Nelson Marlborough Farming April 2022

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Dairy farmers win big

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Climate and delays influence wool quality Wheat shortage threatens the global community

First-time entrants who say they live and work in paradise have been announced as the major winners in the 2022 West Coast/ Top of the South Dairy Industry Awards.

Kevin and Kyla Freeman were announced winners ofthe region’s Share Farmer of the Year Category at the annual awards dinner held in Shantytown on Thursday night.

The other big winners were Robyn Mare, who was named the 2022 West Coast/Top of the South Dairy Manager of the Year, and Lisa Peeters the 2022West Coast/ Top of the South Dairy Trainee of the Year.

The Freemans are 50/50 share milkers on Mark and Julie Freeman’s 140ha Nelson farm, milking 390 cows. They won $10,895 in prizes and five merit awards.“We entered the Awards programme to look at every aspect of our business with others to critique,” they say.

“It was a chance to analyse, learn

Westcoast/Top of the South Dairy Award winners from left; Trainee of the Year, Lisa Peeters (accepted

by Farm owner Debbie Van Beek); Share Farmers of the Year, Kevin and Kyla Freeman; Manager of the Year, Robyn Mare. Photo: Supplied. and improve areas of weakness and identify areas of opportunities to grow.”

Kevin grew up on a dairy farm and is a trade qualified builder.

He was 2IC for two years prior to

sharemilking in 2020. Kyla grew up on a beef and crop farm in Canada.

The couple have three children Mylan, 4, Levi, 2, and Cole, 8 months, and believe raising kids

on a farm is second-to-none.

“We have the ability to share the enjoyment of the farm with friends, family and others and

SEE PAGE 2

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Circulating to 14,500 rural properties in Nelson, Tasman, Marlborough and the West Coast every month.

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Dairy farmers win big at awards FROM PAGE 1 love the amount of time we get to see the kids during the day.”

Uncertainty around pay-out has proved challenging for the Freemans, especially when they began sharemilking in 2020.

“Covid was just starting to shape the world and banks were not lending freely.”

A positive attitude helps during the harder times. “Hard days don’t last forever and there’s always something positive to look at in a day, especially happy cows full of milk.”

Kevin, 27, and Kyla, 24, say their low cost of production is one of their biggest strengths coupled with a higher production on a grass-based system.

“Our equity growth is something we’re proud of,” they say. “We purchased very cost-effective cows as a start-up herd and they produced 455kg/cow our first season, so we are very happy with their performance.”

The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are supported

by DeLaval, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Honda, LIC, Meridian, and Ravensdown along with industry partners DairyNZ and MediaWorks.

The winner of the 2022 West Coast/Top of the South Dairy Manager of the Year category says she is proud to be a New Zealand dairy farmer producing a quality product in the most environmentally sustainable way.

Robyn Mare won $6500 in prizes and two merit awards and is farm manager for Rob and Michelle Little on their 155ha, 310-cow Greymouth property.

Robyn entered the dairy industry full-time in 2017 as a farm assistant. “I love cows and being outdoors in the elements working hard physically and mentally.”

Runner-up in the Dairy Manager category was Coenraad Jacobus Groenewald, who immigrated to New Zealand in 2016 from South Africa, when he entered the dairy industry. “I was born and raised on a dry stock farm and I always lovedfarm life,” he says. “Being hands-on with the job and seeing

people progress in the industry gives me ultimate satisfaction.

Coenraad, 40, is currently farm manager on the Pāmu Farms of New Zealand 449ha, 900-cow Moana farm. He won $3000 in prizes and one merit award.

Gareth Evans placed third and won $2000 in prizes. He is farm manager for Kelvin and Heather McKay on their 81ha, 173-cow Greymouth property.

Lisa Peeters has been named winner in the 2022 West Coast/ Top of the South Dairy Trainee of the Year category. The 28-yearold is herd manager for Mawhera Incorporation’s 240ha, 400-cow property in Hokitika. She won $6300 in prizes and two merit awards.

Lisa grew up on a family dairy farm in Canada where all cows are housed indoors, calve all-year round and milk twice-a-day all year. “I was mainly helping with calf rearing and calf husbandry.”

The farm was sold when Lisa was 16 and she began a position on a sheep farm before moving to a beef bull stud. “I was very

disappointed when our family farm was sold as dairy is a tough industry to get into in Canada without family connections, so I trained as a vet nurse with a focus on large animals but mainly sport and performance horses.”

The 28-year-old came to New Zealand after experiencing burnout in vet nursing, to experience life as a work exchange student and found a position on her current dairy farm. “I fell back in love with dairy.”

Runner-up in the Dairy Trainee category was 20-year-old assistant manager and 2IC Trinity Jackson, who won $2000 in prizes. Trinity works for Pāmu Farms of New Zealand on the 443ha, 800-cow farm at Greymouth.

Third place in the Dairy Trainee category went to 26-year-old herd manager Connor Shirley who won $1500 in prizes and one merit award. Connor works on the Brent Riley Home Farm, on the 65ha, 200-cow farm in Collingwood.

Further details can be found at www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz.

Tricky summer comes to an end BARBARA STUART EDITOR The end of day light saving Sunday the third of April when clocks go back an hour means more light in the mornings. It’s been a difficult summer for many to navigate labour shortages, high rainfall in February, Covid and the unreliable global shipping and supply chain issues for exporters and importers, plus escalating costs.

Latest news reports are saying Shanghai is again in lock down to suppress the

spread of Covid there suggesting further shipping problems lie ahead. Maersk, the world’s biggest container shipping line, says it has dropped 50 per cent of its normal ship calls to the Ports of Auckland and expects New Zealand’s congestion problems will continue until June.

The war in the Ukraine makes us all nervous for the future should it become nuclear, for the tragic loss of life among civilians and those who are displaced and for what’s to come next.

However difficult it is for us

out of this uncertainty.

Locally March has been a settled month, fruit and grape harvests are well underway and local ports have stockpiles of logs waiting for ships in what is a bumper export year.

On aUPGRADES lighter note, ON Nelson GET FREE SELECT Federated Farmers has a PLUS OTHER GREAT D planned programme of reguin New Zealand we all know lar events at six-eight weekly HELPFUL ADVICE with absolute certainty how intervals, with the next on 10 lucky we are to live far from April at Moutere Hills Comthe conflict and trauma. munity Centre featuring Producers, Ports and govTasman Mayor, Tim King as WIDEST RANGE OF BATTERY GARDEN ernment will beTOOLS watching guest speaker for an evening the global scene to meet ex- of fun and connecting over port needs that may come food.

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Sounds farmers need certainty ANDREW RITCHIE Huge ongoing costs and no certainty have farmers in the Keneperu Sounds operating on a knife edge because of the lack of road access.

Mike Richards who has a mussel farm in Waitaria Bay has been able to use the road with a light vehicle using a Resident’s Only Pass since the road opened, following the catastrophic floods in July.

The council issued a new code recently which allows bach own- Mike Richards Mussel farmer from Wataria Bay shows of his Resiers and holiday makers to use dents only pass for the Keneperu Road. Photo: Andrew Ritchie. the road without a pass providing they only have a light vehicle.

Mike’s concern, as a regular road user is that little progress appears to be being made to restore the road to pre-July’s conditions.

The Hopkinson family farm 1000 hectares in the Sounds at Titirangi. Emma Hopkinson says the ongoing extra financial costs caused by the inability of trucks to access the farming community is crippling. All trucks have to utilise Johnson’s Barges to service the farms.

Above: Sheep are barged in the Marlborough Sounds, due to a lack of road access after the catastrophic floods last July.

Emma says a round trip costs approximately $7000 and if the and accountants when the books twelve tonnes and no longer than council has combined with MPI that repairs are not happening barge has to wait for a return load are not balancing. She says that eight metres. Permits can be ap- to provide some funding. The quickly enough, but that they waiting time costs $250/hour. She a neighbour estimated it has al- plied for vehicles exceeding these decision was made to spread the aim to have an improved access praises the Sounds community ready cost an additional $100,000 specifications from Marlborough funding over an extended period road on completion rather than who have pulled forces to plan in transport costs to date and no Roads. rather than provide free services one that has just been patched the logistics of each trip.

Kim Weatherhead is the office that would mean the money dis- up. Kim praised the community end is in sight.

A slipway has been constructed at A spokesperson for Marlborough and logistics manager for John- appearing quite quickly. However for coming together, thanking Fish Bay which is in a central po- Roads said there was no indica- son’s Barges at Havelock. She says the road repairs are not going to the Leslie brothers for clearing sition to accommodate the ma- tion of when normal road access they have been very busy since be fixed quickly, so council is at- some of the massive slips and jority of users in the area. Haul- would be available but it looks as the floods of July, moving 40 to 50 tempting to access more govern- stock agents and Parkes haulage ier Gareth Parkes has served the though it will be a “considerable cars per day initially. Since Octo- ment funding to cover an extend- for making the logistics easier community well during the road amount of time.” ber they have barged over 13,000 ed period. to manage. The increase in fuel closure, coordinating loads and “The repairs are extremely com- sheep, 1000 cattle, 500 bales of Dean Heiford who manages costs have made costs unpredictoften has to stay overnight in the plex and there is a lot of damage wool, 40 truck and trailer loads, community support services at able but the company have been Date: sounds to avoid the waiting03/09/2020 time underneath the road.” tonnes of fertiliser and stock feed. Marlborough District Council pleased to help the community as charges for theNo. barge.

The worst affected area is a 19km Initially there was a Mayoral Re- told Kim Weatherhead that the best they can. of pages: 1 Emma says that the extra costs stretch around Portage. lief Fund set up, which enabled Sounds comFrom: Kevin due to the lack of road access isQuinn Currently the road has reopened transport to be provided at a munity may difficult to explain to bankers for six wheeler trucks, under very reduced cost. Since then the be concerned Phone:

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Landscape field day Kaikoura collie dog trial club to celebrate 125 years David Dillon has been planting trees at The Throne in the Waihopai Valley Marlborough all his life, picking up where his father and grandfather left off.

A field day at the family property on April 29 is sure to inspire farmers and any other land-holders about the benefits of trees on-farm. “Every year I put in a plantation. It’s like doing the shearing,” says David.

The farm tour will show a wide variety of exotic and native plantings, with expert speakers highlighting the financial and environmental benefits of trees: increase the value of the property, provide shade and shelter for stock, carbon sequestration and carbon credits, growing cash crops (pines, eucalypts for grape posts), promote biodiversity, providing food and habitat, provide wood for building and firewood, create a pleasant working and living environment.

The field day is organised by the

TONY ORMAN

David Dillon Marlborough Landscape Group, who advise Council on how to protect and enhance Marlborough’s landscape. Members include representatives from iwi, local businesses, forestry, farming, winegrowing and environmental groups.

Field Day: The Throne, 49 Avondale Road, Waihopai Valley When: Friday 29 April, 10am-2pm Details: 4WD only. Numbers restricted. BYO lunch All attendees must be double-vaccinated Please book by April 22: bev.doole@icloud.com

The Kaikoura Collie Dog Trial Club will celebrate 125 years this April.

It’s a grand age and one to be proud of says James Calder, current president. “We’re very old,” he smiles. “Probably one of the oldest in New Zealand.”

The celebrations will tend to be low-key with a dinner and a get-together a focal point.

Although early records were lost in a fire, a 1929 article in the Kaikoura Star puts the inaugural meeting of the club 33 years earlier, about 1896.

Maggie Campbell, secretary in 1996, compiled a booklet to mark the centenary.

“So it seems in 1896 with a cool wind coming off the seaward Kaikouras, the first sheep eyed the first dog in the first event,” she says.

The first trials likely took place at the Little Ludstone paddocks of the club’s first patron William Smith.

Interesting things pop up in the remaining records. In 1900 the rules stated “that protests must be accompanied by a deposit of a one pound note, this sum to be forfeited

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David Harris, Kaikoura dog trials and club member for over 50 years. Photos: Supplied. if protest proves frivolous”.

In 1952 the club decided to hold a womens heading event which created much interest and a good number of entries.

There have been some fine man and dog combinations over the years.

Around 1900 Harry Little and Maudie were among top winners. C Clemett and Jack, FW Brougham in the 1930s and 1940s with Toss and Sam featured among winners and JJ Smith won many provincial championships with dogs Cloud and Tiger. It was said Cloud was arguably the best dog in the huntaway class in New Zealand.

In 1959 eleven year old Johnnie Smith, son of the renowned JJ Smith, gained a third placing with his father’s dog Jill. Johnnie was indeed very young but the nod for the youngest was probably Ben Pickering just ten years of age, when he first competed in the 1990s.

President James Calder says the success of the club over 125 years is testimony to the strong support from farmers in holding regular well attended trials and several sponsors.

“In particular Tux have been wonderful as a major sponsor both locally and nationally,” he says.

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Support for beekeepers Biosecurity New Zealand’s annual Winter Colony Loss survey results are out now and show that the country’s beekeepers are serious about working together to support a strong bee industry.

Biosecurity New Zealand senior scientist Richard Hall says more beekeepers than ever took part in this survey, the seventh so far. “This level of involvement and our beekeeper’s transparency in self-reporting shows how seriously they take biosecurity, and how valuable Biosecurity New Zealand’s support is in strengthening the bee industry.

“Strong biosecurity systems and management of pests and diseases are essential to production and the data gathered this year will help beekeepers identify where they need to focus their management efforts,”says Dr Hall.

This year’s survey showed that some 13.6% of beehives were lost over winter 2021. The increase of 2.3percenton 2020’s results is closely attributed to a growth in varroa mite and related complications.

