Gisborne Herald - From The Land May 2024

Businessgrowthdrivenbyadversity

ByChrysAyleyandCharlieAllen

WhenGisbornelocalCharlie AllangraduatedfromMassey UniversitywithanAgricommercedegree,heknewthathaving hisheavytrucklicenceswasgoingto beagreatfallbackwhilsthesecureda graduatepositioninhisfield.

Charlie’sfather,Guy,wasaformer sheepandbeeffarmerandhada cartageoperationwithlogtrucks.As longasCharliecanremember,hisdad hadtrucks‘ontheside’.Itwasn’tuntil theymovedoffthefarmandintotown thatthetruckingbecamefulltime.

“Igotintoitafteruni,Dadwas runninghistwologtrucks24/7pretty much,sohetrainedmeuponagrapple loaderandtruckandtrailer,andaway wewent.”Charliedroveforovera yearacrosstheEastCoastasGuywas contractedtoPacificHaulage.“Itwas aprettycooltimeinhindsight,running ScaniaunitsoutofTolagaBaywithDad atnightwhilewehadacoupleofgood keenyoungguyswhoDadhadtrained up,drivingduringtheday.They’reboth stillwithusandarenowleadersinour company,”Charliesays.Eventually Charliesecuredagraduatepositionand wassettoleaveGisborneandstarthis commercecareer.Thatwasuntillife threwacurvedballintheformofCovid 19anddelayedthejobopportunity.This ledtosomesoulsearchingonhisfuture, unsurehowlongCovidwouldhang around.Charlienotedthelackofyoung peopleenteringthetruckingindustryand hadalwayswantedhisownbusiness.

“WhenwestartedGCAwewere solelyruralcarriers,butwewereheavily impactedbycarbonfarminganda substantialamountofourcartageof fertiliserandwoolprettymuchdried upovernightasourbiggerEastCoast clientsplantedtreesratherthan continuingwithfarming.

Asluckwouldhaveit,theopportunity tobuyadropsidetruckandtrailerfrom anothercarriercameup.Theywent aheadwiththepurchase,inheritedsome clientsandstartedservicingthefarming sectorcartingpredominantlyfertiliser andwool.

Astheruraloperationgrew,it madesensethenthatfatherandson shouldjoinforcesandtheyfounded GCALogisticsinSeptemberof2020, combiningtheruralandforestry operations.Whatstartedasonetruck, soonturnedtofiveandeventually excavatorswereaddedtothefleetto serviceclients.

Asayoungcompanywehadtolook inthemirrorlongandhardastowhat weweregoingtodoandwherewe wantedtobe.Wedecidedonastrategy ofoperatinginadiverserangeofsectors centredaroundacoreoftransportand earthworksservices.

Thetheoryofbeingdiverseissimple inthatwhileonesidesdown,youhope theothersup,allowingforsteady production.Atleastthat’sthegoal.We havehadgreatsupportfromsomekey clientsandwelovetothinkoutside

ofthebox.That’sthereasonwehave grown,wehavetakenupopportunities ineachsectorweoperateinandhaving toadapttochangesastheyhavecome has,inhindsight,helpedusbemore resilientandnotonedimensional.

ThismindsethasledtoGCAsetting uppartofitstruckfleetwithatwistlock systemwhichmeansbodiescanbe interchangedeasily.

Theycanswitchbetweenbulk bodies,flatdecksoramilktanks.In SeptemberthroughtoDecemberthey cartmilkinWaikato.Thenthey’llput anotherbodyonforthenextfewmonths andcartsquash,theniftheywanttothey canputabulkbodyonfortherestofthe year.“We’renotafraidtothinkoutside theboxandgooutofGisbornetokeep thewheelsturning.”

CoverPhoto: LouiseSavagePhotographyforEastsatMakaraka

Theyalsocartharvestproductsfor croppingclients,thisincludessweetcorn intoCedencoinGisborneandservicing Hawke’sBaytocartpeas,sweetcorn andgrapes.Attheendof2023,GCA acquiredCoxcotransportwhichprovided anentryintosquashcartagefrom Gisbornetolocalpackhousesandup tofiveunitsadayheadingtoHawke’s Baythroughtheseason.Theacquisition extendedtherangeofservicesandnow includescurtainsiderswhichhasgiven themanentryintocartingkiwifruitand applesaswell.

“It’sbeenreallytough,between covid,weathereventsandeconomic strugglesacrosstheregion,butitsall beenacatalystforwherewearenow. We’restilldoingalargeamountof ruralworkforfarmclients,asubstantial amountofseasonalharvestwork andthenthatcomplementsourmain operationswhichareinforestry, infrastructureandaggregatecartage,” Charliesays.Aswehavegrownwehave developedsomegoodlinkswithloads acrossotherregionsworkingintomake loopsbacktoGisborne,whichprovides synergiesinourtransportoperations.

CharlieandGuyare50/50partners. AsthebusinesshasevolvedCharlieis theGeneralManagerhandlingthelonger termstrategyanddaytoday,andGuyis activeinthefieldoverseeingoperations andgrowingthecontractingdivision.

“ItisafamilyaffairwithmyuncleGrant asalongservingdriver,cousinsbeing

involvedattimesandnowmysister Oliviaisinthebusinessandlooksafter H&S,reportingandmarketing.She runsamarketingbusinessontheside andhasdoneagreatjobindesigning GCA’swebsiteandgettingadvertising upandrunning.Theyalsoemploy twooperationscoordinators,onefor thetransportsideandoneforthe contractingside,anofficemanager,a mechanicandaworkshopcoordinator. Atpeaktimestheycanemployupto50 staff.

Inspiteofseveralchallengesthe fleethasgrowntoconsistof20trucks (goingintopeakseasontheynumber closerto30)andsevendiggersfrom sizesofeighttonnerightupto30tonne. Theyareheavilyinvolvedincartingslash aroundtheEastCoastforests,forestry earthworksandinfrastructureworkson localroadscartingaggregates.Cyclone Gabriellecreatedaliteralmountain ofworkmovingwoodydebrisandsilt acrosstheregion.

