Irrigation and the Environment

On Monday 20th Feb we met with John Wright at his farm at Methven. John explained the history and the possible future of irrigation in this very beautiful area. We looked at a pumping station, Listened to Mandy who represents the Maori people on environment and planning issues regarding agriculture on the Canterbury plains. John is also converting some of his grain farm to Dairy so we had a good look at the shed being built and discussed some of the figures they are working on which led to the decision.

The gang in the Synlait Milk Plant

Our time in Ashburton

During the last 2 days we have seen and learnt a lot about dairy on the Canterbury plains.
There are large scale dairy farms being developed from grain country and by large scale 1000+ cows. We have visited the Synlait Milk plant, the Winslow dairy where they have 4 robotic milkers, Had lunch with Fonterra director John Wilson, Visited Acerna dairies and met with Alvin Reid and Milne Horne who spoke about how they have developed their partnership and taken any opportunity that has come their way.
There is plenty of water, centre pivot irrigators and new dairies with everyone talking about the bright future dairy has.

LEARNING ABOUT YOURSELF

Our Global Focus Program Group spent an afternoon in Canberra looking at our “workplace style” to gain an insight into what drives and how to handle our different personalities.
Nothing really surprising on my side. It tells me I enjoy the following aspects of work:
Emphasizing accuracy and precision. Following efficient systems or procedures, Catching errors or flaws in design, Being an expert, having time to yourself, maintaining high standards, Solving problems through logic, providing in-depth analysis, ensuring quality.
What is stressful for me- Having little private time, Making quick decisions without time for analysis, Being forceful of insistent, Having to mingle with strangers, Working under time pressure, Being wrong or unprepared, Dealing with a chaotic, rapidly changing enviroment, Being around emotional or erratic people, dealing with conflict.
So this means a Nuffield Global Focus Program will be very challenging for my personallity.

We were off to a flying start in Canberra with visits to Mt Ainsllie, National Museum, National Gallery, Old Parliment House, Lunch and questions with Jock Laurie and the NFF board, Watched question time in Parliment, Visted the War Memorial and then had dinner at Parliment house with Senator Chris Back, his wife Linda and John Cobb MP.

Make hay while the sun shines!!!

Presentation to Gardiner Foundation Board

On Tuesday 6th Dec I met with the Gardiner Foundation’s board at their offices in the CBD of Melb. I was very keen to give them some background on where I have come from and what subject and where I plan to study during my Nuffield year. They were very supportive and can’t wait to here where my study leads and what outcomes I deliver on.