CountryLife | 17 November 2017

CountryLife Friday November 17, 2017

CountryLife – 1

NOVEMBER 2017

Kanes - a Cambridge Christmas tradition SEE PAGE 4

Cambridge beekeeper Karin Watson, checking on one of her hives. See full story page 2

Photo by Steph Bell-Jenkins

2 – CountryLife

Friday November 17, 2017

Bee catching a sweet hobby

By Steph Bell-Jenkins

Most people who find thousands of honey bees swarming in their garden are inclined to beat a hasty retreat.

Cambridge woman Karin Watson, on the other hand, relishes the chance to nab the buzzing clouds of insects, pack them lovingly into a purpose-built box and take them home to her apiary.

The self-employed biological research scientist, who lives on a Kaipaki Rd lifestyle block with her husband and daughter, has been catching bee swarms ever since she took up beekeeping as a hobby three years ago.

As soon as spring – peak swarming season – rolls around, she packs her protective white suit and swarm catching equipment into the boot of her car so she’s ready to snaffle the honeydrippers at a moment’s notice.

Swarming generally occurs when a colony produces a second queen bee that leaves to form a new hive, taking half of the original hive’s worker bees with her.

Swarms generally range in size from about 2000-10,000 bees and once they have flown away from their original hive, they settle somewhere to rest and build a protective cluster around their queen.

These clusters are usually shaped like a rugby ball or a bunch of grapes and are often found hanging from tree branches, bushes and fences.

To remove them, Karin simply snips off the branch the bees are clinging to, or shakes or scoops them into her portable hive.

“Most people don’t realise when they see a bee swarm in their garden it’s a race against time to get a beekeeper out as quickly as you can – ideally the same day you see the swarm clustering – to take it away safely,” she said.

Once bees cluster, scouts begin searching for a new home.

“In nature this would be a hollow tree or similar, but in built up areas it is often a crevice in a house wall, under a roof, or in a chimney,” Karin said.

“When bees are swarming they are not aggressive and are the least likely to sting. They are just looking for a new home and they can only survive for about three days before the supply of honey in their stomachs runs out and they starve.

Cold nights or rainy periods can kill them too.”

What’s more, Karin said bees could no longer

live in the wild without a beekeeper’s help because of varroa mite and American foulbrood (AFB).

“There are lots of diseases but these two are absolute killers and they will destroy any feral hive within half a season to one season.”

While most people were “very scared of bees” and tended to leave swarms alone in the hope they would move on, that didn’t often happen.

“Swarms often get into the walls of people’s houses, and once that happens you’re in a bit of strife,” Karin said.

“They’ll be there all summer and they will put comb and honey and brood into your wall or chimney, and even if they die off due to these diseases over the following 12 months they will leave that waxy smell of the comb and the honey in there. Next spring another swarm smells that and goes straight back in, so it’s a problem that doesn’t go away by ignoring it.”

If the swarm does infiltrate a home it will usually need to be removed by an exterminator.

Originally from Germany, Karin has loved bees since she was a child, but a few years ago she decided to “do something about” her lifelong interest and enrolled in a one-year beekeeping course through Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre, gaining a Certificate in Apiculture.

Karin can be contacted through the Waikato Domestic Beekeepers Association website, www. waikatobeekeepers.org.nz, which lists dozens of swarm catchers around the region.

Bees are vital to our economy, and we all have a part to play in helping them thrive.

Here’s how you can help: Garden organically if you can, otherwise try and find bee-friendly sprays and spray them in the early evening when bees are back in their hives. Avoid neonicotinoids with these ingredients: acetamiprid, imidacloprid, thiacloprid and thiamethoxam. Don’t spray when plants are in flower.

Bees get thirsty, too. Considering putting in a shallow pond or bird bath where bees can land and collect water.

Grow plants in your garden that attract bees – they love plants with lots of pollen and nectar, such as lavender, rosemary and calendula. They are particularly drawn to yellow and blue-toned flowers, so plant plenty of these colours to attract them.

Karin said feral bee colonies do not last long in the wild any more, thanks to varroa mite and American foulbrood (AFB).

Let your lawn go a bit – bees love dandelion and clover flowers, so if it’s not going to drive you crazy let it grow.

Friday November 17, 2017

Healthy Rivers/Wai Ora update Payout The Healthy Rivers/Wai Ora (HRWO) plan change draft summary of submissions is now available on the Waikato Regional Council (WRC) website for public viewing.

