Farming Nelson | Marlborough | west coast
Circulating to 14,500 rural properties in Nelson, Tasman, Marlborough and the West Coast every month
September 2021
INSIDE
THIS EDITION
Back to basics - P2
MP visits sawmill - P9 Simon Harvey feeds out to his sheep on the Glen Orkney farm in Southern Marlborough last month. Photo: Rob Duff.
Farmers hopeful for fine Spring Jonty Dine
Council pushed on Three Waters - P13
After a wet and wild winter, farmers in the Top of the South are looking to the skies in hopes of a settled spring season. Simon and Linda Harvey own Glen Orkney up the Medway in southern Marlborough with their son Tom af-
ter purchasing it in 1984. The farm, an hour’s drive from Blenheim, totals 1930 hectares. Simon says both the lockdown and recent weather has provided its challenges but in typical kiwi fashion, says they simply adapt to the conditions. The award-winning farm runs 5000 Merino sheep and 250 Angus cattle though
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stock numbers are down about ten per cent this season due to the dry autumn. The weather gods again wreaked havoc with an unseasonably wet winter. “It’s a busy time of the year and if you get a lot of rain makes it harder getting jobs done.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
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NELSON | MARLBOROUGH | WEST COAST
Farmers hopeful for fine spring FROM PAGE 1
Simon Harvey, left, and Brian Symmes at Glen Orkney last month. Photo: Rob Duff.
Simon says a sheep with a full fleece is never too keen to be rained on as it takes about three days to fully dry out. “It has been a bit frustrating trying to get shearing done The yards get really wet too so it’s all a bit messy and feeding out becomes a challenge but that’s the life, the weather is always going to do what it does and we have to work around it.” Simon says they were fortunate not to be too adversely affected by the national lockdown. “We only had two shearers on a four stand shed which slowed things down a bit.
We also had a young chap who was supposed to start work but got caught away. These are minor things compared to what some businesses are facing.” Simon says though they have been very fortunate in being able to continue work, they do look forward to once again spending time with friends and family and is hopeful for a more settled season. “We are always hoping for a good spring and it looks promising, we have got the moisture in the ground but we need a little bit to keep coming. Having stock numbers down makes it a bit easier when the grass starts to grow.”
Back to basics for farmers in lockdown
As farmers in the top of the South prepare for spring and adjust to life under Lockdown Alert Levels and Covid protocols, Chris Valli talks to farmers about how they’re coping.
A return to older style farming methods is helping farmers in the Marlborough Sounds carry on rural life post flood and during a pandemic. At Titirangi farm, life goes on, but with the July storm taking out the access road, around 600 livestock were barged out to Havelock before being loaded on to trucks. Testing times means farmers are having to think outside the box, says Seddon farmer Warick Lissaman. It is a tumultuous time which is pushing some to the brink, he says. Warwick, who runs Breach Oak Farm along with wife Lisa, wants to see the government taking
Farming Nelson | Marlborough | west coast
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more action. “There are cases of real despair, there are cases where this excretion of population control has tipped people over the edge. “However, rural New Zealand has a culture of looking after their neighbours and themselves...sometimes the former to the detriment of themselves.” Warwick says on his farm the mantra ‘slow down, think first’ has been the catch cry especially in the current economic climate. “On my farm I am in charge of the lambing and my general contractor support person has his own calf rearing business in separate facilities.” Keeping two metres apart, using separate equipment, having masks, and good hygiene practices for any times that can’t be achieved makes things possible. Warwick says if Covid vaccinations continue with their respective rollouts and everybody takes some responsibility as an individual, then South Island farmers should be able to get on with
Brian Dineen, an Irish Dairy farmer from Maruia is missing regular catchups with other farmers. Photo: Supplied. life, albeit under whatever alert levels. For Brian Dineen, an Irish Dairy farmer from Maruia, (60kms from Murchison) the impact of Covid-19 on rural communities is more holistic. Mental health is a priority, he says, now, more than ever before, and Covid has brought its own unique issues. “The rural support trust [connecting through farming or busi-
ness advice, mental health and counselling services] does a great job but because of where we are in Maruia, we rely on our neighbours for a chat and connection. To have a yarn. “Mental health is a tough one. Most farmers tend to put their head down and just get on with it. Normally having a chat with other farmers in town when picking up supplies is ideal but with Covid it has been taken
away from us. It’s something I miss.” Brian says having a team to support one another is a no brainer. He is fortunate to have a wonderful wife in Hannah and a farm hand in Jamal who are integral to the business, he says. “We have a good team and a good thing going. We try to have a lot of fun - smile in the face of adversity. “Once you’ve had a few knock downs you start to become stronger. You’re always going to hit a wall; it’s part of what we do and the nature of farming. As long as they [Helen and Jamal] are laughing I’m happy.” Brian says at the end of the day, the more pressure put on farmers from the Government with regards to regulations (winter grazing and how to combat that) the more difficult it becomes. He adds those in the Beehive and the decision makers need to provide realistic solutions and not just give advice through social media platforms.
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Farming NELSON | MARLBOROUGH | WEST COAST
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NELSON | MARLBOROUGH | WEST COAST
Your Local Tasman Rural & Lifestyle Spring into spring. If you are contemplating selling in the next few months, now is the time to get some free no obligation advice on how we can market your property cost effectively to get you the desired result and let you move on.
Joe Blakiston 027 434 4069
Peter Evans 027 224 9798
Ken McLeod 027 433 4746
Doug Smith 027 543 2280
Greg Lyon 027 579 1233
SOLD
Dairy 353ha - Murchison SOLD
Finishing 44.52ha - Buller SOLD
Finishing 145.8ha - Dovedale SOLD
Grazing 65.2ha - Ngatimoti
Level 3 lockdown is de ja vu and the sooner we get out of this the better – hopefully before daylight saving as that is the real start of springand if you haven’t made your appointment to get vaccinated DO IT as the sooner we get fully jabbed the better.That is the only way we will get our freedom back and get back to something resembling normality – It has been a great ride up until the DELTA outbreak and we have been fortunate to have had such a open and well performing economy. Another season is rolling around – the hills in Marlborough are oozing water, Tasman as a
SOLD
Forestry 245.5ha - Glenhope SOLD
Lifestyle 5.7ha - Upper Moutere SOLD
Sheep/Beef 183ha - Upper Moutere SOLD
Lifestyle 18.5ha - Upper Moutere
whole is inundated and as much as I hate the nor westers in Spring – bring them on to get a bit of heat into the air and dry out the countryside, even if it also brings out the magpies when I am riding my mountain bike!! Environmental concerns have taken a back seat to the return of COVID and maybe that is just the circuit breaker that we have been needing to put some perspective back into the importance of agriculture to New Zealands recovery – we have seen that with the tactical backdown of stock pugging and re sowing rules down south – That was logi-
cal however I do not see any more relaxation of planned changes and we may just have to live with the RMA and water rules and red tape that goes with them. From a real estate perspective there is plenty of buyer confidence and enquiry which is met with a shortage of listings – that can only mean one thing – that is a solid Spring land market – Our experienced team are ready to provide appraisals and are fully available in Level 3 while we operate within COVID guidelines . Call us in confidence. Have a great month. Joe 0274344069
SOLD
Bareland 59.7ha - Buller SOLD
