Top South Farming - July 2022

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Handling high pressure DARREN CRAWFORD Lee-Anne Kruger began her journey with Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) as business support administrator. She started to understand and get interested about what firefighters were doing and decided to join as a volunteer in Frankton. Lee-Anne’s first ever callout was one she answered the

phone to herself, she took the call to a house flooding, made the 111 call then jumped on the fire truck. On arrival she said “Hi, I was the one you spoke with on the phone.” They proceeded to pump out the house and she helped keep the children entertained amongst all the anxiety of the event.

The training to become a Volunteer Fire-fighter was awe-

Lee-Anne Kruger says she became fitter through her involvement with FENZ. Photo: Supplied.

some, “I lost weight, became fitter, healthier and became much more aware of my own capability. I learned how to deal with high pressure situations as well as becoming a more compassionate person”. Since her training Lee-Anne has

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Television host shares journey to help others JENNY NICHOLSON Matt Chisholm spent years telling other people’s stories, but it is his own story of coping with and surviving depression that he is sharing at events organised by the Rural Support Trust.

Matt was a former TV 1 reporter, and host of Survivor New Zealand and Celebrity Treasure Island. Now a sheep and beef farmer, he is the ambassador for Rural Support Trusts in New Zealand. He has partnered with the trust on a nationwide mental resilience Time Out Tour, with events in the Top of the South on 7 and 8 July.

Top of the South Rural Support Trust coordinator Janice Gulbransen says, while some events are available as webinars, this event won’t be as it is aimed at getting people off the farm and mixing face to face.

While the trust hasn’t been inundated with phone calls from people needing support, Jan-

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ice has heard people have been very supportive of their neighbours and community. When farmers have had Covid, neighbours have stepped in to feed and move stock.

“A lot of times support is managed in their own networks,” Janice says.

Flooding in various regions has been a real concern for many over the past year. Changes in government legislation and the massive changes coming are also adding pressure. Janice says, added to those issues, the struggle to get labour to harvest crops is also adding stress to the rural community.

“Workers are facing the pressure of more work as they face labour shortages,” Janice says.

“Managers are also facing big challenges. Those with life-style blocks face their own stresses too.”

Taking time off from the farm and from challenges, meeting together and sharing stories is

Former television presenter turned sheep and cattle farmer Matt Chisholm is travelling the country sharing how he found his way through mental health challenges. Photo: Supplied. the goal of the Time Out Tour.

It is for all those living rurally.

“Matt’s role as our ambassador is about remaining mentally resilient through tough times. We’ve partnered with him because we feel strongly he has an impor-

tant message to share with rural people, to give hope that there is a way through whatever difficulties individuals and families may be facing,” Taranaki Rural Support Trust chairman Mike Green says.

Matt’s battles are documented in Imposter, a book he published last year, and documentaries ‘Like a Man’ and ‘Man Enough’, both supported by the Mental Health Foundation.

Matt says he likes the good work the Rural Support does, largely behind the scenes.

“I want people to understand how the trust can help them in their communities, so more people can access their services when they need it most.”

The event in Golden Bay is from 5.30 to 9.00 pm on 7 July 2022, Tapawera 11.30 am to 2 pm on 8 July 2022, and in Rai Valley 5.30 to 8.30 on 8 July. To attend the Time Out Tour at a venue near you, register on the website https://www.rural-support.org.nz/

Note from the editor BARBARA STUART

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This month I attended the Rural Women regional conference in Murchison.

At the conference dinner, organisers arranged for several local businesses to be the guest speakers and to promote the local Sport & Recreational Centre as a conference facility. It was a clever way to help spread the word about local attractions after Covid.

Pilot, Rob Hunt, took us on a virtual helicopter tour of the area, his talk both entertaining and fascinating. I reckon the real deal will be amazing. Plus

Steve and Liz Riley showed us slides of their four-hour back country trip to see the natural flames. The saying “nothing worth seeing is ever found easily,” ringing true. The trip by 4WD and then on foot to the remote Murchison back country is equally of interest. Another must do, first found

by George Fairweather Moonlight when he explored the area. Let’s support them.

A few years ago one of the paediatricians associated with the longitudinal ‘Dunedin Study,’

which has studied a lives of 1000 children since 1972, came out with a statement relating to healthy children and reducing asthma and allergies. His advice; when a new baby arrives pick up a puppy on the way home, and let children play in the dirt and even eat it.

By doing this they build up resilience to bugs and get immunity.

It’s my personal belief that killing off all bugs in drinking water to meet new standards may have the same detrimental effect.

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Along with too much hygiene in our homes, the unintended consequence of more people with worse health outcomes may well be a risk of more allergies and other disorders.

In our past, humans lived with animals and had exposure to their excrement and often had their hands in the soil.

Most rural people have relied on visual assessment for water quality without too much going wrong.

Rural children have on the whole been healthy and robust.

I hope there will be records kept with this in mind to monitor the outcomes of water legislation being demanded.

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Handling high pressure FROM PAGE 1 become a Volunteer Support Officer (VSO) for FENZ brigades in rural and urban Marlborough, it’s a role she loves because it suits her personality, “I love getting things done but also enjoy supporting others to be more selfsufficient and resilient. I like to encourage brigades to focus on reduction as well as response because property is replaceable, but lives aren’t” Lee-Anne says. As a VSO she supports nine brigades and can be seen responding on any of the nine fire trucks if she happens to be in the vicinity of

the station, Lee-Anne trains with all the brigades so she is familiar with the way they do things and the equipment they carry.

The first really challenging call for Lee-Anne was a CPR call, she was called to an older man who had collapsed of a Cardiac Arrest while running around the park.

The man’s wife, who never usually left him while he was running, went to the supermarket and came back to find him undergoing CPR with Fire, Ambulance and Rescue Helicopter in attendance. The poor woman was standing there with the bread and milk, “I took the role of welfare

and supported this woman which silient and as a bonus you get anwas really hard as I had to strug- other family out of it!” It’s not all gle to retain my own composure about firefighting there are plenty to stay strong for of roles that enable you to supthe person I was port the brigade helping” If you are thinkand community ing about beThe role has its Lee-Anne says. coming a volun“if you are thinkchallenges, but ing about joining teer with FENZ Lee-Anne’s adthe rewards and Iyou recommend vice is that you pop down comradery are to your local briare a lot stronger than you think gade on a trainsubstantial you are, “I didn’t ing night and say think I had the hello, it can be a guts to do the job but throughout great way to make connections the role you learn to be more re- and locals have a big advantage in

“

their area because they know the lay of the land, where resources are and how to get to places.”

Darren Crawford, Snr Advisor Community Readiness & Recovery says “The role has its challenges, but the rewards and comradery are substantial, which is why many stay on for decades.

I have great admiration for our volunteers, they are humble and act with great integrity and professionalism.”

FENZ have many support roles that communities can help with that don’t require attending emergencies. To learn more, check out www.fireandemergency.nz.

Company and managers fined a total of $95,000 for death of hundreds of calves A grazing and calf rearing com- guilty to a representative charge pany and former employees have of ill-treatment of animals. Judge been fined a total of $95,000 for Brandts-Giesen commented aftheir roles that led to the deaths ter the sentencing that he unof hundreds of calves. derstood how difficult work in In the Invercargill District this industry could be. However, Court yesterday (14/6/22) Judge there was a need to ensure that Brandts-Giesen set a starting animals were treated better. point of $90,000 for VetEnt GC The successful prosecution by Limited (formerly GrazCare the Ministry for Primary InLimited). After discounts for a dustries follows an investigation guilty plea and good character, into a calf rearing operation inthe company was fined $63,000 volving raising up to 1800 anifor ill treatment of animals un- mals at an Invercargill farm in der the Animal Welfare Act. 2017.

The company’s former general The court found the company, manager, Mark James Harrison along with Mr Wilson and Mr Harrison, responsible for the (42) was fined $19,000.

Date: At a separate sentencing,03/09/2020 the deaths of 457 calves out of 1769 former Otago-Southland op- that were sent to the farm beNo. of pages: 1 erations manager, Christopher tween August and October that From: year.

Douglas Wilson (45), was Kevin finedQuinn $13,000. The company and both “These young and vulnerable Phone: 022 639 2655 men had each earlier pleaded animals were not provided with Size:

the care they needed and suffered from diseases that were preventable. There quite simply is not any excuse for this kind of neglect,” says MPI Director Compliance Services, Gary Orr. VetEnt GC Limited sourced calves and paid calf rearers to increase the calves’ weight to 100kg. In 2017, they contracted a calf rearing farmer to do this over three months for a payment of $180,000.

Before this operation began, concerns about the farm facilities such as the size, construction, and lack of quarantine pens, were raised with Mr Harrison and Mr Wilson by independent specialists who inspected the set-up.

“Despite these concerns being brought up before the contract even started, they weren’t prop-

erly addressed. They had a responsibility to these young and vulnerable animals to ensure their welfare needs were met and they failed them,” he says.

As the animals arrived, and the farm became more crowded, disease outbreaks occurred leading to deaths.

An attending veterinarian raised concerns about a rotavirus and scours problem at the farm with Mr Wilson and Mr Harrison, which was being compounded by the increase in calves at the farm.

The veterinarian advised for them to stop sending calves until the situation was under control.

While VetEnt GC Limited did initially follow this advice, after a

short time, they resumed sending calves to the farm.

“They had the information they needed to do right by these animals and did not act. Most people do the right thing for their animals. When we find evidence of animal neglect – you can be assured we will always investigate and hold those responsible to account,” says MPI Director of Compliance Services, Gary Orr. Everyone has a responsibility to animals – if you become aware of suspected ill-treatment, cruelty or neglect, contact MPI’s animal welfare complaints freephone 0800 00 83 33.

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Owners of unproductive land encouraged to grow ‘black diamonds’ A Bay of Plenty truffle company is sharing the secrets of the industry in a bid to get landowners growing ‘black diamonds’ across the country.

Ohiwa Black Diamond Truffles is receiving more than $155,000 of government funding over three years to share its knowledge with interested growers so New Zealand can grow enough truffles for a robust export industry. The business is also researching and developing new truffle products that incorporate the health benefits of truffles with traditional Māori rongoā (healing).

The business is run by Ohiwabased couple Matui Hudson and Annette Munday. Since partnering with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) through the Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund last year, they have held three workshops on truffle growing, with more lined up over the coming weeks.

“We’ve already received orders for around 10,000 inoculated truffle seedlings from several hapū, and we’ve helped a Kawhia whānau set up their truffière,” says Annette.

“We’d like to see Māori land trusts and farmers around New Zealand growing truffles on unproductive land. It’s an opportunity to make money out of land with poor soil, and could offer a side-line income for farmers if they planted seedlings beside trees used for riparian planting, for example.”

Truffles can fetch between $2500 and $3500 per kilogram, and set-up costs per hectare for growing truffles range between $35,000 and $70,000. Annette says each

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Ohiwa Black Diamond Truffles is receiving government funding over three years to share its knowledge. Photo: Supplied. tree is capable of yielding 200 grams to one kilogram in well managed plantations.

“The truffles on our Ohiwa plantation are grown beside oak and hazelnut trees, but pinus pinea trees are also suitable. To grow effectively, truffles need alkaline soil,” says Annette.

“We’ve been trialling growing spores under New Zealand natives but have found their root system doesn’t support truffle growth – although we’re still experimenting.”

The company has been working with Callaghan Innovation to develop a liquid truffle extract that can be used in face creams and other beauty products. “It’s claimed that truffles have anti-ageing and antioxidant properties, so we’re looking to tap into that,” says Annette. “We’re also working with a New Zealand chef on a premium truffle paste.”

Ohiwa Black Diamond Truffles sells fresh truffles to some of New Zealand’s top chefs and restaurants but aims to export

overseas in the near future, says Annette.

Steve Penno, director of investment programmes at MPI, says expanding the truffle industry in New Zealand could create new jobs for Kiwis. This is a great match for the Government and sector’s Fit for a Better World roadmap, which aims to boost sustainability, productivity and jobs over 10 years.

“The truffle industry has significant export potential as New Zealand businesses are currently unable to keep up with overseas demand,” says Steve.

“Growers could potentially earn significant sales revenue from the eventual harvest of truffles on often marginally productive land.”

Truffle hunting season commences this month, using trained dogs to sniff out the truffles.

Members of the public are invited to join in the fun at one of Ohiwa Black Diamonds Truffles’ public hunts.

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lion tonnes of chemical fertilisers to grow their food. Is the message to NZ does not have legislation against stop that and create starvation? hate speech, where one definition is Japan is another example of the comments that spread and fix feel- flaws in demanding regenerative organic farming in NZ. Even though ings of intolerance and prejudice.

Like claiming our dairy farmers are definitions and standards for both the main cause of emissions, climate vary with shaky scientific foundapollution and apocalyptic warming, tions, a common theme is no fertiso we all suffer. That comment also lisers. generates prejudice against farmers A century ago, Japan’s 45 million people grew food on its deep, inherusing synthetic nitrogen fertiliser.

Both messages apply globally when ently fertile soils using such methods. That involved repeated by Greenspreading 1.7 tons hupeace Aotearoa as their man waste, 1.6 tons part of an international compost, 700 kg green organisation. manure and 100kg fuel Yet our biogenic methash per ha every year. ane effects have been Imagine applying that stable for 20 years with to every hectare of our no more warming, shallow, inherently inand farmers’ ETS confertile soils and espetribution is the same cially on predominant as every other person hill country. And findthrough daily charges.

Garrick Batten ing another 40 million Repeated demands from associated ideological farming people to contribute. Never mind messages are destroying credibility. starvation from adopting this as a Ironically, they are also encourag- global policy where Sri Lanka is a ing urban people to criticise farm- current disastrous example. ers who should be encouraged for It was disconcerting to hear the mutual benefit. And disinformation Minister for Climate Change using from a supported charity is hateful that role to also promote his Green and raises questions about objec- party policy for regenerative and organic farming, as apparently he is tives.

Halving our dairy herd merely in- now also Minister of Agriculture. creases global emissions elsewhere Then adding Minister of Overseas to produce the same amount, with Trade to claim that is what our cusgreater warming. But proud New tomers want. Exporters and marketZealanders should be telling the ers have different and more realistic world how our dairy farmers are criteria. He claimed that unless the most emissions-efficient in the farmers cut emissions we will not world, and promoting our produc- sell our food, when that message tion systems. While it is not clear should be aimed at those currently why nitrogen fertiliser heats the cli- increasing emissions. And also mate, presumably it relates to dairy promoting the clear Paris Climate cows that should be slaughtered to Change Agreement that food proreduce production. Reduced nitro- duction should not be penalised by gen means less plant growth to eat as emissions controls. nitrogen is one of six essential major That should be the message to the plant foods with 115m tonnes used world from our government supporting our farmers. Not joining annually throughout the world.

In Japan, 125m people rely on 2 mil- Greenpeace’s hostility.

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Lake Elterwater, a biodiversity treasure.

Photo: Wendy Sullivan, NZ Landcare Trust.

New group forms to enhance Lake Elterwater-Ruakanakana Lake Elterwater-Ruakanakana has perhaps been a little underappreciated in Marlborough’s biodiversity treasure chest, with most vehicles speeding past on SH1 without stopping to look at the “muddy puddle”.

However, this isn’t the sentiment of its adjacent landowners: Dave Barker, John Hick-

man and Andrew Donovan, who, along with representatives from NZ Landcare Trust, Marlborough District Council, Ngati Kuri, and keen individuals such as wetland ecologists, have recently formed the Lake Elterwater-Ruakanakana Restoration Group.

