Hawke’s Bay
FARMING Lifestyles
December 2017 Edition
9,493 copies DELIVERED FREE to every rural delivery address in the Hawke’s Bay
Excellence in dairy compliance
The choice of farming
P3
Care with dogs by rivers
P10
P17
A quest for change Page 6–7
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December 2017
HAWKE’S BAY FARMING LIFESTYLES
Look after your trout catch
The Hawke’s Bay Farming Lifestyles is published with pride by NorthSouth Multi Media Ltd, a privately owned New Zealand company. Phone: 09 439 6933 | 0800 466 793 Fax: 09 439 6930 Email: info@nsmm.co.nz Postal Address: PO Box 474, Dargaville Physical Address: Lifestyler House, 107 River Road, Dargaville General Manager: Deb Wright | 021 639 9633 Editorial: Paul Campbell Andy Bryenton Ann Morgan
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With the summer fishing season underway, Fish & Game has launched an initiative to educate anglers on how to properly look after trout they catch.
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The proper way to handle a trout, keeping your hands away from the gills
Fish & Game has produced videos, along with a new brochure and pages on its website to inform anglers on the best way to handle fish they catch. “Proper handling of trout is a good way to ensure it is fit for the table and for anglers to ‘play their part’ in sustaining fish stocks,” says Fish & Game communications manager Don Rood. “All anglers need to be aware that how they handle any trout they catch is critical while they decide to keep them for dinner or release the prime breeding stock — you want them to be in the best possible condition.” He says some practices to avoid are fighting a trout for too long, using too light gear, dragging trout onto the rocks or boat deck and not taking enough care removing hooks. “If you are keeping them for the table, make the decision and kill them quickly and humanely. They are a great source of wild food and for many anglers, hunting and gathering for their families is a key part of the fishing experience. Our publicity material advises on the most humane way to dispatch a trout.”
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“Use the heaviest line you can get away with. Too light a line means you will have to fight the fish for longer and that takes a toll — a tired fish has much less chance of surviving. “Use a single hook or consider barbless hooks and aim to land your fish quickly. Modern reels have great drags, so make the most of these and the rod’s leverage to get the trout close enough to net.” Preferably use a knotless net to land your fish and keep the trout in the net and in the water while releasing it. Work quickly to unhook the fish gently, preferably with long nosed pliers and avoid touching the fish. “Wet and cool your hands before handling the fish and consider using gloves. If you want a photo, make it quick and if you have to hold the fish, do it gently with one hand around the tail and the other carefully cradling it. Keep your hands, hooks and anything else away from the trout’s gills.” For more information visit the Fish & Game website or view the ‘looking after your trout’ instructional video on Fish & Game’s Youtube pages: youtube.com/ watch?v=yf4Hn5EydRI
Excellence in dairy compliance
HAWKE’S BAY FARMING LIFESTYLES
Hawke’s Bay’s dairy farmers who are consistently achieving full compliance with their resource consents were recognised at the Dairy Compliance Awards 2017.
December 2017
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Thirty farms have maintained full compliance for at least five consecutive years to achieve or maintain a Gold award status. Another 19 farms are well on their way towards Gold award status. “The scheme is getting good participation, and the people involved are continuing to perform at a high level of compliance,” said Hawke’s Bay Regional Council chief executive James Palmer. “The scheme is important for both dairy farmers and the regional council. HBRC wants to help farmers to succeed and the Regional Council is pleased with the environmental performance they are achieving. “Full compliance is a big ask — it requires farmers to meet all requirements of their consents, from the dairy shed and out on the farm, down to processing the necessary paperwork
in the office. Any farm not achieving compliance in any one year is reset to year zero.” The award scheme developed from a goal set by the Dairy Industry Liaison Group when it was established by Hawke’s Bay Regional Council in 2008 — their goal is 100 per cent full compliance with resource consent conditions across the industry. Hawke’s Bay has a total of 80 dairy farms that are monitored annually by the regional council. “It is the only scheme of its kind in the territories where I work, and a great way to encourage farmers to do their best,” said Fonterra Central Region manager Jason Boyle. The Gold award represents five consecutive years of full compliance. There has been a steady increase in farms qualifying for the Gold level
— from 16 farms in the first year to 30 this year. Another five farms have achieved the Silver level — four years’ compliance, and 13 farms the Bronze — three years. With the aim of 100 per cent compliance, the industr y sees improvements every year, from 71 per cent compliance across the board in the first year, to 89 per cent this year. To achieve 100 per cent compliance, farms must achieve full compliance with their consents at all inspections; water take consents are included as well as the farm dairy effluent discharge consent.
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December 2017
HAWKE’S BAY FARMING LIFESTYLES
Shearing for
a cause
by Ann Morgan With the help of the Te Puna Speed Shear Competition, master shearer Digger Balme and his wife Cheryl are in the process of acquiring an assistance dog to help their autistic son Kyle who also has epilepsy, along with developmental delays.
