Top South Farming Monthly - March 2024

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Danielle Brown

Fonterra increases FY24 forecast farmgate milk price

Fonterra Co-operative Group Ltd has increased its 2023/24 season forecast Farmgate Milk Price, with the midpoint lifting by 30 cents to $7.80 per kgMS, up from $7.50 per kgMS. The forecast range for the season increases to $7.30-$8.30 per kgMS, up from $7.00$8.00 per kgMS.

Fonterra CEO Miles Hurrell says the lift in the Farmgate Milk Price comes off the back of five strong Global Dairy Trade events.

“Recently, we’ve seen a lift in demand, primarily from the Middle East and South East Asia, for our reference commodity products and this has been reflected in GDT prices. Overall GDT prices are up 10% since our last Farmgate Milk Price update in Decem -

ENZA WINS

ENZAFruit has won a landmark plant variety rights infringement civil case in China after local growers were found to be illegally growing its Envy apple variety there.

The victory awarded ENZAFruit its full claim for significant damages. Envy is the brand name for Scilate, one of NZ’s leading apple varieties. It is legitimately grown in China with ENZAFruit’s partner, Joy Wing Mau.

The significant court award comes after China’s revised Seed Law was implemented in March 2022. Previously, the Seed Law did not protect any harvested fruit, but the new regulations now extend to both the fruit and the propagation material of any

Photo: Fonterra.

ber, with whole milk powder prices up 11.5% over the same period.”

“Looking ahead, the potential impact of geopolitical instability and supply chain disruption on demand from key import -

protected variety.

Liquidation of Chinese property developers could hurt

A Hong Kong court has ordered one of China’s biggest property developers, Evergrande Group, to liquidate after it was unable to reach a restructuring deal with creditors over hundreds of billions of dollars it owes. The liquidation could have severe consequences for the world’s second-largest economy, as the Chinese property sector continues to struggle to recover from the pandemic and Beijing grapples with an underperforming economy.

A sharp slowdown in the Chinese property sector — which

ing regions remains uncertain. We can navigate these dynamics thanks to our scale and our diversification across markets, which provides us with optionality. We are also well placed to continue to get the

accounts for about 30 per cent of China’s economic growth — could also have damaging consequences for Australia and New Zealand.

Funding for Māori

Kiwifruit Growers

Almost $1 million in government funding has been given to the Māori Kiwifruit Growers (MKG) to assist with increasing kiwifruit export. The advocacy group, which formed in 2017 and has 42 members, will receive $975,000 from MPI’s Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures Fund over the next three years, topped up with a co-investment of $987,523. A collaborating partnership with Zespri last year saw three con-

Co-op’s product to customers through our partnership with Kotahi,” says Mr Hurrell. Fonterra’s forecast earnings guidance for FY24 of 5065 cents per share remains unchanged.

tainers of Zespri-branded green and gold kiwifruit exported to Hawaii.

Chairman Anaru Timutimu said it was sending 16 more containers there this year - and hopes to increase that amount, as the sole supplier of NZ kiwifruit there.

OSPRI CEO stepping down Steve Stuart is stepping down after five years in the role. His decision comes on the heels of successfully delivering the OSPRI 5-year strategic plan and setting the stage for a new chief executive to work with the board to develop and execute the subsequent 5-year strategic plan.

Proof that New Zealand Mānuka is different

ELOISE MARTYN

A recent study comparing the DNA of Mānuka from Aotearoa New Zealand and Leptospermum scoparium, also known as jelly bush or tea tree, from Australia showed significant genetic differences between the two, enough for the researchers to recommend that the two plants should be called different species.

The recent study, undertaken by Plant & Food Research, analysed 2,000 variable DNA markers called ‘SNiPs’ (single DNA letter changes) in the DNA from each plant from both New Zealand and Tasmania.

“This research confirms the accepted view in New Zealand that the Mānuka plant, and its by-products including honey, are unique to New Zealand. Increased recognition of this would be a great help to Nelson and Tasman beekeepers, as well as beekeepers nationwide,” Wakefield-based long-time beekeeper and advocate for the bee sector Nick Milne says.

Nick has been beekeeping for over 25 years, his father and grandfather were also beekeepers.

“The Mānuka honey price has collapsed over the last few years due in part to honey coming out of Australia that does not need to conform to the New Zealand testing and labelling regime but competes in the same markets as us, creating a very challenging space,” Nick explains.

Mānuka Charitable Trust Chair

Pita Tipene says the research provides further evidence of what we have been saying all along - that Mānuka is a recognised taonga (treasure) under the Treaty of Waitangi. Its honey can only be sourced from and produced in Aotearoa New Zealand.

“Mānuka is Māori word and tree that belongs to us. The expropriation of the name ‘Mānuka honey’ to a plant or natural product from outside Aotearoa New Zealand is taking the identity and associated epistemology of our culture – our knowledge and what we know and believe. It belongs to us, and it is being taken and used in a way

Vegetable Gardens

It wasn’t that long ago that almost every house in the country had a productive vegetable garden.

Urban households are getting back into having vegetable gardens, mainly since the Covid lockdown but also due to the increased cost of fruit and vegetables, however, some are challenged by space

“I have a vege garden and always have, I currently have tomatoes, lettuce, red onion, red peppers, garlic, and more in it.”

and time.

that’s misleading. What’s more, it’s ignoring the original names developed over thousands of years of history of the Aboriginal Peoples of Australia,” said Pita. The researchers state that the re-

sults support Mānuka as a single endemic New Zealand species with marked geographic provenances that have significant gene flow and variation largely due to environmental conditions. The

researchers note the results have significant cultural and commercial implications, especially for products derived from each species, including honey.

“Genetic testing of Mānuka previously had shown that there was a difference between those trees in New Zealand and those in Australia, so we wanted to understand more about the extent of these differences,” says Dr David Chagné.

The study shows that there is a strong genetic differentiation between our Mānuka and Australia’s to the point some researchers are suggesting that the two plants should be genetically classified as different species.

The Chair of the UMF Honey Association, Rob Chemaly says “Origin matters because people buy ‘Mānuka honey’ as they see the value in origin and terroir, particularly when it comes to natural products. Evidence supports the distinct health benefits of honey that comes from New Zealand’s Mānuka tree – not products derived from other origins.”

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Rural households seem to have continued having successful vegetable gardens, due to the increased distance rural households are from supermarkets many understand the convenience of having fresh vegetables on hand. One wonders if most of the population went back to hav-

“We have had our vege garden for around 10 years. Chilies are one of my favorites. Recently we have had too much zucchini and corn, so I have been making chutney with them to give to family and friends. I also enjoy giving family and friends produce from our garden.”

ing a productive year-round vegetable garden, how much would this reduce the need for our continually expanding market gardens.

Urban or rural one thing is for certain, it’s a satisfying feeling sitting down to a meal full of produce that you have grown yourself.

“We have a vege garden, we ripped out some hedging last year to put in citrus trees and berries. I grew up with a vege garden and I enjoy having one and eating from it.”

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‘This research confirms the accepted view in New Zealand that the Mānuka plant, and its by-products including honey, are unique to New Zealand’ Wakefield-based beekeeper and advocate for the bee sector Nick Milne says. Photo: Supplied.

Services to community and conservation

ELOISE MARTYN

Many of you will know Gavin O’Donnell through his farming contacts and wide range of voluntary rural involvements throughout the top of the South, mainly Golden Bay, Tasman, Nelson, and more recently Marlborough since his retirement to Havelock.

Recently Gavin was surprised to learn that he was on the 2024 Honours list for the Queen’s Service Medal ‘For services to the rural community and conservation’.

Gavin played a key role in setting up the Ministry for Primary Industries Rural Advisory Group, and various roles with Nelson Federated Farmers, including as Chairman from 2011 to 2014, Treasurer from 2014 to 2022, and previously Meat and Wool Representative from 1996 to 2000. He is a member of the Nelson Tasman Primary Cluster Adverse Events Network.

Gavin is also a voluntary member of a range of environmental groups in the Nelson/Tasman areas, including Federated Farmers Trustee on the Tasman Environmental Trust Board, Waimea Fresh

Water and Land Advisory Group, Biodiversity Forum, Regional Pest Management, and Tasman Bay Guardians. He assisted effected landowners following 2017 Cyclone Gita, contacting people affected by slips and flooding in the area, and was a member of the Waimea Rural Fire Authority Emergency Response Team. During the Pigeon Valley fire he was part of the initial response management team with logistics and resources responsibilities In 2011 Gavin organised teams to repair fences following an adverse weather event hitting coastal Nelson and more recently assisted with on the ground intelligence, donated feed supply logistics, and allocation following the 2022 flooding that impacted many areas in the Sounds, Marlborough, and Nelson. During that time, he was appointed a Marlborough Rural Support

Trust Facilitator.

He has been a volunteer firefighter since 2006, a member of the Waimea Rural Fire Emergency Management Team, and a committee member of the Ngatimoti Volunteer Rural Fire Brigade. Gavin was involved with the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s planning and development of the new Canterbury A&P showgrounds from 1992 to 2000.

A Queen’s Service Medal recognises voluntary service to the community Services to the Crown in the public sector, in elected or appointed office. It has been some time since ‘rural community’ has been recognised on the Honours list. Gavin, wife Sue, and their family will be at Government House in Wellington at the end of May being awarded the Queen’s Service Medal in person.

Raising community funds

ELOISE MARTYN

Rural Women St Arnaud recently hosted their annual fundraiser Books, Trash ‘n’ Treasure sale accompanied by Devonshire tea.

“It was an excellent event and people came from all over the place,” president of Rural Women St Arnaud Margaret Anderson says.

“The holidaymakers were thrilled to be part of something different.”

The funds from the Books, Trash ‘n’ Treasure sale included funds raised from the previous year, all of the funds will go directly back into the local St Arnaud community.

The event follows another successful fundraiser Rural Women St Arnaud

hosted in November ‘Christmas at the Lake’.

“We are thrilled with the amount raised, the funds will be going back into the community as well as a portion going towards Hospice, which is all close to our hearts for personal reasons,” Margaret says.

Rural Women St Arnaud has 26 members who range in age, but all share an interest in rural life. They offer support and friendship for women with an interest in the land and rural issues. Their organisation has an impressive history of making a difference in their rural community.

“We love coming together and supporting each other and the community,” Margaret adds.

Innes to leave DINZ

After 18 years at Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ), with four years as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Innes Moffat has resigned and is set to depart the organisation sometime this month, March 2024.

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www.awcorp.co.nz

During his term as CEO, Innes oversaw significant changes and developments which culminated last year with DINZ refining both its industry-led priorities and processes, coupled with a recalibration of its team. With DINZ’s transformation now complete, Innes has decided to make way for a new CEO and focus on new career opportunities. “It’s been a privilege and a pleasure to serve as DINZ’s CEO and lead such a dedicated and hard-working team. DINZ has been a massive part of my professional life for nearly two decades - I wish my colleagues, the Board, and all the amazing people I’ve met in this industry all the very best for their future endeavours,” he said.

After 18 years at Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ)

Innes Moffat has resigned and is set to depart the organisation sometime this month, March 2024.

Photo: Supplied.

Board Chair Mandy Bell paid tribute to Innes’ long-time contribution to the deer industry and thanked him for his loyal service.

“DINZ remains focussed on leading industry change and securing better access for deer products in international markets and that work continues with the full

attention of the DINZ Board and Executive.”

“We appreciate everything Innes has done leading our sector through a time of real change. His unwavering support and service to DINZ has had a significant impact on many and we respect his decision to leave after an impressive 18 years with the deer industry,” she concluded.

Rural Women St Arnaud members Sandra Vibert and Margaret Hunter enjoying their recent fundraiser. Photo: Supplied.

Gavin O’Donnell

Are you up for the Mowsworth Rampage challenge?

ELOISE MARTYN

Lawnmowers are being greased, oiled and primed in preparation to ride an 86km stint in support of cancer sufferers.

Organisers of the Mowsworth Rampage challenge are calling on Nelson Tasman ride-on mower owners to join in the ride which will see the mowers driven from Molesworth Station to Hanmer Springs – an 86km journey to fundraise for Nelson Cancer Society Tasman and Nelson Tasman Hospice.

“We have had friends and family members over the past few years affected by cancer, some have lost their battle, others are still fighting, Hospice and Cancer Society are important to us,” Mowsworth Rampage organiser Stuart Newport says.

“Hospice is not funded so we really want to support them, they support anyone who has a life-ending illness not just cancer,” Stuart adds.

The journey will see riders mount their mowers – minus the blades, with family, friends, or workplaces sponsoring them to raise much-needed funds for the organisations. Richmond Glass has got behind the event as the main sponsor.

“It’s not a race; it will be a long hot, dusty slog,” Stuart says. “Yes, you will be riding a lawn mower with no guts. Yes, you will laugh and curse and think you could walk faster than this. Yes, it will be hard, but this challenge is nothing compared to what cancer patients go

through every day.”

The idea came to Stuart when he was picking up a ride on a lawn mower. He has been through the Molesworth on dirt bikes over the years and really enjoyed it so thought it would be nice to see the scenery at a slower pace.

“The idea was received so well by everyone it’s really taken off,” he says.

The Mowsworth Rampage will start at Molesworth Station and go through to Hanmer Springs with three pit stops along the way with support crews.

Stuart says it’s going ahead rain, hail, or shine.

“The only thing that will stop us is something major like a natural disaster,” Stuart says.

“I estimate with the

stops it will take around twelve hours, nine of those hours in the mower seat.”

Cosmetic modifications to the mowers are encouraged but performance modifications are not.