Findingstaffisanotherissuethey haveaddressedbyspendingalot oftimeandinvestmentintraining people.WepartnerwithMinistryof SocialDevelopment(MSD)andalso theHeavyTruckandMachineOperator TrainingTrustwhichrunsTairawhiti RoadTransportwithDavePardoe.We havehadsomegreatsuccessstories ingettingpeoplefromavarietyof backgroundsintofulltimetruckingand operatingcareers.

“Wearereallyluckywehaveagreat teamofstaff,wehaveagoodsupportive culture,workhard,aimtodoatopjob andhaveplentyoflaughsalongtheway.”

Charlienotestherearealotof businesseswhoarehurtingatthe momentandtheeconomyispretty tough.Thephrase‘surviveuntil2025’ hasbeenbandiedaboutbymany inindustry,butlongtermCharlieis optimisticGisborne,WairoaandtheEast

Coasthasalottooffer.“Rightnowitcan behardtofeelpositivewhendoomand gloomisprevalent,butTairawhitihasa diverserangeofsectors,opportunities arestilloutthereforeveryoneandthe sunwillshineagain:wejusthavetokeep thewheelsturninginthemeantime.

Abitofadversityfromtimetotimeis goodforyou,itkeepsyouonyourtoes, alwaysevolving.”

Proudlyservingthecommunityforover 36years

Gisbornehasendureditsfairshare ofchallengesinrecentyears,yet throughitall,DeanandTeresa fromEastsatMakarakaremainsteadfast intheircommitmenttoupliftandserve thecommunity.Forover36years,they havebeentheproudproprietorsofEasts atMakaraka,continuallyexpandingtheir offeringstomeettheevolvingneedsof theircommunity.Withawidecustomer base,DeanandTeresahavemadeit theirbusinesstobewelcomingtoall,

andpridethemselvesongivingexcellent service.

Theircommitmenttothecommunity extendsbeyondtheirstorefront,as theygenerouslysponsorlocalevents suchasequestriancompetitions,school fundraisers,andmore.Thisdedication reflectstheirbeliefingivingbacktothe communitythathassupportedthemfor decades.

Supportedbyadedicatedteam, Teresaoverseestheretailarmof thebusiness,curatingaselectionof premiumproductsrenownedfortheir quality.FromthetimelessallureofRM Williamsbootsandappareltoadiverse arrayofpossummerinoclothingand accessories,EastsatMakarakaboastsan extensiveinventory.Theirshelvesarefull withanimpressiveassortmentofsocks, gloves,andbeanies,alongsidesoughtafterbrandslikeMoke,MiWoollies,and EmuAustraliasheepskinslippersand boots.Additionally,discerningshoppers willfindanampleselectionofhandbags, wallets,andpurses,ensuringthere’s somethingforeveryone.

ButEastsatMakarakaisn’tmerely aretaildestination—it’sahubof communityconnection.Theirofferings extendbeyondfashiontoincludea treasuretroveofgiftware,adorable babyclothing,andacomprehensive saddlery,repletewithtop-tierbrands andtheirownEastrange,featuring durablesaddles,bridles,andmore.From farriergeartohorsecoversandoilskins,

they’vegotallyourequestrianneeds covered.

Behindthescenes,theirbustling workshophumswithactivity,crafting notonlytheirsignatureEastproducts butalsoawidearrayofcanvasgoods. Whetherit’srepairsorbespoke creations,EastsatMakarakapridesitself onitscraftsmanshipanddedicationto customersatisfaction.

StepintoEastsatMakaraka,where shoppingtranscendsthetransactional -it’sanexperiencewovenwithcare, quality,andacommitmenttocommunity.

TheEaststeamlatelastyear:Back,DeanCook,MelBriant,PaigeCookand WillieCook.Front,PippaRhodes,EllyLincoln,DiKirk,MichelleWhite, LizRichardsandTeresaCook.

Afruitfulindustry

ByNewZealandApplesand PearsCEOKarenMorrish

Tairāwhiti’sapplesandpears industryhasrecordedsignificant growthinrecentyears,providing opportunitiesaplentyforlocalpeopleto becomeinvolvedinourfruitfulindustry.

Since2020,Gisborne’sapplesand pearssectorhasgrownbymorethan 100hectaresandproducedanadditional 5158metrictonnesoffruit.

Muchofthisisaresultofnewand excitingvarietiesofapplesbeingplanted andnowcomingintoproduction,proving oncemorethatEastCoastsoilsare compatibletoawidevarietyofproduce.

Theregion’sinvestmentinNew Zealandapplesandpearsisnota wastedone.Ourfruitisthebestinthe world.ApplesandpearsfromAotearoa arewidelyconsideredapremium productandGisborneproduceisamong thefirsttohitthemarket.Itripensearly andislargeandflavourful.Andwhile Gisborneapplesmakeuparelatively smallportionofthemarketsegment, theyfillanimportantwindowforexport markets.

Theexportvalueofthenation’sapple andpearsindustryisvaluedat$900 millionannually.However,thereisan expectationthat,withtherightgrowing conditions,itwillhit$2billionworthof exportearningswithinadecade.

Growershavefacedachallenging environmentoflate,withsomeTairāwhiti growersstillfeelingtheimpactsoftwo extremelywetyearsandweatherevents. Challengingexportroutes,withfruit travellingtosouthtoHawke’sBayvia StateHighway2beforebeingshipped outofNapierPort,areanotherchallenge.

Yetdespitethis,theindustryremains abigemployerintheregionandone whererealgrowthandopportunities exist.

Peoplewithanappetiteforapples andpearscanfindahighlysatisfying careeringrowing,orchardmanagement,

supplychangemanagement,marketing, ITsupportandthemyriadofwork streamsthatservicethegrowingsector.

What’smore,thereisexcellent supportandprogressionopportunities availablethroughindividualbusinesses andindustryprogrammes,includingthe likesoftheYoungGrowerCompetition, whichwillruninGisborneonJune27.

Astheindustrybody,NewZealand ApplesandPearsrepresentsthevision andprovidesthevoiceofAotearoa’s pipfruitgrowers.Itisafantasticroleto fulfil,withourindustryrecognisedasa

leading,sustainableprimaryindustrythat iscrucialtoboththecountry’sexport sectorandtotheregionaleconomies whereourgrowersarecentred.

