The Country - November 2019

Issue 10 | Monday, 18 November 2019

THE

COUNTRY

The synthetic protein rebellion Spotlighting the New Zealand story

Holiday health and safety

Ticking all the boxes

Keeping your summer visitors safe

Top employment contract must-do’s

COMMERCIAL MANAGER Nikki Verbeet

PHONE 0277 12 14 13

EMAIL nikki.verbeet@nzme.co.nz

POWERED BY

THE

COUNTRY

Inside this issue Spotlighting the New Zealand story

Deep in the heart of Texas

Blockchain and IoT

The tantalising Texas barbeque

Technology helping supply chains

Holiday health and safety

Beyond the dark clouds

Top tips to keep summer visitors safe

Positivity for red meat exports

Life returns to ‘sad’ city stream

Planting trees for bees could save money on farm

Volunteer team makes a difference

New study results

The potential demand for meat and milk

Let’s start with us A call to focus on the positives

New Zee-land, land of the long galvanised wire Top Kiwi inventors

Ticking all the boxes

Staying connected

Top employment contract must-do's

Business success through technology

THE

COUNTRY Radio

Digital

Print

Social

Join Jamie Mackay and Rowena Duncum every weekday at 12 – 1pm for an informative and entertaining agri-business hour, with a generous side-serving of news, sport and politics.

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

FIND YO OUR FREQUENCY AT: THECOUNTRY.CO.NZ/FREQUENCIES NZ/FREQUENCIES

THE

COUNTRY

Let’s start with us Adapt, recharge and rebuild

I A self-fulfilling prophesy?

a

‘Creative’ reporting

Julia Jones is Head of Analytics at NZX and a former KPMG farm enterprise specialist.

We need to realise that ... through a global, big-picture lens, [environmental] proposals totally support the evolution needed to keep New Zealand animal protein relevant and valuable to the world.

THE

Next-gen software

COUNTRY

Sponsored

for nextgen farming businesses

Tired of spending hours in the office sifting through paper?

Cash Manager Focus will give you more time to meet the challenges and obligations of a modern farming business.

C

RS Software, a Masterton-based rural software company, has responded to the need for a more automated and userfriendly farm management package in the farm financial planning space with Cash Manager Focus, a next-generation, cloud-based platform that replaces Cashmanager RURAL, used by customers for over 30 years.

The test phase for migrating clients from RURAL to Focus is almost complete and the initial customer group, selected because of how they previously used Cashmanager RURAL, have successfully migrated their businesses to Focus.

Their feedback enabled CRS Software to apply tweaks to the migration process before this becomes a self-service application for all customers, who will move from RURAL to Focus by mid-next year.

Customers who are already using Focus say a big part of the attraction has been the automation of existing processes that save time and money right across their farming business.

Benefits for farmers

New invoice scanning feature

South Wairarapa farmers and part-owners of Kay-Jay Angus, Sam and Rodney Kjestrup, say moving to Focus has helped improve communications and efficiencies in several areas.

Rodney says with multiple family members and off-farm support making daily decisions, it’s important to make sure everyone is in the loop.

“Focus provides us with up-to-date stock reconciliations and online bank feed opportunities. We can pull reports on any business area at any time from any device in an instant, with no more shuffling through paper.”

The 2019 Hawke’s Bay Wairarapa Share Farmers of the Year also use Focus and they say several new features have absolutely helped save time spent in the office, rather than being out on the farm.

Hamish Hammond and Rachel Gardner say that with information sharing more important than ever, they are now able to log in from any device and check new transactions for an up-to-date and accurate year-to-date budget.

“We can immediately see current cash and future cash positions plus a predicted end of year, which informs spend and future investment decisions.”

Soon Cash Manager Focus users will be able to enjoy the new invoice scanning feature. This enables any invoice to be emailed to Focus and a transaction automatically created. The invoice in the farm business account is then ready to match against your bank statement.

No more searching for individual inputs and less paper to account for!

So powerful, yet so simple...

The decision making tool designed for NZ farmers.

DEMO NOW!

Check out our FREE DEMO at www.farmfocus.nz

CRS Software is now ready to invite more RURAL clients to migrate over to Focus.

If you would like to be a part of the next group, please visit www.crssoftware.co.nz/migrating-customers and complete the migration survey.

As with the initial group, criteria will be applied to select the next transition group and will include details of how customers have previously used RURAL, so don’t be disappointed if you are not invited to move right away.

Once you have completed the survey, you will be on our radar and kept in the loop.

THE

COUNTRY

Spotlighting the

New Zealand story The rebellion against synthetic protein systems, says Jacqueline Rowarth, could well provide a massive demand for New Zealand meat and milk.

I

n 2017 US-based think tank RethinkX predicted that by 2030 self-driving electric cars will dominate our roads, with 95 percent of US passenger miles occurring in on-demand autonomous EVs owned by companies.

This year RethinkX reported that within a mere 10 years livestock industries will be replaced by synthetic systems that create higher quality and cheaper protein than the animal-derived products they replace.

Both reports have a lot of assumptions and extrapolations underpinning the bold statements.

Number one is that consumers will behave logically – or even in a manner aligned with their statements.

Last month we had school children attending climate change rallies around the world – having been transported to these rallies in cars. We also had joyful exuberance over Scott McLaughlin’s Bathurst win – a triumph of skill and engineering involving a V8 car driven in very fast circles for 1000 kilometres whilst gobbling high-octane fuel and emitting carbon dioxide that will be around for centuries.

Adding to the muddle was the news in mid-October that global sales of electric vehicles have stalled and might even be in decline. Sanford Bernstein (part of US company Bernstein Research) estimated that after a fall in sales in July, there was a 23 percent drop in August. Dyson, the world-famous engineering solutions company, has pulled out of EV car development.

Taste, sensation and culture The problem with predictions is that they are hard to make about the future. Knowing this, however, doesn’t make the RethinkX report on food and agriculture any less important or easier to stomach.

For New Zealand, its importance is in showing how the Northern Hemisphere feedlot and barn systems are going to have to change. In considerable contrast, the New Zealand ‘paddock-raised, grass-fed’ meat and milk will be in demand.

Sainsbury’s Future of Food Report has a prediction for 2169: “As an antidote to the scenario of purely functional administering of nutrition for necessity, food in its fullest sense – taste, sensation and culture – may well become a practice for preserving a sense of human identity in an increasingly digitised world”.

Let’s think about that: taste, sensation and culture.

The New Zealand story has it all: the flavour, mouth feel and health benefits of grass-fed, free-range meat and milk. It’s all natural – the shortlist of ingredients (meat and milk) provides the clue.

New Zealand animal protein also fulfils the four points that Cargill research has indicated are important to consumers. These are reduced

antibiotics (New Zealand is the third-lowest user of antibiotics for farm animals in the world); using feed with sustainable ingredients (pasture); reduced pollutants (New Zealand achieves meat and milk with lower nutrient loss and fewer greenhouse gas emissions than most countries can manage); and ‘doing more with less’.

This last point is again where New Zealand excels. Productivity gains have been greater in the agricultural sector in New Zealand than in anything but retail over the past 10 years – and without the gains in the agricultural sector, people wouldn’t have been able to ‘support’ retail.

In considerable contrast, in the UK, where the bulk of farmers make their money from subsidies and off-farm incomes, productivity is in the doldrums.

More positives for New Zealand Adding to the positives for New Zealand is that in March this year Cargill research indicated that two-thirds of people intend to maintain or increase their intake of animal protein in the next year, and that 80 percent of respondents “believe that animal protein can be part of an environmentally responsible diet”.

While ‘flexitarian’ becomes the new norm, the realist recognises that flexitarianism boils down to eating what we fancy, when and where we fancy it, at least in the developed world. This is in some contrast to the past when one ate what there was (assuming there was anything that could be hunted or gathered).

The likelihood for the future is that convenience will rule on a working day, and maybe the food will come from an insect farm or synthetic protein fermentation farm near the city. But on non-workdays and for celebrations, the slow-food concept will rule.