This summary has effectively taken all the submission points from the 1023 submissions received on the proposed rules, objectives and policies, and categorised them by both submitter and consultation point, noting support or opposition and the decisions requested. Noting it’s still a draft at this point, the intent of this summary is to assist those who wish to make further submissions on the 1023 submissions received, and also facilitate the hearing process and associated discussions. It helps and supports submitters with common thoughts and ideas to work together through the process in an effort to find common ground/agreement, and minimise the points of contention during the hearings process, ultimately to achieve a more enduring outcome for everyone. Further submissions will be called for approximately mid- 2018.

Consultation with the Hauraki Iwi is now complete, so once the HRWO committee and Council have formally received their feedback, any proposed variation to the withdrawn portion of PPC1 will be notified to the public, and there will be the opportunity to submit on this. Submissions on the variation will be called for January or February next year.

The 5 hearings commissioners are expected to be appointed by early 2018, with the hearings expected to commence mid-2018.

Acknowledging that things may change as a result of this process, there are however a

number of work programmes underway to support and prepare both WRC and farmers for the implementation of the proposed plan change (PPC1), so that the necessary support and resourcing is in place for farmers when they need it.

A registration portal is under development, and will be online for the commencement date of 1 September 2018. All farms, regardless of which priority catchment they are in will be required to register, along with fundamental farm information.

The farm environment plan template and guide are nearing completion. The development of this has been done in conjunction with a reference group of rural professionals to ensure it is fit for purpose, and meets the requirements of PPC1. It also worth noting that WRC are endeavouring to link this work with that of other regions with a view to establishing some national consistency for the farm plan approach, and to avoid all of the regional councils throughout the country doing what is essentially the same thing.

Beef and Lamb (B&L) NZ are holding a Farm Environment Planning (FEP) workshop at the Whitehall Hall on November 23 for all farmers (sheep/beef, dairy, dairy, lifestyle etc) It will focus on understanding your farms unique natural resources, and work though the development of a plan to manage environmental risks, whilst optimising productivity from the land. I would encourage farmers that have not attended a FEP workshop to attend one if they can.

Noting that the Farm Plans required under

forecast down

By Steph Bell-Jenkins

Stu Kneebone

PPC1 will need to go through a certification process, and be signed off by an accredited person, and that the FEP template is still to be finalised, these B&L workshops are still an excellent way to gain an understanding of the FEP process, and help you to start thinking and preparing for PPC1. If you are interested, contact Rachel Jukes at Rachel. jukes@beeflambnz.com by 20th November to register. Note that you will need a map of your farm. If you contact Mark Gasquoine at WRC mark.gasquoine@waikatoregion.govt.nz - he will be able to supply you with an aerial photo for this workshop.

Stu Kneebone Councillor, Waipa/King Country Waikato Regional Council

WRC retains Maori seats

The two Māori seats on Waikato Regional Council will be retained following a vote by councillors.

The current Māori constituencies are Nga Hau e Wha and Nga Tai ki Uta and have been in effect for almost four years.

At their recent meeting a majority of seven to three councillors re-confirmed the status quo of having two Māori constituencies for electoral purposes.

Those voting for the status quo were chair Alan Livingston, Jennie Hayman, Stu Kneebone, Fred Lichtwark, Dal Minogue, Barry Quayle and Bob Simcock.

Councillors Jane Hennebry, Stu

Husband and Russ Rimminton voted against, while Hugh Vercoe abstained.

Earlier, councillors Hennebry, Husband and Rimminton had voted for a motion calling for electors to be polled on the issue at a cost of up to $450,000 with the outcome of the poll applicable at the 2019 election. All other councillors present voted against holding a poll.

In moving the motion for a poll, Cr Hennebry said she personally did not like “race-based seats”.

She wanted the public to have a say through a poll rather than councillors having a “closed mind” and making the choice.

CountryLife – 3

Supporting her, Cr Husband believed Māori no longer needed “tokenism” pointing out the current Parliament had many Māori MPs. But Cr Simcock said he had heard no community discomfit about the seats, while Cr Lichtwark supported them remaining, noting a copy of the Treaty of Waitangi on the wall.

Cr Livingston said Māori seats had proven their effectiveness, particularly given the council’s Resource Management Act and Treaty settlement obligations towards Māori.