Ourdiversemembershipthrives economicallythroughprogrammesand servicesfocusedonmarketaccess, biosecurity,workforceandprofitability. Andwhat’smore,they’rebecomingmore andmorefuture-fitinoureverchanging world.

Oursisafruitfulindustryandonethat hasdeeprootsinTairāwhiti.

NewlyEstablishedinGisborne

FarmProisanewproductionanimalveterinary business.Wearefocusedonsupporting farmteamstoachievehighlevelsofanimal performanceandthereforeimprovefarm profitability.

Animalhealth,welfareandproductivityare thefundamentalsofanysuccessfulsheepand beeffarminourregion,weworkpassionately withfarmerstoidentifyandmanagetheissues impactingtheirlivestock.

Maintainingahealthyandproductivesheep systemisbecomingincreasinglychallengingwitth animalperformancecommonlybeingundermined bydrenchresistanceandparasitechallenge.To helpfarmersadapt,FarmProtakesamorewhole farmsystemsapproachtoreducethereliance ondrenchingasthesolemeansofcontrolling parasites.Ultimately,thismeansunderstanding thewormlifecycle,modifyingthewaywemanage stockandgrazepasturesandpotentiallymaking significantchangestofarmpolicy.

Withbudgetstightlyconstrainedatpresent,itis importantthattheannualplanisreviewed,andthe mostcost-effectiveproductschosen.Ouranimal healthplanshaveanannualbudgetcomponent, byreviewingthisexpenditurefarmerscanmake gooddecisionsaboutproductchoiceandtheirtotal annualanimalhealthexpenditure.

WehavecreatedFarmProtoreachbeyondthe confinesoftraditionalveterinaryservicesandusethe knowledgeand e experiencegaiineed fromworkingwith sheepand d beeffarmsintheregionforoveer 20years.

WhatFarmProoffers:

PrreventiveAnimalHealthPlans

Preventingdiseaseisfundamentaltoanimalhealth andproduction.Through tailoredanimalhealth plans,including vaccinations, parasitecontroland regularmonitoringwehelpfarmers proactively safeguard the health of theirlivestock.By consideringindividualtrreatmentcostsandoptions farmerscanmakemoreinformeddecisionsabout productchoice.Weprovideplansandassociated budgetsforfreeasapartofouroverallservice.

AnimalHealthProductSupply

Wesupplyafullrangeofanimalhealthproducts includingrestrictedveterinary medicinesat competitiveprices.Wetake theresponsibility ofbeingatrustedadvisor seriouslyandprovide recommendationsthathavethefarmers’best interestasourpriority.

FaecalEggCounting

Ourin-housefaecaleggcountingservice offers quickturnaroundtime with veterinaryinterpretation ofthedata,includingtipsonhowtobettermanage wormsandsheepperformance.RegularFaecal

eggcountmonitoringiskeytounderstandingand managingwormchallengeonfarm.Freesample kitsareavailableatFarmPro.

SeasonalFarmVisitsandStaffTraining

Improvinganimalperformanceisthekeyfocus duringfarmvisits.Theyarealsoagreatwayto reviewhowtheseasonisprogressing,adaptto changingconditionsandplanaheadtoensureall thhekeythingsareachievedontime.Thereisan oppportunitytoinvolveandupskillstaffinworm control,integratedgrazingmanagement,body condditionsscoring,animalhealthplans,feeding stockk,doghusbandryetc.Thereareusuallyafew “whileyou’rehere”veterinaryjobsthatcanbe incorporatedintothevisitsuchasliverbiopsies, bloodsampling,dehorningandcheckingrams.

Farm SystemReview

To ensureprofitabilityinthefaceofdrench resistance,somefarmsmayneedtomake significantchangestofarmpolicy.Asanelitelevel Farmaxconsultant,Gregrecommendsusingthe modelasawayoftestingideasandunderstanding thefinancialimpactsbeforecommittingtochange. Byworkingcollaborativelywiththefarmteamand exploringideas,amoresustainableandprofitable systemcanbedeveloped.

FarmProislocatedat151CarnarvonStreet. OpenMondaytoFriday,8am-5pm

Fieldays,myheydays

ByGlennDwight

Theysay,don’tlookbackat yourchildhood;you’llonly bedisappointed.Well,I’d liketodisagree,notbecauseIam argumentative,butbecausemy childhoodwasgreat.Sure,itwasa simplertime,atimewhenonlythe winnergotatrophy,weonlyhadtwo channels(butstillmanagedtoargueover whattowatch)andowningaHealing IndustriesHMX500madeyouagodin theSilverdaleSchoolplayground.

ButtherealgeminmyHamilton dayswastheannualpilgrimagetothe Fieldays!ThinkofitasaruralDisneyland, minustheoverpricedMickeyMouse ears.Here,thedresscodewasallabout practicality:redbands,atrustySwanndri, andaJohnDeerehatthatneededtobe faded,oryouexposedyourselfasarural imposter.

Thefirstelementofthisgreatday wassecuringaridewithAndrew’sdad. HehadagoldenHoldenwithallthe extras,whichincludedacigarettelighter (andbackthen,theyhadnothingtodo withchargingyouriPhone).So,we’d pileintothebackseatandfrontbench seat,avoidingthe1000-degreeseatbelt buckle,anddrivetoMysteryCreek.

Anditwasamystery,astheareawas usuallyshroudedinJuneFOG.Shrouded inMIST-ery.

So,thisiswheremymemoriesofthe eventmightbeashazyasthefog,butI dorememberbeingoff-loadedfromthe goldenHoldenand,likeFrodo,going onaquest.Aquestforknowledge,free stuff,andtoseecoolstuff.

We’dwatchastractorspullingand diggersdigging.Fashioninthefield wasn’treallyathing,butthequesttoget asmuchfreestuffasyoucouldfitinyour brandedSkellerupbagswasarealthing. Tryingtoconvinceawearysalesperson whyyouneededacattleprodwas alwaysachallenge,butifsuccessful,the knuckle-grazingduelsattheendwith yourmatemadeitallworthit.

