Nelson Marlborough Farming May 2021

15,500 copies distributed monthly – to every rural delivery & P.O. mailbox in Nelson, Marlborough & The West Coast. May 2021

INSIDE Environment Award winner : Federated Farmers Reports pg 8-9

The Marlborough Sounds Restoration Trust

Bull Sales pg 12 Nitrogen friend or foe? pg 14 Country Motoring pg 19

Marlborough Sounds Restoration Trust Representatives - Andrew Macalister, Isabella Lee and Eric Jorgensen

The Marlborough Sounds Restoration Trust won the Supreme Award at the 2021 Cawthron Marlborough Environment Awards. The Supreme winner was selected from the seven category winners. The categories were Landscape and Habitat Enhancement, The Wine Industry, Forestry, Business Innovation, Marlborough Community Gardens, Marine and Farming.

The Trust was set up in 2003 to stop the spread of wilding pine trees and to bring back the native bush and distinctive skylines of the Sounds. Working with landowners, Council, Government agencies and sponsors, the Trust raises funds to employ contractors to find and poison each tree, one bay at a time. As the pines die off native bush returns. The Trust’s efforts have had a huge impact on the appearance and biodiversity of the Sounds. They are leaders in wilding pine control and eagerly share their knowledge with similar groups around the country.

Supported by Marlborough District Council, the Cawthron Institute, the Department of Conservation and many local sponsors the Awards are held every two years to showcase businesses and community projects that protect and enhance the environment. Public Field days will be held with all winners over the next few months so that they may share their knowledge and experience with the public.

Andrew Ritchie

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RSE workers

By Stuart Smith MP Covid-19 has brought a variety of issues onto New Zealand’s shores since early 2020, some of them have been mitigated, but others are still ravaging on.

For our grape growers, they are really struggling without sufficient numbers of Recognised Seasonal Employee (RSE) workers to prune vines. This is putting considerable pressure on growers following a smaller than expected vintage due to frost and unfavourable weather at flowering.

New Zealand’s wines have an international reputation for quality, and that quality is reliant in part at least on RSE workers who enable the relatively high input, attention to detail which our wine is known for. We have an industry that has so much potential however we are being restricted by the Government’s lack of willingness to open the border for our important RSE workers. The need is there because there simply aren’t enough Kiwis willing to do the job.

RSE workers predominantly come from the Pacific Islands, and it’s ultimately a win-win situation for both parties. New Zealand gets the workers and the vines get pruned, but the Pacific Island countries get the remittances they really need at the moment. I visited Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands a couple of years ago and was pleased to see how valued the RSE scheme is in these communities.

These workers show massive courage to leave their homes and come and work in New Zealand, with the opportunity to learn valuable skills while also earning a decent wage for their efforts. No governmental agency at home is taking a slice of the worker’s pay either. They get full autonomy over the money they earn which makes a huge difference in their lives and the lives of their families.

In terms of the risk from Covid-19, it is minimal as Vanuatu, Samoa and Tonga are completely free from the virus. Similarly, some of our larger RSE providers have their own facilities which could act as managed isolation and quarantine facilities if required.

RSE workers have become a substantial part of many communities around New Zealand. They are absolutely crucial to the success of local economies such as ours, which rely on their labour and they are recognised as such.

Ultimately, our region produces some of the world’s best wine, but we are restricting ourselves by not allowing RSE workers into the country to not only help us but help themselves in challenging times. The Government can and should do better in this situation.

Cawthron Marlborough Environment Awards

Murray and Tania Frost winners of the farming Award with Phillip Neal Chairman of Federated Farmers sponsors of the category The Supreme winner was selected from the seven category winners announced at the Awards Dinner. The winners are:Landscape and Habitat Enhancement: Marlborough Sounds Restoration Trust Wine Industry: Lawson’s Dry Hills Innovation and continuous improvement are pat of Lawson’s Dry Hills DNA. They are one of the few wine companies to achieve the rigorous ISO accreditation for both Sustainability and Carbon Neutrality.

Leading the way in recyclable and biodegradable packaging, generating solar power and water conservation.

Forestry: OneFortyOne Kaituna Sawmill A highly successful sawmill that has cut its greenhouse gas emissions by 46%. An inefficient kiln fuelled by waste oil has been replaced by a Biomass Energy Centre that runs on wet sawdust and shavings. All wood processed at the mill comes from sustainable forests, certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

Business Innovation: Pinoli Premium Pine Nuts The Pinoli team have created a new food product for New Zealand after extensive research overseas to source the European stone pine best suited to local conditions.

Sustainability and climate adaption is at the core of the pine nut business – the trees are drought resistant, control erosion, sequester carbon throughout their 100-year lifespan, and all waste product and prunings are

turned into mulch, firewood or sold for biofuel.

Marlborough Community Gardens Te Whanau ki Wairai ki Mara/Marlborough Community Gardens has come a long way in 10 years. From a weed infested wasteland, the well organised plots now grow fifty different types of vegetables, and has become a gathering place to learn about sustainable gardening, share and support each other. More than 100 growers are involved and surplus fruit and veges are donated to the Food Bank and other organisations.

Marine: Marine Farming Association Mussel farmers are working with Auckland University and NIWA to restore the wild mussel beds of Te Hoiere/Pelorus Sound. These were wiped out 40 years ago through dredging and overfishing, and the MFA is trialling ways to bring the mussels back to provide kai moana, a nursery for fish and a way to filter sediment from the Sound.

Farming: Mount Oliver Over the past eight years, Murray and Tanya Frost have turned around a run-down, non-compliant dairy farm at Mahakipawa.

Working to a Farm Environment Plan, they’ve fenced off streams, installed a new effluent pond, and focussed on improving soil fertility. Rather than resisting compliance standards they have embraced them and are now doing more than what’s required.

May 2021

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May 2021

Joe Blakiston’s

The Indian summer continues with great autumn growth in many areas except for the East coast of Marlborough which is in the grips of a very dry period ...again.

All signs point to another mild winter and the outlook for the next season is looking pretty strong across most farming classes which is encouraging for those in the primary sector.

Across the country PGGWrightson Real Estate are now seeing a number of dairy farm sales being transacted and a general confidence in the financiers, farmers and industry commentators which is seeing much more liquidity in dairy farm sales and values. The dairy strongholds of Canterbury and Southland are seeing values for blue chip farms approaching those of several years ago as corporate and larger farming families look extend their land holdings.

A strong dairy industry is vital to our economy.

There is however a clear message to the dairy industry this winter to be very aware of environmental issues over the coming months with dairy grazing and run offs being in the spotlight with the new water quality

regulations in mind. Across the board this should be a reminder to all farmers that we are very visible to the media and general population do take notice of what goes on inside the farm gate.

This message will continue to ramp up so be aware!

Has everyone noticed how busy the Top of the South has been in the last 2 months with tourists and families all out and about?

That must be encouraging for many businesses and with the TransTasman bubble hopefully bring a few extras into New Zealand to keep things on a roll.

The number of caravans, camper vans and e-bikes on the roads and tracks around is incredible which proves that kiwis are on the move. So why not take the opportunity to head off and catch up with some old mates or family when you get the chance.

And of course, our sales team have been making plenty of sales and would welcome your enquiry should you be considering selling.

Talk to rural and lifestyle experts.

Joe Blakiston 0274344069

Federated Farmers Golden Bay Report Sharemilkers and Contract Milkers now have representation in Golden Bay, with Clay Paton being elected as the Sharemilkers’ Section Chairperson at the recent Federated Farmers’ Golden Bay AGM. Clay is a Contract Milker, milking 640 cows on 210ha in the Collingwood area.

While sharemilkers and contract milkers fall within the Federated Farmers Dairy Section, it’s really good to have someone who is well able to answer any queries about this special business structure from a local perspective and who still has skin in this game. Often the queries can be answered by going back to the contract and clarifying the obligations (e.g., who pays for the rubberware) but it’s also useful for discussing other issues which crop up in this business.

The success of a Sharemilking/Contract Milking business will always depend on having a good relationship with the farm owner and Clay knows how important this is, given he has worked for the same farm owner for some years, first as a dairy trainee, then as manager. Now he’s into his second season there as a contract milker.