Lifestyle 12.2ha - Upper Moutere SOLD
Forestry 26.3ha - Glenhope SOLD
Bareland 84.2ha - Tapawera
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Farming future is in good hands NELSON | MARLBOROUGH | WEST COAST
Patrick Dawkins
The future of New Zealand agriculture is in good hands if my recent experience at the Festival for the Future in Wellington is anything to go by. The “festival” itself, July 30 to August 1, had no direct connection to primary industry. However, my experience over the weekend gave me an insight into the types of people who will be New Zealand’s farming future as I was joined by nine young farmers and agribusiness professionals from around the country. At times our group, funded to Wellington by the Ministry for Primary Industries, felt a little out of place at an event dubbed “New Zealand’s largest social innovation summit”, which squarely targeted those born in the 21st century and served only vegan food. However, despite the event not addressing the role of agriculture in New Zealand’s future, it was heartening to see a group of young farmers with their minds open wide to the issues presented – climate change, our increasing racial diversity,
Marlborough beekeeper Patrick Dawkins. managing mental wellbeing, and the need for sustainable business and entrepreneurship to name but a few. While our group might have felt out of place at the urban-centric event on the Wellington waterfront, at 34 years-old the same could be said of myself within our collective of students and 20-somethings. I couldn’t help but be impressed by the attitudes displayed and depth of conversation though as talk turned to not just farming, but wider social is-
sues too. A good example being the Howl of a Protest held recently at centres all over the country, organised by rural advocacy group Groundswell NZ. Of our group, some attended to help offer voice to the rural sector, some were told not to attend by their employers who wished to remain apolitical, while others sympathised with the movement but did not wish to be associated with the more extreme elements of the protests and so stayed away. At the festival itself the vegan lunches drew the ire of many in our group. I partook – there is no such thing as a free lunch, but a tax-payer funded lunch is close! – but many in our party found their way into town for meatbased alternatives. While chewing over burgers it was agreed that the festival organiser’s onstage assertion that their veganonly catering decision was made with the good of the planet in mind was ill-informed. It was decided that it would be best addressed by a letter outlining the world-leading farming systems of all types in New Zealand as
Fonterra meetings highlight signficant changes to co-op Garrick Batten Fonterra would have been disappointed at the poor attendance for their annual community meetings in Takaka and Brightwater, given the importance of this industry processing 22 billion litres of milk nationally. Locally, Fonterra processes 66 million litres from 117 suppliers to process into 10k tonnes of whole milk powder and butter, with 30 per cent of the Brightwater factory output coming from Golden Bay milk. Local people missed the opportunity to not only learn more about farming but to put the limited ‘Milk and Money’ programme on TVONE On Demand into context. There has been a significant change in company policy from two years ago to now focus on being a New Zealand company adding value to its products and taking them to the world by emphasising innovation, sustainability and efficiency. Fonterra has adopted a bottom line of healthy staff and suppliers, a healthy environment that as well as in plant operations plans
to increase farm environmental plans from 40 per cent of suppliers to 84 per cent during this coming season, and locally has already achieved 97 per cent of effluent disposal compliance. The future payout will penalise suppliers for not meeting standards of animal welfare, treatment of staff, sustainability, and product stewardship for such as handling wastes. Future issues facing Fonterra are the pace of change with compliance requirements, inflation and the costs of production, alternative land and water uses that have been shown locally with the change from some dairy farms to hops, and labour and quantity and quality. The Brightwater plant has continued to make real progress with a focus on reducing energy and water use, and waste and emissions reduction using innovative practices and management. It has pioneered the use of biofuel despite varying wood and coal qualities, with the intention of moving to 70 per cent woodchip for the coming season.
The Festival for the Future event in Wellington in early August. Photo: Patrick Dawkins. well as encouragement that they consider including a greater focus on primary industries at future events. Personally though, I wanted to see them bail him up then and there for a frank discussion as it would have made for far greater entertainment. All in all, the future-focused weekend in Welly taught me that a distinct new generation of farmers and young agricultural professionals is emerging. One
in which the leaders are removed from many of the bias of yesteryear, in which they are willing to carefully consider the myriad of factors influencing their industries, how best to discuss the issues with wider society, is passionate about the valuable role of farming in New Zealand’s future and– perhaps most importantly – is still willing to pay for a hearty home-grown lunch over a free alternative.
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September 2021
Book reviews
“He Puapua - Blueprint for Breaking Up New Zealand” by John Robinson, published by Tross Publishing. Price $35. Available from bookshops or through publisher www.trosspublishing.co.nz. Reviewed by Tony Orman. One of the country’s top historians John Robinsn does not mince his words in his latest book. “New Zealand is being torn apart, separated into an apartheid system of two race-based peoples in an unequal partnership,” he writes. The author judging from that sentence is prepared fearlessly and hostly, basing his arguments n meticulous research to discuss the tough political questions around the Treaty of Waitangi. Read it, then accept or reject his arguments and reasoning. New Zealanders or Aotearorians, need to consider these issues and then make up their own minds. It’s that important. “Khumbu” by Peter Lawrenson, published by Bateman Books, price $69.99. Reviewed by Tony Orman Khumbu is the Nepalese region that is the gateway to Mt Everest so New Zealanders through the exploits of Ed Hillary and his work later in Nepal will probably know of it. New Zealand photographer Peter Laurenson regularly visited Khumbu and quickly realised here was a unique region with unique people. His photography skills show in this magnificent book, but he is also tops as an author, writing with skill and sensitivity. Peter Lawrenson gives fascinating insights into the Sherpa people, the changes not always for the best - with the mountaineering “explosion” on Everest and the influx of outside people and commercialism. This is a tremendous book - a credit to both author/.photographer and publishers. You’ll read it and then delve into it again and again, marvelling at the incredible photographs. Believe me, try it!
Farming
What is nature? NELSON | MARLBOROUGH | WEST COAST
Garrick Batten
One definition is nakedness. Or is Nature the general characteristic and feeling of mankind before society is organised? Or is it plant and animal life as part of a whole system of existence not controlled by man that now presumably includes women and LGBTQA+? This is an important question as existing activities under SNAs can continue if in partnership with Nature. Restoring Nature is also the prime vision of the Nelson Tasman Climate Forum that seeks citizen input into regional society evolution. The problem is that Nature is not defined, probably because people have different definitions, or maybe do not want to be naked. A particular aspiration for restoring Nature is likely to be increasing native vegetation with enhanced biodiversity values. Is this vision to restore NZ Nature as it was pre-human, when more than 80% was in forest and another 10% in alpine vegetation. A long haul from the current 25% in native of which 15% is regenerating bush and scrub, with a slow restorative process that raises several associated land use issues. There are cautions. NZ produces food that drives both exports and the internal
“
Garrick Batten is a rural writer who lives in Brightwater.
