Nelson Marlborough Farming July 2020

15,500 copies distributed monthly – to every rural delivery & P.O. mailbox in Nelson, Marlborough & The West Coast. July 2020

INSIDE

Bull sales go well on a warm winter day

Our Politicians have their say pg 2 Federated Farmers Update pg 4 Soil Matters with Peter Burton pg 11 Complex Septic Tank Rules pg 13 Wool Comment from Rob Cochrane pg 13 Last of the Holdens Country Motoring pg 14

The combined Matariki hereford and Woodbank angus sale on the Murray family properties at Clarence were held under balmy conditions recently. With temperatures hitting 20 degrees during the sale the market maintained the heat of this seasons post lockdown bull sales with averages just short of last years .

Woodbank stud principal John Murray was pleased with the sale “with there being a bull for everyone “ at reasonable prices.

The Woodbank angus average was just on $8,000 and Matariki hereford average $9,000.

Pictured above basking in late afternoon sunshine is lot 65 which was one of a number sold to East coast North Island buyers.

Story and pics from Joe Blakiston

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Primary industries drive covid-19 recovery

The future of ‘healthcare’

Minister of Agriculture, Hon Damien O’Connor

Hon Nick Smith I worry about the future of healthcare in Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough under radical reforms announced by the Government last week. The risk of centralisation is a loss of health services and key decisions being made elsewhere.

Four big changes are proposed. A new national agency, Health NZ, would be created for managing clinical services alongside the existing Ministry of Health. A special and separate Maori Health Authority would be established. All District Health Board (DHB) members would be appointed by the Minister of Health, rather than 7 out of 11 being elected. The number of Health Boards is to be reduced from the current 20 to between 8 and 12.

The problem for Nelson/ Marlborough is that our DHB has a population of 150,000, but the new model requires between 420,000 and 620,000 people. The most likely outcome is our health services being run from Wellington or Christchurch. Ian Powell, an expert voice for hospital specialists says, “Hospital services outside the main cities will be reduced” and that these proposals “will be a stuff up.”

Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough have had control of their own health services for over a century since the first hospital board was established in 1885. It will be harder for our frontline doctors, our nurses and other health professionals to be heard by management from afar. It will be less connected with our GPs, pharmacies, community health organisations and councils. It will make my job as MP in advocating for constituents and services more difficult.

A key issue in healthcare is in ensuring the funds go into front line public services and not administration. These proposals add two new national agencies and two “Regional entities”. This can only lead to increases in the health bureaucracy.

Our Nelson Marlborough District Health Board has consistently outperformed the larger metropolitan DHBs. It did a good job through the Covid emergency. A key to success has been attracting top specialists. I am also proud of our history of innovation in areas like cardiac care that has saved dozens of lives. Our DHB has also been a leader in integrating primary and secondary health care.

These health changes are similar to those to polytechnics that has seen our region lose control of NMIT - now the Nelson/Marlborough branch of NZIST. This change has already seen the loss of top talent from like CEO Liam Sloane. NMIT employs 400 and our NMDHB over 2,800. They are the Top of the South’s biggest employers.

I fear centralisation will result in fewer jobs.

I also share the scepticism of expert health commentators who see the parallel to those changes with what occurred in the UK, known as the Lansley reforms. They failed, particularly in the regions, and are now being reversed.

I am not opposed to all of the changes. I agree with having a consistent Digital Plan across our healthcare system. We have everything to lose and nothing to gain from losing our DHB. I will fight with every bone in my body to be able retain our DHB.

Primary sector exports are on track to grow by $1.7 billion on last year helping underpin our Covid-19 recovery.

Overseas consumers are now more than ever looking for healthy, New Zealandmade food. We’ve seen that with the sustained demand for fresh fruit, particularly in Europe and North America and the strong demand for red meat in China.

Our farmers and growers are in a strong position to help us reboot our economy. Along with the sector, the Government is focused on creating more demand, pursuing greater market opportunities to generate

higher export returns and growing rural communities with new jobs.

The latest economic update report for the primary industries, shows that, for the year-to-date, primary industries export revenue is tracking 4.5 per cent ($1.7 billion) higher than the previous year.

Dairy exports were particularly strong since the start of March, up $512 million (12 per cent) compared to the same time last year.

Chinese meat imports surged in the second half of 2019. The animal protein shortage, due to the African swine fever outbreak in China, should help support prices and demand over the

next year.

There was a strong start to the season for apple and kiwifruit exporters with revenue up $274 million (18 per cent) on last year since the start of March.

Covid-19 did disrupt our primary industry exports.

We saw logistics issues and more limited air freight options. I’m very proud of how the sector and the Ministry for Primary Industries worked together to find ways to operate safely under Covid-19 restrictions.

We are by no means out of the woods and the next few years are going to be tough on some sectors as importers and consumers re-evaluate their priorities in

the wake of Covid-19.

We are committed to supporting our vital primary sector continue to fetch value and create jobs – including $19.3 million to place 10,000 people into primary sector jobs, $127 million for jobs to help control wilding pines and get populations of wallabies under control and the government’s $110 million worker redeployment package, to create employment for people who have lost their jobs.

The strength of New Zealand’s primary sector coupled with the success of our health response to Covid-19 gives us a headstart on the world as we get our economy moving again.

More ‘red tape’ for forestry

By Stuart Smith MP

Some of you may have recently discovered that the Government is seeking to introduce new regulations for the forestry sector. These regulations will

require forestry advisors, log traders and exporters to register and work to agreed practise standards. They will also give the Minister the ability to impose tariffs on log exporters. The potential powers the Government are seeking are ridiculous and go against any sensible business practices.

All this bill will do is introduce more red tape for forestry businesses which would achieve little apart from increasing costs, and would do little to address the real issues faced by the sector. There has been no cost analysis done on the bill, and many are concerned it will create uncertainty and deter investment in the industry. Not only will it affect the forestry industry, but also markets who the forestry sector supplies.