“This is an endurance event where the winners are the Cancer Society and Hospice, we endeavour to have as many, if not all mowers, make it to the finish,” Stuart adds.

Stuart is calling on people to join and take on this challenge as a tribute to support our local people in our care.

“Dress up, decorate your rideon lawnmower, get people to support you, and join us at the starting line, it’s going to be a great day out for a good cause,” Stuart encourages.

NZ on guard for deadly deer disease

ELOISE MARTYN

Biosecurity officials and the deer industry are keeping a close watch on the potential entry of a debilitating deer disease prevalent in the United States and Scandinavia.

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), isa contagious fatal neurological disease affecting deer and elk and is continuing to spread through wild and captive deer populations in the US. It is now present in over half of US states and the costs of dealing with the disease - more than $430 millionshows why New Zealand must continue being vigilant.

“CWD is nothing new, it is well reported in the United States and has also been found in Norway, Sweden, Finland, and South Korea,” Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ) CEO Innes Moffat says.

“DINZ has been monitoring the spread in North America for more than 20 years.”

Innes explains that there are measures in the USA, for both farmed and wild deer, to impede the disease, such as restrictions on animal movement and certain feeding regimes.

“New Zealand has never had a case of CWD and there is no evidence that it can be transmitted to humans,” Innes says.

“There have also been no incidents of humans becoming infected from consuming deer meat infected with CWD.”

At the end of 2023, DINZ and Biosecurity New Zealand (Ministry of Primary Industries) signed an agreement on enhanced measures to ensure that CWD doesn’t get into the country.

“Biosecurity NZ have been

aware of CWD for some time, they have monitoring programmes and sample-test enough animals to be sure that we don’t have it in the country,” Innes says.

Biosecurity New Zealand has other measures such as not permitting the importation of deer/elk or their genetic material from America. Since New Zealand’s livestock is primarily pastoral-based it has never been allowed to import meat, or bone meal, for feeding livestock.

“We don’t import live animals from America and people who have been in contact with deer/ elk in the states must declare this,” said Innes.

Kim Rowe, who has been farming deer with his wife Judith, in Stanley Brook (near Tapawera) for the past 24 years, says: “We can only hope Biosecurity and MPI are doing the right things.”

Kim says that by belonging to the Deer Farmers Association, he receives up-to-date information, or changes, on CWD.

A study in 2023 by USGS ecologist Scott Chiavacci was the first effort to put a cost on US CWD containment efforts.

He estimates that federal government agencies spent over $430 million (US$284.1 million) between 2000 and 2021. In 2020 alone, agencies spent over $39 million (US$25.5 million).

The study showed that an outbreak of CWD in New Zealand would impact deer farmers, commercial and recreational hunters, and the wider community, emphasising how important it is that we maintain biosecurity at the border and continue to work together as prevention is our best defence.

Stuart Newport.

Photo: Eloise Martyn.

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This property is country living at its best with just under a hectare of land there are options. Fenced into three paddocks there is room for a pony, sheep, or cattle. A spacious 252sqm home overlooks the property that is surrounded by mature trees and shelter providing privacy, and all-day sun. This wonderful family home was built in 2015 and exudes elegance and refinement and has quality finishes. It features open-plan living, dining, and kitchen areas, with an adjoining second lounge. There are three spacious double bedrooms, the main with an ensuite, a second family bathroom, an office, and a separate toilet. Adjoining the house is a massive triple-car garage with attic storage. Pleasant easy living here, just a couple of minutes from the Coastal Highway.

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Doug Smith

M 027 543 2280

RAI VALLEY

Hills Road, Rai Valley

$500,000 Plus GST (if any)

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Situated just on the outskirts of Rai Valley township is this 10.29ha lifestyle/grazing property. Offering the best of both worlds with several great building sites, utilise the fertile 10ha as a runoff, supplement block, or develop your own lifestyle. Access is off Hills Road with a race heading into the centre of the property. There is a three-bay shed and cattle yards on site. Stock water is via a well with a solar pump. Subdivided into five paddocks with electric internal fencing and permanent boundary. The block is currently part of a dairy platform, so pasture and fertility are in good heart. Contour is mostly flat with some elevated terraces rising to medium hill, the elevated terrace offers stunning valley views.

pggwre.co.nz/NEL38484

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FOXHILL 695 Wakefield-Kohatu Highway

Prime Horticultural or Lifestyle Opportunity...!

Our vendor's circumstances have changed, and this 18.82ha property needs to be sold - RV $2.13M. There are two buying options:

1. $1.45M land and buildings including a fourbedroom home

2. $1.6M as a going concern

A rare opportunity to acquire a fully established hop farm situated southwest of Wakefield. Flat alluvial soils on two terraces with good water consents are suitable for a range of horticultural uses. This property is ideal for someone wanting to derive an income from home. The hop business is ideal for an owner-operator if you want to carry on in the hop business or with excellent water consents a variety of crops could be grown.

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Tasman Report

I have always maintained that if you are going to have a drought have it in summer and that is certainly the case as we have seen minimal rain since Xmas. This is having a noticeable effect on the grape yield with the harvest now underway and the vines have had virtually no rain on them to fill out the berries. That will lead to empty wine tanks for next year and allow some of the overhang from 2023 to be cleared. Sheep and beef returns have been abysmal and that is having an ongoing effect on interest in pastoral farms with even large units being unbankable as costs have risen and incomes have fallen.

I was speaking to a South Australian friend who was in the same position last year and now the lamb price is back up to close to $200 so here’s hoping! Rural land sales have been hard to put together but the team at PGG Wrightson Real Estate has signed up three dairy properties in 2024 which is a great result so far. Strong neighbour interest has been a factor in several sales and that is being repeated across New Zealand with rural property.

We have had a 100-day plan in place with the new government and that has been mirrored by an exodus of leaders from opposition parties who are all heading into the wilderness. I think this is a good thing as it will hopefully be a two-term job

Joe

027 434 4069

for the coalition to fix some of the glaring issues that have been laid bare now the books have finally been opened on the economy.

We are optimistic about a strengthened Autumn Real Estate market with rain ordered for the 11th March after the Rotoiti Power boat regatta. Let’s see how accurate that prediction can be!

In the meantime, take the time to enjoy the great autumn weather and spend some time off farm if you can. Have a great month.

Doug Smith

Doug Smith

OPINION

Cycling

GARRICK BATTEN

If we are not on cycles or in cycles, we are being recycled. We have gone through another electoral right – left – right cycle as politicians are recycled – or not. That’s the thing about cycles, they do not always recur. Trick cyclists can pick the right one, but so can everyone. Farmers know they have to be optimists to see their future, knowing the view from the top of a cycle looks great but at the bottom you have difficulty seeing the pedals through the murk.

Dairy farmers wonder where they are in their payout cycle, blotting out recent memories of a figure half the current one. Sheep farmers wonder if the long-term declining wool price trend and current depression is a cycle or a permanent puncture. Farmers are also used to wider economic cycles affecting their business. Some will remember the 1970s, and others will have the mid-1980s etched in furrowed brows. There have been at least four significant financial punctures since then, like the GFC and now it looks uphill.

There have been physical cycles too. Once upon a time, you went to get the cows or maybe even shift sheep on a one-gear pushbike. That was an improvement on a horse that did not need feeding, stayed where you left it, did not buck and if you did fall off the ground was not far away. Then there were twowheeled motorbikes, then three-wheelers, quad bikes and side-by-side. Now electric golf carts -- will they soon be electric bicycles on farms?

Remember the little grey 35hp Fergie tractor that grew to a bigger red Massey Ferguson, and kept growing and growing? Now supplemented by mini tractors.

One of the rural ironies is to jump on a quad bike to get the cows and also going to the gym to work out on an exe-cycle to keep fit. Gone are the days of rugby training by jumping gates and running up hills in hobnailed boots to shift sheep.

Cycles are also part of farm business budgeting for increasing local body rates. Councils everywhere are persuaded that people should use cycles to improve their health and reduce traffic congestion, frustration and fossil fuel use.

So, they enthusiastically invest significant sums of rates and taxpayer-funded grants to build expensive cycleways in urban areas. When you see cyclists using the road alongside the cycleway you have to wonder about the basic logic of the current enthusiasm and misguided application of solutions to a problem.

Farmers also wonder about the allocation of their rates to urban cycle investments with no rural benefit. The roading policy they see is reduced speeds and reduced maintenance, and nary a cycle dodging their potholes. Roading is their number one local body rating issue with their need for good access for business and personal reasons. Local bodies need profitable rural businesses to drive the economy and their rating base. When viewed on a cyclic basis will the current cycling emphasis change for the better?

Cook Strait ferries

STUART SMITH

Kaikoura MP

The ‘blue highway’ between the North and South Islands is currently served by a fleet of five ships in the Cook Straight including three Interislander ferries and two BlueBridge ferries. The latter are privately funded and run a good service without any taxpayer assistance.

The previous government committed to replacing the taxpayer funded Interisland fleet with mega ferries and portside infrastructure, otherwise known as the iRex project, to the tune of $775m, which has subsequently blown out to nearly $3 billion a quadrupling of the original cost.

Only 21% of the $3b was allo-

cated to the replacement of the ferries themselves and the only option for our incoming government was to refuse the original addition funding. We have since set up an expert advisory group to provide independent assurance on how to proceed with the ferry service and end the previous government’s poor project management. An additional concern was the likelihood of further cost increases effecting our ability to bring the books back in order, something voters can rightly expect to be addressed. Time critical decisions such as replacing the aging ferry service still need to be well informed, well planned, well researched, and sustainably funded to en-

sure a safe and reliable ferry service across Cook Strait is available in the long term. Supporting freight delivery, business growth, export development and tourism, it is vital to get this decision right, noting that we all want to see a cost-effective solution that increases our infrastructure resilience.

Of course, there are other options for taking some of the freight off the road with the added benefit of lowering emissions as well, and these need to be carefully considered as part of an overall plan to maximise the country’s potential economic growth and development. Working with the community and business to explore some of these options will be a critical to future success.

Dot’s cool story for hot top job

FENZ

When Dot Ashton popped into the Nelson fire brigade for some information back in 2000, little did she realise she would be the Wakefield Volunteer Fire Brigade’s Deputy Chief Fire Officer some years later..

“I don’t have a very cool story. I went to Nelson fire station for some information, the then chief talked with me for hours,” she recalls.

“Amongst the chat, I signed some papers and was told to report to the station on Wednesday night for training!”

Dot’s dual roles as an ambulance officer and fire volunteer was a bit unusual at the time, but the roles were definitely complementary.

Dot finds the diversity of challenges keeps her interested in continuing the volunteer ‘work’.

The benefits of being a volunteer firefighter have been huge. She says it encourages you to take on courses and development opportunities, and if you have support, you can really go as far as you want.“Everyone has their strengths, the training and the

role itself helps you identify your strengths – I am better at organising (‘peopling’ she calls it), and I seem to be good at sorting stuff out,” says Dot.

The brigade has a rank called SSO, it means Senior Station Officer. but Dot jokes that SSO stands for, Sorting Stuff Out!

Dot fell into training by default when she began delivering first aid training to firefighters on their recruit training courses. “I really enjoyed making the learning practical and fun, good times,” she says.

gency NZ is just go along, talk to the brigade members and think about what you have to offer, consider whether your life can tolerate calls at all hours. It’s also important to have the support of friends and family. And the most important and beneficial aspects of the role? “Identifying risk to the community and engagement with them to help communities avoid the unnecessary destruction a house fire or the damage wildfire can cause.”

Dot recalls that one of the challenges holding her back and which she had to face and overcome to be a good operator was self-doubt.

“Self-doubt was holding me back.

I had a desire to improve, but to do so I had to modify distracting and doubting thoughts and learn to trust myself more and this helped me gain better results”

Dot’s advice to anyone considering joining Fire and Emer-

Wakefield Fire Brigade has been running a blanket Home fire Safety visit campaign that has had great community uptake, as well as offering wildfire safety advice to those living rurally.

“We are encouraging every house to be protected with working smoke alarms, have a three-step escape plan (escapemyhouse.co.nz) and when living at the wildfire interface, consider lowflammability plant species, defensible spaces (areas clear of vegetation) between flammable vegetation and your property, 4x4 meter access to your property for fire trucks and dedicated firefighting water supplies,”says Dot.

Dot Ashton

Dot

Book Review

“Curiosity - Farmers Discovering What Works” John King. Self Published. Copies available from John King, email: john@succession.co.nz $40 plus postage.

TONY ORMAN

Author John King grew up on the family Southland farm and graduated from Lincoln University with a M.Agr. Sc in adult and rural development from Lincoln University. In the book are case studies of some 40 New Zealand farmers around New Zealand. Although Nelson, Marlborough or the West Coast case studies feature, don’t let that deter you for the book is chocker of innovative and flexible farm thinking - allied with curiosity is creativity i.e. a willingness to learn and adapt.

Underlying is the author’s own practical experience, his holistic approach, developed from a scientific base, with both economics and the environment to the fore. The case studies feature examples of “Working with Nature”, “Ewe Production and Tall Pastures’ “Strategic Grazing and Stock Performance”, “Improving Return on Investment”, Grazing Wisdom of Livestock” and”Crop Nutrition Key” to name just a few. As one critic said of the book “a farming, social and environmental gem.”

Minimum wage rising to $23.15 per hour from 1 April 2024.

The Workplace Relations and Safety Minister has announced that the adult minimum wage will be rising to $23.15 per hour from 1 April 2024. This is an increase of 45 cents per hour from the current hourly rate of $22.70.