T
he family live on a 200 hectare sheep and beef farm and Kyle enjoys watching the shearing, helping his dad and being amongst the animals. “We have seen an assistance dog in action with a girl at the Lake Karapiro rowing regatta. They certainly change the lives of families with a child with disabilities. They keep an eye on their ‘person’, and we know how well Kyle interacts with animals and are excited for the opportunity,” says Cheryl. “We class him as non verbal but he has his own language and signs to
communicate what he needs. Unless we are at a shearing show we are constantly mindful of where he is. Going to the beach, we constantly panic because he doesn’t have a concept of danger and water is one of his major passions.” A diabetic assistant dog will wake a person up and fetch their medication if need be, whilst an autism dog will stop a child wandering off. For Kyle this means the family will have the freedom to go out in public knowing the dog will keep Kyle calm and contained. “Going to a shearing show is a different story. He is secure and would
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HAWKE’S BAY FARMING LIFESTYLES
go everyday if he could. At shearing shows he is intensely immersed and not wanting to move and it is familiar to him. He likes helping Digger in the shearing shed and putting the wool in the wool press. “He knows exactly who the different shearers are including Roland Smith and John Kirkpatrick, they interact very well with him. Kyle also knows that you must have moccasins on and dress a certain way to shear and will point it out. Cowsheds, helicopters and shearing shows are his favourite things.” Organisers of the Te Puna Speed Shear, Maree and Craig Morton met Kyle recently and the committee decided the funds raised at the upcoming event will go toward getting his dog. “We helped a young local girl get a dog in the past and her life has totally changed. We are looking forward to seeing the positive outcomes a dog will give Kyle. “The event is very much the city meets the country as people come to see sheep being shorn. Last year we had a lamb shorn in 15.94 seconds — you daren’t look away because you might miss it. “We never know who is coming until the night before but there will be some impressive shearers to be seen. Registrations open at 4.30pm and we normally have 35-45 shearers of all different levels.” Julie and Rick Hancox founded the Assistance Dogs NZ Trust in 2008.
“There was nowhere for people with disabilities including autism spectrum disorder, down syndrome, cerebral palsy and diabetes to find a dog with legal public access rights,” says Julie. “After being introduced to families importing dogs from the United States we took on the challenge to cater for the gap. Having dogs available for those in the farming community is very important as well because often people live more isolated and don’t have easy access to support networks.” Julie and Rick formulated their own dog training programme and now service 37 clients across the country with the help of seven staff. “We interview and assess each applicant and train each dog specifically. It can cost more than $20k per dog and there is an eight year waiting list. Once placed we stay in the area for 10 days and ensure the client and dog bond and that they know how to handle it,” says Julie. “Each dog is trained for the environment it will live in and needs to go on farm and to town, on planes and trains, and to work or school to care for their ‘person’s’ needs — adults also use assistance dogs. We are funded by puppy sponsors as well as the fundraising our clients do.” The Te Puna Speed Shear is on Saturday, January 13 starting at 5.30pm at the Top Shot Bar, Minden Rd, Te Puna. Entry is a gold coin donation.
December 2017
Kyle Balme helps on the family farm and at present his family are fundraising for Kyle to have his own assistance dog
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December 2017
HAWKE’S BAY FARMING LIFESTYLES
A quest for change by Anna Harding
George Wilson, Kent Troughton and Philip Johnston are on a quest to change the landscape of New Zealand farming with ‘Hemp Collective,’ just outside of Taradale in Hawke’s Bay.
H
emp Collective has officially existed for two years now and so far the trio have been soaking up all the information they can, as well has holding down other jobs. They will grow their first hemp crop of 2.4 hectares, this summer. Kent was born and raised on a dairy farm in the Waikato and studied law and philosophy at the University of Waikato. He was selling rural real estate before crossing paths with Phillip and George earlier this year.
Phillip is a qualified builder in Tauranga, with a passion and understanding for the natural world of hemp, followed with a passion to change the food producing techniques in New Zealand. George studied commerce and commercial law at Victoria University. Farming has always been in his blood, as his mother’s family had a farm in Hawke’s Bay. He is currently building solar powered security solutions, but has always had a passion for the natural world. This was further developed by
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working alongside his grandfather Roger Alexander, whose Puketapu property was a sanctuary for birds and wildlife. “I’m really driven by efficiency. When I started looking into hemp, it jumped out at me as a plant that made the most economic sense out of anything else. The more I learnt about it, the more it really fascinated me with why it hadn’t been more widely accepted yet,” said George. “I’ve always had the belief as well, that you need to be the change you want to see in world. So that’s why we
created Hemp Collective.” Out of the 12 approved cultivars in New Zealand, they have chosen to use the Kompolti strain due to its high seed yields and availability. Hemp is a summer crop, so with the soil cultivated into seedbed, they have planted in rows, using a seed drill from their agricultural partner, who owns the 2.4 hectares. “He grows a range of winter and summer crops and has all that equipment on site, so it’s been a really valuable connection. He was looking for a rotational crop as well,
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HAWKE’S BAY FARMING LIFESTYLES
Sprouted hemp plants, about a week after planting. For the first month the plants are vulnerable to weeds, but they soon outgrow them
so hemp’s been the answer for him.” George said it’s a great rotational crop because it’s long penetrating roots break up the soil well. Additionally, if the roots are left in after harvest, it adds nutrients back into the ground. “There’s been a lot of evidence that it really increases your next yields.” Hemp can be vulnerable in its first month, until the roots get a hold and it grows tall enough to shade weeds out. “Hemp is an amazing plant that can pretty much grow anywhere, but when you’re focussing on growing a highly nutritious seed you want to give it the best chance. “So there are organic compounds we’ll use to slow the grass and weeds from coming up, giving it a head start.”