He believed councillors had a solid understanding of how the

seats were working and were therefore in a position to make a well-informed choice.

After the meeting, Cr Livingston said the two Māori councillors, deputy chair Tipa Mahuta and Kataraina Hodge, are both making very valuable contributions to the running of council, in their individual right as councillors and as representatives of the Māori community.

“They are both very effective in particular at helping ensure Māori perspectives are taken into account, something which helps the council fulfil its legal obligations under various legislation, such as the RMA and Treaty settlements.”

AgriHQ revised its milk price forecast down following last week’s Global Dairy Trade (GDT) auction, spelling bad news for dairy farmers.

The Feilding-based company, which provides information and analysis on the agricultural sector, dropped its forecast milk price for the 2017-18 season by another 14 cents last week, down to $6.24/kg of milksolids (MS).

AgriHQ analyst Amy Castleton said the drop followed a decline in dairy commodity prices at the November 7 GDT auction and a weakening outlook.

“The way dairy commodity prices have been heading recently has been putting increasing pressure on Fonterra to revise their forecast,” she said.

“Whole milk powder prices have come down quite a lot – at auction last week they dipped below $3000 a tonne, which Fonterra has said is their key point for a milk price above $6/kgMS.” But local farmer Kevin Monks, newly re-elected as a Fonterra shareholder councillor, is remaining upbeat, saying there are plenty of positives to focus on.

Mr Monks acknowledged many Cambridge dairy farmers were struggling, with an “extremely” wet start to the season affecting pasture growth rates, impacting on cow condition and making it harder to get cows back in calf.

“Top that off with the fact that most farmers are struggling to find or make silage in parts of the Cambridge area, and some are struggling with getting summer crops like maize and chicory into the ground as well.”

But he said high water tables “should go well for summer growth rates” and a forecast payout above $6/kgMS meant there were “positives to offset the negatives”.

Fonterra confirmed it was sticking with its $6.75/kgMS forecast at its AGM two weeks ago, but Ms Castleton said that price was becoming more challenging to achieve, with whole milk powder to ship in January tumbling 9.3 per cent at the GDT event.

However, Mr Monks said there was a positive side to balance that drop.

“The (New Zealand) dollar has actually devalued, so our exports should be worth more on the world market,” he said.

“It is important for farmers to remember that the $6.75/ kgMS is only a forecast; there is plenty of time left in the season and with volatility being the only certainty in our industry it is important that farmers take this into account with regards to their financial planning.”

A representative from Fonterra’s communications team said the company would not comment on its forecast milk payout until December.

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4 – CountryLife

Friday November 17, 2017

Kane’s a strawberry tradition

By Steph Bell-Jenkins

Cambridge orchard owners Grant and Heather Kane have learnt a few tricks after growing strawberries for 24 years, which could be why people go to such lengths to buy their luscious fruit.

First, there’s the craziness of Christmas Eve, when locals head to their Pukerimu Lane packhouse in droves to get their hands on a coveted punnet of Kane’s Strawberries.

With people arriving at 6am to line up for the 8am opening, Grant eventually had to convert an acre of strawberry patch into a permanent paddock just to accommodate cars on that one day.

“It’s become a tradition for a lot of people to queue up at Kane’s for Christmas,” Heather said.

Then there are the people who drive hundreds of kilometres just to buy the couple’s strawberries, not to mention the continuous stream of local customers.

The local success story started back in 1984 when Heather and Grant moved to Cambridge from Tauranga and planted a nashi orchard on 10 acres at Pukerimu Lane.

“Nashis were supposed to be the next boom like kiwifruit, but it was very labour-intensive and there were lots of issues that made it pretty tough, so we planted the strawberries in about 1993,” Heather said.

The couple still grows a small area of nashi for the local and farmers markets, but strawberries are the main focus.

Originally growing 125,000 plants, they have now scaled back to 50,000 so they can be more hands-on with quality control.

At first, they sold for export, but pressure to pick

their berries greener didn’t sit comfortably with them.

“My grandparents owned a fruit shop in Ngaruawahia and I was always brought up to appreciate good quality. So, we decided to grow for the local market only.”

Gate sales in the early days were a far cry from the popularity the couple now enjoys.

“It used to be so slow Heather would bring her ironing down to the shop,” Grant said.

“We’ve worked hard over the past 24 years to get a good reputation and a good following.”

About four years ago the couple moved to using biological and botanical control methods to manage pests and disease.