The lack of detail in the bill and the open-ended

scope of the proposed regulations has meant that many businesses have been forced to put major projects on hold until they have a good understanding of the effects of the scheme.

The New Zealand Institute of Research has also concluded that this bill will reduce New Zealand’s GDP, which simply cannot happen when we need to rebuild our economy.

What has been incredibly disappointing since this bill was introduced is that the Government has failed to acknowledge the valid concerns raised about its rushed and unpractical nature. So much so that the industry has been forced into sending the Prime Minister an open letter pleading for the bill to be delayed.

Out of 640 submissions only 11 are supportive of the Bill, meaning almost 98 per

cent of submitters oppose it.

When questioned in Parliament, Forestry Minister Shane Jones dismissed the concerns made by hundreds of submitters by saying the Government has every right to bring in these regulations and that the bill’s supporters were just silent.

To increase our standard of living, we need an open economy and to sell our products to the rest of the world. Imposing additional costs and regulations on the forestry sector and making them pay a levy is the exact opposite of what is needed.

The bill would reduce confidence in the industry which means less investment in the sector. This means less jobs that the investment would have generated throughout the supply chain from planting right through to felling and transporting to domestic processors or overseas.

July 2020

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Federated Farmers

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Nelson Region June Report The May zoom AGM re-elected officers and link roles, apart from Colin Gibbs retirement, and Sue Higgins replaced by Barbara Stuart for RWNZ liaison. Life Membership presentation to Colin is referred to separately.

There was further discussion about membership recruitment and retention, the ease of zoom meetings, and 75th Anniversary plans. Earlier interest of amalgamation with Golden Bay depends on their initiative. April Mainland Ag ITO (02724466268) outlined numerous events around the Diploma of Agriculture that is available in single modules.

The AGM heard from National Board member Chris Allen emphasising covid-19 consequences to farming with loss of export earnings from international tourism and students, and recognition of farming as essential as well as a responsibility despite hastily drawn plans with unintended consequences. FF has received support for some of its environmental protection promotion with increasing pragmatic outcomes such as budget $0.5b for freshwater activities. However, it has been left out of MPI multiple advisory groups and seems to be floundering with MBIE running processes. He responded to local questions about rural Wi-Fi connectivity for both farm business and staff needs, lifestyle membership with a package expected shortly, water storage and regenerative farming.

Recruitment / Membership is a regular agenda item and President Martin O’Connor is planning and approaching prospective members, with further discussion about supporting existing members.

Drought effects continue and although publicity focuses on the North Island, Marlborough and Tasman areas are also struggling. RST is organising drop-in days in Farmlands stores for farmers to call in and discuss their situations; some drought relief events are being planned now that the covid-19 restrictions have eased. The National Feed Survey has been completed and results will soon be available. More farmers have applied for government funding for feed budgeting. Supplementary feed shortfall can be expected in late Autumn/early Spring, but transport cost and product cost are barriers. Low rainfalls over winter have not replenished aquifers and will result in future water restrictions.

75th Jubilee – considering having this as a physical Mid-Winter activity with the Theme of “A Celebration of Food Nutrition in our Area” Essential Fresh Water FF is hoping to influence outcomes and are busy researching and establishing industry standpoint, having has some achievements to date. The executive needs more member input on their issues.

Environmental Cleanup Funding Access to the $700m flagged for environmental clean-up is unknown, although most seem to be environmental farm plans or covering the costs of providing information or education. A suitable TDC speaker will be invited to address the July meeting on this and related matters.

Nelson Tasman Climate Forum farming-related subgroups meet regularly with little rural involvement so plan to approach commercial farmers for representation. TDC Councillor Christine McKenzie is to be invited to address this topic at a future meeting.

Next zoom meetings are planned 14th July 7 pm, 11th August 7 pm, September 15th 7 pm

Federated Farmers Life Membership for Colin Gibbs The recent AGM unanimously endorsed Life Membership on Colin Gibbs who was brought up on historic Wakefield Lone Oak Farm, continuing a family history of contributing to the greater good of society, and as farmers, working to help and support that community especially. So over the years he has been involved in several land use committees, always striving to create a better understanding of the people who work the land, their needs and care and respect they have for it and livestock they manage.

He started with Young

Farmers and worked in all local Branch administration roles and later as Provincial Chairman. Then starting at Federated Farmers Wakefield Branch level, he held Secretarial and Presidential

roles, moving to Provincial President from 1995 -1999.

Since then he has continued active involvement for a total of over 40 years. That includes representing FF on Fish and Game Council for some years, as part of the team setting up the TOTS Rural Support Trust where he helped draft the rules, was Chairman 1997- 2017, and instigated involvement of Marlborough region.

In recommending Life Membership, President Martin O’Connor noted Colin would join Andrew Dodge of Murchison as the only living Life Member.

Farmers are Zooming Ahead One result of covid-19 lockdown has been the rapid adoption of ZOOMing as a meeting format. Nelson Federated Farmers has been holding Executive meetings on ZOOM, including the AGM, and will continue these meetings open to all members. This format particularly suits our spread-out region, and members are encouraged to attend from the comfort of home. Rural Women have also adopted this communication method with their planned, local upcoming ZOOM-based monthly network meetings.

NZ Apiculture industry sees continued growth in production and yield for the 2018/19 season The Ministry for Primary Industries released its annual Apiculture Monitoring Programme Report for the 2018/19 season today, which confirms the New Zealand apiculture industry is still growing.

The number of registered hives increased 4% on the previous season to 918,026 in June last year while the number of registered beekeeping businesses also increased, up 8% to 9,282.

The report estimates the 2018-19 season produced an estimated 23,000 tonnes of

honey, up by 3,000 tonnes (15%) on the previous year, driven by the increase in hive numbers.