Hemp takes around four months to grow. Not letting the outside stalks grow hard is important, as it will make them too hard for the harvester to cut. They plan to use a combine harvester, making sure the blades are at their sharpest. The seed heads are detached by the harvester. Then a thresher separates them from the stalks. “Time is of the essence as the seed goes off if it’s not dried shortly after being harvested.” Next is the de-hulling and drying phase. Hemp seeds have a hard outer shell or ‘hull’ and a softer inside, often referred to as the ‘hemp heart’, which is where the oil comes from. The whole seed goes through a press, which heats up, allowing more oil to be extracted. The left over hulls
are dried and blended up into a raw protein powder. “Hemp Collective really believes in natural hemp extracts to be the next revolution in nutritional supplements, as hemp is the most nutrient dense seed in the world. So we want to deal with that in-house to guarantee quality control,” said George. “We’ll be one of the first companies to release a product actually grown in New Zealand, as a lot of people import their hemp seed or oil from Canada. “Part of Hemp Collective is trying to create a community that’s open
source and get people involved who are interested in hemp from all different areas. The more people that get involved with hemp the better. “We’ve got some of the best land in the world to grow this plant, as well as an outstanding global reputation for high quality food products. You can use it for so many different things, and there’s almost zero waste. There’s so many opportunities for different organisations to start up and develop products from it. “The more you know the more you’re amazed by it.” At Heards Jewellers we carry an extensive range of wedding and engagement rings to suit your style. For the more individual touch, we can design and create your very own masterpiece, by our on-site jewellers.
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December 2017
HAWKE’S BAY FARMING LIFESTYLES
Irrigation Matters with Clem Powell The mystery of hard hose irrigators Almost everyone will have noticed irrigation guns working in paddocks, which seem to move by themselves. Careful observation will locate a reel somewhere in the distance, which is retracting the gun via the pipe as a drag link and simultaneously layering the pipe onto the drum. Hard Hose irrigators made their appearance in NZ some 30 odd years ago with Ferbo being one of the most common at the time. Since then various other brands, mostly Italian but also some French and even Australian, produced machines with ever increasing user friendly and efficiency targeted improvements. The basic system consists of a wheeled chassis, with a reel set on a turntable on all but the smallest machines. A water turbine and gearbox powers the pipe and gun cart retraction and layering system to achieve a consistent and neat package when the run is finished.
As an advancement on this, computers are often fitted to give extremely accurate speed/application rates. An added bonus is that the finish time can be planned for, so a quick turn around can be achieved. A unique version which Irri-Max Ltd have developed in conjunction with Ferbo Srl Italy is computer controlled Diesel Drive units for Dairy Effluent. The lack of a turbine means blocking is almost non-existent and the drive is not at risk of stalling if low pressure occurs. Also small pumps, irrigation booms, dribble bars, etc, may be used as the machines’ operation is totally independent of the pump performance.
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The computer gives excellent control of the machine with the farmer able to set the application rate based on input of flow and width of spread. Optional GSM connection to cell or PC givers further control and monitoring options. These features have been utilised by absentee owners as well as farm managers. Any fault occurring also sends a message to the user. Advantages of hard hose irrigators include linear application of irrigation and much more even than sprinklers,
correctly specified so as to not need excessive pressure. They can be an effective and reliable means of irrigation with some grease maintenance required. Disadvantages include more energy required than pivot, a tractor to reposition and pull out pipe as well as a tendency for buyers and sellers to specify too small a machine. Irri-Max Ltd have a free consulting service for basic systems. Phone Clem 027 599 9273.
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HAWKE’S BAY FARMING LIFESTYLES
Uncommon sense
December 2017
9
David Law, Managing Director of Forward Farming Consultancy
Mycoplasma bovis — is this a cause? There is some big picture information in which I believe farming itself may be indirectly connected to the initial cause of this disease. My own experience connected to other biological scientists and specialist vets specifically working on this disease in Europe have led to this theory.
