in this issue...
• Voicing objections to the flatulence
tax
• Branch Line
• Submissions, issues and letters
• Getting to grips with feed budgeting
OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF RURAL WOMEN NEW ZEALAND • ISSUE No. 3, SEPTEMBER 2003
nurturing
natives
Rural Women New Zealand has launched a nationwide project
designed to encourage people to plant more native trees.
The project called ‘Nurturing Natives’ was launched at the
National Conference in Whangerei in May, in partnership
with Ravensdown Direct and with support from DoC.
The 300 women attending the conference were presented
with a ‘Nurturing Natives’ pack which contained six pledge
cards and information on how to plan and prepare for planting
natives and how to care for them.
Those who plant the natives then return their pledge cards
to Rural Women New Zealand National Office and receive a
dollar for their efforts. The dollar refund is a gesture intended
to add fun to the project and to encourage children to become
involved.
Strengthening Rural Communities
“Inspiration for this project came from a Discussion Document
called ‘Weaving Resilience into our Working Lands’, written
by Morgan Williams, the Parliamentary Commissioner for
the Environment,” Land Use Convenor, Patsy Gordon said.
“In it he discusses the future place, roles and value of native
trees on private land.”
Dr Williams’ objective is based on the conviction that native
trees can and must become a much more dominant
component of our working lands. They have spent 80 million
years adapting to New Zealand and are a key to maintaining
the health of our lands and water, which in turn underpin
our social and economic well-being.
Of the 70 percent of lands now held in private ownership
most are dominated by exotic plant species. The ‘Nurturing
Natives’ project will support Dr Williams’ goal of seeing native
plants rewoven back into the landscape.
In preparation for the discussion document a reference group
was formed and a series of interviews were held with
individuals and organisations involved with native plants on
private land.
It was intended for discussion with a wide range of audiences
including secondary schools, universities, public agencies and
community interests.
Over the last three decades there has been a rapidly increasing
focus on the impacts that land users have on soil and water
qualities.
Many New Zealanders are becoming increasingly enthusiastic
about the sustainability of our ecological health and Rural
Women New Zealand considers this project will tap into that
interest.
It will encourage people to plant more native trees, thereby
contributing to improving New Zealand’s ecosystems.
“Rural Women New Zealand has found, in the past, that
projects involving anything practical like planting a tree have
captured peoples’ imaginations and have been hugely
successful,” Patsy says. “People can plant a tree or trees
individually or work as a group or community. We are looking
forward to getting the vouchers back so we can learn where
the plantings are.”
Page 1
editorial by Ellen Ramsay, National President
The enthusiasm and
energy evident at
our National
Conference in
Whangarei was
encouraging and
indicative of the
o n g o i n g
commitment
members have for
Rural Women New
Zealand, our aims
and our philosophy.
Now that so few Members of Parliament are truly
representative of rural interests and cannot clearly
understand how their policies will impact on rural
communities, it is important we remain a strong voice
to keep pertinent information before them to assist
with their decision-making. Currently there are a
number of pressing issues we need to be aware of.
As more is understood about the implementation of Primary
Health Organisations there is increasing disquiet amongst
GP’s - both urban and rural. This was a major topic of
discussion at the Royal College of GP’s Annual Meeting in
Dunedin recently. Changes which have the potential to
adversely affect GP’s must be of concern.
There is concern too about the future financial viability of
small (less than 30 beds) Rest Homes. Most of these will be
in rural areas.
The proposed new Education Housing Policy, while saying
core houses e.g. Principals’ houses, will be retained, could
have worrying consequences for the recruitment of teachers
in rural areas, particularly where rental housing is in short
supply. Will Boards of Trustees’ want the increased