“While these numbers are worth exploring, we’re still seeing New Zealand’s winter colony loss rates are far less than our counterparts are finding in countries like the USA and Canada. Varroa mite is a pest that can be managed and we’re looking

Dr Richard Hall, Biosecurity NZ senior scientist. at new ways to support industry in dealing with the ongoing challenge of varroa.”

In responding to the survey, most beekeepers reported that their current varroa treatments are effective, but that they lose colonies if they get the timing of the treatment wrong, under-dose or that they pick up varroa from reinvasion from other colonies. This year’s survey also found not all beekeepers had treated for varroa. As a result of the survey findings, Biosecurity New Zealand has begun a collaborative education campaign with the beekeeping industry, to raise awareness on how to tackle varroa mites and other biosecurity threats.

“We’re reinforcing that beekeepers need to apply treatments available to

keep the mite under control, follow manufacturer’s instructions, and frequently monitor mite levels so quick intervention can be made”.

“It’s the right season now to be alert to the needs of their bees and make a plan to combat varroa ahead of time.

From what beekeepers are telling us—timing of treatment and monitoring for reinvasion is crucial”.

Dr Hall says that as well as the education campaign, Biosecurity New Zealand has funded a new research project to better understand how varroa treatments are used in New Zealand and where gaps in knowledge may be.

“Last year saw more beekeepers registered than in New Zealand’s history. With this kind of growth, particularly in smaller operations and hobbyists, our support is essential to ensure this primary industry is equipped with the best information.

This two-pronged work will help them know what biosecurity risks to look out for and how to manage them.”

The Winter Colony Loss survey is conducted by Manaaki Whenua Landcare New Zealand to provide Biosecurity New Zealand with data to ensure support is directed where it’s most useful for the bee industry.

More information at mpi.govt.nz/ bee-pests-and-diseases

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MORE SHIPPING CONTAINERS FOR HARVEST More shipping lines are being added to Port Nelson to help cope with the various harvests taking place across the top of the South Island. Port Nelson’s Jaron McLeod says ANL, the region’s strongest trans-Tasman link, are upsizing their weekly container vessels from 1700 container capacity to 2500 containers. Jaron says there is a national shortage of container capacity at the moment and exporters are nervous due to a bumper grape harvest in Marlborough, which is likely to be 30-40 per cent up this season.

He says, the port’s Quay Connect business, which carriers containers of wine bottles from Marlborough to Port Nelson, is well placed to scale up to meet this year’s increased volumes.

M.BOVIS UPDATE Since Mycoplasma bovis was first detected in New Zealand in July 2017, the country has been on a journey to rid its cattle of this disease. Due to the efforts of farmers and the wider agricultural sector, NZ is on track to be the first country to ever eradicate M. bovis. The M. bovis Eradication Programme is a partnership between the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand. To date, there have been 272 Confirmed Properties detected – 70 on the North Island and 202 on the South Island. There are currently three active confirmed properties (two dairy properties and a feedlot) in Canterbury. “We could not have gotten to this point without the hard work and sacrifices of farmers around the country,” says Caleb Ford, MPI’s South Island Operations Manager for the Programme. Along with animal welfare concerns, if left unchecked the disease would have cost industry an estimated $1.3 billion over the first 10 years, with ongoing productivity losses across the farming sector.

LOCAL RURAL NEWS ONLINE Did you know you can read local rural and farming news on either the Nelson App or Marlborough App? The apps are free to download in the App Store or Google Play.

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Working in the outdoors is his happy place Rainbow Honey operations manager, Lubomir Dudek, has worked with bees since he was ten years old in the Czech Republic, and coming to New Zealand seven years ago was the change he was looking for outdoors in the natural environment this country offers.

Initially he worked for eight years in the Czech steel mills where he says the work was very hard. It was physically hard work in a hot, noisy and dusty environment not good for anybody’s health. When his brother-in-law, a commercial bee keeper, offered him a job he took it and quickly worked his way into a management role.

But he says, he was still looking for a change and it was curios-

ity that led him to New Zealand.

The plan was to visit and travel around New Zealand for one year but this plan soon changed after a few months when he found a new job in the honey bee industry.

At first he worked for Putake Honey on the West Coast for four years and when it was sold he transferred with the business to Rainbow Honey where he now has the oversight of thirteen teams in the South Island with a staff of forty people. The honey business keeps him very busy and, while it’s both physically and time demanding, he likes the relaxed kiwi lifestyle and living rurally in a country with a smaller population. During Covid he has kept his teams

separate which seems to have worked so far and hasn’t held up work. Lubo says, this season the honey harvest has been average.

Currently the business is focusing on Manuka and Honey Dew to maximise returns in their range of products.

Rainbow Honey is a sister company to Nelson Honey & Marketing (NZ) Ltd, which is a family owned business operated

by Philip and Evelyn Cropp.

Philip’s grandfather started producing honey from hives in the Nelson area as a sideline to his fruit orchard over 100 years ago.

With Philip and Evelyn beekeeping since the 1970s, Nelson Honey brings together four generations of beekeeping and honey production experience.

Got something to buy, sell or promote?

Contact us sales@nmf.co.nz

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Rainbow Honey operations manager, Lubomir Dudek, on the job.

Photo: Supplied.

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RURAL | LIFESTYLE | RESIDENTIAL

Tasman Report Any problems we have in NZ pales into insignificance when you see the issues faced by those in the Ukraine facing the might of Putin’s Russian invasion force – How this can be happening in our society?

What will that do to real estate values?

We are already seeing a slow-down in buyer activity in Residential and Lifestyle and I can see that continuing over winter as more property comes on the market and interest rates rise – Rural Values will be maintained as product It staggers me that we are watching prices continue to increase and our prithis in real time while enjoying our mary sector becomes more and more autumn weather albeit with Omicron important to the economy. A shortage looking over our shoulder. of rural listings is apparent We are not immune to the across Tasman so if you are side effects of this when considering a sale talk to one we look at the sky-rocketof our team. Despite best efing fuel prices and the onforts of the current Governgoing shortages of prodment to make farming difficult ucts that we see in farm and their ability to borrow irinputs such as fertilisers responsibly to shore up the and agrichemicals not to economy, there is no doubt mention the cost-of-living that as efficient producers of increases. This is not goprotein farmers and horticuling away in a hurry and Joe Blakiston turists will become more and will only serve to make us more vital in New Zealand’s look at further efficiencies 0274 344 069 recovery. and reducing wastage on farms and in our daily lives.

I am pleased I live here and nowhere else at present, but I do worry about Regular headlines like “the party is over what effect this is having on our young“in the economy I believe are very true er generation who are watching the as we have had years being complaworld’s problems grow through their cent despite COVID – with rising equity Tik Tok or Twitter feeds – I hope I’m not in property and low interest rates entoo full of doom and gloom! couraging people to borrow more and live beyond their means – I hope many Have a great month and take care out will learn to be more responsible in the there coming 12 months and beyond.

EXCLUSIVE

APPLEBY Golden Investment Opportunity This very rare opportunity has come up to acquire a mature producing Sungold Kiwifruit Orchard at Appleby on the Waimea Plains. The property is 9.8 Hectares with 5.56ha in production of G3 kiwifruit, 4.52ha of mature fruit, 1.04ha grafted in 2020/2021.

PRICE BY NEGOTIATION Plus GST (if any)

VIEW By Appointment Only

Doug Smith M 027 543 2280 E douglasjcsmith@pggwrightson.co.nz

pggwre.co.nz/NEL35377

NEW LISTING

UPPER MOUTERE 269 Blackbird Valley It is not very often these days that properties this size come up in the Moutere area. Offering wonderful rural and sea vistas with stunning building sites. Subdivided into 13 paddocks, it is currently running cattle, has good water supply, is well tracked with newish sturdy cattle yards. For the future, there is approx. 10ha of forestry about seven years old not registered in the ETS scheme at this stage.

ENQUIRIES OVER $2,000,000 Plus GST (if any)

VIEW By Appointment Only

Doug Smith M 027 543 2280 E douglasjcsmith@pggwrightson.co.nz

pggwre.co.nz/NEL35697

EXCLUSIVE

RAI VALLEY

552 Tunakino Valley Road

Rural Lifestyle or Grazing Are you looking to live in a friendly rural community while enjoying all the recreational pursuits of the Marlborough sounds right on your doorstep? Located in Rai Valley, centrally located between Nelson and Blenheim, this productive grazing property offers 21.9020 hectares (54 acres) in one title and has a history of year-round grass growth and in a reliable rainfall area.

SOLD

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PRICE BY NEGOTIATION Plus GST (if any)

VIEW By Appointment Only

Greg Lyons | M 027 579 1233 Joe Blakiston | M 027 434 4069

pggwre.co.nz/BLE35357

989 Opouri Road

Opouri Valley Bare Land Property Consisting of 145ha (360 acres) this property is presently used as a dairy runoff, the vendor is retaining milling rights to forestry with 11 years to run. There is an area still to be planted. Good fertile flats which lends itself to make good baleage. Great road access and internal access by fenced laneways. Buildings include, large smoko hut and a fourbay hay shed/super shed. Situated in a high rainfall area.

pggwre.co.nz/BLE35674 PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

Lifestyle Farm 457 Central Road South is a lifestyle farm situated in the heart of the very popular Moutere District. Started as a clean slate over 20 years ago the owners have created a wonderful oasis with expansive living in a private park like environment. Mature olives, exotics, nuts and fruit trees are scattered throughout the property providing privacy, shelter and income.

Doug Smith M 027 543 2280 E douglasjcsmith@pggwrightson.co.nz

pggwre.co.nz/NEL35304

EXCLUSIVE

RAI VALLEY

UPPER MOUTERE

SOLD

$2.1M Plus GST (if any) VIEW By Appointment Only

Ken McLeod M 027 433 4746 E kmcleod@pggwrightson.co.nz

TADMOR Tadmor Valley Grazing Property Offering a 63.4ha bare grazing block at $17,000 per hectare plus GST. Fenced into 30 paddocks with permanent and electric fencing. A combination of flats and terraces with a couple of gullies. Good fertility with a lot of pasture renovation done. Stunning building spots for off the grid living. Stock water pumped from a creek then gravity fed over block.

Doug Smith | M 027 543 2280 Joe Blakiston | M 027 434 4069

pggwre.co.nz/NEL32318 Helping grow the country

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Career path she dreamed of BARBARA STUART Brought up in Blenheim and a past Marlborough Girls College student, Jess Wilson wanted a career working with animals and in the outdoors from a young age.

It was the school Gateway programme that helped set her on the career path she dreamed of.

The appeal of working with animals and in the outdoors came from visits to family who were share milking in Rai Valley when she was young. She did a few papers while at school through the Gateway programme, but when it came to practical experience it was those family connections that helped open the door.

She did some practical experience which then led to a relief milking job, at weekends, on Tom Bryant’s farm near Canvastown.

Jess says, “I was so lucky, the opportunities that have come my way have set me on a progressive career path.”

Four years later she has built on to those original skills. Her first job was as a

Jess Wilson, Primary ITO student on a career path. farm worker for three years on a farm in the Maungatapu Valley, near Pelorus.

While working there she progressed to second-incommand, working with the farm manager to run the farm.

Then for the past season she’s worked for Michael Shearer and William Marshall milking 350 cows a day in the same position as 2IC. One of the memorable moments while working with

the animals happened when she was turning away a few cows and bulls. One of the bulls was hanging back from the rest and she went to hurry him along so she could shut the gate, but the bull turned. She got off her bike to shoo him along, then his head went down and he came at her. Back on her bike she quickly rang her boss to tell him what was happening and quickly backed off out of his way. She didn’t know

what upset him or what was going on in his mind but that’s bulls and she was trained to be cautious.

Jess says, “Ive enjoyed the challenge of being able to do the job on my own. The herd where I am now is on once a day milking which makes the job more manageable.

Plus, the cows have been selected and bred to handle the once a day milking regime.”

She enjoys the daily contact with the cows, gaining their trust and making sure they are in good health. “I’ve got a couple of favourites,” she adds.

She has continued her training since leaving school with the Primary Industry Training Organisation and has passed; Milk quality level one, Animal Health and Husbandry level three and is currently working towards Dairy Farming level four.

Jess says the next step for her will be share milking and building up her own herd and who knows, she chuckles, one day in the future, “I might end up owning my own farm”.

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Retiring from the board after 40 years Retiring after 40 years as Board Member of NZ Hops, Kim McGlashen has been involved in the hop industry since the 70s and is a fourth generation grower. He became a director of NZ Hops Co-op at its formation in 1982. While overseeing the growth and development of his own farm, MacHops in Motueka, Kim served on the board and over years has championed the best inter-

ests of the industry. ter McLeod who is Maurice Noone, joining the board as chairman of the a NZSF Rural Land Ltd shareholder diboard, says Kim has been a steady influrector. Peter is an investment manence with a wealth of knowledge. Grow- Kim McGlashen ager at Farm Right ers and managers have been Ltd, the superannuation grateful for his dedication to fund. He has vast experithe interests of the industry ence in the finance sector, and thanked Kim for his out- specialising in horticulture standing contribution, they and viticulture, overseeing wish him well for the future. the growth and operations He will be replaced by Pe- of NZ Super Funds’ Portfo-

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lio which includes hop gardens, vineyards and apple orchards in Nelson, Tasman and Hawke’s Bay. Peter’s background consists of agribusiness banking, rural land development, wine and vineyard businesses. He has current and past governance and advisory board experience spanning twenty years.

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Stock exclusion from rivers coming ANNA BENSEMANN Regulations imposed under the RMA in 2020 will see farmers having to exclude stock from rivers with a bed of one metre or more at any point within a property by either July 2023 or July 2025, depending on the type of stock. The Stock Exclusion Regulations 2020 were designed to control how and when stock had access to waterways to prevent damage to river and lake banks and the margins of wetlands, and to avoid defecation into water by stock, contributing to overall poor water quality.

