Manawatu Farming Lifestyles, August 2023

The Manawatu Farming Lifestyles is published with pride by Integrity Community Media, a privately owned NZ company.

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OPINION

Manawatū farmers do not need more regulation

by Hon Shane Jones

Manawatū farmers are strong contributors to the local and national economy. Well over $300 million is produced from the primary sector towards the regional GDP.

However, economic, weather-related, and regulatory headwinds are on the horizon and must be skillfully navigated. Price volatility, international supply and demand, El Nino and our own bureaucratic blowhards could all impact performance at the farm gate.

After an inordinately wet period, meteorologists now tell us an El Nino drought is a likely Christmas present. For those farmers who have access to water storage and irrigation should be able to ride it out.

The Climate Change Commission, led by its garrulous chairman, Rod Carr, has proclaimed that our economy has to be plunged into absolute emissions reductions. This is not what our climate legislation says. When the Paris Accord was signed, it was understood by all that carbon emissions were to be reduced in a manner that did not threaten food production. A key principle of the accord has been sidelined.

The unworkable RMA National Policy Statement (NPS) on indigenous biodiversity is another political virus spreading from Wellington. This regulatory overreach will have a negative impact on Manawatū farmers beyond even the challenges of the Horizons Regional Council One Plan. Both layer on too much regulation and create a litigator’s paradise. Where is the robust cost/benefit analysis in this unilateral decision-making?

Given these pitfalls, we must use the October 14 election to reset our bearings and suspend the unelected, bureaucratic bludgeons in Wellington.

NZ First knows that to grow the economy, we must support our primary industries. With a track record of boosting water storage in rural regions, we remain committed to expanding this infrastructure. Repealing the NPS so farmers have the flexibility to increase productivity on their land is a key goal. Headwinds are inevitable from time to time, and we need commonsense antidotes.

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New road layout for Featherston Street

The project, funded by Waka Kotahi — NZ Transport Agency under its Streets for People and Transport Choices programmes, works in conjunction with Palmerston North City Council’s Featherston Street safety upgrade project.

After several months of designing the new street layout in consultation with businesses and the community, the next stage of the project includes testing some of the elements of the design. The tests, focussing on two key elements, will take place in late August.

The first test will involve a keep clear space in front of the entrances to McDonald’s, Mitre 10 and Ngata Street. Yellow road markings will stop drivers queuing at the traffic lights from blocking people trying to enter and exit those entranceways.

Different phasing options at the Rangitīkei/Featherston Streets intersection traffic lights will also be tested. This test is to ensure that when the lanes change in early 2024, road users will be able continue to move as efficiently as possible through the intersection. The main change will be merging the left and straight lanes.

This same layout will occur at the Ruahine/Featherston Streets intersection. The busy Rangitīkei/Featherston Streets intersection is a popular traffic

thoroughfare in the city, and a high number of accidents occur at this site. More than 23,000 vehicles use the Rangitīkei Street intersection daily. Each day, more than 13,000 vehicles travel west along Featherston Street, and more than 11,000 vehicles travel east along this street.

Palmerston North City Council transport and development group manager Hamish

Featonby said it is important to note these features have been developed based on public and stakeholder feedback.

He said the testing period would help to effectively monitor and make any necessary adjustments to the final design before construction starts early next year.

The council is also working with stakeholders who have volunteered to be part of a group looking at placemaking

initiatives between Central Normal School and Palmerston North Boys’ High School.

“We are committed to working alongside the community to create a safer and more accessible transport network and thanks everyone for their ongoing involvement and input throughout this important project,” said Mr Featonby.

Feedback to pncc.govt.nz/Online-forms/ Featherston-Street-safety-tests-feedback.

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A new road layout along Featherston Street will see improvements for road users, pedestrians and upgrades to the existing cycleway.

Palmerston North Boys’ High School students using a pedestrian crossing on Featherston Street

BY DENISE GUNN

After fencing together off and on for a few years, the couple initially decided to test their skills at a regional-level contest.

“We had seen the competition featured in Goldpine’s monthly magazine, as well as photos from previous years, and thought it looked like a good challenge,” said Zayn.

The Young Farmers regional fencing competition, held earlier this year, was the first the pair had tackled. Winning this contest qualified Zayn and Natalie for the national event.

The couple were unsure how they would perform against professional fencing contractors. However, they found forward planning and communication

among the key factors to their success. Natalie also earned the honour as the first female to have her name engraved on the national trophy.

Natalie said working under pressure during the competitions, with a time limit and people watching, was challenging.

“You’re usually fencing alone in a back paddock somewhere.”

Although raised in town, Zayn developed a passion for farming after spending a summer helping on a friend’s family drystock farm. An orchard in Hawke’s Bay was home for Natalie. Her mother also leased land to fatten lambs before owning a sheep farm. Over the last three years, Natalie worked on the farm until her PhD became too time-consuming.

Zayn is now a full-time dairy

manager in Opiki. He holds diplomas in agriculture and farm management

farm

from Lincoln University. During the busy calf-rearing season, Natalie helps out in between working on her PhD.