Although Grant said this cost “about 10 times the price” of chemical sprays, it had proven just as effective.

“I don’t think I could revert back to using chemicals on strawberries again, I just wouldn’t feel comfortable about it now.”

The Kanes attribute part of their success to their “very loyal and dedicated” employees, one of whom has been with them 20 years.

While the couple said growing strawberries was hard work and could be stressful at times, it had given their family a good lifestyle.

Their daughter Emma, who is a vet nurse locum in Australia, has been helping with the strawberries over the past four years and is keen to become more involved in the business in future.

“We enjoy the public; over the years we’ve made some fantastic relationships with customers and we’ve got people who used to come here as kids who are now bringing their children in,” Heather said.

“It’s nice to build up relationships with people; there are some really lovely people out there.”

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CountryLife – 5

Friday November 17, 2017

Fighting the velvetleaf pest A multi-agency steering group set up to tackle the damaging agricultural pest velvetleaf in the Waikato region is urging farmers and rural contractors to check all machinery is clean to protect farms from nasty weeds.

The steering group aims to ensure the coordinated response to velvetleaf in the Waikato region. It comprises representatives of Waikato Regional Council, Federated Farmers – Waikato, DairyNZ, the Rural Agricultural Contractors Association, PGG Wrightson, Foundation for Arable Research, Pioneer Seeds, AgResearch, and Farmlands.

Considered one of the world’s worst cropping weeds, velvetleaf has been found growing on farms in the Matamata-Piako, Te Awamutu and north Waikato areas of the Waikato region. It has spread to properties via: • infested fodder beet seeds imported from overseas

• the distribution of infested maize crops and maize silage • unclean machinery.

Waikato Regional Council’s biosecurity pest plants team leader Darion Embling said landowners and farm contractors need to be vigilant.

“Machinery and vehicle movements aren’t the only culprits responsible for the spread of pests, but they do pose a very high risk,” said Mr Embling.

“Last year we were able to conclusively link velvetleaf infestations on some properties to the movement of unclean machinery, which is why good machine hygiene practices are so important.

“That’s why we’ve set up this steering group – to ensure we can educate operators throughout the ag industry that biosecurity starts at the farm gate. Cleaning machinery is a big part of that – it will ensure plant or soil contamination that might be harbouring pests, weeds or seeds is removed

before entering the next property,” Mr Embling said.

Advice on machine hygiene is available at waikatoregion.govt.nz/biosecurity.

“We now have 37 properties in the region which have had confirmed infestations of velvetleaf – ranging from a handful of plants to hundreds, even thousands. And we know the seeds can remain dormant for up to 60 years.

“We’re working closely with farm managers, landowners and rural contractors to manage the risks, and have developed long term plans to stop this nasty weed from spreading to other properties,” Mr Embling said.

Suspected sightings of velvetleaf should be reported to Waikato Regional Council’s biosecurity pest plants team on 0800 246 732 (0800 BIOSEC).

This allows council staff to assess the property and then work with landowners and farm managers on a plan if the presence of velvetleaf is confirmed.

Removing velvetleaf

There are strict protocols to assist with the safe removal of velvetleaf.

If seed heads have not formed: Hand pull plants.

Spraying is an option where small seedlings are abundant.

If seed heads are present on the plant: Carefully place a large bag over the seed capsules and flowers.

Tie the bag tightly around the stem.

Bend the stem in half.

Pull out the plant and place in another bag.

If seed heads have blackened: Place drop sheet on the ground, tightly against the stem to catch any falling seed.

Carefully place a large bag over the seed capsules and secure tightly around the stem.

Pick up and bag any seeds which have fallen onto the drop sheet.

Check soil for fallen seeds or seed capsules. If seed has dropped, consider soil removal into a bag.

Contact Waikato Regional Council pest plant staff on 0800 BIOSEC (0800 246 732) for advice on disposal. Do not bury bags of velvetleaf on farm

Velvetleaf is an annual broad-leaved herb that grown 1 – 2.5m high.

Flowers Buttery-yellow flowers approx. 3cm wide. Flowering spring through to autumn. Flowers only open for a few hours

Fruit/seed Distinctive seedpods or capsules, with 12 – 15 segments in a cuplike ring. Each seedpod is approx. 2.5cm in diameter. Each seedpod segment contains 1 – 3 large black seeds

Leaves Large heart or circular-shaped leaves. Velvety and soft to touch.

