Plan 365 June 2018 by Farmlands

JUNE 2018

RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE

NUTRITION

FORAGE AND ARABLE

HORTICULTURE

ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

DAIRY MANAGEMENT

Plan 365 is a technical guide aimed at helping shareholders learn about best practice and the latest advancements in rural technology.

NUTRITION

Feeding the older horse The increased awareness of horse owners around aspects of general equine health, from nutrition to dental, hoof and parasite management, has resulted in the average horse living for longer. Although the natural lifespan of the horse has not changed, many are now surviving easily to 30 years of age or older, where previously this was very uncommon. Because of the physiological changes normally associated with aging, geriatrics may require special adaptations in health care, environment and diet to enable them to remain healthy. As well as slight changes in dietary nutrient requirements, it is important to pay attention to joint health, dental health and the risk of various conditions such as Cushingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, laminitis and other metabolic issues. Requirements for certain nutrients in older horses can increase, as

the effectiveness of the intestinal lining decreases with age. This can make it difficult for nutrients to pass the mucosal surface in order to reach the bloodstream. Research has documented a decreased absorption of phosphorus, vitamins and protein in the aged equine.

fibre source. These are not only high

Regular dental and worming programmes are even more important in older horses, as teeth can become compromised and worn and resistance to many deworming pastes can build significantly.

select a lower starch feed with higher

As with any horse, structural carbohydrates in the form of forage should be the most important part of the diet. In cases where dental health is inhibiting the ability for the horse to consume the all-important 1.5 percent of their body weight in forage daily through pasture and hay, super fibres such as beet pulp and soy hulls are an extremely beneficial

in digestible fibre, they have the added bonus of supplying moisture and being extremely easy to eat. While many older horses tolerate grains well, the increased risk of digestive conditions and metabolic issues mean that it can be best to levels of fibre and fat to supply safe energy. A well-formulated senior horse feed should contain a fibre percentage higher than 12 percent and a protein percentage between 12 and 16 percent from a high quality protein source like soybean meal. Any grains contained in the feed should also be processed into other highly digestible forms such as pelletised or steam flaked to enhance digestibility. While certain feeds are designed and marketed specifically for old horses, there are many high quality feeds available that meet these specifications and are equally as suitable for ensuring horses receive all the nutrients they require for optimum health in their older years. McMillan Grain Free is a great high fibre option containing soy hulls, beet pulp and high quality fat from canola oil. Other equally suitable options include certain breeding feeds such as NRM Evolve and high fibre performance feeds such as NRM Low GI Sport. For assistance with feeding plans for older horses, to manage condition and enhance overall health, consult with an experienced equine nutrition advisor. Article supplied by Luisa Wood, Equine Nutrition Technical Advisor.

| Regular dental and worming programmes are very important in older horses.

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NUTRITION

Rabbit nutrition 101 and update on RHDV1 K5 Rabbits are very interesting animals when it comes to nutrition and it is worth getting to know a bit more about your furry friends so you can make sure they are receiving the best care possible. With the recent release of the RHDV1 K5 virus throughout New Zealand to control pest rabbit populations, it is also a good time to review your rabbit’s vaccination history with your local veterinarian to make sure your rabbits are protected. Some things to know about your rabbit’s digestive system: • Rabbits are animals designed to consume a diet high in fibre. They are hind gut fermenters, which means that a majority of the digestion of the feed they eat occurs in their caecum where it is fermented by resident microorganisms. • If rabbits are not fed a diet high enough in fibre they can develop a potentially fatal health problem called gut stasis, so it is important to offer them a feed that is well suited to their unique requirements, along with ample access to hay to keep their gut healthy. • Sedate pet rabbits are particularly prone to becoming overweight, which has its own set of health issues just like humans, so offering a well-balanced, high fibre feed with a lower grain inclusion will help to keep rabbits at a healthy weight. Rabbits must always have constant access to either grass or hay to keep their teeth worn down. Rabbits with