Winning this year’s Young Farmers national fencing competition came as a surprise to Manawatū couple Zayn Jones and Natalie Ahlborn.

“My research aims to understand the effect of commercial processing treatments on the digestion of milk protein in humans,” she said. “I have a Bachelor of Science in Bioengineering (Hons) from Rhine-Waal University in Germany, where I lived, studied and worked for four years after finishing school.”

Natalie aims to present her work at an upcoming conference in the Netherlands. The couple joined Fitzherbert Young Farmers a few years ago. Since October last year, Zayn has held the vicechairperson role at club level and also on the Taranaki-Manawatū Young Farmers regional committee. Natalie is the Fitzherbert Young Farmers’ secretary.

Working in various farming positions over the past several years, Zayn has been required to do some fencing. “I’ve learnt most of my fencing skills while

working for Brad Joines, who previously fenced competitively,” said Zayn.

Lately, his fencing work has been maintenance on the dairy farm. Natalie said her fencing background is far less formal. “I learnt bits and pieces from various fencers during my time working on different farms in the past. I first learnt to tie wire in 2014, and I have always enjoyed the level of detail you can achieve with fencing.

“More recently, the fencing I’ve been doing has been maintenance and repairs on my mother’s sheep farm, which can require some creative solutions. Zayn and I also do some contracting-type work for smaller properties on our days off.”

In the lead-up to the fencing competition, Zayn and Natalie timed various aspects of fencing construction and created a plan where each could use their strengths. Natalie said the

competition was judged on a pointsper-fault basis, with some faults ranked higher than others.

“The aim is to have the lowest score, least number of faults, at the end. It is definitely about quality, and you can collect a lot of faults very quickly by not paying attention to the little details. Technical aspects are weighted far higher than time penalties.”

The couple were the last to finish the competition, collecting one fault for time. When not working, studying or fencing, the couple enjoys tramping, particularly

in the Tararua Ranges. Natalie said their working dogs and pet terrier are a huge part of their lives.

“They spend a lot of time with us working on-farm, tramping with us, or coming down the beach.”

Eventing is another of Natalie’s passions. Although competing has been put on hold until she has completed her PhD, she plans to take up the sport again at a later date. Eventually, the pair would like to start leasing a farm within the next few years and build up towards farm ownership running drystock.

A frosty morning during the Young Farmers national fencing competition

Young Farmers national fencing champions Zayn Jones and Natalie Ahlborn

The couple out for a walk with their dogs

TRAINING FUTURE FARMERS

BY DENISE GUNN

A passion for the dairy industry has led former Manawatū Dairy Manager of the Year, Angela Strawbridge, to set up her own business and become a licensee with Agricademy

Angela grew up in Dannevirke, spending holidays on family farms.

She initially set out in the dairy industry, working as a relief milker and calf rearer on a Norsewood farm. In 2014, with 17 years of dairy farming experience behind her, Angela began working for Stewart Dairylands on James and Debbie Stewart’s 180ha, 420-cow farm near Bunnythorpe. After a couple of years as a relief milker and calf-rearing, Angela was promoted to a full-time management role.

Angela’s hard work and dedication were recognised in 2018, winning the NZDIA Manawatū Dairy Manager of the Year title. As her position also involved organising staff rosters, and running weekly and fortnightly meetings, Angela’s staff management skills were also acknowledged with the Employment Engagement award.

“I ended the season in 2018 to move forward in my career and gain understanding in a corporate farming industry,” said Angela.

Managing the Hopkins Farming Group’s Taonui farm in Rangiotu fitted that bill, milking 750 Friesian/Jersey cross cows at peak on the 255ha property. Since taking over as farm manager, Angela increased the herd’s production to 320,000kgMS in 2020.

At the 2022 Ballance Farm Environment Awards, Angela received recognition for her

Planting & Pruning Thinning

work on Taonui, winning the Bayleys People in Primary Sector Award. Last season, when the farm was sold and changed ownership, Angela established her own Ange’s Agribusiness, offering relief work to farmers with positions that need filling.

Angela Strawbridge won the Manawatū Dairy Manager of the Year title in 2018

She also became involved with the Dairy Women’s Network (DWN), moving into the Lower North Island Hub leader position in 2019. As a hub leader, Angela manages regional leaders in the Wairarapa, Tararua, Manawatū and Whanganui.

“Hub leader’s roles are to provide oversight, connections, coaching, mentoring and regional linkages with the office team, in order for the regions to function effectively,” she said.

Angela’s work with DWN directed her towards rural training organisation Agricademy. “Jules Benton, CEO of DWN, approached me about becoming a licensee as Agricademy became a network partner. Jules had seen the passion I had for the dairy industry and training people.

“I see this as a great opportunity to share my knowledge and fill the gap by providing work-ready skills for those wanting to learn and gain practical skills to get milking.”

Through offering a range of online training videos and programmes, backed up with practical on-farm courses, Agricademy aims to assist new employees and those upskilling in the dairy and wool industries. School students considering casual employment or a career in the agricultural industry are also catered for with a range of short training videos available. In each video clip, industry experts run through the skills required for various tasks.