Not all stock is treated equally with a focus on dairy cattle and dairy support cattle, intensively grazed beef cattle and deer, and pigs generally to be excluded from wide rivers by July 2023.

Beef cattle and deer on low slope land, which is not intensively grazed, are required to be excluded from waterways by 1 July 2025, giving farms with lower stocking rates longer to achieve compliance with the regulations.

Exclusion means stock are kept

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three metre back from the top of the bank of a river or edge of a lake, unless they are crossing the waterbody. This is known as the three-metre rule. Stock may cross a waterway without the need for a bridge or culvert if the crossing is limited to twice in any month, and stock are supervised to cross directly. However, if you require your stock to cross rivers more often than twice monthly, then a bridge or culvert for a dedicated crossing is required.

There are some exceptions, in relation to areas where the riverbed is highly mobile and therefore permanent crossings are not practical, but requirements around ensuring stock move directly through riverbeds and are supervised during the crossings will still apply.

Culverts and bridge installation is often managed by the District or Regional Authority through their district or regional planning framework. In some cases, in order to achieve compliance with the regulations, you may need to seek a resource consent for earthworks close to a waterway, or for the installation of

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the bridge or culvert itself. It’s worth checking your local rules to ensure achieving compliance with the Resource Management Act regulation does not create an additional non-compliance with your local planning rules.

The regulations were designed to give landowners time to install fences, and to ensure wide rivers had dedicated stock crossings at critical points. The impact on some waterways will be clearly obvious because of these provisions with less sediment in waterways and improved stream health. For some landowners, fencing and stock exclusion will not be overly onerous, but for some larger dairy and cattle farms the regulations impose significant costs which will need to be factored into compliance budgets, and farm planning for the next 3 – 4 years in order achieve compliance on time. Farmers must remember that their budgets and timeframes should include resource consenting costs so that the good work to fence a stream doesn’t result in a fine for not complying with the local RMA rules.

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Game bird hunting roars into action JACOB LUCAS For many kiwis, and particularly those in rural areas, the opening of the game bird season is a muchheralded event and a great catalyst to catch up with close acquaintances and harvest a feed of flying protein.

During our opening day compliance efforts, we frequently see how the first Saturday of May brings people together and the comradery that goes with it. With most Fish and Game staff being keen hunters, the hardest part for us is actually missing out on the action ourselves.

Many rural landowners also see it as a good opportunity to reduce populations of gamebirds that may be affecting farming operations, most notably in this region caused by paradise ducks and pukeko.

Nelson Marlborough Fish and Game are all too happy to assist with any gamebird issues most times of the year: we can provide a permit to control birds outside of the regular season, using hunters supplied by yourself or proven and reliable hunters known to us, or a gas gun loan where this is a more suitable dispersal option. To state the obvious, the earlier problems are dealt with, the better, especially when birds are feeding on valuable emerging crops, so get in touch if you need to at any time of year.

As far as game regulations for this coming season, bag limits and season lengths remain the same for the Nelson Marlborough region.

Prior to our annual monitoring, we had anticipated increasing the paradise duck limit for Tas-

Jacob Lucas from Fish and Game. man and Golden Bay sub-regions, however summer aerial trend counts have shown a welcome drop in bird numbers in this area, and the limit remains the same at 15 birds per day. Murchison and Marlborough areas are unchanged from previous seasons and have a limit of 10 parries per day.

For many landowners, harvesting a feed of ducks is free to do so on their own land under the land occupier exemption. For this, the occupier of any land, and the spouse or partner plus any one son or daughter of the occupier, can hunt on that land without a licence (though subject to normal game regulations, including use of steel shot where required). This privilege can also be transferred to farm manager or sharemilkers by a written statement indicating such to Fish and Game if the owner does not personally reside on the land.

So, for those who will be dusting off the duck call and donning camouflage attire, we wish you a safe and successful opening day and season ahead. And for the many landowners who offer hunting access to others on their land, this privilege is greatly appreciated by hunters, so thank you.

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April 2022

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Dairy farmer gives back to community ANDREW RITCHIE When dairy farmer Simon Tripe of Koromiko was asked to stand for a position on the Fonterra Co-operative Council he initially thought he was too busy.

In due course he reflected that there would never be a time when he was less busy so decided to give something back to the industry that provides his livelihood.

The elections were a three horse race but in late 2021 he was elected to serve for Ward 19 which covers Tasman, Marlborough and Golden Bay. The position was previously held

by Sue Brown who served two, three year terms before announcing her retirement.

Simon confesses to having to learn new skills, for example, most of the meetings are currently being conducted via computer while Covid rages throughout the land.

The council meets several times a year to conduct business and receive updates on relevant cooperative matters from members of the Fonterra Board and management. The council represents all

Simon Tripe, new shareholder councillor.

Fonterra co-op members including shareholders, sharemilkers, contract milkers, and farmers who supply milk to the co-op on a non-share backed basis.

Twenty-five councillors, all

Fonterra farmers, are elected across 25 wards around New Zealand, connecting members to their co-operative. Workstreams are progressed by three committees; Accountability, Connections

and Guardianship. Simon is on the Guardianship Committee.

It is consulted on changes proposed by the company that have potential to affect member’s interests. The aim is to promote

awareness and understanding of the co-operative philosophy amongst members through regular interactions between councillors and members.

Temporarily removing his new councillor’s hat, Simon admits the current season has been tough, the cold spring and floods of July saw cows lose condition and production is 7 per cent down daily and 13 per cent down for the season. The area had an unprecedented 300mm of rain in February.

He is grateful that the empty rate has only gone from 8% to 12% this year. His heifers are the bright spot on the horizon with only five empty out of 103.

The payout approaching $10 is very encouraging but this is tempered by the rising costs of fertiliser and fuel. Simon is the third generation milking cows on the farm.

His grandfather milked cows and sold the milk to consumers in Picton and Simon’s father Richard fully converted the farm to dairy in 1975, building a modern dairy shed on the railway side of the main highway.

Helicharter Nelson is proud to provide an accurate and effective Agricultural and Commercial service based in Eves Valley, Brightwater.

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Ring or email to discuss your aviation requirements, we look forward to hearing from you.

Matt: 03 542 2330 | 021 575 146 | matt@helicharternelson.co.nz

START YOU R LEGACY Nelson College Boarding Open Day Saturday 7 May 10am - 1pm Come along to meet our Tuakana/Principal and key Boarding Staff, who will talk about being part of our Nelson College family. Email boarding@nelsoncollege.school.nz for more information.

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15

Farm machinery & repairs Ltd #13 Howard AR 80 inch Rotary hoe. Tidy order,good blades $3500.00

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#5 Celli Pioneer 170 Spike Rotor, VG order. Cage roller & good spikes.$12500.00

Kubota L5030 4x4 Hustler 4000 2 bale feeder. Sand Kubota 5030 hydrostatic very low Iseki 2160 tractor. $6000 Hydrostatic Transmission, blasted and painted, new tray and Good hours factory cabSabre remotes #14 Feildmaster 1200. As new.$2200.00 #6 Kverneland CLC Chisel plough. order.$6500.00 #5 Celli Pioneer 170 Spike Rotor, VG order. Cage roller & good spikes.$12500.00 low hours. Coming in. rotor etc very good order $13500 coming in

Vicon Andex 384 rotor rake.

Silvan 600l spray unit Kverneland CLC Chisel Celli Pioneer 170 Spike #7 Lely 300 Rake & Tedder V tidy, $3500.00. #6 Kverneland CLC Chisel plough.

Good order.$6500.00 boom and3m reel. $4500 plough. Good order. $6500 #15 Rotor, VG order. Cage roller $4000 Giltrap topping mower tidy $5000.00 & good spikes. $12500

1.5m Howard nugget 1000L motorised spray #7 Lely2m 300HD Rake & Tedder Rata grapple, asV tidy, $3500.00.

Fieldmaster M60 Topping #8 Duncan 633 Heavy dutyunit Cultivator/Crumbler $4500.00 slasher near new 75hp boxhoe. Tidy 150 reel and gun. Never new.with $10500 new - our $3200 18 Nobli VK 135 Mulcher..$3500.00 #16 Howard AR 60 inch Rotary good blades. $3250.00 # Mower. $3500 used. $6750 price $8750

Austin 3.6m Cambridge roller H Duty with wheels. $7500

#8 Duncan 633 Heavy duty Cultivator/Crumbler $4500.00 Lely speed discs 3 m with Howard AR 60 inch Rotary Nobli VK 135 Mulcher. packer roller. $10,500 hoe.

Tidy with goodSpray blades. #17 Bertolini 600 litre unit.6m boom with foam marker. $4750.00 $3500 #19 Feeder Leader 2 bale feeder. New chains $3250

• Iseki 6500 4x4 with loader uro quick hitch tidy tractor $17500

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• John Deere 6200 4x4 and loader $25000

• Bauer PTO irrigation pump $1,500

• 6ft MF grader blade $1,850

• AJAX PTO irrigation pump $1,500

• Hydes good hy post driver $2750

• Rollex 6 metre folding roller, clod crusher rings coming in

• Farmgard pre ripper 3m very good condition $5,000

• Clough Contoura tidy order 14 feet coming in

• Rata vineyard cultivator crumbler range of sizes available

• 9ft Cambridge roller $1800

• Clough 4 furrow semi mounted plough good order $1,200

• Trimax 1.8 Vineyard Mower, tidy order $3000

• Rata ripper 4 tynne $4,500

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• Hydralada double in-row vine trimmer. Fully serviced with joy stick. Coming in • 3PL fork lift 1000 kg 3m lift $2000 • Mole plough good order $1850 • 2.1m Belcher back blade $2250 • Hardy 800l 10m boom coming in • Yeoman 13 Tyne chisel plough $1750 • Clough 15 Tyne cultivator $1600 • Aicheson 2m wide 3pl direct drill $2500 • Hooper Bush and Bog disc 6x24 with ram $2750

All prices plus GST

Most of these are currently listed in classified

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April 2022

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Opinion: Just what is foot and mouth disease?

GARRICK BATTEN

82 Vickerman Street Port Nelson

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Do you have some rural news?

Phone us on 548 5900

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Rural New Zealand had an M.bovis disease outbreak, and this column relates that and current COVID management to an inevitable Foot and Mouth outbreak and potential epidemic in NZ. MPI and vets have been preparing for an outbreak for years with constant training and mock events; there have also been a couple of false alarms but no reality in the last 50 years. Yet. That response plan, and evaluation of the economic impact, should be studied in light of the current vet shortage mirroring that of intensive care nurses and COVID stresses on the health system.

The M. bovis review showed that MPI and the livestock sector were not prepared for a large-scale F&M response in criticising not so much what was done but how it was done.

There were too few well-

trained and experineed to set up necesenced staff, and issary support systems sues around decision ahead of the next making, especially challenge. movement control F&M is a far greatand dealing with er challenge than compensation. There COVID that you was poor industrythink is bad. Both Garrick wide compliance virus diseases spread Batton with animal movethrough breath, but ment records. Key recom- F&M also spreads in mulmendations were to develop tiple other ways, including a governance structure for by the wind for up to sevdealing with livestock diseas- eral hundred kilometres, by es and a livestock biosecurity people, objects, products, system staffed by a core re- vehicles, soil, water, and can source group of skilled pro- survive several months unfessionals and reserve people der favourable conditions. with a chief veterinary officer Infected animals secrete viin charge. rus particles before clinical There was a need for better signs appear. There is high full-time MPI contacts on mortality in young animals, the ground to work with in- although the disease is raredividual farmers and groups ly fatal to adults. However, in regions, such as staff who control is by compulsory either have been or know slaughter of all infected and and understand farmers. animals sharing breath, feed Most support will come from and indirect contact. Rewithin the industry itself but member the February colneeds 100 per cent rural sup- umn about Scotland? Conport guaranteed before any trol could be influenced by outbreak. Perhaps farmers whether it becomes estab-

lished in wild animal populations like Ebola and yellow fever has in Africa, spreading into susceptible animals, especially vulnerable pigs, and deer and goats. There is no way this feral reservoir could be eliminated.

There is an urgent need for all landowners to use the voluntary website Farm Online to record farm ownership and location needed for contacts. All NAIT stock movement records must be constantly updated. But a particular threat will be controlling people movements, and COVID examples indicate problems. Leaning on people is counterproductive, and farmers need to convince the public before the inevitable F&M occurs, so they all have time to prepare.

Garrick Batten, Brightwater, writes on rural topics from a lifetime professional and practical career locally, nationally and internationally. www. ruralscribe.wordpress.com

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April 2022

17

National Training Council for rural contracting hits ground running Andrew Olsen

Book Review new Zealand seabirds - A natural History by Kerry-Jayne wilson.

Published by Potton and Burton.

Price $49.99. reviewed by Tony Orman Here’s a beaut book for boaties and one that could well be permanently kept in the boat’s cabin in order to readily identify sea birds. Ornithologist Kerry-Jayne Wilson, a highly experienced researcher on seabirds, explains often fascinating aspects about the birds, their niches in the ecosystem and their often extraordinary ways. The migration patterns of shearwaters for example are quite amazing. Photographs are often striking to match the very informative text.

Highly recommended especially for boaties, sea anglers, beachcombers, bach owners and anyone with a keen interest and curiosity about coastal wildlife.

The first meeting of the newly-formed National Training Council for rural contracting saw a welter of contributions on how to improve training in the industry.

Rural Contractors NZ CEO Andrew Olsen, who initiated the meeting, says the council got off to a flying start.