The national Sharemilkers’ Section, together with the Sharemilker

Ann Thompson ‘New Sharemilkers’ Section chairperson

Farm Owners’ Section, is tasked with keeping the Federated Farmers Sharemilking Agreement (both Herd Owning and Variable Order) and Federated Farmers Contract Milking Agreement up to date and reflecting current practice. Last year the Contract for Contract Milking was updated and now includes a Guaranteed Minimum Return (GMR) which requires both parties to develop a detailed and accurate budget before signing the agreement. The GMR will only be triggered if the actual income less the agreed budgeted Contractor costs fall to or below the GMR percentage agreed by the production calculator. The agreed budgeted costs can be reviewed at any time.

The GMR does not replace the importance of due diligence before signing a contract milking agreement and highlights the need to fill in the contract in its entirety. This does take time, but is important.

The AGM returned all the sitting chairs, with Wayne Langford remaining as the Golden Bay President, Pax Leetch as Meat & Wool Chairperson and Cherie Chubb as the Dairy Chairperson.

BOOK REVIEW “With Few Regrets” by Dave Richardson (self-published) Price $60 plus $8 postage, total $68. Available from author, 9 Beatrice Place, Rarangi, Blenheim R.D. 7273. E mail contact wekarich@xtra.co.nz Payment by direct credit. Reviewed by Tony Orman.

Dave Richardson grew up in Hawkes Bay, mad keen on hunting and adventure. Almost inevitably he became a deer culler but as deer prices soared he soon took up commercial hunting, using fixed wing aircraft, jet boats in Fiordland lakes and finally helicopters.

The book is big - 450 pages with plentiful photographs - and an absorbing insight into the “deer wars”, the mismanagement of wapiti and the politics involved. Using his personal diaries the author tells not only his story but also many of the people he worked with. His career as a hunter ended with a horrific crash due to poor “chopper” maintenance, resulting in the tragic loss of his shooter while Dave sustained severe spinal injuries.

It’s a very good read - highly recommended.

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Defrag the Industry – Action

By Garrick Batten Harvard agricultural economist John K Galbraith observed in 1992 that “agriculture works well under the widely accepted and much celebrated form of exploitation, that by a farmer of himself, his family, and his immediate and loyal hired hands.” Surely a bond of common interest and survival as the one ring to bind them all.

Agriculture faces a huge workload as farming organisations respond to multitude effects on their industries such as the environmental issues of climate change, freshwater, biosecurity and RMA. Add to international trade, all aspects of employment, animal welfare, work and safety, land access, property rights, tenure review, farm structures, pest management communications, rural health and wellbeing, rural services, education, all forms of transport and local and regional government with regulations covering many on-farm activities. The list goes on. Agriculture knows these threats could drown it in a legislative soup over the next decade.

The industry has three parts of farm, farming systems, and farmers who know data, systems, capabilities and limitations of their business. That means all farmers, dairy, sheep, beef, arable, horticulture, pigs, poultry, lifestyle block owners, men and women. Their sector groups as well as their service industries. They use those three parts together on a constant journey to sustainability, profitability and economic survivability in the interests of rural communities and all New Zealand, not individual sectors.

They all need to show they can operate within regulations using scientific facts, education, and better communications that can point out benefits and consequences to the public, not themselves, of positive and negative decisions and actions in the wider context of the environment and the economy. If for no other reason, there is an urgent need to simplify duplication of compliance reports to reduce increasing and astonishing costs driven by overambitious cost recovery and clear padding. There are local and international precedents for coalescing and working more closely together in matters of common interest, and the world is showing that working together gives strength.

National consolidation is happening by stealth anyway with health boards, polytechs, threewaters and biodiversity, all accompanied by lessening of local representatives. The government has decreed that three West Coast district plans should be rolled into one.

Agriculture has started with such as the Primary Sector Council, Food and Fibre Leaders Forum, Dairy Environment Leaders, and He Waka Eke Noa for methane management. But the public needs to hear only one united voice.

That reproduces the proven Roman ‘united we stand together we fall’ as being separate loses strength and is more easily countered. That next step to one agricultural voice must be taken soon. The UK National Farmers Union has shown that various production sectors can be united into positive and powerful political force. The best farmers are not necessarily the best politicians, but the industry needs leadership from all. Together. Now. Garrick Batten, Brightwater, is a qualified and experienced agriculturalist, facilitator, and goat industry specialist. www.caprinexnz.com www.ruralscribe. wordpress.com

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Trusts Act 2019 Now in Force: So what now?

As most of you will be aware, the Trusts Act 2019 (the Act) came into force on 30 January 2021. Now that the dust has settled somewhat, and the Act is in force it is a good time to consider what practical steps are required under the Act for Trustees.

Core Documents E a c h t r u s t e e i s n ow obliged to keep copies of the trust’s core documents, most importantly the trust deed and any document varying the terms of the trust among a number of other documents.

Trustees must either keep their own copies of these documents, or ensure that at least one of the other

trustees holds all of the core trust documents and will make them available on request. If you are not confident in your fellow trustees’ ability with paperwork, it is prudent to keep these documents personally.

Trustee Duties Under the Act, trustees are now required to comply with a number of mandatory duties and default duties if they are not specifically excluded in the trust deed. The mandatory duties merely state principles of trustee conduct that have long been acknowledged as being part of the law (such as acting honestly and in good faith).

If a default duty has not been modified this may

mean that trustees cannot now do things that they have become accustomed to doing.

Disclosure of Trust Information Trustees now have an express duty to actively consider what information they will give to beneficiaries.

Trustees do retain discretion about what information they provide, but there are now two important statutory presumptions. These are that: All beneficiaries should be told that they are beneficiaries, be given trustee contact details (updated as trustees change) and be advised that they have rights to request information; and Trustees should provide

other trust information to beneficiaries on request.

Trustees need to ensure that they have complied with the above two principles actively. Have you disclosed to all beneficiaries that they are in fact beneficiaries?

While trustees do not have an absolute obligation to disclose information to beneficiaries when asked to do so – there are various factors specifically listed in the Act that can be considered before making a final decision – the presumption is now more heavily weighted in

favour of disclosure. Those factors include considerations such as the nature of beneficiary interests, beneficiary ages, any confidentiality obligations and the effect the release of information could have on family relations. It will be important to record where these factors are relied upon.

We Can Help If you or your fellow trustees would like further information about any of these items, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team at Pitt & Moore for advice.

Claire Broad, Senior Solicitor, Pitt & Moore Disclaimer: The information contained in this publication is of a general nature and is not intended as legal advice. It is important that you seek legal advice that is specific to your circumstances.

New Farm Consultant in the Top of the South After a decade in banking Marlborough rural manager Cameron Doig is returning to Agribusiness Consultancy- establishing a practice covering the Top of the South, North Canterbury and the northern West Coast. Prior to banking Cameron worked in consultancy roles in New Zealand and throughout the UK for over ten years. While for most of that time he was self-employed he ultimately ended up working for Britain’s largest land owner- the Duke of Buccleuch.

With a base of work already lined up he is also looking to get on the road and seek new clients.

“It’s an interesting time with the main banks all lukewarm on the Agri sector at best, largely at the behest of the regulators. This is seeing service levels fall off as resources are reduced and an unusually wide range in rates offerings as banks prioritise return on their capital over market share. Farmers and land-owners need to be fully aware of the relative strength of their position to negotiate effectively in this environment.”

Cameron has agreed to provide editorial content on a regular basis going forward in Nelson Marlborough Farming. Watch out for his thoughts on:Cashflow budgeting and farm cashbook software Leasing- a weakness of the New Zealand ag industry?

Viability- profit’s big brother!

Money can’t buy me love- non financial goals and aspirations are the most important drivers on the farm?

The Farm Debt Mediation Scheme.

Benchmarking- not just about top 15% One to one benchmarking.

May 2021

Another red tractor for Mt Heslington farmers A few weeks ago, we hitched a ride with Terry and Brian from BMTT when they were delivering a new Case tractor to Roger and Pam Buschl in Mt Heslington Road near Brightwater.