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no access to hay or grass end up with teeth that overgrow, which can cause health issues such as mouth abscesses and incorrect jaw alignment. Rabbits young and old love NRM Rabbit Pellets, which are designed to fulfil a rabbit’s preference for a diet packed with fibre and are suitable for feeding to young growing rabbits and mature rabbits alike. The fibre in NRM Rabbit Pellets comes predominately from high quality lucerne chaff, however a unique raw fibre concentrate with a perfect balance of cellulose to lignin is also included in the pellets, which has been proven to improve the digestive health of rabbits. NRM Rabbit Pellets also contain high quality soya oil to deliver linoleic acid, a fatty acid that rabbits have a specific requirement for and which can help to improve coat condition. A comprehensive rabbit specific trace element and vitamin pack to support optimum health and vitality is also included, along with a coccidiostat to prevent coccidiosis, a parasite that can be an issue particularly in young kits but can also effect mature rabbits. Update on RHDV1 K5 – important for rabbit owners to consider To control the wild population of rabbits, which cause a lot of damage to New Zealand, a new strain of Calicivirus was released in Canterbury, Otago and Marlborough in March and April. It is expected to spread beyond these regions over time. It isn’t a new virus but a new strain of the current RHDV1 virus, which many rabbits are now immune to. The virus can infect pet

| Rabbits are designed to consume a diet high in fibre.

rabbits through contact with diseased wild rabbits, faeces, bedding material and flies, so unvaccinated pet rabbits will be at risk. There is a vaccine available that can protect pet rabbits, which is recommended by the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) and MPI. It is also recommended to follow biosecurity measures for pet rabbits, which can be found on the NZVA website and Facebook page. Have a chat to your veterinarian and make sure your rabbits are protected. For further information, contact your local Nutrition Specialist. Visit your local Farmlands store to take advantage of this month’s special pricing on NRM Rabbit Pellets. Article supplied by Stacey Cosnett, Nutritionist, Farmlands.

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NUTRITION

The transition period is critical There is a mantra that the 3-week transition period each side of calving, critically important to the productivity and health of cows and their calves, is as easy to ignore as a background radio. I think it is worth re-stating and action taken where improvements can be made. Calcium is not just critical for bones and teeth – it is integral to the operation of smooth muscles, so maintaining blood calcium levels is essential if calving is going to go well. Imagine the forces required to move 200 litres of wet rumen fluid full of long forage. How easily would rumen function be affected by poor muscular function at a time of the year when low dry matter forages limit rumen fermentation rates anyway? A quickly growing unborn calf and the production of calcium-rich colostrum will test the ability of cows to mobilise bone calcium as calving approaches. However, older cows are especially at risk because they tend to come into milk faster but mobilise bone calcium slower than younger cows. We are all slaves to our hormones but calving cows are under extra pressure

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because the hormones secreted to relax ligaments in preparation for expelling a calf are not specific to the birth canal. Suspensory ligaments that normally take the weight of the cow on the wall of the hoof also relax and increase the risk of bones bruising the very sensitive cells that produce the sole tissue. The digital cushion, which works like a gel insert in sports shoes, is not fully developed in 2 year old cows and is thinner in cows with a lower Body Condition Score (I think the “Recent Advances in Lameness Control” seminar by Professor Jon Huxley makes for interesting viewing – available on YouTube). Ensuring cows calf down in the optimum condition with good appetites is not only going to impact on their production and fertility but also their vulnerability to sole ulcers, which may take 3 months to grow through to the surface of the sole.

suppressed appetite in cows so they

Add to this a mix of evolutionary strategy in all mammals for reduced immune response around parturition, an egg that takes about 90 days to mature (and is sensitive to hormonal and chemical signals) and a

by anyone looking for increased

keep close to their young rather than wander off for fresh pasture. You have a potent biological mix with some potentially negative consequences. NRM Pre-Calver Pellets have been specifically formulated with anionic salts to encourage bone mobilisation before calving to meet the growing needs of the calf and colostrum production. They have added protein to lessen the need for cows to mobilise body protein reserves. An ME of 12.5MJ/kgDM is impressive given their high mineral loading and reflects a high content of readily fermentable grains, which can help reduce the risk of subclinical ketosis. A high trace mineral and vitamin content in addition to Bovatec® add to the suite of ingredients selected specifically to help cows transition to lactation. They are worth considering peace of mind this calving season. For further information, contact your local Nutrition Specialist. Article supplied by Dr. Rob Derrick, Nutritionist, Farmlands.