“We’ve confirmed our membership and objectives, set our priorities and made a start to defining all the issues we need to work through to get a new, higher-level training regime in place for rural contracting.”

Andrew, who was confirmed as the NTC chair at the meeting, says they had a good round-table on all the factors necessary to get more and better trained people into the critically labour-short sector.

“A lot of our businesses are quite small and could not easily afford to carry trainees through the off-season. Offsetting that is the fact that employers large and small need to find a way to make

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more provision for on-job equipped to deal with agritraining.” cultural training would help Andrew says, while some deliver the necessary classcontractors have been able room components around to recruit more Kiwis, it’s ac- health and safety, pastoral cepted that continuing to at- care, fatigue management tract people to the industry and gaining skills and liwill be improved cences in heavy by having good traffic and other qualifications machinery. available.

Andrew says “We looked at bringing together the Hanzon proa comprehensive gramme, which regime and qualithis season enfication would rolled nearly take some time. around 100 Kiwis “We need govin its app-based ernment to recrecord of learnognise that you Andrew Olsen ing, and most can’t whistle up were under 24 a new qualificayears of age. tion and deliver it in a few “We discussed if contractors months, and meantime our could connect that pool of contractors and our country resource into more formal will require skilled overseas training to recognise the workers for the foreseeable work completed.” future.”

There was acceptance by the The National Training CounNational Training Council cil defined its priorities to inthat classroom-based learn- clude better engagement with ing is necessary but needs schools to secure a career to be more than balanced by training outcome, the design that on-job. of a new training qualificaMore centres of excellence tion such as an apprentice-

ship and a review of current unit standards to determine a baseline for on-job and inclassroom weightings.

“There’s also a wish to explore wider employment options for trainees to continue their learning and reduce the burden on employers in the off season and to design a call to action to get more contractors involved in training.”

Andrew says the National Training Council will also look to MPI and other government agencies for support, including to research a labour exchange programme with overseas rural contractors and a mentoring programme. The council will meet again in July.

The other members of the National Training Council are: Bob Stewart, portfolio manager – Trades, Conservation and Primary Industries at UCOL; RCNZ President Helen Slattery; Brook Nettleton, an RCNZ Waikato member; Gareth Wild; Richard Houston; John Hughes; and Debbie Rankin, from the SIT Telford campus.

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Family values important on life’s journey BARBARA STUART Duncan Ross has been employed

by Berkett Contracting for just eight months and he loves every day in the job. Leading the Forestry arm of the business with his crew who construct and maintain forestry roads he brings a range of skills to the role. He credits his upbringing and values learned from his parents and family that set him up for the rest of his life.

Duncan says, he never wanted a desk job even as a ten year old when he landed his first job with market gardener, Bill O’Connor, machinery was his thing.

Bill taught him to grub weeds and pick vegetables drive a tractor and a car and he was hooked especially when he earned five dollars a day as Bill’s helper in the market garden, for a boy of ten that was a fortune. My parents were separated, says Duncan, I spent the weeks with Mum who was a Christian and the weekends with my father who had embraced the Golden Bay lifestyle.

He was a Music teacher part of

Duncan Ross, Berkett Contracting, Forestry maintance team leader. Photo Barbara Stuart. the local music scene with groups like the ‘Gypsy Pickers.” Weekends with Dad was fun, full of yarn telling at the Mussell Inn, he even had Barry Crump live with us for a few years. Back home with Mum it was all kept in balance though.

At the age of fifteen with School Certificate achieved he left school and began a varied work ca-

reer working on a Salmon farm in Takaka, Baigents Puramahoi Timber Mill until he returned to Nelson and began to work for the Waimea Dairy Company making butter. The Dairy company offered staff training and there he advanced attending welding, electrical and mechanical courses plus earning a diploma in Dairy Technology. He was there for

ten years working four days on and four days off. It was on the days off that he picked up some extra hours with Adcock & Donaldson to supplement his family income when he and partner Lisa were building their new house.

Working for them he got another taste of working with machinery and construction. Before long he was working for Bruce Ew-

ers, involved in forestry where he drove a digger and ground based hauler. During the ten years he worked for Bruce Ewers, Duncan says, he learned heaps and had great mentors in Bruce and Jack McCush, but it was dangerous work. About that time there were a couple of people injured and I got injured too. I decided I wanted safer way to earn a living and moved to Health & Safety within Forestry, caring about men returning to their families at the end of each working day.

He was offered a contract with Donaldson Civil in partnership with Port Nelson looking after the log loader for a few years before taking on the job of running the Civil Works roading and infrastructure program replacing and drains, sewers and doing water mains installations. Now he is with Berkett Construction, loving the team and the close knit work environment. Duncan smiles, “we even have Monday morning bacon breakfasts, like a big family. Its a great way to start the week!

Global chaos means opportunities for farmers EMMA HIGGINS Senior Analyst, Rabobank This year still holds reasons to be optimistic, despite the uncertainty caused by both the Ukraine war and unknown political aspirations of China.

Where there is risk there is also opportunity. Farming leaders should be following the situation and weighing up ramification for the future. We know offshore competitors have been hampered by the impacts of inclement weather in South America, the west coast of the US and parts of Europe reducing their ability to ramp up production in the face of high prices. We know costs are like-

ly to remain elevated and fertiliser prices will be impacted by sanctions from Russia. It is a complex situation with rampant inflation added to the mix, and increasingly agri commodities are being used as a weapon.

Ukraine and Russia historically produce around 30 per cent of global wheat trade, with Ukraine a significant supplier of grain into Africa. Food shortages are a real risk as the war continues into the planting season in the northern hemisphere.

Locally, continued pressure on NZ agriculture to contribute to the broader climate and

environmental cause will continue – and the milestones to meet this.

The speed and extent of changing land use from pastoral farming to forestry will need to be addressed this year to deliver the appropriate form and scale of afforestation required.

NZ ag has the unique opportunity to be true world leaders for solving the global methane issue in a way that is good for both farming businesses and the environment.

Now is the time to hold a broader discussion on future land use, farming systems and the role of technology in New Zealand agriculture.

NOMINATIONS OPEN 2022 Forestry is a significant part of our region, providing a range of opportunities to our people.

The Top of the South (TOTS) celebrates the Forestry Awards and look forward to recognising their top performers, the heroes of the industry in a range of sectors across the industry and the TOTS Skilled Professional of the Year.

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Advert

April 2022

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Business Updates Plastic fabricators tackle the big jobs with ease With over 30 years in the industry, Adam Aiken and his team at ASA Plastics is a locally owned and operated supplier with a unique combination of services.

Formed in 2017, owner and maker Adam runs his Pascoe St business alongside his daughter, office manager Jasmine, and fabricator Ricky. They have been providing the region with affordable, first-rate solutions for years and stand behind the fact that they never compromise on quality.

The ability to tackle the big jobs is an easy task for the team with a workshop fully-equipped with several industrial vacuum formers, line benders, extrusion welders and more. And as agents for Cebelio they use only top-quality material, stocking a wide range of plastics such as Perspex, polycarbonate roofing, ACM, eco-decking and polypropylene.

ASA Plastics can ‘turn your ideas into reality’, providing forming solutions that meet your needs. Adam says at ASA there’s no such thing as “can’t”.

No matter how out there a cus-

tomer request might sound, if From speciality trays, cooling it’s possible, Adam will make it tower filters, caravan roof vents, work, or he’ll point you in the made-to-fit shower steam caps, right direction. Plastic fabricat- boats and caravan windows ing, forming, cutting, shaping and industrial parts and covers, and supplying plastic welding the list goes on. “We get a wide services, they can do it all. range of repair requests here,” They specialise in everything says Jasmine. “From smaller from repairing or things like fridge replacing windows shelves, chairs and for large scale maski boots to 30,000 chinery like traclitre water tanks. tors and excavators, It’s really nice to see water and diesel people wanting to tanks through to repair their items motorbike screens rather than throwand brochure holding them into landers. They help create fill, and replacing stunning canvases them.

Adam Aiken for local artists and Fabricating is a plastic welding kayaks and jet breeze for the team, with the boats on the fly. No job is too ability to make-to-order shop big or too small for ASA Plastic’s fittings, display units, brochure to handle. Just by talking to the holders, water tanks, plastic refriendly, experienced team, the pair welding and much, much passion for the industry is clear, more. “We have been busy crewith Adam personally assuring ating custom counter screens that all of his client’s product for several local businesses durneeds are met. “Our customers ing the pandemic, so they can always walk away happy.” continue operating safely and “In 2018 we added two large Nelsonian’s can continue to vacuum formers to our work- support local businesses when shop, these are the only ones in it’s needed most. Whether you the Top of the South. With these need one-off products or largewe can form anything with a scale production runs, talk to us mould up to two metres by one today to see what we can do for metre.” you.”

Kiwi Protective Clothing The team at Kiwi Protective Clothing apply a fresh new approach to workplace safety gear.

Kevin Cooper and his hardworking team manufacture a range of quality protective workwear and industrial safety clothing in a specialised local factory, based in Stoke, Nelson. The company’s designs have been tried, tested and refined by real people, working in real New Zealand conditions.

From West Coast miners to deepsea trawler crews, Kiwi Protective Clothing is a local manufacturer that produces an extensive range of safety clothing for varying environments. Kevin, who is happiest working away behind the scenes, says the driving force behind the business is his dedicated team led by admin extraordinaire and manager Toni Phipps and production manager Mary Roberts. The staff of five are committed to producing top quality, long-lasting and durable products.

From safety and workwear to 100% waterproof fabrics and specialised workwear for the fishing industry, Kiwi Protective Clothing products are being used from the Sub-Antarctic to the tropics covering a multitude of industries and household name companies, both

• Jackets • Wind Breakers • Bib Overalls • Pants • Vests • Sleeve/Arm Protectors

nationwide and overseas.

If you are looking for high-quality, tough and dependable outdoor clothing, made from fabrics that are durable and made-to-last then Kiwi Protective Clothing are the company for you. They are able to make clothing to company specifications, and manufacturing needs whether it be single thickness, double thickness, strong knee pads, extra pockets, differing sleeve lengths, whatever you require.

Corporate logos can be placed on jackets, vest, aprons, coveralls, trousers, beanies and smocks. Just send the logo through to Kiwi Protective Clothing and they will have it embroidered or screen-printed on to your apparel. They make to order on all sizes and designs and the team welcomes any feedback that can help refine their methods.

The ability to cater to any order makes Kiwi Protective Clothing a cut above the rest, using top-quality fabrics imported from Europe and with Buy New Zealand Made quality.

Call 03 539 002, email info@nal der.co.nz, or visit the website www. nalder.co.nz for more information.

Alternatively, pop in and have a chat with the friendly staff at 10a Forests Rd, Stoke, Nelson, and see their extensive range for yourself.

• Balaclavas • Beanies • Neck Warmers • Gear Bags • Trailer Flags

Our wet weather clothing and gear is made to the highest New Zealand Safety standards. New Zealand sees its fair share of extreme weather, so we test and manufacture waterproof clothing and workwear that is made to withstand the toughest weather conditions.

10a Forests Road, Stoke Call Toni 03 539 0022

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What is Lifestyle if it’s not this?

118 Patons Rock Road, Takaka

When you think about it, what does a lifestyle block entail… well if 12 Ha of productive flat grazing paddocks, easy lane ways and access, mature trees, established gardens, modern four bedroom well-appointed home, substantial shedding, horse arena and stables, and the fantastic Golden Bay location being a short walk from the stunning Paton’s Rock beach doesn’t define the word, I don’t know what does.

For more on this great property, call Toby or Sharyn now.

FOR SALE

View: www.harcourts.co.nz/NN25372

Open: By Appointment

Open: By Appointment

270 Wai-iti Valley Road, Belgrove

Whether you are a family looking at getting together and co-living on the same property or even just a savvy purchaser that has done your sums to make the mortgage payment more manageable – this great property offers something for all.

Situated on 2HA approx of flat grazing land, boasting two great homes - the main house offers four bedrooms, renovated kitchen and great BBQ area with a swimming pool, while the second home has two bedrooms, double glazed and a large covered verandah to enjoy your morning coffee all year round.

Great sheds for both homes, well fenced with a good water supply.

This great property is sure to be snapped up, so if reading this has your ears pricked up, give us a call now.

Deadline Sale Closing Thursday 7th April, 1pm (Unless Sold Prior) View: www.harcourts.co.nz/NN25482 Open: By Appointment

176 Win Valley Road, Dovedale

On the fringe of Dovedale, this 54.2 HA approx grazing property offers plenty of options for its next owners. If you are looking for a support block, farmlet, grazing or somewhere to build your dream home, this will be ticking the boxes.

Predominately north facing with 40 HA effective and 11 HA planted in mature Pinus Radiata. The block has reliable fertliser history, good farm tracks and reticulated stock water.

There are sound cattle yards, excellent condition 4 bay shed and a great little character 3 bedroom cottage that has been converted from the old woolshed.

For more information or to arrange your private viewing, contact Toby and Sharyn now.

Price By Negotiation Over $1,200,000 +GST ( if any)

View: www.harcourts.co.nz/NN25474

Two Dwellings are a WIN WIN

Support Block, Grazing Unit or Farmlet?

April 2022

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COUNCIL AT THE DIRT FACE OF EXPANDING ON THE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT SOIL New soil maps for the region – Tasman District Council land scientists and Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research staff have committed to undertake an extensive soil mapping campaign over the next two years (2022-2023). The campaign is at the forefront of complementing soil legacy knowledge and feeding new data into the national soil map portal (Smap). A bundle of new soil maps will become available for Wai-iti, Motueka and Riwaka, the Moutere Valley and Tapawera at a scale of 1:50,000. Once finalised, most of the information can be accessed for free on Smap online - https://soils.landcareresearch.co.nz/smap-tasman.