“While it was a good result from a production and yield perspective, along with a small increase in export value, there was a significant fall in average honey prices paid to New Zealand beekeepers in the 2018-19 season for most honey types apart from monofloral manuka honey,” says Sean Goodwin, Deputy Chair of Apiculture New Zealand.

While the data is not yet available for the 2019-20 season, industry participants estimate the total honey crop increased further, possibly up 10% on the record 2018-19 crop.

For producers of nonmānuka honey, this represents mixed fortunes. Mr Goodwin says prices have continued to fall in this category over the past year and have weakened further recently. However more competitive prices have generated renewed international interest recently, and

export volumes have started to rise.

Unlike the below average yields for manuka honey in 2018-19, weather conditions over the recent summer enabled a much stronger manuka harvest across the country.

International demand for manuka honey is still positive and has recently benefited from consumers responding to Covid-19 with a renewed interest in natural food sources like honey.

This was evident in April 2020 trade figures. “Monofloral mānuka honey exports

were up 23% on March.

Total honey exports from New Zealand were higher in April than in any previous month,” says Mr Goodwin.

Looking ahead, awareness of manuka honey has certainly been raised internationally, however it is likely to be some time before we know how much of that demand will be retained long-term.

“The key challenge for the industry to remain sustainable is to increase the market profile of New Zealand honey to help boost international sales, and lift returns to beekeepers.”

July 2020

Welcome back to normality... let’s enjoy freedom while we can because when you look at the virus still rampant in the rest of the world, I expect we are going to be on edge for a long time.

It has been wonderful being out and about and seeing all our farming and wider community socialising. June is normally a month where I help out at the Annual Bull sales and relive my Livestock agent days (just as a bid spotter!) and as a PGGW Accredited Real Estate Auctioneer I believe you just can’t beat a good auction, land, stock or a charity auction. They are a great way to achieve results and have fun at the same time. The banter of some of the Bull Sale auctioneers is funny at times and a license to talk bull s..t. And the after-match catch ups with the odd steak sandwich are always good value.

On the 16th of June I drove down the Kaikoura Coast to the Woodbank and Matariki Bull sale and the outside temperature hit 23 degrees! What a weird season we are having so hopefully by the time you read this we will have experienced a few real winter storms to help replenish the rivers, aquifers and put some snow on

the hills for the skiers. You can’t deny it is refreshing and enjoyable to be at big gatherings whether it be among great farming events or gatherings at the rugby or football grounds watching sport or at a Sunday market. Being around other people catching up with old acquaintances or just changing the scenery for a few hours, but you have to make the effort to get out and I encourage that even more so now.

It has been pleasantly surprising to see the demand for rural and lifestyle land pick up where it left off post covid lockdown and our team have been very busy finalising rural land sales at prices that are very strong. New properties to market are going to be a premium and you should entrust them to experienced sales people who have a track record - Don’t go past the PGG Wrightson Real Estate team in Nelson and Marlborough. Our results in recent years and consistently dominant market share in Rural Property speak for themselves.

Take care of yourselves and have a great month.

Joe Blakiston 0274344069

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Tuition fees on postgraduate courses waived to meet employment needs Lincoln University is endeavouring to meet the need of the thriving food and fibre sector for skilled and qualified workers by waiving tuition fees on a number of postgraduate courses which feed into it.

The move also boosts retraining options for those who might have suffered job losses due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The essentially free course offering includes taught master’s degrees in areas

such as agricultural systems, food innovation, pest management, accounting, and sport and recreation management, as well as graduate and postgraduate certificates and diplomas in applied science, environmental management and commerce (and many more), all offered from Semester 2 in July.

They range from one to three semesters long, include online options, and

are only available to domestic students.

Lincoln, as a specialised land-based university, has a long connection to the food and fibre sector, conducting valuable research and growing qualified workready graduates, as well as promoting sustainable initiatives.

Over 350,000 New Zealanders work in the food and fibre sector, which includes agriculture, horticulture

and viticulture, as well as agribusiness. It contributes over 11% of New Zealand’s GDP, and has an increasing need for skilled and qualified workers.

Lincoln University Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bruce McKenzie, said the university was well connected to industry, and aware of the need the primary sector had for the graduates Lincoln produced to keep driving the New

Zealand economy, and this was particularly important in the wake of COVID-19, with other industries under pressure.

“We want to do all we can to meet that need, as well as offering people from other industries the chance to train for a new career. We have removed that barrier of cost, and are offering innovative courses in many different areas that add to the knowledge and

qualifications they already have to make them very employable.”

The courses will be free until the end of 2021. The fee waiver does not include course costs or the student levy.

You can find out more about Lincoln University’s innovative offerings at www.lincoln.ac.nz, as well as the Lincoln University Virtual Open Day, Friday July 17, from 4pm to 7pm.

Government supports dairy farming jobs for kiwis The Government and dairy sector have joined forces on a new campaign to support covid-19 affected workers into a farming career, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor said.

The 2020 GoDairy campaign has recently been launched by DairyNZ, in partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries, the Ministry for Social Development (MSD), and with support from Federated Farmers.

“We know that people have lost their jobs because of covid-19, and we know there is significant and urgent demand for trained workers in the dairy sector,” Damien O’Connor said.

“We want to continue to connect people with jobs in dairy, and more broadly in

the primary industries because we know these sectors will be key to our economic recovery.”

“GoDairy has a crucial role to play. The programme has a history of successfully recruiting and supporting people into dairy careers, over the past 15 years. The Government and the sector are giving it a welcome boost to encourage newfound farmers, by investing $3.5 million to expand this crucial work during our economic recovery,” Damien O’Connor said.

DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle said that although the new campaign is still in its early days, there is good interest from people wanting to pursue a dairy farming career.

“Like all successful busi-

nesses, dairy farming needs good talent. Currently there are 1,000 job vacancies on dairy farms nationwide,” Tim Mackle said. “There are excellent career opportunities in farming – from doing the books, to working with machinery, caring for animals, and managing staff. Technology plays a major part in the business too.”