We cannot shy away from making future choices, but preserving our current state or reverting two centuries are not options. economy with jobs, taxes and services that native vegetation on existing foodproducing lands cannot provide. Land under native vegetation is also prone to erosion, soil loss and downstream sedimentation as shown in the 1826 ‘Astrolabe’ log of
muddy-bottom soundings in Tasman Bay, and tree trunks in the sea at the Steeples off Westport. Actually, managed pasture reduces soil erosion. Soil fertility will not be enhanced under native forest as Maori learnt when growing potatoes from the 1700s that two or three crops depleted virgin forest land. Who should restore Nature anyway? Should more resources be provided to Maori who burnt off almost a third of native forest before 1600 to hunt moa, clear land for food and contribute to other significant bird extinctions? Or to Europeans who cleared
more than another third and who mainly occupy the land now? Is it those farmers who already are responsible for a quarter of the native vegetation and 17% of native forest? Is it the Crown expanding onto more DoC estate with already inadequate resources and still seeking more control? Or is it urban areas with concrete, tarseal and buildings gobbling up NZ? Currently only 8-9% of cities have native cover when ecologists show that less than 10% is irreversible. Then if NZ is covered in natural native forest again, who will control the old man’s beard smothering the trees and all the possums, pigs and deer destroying it? More to the point, where will the money come from to pay for that without an export economy? We must recognise that the present day countryside reflects human choices. We cannot shy away from making future choices, but preserving our current state or reverting two centuries are not options. A vision needs to be realistic, practical and achievable. Garrick Batten writes on rural topics from a lifetime professional and practical career locally, nationally and internationally. www.ruralscribe. wordpress.com
Farming NELSON | MARLBOROUGH | WEST COAST
Regulation fatigue for farmers
Anna Bensemann
In a world of fast-moving changes to laws and regulations, keeping up with the latest on-farm requirements can be daunting and can create headaches for those farmers who prefer the wideopen farm paddocks to days in the office. Like any other business farming is subject to the normal financial, taxation and industry standards to allow product to be sold to market. However, the farming sector is also subject to a sometimes overwhelming list of requirements to meet the growing requirements of environmental compliance. Freshwater quality has been the focus of central government in recent years and there have been significant changes in regulations to manage the important freshwater resource. This has resulted in changes to how we carry out day to day farm-
ing activities. Conversion of land for different uses, use of paddocks for winter grazing and requirements to fence off waterways have all found themselves in regulations relating to freshwater management, and almost always at a financial cost to farmers. Some farmers have the benefit of areas of native bush, wetlands and other areas of natural beauty within their farms. While it is a privilege to be able to view and experience these spaces, the measures imposed to protect these spaces through district and regional planning documents are designed to be generic and imposed by people who often haven’t visited them. Rules lack flexibility and the requirement to comply with them, more often than not sit with the farmer. If these rules unfairly or incorrectly map out areas on a farm it is difficult and cumbersome to
get them changed. With increasing pressure to manage our climate change emissions, there is plenty of focus on the farming sector and the contribution that methane from animals makes to our climate emissions. This includes scrutiny of stocking rates on farms, although no regulations have been imposed to date. Further, to achieve reduced carbon emissions, a “ute tax” has been imposed, which squarely affects the farming community that relies on appropriate on-farm vehicles, which, in part, stems from meeting appropriate health and safety laws. For those farming close to the coastal line there are additional provisions arising from the New Zealand Coastal Policy Statement and requirements under the RMA to protect our outstanding landscapes and areas of significant natu-
ral character. Each district manages this slightly differently, and this can have differing effects on farming, from the colour and placement of buildings to the volume of earthworks or farm tracks permitted. Regulation fatigue is a real issue for the modern farmer, who is trying to understand the layers of regulation and what they mean on the farm, as well as striving to be the best producer of their product. Regulations do provide the security for the nation that our most precious assets are being looked after properly, and they do have a place in our society. Every business has requirements to meet industry requirements and all other laws such as those concerning health and safety. However, it does seem that our farming sector has significant layers of complicated regulation to wade through.
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Anna Bensemann is a Senior Planner at Baseline Group Marlborough anna@blg.nz
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IRONMAX PRO® NZ’s First BioGRo Certified Slug Bait Slugs can cause major damage to recently sown crops and pasture, but now farmers have a new tool to deal with the problem – IRONMAX PRO® A new product for New Zealand from UPL NZ Ltd, IRONMAX PRO® is an innovative tool to help manage this challenging pest. UPL NZ Ltd, Tasman Marlborough Regional Manager Pete de Jong, says farmers overseas have already been successfully using IRONMAX PRO® for several seasons. Pete says, “After rigorous trialling under New Zealand conditions for the past two years, we are delighted to have the registration approval under the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) Act and also a BioGro NZ organic certification.” IRONMAX PRO® is manufactured by DeSangosse of France, a global leader in slug and snail bait technology. “The quality and performance of DeSangosse’s other slug bait Metarex Inov® is already well known and has been used for many years by NZ farmers,” Pete says. IRONMAX PRO® slug bait contains iron phosphate, a natural component of soil in a specially formulated bait. It works as a stomach poison and is fatal once ingested. It
Changes to the bright-line test: implications for Family Trusts
Photo: Mode of Action of IRONMAX PRO®
leads to vital organs (digestive gland) being overloaded with iron which impairs the digestion process and ultimately the ability of slugs and snails to process food with feeding stopping almost immediately. The key distinguishing feature that separates IRONMAX PRO® from other slug baits, is the breakthrough Colzactive® technology. Created by the DeSangosse research and development team, Colzactive® is made up of specially selected oil seed rape extracts. Pete says the DeSangosse R&D team evaluated 20 different plant species and identified 50 potential molecules for their attractiveness to slugs. “They ultimately selected two molecules from oil seed rape for their extraordinarily attractive and palatable characteristics to slugs. These are the basis of the Colzactive® technology which enhances the IRONMAX PRO® bait attractiveness, its taste and importantly, the speed at which the baits work compared to other slug baits.” IroMax PRO® is manufactured by using a unique wet process manufacturing, and hence it is very
rainfast so it will not disintegrate under the first shower of rain. In addition to these key benefits IRONMAX PRO® is also IPM friendly and will not impact earthworms or the slug predator Carabid Beetles and offers a low hazard and environmental solution. “IRONMAX PRO® has a recommended rate range of 5 to 7 kg/ha and with 60,000 baits per kilogram, IRONMAX PRO® also has excellent ballistic properties”, Pete says. “The pellet uniform size is a key feature determining a slug baits ballistic profile and spreading distance. The unique IRONMAX PRO® manufacturing process and pellet size mean the bait can be spread at widths of up to 24m. This is new technology for slug and snail control and UPL is excited about bringing this innovation to the New Zealand market, both for farmers and contractors. IRONMAX PRO® is available in a 15-kg bag. For more detail, contact your PGG Wrightson Ltd farm store. Advert
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The Bright-Line Test (“BLT”) applies to sales of residential land making capital gain on sales taxable at the seller’s normal income tax rate if disposal occurs within a certain “bright-line period”. Trustees need to be aware that transfers of residential property to and from family trusts are captured. In March this year the Government extended the bright-line period for residential land to 10 years and made other significant changes. The main home exclusion (“MHE”) Under current rules the MHE will apply to trusts where the property was the main home of a bene-ficiary of a trust, if: • the person disposing of the land is a trustee of the trust and a principal settlor of the trust does not have a main home; or • if a principal settlor of the trust does have a main home, it is that main home which is being disposed of. In this context a principal settlor means a settlor whose settlements to the trust are the greatest, or greatest equal, by market value. However, the MHE does not apply if the person: • has used the MHE two times or more within the two years immediately preceding the bright-line date (disposal date) for the residential land; or • has engaged in a regular pattern of acquiring and disposing of residential land. Under the 2021 amendments the
MHE (whether in the trust context or otherwise) will no longer apply on an all or nothing basis. Instead, except for an allowed change of use buffer period, it will apply only for the period the property is used as the person’s main home. Rollover Relief To clarify the position regarding family trusts and the BLT, the Government has indicated it intends to provide rollover relief from BLT in certain instances where residential land is settled on a family trust, applicable to transfers of residential property on or after 1 April 2022. It is currently seeking submissions to determine how and when such rollover relief should apply. Get professional advice If you are considering making changes to the ownership of trust property, specialist legal and tax advice will be required to avoid unintended and costly tax consequences. Talk to us If you would like more in-depth advice or further information about the content of this article, please get in touch with the team at Pitt & Moore on 03 5488349, and ask to speak with Claire Broad, Senior Solicitor or Emma Marshall, Associate. Disclaimer: The information contained in this publication is of a general nature and is not in-tended as legal advice. It is important that you seek legal advice that is specific to your cir-cumstances.