The training and starting-out minimum wages will also both increase to $18.52 per hour, remaining at 80% of the adult minimum wage. This is a rise from the current minimum rate of $18.16 per hour.

For an employee who works 40 hours a week, the minimum wage increase to $23.15 per hour means they’ll earn an extra $18 each week before tax.

Between 80,000 and 145,000 New Zealand workers who are currently paid between the current and new minimum wage rates will get an increase in their pay packets as a result of the change in the minimum wage.

Lamb day final

STUART SMITH Kaikoura MP

I had the privilege of enjoying a lamb barbeque last week on the Speakers Lawn at Parliament as part of the celebrations for National Lamb Day on 15 February.

The early pioneers of NZ sheep meat exports would be proud to see that 142 years later, the commitment of our farmers to producing a world class product over many generations has shaped our nation’s history, creating a legacy for which we can all be proud.

The story of the evolution of lamb production is intertwined with the history of New Zealand. The first export of frozen lamb departed Port Chalmers, Otago for London on 15 February 1882 and was the vision of entrepreneurs William Davidson and Thomas Brydone. A game changer for a nation surrounded by ocean at the bottom of the world and a long way from international markets, refrigeration technology was in its infancy but from the outset

proved a worthy investment.

The ship ‘Dunedin’ was carrying 5,000 carcasses, of which only one was lost on the voyage, leading to our successful multi-billion-dollar agricultural export industry that still underpins our economy today.

New Zealand is now the world’s largest exporter of lamb, and this achievement is a credit to all the supporting industries, supply chain, chefs, retailers and importantly, the consumers who

help to support an industry that now exports around 24 million carcasses each year. Although agricultural exports remain our leading export earner, but there is room to grow our international markets with savvy promotion and a relentless focus on quality. Our grassfed lamb, high animal welfare standards and robust traceability systems, has earned New Zealand recognition as a high-quality producer.

Yet the current effects of El Nino are setting in with drought conditions in many areas leading to uncertain times for some farmers. Dealing with climatic events is nothing new for farmers but it is made worse by low lamb prices. Now more than ever, is a good time to celebrate lamb and show our support for our hardworking farmers and producers. So please join me and buy some lamb this week and celebrate our success.

The role of an MP in today’s Parliament

MAUREEN PUGH

West Coast - Tasman MP

Unlike most occupations, there is actually no job description for a Member of Parliament. There are rules we must follow but the job is what we make of it, and we are judged every three years on our performance.

I have never found this to be any sort of problem because I am focussed on those I work for. I pride myself on being accessible at all times for my constituents but servicing New Zealand’s longest electorate has it’s realities and limitations.

(Just think of the distance between Haast and Takaka, for example). Fortunately, modern communications allow a lot more accessibility than even ten years ago. There’s email, Facebook and my 0800MAUREEN free-calling number. The freephone option appeals to the majority of people who want to contact me and that number is answered even if my team and I are out and about.

they are almost always open to the public, live-streaming having opened it up to the public no matter where you live. Have you ever wondered what MPs do prior to Parliament sitting at 2pm?

The answer is that they are in their Select Committees. In my case, it’s Social Services Committee and Community, one of 12 specialist committees whose membership is made up in the same Party proportions as the makeup of the Parliament itself.

Being an MP is chiefly a Wellington-based role be-

cause that’s where Parliament works from. But a big part of the work is out talking and listening to the people I represent. I have to be always in tune with what people are talking about, what is worrying them, what is helping them or what is hindering them. So that’s the representing part of my role, but other aspects are the legislating, scrutinising, engagement or special duties that must be done. The legislative function is carried out in a number of

forums ranging from policy development in Party committees and conferences, to decisions by our Caucus, Cabinet and Select Committees. And then there’s good old-fashioned debating on the floor of the House of Parliament where much of the theatre takes place. Select Committees don’t get the coverage they should in my opinion, but they are a big part of the role of an MP. Select Committees are the most basic forums of democracy, and incidentally,

Among the higher profile committees are Health, Law & Order, Primary Production, and Education & Training. Select committees are where legislation is consulted on and fine tuned and they are fundamental to the operation of democracy and Parliament.

So, who do I actually work for? There is the Prime Minister because I am a National MP and in Government, The Speaker of the House, as I work as an Assistant Speaker of Parliament. But it is ultimately the people of the electorate, irrespective of whether they voted for me or not, that I work for.

Photo: Supplied.

Photo: Supplied.

Minimum wage rising

Rural & Agribusiness

For Sale

Work, Life, Balance

$2,800,000 + GST (if any)

5301 State Highway 6, Havelock

• 68.05ha in two titles

• Currently milking 140 cows, 14 ASHB shed, wintering barn, numerous sheds and outbuildings. 30ha k-line irrigation, historical fertiliser and regrassing history

• Ideal for intensive beef grazing, dairy support, calf rearing or continue the current milking operation, the perfect one person property with no staff issues

• Exceptionally well presented five bedroom residence positioned on an elevated setting

Marlborough

colliers.co.nz/p-NZL67026210

For Sale

“Brooklands” 43.03ha

Deadline Sale closing on Thursday 4 April 2024 at 2pm (unless sold prior)

2643 State Highway 63, Wairau Valley

Andy Poswillo 027 420 4202 andy.poswillo@colliers.com Marlborough Advert Farming TOP SOUTH MONTHLY March 2024 11

Introducing Ross Bisset

We are delighted to welcome Ross Bisset to the Colliers Rural Team.

With more than 22 years in the livestock industry, including 10 years as Livestock manager in the North Otago region Ross has vast experience,empathy and extensive knowledge of the rural sector.

Moving to Marlborough 12 years ago to run a business with his wife Toni, they soon came to appreciate the region and all it had to offer.

Owning, developing and operating a vineyard has given him an appreciation and hands-on industry experience in viticulture.

Ross is strong on building relationships, enthusiastic and has a wide network of industry and professional contacts, as well as a strong track record of sales across multiple businesses and is actively involved in the local tennis and cricket clubs as well as being an active member on both Marlborough show jumping and the Marlborough Equestrian Park committees.

Ross is working with Andy Poswillo, covering the wider Marlborough region, specialising in rural, lifestyle and viticulture sales.

Contact Ross or Andy for a no obligation and confidential discussion regarding current market activity or assistance with your next acquisition.

Ross Bisset Rural Specialist M 027 555 6135 ross.bisset@colliers.com

A rare opportunity to secure a 43ha parcel of flat land with a multitude of uses. Fenced into 12 paddocks with reticulated water, currently running sheep and cattle with the ability to significantly intensify the farming operation on the productive Temuka and Hororata Loam soils. Historical 880mm annual rainfall.

Adjoining the Wairau Valley township amongst a vibrant rural community within a comfortable commute to Blenheim CBD. Four bedroom residence in a private setting, supported by numerous sheds and outbuildings including woolshed and yards. Stands of mature Oak, Macrocarpa and Redwood trees provide an aesthetic rural setting.

A must view property if you are upsizing, downsizing or just wanting to secure a piece of the Marlborough farming lifestyle with income and significant upside.

colliers.co.nz/p-NZL67027496

WINNERS FIELD DAY

12 April 2024

Muller Station

Marlborough Farmer of the Year invite you to our

Winners Field Day 2024 at Muller Station

Hosted by: Satterthwaite Family, Steve, Mary, Alice and Ben 12th April 2024 at 9:00am

Muller Station Woolshed: 8705 Awatere Valley Road 1.5 hrs from Blenheim

ACHIEVE GREATER OUTCOMES WITH OUR SUSTAINABLE FARM LOAN

With our new whole of farm Sustainable Farm Loan you can accelerate on farm sustainability.

• You have two years to implement the Westpac Sustainable Farm Standard

• Rewards you with a financial incentive on term lending for your farm

• Recognises your existing farm assurance activities.

Find out more: westpac.co.nz/sustainable-farm

Come and see us at AgFest on 12–13 April at the Greymouth Aerodrome.

Hitting the aerodrome this April, AgFest West Coast 2024 is set to be a boomer weekend with over 350 trade and food stalls, competitions, entertainment and all things agricultural to entertain its attendees.

In its seventh successful bi-annual event, organisers hope this bi-annual event, to be held at the Greymouth Aerodrome on April 12th & 13th , will be the biggest yet.

Come along to AgFest West Coast and you’ll experience every inch of farming in New Zealand from the latest in dairy sheds to the best gumboots to wear in them. You’ll see the latest in farming vehicles and implements, stock care, health and safety, and much more.

AgFest West Coast promises that this is an event that will hold hours of interest for every person in your family regardless of whether you directly work in the rural sector or not.” Co-director, Anna Marie Thompson says the

Greymouth Aerodrome

12 th - 13 th April 2024 www.agfest.co.nz

team have been preparing for the better part of a year and they are keen to get things underway. The team behind AgFest West Coast work tirelessly along with staff and contractors to bring the event to the region and get huge enjoyment in building and presenting the experience. Recognising the importance of the agricultural sector on the West Coast, they say it is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the

very best of what the rural sector has to offer and to celebrate the agricultural industry and its significance to all businesses on and around the Coast.

The uniqueness of AgFest lies in the fact that it has grown to be the largest single event on the West Coast and that there is something for everyone at the venue.

“AgFest is a great family day out for the whole wider community. Our exhibitors come from all over the country. We have a fair ground, food stalls, a creative

gumboot competition, entertainment from New Zealand’s leading country rock artist Cam Scott. Organised by a core group of four, husband and wife team Andy and Anna Marie Thompson and Tracey Anderson and Adam Berry, the idea was born when the team were approached by local agriculture firms to put together a collaborative ‘field day’ for the West Coast.

Originating in Hokitika in 2011, numbers soon outgrew the venue and Grey District Council offered the use of Greymouth Aerodrome as its new home.

Hosting the event here on the coast means a lot for the region.

The majority of our exhibitors come from away, which in turn boosts the local economy. We get a lot of Cantabrians and Nelsonians coming over for the day or the weekend, catching up with family and spending time in the region. The community also gets involved in so many different ways, for some organisations being part of the event can be their single biggest fundraiser for the year.“

As well as having one of the largest displays of agri-businesses

and technologies there will be a host of other activities for those attending to get involved in at the 2024 AgFest West Coast.

“If you’re a farmer, a lifestyler, or you already know what a legendary couple of days out this event is, be sure to head over to the Coast for what is promised to be the best ever AgFest. There are some great features this year you won’t

want to miss!” Expecting a crow of around 17000, organisers encourage people to secure their tickets via the website or contact the team to secure an exhibitors site.

“If you haven’t booked your site and confirmed your spot at Agfest yet, now is the time!

Sites are filling up fast, but we will do our best to accommodate you”. Call Andy on 0274

323 611 or Tracey on 0275 223 111 to discuss this further, or email westcoastagfest@gmail. com.’

“We would love to see as many of our out-of-town friends come on down and enjoy the event. You will not be disappointed!”

Admission to AgFest is just $15, primary school children $5, and under 5s are free.

HARVEST

The Pellenc Optimum Grape Harvester operates with precision accuracy offering unrivalled care of your vineyard.

Exclusive to Pellenc shaking systems, accurate scales equipped with anti-rebound along with gentle destemming of the berries means the vines are treated with the utmost respect. Pellenc philosophy is a “gentle” harvest can also be a “productive” harvest!

The working pace of the Optimum is very high with multiple technological innovations allowing you to stay one step ahead of the rest!

All new harvesting arms, new collector tray, add to the advantages of the latest Pellenc design. The motion kinematics of the shaking system have been carefully calculated by the design team, reducing frequency and amplitude while maintaining optimum harvest quality. The unique innovative design of the flexible sorting conveyor allows sorting to begin as soon as grapes fall from the vine. The chain design has high conveying capacity with speed require-

ments half that of conventional belts. Quick easy clearing is now possible with no dismantling. The lower suction fans generate an air flow under the skeletal conveyor belt to prevent leaves sticking to it. Leaf evacuation is easy and with the height of suction fans fully adjustable, Pellencs

superior Selectiv Process Cleaning System has unparalleled juice retension which is recognised by winemakers world wide. The Selectiv Process on-board destemming system has been continuously improved from its inception in 2007. Today this machine sorting

equipment is standard on all topof-line Pellenc Harvesters offering unrivalled sorting quality. Your harvest can be fed directly into your tanks without any further operation. Now you can monitor volume in real time with Pellencs new onboard dynamic weighing. This

technology ensures accurate measurement of the harvest in the bins with no effect on the flow capacity of the grapes. Clear readout display in the cabin console allows the driver to accurately monitor the weight of grapes present in the bins at any given time , the quantity harvested, and the average yield per hectare as well as the remaining quantity to be harvested in relation to a quote defined by the machines computer.

Now we mustn’t forget driver comfort. We all know good working conditions improve performance. This is why Optimum have paid particular attention to the quality of life on board. Driver comfort is central to Pellencs design with perfect visibility, meticulous ergonomics, and reduced noise. Extremely manoeuvrable , powerful even with low engine RPM and capable of being both economical and respectful of the environment. - Talk to us today. Phone Hydralada Company 0800 888 887 or email sales@hydralada. co.nz

The Pellenc Optimum Grape Harvester is available now.

Proudly supporting the wine industry

‘A one-stop viticulture shop’ is how owner/operator Mack Pouwhare describes family-operated Grapeworx Marlborough, and it really is from winter pruning to summer bud rubbing or a full-service hand harvest they have Marlborough viticulturalists covered.

The experienced Grapeworx Marlborough team offers the full spectrum of contracting services, labour, and machinery, to Marlborough businesses in viticulture.