responsibility for the management of core housing ?
RWNZ believes the Governments’ proposal to impose a ‘burp
tax’ on the agricultural sector is unjustifiable and completely
contrary to opinions expressed by the farming community
during consultation. The general public understands and
acknowledges there will be public benefit from New Zealand
reducing its greenhouse gas emissions so research should
be funded from general taxation. We must continue to express
our opposition to this - our silence on this issue will indicate
our approval.
The 2002 Local Government Act requires all local authorities
to consult with their communities on the desired social,
economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing of their
communities. Our members could initiate discussions in their
areas and be the catalysts for ensuring sensible decisions
are made on the future wellbeing of their communities.
It is almost time for Regional Consultative Groups (RCG’s) to
develop their Regional Action Plans (RAP’s) for next year -
your Councillors have lots of ideas to assist you with this.
Page 2
rural
women
behind
kidsafe
campaign
Rural Women New
Zealand is getting behind
this year’s Kidsafe Week
campaign to keep kids off
ATVs.
In New Zealand All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) are involved
in an increasing number of injury incidents, particularly
to rural children. In one year alone the NZ Police estimate
14 children were killed in incidents involving ATVs.
Currently another five children a month are hospitalised
with injuries sustained while riding the machines.
Members of Rural Women New Zealand have joined
representatives from the Police, ACC, Plunket, Federated
Farmers, public health officials and the road safety
community, to focus on reducing ATV related injuries to
children during Kidsafe Week (October 17 - 24).
As members of local Kidsafe Week coalitions, Rural Women
New Zealand will work with schools and families to share
the message that kids and ATVs don’t mix. Information in
both English and Maori will be provided free to rural
communities and awareness, education and safety days
held for children and families in many areas.
John Wallaart, Injury Prevention Programme Manager with
ACC (one of ten agencies supporting Kidsafe Week
nationally) applauds the support of Rural Women New
Zealand in this year’s campaign.
“Children just don’t have the strength or skill to use ATVs
and they don’t belong on them. It’s heartening to see so
many branches of Rural Women New Zealand involved in
helping us promote that message to families this year.”
Mr Wallaart says ATV injuries are a new area of focus for
Kidsafe Week, which annually works to highlight the
seriousness of unintentional injuries to Kiwi kids and ways
to prevent them.
For further information please contact:
Joy Gunn
Kidsafe Week Communications Adviser
Ph (03) 455 4242,
mobile 021 555 249
Strengthening Rural Communities
 issues
submission summaries
submissions agricultural emissions research
funding
Rural Women New Zealand has recently made the
following submissions: Rural Women New Zealand was opposed to signing
the Kyoto protocol and spoke strongly about this
• Pharmac
at the Select Committee.
• Medical Misadventure
New Zealand’s emissions of 0.25% are miniscule on
• Human Assisted Reproductive Bill an international level. The agricultural sector already
• Review of Paid Parental Leave contributes to research on methane gas emissions,
• Agricultural Emissions Research Funding and contributing to further research is double dipping
and immensely unfair to farmers. Over the last five
• Proposed Education Housing Policy
years the Government has spent $55 million on
climate change research, with little result.
publicity
Rural Women New Zealand feels that this
media releases Government has run roughshod over the
• RWNZ Initiative Boosts Native Planting, 21 May 2003 agricultural sector’s opinions, with seemingly little regard
for its future well-being and prosperity.
• RWNZ Members Oppose End of GE Moratorium, 22
May 2003 paid parental leave
• Opposing the “Burp” Tax, 30 July 2003 Rural Women New Zealand supports any policy measures that
are designed to strengthen families. We especially welcome
media Inter views / any measures to support the health and wellbeing of new
articles babies, their parents and the bonding of the family unit.