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Minister praises sawmill’s ‘tremendous’ on-site waste capture Kaituna Sawmill opened its doors to the Minister for Climate Change, the Hon James Shaw, and 50 guests as part of a Cawthron Marlborough Environment Awards field day on 17 August. The sawmill’s 46 percent reduction in its greenhouse gas emissions over the past 10 years and its reduction of its carbon footprint by 934 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents per annum were just two of the sustainability achievements which led to it being named as the winner in the forestry category at this year’s awards. The Cawthron Marlborough Environment Awards are held every two years and attract entries from businesses and community organisations around the region. Awards organiser Bev Doole was heartened by the level of interest shown in this year’s awards. “The tide is turning,” said Doole, “and one of the reasons is growing awareness of the impact of climate change.” Category winners share their knowledge and experience through a series of public field days. The Kaituna Sawmill event was the second in the series which runs through until November 2021. Visitors to the field day listened
to OneFortyOne Environmental Planner Kristie Paki Paki as she outlined the background to the sawmill’s award entry, beginning with the sawmill starting to measure emissions 10 years ago. She described how a substantial $8 million investment in a Polytechnik biomass-fired energy centre in 2017 allows the sawmill to burn wet sawdust to generate energy to dry its timber products. Previously the sawmill spent more than half a million dollars per annum to buy waste oil to use as its fuel source. Using the Polytechnik enery centre has resulted in cost savings, increased producivity, and quality improvements, said Paki Paki. Minister Shaw said that he was surprised to learn how much the sawmill spent on fuel (waste oil) before it bought its Polytechnik system and was very impressed by the efficiency of the whole sawmill operation. “It’s really quite astonishing technology and there’s such a commitment to utilising every part of the resource during the process,” said Shaw. The Minister also commended the use of waste on site. “It’s tremendous waste capture and there is further potential and that’s really exciting because all that waste can be turned into value. Biochar has tremendous
General Manager for Kaituna Sawmill Tracy Goss, MP for Kaikōura Stuart Smith, Lindy Fursman, Private Secretary, Climate Change, for James Shaw, Minister for Climate Change James Shaw and award judge Ket Bradshaw. carbon capture potential.” Visitors to the field day were positive about what they saw during their tour. “I was really impressed with the health and safety on site and the efficiency of the operation,” says Forest and Land Use Advisor for Te Uru Rākau, Tamara Orr. Sustainability Manager for White Haven Wines Josh Barclay said that he didn’t expect the scale of the sawmill operation. “It demonstrates the process of continual improvement really well,” said Barclay. Chair of the Cawthron Marlborough Environment Awards Jo Grigg said that she was struck by
how measuring its emissions was the starting point for the sawmill’s journey. Looking to the future she asks what role Kaituna Sawmill might play in waste management in the building sector, by changing the material it uses for packaging as an example. “It’s all about sharing ideas,” said Grigg. During a question and answer session a visitor asked if Kaituna was looking into more sustainable packaging for its timber products. General Manager of Kaituna Sawmill Tracy Goss said that the branded wrap the sawmill uses for its timber packets
is now 100 percent recycled and that he hopes that the market can provide the other packaging components the sawmill needs that meet its durability and safety requirements. Awards judge Ket Bradshaw told the gathering that Kaituna Sawmill’s continuous improvement and its genuine desire to reduce emissions was clear in its award entry. “It stood out amongst other forestry entries because of the business’ reach and integration.” Bradshaw also commended Kristie Paki Paki for her engaging personality and energy, in particular in her role as chair of OneFortyOne’s Environment Improvement Committee, which includes a range of stakeholders from the wider community. “Keep sharing your stories with neighbours and the public,” said Bradshaw, “it’s an important part of your licence to operate.” Goss said that the sawmill staff numbers have gone up by 18 percent over the past six months and that it is firmly focused on helping to meet increased demand for timber products within the domestic market. “The majority of our timber products remain within the South Island. 75 percent of our timber products remains within New Zealand.”
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NELSON | MARLBOROUGH | WEST COAST
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Beekeepers’ logistical nightmare For beekeepers flooding damage can range from apiaries disappearing in a flash, to silt-laden hives, or washouts and landslides causing land access issues, but what if road closure wasn’t temporary and what if it cut you off from 90 percent of your hives? That is the situation facing Marlborough Sounds beekeepers Rob and Sabine Harper at Sherrington Honey who are living a “logistical nightmare” and having to spend thousands of dollars a week on barge access just to reach their hives, get in supplies and transport honey for sale. There’s no doubt about it, the place the Harpers call home would be the envy of most people, however the usually tranquil lifestyle of the Marlborough Sounds has been replaced with an ongoing battle to access more than 1500 of Sherrington Honey’s 1700 hives since the region received once-in-a-century flooding on July 24-25. Rob Harper has called the Ohinetaha Bay in the Mahau Sound home for 40 years and says it was the worst rain event he has seen.
NELSON | MARLBOROUGH | WEST COAST
“One of the old residents down here recorded 431mm on Friday and Saturday combined and then another 32mm on the Sunday,” Harper says. Road access linking the Sherrington Honey base to the outer Marlborough Sounds to the north and east and also the nearest towns to the south and west was cut off following the downpours and resulting slips. While access has been partially restored to the mainland of the South Island and the towns of Linkwater, Havelock, Picton and Blenheim, the wonderfully scenic yet windy and slip-prone Kenepuru Road remains closed indefinitely. A landslide and massive rock block the road four kilometres further down the Sounds, at Te Mahia Bay. Beyond that, at least 1500 Sherrington Honey hives are situated over the usual two hour drive to the end of the Sounds and require the usual spring management to prevent starvation and maintain hive health. “Our operation is effectively cut in half with this road closure with the beehives on one side and our equipment on the other side,” Harper says.
A Mayoral relief fund is partially funding barge transport for residents of the Kenepuru Road, of which there are several hundred. Sherrington Honey are using the barge to transport their work trucks past “the rock”, as they have dubbed the landslip, and also to get supplies in and out on their heavy vehicle. This is coming at not only significant cost to the business – at $180 per vehicle each way, and $160 per water taxi for staff – but also significant stress due to the logistical challenges and uncertainty of when the road might reopen. “We take as much gear across as we can, but when we need to refill, such as sugar syrup and trailers, we have to bring everything back here to our base on the barge. It’s a logistical nightmare and an ongoing cost,” Harper says. It is not just getting to hives that is proving a challenge either, but also getting in supplies like the two or three tonnes of sugar required each week in spring, and then also taking a truck load of honey to town. Those sorts of missions usually require barging of their heavy truck to Havelock
as well as Harper walking, biking, hitchhiking or phoning for a ride to get between home and the truck parked-up at the marina between water crossings. Sherrington Honey has three staff members, along with the husband and wife owners. To get to one site their head beekeeper was given a backpack of varroa treatments and a bicycle which they set off on to get the job done. With queen rearing season just around the corner the logistical challenges will intensify as they try to find enough accessible cell-raiser hives and then come up with a plan to transport incubated queen cells. Although they have applied for some flood relief funding, they have yet to receive any monies and are unaware of any significant support packages. While financial relief is not in sight, neither is a practical solution to fixing the Kenepuru Road with Marlborough Roads stating they cannot provide an estimate of when it might be open and that residents are “facing a long period of disrupted access”. “You can’t plan ahead because you don’t know how long this is
going for. We might do things completely differently if we know we are going to be still dealing with this in six months’ time. We’ve heard everything from three months out to two years and nobody seems to know,” Harper says. The isolation, disruptions and hardship the road closure is putting on people is starting to take its toll and the Harpers say, while their local councillor has been helpful, they feel like council staff are simply not listening. “The big thing is just the lack of information. We still don’t have anything coming out of Marlborough Roads as to when they will start work. Or when it will be opened at least to one lane. Out here we feel really let down by Marlborough Roads and nobody is giving us any indication.” While the challenges will keep coming as the weather warms and the bees become more active, a fortuitously-timed purchase of a side-by-side all-terrain vehicle has provided some comfort to Harper. “It has already paid for itself,” he says, adding “a barge is next on the wish list”.