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“I go on-farm where the trainees are employed and work with them. We work with the farm owner/manager on areas we need to build on and train the trainee. Onfarm training provides relief for the farm owners/managers to carry on working on the business, while the trainer works in the industry with their staff on practical farm training.

“We cover everything from teamwork, cupping techniques, shed hygiene, putting up temporary fences, teaching about animal welfare and how to recognise health issues, and understanding feed and water resources.”

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Angela said Agricademy is redefining the training, development and mentoring of those entering the industry.

“If you’ve ever considered getting your hands dirty and being a valued member of New Zealand’s leading primary industry, we want to work with you to ensure you have the best experience.”

She finds running her business fits well with her role as an Agricademy licensee and connecting and watching people grow in the dairy industry to be rewarding.

“I enjoy sharing my knowledge and watching students grow, and enjoying the practical on-farm training.”

As a licensee with Agricademy, Angela is able to share her knowledge with trainees

Last season, Angela established Ange’s Agribusiness, offering relief work to farmers with positions to fill

hub leader position with the Dairy Women’s Network

GUMBOOT GLORY

BY DENISE GUNN

Raised on her parents’ sheep and beef farm east of Taihape, Kristin’s family were keen supporters of Taihape’s gumboot throwing competitions. Kristin first threw gumboots in competitions as a child, developing her technique over the years to become New Zealand’s longest-reigning women’s champion record holder.

“It’s always been an event in Taihape, so I’ve always competed ever since I was a child,” said Kristin.

For

While boarding at Nga Tawa School in Marton, Kristin took up throwing events in athletics, mainly javelin and discus. She represented New Zealand in the javelin during her secondary school years.

“So, I’ve always had a bit of a throwing arm. I’ve just taken a discus technique, watched others throw it, and developed my own technique and how to hold it.”

Taihape’s inaugural Gumboot Day was held in 1985 at the township’s Gumboot Park. It’s now held in conjunction with the Taihape A&P Show at the Memorial Park in February each year. The iconic event has earned Taihape recognition as the gumboot capital of the world.

Gumboots have always featured in Taihape farmer Kristin Churchward’s life, through either wearing a pair out on the farm or throwing one as far as possible.

Kristin’s trophies for gumboot throwing

Drenching

The couple, now the fourth generation on the family farm, work well together with their skills complementing one another. Kristin said she loves the farming lifestyle and being able to raise their three young daughters on the property.

With lots of wide, open spaces, it’s also an ideal place to toss gumboots. “I get out in the paddock and have a chuck around. It’s a fun but serious event.”

In the lead-up to a competition, gumboot throwing practice takes place a couple of times a week. With decades of experience, Kristin has perfected her gumboot holding and throwing method. Her current record stands at a distance of 36.88 metres.

This record was set at the Skellerup New Zealand Gumboot Throwing

Championships, held alongside the 2021 Ford Ranger New Zealand Rural Games in Palmerston North.

“I would like to keep the title as long as possible,” she said.

Gumboot throwing has taken Kristin around New Zealand, representing the North Island in competitions.

“We have a North Island team and when we compete, it’s as an individual and as a team. The longest three distances wins the event.”

In 2014, the New Zealand Boot Throwing Association was established. As one of the members, Kristin often travels to Christchurch with others to promote and help run the South Island Gumboot Throwing Championships, held during the annual Canterbury A&P Show.

The top three winners in the men’s and women’s categories are flown up to compete in the gumboot throwing at the New Zealand Rural Games.

“It’s bridging the gap between rural and town,” said Kristin.

Although gumboot throwing competitions are only held a few times each year, Kristin also plays tennis, mountain bikes competitively, and supports her daughters in their chosen sports. She said her daughters like to have a go at gumboot throwing too.

“It’s cool to see more people participating in gumboot throwing. It’s a bit of fun. Skellerup is the main sponsor and without their support, it wouldn’t rate. They are a big part of gumboot throwing.”

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sheep on the Taihape farm

Competing at the Skellerup New Zealand Gumboot Throwing Championships

Surfatex provides specialist solutions

by Denise Gunn

For the past couple of decades, the skilled team at Surfatex has covered the wider region with a range of top-quality protective wall and anti-slip oor coverings.

Are you taking a joint supplement?

(Part two)

by John Arts

When creating or upgrading a health supplement, I use research and best evidence to build a successful formula.

An example of this is the (Aging Clin Exp Res, 2021) peer-reviewed study into the effectiveness of highgrade chondroitin sulphate (CS). It concluded that high grade CS at 800mg was effective at reducing symptoms of osteoarthritis. This study was so profound that it resulted in the adoption of CS as a prescription medicine in Europe.

Glen Sinclair purchased Surfatex 2019 Ltd four years ago. In that time, his team has applied their franchised Dairy Wall Coating Acra ex to many cowsheds, including a couple of double rotary con gurations and walls of several shower blocks.

With a background as a safety and surface technician in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, Glen has transferred those skills to the business. He’s also worked on building the agricultural side of Surfatex 2019 Ltd back to where it used to be.