Here the food will reflect the connection between farm and fork, grass and glass, soil and saliva. It will include the New Zealand story about pastoral ecosystems. Productivity in the managed landscapes means native biodiversity can be preserved in the large area of conservation land that New Zealand has identified for preservation into the future. All the factors from the pragmatic to the lyrical will be part of the story.

Overseas, the two aspects of ‘clean label’ and ‘indulgence foods’ are separate. In New Zealand, they can be brought together. Meat and milk.

Of course, things might change, just as they might have done with electric vehicles, but the direction is logical and fits with the trend towards healthy and unprocessed food.

Dr Jacqueline Rowarth has a PhD in soil science (nutrient cycling) and has been a vegetarian for over four decades.

Grow with the bank founded by farmers for farmers Rabobank -121 years of global agricultural history We have a unique understanding of agriculture and the importance of taking a longer view. That’s why, through bumper seasons and leaner years, we’ll be here to help you grow.

If you’d like to grow with Rabobank call 0800 500 933 | rabobank.co.nz

THE

COUNTRY

Deep in the heart of Texas Craig Hickman DairyMan@dairymanNZ indulges in the tantalising succulence that is the Texas barbeque.

I

I was greeted by a tall, rangy African American gentleman in his late sixties. His f you’re ever in Texas, you owe it to yourself and your taste buds to try Texas barbecue. This isn’t a Kiwi-style barbecue – there’s no gas and hotplate – this is wide smile was full of gaps and when I asked him what was good, he laughed like charcoal, mesquite chips, smoke and hours and hours of cook time.

I had made the best joke in the world. Everything at Sam’s is good, he told me.

There’s a whole culture attached to Texan barbecue; it’s about friends and family Having learned my lesson from earlier barbecue experiences, I opted for a mixed coming together, welcoming people into your home and taking the time to get to know plate, which let me choose two sides and two meats. what’s happening in people’s lives; it’s about friendship and community.

The sign out front proclaimed that Sam’s sold Austin’s best hot sausage, so how The most well-known barbecue place in Austin is Franklin’s, established in 2009. could I resist? I rounded the order off with mutton and potato salad and green beans Franklin’s have sold out of brisket every single day since they opened. While they’re as sides. (You should always get the potato salad, it’s unlike anything I’ve tried famous for brisket and ribs, they’re more famous for their queue; think Queenstown’s before, cold mashed potato with a creamy consistency and bursting with flavour.)

Fergburger on steroids.

The sausage was excellent, and the mutton was all I could have asked for – By happy coincidence, my accommodation was only a five-minute walk from rich, deep flavour and not at all greasy or fatty, which is no mean feat when you’re Franklin’s, so I arrived at 11.30 on a Wednesday morning, half an hour after they cooking mutton flaps. For the first time in my life, I enjoyed green beans; I don’t opened, and joined the line. As we waited and shuffled forward, I eavesdropped on know what he did to them, but they were crisp and delicious. my neighbour.

It wasn’t until later when I was sent a news article about Sam’s that I realised the The family in front of me were excitedly deciding how many pounds of brisket and man who served me was David Mays. His family bought Sam’s BBQ in 1976, and how many sausages they would buy and fretting over whether the ribs would be sold every morning Mays now struggles with the dilemma of whether to keep serving out before they reached the counter. The two young men behind me were in an earnest barbecue to the community he loves or take the five million dollars developers have and highly technical discussion about the dimensions of their RV’s cooler which, they offered him so they can build apartments where his building now stands. finally concluded, would hold three pounds of brisket.

Of all the barbecue places I tried in Austin – Franklin’s, The Salt Lick, Stubb’s By the time I reached the counter I was relieved the ribs hadn’t sold out, so – it’s Sam’s to which I’d return. Honest, delicious and with such a deep I added a pound of them to my original order of a pound of brisket and sense of history and genuine warmth that I didn’t want to leave. two sausages. It was then I learned a valuable barbecue lesson: just However, while Sam’s was my favourite barbecue shop in Texas, because they sell it by the pound doesn’t mean you have to buy it it wasn’t the most memorable experience.

Oh Lord! The by the pound.

Homegrown welcome Everything was delicious, as you’d expect. The pork ribs smoke ring on that had a nice hit with their spice rub, the sausages were dense Katy Kemp, a Twitter friend, invited me to visit her family roast was perfect, the and heavy with just a hint of smokiness and the brisket was ranch: Kemp Angus Farm. amazingly succulent and tender. All the meat stood alone meat was tender and I knew I was going for lunch and a farm tour, but I was without the need of additional flavour, but I helped myself to expecting maybe some sandwiches and a coffee. Katy’s juicy and the famous their famous coffee-infused barbecue sauce just the same. father and her brother Kurt had prepared a homegrown Was it worth the $60? I don’t think you’re paying for just the Kreuz sausage was Angus chuck roast in the smoker they’d built out of an old meal; you’re paying for the whole experience. I walked past a propane tank: a truly impressive wheeled contraption that thick and dense. few days later and there were over 200 people waiting their turn. could be towed anywhere you felt the need.

They had lawn chairs and chilly bins, umbrellas and sunhats. Kids Oh Lord! The smoke ring on that roast was perfect, the meat were running in and out of the line and everyone was thrilled to be was tender and juicy and the famous Kreuz sausage was thick part of the experience. I know the British like to queue, but this was and dense and absolutely did not need the mustard that Kurt liberally the first time I’d ever seen standing in line elevated to entertainment. applied to his plate.

The delicious meat was served with a corn bake and stem-to-tip roast carrot, Million-dollar mutton and I sipped my iced tea while listening to Mr Kemp talk about the trials of farming in The day before I left Austin, I went to a totally different barbecue joint, and only then Texas. Lunch was topped off with Bluebell ice cream, another Texas institution, and because the one I’d set my sights on was closed on Mondays. As I walked further followed with a guided tour of the Angus stud. east into an area where gentrification only just had a toehold, past colourful murals At the end of the day, no matter how good a barbecue place is, nothing beats of local African American heroes, I came across a weatherboard building with being welcomed into a person’s home and sitting down to a home-cooked meal. peeling white paint and a faded Pepsi sign on a precarious lean bearing the legend I hope to return the favour one day.

‘Sam’s BBQ’.

Craig Hickman is a dairy farmer and avid Twitter proponent from Ashburton.

I joked that it looked sketchy, but as soon as I stepped through the door I was in love. The walls were covered in photos of long-past local events, there were booths with sagging vinyl benches and a pedestal wash basin next to the counter DairyMan@dairymanNZ for the very necessary post-barbecue ablutions. Above all, I loved it because it was welcoming, and it felt comfortable and friendly.

GOLDEN KIWIFRUIT OPPORTUNITY GET IN TOUCH WITH OUR KIWIFRUIT SPECIALISTS The growth of the kiwifruit sector could present a fruitful opportunity for existing growers and potential investors. With local knowledge, experience, and connections, our team of kiwifruit specialists can help you make informed decisions, making it a little easier for you to grow. kiwifruit@anz.com

ANZ Bank New Zealand Limited 11/19

21330TC

THE

COUNTRY

Blockchain and IoT:

more than just buzzwords and Transparency is cruciial for maintaining consumer faith in New Zeala supply chains and two main techn nology groups are being floa ated to help.

Sascha Stronach explain ns.

W

e live in an age of information, where consu umers are de emanding more and more insight into where their food is coming from and ho ow it gets there.

Major incidents like the 2013 horse meat sca andal have e shaken consumer faith, and it is becoming increasingly important for Kiwi farmers to make their supply chains more accessible and understandable for consum mers.

Kiwis in particular – more connected to our farming heritage, with lobby groups like Fonterra often in the public eye – want to know where their food is s co omiing from.