Sheep flock down, beef herd up The total number of sheep in New Zealand decreased 0.8 percent (by 199,000 head) to an estimated 25.83 million while beef cattle numbers rose 2.5 percent to 3.98 million, according to Beef + Lamb’s annual stock number survey. The decline in sheep numbers was across both breeding ewes, down 0.5 percent to 16.48 million, and hoggets, which decreased 0.6 percent to 8.61 million. An increase in the number of beef cattle was driven largely by more rising two year-
old cattle, particularly in the North Island. The most recent analysis means that since 2000 the total number of sheep in New Zealand has declined by nearly 40 percent – from 42.3 million to 25.8 million – and the number of beef cattle has decreased by 5 percent – from 4.2 million to 4.0 million. Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Andrew Burtt says one other factor B+LNZ is closely monitoring is the effect of sheep and beef farmland being converted to forestry. “We expect there will be a turn-off of capital livestock as land set aside for afforestation is planted – a process that takes some time – and this will be reflected in future livestock decreases.”
Farming
September 2021
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Farmers urge council to stand up to government’s Three Waters ‘reform’ NELSON | MARLBOROUGH | WEST COAST
Tony Orman The controversy around the government’s proposal to manage the country’s three waters drinking water, stormwater and wastewater - resulted in spirited, sometimes angry, discussion at the August meeting of Marlborough Federated Farmers. Present was Marlborough District Council deputy mayor Nadine Taylor who had to field several questions as to council’s reaction to the water reform proposals known as “Three Waters.” Also present was Kaikoura MP Stuart Smith and he urged council to consult with ratepayers. “It would be advisable for MDC to communicate and consult ratepayers. Putting it to a ratepayers’ referendum would show real leadership,” he said. In reply Nadine Taylor said council had a number of concerns about the proposals. “But we need to carefully assess it. Our finance team has been working through it.” Under the government plans, Marlborough and Tasman would be split in two, each going to separate entities C and D respectively. Entity C would put Marlborough in with the North Island’s East Coast, Hawkes Bay and Wellington while Tasman would be split with some in entity C and the remainder in entity D the later covering the rest of the South Island. Stuart Smith criticised Marlborough being “lumped in” with the North Island’s east coast and Wellington. “National would do it along regional lines. Besides Marlborough people would be paying for a rebuild of Wellington’s sagging infrastructure and subsidising it,” he said. “And the centralisation of bureaucracy will cost more.”. The Marlborough District Council had been good with infrastructure maintenance unlike Wellington he explained. Stuart Smiith did not agree with a “race-based” system where iwi had voting rights. Other speakers shared Stuart Smith’s concerns. Aiden Mac-
Marlborough Deputy Mayor Nadine Taylor responds to questions from farmers.
kenzie said government by its proposals, had made it a race based issue. “Sixteen percent are calling the tune. You don’t run a country of equality and democracy like that,” said Waihopai farmer Ralph Mason. Chairman Scott Adams urged the Marlborough District Council to take a firm stand. “MDC should take from this meeting that people expect a strong stand from council. Doing the figures is the right thing.” He urged MDC to act quickly as reports indicate government would rush the “Three Water Reforms” bill into law in September. Upper Waihopai farmer Geoff Evans objected to government handing out public money to councils, relative to “The Three Water” proposals. “Money from government won’t necessarily be spent on water. It thus becomes tantamount to a bribe,” he said. David Dillon said that bribery was not a new tactic for government. “The media has been handcuffed by government handouts of two grants of $50M to newspapers and television,” he said. Scott Adams said New Zealanders had fought in two World Wars to uphold democracy from dictatorships. “Democracy or more exactly the lack of it is an important and alarming aspect. If water is privatised it will be for profit by corporates, not for the
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charity of the people,” he said. After an exchange of views, the meeting passed a unanimous motion to write to the Marlborough District Council that the issue be put to a binding referendum following full public consultation. Groundswell Fifty seven protests largely by farmers, were held around the country with government given an ultimatum and a one month deadline to listen to farmers and change unfair and impractical purposed regulations applying to farming. PM Adern said “it was important that the country stuck to the commitments it had made on freshwater and climate change, which would help New Zealand maintain the value of its exports”. But Groundswell remain undeterred judging by a report tabled at the meeting. “Groundswell is not calling for a halt in progress addressing environmental issues,” it said. “We believe all New Zealanders need to contribute to environmental custodianship. Nor are we opposed to all regulations, as claimed by some government minsters.” Groundswell emphasised its opposition is to “unworkable regulations, particularly those that are impractical, cost prohibitive, penalises environmentally progressive landowners or have
detrimental outcomes for the environment.” Groundswell supported a ‘catchment approach’ to freshwater. “Our campaign will continue until the much needed change to the unworkable regulations occur. Enough is enough,” said the report. Discussion followed. Aiden Mackenzie said the protest was not only by farmers and a lot of towns supported the protests. Scott Adams said the protests were a strong show of frustration. “It was in response to the way government is trying to run New Zealand,” he added. Geoff Evans said as bad as the current Labour government is, recent governments of the last 20 years had inflicted more and more impractical, costly regulations on rural New Zealand and the country generally. Wairau Valley dairy farmer Evan White said the Marlborough Groundswell was a big success. “Some Facebook comments were negative but there’s widespread admiration for farmers for the way in which they battled through covid,” he said. The meeting decided to congratulate Okaramio farmer Lone Sorenson for organising the recent successful Groundswell protest in Blenheim.
Farms to Pines Climate change and the Emissions Trading Scheme came up for discussion. MP Stuart Smith said New Zealand had to reduce emissions by 8% by 2025. “It will be very challenging,” he said. “National supports the ETS. If NZ doesn’t reach the target the likelihood is he EU and UK will put levies on those countries behind schedule on targets. UK had considerably lowered emissions.” However David Dillon said New Zealand emissions were half a percent of the world’s emissions. Upper Waihopai farmer Geoff Evans said the conversion of farmland to monocultures of pines is on-going. “It’s happening rapidly. A number of Waihopai Valley farms have changed their land use to forestry. Pine trees have been planted on good farms,” he said. A report on independent research on farmland being converted to forestry was tabled. In 2017 3965 hectares of whole sheep and beef farms were sold into forestry. In 2018 it increased to 20,227 ha and in 2019 to 36,824 ha. Largely because of covid in 2020 conversions declined to 16,764 ha. However more recent commentary identifies the conversion had picked up again with real momentum. Beef + Lamb estimates that the transitioning of productive land to exotic forestry over the last three years would result in a reduction of 700,000 stock units with “downstream implications” for processing companies and supplying services. “The NZ hill country is the lifeblood of the sheep and beef sector and if the rate of sales continues, all farmers - and NZ’s ability to produce food - will be impacted.” While Beef+ Lamb sees a role for forestry in addressing climate change, it was “the scale and pace of farm sales into forestry” that is of deep concern. They want urgent action by the government.