“I enjoy working with the farmers and assisting them to get a pass mark from the inspector,” Glen said.

Surfatex 2019 Ltd is a franchised applicator for the Acra ex Hi-Build Dairy Wall Coating system, which is designed for shed hygiene and ease of cleaning. The system is extremely hard-wearing and resistant to acids and alkalis used in the dairy industry, allowing dirt and grime to be easily washed from the glazed nish.

The team also repairs a lot of exposed aggregate, pitting and cracks in milk and plant rooms.

“There has been a trend from repairing these areas with plaster, which normally only lasts a season or two before it must be repaired again, to a harder-wearing resin coating. The resin is normally

nished with an anti-slip coating and resists the harsher chemicals which are in use in the milking sheds these days and will last for years.

“We can also apply a standard paint nish which is often applied to walls in of ce areas or crew room which is not subject to being hosed down with the wash-down hose. We have also painted the outside of a few sheds. I like to think we are a one-stop-shop for the cowshed when it comes to painting and coatings.”

Glen said the Acra ex Dairy Wall Coating is also great for coating concrete and block walls, which require sealing for hygiene purposes, such as in an apiary or winery.

“We have ongoing maintenance work at the many meat processing plants in the area, which require small oor areas and patching where they have modi ed ttings and structures.”

Traxite Colour ne Decorative Coating System is another anti-slip coating which has become popular. The team has applied it to several patios as well as applying industrial oor coatings to workshops.

Surfatex 2019 Ltd covers the Taranaki, Manawatu and Wairarapa regions, and the team is on-hand to offer expert advice and workmanship. They offer no-obligation visits to discuss options for your coating requirements.

I used this study to help me formulate my joint supplement. I included 800mg (daily dose) of highgrade CS in my formula, along with 800mg of Glucosamine sulphate and 200mg of new-generation Biosolve® curcumin extract (from turmeric). I have recently added BioSolve Curcumin because it is fully water soluble with superior absorption and is gentle on the stomach.

I then evaluated chondroitin suppliers, and most were bovine or marine sourced. I found that avian CS has a higher proportion of important chondroitin-4-sulfate and is, therefore, better absorbed. I chose the highgrade avian CS.

I have now built up a signi cant record of people using this formula over the past eight years. While reallife results always vary, those who have implemented my recommendations

and followed the review process had real bene ts, with most saying that the supplements have resulted in greater comfort and mobility.

As an example, a person I am currently helping has had worsening osteoarthritis in both knees, with X-rays showing signi cant deterioration in her right knee. We started her on a programme that included a double dose of my joint supplement and 4,000mg of omega-3 sh oil. She has reported signi cant improvements over the past four months and is now able to walk freely again.

John Arts (B.Soc.Sci, Dip Tch, Adv. Dip.Nut.Med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health Ltd. For questions or advice contact John on 0800 423 559 or email john@abundant.co.nz. Join his newsletter at abundant.co.nz.

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SPOTLIGHT ON PALMERSTON NORTH

A brewer’s century

by Amy Fifita

Morton William Coutts started his brewing career at the age of 15; he would make a considerable impact on the beer industry.

Coutts had a mind for science from a young age. Before his teenage years, he crafted together a working X-ray machine, then at 13 years old, a two-way radio station capable of sending a signal to the Northern Hemisphere.

He came from a line of brewers, starting with his grandfather Frederick Joseph Kühtze. Frederick eventually set up a family brewery in Palmerston North in 1900. His son, William Joseph Kühtze, would later go on to found Dominion Breweries with Sir Henry Kelliher in 1930.

The Kühtze family later changed their name to Coutts during the first world war because of the stigma against Germans at that time. During the pandemic of their time, Coutts’s father, William, contracted the Spanish Flu. The sickness ended his life, leaving the brewery to his 15-year-old son Morton.

One significant moment in the young inventor’s life was during the 1930s when he explored yeast’s natural qualities. From there, he created a process to make wort, an extracted liquid in the mashing process of brewing, clearer and more consistent. The wort stabilisation process was the first step to developing

is most remembered for.

In 1957, Coutts ran the world’s first continuous fermentation brewery in Palmerston North. A year later, he founded DB Export. Over time, he crafted more beers to suit the taste of the country by creating brews like DB Export Gold, 33 and Dry.

“In 1957, Coutts ran the world’s first continuous fermentation brewery in Palmerston North.”

He had many pivotal achievements and was the first in New Zealand to produce a lager and carbonated beer and to broadcast television signals. In 1983, he received recognition for his service to the brewery industry and was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. Coutts lived to be a century old, passing away in 2004.

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Garden club is blossoming

by Denise Gunn

Since putting down roots in 1978, the Awapuni Garden Club has continued to flourish.

A shared love of gardening brings club members together to learn growing tips, seek horticultural advice, listen to guest speakers, enjoy friendly competition, and participate in local outings and bus trips further afield.

Club secretary Yvonne Murphy said there are currently 90 financial members, with an average of 55 members attending the monthly meetings. “There is an active committee of 14. Our membership is growing, and we have a number of enquiries each month about joining.”