Ialsoaddashout-outtothehumble sausagesizzlehere,becausethey werethefuelthatkeptthousandsof schoolchildrennourished.Nopieand V;itwasasausageandaRarothatyour mumhadfrozenthenightbefore.Still notsurewhathappenedtotheMarmite sandwichesLornapre-packed?Perhaps anotherMIST-eryofthecreek?

Butthisbeingaschool-sponsored trip,obviouslytherewassomescience intheday...We’dhuntdownhelium balloonsandhaveahoon.Sohereis thesciencebit,justincasemystandard fourteacherisreadingthis:‘Thespeed ofsoundinheliumisnearlythreetimes higherthanthatinair,whichmakes thesoundwavesshorterinlengthand increasesthefrequenciestheresonators produce’.

GOATBUYER

Promptpickup&payment.Experiencedmustererscanbearranged ContactBrianHutchings. Ph 0220695212 E briansplace1@hotmail.com

Buttheonething7-year-oldGlenn failedtosee,probablybecauseIwas onaRarosugarhigh,wastheamazing innovationthatisondisplayatFieldays. Whenyouthinkaboutit,it’snoreal surpriseatall;afterall,theruralsector hasalwaysbeeninnovators.Think ofgreatNewZealanderslikeErnest Godward,BillHamilton,andthegreat BillGallagher.Forthoselikemewho mightnotrememberthosenamesfrom school,here’salittlerecap...Innovators forDummies.

ErnestGodward:In1900,he inventedandpatentedaneggbeater thatpreparedeggsforaspongecake inthreeandahalfminutes;previously,it hadtaken15minutes.Iwouldthinkthat worthyofhisfaceonourcurrency.

BillHamilton:notactuallyfromthe greatcityofHamilton,butfromthestill fairlygoodtownofFairlie.ThisHamilton isfamousforhisiconicpipeandberet lookandforcreatingthefamous HamiltonJetBoat,whichwasthefirst andonlyboattogoallthewayUPthe GrandCanyon.

BillGallagher:themanbehindthe electricfence.Idorecognisetheelectric fenceforallitscattle-corrallingability,but asaninstrumentofpureentertainment, theelectricfencehasbroughtsomuch joytosomany.Nothinglikeagameof PasstheElectricShockortheultimate challengeofmindovermatter,Pee BetweentheWire

Andthatbringsmyfinalruralscience lesson:“Urineisaconductorofelectricity duetothepresenceofelectrolytessuch assodium,potassium,andchloride. Theseelectrolytescanallowasmall amountofelectricalcurrenttopass throughthestream”.Alessonworth knowing.

Sohereismyadvice:ifyoucan, gotoFieldays,andifyoucan’t,maybe checkoutasimilareventnearyouand takethekids-youmighthavethenext BillGallagher-justwaitingforthatspark toigniteapassion,thenextErnest Godwardreadytobeatthecompetition withinnovation,orthenextBillHamilton readytojetaheadandlookresplendent atthesametime.

fencinggearintheregion Timber:Rough-sawn,H3.2orH4treatedfor durability.Thelargestrangeofpostsintown. Rounds,halves,quarters,strainers&poles Comeandseeusfor:Wire•Netting•Permanen •Nails•Staples•BugleScrews•Gatesandhardware•Andmore COME&SEEMEFIRSTFORTHEBESTDEAL!

MilestonesreachedinB+LNZ’sinforming NewZealandBeefProgramme

SuppliedbyBeef+Lamb NewZealand

AstheBeef+LambNewZealandledseven-yearInformingNew ZealandBeefprogrammehits thehalfwaymark,thefocusischanging toeducationandextensionand encouragingtheuseofhigh-quality geneticsinthebeefindustry.

B+LNZ’sGeneralManagerFarming ExcellenceDanBrier,saysoverthe pastfouryears,theprogramme’sfocus hasbeenoncollectingdatafromthe Across-breedProgenyTestsandNext Generationherdsandgainingabetter understandingoffarmerandindustry needs.

Thisdatawillbeinstrumentalinthe developmentofNZ-specificbreeding indexes,whichwillbeoneofthe significantoutcomesofINZB.

Ultimately,INZB,whichisa partnershipbetweenB+LNZ,theMinistry forPrimaryIndustriesandtheNew ZealandMeatBoardaimstoboostthe sector’sprofitsby$460moverthenext 25years.

DevelopingNewZealandspecificbreedingindexes

Inasteptowardsdeveloping EstimatedBreedingValuesforNZ’s beefindustry,B+LNZhasbeenrunning workshopsintheNorthandSouth Islandtogivebeefbreedersthetools tomeasurebeefcowBodyCondition Scoresandassignteatandudderscores.

RunbyB+LNZGeneticsBeef SpecialistAnnaBoydandGenetics SpecialistJasonArcher,theworkshops havebeenbreederfocusedasthe programmeneededbreeder-recorded datainthedevelopmentofNZ-specific EBVs.

AnnasaysBodyConditionScores (BCS)andudderandteatstructurewere identifiedasbeingimportanttobeef farmersthroughtheindustry-wideTrait PrioritisationSurveycarriedoutinthe earlystagesoftheprogramme.

RunningProgenyTestherds.

Nowinitsfourthyear,Beef+ LambNewZealand’sacross-breed BeefProgenyTestcontinuestogain momentumwithover50bulls(Angus, HerefordandSimmental)being nominatedassiresforuseinthe 2023-matingseason.

Thetest,whichcomparesbullsunder commercialfarmingconditions,isbeing runonPāmu’sKeplerFarminManapouri andatLochinverStationnearTaupo.

Dataiscollectedfrom conceptionthroughoutthe animal’slife.

OnKeplerfarm,AngusandHereford cowsarerunside-by-sidewithcrosses undertakenbothways.Simmental sireshavebeenaddedtothemixon LochinverStation.Acommercialherd programmeisalsolinkingShorthorndata intotheprogenytestdata.

NextGenerationherds

Commercialbeeffarmersplayan importantroleinINZBthroughNext Generationherds.Thesearefarmers whohaveaninterestingeneticsand arewantingtoassesstheirbullteam’s performance,havemoreaccurate informationforselectingheifer replacementsandarewillingtowork withtheirbullbreederstospeedgenetic gain.