“To date, GoDairy has interest from people across a range of career backgrounds – from tourism and hospitality to engineering, finance, and truck drivers. While many people might not be familiar with the day-to-day of dairy farming, most have work and life skills that are readily transferrable,” Tim Mackle said.

The Minister of Social

Development Hon Carmel Sepuloni said MSD is focused on getting New Zealanders into jobs and this is an important partnership to support people who want to refocus their skill sets.

“We have direct access to the largest pool of available talent in New Zealand and can help the dairy sector fill jobs while supporting New Zealanders into an important career pathway,” she said.

Damien O’Connor said, “GoDairy’s training module will be available to other primary industry sectors – outside of dairy - to adapt, such as beef, lamb, and horticulture.”

“This campaign complements the Government’s work to place 10,000 New Zealanders in primary sector jobs in the immediate term by rapidly retraining and absorbing workers displaced from other sectors.

We’ve committed $19.3 million to this as part of our $1.6 billion Trades and

Apprenticeships Training Package.

Other Government investment into jobs and training includes: $1.1 billion to create 11,000 environment jobs in our regions $100 million worker redeployment package. announced in March, to create employment for people who have lost their jobs. This includes $6 million for MPI to develop and establish a national primary industries workforce package $10 million from the One Billion Trees Fund for largescale planting to provide jobs in communities and improve the environment $100m from the Provincial Growth Fund for waterway fencing, riparian planting and stock water reticulation.

Anyone interested in a dairy farming career can discover more about GoDairy’s Farm Ready Training and sign up at godairy. co.nz

The Government’s ‘Log Traders’ Bill has stirred up the inevitable adversarial position taking in the sector, without providing any real leadership. The issue remains as to how this vital sector stabilises and progresses given strong Chinese market influence.

The log market is heavily subsidised by the Chinese Government’s policies and monetary conditions. We are too small to take our own stand in a Donald Trump fashion; we need to play within the rules being set by the Chinese. Only by New Zealanders, including government, collaborating with intelligence and innovation will we come out ahead. Surely a ‘Forestry Development Conference’ would be a sensible next step.

July 2020

Road Rage

By Garrick Batten

Farmers regard roading as the most important activity they pay rates for, as well as for their fuel excise and road user costs, plus freight charges to conduct their business of shipping products in and out. So, they welcome any improvement to roads that improve their ability to profitably run their farm business. At the same time, using roads has dangers. Speed kills from road traffic as well as drugs, and excess speed causes one-third motoring deaths, and that is terrible. The accepted prevention approach is to reduce speed – somehow. NZTA wants to reduce speed limits on parts of SH6 between Nelson and Blenheim to save lives, and also between Hope and Wakefield. The issue for rural communities is whether that will be counter-productive.

These proposals to reduce speed limits on two key sections of SH6 show the complexities of the coalition government with different agendas. As part of the latest 10 year $54b infrastructure plan the Minister of Finance had already announced around $12b with no expenditure on roads in our region to reduce accidents. It also included Associate Minister of Transport’s Vision Zero programme focussed on reducing road deaths by 40% in ten years with millions of dollars in infrastructure and speed management for safer substandard roads. Her Green ideology provided for increased cycle use, ignoring that road deaths are now half those of 1977 with policies and actions that were working with many fewer vehicles. The link between cycling and reduced road deaths seems tenuous as more cyclists will be more

vulnerable to vehicle and own use accidents and not enhance Zero Visions.

Farmers can see reduced road speeds in a different light. The focus on speed reduction by whatever means ignores the reason for having and using roads to get people and goods from place to place in the most efficient way possible, as well as safely. The most common cause of road deaths is distraction and inattention with loss of vehicle control.

More significant than excess speed. More than a quarter of all crash injuries are caused by illegal cell-phone use and not wearing a seatbelt. Both could be significantly reduced by targeted penalties rigorously applied because current fines/demerit points are not working. News of appropriate twenty-eight day vehicle and permanent phone confiscation would spin around on social media without any government promotion or cost, and save crashes and lives now. Without the Infrastructure Fund and Vision Zero. But politicians don’t do simple or logical.

The irony is that SH6 road speed reviews would have had no pre-covid-19 influence on permanent speed loss with Richmond and Nelson traffic congestion. Ten minutes travelling from Wakefield to Blenheim spends over a good part of 20 km jammed in a slow-moving vehicle queue. Where was the Infrastructure Fund money to fix that?

Hopefully it now will appear post-covid-19.

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

Shareholders sought Andrew Ritchie 1974 Box23/D/3 Marlborough Museum Archives.

The photo was taken in the 1900s and shows the original yards on the corner of Howick Road/Cleghorn Street. The view is up towards the hospital (in the pine trees at top right). Mr Adam Jackson is with the bicycle, James Draper Louden. Mr Berry the caretaker is in shirtsleeves. The butcher's cart belongs to James Draper.

The Marlborough Saleyards Company was founded to provide competition to a large firm The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company that had its saleyards in Maxwell Road. The new company built yards on the corner of Howick and Cleghorn Streets but went on to purchase the Maxwell Road yards in 1921. It moved to the modern complex at Riverlands opening in January 1996. In the early years yardings were almost exclusively sheep but cattle numbers began to increase from the 1960s.

Among the old stock companies operating from the yards were Levins, Dalgetys, Farmers, Pyne Gould Guinness and Wright Stephensons. Nowadays in addition to the annual calf sales and weekly sheep sales the complex has evolved into one of the largest staging posts for sheep and cattle being transported between the North and South Islands with over fifty trucking companies using the facilities. Over 80,000 head of livestock passed through last year including 70,000 head of cattle. Most of the shareholders were farmers from the Wairau plains many of whom will have passed away since the company was founded, but it is hoped that any family members who have been bequeathed shares will contact the company.