national president Our submission supported the objectives of the Paid Parental
Leave and Employment Protection Amendment Bill but
Southern Rural Life
deplored the exclusion of those women who are self-
• Pharmac proposal, May. employed, seasonally or casually employed. Many rural
women are in these groups. We firmly believe that all women
• Developing Community well-being, June.
in the working environment should be treated equally. If they
• Opposing “burp” tax, July. are working and paying taxes they should be eligible to receive
Otago Radio some form of paid parental leave.

• Land Access Reference Group, May
• Pharmac proposals, May
• National Conference and ACC Farmsafe Days, May
• GMO recommendation from Conference, June
• ‘Nurturing Natives’ project, June
• Paid Parental Leave Review and Community Wellbeing,
July
national councillors
Jacky Stafford
• General article on Rural Women New Zealand,
Manawatu Evening Standard, May
• Network Reviews, Rural Radio Interview, May
• Network Reviews, Rural News, May
Margaret Chapman
Timaru Herald - Farm Review
• Rural Safety days, May
• Nurturing Natives, July
Rural Women New Zealand continues to stress the importance
of strengthening the family unit and family life rather than
increasing the attachment to the workplace.
proposed new education housing policy
A new Education Housing Policy proposes to:
• Retain 1,365 ‘core’ houses
• Encourage schools with ‘non-core’ houses (approximately
700) to sell. 50% of the sale price will go to the school.
• Transfer the core-housing portfolio to Boards of Trustees
• Progressively review rentals over three years
‘Core’ houses include all principal’s houses, caretaker housing
where required, and houses where housing availability within
a reasonable traveling distance is a problem and staff
recruitment is difficult.
Rural Women New Zealand responded by stressing the
significant incentive school housing is in attracting teachers
to rural towns and districts. The rental market in these areas
is often minimal. We also stressed the need to have school
house maintenance completed before Boards of Trustees
takeover management, and the need for Boards to have
autonomy to set rent according to market rates in the area.

Strengthening Rural Communities Page 3

feature pardon?
voicing objections to the flatulence tax

Failure to express opposition to

the Hon. Pete Hodgson’s
intention to tax our animals’
belching to fund research on
greenhouse gas emissions will
indicate approval for his
proposal.

“Unless we are prepared to

take the time now to express
our opposition we cannot
complain later,” says Rural
Women New Zealand National
President, Ellen Ramsay. “The imposition of this tax is high- Alongside other rural organisations, Rural Women New
handed, cavalier and tantamount to Government wishing to Zealand objects to the imposition of another tax solely on
commit hari kari. It is unjustifiable and an estimated 84% of farmers when there will be public benefit from New Zealand
1000 New Zealanders surveyed have said so.” reducing its greenhouse gas emissions. Any research into the
reduction of emissions should be funded by general taxation.
Rural Women New Zealand [RWNZ] agrees that climate
New Zealand contributes only 0.2% of world greenhouse
change is a real issue and that greenhouse gas emissions
gas emissions, and emissions from farm animals in New
must be managed. The organisation, however, could not
Zealand is even more miniscule. “Removing every farm animal
support the Climate Change Response Bill that established
from the country would make very little impact on a global
the framework within which New Zealand would meet its
scale, which is why imposing this tax makes so very little
international obligations under the Kyoto Protocol.
sense,” Mrs. Ramsay says.
It was a major concern when the Government proceeded with
No agency appears willing to collect a Farm Animal Emission
a National Interest Analysis last year before it had announced
tax voluntarily and it is clear that farmers will reject any
its preferred domestic policy option for compliance under
overzealous regulations or enforcement.
the Kyoto Protocol.
Federated Farmers too is determined the Government will
Undertaking an analysis when there was no policy to analyse
listen on this issue. National President, Tom Lambie says “We
it against made the results meaningless, Ellen Ramsay
will keep pressure on them until they decide to talk.”
believes.
RWNZ strongly supports Federated Farmers resolve and
“It was obvious the Government had decided to ratify the
believes that if the Government continues to ignore the
Kyoto Protocol before it undertook the National Interest
agriculture voice, it does so at its peril.
Analysis and very clear the national interest was not
considered important,” she says. “It is little wonder the “Sitting around tables in kitchens, clubs and pubs complaining
Government is under siege from the majority of New about this matter won’t change anything but an ‘avalanche
Zealanders now when it acted in such an arrogant manner of paper’ expressing opposition might,” Mrs. Ramsay says.
then.” She urges Rural Women New Zealand members to voice their
objections by writing to Minister Hodgson.
Mrs. Ramsay questions the many thousands of dollars spent
on public consultation on the Kyoto Protocol and says there
was nothing at all democratic about the process. “It was just
tokenism. The outcome of the consultation was never going
to influence their decision.” letters should be addressed to:
RWNZ would support a programme of practical domestic Hon. Pete Hodgson,
policies to reduce net carbon emissions over the long-term. Parliament Building,
Continued public good research into reducing agricultural Wellington.
emissions, alongside other policy initiatives in the energy, No postage stamp is required.
water and transport sectors, would also be supported.