Meeting on the third Tuesday of each month at the Awapuni Community

Centre, between February and November members enjoy a social catch-up, morning tea, guest speakers or related community activities.

“Each month, we run a competition table for nine sections on flowering shrubs, seasonal flowers, vegetables and fruit. The end-of-year prizes are keenly sought by members. We also run raffles, and a sales table for produce and plants, that help subsidise outings.”

Bus trips for members to tour gardens in the district and outlying regions are popular outings. “There are so many treasures in the lower North Island to be explored. In

Awapuni Garden Club members during an outing to Horowhenua addition, on a monthly basis, weather dependent, we have an informal gettogether visiting local areas of horticultural interest followed by morning tea at a local cafe for those wishing to participate.”

Next month’s activities include a local outing, a bus trip to view tulips in the Wairarapa, and guest speaker Helen Lehndorf talking about foraging. Recent guest speakers at the club have included Heather Watson, a member of Arohanui Hospice Shop’s sewing team. Heather explained how donated clothing and

fabrics that would not normally sell are upcycled into other items by the team.

A quarterly newsletter for members is jam-packed with a calendar of upcoming club activities, recipes, and other items of interest. Annual membership fees are $15, with garden trips additional. “There is a good social, wellbeing aspect to the club,” said Yvonne.

For further information, visit clubsandwich.pncc.govt.nz/club/ awapuni-garden-club or email Yvonne at themurphys@inspire.net.nz.

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Planting for a bounteous spring

by Andy Bryenton

August is drawing to a close, which means it’s curtains for winter of 2023, with the thoughts of gardeners turning to the new season.

Nature uses this time to replenish and restore, ready for the riot of growth ahead, so it’s a good time to feed your gardens with the rich, dark compost percolating all winter, gently steaming on those cold mornings. That is especially true of those who wish to raise a crop of fresh veggies in their backyard; now is the time to lay the literal groundwork for a hearty harvest.

In the kitchen garden, it’s time to get growing with all kinds of healthy varieties. Potatoes, beetroot, onions, parsnips, carrots and other under-soil species can go in soon, with a nice blanket of compost and aerated soil to bust any late frosts. It’s also time to plant spring crops of brassicas like cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower, and leafy greens such as lettuce, kale and even coriander. With a wet winter behind us, there’s plenty of moisture in the soil for vine-growing crops like pumpkins, squash and watermelons, which will also begin showing through in the next few weeks.

Tomatoes will soon be available as seedlings too, but these, and some other spring veggies, may benefit from a little caution. If you prepare the ground for such crops now, remember that weeds will enjoy the forthcoming spring sunshine just as much as garden favourites. Covering the ground will stop them from becoming dominant where they’re not wanted.

August is also the last chance month to bed in fruit tree seedlings before spring has sprung. The traditional wisdom here is that winter is the time to put these deciduous trees into the soil, letting their roots grow under the ground in the cold months, with a nice blanket of mulch to keep them warm.

By the time spring is in full swing, those roots have established themselves and will be able to deliver the shot of goodness young trees need to experience a massive growth spurt. Even better, a strong root base means there will be less danger of fruit trees drying out in a long hot summer.

It’s National Gardening Week next week, so use the occasion as an excuse to get some dirt under your fingernails; with the rising cost of fresh food causing some political parties to suggest wiping GST off produce grown and sold in New Zealand. You can beat the supermarket squeeze by letting nature provide you with a big harvest this year. All it takes is a little effort this August.

For an explosion of flavour and colour to feed the family, planting and preparation in the garden are on the August agenda

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Food for the bees

by Liz Clark

During the winter months, food scarcity for bees and other beneficial pollinating insects is thin on the ground; however, some plants provide sustenance.

Throughout winter, bees and butterflies still need nectar to survive the cold days and nights. With the global issue of pollinator populations declining, especially in the case of bee numbers, providing a consistent food source is becoming a necessity in the garden. Fruit trees, flowers and vegetables are predominantly reliant on pollination by bees and other insects to set fruit and seed.

Shrubs and trees

You can’t go past the camellia for reliability when it comes to winter flowering. The flowers provide a rich source of high-quality protein-rich pollen — single flowering cultivars are the best option for bees to access.

Kowhai is a reliable late-winter flowering tree that provides not just food for bees but also for native birds such as tūī, which are also nectar-feeders. This native tree has also been developed by horticulturalists as a dwarf variety — Dragons Gold. It flowers in late winter and into early spring. Its compact growing habit makes it suitable for smaller urban gardens.

Mānuka Winter Cheer is another reliable flowering shrub suitable for smaller gardens reaching 1.5 metres in height at maturity. A fast-growing shrub, it puts out a profuse amount of bright deep-red flowers — mainly in late winter to early spring.

Winter flowers

Cornflowers top the list as favourite nectar sources for bees and butterflies. Flowering throughout winter, these plants can be easily grown from seed as an annual and planted in the garden or pots.

Snapdragons flower well throughout the winter months. Another that is easily germinated from seed and grown as an annual. With a profusion of cultivars available in many shades, these will provide another reliable source for visiting pollinators.