And with each season in an established vineyard requiring different machinery and skillsets having a one-stop viticulture shop with the knowledge, experience, and equipment can be incredibly beneficial and time efficient.

In 2001 Mack branched out from his solo viticulture winter pruning work and formed Grapeworx Marlborough. He could see real benefit in offering a complete viticulture service so with 10 hand-selected Kiwi employees he made a start.

From there the team has moved from strength to strength and today over winter they employ almost 210 employees, and

during summer around 110, –many of which have been part of the team for over 15 years.

Having long-serving employees with skills and experience means Grapeworx Marlborough can provide Marlborough viticulturalists increased productivity, quality workmanship, and workers who are confident in every aspect of viticulture which gives them an advantageous point of difference in the industry.

“A smooth vineyard harvest requires experienced staff, not those that are new to the industry,” Mack adds.

Reliable machinery with up-todate technology is a must for

Grapeworx Marlborough and Mack says that all machinery is kept in solid working order, with regular serving and updat-

ing which ensures quality service every time.

“The pressure can really come on during harvest and hey I don’t mind a challenge, but having reliable serviced machinery is a good start to any harvest,” Mack says.

Good honest hard work, reliable machinery, and experienced staff has many local viticulturists undertaking Grapeworx Marlborough services and with wine being the 5th largest good exported from New Zealand the services provided to the viticulture industry by vineyard contractors like Grapeworx Marlborough are an integral part of this growth.

Gondola filling up the truck, next stop winery.

Freshly harvested Marlborough sauvignon. Photos: Supplied.

Harvester working away knocking the berries off the vines.

• Ford New Holland 7840 SLE and Pearson loader - $19,500

• Iseki 6500 and loader - $12,500

• Massey Ferguson 245 power steering good rubber. Tidy order. New seat and serviced$10,500

• Welger B435 Master Baler, farmer owned$25,000

• Bucktown 1.8m h d mulcher hy side shift like new good hammer flails - $6,750

• Vicon PZ 360 haybob late model in very good order - $4,750

• Small 1.5 slasher - $1,600

• Giltrap 3pl log splitter - $2,250

• Heavy duty 7ft back blade hy rams to angle and tilt - $6,500

• Hustler front fork lift suit 135 MF - $2,000

• Rata vineyard cultivator crumbler range of sizes available

• Dual wheels Snap/locks 38” 36” 34” 30” from - $2,200

• Trimax 1.8 Vineyard Mower, tidy order - $3,000

• Fieldmaster 275 topping mower, all serviced, good condition - $4,950

• Silvan 600l herbicide sprayer electric controls$5,000

• Celli Tiger 190 Rotary hoe new blade 3m wide cage roller - $9,500

• Kvernland TLA 6 metre cultivator crumbler$8,500

• Silvan 600L sprayer PTO shaft plus reel & gun$2,500

• Mole plough good order - $1,850

• Rata pallet fork euro hitch - $1,250

• 9ft cambridge roller, very good order - $2,800

• Yeoman chisle plough 9 tyne - $2,200

• Vineyard roller 3pl - $2,950

• 2m cultivator - 2 to choose from

• Used cambridge roller rings

• Berti 1.6 mulcher very good order - $6,750

• Berti 1.6 picker mulcher - $5,500

• Howard AR 80” rotary hoe - coming in

• Duncan 633 Culivator Crumbler - $5,000

• 2000l trailing overow herbicde sprayer hy fold - $4,500

• FMR 2300 R grape sprayer late model all serviced and hy row adjust- coming in

Rapier 2m gear mower all serviced $6,500

Kubota 5740 Hydro air con cab all serviced can fit loader for $35,000

Celli Pioneer 140 spike rotor original spikes excellent condition $14,000

Hustler 2000 bale feeder Serviced and ready to go $7,500

John Deere 4320 4x4 maybe able to fit loader coming in

Fieldmaster 2m gear mower, all serviced $5,250

Massey Ferguson 5608

Late model immaculate all serviced would work well in Vineyard

John Deere 5225 55hp 2x2 air con cab power reverser, very low hours - $18,500

Massey Ferguson 5713 prem model Dyna 6, 4 remotes 3300 hours prof model loader. Good rubber. 5 star screen fitted - $95,000

1, 2 or 3 what will it be?

Kelling

and Neudorf Roads, Upper Moutere

Million dollar views without the price tag

0 Tadmor-Bushend Road, Tapawera

Tender

Choose from 1, 2, or 3 bare blocks of land available on Kelling Road and Neudorf Road. Lot 1 on Kelling Road spans 1.3 hectares whilst Lot 3 on Neudorf Road covers 1.86 hectares, and Lot 4 boasts 1.4 hectares. All of these lots enjoy stunning rural outlooks and take in views of the Mt Arthur Ranges, whilst capturing the of the Tasman sunshine being North facing. These parcels have titles issued and await your personal touch. Build your dream home, a tiny house, or relocate without restrictive covenants. Take charge of utilities by installing power or look at off the grid options with solar advancing hugely over recent years and look at possibilities of getting on the Dovedale water scheme or collecting rainwater from the house or new shed! The possibilities are endless on these versatile plots of land, now is the time to create your own have in this picturesque and sought after location. Licensed

Toby Randall

M 027 233 9170 toby.randall@harcourts.co.nz

Seeking upsized lifestyle

Win Valley Road, Dovedale

If you’re in the market for quality grazing land, scale without the large $ tag, a spacious lifestyle/grazing block, or a strategic investment in a thriving region, look no further. Offering exceptional value compared to similar or much smaller parcels elsewhere in Tasman, this block boasts 2 units of Dovedale water and is currently utilized for dry stock farming. Whether you’re envisioning your dream home on this north-facing hill with breathtaking views of Mt. Arthur and the ranges, or seeking to bolster your land portfolio, this block promises to exceed expectations. Comprehensive soil reports and fertilization history are readily available.

Discover a rare gem in Tasman – a 6-hectare bare land block, flat and brimming with productivity. This unique property boasts a dependable water source from a sizable bore and features an elevated potential building site with panoramic views, overlooking the majority of the block from a second, higher terrace. Enjoy breathtaking vistas of Mt Arthur without the hefty price tag.

Now, you might be wondering about the catch? Some may point out the approximately 45-minute drive to Richmond. However, consider this – you wouldn’t purchase a property like this to be nestled in suburbia. To find a block of this calibre within this price range, a short drive is a small compromise. Plus, the block is conveniently located just a brief drive from the charming Township of Tapawera.

Don’t miss out on this exceptional opportunity to own a piece of Tasman’s hidden paradise.

Toby Randall

M 027 233 9170 toby.randall@harcourts.co.nz

Elisha Shefford

M 021 354 742 elisha.shefford@harcourts.co.nz

Marlborough Sounds 1777 Te Towaka –Port Ligar Road

It has been a privilege to market and sell this iconic Marlborough Sounds farm. If you’re thinking of selling your rural or lifestyle property soon, talk to us today to see how we do things differently.

• Over 8161 views online and a further 5451 through social /digital media.

• Over 24 information packs sent out to qualified buyers worldwide.

• 4 week Tender campaign with multiple offers.

• Offers from National and International buyers.

Toby

Price by Negotiation

The many hats of Maree Edwards

ELOISE MARTYN

Wearing many different hats is something Maree Edwards from Collingwood knows all about.

Community is something Maree knows a lot about as she wears many hats taking on different roles including her full-time job as an Agri Manager for Ravensdown.

“I love my job, getting out and seeing some pretty cool farms and locations, I can easily rattle off 1,000 kilometers a week,” Maree says.

“Winter can be very full on when we get soil testing done for spring

planting but I enjoy hearing what I am doing is helping the farmer or grower in their business.”

Maree moved from Loburn, North Canterbury and has called Collingwood home for the last two and a half years.

“I like Collingwood, it’s in amongst the farming community, and it’s quite pretty with the bush and beach, “Maree says.

Maree studied agricultural science and specialized in agronomy, “which is the study of field crop production and soil management. Studying the plants and the environment making the place suitable for growth,” Maree explains. This study has been the backbone of her role with Ravensdown.

“Hmm where to start,” she says when thinking

of her many hats outside of her work, “Probably the Tākaka dog trials. I like its social side, watching the trials, and enjoy being a set of helping hands to the club,” she adds.

Maree also takes part in hockey, netball, hiking, marathons, and motocross as well as being a support to both Golden Bay and Nelson Federated Farmers.

“I thought Feds would be a good organisation to be involved in,” Maree explains “It keeps you ahead of the game, you hear about what’s happening from the local council, farmers, and other groups, and also relates back to my job which is a helpful networking system for all.”

Maree says some of the work she has been doing for Federated Farmers has been good for confidence building and she has been

enjoying trying something different and learning governing skills. Maree says that the key to wearing all her hats is not to wear them all on the same day. “I don’t do all of them each day or even each week, some of it is seasonal too which helps balance it all out,” she says.

This month Maree is setting off to the outback Northern Territory of Australia for three weeks. “It’s something I have been wanting to do for years, so I am looking forward to it.”

She adds: “It will be an interesting trip, however there really is no place like home.”

Federated Farmers Golden Bay, March 2024

ANN THOMPSON

Leptospirosis

At the February Federated Farmers’ provincial meeting, members were quick to praise the Rural Services Centre (RSC) for alerting dairy farmers of the newly identified strain of Leptospira, L. pacifica, which has been found in Golden Bay. The RSC will be providing the latest vaccine for cattle which will cover all four strains found in New Zealand. Leptospirosis in humans remains a debilitating occupational disease affecting farmers, vets and abattoir workers and vaccinating cattle helps cut transmission from animal to human.

Rewarding ag students

Once again, at the 2023 Collingwood Area School prize giving, Federated Farmers presented its prize for agriculture. Courtney Riordan, a young woman who plans to enter the veterinary profession, was very pleased to receive it. This year, however, she remains at school, studying agriculture through Telford’s distance learning programme. Our congratulations go to Courtney and also to the school in supporting students studying in this area. We couldn’t present a prize at the Golden Bay High School because no student was study-

ing subjects relating to the primary sector. This is, we think, a poor outcome as this sector provides most of the wealth for the province. Those running schools must remember that learning about agriculture, forestry and aquaculture to a senior level is tied to great jobs (here and overseas) and the national economy. We look forward to presenting prizes at both schools at the end of this year.

Slowing change

Cherrie Chubb, Federated Farmers President for Golden

Bay, talked about frustration amongst farmers nationally, who want to see the new Government make quick changes to ‘everything’ that affects farming. Cherrie said changes are unlikely to happen quickly – just like it takes a long time to turn a container ship around. Regional councils across the country are being asked to slow down bringing in any new regulations that were formulated under the previous government so that farmers are not asked to jump twice, which costs money and effort.

As she stated in her written report for the meeting, ‘2024 will be a really interesting one to see how the big talk from the coalition government will play out. Just how much regulation affecting farming gets reworked, and how quickly, is still to be seen. But one thing is sure - whoever is writing the rules to the game, the fundamentals of farming remain the same: the transformation of biological resources into saleable products as efficiently and consistently as possible. It is Federated Farmers’ role to be providing sound, reasoned input to ensure that farmers can continue to make the most of the opportunities afforded to us. It is our responsibility as individual farmers to be doing so responsibly and sustainably so those opportunities continue

well into the future. Farming is very much a long-term game. ‘A move from self-responsibility to one of a perceived need to be regulated has seen changes in the way our businesses operate. Some things are for the better and technology advancements have driven efficiencies. Insights from increasingly accurate real-time data mean we can make more informed, timely decisions. But the increasing assurances required from our markets, processors, local and central government that we do actually know what we are doing and can maintain minimum standards of workplace safety, animal welfare etc with minimal environmental impacts, has often felt unnecessarily burdensome.’

Step up

This year will see some change at Federated Farmers in the Bay, with both Cherrie and Meat & Wool Chairperson, Pax Leetch wanting to step aside from their roles. Cherrie is now busy with the farmer catchment group tied to the Waikoropupu Water Conservation Order and Pax is also wanting to form a catchment group for his area out at West Wanganui, and with a second child on the way, he really will be busy! We look forward to the AGM on 14 May to see who will step up.

Courtney Riordan with her Federated Farmers’ trophy.

Photo: Savannah Smith.

‘The trick to wearing many hats is not to wear them all on the same day’ Maree Edwards from Collingwood says. Photo: Supplied.

WEST COAST

Free training to enter NZ’s fishing industry

ELOISE MARTYN

There is still money to be made, and sustainable employment, working in the New Zealand fishing industry, says Peter Maich, owner-operator at Westport Deep Sea Fishing School.

After 20 years commercially fishing in various roles, including inshore crayfish fishing in Fiordland, trawling for Hoki, squid, and mackerel as well as long line vessels targeting Ling; and often wearing the skipper’s hat, Peter Maich felt it was time for a change, so in 2000 he took over as the owner-operator at Westport Deep Sea Fishing School and has never looked back.

“I have a real passion for the New Zealand fishing industry; however I had a real desire to have a go at doing something for myself,” Peter says in response to why he hung up his skipper’s hat and stepped into the fishing school.

The fishing school is a gateway to pre-employment for those wanting to get into the industry and a career pathway for those already in the industry to upskill and keep up to date

People coming out of our programs have the tools to succeed and realistic views of the fishing industry,’ Peter Maich owner-operator at Westport Deep Sea Fishing School says. Photo: Supplied.

with the required certificates and licenses.