“I think a lot of consumers would be shocked if they looked into how much of their everyday food was imported. Initiatives like Country of Origin Labellin ng (CoOL) or supply chain transparency should be encouraged if we want local co onsumers to support NZ agriculture over imported food.” – John Hart, @farmgeek We’re seeing two main technology groups being floated to help as ssist with transparency: Blockchain and IoT. Let’s dig into them.

Blockchain ncy, Blockchain is often hyped up as the be-all and end-off for transparen but a lot of that is good marketing. There has only been one major sttudy as into the viability of blockchain for agricultural supply chains, and it wa inconclusive. Blockchain currently has high resource requirements in n terms of computing power and raw electricity, and it’s not going to become e viable until the hardware improves. eing hard It’s important to note that blockchain isn’t secure in the sense of be to break into (it’s not much harder than any other encrypted system) but in that it’s tamper-proof: if a block doesn’t line up, then you know it has been co ompromised and you can deal with it easily.

It’s a bit reductive, but a good way to visualise blockchain is as a th housand connected ledgers, and every transaction gets written in each ledge er; if somebody tries to pull a fast one, their ledger will be the odd one out because th he others won’t have the dodgy transaction.

New Zealand is fairly well positioned to trial something like this: blo ockchain trials are ineffective unless they’re over a certain size, but New Zealand ha as organisations like Beef + Lamb and their Future Farm project that are well positione ed to implement and test new technologies on the broader scale required to make blo ockchain effective.

Blockchain is worth investigating; it’s just not the panacea we’re often n being sold.

Internet of Things (IoT) er than it sounds: Another buzzword is the Internet of Things (IoT) farm, which is simple it just means more internet-connected devices around the farm.

Fonterra is already rolling out new high-tech monitors in milk vats, and it’s not a huge leap to have some of the data from those monitors broadcast to a public-facing site, so consumers know when a particular shipment left. Monitors att selected points along a supply chain could allow users to trace a particular bottle of milk from vat to supermarket just by entering a barcode.

Like blockchain, this would require some setup, though it’s easier to run small-scale trials to test for viability. This could be devices like monitors but could d also include live camera feeds and customer interaction/feedback like Beef + Lam mb are trialling at Lanercost Farm.

This sort of technology isn’t just about raw data, it’s about telling a story.

Customers are often disconnected from their food and the realities of farming and creating more supply chain transparency in this fashion will also help p consumers to understand farming better. It’s an opportunity to tell Kiwi stories an nd help people understand the hard work that goes into farm life, while also reassuring consumers that their food is humane, safe, and high-quality.

I really want to see an electric side-by-side farm vehicle. They spend most of their time sitting in the shed, so they may as well be grabbing a free solar recharge while they wait to be used.

On an industry scale, I think the coming disruption from alternative e dairy and meat proteins will do more to change the way we farm than anything we’ve e seen before.

It won’t all be bad if we plan for it now – there will always be a markett for the best ‘real” food on the planet, but it has to come with an impeccable story y of land and water regeneration, as well as supporting vibrant rural communities. Supply chain transparency will be absolutely key in telling those stories to our custtomers.

Originally from Marlborough, Sascha Stronach is a Wellington-based journalist. He writes about technology and society and the point at which they intersect.

FARMING AND TECH BY THE NUMBERS • 20-30 billion estimated IoT-enabled devices by the end of the 2020s • 52,785 farms in New Zealand • 894 public blockchains • 1 IoT-enabled Future Farm (Lanercost, in Canterbury)

FORESTRY MULCHERS

Forestry Mulchers for a large range of tractors, excavators and skid-steers.

agriline

•

•

•

www.agriline.co.nz

0800 24 74 54

Heavy Duty Construction Quality European Made Fixed or 360° Swinging Hammers

THE

COUNTRY

New Zee-land, land of the long galvanised wire Glenn Dwight reveals his list of great Kiwi inventors.

A

s New Zealanders we love our ‘number 8 wire’ tradition; it’s the Kiwi version of MacGyver’s duct tape. In fact, a modern-d day Fred Dagg battling various villains with his trusty roll of number 8 wire and Kiwi know-how is perhaps something worthy of New Zealand On Air funding But as a country of great inventors, we are also a country of modest men and women; so humble, in fact, that even our beers look down on themselves (and we love our beers).

You’ll only find three stars on a Speights bottle, when surely it deserves at least four... And then there is the ever-humble Wakachangi, with its equally humble tagline ‘Quite nice beer’.

As a nation it’s time to celebrate our number 8 wire tradition and the great inventors of New Zee-land – land of the long galvanised wire (and some bailing twine for those finer jobs).

So here is my list of great Kiwi inventors and their inventions, or gifts to the world, as I see them.

Glimpse of the future Coming in at number five for me is *Glenn Martin. for inventing the Martin Jetpack. Basically (and I am no rocket scientist), he strapped a ton of fireworks to his back, put on his scooter helmet and took to the skies.

Bloody genius and for all the fans of Back to the Future who have patiently been waiting for a hoverboard, Mr Martin, I thank you for at least giving us a glimpse of the future, today! Up, up and away!

Thing of dreams At number four, Alan Gibb, the man behind the world’s first high-speed (and yes, that is important) amphibious vehicle. The amphibious car was the thing of dreams. So much so that even that great dreamer himself Richard Branson took it across the English Channel.

Electric entertainment Number three is the great man Bill Gallagher, the man behind the electric fence. And yes, I recognise the electric fence for all its cattle-corralling ability, but as an instrument of pure entertainment, the electric fence has brought so much joy to so many. Nothing like a game of Pass the Electric Shock or the ultimate challenge of mind over matter, Pee Between the Wire.

Again, the possibility for some New Zealand On Air funding for the Kiwi version of The Wire.

I can imagine the quote “you pee on the fence, you better not miss” being as much part of our culture as “cook me some eggs”.

Prolific pioneer And with that cooking reference, we arrive at number two on my list, Ernest Godward. Who, you ask? Ernest could go down as one of New Zealand’s most prolific inventors. He’s the man behind the eggbeater, designed to prepare eggs for a sponge in a record three minutes.

He also invented the burglar-proof window and his greatest gift, the spiral hairpin. Privately, I have my suspicions that he might have worked with Woolf Fisher of Fisher and Paykel on this, because every washing machine pump has at least three hair pins stuck in it – and those vanishing hairpins can only be good for business for both Mr Godward and Mr Fisher.

Rubber bands and doggy-doos So who is number one? Before I reveal that, I must give an honourable mention to A J Hackett.

Who the bloody hell fastens rubber bands to his ankles and jumps off a bridge? Not even Wile E Coyote, in an attempt to catch that pesky Roadrunner, would have attempted such insanity.

Okay, the winner and number one inventor is...drum roll... Eion Scarrow! ‘What?’ I hear you you say. Wasn’t he a gardening guru, famous for planting seeds that developed into plants, but hardly an inventor? WRONG. He is my king of the number 8 invention, even if it did get New Zealand’s wires crossed.

The story goes that in 1989 the great gardening guru was being interviewed on a radio show and told listeners that a plastic bottle of water on the lawn would stop dogs using your lawn as a toilet (he completely invented the story).

Within days and without any evidence of this working, mums and dads across the country were draining their plastic bottles of Coke or Fanta and replacing it with water and then placing these bottles strategically on the lawn to stop those pesky pooches pooing.

I remember often seeing a dog relieving itself next to said bottle, but never doubting the power of the lawn water bottle. So how can this be a great inventor? Well, my belief is that Mr Scarrow (soon to be Sir Eion, I am sure) was all about being prepared for a natural disaster and wanted Kiwis to have an adequate supply of water should disaster (not a pooch poo) hit.

Eion, you are a man before your time. So come on New Zealand, fill those bottles and place them on the lawn, they might not stop Rover relieving himself, but you will be disaster ready.

Kiwi bloke and bottle-filler Glenn Dwight is a creative director at NZME in Wellington.