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NUTRITION

Colostrum and the transfer of immunity It is critical for all newborn animals to receive colostrum in the first 24 hours after birth, so they maximise the absorption of the antibodies (immunoglobulins) present in colostrum directly into their bloodstream within that period. Key for survival and nourishment, colostrum contains high levels of immunoglobulins and approximately 90 functional components beneficial to life: • Immunoglobulins provide passive immunity to the newborn animal. • Growth factors especially stimulate the growth of the gut. • Other antimicrobial components include lactoferrin, lysozyme and lactoperoxidase. • Fats are a direct fuel source. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) is key to a strong, robust start to life and for fighting infections. The process by which a mother passes IgG to a baby via colostrum is called passive transfer of immunity. The antibodies in the colostrum pass through the walls of the gut to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream. The window for optimal passive transfer of immunity is about 24 hours. What is failure of passive transfer? Failure of passive transfer (FPT) occurs when a baby animal fails to obtain or absorb adequate quantities of IgG from colostrum in the first 24 hours. This affects long-term durability and hence productivity. What contributes to FPT? • Feeding colostrum with inadequate levels of IgG. • Feeding insufficient

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Transfer of passive immunity Optimal absorption of antibodies (IgGs) into a calf’s bloodstream takes place as soon as possible after birth. Between 24-30 hours, the ability of IgG to pass through the gut lining diminishes. By 48 hours, gut closure prevents IgG transfer into the bloodstream.

volumes of colostrum. • Feeding colostrum too late after birth. • Bacteria contaminating colostrum at harvest, during storage or at feeding. Numerous factors influence the immunoglobulin content of colostrum, such as: • An insufficient quantity of colostrum. • Inferior quality of colostrum, i.e. colostrum collected from cows after the first 24 hours post-birth. • Poor maternal instincts. • Suckling drive of the baby animal. In a 2015 study by DairyNZ, only 10 percent of 298 colostrum samples collected at multiple times during the

Legend - lgG

FPT costs millions of dollars annually. Avoid FPT with AgriVantage’s new Launchpad 18 Colostrum Powder. Launchpad 18 is made from Colostrum Gold, sourced from cows in the first 24 hours after birthing, after the calves feed. Due to a unique manufacturing process, Launchpad 18 is both highly concentrated in IgG (18 percent) and full fat (24 percent), making it an excellent source of immunity and energy for optimal animal rearing. Launchpad 18 is suitable for rearing all types of ruminant animals. For further information, contact your local Nutrition Specialist. 1. https://www.dairynz.co.nz/news/ latest-news/colostrum-managementgiving-calves-a-great-start-to-life/ Article supplied by AgriVantage.

calving season had IgG concentrations over the recommended levels¹.

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NUTRITION

Feeding the young calf A key focus of the calf rearing period is to stimulate the rumen to start growing and developing prior to weaning off milk. Nutritious and health-supporting milk and a good quality starter feed are key components of a successful calf rearing system and can help take some of the stress and risk out of calf rearing. Milk After good colostrum intake has been achieved in the first day of life, milk becomes the most important source of nutrients for a calf. Feeding calves transition milk from the first milkings and waste milk from treated cows carries the risk of transmitting Johne’s, salmonella and other diseases such as Mycoplasma Bovis. These and other animal health concerns help to justify the use of well formulated calf milk replacer beyond a simple cost price advantage. There are two main types of calf milk powder – casein based milk replacers and whey based milk replacers. Both types can be used very successfully to rear calves. Casein based milk replacers will tend to clot in the abomasum of a calf, whereas

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the whey based milk replacers will not. Clotting is not essential for digestion in a casein based milk replacer – it

•

may only affect nutrient flow and not nutrient digestibility or performance of calves1, provided raw materials have not been heat damaged. Anyone

•

specifically buying a guaranteed high curding product is advised to check the curd strength using rennet to confirm it meets their expectation. Starter feed Offering a palatable, high protein, grain

