During January, the harvest of early barley, grass and some specialist small seed crops started throughout Canterbury.
Early indications are that while yields may be variable in some places, it should be an average harvest for some dryland farmers and a good harvest for those with access to irrigation.
Water restrictions and seasonal allocations may hinder the ability of some farmers to finish off later season crops, but cereal crops should be okay.
A big concern coming into harvest was the surplus of grain in silos on farm and in storage, but on farm supplies appear to have moved off farm.
Though we've had some recent rain, this shouldn't be a signal for pastoral livestock farmers to stop purchasing supplementary feeds from arable farmers.
Arable farmers are now well placed to be a source of any feed demands, with grain and straw available and as the harvest comes off, we're well placed to grow any forage crops for winter.
BIOSECURITY
Off farm, it promises to be a busy year. We are constantly engaged with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to ensure New Zealand's borders are free of harmful pests and diseases. This is chief priority for the Arable Industry Group.
I've had positive discussions with MPI's Chief Operations Officer Andrew Coleman and the Honourable Minister Nathan Guy, and I'm confident they are taking on board our concerns.
We had the recent insect larvae find on a ship docked at the Port of Timaru, which was subsequently sent back to sea for fumigation.
This action should send a strong signal to importers ensuring imported products are up to standard and New Zealand will not be a dumping ground for under grade or contaminated product.
It would be remiss of me if I didn't remind you that as farmers, we have an important role to play in New Zealand's biosecurity, by keeping watch for anything potentially exotic or unwanted.
If you suspect you have seen or found an unwanted pest or disease, please call the biosecurity hotline 0800 80 99 66.
Given the importance of biosecurity to our industry, we have been working with industry stakeholders to figure out the best way to engage with Government Industry Agreements (GIA) on biosecurity readiness and response.
We have taken a holistic approach to GIA and are involved in the policy as a whole industry, including FAR, NZGSTA, feed manufacturers and the Flour Millers Association.
Through collaboration we will all benefit from enhanced biosecurity and thus be a beneficiary during any biosecurity response.
This whole industry approach delivers a degree of fairness to all rather than thrusting the entire cost on one group.
ECAN & LAWF
Locally, we anticipate a decision in the first quarter of 2016 on Environment Canterbury's (ECan) recent Air Regional Plan hearings.
This is of importance to arable farmers because of the proposed restrictions on crop residue burning around urban areas in Ashburton and Timaru.
Federated Farmers submitted for the continued provision of crop residue burning without the imposition of the proposed buffer zones provided arable farmers stuck to a series of proposed good management practices.
Decisions are also expected in 2016 on Land and Water Regional Plan changes in Hinds Plains and South Canterbury coastal streams catchments.
Environment Southland is expected to release a further draft of its National Policy Statement on water in 2016.
It's vital arable farmers get involved in these processes to ensure that our voice is heard by regional and local councils, as decisions being made will have an impact on our businesses going forward.