Lake Elterwater-Ruakanakana

is a shallow freshwater lake, with extensive wetland fringes, just north of Ward.

The lake has had the designation of a wildlife refuge since 1956, and provides an important habitat for a number of waterfowl.

It is nationally significant in that it is home to all four species of

grebe, including the ‘nationally vulnerable’ Australasian crested grebe, which has a New Zealand population of around 600.

Over thirty species of native birds have been observed on and around the lake.

The adjacent landowners, supported by council, have been undertaking planting and weed

control over the last 10 years.

The group are keen to expand on this work and instigate measures to mitigate poor water quality, erosion and sedimentation to see the return of species such as freshwater mussel and bittern, and create an educational visitor experience for the community.

Opportunities and challenges for New Zealanders DAMIEN O’CONNOR West Coast Tasman MP

The first half of 2022 has been a busy time. As Minister for Trade and Export Growth, I’ve had a number of overseas visits, including recent trips to Japan, the US, and Singapore with the Prime Minister and business delegation to promote New Zealand exports.

While these trips have made it harder for me to spend as much time as I would like in our electorate, I’m proud of the work we are doing as a Government on trade to make a very real difference for New Zealand, in particular for the economy of West Coast-Tasman.

Earlier this year we concluded a historic Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United Kingdom, and an upgrade of our FTA with China.

Our FTA with the UK will eliminate all tariffs on New Zealand exports, with duties removed on 99.5 percent of our current trade from entry into force, which is expected by the end of 2022. This could boost New Zealand’s GDP by up to an estimated $1 billion, which will benefit all New Zealanders.

Most recently we announced that New Zealand will join negotiations on the United States-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which includes many of our clos-

est partners in the Indo-Pacific region. And I am travelling again this month to Europe, where we are getting closer toward concluding an historic trade agreement with the European Union, a market worth over NZD$23 trillion.

In addition to these outcomes, I continue to progress work to make our farmers and growers not only the best in the world, but the best for the world.

Agriculture is a crucial driver of the economies in our electorate, worth over NZ$250 million annually on the West Coast and over NZ$300 million in the Tasman/Nelson region. So much of what we produce, whether it

is milk, fruit or wine, is sold in global markets.

The news for our farmers and growers is positive, with the most recent forecast I announced as Minister of Agriculture showing that New Zealand’s total food and fibre exports will hit more than NZ$50 billion for the first time this year. This is money that will flow back to our farmers and growers, and from there into our regions.

All this work is to progress our 2020 election manifesto to deliver economic security for New Zealanders following one of the most challenging periods we’ve faced as a nation. Global disruptions and uncertainty have im-

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pacted us all, both directly and indirectly. The war in Ukraine is front of mind as we watch the tragedy unfold from our shores, and see the flow-on effect of costs increasing on many of our day to day goods including fuel and food.

I remain optimistic that we’ll pull through as New Zealand has done before in hard times, and we take advantage of the opportunities on the horizon.

I am looking forward to seeing you in the electorate in the near future to hear the opportunities and challenges facing you, and continue to work hard for the electorate, and for New Zealanders.

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Paradise shelduck population census Like pukeko, parries are one of a minority of native birds that have thrived with the advent of human induced changes to the New Zealand landscape.

Classified as a gamebird under the Wildlife Act, Fish & Game are legally required to manage population hunter harvest to sustainable levels, while also avoiding or mitigating undue crop damage to chicory and other new crops. There are a range of options used here, from gas guns, shooting to scare, and if necessary, permits to shoot a small number of birds outside the normal gamebird season to disperse birds.

Most complaints that Fish & Game receive often occur just

after the moult. Shelduck aggregate in large numbers on open water bodies to moult towards the end of January/early February to grow new feathers over a 7–10day period. During this time the birds are completely flightless, meaning they need a deep-water refuge. Once the moult has finished the birds leave the site in large hungry mobs looking for green feed to descend and graze on.

The nature of moult aggregation behaviour means Fish & Game can get a fairly accurate population census each year through a combination of aerial and foot counts at many known moult sites. As can be seen from the trend count graph below, paradise duck numbers

within the Tasman region, including Golden Bay, have steadily risen since around 2014. This led to the Nelson Marlborough Fish & Game Council in 2016 increasing the daily hunter bag limit for the Tasman/Golden Bay subregion from 10 per hunter per day, to 15.

By 2021, it appeared that further regulation changes may have been needed for the burgeoning Tasman parry population, but finally the numbers dipped back in 2022, along with a sharp reduction in landowner complaints received by Fish & Game over the summer of 2022.

Harvest wise within the Nelson Marlborough Region, hunters now take a similar number of shelduck for the freezer each year as mallards – around 6000 birds

per annum on average. Having a slower reproductive rate than mallards (birds don’t breed until they are two years old), increased annual population harvest can have a longer lasting impact on parries than mallards, so caution

is required with harvest management of this species.

As always, any landowners experiencing parry problems over the 2022/23 summer are encouraged to contact Fish & Game in the first instance for assistance.

National will repeal high country bill TONY ORMAN

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about farm management to enhance the environment – farmers will now need consent to clear weeds including gorse, broom and wilding pines.

“Nor will leaseholders be able to maintain roads and tracks that aren’t on the LINZ register – given some of these farms were developed by settlers a century ago, this is an absolute nonsense.

National believes the best approach to ensuring ongoing enhancement of the high country would be by using legally-binding farm environmental plans, created in partnership between DOC, Land Information NZ and the leaseholders.

“National would repeal the changes this bill makes in its next term of government,” she said.

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The passing through Parliament of the Crown Pastoral Land Reform Bill is a blow for traditional high-country farming and sensitive practical environmental stewardship, says Marlborough Federated Farmers president Scott Adams.

“The government move will take people out of the highcountry and those people who know intimately and understand the environment,” he said. “It will have a big effect on the cultural, historical and social values on what New Zealand was built on, ending several generations of sensitive environmental management.”

“And it will give bureaucrats more power,” he added.

National’s spokesperson for Land Information, Nicola

Grigg, also hit out at the this land for generations. government’s passing of the “But the Government will Crown Pastoral Land Re- now impose a punitive regime devoid of any knowlform Bill.

It effectively ends a decades- edge of practical implementation and will old relationsee environship between mental outthe Crown comes worsen and high rather than country pasimprove.” toral leaseThe new law holders, she will introduce said. an adver“The bill states sarial system its purpose as of manage‘maintaining ment with or enhancing rigid rules and inherent valcomplex proues across the cesses which Crown pastowill increase ral estate’, and Nicola Grigg costs and unit will, instead, dermine any have the opposite effect.” motivation to look after the Nicola Grigg said the high land. The bill removes the country leaseholders have ability for leaseholders to been effective custodians of make operational decisions

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July 2022

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RURAL | LIFESTYLE | RESIDENTIAL

Tasman Report As I headed to the final Lake Station Hereford Bull sale in early June the snow was falling, and it got to 0 degrees, so I guess that is a sign that Winter was upon us.

nature and bureaucrats throw at them.

The recent MPI report on the outlook for Primary industry shows me that farmers are performing well despite all the headwinds – Politicians will Going to that sale was all about the probably try to take the credit for it but good things that farming in Tasman export revenues over 52 billion dollars has to offer – being among great peo- which is a 9% increase across all secple, celebrating a lifetime and multiple tors is helping every New Zealander generations of carefully – and the outlook is better farming an iconic property for the coming 12 months. and being a part of a great We need it as you can be agricultural industry that sure costs will continue to more and more is being rise. The MPI report rerecognised as being the leased in early June should glue that is holding our make everyone associated economy together despite with the rural economy all the headwinds and hurproud – but I know they will dles being put in place. all acknowledge the hurt that other Kiwis are going The great client relationthrough. Here’s to a short ships and talking to farmJoe Blakiston winter and a great Spring! ers is their own environ0274 344 069 ment is really the best part A quick mental health reof any PGW representatives’ job and minder for everyone -Farming can be what our business is built on. a lonely business. The Tasman Rugby referees had a good session at a There is no secret to the fact that recent get together with a professional plenty of New Zealanders are hurting referee – his advice applies to all secwith spiralling prices for all inputs, intors of daily New Zealand life. Always terest rate rises and financial markets take time to check in on your friends, in free fall and COVID complications neighbours, and relations – a quick lingering – But our farming community call or an impromptu visit is appreciand primary producers from pastoral, ated and good for everyone. dairy, horticulture, forestry, or aquaculture are still working away each Think about who you would like to talk season becoming more efficient while to and ‘just do it ‘ still dealing with everything mother Have a great month.

SOLD

WAIRAU VALLEY 3347 State Highway 63 Marlborough Lifestyle Farm Located in the heart of the Wairau Valley, this 122ha (302 acres) well presented sheep and beef property including modern 270sqm homestead and a high standard of farming infrastructure was presented to the market in April. Marketed by “Deadline Sale” and receiving strong enquiry from local and national buyers, the campaign has produced a fantastic result with the property now sold. Congratulations to our purchasers who have secured a unique dry stock farm in Marlborough which extends their farming operation further. Thank you to our loyal vendors, who have farmed in Wairau Valley for many years and we appreciate you entrusting us to market your impressive property. pggwre.co.nz/BLE35935 PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

NEW LISTING

APPLEBY, RICHMOND Lifestyle / Income / Water - Appleby This property has it all, location, lifestyle, income and water. It provides purchasers a wide range of opportunities. Currently providing a passive income through rental of a three-bedroom home, buildings and leasing the land out. An irrigation consent allows 4.7ha to be irrigated. Buildings include a threebedroom home, large packing storage shed, day rooms, double garage and five bay implement shed.

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DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY Plus

GST (if any) Closes 2.00pm, Tuesday 5th July 2022 (Unless Sold Prior)

VIEW By Appointment Only

Doug Smith M 027 543 2280 E douglasjcsmith@pggwrightson.co.nz pggwre.co.nz/NEL36138

SOLD

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Greg Lyons M 027 579 1233 E greg.lyons@pggwrightson.co.nz Joe Blakiston M 027 434 4069 E jblakiston@pggwrightson.co.nz

SHENANDOAH 41 Pea Soup Road Forestry Investment & Hunting 103.6590ha in two titles and located approx. 27 km from Murchison. Forest area of 42.8ha, planted 1996 comprising 26.1ha Radiata Pine and 13.3ha Douglas fir. Both stands are registered in the Emissions Trading Scheme and included in the sale are 10519 NZU’s. A further 3.4ha planted 2017 in Douglas fir is currently unregistered. Balance area includes a mix of flat grazing area at the property frontage and a private open space valley bounded by native forest.

The perfect environment for wild game plus scope for further forest expansion. A fully self-contained Bach adds to the appeal of this property. Murchison District is fast becoming a popular mecca for those seeking a range of recreational pursuits.

Peter Evans M 027 224 9798 E pevans@pggwrightson.co.nz

pggwre.co.nz/NEL35970 Helping grow the country

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Life chasing possums in the bush Working in the bush and getting out on to the tops is where Jack (Jeff) Patchett finds peace and happiness.

It’s where he can think and relax.

He says when he was young it was about the fitness because he was a harrier, but these days he pauses to appreciate the views in the changing light and to smell the fresh air on the tops.

His life chasing possums began as a thirteen or fourteen year old when he and his good mate Deane Cawte went spotlighting near their bach in the Grove Arm. They’d get 20-30 possums a night and spend the whole of the next day skinning them and tacking them out on boards; that is until they got the knack of skinning.

After leaving college Jack worked for Safe Air at Woodbourne as an office boy but still snuck away at weekends and holidays chasing possums.

Gaining his cyanide licence opened up a whole new line of work for Jack. He could poison between 50-150 possums a weekend and earn three times the money of an office boy. At this point he and a mate decided to take the risk, toss in their jobs and go chasing possums full time.

It turned out to be the best move,

he’d ever make, “possum skin prices soared and we were making more money than our bank manager,” smiles Jack.

During the summer he and a number of young guys would work at the Picton Freezing Works (Picton University) and chase possums in the winter.

During the 1980’s-1990’s Jack began to spend quite a lot of time helping his then wife’s uncle on his farm. Uncle Weldon Anderson (alias Wacka) owned Mt Patriarch Station at the top end of the north bank of the Wairau River in Marlborough. It was in the early 2000’s that the couple purchased the farm from him.

Chasing possums was a crucial part of servicing the high level of debt. To that end, Jack hammered the Goulter and the Wairoa, getting some of the best skins he ever caught out on the tops of Mt Patriarch and down the valley to Mt Richmond and Top Valley.

After his marriage split in 2013, Mt Patriarch was sold. It was around this time he tried online dating to find a new partner. He says he wanted a woman that could skin a possum, gut a deer or pig, have a strong back and be willing to walk all day in the bush. What he got was his lovely

Possum trappers Jack and Sal Patchett with their dog, Rog. Photo: Supplied. partner Sal, who wanted a non drinker, someone who likes horses, animals and farm life. What she got was me, he laughs, “I like a beer, hate horses and kill possums.”

His new partner Sal introduced him to farms in the north Nelson area at Cable Bay, Pepin Island and Nelson North Adventure Park where she more than held up her end of his wish list, walk-

ing all day without complaint.

Around this time his old mate Jack Emms introduced him to Trevor Ruffell, the Maitai Dam caretaker, and after a lot of negotiation he and Sal were given permission to hunt the vast Maitai Catchment. Frank and Trev pointed them in the direction of the heaviest populations of possums because they were probably the last to possum it and knew

the area really well. After a few years, Jack says, we were offered paid pest control work in the Maitai and the pair jumped at the opportunity. They work for Fulton Hogan in partnership with Nelmac and Kaimanu. Trapping only and using GPS location for recording possums caught, age (juvenile or adult) and sex. Jack says, its all gone pretty well and by the end of this contract they will have taken over 6000 possums out of the Maitai Valley eco-system since beginning our trapping in there.

Jack says, Fulton Hogan have been terrific employers, he is the designated trapper and Sal his assistant. “Its the first time I’ve been able to tell Sal what to do” he laughs with a twinkle in his eye.

“Fulton Hogan are constantly enquiring after our well being and if we have enough equipment, they really look after us. Cyd and Nick from Nelmac/Kaimanu deserve medals,” he says, “For their patience in bringing us up to speed with all the new technology we’ve had to learn and its importance in the battle to save our precious bush. We think we are very lucky to be doing what we love, surrounded by the beauty of the Maitai Valley.”

Private peaceful lifestyle. 5 acre farmlet with immediate income.

This sunny site has a brand new, low maintenance locally built 2 bedroom home, large separate pole barn with an internal self-contained 2 level open plan flat, suitable for a couple. Both sites have great views.

Property Information Land Area:2.0 ha* Floor: 78 m2* RV: $160,000 RV Date: 1 Sept. 2019 LV: $130,000 Rates Local:$ Regional:$ Chattels Fixed floor coverings, light fittings, rangehood, extractor fan, gas stove (house), heat pump and remote x1, mirrors, security lighting, security system (4x cameras), tv aerial (Freeview), washing machine taps, generator for connection.

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169 Alma Road, Westport, Buller New two bedroom house plus three bay pole barn with one bay enclosed as self-contained living. Two x 30,000 litre water tanks plus a 2500 litre tank mean plenty of water on hand.