Thistypically,butnotnecessarily, involvesusingartificialinseminationto createdirectgeneticlinkages.Todate, 21farmershavecomeonboardonthe programmewith15morejoiningin2024.

Educationalfocus

Therewillbeastrongeducational focusinthesecondhalfofINZB.

Twenty-twoBetterBeefBreeding workshopsareplannedforthisyear, on-linelearningmodulesareavailable onB+LNZ’sKnowledgeHubalongwith how-tovideosofcarryingoutaStructural AssessmentofabullsandBody ConditionScoringcows.

DanBrier,B+LNZ’sGeneralManagerFarmingExcellencesaysthefocusofthe InformingNewZealandBeefProgrammehasbeenoncollectingdatawhichwill beinstrumentalinthedevelopmentofNZ-specificbreedingindexes.

Bullsalesandselection

ByAndrewCribbDirector/ VeterinarianatEastCoast FarmVets

Withthedistricts’bullsalesjust aroundthecorner,bullbreeding andselectioncomesunderthe microscope.

Whenselectingyournewbull, theprocessshouldbeginwiththe establishmentofbreedingobjectives thathaveahigheconomicvaluerelative toyourfarm.Thisprocess,inmyopinion, isthemostimportantstepbutsomething thatisalmostalwaysoverlooked.

Somekeypointstokeepinmind whenplanningyourbullsales calendar:

•Identifyabreederwhomostclosely meetsyourbreedingobjectives. Theamountofgeneticprogress youmakeinyourherdisgoing tolargelydependonthegenetic progressbeingmadebythe breeder.

•Lookatthebullsfirsthand. Whetherit’sanopendayorfarm visit,takethetimetoperforma thoroughinspectionwithspecial emphasisplacedonphysicaland reproductivesoundness.

•Areastopaycloseattention to–thehead,jaw,eyes,neck, shoulders,frontlegsandfeet

structure,pasternangleoffrontand hindlegs,sheathandhindlegand structure.

•ConsiderEstimatedBreeding Values(EBVs).Ensurethesealign withyourbreedingobjectives alongsidethedesirabletraits.

•Overallcondition.Forsirestockto performwelltheyneedtobefed well,yearround.Youwillseethis throughconfirmationandmuscle formationwhichultimatelyleadsto thebullsperformingtothebestof theirability.

Onceyou’vesourcedandpurchased yourbull(s),thenextstepismanaging himoncehe’shome.

Howyouhandlehim,thestressors thatyouplacehimunderandthelevel ofnutritionthathereceivescanhavea verypositive(ornegative)effectonthe eventualfertilityofthisanimal.

Whenabullisrelocatedtoanew environment,thebullissubjected tonewviral,bacterialandparasite challenges.Thisisunavoidable.The keytomaintainingahealthyimmune systemistoensuretheseanimalshave highqualitynutrition(whichcanbe achallengeatthistimeoftheyear), havehadtheappropriateanimalhealth treatments(quarantinedrench,lice treatment,BVDvaccinationetc)and ensurethattheyestablishnewsocial groupsquickly.

Oncethenewbull(s)arrivesatyour farm,letthemsettleinbyleavingthem intheyardsovernight.Givethemfresh waterandgoodqualityhay.Iftheyare fighting,youmighthavetosplitthem, dependingonhowseriousitis.

Ifyouhavepurchasedonebull,find amateortwoforhimstraightaway (thiscouldbesteersorquietcows,not oldersirebulls).Ifyouhavebought multiplebullsfromanumberofdifferent

managementgroupsorstudsitisoften bettertoputthemalltogetheratonce. Introducingnewbullsintoamoboneata timecanleadtothenewbullbeinggiven ahardtimebyhiscontemporaries.

Takingthetimetounderstandyour newbull(s),familiarisethemwiththe yardsandhowtheyworkandgetting themusedtoyouandhowyouhandle stockallcountsbecausethiswillbe differenttowheretheyhavecomefrom.

PhotocreditOrereAngus.

Callingallaspiringhorticulturists!

GisborneYoungGroweroftheYearCompetitionreturns

Astheseasonsturnandorchards burstintobloom,it’stimeto celebratethepassion,dedication andinnovationofouryounggrowers.

TheGisborneYoungGroweroftheYear competition,anesteemedeventinthe horticulturalcalendar,isbackforanother thrillingeditionin2024.

Reflectingonthetriumphofthe2023 winner,EmilySamuel(Apple&Kiwifruit ManagerfromThompson’sHorticulture), whosoaredtovictorywithherdedication totheorchardlife,thestageissetfor anothercohortofyoungtalentstoshine.

Emilycapturedheartsandminds withherinfectiousenthusiasmfor growing.Herwinnotonlypropelled hertorepresenttheGisbornegrowing communityattheHorticultureNew ZealandNationalcompetitionin PukekohelastOctoberbutalso showcasedtheboundlessopportunities thathorticultureofferstothenext generation.

InthewordsofEmilySamuel herself,“Hardworkdoespayoff. Thecompetitionisanopportunityto celebrateouryoungpeople,andtheir skillsandcommitment.”Herpassionfor nurturingcropsandsharingthewonders oforchardlifeexemplifiestheethosof thecompetition.Morethanjustacontest, theGisborneYoungGroweroftheYearis aplatformforyounggrowerstoconnect, learn,andinspireeachother.

Thecompetitionistobeheldon June27attheEITRuralStudiesUnit, followedbythegaladinnerandawards eveningatTheVines.NatalyaEgan fromtheTairawhitiGrowersAssociation emphasisedtheimportanceofnurturing youngtalentinanindustrythatcontinues

toevolverapidly.Withthehorticulture sectorplayinganincreasinglyvitalrole inNewZealand’seconomy,theneedfor skilledandpassionateindividualshas neverbeengreater.

CompetitionsliketheYoung GroweroftheYearnotonlyoffer substantialprizesbutalsoprovide invaluableexperienceandnetworking opportunities.

