December 8, 2025 • 7 mins
Disaster looks at old school technology and why he thinks it will always have a place on the farm.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:08):
Grunt as us McMaster joins us once again thanks to
Batman and the team at Arby Rural. Of course, he's
farming up at the edges of Lake Wakatipu at closer
In Station. Good afternoon, Grunt.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Good afternoon, Andy, Good afternoon, everybody.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
How's the basin today?
Speaker 2 (00:23):
The basins are basking and sunshine a little bit cool
first thing this morning, but it's come out hot like
it has the last couple of days. Very strong winds
on Sunday night which bought a few trees now, but
it also bought twenty six mills of rain, so that
was on Sunday night and on the Saturday were also
we had sixteen So it's still raining when it wants
(00:46):
to be, really and we could probably do out the
rain now and just a bit more sun to get
things going. Well, things are going and growing, but you
know what it's like. You get a bit of rain
in those dull days and the lambs just look as
though they need a bit of for the old vitamin D.
So we'll a bit of sun on the backs today
and that looks good again.
Speaker 1 (01:05):
So you're rain fall, Telly, would you say it's on
a par with last year.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
No, we're blown last year out of the water actually,
So to get confirmation, I'll have to go across the
lake to Jack Cox because his records, records like Jack
are perfect, so what he does, so I'll have that
for us next week. But know, we're well above what
we were last year.
Speaker 1 (01:27):
So what's all the happenings on the farm at the
moment then? Pretty much well, trying.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
To control a bit of grass really. Yeah, we've just
been moving up the cows, still moving up the cows
and getting them into into a few of the blocks
that are just starting to get into it, which is
sort of quite good timing really with the fact that
the ball will go out in a few weeks time.
So doing that and been shifting a few years around
after after tailing that, having you know, some haven't gone
(01:54):
back into the blox we'd like to, So just been
pushing those into where we need to and way to
the hills this afternoon to shift the old views over there.
Got a couple of paddocks line ready for Baylor, so
fell them in a couple of weeks time and just
catch up on the have another look at the work ground.
It's some it's had another light spraying and hopefully over
(02:15):
the next few days we'll get the discs over that again.
So it's it's aw Yeah, it's been weather dependent really
and it's you know, while there's still plenty of moisture
in the ground that you get down, you know, it's
it's better to have it on the ground than in
the bag, isn't it.
Speaker 1 (02:31):
It's interesting area where you are there based around the
for the Wakatippi Basin. Sorry, and how the weather back
in the day, back in the late eighties onwards, it
was always about hot, hot summers and moisture was an
absolute premium. But these days it's different, well it.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
Has been, and it certainly changed and even in the
last five years. And you know when we when we
got that block over the hills, I was, you know,
with the idea was put the turnips in because you
could get them a little bit later, you know, if
it did get dry and you still get a bit
of a growth out of them in the autumn when
the rains come. But it's completely changed around and that
(03:08):
first year that was the case, but since then it's
it's actually been a job. We've managed to have the
cropping by now or in the next couple of weeks
each time, and it's paid off, you know, it's really
paid dividends. And we had the rain and got a
bit obviously last year it got a bit, got a
bit dry, but they had that initial berth and it
(03:28):
sort of held on the ground, and you know, we
were pretty lucky. And I'm sort of thinking that, you know,
maybe the case this year, like we talked about last
last week. But yeah, it's certainly it is certainly changing
and there's no doubt about that, and that like you know,
we're just about had a yearly rainful.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
Yeah, certainly every season is different. Right now today you
want to touch on technology, and for good reason.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
Well good reason because I'm not very technical. But we're
heading down to the lovely township of Gore a couple
of weeks ago, and then on and then on and
two in the cargo. But getting down the Five Rivers,
there's a bit of a few things going on, and
you through your beloved Belfa. You know, there's a lot
of big machinery around there. And I couldn't believe these
(04:11):
big you know, these great big spray units looks like
a combine harvest or without the table on the front
and and you know, two swipes up the paddic and
everything's sprayed. And then you've got the massive big silace
bins being table by big tractors and and all the
big harvesters and the thank God. And then I go
get into Gore and you know, the Southam's looking really good.
(04:33):
And I get into Gore and I go to my
favorite shop and Gore and that's McDougall Saddlery. So love
going in to see Stars. So if you're listening, Star,
I've been to pick up that watch strap next week.
But love going in there. And it's like going back
in time, not just because Star's been there, it seems
like forever because he hasn't. In fact, his father and
(04:54):
grandfather had the shops and him, so there's three generations.
And you go on there and it's just like you
realize how important while things changed, some things stayed the same.