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Farming
September 2021
NELSON | MARLBOROUGH | WEST COAST
Nelson Federated Farmers August 2021 Report Garrick Batten
The recent rain event and associated highest ever flooding of some rivers highlighted river maintenance and occupied the meeting in other ways. TDC deputy mayor Stuart Bryant attended and Colin Gibbs encouraged more future helpful Councillor attendance in parallel with their attending Community Association meetings. Ray Borcovsky suggested a workshop format given the range and deluge of activities occupying TDC as noted by Stuart, and land owners. Stuart explained river gravel extraction policies, noting the districtwide shortage of gravel and sand and current planning. He also noted that Taylor’s had fully utilised the river works budget for
the first time. Stuart resolved confusion with various land use planning provisions in creating the new Tasman Environment Plan, and Council has actively offered to work with landowners on boundaries and protective controls. SNA’s are on hold for up to 18 months. They can be done voluntarily by land owners at any time and details have been withheld by TDC at odds with Government policy. Members raised fencing costs, rates and weed control issues with him, and compensation has been mentioned. Following a meeting in Murchison, unresolved ONL issues will be revisited before year end, but formulating TDC rules may take another 3-4 years. ONFs identify a single outstanding feature
only. Following discussion about SNAs and ONLs in highly modified areas with the Nelson mayor, Barbara Stuart encouraged active engagement with local body representatives, suggesting different levels of significance could be justified. TDC has just started discussing options and consequences for Three Waters including responsibilities for assets and debts, domestic water permits and supplies, with no decisions yet made. Gavin O’Donnell urged Councils’ front-end consultation with land owners on all these issues. President Martin O’Connor, Dairy section chair Stephen Todd, and Jenny Ridgen MPI all contributed reports on flooding effects where farmers got off reasonably lightly apart from
specific property damage. Additional government funding has been allocated for flood recovery assistance but Task Force Green was not required because local volunteers including from Fish and Game had been particularly active. Martin, Stephen and Kerry Irvine, Meat and Wool section chair, all reported on their AGMs and the 3 day PINZ conference, noting the wealth of information provided and stimulating contributions on various topics. A green-washed effect on agribusinesses was noted that was not supporting farmers and emphasised their need to be proactive with suggestions. Jenny had earlier noted that MPI were very aware of the impact from new regulations on farmers and was
advising government that time is needed to think through implications for these on farming families, businesses and communities now being overwhelmed by their implementation. Decisions have been taken at the meeting about securing adequate provincial admin support, and succession planning. There was continuing discussion about membership that will now be stimulated by the appointment of Harry Matthews as Provincial Sales Engagement Adviser. Every farmer is being targeted by new regulations, and there are a large number of lifestyle blocks, some of which will require Farm Environment Plans. The next ZOOM meeting open to all Members is on 7 September 7pm.
Farmers; our climate heroes Stuart Smith, MP Earlier this month the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) delivered the first part of their 6th Assessment report. The IPCC was established by the governments of the world way back in 1988 to look across all of the literature on climate change and provide a balanced and expert view to the governments of the world. One of the scientific debates that has raged in New Zealand and elsewhere over the last decade is the question of methane. When we emit greenhouse gases, many people may not realise that we actually put significantly different gases with significantly different properties up into the atmosphere. The current method of calculating carbon footprints like carbon and methane, called the ‘GWP’, has received a large amount of criticism over the last dec-
ade. The basic issue is a lack of recognition that the atmosphere has the potential to absorb a certain level of methane each year. Our ultimate goal is to stop global warming. When it comes to short-lived methane, we can do this by stabilising emissions, if we emit the same amount every year, then because methane is short-lived, the atmospheric level will, over time, stabilise. Carbon dioxide however persists for thousands of years, as a result, in order to stabilise atmospheric concentrations, and stop global warming, we need to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to ‘net zero’. The IPCC has recommended using GWP* as a tool to calculate different warming behaviours of short-lived gases. This is a highly significant conclusion for a country like New Zealand, when we are considering reviewing our Paris target. I will be doing everything I can to make sure Climate Minister James
National MP Stuart Smith Shaw takes this conclusion seriously. The IPCC also says that reducing methane emissions by about 0.3 percent per annum, or about 10 percent by 2050, would mean NZ’s methane emissions are creating no further warming. This implies that the current 24 to 47 percent target in the Zero Carbon Bill will require our farmers to go way further than what is required for methane. While we are asking long-lived carbon dioxide to only contribute no further warming by 2050, we are potentially asking farmers to reduce methane much faster and much sooner than what is required.
The IPCC’s finding is great news for all of NZ. It would be a shame for the Government to take a defensive approach and continue to apply a target to agriculture that goes beyond what is required by the science. We also have a very different economic situation where agriculture is almost carrying the economy on its back and has got us through the lockdown era that we live in thus far and is incredibly important to every Kiwis financial wellbeing. Reaching a 10% biogenic methane reduction by 2050 will likely be achieved by business as usual efficiency gains and, it seems logical that should reductions go further they will in effect be an offset for other emissions such as industrial heat and transport. If this is the case then our farmers should be credited for their efforts as they are with forestry sinks. Our farmers would not only be the heroes of our economy, but also our climate heroes.
Farming
September 2021
NELSON | MARLBOROUGH | WEST COAST
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Federated Farmers Golden Bay Ann Thompson
Has it been wetter in Golden Bay this winter/spring? You bet! We know that Golden Bay’s best kept secret is that it rains a lot, but this last month has been very wet, compared to last year. In Ferntown (Collingwood), a local farmer has recorded that there have been 13 rainy days in August, compared to just 8 days for the same period in 2020. This means that the paddocks have been very wet, making pasture management very difficult for farmers. Most farmers have managed well, standing stock on better
drained areas, limiting access to pasture and feeding out the grass harvested earlier in the year in the form of hay and baleage/silage. Leaving stock on wet paddocks and winter crop too long can lead to pugging and conditions that can affect the welfare of the animals. We’ve had more rain too. Right is the table of rainfall in some of the catchments that affect farmers, taken from the Tasman District Council data set. Drinking Water Across rural New Zealand, most farmers collect rainwater and use it for their own (and stock) use, because they are not connected to any town supply. Here
NEWS RMA CAUTION URGED: Federated Farmers is urging the Government not to try and push through a radical reform of the Resource Management Act during the current pandemic. VicePresident Karen Williams led a Federated Farmers team presenting to the Environment Select Committee in late August and agreed all is not well with one of our most important pieces of legislation. “But before we replace the RMA let’s make sure the new legislation will drive better outcomes. We should keep what isn’t broken.” The Government is proposing an overhaul of the resource management framework with its Natural and Built Environments Bill. BEE AWARE MONTH: Beekeepers’ message to Kiwis this September: Love bees? Plant trees (when you can)! Beekeepers are calling on beelovers across New Zealand to take what actions they can to improve the health and resilience of Kiwi bee populations this September for Bee Aware Month. Some of the best bee-friendly trees are many citrus and pip fruit trees, or native plants like harakeke or rewarewa. These offer bees excellent, ongoing sources of nutrition and well-nourished bees are better able to withstand threats like varroa, habitat loss, climate change and diseases.” she explains. Bee Aware Month is a national educational campaign initiated and co-ordinated by Apiculture NZ. CHANGES TO GRAZING REGULATIONS: Proposed changes to intensive winter grazing regulations are being consulted on that will make them practical for farmers to comply with while ensuring improved environmental outcomes, says Environment Minister David Parker and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor. Intensive winter grazing is a farming practice where livestock, such as cattle and sheep, are grazed on paddocks planted with fodder crops. When done poorly it can have serious negative effects on water quality and animal welfare. Under the proposed changes, farmers would be required to re-sow grazed paddocks as soon as conditions allow, instead of by a set date. Specific requirements around the depth of pugging will also be removed. Consultation runs until 7 October 2021. The consultation document and online submission forms are available at consult.environment. govt.nz/freshwater/intensive-winter-grazingregulations/
Recording site Anatoki (Happy Sams) Takaka (Kotinga) Waingaro Waingara (Hanging Rock) Aorere (Salisbury)
2021, 25 July – 25 Aug 385.9mm
2020, 25 July – 25 Aug 359.4mm
Difference
260.1mm
188.9mm
71.2mm
381mm
284.3mm
96.7mm
545.5mm
368.1mm
177.4mm
in the Bay this collection and use of rainfall is not restricted to farmers, with many households collecting their own, be it rain, spring, well or stream water. Some share this supply with other households, often under a ‘gentleman’s agreement’. This ability to share water is under threat due to the Water Ser-
26.5mm
vices Bill, which is currently before Parliament, not recognising what happens between neighbours. Federated Farmers knows that this will have consequences for those in rural areas and has been lobbying the government to amend the Bill, asking that those supplying fewer than 50 people be exempted. It appears that this
has fallen on deaf ears as the Bill has been reported back to Parliament with the definition of ‘water supplier’ unchanged. This means that anyone supplying water to another household will have to register so as not to break the law. Does the government think that those who share water with their neighbour are going to sign up to lots of compliance costs and hassles? Or will they tell their neighbours that they will have to find another water source? Or are they going to be forced to break the law and supply the water anyway? We suggest you write to your local MP (Hon Damien O’Connor) and get him to see sense.