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ZE RO
•
biology is generally associated with anaerobic bacteria; Effluent, good or bad, is spread on pasture; This feed, whether directly or after harvesting is fed to cattle; Clostridia, Botulism, Mycoplasma bovis are all anaerobic bacteria; Clostridia is generally present when anaerobic effluent is present in feed; A symptom of cattle with clostridia is the inability for the animal to suck water in the normal way. They lick at it instead; Nutrients from the rumen need water to transport around the body past the rumen; With the inability to physically drink adequate water, the animal effectively starves after the rumen; The animal is unable to fight disease; Mycoplasma bovis, which is always present takes advantage and becomes prevalent;
that, after the death of hundreds of cows in Germany, anaerobic effluent is not irrigated to pasture anymore. Of course, MPI have already made their decision and they seem to think differently — killing cows will definitely fix the symptom. David Law owns Forward Farming Biological Consultancy. Visit for more — forwardfarming.co.nz
WI TH HO LD IN G
The following are a list of basic observations I have collected: • Dairy farm effluent is generally either anaerobic or aerobic; • Symptoms of anaerobic ponds are crusted and have an effluent pH below 7. The thicker the crust, the lower the pH; • Symptoms of an aerobic pond show lesser crust with a pH of the effluent above 7. The higher the pH over 7 the clearer the pond is of crust and sludge; • Both these bacteria types have exclusive competition, so as the conditions change further away from pH 7, either way, the bacteria which enjoy those conditions dominate; • Chemicals used in dairy farm cleaning, particularly chlorine, kill aerobic bacteria; • Good biology beneficial to animal health is generally associated with aerobic bacteria; • Bad and pathogenic disease causing
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December 2017
HAWKE’S BAY FARMING LIFESTYLES
Robin ‘Cookie’ Cooksey grew up in the township of Dargaville and often holidayed at his cousin’s farm at Awakino Point where he learnt the basics of farming from a young age.
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pon leaving school at 16 he joined the navy for five years before leaving to get married and moving on to a farming career. “The navy was a good experience and then I worked on dry stock farms for 15 years. They didn’t pay very well in those days and I had a growing family down in Pouto so we moved to Kaikohe to work on a Lands and Surveys block, and then to a Maori Trust farm,” says Robin. “At Lands and Survey I was on a horse all day especially during my lambing beat. It was great wandering around on horseback with a dog running beside you. “Mustering sheep and crutching only lasted a few days so we never had the opportunity to get fit like a shearer would. It was simple back then but the
Fishing on the Kaipara Harbour is one the ways Robin Cooksey and his friend Trish Sattler relax
HAWKE’S BAY FARMING LIFESTYLES
whole 15 years that I was shepherding we only got $20-25 per fat lamb, now they get $70-120.” Robin was into horses and played polo cross but it became expensive so he secured a job on a horse stud in Karaka and was there for nine years. “It was a sheep and beef farm with a thoroughbred horse stud. Before the horses would go to the races we rode them around the farm for six weeks for fitness. “I hadn’t ridden a racehorse before and I asked the owner what the first horse I rode had achieved.” It was the Wrightsons’ three-year-old filly of the year which Robin says was a bit daunting. “I spent the rest of the day looking around the paddock for rabbit holes so I didn’t injure it. That horse won another cup and many more races — it was worth half a million dollars. The owner let me open it up across the paddock one day. You could feel the power and understand why it won so many races. “We spent most of our time getting the yearling horses ready. We would handle them as much as possible to get them used to people. They were probably more dangerous than the big horses because they are a bit wild until they calmed down. “At one stage I personally owned seven horses. If you get one, they mostly need grass and a bit of hay, and exercise is important. “They only need oats if they do major work, teeth checks, and their hooves need shoeing every six weeks.”
Robin believes ensuring cattle are not sick or stuck in drains is an important part of being a relief milker He eventually decided to try dairy farming and moved to the Waikato. “I started as a worker and the next season became a manager so I must have worked well. We used to feed maize silage but just a taste — we didn’t know the benefits of supplements back then. Things have changed quite a bit.” Robin worked on a hill country farm and he utilised one of the first feed pads. “They are a great invention as you don’t mess up the paddocks and save food wastage,” he says. “Later in life I decided to bring the caravan to Pahi Holiday Park and work in
December 2017
Robin understands farm management and appreciates the opportunities relief milking brings his way
the area as my mum is still in Dargaville. Unfortunately my wife died so I finished the season and started relief milking. “Relief milking is good because you milk the cows and go home. It gives you a bit of pocket money and stops you sitting around doing nothing. The sheds can be quite different with machinery, and each farmer has their own way of doing things. “The biggest thing is learning where the paddocks are on each farm. It is important to be reliable and have an understanding of farm management and be useful to the farmers so they
can rely on you when they need time out. When I am wondering around I kick the troughs and ensure no cows are in the drains or sick. You can train your eye and always check more than you need to. If you haven’t milked before, find someone to teach you — it is a good stepping stone into the industry. If you are good you can get plenty of work. “I have a launch now and go out on the harbour and fish when I want a feed or to relax. Even for full-time farmers, it is important to get off the farm and have a break. Fishing is just one way to do that.”
CAREERS
The new government plans to see a billion trees planted in the next ten years – double our present forest planting rate. There are dedicated facilities to supply this workforce: • The University of Canterbury’s School of Forestry – Degree through to PhD in forestry and forest engineering. • Toi Ohomai in Rotorua – NZ Certificates in forest management and operations, as well as a Diploma in forest management. • NorthTec in Whangarei – NZ Certificates in forest skills and harvesting. • EIT in Gisborne – NZ Certificates in forest harvesting and operations. Four of the entryways for the whole lot of people we urgently need to fill the ranks of foresters, engineers, scientists, drivers, processors and managers who keep our six-billion-dollar export industry growing.