It’s Barking Mad at Hunterville’s Shepherds Shemozzle

Every year the streets of Hunterville come alive with the sounds of hounds as the annual Shepherds' Shemozzle gets underway. Now in its 22nd year, the Shepherd's Shemozzle is a gruelling race for Huntaways and their owners, and attracts between 4000 – 5000 visitors to the Hunterville Huntaway Festival every year. They come to watch the iconic race, which is definitely not for the faint of heart.

Competitors have to overcome a series of obstacles such as crawling through tunnels, swinging on ropes, sliding down mud slides and more, all with their trusty Huntaway by their

side. Dogs need to be in peak physical condition to take part in the race, which is why Black Hawk pet food is a natural fit as a major sponsor of the event.

The endurance formula behind Black Hawk Working Dog is high in quality protein (32 per cent), with lamb and beef as the main ingredients, and quality fats (22 per cent), designed to promote strong lean muscles and ensure a sustainable release of energy throughout the dog's working day.

Black Hawk's Working Dog food is available through Veterinary Clinics around the country. Find out more here https://blackhawkpetcare.com/nz/

THE

Top tips

COUNTRY

for health and safety over the holidays

The long summer holidays are just around the corner, says Jacqui Owen, so now’s the time to consider the health and safety of any young (and not so young) visitors to your farm.

W

ith the coming summer months, there is often an influx of visitors to the farm. These visitors are often unused to the day-to-day hazards that present to employees, contractors and visitors alike. It seems like an opportune time to revisit your procedures to ensure your grandchildren, nieces and nephews or other visitors have a safe and fun holiday season.

As a PCBU (Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking), you are responsible for ensuring the safety of everyone who enters the workplace – even visitors to the farm.

Not all areas of the farm are captured under WorkSafe rules, but you do have a duty to ensure that any work areas on the farm are safe and don’t pose a risk to the health and safety of any person.

In particular, farm buildings and immediate surrounding areas must be safe. You should have a check-off any entrances, exits and buildings to ensure there are no risks, or that, if there are, you take steps to mitigate the chance of these causing harm.

You are not responsible for the safety of people crossing a farm in a non-work area or away from farm buildings. But be careful that a paddock was not a work area previously and that there is a risk there still from that previous work. An example is where a farmer has been fencing a paddock and the post rammer is still in the paddock and could cause harm if the monkey fell somehow.

Anyone who is a visitor must take reasonable care that their actions (or lack of action) do not knowingly put themselves or others at risk. They must listen to and comply with any reasonable instructions you give them.

WorkSafe provides an excellent set of tips for keeping children and young people safe on farm. These same tips apply to anyone who is inexperienced and new to the farm.

In addition to the WorkSafe tips at right, here are my three top tips:

WorkSafe tips for child safety on farms ■ Walk around the farm with children and identify hazards together.

■ Adult supervision is vital – for young children it must be close and active.

■ Lead by example, for example always wear an approved helmet on a quad bike.

■ Think about having safety fences around play areas, animal pens, work areas and water spots.

■ Keep doors shut or locked so children can’t get in where they shouldn’t.

■ Use safety guards on all machinery.

■ Store dangerous agri-chemicals safely out of children’s reach.

■ Remove keys from doors and vehicles. Never leave vehicles unattended with the motor running.

■ Make sure it is safe to reverse farm vehicles. Walk around the vehicle and check that children are a safe distance away before starting the engine.

The future of farming is changing; the priorities of the world are shifting fast and there is a massive focus on optimum environmental, animal and human health.”

■ Children should not ride on tractors, quad bikes or on the back of utes.

■ Road safety on private and public roads is vital. Have children in car seats and seat belts when in cars, utes and trucks.

■ Make sure children wear high-visibility clothing when out and about on farm.

■ Teach children to wash and dry their hands after touching animals.

■ Cover tanks and wells with child restraint covers or fill in disused ones.

■ Tie spare tractor wheels to walls or lie them flat so they can’t crush a child.

■ Make sure children ride bikes that are appropriate for their age and height, and are in line with manufacturers’ specifications.

■ If children are riding a smaller model farm bike, they need to wear an approved helmet and closed-in shoes. An adult should always supervise them.

■ Have a selection of hi-vis vests available that all visitors must wear (young or old), if they are outside the section.

■ Teach children the dangers of speeding and uneven ground.

■ Ensure that there is a selection of different-sized helmets for motorbikes and insist on a no-helmet, no-ride policy.

■ Make sure children know what to do in an emergency: what to do, where to go and who to call.

Teach children basic first aid.

■ Have clear no-go areas on the farm that you actively show any visitors (effluent pond paddock, effluent sump area, tractor, dairy where machines and hot water are located.)

■ Make it a rule for older children to always say where they are going.

It’s important to remember that the WorkSafe laws are not designed to take away the enjoyment of farming or the ability to share this enjoyment with others. Being sensible and safe will usually be enough.

Jacqui Owen LLB runs Morrinsville law firm Jacqui Owen Legal. In her other life, Jacqui runs a sharemilking operation with her husband on a 250-cow job.

■ Children do listen, understand, remember and apply rules over time. But things change so farm safety needs constant attention.

■ The Health and Safety at Work (General Risk and Workplace Management) Regulations 2016 (the Regulations) require that a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that no worker aged less than 15 years is present in an area of work, or carries out work of a type that is likely to cause harm to their health and safety.

Nithdale Genetics Ram Viewing - Open Day Find out the 12 reasons to change to Nithdale!

Come see for yourself Wednesday November 20th, @ the Woolshed at Nithdale Station from 10am

Ph Andrew on 0800 NITHDALE or 0272566647 www.nithdale.com ADVERTISEMENT

Diamond Grid - the simple solution that solved an expensive problem in the Bay of Plenty A recent installation in the BOP area was undertaken by Craig Morgan for a property with a steep entrance driveway and sharp corners.

The base was immaculately prepared using a coarse base rock which was evenly spread over the road area and then rolled to level off the surface. Geofabric cloth was installed to prevent subsurface silt from making its way up through the material and contaminating the final gravel, and at the same time, allowing rainfall to fully penetrate the surface.

Before

Craig boxed out the inside curve of the road to form an excellent edging to the grid surface and also meticulously installed a drainage system with larger rocks for the outside curve to prevent any washout.

He then laid the grid and trimmed off the edges to tie into the concrete apron at the start of the driveway, before filling with a 10-12mm road rock.

Overall, this whole installation was undertaken by Craig and his team as per the Diamond Grid guidelines and the results are spectacular.

Diamond Grid distributors David & Caroline Younghusband said “We would have to say that the installation that he has done was the best we have ever seen and Craig’s attention to detail was nothing short of spectacular. He did say on the phone that the driveway held up perfectly to some extremely heavy rain a couple of weeks ago.”

Diamond Grid is an extremely versatile product and can be used for many different applications. In most cases, it is a simple process to prepare, install and then fill with the desired material for any particular job, and as seen in the photo above, an excellent solution when used around a water trough to prevent the area from pugging up.

After

THE

COUNTRY

Beyond the dark clouds Despite Brexit and the US-China trade war, trade fundamentals for our red meat sector are still some of the strongest in living memory, says Sam McIvor of Beef + Lamb New Zealand.

W

ith all the focus in recent weeks on Brexit and the US-China trade war, you could be forgiven for thinking that New Zealand’s international trading prospects were looking gloomy. Despite all the high-profile headlines, the reality is the trade fundamentals for our red meat sector are still some of the strongest in living memory.

So, let’s deal with the two large dark clouds on the trade horizon first.

Brexit, when, or if, it happens will present challenges for our exports to the UK and European Union. But across the sector, and in partnership with the government, we’re as prepared as we can be to deal with any disruptions. We’re also continuing our fight against any erosion of our previously negotiated WTO access rights, such as the proposal to split the quota between the UK and EU. News that the Brexit deadline has been extended to 31 January is welcome news, however, given the Christmas lamb trade in the UK. All eyes are now turning to the UK’s General Election on 12 December, with Brexit set to be the key issue that the election turns on, and Beef + Lamb New Zealand will be following developments closely.