Graze a few Bobby calves and sheep and your away! Only five minutes from Westport’s town center with medical, schools and supermarkets, yet far enough away for peace and quiet. Good draining land, this is an ideal farmlet up on the high and in Westport’s most desirable growing area. If you are looking for a property with an income but also want to smell the roses, then you need to look at this. Vendor says sell and present all offers.

pb.co.nz

Property Brokers Ltd Licensed REAA 2008

1 Jo Makutu M 027 327 7240 P 03 789 8777 E jo.makutu@pb.co.nz While every effort has been taken to ensure the above information is correct, no responsibility is accepted for the accuracy of the whole or any part thereof and interested parties are advised to make their own enquiries and satisfy themselves in all respects. *more or less

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For Sale Buyers $725,000+ pb.co.nz/ WEU101897

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July 2022

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Highly Productive Soils Big Picture Thinking vs Private Landowners Needs ANNA BENSEMANN The expansion of our towns and cities, and our ever growing obsession with rural lifestyle blocks has been threatening the viability of our productive soils for many decades. The Resource Management Act includes some tools for protecting this land from development, but these tools are often given lip service only in the pressures to develop, leading to the slow and steady degradation of our key versatile soils.

On the other hand, individual land owners invest time and money into their land, sometimes across multiple generations. With variable economic times, some landowners need the ability to subdivide and sell to the market land that is marginal, or no longer required.

Such ability facilities innovation and technological advancement on the balance of many properties, or simply enables a happy retirement.

This balance is being tested by the proposed National Policy Statement (NPS) relating to Class 1, 2 and 3 land and possibly other productive vineyard lands.

The proposal includes regulations as to the expansion of urban activities onto this land, and the subdivision or further fragment of land that is considered to be highly productive.

The implications of this are that private land containing highly valuable soils, which make up 14% of New Zealand, will have an additional

matter that will need to be considered at the time of any subdivision or development. As seen with the NPS on freshwater, these documents carry a significant amount of weight and should not be taken lightly.

The NPS on freshwater has seen regional Councils limiting how much water is available for irrigation and making the resource consents process more complicated, with layers of additional reporting and investigations into the effects of water takes and discharges on water bodies.

The NPS for highly productive soils appears on the face of it to be ensuring we have a farming industry secured into the future, but like any government-led policy the devil will be in the detail. And the real issues will arise when the policy is implemented by local government on a case by case basis. Policies that are written for the big picture often overlook the site-specific, unique features or anomalies that mean private landowners should be able to further develop their Class 1, 2 or 3 lands.

Government received around 250 submissions on the draft NPS, with decisions on submissions due soon after 22 July 2022. We will see the full extent of the outcome of this process in due course as rural landowners look to develop their land.

Anna Bensemann, Senior Planner, Baseline Group Marlborough Ph 03 578 7299 email: anna@blg.nz

MONTHLY

Empty school buses passing children At the Rural Women regional conference in Murchison recently the issue of empty school buses passing children no longer allowed to use it was raised for discussion.

Erice Thomas from the Matakitaki Valley reported the bus making a 27K journey up the valley half empty, passing those not allowed to travel and commented that the policy was not best use of public funds or fuel resources. To actually say children cannot travel on a bus is wrong, says Melva Robb.

Matters relating to rural health were also highlighted. Those in the community with mental health sickness are sometimes not picked up or well enough to travel the 90m trip to Nelson before there is a crisis re-

quiring police intervention.

The community needs reliable health worker visits or some kind of consultation process to support those who are unwell.

Home help has been halved and has become unreliable due to funding cuts and staffing issues, leaving our frail elderly without necessary supports.

Care of young mothers and their babies was also discussed at some length with a very obvious gap between midwives and Plunket visits, and the comparison was made between other rules and regulations that seem to be an overkill and the neglectful services for our rural mothers, babies and elderly.

National CEO Gabrielle O’Brien said national office is

elevating these issues and had recently met with Minister O’Connor (Rural Affairs) and Minister Ayesha Verell, (Assoc Minister of Health.) She said all of these problems had been discussion points. She thanked the ladies for bringing these real instances of policy not meeting local needs and where possible asked RWNZ to provide grass roots solutions in order to tailor policy and supports that fit rural communities.

The St Arnaud branch provided an instance of Rural Women holding a Christmas party which revealed the lack of support for young and new mothers. They began a coffee group aimed that group and now the young mothers are organising their own get togethers.

Government interference STUART SMITH Kaikoura MP

The recent electricity crisis in Australia is a stark warning of the dangers of Government interfering in the market. Households in NSW were asked to cut their power use on three consecutive nights as the Australian Energy Market Operator, or AEMO, seized control of the electricity market. In addition, Australia’s biggest electricity user, the Tomago Aluminium smelter, was forced to curtail production to avoid a blackout.

Part of the problem was that the AEMO put a cap of $300/ MWh in place, and unsurprisingly some thermal generators withheld 5GW of generation as they would have had to run at a loss at that price. When a regulator intervenes in the market unnecessarily these are the sorts of unintended consequence that occur. In turn, the interference forces yet more interventions, in this case the AEMO had to force suppli-

ers to supply electricity at a loss, promising to compensate them at a later date.

So what does this mean for New Zealand? The ‘100% renewable electricity generation by 2030’ policy and the prospect of a Government owned and operated 1,200 MW pumped hydro scheme at Lake Onslow to provide dry year cover, will distort the market and add risk to the sector.

The Productivity Commission estimates it will take 15 years to build the proposed Onslow scheme which the Government estimate will cost $4 billion.

But everyone in the sector I talk to say it will be $8-10 billion, with significant risk of a cost blow out and long delays.

It is a project that will likely use more power pumping water uphill than it will generate.

There is also the impact of 1,200 MW of generation owned and operated by the Government with an unknown pricing mechanism creating enough uncertainty

to slow investment in the sector. Given the likely cost of the scheme, it can only lead to higher electricity prices.

We need thermal backing to cover renewables when the sun doesn’t shine and wind isn’t blowing. These were the exact same conditions that occurred last year when the Waikato had a black out on August 9. But the ‘100% renewable target by 2030’ means that it is unlikely that more thermal generation will be built, or that the coal-fired generators at Huntly will be converted to gas which would have half the emissions.

There will not be enough time to get a return on the investment. Instead we will continue to burn coal and our carbon emissions will be higher than they would have otherwise been.

There is no doubt that the electricity market is not perfect, but we will be much worse off with either or both of these ideologically-driven sound bites.

H ORI ZONTAL LOC K UP

MARLBOROUGH PLANNING | SURVEYING | ENGINEERING Anna and the team are land development experts and can help with all your resource consent needs around the farm.

Get in touch about your next project, and with their experience and expert knowledge they’ll save you time and unnecessary cost in preparing VERTI CAL LOC K UP your resource consent, giving it the best chance of being approved without delays.

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SHEDS, SHELTERS & HOMES RoomMate Cabins Proudly supplying cabins to those in the Nelson, Marlborough and West Coast region, the team at RoomMate Cabins are always happy to help you get that extra space at your place, in the quickest possible timeframe.

Whether it’s for an extra bedroom, an office, a study, or work from home space, a RoomMate Cabin is the perfect solution.

Based in Nelson, owner-operators, Andy and Toni Collin cover Golden Bay, Motueka, Murchison, West Coast, Nelson and Blenheim and offer two cabin options to choose from, the Standard cabin at 3.6m x 2.4m and the Large cabin at 4.2m x 2.4m, both offering full head height, outside decking, full residential standard insulation, polyfoam under floor insulation, power leads and power points, electrical warrant of fitness, large windows, carpet and curtains, smoke alarm and exterior light.

Available for rental with a minimum six month through to long

Get that extra space at your place with RoomMate Cabins. term, RoomMate Cabins are the ideal answer to expanding your home with minimal effort and cost and provide the perfect space for a home office, studio, playroom or music room.

Andy and Toni will deliver the cabin right to your door and say there is no need to worry about permits as their portable cabins are under 30sqm and don’t have water connections.

“Our portable cabins are fully in-

sulated, keeping you warm, dry and cosy – even during the cooler months. Each cabin comes ready to use with easy connections to power, carpeting and curtains.

So, you can move in and start living ASAP!” RoomMate Cabins proudly support and sponsor the Spring/ Summer Challenge Womens Adventure Races: www.summerchallenge.co.nz Contact RoomMate Cabins on

0800 111 344 for more information. “We look forward to hearing from you!”

Southern Cross Dog Kennels After a hard day’s work, your dogs deserve the comfort of warmth as much as we do and, at Southern Cross Dog Kennels, we pride ourselves on building strong, ro-

bust and practical kennels that are designed to last the lifetime of many dogs.

Our products are not light or made from minimal materials but engineered to withstand the might of New Zealand’s harshest weather, keeping your dogs warm on those freezing nights and bringing strength, durability and comfort together to produce products the Southern Cross Dog Kennels team are proud of.

Our range of products start from the simple dog bed up to the large multi-bay motels for commercial use.

We pride ourselves on being one of the very few on the market that produce dog kennels with fully insulated sleeping areas and we believe this is a great advantage to have over other products on the New Zealand market.

The birth of Southern Cross Dog Kennels originated from building custom design kennels and we continue to do so now, even after developing set products, our custom designs can see all your unique needs met - commercial

Specialising in fully insulated kennels Locally owned & operated. Heavy duty dog kennels & motels.

Domestic & commercial size kennels.

Built to your requirements or custom projects.

Golden Bay, Motueka, Murchison, Nelson, Stoke, Takaka, Blenheim

Richard Emsley

www.southerncrossdogkennels.com www.homesteadproductsnz.com 03 614 3958 | 021 0816 5922 2 Philip St, Cave, 7957, South Canterbury

0800 111 344

@southerncrossdogkennels @homesteadproductsnz

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SHEDS, SHELTERS & HOMES or domestic, we can build a kennel system that suits your needs.

We pride ourselves on supporting the hard working (and notso-hard working) dogs of New Zealand, in turn we reward them with warm, dry and comfortable housing.

In recent times, Southern Cross Dog Kennels has branched out with a sister company, Homestead Products. Which has started creating many different products to suit urban and rural properties.

The range of products extends from raised garden beds, rustic wooden gates, kitset sheds, chook houses and even kitset maimais.

Lift n Shift Locally owned and operating in the region for over three decades, Lift n Shift specialise in the collection, moving, and transporting of almost anything, to anywhere in the top of the south – and beyond!

The crane truck and transportation company can arrange the

Southern Cross Dog Kennels can build a kennel system that suits your needs. ‘lift and shift’ of a variety of ob- site sheds, through to pianos, spa dairy vats. jects including house frame and pools, concrete panels, contain- Steve and Kate Eggers have years trusses, forklifts, machinery and ers, cars, trucks, boats, wine and of experience and knowledge in

the industry and their son Reuben, head of dispatch and logistics, says oversized loads such as Portacoms, buildings, site sheds, earth moving equipment, trusses and frames are all in a day’s work as their efficient and effective team are qualified to operate all machinery and hold Class 1 and 2 Pilots licences, Wheeles, Tracks and Rollers, Dangerous Goods, Crane certifications, Vehicle Recovery, EWP, Crawler Crane, Dogman/Communication and Rigging, BESS, Live Line and Forklift Tickets. Committed to providing the best professional service in the industry, Lift n Shift are leaders in the crane truck industry continually upgrading their fleet to keep up to date with latest technology.

With the ability to transport concrete panels of all shapes and sizes, Reuben adds, “We also have a precast concrete yard available for making concrete culverts and concrete sileage pits.” Using precast concrete holds a multitude of advantages including the support of heavy loads, the ability to

Committed to providing a smarter and more sustainable way of building homes, South Peak Homes offer a high quality, factory-built solution, using clever construction techniques, maximising production efficiencies, and reducing waste. Based in Westport, the team can deliver their prefabricated homes to West Coast, Nelson, Tasman, North Canterbury and Marlborough.

Specialising in a range of warm, dry and healthy homes from 80-124sqm, the process is smooth and easy from start to finish. Their homes are built in an undercover factory, fully finished inside and out, delivered to your site where they are placed on piles and connected to services. South Peak Homes have floor plans available to suit your needs and take care of everything from house design to handover.

South Peak Homes also have a range of office blocks for the commercial sector and shared facility units for RSE workers, staff accommodation, airbnb, holiday parks etc, These are available in self-contained or multi-unit modules and are designed to meet Worksafe NZ requirements.

Partnering with Daniel Pluck from South Services as an agent in the Nelson/Tasman region, South Peak Homes are extending their sales & service networks into other areas, to help new home buyers through the sales process, arrange siteworks, piling, transportation, service installations, landscaping and other site-specific work.

“We understand a house is not just a pretty structure, but an investment for the future & a haven for you and your loved ones.

With our team of experienced tradespeople, quality materials & proven product brands, you can trust us to deliver your dream home that will stand the test of time.” Get in touch to discuss your new home needs!

Call: 0800 678 989 | Email: sales@southpeakhomes.co.nz | Visit: www.southpeakhomes.co.nz

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SHEDS, SHELTERS & HOMES ITM/Harrier Sheds

Lift n Shift are leaders in the crane truck industry continually upgrading their fleet to keep up to date with latest technology. withstand everyday stresses and durability to last.

In addition to cranes, crane trucks and transportation Lift N

Shift also has personnel buckets, pallet forks, concrete skips, test blocks, spreader bars, an augur, clad boy, clam shell, log grapple,

Lift N Shift

load scales and skates available.

To enquire about the services Lift n Shift can provide, contact one of the friendly team at 03 547

0670 or visit the office at 24 Venice Place in Stoke, Nelson. www. liftnshift.co.nz

Supplying quality pole timber buildings nationwide, ITM has extensive design range of Harrier Sheds specialising in farm buildings, workshops, garages, vehicle, boat and utility sheds, bulk storage sheds and animal shelters. Distributed through locally owned ITM merchants, Harrier Sheds have built a solid reputation upon years of consistently delivering outstanding designs.

The team of locally owned and operated stores, with their dedicated people, are enthusiastic about sheds and are always ready go the extra mile for their customers.

The benefits of building a timber pole shed include being extremely cost-effective, consisting of less site preparation and shorter building time, as they are simple to construct and do not require the laying of concrete slabs. As a renewable resource, the timber has good flex allowing movement to hold the structure, and buildings are extremely durable with

Ltd

Modern well maintained fleet of trucks and mobile cranes We can move anything, anywhere in the top of the South Island, from cars, trucks, pipes & pools

24 Venice Place, Stoke

03 547 0670 - 24hrs

www.liftnshift.co.nz

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SHEDS, SHELTERS & HOMES the ability to withstand adverse weather conditions.

With a vast range of designs available, or the option to design/ build build the ‘shed that’s in your head’, the ITM team are happy to help with any enquiries. Talk to one of the trade sales team and they will help you through the process of building a Pole Building. Upon plan approval, materials will be delivered on-site, ready for you to start constructing.

While they do not build the pole buildings for you, they can refer your engineered designed plan to a number of loyal ITM builders who specialise in the construction of pole buildings.

For a free quote, information or inspiration visit www. harriersheds.co.nz or visit www. itm.co.nz to find your local ITM building supplies specialist.

Gardiner Building Gardiner Building Contractors have been providing high-quality builds and renovations to clients in the region for 17 years. With

a career spanning over 35 years owner Darryl Gardiner is well known in the industry and says his award-winning, seasoned team are dedicated to providing a stress-free building experience from conception through to completion.

Whether you are interested in building a new home, considering having renovations or alterations done to an existing home, or light commercial work completed, Darryl and the team at Gardiner Building Contractors are proud registered Master Builders and Licensed Building Practitioners, so you can rest easy knowing you will be in good hands. “We are fully trained and qualified to undertake your construction projects of any size. In addition, we stand by the quality of our workmanship with the Registered Master Builders 10 Year Guarantee.”