Theyserveasalaunchpadfor theleadersoftomorrow,equipping themwiththetoolsandknowledgeto navigatethechallengesandseizethe opportunitiesthatlieahead.

AsNatalyaputsit,“Thefutureofthe industryisinsafeandcapablehands.” Forthosewhodreamofarewarding careerwheretheycancontributeto feedingourregion,NewZealandand theworldwithhealthy,sustainablefood, horticulturebeckonswithopenarms.

So,toalltheyounggrowersout there,whetheryou’retendingtovines, nurturingorchardsorcultivatingfields, theGisborneYoungGrowerofthe Yearcompetitionawaitsyourtalent andpassion.Stepforward,seize theopportunityandletyourgreen fingersflourishonthegrandstageof horticultureexcellence!

EmilySamuelwonthe2023Gisborne YoungGroweroftheYear.

Avolatilefewmonthsforlogexportprices

ByMarcusMasson DirectorForest360

May’safunnymonth,you’re hangingontotheautumn weatherandgoodtimesover summer,knowingwinterisaroundthe cornerandit’sgoingtogetcoldandugly.

Thisisusuallythecaseaslogprices generallystartheadingsouthinlate autumnandrainisnotourfriend.

However,wintercameearlyinterms ofsouthwardheadinglogpriceswitha significantdropinAprilthatextended intoMaywithmainlyflatpricingatthe $106/JASlevelforAgrade.Thankfully theweatherhasplayedballwith reasonablydryconditions,butthisiscold comfortifyourlogginggearisparkedin thepaddock.

ThereweresomehopesMaywould seeapriceincreaseofsubstancebut, withboththeforeignexchangerateand shippingcostsduringAprilandearly May,ourhopeshavebeendashed.

ThereissomegoodnewsasChinese onportinventoriesstabiliseanddemand increasesintothe72km3perdayrange. SupplyfromNZhasdroppedsignificantly followingthepoorAprilpricesanda quicklyslowingCNIsalvagevolume. Thiswilllikelynothaveanimpacton theCFRprice(salespriceinChina)in theshorttermuntilinventorygetstoan uncomfortablylowposition.

ArecentChinesetradedelegation toNZwaswowedatourwooden commercialconstructionandtherewas adefiniteinterestinunderstanding howNZ’sconstructiontechniquesand technologycouldbecommercialisedin China.

ItwasclearthattheagingChinese populationisreasonablycashedupand notnecessarilyinterestedinlivingina 500-storyconcreteandsteelapartment block.Ifwecouldhelpdevelop

thismarketsegmentitmayprovide significantdemandforNZradiataby placingmorewoodintoasmallerbut differentiatedconstructionsector.

Forperspective,thewoodusage percapitainChinaislessthan0.4m3 comparedtoIndiaat1.61m3anda globalaverageof0.55m3.Thisindicates thatthereispotentialofanadditional demandof210millioncubicmetresif Chinareachedtheglobalaverage.

There’sbeenasignificantreduction innon-NZsupplyintoChinainthepast 12monthswithEuropedroppingto

around250Km3permonthandthe PacificNorthweststeadyat180Km3. Domesticdemandstillremainssolid althoughtheindicatorsarenotlooking flashfortheNZconstructionsectorinthe shortterm.

So,insummary,it’sbeenavery volatilefewmonthsintermsofexport priceandwe’recurrentlystuckonrinse cycle.It’sunlikelyJunewillseeusover the$120/m3hurdlebutweareforever hopefulanditwillmorelikelybeAugust beforereturnsareatalevelthatwill stimulateincreasedsupply.Let’shope thespincycleisabitmoreuserfriendly.

Continuingtoredefinewhat’spossible

Sinceco-ownersTomSansonand veterinarianAndrewCribbtook overtheleaseofWhangaraAngus andallitscommercialstockin2021,they haven’tstopped.

Overthelastfouryears,Tom andAndrewhavemadecountless investmentsintoimprovingandbuilding upontheirbreedingprogrammeand recordsfromformerWhangaraAngus owner,PatrickLane.

Onesuchexampleiswhenthey purchasedWaitangiS257lastseason for$65,000,whowentontobeoneof thesevenAngusbullsselectedinthe 2023cohortoftheBeef+LambProgeny test.Anotheristheircommitmentthatall calvesatWhangaraAngusareHD50K

testedatbirthwhichincreasesthe accuracyofEBVsandenablesclear parentverification.“It’sahugecostfor us,butwevaluethatinvestment”say TomSanson.Allbullcalvesareretained sotheycanbescannedandhaveall datarecorded,againforincreased accuracies,andanythingnotbeingsold iskilledfrom18monthsofage.

“Thisyear’ssalebullsarethefirst bullswe’vebroughtthroughfrom conception.”Sansonsaysthebullsare unrecognisablefrompre-2021andhe’s excitedatthenumberofbullstheycan offer.“Wewanttoensurewe’vegota structurallysound,reallyconsistentline ofbullswithgooddata.”

Thatwashardtofindin2022,with

only20bullsputforwardforauction. Thisyearthey’vegotmorethan50that aresuitable.Tomisadamantthatnobull isperfect,yeteverybullisapieceofthe puzzle.

Whenlookingforbullstouseover theWhangarafemales’,docilityand structureareparamountandthey thenlookforbullswiththosematernal attributes,whilekeepinggrowth,carcass andIMFinthemix.

IMFisexpectedtosteadilyincrease astheoldercowsarereplacedwith youngerhigh-performancefemales. “We’rehavingquiteafastturnoverofthe cowstogetthoseolderonesout.”

MentionoftheJune25thsalehas Tomabitflustered…“Mypartnerisdue tohaveababyonthe20thsosaleday

willbeextrabusy!”Sansonsaysthatover thenextfiveyears,theyplantogrow andimprovethestudoperationfurther. Tomsaysthatfortheirclients,it’sabout nothavingtospend$20,000onthetop bullsinthecatalogue.“Thereshouldbe qualityspreadrightthroughoutasale catalogueandyouwillbeabletocome toWhangaraandbuyanybull,knowing you’rebuyingquality.”