Calendula is always reliable. A great companion plant for winter vegetables, these plants are frost-hardy and also utilised by visiting bees. Easy to grow and selfseeding. These also come in various colours available from your local garden centre.

Other plant varieties

The list is extensive; here are just a few of them. Flowering from autumn onwards borage is a good

options for

start. Also, consider pineapple sage, rudbeckia, native hebes and lavender as

keeping the pollinators catered for.

Tip top service for trees

by Denise Gunn

When considering pruning, maintaining or removing trees, the experienced team at Tip Top Tree Services are available to take on jobs of all sizes, from small trees to large.

The Palmerston North-based business, owned and managed by Rory Walding, was established in 2020. Rory has been involved in the arboriculture industry for 10 years, completing an apprenticeship in Australia.

“I was living in Melbourne, developed a passion for trees and used to climb trees in the Dandenong Ranges,” said Rory.

An apprenticeship in the arboriculture industry takes up to two years, covering a range of topics from tree-climbing and felling, pruning, plant removal , soil chemistry, botany, worksafe practices and rst aid. Communication with team members and colleagues is also a vital aspect.

Rory spent eight years in Australia before moving back to New Zealand.

He’s since clocked up 10 years experience as an arborist.

The team at Tip Top Tree Services cover all urban and rural arboriculture requirements in the Manawatu. They are available to work further a eld too.

“We can always travel if required.”

Rory said the bulk of the team’s work is tree removal, especially those causing hazards or hanging over buildings.

“It’s rewarding when moving hazardous, dead or dangerous trees, and getting the trees down safely before causing any damage. We also remove trees which outgrow their surroundings.”

With each job requirement unique, Tip Top Tree Services assess the location and situation before starting work, providing free advice and quotes. Safety

is the number one priority and clients can rest assured the team is committed to providing top quality services.

Passing on his knowledge and teaching young people the required skills, is one of the industry highlights at Tip Top Tree Services.

“We’ve taken on someone from Freyberg High School and trained him up,” said Rory.

“We train on-site.”

Contact Rory on 022 500 6039 for any tree work or email tiptoptreeservices@icloud.com

Arborist Rory Walding of Tip Top Tree Services

The team at Tip Top Tree Services covers urban and rural requirements in the Manawatu

Get your house in order

by Andy Bryenton

While it seems as simple as ABC, many let the enthusiasm get in the way of a careful plan that will allow the right tradespeople get their tasks done at the right time for a seamless build.

When you’re renovating, there are lots of jobs to be done by professionals, even if you’re a DIY expert. Knowing when to schedule the pros is a big part of planning a perfect project.

It all starts with the main features of each room. For a kitchen, this means the appliances and whiteware, which cabinets and benches must be built to accommodate.

In a bathroom, it’s worth sorting out the big items like shower cubicles and bathtubs, as well as the design language of your tapware and fittings, before even sketching up a plan for the room. In bedrooms, you’ll want to know if you’re aiming for super-king-sized sleeping luxury or a space which doubles up as a home office. In living areas, technology such as sound and vision dominates.

For a big build or a back-to-the-bones renovation, it helps to think of your home as a living body. Structural work on the skeleton of the home comes first, followed up by the wiring and piping, which makes up the metaphorical nervous system and circulatory system behind the walls. Calling in electricians and plumbers before the

gib board goes up makes their task so much easier, and lower labour costs are your reward. The same goes for taking the chance to install ventilation and recessed lighting at the same time as you peel off the roof for replacement or repair.

The walls and ceilings come next, though sometimes it’s best to leave things like light fittings, heat pumps and even interior doors out until the painting is complete for a neat finish. Carefully labelled wires and pipes protected from the painting process can then be connected up as appliances and fixtures which need to be permanently installed take their places. Once there’s no danger of paint being dropped on brand new floors, it’s time for linoleum and carpet to be laid down, with special care taken in wet areas where covings often come up to protect the joins between the floor and certain cabinet items.

All this seems straightforward, but it’s the nature of renovations that projects often lead on to others, and there’s sometimes no clear timeline unless you stop to make one. The benefit of a solid plan is that certain themes, such

Water tanks for the home and garden

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Be emergency prepared

by Ann van Engelen

Lifestyle block living is rural living, and an emergency, be it weather or other event, is always a contingency.

The Rural Support Trust is encouraging people to check out Emergency Management Southland’s format to help people to, first and

foremost, make a plan in case of any emergency events.

In an emergency, it’s important everyone on your property knows the best way to leave your home if necessary, where to meet and how to contact one another if separated. Have a list of all household members, their contact numbers and specific needs and requirements you may have.

Decide where to meet following an emergency situation and keep contact details for someone outside the area that you can all check in with if you can’t meet up. Plan for the impacts of a disaster, including loss of power, communication, isolation and what that might mean for your whānau.

Detail how to turn off water, electricity and gas, if required. Other useful tips can be found on the getready.govt.nz or the eqc.govt.nz websites.

When creating your supplies kit, consider your needs for a week at home, with no power, no running water, no internet, no cellphone coverage. Make sure you can stay warm, prepare food, have drinking water and any medication

you may need. Don’t forget baby formulas and toddler food if necessary.