•

based calf feed as early as day 5 is the key to kick starting rumen development and stimulating dry feed intake in preparation for a grass based diet. Top tips for hard feed intake • Choose a high quality, mineralised and vitaminised starter feed – ideally with no palm kernel. A key attribute should be a low dust feed with a great taste and mouth feel, as calves don’t like eating fines. Recent improvements to the NRM Moozlee formulation means it is now an even better choice for those who prefer to offer young calves a textured feed, with the added benefit of lucerne

•

chaff for a great taste and to help clean developing rumen papillae. Always make sure the feed on offer is fresh and only put as much into troughs as calves will eat between milk feeds. Calves maintain a lot of mouth activity after a milk feed – hand feeding young calves some hard feed immediately after their milk feed can help get them used to the texture and flavour. Calves can be exposed to coccidiosis from an early age, so feeding a hard feed with a proven coccidoistat such as Bovatec can help prevent a debilitating or even deadly parasite taking hold – but remember to keep away from dogs and horses who can be killed by ingestion of coccidiostats. Always have fresh water available – water is critical for hard feed intake.

For further information, contact your local Nutrition Specialist. 1. J. I. Longenbach, A. J. Heinrichs, 1998. A review of the importance and physiological role of curd formation in the abomasum of young calves. Animal Feed Science and Technology in 1998. Article supplied by Stacey Cosnett, Nutritionist, Farmlands.

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FORAGE AND ARABLE

Technology for better farm performance As farming becomes more complex, technology is becoming increasingly important.

transformation with the launch of its

Regulation, industry and market requirements, the drive for precision, accountability, traceability and transparency are all increasing demands on farmers. But there are still only 24 hours in the day, so technology has a crucial part to play.

Marketing, Sheena Henderson says

Gathering, analysing and using data to help improve productivity and profit, simplifying routine tasks and improving communication and collaboration are some areas where technology can provide valuable support to your farm business.

integration, proof of application,

Companies providing farm services and supplies are also embracing technology to reduce time and effort for their customers. As an example, Ballance Agri-Nutrients has undergone a major digital

business with Ballance on any device

MyBallance online customer platform. GM Customer Experience and MyBallance will provide farmers with a consistent, contextualised customer experience and a “360-degree view” of their Ballance relationship including online ordering, access to fertiliser plans and recommendations, spreader shareholding and financial data. Benefits include better information about fertiliser application and volume, easier collaboration and delegation and a better all-round customer experience. “It’s about making life easier to do via any channel that you might use to interact with us as a customer, whether that be via a retail and merchant partner like Farmlands, through one of our Ballance nutrient specialists, by

ringing our customer services team, or by dealing with us directly online,” Sheena explains. “It provides one version of the truth for you however you choose to engage with us.” Chief Digital Officer, Dave Scullin says the company has worked closely with farmers to develop MyBallance so it is easy to use and meets the demands of modern farming environments. MyBallance combines e-commerce features with rich multi-farm information to support analysis and decision-making. A key advantage is the ability to plan visually by using an accurate 3D map. MyBallance leverages the ArcGIS mapping platform from ESRI (a global leader in geo-spatial software) to model each farm’s surface area and topography, so you can make more accurate fertiliser purchases by taking into account the contour and any exclusion zones. “You can draw boundaries to define paddocks, management blocks and farm features,” Dave explains. “You can then use your map to view different soil types, order fertiliser directly from the map, see the status of orders and access your fertiliser plan for the year.” MyBallance provides a flexible, transparent and easy way to order products online 24/7 (including repeat orders and custom mixes) and choose delivery dates or pick up locations. For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Ballance.

| Technology is becoming more important as farming becomes increasingly complex.

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ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

The importance of pre-lamb vaccinating your ewes Lambs are born with very few antibodies and rely on antibodies in the ewe’s colostrum for protection against clostridial diseases including pulpy kidney and tetanus.

The gut of the newborn lamb is best at absorbing these antibodies within the first 12 hours of life, so it’s crucial this colostrum is the best quality and volume possible.