Providing building services in the Nelson, Motueka, Golden Bay and Havelock areas, Darryl works closely with all involved, ensuring excellence in not just the process, but also the finished product.

“Through market knowledge and our vast network of contacts, Gardiner Building Contractors offers competitively priced building services in Nelson and the surrounding areas. We are ideadriven, working with a strong focus on quality and customer satisfaction. We always listen to our clients and value their input.”

With Gardiner Building Contractors, you can rest assured that they will complete all construction work for you to the absolute highest standard. “We offer a wide range of building services in and around Nelson and our award-winning workmanship is sure to exceed your expectations.”

The team also specialise in retaining walls, providing building advice and consultations and offer pre-purchase inspections. For a free quote phone: 0800 033 939 or email Gardiner Building Contractors: gbc.ltd@xtra.co.nz

Three Rivers Bale Feeders This last season has proved to be

the busiest yet for Three Rivers Bale Feeders, as farmers continue to enjoy the benefits of these revolutionary bale feeders.

Owner Alistair Hay said the bale feeders only weighed 35kg, so were very easy to move by hand, plus, the feeders would not get stuck in the mud and would not rust - and no they don’t blow away in a Canterbury Nor Wester.

“As the feeders are plastic, there are no shocks when shifting them over hot wires and they don’t take out electric fence power if they come in contact.”

A ‘plastic bale feeder’ might sound a bit flimsy, but the Three Rivers Bale Feeders are far from it. The feeders are constructed from very high-pressure PE pipe, not simple alkathene, and all of the rings are uniformly joined via fusion welds.

“The uprights are stiff yet flexible polypropylene, the same type of plastic used in pipe joiners,” Alistair said. “Being lightweight, flexible and smooth-surfaced, they are both stock and staff friendly.”

There are a variety of designs

available to cater for cattle, sheep, deer, goats and horses.

The standard 6-foot (2m) version offers more options for bale size (4-foot baleage through to 6-foot straw or 6-foot square baleage).

They have 16 feeding bays.

A larger 2.3m diameter feeder for use over large square bales has proved very popular in Canterbury - the advantage being the ease of moving these feeders compared to square steel feeders that must be moved with a tractor. Kitsets are also available to reduce freight costs.

Running a 1000ha deer, beef and dairy support property in Fairlie Canterbury, Alistair has thoroughly tested these bale feeders over the past 12 years, as have the owners of more than 2000 bale feeders in paddocks throughout the New Zealand.

“Three Rivers Bale Feeders are a seriously strong, durable and simple solution to feeding supplements,” Alistair said.

So if you too want a lightweight, strong and sturdy bale feeder, give Alistair a call on 0274 876-711 or check out balefeeder.weebly.com.

open gable OPEN LEAN-TO ENCLOSED LEAN-tO

Enclosed gable

Chances are, you’ve been thinking long and hard about exactly what sort of pole shed you need. Whether you’re after a large hay shed or somewhere to store expensive farm equipment or stock, we can customise a design for you.

Come in and talk to an ITM sales rep today, and we’ll help you get it down on paper. Then we can quote it, provide plans, and deliver all the materials you need to build it. Job done.

Grab your farm pole shed from the same place you get building gear for your farm. Right here at your local ITM store.

IF YOU CAN THINK IT, WE CAN HELP YOU MAKE IT. • Blenheim ITM

• Motueka ITM

• Greymouth ITM

• Havelock ITM

• Takaka ITM

• Hokitika ITM

• Nelson ITM Drop in and see us, for all your building supplies. www.itm.co.nz | sheds@itm.co.nz

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SHEDS, SHELTERS & HOMES TM Covers Leading the field in specialist fabric solutions, TM Covers (Transport and Marine Covers Ltd) provide a comprehensive range of solutions for clients in the marine, transport, agriculture, horticulture, aquaculture, residential, industrial, educational, mining and aviation industries with all outdoor textile products.

Passionate about the industry, managing director Andrew McKellar, says the team thrive on challenges, are committed to providing the perfect solution to any outdoor textile needs from domestic use right through to commercial applications.

“We are 100% solutions based, come to us with a problem and we will work with you to solve it. Anyone can come in and ask if we can make one of whatever they need, or something that can fix this problem, and we can.

It is great to be able to work with clients and provide an outcome that exceeds their expectations.”

Providing a comprehensive range of residential shade, screen and liner solutions, Andrew says TM Covers are continuing to develop their commercial sector. “This includes tank and pond liners, products for transport, rural, forestry and fishing, and we have expanded our factory resources to provide a better quality of product, with plans to further expand in the near future. We are also looking to employ more staff so if you are an experienced tradie looking for a change, or wanting to be paid to learn a trade, then get in touch.”

Operating in the region for 35 years TM Covers are long-time supporters of the community and wider chari-

ties. “Community is one of our key pillars. Personally, I have been on the board of the NZ Spinal Trust for 20 years and as a business, we support local charities. As a team, we believe it is important to support the community where and when we can as it could be any of us in their shoes.”

Visit the TM Covers showroom and factory at 143 St Vincent St, Nelson or contact one of the team on 03 546 6809 or email: sales@tmcovers.co.nz

N-Tech N-Tech is a locally owned electronics supplier and retailer located at 227 Queen St, near the Richmond Mall.

Priding themselves on delivering exceptional service and tech advice, the team at N-Tech are happy to help with any tech-related problems and electronic solutions.

Owner operator, Sam Zhao says, “We have been the team responsible for the Nelson Jaycar Reseller, we believe we can bring the same excellent service to Richmond with more freedom and flexibility as our own independent brand.”

Stocking the latest in solar technology, Sam is happy to help customers with any questions. “Solar Energy is getting more popular. From our experience lots of farming, campers and households are wanting to create and store power. We have been designing and importing our new solar panels for a couple of years, they are exceptionally good and have exceeded our customers expectations. We are using new 182 monocrystalline silicon solar cells which are smaller and more efficient.”

Solar Panels $79.90

Starting from

Security Cameras Starting from $149 227 Queen St, Richmond Ph 03 922 9751 www.ntech.net.nz

Three Rivers Bale Feeders • Very strong, yet flexible • Lightweight 35kg – Staff and Stock friendly • Insulated – Roll it over the hotwire • Easily moved by hand – No tractor required • Will not rust • UV stable • Height adjustable • Don’t get stuck in the mud • NZ Made

Ph: 027 487 6711

KITSETS FREIGHT ED NATIONW IDE

balefeeder.weebly.com

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1877 FLOOD LEVELS OFFER FLOW-ON ASSISTANCE FOR TODAY’S FLOOD PLANNING Martin Doyle

the 1877 flood, as recounted to him by his uncle Tom McNab. Many houses were swept away at that time and were later built at a much higher level.

Tasman District Council Principal Hydrologist

To find out what the future holds in planning for floods within our region, a helping hand from the past has provided a new level of understanding.

Council collects data about recent floods and holds some records of large historical floods. There are often descriptions of large historical floods available, but seldom a surveyed level. The latter is extremely useful, as this information can be worked into the flood statistics, and therefore provides greater certainty when planning for future events.

The most significant Tasman flood in recent times is arguably the Aorere flood of December 2010.

However, in European history, it is the large Motueka flood of 1877 which is most well-known In his 1947 book No Roll of Drums, early European settler Cyprian Brereton described “hundreds or thousands of slips … (which) carried standing timber with rocks and boulders as big as houses … these avalanches tore their way into the Motueka River it in its turn became a huge swift flowing glacier of mud which had the devastating power of running water.”

It was known that a mark recording the 1877 flood existed somewhere at Alexander Bluff Bridge in the lower Motueka, but the actual location of that mark was beyond

Alexander Bluff Bridge during 2021 flood. the knowledge of existing staff at Council.

As part of the lower Motueka stopbank upgrade, Council is currently working to confirm the flood record in the lower Motueka.

The flood of July 2021 provided an opportunity to collect some useful information in that location, and levels were surveyed at other key areas up the Motueka River, including Alexandra Bluff Bridge.

During that process, staff were notified of a mark which gave the level for the 1957 flood and sought out the landowner to get a comparative level to the 2021 flood.

McNab was able to confirm the exact location on a granite outcrop, as a survey mark had also been drilled there in 1907, when the first Alexander Bluff Bridge was built.

As this drill hole was made only 30 years after the 1877 flood, it’s reasonable that this mark could be relied upon, especially given the engineers of the day trusted it to build the bridge.

For a Hydrologist, such certainty of information is gold.

Tig was able to describe some of the changes that occurred during

The valley floor was covered by thick silt and trees, and large boil holes existed in the paddocks for many years.

One interesting side story involved Tig’s Uncle Tom. He watched as the original 1907 bridge builders threw a penny into the concrete when the bridge pier was built.

When the bridge was rebuilt many years later, they added a metre of concrete to the top of the 1907 pier.

Before this they drilled a test hole to see how good the concrete was, and the drill core came out with the penny in it.

The recollections of Tig McNab, Mike and Marie Malone, Guthrie Beatson and John Ellis are all appreciated in finding and confirming this historic flood level.

When shown the mark, it became obvious that it provided the level for not only the 1957 flood, but the Old Man 1877 flood. A plaque existed for the flood level, but grazing stock had knocked it from where it was placed.

The plaque showed that the 1877 flood was 0.5m higher than the 1957 flood, which was in turn 1.0m higher than the July 2021 flood.

The original landowner was sought to confirm the exact location the plaque was placed. Graham “Tig”

TASMAN SEEKS FEEDBACK ON STOCK CONTROL BYLAW Tasman District Council is looking for community input on its draft Stock Control and Droving Bylaw.

The Bylaw provides the regulatory authority for the Council to exercise control over stock crossings and droving in the road reserve to protect the safety of road users.

It also ensures stock effluent and mud does not cause a nuisance on roads nor negatively affect the health of waterways.

Public consultation opens on Friday 1 July and runs until Monday 1 August. Hearings and deliberations will be held in December with the final Bylaw expected to be adopted in early 2023.

Copies of the proposed Stock Control and Droving Bylaw are available at Tasman District Service Centres, libraries and on the Council’s website tasman.govt.nz/feedback

Tig McNab with the plaque showing the position of the 1877 flood.

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WATER STORAGE Do you need water or dairy effluent storage?

Flexi Tanks are an astonishingly simple concept that provides farmers, horticulturists, industry and domestic clients with cost-effective solutions for storing water or effluent.

Father and son, Anton and Andre Meier, along with Anton’s partner Jacky van der Poel, have operated Flexi Tanks for almost eight years.

Based in Cambridge they supply a vast range of clients throughout the country with quality bladder tanks for all liquid storage needs.

Whether looking for a 1,000 litre tank, right through to a 2,000,000 litre tank, the team is keen to provide genuine advice to solve your storage problems.

Flexi Tanks supply and install the best quality bladder tanks available in the New Zealand market today. They have been manufactured in France since 1959 and are built to last: they are manufactured from multi-layered, ripstop technical fabric with tensile strength of 450kg per 5cm.

The tanks come with a full 10 year manufacturer’s warranty for textile and manufacture and have an expected life, under normal conditions, of up to 20 years.

Not only are they reliable but they are cost-effective too and come in as a cheaper and more economical solution to other effluent storage alternatives. Flexi Tanks can be depreciated as they are a tangible asset which can be rolled up and used somewhere else if needed.

The tanks are fast and easy to install: simply level a pad, unload the tank, roll it out, connect the valves, connect to your system and fill.

The tanks are used for horticulture and agricultural water storage, dairy farm effluent and leachate storage. There are several industrial uses too, such as firefighting, liquid fertilisers, fuel and liquid leachate storage. Domestic clients use them for rainwater harvesting, potable (drinking) water and non-potable water storage.

Originally 90% of sales were for

effluent storage but now, with the increasing need to store and conserve water, sales are now roughly half for effluent and half for water storage.

More details and several testimonials are available on their web site www.flexitanksnz.com

Flexi Tank solution Tim Le Gros of Titoki Nursery at Brightwater uses his Flexi tank to capture water off his Crop Cover roofs at the nursery. “It’s been useful for us,” he says, “and in use

all the time. We have 900-1000 square metres of cover, therefore it solves a run-off problem to capture rainwater and re-use it to water plants. Plus, we have it as another option when wells are low in dry summers.” Tim says although their Flexi-tank bladder is only 160,000 litres, the system works well as they are constantly drawing off water to water plants, allowing it to re-fill. It’s also there for summer, when ideally we would keep it full in case water restrictions are imposed.

During the 2019-2020 drought,

Willisbrook Orchard at Brightwater, near Nelson, were anxious about losing their high value late apple varieties due to lack of water. The Wai-iti dam was extremely low and Tasman District Council were sending warnings about moving water restrictions toward no-take. Faced with this dilemma, Sue Watts, Administration Manager at the orchard, was given the task of finding a solution and then given the go ahead to order a Flexi-Tank and oversight its installation with the orchard crew.

They filled the tank slowly on the days they didn’t use all their water take. Sue says, this was a cost-effective and easy solution for a very real problem at the time. This enabled them to have a contingency supply available for when the no-take rule became active. Sue says, no sooner had they set it up and filled the tank Than rain arrived. Murphy’s law, she supposes.

The tank remains in place and ready should it be required for the orchard again or even for fire.

SERIOUS WATER STORAGE! Need extra water to get you through the hot summer months?

Flexi Tanks NZ offers a range of Water storage bladders that can store from 1,000 litres to 2 million litres.

Ideal for Horticulture, Viticulture, Agriculture, Construction and Fire Þghting.

Call us today!

Andre Meier E: Andre@ßexitanksnz.com P: 027 7063 633 W: ßexitanksnz.com

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News

Water water everywhere…

MAUREEN PUGH List MP

This month we saw the Water Services Entities Bill go through first reading. National vigorously opposes this bill which sets up the entities for the Government’s Three Waters initiative that effectively takes ownership of ratepayers’ water assets and gives them to four super entities, with 50% control going to iwi.

The governance structures are complex and clunky, with a representative board comprised of 50% iwi appointees and 50% local government representatives.

This board will select a board appointment committee which will appoint the water entity board that will manage the water entity. Con-

fused? So is the majority of local councils, including Auckland.

The Bill also allows the establishment of regional advisory boards, in the hope of granting a greater local voice within the parent entity. This will have a 50/50 split between iwi and Local Government to give a regional representative board. Councils will retain ownership of their water assets in name only, having none of the benefits that ownerships usually brings.

In fact, the bill makes it clear in clause 166 that “territorial authority owners do not have any beneficial entitlement to, or beneficial

interest in, the security of a water services entity.”

This is akin to you owning a car and having it stolen. You “technically” still own it and the bills come to you, but you have no say over how it is treated.

Minister Nanaia Mahuta tells us reassuringly that this will be better for Kiwis. Her own documents say that no one will lose their jobs as a consequence of this change, and in the same document she anticipates an extra 5,000 jobs will be created over time, but she also reassures us this whole exercise will be cheaper! I feel a Tui ad coming on.

Councils will retain ownership of their water assets in name only.

Team Toby Randall

MONTHLY

Book Review “Stories from Our Back Roads” by Ray Stone.

Published by Bateman Books. Two volumes at $49.99 each, i.e. North Island and South Island.

TONY ORMAN Here’s a terrific book on driving back country roads and 4WD tracks.