We grabbed the opportunity to get a bit of history…

Roger has been on the farm all is life, his father, Sid Buschl bought the farm and moved the family there in 1954. It was 109 acres. Ten years later he bought the neighbouring farm which was another 104 acres and had been used as a market garden.

Sid decided to get into milking and a cow shed was built on that flat side of the farm. It started out as a walk through shed and later upgraded to the Herringbone style. That started Roger’s 50-year career milking cows. The farm ran about 140 dairy cows. In the early days they grew potatoes and peas on the hill areas as well. Ploughing was done with a team of horses. Roger says that when he was a youngster at school, “all I wanted to do was be home farming. Over the years, we have had sheep, dairy grazers, and a few years with Angora goats, which mixed well with beef cattle, keeping the gorse and weed down. My father bred pigs for many years, but now, for me, it’s just a bit of pig hunting for recreation.”

Roger says that over the years he has bought nine new Case tractors from BMTT. “My love of Case started with my father having a David Brown 25 and traded up to an 885 which is still working now and in a collection, which includes 1194, 30TD and 40TD crawlers. They were all displayed at a local David Brown Expo at Higgins Park. I am a loyal red Case man. I have a Maxxum 140 contracting with post-driving and the CVT 160 for mowing and ground-work.” Roger adds: “I have stuck with BMTT for many years. They are friendly and easy team to deal with when purchasing any farm equipment from mowers, rakes to balers. Their service team has the expertise and reliability, and the after- hours breakdown service they offer is so important in that busy season.”

The latest Case on the Buschl property is a CVX 150 – it’s the highest horsepower of the Maxxum series with the 6.7litre Tier4 engine and a longer wheelbase and improved turning radius – It certainly has great road manners when we followed it from BMTT in Appleby to the Buschl property in Brightwater.

Terry says that the lighting is ‘brilliant’ too, great for night-time use. If you have any questions about Case tractors give Terry a call on 027 430 2072 or Trev on 027 530 3073.

Roger with some of his collection

Terry Thompson from BMTT with Pam and Roger Buschl

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Marlborough Federated Farmers Report Marlborough Federated Farmers is taking firm action to get official recognition of the severe drought currently affecting the region’s district around Seddon and Ward. In a wide ranging canvassing, Marlborough Federated Farmers will take the matter up the Ministry of Primary Industries, the Minister of Agriculture, National’s agriculture spokesperson David Bennett, Kaikoura MP Stuart Smith, Federated Farmers NZ and Marlborough District Council mayor John Leggett.

Earlier, with some east coast farmers present, discussion centred around the depth and impact of the localised drought.

Wa r w i c k L i s s a m a n ,

farmer from inland of Seddon, said it was disheartening to East Coast farmers and families to hear the Ministry of Primary Industries state the ministry was “waiting and watching.”

“It’s simply lip service.

There’s more to drought than total rainfall. Soil moisture is the crucial factor. People finding excuses to back out of action is frustrating. Plus the lack of recognition is disheartening.”

Vi c e - p r e s i d e n t S c o t t Adams said the public did not always recognise drought as the dominance of grapes gave an illusion of green.

“The biggest beef is for there to be recognition of the dire state. We need

MPI to declare a drought and get it kick started.

Can Marlborough District Council do something?”

However, Marlborough District Councillor Francis Maher it was not up to the Marlborough District Council to assist. But he supported recognition of the drought conditions.

Ward farmer Ally Avery described the pressure on farmers and families.

“Fatigue is currently a common factor. New Zealand farmers tend to be stoic and reluctant about asking for help. Currently there’s financial stress, selling capital stock, extra feed needs, paddocks could not be drilled as was too dry and hard, lucerne not growing like it should be and overall it can be

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pretty grim,” she said.

“Our women, men, families with a drought on top of three earthquakes are really under pressure with stress evident. Morale can be low.”

Warwick Lissaman said MPI’s policy is not appropriate. “It’s not fit for purpose,” he said.

The motion calling for an adverse event be declared for the East Coast, noting the extreme severity of the drought and the need for assistance that was passed included reference to the need for the Adverse Events Policy wording to be changed to recognise smaller local areas that were affected by adverse weather events.

Letter Contents The letter drafted was as follows:“At the recent general meeting of the Marlborough Province of Federated Farmers NZ it was moved that a letter be sent regarding the extreme severity of drought on the East Coast of the South Island.

It described the effects of the prolonged drought which on top of the Kaikoura earthquake was causing hardship and stress.

“Fatigue was a factor with constant feeding out required and morale was very low. Farmers have been selling capital stock and/or buying in extra feed, at significantly higher quantities than in a dry autumn, reflecting the 18months plus time frame. Paddocks could not be drilled as was too dry and hard with lucerne not performing as it should be. Stock water is of significant concern in south Marlborough, a

wider geographical area is fast joining those in the Flaxbourne community, the hardest hit to date.”

In his monthly president’s report Phillip Neal described the east coast drought situation as dire.

“I noted on the MDC site that Seddon has had only a little rain and further down to Ward there has been virtually no rain at all. Something must be done to help.”

United and Strong Phillip Neal said being a policy and advocacy organisation means Federated Farmers as an organisation, is not necessarily attractive to farmers.

Farmers may decide to go to innovative field days, rather than attend a meeting - many are “time poor” - but currently farming is going to be put under more pressure from central government.

“We have never previously needed to be so united and strong. We farmers need to resist ideological and impractical policy’s coming from central Government and to a lesser extent local government,” he said.

There is a need to attract farmers to Federated Farmers, new as well as younger members - especially targeting those living south of Blenheim - to come to meetings, that would enable us to be better informed, as to more current situations.

Insult Freshwater “reforms” are currently under debate and Marlborough Federated Farmers met with Marlborough District Council councillors and staff with the aim to facilitate better communication with

councillors and council staff especially over the new proposed freshwater monitoring and associated charges. Scott Adams reported that answers to a series of prepared questions were not wholly satisfactory tending to be generalisations and often vague.

“Marlborough Federated Farmers spent a lot of time formulating eight questions that related to Marlborough Farmers on a local level and the reply from staff members seemed a cut and paste exercise from the RMA rule book. That information we’d already read as well as listened to at the previous meeting. This quite frankly was an insult to the Federated Farmer members intelligence,” he said.

Councillor and member Francis Maher had not seen the questions sent into council staff. (A copy is to be sent to him) Rate Rise Discussion centred around the Marlborough District Council’s proposal to raise rates 6 percent.

Scott Adams commented, “Council should be aware of farmers’ financial struggles. We’d like a percent pay rise but farmers’ costs, indeed the whole community’s costs, keep going up.”

Delegates questioned council’s spending priorities with controversial projects like poorly designed cycle ways within the town and bus shelters costing $500,000.

Briefs (a) Lower Waihopai valley farmer David Dillon said he had received a letter from a bank offering

Tony Orman support because the grape harvest was down. “Do banks only care about viticulture not agriculture?” he asked. It was noted that this year the Research Centre had reported grapes were wilting in the late summer because of the low soil moisture. (b) Chilean Needlegrass There has been a national Chilean Needlegrass steering group set up comprising those areas with Chilean Needlegrass, i.e., Marlborough, ECan and Hawkes Bay. Gravel stockpiles have caused issues as gravel is being moved around onto farm roading. The Needlegrass was washing down the hills and then getting caught up in the gravel. There is a need of behaviour change to not use this gravel. (c) John Allen of Grovetown spoke on a solution for declining waterways by planting around waterways, kanuka, manuka and hanuka which have healing properties to the water and aided purification.

“We see the health benefits in honey. I’m suggesting it can go beyond that to help the ailing health of waterways,” he said. (d) Kathryn Stewart of the Chamber of Commerce spoke on Business Management Funding. The Marlborough Chamber of Commerce can offer business support and business coaches are available. These have helped set business up and assist them with digital marketing and cloud computing and can help with Export business. Businesses do not have to be a member of the Chamber of Commerce.

BOOK REVIEW “The Treaty – Basic Facts” by Mike Butler, published

by Tross Publishing, Wellington.

