increasing movement across its borders. It was exemplified by the spread of Chilean needle grass. Minister Nathan Guy stressed the awareness of his Ministry of the problems and described the increased investment in this area. There would inevitably be escapes and threats but his officers were able to respond immediately and effectively, as exemplified by the response to the Queensland fruit fly.
The matter which occupied the minds of many of the attendees most was the general lack of comprehension, by New Zealand’s urban population, of the revolution which has taken place in farming over the recent past. In spite of the adverse publicity which farming, and in particular dairy farming, has received from the mainstream media and some politicians, rural people have quietly got on with fencing waterways, (about 90% of main watercourses are now fenced), replanting natives (famers now have 180,000 hectares, an area equivalent to Stewart Island, planted in regenerating native bush, and covenanted to the QEII Trust), and managing dairy effluent. Modern farming, as Dr William Rolleston reminded us, is heavily dependent on the application of science and modern technology, absolutely critical to the increased return from exports that the government anticipates, towards maximizing the outputs while minimizing waste. Craige Mackenzie and Mark and Sam Zino showed what could be done in this area, while Doug Avery described how working with the environmental variables could be used to advantage.
The third topic, which occupied the Forum, and the most immediate, given the arid state of North Canterbury, was irrigation. The Mayor of the Hurunui District, Winton Dalley, and the Chair of the Hurunui Water Company, discussed the problems of developing irrigation schemes from the point of view of regulation versus development. These problems were underlined by David Bedford, of ECan, who explained how the regional council could work constructively with farmers for mutual benefit.
Finally a subject, which ran as an undercurrent through the entire Forum, was concern about the future. Farming was no longer seen as a viable career option and the number of young people entering a career in farming was diminishing, at the same time as there was a need for an influx of well educated graduates able to apply modern technology. Overall however there was an air of optimism about the future. This was underpinned by a rousing summary from Prime Minister John Key, who pointed out that farming knew good times and bad times, and the temporary glitch caused by events as diverse as lack of rain and sanctions against Russia, would pass. His encouragement was greeted with loud applause.
Following thanks to the organizers by MP for Kaikoura, Stuart Smith, and an accolade to the speakers by David Holland, the 400 registrants repaired to a fantastic barbecue, with delicious meat provided by Silver Fern Farms, with local paua, mussels and crayfish, and informal chat. In many ways this was the most useful part of the day.
A Forum such as this is heavily dependent on the venue and associated facilities. In this it was indeed fortunate to have a location such as Te Mania, a unique facility tucked away at the mouth of the Conway River. In addition the assistance of the many volunteers from the local community who packed lunches, baked, cooked the barbecue, acted as marshals, or carried out the many duties such a large event demanded. They showed that the Heartland is alive and thriving.
Finally, sincere thanks to the sponsors who supported this venture, and without whom it would not have been possible.
Platinum Sponsor – Federated Farmers of New Zealand
Gold Sponsors – Charles Wiffen Wines; PGG Wrightson; Silver Fern Farms; Soil Matters/Viafos;
Rabobank NZ Ltd, Avon City Ford; Fonterra; FMG Insurance; Ministry for Primary Industries
Silver Sponsors – Farmlands Co-op; Ravensdown; Scales Corp; Brown Glassford & Co; Lion Nathan, CALM-
Climate & Land Matters; Harris Meats; Agtrac 20/20 Ltd; Tru-Test ltd; United Fisheries Ltd,
Southern Humates Ltd; Dow AgroSciences