Many are the routes author Ray Stone describes in detail, some of which give fascinating insights into the history and often pass through scenic wilderness. The “Top of the South” is included with the murderous Maungatapu Track between Pelorus Bridge and Nelson, to the Cobb valley, Westhaven Inlet over Golden Bay way, and the Porika Track and Braeburn Track between the upper Buller at Howard River to Murchison, featuring. The West Coast features with the Denniston Plateau, Big River Road at Reefton and the Taipo valley in Arthurs Pass.

Other areas such as Canterbury, South Canterbury Central Otago, Queenstown and Southland and Fiordland are there in the South Island volume for holiday time. It’s recommended get the North Island volume too for a holiday across Cook Strait.

Maps of the routes feature and in the text there’s invaluable advice on the state of the routes relative to avoiding getting stuck! Plus those absorbing historical backgrounds. Highly recommended.

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Farm Diversity is a Win!

0 Win Valley Rd, Dovedale

135 Ha with a multitude of options... This private predominantly north facing secluded bare land block just outside of Dovedale offers approx. 55 Ha of easy rolling to steeper hill grazing, approximately 23 Ha of young Pinus Radiata with another 22 Ha ready to be planted on cut over, along with a large stand of established natives. Potential options open for future plantings and carbon farming. Established access tracks make the running and maintenance of this property simple, alongside good fencing and cattle yards, 2 Dovedale units are available for stock water as well as other natural water and springs. A great hut at the highest point of the property makes the ideal spot to escape the world.

If this has your attention get in contact with the listing agents now for the full story.

Quartz Range Rd, Bainham

This bare land block on Quartz Range Road is fondly known by the owners and locals as “The Stables” There is 180 ha approx. total with 116 ha approx. in grass, some of which improved pasture, and with a good fertiliser history, with the remaining land in native bush. Good fencing and water supply, a lot of the hard work is done and the property still has scope for improvements if the next owner desires, so it is now up to you to do what you would like with the land.

Options would be to continue on as a runoff block, maybe run dry stock on the productive pasture, add in some beehives for extra income, and there are plenty of house sites with views out to the Kahurangi National Park.

270 Wai-iti Valley Rd, 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.

Price By Negotiation Over $1,240,000

Secure your own support or grazing block

Price By Negotiation Over $1,680,000 + GST (if any)

$1,800,000 + GST (if any)

Two Dwellings are a WIN WIN

July 2022

Advert

Lifestyle with Loads of Opportunities

491 Tadmor-Glenhope Rd, Tapawera

It isn’t often that we see affordable lifestyle properties in the Tasman Region.

Just 12KM from Tapawera, consisting of a mixture of sloping and flat grazing, Douglas Firs and native bush pockets throughout with two streams, with multiple entrances from the road, the property has numerous sunny sites on which to potentially build.

The current vendors have started the process of converting a wool shed to a four bedroom dwelling, it now just needs your finishing touches.

The old milking shed also on the property, has a separate access from the road and there is water and power to here – great for storage or work from home options. $749,000

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EXCAVATION & BLASTING TG Contracting From earthworks, baleage and agricultural needs, experienced contractor Tristan Graham has your needs covered. The owner of TG Contracting initially started out with his earthworks busi-

ness eight years ago, but has since expanded to providing baleage and agricultural needs to those in the Golden Bay and Tasman Districts. “Around two years ago we decided to expand into the agricultural sector, as we already had some of the bigger equipment,

and purchasing the remainder.

Diversifying just made sense.”

A long-standing and firm supporter of the community, Tristan has been involved as a volunteer member of the Upper Takaka Fire Station since he was 15 years old, saying, “It is always good to

give back, as it all goes around, doesn’t it.”

The Golden Bay local covers hay and baleage with his agricultural sector of the business, including, conventional bales, medium square and round bales, mowing raking, tube wrapping, silage chopping, carting, mulching, mole ploughing, discing and ripping, seed drilling, loader wagons and ground works to the agricultural sector, saying, “We have the ability to do pretty much everything. We can do bigger 6-string bales, rather than 4-string, and individual wrap, and are looking at purchasing a new Inline conventional baler later in the year.”

On the earthworks side of things, Tristan can provide diggers, dozers, graders, trucks and trailers and loaders for transporting, roading, land clearing, driveways, crushing and screening gravel and rock and clearing house sites.

Contact the experienced team at TG Contracting Ltd on 027 688 5699 or email tgcontracting@kinect.co.nz to see how he can help you. Follow their Facebook page, operated by Tristan’s son, for up-

dates on completed works.

Axemen Logging Experienced logger and business owner of Axemen Logging, Richard Bolitho, understands the forestry industry and what it takes to tackle the region’s terrain. Having worked in the Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough areas for nearly twenty years, covering both logging and silviculture, tendering for plantation forests for planting, pruning, thinning and spraying, Richard has the knowledge and know-how to maintain your logging, roading and tracking needs.

Richard has spent the last ten years in logging, and seven years in silviculture prior to that, with an extensive background in dozer, excavator, bell, skidder and warratah operations, truck loading, manual tree felling, tracking and road excavations and skid site building. making him the perfect man for the job. In his element out in the forest, Richard says his crew are able to cover both the Nelson and Marlborough regions, adding they are happy to tackle anything.

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EXCAVATION & BLASTING “We love being out there and doing what we do best, cutting the trees down and hauling them out!”

Contact Richard at Axemen Logging on 027 313 3313 or email axemenlogging2018@gmail.com for more information.

Independent Blasting & Abseil In the good ole, bad ole days dynamite, gelignite and black powder (gun powder) were used extensively. Building roads, farm tracks, ditches, stump removal, and all sorts.

Rumours are that explosives were even used for trout fishing but I’m sure this wasn’t the case because this practice is, and was, quite illegal.

A bit of history: It is thought the earliest possible reference to gun powder appeared in 142 AD during the Eastern

Han dynasty in China.

A big leap forward was with Alfred Nobel’s invention “Dynamite” patented in 1867. (Alfred was the benefactor of the Nobel Prize.)

Dynamite burns (explodes) much faster than, and is much more efficient than gun powder. It’s all about the amount of gas produced and the speed that it is produced. Dynamite has now been superseded by more modern and even more efficient explosives.

Explosives are much safer now than before, an example might be that modern explosives have a “use by date.” That is, that they get less and less sensitive as

time goes on. This is quite the opposite to the old time explosives where a plug or stick of “gelignite” (for example) became more and more dangerous over time.

Explosives are still used extensively in the quarries of New Zealand to break down rock to sizes suitable for use in a crusher or for river protection rock.

As for those of us who work with explosives in the farming sector, there are but a few. Now-a-day’s most work is done by back blade, digger or bully.

The removal of obstacles to help the agriculturist is a specialist job and certifications and training is becoming harder.

NEW ZEALAND | RANGE GUIDE

NEW ZEALAND | RANGE GUIDE

We offer free non-obligation quotations for: • •

Logging Land Clearing

• •

Excavation Work/Tracking Tree and Stump Removal Richard Bolitho Managing Director

027 313 3313

axemenlogging2018@gmail.com

BMTT are now the Nelson agents for JCB Construction

NEW ZEALAND | RANGE GUIDE

PH: 03 544 5723

Main Rd Appleby, Nelson

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PEST CONTROL M.A.D Conservation Services Surrounded by nature for as long as he can remember, Steve Holloway from M.A.D Conservation Services has lived in the region since 2004, working in conservation and dedicating his time to protecting our natural biodiversity. Steve has worked in conservation tourism, volunteered for the Friends of Flora trapping project in Kahurangi National Park and worked with DOC and Project Janszoon in the Abel Tasman as a biodiversity ranger responsible for predator trapping and environmental weeds. “I progressed on to working on private estates which led towards starting a business three years ago.”

Raised in forestry, Steve is a thirdgeneration bushman who feels most at home amongst the outdoors. Covering primarily Nelson Tasman, Steve will travel across the Top of the South with his services. “M.A.D Conservation Services works across the broad range in the region, from private landowners, Moutere Catchment group, Takaka Hill Biodiversity group, council projects, etc. Always happy to make a few stoat/ rat boxes and am always looking for a new challenge. I’m a big fan of conservation technology so am hoping to integrate this into our everyday operations when and where possible. M.A.D.C.S is like

a DOC ranger for your backyard.

We want to help rid any pests where possible, so we want to help everyone, from the smallest land-owner right through to larger projects.”

Helping landowners with conservation and restoration projects, vegetation planting, track cutting and maintenance, predator control, environmental weed management and wasp control, Steve says, M.A.D Conservation Services offers their knowledge and expertise to assist, coordinate, innovate and ensure your conservation projects ‘Make a Difference’ for your environments, and to help restore the biodiversity of our region.

To find out more call Steve Holloway on 027 5345 918 or email info@madconservation.co.nz.

Pest Pro NZ Limited Starting out as a hunter over a decade ago, owner of Pest Pro NZ Limited, Zach Howarth, saw a gap in the petfood market for the provision of high-quality wild

game. “I started working as a possum trapper around 2012 and I could see that there was an opportunity in the petfood market as a lot of trappers were wasting these pests.”

Based in Katikati and now the biggest supplier of wild game in the country, Zach and his team are passionate about providing the best New Zealand Raw and Wild Petfood for cats and dogs - free from antibiotics, drenches, hormones or grain feed - and cover all of New Zealand as they are now able to offer South Island pickups, buying most wild animals. Pest Pro NZ is a registered buyer of wild game for petfood including possum, rabbit, hare, goat and deer.

Zach says there is a strict process to purchasing the game from registered hunters throughout NZ, where forms have to be provided stating where the animal was harvested. Once in the hands of Pest Pro NZ the animal’s organs are checked for any diseases prior to processing.

Wanting to eliminate wastage as much as they could, Zach says the whole carcass, ‘other than claws and the head’, is made into pet food. “We try and utilize the whole animal- so the less waste the better.”

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range of nutritional products or to find your nearest stockist.

Advanced Optics Modern technology provides ever-increasingly useful tools for farming and rural activities, providing a means to be more efficient and profitable. Thermal imaging optics are the latest proven technology for better security, pest eradication, livestock management and rural fire prevention.

Advanced Optics celebrate their tenth anniversary of supplying Pulsar night vision and thermal imaging optics throughout New Zealand to a range of users that include Coastguard NZ, Search and Rescue, D.O.C, M.P.I., pest controllers and farmers. Pulsar thermal imagers are New Zealand’s leading thermal imaging brand, with a range of thermal optics that include monoculars, bioculars and riflescopes.

A Pulsar thermal imager forms an image using a sensor that captures minute amounts of heat that is radiated by all objects in the scene. Warmer objects, people for instance, stand out boldly amongst their surroundings at distances of up to 2km in total darkness. Thermal imagers are also useful in daylight, especially when spotting animals and people that are obscured by light foliage.

Being able to “see” unwelcome guests anywhere on the farm, especially at night, is a big help to security-conscious farmers.

Portable equipment can follow someone as they run for cover, for example, offering safety to the farmer as he can’t be seen, and increased value when compared with fixed security systems.

Christine Stewart-Corke is Managing Director, and says, “Our technology is incredibly useful to farmers, especially to identify poachers and thieves, as well as for shooting pests such as rabbits, pigs, wallabies, possums, deer and even rats. Livestock can be monitored during birthing without disturbance”.

One farmer was buying a unit to help eradicate feral pigs, during a night time demonstration the salesman spotted cows in a paddock that was supposed to be empty. A few had escaped their own paddock much to the farmer’s surprise.

Night vision equipment, which amplifies ambient light, can be a lower cost option than the thermal imaging equipment, and is effective for eradication of pests such as rabbits at night. “It’s like using a spotlight, only the animals can’t see it.”

Advanced Optics has a range of equipment along with its team of experienced staff, who can advise on the best products for particular needs and situations.

PEST PRO NZ LIMITED Looking for trappers to supply us with Plucked Possum Carcasses We have an agent that can pick up from you.

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WEST COAST Democracy a slow work in progress Alun Bollinger and his wife Helen have Like so many New Zealand towns, been associated with Reefton since 1971 Reefton’s old water supply infrastrucwhen they were married there on New ture needs upgrading which is an ongoYears Eve. The couple eventually fol- ing task for the Buller District Council. lowed Alun’s brother and sister-in-law Territorial authorities like the Buller to become resident to have community boards the area, in 1979. Helen to help represent and adand Alun moved with vise council on community their, by then, four sons views. Community boards to Blacks Point after are elected at the same time having lived within a as councils, but do not have the same powers. The role film-making commuof the Inangahua Comnity in Hawkes Bay for Albol with a camera. munity Board is to help several years. “Reefton’s Photo: Supplied. the Council to understand become the family base”, Alun says, and then other family and meet the Inangahua community’s needs. members joined them too.

Helen served on the Community Board Alun and Helen have both been inat first and when she decided to resign, volved in a number of projects in the shoulder-tapped Alun to stand for the area. One that stands out is the Skate role. Alun says, “democracy is a slow Park, which Alun got behind when lowork in progress.” He sees the role on cal kids agitated for it. He’s also involved the Inangahua Community Board is in the local Repertory Theatre. “I was about having an ear on community mouthing off at a community meetviews and responding to what’s going ing”, he chuckles, “and was hit on to compère a show”. Mostly you will find on.

Currently, the Reefton community is Alun backstage,which he prefers, buildputting effort into improving public ing sets and working the lighting behind gardens around the township. the scenes.

Flooding at Jones Creek Flooding across dairy farms at Jones Creek seventeen kilometres north of Westport, is an ongoing issue for two properties nowadays.

They were hit last year and in April this year, plus again on the 1st of May. Two floods in two weeks, taking out 300 metres of fence line each time.

Ivan Cain says his family have farmed the Birchfield property for over a hundred years and he believes they are getting more rain and torrential downfalls than in the past, but what’s also changed is quarry activities up in the hills. He thinks this is having an impact too.

Other locals have noticed a change in the river as a result of large rock removal from the riverbed. There are now more fine gravels than there used to be. The run-off comes from higher up in rain events. Logs and

The flooding at Jones Creek on Karamea Highway.

Photo: Supplied. debris jam under the railway bridge. The creek, which becomes a river, spills out onto the highway and then onto the two dairy farms, depositing silt and gravel and they are faced with each clean up, not to mention the inconvenience for users of the highway to Karamea.

Ivan says the council tells him the quarry is following their consent but he says it’s not a good look.

Ivan runs 320 dairy cows on his 500 hec property with milk solids 400kg per cow.

He says in his grandfather’s day they were isolated and people seemed to care much more for each other when it came to things like this. It’s disappointing that the highway and farm are copping this damage and there appears to be no real interest from council toward sorting the cause of the issue out.

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TASMAN Nelson Federated Farmers on flood protection GARRICK BATTEN

lifestyle farmers whose direct livelihoods are not so adversely affected by all the flooding.

However, they are directly affected by some of the onerous requirements such as for water and any land-use change. And also indirectly as part of the rural community that they chose to be part of.

Although they will not be part of any direct emissions tax on farmers, they are contributing a significant amount of the total land emissions that are being counted in government calculations. A cattle beast or a pet sheep on a lifestyle block emits just as much methane as on a commercial farm.

All farmers are paying levies to organisations representing some of their production interests.

FF members also pay an annual subscription to support the Wel-

People who own and occupy 278,000 hectares of rural land in the Nelson Federated Farmers province area have significant influence, responsibility and role for the care of their land in the district.

They deal with the daily demands of not only farming it but with the tsunami of requirements imposed on them by central and local governments. So they need to build flood protection for that and FF membership can help provide it.