If the power fails, use your fresh food first, then refrigerated and frozen foods. Use tinned and dry foods last. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature. The fridge will keep food cold for about four hours if it is unopened. With doors closed, a full freezer will keep the temperature for approximately 48 hours; 24 hours if it is half full.

Once food reaches the temperature of five degrees or above for more than two hours it greatly increases the risk of growth by microorganisms that can cause illness. Don’t use frozen food that

has thawed or refrigerated food that has warmed up. The only exceptions are butter/margarine, hard cheeses, raw eggs still in eggshells, fruit and vegetables. If in doubt, throw it out.

Plan for pets and animals on your property. Arrange for a neighbour to check on them if an emergency occurs and you’re not home, if it is safe for them to do so. Others suggest, if possible, ensure animals have access to safe ground, if necessary, and have extra food out for them if it is safe for you to do so.

Finally, know how to get information and connect with people in your community and local Civil Defence. More information and an emergency plan template go to cdsouthland.nz.

In an emergency, ensure your animals have a good chance to be safe

Taking the natural view

by Andy Bryenton

Nationwide, sections with a scenic view are a big drawcard for those looking to invest in and live beyond city limits.

The vistas presented by the rugged west coast, picturesque east coast, rolling farmlands, forested hills and mercurial harbours are a big reason why people wish to quit the city and establish a slice of paradise elsewhere. As good designers and builders know, the proper placement and concept of a home to inhabit such scenes of beauty is critical.

One of the greatest architects of the past century, Frank Lloyd Wright, considered many of his creations to exist ‘simply to support windows onto nature’. His passion for the natural environment culminated in homes like Fallingwater, a house in a forested part of Pennsylvania with a natural waterfall running through it. To Wright, windows and views were of utmost importance, and if a building needed to demolish nature to exist, it should never be built at all.

“The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes. If you foolishly ignore beauty, you will soon find yourself without it. Your life will be impoverished. But if you invest in beauty, it will remain with you all the days of your life,” said Wright.

It’s a sentiment modern home builders share and express in many ways. There’s an increasing trend away from the ‘cut, clear and level’ path of section preparation as people become more eco-conscious about their homes and more inclined to want to fit in with nature. Recent winners of New Zealand’s home of the year awards have been partially submerged in hillsides, have had turf and grass looping up and over

rooflines, or have been nestled amid long-established specimen trees, which may have been only slightly trimmed to allow for construction.

Moreover, there’s a fresh inclination for new home builders to approach their designer or architect with a selection of views they’d love to frame with modern windows, defining the aspect and inclination of kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms and decking. The ubiquity

and power of panoramic mobile phone cameras have made it possible to capture these views and take them into the offices of designers and constructors to discuss.

“Nature is the inspiration for all ornamentation. Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you,” said Wright. It’s a little piece of wisdom which fits perfectly with modern thoughts on building with, not on top of, the natural world.

Great architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s views on fitting into nature have inspired a philosophy which works well with New Zealand’s natural vistas; this is his Fallingwater house in Pennsylvania, USA

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Free-range eggs a delight

by Paul Campbell

A fresh egg for breakfast or a rich home-baked cake or confection are some of the decided upticks of country living with a bit of land where chickens can free-range and add to the quality of life and supplement the kitchen larder.

That great pleasure comes only after some preparation and planning. Getting advice is easy to come by, be it from friends and neighbours or simply going online to learn of others who have plenty of advice and anecdotes to share about raising chickens successfully.

It might sound like a simple enough exercise, but there are a few considerations before looking for the birds themselves. Where will you house them, and are you prepared for the effort involved?

Free-range is the top of the chook world, and as such, they are great pest controllers, roaming your property hungry to add bugs and insects to their diet, which, of course, you will have to supplement with bags of feed in the shed. It’s been proven too, that eggs from freerange chickens are lower in cholesterol and higher in vitamins and minerals. Eggs from pastured hens have four to six times as much vitamin D as chickens raised in confinement. Don’t forget too that they are a great way to get rid of kitchen scraps.

Once you have made the decision, it’s a matter of good housing for your feathered

friends to retire and roost at night. That means good shelter, and laying boxes are a necessity.

Chicken manure is excellent to use as compost for the garden and lawn. It contains nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, which are essential for

healthy soil. That fertiliser makes for a great opportunity to add to the farm food supply. One of the best examples of this was found on a friend’s property when they had built a double-ended chicken coop. It consisted of a roosting shed and laying boxes at one end of an

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enclosed yard, which was repeated back to back.

The principle was to rotate the housing area and yard every six months, and use the recently vacated yard, full of all those fertiliser goodies, to plant vegetables that bloomed in the ideal ground. Beans, tomatoes, radishes, peppers and broccoli abounded while the chooks repeated their duty next door.

As an aside, though, as you let them out to free-range each day, it might pay to chicken-proof your other house garden that they might fancy. There’s always the help of family, especially younger ones. Caring for chickens and chicks is a great way to teach your children many things, including how to care for animals, compassion, responsibility, and discipline. However, should you consider retiring a bird to the oven, it might be best to add to the facts of human survival to the lessons they learn.