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Sourcing vital supplies The cancellation of the Ruataniwha Dam project and irrigation scheme has further brought into focus the value of water to Hawke’s Bay rural production. While the uptake of long-term water supply contracts was not as high as hoped, the level of interest highlighted concerns for the ongoing viability of rural production faced with more frequent dry spells. For those that did take up the offer, there is now a need to rethink strategies and identify opportunities for replacing the promised supply with water from other sources. As well as using bore water, options like capturing excess flow or storm runoff and storing the water in dams for use during dry periods is a strategy readily understood by the rural community. To establish the viability of a dam, one has to consider a range of factors, starting with the potential amount of water that could be captured, right through to the structural design of a safe and effective dam. In order to achieve this, specific site investigations are required to assess the suitability of the site, utilising surveying and geotechnical advice to achieve the best possible solution. Of particular concern for the design of a dam are issues that relate to things
such as dam stability and the potential water seepage from the reservoir. To satisfy regulatory expectations and environmental standards, professional assistance is essential, particularly when it comes to constructing an effective and safe dam structure. Cheal Consultants has an experienced team of geotechnical engineers and surveyors operating within the Central North Island. Within the rural sector we specialise in the remediation of existing irrigation dams and the design and construction of new ones. Cheal also has experience in design for farm infrastructure such as milking shed platforms, stock underpasses, farm culverts and bridges. These larger projects tend to require a multidisciplined approach, and Cheal’s wider team of engineers, surveyors and planners provides the support and expertise to ensure efficiencies and overall satisfaction.
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HAWKE’S BAY FARMING LIFESTYLES
December 2017
W AT E R M AT T E R S ADVERTORIAL
A source of water Is the water level getting low in your tank? Bourke Contractors offer the supply of bulk clean drinking water to individuals and businesses within the greater Hawke’s Bay district. They have delivered fresh water to everyone from farmers to lifestyle block owners, schools, commercial and residential swimming pools, businesses, and even for local concerts and events. Difficult or hard to access locations are not problem as their water tankers always carry hoses that can reach up to 80 metres. Their skilled drivers promise a safe delivery in a hygienic 15,000 litre stainless steel tanker that is able to navigate even the trickiest of entries. Bourke Contractors are registered and certified water carries and can bring clean water to you seven days a week, 365 days a year (yes — they even delivered on Christmas Day last year to a desperate client!). They also hold a comprehensive risk management plan giving you confidence as to the quality of their water and the knowledge that it is being handled in accordance with the Central North Island Drinking Water Assessment Unit requirements. If you are lucky enough to have had a brand new pool installed, then contact Bourke Contractors to fill it with fresh water in their 15,000 litre stainless steel tankers. Furthermore, it is important to keep your swimming pool topped up
during summer so that you can get the most out of the time you get to spend in it. When the level starts to drop, it is worth giving Bourke Contractors a call so we can fill it up again, with minimal fuss and cost to you.
Contact Bourke Contractors to have clean drinking water delivered, and relax knowing that you have enough water in the storage tank to help you last through those drier months. Enquire now on 06 877 7186 to book your water delivery.
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December 2017
HAWKE’S BAY FARMING LIFESTYLES
W AT E R M AT T E R S
Monitoring water usage The best way to monitor the amount of water you use on your property is with a water meter. They can detect small leaks and losses and are an effective way to track seasonal and annual consumption. Installing a water meter allows you to record actual water use and identify areas where water can be used more efficiently. There are two main types of water meter available to monitor shed water use; mechanical and electromagnetic. The cost and accuracy varies between these meters. In general mechanical water meters are the cheapest up front however need earlier replacement and have poorer accuracy than the electromagnetic. A basic water meter is a valuable feature of any farm striving for sustainable water use and will help detect where water can be saved and identify water efficiency options.
Meters can have an alert system that informs you if water is flowing when it shouldn’t be — allowing quick detection of leaks and speedy repairs. It is good to assign a specific person to monitor the alert devices. These systems can be set up using various methods including a pressure gauge on a line feeding water to the farm. Registering lower than normal is a likely sign water is being lost somewhere in the system. A storage tank and pump provide water down the farm and a pilot light on the pump can serve as a visual alert that the pump is on. If the pump is running when it shouldn’t it is likely there is a leak and you should look for the cause.
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A standard spotlight works, but an LED type — visible from a distance and even in daylight — is worth the small extra cost. The ‘click, click’ sound of an in-line dispensing system can alert you that water is running whilst unexpected fluctuations or records that never return to zero on meter readings may also indicate leaks. The right number and placement of isolation valves can ease the task of finding and fixing leaks and shutting off water in an area to assist repair. They can also be used to turn off water to areas not always in use such as the calf shed. Mark isolation valves on your farm map so they can be found if the system needs to be modified.
WATER
Place the meter in a spot that is convenient to read or attach a data logger, or telemetry unit, which will send the data straight to a computer system and consider how the meter’s location will affect the data collected. Read meters at the same time and day on a regular schedule, and at least once a month read the meter late in the evening and again early the next morning to check for small or unnoticed leaks. Readings can be recorded on DairyNZ’s Tracking Water Use form. Check with your regional council or meter supplier if you have any questions about which meter to choose and how to correctly install it.