Page 4 Strengthening Rural Communities

 profile
wo m e n b l o o m i n g
meeting the board of where they are planted
access homehealth
When Doug was
approached in 2000 to
join the Board of Access
Homehealth as an
independent director his
background certainly
assisted him in making a
favourable decision.
Brought up on a farm in
Bainham, Golden Bay,
his parents had always
been actively involved
within the rural
Doug Langford, Chair community. His father
was a member of
Federated Farmers, Director of the Dairy Company, and
Convenor of the AB Group along with other farm related
activities, while his mother was an active member of the
then WDFF throughout her married life.

His early career was in the ANZ Bank in Nelson and
Wellington during which time he studied for his
Accountancy Professional and the Diploma in Banking.
He joined the Supertex Group, Wellington in 1963 as
Accountant and was appointed Managing Director in 1971,
a position he held until the business was sold in 1998.
Doug is currently undertaking some consultancy work, and
is primarily involved as Secretary of the Presbyterian
Church Property Trustees.
He served on the Council of the Research Institute of Textile
Services from 1992 until 1998 and was the Chairman from
1993. In 1994 he was appointed to the Manufacturers
Advisory Group operating within the Ministry of
Commerce. In 1997 he was elected a Life Member of the
Wellington Employers Association.
He joined the Rotary Club of Karori as a Charter Member
upon its formation in 1982 and served as President in 1984.
Has also served the District in 1987 as District Governors
Representative and served on numerous District
Committees.
Doug was appointed as a Trustee of the Te Hopai Group
(a Charitable Rest Home provider) in 1983 and was
Chairman of the Trust from 1993.
In 1998 Doug was appointed to the Council of The Open
Polytechnic of New Zealand. Has been Chair of the Audit
and Finance Committee and was appointed Chair of
Council in February 2003.
Doug was awarded a Companion of the New Zealand Order
of Merit, in the 2003 Queens Birthday Honours List, for
services to manufacturing and the community.
Many of the delegates who attended this year’s Rural Women
New Zealand National Conference in Whangarei, were taken
with a painting interpreting the conference theme.
Artist, Heather Straka, offered to do the painting after
discussing the conference and its theme, “Women Bloom
Where they are Planted”, with her aunt, Christine Pikett.
Christine was involved in organising the conference and
Heather’s mother is Jackie Straka, also a Region 7 member,
whom many will know from making bookings at Harris
Cottage.
Heather is a contemporary political artist who exhibits at
various well known galleries in Christchurch, Wellington and
Auckland, and has also exhibited internationally in London
and Prague.
The painting is a follow on from Heather’s recent exhibition
at Anna Bibby Gallery in Auckland which was based on
playing cards depicting black-humoured colonial landscapes.
The use of the playing card as a format for a painting
coincided with the US Army’s issue of ‘The 52 Most Wanted’
deck to the marines in the Iraq war.
The Queen of Spades was used as it is the most powerful
card in a deck and the spade, taken literally, is used to plant
- tying in with the theme and rural women’s association with
the land. The flax pod in the lower half of the painting
represents indigenous women and their history of weaving.
The top half of the scene is the landscape featured in the
Rural Women New Zealand logo and the daisy represents
the colonial women who added new elements to the landscape
and it also represents the blossoming of the women within a
rural environment.
The painting is now housed in the board room at National
Office in Wellington.