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Farming
Livestock & Wool
September 2021
NELSON | MARLBOROUGH | WEST COAST
NIWA: Warm spring ahead Temperatures across the top of the South Island are expected to be above average, says NIWA. Probabilities are assigned in three categories: above average, near average, and below average and NIWA says temperatures are very likely to be above average (60% chance).
Rainfall totals are equally likely to be near normal (40% chance) or below normal (40% chance). Extended dry spells, unusual for the time of year, are likely. River flows are most likely to be near normal (40% chance). No clear guidance for soil moisture levels.
Making the most of your paddocks potential Supplied by Osgro Seed Services
Spring is upon us, everywhere has significant winter rainfall ensuring we are going to receive some type of spring growth. By now we should have thought about some type of forage cropping plan for the spring. Due to last year tough autumn most people have more paddocks out in crop than usual, because they choose to sow paddocks down in Annual crop rather than risk sowing perennial pasture, which was the correct call. This does raise the issue of sowing perennial pastures in the spring. Traditionally our region has been an autumn sow down region for perennial pasture, due to dry summers. I think sowing down perennial pasture this spring may have significant merit. A number of farmer are thinking of sowing Lucerne this spring, after a couple of dryer than normal summer which makes sense, the last 3 out of 4 winner of the Marlborough Farmer of the year winner have all got significant areas of Lu-
cerne sown on their property. Who to get the best out of your crop / pasture Firstly do a soil test, make sure all the nutrients are in the optimum range, address it if required, you can expect a plant to preform if it doesn’t have everything it requires. If you want your paddock to preform then you need to feed it like a racehorse. Choosing what to plant, ask yourself what are you trying to achieve? Then talk to your trusted independent seed advisor, this with tell you what to plant. Use the latest genetics available on the market, don’t buy a variety that’s been around 15 years. farmers spend good money on buying good genetics for livestock breeding because that drives productivity, same with plants, top plant genetics drive dry matter productivity. Now we have sorted fertility and genetics, we must take care of the competition(weeds) this starts with a good spray out, making sure our glyphosate has an additive to remove the broadleaf weeds. Once the crop
is germinated we then need to assess the paddock for weeds and if require we need to apply a selective herbicide to remove all undesirable plant. Weed compete for light and nutrient and reduce the yield of the plant crop o pasture. The other major issue that can affect your paddock potential is insect. This can affect the crop during the establishment phase and also once established. Insect are like parasites, they need to be dealt with ASAP. Using coated seed at sowing time offer a good level of protection (remember all coatings are not equal) over the establishment phase, but paddocks need to be monitored regularly. Once established things like grass grub and aphid can still attack your crop or pasture and have a negative effect on yield So to get the maximum potential out of your pasture you need to consider, fertility, genetic, weeds and insects. It costs more just as much to grow a poor crop as what it does to grow a boomer, so do the basics right and you can’t go wrong.
Shipping delays, market eases, covid disrupts Writing from the “Home Office” during day ten of Covid-19 Alert Level 4 lockdown, I cast my mind back to about the same time of year in 2020 when coarse wool values were extremely grim with many growers receiving approximately $1 per kilogram greasy for fleece wool. Before enforcement of the recent Alert Level 4 across NZ most crossbred wool growers were receiving significantly “north” of $2 per greasy kilogram for goodto-average style fleece, with some receiving around $3, a fairly hefty improvement although still dismal, and despite a slight fall in the market in early August. The British Wool Marketing’s auction held on 17th August there, saw slight improvement and the average price for all wool sold reached £1.01 clean or £0.705 greasy, equating to approximately NZD $2.07 clean or $1.41 greasy. As eluded, the wool market eased slightly at auctions in Napier and Christchurch during early August, following solid improvement during July, as exporters continued to grapple with extremely difficult shipping conditions. Until July the major problem confronting all exporters was the endlessly changing shipping schedules to accommodate the erratic movement of container ships into and out of NZ, often utilizing ports not originally scheduled. From early July however a definite shortage of container space compounded shipping issues further with NZ exporter staff continually rearranging shipments along with the trail of necessarily highly accurate documentation required to accompany each container. Delays in shipping and road transport from destination ports, meant many wool exporters were unable to deliver wool to their manufacturer customers overseas within expected time frames. Whilst the NZ wool market improved throughout July and into early August, possibly due to some exporters having over-sold a range of types hence needing to fill their orders, most industry observers expected the trend to con-
tinue, however as Chinese buying interests began to slow their requirements (both in NZ and Australia) market values eased. A wide range of new and old seasons’ coarse wool types were again available to exporters throughout the July and early August period. While many exporters were keen to buy older wools, price differentials between those and new season wools widened with poorer types suffering the largest discounts. Good-style well-grown new season pre-lamb shorn wools drew the best attention along with good colour second-shear types and good colour bulky oddments. Good and best style mid-micron and merino types gained great support from the export trade and prices were reasonably solid at the South Island auction on August 12th, although a few holes in the market appeared for some of the fine and medium halfbred wools following the similar trend in Australia, but extremely good interest for finer Merino wool types was evident. At time of writing Australian brokers reported a much tougher market for poorer fine wool types, and grower resistance had resulted in high percentages of wool passedin at auctions, some as high as 50 percent. Due to Covid Alert Level 4 in NZ, apart from shearing, regarded as essential from an animal welfare perspective and due to significant numbers of pregnant ewes needing to be shorn, some transport of wool off farm to allow shearing to continue, and some export shipping, the rest of the NZ wool pipeline was on “hold”. Wool brokers, merchants, scourers and dumpers were unable to process wool through their operational systems and wool selling systems had come to a halt, all awaiting a change in Covid Alert Level which hopefully would enable parts of the wool processing pipeline to resume, albeit slower than normal due to strict protocols around working environments. That’s my view.