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HAWKE’S BAY FARMING LIFESTYLES
December 2017
W AT E R M AT T E R S
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Dairy sector needs shakeup Dairy NZ’s strategic vision for the dairy sector has been criticised by Fish & Game, saying it is a decade late and the industry must act sooner to protect the environment and regain public support. The unveiled strategy’s number one pledge is to protect and nurture the environment for future generations, and to lead efforts to improve the health and swim-ability of rivers and streams. “Public patience has finally run right out and the corporate dairy industry is now trying to catch up and rescue its credibility,” says Fish & Game chief executive Martin Taylor. “Dairy NZ is promising to develop a 50 year blueprint for sustainable land use by 2025 but it doesn’t go far enough. This is all too little, too late. The dairy industry has had a decade to come up with a blueprint for sustainable farming and land use and now the strategy is to wait another eight years to develop one. “The reality is the present dairying model is unsustainable. Kiwis need action now and aren’t prepared to wait until 2025. “Dairy NZ’s plan highlights the fact the industry is now acutely aware it is losing public trust and its social licence to operate.” Clean water was one of the election’s defining issues as voters expressed their anger about declining water quality and the loss of traditional swimming spots because of pollution. “Dairy NZ needs to be much braver
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with its strategy and provide better leadership. A good place to start is by accepting a future based on fewer cows, less water use, less nutrient loading, and producing less milk but with more added value. “If they don’t do that, dairy will continue to be unsustainable. Cow numbers have grown astronomically over the last 20 years. Regions like Canterbury and Southland which weren’t traditional dairy areas are now among the biggest, with a combined herd size of over two million animals. “This explosion in intensive farming has had a huge impact on the environment. It takes a thousand litres of water to make one litre of milk and to meet that sort of demand, more and more water is being taken from our waterways and aquifers. “Canterbury is now using two thirds of all New Zealand’s irrigation take. On its own, a single big corporate farm can use the same amount of water as a town does in a year.” The volume of sewage each cow produces also has an impact. “Every day, New Zealand’s more than six million dairy cattle produce the same amount of waste as 90 million people. It is untreated, so that is
Martin Taylor, Fish & Game chief executive
another body blow for the environment. “If corporate dairying is to regain public support, it needs to admit its present operating model is unsustainable. The sector has to stop resisting the need to reduce environmental impacts and
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December 2017 HAWKE’S BAY FARMING LIFESTYLES
ADVERTORIAL
Smarter culvert calculations Farmers could benefit from fewer culvert blowouts and better paddock performance thanks to a new online tool that P&F Global have developed an online, an easy to use culvert pipe calculator — the EUROFLO Culvert Calculator. Global sales manager Joseph McLean said the new online calculator would transform the way people work out their culvert pipe requirements, allowing them to quickly and accurately figure out what they need. “Great customer service is at the core of our company values, and we are always striving to find innovative ways to help customers, while also providing the best product out there,’’ he said. Farmer Alan Sherman, had a sneak peek at the function and agreed that it was very easy to use. “Having used a lot of culvert pipes from P&F Global in the last 20 years I think this method of being able to calculate water flow will be a very useful tool.’’ Designed with the end-user in mind, the online calculator follows a simple three-step process: 1. Enter your catchment area and rainfall level to automatically generate your culvert pipe size; 2. Enter the length of your job to determine how many lengths of culvert pipe you need;
3. Enter your details and a quote is sent directly to your inbox. For more than 20 years, P&F Global have sourced the most practical and affordable drainage pipes and fittings from around the world. Servicing the rural, commercial, civil, industrial and residential markets, these products are designed fit for purpose for New Zealand’s often challenging conditions. EUROFLO Culvert Pipe is the only twin wall culvert pipe with an external multi-arch rib for strength and a smooth bore for faster flow and is ideally suited to all rural and civil needs — quality you can rely on. Made in Europe it is designed to last for 100 years and is rust and maintenance free. It is the only pipe in the market with sizes from 160mm diameter all the way up to 2,150mm, and comes with a range of fittings, slotted versions, different SN ratings as well as the handy Go-In system to connect the pipe to sumps and other outlets. Check out the EUROFLO Culvert Calculator online at www. pandfglobal.com.
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HAWKE’S BAY FARMING LIFESTYLES
December 2017
Care with dogs by rivers
17
Hawke’s Bay Regional Council is reminding dog owners to keep their dogs under control at the region’s braided rivers because of the risk of the potentially toxic cyanobacteria, Phormidium, being present. Phormidium occurs naturally in stony rivers where it forms a soft, blackish mat on rocks. These can be washed off and dry on river banks where they look like dried leaves or cow pats. It poses a health risk to people and dogs as it can turn toxic. Why that happens is unknown, so it should always be treated as a potential health hazard. “Science still cannot tell us what triggers Phormidium to start to produce toxins. We can not predict it so the best advice we can give is to treat all black mats on rocks in the water and drying mats on the banks as potentially toxic,” says HBRC’s water quality scientist Anna Madarasz-Smith. Phormidium regularly affects parts of the Tukituki, Ngaruroro and Tutaekuri in summer. It is different from the harmless bright green, stringy algae that also increases in our rivers in the warmer months. HBRC environmental science staff monitor parts of these rivers where Phormidium has been known to thrive, but can not monitor the entire rivers, so people need to know what to look for. “Our staff simply can not be everywhere on the rivers, people need to know what to look for and what to avoid. We would like people to let us know quickly when they see the mats in a river so we can alert other river users,” says Ms Madarasz-Smith.