One example of a former shareholder was William Pollard who farmed at ‘The Delta’. He was a bachelor and was very keen on planting trees. His legacy can be found in Blenheim at Pollard Park.

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July 2020

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Across my desk John Hollis.

Rural Agribusiness Broker Colliers International Limited Nelson.

You could be forgiven if you suspect the world as we know it is going to hell in a hard cart, and to some degree you are probably right. However, being the ultimate optimist, can I suggest that while there appears to be a healthy crop of egotistical lunatics in positions of power in New Zealand and throughout the world, I don’t think this is all bad. The news journalists will not want to hear this, as anything positive is to be ignored and avoided at all costs.

If anything positive does accidently hit the airwaves, a massive epidemic of shattered nervous break downs will prevail and heads will definitely roll.

So, let’s look at the other side for a while. Whether it be international trade, health, world sporting events or even politics, the one thing all this turmoil is producing is the need for us to not only think, but think of other ways we might achieve our objectives. We will need to find

improved alternatives to achieve our tasks.

To me that is healthy. I sincerely hope the solutions will remove the idiotic crippling effect of trying to be so “terribly politically correct”, abolish news broadcasts that seem to go on for ever stating what is painfully obvious to all, and the total removal of hair brained nit wits who’s only purpose in life is to make as much noise as possible in a desperate attempt to justify their existence.

We have around us, some of the most talented people in the world that have so much to give, and yet, the people we hear most from, are those empty vessels that make all the noise and achieve very little. If we start paying attention to stability and reason, we will surely be ahead by a country mile.

Have a great month and work safely.

John Hollis

Time to service that sprayer Winter is the time to look at servicing machinery so it’s ready for the new season.

Agrivit in Renwick have the experience and equipment to service all your spraying equipment and will make sure your wind machines are functioning at the optimal level for the critical spring growing period.

Agrivit is Marlborough’s only Croplands authorised service agent and manufacturer of Quantum Mist sprayers for the New Zealand market.

Winter Servicing includes Wind Machines – frost season Sprayers – spray season Importance: Take the opportunity to look after equipment when it’s not in use Reduce downtime if there’s a breakdown during spray/

frost season Thoroughly check over machines to prevent premature failure Preventative maintenance to prevent call out costs Good maintenance prolongs the life expectancy of the sprayer Sprayer nozzle testing – undertaken when servicing the sprayer (most customers do this) Can be carried out for ALL nozzle types First and only nozzle testing facility in NZ Ensuring nozzles are working at optimum levels and not under/over spraying Defective nozzles can cause inconsistent coverage Give Agrivit a call now on 03 572 8787 and book your gear in for that critical pre-season service.

Good maintenance prolongs the life expectancy of the sprayer

July 2020

Rural Women Network in Nelson-Tasman In the post-covid-19 world Rural Women NZ (RWNZ) is adopting a new online approach to meet the needs of rural women who are time short because engaging with the next generation of all rural women is important for the organisation.

Traditional groups are not attracting the busy modern farming woman, but the needs of the sector are still there.

The goal is to advance the affairs of Rural Women and their communities with an online group hosting monthly meetings through Zoom. Invited speakers will participate on a range of topics including leadership and confidence building. Through panel discussions with a questions and answers component women will be engaged and gain confidence to have a voice in the matters that concern them and their communities.

One of the organisers Sue Higgins said, “Meeting

by Zoom to provide support, encourage leadership and discuss rural issues will reduce travel barriers for busy women and is a logical step.” She also said, “RWNZ has lobbied for rural connectivity over many years along with school buses, health and education and encourages interested women in Nelson and Tasman to make contact and get involved.” More information soon, but initial contact is with Barbara Stuart at barbara@cablebayfarm.co.nz Rural Women New Zealand is an integral part of New Zealand’s rural landscape. From early days as the Women’s Division of the Farmer’s Union in 1925, RWNZ has become an authoritative voice on especially health services, education, environment and social issues in the rural sector. RWNZ gives women the opportunity to maintain a rural voice in a changing world.

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The not so secret agenda That the country is resolutely heading towards a carbon neutral economy is not the least bit secret, nor will the target change with a different government.

Farming will, over the next few years, become increasingly buoyant with not only higher market prices but a higher percentage making its way back to the farmer.

And that’s because the farming community has shown time and again when there is a requirement for fundamental change it will simply get on and do it, however we don’t see that as embracing the current high profile regenerative farming model.

Without clover as the base, multi-species pastures and poor utilisation will result in a steady reversion to low fertility species with proponents steadily losing enthusiasm.

Nitrogen is essential for higher fertility species to thrive and with reduced urea usage the only way sufficient nitrogen can be made available for high producing permanent grazed pastures is via stronger and more vigorous clover.

That less urea will be applied is clear from the proposed regulation limiting

annual nitrogen application to 190kgN/ha maximum.

The amount is not the key issue as that can be altered, it is the fact that there will be an enforceable limit.

Hard on the heels of that came the news that the NZ Unit (carbon) price will be lifted from $25 to $35, allowing government to provide both an incentive and a penalty.

Simplistically farmers losing carbon will have a tax to pay, and those sequestering carbon receiving a payment.

It is important that farmers begin measuring soil carbon on their properties. The VSA colour, and local laboratory Hot Water Carbon tests are an excellent start point.

It is under permanent grazed pasture that carbon is most rapidly sequestered and with increased soil carbon comes improved nitrogen retention. As more carbon from atmospheric carbon dioxide is removed, the green houses gases nitrous oxide and methane will become steadily less relevant.

Those farmers who for the last fifteen years have been using soil fertility systems that have included little if any nitrogen have benefited significantly when com-

pared to neighbouring properties relying on 230kgN/ha or more.

Firstly, their pasture production has steadily increased due to more moisture and nutrient storage capacity with pastures growing longer into summer and recovering more quickly in autumn.

More carbon has resulted in increased soil crumb allowing plant roots to access nutrient from greater depth.