So you go on there and it's still the same
machinery has, you know, the the sewing machines and the
stitches and the riveters and covers hanging up and harness
(05:14):
and what have you. And it's always quiet in there
and he works at the table. But you know we
were having a discussion, and you know, starts said that
it's the horse side of things that are not like
it used to be. But then in the corner of
the of the offers off the shop with these all
the some shafts that some of the dropped in and off.
You know, you know six seventy eighty years ago they
(05:37):
were that they were what we're going around those paddocks
and belfaur and and all around the country and they're
sitting in the corner of the stars, going to give
them to the to the Wagon Society or whatever. But
you know, you just you just think that how much
things have changed but stayed the same. And you go
on there for anybody that wants a history lesson and
healthings used to be. I think all the school ships
(05:59):
going you're saying this, but all the school tips need
to go in there and have a lot and great
will be a great thing for classes to do, just
to see how things were done, how they used to
be done and basically and that stuff are so you know,
likes of now the harnesses and bridles and halters and
knee boots and hobbles, a lot of those are now plastic,
where once upon a time they were all bloody, all
leather and and you think, you know, you go across
(06:23):
the railway line there and in the day the railway
was full boar and gore and up to Belfer and
onto Lumberston and then the promote mell health things. You know,
it was just a high of activity. And it's you know,
it's still a great place. Core looks really tidy and
but you know it's you think back to the old
days and doing the same things, but with with not
(06:46):
the modern technology. I saw. So you were beloved Belfer.
Speaker 1 (06:49):
So how do you go with technology overall?
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Though?
Speaker 1 (06:52):
Grant, I mean, it's something you can't ignore, you.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
Can, you can. I'm true for that. I've always had
a watch with the with the with the hands on
it because I could never work out how to change
those digital buggers. Same with the clock, it's the same.
I can change it like that, No you have. I
think it's great in the green kids here because they can.
(07:16):
They can send a text on me quicker than I can.
You know, I was trouble turning the radio, let alone
the TV. So yeah, I don't you know with you
deal with people that can work those things helpful or
I do because I've sort of just never really got
on with it.
Speaker 1 (07:32):
We'll leave it there, and the good news for you,
as well as daylight saving, your watch naturally corrects at
south once every six months, so I always appreciate your time,
enjoy the other.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
Okay, thank you,
Grunt as us McMaster joins us once again thanks to
Batman and the team at Arby Rural. Of course, he's
farming up at the edges of Lake Wakatipu at closer
In Station. Good afternoon, Grunt.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Good afternoon, Andy, Good afternoon, everybody.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
How's the basin today?
Speaker 2 (00:23):
The basins are basking and sunshine a little bit cool
first thing this morning, but it's come out hot like
it has the last couple of days. Very strong winds
on Sunday night which bought a few trees now, but
it also bought twenty six mills of rain, so that
was on Sunday night and on the Saturday were also
we had sixteen So it's still raining when it wants
(00:46):
to be, really and we could probably do out the
rain now and just a bit more sun to get
things going. Well, things are going and growing, but you
know what it's like. You get a bit of rain
in those dull days and the lambs just look as
though they need a bit of for the old vitamin D.
So we'll a bit of sun on the backs today
and that looks good again.
Speaker 1 (01:05):
So you're rain fall, Telly, would you say it's on
a par with last year.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
No, we're blown last year out of the water actually,
So to get confirmation, I'll have to go across the
lake to Jack Cox because his records, records like Jack
are perfect, so what he does, so I'll have that
for us next week. But know, we're well above what
we were last year.
Speaker 1 (01:27):
So what's all the happenings on the farm at the
moment then? Pretty much well, trying.
Speaker 2 (01:31):
To control a bit of grass really. Yeah, we've just
been moving up the cows, still moving up the cows
and getting them into into a few of the blocks
that are just starting to get into it, which is
sort of quite good timing really with the fact that
the ball will go out in a few weeks time.
So doing that and been shifting a few years around
after after tailing that, having you know, some haven't gone
(01:54):
back into the blox we'd like to, So just been
pushing those into where we need to and way to
the hills this afternoon to shift the old views over there.
Got a couple of paddocks line ready for Baylor, so
fell them in a couple of weeks time and just
catch up on the have another look at the work ground.
It's some it's had another light spraying and hopefully over
(02:15):
the next few days we'll get the discs over that again.
So it's it's aw Yeah, it's been weather dependent really
and it's you know, while there's still plenty of moisture
in the ground that you get down, you know, it's
it's better to have it on the ground than in
the bag, isn't it.