Price $25. Available in most book shops or through the website <www.trosspublishing.co.nz>reviewed by Tony Orman The Treaty of Waitangi is currently the subject of much discussion fuelled by demands for treaty claims and is an issue which can very strongly polarise opinion. Author Mike Butler is therefore a brave man. The book delves back to the original texts of the treaty by recalling evidence of what the 1840 Maori chiefs said about it, for and against therefore with no apparent bias. The author exposes the subsequent reinterpretations in the 20th and current century which strived to change original meanings and is critical of “fudges” by “politicians, academics and the media”.

“The 30-year social experiment using the treaty and reinventing New Zealand’s history has gone on for long enough,” he writes.

Author Mike Butler has done a probing, thought provoking exercise which poses several questions such what are treaty principles, what is the Waitangi Tribunal, should NZ adopt a treaty-based constitution and should the treaty be understood in its context of be subjected to perpetual reinterpretation according to the current political orthodoxy and other pertinent questions.

It is a very important book to read – and then think.

A small criticism, a book of this nature should have had an index.

May 2021

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Nelson Federated Farmers Report The current legislative attack on agriculture dominated reports and discussion at the April zoom meeting that would have benefited from a wider member attendance as every zoom meeting is open to members.

President Martin O’Connor reported on the President’s national catchup meeting that included administrative matters. He elaborated on FF actions behind closed doors to influence proposed legislation and regulations, noting very small changes including the one-year trial of winter grazing rules. The focus on environmental

issues also occurred at local level with Tasman District LT Plan proposals that conflicted with other government changes including the RMA and Three Waters governance and funding. The Waimea Community Dam and treatment of community water supplies are critical specific local issues, but proposed rates increases related to planned activities with limited value to farmers have been noted.

Kerry Irvine, Meat and Fibre sector chair reported on their recent national meeting including presentations by B&LNZ, and the Wool Improvement

Group indicating potential significant raw wool price increases if product developments are successful.

The meeting had expressed general unease about various rules relating to aspects of water, especially slope mapping, as it is evident that these will be imposed.

He noted that encouraging comments in Minister O’Connor’s address needed to be heard in the context of the majority Labour government.

That conference heard about changing consumer food preferences and needs influenced by age, attitudes, budgets and buying opportunities with some

speculative conclusions.

A practical issue flowing from changes in the Animal Welfare Code has been processors noting docked tail length on slaughter lambs not reaching minimum.

Stephen Todd, Dairy sector chair noted his experiences from their national meeting visiting the zoo with its animal welfare issues in common, Port automation to reduce product export costs and work safety issues, and meeting Labour Party politicians at Parliament to improve FF liaison. Tim Mackle contributed DairyNZ comment on ongoing regulatory issues, and Fonterra

presented information on product marketing changes and consumer expectations incorporating emotions.

Steven endorsed Martin and Kerry’s comments about Minister O’Connor’s messages and FF activities behind closed doors to achieve necessary changes.

He also commented on the one-year winter grazing rules trial that will be largely influenced by this winter’s conditions in Southland, and FF emphasis on district rather than national rules, despite general distrust that these would be actually implemented. He noted the Greens are pushing harder

on environmental policies in the context of the unfortunate effect of Minister of Conservation Allan having to stand down after having already shown a positive attitude in wanting to make agriculture work for all New Zealand, in contrast to her predecessor.

These reports and further information from sector chairs are available to all members for further information and discussion. For example, at this meeting there was also discussion about the reported issue of lack of profitability for bobby calf and casualty stock disposal in the Waikato in particular, TB out-

breaks and M. bovis. Then discussion about forestry impact on land use and water yields that is particularly relevant NelsonTasman, carbon farming and the complexity of rules that need careful interpretation on individual farms.

The AGM is on 12 May 3-5 p.m. at the Upper Moutere Community Centre, where President Andrew Hoggard will be presenting on FF activities and future visions and expectations.

Members need to be there to support their industry.

See the Rural Support Top of the South event flyer on pg 18.

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May 2021

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Top of the South bull sales offer plenty of choice The month of June signals the start of the sales in the Nelson Marlborough region and buyers have a lot to choose from. Lake Station Herefords kick the season off at 11am on Monday June 14. Lake Station pride themselves in breeding commercially relevant cattle that can thrive and survive in harsh climates. The farm is situated at a height of 525metres close to the Alpine village of St Arnaud and is subjected to extremes of heat and cold. The aim of the stud is to breed bulls that will produce steers that are finished at 300kgs carcass weight within 18 months. Females are bulled as yearlings and are expected to rear a quality calf annually. Stud owner Malcolm McConnochie is impressed with the way the bulls have turned out this year. “Cattle bred in the harsh conditions at Lake Station will shift well anywhere you care to send them,” says Malcolm.

Later on the same day Martin Farming hold their annual Hereford and Angus Bull Sale. This year they will offer 30 Angus and 10 Hereford R2 bulls. Owner Richard Martin believes the feature of this year’s line-up is the consistency of hill country bred type, carcase confirmation, and a favourable balanced genotypic data set throughout the entire catalogue.

He reinforces that again; all lots have been independently assessed and scored for structural soundness and have undergone stringent fertility testing by Tararua Breeding Centre.

Martin Farming warmly welcomes everyone to their open day on Friday 28th May 10-4pm where the sale bulls will be on display. If you are unable to attend, please give Richard a call on 027 2303098 to arrange a more suitable time.

So, a reminder: Lake Station Hereford sale is 11am Monday June 14 followed by Martin Farming Angus/Hereford at 2:30 in the afternoon. Blenheim Bull Sale is on June 21 followed by Taimate Angus and Burtergill South Devons. The following day Woodbank Angus and Matariki Herefords hold their annual combined sale.

Above - Martin Farming Angus and Hereeford bulls

Lake Station have a selection of bulls for sale on June 14

Lake Station bull

May 2021

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Nitrogen – Friend or Foe? John Barnes, Fertilizer NZ

Tough seasons show what pastures can handle the conditions Article supplied by OsGro Seed Services

Nitrogen has had some bad press recently. Yes, it can leach and yes, it can get into the waterways, but without nitrogen nothing will grow. It is one of the major necessary elements.

This is because nitrogen is vital as it is a major component of chlorophyll, the compound by which plants use sunlight energy to produce sugars from water and carbon dioxide (i.e., photosynthesis). It is also a major component of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins.

Soils contain many kilograms of nitrogen. In fact, many soils could contain 250 kilograms or more per hectare per year. This could be enough to grow much of the pasture or crops needed for a successful season. But often testing for nitrogen in the soil is not being done.

Because of these reasons, nitrogen is our friend and it is absolutely needed.

Where we have problems is that nitrogen levels are not being included in a standard soil test. As farmers we cannot monitor what we are not measuring. So, the question is how much nitrogen do you have in

your soils and how much do you need for your farming operation?

This is where some people are telling us that nitrogen is a bad product and the input of this element will need to be reduced. Some tell us that nitrogen is leaching and this could be the case. There has been a lot of research on both sides of the discussion. But facts must be produced by both sides. From a farmer’s point of view, I would suggest that farmers should be measuring what the nitrogen levels are in the soil and how much is being utilised by the plant, and then apply whatever the deficit is in nitrogen. If there is a deficit, how should this nitrogen be applied? Traditionally nitrogen is applied as a dry product, but this has some problems.

Some of the nitrogen will be lost into the atmosphere, and an example of this is to leave some nitrogen like urea on concrete and see how long it takes before melting into a liquid, and as I understand it some of this will go into the atmosphere.

On the soil, much will go into the soil and become plant available which is

the reason it was applied.

However, once it goes into the soil and there is a rain event, there is a possibility that some may go past the root system and be lost to the plant and this is a loss to the farmer.

However, if nitrogen is applied as liquid, the following is the likely outcome.

Almost none will be released into the atmosphere, as liquids do not tend to volatise. Very little could leach into the soil as most of it is applied to the leaf, which is the target area. If the nitrogen is sprayed onto the leaf and dries on, then there is almost no chance to lose the nutrients to the atmosphere or into the soil.

So, to recap, nitrogen is our friend and used correctly does not need to be our foe.

Monitoring, however, is absolutely necessary.