With little or no applied nitrogen, mycorrhizal fungi, which extend root zone by at least nine times, ensure healthier, stronger, and more disease resistant plants.

The notion that pastures should not be grazed to low levels is a fallacy. High utilisation means more of what is grown is processed through an animal and dung is far more readily digested than long fibrous feed trampled into the surface.

The key to growing and utilising large amounts of pasture is allowing pasture plants time to fully recover before grazing again.

Initially regrowth is slow as leaf surface area builds.

Then comes the rapid growth phase as increased leaf surface area converts sunlight to energy before

plant growth slows as a stem and seed head develop, the time when grazing best takes place.

A small amount of stem is essential fibre for optimum rumen function, and due to growth rates changing throughout the season grazing intervals may vary from as long as 100 days over winter, to as short as 18 days

in spring when growth is at its most rapid.

Apart from steadily reducing reliance on fertiliser nitrogen the changes required are more a refinement of the practises NZ farmers already do best, than wholesale change.

For more information call Peter on 0800 843 809.

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OsGro Seed Service expands

Can I improve my Joints?

(Part 2)

Last edition I mentioned a client who went from having very sore knees to know being able to move with much greater freedom. We looked at the first lesson we can learn from this. All healing comes from specific healing systems in our body. We also saw that these healing systems can be restricted or even dormant if our diets tip the scales in the wrong direction.

The second lesson is very important. The ‘gap’ between healing and continued disease is often much less than you think. What surprised my client is how little he actually had to do to activate the healing capacity in his knees.

The first step is to slow or stop unwanted inflammation. This does mean you need to think about foods, but in most cases, it is simply substituting one food for another. This can be swapping the inflammatory high Omega 6 cooking oils for Olive oil and adding fish oil supplements.

The rest of his programme was not difficult. I started him on an initially high dose of my Joint formula. This meant that initially he was getting 1600mg of high grade (small molecular size) Chondroitin Sulphate with 1600 mg of Glucosamine Sulphate and 400mg of a 95% bioactive Curcumin (from turmeric) extract.

Chondroitin is the most important as it directly improves the heath of cells that repair and maintain cartilage. Curcumin targeted inflammation Glucosamine helped with joint function. This sounds complex but all this meant was after breakfast taking two of the Joint capsules and three Fish oil then repeating this in the evening. Yes, there is the discipline of having to take the supplements and of course fitting these into his budget. The results meant he has much less pain and more mobility.

John Arts (B.Soc.Sci, Dip Tch, Adv.Dip.Nut. Med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health Ltd. For questions or advice contact John on 0800 423559 or email john@abundant.co.nz. Join his all new newsletter at www.abundant.co.nz.

Biological Control of Grass Grub – Cheaper and More Effective

and...

Article supplied by Fert NZ Grass Grub, one of New Zealand’s major pasture pests, is estimated to cost the country up to $100 million a year in terms of the damage it causes.

Then there are the increasingly costly problems of insecticide resistance and chemical residues associated with control over the past 30 years. Against this background, it is heartening news that MAF researchers have come up with a selective biological control which could become a commercial proposition and, they believe, provide cheaper and more effective controls.

Serratia entomophila sounds a bit like the latest West Indian fast bowling sensation. It’s not. But given the right conditions, it’s a discovery which could clean bowl one of New Zealand farming’s deadliest enemies.

Research suggests Serratia entomophila – the bacteria which cause the killer honey disease in grass grub – can certainly sweeten the lives of many farmers. Under trial conditions, the bacteria – natural enemies of grass grub – have consistently reduced the number of healthy grubs by 70-80 percent and boosted winter dry matter production by about a third.

The advantages of a bacteria-based insecticide: It is a “natural” product; It is selective, killing only grass grub; It has a long-term suppressive effect on

grass grub. Recovery is slow and there has been no revival observed among grass grub populations collapsed by honey disease; It is safe. Test animals have shown no effects from even extremely heavy doses and the Pesticides Board has granted an experimental user permit for further development; It does not leave any harmful residues; The bacteria live in the soil and are reinforced by further bacteria from dead grass grubs; There is no indication of any grass grub resistance to the bacteria.

There is potential for such an insecticide in the urban market, as an aid to overcoming grass grub in lawns and sports fields. This is potential which would help make it even more commercially attractive.

Serratia entomophila attacks grass grubs specifically – in fact, it is found almost exclusively with grass grub in New Zealand. It has proved it can annihilate whole grass grub colonies unaided.

Now, with a little help from its scientific friends, Serratia entomophila has the chance to get at more grubs than ever.

Honey disease was discovered in 1981

by MAF scientists searching for the answer to natural collapses of grass grub populations in Canterbury.

The OsGro team is pleased to announce the arrival of OsFeed animal feeds. This new exciting venture has been driven out of demand from new and existing clients asking us to help them fulfil their animal feed requirements.

OsFeed animal feed stocks a whole range of animal feeds for both farm and domestic animals. Our range of feed is for the following animals, birds, cattle, chickens, deer, dogs, pigs, horses and sheep. We are happy to source any type of feed for our clients. Feed will be available in 10kg to 1000kg bags depending on your needs. We also stock leg up equine oil and molasses, you can bring your own container, or we can supply one for you.

OsFeed is a 100% subsidiary of OsGro Seed Services which has now been successfully servicing farmers in the greater Marlborough/Nelson region for over 8 years. Many of our clients had been enquiring about animal feed for a number of years, and this became extremely prevalent through the drought and over covid-19 that there was a real need for a reliable supplier of quality stock feed at affordable prices in the region. Our aim is to meet this need.

Quality products at afforded prices, we are working with several leading animal feed manufacturers to ensure we are bringing you the highest quality animal feeds at affordable prices. OsFeed have also invested in manufacturing equipment to produce certain animal feed where possible using locally grown grains and pulses.