It was early November 2021 when Dr Gerard Grealish, Landcare Research, let his gaze wander across the lush green fields in Upper Takaka.

The soil mapping campaign that Landcare and Council committed to started silently on the lowest terrace at the valley’s northern end, unnoticed by most except from the farmers. It took some effort when Gerard pushed the OnePiece Dutch auger into the pasture, but as soon as the tip went through the grassy top, he hit soily material. ‘Plop,’ and the corer went deeper carrying to the surface what often remains hidden underground – soil.

Landcare’s Gerard Grealish in action making use of the Dutch Auger in the fields.

– ‘Karamea’ soil. In the New Zealand taxonomy however, the exact same soil has a different name: Weathered Fluvial Recent Soil.

“The Smap work is crucial for the Tasman District,” says Dr Anne Wecking, a Council resource scientist for soil who joined Gerard for the day.

“The soil mapping campaign enables us to merge old and new knowledge. In a few years, we aim to have a unified soil map layer available not only at Council but for the public to use.”

Four days later, the work in Upper Takaka ended.

A success thanks to the access granted by all landowners contacted. Not a matter of course, Anne knows: “It would be very unfortunate if access to private properties was a limiting factor in future.”

Co-funded by the Ministry of Primary Industries, the campaign is worth more than $400,000.

Anne and Gerard agree that the mapping work will only be as successful as the engagement with the people on the land may be. For the years to come, both look forward to and hope for the best on their way to expand on the knowledge of soil.

Soil is the crumbly medium that keeps our feet grounded. Farmers are well aware of the fact and that without healthy soils grass and crops would not flourish. Most agricultural land uses need soil. But soil is so much more: it filters rainwater from pollutants and is the host of an infinite number of species. It is the life within soils that defines soil.

The soil in Gerard’s hand feels slightly sandy, includes silt and a bit of clay. Silt loam, Gerard makes a note on his field sheet. Later he will translate his observations into soil taxonomy, the framework used to give different soils in New Zealand a name.

Classifying soil is not an easy undertaking: “Information from legacy data, of which the Tasman District holds many, need to be compared with field data and then digitalized and translated into common language,” says Gerard.

Local farmers, for example, prefer to call the soil that Gerard just examined by its old name

All photos © Anne Wecking, TDC

The soil surveying work is not invasive.

Often a small pit is sufficient to see the soil changing in different depth and investigate its texture by rolling the mineral particles in between fingers and thumb.

If you are interested in what soil information are currently available, look at Valuing our soils | Tasman District Council. If you have interesting soil data and observations to share or like to help us with our soil mapping and monitoring campaigns, please get in touch.

The face of an eroded bank can be convenient for soil surveyors to take a detailed look at the soil profile wall.

Here a Karamea alias Weathered Fluvial Recent soil.

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2022 NZ PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIPS IN MARLBOROUGH 14 -15 May at Cameron’s Property, Cameron’s Road, Seddon Trade and craft sites, great family outing in the country

Pride in a top job is paramount for champion ploughmen Just weeks away, on May 14 and 15, the 2022 New Zealand Ploughing Championships will be held at Seddon and Marlborough’ champion ploughman Ian Woolley will be there, focused on doing a top job of turning the soil in immaculate fashion and winning the judges approval.

It’s all about pressure, coping with the pressure and concentrating solely to strive for the perfection of furrow. It can be nerve wracking stuff.

Some 27 years ago, Ian Woolley entered the world of competitive ploughing and recalls his debut at a local ploughing match at Murray Bishell’s farm in Middle Renwick Road.

“I was nervous, but then I still get nervous leading up to competing, if not quite so much now as that day back at Murray’s farm,” he grins.

Ian Woolley, now 58 years of age, formerly a farmer and now grape grower just west of Spring Creek, is a seasoned competitive ploughman. After all, seven national titles and competing at five world ploughing championships have put him through the mill of intense ploughing competitive matches.

Born and bred in Marlborough, he and wife Jenny now live on the land that was first farmed by Ian’s grandfather in 1921. For decades it was a mixed crop-livestock farm with dairy cows, pigs and a mix of arable. Then came wine and today the 32 hectare unit is dedicated entirely to growing grapes.

“It’s been a huge land use change,”

first-over-the-line kind of thing.

A lot comes down to how well the furrow is formed and then it comes down to workmanship,” he says.

Mental challenges of top competitive ploughing reflects Ian. “Once the Wairau Plains were so diverse with cows, apples, grain growing, small seeds, vegetables and others. Now it’s dominated by grapes.”

For Ian practising his precision ploughing, that posed a minor problem. Once he had the family farm’s paddocks to practice on.

Now with rows of grapes that’s impossible. The solution lay in Marlborough’s fine rural spirit.

“It’s a community thing,” he explains. “Fellow farmers with some paddocks are only too willing and understanding to help out. It’s a great community spirit.”

Bruce Thomas of Tua Marina often helps out, but with his paddocks not available currently Ian is practising up the Waihopai Valley on “Blue” Blick’s farm.

From his teenage years, Ian learned that the good farmers are almost invariably good ploughmen, looking after the soil and taking immense pride in doing a top job. His uncle reckoned if a farmer did a good job ploughing, later with the crop grown it cut out unnecessary jobs. Thus in the long run of a season, it often made the most economical approach.

With that farming ethos prominent, ploughing and striving for a top, tidy turning of the soil appealed to Ian from an early age.

Pride in your workmanship, it’s

called.

Every furrow has to look exactly the same as the others.

“You’re actually trying to go for perfection really - the straightest lines, the best looking furrows,’ he says. “You might say it’s a bit of a soil beauty contest really!”

Another Marlborough past champion ploughman Roger Jordan of Woodbourne and now a judge, sees it as unique.

“Judging ploughing is really not like judging a running race, a

Champion golfer American Ben Hogan once reckoned success at golf depended on ninety percent mental approach. Sports are like that whether it be rugby, tennis, cricket or believe it or not, competitive ploughing.

Seven times New Zealand ploughing champion Ian Woolley attests to that. “That mental approach is undoubtedly vital for success,” he says.

In top competitive ploughing, it’s necessary for full-on concentration and focus for three hours.

“You have to turn off to any potential distractions as it can be the little things that trip you up.

You have to be right in the zone,” he says.

Attitude means so much. Competitive ploughing induces a humbleness that in turn encourages a thirst for learning.

“You never stop learning at the sport,” says Ian. Ian has an 82 year old friend, Alan Wallace, in the Waikato who regularly stays with Ian and his wife Jenny. Alan is a very competent ploughman with a wealth of experience, a brilliant memory and an uncanny analytical mind. Every time Alan comes to stay, Ian reckons he learns several new things about the finer points of competitive ploughing.

“He’s amazing. He can identify immediately any problem I’m having,” smiles Ian. In competitions, Ian still admits,

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2022 NZ PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIPS IN MARLBOROUGH 14 -15 May at Cameron’s Property, Cameron’s Road, Seddon Trade and craft sites, great family outing in the country

despite many years of competitive ploughing, to nervousness beforehand. Plus being a past championship winner on several occasions means there’s added pressure with expectations to perform well and repeat past successes.

Ian has represented New Zealand at five world championships and says the step up to international competition brings added challenges.

“In New Zealand, if you’re a national winner, you’re a big fish in a little pond, but at world championships, suddenly you’re back to a little fish in a big pond,” he laughs.

In competitive ploughing, you have to be in tune with your equipment, i.e. tractor and plough. The tractor is solely dedicated to the plough and the plough in turn, is solely dedicated to competitive ploughing. On the plough everything is moveable

and measurable. Making precise settings on the plough on the day, can be crucial. A keen eye is vital in making machinery adjustments, and in the tractor cab, to suit the soil’s condition on the day.

Like farming, ploughing equipment has changed greatly. For example, twenty-five years ago, 60 horsepower tractors were the norm; today tractors are over 100 horsepower models.

Competition can be intense but it’s all in a good sporting atmosphere.

All are trying to get those perfectly identical furrows. The pressure means there’s always potential for something to go wrong, especially if there’s a momentary lapse of concentration.

But at the end of the day the fellowship is great, says Ian. “Ploughing competitors are from all over New Zealand and often differing land production backgrounds, so it’s

a a good cross-section of New Zealand agriculture.”

There’s always time afterwards for good conversation and “chewing the fat”, not only about ploughing but any subject such as farming, sport, families and even politics.

Vintage ploughing captures nostalgic old days

Proud to support the National Ploughing Championships

Vintage Ploughing is always a strong crowd-puller at ploughing championships, probably for nostalgic reasons. Currently vintage ploughing using pre-1956 equipment - even a draught horse team - is strong in New Zealand and looks to have a promising future.

The New Zealand Vintage Ploughing Committee was formed in 1997 following a most successful trial at the Silver Plough Championship that year.

John Stubbs of Ashburton remembers as a ten year old,

the day his father drove the last six-horse ploughing team ever to compete in a Rakaia Ploughing Match. The year was 1947 and the venue was Tom Duncan’s Rokeby property.

Winners of five gold medals, the Stubbs horses were walked from the home block north of the Rakaia River, across the kilometre-long bridge to the competition site. It was the day before the contest started and motor traffic, such as there was, respectfully gave way to the team. Mr Stubbs senior was of the old school and harboured a deep suspicion of the new-fangled “diesel-guzzling” tractors which were beginning to make their appearance.

He firmly believed that if farmers stopped breeding their own horsepower and growing their own fuel, there would be trouble. Storage facilities would have to be built for diesel and should New Zealand run out as well it might – there would be no way of feeding the tractors. And it would take many

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years to breed replacement horses and get the country back on its feet.

Many qualifying events are held throughout New Zealand culminating in Regional “Plough Offs’ from which seven to ten contestants are drawn to compete at the New Zealand Ploughing Championships.

Rules in Brief: Eligibility: Any person who is a New Zealand resident and is 16 years of age at the time of his/her entry.

Eligibility of Tractors and Ploughs Pre 1956 - horse, bullock or steam power.

Ploughs can be mounted or trailer. If a horse plough, two persons are allowed.

One working the plough, the other driving a tractor coupled to the plough by a chain.

Type of Ploughing: Plain ploughing, plain shares, vertical coulters.

Depth: Minimum depth five and a half inches (14cm).

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2022 NZ PLOUGHING CHAMPIONSHIPS IN MARLBOROUGH 14 -15 May at Cameron’s Property, Cameron’s Road, Seddon Trade and craft sites, great family outing in the country

Art and skill of ploughing

New Zealand Ploughing Championships in Marlborough

A major aim and objective of the New Zealand Ploughing Organisation is to promote and encourage the art and skill of ploughing the land.

To achieve this, up to twenty three qualifying events are hosted by individual associations throughout New Zealand each year and the winners compete at the annual New Zealand Ploughing Championships held over two days in April or May.

Venue: Cameron’s Farm, Camerons Road, Seddon.

Dates: Saturday 14 May 2022 11:00am and Sunday 15 May 2022 11:00am General Admission: Adult: $10.00 each. Door Sales Only This event will showcase 40 of New Zealand’s top competitive ploughing people, in five classes.

The classes are Conventional, Reversible, Vintage, Horses, and Contempo-

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The winners of the Gulf Oil Silver Plough Conventional and Farmlands Fuel Reversible Classes represent New Zealand at the Annual World Contest, held in any one of the thirty countries affiliated to the World Ploughing Organisation.

In response to Russia’s attack on Ukraine, the 2022 World Ploughing Contest scheduled for Russia was cancelled at a meeting of the World Ploughing Organisation held on 3 March.

On February 24 Russia had attacked and launched an invasion on its neighbouring

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Day One is the Stubble competition and Day Two is the Grassland competition.

The four championship classes are as follows:• Silver Plough Conventional • Norwood Agricentre South Reversible Plough • Rural News Horse Plough • Vintage Plough

2022 World Ploughing Contest

rary.

They are using o The event is over two days of ploughing, first day is stubble ploughing, which is the stubble left after a cereal crop has been harvested, the second day is grass ploughing.

On both days the competitors plough a plot 20m wide x 100m long. The plots are judged by a team of judges who also come from around the country, and the competitor with the most points over the two days wins their class.

The winners of the Conventional and Reversible are then eligible to travel to There are many benefits the world event in 2023 which is to be that ow hosted by the Republic of Ireland.

From only country Ukraine which the World Ploughing Association described as “a clear violation and breach of international law”.

“The World Ploughing Organisation strongly condemns Russia and and its leadership for this atrocious conduct.”

The 2022 67th World Ploughing Contest event was to be hosted by the Russian Ploughing Organisation and held in St Petersburg.

The World Ploughing Organisation’s slogan is Pax Arva Collat “Let Peace Cultivate the Soil.”

“Russia’s conduct towards Ukraine is in direct contradiction to the World Ploughing Organisation’s slogan Pax Arva Collat.

“The World Ploughing Organisation must not allow itself to be associated with the current Russian leadership,” said a statement.

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April 2022

Farming

West Coast

NELSON

I

MARLBOROUGH

I

WEST COAST

west coast Buller flooding worst in living memory Buller has been hit by three major floods in the last six months but the February event was the worst in living memory. The July 21 flood impacted the township of Westport with approx 25 per cent of the township having flood waters in their properties. Many of these properties are still not liveable, with some families still in temporary accommodation or living with family or friends. Only a handful of farms were impacted from the 12.8 metre flood in the Buller River taken at the Te Kuha site in the lower Buller Gorge.

Fast forward six months to Feb 22 and the region was hit with two floods in two weeks. Farms from all over the region were affected this time.