How to use liquid N.P.K.S. products is quite complex and needs to be handled with care. There are companies that have expert experience in mixing and applying liquid fertilisers.

Fertilizer New Zealand has several decades of expert experience in using these products. To be part of this experience get in touch with us today on 0800 337 869.

We are again in the middle of another prolonged dry spell in parts of Marlborough, and last year this was widespread over both Marlborough and Nelson. Farming in these conditions is not easy by any means, and can have long term effects on both pasture and livestock production.

Droughts can be extremely hard on pastures, extremely pasture persistence. Quite often after a drought breaks, we see pastures have a significant amount of broadleaf weeds and thistles. This is due to the pasture sword being very open and plenty of bare dirt. A large number of the resident pasture species dying due to the dry conditions.

Every plant needs water to grow, there is no doubt about that, what we are seeing is some plant species are more tolerant and persistent of prolonged dry spells than others.

Cocksfoot seems to be extremely hardy and tolerant of prolong dry spells, it is the first thing to green up after a rain event, and can tolerate hard grazing. There has been some resistance to planting cocksfoot due to its perceived unpalatableness. Cocksfoot breeding has moved a long way in the last 20 years, known cultivars are softer and less

clumpy if managed correctly. Derek Moot said at a recent field day in Ward, “as long as cocksfoot has nitrogen then it is palatable”. This can be nitrogen provided by legumes.

Sub Clover is the go to legume in dry environments. It is an annual so strikes in the autumn and dies late spring / early summer. There are a number of sub clover varieties on the market all with different flowering dates etc. so is important you get the right variety for your situation. Sub clover is extremely persistent, even with poor management.

Lucerne has been extremely well publicised as a key dryland forage crop. Once again it does need water to grow, and in the extreme dry it will just shut, but once again after rain it just bounces back quickly and provides extremely good quality feed.

Other species to look at and consider in dryland situations are Tall fescue. Tall fescue has a large fibrous root system and can grow up in up to 35 degrees air temperature.

Broome is a tough persistent grass that can tolerate summer dry but cannot tolerate waterlogging in the winter.

Module unveiled to guide farmers into improved intensive winter grazing practices

Extra monitoring and a range of practical support is being rolled out to help farmers achieve immediate improvements in intensive

winter grazing practices, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced today.

Intensive winter grazing (IWG) is a farming practice where livestock, such as cattle and sheep, progressively graze areas planted with fodder crops.

It is widely acknowledged that, if done poorly or too extensively, the activity has serious negative effects on both animal welfare and the environment, particularly freshwater and estuary health.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), Ministry for the Environment (MfE), councils and industry representatives, have developed an online tool to help improve practices to benefit freshwater quality and animal welfare.

“The 2021/22 Intensive Winte r G ra z ing Mod-

ule highlights practical solutions farmers can take to mitigate the effects of grazing livestock on fodder crops during the winter months,” Damien O’Connor said.

“They include leaving a buffer of at least five metres next to waterways, grazing crops top down where they grow on a slope, and using portable water troughs to limit livestock movements.

“The module contains a template that farmers can use to develop a plan to manage their intensive winter grazing activities, if they don’t already have one.

“Farmers with existing plans need to update them to reflect the expectations set in this module,” Damien O’Connor said.

The module will be used to inform IWG components of existing and new farm plans and enable them to be

tested and incorporated into wider certified freshwater farm plans when they are rolled out from early 2022.

“In March, the Government deferred the introduction of IWG practice regulations for a year until May 2022. We want people to engage with this module so they will be ready for the upcoming changes.”

Increased monitoring and reporting by councils will help drive measurable improvements in IWG. “We expect regional councils and industry bodies to work together with farmers to implement and deliver positive change on the ground through this module,” Environment Minister David Parker said.

“It is important farmers ensure they are complying with their regional council’s current rules on intensive winter grazing.”

Farmers’ plans should include measures to provide adequate shelter during severe weather events and suitable space for livestock to sit down.

“In Southland, staff from MPI and Environment Southland will be proactively visiting farms that may pose animal welfare or water quality risks to ensure they have effective plans in place to manage IWG, especially during periods of heavy rain,” Damien O’Connor said.

A hotline (0800 FARMING), which is supported by industry and councils, is being provided as an opportunity for the community to give feedback. People with concerns about animal welfare are encouraged to call MPI’s animal welfare hotline on 0800 00 83 33.

Yo u c a n a c c e s s t h e 2021/2022 Intensive Winter Grazing Module online.

May 2021

Nurture plan B although Plan A is going well Guest speaker at the Cawthron Marlborough Environmental Awards was Professor Hugh Campbell founding Director of the Centre for Sustainability at Otago University. He advocated the necessity of nurturing a Plan B even although Plan A is going well. He has published a book ‘Farming Inside Invisible Worlds’ in which he profiles six farms where owners have become exemplars and have thought outside the boundaries. One of the farms is Bonavaree a past winner of the Environmental Award.

Campbell outlined the success of pastoral farming in New Zealand from the 1880s to 1972. Up until 1972 pastoral farming contributed up to 90% of the country’s export earnings. There was no need to add value to the raw materials as prices were high. An example being a bale of cross bred wool worth the equivalent of $8000 compared to the $100 it is worth today. The effect on the land was however ecologically catastrophic, with erosion caused by overstocking and rabbits the principle reason. Along came deep rooted rye grass varieties and clovers together with phosphate application and a certain amount of destocking to save the day. At the time Sir Bruce Levy wrote that ‘the greatest challenges of pastoral farming are over and those pursuing other agricultural and horticultural enterprises are wasting their time’. Then the United Kingdom joined the Common Market, in what was then thought to be a permanent relationship, and preferential trade with New

Beef and Lamb Field Day A very entertaining event was held by Beef and Lamb New Zealand in The Grigg Family ‘Tempello’ woolshed in Blenheim on Tuesday 20th April. The guest speaker was Anne Ridler from Massey University who outlined her findings on the ewe wastage project she had undertaken and the findings prompted some vigorous discussion among the 70 or so farmers and rural professionals in attendance. It surprised many present to understand the extent of ewe deaths and the strategies to prevent premature culling of productive sheep from flocks.

An entertaining event with other animal health and farm experts was followed up with some healthy debate between farming teams about farm stocking rates and per hectare or per stock unit analysis.

After complimentary refreshments it was apparent that those attending it didn’t really matter about the debate outcome – it was just a great afternoon on a stunning Marlborough Autumn day.

Andrew Ritchie

Zealand came to an abrupt end. This was the moment when plan B should have come to the fore.

Boom and bust enterprises have come and gone without the entrepreneurs involved having a Plan B. The Kiwi Fruit industry was close to following that pattern. In 1992 the industry was in a state of collapse with hugh debts mounting to cool stores to the tune of $100 million. The financial crises hit and markets disappeared. Professor Campbell sited John Palmer who is currently the Chairman of the Cawthron Institute Trust Board as the man with a plan B. A Kiwi fruit grower himself he arranged for the financing of the 1993 season in conjunction with the National Bank and packers. The debt was cleared and the industry stabilised within two years. Zespri was formed, a new variety was produced for the Asian market and the industry moved away from being chemically intensive to Kiwi Green. Ninety five percent of growers were Kiwi Green by 1998 with 5% being organic. The industry was worth $200 million in 1991 and in 2018 was worth $2.1 billion in earnings. New Zealand produces one third of the world’s kiwi fruit but earns two thirds of the global income.

Professor Campbell believes this is an example of a group of people doing something different and acting on a Plan B. “The Cawthron Marlborough Environment Awards is a celebration of those who dare to do something different and think outside the boundaries.”

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Beekeeping survey provides insights

Getting lost in the detail?

What should be bothering you most, methane, nitrous oxide, nitrate-nitrogen levels in ground water, carbon sequestration, or the politics of it all?

Making sense of any complex situation requires a clear vision of the big picture. With that in place the detail can be slotted in, and a comprehensive plan that deals to both the short and longer-term situation formulated.

Implementation of the plan follows, and with a clear understanding of the fundamentals a positive outcome is guaranteed.

The first fundamental to have firmly in place is that pastoral farming is not by nature environmentally harmful. It can be but not necessarily.