With Nilvax, more ewes respond with

Clostridial vaccination of the ewe just

So, if it is convenient to vaccinate the flock 2 weeks ahead of lambing and you have a large number of single bearing ewes, then you may choose a pre-lamb 5-in-1 vaccine like Multine®. Multine gives a good antibody response and when used closer to lambing (2-4 weeks), provides protection for the lambs for up to 12 weeks. New Multine B12 also contains a dose of vitamin B12, meaning you can supplement the ewe (and her lambs via colostrum) with B12 in a single injection.

Vaccination can also happen earlier

prior to lambing is utilised on most New Zealand farms to maximise the level of antibodies lambs receive in colostrum. The more antibodies they receive, the higher their chances of survival if they face disease challenge (for example from diseases like tetanus or pulpy kidney). It is therefore vital to get pre-lamb vaccination right – both with timing and the level of antibodies produced. For timing, it’s about stimulating the ewe at the right time, so her antibody levels peak when forming her colostrum. Ideally this is about 2 weeks ahead of lambing but different farms have different management systems and lambing spread varies, so the flexibility to vaccinate earlier can be important. For antibody levels, it’s about ensuring sufficient antibodies are available for transfer into the lamb(s). How much is sufficient can vary depending on whether a ewe has one, two or three lambs suckling and how much disease challenge a lamb may face.

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However, if your flock has a higher number of multiple bearing ewes, or you vaccinate earlier (for example, to reduce the likelihood of sleepy sickness), or you want longer protection of lambs to reduce losses through until weaning (e.g. pulpy kidney deaths) then Nilvax® would be a much better choice for your farm. A specialist pre-lamb vaccine, Nilvax is formulated with a powerful 5-in-1 plus an immune booster – levamisole. Used at pre-lamb, Nilvax boosts the protective antibody levels of ewes, preparing them to produce antibodyrich colostrum available to their lambs.

higher antibody levels than with other 5-in-1s1. Higher antibody levels also provide protection for up to 16 weeks, 4 weeks longer than other 5-in-1s2. – from 6 weeks pre-lamb, 2 weeks earlier than other 5-in-1s2. Plus, Nilvax can also be suitable as a short-acting, priming drench ahead of pre-lamb capsules or in combination with other long acting drench products. Whether Nilvax or Multine is the right choice for your farm is up to you. What you can be assured of with both is they are both developed and manufactured in New Zealand to the highest standard, for New Zealand farming challenges. They both have excellent local field data that shows that Nilvax produces the highest antibody levels in ewes at pre-lamb and Multine also produces high antibody levels2. For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. 1. Pre-lamb vaccination: Comparing Apples with Apples, J. R. Moffat. Soc. Sheep and Beef Cattle Veterinarians, NZVA 2004. 2. ACVM Approved Label, Nilvax A3977, Multine A0934, Multine B12 A11311. Registered Trademark. Schering-Plough Animal Health Ltd. ACVM Registration numbers: A3977, A0934, A11311.

Article supplied by MSD Animal Health.

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ANIMAL MANAGEMENT

Success doesn’t just happen – it’s planned When it comes to having a successful lambing, it doesn’t just happen – it’s planned. There are a number of well-known key ingredients required for a successful lambing, including nutrition, body condition score, disease prevention, parasite management and resource management. Nutrition Ensuring the ewes are set stocked in the right paddocks on good feed covers starts with having enough feed going into winter. You need to time your winter rotation to ensure the twinning country has time to recover between being grazed and set stocked, all the while ensuring your ewes are on a rising feed plain that matches their increasing energy demands as the unborn lambs develop in late pregnancy. Body condition score (BCS) Ensuring ewes lamb in adequate body condition (> BCS 2.5) should start at weaning the previous summer. Constantly drafting off the bottom end of the ewes and either culling or preferentially feeding them will not only keep the average condition score up but will also maximise the number of ewes lambing within the optimum range of body condition (BCS 2.5 – 3.5). Disease prevention As pregnancy advances and the ewe’s immunity relaxes, she becomes more susceptible to disease. Clostridial diseases (tetanus, pulpy kidney, blackleg and malignant oedema) are common causes of sudden death in ewes and their lambs. Preventing these deaths through vaccination of