Strengthening Rural Communities Page 5

branchline welcome to new friends from north to south
Oparure: Jean Small
Kourawhero: Phyllis Knott
Carol Anderson
Beth Larson
East Invercargill: Noeline Hunger
Winchmore: Dorothea Webb
Shirley Hydes
Eleanor Cruickshank
Gill Gilbert
Dot Andrews
Elaine Hulme
Glenroy: Julie Sorrell
Neroli Smith
Debbie Graham
Nicky Patten-Oakley
Kakahu: Ricki McDonald
Muhunoa East: Lib Gilmore
Mahakipawa Jackie Smallman Kiwifruit has been on the menu in Otago households. A gift
Te Aroha-Waihou: Flo Mace that was going to be a small gesture of sympathy and goodwill
Gail Miller from the Oropi branch, Region 5, and backed by Satara Co-
Drummond: Claire Chamberlain operative Group Ltd., grew into a 100 kg shipment of green
Jan Appleby kiwifruit to Rural Women in North and Central Otago. Mary
Barbara Pask McTavish, deputy chairperson of Satara was one of the
Arlene Booth instigators of the idea, which began as a wish to do something
Pat Snellgrove for members suffering the hardship of drought. It was a
gesture of goodwill and North Otago Provincial President,
farewell to old friends Beverly McCaw, was contacted to distribute the fruit. Oropi
South Canterbury Provincial: Jean Kelland* members also added some kiwifruit recipes.
Otumoetai: Ann Gray *
Paraparaumu: Christina Sumner Taking Action...
Gwen Hay
Alford Forest: Jean Greenslade* As usual Rural Women New Zealand Groups and members
Tumahu: Hazel Honeyfield* have been busy in their local communities...
Oparure: Betty Price
Manapouri-Te Anau: Dorothy Sproull • 162 people enjoyed a Fashion Show organised as a
Mangatangi: Jocelyn McIlroy fundraising venture by North Otago provincial in April.
Motunui: Annie Luxton* The clothes were provided by two local Oamaru stores
Mavis McKee and modeled by members. A fun night was had by all.
Dorothy Hagan
Kourawhero: Dulcie Clegg • Tirau branch celebrated its 74th birthday by visiting an
Okoki: Joan Jones Earth and Clay home near Cambridge, then went on up
Kakahu: Pauline O’Leary* to the Sanitarium Hill for lunch and to admire the fantastic
Mapua-Mahana: Anneke Buutveld view. The day finished with the exchange of gifts.
Muhunoa East: Doreen Lindsay
Lyalldale: Janette McKeown • After the February meeting Dovedale members and their
Yaldhurst: Myrtle Wright husbands drove to Tapawera for lunch, visited an unusual
Otumoetai: Joyce Hole garden then travelled up the Wangapeka where some of
Betty Goodwin the members cooled off in the river.
Te Kauwhata: Thelma Ellmers*
Winton: Pauline McIntyre • Waimahaka branch (Southland) had a coffee and dessert
* Life Member evening for the women of the area - a great way to catch
May They Rest in Peace up with new and old friends.
• Zero Waste, recycling, and a wearable art competition
honours board were topics for discussion at a very successful
Branch Life Membership International day organsised by North Taranaki recently.
Kourawhero: Doris Carran
Dulcie Clegg • West Melton branch members got in on the wedding
Dorothy Nelson celebrations recently when member Dorothy Oakley, in
Maruia: Marj Kelly her role as civil marriage celebrant, was asked to officiate
Branch Bar of Honour at a ceremony and to organise the food for the reception.
Waimauku: Moyra Barron Members of West Melton were called on to help. It all
Te Moana-Four Peaks: Margaret Griffiths
went without a hitch even though as Dorothy stood on
Alice Robinson
the edge of an ornamental pool conducting the service
the family dog decided to join in by launching himself