“People coming out of our programs have the tools to succeed and realistic views of the fishing industry,” Peter explains. A residential program especially designed to suit the development of skills and attitudes required by the fishing industry, mixed with both practical and theory training ashore and experience on fishing vessels is a good introduction to what work and life at sea is really like.

“The pre-employment programs are free, we don’t want finance to be a barrier that stops people getting into the industry, but you do need a good attitude and a genuine desire to work,” Peter says.

Peter says that there is good money to be made in the industry and sustainable employment for those who are willing to work.

“A new entrant’s starting wage is around $50,000.00 with several months off on full pay and it just goes up from there,” Peter explains

“If you were a pre-children couple within 5 years you could easily have a decent house deposit and set yourself up.”

“It’s great to be able to offer opportunities within training and connect people I enjoy working with the team we have here at the fishing school, who like me are all passionate about the industry,” Peter says.

The fishing school sees more than 80 per cent of its students placed into full-time employment in any given year and several thousand have entered the industry over the 31 years the school has been operating.

“Students come here and leave with qualifications and industry knowledge which adds to stability within the industry,” Peter says. The school takes students nationwide, or as Peter says anywhere from Cape Reinga to Bluff.

If you are interested in free training and support to enter an industry with long-term stable employment opportunities, then you should check out Westport’s Deep Sea Fishing School.

Snowy River Gold Mine’s new owner

Federation Mining, an Australian incorporated company, say they are pleased to announce that their Managing Director agreed to exercise the option under the Project Deed between Tasman Mining Limited and OceanaGold to purchase the Snowy River Gold Mine (formerly known as the Blackwater Mine) near Reefton. Prior to settlement certain conditions and regulatory approvals are required to be met. The Company sold its shareholding in ASX-listed OreCorp Ltd (ASX: ORR) for $26 million in November 2023 which has provided funding for the current development phase through the first half of 2024.

Federation is currently pursuing a wide variety of additional funding opportunities to assist in the purchase of the asset and construction of the processing plant. These funding options include private equity, debt and streaming along with merger and acquisition.

Managing Director Mark Le Messurier said “We are excited to take this step by exercising of the Project Deed to purchase the asset. This is a project which will bring many benefits to not just our company but also our local community and the West Coast.”

Underground drilling was completed in 2023 and a Mineral Resource will be estimated in the first quarter of calendar year 2024, with a Pre-Feasibility Study (“PFS”), being managed by a leading consultant, set to be completed by April 2024. Snowy River is fully permitted for all construction and production activities and currently employs 60 staff. The construction and operations phases will provide strong employment opportunities for an additional 100+ employees with positive flowon effects in the local community.

Suppliers of all grades of industrial and household coal

• West Coast sub-bituminous coal with low ash, low sulphur and clean burning qualities

• High grade West Coast bituminous low ash coal

• Premium grades available for your boiler or multi fuel burner

• Bagged coal from 20kg to 1 tonne

• Bulk deliveries

• Coal storage in the Canterbury region for continuity of supply

Give Mark a call on 027 531 0998 for a competitive price to have your coal delivered direct from our mines to your place.

Phone 0800 110 602 Email mark@birchfieldcoal.co.nz

www.birchfieldcoal.co.nz

marlborough

Covid gives a boost to the garlic market

ANDREW RITCHIE

Alan Jones of Garlico maintains that Covid has driven people to consuming healthier food.

While the ability of garlic to entirely fend off the virus is a matter of high conjecture, MG Fresh Produce Group, the company responsible for marketing garlic from Garlico back up Alan’s opinion on the increased demand for healthier foods.

Ginger and carrots have also seen a surge in demand. Among the claims of the health benefits of garlic are an aid to digestion, the lowering of cholesterol, hypertension, acne, asthma, coughs and colds. Garlico has recently completed the harvest of 34ha of garlic.

The crop is traditionally planted on the shortest day in June and requires good quality soil and irrigation throughout the growing season. Because of the usual warm dry summers Marlborough is ideal for growing the crop.

All of Garlico’s production is consumed domestically. Harvest is now highly mechanised with the crop lifted by machine, transferred into large wooden boxes and brought back to the factory for drying and processing. Gone are the days when school children could make a dollar by topping and tailing the bulbs in the paddock and filling buckets. Because of our Free Trade agreement with China, cheap garlic is still being imported.

Alan is quick to point out that the constraints placed on growers in this country of keeping spray records and maintaining withholding periods does not apply to the imported

product.

The history of garlic goes back to 4000 BC in Mesopotamia where it was described on a stone tablet with a recipe for lamb stew.

Jeremy Oswald of Osgrow Seeds inspected an onion seed crop due to be harvested at Garlico. The seed is triangular and quite delicate, so great care must be taken

when threshing the seed heads. These are cut off manually and dried before being threshed. Italian ryegrass seed has also been recently harvested by Alan’s company. This was grown in the Waihopai Valley and the seed will go through a cleaning process before sale.

Jeremy said other crops such as

ryecorn, barley, wheat, sunflowers, peas and popcorn were also being grown in the area.

“Because of the dry growing conditions and the early harvest, Marlborough is an ideal place to grow seed crops. Newly harvested crops from the district are already being supplied to farmers around the country,” he says.

Marlborough Federated Farmers Federated Farmers call for “pause” in Freshwater plans

TONY ORMAN

Marlborough Federated Farmers is calling for a pause in proposals for farm freshwater plans in the aftermath of the election and the new government’s intentions to make changes to the previous government’s proposals.

President Evan White said in light of the “new political landscape” and proposed changes, it would be logical to pause and wait until the new path is clear.

“We have a new coalition Government that late last year signalled significant change is on the horizon with timelines being extended out to 2027,” he explained.

“While we encourage environmental improvements and locally driven solu-

tions, it is difficult to see how the current Freshwater farm plans on a one size basis fits. Having plans for the sake of having plans at significant cost to farmers is a total waste of time and money.”

Marlborough Federated Farmers wrote to the Marlborough District Council requesting a pause, describing the previous government’s proposals as now out-dated. In its reply to the Marlborough District Council said it was aware of the “shift in the political landscape” but also that the new National-ACT-NZ First coalition government has indicated that the requirement for farm plans remains but conceded “the exact format is uncertain.” White was thankful that the council was listening

and meeting with the local Federated Farmers and for its response to the letter. He noted Marlborough Federated Farmers had a good working relationship with the council and having good rural councillors ‘is positive and constructive’.

However, the reply from the council did raise some questions. Hamish Morrison from Rai Valley said it seemed unusual that requirements may substantially change, but the council reply seemed to “play that down.”

White said the change in government direction was crucial, with the new government’s associate environment minister announcing that the direction of the Labour government’s proposals was due for improvement over the next

two years.

“It’s widely known changes are imminent,” commented White.

Value of Federated Farmers

The discussion moved to regulations particularly those imposed on rural New Zealand by the previous government. Meat and Wool chairperson, Cath Baker, said it is worrying in that a lot of seemingly unfounded and illogical regulations have bombarded primary producers.

“This is where members will see the true value in their Federated Farmers membership. It is comforting to know that Feds are in our corner and are battling away on our behalf, on both a local and national policy scale.”

Jeremy Oswald and Alan Jones assessing the readiness of the onion crop prior to harvest.

Photo: Andrew Ritchie

Drought intensifies in Marlborough

TONY ORMAN

The drought is deepening in Marlborough with statistics showing the potential for a particularly dry first half to 2024. The figures emerged at the recent meeting of Marlborough Federated Farmers. In her meat and wool section report, chairperson Cath Baker referred to the worsening dry conditions.

“Summer soil moisture deficits are nothing new in Marlborough, but our deficit started much earlier this season,” she said. “Marlborough dipped below zero (a deficit) in early September - almost a month earlier than the 2014 and 2015 droughts, and well before the long-term average of moisture deficit in late October.”

Cath Baker said the current drought felt insidious - “it crept up early with rain at levels that kept things green but in no means alleviated our soil moisture levels,” she said.

Marlborough Federated Farmers President, Evan White, said if the lack of rain, coupled with strong drying winds and high temperatures persisted, farmers will be into a drought situation across Marlborough. Farmers are feeding out winter reserves normally kept for later and they may be faced with selling capital stock.

“It’s easy to say it’s just a typical Marlborough drought, but nevertheless it’s pressure and stress in economically challenging times,” he said.

Evan reminded that in challeng-

ing times, it’s important to recognise the need to help other farmers under pressure.

“On top of the dry, product prices are generally lower than this time last year. Lamb prices have crashed on the back of two good years meaning sheep farmers are facing some big losses this year while at the same time having some big tax bills to pay.”

Marlborough is heavily reliant on the vineyard industry and indications are volumes will be down 20 – 30 percent back on the longterm average. Prices for grapes have dropped considerably.

“I know many of us have been through the peaks and troughs and have become accustomed to such conditions, however there will be some who through no fault of their own will be struggling and need help,” he said.

MPI’s Simon Langley said according to NIWA, the El Nino pattern will continue until March and could persist into the onset of winter. Dry autumn conditions can adversely affect the growth of winter crops, diminish feed reserves and further deplete water availability, plus hot dry conditions increase the risk of fire.

After discussion the meeting voted to send a letter to the Minister of Agriculture (Todd McClay), Stuart Smith Kaikoura MP, Jamie Arbuckle NZ First List MP, the Ministry of Primary Industries and Marlborough District Council, alerting them to the situation of soil moisture deficits.

The answer lies in the soil

ANDREW RITCHIE

Marlborough’s soil quality is deteriorating, largely due to the reduction in carbon content, says Marlborough District Council environmental scientist Matt Oliver. The Resource Management Act requires the council to address the issue, so an information event was recently held on the Morrison’s dairy farm at Linkwater where 250 cows are milked. The event attracted many farmers and associated industry members. The meeting was told that soil carbon helps to regulate plant nutrient supply, encourages essential microbial activity, assists with preserving soil moisture, and prevents erosion.

“Many vineyards currently have a carbon content of under 2%, often due to compaction - and this is also true for some dairy farms where compaction occurs due to pugging,” says Oliver.

“Typically, a farm in an old riverbed would have a 2% carbon content, a good result in the Awatere Valley would be 2.5% while heavier land could be around 6%.

A lofty goal would be to lift the average to 4.5%.”

He said the most efficient way to increase carbon content is to grow it, principally with the use of plant roots. This is regarded as being up to 30 times faster than adding organic matter. To raise the level by 1% with the addition of organic matter is expensive, requiring 100 tonnes over 10 years. The recommendation is to utilise the synergy of a four-plant mixture which would stimulate a

JOHNSON’S BARGE SERVICE LTD

diversity of microbes.

The four plants are: chicory, plantain, clovers and grass varieties, such as fescue, in addition to ryegrass. Chicory is regarded as a dynamic accumulator being deep-rooted, harvesting nutrients that have travelled further into the subsoil. The plant also aerates the soil and provides a path for drainage. Carbon loss has been occurring since the 1980s when nitrogen fertiliser use became widespread, utilised to increase production. Nitrogen use and irrigation encourages shallower rooting, interrupting the symbiotic reaction between the plants and microbial activity, and contributing to more compaction of the soil. Oliver suggests digging a hole approximately 400mm deep in problem paddocks to investigate the structure of the soil. He dug a hole in an underperforming paddock on the Morrison property and discovered a pan which was inhibiting plant root growth.

The paddock was in a low-lying part of the farm where water would naturally accumulate, in addition pugging had occurred during the winter wet. The recommendation was tine cultivation to break up the pan, and deep-rooted plants including oats to penetrate the subsoil. Maintaining the pH of the soil by the addition of lime would also assist with drainage.

Another hole dug in a more productive pasture showed a much deeper topsoil extending to 300mm. A small part of the paddock is prone to temporary waterlogging in winter and signs of this were confirmed by specks of red in the subsoil indicating anaerobic conditions.

Long term waterlogging would be confirmed by grey specks in the sample. Oliver concluded by suggesting the best way to confirm that your soil is working is to smell a recently dug sod. “If the soil smells good your biology is working. If the sample smells sour it is not.”

Matt Oliver from Marlborough District Council demonstrates the root penetration of clover in a healthy soil. Photo: Andrew Ritchie.

Get off the farm and on ‘yer bike

ELOISE MARTYN

With the variety of stressful challenges that come with farming and growing, a group of organisations have come together to offer the opportunity for farmers and growers to get off their farms and onto their bikes.

Rural Riders is a mountainbiking initiative aimed at getting farmers and growers off the land. This year will be Rural Riders first year operating in Richmond and it’s building in numbers slowly.

“Rural Riders is based on the concept of Surfing for Farmers and I’m happy to be able to help to get this up and running for farmers and growers in our region,” Ministry of Primary Industries on Farm Support for the Top of the South, Richard Clarkson says.

“Being in the farming industry we understand the stress and challenges that come with farming and growing, so we have created regular Rural Riders events to get off the farm, out in the fresh air, have a bit of fun, and enjoy some downtime together,” Richard says.

Richard encourages anyone coming to bring their family or friends along with them to the free Rural Riders sessions.

“Bring the kids or a workmate, our coordinators will support all levels and abilities of riders.

Depending on how many turn up we can head out as one or two separate groups to cater for kids and ability,” Richard says. “There are a number of us that already get out and go for a ride which is great and it would be nice to get everyone off the farm going together to have a laugh and enjoy some downtime,” Richard explains “Each ride ends with a cold refreshment and yarn.”

If you don’t have a mountain or e-bike there are local bikes available for hire. “Don’t let not having a bike stop you, get in touch,” Richard says.

“A break from the farm doesn’t have to be a holiday it can be as simple as having a good bike ride, switching your farming

brain off and trying something different,” Richard explains. “Time off-farm can prevent decision fatigue, restore your motivation, as well as increase productivity and creativity which helps with solutions or challenges that you may be facing.”