Farmers in general are a resilience bunch and have just got on with the job to repair and replace much needed infrastructure. It is near impossible to hire a digger in the area as all are out repairing farms and council infra-

structure. Task Force Green through MSD is being set up to help with the cleaning up process on the most affected farms. The impact of this latest deluge has scoured out banks, destroying riparian, widening ditches and creeks all the way from the Karamea Bluff, throughout the region. Karamea was cut off and farms had to dump milk.

The Inangahua river was unable to be measured as the river was that high it destroyed the recording site. It was the highest seen in living memory. The Buller River through the Shenandoah also caused problems.

All over the region farmers have had to contend with flooded houses, flooded cowsheds, lost feed, high cell counts and major repairs to infrastructure.

The West Coast Rural Support Trust in the first weeks called and supplied meals for over 40 affected farms.

Supplied by Carol, West Coast Rural Support Chair

Cost-of-living crisis hits the rural sector hard MAUREEN PUGH National List MP

Since Labour came into office food prices are up more than 13 per cent; the average rent is up $140 a week; and it costs $45 more to re-fuel an average car.

The average house price is up almost $400,000 under Labour. Rising interest rates mean costs on a $600,000 mortgage are up $7200 in the last 12 months, and they’re only going to continue rising from here.

The rural heartland is being hit hard by rampant inflation; we have seen huge increases in the cost of finance, labour and transport, and farm supplies like feed and fertiliser have had meteoric

price rises.

With prices rising twice as fast as wages, the average Kiwi family is worse off than they were just a year ago – but high inflation means income tax and GST are higher.

We’ve got the terribly unfair situation where someone on the average wage now has a marginal tax rate of 33 percent. And someone on the minimum wage only has to work a 44 hour week to face a marginal tax rate of 30 cents on the dollar.

Budget Day is less than two months away. The finance minister could use a portion of his record $6 billion additional spend that is over and above pre-Covid levels, to adjust income tax thresholds to account for the inflation.

Because NZ Superannuation is indexed to the average after-tax wage our superannuitants would also benefit. The ‘couple’ rate for NZ Super would increase by around $520 a year. No cuts to health, education or police would be necessary. It wouldn’t mean a budget with no new spending. It would be met from the finance minister’s record $6 billion new spending allowance – and he would still have three quarters of that allowance left to fund new initiatives or pay down debt, which would still be a record amount of new spending.

In fact the remaining $4.3 billion would still be the biggest-ever new budget spending allowance in New Zealand’s history.

Farming NELSON

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West Coast

WEST COAST

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west coast Reefton community revitalisation close to his heart BARBARA STUART Dave Hawes, Buller District councillor for the last fourteen years, has lived in Reefton for forty years and he’s always been involved in the community. Together with his wife Jenette they are part of a group of people behind the revitalisation of Reefton, a community close to their hearts.

They arrived there before Rogernomics hit.

He and Jenette had plans to grow tomatoes under glass and he was working for the railways, building and maintaining bridges to earn his living while they got the glasshouses built and underway.

The first glasshouse was just completed when two hundred and fifty locals all lost their jobs. It had a massive affect on Reefton.

He was personally affected when the New Zealand government signed the free trade agreement which let Australian tomatoes into the country.

Dave say’s, it was a terrible time for Reefton.

“Our population was only about a thousand residents and two thousand in the wider Maruia, Inangahua and Grey Valleys. People from all sections of the community, managers, blue collar workers and skilled trades people lost their jobs, plus our post office.

“The Lane Walker Rudkin clothing factory closed, the railways closed, NZ Forest service split into two and Ministry of Works all put people off. It stripped the life out of Reefton.”

The town began to look derelict with empty sections and unmaintained buildings as residents left.

Dave and Jenette refocused and during the 90s started their nursery growing flowers and vegetable plants.

The revitalisation of Reefton started with them and one other.

They started cleaning up corners and planting flowers. They bought a building which now

Dave Hawes, Buller District councillor hosts the Hale Gallery and set up their commercial plant outlet there.

Over time locals banded together to get funding and formed the Reefton Community Company.

They got involved in the Main Street programme which was about bringing vibrancy and

functionality to the town centre.

They got funding for a Visitor Centre and hosted the ‘Small town revitalisation conference.”

Dave gave a presentation to then MP Jonathan Hunt which helped get funding and other support followed on by the Inangahua business men’s association, the West Coast Shop Front project, and a whole community effort has got them to where they are today.

In 1888 Reefton was the first New Zealand town to have electricity.

Today a local team are rebuilding the historic power scheme.

Back in 1908 it was upgraded and another turbine added to meet demand, then 1935, again due to demand, a third was added. Now a fourth stage is planned with a state of the art modern turbine for the township. Dave says the plan is to have a visitor experience that starts with the 1888 electricity plant right through to 2022.

Putting on his councillor hat, Dave reports the recent flooding has affected many in the farming community with some having months of work ahead to repair damage.

He says, he expects the long term future of Westport out to 2050 will include a mix of strategic actions. Protection management to hold the river back at Westport will give time to implement a suite of changes.

He expects there will be a gradual retreat and re-location of Westport.

“We need to face up to the impacts of climate. The international science community has presented some very compelling evidence about sea level rise in a preliminary International report recently and we need to take notice.

“When the Buller floods in a high tide the implications are now clear and we need to plan wisely for the future.”

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April 2022

Farming

Tasman

NELSON

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tasman Influencing constructive outcomes, a driver BARBARA STUART Helping people and influencing positive and constructive outcomes for her community is what drives Golden Bay councillor Chris Hill.

Brought up on the family dairy farm with seventy-three cows and around seven paddocks in the rurally conservative Golden Bay set her up to have an understanding of what really makes her community tick. Following school Chris spent five years in the army, where she rose to the rank of sergeant. Other roles through her working life have included being an outdoor pursuit instructor, training to become a therapy counsellor, Tutoring at Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, plus a role with Mana Whenua Iwi in Golden Bay/Mohua, working on archaeological, resource consents and Iwi environmental issues, all of which make her highly suitable for the role.

This background clearly enabled Chris to quickly become familiar with the work of Council both at an operational level and as a communicator, able to

relate to her community with to implement and other roles understanding and compassion. removed, but she says, some Initially, Chris said she couldn’t change is needed. “It will be think of anything worse when stressful and uncomfortable for standing for council was first many as we see how it all lands. mentioned but, she Tasman has around said, something 1.3 billion dollars of within her changed infrastructure that when she saw the requires maintainlow level of female ing or renewals. We representation at the are a small Council, council table. Peowith a low populaple encouraged her tion base to rate, to stand and she was a high retirement elected. Now, she community, and says, in spite of the generally low levels vitriol councillors of income, which Chris Hill can experience, she combine to make it enjoys the job. She enjoys the a challenge for us all.” vast amount of reading and the Getting home to the farm at the challenge of absorbing informa- end of the day to her dairy heiftion across a wide range of is- er grazing block where she and sues. She has high regard for the her partner are working at reCouncil staff, their workload generating a wetland and a couand their good intention when ple of creek gullies is a nice baldeveloping policy that works ance. She says a good outcome and supports good outcomes. of reforms would be for more The common feeling she gets people in the community to defrom her community is; they un- velop a sense of agency to get derstand the case for change is involved. Good results come clear. Chris acknowledges com- from a diverse group being able munities are going through a to put aside their own views and time of massive change as some work together. When people legislation is handed down from can do this it makes a difference central to to how functional council is and local gov- ensures that council looks and e r n m e n t sounds like its communities.

0800 542 383

Dean 027 431 4090 Ben 027 571 6003

Federated Farmers Golden Bay ANN THOMPSON Owning a lifestyle block comes with all the responsibilities that bigger farmers have – care of land, animals, water quality, invasive plants and so forth. The boundary is just shorter and the stock numbers fewer. The question is – how can these people, with very valuable insights into how their property runs, help influence those making the decisions that will affect them? The answer is to join Federated Farmers under the category of Lifestyle Membership.

It was acknowledged at the recent Federated Farmers Golden Bay meeting that there are a large number of lifestyle blocks in the Bay and that not many of these owners would know that they too could belong to the federation.

Their voice could help influence central and local government before the rules are written.

We all know there are so many pressures on farmers. These don’t just affect those with lots of animals. Those who own just a few sheep, cattle, pigs, alpaca, horses and so forth are affected too.

One of the ways Federated Farmers pushes back at this pressure is to be present where it counts.

On a very local scale, every year the Federated Farmers’ team in Golden Bay goes into bat for rural ratepayers when the Tasman District Council reviews its Annual Plan. The submission (both written and oral) the federation makes focusses on the split of

rates between targeted rates (user pays) and the general and uniform annual charges, knowing that this makes a difference to rural land owners. No other group does this as thoroughly or as fairly as Federated Farmers. While all land owners benefit, regardless of whether they belong to the federation or not, belonging does mean you are consulted and that your viewpoints are included.

Members also get to keep up to date on their responsibilities. Of interest to cattle owners is the recent webinar on NAIT. Even if you own only one beefie, you need to register it in order for the beef sector to manage biosecurity issues such as Mycoplasma bovis.

Federated Farmers has always played a key role during adverse events. Knowing who farms where, no matter even if it’s 10 hectares, is helpful, as proved so during the Kaikoura earthquakes.

The weather events that happen with irritating regularity, like too much rain or not enough, can prove very challenging too, even for lifestyle block owners. Finding emergency grazing, sourcing feed or helping hands is made easier by belonging to the wider farming sector. A specialised grazing lease has been developed for Lifestyle Members, too.

Above all, being part of the federation connects Lifestyle Members with those who understand the land and who know how to influence the law makers. Find out more by phoning 0800 327 646.

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Farming NELSON

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MARLBOROUGH

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April 2022

Tasman

WEST COAST

29

tasman Nelson Federated Farmers March report GARRICK BATTEN The well-attended March meeting had Zoom as upside to pandemic restrictions, and that also provides ongoing opportunities for all members to participate in these meetings.

First item on the agenda was a report on Maruia district flooding that severely affected a relatively small number of farmers.

They had been assisted by formal support from RST, RAG, and the Regional Council that will be installing a warning device for future events. Their Murchison FF colleagues restored fences.

President Martin O’Connor prefaced his report by reminding members and all farmers to communicate their needs when affected in any way be Covid-19, and to seek help when required.

Each farm, large and small, should have a Covid plan.

Farm Emissions Controls Martin then monitored discussion in preparation for an upcoming National Council meeting on emissions and particularly on He Waka Eke Noa (HWEN), and Forestry/Carbon mining, although the latter topic was overtaken by prolonged discussion on current HWEN consultations.

Both Stephen Todd and Kerry Irvine reported on their respective Dairy and Meat and Wool national sector meetings with similar comments and conclusions. Later, members’ contributions endorsed those. They can be summarised as concerns over many aspects including incomplete information and lack of time to consider the implications of HWEN proposals and the split-gas ETS model. Federated Farmers continued to be concerned that they are only one of nine producer groups with possibly different interests and consequences, plus two government

ministries, involved in developing the models, options and significance.

While there is general support for reducing emissions on farms, very complex decisions need to be made on individual farms, and each farmer must consider all the proposals in the light of their own personal, productive, economic and environmental situation. Unfortunately, this is difficult without a specific and firm financial base. Even the administrative costs of any option can be significant, in addition to costs of emissions mitigation.

Underlying the proposals that have been developed with consultation amongst producers, and with mixed opinions and support, is the risk from previous examples and actions that the government could twist the scheme, introduce new details or requirements, or impose its will for its own political reasons. There have already been indications of that,

and no guarantees are available.

The lack of information meant unanswered questions, leading to the opinions expressed by all members who had tried to study the situation and decide between the various evils. The extended discussion could be summarised in two words as ‘general frustration’.

Local Conditions It was perhaps some balance that dairy and meat and wool farmers are benefitting from a relatively satisfactory season with adequate rainfall and better product prices to help balance rapidly inflating costs. However, wool continues to be a negative, and the Stoke plant closing for three days disrupted what had been a reasonable processing situation to date.

Harry Matthews reported on his programme increasing membership that continues to be constrained by the Covid situation affecting his visits to the region

and on-farm calls. The national target of doubling membership in four years has been adversely affected, not helped by disconnect between head office and members who could improve their own situation with greater local involvement. He had noticed an increase in smaller farm units for sale, reflecting owners’ dissatisfaction and resignation with the multitude of regulations and requirements continuing to engulf farmers, as well as their ability to pay the costs.

The next Zoom meeting is to be on 5 April, with the AGM is planned for Upper Moutere on 12 May. Members involvement is increasingly important to overcome the recent frequent examples of playing catch-up to the government in its regulatory programme. Farmers should have been involved in the initial development stages that would have helped both the government and themselves.

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30

April 2022

Marlborough

Farming NELSON

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MARLBOROUGH

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WEST COAST

marlborough Working in a solitary bubble ANDREW RITCHIE Viticulturist Brad Newton is working in his own solitary bubble as harvest gains momentum at Foley Wines.

The staff have separated into bubbles to guard against the possibility of disruption due to an influx of Covid. Vavasour, Grove Mill and Mt Difficulty are among the premium wines produced by Foley.

Brad originally thought he would be a chef and as a young apprentice he was washing dishes in an Otago restaurant when his boss thought it was time he learned something about wine.

Having tasted nothing better than cask wine he was introduced to a bottle of Vavasour, described by his employer as “the best wine in the country.” After

two years studying viticulture at Otago Polytechnic he found himself working at Packspur wines near Lowburn. He explains that the vineyard was on a spur used by pack horses as a route over the range to the Cardrona Valley.

Ironically, this vineyard is now owned by Mt Difficulty Wines.