Leaves are smelly when bruised or crushed.

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6 – CountryLife

Friday November 17, 2017

Strong turnout to Effluent Expo

More than 500 farmers have attended this year’s Effluent Expo in the Waikato, with many investing in water, effluent storage and application infrastructure.

The free expo, held at Claudelands in Hamilton on Tuesday October 17, was organised by Waikato Regional Council with support from DairyNZ. “Some of our 46 exhibitors have told us they got more business in one day than they did at this year’s Fieldays. This is great news for the environment, with farmers investing in key infrastructure as well as getting some useful information from the seminars,” said expo organiser and senior resource officer Hamish Smith, from Waikato Regional Council.

“I’d like to congratulate farmers and the agricultural sector more widely for being fully engaged and there with the sole purpose of learning and comparing different systems and products. Despite being a busy time of the year, the turnout showed there’s a real commitment to improving on farm management.”

Mr Smith added: “We’re yet to decide whether we’ll hold another similar event next year, but will spend the next few months considering what will best meet the changing needs of farmers

working to improve their environmental impact.”

There were a number of seminars throughout the day which covered Waikato Regional Council monitoring, getting effluent storage volumes sorted, and extracting value out of farm dairy effluent.

Resource officer Scott Cantley highlighted some of the compliance issues the regional council farm monitoring officers encounter and how these impact overall farm compliance. The information he provided at the seminar aimed to help farmers prioritise their investment in key farm effluent infrastructure to achieve greater levels of compliance.

He also told attendees: “What’s really good to hear is that our monitoring officers are generally seeing an improvement in effluent infrastructure on farms right across the Waikato.”

DairyNZ’s environmental extension specialists Logan Bowler explained the three main inputs of the storage calculator that have the most impact on storage – the soil’s risk to run off or preferential drainage, water use in the dairy shed, and low application depths of effluent. He also showed the impacts of these on a “normal” dairy farm in the Morrinsville area.

“Farmers need to take ownership of the storage calculation modelling. They need to understand any changes to their effluent system that a designer might have included in a calculation, and how this might impact on their day to day management. Don’t let the designer just give one volume calculation – farmers need to see all the options open to them,” Mr Bowler told audiences.

The value of nutrients was the focus of the seminar by DairyNZ’s Nick Tait, an environmental extension specialist. He compared the value of nutrients to fertiliser prices and showed there was considerable nutrient and dollar value in effluent if well managed.

He told farmers that getting effluent samples analysed for nutrient concentrations was cheap and easy and gives farmers valuable information.

Mr Tait also talked about testing irrigator application depths to know how much farmers are applying each pass and how to use DairyNZ’s easy effluent spreading app to calculate spreading depths and loadings.

Waikato Regional Council’s Scott Cantley highlights some of the compliance issues.

Photo supplied by WRC

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Environment planning good for farming

Farmers are being encouraged to get ahead of the game and prepare now for whatever final new environmental rules are rolled out in the Waikato and Waipa rivers catchments.

The Proposed Plan Change 1 for the catchments recognises that environmental solutions need to be tailored to individual farm settings, and Farm Environment Plans (FEPs) are an effective tool for doing that.

That’s why the requirement for all farms to have a tailored FEP is a central policy in the plan.

Waikato Regional Council sustainable agriculture advisor Don Harford suggests farmers start building farm planning skills now so that they can do as much as possible themselves to keep costs down, and develop the best possible FEP for their farm.

“I personally find many farmers are already doing many good things environmentally on farm. But they don’t always get recognition for this and the challenges they face, and many will be missing some opportunities for efficiencies, improvements or new ideas.

That’s especially true in difficult times like the past very challenging winter when it’s

been hard just to keep their head above the water and mud.”

To help with getting ahead of the game, Don has put together the first four workshops for drystock farmers, in the Whangape catchment to be held from mid to late this month.

The workshops are designed to get farmers together to talk about environmental risks and suitable mitigations relevant to their farming system. “Solutions that might work for sheep may not be suitable for bull beef.

What works for dairy heifers may not work for beef cows,” says Don. He recognises that the knowledge base among farmers is extensive and the workshops will draw on both this experience and council suggestions.

These workshops will prepare farmers to attend Beef+Lamb New Zealand FEP workshops.

These B+L NZ workshops take farmers to the next level in the planning process where FEPs are developed.