Yet landowners who are paying members of this organisation occupy only 14% of that area but represent all landowners, and are continually working on their behalf. Part of the reason is that most of the properties are less than 20 hectares including many

lington office and regional staff involved in 190 industry topics concerning all landholders to a greater or lesser extent. Lifestyle landowners benefit from both.

Nelson Federated in Canterbury. Rachel There is a category for FF Lifeis now with Findex Farmers welcomes style membership at a discounted the accounting firm Rachel Fraser on to rate to recognise the particular their board as the new for the past 7 years, relevance to them of four of the treasurer. working with Brontop five most notable policy priRachel is a local wyn Monopoli’s team orities; specifically RMA reform, woman raised on the as a rural accountant. multiple water issues, climate Rachel says she’s hapWaimea Plains, the change, and local government. youngest daught of Ted and py to be back in the region. Its Plus animal welfare, telecommuClare Forbes, well known dairy a great place to raise her 9 year nications, biodiversity, biosecufarmers. She attended Appleby old son and 6 year old daughrity, pest management, building School and Waimea College ter and to be close to family and structures, adverse events, before taking off to university again. rural policing, fire and emergency and postal services. Staff are also supported by volunteer and other topics relevant to and use the same services be they inputs at a local level by commer- them. It also provides dedicated roads, resources, schools or local cial farmer members, especially services to recognise specific organisations. in areas of adverse events and lo- needs with information, facilita- Now living in such rural comtion, education, advocacy and munities, lifestyle block holders cal government.

The latest highly significant activ- support, as well as member dis- can accept those responsibilities ity has been the produc- counts. As with all things, mem- and join in providing a better ention of the shared HWEN bership cuts both ways. Members vironment for everybody by acReport, where the hard- get the benefit from skills and tively supporting the one organiest part has been the in- knowledgeable people working sation that represents their rural ability to keep farmers with a practical, pragmatic and community interests. informed of the process, practised approach to all levels That organisation would benefit the direction it was head- of legislation and regulation on from input from lifestyle block ing, the roadblocks and this vast array of environmental holders. Not only can they bring the frustrations. This has and social rural issues. But mem- a different and wider perspective meant farmers were dis- bers can contribute to that for the to all these issues, but their backenfranchised from the benefit of their personal property grounds, competence in many process and could not see and their rural community in the different areas and networks can the mountain of work be- face of this flood of government provide valuable contributions. hind the scenes to try and policies using one-size-fits-all The point is that if all members achieve a realistic and when it clearly does not. So their of the rural community do not accept they have a wider responinput is essential. better outrcome.

The lifestyle membership In urban terms, an annual sub sibility than just within their fee is only a quarter of is only 10% of the annual aver- boundaries for land and stock I have been living and working locally since 2008. commercial farm mem- age cafe coffee spend. It accepts ownership as well as social issues, my experience, honesty, andtell work ethic toto do. others will them what collective responsibility where aintegrity bership and represents Use And already are, often based characteristic of rural communiabout only one hour of deliver you the highest value for your number one asset. on professional input on ties is that everyone lives in the personal agendas and ideologies commission and marketing tailor madereality. to without understanding same environment, and need their behalf into all those Competitive

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TASMAN Jake Garrett with his Claas Jaguar, silage chopper used for chopping grass, whole crop and maize silage.

Photo: Supplied.

A passion for machinery Golden Bay born and bred Jake Garrett was brought up on the family farm at Rockville. He says he’s always liked the farm but his real passion has always been machinery.

Jake says he was lucky to have access to and encouragement to give things a go from a young age which helped him to build up his competency and skill driving tractors and other machinery on the family farm and machinery syndicate it was involved in. After leaving school at 15 Jake spent a year at Telford Rural Polytechnic in Otago with a mix of hands-on and classroom learning. After graduating he relocated to Canterbury to work for a large contractor operating a wide range of machinery, focusing mainly on silage harvesting and straw baling. He did this for the New Zealand sum-

mers and then took off to do the Kiwi overseas experience thing.

Tractor driving in the agricultural sector during winters, in Australia and the United Kingdom, then returning to Canterbury in the spring. Australia is where he was introduced to, ‘auto guidance in tractors,’ making them as accurate and efficient as possible which he now runs on his own machines.

It was in 2016 that he returned to Golden Bay to manage the family farm, building up the contracting side of the business.

Since then, he bought the cows and began share-milking the 100 hectare dairy farm.

He also concentrated on the contracting side of the business, starting with a seed drill, and now owns four tractors offering services from cultivation through to maize silage and

most things In between. He’s employed a full-time tractor driver and herd manager on the farm, plus seasonal casuals at peak times.

Jake says the contracting business fits well around the farming calendar. What he concentrates on is doing everything to a high standard. “I like to leave behind a job I’m proud to put my name to. It’s a job well done that gets me repeat work.”

Jake relaxes on the beautiful Golden Bay beaches, getting out on his jet-ski when time allows, and tries to get away for a winter break in the off season.

This year he is buying fifty percent of the family farm in partnership with his mother Jenny.

He says his mother is still active on the farm, especially in spring when she takes on the calf feeding role.

Federated Farmers Golden Bay ANN THOMPSON The local Dairy Section is currently focussing on the draft Dairy Cattle Code of Welfare (Code). It is adding local farmers’ voices to the national body of Federated Farmers Dairy which is working through its response to the Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI) consultation document on proposed changes to the Code. Within the same document the Ministry is also setting out preliminary recommendations on what could be lifted from the current Standards into new Regulations, with the understanding that this will be consulted on in more detail after this first round of consultation.

This is a requirement under the Act so that both paths can be examined at the same time.

Standards are ‘best practice’ with regard to raising and caring for animals and are not directly enforceable, while Regulations are, with penalties for lower level offending set out. Both the Code and the Regulations sit under the Animal Welfare Act 1999, which deals with the more severe cases of animal abuse.

Federated Farmers is well aware that doing nothing is not an option when it comes to lifting Standards into Regulation and setting out new Standards, hence the concentration of effort.

We have seen that what are

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Standards today can be lifted into Regulation tomorrow. We also know that the sector is changing, that farmers, general public and our overseas customers want all cows (and other animals) treated well, with respect. Requiring farmers to be more conscious of how they look after their animals, and for some this may mean changing practice, is reasonable.

However, the draft Code is so comprehensive it’s 84 pages long, which is over 20 pages longer than the current Code. In the proposed draft, there are 100 new Minimum Standards, 100 new best practice indicators, and 250 new example indicators. One could argue that changing behaviour is best done via practical days on a local farm, formal training and timely articles in rural newspapers, rather than sitting staff down and getting them to read the Code.

We know that not working together and submitting to MPI on the Code could see various practices that are reasonable becoming, not just poor practice, but an offence. We can also help the process by agreeing that some practices are out of date and shouldn’t be used, just like Federated Farmers did when the Animal Welfare Act was overhauled in 2015.

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Marlborough

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marlborough A new normal hoped for ANDREW RITCHIE Opening Grape Days Marlborough 2022, CEO of New Zealand Winegrowers Phillip Gregan said that after the previous two challenging years ‘a new normal is hoped for’.

Four hundred thousand tonnes of grapes were harvested in Marlborough this season. This compared with the 269,520 tonnes of the 2021 season and the 343,000 tonnes harvested in 2020.” This presents the industry with a competent platform for the future and leaves wineries with strong inventories to supply markets such as North America after the shortages of the past year.”

Covid restrictions were easing and it is hoped that this will continue. Wine sales have fallen 14% from their peak in January 2021.

Among the challenges faced during the past two years is the low level of available labour. Many are leaving the country and few are entering.

Among the 13,000 applications to come into New Zealand only 8,000 have been granted and so far only 1,000 have landed.

An application for 16,000 RSE workers has been made for this season and it is to be hoped the appointment of Michael Woods to immigration minister will hasten this outcome.

Every wine company has had to deal with the problem of logistics during the past two years, not only with the huge increase in cost and the lack of supply of containers.

The restrictions on travel have also meant that companies have been unable to travel overseas to market their wine. Increasing costs due to inflation affects everyone and the wine industry is not exempt.

“We know demand for New Zealand wines is strong, as the distinctive flavours, quality and sustainability of our wines resonate with wine enthusiasts around the world. Vintage 2022 is another step towards meeting that demand.”

Changing the face of the Marlborough Sounds ANDREW RITCHIE The Marlborough Environmental Awards Field Day to the Sounds coincided with a welcome break from the persistent rain of early June.

The trip on the water was to view the work of the Marlborough Sounds Restoration Trust which received the Supreme Environmental Award for Landscape and Habitat Enhancement. This award is sponsored by Morgan’s Road Nursery.

The aim of the trust is to rid the Sounds of wilding pines and to replace them with native vegetation.

The idea began with a group of Sounds residents writing a management plan and beginning to raise funds to seed the project, the first $4000 being provided by DOC. The first pines were poisoned in Blackwood Bay in 2008. Chairman of the Marlborough Sounds Restoration Trust, John Hellstrom, outlined the process as the group toured Maraetai Bay. Rather than felling the trees which would cause damage to the natives growing underneath and would also result in the scattering of more seed, a poison is administered to the trunk by

The Marlborough Environmental Awards Field Day viewing pines in the Marlborough Sounds in June. Photo: Supplied. boring holes and injecting a herbicide called metsulfuron-methyl. The chemical is most effective while the tree is actively growing from October to January.

Pinus radiata seed has a relatively short five-year life span but Douglas Fir seeds can remain viable for twelve years. Regrowth is controlled by hand pulling or, in the case of saplings, cutting them off close to the ground.

The poisoned trees gradually breakdown and as the

branches fall off they cause little damage as they have lost so much weight.

Gorse and broom are often the first stage to native recolonisation, and they have the ability to out-compete pine seedlings and can be used to suppress pine regrowth on some sites.

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native regrowth was obvious.

In particular, the sight of native rewa-rewa growing on the skyline. There are several examples in the Sounds where gorse has been succeeded by native species within 20-30 years with no intervention.

Browsing animals such as goats, deer, pigs and possums can compromise native regrowth after pine removal so the Trust canvassed bach owners from Lochmara to Dryden Bay and raised $80,000 to control the ungulate population.

Since then, over 500 deer, 200 goats and 50 pigs have been culled from the bush.

Possum control is the next item on the agenda. One of the judges of the entrants to the Environmental Awards, Dave Hayes, praised the Trust for their ability to collaborate with the community and said that this was their recipe for success. Using technology such as GPS to locate trees in the bush added to the efficiency of the programme.

“The Trust is clearly not a flash in the pan, the project has stood the test of time and the results are on display for all to see.”

Farming TOP SOUTH

July 2022

Marlborough

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marlborough Marlborough Federated Farmers oppose rates rise TONY ORMAN Marlborough Federated Farmers has opposed the Marlborough District Council’s proposed rates increase of 5.37% and has recommended council undertake a comprehensive review of how rates in the district are levied. The comments were made in a recent submission to the Marlborough District Council’s Annual Plan for 2022/23.

“Federated Farmers understands that this is an average for across the district and, after a survey of some local farmers, understands the increase is closer to 6% or in excess of 6%,” said Federated Farmers president Scott Adams.

The Annual Plan update stated the bulk of this increase is to cover general roading and footpaths, community facilities, environmental management, democratic

processes, solid waste management, libraries, regional development and general revenues.

“The key beneficiaries of these services are located in the Blenheim/Blenheim vicinity and Picton/Picton vicinity, not the general rural area,” he said.

If the main beneficiaries of these services are not located in the general rural area and yet the general rural area has an increase significantly above the average rates rise (5.37%).

Inflation’s 30 Year High

More broadly, Federated Farmers is concerned with such a significant rates increase in a time when annual inflation is at a 30 year high.

“Cost of living has increased dramatically, which is being driven partly by the costs of primary production. To give a couple of

examples, fertiliser has increased by over 300% in the last year and petrol and diesel continue to rise.

Both are fundamental to primary production,” he said.

Given this context, Federated Farmers considers that the Marlborough District Council needs to have a good reason for any rates increase. MDC’s constituents, particularly farmers, are currently experiencing the pressures of rampant inflation and a rates rise in the vicinity of 6% is only going to cause more angst and add to inflationary pressures,” said Scott Adams.

He emphasised that the rural community had experienced “significant consultation fatigue’, following the long term council plan consultation process and 18 months of significant central government proposals.

“Federated Farmers’ members do

not want their ‘busy silence’ to be misconstrued as disinterest in the proposed changes, in the light of a low response rate to the consultation process.” said Scott Adams.

Rates Review Needed

Federated Farmers said the same or similar rating structure has been in place for over 10 years, despite several funding policy reviews. Broadly speaking, rates are collected by MDC on the basis of land value, rather than capital value. Additionally, the current rating structure is no longer fit for purpose for flood protection in the district.

“For these reasons (and no doubt countless other reasons), Federated Farmers recommends MDC undertake a comprehensive review of how rates in the district are levied.”

Rural Roads

Among several points in the submission were:“It makes equitable sense to base rates charges on capital value rather than land value.”

“River works should be a general rate, so MDC could undertake river management on a district wide basis.”

“There is an inconsistency in using the “three waters well- being” funding from the Government when MDC opposes the Three Waters Reform.”

“MDC invest more in rural roading as a lack of attention has resulted in major damage in the recent flood events.”

“Federated Farmers opposes any further decreases in speed limit on rural roads as this is uneconomic and does not result in better safety outcomes.”

Farmers are world leading, not climate criminals TONY ORMAN Farmers are being manoeuvred by sly politics into being judged as “climate criminals” said Richard Dawkins, meat and wool section chairman to the monthly meeting of Federated Farmers.

“What would be a more honest approach is admitting that most NZ farmers are carbon neutral (study led by applied ecologist Dr Bradley Case AUT 2020) and are now being asked to cool the planet through their continued efficiencies plus technologies not invented yet,” he said. “This is a big ask, on top of producing food for some 40 million people and being New Zealand’s biggest export earner. “ Richard Dawkins said he had concerns some sections of the farming sector were ignoring the science of gross emissions vs actual warming effects of methane and were being out manoeuvred by a “politically savvy

government.” The Labour government has allowed the sector to manufacture its own demise, first through the threat of being thrown into the ETS and subsequently the HWEN solution.

He said, if the general public and other industries cannot cut emissions then arguably farmers should be rewarded for their cooling effect, instead of being taxed. “The huge irony is that if global warming is this generations ‘nuclear-free’ moment, the obvious solution to reducing fossil fuel use is nuclear power. Instead of facing this fact, the blame is shifted to agriculture and farmers deemed to be climate criminals,” he said.

The issue with New Zealand’s emissions is that the country is struggling to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

“While agriculture sector emissions have steadily declined since 1990, and we have the most GHG efficient production in the world,

every other industry has increased emissions significantly,” said Richard Dawkins.

He warned about farmers being indifferent.

“When the invoice is in your letterbox it is too late to make changes. Don’t hang your hat on a change in government fixing this issue. Stand up and be heard, apathy won’t save us.”

Hill Country Erosion

Guest speaker James Mills-Kelly, LandResources Advisor at the Marlborough District Council, spoke to the meeting about the council’s Hill Country Erosion Programme which aims to prevent the loss of topsoil and reduce sediment entering waterways from Marlborough’s hill country.

The programme, funded by MDC and MPI, provides assistance and funding support to landowners looking to treat eroding or erosion-prone land through the use of retirement, pole planting, and

native reversion planting. Information on alternative site-specific treatment methodologies is also provided by the programme.

You can contact James at 027 388 9303 or james.mills-kelly@marlborough.govt.nz

“Unfortunately, they are not capable of reducing our net emissions to any substantial degree this side of next century. They are just too slow growing compared with the exotics such as pines, eucalypts or redwoods,” said Chris Dawkins.