Pastoral farming is the quickest and most effective means of taking carbon from carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and storing it safely in the soil.

It is how civilizations without modern fertilisers were able to restore cropped soils to a productive and worthwhile state.

Animals are essential to the restoration process. By digesting plant matter, depositing dung and urine which are readily incorporated into the topsoil, formation of humus is enhanced and nutrients cycle more quickly.

Rapidly cycling nutrients promote higher fertility plants which produce greater quantities of high -quality feed allowing an increased number of high-performing animals to be sustained.

Carbon in the form of humus is the filter that ensures detrimental levels of nitrate-nitrogen and phosphorus do not enter groundwater.

With increased soil carbon the soil becomes an enriched sponge reducing damage from excess rainfall, and long periods of dry weather.

Grazing animals do not manufacture methane, a carbon gas, and nitrous oxide in ever increasing quantities. Both are simply cycled sustainably at non-harmful levels.

The notion that damaging levels of methane and nitrous oxide are created by grazing animals is a fallacy supporting only the position taken by those opposed to livestock. They cycle them in harmony with nature.

And beware of the term mitigation. Inherent in that is the belief that the overall outcome is negative, and recommended actions only reduce the severity of the damage taking place.

Any business that is not environmentally sustainable has no long-term future, and if mitigation is the best that can be done, then the elimination of pastoral farming communities should start immediately.

The acceptance that pastoral farming is environmentally negative and can only exist when offset by the planting of trees or simply ‘cutting’ animal numbers, opens up the farming community to the control of bureaucrats, and there is no viable future for an industry run by elected officials.

There is however a growing number of pastoral properties already producing at

exceptional levels and are environmentally positive in all respects.

Because the fundamentals of these enterprises are sound, they also deliver a healthy financial surplus each year.

A DairyNZ field day was held at a long-term client’s intensive dairy property recently.

Farm performance was compared to local dairy farms.

The client’s herd breeding worth (BW) was -20 with low reliability, however the cows have for many seasons produced more than their liveweight in milk solids.

Farm Working Expenses measured in $/ kgMS were considerably lower resulting in an Operating Profit $2,307/ha higher than the benchmark properties over the last two seasons.

When compared to independently sourced data for the 2011/12 season the profit for the District Average properties has declined while that of our client’s property has increased.

Less than 20kgN/ha annually is applied and our thesis is that this non-reliance on synthetic N, in conjunction with astute daily management, is fundamental to the uncommonly healthy state of the enterprise.

The use of Functional Fertiliser products and programmes over the last twenty years has resulted in measures that show carbon is actively sequestered and a steady increase in pasture and profit generated.

For more call Peter on 0800 843 809.

A recently released survey reveals important findings about the winter colony loss rates of New Zealand bees and the experiences of New Zealand beekeepers says Apiculture New Zealand.

The New Zealand Colony Loss Survey is produced each year by Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research for the Ministry for Primary Industries. It is based on an online survey of beekeepers and is part of an international effort involving more than 35 countries.

The latest report shows that overall winter loss rates of bee colonies in New Zealand has continued to rise since the survey began in 2015. Over the 2020 winter, 11.3% of bee colonies were lost compared to 10.4% in 2019 and 8.4% in 2015.

Barry Foster, chair of Apiculture New Zealand’s Science and Research Focus Group, explains that while some overwintering losses are a normal part of beekeeping, he is concerned by the increasing loss rate. “The survey shows that in 2020 an estimated 99,150 bee colonies were lost. While this is lower than loss rates experienced overseas, it shows that we cannot be complacent when it comes to bee health.”

The average loss rate across countries participating in the international survey, from the most recently available period (2018/2019), was 16.7%. Findings from a similar survey in the US found the winter loss rate over the 2019/2020 period was 22.2%.

As in past years, New Zealand beekeepers reported that the primary reasons for overwintering losses in 2020 were queen bee problems, suspected varroa infestation, suspected starvation and wasp attacks.

Mr Foster says there have been promising advances in both the area of varroa management and in the use of biocontrols to deal with wasps. However, dealing with queen problems is more complex and the subject of research both within New Zealand and internationally.

“Ongoing research is a vital part of reducing colony loss, but also beekeepers know that their everyday management of these threats is key to hive health. The survey is a really valuable tool in measuring how we are doing, and where more efforts are needed,” he says.

The 2020 survey also asked questions on beekeepers’ views on aspects of their work, their overall experience and how they accessed beekeeping information. The findings showed that the economics of beekeeping was the biggest challenge for many and that most beekeepers learnt their skills through a beginner’s course or from a mentor.

Apiculture New Zealand CE Karin Kos says these findings support what she is hearing from beekeepers. “It is a difficult time to be a commercial beekeeper, especially for those not involved in mānuka production.”

In terms of training, she says more and more beekeepers are looking to professional qualifications and advanced courses to learn their skills. “Our industry is seeing the value of having well-trained workers which is why we are seeing a huge increase of interest in programmes like our Apprenticeship in Apiculture scheme.” This scheme currently has over 200 participants who are training while working in the beekeeping industry, up from 75 people in early 2020.

May 2021

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Dates set for 2021 Corteva Young Viticulturist of the Year The NZ wine industry is starting to build up to the 2021 Corteva Young Viticulturist of the Year competition with entries now open and the Education Days kicking off in May. These will be followed by the regional competitions running throughout June and July and the National Final being held in Marlborough this year at the end of August.

Despite the lockdowns and Covid Alert Level changes last year, the competitions were still able to go ahead, although dates were changed and some run behind closed gates. This year organisers are hoping everything can go ahead smoothly with supporters able to attend all the competitions and dinners.

“Now in its sixteenth year the competition tests young vits on everything involved with running a vineyard and being a successful viticultural

leader from soil nutrition, trellising through to budgeting, biosecurity planning and public speaking. As always, the popular BioStart Hortipsorts race will run at lunchtime accompanied by a BBQ provided by Fruitfed Supplies. Spectators are very welcome to come along to these.

The prizes this year are looking as great as ever, with the national winner taking home a Hyundai Kona for a year, an Ecotrellis travel grant, an educational visit to Australia with Corteva, Bahco golden secateurs and other cash prizes.

The winner will also go on to represent the wine industry in the Young Horticulturist of the Year competition in November.

Rhys Hall from Indevin in Marlborough was the 2020 winner, which was announced at the Young Vit 15 Years celebration in October last year. Which region will the trophy be heading

back to in 2021?

The competition is made possible thanks to the generosity and support of these passionate sponsors: Corteva Agriscience, BioStart, Ecotrellis, Hyundai, Bahco, Constellation, Empak, Fendt, Fruitfed Supplies, Indevin, Klima, Ormond Nurseries, Roots, Fruits & Shoots, Waterforce and Winejobsonline.

The Marlborough date is 1 July and the National Final will also be in Marlborough 25-26 August – Entry Forms available at www.nzwine.com/en/ initiatives/young-vit For more information, please contact Nicky Grandorge, Leadership & Communities Manager at NZ Winegrowers, nicky.grandorge@ nzwine.com, 021780948.

Rhys Hall 2020 winner from Indevin in Marlborough

Specialist book on grapevine diseases co-authored by NMIT tutor Dion Mundy has spent his working life helping the wine industry.

Starting out on his family’s Canterbury winery Dion’s had a ring side seat to observe the industry develop and grow. As a scientist his research in to understanding and managing grapevine diseases has made a significant difference to how grapes are grown in New Zealand and how they succeed overseas.

A Senior Scientist at Plant & Food Research

in Blenheim, Dion has written numerous articles and papers throughout his career and is a highly respected authority on grapevine diseases.

Dion’s first book, co-authored with Ian Harvey from PLANTwise Services, Lincoln, Grapevine Diseases of New Zealand is a valuable guide to everyone involved in the wine or grape growing industry. It is the first book dedicated to the identification and management of grapevine diseases in New Zealand.

The new book is extensively illustrated with colour photographs of both the disease symptoms and the causal organisms (mainly fungi).

Following its release, the book will become the main text for teaching diseases in grapes at NMIT, Lincoln University and EIT. NMIT is fortunate to have Dion as a tutor on the Viticulture and Wine degree programme based at the Marlborough campus.