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Phormidium occurs in parts of back country rivers as well as low land rivers, and in clean water. Dogs appear to be attracted to the drying mats, and are known to get sick from either investigating the mats or drinking water with Phormidium in it. A dog died last summer after being at the river although it was not conclusive that this was linked to cyanobacteria. “Vets tell us that it is not a clear cut diagnosis to make the link with Phormidium ingestion, as the symptoms of Phormidium poisoning in dogs closely
resemble heat exhaustion,” she said. When taking dogs walking at the river during summer give your dog a good drink before you leave home and take a bottle of water and bowl for the dog to drink from. Keep dogs under control at all times and do not let them drink from the river or investigate the weed mats, and ensure your dog had shade to cool down. Dog owners should take their pets to a vet quickly when they show any unusual symptoms or behaviours.
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December 2017
HAWKE’S BAY FARMING LIFESTYLES
LIVESTOCK
Record lambing percentages A record lambing percentage underpins a lift in lamb numbers, according to Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Lamb Crop 2017 report. Research by B+LNZ’s Economic Service estimates the number of lambs tailed in spring 2017 was 23.7 million head, up 1.9 per cent (436,000 head) on the previous spring. The average ewe lambing percentage for 2017 was 127.2, up 4.4 percentage points on last year and up 6.4 percentage points on the 10-year average (2008-09 to 2017-18) of 120.8 per cent. This means 127 lambs were born per hundred ewes compared with an average of 121 over the last 10 years.
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For spring 2017, a one percentage point change in the New Zealand ewe lambing percentage is equivalent to 178,000 lambs. Andrew Burtt, chief economist of B+LNZ’s Economic Service, says the record lambing percentage and more lambs from hoggets offset fewer breeding ewes. “The report provides further evidence of sheep and beef farmers doing more with less. “North Island lamb numbers were a major factor behind the overall lift in the New Zealand lamb crop with growth of 4.9 per cent (551,000 head) to 11.7 million head. The average ewe lambing percentage for 2017 was 128.0, up 8.6 percentage points on last year. “This was a record high, and was due to good climatic conditions and ewe condition at both mating and lambing for most regions. “After autumn and winter, conditions were generally good but wet, lamb growth rates were lower than normal due to a lack of sunshine, cool damp weather and more lambs. This has had a negative impact on lamb growth. “On a positive note, there were no adverse weather events during lambing.” In the East Coast and TaranakiManawatu, bearings and subsequent
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Andrew Burtt, chief economist of B+LNZ’s Economic Service
losses negatively impacted the lambing result. According to the survey, the number of breeding ewes declined 1.9 per cent to 17.8 million at July 1, 2017. “The most significant decrease was in Taranaki-Manawatu (-3.6 per cent) in response to strong mutton prices and culling of old ewes to take advantage of strong prices.” The number of lambs available for export processing in 201718 at 19.27 million head is similar to
last season’s 19.25 million head (+0.1 per cent). The tonnage of lamb produced is expected to decrease slightly (-0.2 per cent) to a lower average carcass weight, which offsets an increase in total number processed. B+LNZ Economic Service’s Lamb Crop survey is drawn from its Sheep and Beef Farm Survey, which covers a statistically representative sample of over 500 commercial sheep and beef farms.
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HAWKE’S BAY FARMING LIFESTYLES
December 2017
RURAL WHEELS
19
Transformation games by Andy Bryenton
When they first said perhaps a decade ago, that the era of the four door sedan was drawing to a close, people laughed. As the hot hatch began to be slowly replaced with the micro-crossover SUV, disbelief was the order of the day. As in fashion and art, the auto world carries a sea-anchor of memories and pre-suppositions. But the hour is at hand. Proof that the landscape has definitely shifted. No, we don’t mean the end of production for the Commodore and Falcon. Take a look at the current range from Nissan. The people who brought us the Maxima, that consummate big sedan, the Pulsar, available as a hot hatch with a bonnet scoop that could swallow medium sized animals, and ancestrally machines like the Sunny and the 120Y have a very different offering on the forecourt for 2017. It breaks down like this. Perhaps the single best value for money supercarthrashing sports machine on four wheels — the GT-R. Under that, a coupe which builds on a history stretching back to the Fairlady Z, and which would make some folks second-guess a Porsche. And afterwards — it’s sports utilities all the way through. There’s some very good ones, at that. The Juke may not be everyone’s stylistic cup of tea, but the crossover market is all about pop art style. Then we have
the best-selling Qashqai, the X-Trail, the Pathfinder and the big Patrol as daddy of the family. The Navara ute finishes off a lineup that has no hot hatch, no sedan — and feels like there’s really nothing missing. The shift has happened, we’re in the 21st century, and the car DNA has split. Understanding this has allowed Nissan to create a range that caters to modern tastes with a spectrum of closely gradated SUVs for every niche, and left their car division free to fly into new realms of lateral Gs and tyre smoke wizardry. Yes, the 370Z is good fun. In New Zealand it comes in only one option, but that’s because you don’t put tomato sauce on a perfectly crafted slice of sushi. But the GT-R is better than good. It’s transcended the hooligan past of the Skyline which went before it, in the same way Dodge’s Viper transcended their range of huge pickup trucks. If a clean split between the SUVs the public desire and the car as kinetic art and science is needed to make this happen, let it happen. In this case, the results have certainly justified the means and the method.