Buildingrelationshipswithclientsand ensuringthey’rementoredthroughout theyear-notjustbeforesaleday-with theirbreedingprogrammesisakey focus,ensuringtheyretaintheiroldand alsogainsomenewclientsonboardwith thisproactiveapproach.Itseemsthat WhangaraAngusisontracktodeliveron promisesandtrulyis“redefiningwhat’s possible.”

THEBOYSAREBACKINTOWN

Thisyearmarksthefirsttimewepresentourfullbullprogenyfromourownbreedingprogramme. We’vebeenworkinghardonproviding100%provenprofitabilityandperformanceinourbullssothatyouand yourfarmcancapturemorepremiumforyourproduct.Thathasalwaysbeenouraimandweneverwaverfromit. OneexampleofthisiswhenwepurchasedWaitangiS257lastseasonfor$65,000,whowentontobeone ofthesevenAngusbullsselectedinthe2023cohortoftheBeef+LambProgenytest. Wemakethesecommitmentsbecausewhenyouwin,wewin. Soifyou’reafteraprovenbullwithunbeatableEBVsthatmakeyoumoremoney,thenwehopetosee youintowntobuyyournextboysfromoursale.

12PMTUESDAY 25THJUNE2024

25ANDREWSROAD, WHANGARA,GISBORNE 0272489098

Lot5inthisyear’ssale.

WhangaraAngusownersAndrewCribbandTomSanson,alongwithfarm managerChrisRichardson.

AtasteofthetropicsinTairāwhitiGisborne

ByAmandaMckenzie

Asthecoldsetsin,manyofuswill bedreamingofanislandescape. Imagineifyoudidn’thaveto boardaplanetobesurroundedbythe vibrantscents,coloursandtastesofthe tropics.Specialisinginsubtropicalfruit trees,SubtropicaareaGisborne-based plantnurseryonamissiontointroduce Kiwistothejoythatcomeswithgrowing tropicalfruitathome.

Subtropicaisafamilyownedand operatedbusiness.Growingplantsis somethingthatownersKelseyandSimon Williams,whotookoverthebusiness in2022,havealwaysbeenpassionate about.“Wehavespentafairbitoftime travellingtotropicalandsubtropical countrieswhichfurthersparkedour passionforgrowingexoticplants.Atthe timeitfeltliketherightpathtotakeand nowalittleovertwoyearsdownthe track,wecouldn’tbehappierwiththat decision!”saysSimon.

Thebusinessservesbothlocalsand thoseoutsideoftheTairāwhitiGisborne regionwithaweeklyshipmentofplants goingtoarangeoflocationsacrossthe country.Simonadmitsthattherehave beenchallengesfollowingCyclone Gabriellewithroadclosuresandlimited resourcesimpactingthebusinessbut theyarepleasedtobeanticipatinga busyseasonahead.

WhenitcomestoKiwitastes,Simon saysthatPineapplesaretheirmost popularplants.“Wehavetwovarieties, MountainRedwhicharerelatively cold-hardyandtheQueenPineapple whichneedsslightlywarmerconditions andproducesadeliciousgoldenfruit. Ithinkthenovelty,andthefactthat peopledon’trealisethatit’spossibleto growyourownpineappleshereinNew Zealandmakesthempopular.”

Aswellasoperatingasaplant nursery,Subtropicaishometoa subtropicalfoodforest.Simonsays thattheideawiththeirfoodforestisto “emulateanaturalforestenvironment toenabletheplantstothriveandto continuouslyimprovethequalityofthe soilforfuturegenerations.”

HeandKelseygrowadiversityof bothedibleandwhattheycall‘support plants’intheirsubtropicalfoodforest. Supportplantsprovideshelter,shade, diversity,nutrientsandfertilitytothe otherfruitbearingplants.“Thisstyleof growingisamoveawayfromindustrial monocropgrowingpracticesthatrely heavilyonexternalinputs,”saysSimon.

Thenurseryandfoodforestare notcurrentlyopentothepublicbut thereareplanstohostopendaysand workshopsasSimonhasnoticedthat therehasbeena“realsurgeininterest inthefoodforestspacelately,notjust fromprivatelandownersbutparticularly fromcommunitygroups,schoolsand kindergartens.”

Simonhasafewtipsforcreatingyour ownsubtropicalparadiseathome.

Herecommendslayeringtoachieve alushgreenlookandsaysthat“lotsof Subtropicalplantspreferdappledlight, particularlyinplaceslikeGisbornewhere wehavelong,intensesummerdays. Usingpalmtreesorbananasasyour canopyisagreatidea.”Hesuggests plantingalayerofshrubsunderthe palmsfollowedbyshadelovingground covers.

Simon’spersonalfavourite subtropicalplant,TithoniaDiversifolia, iswhathecallsa‘powerhouse’plant. Hesays,“It’sarelativelynewplant

tous,usedheavilyinthefoodforest spaceasasupportplant.It’sfantastic atshadingoutkikuyuandothertough unwantedgrasses,itprovidesthe perfectenvironmenttonursevulnerable seedlingsandprovidesexcellentfertility tothesoil.Asabonusitalsogives stunningbloomsofbigyellow,sunflower likeflowersthroughoutthewinter months.”

AdayinthelifeatSubtropicaisnever thesameandvariesdependingonthe timeofyear.Simonsaysthatittypically involvesa“combinationofpropagating seedsorcuttings,pottingplants, grafting,collectingandprocessing

propagationmaterial.Thenthereis pestmanagementandwateringwhichis ongoing,aswellasmaintenanceonthe nurseryitself.

Observationisanotherkeyrole.We areanorganicnurserysotakingthetime tohandwaterandobserveanyearly stagesofadversehealthintheplantsis key.”

Theendoftheweekseestheduo collating,packingandlabellingorders forshippingonMondaywhilethe officeadministackledintheevenings oncethekidsareinbed.It’sabusylife forKelseyandSimonwhohavejust welcomedtheirseconddaughter,but

theylovewhattheydoandenjoybeing partofthevibrantgrowingcommunity withinGisborne.

Withthecurrentsubtropicalplant seasoncomingtoaclose,nowisthe timetoplanyourownsubtropical plantingsforspring.Thenurseryisn’t openforvisitorssothebestwayto browsethecatalogueofplantsisonline. TheSubtropicateamwillbeback shippingweeklyfromSeptember.