Dion Mundy

NMIT viticulture tutor wins prestigious American award A research paper on how soil temperature affects grapevine growth has earned NMIT viticulture tutor Dr Stewart Field a prestigious award from the American Society for Enology and Viticulture.

Dr Field, and co- authors Jason P. Smith and Bruno P. Holzapfel of Charles Sturt University in Australia, and Erin N. Morrison and R.J. Neil Emery of Trent University in Canada, looked into environmental effects on grapevines and the ‘physiological regulation of acclimation’.

“Basically, it involved thinking about climate change issues we might have to deal with—and the ways we can manage them above vine and below ground. In the NMIT Marlborough vineyard we are doing ground cover trials using mussel shell mulch and weed mat and then measuring the temperatures, but it’s too early to assess the results yet. However, future climate change impacts viticulture industries around the world and everyone is trying to grapple with how it will affect wine quality,” he says.

Dr Field’s research concluded that soil temperature significantly affects grapevine growth.

“Although it was an academic paper it may help viticulturists think about future strategies and lead on to how things might work in the vineyard.”

Dr Field was surprised to receive the award as he says it usually goes to some of the big names in world research rather than a ‘group of guys from New Zealand, Australia and Canada’. He says it is recognition of the quality research going on in New Zealand.

The paper, Soil Temperature Prior to Veraison Alters Grapevine Carbon Partitioning, Xylem Sap Hormones, and Fruit Set was chosen as the best viticulture paper for 2020 following an evaluation of all research papers published in Volume 71 (2020) of the American Journal of Enology and Viticulture.

Each year, the ASEV Best Paper Awards Committee evaluates all manuscripts published during the previous year and selects one paper in viticulture and one in enology that reflect outstanding research and a substantial contribution to the field.

The society’s committee considered Dr Field’s paper ‘outstanding in its content’.

The authors receive a plaque and a monetary award and will present their paper during the 2021 Virtual ASEV National Conference, June 21-24 in in Monterey, California, USA. About Stewart Field Stewart has been involved in tertiary education since 2014 – starting at Eastern Institute of

Technology as a lecturer in viticulture. He was appointed to NMIT in 2018 where he continues his passion for research and passing on his enthusiasm of viticulture to the students studying Wine and Viticulture at NMIT. A keen interest in plants at a young age led Stewart to completing a Bachelor and Masters in Plant Science at Massey University. This led to a six-month exchange at California Polytechnic State University, (in San Luis Obispo, California, USA) where Stewart developed a curiosity of grapevines.

Stewart went on to study a doctorate in viticulture at Charles Sturt University (Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia) that also included a six-month period at Trent University (in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada).

Stewart’s research focussed on grapevine physiology, predominately on the effects of irrigation and nutrition management, carbohydrate and nitrogen reserve dynamics, and plant hormones on grapevine growth and development.

In 2009 Stewart gained industry experience where he worked as a vineyard manager in the Wairarapa region and then in the Hunter Valley of Australia. After 5 years working in the industry Stewart recognised that his future happiness lay in academia.

NMIT Tutor Dr Stewart Field

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Gov’t support for sustainable wool

Wool Procurement Manager, PGG Wrightson Wool

Prices stable despite shipping delays and currency strength An air of cautious optimism was evident amongst wool brokers and exporters as auction catalogues enjoyed good clearances, in the eighty-five to ninetyfive percent ranges, during late March and into early April, due to slightly better than earlier demand from most major wool exporters representing European, UK, Asian, Australian and Local mills. By mid-April, however, market tone had subsided somewhat as the majority of wool exporters showed extremely selective and targeted buying patterns as demand eased in the wake of compounding shipping delays and a remaining strong Kiwi dollar hovering around the $0.72c mark. However local market prices remained fairly stable on a type-bytype basis.

With relatively large quantities of old seasons’

wool continuing to come forward for sale from most crossbred growing regions across the South Island, as wool growers continued to bite the bullet by accepting current market price, wool exporters were confronted with a wide range of crossbred types within broker catalogues offered for sale in the Christchurch wool auction room throughout April.

Most exporter interest appeared to be towards best style crossbred secondshear types plus some of the finer and good styled crossbred lamb’s wool types, with many of the inferior style full length adult fleece types suffering discounts.

As a result, a quantity of second-shear crossbred wools, received cleanon-the-floor prices above many of those ruling for full length crossbred fleece wools, reflecting demand

from the carpet sector.

Lamb’s wool buyers appeared to prefer genuine length lamb’s, rather than early-shorn hogget types, as they gradually filled their orders with odd lines selling to extreme due to their finer average micron measurement, low or no vegetable contamination and low y minus z colour values.

As mentioned earlier, poorer style fleece became a little more difficult to move with a notable lesser demand evident from a few buyers representing Chinese mills.

With many summer shorn wools carrying high y minus z colour test results as well as cotted and/or tender fibres, exporter interest sagged and the price gap between good to average versus poor to inferior wool types widened. Good style, bulky crossbred oddments fared better than inferior

short and/or stained types, however prices remained fairly static when compared to the previous month.

The limited quantities of Corriedale and Halfbred types offered through the Christchurch auction room during April, once again drew reasonable interest from exporters particularly for those wools measuring finer than approximately twenty-eight microns and of good style. A few lines of similarly bred lamb’s wool, and displaying very little vegetable matter contamination, met with enthusiasm from the export trade with odd lots selling to extreme compared to the general market.

It has been great to notice lately several advertising mediums pushing the benefits of wool carpets and other interior textiles such as furniture coverings and curtains.

Whilst there are many New Zealanders who understand the benefits of wool, I’d hope that the education process is making traction in other parts of the world as well. During a recent visit to Auckland to catch up with friends, I was pleased to hear that they were about to replace their lounge floor covering with wool carpet. When I asked why they chose wool, they said, “because it is warmer and dryer than synthetic so it must be much healthier”, a pretty good answer from “jafa’s” eh!

With quite a bit of shearing about to take place over the next couple of months be reminded that the South Island auction dates for the remainder of the current wool selling season are scheduled for 6th and 20th May, plus 3rd, 17th and 30th June.

That’s my view.

The Government is supporting a new project with allwool New Zealand carpet company, Bremworth, which has its sights on developing more sustainable all-wool carpets and rugs, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced.

The Ministry for Primary Industries is contributing $1.9 million towards Bremworth’s $4.9 million sustainability project through its Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures (SFF Futures) fund. Bremworth is a subsidiary of Cavalier Corporation Limited.

Damien O’Connor said the three-year programme will involve research and development of natural and green chemistry-based alternatives to the few remaining synthetic components of woollen carpets.

“The rise of synthetic carpets has overtaken wool dramatically in the last few decades, which has severely affected the wool industry,” Damien O’Connor said.

“I’m told that an average Kiwi household laid with synthetic carpet is estimated to have the equivalent weight of 22,000 plastic shopping bags on its floor. That’s a compelling reason to use sustainable wool wherever we can to make healthy homes for Kiwis and the world.

“More than ever consumers are considering the entire life-cycle of products. We believe this programme will spur demand for New Zealand strong wool and enhance our manufacturing competitiveness through strong environmental credentials that challenge industry norms.”

New Zealand wool is 100 percent biodegradable, renewable and sustainable.

“It aims to keep New Zealand woollen yarn and carpet manufacturing capacity in New Zealand, preserving jobs, and protecting local communities and supply chains.”

Damien O’Connor said revitalising the strong wool sector was a key part of delivering the Fit for a Better World – Accelerating our Economic Potential Roadmap, released last year. It included bringing forward $84 million of SFF Futures funding for innovative and creative projects.

“This new project is a great example of an initiative that aims to create a step change in the wool products manufactured in Aotearoa, and deliver on the Fit for a Better World vision.

“Ultimately we hope it will benefit New Zealand’s strong wool sector, with better returns for our farmers and manufacturers, and supporting their communities.

“If we get this right, then that’s a compelling yarn we can sell to our markets abroad,” Damien O’Connor said.