OsFeed has a retail premise located at 3 Manchester Street, Riverlands Estate, Blenheim, where a full range of animal feed will be available to clients and the general public of Marlborough, operating 7.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday and Saturday morning 8am to 12 midday. Larger quantities of feed can be delivered directly if arranged prior.

We look forward to seeing you and supplying you with the highest quality animal feed, from Alice, Jeremy and the Team at Osgro Seed & OsFeed.

July 2020

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Why we have such complicated septic tank disposal rules

Anna Bensemann, Baseline Group Marlborough, Ph 03 578 7299

There is a frustrating moment when building or extending your house where the building consent at council gets held up because they want to know if your septic tank system meets current day standards. Frustration continues when it becomes apparent that your current system is not sufficient to meet the seemingly arbitrary standards, simply because you are adding another bedroom or a media room that council are now calling a bedroom. Boiling

point really sets in when you realise the costs of upgrading your system to meet the necessary standards.

When extending a dwelling in the rural environment and you don’t have access to council sewer, its important to be aware of the potential issues you are uncovering. Many septic systems were installed during a time when resource consents to discharge to land were not required, and often these systems have never been managed since, except to

perhaps get the tank emptied when it gets a bit stinky.

However, wastewater systems include a tank system of some type, and a discharge disposal field where the liquid overflow from the tank drains. New Zealand standards require the system, including the discharge area, meets the most current standards, and these standards calculate how big your system needs to be based on the number of bedrooms or potential bedrooms a dwelling has.

Hang on a minute – just because you are increasing the number of bedrooms doesn’t necessarily mean that you will have more people using the system, right? This may be correct, but council are required to look at the overall potential use of the property, so if you sold tomorrow and a new person used the system, how many people could possibly live there?

While this maximum occupancy approach seems a little unfair for you, this is

a handful of mainly merino oddments were offered and drew good attention from the exporting trade, selling at similar levels to those ruling in Australia.

The 2020/21 wool sales season presents growers with a total of 54 wool auctions - 28 in the South and 26 in the North – at which exporters representing the global wool industry will be in attendance. Whilst the global wool industry, certainly from a New Zealand, Australian and South

African perspective, has been reduced somewhat during the past few weeks to representation mainly from Chinese processors, a few European and South-east Asian manufacturers have cautiously begun to show their hands, indicating that businesses may slowly begin to re-open their doors, albeit on a limited basis due to retail demand remaining extremely subdued in many high population countries.

That’s my view.

Wool Procurement Manager, PGG Wrightson Wool

Wool market remains difficult In the “good old days”, prior to sometime in the mid-to-late 1980’s, wool auction seasons ran from 1st August until 30th June with no auctions held during July. The month-long break time for, wool exporters to visit their overseas customers, local wool brokers to canvass their wool grower suppliers, and wool stores to carry out repairs and maintenance to various pieces of wool handling machinery such as core and grab sample machines, wool presses etc. In today’s world, more frequent auctions offer wool growers greater opportunity to sell their wool clips across twelve calendar months and for the 2020/21 season, the first wool auction is scheduled for July 2nd, a mere seven days after the final auction of 2019/20. Not much of an “off-season” eh, but fully acknowledging the issues brought about by a global pandemic which halted most wool trading for almost nine weeks following March 19th, when thousands of bales of New Zealand wool were unable to be sold on growers’

behalf or moved through the early-stage processing pipe-line.

Prices for crossbred wool types have generally remained steady during the past few weeks, however the price gap between types has narrowed for many.

Good colour full-length and well-prepared fleece was in good demand at 25th June auction, albethey at levels probably below the cost of production. Some poorer discoloured fulllength fleece sold at only fractionally less that the better styles. Poorer secondshear styles have lately been discounted substantially, whilst oddment types have experienced erratic pricing.

Little demand was evident for crossbred lamb’s wool.

Halfbred and Corriedale wool types have generally been in good demand at South Island wool auctions, and at the 11th of June auction prices were often above those ruling in Australia the same week, however at the latest auction held on 25th June the New Zealand market reflected the continual market price easing in Australia over the

previous couple of weeks, and although some types did reach equal-to or slightly better-than Australian levels of the current week, local Kiwi grower expectation, in many cases, was above brokers’ pre-sale estimates, resulting in a significant quantity of these wools being passed-in below grower reserve. Growers who had prepared their wool well, showing a good distinction between lines, where volume allowed, and with oddment types removed, drew good buyer interest.

Poorly prepared lines were discounted significantly.

To put current pricing in perspective compared to a similar time last year, midmicron types are at least 50% cheaper.

Merino wool prices have continued to slump in Australia despite small volume offerings each week, hence the market indicator graphs covering a range of types are not great viewing.

South African wool sales have suffered similarly with prices falling more than 10% during the two-week period prior to writing. In Christchurch on June 25th

a public health matter because if the system fails and effluent ends up in drinking water, we have a recipe for disaster. At worst it could mean death for vulnerable young or old, and at best it would mean you could feel very ill and not know why.

So when you are extending your dwelling to add more room for when the kids come home or grand-

kids come to visit, be aware that you will be required to consider your septic tank system and determine if it is sufficiently sized, or that you may need to upgrade it. This carries a cost component that you will have to budget for. For the sake of ensuring quality drinking water supply, this really is a small price to pay.

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Requiem for a departed Hero~!

“I get to drive my last ever Holdens”

Holden Arcadia LTZ-V Last time I drove this I missed out on just how good the cameras and computer modelling is on the Arcadia.

It has birds’ eye, either side or both together, rear view, front view, amazing ¾ side view from above and to the side looking down. All very innovative and surprising.

Available in both 2 and AWD the Arcadia is a seven seat SUV that comes in LT, LTZ, and the top spec LTZV seen here.

With just one power train, the 3.6litre 231kW 367Nm V6, as in the last two versions of the Commodore, e n e rg i s e s t h e 2 0 3 2 k g SUV. It has a 9-speed automatic transmission only and in real world driving I achieved 8.6l per 100k.