Formoreinformationontheir growingprocessesgoto subtropica.co.nz

Adreamcomestrue

ByKylieJohnson

OrereAnguswasestablishedin 2017fromadream.Wehadjust broughtthelandfromLeeand Maria,Ben’sparents.Thiswas735ha ofmediumtosteephillcountry50km southwestofGisborne,wethoughtwhy nottrysomethingdifferentthatinterests usalongsidethecommercialsideofour sheepandbeeffarmingoperationwith anAngusstud?

Theopportunityarosetopurchase19 AngusstudcowsfromtheAlpineAngus dispersalsale.

Fromherewehaveslowlyincreased ournumbersovertheyearspickingupa fewcowsalongthewayfromotherstuds anddoinganonfarmembryoprogram withEmbyroCo.Wegenerallypickthree cowstogointotheprogrameachyear. Thecowsareselectedonphenotype, longevityandperformance:aspectsthat wethinkareimportantinourstud.

Thisyearwewillbecalving100 mixedagecowsand22R2heifers. Allheifersarematedasyearlingsand areexpectedtoraiseacalfandany poorproducersanddrysareculled. Wearebreedingtokeepthetraditional EastCoastcattletype,amoderate robustframewithgoodmeatandbone covering,structurallysoundwithfertility togetincalfeachyearregardlessofthe season.

Withtherecentaddition(400ha)of aneighboringfarmlastyeartakesus to1175hectare,1050effective,running 300commercialAnguscowsand4500 Romneyewes.

Weareaimingtofinishalllambson farmwitha18kgcarcassweight,and allsteercalvessoldintheMatawhero weanerfairaveraging240kg.

Withadiverselandscapeofsiltflats tomediumtosteephillcountrywesoon realizedbothBenandIcouldn’trunthe farmourselveswithBen’sparentsretiring atthestartofthisyear.

Ourkidsarealsoawayfromhome: Lachie,18,isshepherdinginHawkes Bay.Natalie,16,andSophie,13,areboth awayatboardingschoolintheWaikato. Thereforeweapproachedagood friendDylanYoungthatweknewwas acapablestockmanagerwhoneeded morescaletoexpandhisknowledge. HeandhispartnerLexihaveslottedin smoothlyrunningthecommercialsideof thefarmingbusiness.

Withthenewlybuiltrostrumlastyear andsecondonfarmsale,therewillbe 18-20R2bullsgoingthroughthering thisyearshowcasingthelastofTuriroa RagnarP224,KaharauP412,andour heifermatingbullTurihauaR87.

Wearereallyhappywiththelineup ofbullsthisyearandlookforwardto seeingyouatthesale.

Whoisyourhero?

ByStJohnCraner

Twoofmybiggestheroespassed awayinrecentmonths.

OneofthemwasCharlie Munger,thelesserknown2icto billionaireWarrenBuffett.

TheotherwasDanielKahneman whowastheonlybehavioural economicspsychologisttowinaNobel Prizeforhiswork.

Bothofthemwereseminalthought leaders.

Theircommitmenttolife-long learningandcontinualimprovementis

whatmadethemmyheroes.

CharlieMungerisbestknownfor hisdrysenseofhumouratthefamous annualBerkshireHathawayAGMsand hisworkrelatingtomentalmodels–the “latticework”ashereferredto.

HisbookPoorCharlie’sAlamack isamust-readforanyonewhowants tolearnmoreabouthumandecision makingandwealthcreation.

AnotheroneofmyheroesisJim Rohnwhowastheguythatcoached TonyRobbins.Hiswisewordsaresage andoneofhisbestquotesthathasstuck withmethemostwas:

“Yourlevelofsuccess willrarelyexceed yourlevelofpersonal developmentbecause successissomething youattractbythe personyoubecome.” WinstonChurchillwas anotherwhohappened tobemyGrandfather’s MPbackintheday. Heisoftenquoted andsaidhimself aboutquotesthat: “Itisagoodthing foranuneducated mantoreadbooksof quotations.” IsraelDisraeliwent onebetterwhenhe said:“Thewisdom ofthewise,andthe experienceofages, maybepreservedby quotations.”

BenjaminFranklinwashardlya sloucheither.

I’veread,listenedandresearcheda lotonthesegentlemensomyquestion toyourdearreaderis: Whoisyourheroandwhy?

Whenyoureadandlearnabout yourheroestheyteachyoualot.They areheroesbecausetheysharetheir knowledgeandwisdomsootherslike youandmecanlearnfromthemor avoidthemistakestheymade.

AndasCharlieMungersaid “It’sgoodtolearnfrom yourmistakes.It’sbetter tolearnfromother people’smistakes.”

JimRohnsaidreadingisessentialfor thosewhowishtoriseabovemediocrity.

EntrepreneurPatrickCollisonstated thatthevalueofreadingtohimwas simple:

“Youcouldtrytopound yourheadagainstthe wallandthinkoforiginal ideasoryoucancheatby readingtheminbooks.”

Notruerwordsspoken. Somychallengetoyouistoreadwider anddeeperoverthesewintermonths. Don’tjustbethesportsjockreading thelatestandgreatestexAllBlacks coachingbooks(Smithywasabloody crackinggoodreadtobefair!).

Lightthefireatnightandgraba goodbookfromthelibraryorbookshop (there’salltheobviousonlineoptions too).Letittransportyouawayfromyour currentworldforawhile.Itwillkeepyou

companyaswellaswarm,inspiredand illuminatedonshorterdaysanddarker nights.

Itmightalsogiveyouandyourmates somethingtotalkaboutapartfromthe rugby.

Findyourheroesorevennewheroes andreadallyoucanaboutthem.You andyourlifewillneverregretitbecause youwilllearnalotthatcanhelpyou.

Andpleaseletmeknowwhatyou’ve read.Ialwaysliketohearfromyouand findnewheroestoo.

StJohnCranerisManaging DirectorofAgrarianRuralSalesand marketingandcanbefoundreading alot.www.agrarian.co.nz

DanielKahneman.