The other cloud hanging over international trade has been the United States-China trade war. While New Zealand has escaped any direct impacts from it, the uncertainty it has caused and the increased protectionism it promoted aren’t good for anyone.

It’s pleasing to hear signs that this may start to be de-escalated in the coming weeks as talks progress between Beijing and Washington. On a similar note, Beef + Lamb New Zealand is also investing in our presence in the US market and relationship both through our Taste Pure Nature country of origin brand and a new person on the ground in Washington as well.

Genuine import demand

Beyond all this high-stakes drama, things are looking very positive for our red meat exports.

Beyond all this high-stakes drama, things are looking very positive for our red meat exports. The African Swine Fever (ASF) epidemic is seeing increased demand from China for manufacturing beef as a likefor-like substitute for pork.

Contrary to some commentary, ASF isn’t the main driver of New Zealand’s increasing exports to China, it’s something that is far better news for us: genuine import demand for New Zealand’s beef and lamb. Increasing consumer demand for mutton, which picked up in 2016, has outpaced China’s growth in production and has extended to lamb imports. China has now become New Zealand’s largest export market for chilled beef too.

Growth in China isn’t the only game in town though. The Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership came into effect at the start of the year to benefit the sector. The Japanese market has grown 25 percent in volume and is now our third most valuable beef market. The government has begun formal negotiations with the EU on that elusive free trade agreement and we’re advocating strongly on behalf of New Zealand’s red meat sector, as we know this will be a topic aspect to the deal.

Sam McIvor is the chief executive of Beef + Lamb New Zealand.

Tagging your animals is only half the job ...

... you need to also register them online: Go to www.ospri.co.nz/tagandregisteryouranimals

Support disease management and help build lifetime animal traceability

NAIT is an OSPRI programme

Need help? 0800 482 463 7am–6pm (Mon-Fri)

ospri.co.nz

THE

COUNTRY

Ticking all the boxes Chris Lewis, Federated Farmers emplo oyment spokesperson, lists his top seven ‘mustt-do’s’ for farmers when it comes to employment contracts.

R

ecent legal decisions on employment agreements have highlighted the need for farmers to get the fine print right. Here are my top seven considerrations from a farmer’s perspective.

1. Get an agreement in place

4. Reflect minimum m standards

The first priority is to get a written employment agreement in place to begin with for every employee, even for casual and part time workers. This should outline the terms and conditions of employment fully, be provided to the employee before they start work, and be agreed upon and signed by both parties.

Agreements also need to be kept up to date, particularly if the nature of the role changes, or the hours of work change. Regularly reviewing the contract means you capture these changes and any changes to employment law.

The employment agreement needs to reflect the minimum employment standards. This includes minimum pay ra ates, meal breaks, paid annual and public holidays a and paid rest. These are minimum entitlements, and legally binding.

2. Ensure the agreement complies with employment legislation The employment agreement has to include some basic information, including but not limited to the names of both parties and the conditions of work, pay, description of the work and the nature of employment.

Agreements also need to be clear and up to date.

Both parties should be clear on the details and obligations, and these need to be included in an agreement. The days of handshake deals are gone.

3. Get the right type of agreement There are three types of employees: permanent, fixedterm, or casual. The agreement needs to match the work the employee is doing, the hours, frequency and other related terms and conditions.

Common mistakes include using a fixed term agreement as a trial period. Fixed term agreements should only be used where there is a genuine commercial reason, not simply to make it easier to end an agreement that isn’t working out. You need to know the differences and reflect these in each agreement.

Another is using a casual employment agreement for part time workers. Once a person is required to work regular hours they are no long casual.

5. Including too many policies and procedures Farms include a range of policies and procedures.

Some of these may need to be referenced in the contract, and others need to sit outside the contract. As a pointer, if it is relevant to the individual contract include it, but if it is a general farm process or procedure it may be better to refer to the policy outside the contract. if you include it in the contract, you don’t have the flexibility to alter it without a change to the employment agreement.

6. Job description Make sure you have one of these included. What does the job entail? Hours worked? Rosters six on/ two off?

There’s always so much discussed at a job interview and questions asked, but make sure you have these addressed in writing. I’ve found the best place is in the job description.

I’ve always made it clear in this part what our expectations are for working on our farm, the health and safety requirements, looking after the house, lawns mowed, how we like our animals treated.

Yes, mine is eight pages long now but I’ve built this up over several years. Staff get no surprises when they work for us; we are very fair employers, hence our low staff turnover, but we get the basics right from the first meeting.

7. Follow the terms of the agreement Once an agreement is in place, be sure you’re aware of your obligations and follow these. That includes not only what is in the agreement but also the overall requirement to act in ‘good faith’.

These pointers don’t cover all obligations but provide a basic starter. It is important you ensure employment agreements are up to date, cover the basics, reflect the work conditions and are fit for purpose.

Getting employment agreements right at the front end is not only a basic foundation for being a good employer, it reduces the potential for disagreement and hefty costs down the track.

Farming is hard work. While the above does not cover everything, don’t make it harder work by not getting the basics right in the employment contracts when signing them.

You don’t have to spend many hours doing this.

Take the smart short cut like I do – buy a Federated Farmers contract, fill it in correctly, download some additional documents, checklists from DairyNZ website or from the trusty Google search!

There’s so much help out there now; please make the employment experience on your farm memorable from the initial handshake meeting your new employee, to the day they leave and progress to the next job.

Satisfaction comes from watching good people grow with your help and guidance – not in the lawyer’s office!

Need More Cleaning Power?

DUAL ACTION WASHDOWN NOZZLE • Dual Action Nozzle! - Combining Jet Powered Precision with a Powerful Broom Action that delivers the Ultimate 2 in 1 cleaning power • The only Washdown Nozzle on the market that goes from Jet to Sweep • Quality Guarantee - Covered by Hansen’s Limited Lifetime Warranty means you can buy with confidence

www.hansenproducts.co.nz

2 1 IN

NING A E L C R POWE

PR N ODEW UC T

TAKE OFF WITH ITH SUZUK SUZUKI

TWO STROKE

FOUR STROKE

Take off $451

Take off $300

Now $2799

DF2.5

Now $999

We’ve taken off a whole lot of money, so you can take off with one of these Suzuki outboards.

Strictly limited stock, so get in quick. Offer available until 31 December or while stocks last.

Find out more at www.marine.suzuki.co.nz/offers

TRACTA62501_2.5&15_FPHN

DT15AS

THE

COUNTRY

Staying connected Technology has been crucial to the success of a high-country farming family’s walking track business and they are encouraging others to adopt a proactive approach to digital connectivity.

M

aking the most of the technology available to them has helped the McAtamney family run a walking track and mountain biking experience alongside their high-country sheep and cattle station.

The private track is situated in the Four Peaks’ range between Fairlie and Geraldine, with the company employing one full-time staff member and two part-timers, as required.

When the McAtamneys launched Four Peaks High Country Track in 2006, approximately 50 per cent of their work was completed via telephone and traditional mail.

Fast-forward to 2019, and that’s been completely transformed, with almost all daily business completed over the internet.

Owner Jo McAtamney says the internet has played an integral role in the growth of their business.

“It’s essential. People book by email,, most find us by our website, we communic cate with clients almost wholly by email, payment is 99 per cent done by internet banking, and only a few still pay by cheque.

“W We also have a track Facebook page, and suggest clients put photos and comments up when they’v ve completed their trips.”

Four-night trip During the track season (mid-November to midApril) groups of up to 10 people traverse the four day/night track which provides a 50-kilometre

trip around the station. It follows the route taken by early farmers in the 1850s when sheep were first introduced to the area. Numbers are limited to ensure a tranquil experience and to avoid any stock disruption.

Clients only need to carry a small day pack as they have their gear transported from hut-to-hut.

“When a group arrives at the station huts on their first night, my husband and myself, sometimes our son, or a farm employee, will meet and greet them” says McAtamney.

“We give them a health and safety briefing and answer any questions they may have. The next morning, we drive them to the beginning of the track and see them off.