Richard says:“Come and join us it would be great to have you come along for an hour or two on the track and a cold drink to finish.”

Rural Riders Richmond: 5.30 pm every second Tuesday, Silvan Forest Mountain Bike Park, 216 Champion Rd, Richmond

Rural Riders Kaiteriteri: 5.30pm every second Tuesday, Kaiteriteri

Mountain Bike Park, 37 Martin Farm Rd, Kaiteriteri

Cool operator - emergency nurse on to a winner at shearing

Shearing Sports NZ

A 22-year-old emergency department nurse who sheared sheep mainly to pay her way through her studies is continuing to claim winning ribbons in a continuing drive to help keep shearing competitions going in the top of the south.

The latest success for Kimberley MacLean came recently in the Intermediate grade at the Tapawera Shears, south of Nelson – eight years after she first started shearing in competitions while still a pupil at Motueka High School. Scoring her fifth Intermediate win – on top of six in the Junior class in 2017-2019 - she was one of just three in the grade. It has at time been less, and she says: “I love doing the shows, especially supporting the local ones.”

“I don’t do much shearing, because I am a full-time emergency nurse, so I only have the opportu-

nity to do one day a week in the woolsheds if I’m lucky.”

All of her 11 wins, including the Tapawera Shears Intermediate ribbon also in 2021, have been in the region – with at least one at each of the seven Nelson-Marlborough shows, from Nelson to Kaikoura.

But in 2019 she did venture to the Golden Shears in Masterton, as one of 48 shearers in the Junior class.

She finished 16th among the 18 semi-final qualifiers, almost all of whom have since won competitions bigger than any she’s tried in her home region, including Golden Shears and New Zealand Shears titles, or achieved No 1 spot on Shearing Sports New Zealand’s annual rankings through the grades.

“I would love to go back in the future, when I have the chance to do a bit more shearing between shows,” she says.

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Kimberley MacLean on a winning streak at the recent Tapawera Shears. Photo: Supplied

“A break from the farm doesn’t have to be a holiday - it can be as simple as having a good bike ride,” Ministry of Primary Industries on Farm Support for the Top of the South, Richard Clarkson says. Photo: Supplied.

From vines to veges - Dan’s the man

FROM PAGE 1

ELOISE MARTYN

Twenty-two years since Dan Manuge first set foot in the growing sector and he is still enjoying the challenges of working hands-on in the field. Dan Manuge got his first taste of working in the outdoors when he was 15 years old when he spent a summer’s school holidays working in a vineyard in Marlborough.

“I liked the work, and it was good money, I had friends working at supermarkets getting six dollars an hour back then and here I was making good money, working outside and working with friends,” Dan says.

The vineyard was a mixed crop farm, so Dan got experience at weeding corn, knapsack spraying, and other tasks he hadn’t done before.

From here Dan went on to have a variety of roles in the Viticulture industry including six and half years manag-

ing a vineyard in Canterbury, studying Viticulture through long-distance studies, and eventually moving to Nelson to manage award-winning local vineyard Sea Level Wines. He served five years on the Nelson Winegrowers Committee and competed representing Nelson at the National Young Viticulturist Competition.

“Viticulture was evolving rapidly, I found the studies outdated, where within the wine industry attending education days and Bragato Conference I was lucky to have been given the latest training and techniques,” Dan adds.

Dan says that serving on the Nelson Winegrowers Committee and coaching others to compete in the Young Viticulturist competition was a highlight for him and further drove his interest in the wine industry.

During this period Dan won a lot of awards, gold medals, and trophies and enjoyed the journey, however his personality saw him wanting more adven-

Why join the Feds?

You wouldn’t be the only one who has wondered or asked why have a Federated Farmers (Feds) membership.

One of the benefits of having a membership is that farm business operations demand sound legal, fitfor-purpose contracts and agreements. Feds has developed industry-leading farm employment contracts, and documents, with the help of experienced farming leaders, real farmers, farm consultants, mediators, and legal advisors. The cost to obtain these types of contracts and agreements elsewhere far exceeds the cost of membership so if you employ staff a Feds membership is worth every cent.

Thousands of farmers nationwide use Feds range of proven business agree-

ments every year, and if you need backup or advice in tricky situations then via membership you can access a free advice line specific to your industry.

However, Feds is way more than just industry-leading contracts, we advocate for all the farming sectors including arable, fruit and vegetables, dairy and meat, as well as often-remote communities. We aim to add value to the business of our farming members and encourage sustainability through good management practices.

We have a network of 24 regional organisations and we lobby on farming issues both nationally and within each region. With farming becoming incredibly complicated local meetings are a great way to find out what’s happening

ture and challenges.

“I consider myself a fixer, I like challenges. I enjoy going

with policy and advocacy in your local area. Attending meetings is free, and a great place to find out what is going on that could affect your farming business or the sector as a whole. It’s also an opportunity for you to give your feedback or ask questions. Being a lobby and advocacy group, we will fight the fights that need to be fought while you continue to farm. We work closely with others in the industry such as DairyNZ and Beef and Lamb New Zealand. Membership is voluntary and currently, we have around 12,000 members nationwide.

Not a member? Join now for the benefits, or want to attend the next meeting in the Tasman area simply email: nelsonfedfarm@ gmail.com

in where there are opportunities for improvement and getting stuck in and fixing things,” Dan explains. Dan moved into a role managing field services supporting outdoor production at a large nursery operating across the Waimea plains.

“I learned a lot in this role, responsible for over 250ha of production, it was a big step from working by myself in the vineyard with just a few casual

workers or contractors to having the responsibility of a large number of staff,” Dan says. He says that while the nursery systems were different from viticulture, a lot of the backbone was the same.

“Spraying was the same, plant biology was the same, it was just a different type of plant. My background in viticulture was definitely beneficial,” Dan adds.

Ready for his next challenge, Dan literally ‘jumped the fence’ to a role as an Outdoor Crop Production Operations Manager for a Waimea Plains market gardener where he has happily been the last two-and-a-half years.

“I love the fast pace here, we harvest and deliver fresh produce nationwide every day,” Dan exclaims, “every day is a challenge.”

From overseeing outdoor production, purchasing seeds, propagating seeds, plantings, and harvesting a range of vegetables such as brassicas, lettuce, spinach, celery, sweet corn, melons, and pumpkin, involving eight million plants a year, there is always a challenge or something that needs to be fixed.

“Coming from viticulture where it’s years between growing the plant to tasting the product, market gardening is a real change,” Dan says. “Market gardening has brought all my past skills and experiences together. I still love working outdoors and I enjoy being hands-on, so I’m looking forward to another good year ahead full of goals and challenges.”

Nelson at your fingertips

‘Coming from viticulture where it’s years between growing the plant to tasting the product, market gardening is a real change’, Dan Manuge says. Photo: Eloise Martyn

Nelson Federated Farmers March

KEN STRUGNELL Motoring Journalist since 1997

Within a few weeks on the first of April, Road User Charges at the same rate as diesels will kick in for EV’s with a lower rate of 5.3c per km for PHEVs that use both petrol and electric from a charger. How will they be administered? Will EV users pay like diesels ahead of using them? What will it do to EV sales? The only question we can answer is the effect on EV sales. I wrote six months ago that Ford and GM in the States had huge stockpiles of unsold EV’s. Since then both companies have ceased production of EV’s for the foreseeable future. Dealers in NZ report similar resistance, particularly since the bribe to purchase has been stopped. So, to celebrate, I have been driving a somewhat thirsty petrol Wrangler Rubicon from the yankee Jeep stable. It is still very recognizable from its 1940’s ancestor though considerably bigger more powerful - and pricy at a full dollar under $100k! It’s hard not to love the modern Jeep. Dating back to the WW2 they were the ubiquitous transport option in every

part of the world, known for their tough, easily repaired do anything go anywhere ability, along it must be said with the comfort level of a wooden plank. I got to pedal the tough truck Rubicon version with M+S 285/70 32-inch BF Goodrich tyres that are almost unstoppable given the wheel at each corner and huge 285mm ground clearance. When combined with the super low crawl speed gears at 77.2 :1 and the sway bar disconnect function allowing massive wheel articulation and lockable front and rear diffs, the Wrangler is the most capable off the shelf 4WD available. The party trick Jeep still has are the completely removable roof sections. They can do without their doors too. Doing so reveals the twin roll bars and the ability to fold down the windscreen making it true open-air convertible. Thankfully the comfort levels include 5-seater leather clad pews, the front two heated. Oddly, while very well shaped, they lack the cosseting factor when the Wrangler is seriously driven off-road. Still, it does have huge grab handles! At Parkley Off Road I get to test all 4WD’s on the same country. This truck

motoring

is a standout, having driven up the previously undrivable slippery loose gravel accents, with gradients varying from 45 -65 degrees. Okay, so it’s summer, summer drought really and the ground has a concrete hardness to it. However, that’s not the only reason. It is so well set up that it feels effortless and easy, making experts of drivers in challenging terrain.

4WD can be selected on the move from rear drive 2WD to ensure safety and reduce fuel consumption - which we found was 12.4 l/100km in a mixture of on- and off-road. Tow rated at 3500kg braked 750 unbraked the 3.6 litre Pentastar V6 is rated at 207kW/347Nm.

On the road - M+S tyres are great off-road, though noisy on sealed surfaces. Tyre life is likewise reduced with our example with less than 10k showing signs of wear. It was however surprisingly quiet. I think

an All Terrain [AT] might be a better option if most of your travel is on sealed roads.

The Wrangler is quick, with smooth changes up and down the 8-speed auto box. Hilly sections found it diving into 6th or even 5th to maintain speed suggesting the boxlike styling, while great off-road, hampers on road aerodynamics

The interior is spacious for five with an 8.4 inch infotainment screen showing all 4WD functions, including pitch and roll as well as excellent bright optics for the forward and reveres cameras.

All major tech safety systems are fitted giving a 5star ANCAP rating. Boot space is claimed at 556l.

Jeep produce the good looking Grand Cherokee that is very competent off-road and one of the best on-road 4x4s, but the Wrangler even saving that $1 is the best off-road vehicle off the showroom floor!

Scania #1 heavy truck

ELOISE MARTYN

Scania New Zealand has achieved the number one position in market share for heavy trucks in 2023 for models with a GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) of over 16,000kg.

It is the fourth year in a row the brand has secured the position in the heavy trucks division. Deon Stephens, director of sales, said being able to do so on the company’s 5th anniversary of operation in New Zealand is extremely satisfying.

“We want to thank and acknowledge all our Scania customers who made 2023 such a successful year for us. Capping off the year first in market share once again in this premiere and very competitive segment is a fantastic result.”

Scania’s market share of 20% represented 653 heavy trucks registered last year – 20% more (21.8%) than Scania’s heavy

trucks registered in 2022.

“We are incredibly grateful for every customer that chooses Scania, as well as for the consistently hard work our team constantly puts in from Scania New Zealand,” Stephens said.

Brightwater-based log distribution business Borlase Transport Limited operates a fleet of 41 trucks, a portion of which are Scania.

“Congratulations to Scania and their success,” Borlase Trans-

port’s Steve Borlase says. “We have found Scania to be a premium, competitively priced product within our fleet.”

Steve explains that it’s important that truck manufacturers provide them with reliable service and support post-purchase.

“Scania has demonstrated to us a strong customer focus through their customer support network and have proven to meet our expectations as to what we would expect from a leading manufacturer,” he added. Steve also notes that while Borlase Transport has been pleased with Scania, their fleet consists of a range of truck makes and manufacturers all serving a purpose and service.

Even though Scania only sells and supplies trucks over 16,000kg, the company also still ranked among the top 5 brands in New Zealand for the volume of all new trucks and buses sold over 3500kg last year.

Borlase Transport Limited operates a fleet of 41 trucks, a portion of which are Scania.

Photo: Borlase Transport.

local forestryupdate

Record turnout of Kenworths at 100th global anniversary

Kenworth enthusiasts in New Zealand gathered at Waikato’s Mystery Creek to celebrate the brand’s 100th global anniversary with a record-breaking 756 mighty rigs on display. The event, organised by local distributor Southpac Trucks, took place over Waitangi weekend and saw hundreds of spectators arrive through the gates.

The Kenworth-only event eclipsed any single brand truck show ever staged in the Southern Hemisphere –including the 2014 event in Mt Maunganui which saw 300 Kenworths on show to mark 50 years of the truck

brand being imported into New Zealand. With a huge nine-hectare footprint set aside for the show, there was plenty of room for the big rigs to shine.

Registrations opened in July last year and a large number of local Kenworth owners and operators took part to make it a special day to remember. The scale of the venue ensured a big turnout and saw half a kilometre of Kenworth grills in one row alone.

Planning for the centenary show began in early 2020 but was put on hold due to the disruption of Covid-19. It was originally meant to

take place in 2023 to coincide with the official global anniversary. Southpac Trucks general sales manager Richard Smart says Kenworth owners are known to be passionate about the trucks they run. He says the event was about bringing them together in one place to celebrate the best of the brand.

“For me it’s all about the customers. This is an event we put on for the owners, the operators and the drivers and it was all about getting them together. You can see them standing around yacking to people they haven’t seen for ages,” he says.

New shareholders sought

New Zealand Dryland Forests Innovation (NZDFI) was established in 2008 by the Marlborough Research Centre Trust (MRCT) as a regional research and development start-up project with the support of three forest industry partners: University of Canterbury’s NZ School of Forestry (UoC); Ngāi Tahu-owned Proseed NZ (Proseed) and Vineyard Timbers. Since that time, the team has worked tirelessly on durable eucalypt breeding, research, and development, towards their vision of creating sustainable regional durable hardwood industries in New Zealand.