Carbon Farming

Rising Costs

In his forestry sector report, Chris Dawkins said the sale of farmland to foreign buyers for conversion to production forest continues unabated with 4000 ha approved last month. The bulk of this land is to be planted in radiata.

The Climate Change Commission has stated an additional 380,000 ha of plantation forest is required by 2035 to meet New Zealand’s commitments. The net stocked area of New Zealand plantation forestry has actually fallen by 40,000 ha in the last two years. As well as the 380,000 ha of exotics, the Commission also suggested 300,000 ha of new native plantings.

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In his meat and wool section report, Richard Dawkins described as “alarming”, rising costs and in particular fertiliser.

“Ravensdown announced its latest price rises which were alarming and no doubt Balance will soon follow suit,” he said, giving examples of superphosphate rising from $367 to $490, Urea from $1270 to $1432 and substantial rises for N-Protect, granular potassium chloride and granular ammonium sulphate. “With continued supply chain issues and product shortages farmers must think ahead and order early to avoid missing out on important farm inputs,” he advised.

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July 2022

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Forestry

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forestryupdate

Forestry Scholarship applications open

Applications are now open for Ngā Karahipi Uru Rākau (Forestry Scholarships) for study in 2023, giving young people a foot in the door to a career into one of New Zealand’s biggest primary sectors.

There are nine scholarships available, to those studying the Bachelor of Forestry Science or the ease Bachelor check your proof carefully of Engineering (Hons) and approve it or submit corrections by the Final Proof Alterations deadline. in Forest Engineering through e or submit changes to your ad within the ATOL system at a time that suits you. Just follow the link University of Canterbury, as well view as your ad, then click the APPROVE or CORRECTIONS button right from there - no new emails required! the Diploma in Forest Management throughpublishing Toi Ohomai. 06/24/21 LTD (RMD) booked size CSQ QUART VE “Forestry and wood processing is 100%) publication Adv Supp NEM dimensions 12.3X12.4, cms width by height New Zealand’s third largest prisection CUSTOM SQUARE proofed 9/06/2021 12:22:08 PM mary sector by export value and needs more qualified and skilled people joining its workforce,” says Marion Schrama, Manager Please check your carefullyForest and approve it orestablished submit corrections by thePhoebe Final Proof Alterations deadline.

Skills, Training and proof Workplace Service the says Naske from Gisarships provide more opportuniSafety, Te Uru Rakau – New Zeascholarship programme in 2018 borne, a scholarship recipient ties for people to study and purnow approve or submit changes to your ad within the ATOL system at a time that suits you. Just follow the link landtoForest Service. andthere first- no year science sue a wide range of careers, and to support people into higheroof email view your ad, then click the APPROVE or CORRECTIONS button right from newforestry emails required!

“It is an exciting time to be study- level study, and in particular to student this year. to ensure the forestry and wood OLSEN & CO LTD (RMD) publishing 06/24/21 booked size CSQ QUART VE ing and working in the sector, provide pathways for those who “The money is a huge help and I processing sector is diverse and 8994297AA (100%) publication Adv Supp NEM dimensions 12.3X12.4, cms width by height which is undergoing transforma- identify as female and/or Māori, value the opportunity to also do reflective of our local communisection CUSTOM SQUARE proofed 9/06/2021 12:22:08 PM tion, playing a leading role in our who remain underrepresented in paid summer internships in the ties and regions. climate change response, driving the forestry and wood processing forestry industry, where I can “The knowledge people gain by economic growth and building sector. build my knowledge and make studying forestry will help New environmental sustainability.”

“I was very excited to receive the great contacts for the future.” Zealand grow our knowledge and Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Scholarship and get into study,” Marion Schrama says the schol- skills base across forestry and

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“Creating study and career opportunities and pathways also enables the sector and Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service to continue driving advancements in science, technology, and transformation Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service is proud to be offering the scholarships, as an investment in the future of our people, the forestry and wood processing sector, and our country’s longterm environmental prosperity and response to the challenges of climate change,” says Marion Schrama.

Applications for the 2023 scholarships opened 1 June 2022, and close 15 August 2022 for the Degree Scholarships and 16 December for the Diploma Scholarship.

For more information about Ngā Karahipi Uru Rākau (Forestry Scholarships), please visit www. mpi.govt.nz/forestr yscholarships, email mpiforestryscholarships@mpi.govt.nz or phone 0800 00 83 33.

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Farming TOP SOUTH

local

July 2022

Forestry

MONTHLY

forestryupdate

Primary sector opportunities have gone begging BRENDAN HORRELL IFS Growth

Great to finally receive the He Waka Eke Noa recommendations to the Climate Change Minister.

From a Farming perspective, the willingness of the Primary sector to work together to identify opportunities to reducing agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and is commendable.

The alternative of farming entering into the ETS is a road that none of us really want to go down. HWEN has clearly brought to our attention the importance of our farming community and practice in determining New Zealand’s emissions footprint. It has brought about the benefits and opportuni-

ties of understanding our own emissions profile. Balancing this this with your forest cover, existing regen or new plantings, exotic or indigenous, will have some big financial implications to your balance sheet.

The ability to integrate trees into farms, provide enhanced farming returns and improve environmental outcomes is certainly a property specific opportunity. This may even been best achieved through wider catchment groups (which many of you have been active participants: Certainly the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, is currently researching “Could an integrated landscape approach enable rural communi-

ties and tangata whenua to achieve better climate, water, soil and biodiversity outcomes than an untargeted approach?”

Farmers represent that largest collective of private landowners in New Zealand and therefore farmers have the best opportunity to make a difference to New Zealand Emissions.

Many farmers are already aware of the opportunities with integrating trees on farms. In addition to harvest returns, family succession and even the ETS, HWEN has subtly brought benefit to farms from existing indigenous forest and vegetation that traditionally has been ignored.

Unfortunately despite the opportunity provided with

HWEN, the proposed recommendations simply does not incentivize the change and innovation New Zealand requires. When Jesus last played half back for Jerusalem, he could see what was coming and unfortunately HWEN has somehow missed the opportunity. Recall HWEN recommendations still require ministerial consideration and approval so how this eventually rolls out is now outside of our hands.

Whether we are ready or willing to work at a catchment level or not just yet, each of us has an opportunity at our individual property level and I encourage you to find out what your farm forestry and emissions profile options are.

D Stuart Forestry Ltd Independent Log Buyers Forest Managers Harvesting Marketing & Establishment

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Got something to buy, sell or promote?

Contact us: sales@nmf.co.nz Farming TOP SOUTH

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July 2022

Farming TOP SOUTH

Livestock

MONTHLY

livestock 2021/22 - The good, the bad and the ugly

June 30th signifies the end of the wool selling season and we look forward to a new season, or do we? The past season has seen continued difficulty for many crossbred wool types and a roller-coaster ride for mid-micron types, but a very buoyant market and healthy price delivery for merino types.

I’m not sure if the 2021/22 season is best described as a “game of three thirds” or “the good, the bad and the ugly”, however it was yet another interesting one complicated by Covid-19 (again!) throughout the wool pipeline, whether due to reduced labour availability at shearing or signifi-

cant transport interruption due to seaport closures in places such as Shanghai.

Since contributing my column for the previous edition of this publication, and when several wool types had enjoyed price improvement due to the then weakening of the Kiwi dollar, market pricing for both crossbred and mid-micron wool types have generally eased due to Kiwi currency strength, but also due to the lesser demand evident for a reasonably broad range of descriptions.

In the crossbred wool space during the past few weeks demand reduced for poorer coloured fleece wools, those displaying medium vegetable matter contamination and the few remaining lines of crossbred lambs’ wool, in the face of lesser competition particularly from Chinese buying interests.

Oddment types also proved more difficult to move after a period of

slight improvement. On a more positive note, full length prelamb shorn fleece plus secondshear fleece, both types displaying very good washing colour (no yellowing) and preferably zero vegetable matter contamination, drew very good interest from a range of buyers representing mainly European and UK buyers, resulting in a much wider, than earlier, price gap between poor wools and good wools.

Whilst the past month saw a limited supply of new season midmicron wool types brought to market, a few old seasons’ clips were offered after being held by growers awaiting improvement.

Other than a few very good sales for mid-micron types measuring finer than about 25 microns, the market remained rather sluggish throughout the month resulting in several lines remaining in grower ownership.

Merino wool types offered for sale during June were mainly those of oddments, however, with a few smaller lines of either full length fleece or second shear fleece available, exporters showed a keenness to bid and buy in the Christchurch auction room.

Australian broker auctions held there, prior to the Christchurch auction of 9th June, had generally delivered good solid market results and the Christchurch prices received compared more than favourably with those of across the ditch to be at levels well ahead of pre-sale expectations.

It’s been pleasantly surprising to hear and see a variety of good stories recently concerning wool and woolen products, including clothing items made from both fine and coarse wool, rugs, bags, and insulation. Fortunately, the people featured in those stories know wool’s benefits, and its

versatility as a natural renewable and sustainable fibre, however for many consumers the story of wool is not understood well. Even within NZ there are many who have no idea that wool can be a healthier product option versus a comparable synthetic product.

We often hear about carpet sales staff preferring to steer potential customers towards synthetic carpets rather than wool, for whatever reasons they may have.

Recently a close family member of mine was in the market for a new carpet but was not offered wool by the salesperson. After an enquiry about a wool carpet, it transpired that a wool option was only modestly more expensive than a similar-looking synthetic, plus I believe my close family member offered the salesperson some advice about the benefits of wool!

That’s my view.

Last ever bull sale Taimate bull sale a at Lake Station resounding success

ANDREW RITCHIE

Malcolm and Ingrid McConochie held their last ever Hereford bull sale after 40 years in the stud breeding business on a snowy day on the 13th of June. Malcolm paid tribute to the lifelong friendships and support given by buyers and fellow breeders through their association with cattle breeding throughout their term in the industry.

As far as the stud is concerned it is not over however, with 23 of their cows going to Gore with the McConochie’s daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca and Bill Paterson. Hazel and Matt Clark of Timperlea Downs at Swannanoa have added 56 females from Lake Station to their stud, and Leah and Aaron Hannah have bought 13 R2 Herefords to add to their stud, Hannah Herefords at Spring Grove.

Ingrid and Malcolm are thrilled that their cows are going on to add their genetics to the next generation of stud breeder’s herds.

“We wish them all the success and pleasure we have had from breeding cattle,” said Malcolm.

“This, our last line of bulls, is

ANDREW RITCHIE

Bulls at Malcolm and Ingrid McConochie’s Lake Station for its final bull sale. as good or better than we have turned out in the last 40 years.

As one angus breeder said to us, “why are you selling when you’ve finally got it right!” Operating under the Helmsman system of selling, 12 bulls were sold for an average of $5500 with the highest priced bull going to Waikaka, sold for $9000.

Later in the day the Martin family of Church Valley Road Wakefield sold 25 Angus bulls at auction for an average price of $7540. Top priced bull MF Lazarus 2824 sold for $20,000 followed by lot 25 MF Capitalist going for $14,000. Taimate Angus stud purchased lot 14 MF Altitude 2928 for $9000.

Two Hereford bulls sold for an average of $4750. Richard Martin stressed the importance of breeding hill country cattle that have been proven to withstand and thrive in the NZ environment.

Paul Hickman of Taimate Angus had enlarged his sale venue for this season’s sale.

This was fortunate as the seating was filled with buyers from all around New Zealand, plus a few from Australia. Paul welcomed the gathering to what he called the only genuine dryland Angus Stud left in New Zealand. He introduced some new blood to the sale in the form of Coonamble Hector H249 from Australia, saying that his sons have topped more than 40 sales and that his daughters are doing the same, with a bull selling for $250,000 out of a Hector daughter.

His faith in the bull was later confirmed when three of his sons achieved over $30,000 each.

Top price of the day would, however go to Taimate R14 at $52,000 sold to the Shian Stud from Taumaranui. Another Taimate bull sold for $34,000 to the Delmont Stud in Clinton.

Taimate sold 78 bulls for an average of $11,583. There were

Lot 1 of the Taimate bulls sold to Hakataramea for $17,000.

Photo: Andrew Richie. bulls available in everyone’s budget range and many of the bulls sold locally, giving access to bloodlines from Taimate at reasonable money.

Richard and Denise Van Asche of Burtergill South Devons, now based in Canterbury, returned to the sale at Taimate once again. The stud sold ten bulls for an average of $6150 with a top price of $8000 for Burtergill Earl 2014. Richard confessed that when the bulls were weaned,

they had gone through a tough spell feed shortage but they were now coming into their own averaging five kgs/day liveweight gain.

Despite this they had all weighed over 500kgs at weaning. The stud featured two black South Devons. Richard claimed they were for those who were colour prejudiced.

Results from the Clarence Bridge sale will appear in the next issue.

Farming TOP SOUTH

July 2022

Fertilizer

MONTHLY

35

fertilizer

Fertilizer outlook

JOHN BARNES

Managing Director Fertilizer New Zealand

Globally, fertilizer prices have increased significantly. Various factors have contributed to the widespread price increases. These include Covid disruptions, higher energy and production costs.

Shipping has been a major challenge with delays in logistics causing large disruptions. This has resulted in a move away from

“just in time” to a “what-if ” ordering strategy.

When adversity strikes it often prompts us to reconsider how we do things, and in turn we become more efficient.

Our business model has always been to provide the correct amount of fertilizer, taking into consideration the soil capacity and crops being grown.

Of course, we do need to replace the nutrients that are used up by the crops we grow, but how can

we ensure that the nutrients applied are either being used by the plant or being stored in the soil when the plant requires more? The answer to this is carbon and microbiology.

These elements combined are the sponge in the soil that absorbs and stores nutrients and prevents the nutrients from

leaching out of the soil and into our water ways.

Harsh chemicals used on our land are eroding soil microbiology, reducing the soils’ ability to retain nutrients.

At Fertilizer New Zealand we include carbon and microbiology into all our mixes as this creates an efficient, well-balanced use of the nutri-

ents to apply.

In a time where costs are rising, our goal is to make sure the products you purchase are applied efficiently and in the correct quantity for maximum output and reduced costs.

Our Field Advisors provide fertilizer recommendations based on the nutrients currently available in your soil and the type of crop grown on the land.

Call us on 0800 337 869 or visit our website www.fertnz.co.nz.

Providing magnesium with dolomite from Golden Bay

There’s no ifs and buts, our own health is only as good as the soil from which our food is grown.

A carbon rich soil alive with beneficial life will always produce more food of higher quality than that from a low carbon compacted one.

Soil is a living breathing organism, and in its ideal state contains 25% air and 25% moisture. Due to the vagaries of ever-changing weather and farming practises the ideal is seldom achieved, however it remains the perfect scenario.

Over time soils weather, with the parent material initially rock, slowly being broken down to release nutrient that allows plant life to emerge. Organic matter develops and plant growth steadily increases.

However, some nutrient is lost via

leaching and the mineral content of ground water is influenced by the soil through which rainwater steadily percolates. Over time that lost from soil due to natural weathering must be replaced if the quality of the feed grown is to retain its value.

Agricultural practises of cultivation, intensive grazing, and the addition primarily of nitrogen, has increased the rate at which the soil mineral content has been lost. There are numerous studies showing a marked decline in the mineral content of vegetables over the last 50 years, linking that to some of the ill-health issues that afflict people today.