Page 6 Strengthening Rural Communities


into the rather murky water during the vows. All in all
the day was very enjoyable and the guests overwhelmed
by the high standard of food provided.
• Waipa-King Country provincial members have been living
up to the intention of their ‘have a go’ programme. Earlier
in the year they went on a boat trip around Kawhia Harbour
and more recently took to the skies in a hot air balloon.
They celebrated afterwards with a champagne breakfast.
• South and Mid Canterbury provincials are currently
running a series of Rural Safety Days at rural primary
schools throughout the area. These have the support and
sponsorship of ACC and are co-ordinated by local Rural
Women New Zealand branches. Six have been held so
far this year. Topics covered include ATV, tractor and
animal safety, chemicals and poisons, farm hazards, home
safety and gun safety.
• South Canterbury Provincial held its 6th annual mid winter
seminar recently in Fairlie. It was attended by over 100
women from throughout the central South Island. The
theme for the day was ‘Social Entrepreneurs’. Social
entrepreneurs are defined as the leaders or innovators
who work to improve the economic and social well-being
of their communities. They are often seen as the ‘movers
and shakers’ within their communities. The five speakers
challenged the women to see themselves as social
entrepreneurs in the activities and actions they undertook
for the good of their communities.
• The Kourawhero School (Northland) which has not been
used since 1936 is being restored with assistance from
Kourawhero Branch. The members have raised a substantial
amount of money to assist with the restoration as well as
helping with the physical work and of course supplying
morning teas etc. The school is to be used as a local
community hall and is also the meeting place for the branch.
Congratulations...
• Anne Smith, Otewa branch won the Tom Aitchison
Memorial award for being the Riding for the Disabled
organisation’s Volunteer of the Year.
• Mapua-Mahana Branch celebrated the 90th birthday of
branch life member, Ruth Fraser.
• Mrs Moara Peters, Dunedin branch celebrated her 100th
birthday recently. Moara has been a member of the
organisation for 73 years. A true Scottish celebration was
had.
• Yaldhurst branch - recently celebrated their 70th birthday.
A foundation member, Mrs Iris Harwood, joined in the
celebrations.
Ideas for World Rural Women’s Day.
Tatuanui Branch last year walked 1km into town carrying a
big banner, balloons and streamers. They also had a display
in the local library foyer. Products from the local Tatui Dairy
Co. were donated and distributed.
Have you thought of combining ‘Walk NZ’ with ‘Nurturing
Natives’ and ‘Water for All’ (ACWW project)? Walk, plant
and water.
Strengthening Rural Communities
National Conference raffle results
noticeboard
Congratulations
Prize No. Name.
1st 1276 H.H. Budd
2nd 1041 Yvonne Adams
3rd 2965 Kate O’Neill
4th 1513 Wendy Jackson
5th 3282 Edna Campbell-Heath
6th 5429 Anne Pull
7th 5849 M. Butterworth
All prizes have been claimed or sent to winners.
Yearbook Cover: Jean Horn, Waikato Provincial,
Region 6.
Speech Contest: Jocelyn Fleming, Oropi Branch,
Region 5.
Lady Blundell Competition (Branch Initiative):
Rai Valley branch
Honora O’Neill Competition (Best Provincial
President’s Annual Report): Trudy Wilson,
Waipa/King Country Provincial.
Talbot Trophy (Provincial International Report):
Elsie McInnes, Rotorua Provincial
Marlborough Short Story: Claire Chamberlain,
Southland
Mid Cant e r bu r y p r oj e ct a
winner
Mid Canterbury Provincial is a winner in the
Trustpower Ashburton District Community Awards.
The group was recognised for its ‘Millennium Women’
project and won the Heritage and Environment Award.
The project recorded the activities of women in the
Ashburton District, relaying a picture of life from the
1930’s to the present day. All women living in the area
were invited to participate. Forms were distributed to
11,000 households, women’s organisations and rest
homes asking participants to detail their occupations,
membership of groups, positions held and life’s