In July 2022, a separate entity was established, New Zealand Dryland Forests IP Ltd, with the XyloGene brand. This was the start of activities to commercialise genetically improved durable eucalypt germplasm via a royalty payment system on sales of genetically improved plants. The establishment of NZDFIP Ltd effectively separated commercial activities from the much broader focus of NZDFI’s research and development programme.

The next phase of their development is now underway. New shareholders are being sought who recognise the value that NZDFI has created by working collaboratively. The plan is to deliver tree breeding, research, and extension services to new shareholders in a similar way to that which the Radiata Pine Breeding Company undertakes for industry. They want to focus their communication and education into building the industry capability needed for a New Zealand durable hardwood industry.

Up to 49% of the NZDFIP Ltd shareholding is on offer to forest growers that have the land, capability, and a strategy to diversify by investing in large-scale planting with elite germplasm. Expressions of interest are being sought from NZ forest companies that have shown interest in diversifying with their durable eucalypts.

If all goes to plan, the new ownership structure could be in place by mid2024. For more information, please contact Paul Millen, p.millen@xtra. co.nz.

Employer generosity in tough times

ELOISE MARTYN

Close to half a century of driving on Top of the South roads was celebrated recently, when three drivers from Stuart Drummond Transport, had their service to the company recognised.

Bill Moreton has clocked up 20 years on the road for Drummonds and Peter Rodgers and Darrel Munro have done 10 years each.

The company started in 1985 providing log cartage throughout Nelson, Tasman, West Coast, and Marlborough.

Stuart Drummond Transport general manager Brodie Drummond says: “These guys have all made a huge contribution to the success of Stuart Drummond Transport and we will forever be grateful for their loyalty and hard work.”

Bill Moreton says: “I think: Why would you leave a job when you are being well looked after? I like driving and Drummonds have given good job flexibility, stability, and

support when needed.”.

Bill drives a self-loader, not many log trucks are self-loaders, which he has done for most of his time with Stuart Drummond Transport.

A self-loader is a log truck equipped with a Hiab and log grapple so does not require any other equipment to load the truck. These trucks are commonly used for picking up abandoned logs from skid sites after logging crews have left.

“From myself, and on behalf of the other drivers recently recognised long service, Darryl and Peter, I’d like to thank Brodie and the Drummonds team for being an employer who recognises long service with such generosity, especially in the current economic times when things are more challenging all around,” Bill says.

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“Since I can go where there is no machinery to load the truck I often go around cleaning up once log crews have left, or collect short wood that others can’t take,” Bill explains. Being recognised for long service is something Bill says he does appreciate, but like many Kiwis, he prefers not to be in the spotlight, which makes it tricky when you are presented with an oversized cheque for $10,000.

“It’s nice to be rewarded for your loyalty but it’s a two-way street. They have been good to me too,” Bill adds. Bill plans on spending some of the money to take his family to Australia to visit his son. Brodie acknowledged that last year was “incredibly challenging” for the team due to the market slowdown and without the staff being flexible and working together it would have been even more challenging.

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“A huge thank you needs to be given to our staff who went to Napier to help us through the market slowdown, as well as the rest of the team who worked with us through a challenging year,” Brodie adds.

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Three employees of Stuart Drummond Transport have been recognised for their long service. Brodie Drummond with Bill Morton, Darrel Munro and Peter Rodgers. Photo: Supplied.

Dairy farmers reporting on nitrogen use

FERTILISER ASSOCIATION NZ

The fertiliser cooperatives Ravensdown and Ballance have been working closely with regional councils in facilitating reporting on the fertiliser nitrogen (N) fertiliser cap.

Councils have recently compiled the data for the 2022-23 season.

Almost 60% of dairy farms reported N fertiliser use for 2023. Of those most farms (80%) are using the digital systems developed by Ballance and Ravensdown, which have been used to report on about one million hectares of land in dairying. Not only does it make sense for farmers to use the tools they are ready familiar with –but it also means that there is a much higher degree of data accuracy and validation. These tools enable real-time decision making and management of fertiliser applications. Just under 40% of farmers sought the direct assistance of their fertiliser co-operative to complete the reporting.

Te Uru Kahika has also generated analysis of timing of nitrogen fertiliser applications. Peak application is predictably in spring. As expected, application in the North Island reflects continued pasture growth with warmer winters, while application in the South Island continues into summer and autumn, reflecting grass growth under irrigation.

Restoring plant health for high performance

JOHN BARNES

Fertilizer New Zealand

Welcome to 2024. It is great to see some rain during summer, even if it didn’t get everywhere. For those who have had some rain, it is shaping up to be a good March. Right now, it is important to maximise the summer growth, so I would like to discuss how the plants and the soil inter-relate. The symbiotic relationship between plants and soil are seamless when everything is in balance. But sometimes nutrient deficiencies occur, which can restrict plant development and specifically root development. When the growth of a root system is restricted, it can remain in poor condition, unable to draw the required nutrients applied to the soil. This means the plant will likely perform poorly or fail, especially in adverse environmental conditions. The impact of this can be severe, and at times our survival is riding on the success of each and every plant. What options are there to improve plant performance when it can’t access optimum nutrients through the root system? Applying a foliar fertilizer rectifies plant nutrient deficiencies rapidly. It is

an efficient method of feeding the plant because the nutrients are rapidly absorbed through the plant leaf. It proceeds to balance plant nutrient levels and feed the entire plant without being reliant on the quality of the root system, rapidly restoring the overall health and performance of the plant.

Actavize® from Fertilizer New Zealand is a good solution as it has 15 different elements and includes trace elements that promote growth. It is not just a case of supplying the tree/vine with the typical nitrogen, phosphates, potash and sulphur nutrients. It is also about supplying a vast array

of other elements which are vital for plant health, in a way that they can be utilised. This means the ratio of elements provided should be correct, much the same as we need nutrients and elements in the correct ratio for ourselves.

The time to apply this to fruit tress is in Autumn, between harvest and leaf fall. Once the fruit has been harvested, the fruiting buds for the next harvest are already forming and the plant is looking for more elements and nutrients to replace what has been utilised by this year’s crop. For some fruiting trees and vines which are mainly deciduous, the roots never rest even though there is seemingly

nothing happening with the tree above the ground. A lot is happening in the root system. It is getting ready for Spring. So how can we assist a fruiting tree, or vine in the case of grapes, in rebuilding their nutrients for Spring? Applying Actavize to the leaf will then give the plant many more balanced nutrients which it will then take down into its root system and store for Spring time when it needs the energy to grow new leaves and produce fruit.

To find out more about how this works, give Fertilizer New Zealand a call on 0800 337 869 or visit www.fertnz. co.nz

John Barnes, managing director at Fertilizer New Zealand. Photo: Supplied.

An industry in decline

The base of any farming industry is the soil on which pasture and crops are grown. Our first farming work was in the Bay of Plenty just below the Kaimai ranges bush line where the clearing of trees had recently stopped.

Those that had cleared the land knew that the most productive pasture grew on areas where the best bush had grown, and it’s the same throughout the country.

The valley floors and lower terraces were cleared before the steeper less productive land. However, pasture has a different fertility requirement to bush and to maximise growth nutrient was required.

Consider the following from Grasslands of New Zealand by Sir E. Bruce Levy 1970 with the For-

ward by Brian Talboys the then Minister of Agriculture

“Sir Bruce showed that once the land had been satisfactorily drained and a reasonable grazing management imposed the greatest factor of all in promoting botanical changes in grassland was soil fertility.”

Phosphorus and sulphur inputs during the last seventy years have ensured that there is very little country now that positively responds to the application of these two elements.

“He stressed the tremendous impact that the grazing animal had in pasture development sparked off initially by copious clover growth from topdressing grasslands with appropriate fertilisers. Under a high stocking density per acre, so that there is full utilisation of pasture growth, the dominant rye grass-white clover pasture approaches perfection in building soil fertility…. “

What was obvious then and re-

mains true today is that grazing animals have a positive impact on the development of soil fertility. When we talk of soil fertility the key component is soil carbon and it is under grazed permanent pasture that carbon is more rapidly sequestered than under any other form of vegetation.

The reason being that rapidly growing plants are regularly grazed, adding dung, urine, leaf, and dead root on an ongoing basis. Carbon is continuously being added, and with abundant beneficial soil biology a portion becomes stable and resistant to loss even under the harshest environmental conditions. Steeper land becomes less prone to slipping, moisture is better retained providing stronger growth during summer. There is no downside to this process and the prosperity of New Zealand has profited greatly as a result.

How is it that now, within two generations, famers are considered by many to be environmental van-

dals contributing to an increase in harmful warming gasses?

Where carbon is being steadily sequestered net carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide are not increasing, and yet models have been developed that further tax the productive sector which we will, for the foreseeable future, all be dependent on for the bulk of our income.

However as in all arguments there is an element of truth. Not all pastoral farming is equal and the dairy sector is where the problem lies. Synthetic nitrogen destroys soil carbon releasing the nitrogen it is bound with for plant uptake. Burning soil carbon at a rate greater than it is being sequestered results in less growth, more expensive inputs, and lower profitability. Fixing nitrogen with clover does not do this. It’s a natural process where supply and demand are roughly equal with little nitrogen lost to groundwater. Quality and quantity go hand in

hand. As pasture production increases under clover dominant pasture, strong, resilient animals requiring less medication evolve. There is scientific data to show that land under intensive dairy in the Waikato has steadily lost carbon at the rate of 1 tonne/ha over the last thirty years, the time since the advent of regular applications of nitrogen. This process can be readily reversed, as an increasing number of farmers are discovering. Autumn is the ideal time to implement new soil fertility practises that immediately provide positive outcomes in all respects.

New Zealand farming, said Sir Bruce “still needs more and better grass, more and more stock, and keen farmers intent on bringing this position about….” He emphasised that greater farm production is not the responsibility of the farmer alone: it is a national responsibility.

To discuss this further call Peter on 027 495 0041.

ALLIANCE GLOBAL MARKET UPDATE

MUTTON

livestock Alliance Global Market Update

Demand out of China remains subdued, however, the true test will come when seasonal volumes lift from New Zealand and Australia over the coming months. Our strategy of diversification remains important as we target Taiwan, Malaysia, the EU, and North America.

and Singapore. The EU/UK and North American markets remain a viable option for certain cuts.

price may soften now that the Chinese grey channel access is cheaper to supply.

LAMB

LAMB

The Chinese market continues to stall as economic issues constrain consumer spending, particularly in the food service sector where lamb is mainly consumed. North American demand is improving with some price upside being realised. EU and UK demand is firm for Easter with a potential for shortages as consumer confidence is improving despite the economic headwinds. The Middle East continues to provide a volume alternative for commodity products previously destined for China but issues in the Red Sea have impacted the supply chain, adding increased costs and time to deliver to market.

The Chinese market remains challenging as in market stock volumes remain above average for this time of year. Market activity, as we build towards the Chinese New Year, will determine future consumption and pricing. In the EU and UK, market sentiment is improving as we approach the critical Christmas selling period. Consumption is the key as opposed to any significant shift in price. The Middle East continues to provide alternatives for commodity products previously destined for China.

MUTTON

MUTTON

VENISON

VENISON

Game season chilled sea freight shipments are continuing with the final vessel due to depart later this month. Market demand and pricing are firm with supply well short of demand. Manufacturing items have been challenging but recent retail sales in the US are providing a degree of stability as market conditions improve.

The veal market remains firm as processing now significantly reduces, which is in line with normal seasonal trends.

Negotiations for 2024 key account frozen programmes continue with demand firm, but importers are resisting price increases for consumption later in the year with global economies still uncertain. Manufacturing trim demand is improving as in-market inventories reduce and market alternatives increase. Global demand for middle cuts remains solid on limited supply. The Elk programme continues to gain momentum in North America.

BEEF

BEEF

servative on forward orders as consumer confidence is subdued. Reports of lower bookings for domestic travel compared to last year reflect constrained consumer behaviour in China. How the market opens after Chinese New Year will be important. In 2023 we saw a very weak market emerge after the holiday period.

The imported beef market in the US has improved significantly with macro events starting to impact operations within the beef industry. Pricing has started to move upwards with leaner trims in demand from importers. The US cattle herd is at the lowest level in 73 years at 87.15m head, the smallest total inventory since 1951. The calf herd is also down as well as replacement heifers. The long-term outlook for China is for demand to be steady with prices moving in a narrow band in the near-future. For the US, anticipate the market to improve as demand for lean trim beef is growing.

Woolskins: the premium rug skin season is now well underway and we have locked in all predicted production for this grade across an increased customer base. As such, we were still able to secure a reasonable return, although this is still back on last year.

Hides: demand across the grades from our growing customer base remains strong. As a result, we continue to see a small increase in pricing. Our product has a very good reputation for quality which customers will pay a little more for.

shift in price. The Middle East continues to provide alternatives for commodity products previously destined for China.

Petfood & Offal: there is steady interest across global markets with high inventory in-market and significant Australian supply suppressing prices. Prices are holding as we disperse product through our key markets.

Meal: there is increased pricing and interest for standard ovine meal.

Tallow: pricing has lifted slightly.

Demand out of China remains subdued, however the true test will come when seasonal volumes lift from New Zealand and Australia over the coming months. Our strategy of diversification remains important as we target Taiwan, Malaysia, the EU and North America.