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| There are a number of key ingredients required for a successful lambing and it is important to plan ahead.

the ewes 3-4 weeks prior to lambing with Lifeguard® 5-in-1 is crucial to reduce ewe wastage and to pass on protective antibodies through the colostrum to protect the lambs until they can be vaccinated. Planning to make this happen on time is crucial to ensure good colostrum antibody production and that ewes are not off grass too long, too close to lambing. Parasite management Planning which ewes are treated for parasites and with which product can help lift the performance of the ewe flock. Unnecessary treatment is just another cost. Single ewes that are in good condition and on reasonable feed should not need treatment. Twin ewes in poor condition will benefit significantly from a long acting treatment (e.g. Cydectin® Long Acting Injection for Sheep) given at pre-

lambing or even as early as scanning. Single ewes in poor condition, or twin ewes in good condition but on poor feed would benefit from a shorter acting treatment (e.g. Eweguard®) given at pre-lambing. Resource management Planning the use of your available resources (e.g. labour, contractors, time and facilities) will often dictate product selection at pre-lambing. Where labour and time are limited the use of combined injections (e.g. Eweguard) can be a great benefit. Plan to make this a great lambing! For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Cydectin, Eweguard and Lifeguard are registered trademarks of Zoetis Inc. or its subsidiaries. ACVM No. A9926, A11146 and A11147, A7302, A9122. Article supplied by Zoetis New Zealand.

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DAIRY MANAGEMENT

Simple steps to increase milk yield Reducing costs and improving milk income this season could be as easy as making a few simple changes to the rubberware in your dairy plant. As a bonus, you’ll end up milking more efficiently too.

Most dairy rubberware is designed to take a lot of punishment and it needs to be. As soon as it is installed in your plant, its surface strength and integrity comes under daily attack from a wide range of environmental challenges, including milk, detergents, sanitisers, milkstone removers, ozone, UV light and variable temperatures. Changing milking liners once they reach their use-by date not only shortens milk-out time, reduces cup slip and lowers somatic cell counts, it also helps save power, labour and animal health costs and can increase milk solids yield while minimising the risk of costly grades. Farmers who change milking liners at the recommended lifespan of 2,500 milkings report immediate reduction in teat end damage as well as better SCC result, according to Skellerup National Manager, Perry Davis. Unlike tubing, milking liners come in direct contact with the cow, so rough, ill-fitting surfaces on the inside affect not only milk quality and milking efficiency but also teat health and cow comfort. Changing liners now means you’ll get a head start to the coming season, with no worries about sacrificing milking performance through worn out rubberware. Tubing is another area to check – while it may look perfectly fine outwardly, it can be eroded and pitted where the interior surface comes into contact with milk and you may have no reason to suspect there’s a risk associated with it until a milk quality problem crops up.

“That’s why we support the best practice of replacing all rubberware that touches milk every year, rather than waiting until you see signs of splits, wear or perishing on the outside,” Perry says. “Tubing is particularly vulnerable. By the time you see or feel cause for concern externally, the inside has almost always been well damaged by milk fat and cleaning compounds.” Air tubing needs to be checked too, as do claw and pulse tubes. Perry advises farmers to look for splits and holes – these can cause loss of vacuum in the system, changing pulsation characteristics and increasing problems with cup slippage. This also reduces milking performance, leading to a longer and/or incomplete milk-out. As a general rule, air tubing can last longer than milk tubing but should be routinely replaced every 2 years. “It might seem like a bit of a chore but following a simple maintenance and replacement schedule for all dairy rubberware helps your plant remain efficient and productive for a relatively low outlay. Plus, it gives peace of mind – you don’t need to worry about problems you can’t see coming if you know your plant is well-maintained.” For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Field Officer or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Skellerup.

| Changing milking liners now means you’ll get a head start to the coming season.