Because of the slope, cold frosty air falls away down the hill but one year the vineyard was badly frosted after only the first wire lift. The vines were left to grow wild for the rest of the season and became a bit of a jungle, says Brad.

“This was quite a lesson, it taught us to complete the wire lifting even if the crop was a right-off, pruning was a nightmare. “In 2008 Brad moved to Marlborough, fulfilling his destiny by becoming a viticulturist overseeing,

Brad Newton, the Vavasour Viticulturist. Photo: Andrew Ritchie. amongst others, the vineyards of average 40% higher than last year Vavasour Wines. He describes the as many vineyards laid down exearly season this year as dry and tra canes. During the Covid year sunny, and then we had February. the less expensive wines have “Wet, wet, wet! “Some vineyards continued to sell well but the high were challenged with botrytis but end wines have struggled with this was kept at bay by modern restaurants being closed. certified organic sprays.

The company has had lots of However, these susceptible vine- overseas orders but when scarce yards do not need another bout containers have arrived they have of rain. Yields, he believes, are on tended to appear in groups of

eight rather than one or two at a time. These have had to be turned around in a couple of days which has put immense pressure on staff.

Brad considers he is fortunate to be involved in what is deemed an essential industry that has kept him employed during Covid, but looks forward to when he will be able to burst his solitary bubble.

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Farming NELSON

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MARLBOROUGH

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April 2022

Marlborough

WEST COAST

31

marlborough Govt accused of failing to address labour shortage TONY ORMAN The need for labour in the rural sector is being overlooked by the Labour Government, according to Kaikoura MP Stuart Smith.

“In Marlborough the viticulture sector is struggling through grape vintage without the necessary skilled winery staff as well as less Recognised Seasonal Employer workers that could be here to assist,” he said.

The Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme came into effect in April 2007. The policy allows the horticulture and viticulture industries to recruit workers from overseas for seasonal work when there are not enough New Zealand workers.

There is an administrative limit or cap on the number of RSE places that can be taken up in any one year. This cap was set at 5000 places in 2007, but the success of RSE has led to increased demand from employers and the cap has risen to 16,000 for 2021/22.

Marlborough Federated Farmer dairy section chairman Evan White said the answer as to whether there is a shortage is brief. “Yes. We are all struggling to find suitably qualified people to fill vacancies on dairy farms.

Anybody that wants to work has the upper hand in both choice of jobs and rate of pay,” he replied.

“Other sectors are struggling too,” explained Evan. “For example, there are the agricultural contractors we employ, who can’t find experienced tractor drivers and most freight companies that we work with are struggling to find truck drivers. We are all working harder and longer hours, but honestly, it is a recipe for disaster.”

He found it difficult to comprehend why the current Government seems to want to bring the country to its knees while hardworking Kiwi farmers watch potential production and profits that benefit all go down the drain.

“I am convinced that the majority

Stuart Smith - DJs don’t help milk cows. of farmers are working not only workers is impacting on the secfor their own interests but for the tor, as it is throughout New Zeagreater good. We just need the land. “And yet disc jockeys can Government to listen and under- come and go as they please,” he stand rather than just pretending said, referring to the recent case where British “DJ” Dimension to be onboard.”

Stuart said the shortage of dairy entered New Zealand.

National’s Immigration spokesperson, Erica Stanford, and Agriculture spokesperson, Barbara Kuriger, say that last year the dairy sector requested border exceptions for 1500 international dairy workers that were urgently needed for this year’s calving season but the government granted only 300, meaning the sector will be short staffed and overworked for yet another season.

Barbara says hard-working farmers have helped to keep the rest of the economy afloat, but are being ignored by a government that does not care about the rural sector. “With border restrictions loosening, there’s simply no rationale for continuing to turn down border exceptions for agriculture workers who are critical to our economy,” she said.

“Farmers are suffering from significant stress and mental health issues. Needlessly forcing them to go through yet another season critically understaffed is only going to make this problem worse.”

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32

April 2022

Farming

Forestry

D Stuart Forestry Ltd Independent Log Buyers

local

I

MARLBOROUGH

I

WEST COAST

forestryupdate

Log market update

Forest Managers Harvesting

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The Domestic log market continues to show strong demand. This is on the back of record high levels of new housing throughout the country. There are still shortages of framing timber and other wood products like plywood being faced by people building or renovating. Given this it was a bit of a surprise for some unpruned customers to negotiate a reduction in log prices for the first quarter of 2022.

This was based on an increase in energy and labour costs but was also due to a significant drop in export log prices in November / December last year.

There are some early signs of the housing market easing with less consents for new builds being submitted and a drop in house prices.

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tively steady for the balance of the year with demand and supply of logs in reasonable balance.

Export log prices recovered stronger than expected in January / February this year.

This was largely due to concerns in China over available log supply due to a reduction in available supply from beetle infested areas of North America and Europe.

China log buyer demand and port offtake remains reasonable. The Chinese Government has stimulated their demand by encouraging infrastructure projects.

Demand for logs and sawn timber in China appears resilient despite broader concerns regarding their real estate market.

Freight and oil rates have both shot up steeply during March. As I write this in late March we are expecting a drop in At Wharf Gate (AWG) prices in April.

Since the onset of the RussiaUkraine war, forest products

companies have taken steps With apparently tight relato withdraw from Russia. tions between China and The two main forest product Russia, and changes in supcertification organisations ply conditions, the situation have also acted to estab- might support greater forest lish their position products trade beregarding forest tween the two naproducts trade tions. To do this and certification. they would need The Forest Stewto work around ardship Council the SWIFT pay(FSC) has anment system. nounced that no Logistics may FSC-certified malimit the increased terial or controlled trade including wood from Rus- Craig McMiken long transport dissia or Belarus is tances from Westpermitted to be traded. The ern Russia to China by rail Program for the Endorse- and ship owners not wantment of Forest Certification ing to call at Russian ports.

(PEFC) has been more ex- New Zealand is well placed plicit and labelled all timber to be able to respond to originating from Russia and shortfalls in log supply in Belarus as “conflict timber” China due to the Russian / and not eligible for use in Ukraine conflict. If the dePEFC certified products mand in China holds, then With wood product trade prices may have to respond severely restrained between to maintain adequate supply Russia and Europe there is as the current high shipping significant surplus supply costs affect countries like of logs and sawn timber in Uruguay and Brazil more western Russia. than they affect NZ.

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local

April 2022

Forestry

WEST COAST

33

forestryupdate

PF Olsen’s celebrates 50 years Resolute about delivering excellence

BARBARA STUART

agement of planting and ues. Across the top of the farmers and landowners silviculture. But it was the South Island, PF Olsen’s look at their whole farm Just over fifty years ago Pe- massive log price spike in core customer base is made and see which areas could ter Francis Olsen founded P 1993 which stimulated un- up of farmers, private forest be planted, without losing F Olsen’s Ltd on the West- precedented levels of new investors, Tasman District much pastoral productivity, ern shores of Lake Rotorua, commercial forest planting Council, Nelson City Coun- meanwhile gaining from the Kinzett Forestry Ltd are the local experts for just ten kilometres from the throughout New Zealand, cil, government agencies tree crop and carbon. This all of your forestry roading and skid site needs. city of Rotorua where he and locally which estab- like Pamu, and recently they adds financial resilience and Operating for over 20 years, owners Dean and began wilding pine control stability to the farm busiworked out of a small office lished the company.

Heather Kinzett are resolute about delivering exFrom 1992 to 1999 there in the Mount Richmond ness. You can service debt in Ngongotaha. cellence in the forestry industry - whether it be ease Initially check your proof carefully approve or submit by the Final Proof or factor theAlterations revenue intodeadline. an average of it65,000 Forestcorrections Park. the business focus wasand building new forestry roads, skid sites or clearwas planting and silvicul- hectares per year of new The company has posi- farm succession. ing ground by root raking. e or submit changes to your ad within the ATOL Just follow the link system at a time that suits you. ture of large forests but then commercial forest planted tioned itself to offer the best The annual cash flow from Based in Murchison, Dean and his experienced view he your click the buttonand rightsolutions from there no new emailsa required! provides means nationally.or CORRECTIONSadvice for -carbon sawad, anthen opportunity in APPROVE team understand the demands of strict New put CSQ to payQUART out children 2015 the staff at the landowners wanting the non-corporate Forest Since Zealand health and safety guidelines surroundLTD (RMD) publishing 06/24/21 bookedtosize VE who do Industry to bring a better Richmond branch of PF part of their farm into trees. not want to go farming or ing the forestry industry and have a deep under100%)level of professionalism publication Adv Supp dimensions by height who might cms want width to farm on tree 12.3X12.4, has NEM grown from They can advise and Olsen’s standing around the responsibility of meeting section three CUSTOM SQUARE proofed 12:22:08 PM somewhere else.

PF Olsen’s mar- 9/06/2021 permanent staff to crop and regime for knowledge to the industry. environmental protection requirements.

He found a niche helping eight, with local contractors ginal land while keeping the thinks trees on farms should Forest engineering requires much careful plansmall forest owners to re- now carrying out harvest- best land for other forms of be an integral part of the ning and Dean’s extensive background in silviceive the same level of for- ing on forests planted in production. When working farm business. culture and logging give him the knowledge and After fiftydeadline. years of being the 1990’s, along itwith the corrections with investors who areProof do- Alterations estry management Newcarefully Please check yourasproof and approve or submit by the Final solid expertise to deliver a high-quality result Zealand’s large forest corpo- replanting and tending of ing carbon leveraging, their involved in the forestry for their clients, in a safe and environmentallynow approve or submit changes to your ad within the ATOL system at a time that suits you. Just follow the link business, the company has recommendation forests. rates. oof email to view your ad, then click thethese APPROVE or CORRECTIONS button right from there to - nopeople new emails required! friendly manner, ensuring the smooth running With a reputation for Peter Olsen died in 1999 looking to buy a farm is al- a proud record based on of a client’s operation.

OLSEN & CO LTD (RMD) 06/24/21 booked sizemore CSQ hilly QUARTthe VE vision of Peter Francis the business na- ways to put the achieving outcomes publishing for leaving “We are passionate about the industry and are 8994297AA (100%) publication Adv Supp NEM dimensions 12.3X12.4, cms width by height tionally and locally in safe and difficult country into Olsen, now tending over ‘common good’ the business always aiming to give the forestry owner the best section CUSTOM SQUARE proofed 9/06/2021 12:22:08 PM grew and extended to all hands. The company is trees and subdivide off good 200,000 hectares across New value with our expertise and a good financial renow predominantly owned productive land for sale to a Zealand and Australia. They parts of New Zealand. turn with our professional road building.” are looking forward to conThe Nelson operation took by staff and ex-staff who neighbour.

For more information call Dean Kinzett on 021 off in the early 1990s, once have retained Peter’s busi- The company would like tinuing this way of working 523 429 or email: kinzettforestry@gmail.com again starting with the man- ness ethics and family val- to see more New Zealand for the next fifty years.

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34

April 2022

Farming

Livestock

NELSON

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MARLBOROUGH

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WEST COAST

livestock Brightwater calf sale up on last year The consensus of farmers attending the Brighwater calf sale late last month was that the steer calves sale was up on last year, while heifers remained on par with 2021.

PGG Wrightson auctioneer Peter Taylor says there was a well presented lineup of calves for sale. The top and only pen weighed, sold for $3.55-3.60 a kilo. Top Angus steers made $900-997, medium steers $800$850, smaller beef steers $500650. Craig Beatsons, of Glenrae PGG Wrightson auctioneers Farm, topped in action in Brightwater last the sale with month. Photo: Barbara Stuart. their Simmental steer calves making $1020 and their HerefordxAngus selling for $980. NDC&FR Higgins pen of 17 Angus steer calves made $960, heifer calf sales were on a par with last year with top Angus making $700-710, mediums Top Hereford cross $680. Medium heifers $650-$680 and small $650-$750. 150 steers went to the North Island and a unit to Sunnybrook farm, Patarau.

Climate and delays influence wool quality

With the on-going Covid-19 pandemic affecting many South Island rural communities often severely recently, wool harvesting has also continued to be interrupted as some shearing contractors have been forced to scale down operations allowing staff to recover from illness before returning into the workplace.

Whilst many rural folk may have scoffed at suggestion that their communities would be affected to such an extent, when the virus first emerged in NZ a couple of years ago, attitudes have changed considerably with perhaps a little more tolerance nowadays towards delays and interruptions?

Unfortunately, in areas where full-wooled crossbred sheep have been

forced to carry their fleeces longer than anticipated due to shearer shortages, not entirely due to the pandemic, wool quality has deteriorated with substantial yellowing evident when samples have been drawn from bales being readied for sale in broker stores. Good growing conditions, whilst great for general carcass condition, also contributed to fleece yellowing. At time of writing the North Island wool auction of 24th March had just been concluded and of the approximately 11,000 bales offered in broker catalogues, approximately 32% had been passed-in from the auctioneers’ rostrum for failing to meet grower expectation. The previous week a similar percentage of the approximately 8000 bales offered had also been passed-in at the South Island auction held in Christchurch. With such high passing rates, a direct reflection

of weak global demand for the particular wool types on offer, the short-term outlook appears cloudy. As earlier eluded a large percentage of the wools recently catalogued have carried much higher degrees of discolouration than normal due to climatic conditions experienced across much of the country and the associated abundance of feed in many areas. Many lines of otherwise well-grown crossbred fleece have also been further contaminated by vegetable matter, which was to be expected given excellent feed conditions, and have therefore proved a little slow to move. In normal circumstances (whatever that means nowadays!) wool exporters representing Chinese buying interests would be competing for many of the poorer colour wool types, however the obvious lack of demand from this sector has contributed to the

relatively high pass-in rates this season.