Chinese demand remains steady, particularly for full carcasses but the overall market remains flat. We continue to diversify into wider Asia, namely Taiwan, Malaysia,

VENISON

Game season chilled sea freight shipments are continuing with the final vessel due to depart later this month. Market demand and pricing are firm with supply well short of demand. Manufacturing items have been challenging but recent retail sales in the US are providing a degree of stability as market conditions improve.

VEAL

The lead up to Chinese New Year has been steady with demand across beef cuts stable, although bone and offal pricing is under pressure. Chinese customers remain con-

Nelson/Marlborough

There has been little change in the Chinese market as the country takes a break for its National Day celebration with the market closed for seven days. The US market is also in a holding pattern as importers are carefully managing their inventory with most talking down the prospects despite the data indicating a lift in confidence. We expect imported lean beef to be stable in value with pricing expected to increase in the months to come. The long-term outlook for China is for pricing to stabilise and demand to be steady. For North America, the long-term outlook is for demand to firm with prices stable, and slowly improving.

SOLUTIONS, INGREDIENTS & MATERIALS

SOLUTIONS, INGREDIENTS AND MATERIALS

Tripe: indications from customers is that

Casings: the last of the lowest value ‘early lamb’ is being processed and we are moving to process the highest value ‘late lamb’.

Mobile: 027 239 3115

andrew.curtis@masureldirect.co.nz

DON

Canterbury/Marlborough

Mobile: 027 450 0769

don.kars@masureldirect.co.nz

We support the auction system but also realise it is an expensive option for growers to sell their crossbred wool and becoming increasingly costly.

Over the last 20 years, as farmers have looked for alternative selling avenues, we have been developing a direct-farm-buying option to fulfil our long-standing and substantial export contracts. We aim to give a very simple and direct path to market.

You deliver your wool to one of our sites, either in Riwaka, Christchurch, or via the scour in Timaru, and after testing (grower cost), we give you the market price – no deductions and no selling fees. Simple!

Segard Masurel operates throughout New Zealand with processing stores based in Riwaka, Timaru, Invercargill and Napier. We export about one quarter of all New Zealand’s wool to over 30 countries around the world.

We have been buying New Zealand wool for over 100 years and our financial position is second to none in the New Zealand wool industry. Make a change – give us a try.

Dairy effluent visits

Every year the council assesses the disposal of treated dairy effluent to land or water through a compliance monitoring programme.

We are currently midway through our on-farm dairy effluent visits and to date, we are very pleased to report that compliance with the Farm Dairy Effluent regulations has been high with no moderate or significant non-compliance noted

As part of these visits, we are also dis-

Toxoplasmosis

A quick note on a topic that was raised within our community recently.

While we have no concerns of any widespread issue at this stage, we’d like to let people know of the risks that Toxoplasmosis can present and ways to reduce it affecting you or even the animals on your farm.

Toxoplasmosis is an infection with a parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. This parasite can infect most animals and birds.

It can only go through the entire cycle of reproduction in domestic and wild cats.

These are the main hosts for the parasite. The parasite’s eggs are shed in cat faeces, which can then pass on the infection to any warm-blooded animal - including birds, sheep, goats and marine mammals. Infection of humans can occur through ingesting the parasite’s eggs directly from the environment, such as through unwashed vegetables, or from tissue cysts in improperly cooked meat from an animal that has previously been infected. Reducing the incidence of cats defecating near food and water supplies for farmed animals may reduce the risk of toxoplasmosis transmission.

At this stage, there is no standard test for the disease in wastewater that could produce a validated result in confirming toxoplasmosis. But by taking a few precautions, you can also reduce the risk.

One measure that might help is only feeding your pet cats dry, canned, or cooked food.

As well as this, cat litter boxes should be emptied daily, and we certainly discourage people from flushing cat litter down the toilet or any method that could end up in nearby waterways or the vicinity of other animals.

cussing the identification of areas onfarm which are potentially ‘hot spots’ where contaminants could reach

freshwater, and which could require mitigation actions once freshwater farm plans roll out next year.

Fish Passage Project comes to St Arnaud

As part of our Freshwater Improvement Fund work to improve fish diversity and abundance across Tasman, we are pleased to say that the next phase of our Fish Passage Project is taking place in Tophouse / St Arnaud.

The Tasman Jobs for Nature Fish Passage Project is a five-year programme running until June 2026 assessing and carrying out simple structure ‘fixes’ to make them fish-friendly.

With the support of landowners, we will enable fish to complete their natural life cycles.

Our shift to Tophouse and St

Arnaud represents a continuation of our efforts in other parts of the District, with fish in Golden Bay, Moutere, Tapawera and Waimea already enjoying waterways that are easier to navigate.

One key focus of this project is to support private landowners by assessing any in-stream structures (such as culverts) and completing remediation when required and within the scope of the project funding.

If you have an in-stream structure on your land, a team of fish passage experts from Kūmānu Environmental are visiting private land to

Your chance to influence our pest management plan

We are seeking your feedback on a proposal to partially review the Tasman-Nelson Regional Pest Management Plan 2019 – 2029 (RPMP) which allows for rules around new pests and refines our current policies. This is your opportunity to influence pest management activities and policies in our region.

As with the development of the current RPMP in 2018/2019, the partial review proposal is a collaborative effort between Tasman District and Nelson City Councils.

The partial review proposal intends to declare blue passion flower, moth plant, common and purple pampas, water celery, Vietnamese

parsley and several pest and wilding conifer trees as new pests in the whole, or parts of, TasmanNelson.

It also serves to amend existing pest policies and rules around boneseed, Mediterranean fanworm (Sabella) and feral/stray cats, placing new obligations on occupiers of land and marine craft/

We also want put out a reminder about storing bales and baleage on the high ground to prevent wrapping – plastic or otherwise – from ending up in our waterways.

Please store bales and the waste wrap after feeding out on high ground well away from flood-prone areas.

Baleage wrap recycling is available through Plasback Recycling, visit plas back.co.nz. If you have any questions, please reach out to rural.info@tasman. govt.nz.

help connect waterways and will be in touch with landowners in the coming days to explain how they can help.

This project is funded by Tasman District Council and the Ministry for the Environment with the support of local iwi – in the hope of assessing all structures on private land in Tasman.

This work is completely free to landowners and is generally simple to carry out.

For more information contact: fish passage@kumanuenviro.co.nz or freshwaterimprovement@tasman. govt.nz.

structures accordingly.

The proposal does not otherwise affect the current RPMP, except for minor changes required to update the plan and reflect the inclusion of the new sections, policies and rules. We will consider all submissions before making amendments to the RPMP. A hearing is planned for 27 May, before we finalise the amended plan in June. Both Councils are expected to approve and adopt the plan later in the year. Visit shape.tasman.govt.nz/pestplan for more information and to share your feedback. Alternatively, you can write to: The Chief Executive, Tasman District Council, 189 Queen Street, Private Bag 4, Richmond 7050.

FISHING

River management challenges

FISH & GAME

As we move into a shifting climate, recent Hawkes Bay floods are a stark reminder of how vulnerable much of our productive agricultural land is. Over the last 100 years or so, Catchment Boards successfully confined our wandering rivers into designated river fairways throughout the country though the use of targeted willow lines, stop-banking and the like, to protect the fertile agricultural plains these rivers have laid down. In the face of increasing size and frequency of floods, the challenge now is how to keep them there. In some cases, original river confinement lines were wide enough to cope with most extreme flood events but there has also been a gradual narrow-

ing of river fairways in some systems due to extremely high land values surrounding them – these systems now require ongoing systemic channel management to keep them confined. Rivers can be managed holistically to provide adequate erosion and flood control function, while also protecting or enhancing ecological values. Fish & Game staff in the Nelson Marlborough Region at times find themselves aligning more with long time landowner views, rather than local authority engineering staff on the best approach for river management. Many landowners have grown up next to rivers and know how the system functions and responds to differing management. Likewise, Fish & Game staff spend a lot of time underwater each sum-

mer drift-diving to monitor trout populations and general river health – in the Nelson Marlborough area we dive over 30 km of riverbed across the region annually getting a good overview of river management and behaviour. Locally our advocacy approach to river management can be summarised as follows:

• fairway widths: (often the elephant in the room!) - hard decisions may need to be made in future by communities as we shift into increasing flood size and frequency.

• willow management: essential to manage them (layering etc) in smaller rivers, however wholescale removal can and has led to disastrous consequences further down the line.

• willow establishment: the his-

toric practice of large-scale establishment of tree willow river confinement lines ceased for a while in parts of this region, this trend is now reversing thankfully.

• wood groynes: relocation of flood deposited whole willow trees trenched into groynes.

• Gabion baskets: can be a cost-effective solution for landowners in smaller streams.

• rock protection: where willow protection has failed, this far more costly option is then required. Rock groynes interplanted with willow can provide good habitat, riprap does not within small-medium rivers – sometimes riprap is the only solution, but it is the least preferred.

• reducing riverbank attack angles: can be achieved with minimal instream damage by cutting

Faith in the future of trawling

ELOISE MARTYN

It could be a long and lonely road working in an industry that attracts a lot of incorrect and negative attention, but as Josh Donker explains, it’s who’s walking with you, where you have come from, and where you’re heading that makes all the difference.

Motueka Nets became part of the Donker family lives in 1988 when Hank and Jean Donker took over the company, which specialises in the manufacture and repair of inshore, midwater, and bottom trawl nets, as it was a good fit alongside their already successful fishing company and quota holders for several trawlers.

The demand for quality nets and speedy repairs soon saw the Donker family-owned business become well-known nationally and internationally.

“In 2000 my Grandfather Hank passed away which saw the family sell the fishing vessels and quota but continue with the net business,” Motueka Nets general manager Josh Donker says.

24 years later Josh, who took over as general manager when his father Steve Donker retired in 2023, says that one of the main reasons for their continued progress is their amazing team.

“We have an amazing team of people here; they have the skill

and experience needed to deliver, our reputation and rapport with clients speaks for itself,” Josh explains.

“Motueka Nets’ success can be attributed to the strong relationships we’ve cultivated with our clients. We prioritize honesty over quick profits, ensuring that we never deceive our customers.

“Our main focus is on delivering high-quality equipment and service. This commitment sometimes leads us to challenging decisions, such as determining whether to replace damaged items or opt for repairs to ensure our clients receive their gear promptly.

“The negativity around trawling is challenging and frustrating,”

Josh says, “social media hasn’t helped. The public deserves to be informed correctly and for politicians to share the correct information, which isn’t currently happening.”

A well-known photo was taken in 2005 of a trawling boat that had brought up a large piece of coral, still does the rounds on social media with captions such as ‘look what happened yesterday’, followed by ‘ban trawling’.

“The most frustrating part of being in this industry is the amount of false information out there that has a huge influence on the public. All these NGOs are using old, archived photos or

videos without advising the public of the dates they occurred. It’s straight-up propaganda,” Josh sighs.

“There are always two sides to a coin, and unfortunately, anything positive said by the trawling industry is thrown back in their face with accusations of lies.”

Josh says that even with the negativity surrounding the industry he has confidence and faith in their future and what they are doing and that the team has good support from those in the trawling industry.

Walking around their large Port Nelson yard it’s easy to see that their future is strong. There are staff who have been part of the team for decades, as well as younger ones coming in for work experience. They have half a year’s worth of work ahead of them and companies are trialling new ideas or improved equipment giving the team feedback. Alongside this, there have been some new initiatives such as partnerships formed in new recycling schemes for trawls that have come to the end of their life.

“It’s great to have the opportunity to carry on the family legacy, I am interested to see what the future looks like,” Josh says, “It would be great to see our kids get involved down the track and carry on in the industry.”

a new channel through gravels in the dry leaving a few metres unexcavated at the top end, and then allowing the next flood to shift the river into the new channel. Targeted gravel extraction or relocation in the dry is often needed in conjunction with this approach.

Historically Nelson Marlborough Fish & Game were involved in an Environment Court appeal process to try and get one of our local authorities to undertake more holistic river management. Things are working much better here from a river health perspective now and Fish & Game maintain an excellent working relationship with Council’s River contractors who are embracing more holistic river management approaches wherever possible.

The amazing team at Motueka Nets is one of the main reasons for their continued success, says Motueka Nets general manager Josh Donker. Photo: Supplied.

Rural Community Noticeboard

NAIT & MyOSPRI support drop-in centre

Book in a time to come in for one of our FREE in-person days for one-on-one support.

Do you need help with your current NAIT account?

Did you know there is a new & improved NAIT system coming in 2024 called MyOSPRI?

This is your chance to ask any questions you have about your NAIT account, TB testing and getting set up in the new MyOSPRI.

• Meet with one of our OSPRI regional partners and get help with exactly what you need.

• Learn tips & tricks and have a chat about how NAIT will work for you and your individual farming operation.

• Get signed up to MyOSPRI – the new home of electronic ASD’s and soon to host the new & improved NAIT system. Signing up for MyOSPRI early will have you prepared for when the systems switch over sometime in late 2024.

- Westport 5 March

- Karamea 6 March - Greymouth 12 March

Punakiki 13 March - Murchison 20 March - Blenheim 21 March

- Richmond 22 March

For more details including venue and times or to register by going to:

https://www.ospri.co.nz/upcoming-events/

Tasman Valley Young Farmers Club is a place to meet new people, connect with the food and fibre sector and have some fun.

If you are aged between 16 – 31 years old, then get off the farm for the night, have a drink and chat with us.

7pm on Wednesday the 13th of March at the Brightwater Bar and Bistro

No RSVP needed Just turn up!