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HORTICULTURE

Choosing the right tool for the pruning task at hand Selecting the right tool for your pruning task will depend on the size and hardness of the wood that you plan to cut, your strength and your preference. Generally, secateurs are used for cuts up to 25mm, loppers for cuts 4045mm and a saw for anything bigger. Secateurs There are two types of secateurs to choose from – bypass and anvil. Bypass secateurs are those where the blades cross each other to give a nice, clean cut. They need to be properly adjusted and maintained to give the best results. Anvil secateurs have the cutting blade press against a stop. This tends to bruise the plant, so these types of secateurs are preferred when cutting dry wood, as they are more efficient because of the reduced friction between the blades. Several parameters come into play when selecting secateurs. Quality of manufacture should be at the top of the list. A quality tool will not only last many years, it will stay sharp and work efficiently for longer and be easier to maintain. The shape and size of secateurs is a matter of personal preference. It’s simply a matter of which one feels comfortable in your hand. Secateurs designed for lefthanded operators are also available. Loppers Loppers come in various lengths and specifications. Once again, consider the quality of manufacture when selecting one. This is more important with loppers than with secateurs, as you will be putting

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| Use secateurs for cuts up to 25mm, loppers for cuts up to 40-45mm and a saw for larger cuts.

a lot more pressure on the tool. Handle length depends on how much heavy cutting you have to do. Longer tools give you more leverage, so you can make more cuts without tiring. Short loppers (40cm handles) are a perfect alternative to secateurs when you want to, or have to use both hands. Saws With saws, there are two types of blade to consider – straight and curved. A straight saw is easier to use in tight situations because you need less space to move the blade. Curved saws are designed to be more efficient when pruning above shoulder height. Quality blades are heat treated to minimise resistance when cutting. Today’s new blade designs makes resharpening very difficult but

replacement blades are a good option. To determine the size of branches you can cut with a specific saw, a good rule of thumb is to cut branches that have a diameter that is up to one-third the length of the blade. The Felco range of pruners, loppers, cutters, saws, knives and accessories can provide the right tool for your pruning task. Distributed exclusively by Heiniger New Zealand and available at your local Farmlands store, the Felco range brings quality engineering, ingenuity, safety, reliability and performance to the agricultural industry. For further information, contact your Farmlands Technical Advisor or the friendly team at your local Farmlands store. Article supplied by Heiniger New Zealand.

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HORTICULTURE

Horticulture on show in Hawke’s Bay Farmlands is proud to again support New Zealand’s premier horticultural event, the BNZ National Horticultural Field Day. Held at Showgrounds Hawke’s Bay Tomoana, this year’s event will take place from 8.00am to 4.30pm on Thursday 28th June.

machinery coming to the market,

are committed to keeping the 100

an outdoor horticultural art

percent horticulture focus and growing

competition and an array of other

the event in line with the industry’s

exciting activities – including the

demands and requirements,” she says.

popular BNZ Seminar Series.

Join the Farmlands team at the National

The BNZ Seminar Series is a

Horticultural Field Day to see the best

great opportunity for industry

that the New Zealand horticulture

A showcase of New Zealand’s

heads, researchers, scientists and

industry has to offer. In addition to

horticulture industry, the event

industry representatives to come

key supplier exhibits and special

creates a genuine opportunity for

together for education, innovation

deals in the Farmlands marquee, the

industry networking, business to

and information sharing.

Farmlands team will be on-hand to

business interaction and education.

Following this, all eyes will then be

provide advice and information.

General Manager of the Hawke’s

on the main event of the day, the

The National Horticultural Field Day

Bay A&P Society, Sally Jackson says

Hawke’s Bay Young Fruit Grower of the

has a complimentary ticketing system,

that one of the best things about the

Year, where up to eight competitors

which ensures most members of the

event is that it is specifically created

battle it out for the annual title.

industry can attend the event for free.

for the horticulture industry. “There

President of the Hawke’s Bay

Tickets can be acquired by contacting

is no other event like it,” she says.

Fruitgrowers Association, Lesley Wilson

Event Co-ordinator, Di Roadley –

The National Horticultural Field

says that visitors come from all over

events@showgroundshb.co.nz

Day will feature more than 66

New Zealand to attend the event and

or (06) 878 3123 – 704.

trade sites, interactive displays of

the focus on the horticultural industry

new and innovative horticultural

is key to its success. “The organisers

Visit www.nationalhort.co.nz for further information.

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