The main bulk of crossbred lamb’s wool came forward for sale during the February through mid-March period with again a limited demand for wools measuring coarser than approximately 30.5 microns and distinctly less interest in those displaying a vegetable matter (vm) contamination reading of more than 0.1%. Those of 29 to 30 microns with a vm reading of 0.0%, were the most sought after, provided of course they carried a very low y minus z (colour) measurement. Only limited quantities of mid-micron wool types have been offered at Christchurch wool auctions during the past few weeks and market demand limited to specific types mainly in the 26 micron and finer ranges with most interest directed toward those with good tensile strength, well prepared, and low vm.

Farming NELSON

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MARLBOROUGH

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April 2022

Fertilizer

WEST COAST

35

fertilizer The importance of magnesium JOHN BARNES In every industry there are certain things that make a difference and at times it is quite possible to overlook the obvious. In almost all types of farming one of these is the use of magnesium.

The amount of magnesium in soils has a big impact on how well a farm will perform.

It is hard to think of another element (apart from calcium) that influences a farm’s profitability so much. True, every single element is important whether it is a trace element or a major element such as N.P.K.S. In the soil In the soil, magnesium rates alongside calcium. Both are major cations, but while they are important care must be taken to apply the correct rates. Magnesium ate right rate will help keep the soil friable. Too little magnesium and soil will tend to be compacted.

Too much, and the soils will be equally unworkable. Most magnesium sourced from NewZealand mines will take months to start working. Because of this soil applied magnesium will need to be applied well ahead of time.

In the leaf Magnesium is an important element for rapid plant growth. Magnesium is important for photosynthesis because it forms the central atom of chlorophyll. Therefore without sufficient amounts of magnesium, plants begin to degrade the chlorophyll in the old leaves causing chlorosis, or yel-

lowing between leaf veins, which stay green.

Magnesium is mobile in nature, the plant takes the magnesium from the older leaves and transfers it to the younger leaves which have greater photosynthetic needs.

Within the animal Magnesium is an extremely important element for all stock. It is defined as a macro element, which means it is required in large quantities. Magnesium is vital for a number of different functions in the body; including relaxation of muscles and nerves, utilisation of calcium and converting sugar to energy.

Magnesium is not stored well as a reserve in the body, therefore stock need their daily requirement from feed intake.

Often Farmers blood test for elements including magnesium.

However, some magnesium can be stored in limited amounts in various parts of the body. If magnesium is short in the blood, it with transfer this element from other areas to the blood. The only conclusion is if magnesium is deficient in the blood, there will be none anywhere else in that animal. Minor deficiencies in the blood will show as a sub-clinical problem. Sub-clinical deficiencies will lose10 percent production.

There are some indicators for subclinical symptoms that farmers should look for in cows, these include; the head down, lack of energy and flighty when shifting or in the shed.

For more information on this give us a call on 0800 337 869.

Dolomite – standing the test of time

The first time I recall dolomite being mentioned was in the first season spent on a dairy farm in 1979.

The farm owner and I were treating a cow unable to stand. Even the best outcome, where she was able to regain her feet, considerable muscle damage had occurred and full milk production for the season was lost.

The owner mentioned the fact that these issues had only become common since they stopped applying dolomite.

Further discussion provided the reason. A freight subsidy had been introduced by the government which meant fertiliser for remote regions was a negligible cost.

Dolomite, the only deposit being close to Collingwood, became more expensive when subsidies ended, and sales languished. Even soils naturally rich in magnesium become deficient due to regular applications of potassium and nitrogen. In over thirty years of supplying dolomite, a single annual application of 250kg of dolomite per hectare has proven to be a highly-effective way of minimising calcium/magnesium related issues.

There’s also something quite special about dolomite that doesn’t come with serpentine or any other form of magnesium.

For a price on bulk dolomite delivered to farm phone 0800 4Dolomite (0800 436 566)

Do you have some rural news?

Phone us on 548 5900 Farming NELSON

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MARLBOROUGH

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36

April 2022

Farming

Horticulture

NELSON

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MARLBOROUGH

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WEST COAST

horticulture Wheat shortage threatens the global community ANDREW RITCHIE In 2020 the UN-based Food and Agriculture Organisation estimated that 720 million and 811 million people faced hunger and starvation in 2020.

How much worse will it be in 2022?

Ukraine is regarded as the breadbasket of the world and since the Russian invasion it has banned all wheat exports to enable the feeding of its own population.

Russia and Ukraine supply the Middle East, North Africa and Asia with milling wheat with a one third of their output going to Egypt, Indonesia and Bangladesh. Australia’s wheat harvest has been decimated by flooding in New South Wales and Queensland, while crops in Western Australia have experienced heavy unseasonal rain, resulting in the down grading of milling

wheat for human consumption to stock feed. Andrew White, law an analyst at Thomas Elder Markets, predicted the economic loss likely to be in billions of dollars. In the United States, farmers in the west of the country have been suffering from severe drought. Yields are down 41 per cent and the area planted down from 1.66 million acres in 2020 to 1.44 million acres. Similarly in New Zealand, rain in Canterbury has caused wheat to sprout in the ear, rendering crops unfit for human consumption. So what about the security of milling wheat and flour supply in New Zealand?

Ninety five percent of milling wheat for the North Island is imported from Australia while the South Island is normally self-sufficient. In days gone by, New Zealand had a Wheat Board, its prime function under the Wheat Board Act was to market wheat and

flour and to promote the efficient development of wheat growing and the flour milling industries.

The act required the board to buy all milling grade wheat offered to it as long as it met the minimum standard, and to find a market for the wheat. The board’s costs were met out of the price the consumer paid. The Labour government abolished the Wheat Board in the 80s and we now find ourselves at the mercy of the world market.

Local grain merchant Bruce Clark, of Kiwiseed, predicted the current situation in a letter sent to the Hon Doug Kidd in 1991.

“It is with great concern that I

write as I watch the demise of our domestic grain industry from policies implemented by people who obviously do not understand the importance of a reliable and stable grain industry in New Zealand. The day will come when the world will be short of grain through drought, floods, war or atomic accidents.”

Thomas Chin, general manager of the NZ Grain and Seed Association, blames deregulation, globilisation and free trade for the current state of affairs. He says the association has an audacious strategy to return to the days of self-sufficiency of milling wheat in the country.

“We aspire to lift production from the current 100,000 tonnes produced to 300 to 400 thousand tonnes which will return us to the days of self-sufficiency of the 1980s. Our quality of wheat is right up there with any other

producer around the world but our biggest problem is that one million of the population live in the south where it is produced, and four and a half million in the North Island where we have two milling companies. Astonishingly, it costs as much to move grain from the port of Timaru to the port of Tauranga as it does to ship it from the eastern seaboard of Australia. There is a demand for NZ-grown product but is the consumer willing to pay the price? We hear of a farmer having to pay $4000 to fill his combine harvester this year compared to $1700 per day for the previous year? These costs will have to be borne by the consumer ultimately. Shielding ourselves from the ravages of global volatility however is surely more important than finding ourselves in the situation of Germany, having to buy fuel and gas from an enemy.”

Fantastic staff doing their best BARBARA STUART Wai-West Horticulture’s general manager, Anton Boeyen, is very pleased at how his fantastic staff have responded this season.

They have around 50 permanents, a number of New Zealand casuals and one hundred and fifteen Tongan and Nivan RSE workers who have done their best to manage the Covid threat and worked hard to get the crop off the trees.

With approximately 40% of the apple harvest completed the sea-

NOMINATIONS OPEN 2022

son is well underway and the Wai-West teams are now picking mid-season varieties. Anton saysd, conditions throughout February and March have been favourable, there is a good crop and size is up on last year.

The team hope to start picking Gold Kiwifruit very soon. He also says they are on the back foot with post harvest and shipping out of the port but are taking each day as it comes. There’s a long way to go yet, who knows what’s around the corner.

NEW ZEALAND

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Farming NELSON

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MARLBOROUGH

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April 2022

Motoring

WEST COAST

37

motoring

A Forrester and a Triton put to the test Country MOTORING with Ken Strungnell

This month I drove the entrylevel Subaru Forester and the automatic 4WD D/C Mitsubishi Triton GLX. Most often, vehicle manufacturers want journos to drive their best. You know, the top spec all-singing and alldancing models to show off just how good the new cars are. And yes, that strategy is fine, except when most of the sales will come from mid-spec or entry-level.

Often, motoring writers drive all the different models at the press launch, where the company invites the journalists to a day or two experiencing and being told all about the entire range. Sadly, Covid and other factors have limited press launches to just Auckland ‘bubble’-based motor noters, so to drive the biggest selling vehicles in the range is a good move from the companies.

I was therefore heartened to drive the Forester [$42,990] after last year peddling the more offroad, rugged Forester X Sport, identified with its orange accents.

Subaru now offer a five model Forester line-up, the self-titled Forester, X Sport, Premium, e-Boxer Hybrid and Premium e-Boxer Hybrid variants. Except for the Hybrids, all Foresters have the same engine/transmission, being a 4 cylinder Boxer 2.5 litre 7 speed CVT or Subaru lineartronic transmission, coupled to the 136kW239Nm engine. Fuel consumption on the drive was 7.7l/100km, in line with Subaru’s claimed 7.4.

Tow capacity is rated at 1800kg braked, though without a towbar I didn’t get to try it out.

The Subaru Forester is a genuine all wheel drive.

For 2022 the front-end has the most easily identified upgrades.

It has been refreshed with revised headlights and DLR, fog lights, front bumper and grille treatment.

Added features to the Subaru are Eyesight crash avoidance technology, enhanced longer travel suspension and off-road technology. Eyesight incorporates lane-centring function, lane departure prevention and autonomous emergency steering.

The retuned front suspension coil springs and dampers noticeably improve ride comfort, steering responsiveness and handling.

Subaru also say they’ve now included aluminium engine mounting brackets to reduce vibrations and noise.

The All-Wheel Drive terrain X-Mode is also revised, with the ability to automatically re-engage once the vehicle speed drops to 35 km/h or less, while revised hill descent control improves vehicle control speed.

In practice, this all works seamlessly and is very easy to use. I took the Forester off-road on the farm, driving on the road-oriented 225/60/17 inch Bridgestone tyres over varied surfaces without issue.

Partly, this is also attributed to

the excellent 220mm ground clearance, common to all Subaru’s.

Think any formed tracks, and the Subie gathers them up with aplomb.

Inside, new technology is also debuted with the ‘driver monitoring system’, gaining gesture-controlled temperature adjustment for the airconditioning that enables drivers to adjust the temperature via a simple hand motion.

An 8-inch touch screen is now standard across the range – upgrading the previous 6.5-inch screens. My only gripe inside was the deletion of the standard Sat Nav, although the super crisp rear camera vision is a real bonus.

“Overall, the easy-driving, on and off,” road Forester is supremely capable with genuine All-Wheel Drive and is likely to continue be seen on rural roads and at farm service centres.

Mitsubishi has really triumphed with its light commercial range of Tritons. Being the only mainstream manufacturer to really challenge the surge in lowcost Chinese and Indian utes, the Triton is arguably the best value ute in the marketplace.

Last year I reviewed the Inferno

Red VRX ‘Beast Mode’ [$53,990] This one is the base model 4WD auto wellside GLX Sterling Silver [pictured below] that at $44,990 has one unique feature, a locking rear diff. So I have tried it out on the farm in mud, loose shingle and water. Without it the very good active traction control works well, though as with most systems, takes a revolution or two or the wheel with no traction to transfer the drive. In practice that doesn’t make too much difference in the conditions I drove in, though if I were on a steep rutted track, the brief loss of momentum could halt the vehicle, making starting off again difficult.

The same goes for muddy conditions. Engaging the rocker switched diff lock provides a reassuring drive and in slippery conditions has the active control working the front axle, with the rear one locked giving at least 3WD at all times. Why the diff lock is only available on the base model and only in auto is perplexing, but makes a strong argument for the GLX. The gearbox offers high range, 2H then 4H then low range with the easy shift auto box. I found the GLX would definitely go places the VRX struggled with.

The Triton range appeals to both fleet and private buyers.

The Mitsubishi Triton GLX performed well, off and on-road.

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Increasingly utes are becoming more like SUV’s in ride handling and effortless driving. The difference with Mitsubishi’s is that it now includes most safety devices like radar cruise, autonomous braking, trailer sway control [important with up to 3500 braked kgs behind the 1990 kg ute weight] blind spot monitoring, lane departure warning and the 8 inch central screen. A class-equalling tray capacity, the tailgate would benefit from some load assistance, though it was easy to use the tonneau cove tight fitting and quick to fit or remove. Utes are bought for their carrying capacity and the 955kg it is rated at.

On the road, the 2.4 litre turbo diesel 4 cylinder 135kW 437Nm provides the go and it is well up to the task. On hills or winding roads that torque also handled a 2.5 tonne horse float with ease.

It undeniably gave a sense of being planted firmly on the road while sipping fuel at 7.8 l/100km, just over Mitsubishi’s claim of 7.6.

That included towing and my offroad sojourns.

Best value in the range, while giving little away in creature comforts, the GLX base model makes a compelling argument for the rural sector when serious offroad work is envisaged.

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38

April 2022

Farming

Advert

NELSON

I

MARLBOROUGH

Rural & Agribusiness

Selling your farm?

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Get in touch on 027 420 4202 or email andy.poswillo@colliers.com

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WEST COAST

Farming NELSON

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MARLBOROUGH

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April 2022

Notice Board

WEST COAST

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Farming NELSON

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MARLBOROUGH

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WEST COAST

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April 2022

Farming

Advert

NELSON

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MARLBOROUGH

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WEST COAST

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