Don will also be offering these workshops in other catchments in 2018. To find out more contact him on 0800 800 401 or email don.harford@waikatoregion. govt.nz.

CountryLife – 7

Friday November 17, 2017

Jewellery with country in mind Chele Clarkin brings every ounce of her characteristic resilience to the jewellery she designs.

By Viv Posselt The equestrian range that she and Geoff Taylor create for The Cambridge Collection is

immensely popular across both New Zealand and international markets.

They’re made for people looking for something different, something a little bit country and a lot

Chele Clarkin with just some of the equestrian range of jewellery she and Geoff Taylor make and market through The Cambridge Collection.

equestrian, people who live life slightly differently from their urban counterparts.

And by anyone’s measure, Chele Clarkin has done that. She lost her husband and teenage daughter within five years of one another, and last year the family home containing a lifetime of cherished memories went up in flames. Now in the process of settling into a new home, she is content designing and marketing the company’s jewellery range, and following the polo careers of family members who split their time between New Zealand and the international circuit.

Chele stumbled into the jewellery business almost by accident. It was over 25 years ago that she started working with established jeweller Geoff Taylor and began building what she says is now one of the largest ranges of equestrian jewellery in the world.

The idea took root in the UK years ago, when she had seen equestrian jewellery brought into England from Argentina by Susie Ferguson – wife of the famous Argentinian polo player Hector Barrantes and mother of the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson.

“They were some small gold polo stick pins, and I loved them. They were a little crude, but they started me thinking,” she said. “When I came home, I suggested to Geoff that we should do something similar.”

They went on to create a range that includes exquisite stirrup pendants, bracelets and rings, snaffle bit bracelets, pieces incorporating plaited horsehair, stock bracelets, cuff links, key rings and more. They are beautifully crafted pieces that encapsulate love, loss and special memories; much of the work they do sees older family pieces remodelled to bring them out of the cupboard and

A spliced stirrup pendant with rubies and diamonds.

into everyday use.

Incorporating tail hair from beloved horses became a popular addition when Matamata’s Eve Holmes came into the workshop one day, asking if they could improve on her method of attaching her plaited horsehair bracelets to caps and clasps. That led to an entirely new range, which is constantly evolving and has become hugely popular both here and abroad.

Pieces in the equestrian range are strong and sensible, ideal for people whose hands tackle country pursuits.

“Thin bands and high-standing settings aren’t much use for country people. They get caught on things…they just can’t stand up to it. Women often don’t wear their jewellery as a result,” she said.

“These items are designed to be worn every day.”

Horses have always been one of Chele’s passions; her earlier years were spent following husband Paul around the international poloplaying circuit, adding children John-Paul, Emma and Matt along the way. The family moved seamless from country to country, but always had this area as its home base. It was here that the children went to school, and here that the then 19-year-old Emma lost her life in a car accident in April 1999. Just over five years later, Paul was killed in a polo accident in the United Kingdom.

Chele’s designs reflect stories like hers; she is a great believer in crafting beautiful pieces that combine toughness with a personal element that has special meaning to the wearer.

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8 – CountryLife

Friday November 17, 2017

Indonesians visit Owl Farm

St Peter’s School hosted Indonesian students recently at the school’s demonstration dairy farm known as Owl Farm, for several days of hands-on dairy farming experience.

The 15 students were visiting on a Fonterra scholarship to learn some of New Zealand’s dairy farming practises, and put them to use in their home country.

It was the second year Indonesian participants had visited, and they were welcomed to the school with a beautiful pōwhiri.

While they were there, they learned about New Zealand dairy philosophies, livestock health and management, sustainability, quality waterways, effluent management, and took part in a quad and motorbike course.

They also went offsite to Lake View Lodge to learn about calf rearing, and to Woodstock farm in Te Awamutu to learn about automation and supplement feeding.

St Peter’s Programme Co-ordinator Rebecca McGuire said Owl Farm provided plenty of opportunities for overseas students to learn about the New Zealand farming practises.

She said learning about quality water management was one of the highlights.

“We have five wells here on the farm in our wetlands, where the data is collected automatically and manually and sent to the lab for testing.”

“So far, it’s shown to be a really sustainable wetland area, with decreasing nitrate levels.”

The demonstration farm is a partnership between St Peter’s School and Lincoln University.

One of the main focuses is to develop a workable blueprint of sustainable, profitable dairy farming.