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PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE TO SEE OUR LATEST MODELS NOW AVAILABLE! Phone Bryce 027 273 1429 – Jan 027 480 7611 or 07 578 1534
December 2017 HAWKE’S BAY FARMING LIFESTYLES
Spring &r Deals Summe Demo a Kioti and if you buy another brand, we’ll give you $500 cash!†
Look for the Free Slasher Icon available on selected Kioti!
R
The slasher has a re-enforced galvanised frame, quick-release off-set options, collapsible hitch, adjustable skids, a large range of cutting heights, stone guards, a thick clean top deck and a simple to attach PTO with breakaway clutch.
FREE SLA
Weʼre confident that once you drive a Kioti tractor you wonʼt want to buy anything else and weʼre prepared to put our money where our mouth is.
CK3010
CS2610
HST 26HP
HST 30HP
• 4WD, Power Steering • Industrial Tyres • Ergonomic Operator Station • Large 1131cc Diesel Engine • Tight Turning Circle • Tractor only $12,990+GST
• 4WD, Power Steering • Hydrostatic Transmission • Industrial Tyres • Heavy Duty Build • Hydraulic remote • Fuel efficient 3 Cylinder Diesel Engine • Front end loader with 4 n 1 bucket available • Tractor only $20,990 +GST
4 IN 1 LOADER 60” MOWER DECK
$3,490+GST
$4,990+GST
*
2 YEAR
2000
4,661
$
HYDROSTATIC
HOUR WARRANTY
+GST
DRIVEAWAY FOR + PAYMENTS IN 12 & 24 MONTHS
TRANSMISSION
OR PAY $148 MONTHLY**
DRIVEAWAY FOR
2 YEAR
2000
7,518
$
HYDROSTATIC
HOUR WARRANTY
TRANSMISSION
*
+GST
SLASHER
SHE
FREE
20
+ PAYMENTS IN 12 & 24 MONTHS
OR PAY $234 MONTHLY**
Sample image only, does not show Industrial Tyres.
RX8030
• 4WD • Power Steering • 12x12 Synchro Shuttle Transmission • Independent PTO • Deluxe Suspension Seat •Flat Operators Platform • Includes loader with 4 in 1 bucket • Hydraulic Remote • Only $44,990 +GST
BUCKET
OR
AN D LOA
R
DRIVEAWAY FOR
FREE SLA
15,964
$
+ PAYMENTS IN 12 & 24 MONTHS
OR PAY $497 MONTHLY**
Terms and conditions apply. All prices valid until 31/12/17 or while stocks last. * DRIVEAWAY price is 1/3rd deposit plus total GST or/and use trade-in, then pay 1/3rd in 12 months then 1/3rd in 24 months at 2.99%. ** Monthly payments based on 40% plus total GST deposit or/and use trade-in, then 60 monthly payments at 3.99%. † Terms and conditions apply, contact your local dealer or go to www.kiotitractors.co.nz
HASTINGS 06 879 9998 Aaron White 027 442 6532
Ben Munford 027 801 2217 Leigh Jones 027 886 0541
GISBORNE 06 868 8908 Mark Lewis 021 228 2560 Brett Ingram 027 285 6961
*
+GST
TRAIN WARRANTY
4 IN 1
SLASHER SHE
OR PAY $387 MONTHLY**
POWER
R
+ PAYMENTS IN 12 & 24 MONTHS
4 YEAR
R AND L CTO
DE
+GST
R
FREE SLA
12,445
$
*
FREE
• 4WD, Power Steering • 8x8 Synchro Shuttle Transmission • High Ground Speed • Flat Working Platform • Fuel Efficient 4 Cylinder Engine • Hydraulic Remote (STD) • Includes loader with 4 in 1 bucket • Only $34,990 +GST
TRA
LOADER & SLASHER COMBO
DRIVEAWAY FOR
SHE
FREE
R
LOADER & SLASHER COMBO
ER OAD
DE
ROPS 80HP
T
AN D LOA
SLASHER
M 48HP
TRAC
BUCKET
OR
T
HOUR WARRANTY
4 IN 1
TRAC
2000
R AND L CTO
ER OAD
2 YEAR
TRA
DK4810