“Our walkers and bikers are able to experience a working sheep and bee ef station and the ming pioneers in the area. life of the early farm The shepherd ds’ huts have been upgraded for comforr table accommodation but still retain their authenticity.

“We also have a recycling system in place at the huts for walkers’ rubbish and we collect the food scraps for our hens.”

The family have also installed small solar panels at each hut that run LED lights.

rural broadband provider and are served via a repeater on Mount Dobson.

Jo credits the internet with boosting interest in the track.

“Communication and marketing have improved over the years solely because of the internet.

“It’s a huge time-saver for ru unning the business and provides advantages to the whole community y here; most notices of community y meetings are all via the internet now.

“Our connectivity does ‘kick out’ from time to time, often during bad weather. Better reliability would be a big help, but I’m not sure about its speed compared with others.”

Jo encourages other businesses to adopt a proactive approach to digital connectivity.

“Don’t even consider running a business without it!”

Behind the scenes

While the experience provided an opportunity for people to go back-to-basics and enjoy the great outdoors without the need for technology, behind the scenes it’s a very different story.

As the director and day-to-day operator, Jo is kept busy taking online bookings and maintaining the website, on top of transporting the packs, and servicing the huts. They use a

It’s essential.

People book by email, most find us by our website, we communicate with clients almost wholly by email, payment is 99 per cent done by internet banking.”

THE

COUNTRY

Life returns to ‘sad’ city stream Once used as a dumping ground and known as ‘the ditch’, Mangere’s Tararata Stream is taking on a new lease of life, thanks to the efforts of the volunteer ‘Stream Team’.

W

hen Julia Tuineau first saw the Tararata Stream in Mangere, she thought, “What a sad waterway”.

“It was muddy, was too hot in summer, didn’t have much shade or aquatic life,” she says.

“Locals referred to it as ‘the ditch’ and some even used it as a dumping ground.”

Today, thanks to the work of Mangere resident Tuineau and others like her, life is returning to the stream. Shoals of inanga (whitebait) have been spotted, a longfin eel was seen in its water recently for the first time, and in early September a giant kokopu, a native fish rare in Auckland streams for many years, was discovered.

“These are a couple of the wins we’ve had recently and we’re so excited,” she says.

Volunteer team brings life Ella.

Since she retired over three years ago, Tuineau, who started with Auckland Council’s Wai Care

programme in 2000 on work to restore polluted streams in south Auckland, has headed a team of volunteers focused solely on the Tararata Stream.

The stream was originally a swampy headwater for a large river, but after European settlement the area was drained and converted into farmland and residential development.

During this period the river was severely modified, and the headwater streams were beheaded (piped underground), creating a highly engineered landscape with no food resources and poor water quality. It became a dump for household litter, while stormwater floods caused further damage to the ecosystem.

“The stream is all we have left,” says Tuineau. “It’s just a remnant; most of the tributaries have been beheaded.

Instead, the area was grassed and mown, all nice and tidy – but it’s not been a good habitat.”

Tuineau and her volunteers, who became known as the ‘Stream Team’, started restoring it by removing rubbish >>

TORNADO 2098 H Engine Cutting Method Cutting Width Cutting Height Range Transmission

Stiga 7750 Side discharge, Multiclip mulching 98cm (38”) 7 positions, 25-80mm Hydrostatic, Rear-wheel drive

ESTATE 4084 H AP

Engine Cutting Method Cutting Width Cutting Height Range Transmission

Stiga 7750 Collecting, Multiclip mulching 84 cm (33”) 7 positions, 25-80mm Hydrostatic, Rear-wheel drive

View the range priced from $3499 Distributors of high quality outdoor equipment and cutting attachments sourced from global industry leaders

Dealers located nationwide

cop.co.nz https://www.facebook.com/copltd/

THE

COUNTRY

and planting its banks – the native plantings lowering water temperatures and attracting swarms of native bees.

Support from Wai Care included surveys of fish numbers and regrading of the stream banks to allow planting for the ‘love zone’ where inanga spawn. Work was also begun to eradicate pests such as rats, mice, hedgehogs and Gambusia fish, which eat fish eggs and decimate insects.

A fish refuge was built by putting a wooden pallet into the water. Installed by local students in 2018, it creates a labyrinth effect and provides protection for fish. Meanwhile, inanga have been helped by the placing of straw-filled bags on the stream to encourage spawning.

Local agency contributions The NZ Transport Agency has contributed to the project by forming vegetated swales (shallow channels) to improve the quality of highway runoff into the stream, while Housing New Zealand homes on its boundary are being replaced by new houses that face the stream, effectively turning it into recreation space.

The Mangere Arts Centre organised the first signage naming the stream – previously it was usually just called ‘the ditch’.

“Volunteers have put in more than 20,000 trees (including mānuka and kanuka); carex [grass] and other natives are holding together what were once crumbling stream banks and people have stopped complaining about a weedy wilderness,” says Tuineau.

Changes on the horizon

Although work on the stream is far from finished, Tuineau says changes are on the horizon.

Fish refuge.

As well as the sightings of the kokopu and longfin eel, a shoal of around 300 juvenile inanga was seen in the stream.

“This is how we know it [the stream] is doing its job,” says Tuineau. “I want to make sure our Mangere streams are not forgotten again. Maybe the best indicator of success is seeing people enjoying Tararata.”

Kindly supplied by The Vision is Clear - powered by DairyNZ.

Netting Gambusia.

Operates - April to September

THE

COUNTRY

Cookbook supports rural mental health The team at The Country has proudly produced The Country Cookbook to raise funds for rural charitable foundation Will to Live.

$

200 LITRE

1,000

100 LITRE DIESEL UNIT

300 LITRE DIESELPOWER

• 12V 40L/min open flow pump • 4m ¾” delivery hose with manual nozzle

• 4m wiring harness with alligator clips • 12V DieselPower self-priming pump • 4m of ¾” delivery hose with swivel and crimped fittings ings

SQDN200-7

$

• High quality auto shut-off nozzle • 30 min duty cycle, ycle, 30 min on/off

400 LITRE

1,300

SQDN400-7

SQDN100-P1

$

650

200L AND 400L DIESELPRO TRANSFER UNITS

200L & 400L DIESELPOWER UNITS

• 12V DieselPower Self-priming pump • Strong double walled lockable pump cover (padlock incl.) protects the pump and tank breather from unwanted access) • High quality auto shut-off nozzle • Suction foot screen filter on internal suction line • 4m wiring harness with alligator clips • 4m of ¾” delivery hose with swivel and crimped fittings • 30 min duty cycle, 30 min on/off • Baffled tank (400L) • Low profile design

• 12V PIUSI self-priming pump • High quality auto shut-off nozzle • 5m of ¾” delivery hose with swivel and crimped fittings • 45L/Min open flow • Lockable filling cap with 2 keys • 4m wiring harness with alligator clips • Suction foot screen filter on internal suction line • 30 min duty cycle, 30 min on/off • Baffled tank (400L only)

1100 & 2200L DIESELPAK TRANSFER UNITS Large capacity diesel storage for farm and construction equipment.

• 5m hose & auto shut-off gun • Foot design allows bolt down mounting BAFFLED TANK 1100L ONLY

$

$

200 LITRE

1,400

SQDN200L-Z1

$

400 LITRE

1,700

SQDN400L-Z1

1,250

600L DIESELPRO TRANSFER UNIT • 12V PIUSI self-priming pump • High quality auto shut-off nozzle • 5m of ¾” delivery very hose with swivel and crimped rimped fittings • Tank bottom 8mm mm brass inserts for bolt down mounting to a tray, skid or platform

SQDN600L-X1

$

$

1100 LITRE

2,300

SQD1000-X1

2200 LITRE

$

3,760

SQD2200-5

2,000

800L DIESELPAK • 5m 3/4” delivery hose with auto shut-off nozzle • Suction foot screen filter on internal suction line • 30 min duty cycle, 30 min on/off • Large Internal twin baffle • SquatPak style accessory mounting points. Two tank corners with large M10. Inserts for mounting hose reels • Deep Tie-down locating channels for straps mounting and tank strength

SQD800-X1

$

ALSO AVAILABLE: 2200L UNIT FITTED WITH 85L/MIN HIGH FLOW PUMP AND 4M HOSE

Prices valid until 30th November 2019.