Since St Peter’s School was built in 1936, the

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farm has been an integral part of its operations.

Initially it meant the school was self-sufficient in terms of meat, fruit and vegetables, and the milk

from 35 cows supplied the needs of the school.

In September 1938, another 68 acres were purchased, making a total of 277 acres.

The next Owl Farm Focus Day is on November 22 from 10.15am – 1pm.

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CountryLife – 9

Friday November 17, 2017

Swimming safely through summer With the summer swimming season about to kick off, Waikato Regional Council will again be helping beach users know whether water quality is suitable.

Last summer, the council re-activated a water quality monitoring programme at seven east coast and two west coast beaches, testing to see whether faecal bacteria levels were OK for contact recreation, such as swimming and surfing.

It was the first such testing since 2009 and the re-activation was part of a council drive to gain better information about what’s happening in our coastal waters and to provide a community service. It will carry on this summer.

Between November and March, beach

users can go to www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/ coastalresults to check what the latest results are for the targeted beaches.

Results last summer were generally positive, with minor, temporary issues only reported for one week at Whitianga’s Buffalo Beach.

The east coast beaches monitored are Whitianga, Hot Water Beach, Tairua, Pauanui, Whangamata and Whiritoa, and Sunset Beach and Ngarunui on the west coast.

“The testing provides valuable guidance for swimmers and surfers,” said coastal water quality scientist Pete Wilson.

“The number of faecal bacteria present in the water indicate the likelihood of contracting

a disease from many possible pathogens in the water such as bacteria or viruses.

“On our website, results from the monitoring programme are compared to national guidelines to determine the suitability for recreational use.”

Dr Wilson stressed that water quality at Waikato beaches is generally high, but caution should be taken following heavy rain. Heavy rain flushes contaminants from urban and rural land into waterways, which then make their way to the coast. These contaminants may be present in the water for up to 48 hours after heavy or prolonged rainfall.

Last summer’s issue at Buffalo Beach appeared to have been a blip, the sort of thing that can

happen after heavy rain. “Bacteria levels there were back to normal by the time the next sample came in,” Dr Wilson said.

If any issues of concern are identified, the regional council works with district councils and the Waikato District Health Board to assess results that may have public health implications and to provide the public with the best quality information.

“Our monitoring programme, while it isn’t picking up major issues, will help provide assurance to the public going forward and help us track any trends or emerging issues,” said Dr Wilson.

Rare Breeds inaugural meeting

WRC staff member Hannah Jones carrying out coastal water quality sampling at Raglan.

Photo supplied by WRC

The Rare Breeds Conservation Society is holding an inaugural meeting for a Waikato Branch.

The society was formed to conserve, record and promote rare breeds with the aim of maintaining genetic diversity in livestock species. They cover a wide range of animals from cattle to rabbits and pigs. As animal breeders have constantly sought to improve their livestock, some of the original breeds have dwindled to low numbers and even died out. In Britain alone over twenty breeds of farm animals have become extinct since 1900. Worldwide, the rate of loss has been estimated as about one breed per week, so the genetic diversity of livestock is rapidly becoming reduced. A common breed can become rare and then extinct in a very short time unless someone is caring for it. This has happened to

sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, poultry and horses.

In New Zealand there are a number of domestic breeds that are rare both here and overseas. There are also breeds, such as the Arapawa goats, Kaimanawa horses and Auckland Island pigs, that were deliberately or accidently released into the ‘wild’ and which are now considered to have heritage status. New Zealand can therefore play a part in the worldwide effort to preserve the world’s livestock diversity.

If you are interested in breeding or conserving rare domestic animals for the future, come along to the meeting on Sunday November 19 at the Go Eco Environment Centre, 188 – 200 Commerce St in Frankton, Hamilton. For more information please contact Mairi Jay on 07 974 3730 or email mairimacintyre@gmail.com, or visit www.rarebreeds.co.nz.

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10 – CountryLife

Friday November 17, 2017

Volunteers clean up wetland

By Steph Bell-Jenkins

Cambridge mother of three Emily Lee admits she was a tad nervous about taking her children to help haul logs out of Huihuitaha wetland with local volunteer service Act of Kindness (AOK) on Saturday.

“I was a bit worried that they wouldn’t enjoy it, but they’ve had a really great time,” she said after the

working bee.

“The main aim was to teach them about the importance of helping in your community and we’ve been able to do that today while having heaps of fun.”