Do you have some rural news? Phone us on 548 5900 Farming NELSON | MARLBOROUGH | WEST COAST
Farming
September 2021
NELSON | MARLBOROUGH | WEST COAST
Nitrogen on the land Why do we need to reduce Nitrogen on the Land? We have just had one of the wettest Winters for a very long time. Dry spells last Summer and Autumn meant a lack of feed in some districts leading into Winter. The dry Summer and lack of growth meant there was a build-up of nutrients in the soil. A store of nutrients in the soil is ideal unless the floods that followed depleted the nutrients in the soil from leaching due to a low level of carbon in the soil. With optimum carbon levels, Nitrogen will be stored in the carbon portion of the soil, ready for when there’s the right amount of moisture and temperature for pastures to grow. We know that Nitrogen is an
essential element for plants to grow. The question is how much is required and how should we apply it? When Nitrogen is applied directly to the soil, there will be more wastage which eventuates as runoff and leaching. If liquid Nitrogen is applied directly to foliage, the plant uptake of Nitrogen is almost immediate, the only runoff being what drips off the leaf. Fertilizer New Zealand has developed a liquid Nitrogen fertiliser NPK 8.3.6, specifically for New Zealand conditions. Actavize can be applied to a range of crops and pastures. It reliably produces healthy and strong plants that are nutritious to whoever eats them. The most common product
Seasonal statement
We have just had one of the wettest Winters for a very long time. This hasn’t helped by having a dry spell in our previous Summer and Autumn, eventuating in a lack of feed in some districts leading into the Winter. So, what is happening in the soil? The dry Summer and the lack of growth in some districts meant that there would be a buildup of nutrients in the soil, which is great, but this was followed by floods which will have depleted the soils of nutrients through leaching, especially where these nutrients were sourced from synthetic fertilisers. This will be especially true of the nitrogen products. But where carbon levels are optimal in the soils, nitrogen will be stored in the carbon portion of the soil, ready for when there’s the right amount of moisture and temperature for pastures to grow.
Specific topics applied to the information
Nitrogen is an essential element for plants to grow. The question isn’t that there is a need for nitrogen, but rather how much nitrogen is available and what needs to be applied and how it should be applied. If it is applied to the soil, then there will be a requirement for more to be applied because there will more wastage. If it is applied to the leaf all, apart from some run off from the leaf, will work almost immediately.
applied in Spring is Nitrogen, but this isn’t the only element that may be lacking in early Spring. For example, when Ruapehu erupted in the mid1990s, ash fell over the central North Island, part of the ash being sulphur. The land where the ash fell was noticeably growing more pasture, indicating the importance of assessing the levels of all elements in our soil. Fertilizer New Zealand provides comprehensive soil recommendations based on soil analysis, to ensure your soil has all the elements required for optimum growth and plant resilience. Contact your Field Advisor via www.fertnz.co.nz or phone 0800 337 869 for your soil recommendation.
Specific products to solve problems
Assuming that nitrogen is to be applied to the leaf, the products that should be considered are ones that have been designed to produce a healthy strong plant that is nutritious to whomever eats it. There are products that are cheap and claim a lot and then there are products which have stood the test of time and are reliable to produce consistently great crops. Fertilizer NZ has a range of products especially suited to NZ conditions which have been applied to a range of crops and pastures and produce amazing results.
Industry story relevant to topic
The most commonly product applied in spring is nitrogen but this isn’t the only element that may be lacking in early spring. An example of this is found in nature, when Ruapehu erupted in the mid 1990’s. There was millions of tonnes of ash distributed over The Central North Island and part of the ash was sulphur. The land where the ash fell was noticeably growing more pasture. Indicating that sulphur was the element that made the grass grow faster. There were probably down sides to this eruption but the fact remains that sulphur is a key ingredient to pasture production.
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Farming
September 2021
All-new Kia Seltos SUV
Last year when the all-new model Seltos was released into the market I looked forward to driving it at home in Covid free country! Delta put paid to that. So, the photo taken in Auckland at its press launch, shows two Selto’s giving both a front and rear view.
Like Ford’s obsetion with E named vehicles Kia likes the letter S and the Seltos falls between the evergreen Sportage and the Stonic, in their lineup. “The strong reaction from the public ahead of the introduction of Seltos clearly indicates that we have another winner on our hands,” said Todd McDonald, Managing Director of Kia Motors New Zealand, at its launch function. Starting price is $32,490 for the Kia Seltos LX 2.0,l, $38,490 for the EX and the model I drove the 4WD Limited 1.6,l turbo at $47,490 with 4 years of scheduled servicing, makes the new model very competitive, given the comprehensive standard specs. I only got to drive it briefly as it belonged to a freind who reads my colums and asked why I hadn’t written about it yet. Simply Kia NZ doesn’t send Press vehicles south of the Bombay hills. If I was visiting Auckland I’m sure they’d have
NELSON | MARLBOROUGH | WEST COAST
given me one to review. My friend bought the top spec Limited AWD Seltos having had Sportages since I took him for a ride in one 17 years ago. ‘Brand loyalty alive and well!’ I asked why the change to the Seltos? He said with a grin “just drive it!!!” So I hopped into the command seat and felt immediatly at home. Kia, like Toyota and BMW amoung others have a cohesion through the model range that makes for both brand loyalty and instant recognition if you’ve driven one before. I was keen to compare the Seltos to it’s Hyundai sibling rival the Kona. 100mm shorter the Kona shares the same 1.6-litre turbocharged engine driving all four wheels through a seven-speed dualclutch sports transmission. Oddly the 130kW/265Nm output is 5kW more in the Kona which is also $1000+ more, The continuously variable transmission, CVT in all but the tubo versions acts much like a regular automatic as if it has distinct gear changes, has improved fuel economy, smoothness, lighter weight and less complexity claims Kia .A new addition the Drive Mode Select system lets the car to the drivers preferred style or the road conditions. Kia claim “the exterior is matched with strong on-road performance and engaging dynamics that have been honed for driving conditions in this part of the world by Kia engineers through the ANZAC development programme. This ensures that the suspension and steering are tuned to provide a comfortable and confidence-inspiring drive across a wide range of road and climatic conditions”. A full suite of active safety measures is include with Autonomous Emergency Braking system across the range. Most also have Advanced Smart Cruise Control, Blind Spot Detection with Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist and Lane Keep Assist, including Line/ Road Edge.
Kia Seltos SUV at its unveiling in Auckland. A total 4370mm length, with a wheelbase of 2630mm shows in more passenger legroom and a surprising 433L boot space in the EX and Limited models with full size alloy spare wheel, [space saver in the LX ]. The interior of the Seltos has high-quality feeling materials and the usual in-car technology. All models, except the LX, feature a smart 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen [8-inch touchscreen on the LX] with a hi spec infotainment sound system, satellite navigation and electric park brake. Seltos’s alloy wheels range from 16-inch to 18-inch, roof rails, tyre pressure monitoring system, Apple Car Play and Android Auto, leather steering wheel, air conditioning [climate control on EX and Limited] The Limited I was driving had full leather trim, with both heated and ventilated front seats. Also a feature I enjoy, the Head-up Display, which projects driving information onto a see-through panel behind the steering wheel. With theSmart proximity key in my pocket I hit the remote engine start button and the smooth quiet and as I was to find out free reving motor does provide the performance especially with AWD on unsealed roads. Pity only the top spec/price model has AWD as the trip to the ski field or on Winter ice and snow is so much safer and reassuring with all paw power!
With a diet of mainly SUV’s recently I am used to great ground clearance. Like the Kona, only 177mm is available in the Seltos, meaning driving with right side wheels on the high crown of the road to avoid the clatter of stones on vital parts. Still I was impressed by just how well it handled the metal roads and how much fun it is. On the open highway the legal limit comes up really quickly, [I said I liked the heads up-to save my licence] as ther willing turbo fires up the 1.6 litre mill. Kia claim a fuel burn of 7.6 l/100km which should be achieable as the cars computer read 7.9. Oddly again the 2 litre motor in all other variants claims a better econony of 6.8. Both come well below the new CO2 emmision threshold of 192g km meaning no extra TAX from the govt. Such a short time with the turbo Seltos meant I didn’t get a long drive nor did I take it off road, though as with other small SUV’s it is likely given short front/rear overhangs to be competant. I’ve always liked Kia products along with sister company Hyundai, they produce reliable, affordable, safe [5 star ANCAP] motoring. Sadly I rarely get to drive Kia’s. I hope that might change soon as I get many requests for advice on how they compare. Given my recent short sojourn in the new Seltos though, I was impressed.
Farming
September 2021
NELSON | MARLBOROUGH | WEST COAST
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