Prices exclude GST, exclude dealer installation and/or freight charges.

SQD300-7

2,100 12V PIUSI SELF-PRIMING PUMP

W

ill to Live is dedicated to providing support to vulnerable young rural New Zealanders who are often isolated from essential mental health services. It’s a cause that is also close to the hearts of the team at The

Country.

Suicide in rural New Zealand is higher than in any other demographic and has lasting ripple effects through small, rural communities, especially for our young people, who are often the largest statistic. Seventy percent of rural New Zealanders have felt increased stress over the past five years; those aged 18-39 were the most highly affected by stress and anxiety.

While our country’s suicide stats are hard to reconcile, the raw human cost is an even greater tragedy. Will to Live was founded by Elle Perriam after her 20-year-old boyfriend Will took his own life.

Elle created the foundation in response to a desperate need for more initiatives that would get young people talking honestly and openly and feeling okay about seeking help.

Celebrating NZ produce The idea to create The Country Cookbook was born from a desire to support Will to Live, coupled with the idea that we should celebrate the incredible produce that comes from our New Zealand farms.

We know mealtime is important in rural New Zealand. It’s a way of fuelling up for a big day on the land. It’s thanking farm workers or advisors with a scone at morning smoko. It’s catching up on the latest news (if you tune into us at midday!) while refuelling at lunch.

It’s coming together as a family in the evening, amidst sometimes hectic seasons.

Jamie Mackay and The Country team called on contributors, sponsors – even workmates – to produce over 280 pages of recipes, stories and scenes from rural New Zealand.

Tried and true recipes You won't see recipes from celebrity chefs in The Country Cookbook. What you will see are tried and true recipes from contributors who stand together in celebrating our food producers by putting the ingredients centre stage.

We are immensely proud of this beautifully presented book. It stays true to what we value most: those who work tirelessly to fill our nation’s food bowl, the industry that supports them, and the tradition of food being at the forefront of family life.

So from our tables to yours, enjoy, nourish yourself and keep working the land with pride.

This limited edition cookbook is available for pre-order with delivery early December in time for Christmas.

Show your support by purchasing a copy of The Country Cookbook for yourself or a loved one. You can order your copy online at www.thecountrycookbook.co.nz.

WHEN QUALITY AND SERVICE COUNTS

STOCK FOODS • QUARRY OPERATORS • TRANSPORT • CIVIL CONTRACTORS • PLANT HIRE •

FREEPHONE 0800 4 JSWAP

THE PERFECT SCORE WITH RAMS FROM PETERS GENETICS PERFORMANCE, PRODUCTION & PRICE – THE WINNING COMBO

SURVIVABILITY FERTILITY GROWTH RATES

SPARTA 25 TR 25.4 cc

YIELD GRADING

BC 241 S

BC 300 S

21.7 cc

30 cc 1.1 kW

$249

$549

WAS $279

WAS $699

WAS $799

BC 400 T

755 MASTER

44 cc 1.83 kW

$649

$749

WAS $599

SPARTA 381 T 36.2 cc 1.3 kW

BRIGHT WHITE WOOL

52.5 cc

$1149 WAS $1199

To view the full range of Oleo-Mac product visit www.cop.co.nz

$1349 WAS $1399

‘For every shade of green there is an Oleo-Mac machine’

Award winning sophistication 21 Bradleigh Park, Auction 29 Nov 2019 12:00 Fairhall 4

Exceptional Garaging Space Don’t Miss Out! Auction

4

2

6

396 Kerrs Road, Rolleston Find out more at onrf.nz/396-kerrs-road

2

3

Style on Horndon

Executive lifestyle living Price by Negotiation

4

2

2

1408B Devon Road, Waitara

$539,000

Find out more at onrf.nz/1408b-devon-road

4

2

146 Horndon Street, Darfield 2

Prime location, privacy, space

2

2

Find out more at onrf.nz/5-bradleigh-park

3

2

2

46 Havill Drive, Awatuna Find out more at onrf.nz/46-havill-drive

248 Tawhiti Road, Hawera

$560,000

4

Modern Lifestyle & Perfect Location $525,000

Find out more at onrf.nz/146-horndon-street

Views, Sun & Location

5 Bradleigh Park, Auction 29 Nov 2019 12:00 Fairhall 4

Find out more at onrf.nz/21-bradleigh-park

Feel like a holiday?

Bring the boat!

Enquiries Over $399,000

4

2

2

223a Beach Road, Kaikoura Find out more at onrf.nz/223a-beach-road

2

2

Expressions of Interest

4

2

2

Find out more at onrf.nz/248-tawhiti-road

MODERN LIVING IN A PRIVATE SETTING 3 Roy Johns Way, Bell Block Find out more at onrf.nz/3-roy-johns

THE

COUNTRY

Planting trees for bees could save money on farm The food supply for bees has not kept up with the growth in New Zealand’s beehives, resulting in malnutrition and starvation. New results from the first stage of a three-year national project show that strategically planting bee forage can save both landowners and beekeepers money.

E

arly results from the Strategic Bee Plantations three-year project, which is co-funded by MPI, show that planting strategically to feed bees can save farmers and beekeepers money.

The results also show that this can benefit the environment and bee health and improve bee colony productivity and performance.

Cast studies show impacts of planting Since 2012 the New Zealand Trees for Bees Research Trust has planted 72,000 plants on 32 demonstration farms around New Zealand, with assistance from MPI’s Sustainable Farming Fund.

The Trust has released three case studies that demonstrate the significant impacts of planting bee forage.

These studies include a beekeeper-landowner partnership, a landowner initiative and a beekeeper initiative.

Bee starvation a major problem

Targeted plantations

“Malnutrition and starvation in bees is a big problem in New Zealand as there aren’t enough pollen and nectar sources for them throughout the year and bees are threatened by pests and diseases,” says Dr Linda Newstrom-Lloyd, one of the key researchers on the project.

The number of beehives in New Zealand has grown from 350,000 to almost one million over the past seven years, driven by the growth in demand for mānuka honey.

However, the food supply for the bees hasn’t increased to match, meaning beekeepers need to provide supplementary feed at certain times of year.

“By encouraging strategic bee forage planting, we’re trying to turn that around and support the beekeepers economically, as well as support the bees’ health, because bees need fresh pollen and nectar resources for good health.

“And we need the bees for our survival too – most of the fruit and vegetables that add important nutrients to our diet are pollinated by bees,” says Newstrom-Lloyd.

Strategic planting creates balance by ensuring that there are sufficient plants flowering throughout the year, especially in critical times of pollen deficits in spring and autumn.

Strategic plantations are also targeted, making sure that there are no competing plants that would distract the bee’s attention away from the crops or clover that farmers want the bees to pollinate.

The Strategic Bee Plantations project commenced in 2016 and was the group’s third Sustainable Farming Fund grant.

The implementation work was led by Dr Angus McPherson, the Trust’s farm planting adviser.

Helpful training resources The Trust has developed three online resources: The Trees for Bees Flower Catalogue, The New Zealand Bee Pollen Catalogue and The New Zealand Willow Identification Key. All are available on the Trees for Bees website: treesforbeesnz. >>

ABOUT THE CASE STUDIES Case study 1: A beekeeperlandowner partnership

Case study 2: A landowner initiative

Case study 3: A beekeeper’s initiative

A beekeeper partnered in a joint venture with two local landowners to plant trees.

A sheep and beef landowner joined the project as a co-funder.

A large beekeeping operation set up a small farm for a bee yard to raise queens.