One of the solutions is the remineralising of the soil through the addition of agricultural lime, and where soils are deficient in magnesium, an annual application of dolomite. There is only one dolomite deposit in the country, at Golden Bay. It’s a large deposit and the nibbling away that is required to meet the country’s magnesium requirements is largely inconsequential, particularly

with the ongoing replanting programme in place.

Dairy farming has a high requirement for magnesium as all lactating animals have increased demand for calcium which must be balanced with magnesium if excellent health and performance is to be attained. Because it was originally a seabed deposit laid down over millions of years, GB dolomite contains a wide range of trace elements, and over time where soil magnesium levels are maintained with its addition, the status of other essential elements is enhanced. The benefit of this is a marked improvement in animal health and performance, particularly over late winter and spring. Grasses to which dolomite is applied annually usually contain between 0.22 and 0.25% magnesium. Animals well-fed on pasture with that magnesium content receive sufficient

magnesium for the maintenance of high levels of milk production, whether they be lactating ewes, beef or dairy cows.

The recurring message from dolomite clients over the last thirty years has been, “no cows down behind the hedge at 5.30 this morning” and that in itself changes the complexion of cold, wet spring days.

Any time is an appropriate time to apply 250kg/ha of dolomite. Due to the fineness of grinding there is sufficient magnesium available for plant levels to change, often within a fortnight of it being spread.

Because dolomite is sometimes referred to as dolomite lime there are those that mistakenly believe it should not be applied during winter and spring.

Animal metabolic disorders in spring are seldom a straight magnesium or calcium deficiency. It

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is nearly always an imbalance of the two and dolomite lifts plant magnesium levels but not those of calcium.

If there is a concern about low levels of magnesium in the diet due to a lack of direct sunlight, a bin of dolomite available to animals in the paddock, or at least as they enter or leave the shed, provides further insurance. Made available in this way, without the addition of molasses or any other feed, allows animals to self-medicate. By also having a bin of lime flour available the calcium and magnesium requirements of individual animals can be met.

One of the objections to dolomite has been its cost. Given the increased price of imported magnesium products that argument is no longer valid, and dolomite has the added benefit of always being available. For more information call Peter on 0800 436 566.

36

July 2022

Farming TOP SOUTH

Horticulture

MONTHLY

horticulture

An alternative approach ANDREW RITCHIE Mark Allen of Vineyard Advisories Services promoted the idea of long spur pruning on sauvignon blanc grape vines at the gathering of viticulturists at Grape Days Marlborough 2022.

The shortage of labour during the past two years and the increasing cost of pruning puts the focus on alternatives to the traditional cane pruning methods employed in sauvignon blanc vineyards.

He doubted whether the labour force could keep up with the expansion of vineyards and maintain the 4-cane method of pruning, particularly during a wet winter.

Allen maintained that the structure of the vine should be changed, some vineyards have been employing this method for up to twelve years so the method is not new.

“The tactic of trellising has been employed in other fruit producing trees such as apples, cherries and kiwi fruit for many years.”

The method just needs fine tun-

An example of long spur pruning (left) and the resultant crop from long spur pruning (right). Photos: Andrew Richie. ing. It relieves labour pressure, saves time, reduces cost and increases light interception in the canopy.

The lower buds are less fruitful on the spur but by increasing the number of buds by creating a longer spur more fruit can be produced than on a cane pruned vine.

The cordon should be loosely run along the wire and if this is done it should last twenty years or more.

Bunches are distributed about the canopy evenly with fewer berries per bunch, reducing the effect of botrytis.

There are fewer cuts and no major surgery to the vine, therefore

EMPOWER YOUR SOIL & YOUR BUDGET All health starts in the soil. With Golden Bay Dolomite you’ll be enriching your soil with the dynamic nutritional combination of 39% magnesium and 59% calcium. Which over time optimises your soil base saturation calcium and magnesium levels. With a healthier soil, you’ll quickly improve your pasture health and growth, and the health of the animals and humans further up the food chain. Best of all, Golden Bay Dolomite is completely locally sourced, which is makes it the healthier option for your budget too.

Here’s why it’s the best single solution for soil: 59% calcium to nourish your pasture 39% magnesium to optimise photosynthesis so essential for plant growth completely natural biological fertiliser option even more effective in raising pH levels than liming

Dr William A. Albrecht

Book a free soil consultation today: 03 525 9843 sales@goldenbaydolomite.co.nz www.goldenbaydolomite.co.nz

less chance of trunk disease infection.

Two spurs are left on the head as insurance, but the method has been found to be fruitful with typical yields of 17 to 18 tonnes per hectare.

“The method has relieved labour pressure whilst at the same time reducing cost, maintaining yield,

and increasing the longevity of the vine.

The system is 40% more costeffective. Long spur pruning he estimates, costs $1.45/vine compared to a 4 cane pruned vine at $2.11c” The only challenge will be the training involved in introducing a new system of pruning.

Reducing your vineyard emissions ANDREW RITCHIE Megan Littlejohn from New Zealand Winegrowers presented some fascinating statistics on emission reduction in the grape industry, at Grape Days 2022.New Zealand signed up to the Paris Agreement on Carbon Zero in 2016 when the country pledged to reduce emissions by 50% by the year 2030. Apart from the fact that it is a legally binding agreement, it is important for wine production to have a stable environment for growing grapes.

Consumers are now looking closely at the products they purchase, expecting industry to be sustainable. Indeed, markets are becoming more demanding as evidenced by the EU Green Deal that will levy a carbon tax on products if producers cannot prove that they are measuring and managing carbon. “This does not mean that every producer needs to become carbon neutral, but by making small adjustments and by collective action, large improvements can be made to the overall reduction in emissions of the whole country.”

Last year NZ Wine Growers introduced personalised reports for growers as well as wineries in order to measure individual’s

carbon emissions. The information gathered will enable producers to benchmark their performance with others in the industry and to verify that they are meeting their requirements. One example of such a report showed that 80% of emissions came from energy use: from petrol, diesel, fertiliser, agrichemicals, and electricity.

Fifty-nine percent was made up of diesel use. In the country there are 41 thousand hectares of grapes comprising 273 thousand rows at 2.4m spacing. One tractor pass along these rows would amount to travelling the entire length of the country 108 times and would consume 250 thousand litres of diesel. If one tractor pass could be eliminated a huge saving would be made. An example would be planting inter-row cover crops which would save passing through with the mower. Beneficial insects could be attracted to take out pests and may save in the number of spray applications. Megan urged producers not to start off the season and do what they always do. “Think of making small adjustments to your management system, and collectively we will contribute to reducing the country’s greenhouse gas emissions.”

Farming TOP SOUTH

July 2022

Advert

MONTHLY

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Located in a private valley setting at the head of the Kenepuru Sounds. 68.28ha in three titles of seldom available gentle contour in the Marlborough Sounds, accessible by road 58km from Havelock township (approx 90min) and a two hour drive from Blenheim. The three bedroom residence (built 2018) is completely off-grid, powered by a Fronius solar power system with lithium battery bank providing sufficient power for all the mod-cons. A generator provides back up which has only been used minimal times since installation.

Fenced into 11 paddocks, currently a breeding and finishing unit running Angus cattle and sheep. Approx 90% can be worked with a tractor allowing for intensification and all winter supplements made on farm. The property would make an ideal deer conversion or dairy support and is located in an 1800mm rainfall area. The area offers several recreational and outdoor pursuits including hunting and fishing, the Nopera golf course, the Queen Charlotte Track, Punga Cove and Portage Resorts all within close proximity.

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38

July 2022

Farming TOP SOUTH

Motoring

MONTHLY

motoring

New clean Hyundai Country MOTORING with Ken Strungnell

This month I had planned to do a Mazda story though as it only arrived on the due date for publications thanks to the government’s vote - seeking new holiday - I thought I’d chat about the Hyundai Tucson Hybrid and PHEV. Like big brother the Santa Fe it is due in the third quarter of this year and would have been at Mystery Creek this week. However with the national Fieldays postponed till late November, I got to travel north to see the latest midsize Tucsons with the electrification addition.

First though some stats: 169kW to 195 kW powertrain with 350Nm torque. Combined fuel economy from only 4.9L per 100 km for Hybrid. Electric-only range of 56 km is claimed for the PHEV*. Six model options in

the Hybrid range adding to the eleven model petrol and diesels already in the showrooms.

Prices for the Hydrid start at $61,990 with a Clean Car rebate of up to $2,900 With the addition of a hybrid powertrain, the Tucson now has a range of electrified powertrains. The 1.6-litre T-GDi engine is paired with a combination of Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid powertrains. Combined, the petrol engine and electric motor deliver 169 kW in the Hybrid and 195 kW in the Plug-in Hybrid and 350 Nm maximum torque. The Plug-in Hybrid has an electriconly range of up to 56km.

In addition to styling and equipment shared with the rest of the range, the Tucson Hybrid range brings a number of technical changes for this powertrain, including active aerodynamics with an Active Air Flap that adjusts air intake depending on the engine coolant temperature, vehicle

speed, and more, in order to minimise air resistance and improve fuel efficiency.

The Tucson Hybrid has 2WD and AWD options. The Plug-in Hybrid is AWD. Hyundai HTRAC four-wheel drive technology and a Terrain Mode selector allows

“

The Tucson Hybrid range will be eligible for the Clean Car Programme rebate safe driving on challenging terrain. HTRAC can variably distribute driving power to the front and rear wheels depending on traction conditions. I look forward to testing this later in the year as some Hybrids I’ve driven lose ground clearance to optimise aerodynamics. In turn that

reduces their off-road ability The Terrain Mode selector, like other vehicles, is designed to provide maximum power, torque and braking depending on the surface conditions.

Hyundai showed us two trim versions that are available on both Hybrid variants, Entry and Elite.

Priced from $61,990, the Tucson Entry Hybrid specification highlights include 17” alloy wheels, LED daytime running lights, and 8” touchscreen multimedia system with wireless smartphone pairing. Elite specification starts from $66,990 and adds 19” wheels, a 10.25” driver’s supervision instrument cluster, leather seat facings, and heated front and rear seats amongst other features.

Active safety equipment standard across its SUV model range, the Tucson Hybrid range includes Lane Keeping Assist, Forward Collision Avoidance, Blind-spot Collision Avoidance, Smart Cruise Control with stop

and go, Safe Exit Assist, as well as EBD ABS ESC Vehicle Stability Control, Blind Spot Control Rear Cross Traffic Control, Forward Collision Control, Driver Attention and two of my favourites, Surround View Monitor and Keyless Entry and Start.

The Tucson Hybrid maintains the same range of eye-catching colours as the regular Tucson range, with the exception of Shadow Gray. This includes a range of metallic and pearls that are sure to make the Tucson Hybrid stand out.

All-new Hybrid models come with Hyundai’s 3 Year 100,000 km Warranty, 8 year 160,000 km High Voltage Battery Warranty, Roadside Assistance package, and 10 Year Anti Corrosion Warranty.

The Tucson Hybrid range starts from $61,990 and will be eligible for the Clean Car Programme rebate of up to $2,900 depending on the model.

PETERMUNRO.NZ

2380231

Seed Potatoes Farmers Notice Board

Farming TOP SOUTH

July 2022

Notice Board

MONTHLY

39

AVAILABLE NOW

SHINGLE

BARK

PAVERS

COMPOST

Seed Potatoes AVAILABLE NOW OPEN S 7 DAY

Got something to buy, sell or promote?

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Farming TOP SOUTH

MONTHLY

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Export SEriES the indexed rotating clamping system 3 Angle adjustments • High Grade Stainless Steel • Hygienic • Easy Care • x2 clamps included, 1x Wide Clamp & 1x Narrow Clamp

Large range in stock, motorised & tractor powered

So simple it could be serviced by your bank manager!

Designed and manufactured in New Zealand

We offer a lifetime warranty on the CNC machined main body

AVAILABLE NOW

CHIPPERS

TARANAKI ENGINEERING SOLVING A NATION-WIDE FRUSTRATION WITH LEAKING BALLCOCKS

Give us a call on

03 577 9238 to find out more.

Visit scarysharp.co.nz for the full range talk to the manufacturer toll free

0800 175 720

0800 175 720

Heavy duty PTO chippers Gravity or hydraulic roller feed 3.5”, 5”, 7” and 10” models

AERATORS

Country Lady

Got something to buy, sell or promote?

Contact us: sales@nmf.co.nz

Fast, low-disturbance compaction relief Large range of sizes from 1.5m to 5.3m!

Visit Us 109 Bolt Rd, Nelson

www.sisballcock.co.nz

Seeking Long-Term Companionship!

Tanya is an attractive, easy-going lady with blonde hair and hazel eyes.

She enjoys beach walks, nature, cooking, gardening, animals and sight-seeing.

She’s looking for someone genuine, who she can spoil and enjoy life with.

To be introduced to Tanya, please call

Farming TOP SOUTH

MONTHLY

0800 446 332

and code “Code 59” Seniors welcome!

40

July 2022

Farming TOP SOUTH

Advert

MONTHLY

UPGRADING YOUR FARMBIKE? HERE’S SOME HELP FOR PLANNING AHEAD 6 SEATER

NG AR RI VI SO ON 1 ON LY !

MULE PRO FXT

STOCKMAN

3 SEATER

$6,343

$26,952

plus gst

plus gst

A R R IV IN

G A R R IV IN SO O N

A R R IV IN

, G Q U IC K S E L L IN IS S IN G AVO ID M W! DER NO O U T, O R

2 SEATER

G

G

IN STOCK

plus gst

KLX 110, 140, 230 & 300

MULE 400 cc SX

700cc and last at this cheaper price

IN STOCK

IN STOCK

$15,213 2022

IN STOCK

Starting from

$3,999

Your local farm specialists

F

ilco Farm and Sport one of NZ’s largest dealerships has a team dedicated to servicing farm bikes, ATVs and side X sides. Covering an area basically from Kaikoura around the top of the South Island to Greymouth it’s a serious commitment. In charge of this team is Rod Payne who tasks the mobile technicians to service and repair not only Yamaha and Kawasaki two and four wheelers but other makes and models as well. He says that with the new truck set up they can repair or service bikes on farm more efficiently and quickly than a farmer bringing the bike in to town.

Filco Farm and Sport recently invested in a new 4WD which carries extensive spares and a mobile workshop so that most work can be done on farm. They have three factory-trained technicians, Wayne Scowen, who services the Golden Bay and Marlborough areas, Lenny Payne who looks after the West Coast region

and Fergus Puklowski. All three guys work in where required in all areas. They all have a passion for rural servicing and understand the importance of keeping farmer’s bikes going.

“We are pretty proud of this extension of our Nelson business and will go that extra mile for our rural customers,” says Rod. And to back that up if a repair turns out to be extensive, they can not only take the bike back to base but supply a loan quad or two seater to use while the farm vehicle gets fixed.

“Our team have a real understanding of the potential costs involved in having vehicles out of action, so we promise to work hard and fast to resolve any issues”.

The mobile farm team are regularly in your area so if your farm bike or four-wheeler is due why not give them a call on 03 547 2420 to book a technician in.

W K NO

HERE! NOW

OC IN ST

$2,299

incl

Secure your 2022 Yamaha ATV or ROV, BACK ORDER NOW!

Wayne, Lenny, Fergus and Rod.

$2,449

incl

E LABL AVAI !

W O N

ARRIVING SOON! New model. Yamaha Wolverine X2 Utility.

Powerful 850cc, 4WD, larger tip deck, high profile suspension.

ARRIVING SOON!

LARGE DECK!

$15,999

Yamaha YFM Grizzly 700cc

plus GST

Rod Payne

Dave Filer