May 2021

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Outback goes Hi Tech Released late in 2020 the sixth edition of Subaru’s flagship Outback launched 25 years ago has been self titled The Greatest Outback Of All Time or GOOAT, somewhat defeating the advertising hype. That said, it is the best 2.5 litre Outback I’ve driven. I had the top spec Touring version. It also signals the way forward on the interior of all Subarus.

Better still the tow rating is now 2000kg, braked up by 200kg. I mentioned 2.5 litre as the 4-cylinder boxer motor while uprated by 7% kW and 4.5 % Nm, as with the Forester we reviewed in February, is now the only motor available. Gone are the silky smooth 6-cylinder petrol and the ultra economical turbo diesel. The lady at my local dealership when I picked it up said to me “don’t worry the new turbo petrol will be coming soon!” A quick scan of the Outback shows little of the changes though 80% is new says Subaru. Most noticeable is the increased interior space and the latest durable and stylish exterior cladding.

Off The Road. The now well proven dual X Mode enhances the full time AWD, delivering power to

the wheels that grip while sidelining slippage. Well that’s true though I found on a steepish gravel track taking a walking, safe pace, the system could revert to powering just one wheel.

I had both rears stationary along with front left. I think that could be aligned to the 8 speed Lineartronic automatic. The only wheel spinning, the front right just dug a hole. That said attack the track with more momentum and the system does work as advertised. It does so by constantly monitoring the traction available to each wheel and centralising control of the engine, transmission and brakes. Subaru does not offer a manual version, so it is possible for all drive to be delivered to just one wheel. However, it is very capable on deep shingle, through mud and surprisingly deep water. I was dismayed that the hill descent control button had been deleted until I realised that it is automatically activated with the Dual X Mode offering Snow Mud and Unsealed Steep Surface traction control.

With the standard 220mm of ground clearance I didn’t hear or feel a scrape while off road, in truth the Touring

was very quiet on all road surfaces.

Interior. All Outbacks including my Touring, latest acquisition an upsized Smart phone look alike is an excellent 11.6-inch tablet touch screen [see pic] with satellite navigation, Android Auto, Apple Car Play Bluetooth and a CD AM FM radio as well as USB connectivity.

At first, it’s somewhat overpowering as most controls are now touch sensitive. Nice touch though, is the retention of the tactile volume and tuning as knobs that are both easier to adjust and simpler, so there’s that.

However, after the week I spent in the GOOAT I got to appreciate the ease and relative intuitiveness of the latest Tablet upgrade. I’m not so sure about the invasion of privacy the camera monitoring attention system is. Mounted in the narrow screen atop the central dash it constantly watches the driver’s eyes and reminds by message and sound if it feels too little time is spent on the road ahead.

Once the auto selector is slipped into manual mode the instrument panel changes from white to a reddish colour, signifying manual

2021 Subaru Outback in parched North Canterbury gear choices mode allowing the driver to use the gearbox paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Steering is electric rack and pinion. Clever crash avoidance technology as in previous Outback’s has Eyesight now including Speed Sign Recognition, the first time for Subaru. Safety is addressed with pre-collision braking system, pre-collision brake assist, pre-collision throttle management, Adaptative Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Sway Warning, Lane Keep Assist, Lead Vehicle Start, Lane Centring Function, Autonomous Emergency Steering, Emergency Lane Keep Assist. Speed Lane Departure Warning with steering wheel vibration.

Lane Departure Prevention.

Pre-Collision Braking System with expanded support for collision avoidance at

Two Minute Stags Daniel Crimp Something caught my eye. A red hind, ducking between trees only 20 metres downhill from me. The deer cautiously checked its surroundings before advancing into the clearing. The wind was gently drifting towards me, meaning I was safe from her scenting me. I watched her as she nibbled on grass and young ferns and debated whether to take her for meat or wait for a stag. Before I could make a call, she lifted her nose to sniff the air then quickly trotted over the ridge. I thought nothing of it and began to head back, when Dad’s advice came to mind, “If you can find a hind, there will be a stag nearby.”

It was enough to spark my curiosity, so I grabbed the .308 and quickly followed her tracks.

Ambitiously, I peered over the ridge, spotting her right in front of me, feeding. The only cover was a matagouri bush so I positioned myself behind it and let out a fawn call, Mehh.” I was trying to get her to raise her head so I could take a photo but my call received a very different response... “Ugh, Ugh, Ugh!” echoed out of the trees. Just out of sight, I could hear branches being smashed to pieces.

Then, out of the mist, a stag emerged 30 metres away.

Spikes dug into my arm as I leant over the matagouri but the adrenaline from seeing a roaring stag up close overrode any pain. As soon as the crosshairs settled on the shoulder, I gently squeezed the trigger. Thwack. The stag kicked up his front legs and collapsed, rolling a few metres before coming to a halt, dead as a dodo.

I took a second to breathe and enjoy the moment before making the gun safe and clambering across the hill to see my trophy. A young six-pointer, barely rutting, meaning he would be perfect for the pan. With endorphins pumping, I sat and admired my stag; not a monster head but one hell of a hunt. All that was left was to gut him and carry him back home, or so I thought...

Out of the blue, a deafening roar exploded, shooting straight through me, shaking my bones. It was bloody close. I spun around. Then froze. A huge brown beast

Daniel overjoyed with his first Roar success loomed over me, staring me down, steam shooting out of his nose. I only got a glimpse of his antlers but I knew that if I could get to my rifle and shoot him, he would be my biggest stag to date—he was a monster.

Then, just as he had appeared, he was off, bounding downhill and only a metre away from running me over. I had a split second to do something, or I was going to lose this stag.

“Urgh” “Urgh!” I let out two grunts while reaching for my rifle. The stag skidded half a metre on the damp grass and turned broadside to look at me. I’ve never loaded my rifle so fast. I looked through the violently shaking scope and panicked. I couldn’t hold it steady. The stag raised its head and roared, and in that moment, I knew what to do. I lifted the crosshairs a few feet above his back. Took a deep breath in. As I exhaled, I lowered the rifle until it lined up with the shoulder. With no hesitation, I fired.

The stag dropped—stone dead. Two stags, two minutes.

He wasn’t the 18 pointer that I thought he was when I saw him, but it was one hell of a seven with awesome size, shape and character. And it came with an amazing story.

intersections. I feel Subaru has really raised the safety bar and despite what might seem complicated most intervention is unobtrusive and welcome.

On the road. The permanent AWD road holding is brilliant, body role well controlled and irrespective of surface is commendably quiet. Four-wheel disc brakes pull the wagon up effortlessly and should happily do so with max braked towing at 2000kg. Now as in all Subarus, parking brakes are controlled by a neat switch mounted by the auto selector. Also in that switch cluster is the Auto Vehicle Hold used to keep the vehicle stationary in traffic without having to apply the brakes. Eight airbags including a driver’s knee bag and passenger seat airbag are part of the safety suite. My wife’s pet

hate, the auto start stop can at least be deactivated. My personal favourite is the completely hands-free key fob requiring no intervention to open close or start the vehicle so long as the driver has it on them.

Unlike early Subarus whose drinking habits were well documented, the 2.5 litre 129kW 235Nm Boxer sipped its petrol at just 6.7 litres/100km over the 560km we drove it in most everyday situations [except towing] bettering Subaru’s 7.3 claim and that should find 750km range from the 60-litre tank.

Subaru’s specification lists are significantly enhanced from the entry-level Outback, prices start at $49,990, features the stylish and durable cladding that was previously exclusive to the upper range variants, together with a 11.6-inch

tablet-like touch screen, power driver and passenger seats, Driver Monitoring System (DMS), 18” grey alloy wheels, smart entry and push-button ignition.

The Outback X adds water resistant seat upholstery with green accents both inside and out, 18” dark grey alloy wheels, and sat Nav for $54,990* RRP. My drive: the Outback Touring, $57,490 adds Napa leather seat upholstery, a heated steering wheel and is the only model with an electric sunroof and Harman Kardon audio.

Overall, I liked the 5-star safety Subie Outback which fits the rural sector well.

Subaru’s future looks equally exciting with more hybrid versions for the coming green wave and the promised 2.4 litre Turbo Petrol version.

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