AOK was set up in June by Cambridge mother Rebecca Broadbent, who wanted to help local families find volunteer work that would be suitable – and enjoyable – for young children

Emily and Steven Lee clear pest vegetation from Huihuitaha wetland

and their parents.

On Saturday the organisation teamed up with the Waikato River Trails Charitable Trust to clear pest vegetation from Huihuitaha wetland on Horahora Rd, about 20 minutes south of Cambridge.

Six families pitched in to haul sawnup logs out of the wetland and carry them across a boardwalk, away from the track.

Six-year-olds Benjamin Lee and Darcy Jenkins said they liked carrying wood and throwing it onto big piles. They said helping other people had made them feel “happy”.

They also enjoyed playing with other children, having a picnic and building a hut in the bush.

Andrew Murdoch, who is part of the river trails trust’s full-time maintenance crew, said it was great to have help clearing away pest species like willow and privet.

“It’s a big plus for us, it makes our job a lot easier and it also keeps the wetland looking tidy,” he said.

“We want to put native trees back to attract birdlife and let the wetland regenerate itself, so it’ll grow back to grasses, flaxes and native trees, the way it was originally.”

The trust manages the Waikato River Trails, a walking and cycling track that stretches more than 100km from the southern end of Lake Karapiro to Atiamuri, showcasing stunning views of the Waikato River.

Andrew said it had planted about 88,000 trees over the past five years and was always keen to work with volunteer groups.

Rebecca, who organised Saturday’s working bee, said AOK’s first volunteer event couldn’t have gone better.

“Waikato River Trails are amazing to

work with; they’ve been very patient with the kids and very supportive allowing younger kids to come,” she said.

“And the kids had a ball. I think everyone felt they’d achieved something and actually made a difference.”

Riley Jenkins (front), Oliver Broadbent (left) and Oliver Lee (right) team up to carry a branch down the boardwalk.

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CountryLife – 11

Friday November 17, 2017

Swap meet at Karapiro Supplied by Waikato Vintage and Machinery Club.

The Waikato Swap Meet will be held on Sunday 19th November at the Lake Karapiro Domain, from 7am – 3pm. The cost is $10 for sellers and $5 for visitors. There are sales of anything and everything including tractor and other farm machinery parts, car parts, paintings and memorabilia – you name it it’s all there! If you

have something to sell bring it along.

The Community Board has donated money to help run this event and the Waikato Vintage and Machinery Club is most grateful to them.

There is plenty of room for parking and displaying your goods. We hope to see you there!

For more information please contact Don Heaslip, 827 8257.

Sanctuary Mountain sustainability leader Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari’s 47km Waikato’s Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari is leading the way in sustainable tourism, with the pest-proof fence is the longest in the world, news that it has recently achieved a Qualmark and many endangered native birds have been Silver Award under the new Sustainable Tourism relocated and released in the sanctuary. It attracts around 20,000 visitors a year.

Business criteria.

Ms Sinton says the Qualmark Award as a real A Qualmark award provides evidence that a business has been independently validated as achievement, and is testament to the efforts of a quality tourism business, and is focused on staff, volunteers and contractors. To qualify for the award, the organisation had to go through sustainability.

At the same time, the predator-free reserve a rigorous licensing process including an onnear Cambridge has been named as a finalist site evaluation from an independent tourism in Department of Conservation-sponsored business advisor.

Winners of the NZI Sustainable Business ‘Restoring Nature’ category of the NZI Sustainable Network Awards will be announced at a gala Business Network Awards for 2017.

“This is great news, as restoring nature and dinner event in Auckland on November 30. protecting native species is at the heart of what we do at Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari,” says Acting General Manager Melissa Sinton. “The Qualmark Award is another great achievement by the team. It confirms that Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari is not only a high-quality tourism destination, but is committed to protecting the Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari’s 47km pest-proof fence. natural environment.”

CountryLife contacts Advertising Janine Davy 027 287 0005 janine@cambridgenews.nz

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News/Editorial Sophie Iremonger 027 287 0004 sophie@cambridgenews.nz Viv Posselt Phone 027 233 7686 viv@cambridgenews.nz Steph Bell -Jenkins Phone 021 142 7536 steph@cambridgenews.nz

Publication of contributions are entirely at the discretion of editorial staff and may be edited. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publishers.

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12 – CountryLife

Friday November 17, 2017

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