Speaker 1 (02:31):
It's interesting area where you are there based around the
for the Wakatippi Basin. Sorry, and how the weather back
in the day, back in the late eighties onwards, it
was always about hot, hot summers and moisture was an
absolute premium. But these days it's different, well it.
Speaker 2 (02:46):
Has been, and it certainly changed and even in the
last five years. And you know when we when we
got that block over the hills, I was, you know,
with the idea was put the turnips in because you
could get them a little bit later, you know, if
it did get dry and you still get a bit
of a growth out of them in the autumn when
the rains come. But it's completely changed around and that
(03:08):
first year that was the case, but since then it's
it's actually been a job. We've managed to have the
cropping by now or in the next couple of weeks
each time, and it's paid off, you know, it's really
paid dividends. And we had the rain and got a
bit obviously last year it got a bit, got a
bit dry, but they had that initial berth and it
(03:28):
sort of held on the ground, and you know, we
were pretty lucky. And I'm sort of thinking that, you know,
maybe the case this year, like we talked about last
last week. But yeah, it's certainly it is certainly changing
and there's no doubt about that, and that like you know,
we're just about had a yearly rainful.
Speaker 1 (03:44):
Yeah, certainly every season is different. Right now today you
want to touch on technology, and for good reason.
Speaker 2 (03:51):
Well good reason because I'm not very technical. But we're
heading down to the lovely township of Gore a couple
of weeks ago, and then on and then on and
two in the cargo. But getting down the Five Rivers,
there's a bit of a few things going on, and
you through your beloved Belfa. You know, there's a lot
of big machinery around there. And I couldn't believe these
(04:11):
big you know, these great big spray units looks like
a combine harvest or without the table on the front
and and you know, two swipes up the paddic and
everything's sprayed. And then you've got the massive big silace
bins being table by big tractors and and all the
big harvesters and the thank God. And then I go
get into Gore and you know, the Southam's looking really good.
(04:33):
And I get into Gore and I go to my
favorite shop and Gore and that's McDougall Saddlery. So love
going in to see Stars. So if you're listening, Star,
I've been to pick up that watch strap next week.
But love going in there. And it's like going back
in time, not just because Star's been there, it seems
like forever because he hasn't. In fact, his father and
(04:54):
grandfather had the shops and him, so there's three generations.
And you go on there and it's just like you
realize how important while things changed, some things stayed the same.
So you go on there and it's still the same
machinery has, you know, the the sewing machines and the
stitches and the riveters and covers hanging up and harness
(05:14):
and what have you. And it's always quiet in there
and he works at the table. But you know we
were having a discussion, and you know, starts said that
it's the horse side of things that are not like
it used to be. But then in the corner of
the of the offers off the shop with these all
the some shafts that some of the dropped in and off.
You know, you know six seventy eighty years ago they
(05:37):
were that they were what we're going around those paddocks
and belfaur and and all around the country and they're
sitting in the corner of the stars, going to give
them to the to the Wagon Society or whatever. But
you know, you just you just think that how much
things have changed but stayed the same. And you go
on there for anybody that wants a history lesson and
healthings used to be. I think all the school ships
(05:59):
going you're saying this, but all the school tips need
to go in there and have a lot and great
will be a great thing for classes to do, just
to see how things were done, how they used to
be done and basically and that stuff are so you know,
likes of now the harnesses and bridles and halters and
knee boots and hobbles, a lot of those are now plastic,
where once upon a time they were all bloody, all
leather and and you think, you know, you go across
(06:23):
the railway line there and in the day the railway
was full boar and gore and up to Belfer and
onto Lumberston and then the promote mell health things. You know,
it was just a high of activity. And it's you know,
it's still a great place. Core looks really tidy and
but you know it's you think back to the old
days and doing the same things, but with with not
(06:46):
the modern technology. I saw. So you were beloved Belfer.
Speaker 1 (06:49):
So how do you go with technology overall?
Speaker 2 (06:52):
Though?
Speaker 1 (06:52):
Grant, I mean, it's something you can't ignore, you.
Speaker 2 (06:55):
Can, you can. I'm true for that. I've always had
a watch with the with the with the hands on
it because I could never work out how to change
those digital buggers. Same with the clock, it's the same.
I can change it like that, No you have. I
think it's great in the green kids here because they can.
(07:16):
They can send a text on me quicker than I can.
You know, I was trouble turning the radio, let alone
the TV. So yeah, I don't you know with you
deal with people that can work those things helpful or
I do because I've sort of just never really got
on with it.
Speaker 1 (07:32):
We'll leave it there, and the good news for you,
as well as daylight saving, your watch naturally corrects at
south once every six months, so I always appreciate your time,
enjoy the other.
Speaker 2 (07:42):
Okay, thank you,
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