The beekeeper put aside some of the income every year that would have gone into buying supplementary food for the bees and put that into planting bee forage on the apiary sites instead.

Planting included a shelterbelt of magnolias and camellias to provide shelter from the road dust of logging trucks.

In the beginning they had issues providing enough pollen and nectar for the bees.

Now, after five years of planting, the number of queens raised and nucleus hives started has increased, and it’s working so well that they even bring weak hives in from other apiary sites to build them up.

He paid for some of the plants and helped with the planting and the farmer paid for the rest.

In the past the beekeeper who had hives on this property had to remove the bees in winter and drive them 100km to wintering sites where the bees would have enough floral resources to get through the winter.

The beekeeper’s initial one-off investment is already paid back in full, because he no longer needs to buy the supplementary feed or travel so often to feed the bees.

Now he doesn’t have to do that. Last year he had 24 hives and this year he plans to increase to 32 hives because there are more flowers every year as the plants grow larger.

In turn, the farmer has plantations that help with erosion control, riparian protection and shade and shelter.

The increase in bee forage from strategic planting has allowed them to successfully over-winter more hives on the farm.

This helps address the critical issue of overcrowding on wintering sites in their region, and ensure that their hives are in the best possible condition for spring buildup, ready for pollination services.

THE

COUNTRY It would do so much good if everyone just knew what to plant – it doesn’t take that much money and it can be included in multifunctional planting that the landowner is going to do anyway.”

Crab apple (Malus seiboldii) has excellent pollen with up to 39 per cent protein content. It is used in shelterbelts, riparian planting and for amenity.

It has also published the Handbook for Mānuka Plantations and Farms and the Riparian Planting Handbook.

“Our vision for New Zealand is that there’s no corner where there isn’t a good strategic bee plantation, so that the community that lives there gets the benefits of the bees for pollinating pastures and crops and the beekeeper gets the benefits of the bees for their livelihood,” says Newstrom-Lloyd.

“It would do so much good if everyone just knew what to plant – it doesn’t take that much money and it can be included in multi-functional planting that the landowner is going to do anyway.”

The Trust received a new Sustainable Farming Fund grant in July which will enable the researchers to develop training material on how to design strategic bee plantations.

“By the time our three years of this new project are up, it’s going to be possible for farmers, growers, gardeners, land managers and public parks planners to take our handbooks, training guides and online tools, and watch our videos and go do it – that’s what we want.”

Clear benefits for New Zealand Steve Penno, Director Investment Programmes at MPI, said the New Zealand Trees for Bees Research Trust’s bee planting programme may be one of the most comprehensive of its kind in the world.

“We’re proud to support this programme, which is practical and economically and environmentally sound – and has clear benefits for New Zealand.

Grow more

Grass and clover and still reduce your nitrogen Nutrient Budget!

FERTMAX Limited is a New Zealand registered company owned and managed by its Directors to supply an independent fertiliser / nutrient advice service direct to farmers and growers through out the country.

Collectively they have 50 years knowledge and experience of most fertilisers used in NZ particularly liquid / foliar NPKs, minor elements and bio stimulants showing how these products can complement the use of traditional products.

s Reaction fertiliser products offer more efficient N-P-S-K giving better results.

Ruakura research trials prove Reaction Rapid N blend is four times more efficient nitrogen than urea. Google Reaction Rapid N to view the trial data.

We offer a wide range of fertilisers and formulations available from a number of suppliers giving us the opportunity of offering the grower - farmer specialised products direct, saving money and time.

Specialised fertiliser plans for tow and farm machines that can be applied without any problems. George has 8 years experience with these machines and what can successfully go through them.

Call Horrie and George now to discuss available options for you

Fertmax Ltd | 0800 337 844 | info@fertmax.co.nz | www.fertmax.co.nz

Horrie Burgess 027 800 7040

George Freeman 021 021 98323

We dig deeper Be part of the important conversations on the issues facing farmers today.

0800 224 782 subs@nzfarmlife.co.nz

www.nzfarmlife.co.nz

N o e w b i ! r c s b u s e R

Offer valid on seleccted China group tours departing in 2020**

Save up to $400pp NEW 2020 CHINA BROCHURE SALE

Black Dragon Pool, Lijiang

AIRFARES INCLUDED

Q

14 day fully inclusive Classic Tour One of our most popular tours that incorporates China’s world-renowned cities and sights - visit the giant pandas, admire the Great Wall and the Terracotta Army, and enjoy a relaxing four night Yangtze river cruise.

Now from

CHINA



XIAN (2N) 

SHANGHAI (2N)

YICHANG



CHENGDU (1N)

$5,110pp twin share*

BEIJING (3N)

OVERNIGHT FLIGHT



YANGTZE  CHONGQING RIVER CRUISE (4N)



MAJESTIC YANGTZE

WUHAN 

Price based on 18 Aug 2020 departure. Additional charges: Tipping RMB600pp

AIRFARES INCLUDED

Q

BEIJING (3N) 

CHINA

XIAN (2N) YANGTZE

CHENGDU (1N) RIVER CRUISE (3N) 

WUHAN

CHONGQING

LIJIANG (3N)

$7,480pp twin share*

YICHANG







SHANGHAI (2N)

GUILIN (1N)



Now from

OVERNIGHT FLIGHT

Maximum altitude reached at Jade Dragon Snow Mountain



21 day fully inclusive Classic Tour Cruise along the Yangtze and Li Rivers and let the spectacular landscapes take your breath away. Explore the cobbled streets of old Lijiang, gaze on the magnificent Tiger Leaping Gorge and visit the giant pandas in Chengdu.

3200M

KUNMING (2N)



CLASSIC CHINA

YANGSHUO (2N)

Q

27 day fully inclusive Classic Tour From modern cities and ancient history, to rural villages and spectacular landscapes, this really is the ultimate tour for those who want to experience China and Tibet in depth!

Now from

$9,380pp twin share*

4000M

OVERNIGHT FLIGHT

Maximum altitude reached at Lhasa

XIAN (2N) 

LHASA (3N)

C HE N GDU (1N)

ZHONGDIAN (2N) LIJIANG (2N) DALI (2N)

Price based on 08 May 2020 departure. Additional charges: Tipping RMB1200pp

BEIJING (3N)



CHINA



AIRFARES INCLUDED

YANGTZE RIVER CRUISE (3N)  

  YICHANG WUHAN

CHONGQING



SHA NGHA I ( 2N )

GUILIN (1N)

 

KUNMING (2N)



ULTIMATE CHINA



N TO EW UR

Price based on 04 May 2020 departure. Additional charges: Tipping RMB920pp





YANGSHUO (2N)

OUR CLASSIC TOURS INCLUDE

✓ Return international economy airfares ✓ All meals, transport and accommodation ✓ Entrance fees and sightseeing ✓ English-speaking National Escorts/Guides ✓ Visa fees for NZ passport holders

0800 936 3998

wendywutours.co.nz/new-china-sale | info@wendywutours.co.nz

or contact your local travel agent

*Terms and conditions: Discount off Wendy Wu Tours group departures from 2020-21 brochure prices. Due to limited availability of special pricing on departures and availability of airfares the discount may not be offered on all departures. Prices are per person, twin share. Valid on new bookings of selected tours and departure dates from 1 Jan to 31 Sep 2020, with international airfares included from New Zealand. Valid for sale to 16 Dec 2019, unless sold out prior. Not valid in conjunction with other offers (except loyalty discount).

Valid from selected New Zealand cities. All tours are subject to availability. Tipping is not included and is subject to change—see tour details in 2020 brochures or visit wendywutours.co.nz. To connect with airline schedules additional arrangements may be required at an additional cost—refer to tour pages for details. Refer to 2020 brochures or wendywutours.co.nz for tour details and booking conditions. Prices correct as at 07 Nov 2019. Allied Member of TAANZ. Accredited IATA Agent.

CRF125F

FROM

GST $5,599 INC

CRF110F

ONLY

GST $4,599 INC

CRF50F

ONLY

GST $2,699 INC