highlights and memories. Ashburton College and Mt
Hutt College were also covered. The result of the project
was two large 800 page ring bound folders covering
more than 1600 women and youths. Their stories
provided a wealth of social, historical and genealogical
information that will have far-reaching effects as
students in social history in rural and urban areas seek
information about the way people lived in the
beginning of the third millennium. Copies of
‘Millennium Women’ and ‘Millennium Youth’ were
printed and can be found in most local libraries. Both
books are available on computer disc, with a built-in
programme enabling researchers to find answers to a
wide range of questions.
Page 7
g et ti ng to g r i p s
w ith feed budget i ng
Rural Women New Zealand has lent its support to an exciting
opportunity for farming women, namely ‘Women in Farming’.
This is the second of what will be a regular contribution from
Women in Farming to this magazine.
‘Women in Farming’ aims to improve the farming knowledge
and skills of sheep and beef farming women. With funding
from the Sustainable Farming Fund and sponsorship from
FMG and Meat and Wool Innovation, seven groups have been
operating for a year in the King Country, Northern Rangitikei,
Tararua, Wairarapa, Marlborough, South Canterbury and
Southland districts.
The Northern Rangitikei group has been on a three day tour
visiting farming political organisations and farming operations
in and around Wellington. Their tour ended when they joined
with the Tararua group and visited the Ballantrae Research
Station to learn about fertiliser use and organic sheep
production. This was the first time that 40 women had been
seen at one time at Ballantrae!
Over July and August all groups are being offered a two day
feed budgeting workshop. On the first day participants will
learn the theory of animal feed requirements, assess pastures
and quantify pasture growth. They will then collect the
information needed from their own farm to set up a feed
budget. Approximately two weeks later they bring this
information to the second day of the workshop where they
set up their own feed budget using a spreadsheet that they
will take home.
Feed budgeting is a key success factor on many top sheep and
beef farms. Achieving high animal per head performance is
Official Journal of Rural Women New Zealand • PO Box 12021, Wellington
ruralwomen@clear.net.nz • www.ruralwomen.org
Editor: Head Office, PO Box 12021 Wellington
Page 8
an important facet of modern farming. To achieve high animal
performance stock must be offered the appropriate amount of
feed in winter/spring and quality feed in summer/ autumn.
Over winter, feed budgeting aims to ensure adequate feed
covers for lambing and calving. But there is also a realisation
that too much feed in spring can be as harmful as not enough
feed in winter. Getting the right balance and responding to
changing weather patterns with a well constructed plan is
the role of feed budgeting.
It is hoped that as a result of this workshop many women
will implement a feed budget on their own farms and this
will improve the farm profitability. Ongoing assistance and
discussion on feed budgeting will occur at subsequent
meetings.
One of the hardest parts of the feed budgeting process is the
estimation of pasture growth. Pasture growth is now being
monitored at 2 week intervals by farmers at 48 different sites
around New Zealand. The latest pasture growth information
can be viewed on the Internet at: www.woolpro.co.nz/
farm_tech/Pastureplan/pastureplan.html#Results
Topics and dates of upcoming ‘Women in Farming’ meetings
can be found on the Rural Women New Zealand website
(www.ruralwomen.org) Please confirm dates with the local
group as they are subject to change. New members are
welcome and may attend two meetings free of charge before
deciding to join. The membership fee is $100 per year paid
either quarterly or annually.
Annette Litherland, Project Manager
• Tel 04 473 5524 • Fax 04 472 8946 Email
• ISSN no 1171-4425
• Printer: Precise Print, Paraparaumu
Strengthening Rural Communities