The Arcadia with the active traction control is remarkably capable off road on the farm. Towing is rated a modest 2000kg braked.

The seven seats are all easy to access thanks to the one touch smart slide second row pews that even with a child seat in them allows east ingress.The first five seats though are all genuine adult size and very comfortable with great under thigh support for the driver and front passenger, both being heated and ventilated. The middle row of the all leather

clad seating is likewise well shaped and padded with two IsoFix points. I loved the 8-inch screen available only on the ‘V’ others get a 4.2 version though all have reverse camera and embedded Sat Nav functions along with infotainment and cruse computer roles. I also appreciated the speed sign recognition that shows on the dash. It even picks up temporary restrictions!

The power lift tailgate reveals up to 2102m of space with 2nd and 3rd rows lowered giving an almost flat load area. With all three rows in use there is still almost 300mm. A tonneau cover conceals the area with the third row folded into the floor. The spare is accessed from under the rear of the car.

I was impressed with the safety tech in the Arcadia. ABS EBD TCS ESC. and autonomous electronic braking is standard, the later warns with a both seat vibration and a visual warning, a red light shining onto the windscreen if brake action is needed urgently So, the technology in the LTZ-V is impressive and points the way to autonomous vehicles. Surprisingly there is no heads up display as in the Commodore. The Arcadia is a great open road cruiser, which deserved longer on the market, as I believe it would be a real challenge to some luxury brands. The run-out pricing saves up to $18,000 on this model.

Holden Colorado LS Off the road. Modern Utes over the past few years use electronics to great effect, nowhere more so than in challenging traction conditions. Traction Control [TC] using the ABS system applies braking to a slipping wheel and delivers the power to the tyres with most traction. While physics dictate there are limits, traction control in many cases is better than a lock differential, particularly on the front axel as full steering is still avail-

LTZ-V Arcadia from Holden as good as it gets! able. The TC only activates when needed and requires no driver intervention.

However, the last time I reviewed the Colorado I lamented the lack of Diff lock on the rear wheels as some competitors offer. It is especially true in the base model manual I drove as there is no torque converter to slowly apply power to the wheels without breaking traction. Interestingly and perhaps to compensate the torque in the manual is lowered to 450Nm verses 500 in the auto, while power remains the same at 147kW. The gearbox is slick and easy to use, which makes for spirited driving.

Towing a trailer off road did show up some traction shortcomings, though lowered tyre pressure [from road levels] and/or more suitable off-road tyres would solve this.

On the road. Loaded with the float and horse gear with two up the Colorado with its

3500kg brake loads is in its element. The trailer sway control ensures comfortable passage for both vehicle and trailer, particularly important if you’re towing livestock.

Also evident was a control I’ve not heard about called ‘Grade Logic’ which illuminated on the dash going downhill. The truck and trailer held their speed with no hint of tail waging the dog! Combining the free revving hard pulling diesel with a well insulated cabin made for effortless travel in comfort and arriving refreshed. Both on and off road the LS averaged 8.1l/100km which was impressive. When travelling without a load the Colorado is somewhat bouncy in the rear though stays composed.

The well sorted chassis common across the range is well sprung and holds the road well without body roll at normal highway speeds.

Interior. Like most 4WD

Utes it sits high giving a 238mm ground clearance, access without the sidesteps is a bit of a reach though the handy grab handles are well placed to assist.

The 8-inch infotainment touch screen is clear and easy to use incorporating reverse camera without the steerable guidelines further up the model line.

While lacking Sat Nav is disappointing, as in so many vehicles it forces owners to use their smart phones.

Seats are comfortable front and rear, the front seats being nicely shaped and cosseting. The rear pews are flattish though good knee and headroom for two with belts for three when necessary.

Now in run out the LS can be had a very competitive prices with dealers able to negotiate to get the deal.

I’m genuinely sad to see that famous lion emblem disappear from new car showrooms.

Holden Colorado basis model LS spec

Explore unfettered Fiordland…

Follow in the footsteps of the famous James Cook on this amazing hosted journey of discovery into the fiords of this primordial landscape.

Rudyard Kipling was so inspired by the awe and magnificence of Milford Sound, gateway to Fiordland, that he described it as the 8th Wonder of the World—the great poet, novelist, and Nobel Prize winner would undoubtedly been lost for words had he ventured into the heart of Fiordland.

Immense, precipitous, rugged, breathtaking, wild and untamed, prehistoric, remote, brooding, unique, expansive, primeval… as evocative as the words are—they fail to do justice to Fiordland. The only way to appreciate its grandeur and beauty is to drift beneath its sheer walls and dizzy waterfalls, see firsthand for yourself.

On this tailored hosted cruise, you very much get a sense of being the explorer because no two cruises are identical.

Like Cook, we are governed by the moods and whims of Fiordland and take her lead as to where the day will take us. Be assured, your journey will be rich in history, unbelievable sights, rich displays of flora and fauna, and

experiences unique to this region.

Fancy starting the day with lobster and scrambled eggs?

Decadent? Maybe. But this is a trip like no other because we are in the expert hands of local legend, seafaring minstrel, and genial character—Captain Abo. Nobody knows Fiordland as intimately, and in his company, it is impossible not to be inspired, entertained, and delighted.

We also fish the pristine and abundant waters and take just enough for a delicious feed. What is on the menu tonight is literally The Catch of the Day: hapuku, blue cod, trumpeter, paua, lobster?

And it doesn’t end here because this trip has everything you could dream of: you will be cruising with like-minded Kiwis so the evenings will be filled with fine wine, succulent food, and conviviality. The cream of this unforgettable experience is a helicopter trip over the spectacular hinterland of Fiordland—definitely bucket list material.

You could travel the world and not find anything to rival or equal Fiordland—and it’s right here at home. Do it.

You deserve it.

July 2020

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