Of course, once you make the decision, you need to buy in the birds, and again, there are specialist breeders that are widely advertised.

Free-range chickens need good care to provide highly-nutritious eggs throughout the laying season

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Nourished by natives

by Amy Fifita

Embrace indigenous bird species by planting native trees to witness the beauty in the harmony they bring.

Springtime is a time for new growth and life. Now is an opportunity to have a good think about what will not only enhance your property but what will benefit your area. One way to restore diversity in your area is by planting natives that encourage birdlife to reign the land once more.

Birds require sustenance like seeds, fruit, foliage, nectar, lizards and insects to survive and grow, so planting trees and shrubs is necessary. August and September are ideal months for planting new trees. Manawatū area is ideal for koromiko, houhere, mānuka, kānuka, ti kōuka, tarata, karamū and kohūhū trees.

The trees will add life to your garden in more ways than one. Almost all birds eat insects. To entice insects for the fluttering of fantails (pīwakawaka), vary the height of your chosen trees. Multilayered vegetation attracts insects which the pīwakawaka savours.

Lizards are also a delicacy for some birds. Create plenty of places for these cold-blooded creatures to hide, and like insects, they also require layers of vegetation, but also sunlight. The three necessities for birds, insects and lizards

work hand in hand because lizards eat insects, nectar and berries.

With life in your backyard, predator control is a primary consideration. With the ecosystem you have restored, you

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must protect it from introduced species like stoats, possums, rats and mice that could lay terror on your native haven. Talk to your local professional about what type of trap or bait will best suit your

purpose so the birds and plants remain safe from harm. Your garden will be teeming with the natural sound of the birds and the rustle of lizards, and knowing that you have contributed to it, is a great feeling too.

Multilayered vegetation attracts insects which the native pīwakawaka (New Zealand fantail) eats for nourishment

From fine art to faster agriculture

by Andy Bryenton

The maize industry thrives thanks to constant innovation in machinery; a process which has delivered multi-function combines and advanced harvesting tools so advanced that some are now driven by AI.

None of this would have happened if not for an old painting and a pair of farming

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brothers with an appreciation for art and engineering. The Baldwin brothers of Nickerson, Kansas, lived a long way from the cultural centres of New York and Paris. Still, they enjoyed fine art and benefitted from living in an age when photography could bring the works of the historic masters into small-town libraries and universities.

The pair were inspired to create a new kind of harvesting machine thanks to a painting by Jean-Fracois Millet, which depicted poor peasant women searching in a harvested field for any dropped grains of corn. With the desire to use mechanisation to improve harvests, the Baldwins had two aims; to leave nothing behind as ancient methods did, and to maximise the harvest, meaning nobody would go hungry.

The painting was called The Gleaners. The Baldwins called the machine they invented the Gleaner. It was the first self-propelled combine harvester based around a tractor, and it put together mechanisms for reaping, threshing and winnowing. By 1923 the Gleaner was

ready; its motive power came from the reliable Fordson Model F.

Farmers loved the machine and the name, which hinted at meticulous operation and frugality.

The dust bowl era of the 1930s, as chronicled in The Grapes of Wrath,

was cruel to the Baldwins, and their company was bought up by Willaim Brace. Under Brace family management, Gleaner’s factory produced machinery for the war effort in the 1940s. Gleaner became part of AGCO in later years.

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Inspired by a painting from the Louvre Museum, the Gleaner was the first self-propelled combine harvester

Tuatara breaking new ground

Tuatara Machinery is a solely New Zealand owned company that has been manufacturing

Its rst entry into the market was a 1,100cc petrol model, designed and specced, especially for the New Zealand market. The emphasis was on a strong, allsteel construction and a vehicle that was manufactured to a simple engineering design that was easy to work on that would allow customers to do the bulk of the repair and servicing work themselves, signi cantly reducing running costs.

The company’s rst experiences with the Tuatara made it clear that the NZ agricultural environment was one of the most demanding on machinery, as can be contemplated and tested in aspects of the design. The bene t of being a smaller company, unlike the large multi-national companies that are the competition, Tuatara can easily make changes to its design to enhance the reliability of its ATV. The company has always listened carefully to customers’ feedback since they are the best placed to advise what upgrades and design changes would provide the best result for the Tuatara. This policy has certainly paid dividends.

In recent times, Tuatara Machinery has broken new ground with the introduction of its all-electric eTuatara, which has proved very popular and has now greatly eclipsed the sale of the petrol model. It has no air

intake, exhaust and no fuel systems, running costs as low as three cents a kilometre and a semi-automatic transmission with no belt drive, to say nothing of the zero emissions. The company can see electric

ATVs becoming the farmer’s vehicle of choice within a very short time. If you would like to know more about either Tuatara model, give Tuatara Machinery a call.

The all-electric eTuatara and trailer

Kiwi technicians challenge Australia

by Andy Bryenton

Rugby has traditionally been the battlefield of friendly rivalry between Australia and New Zealand; now, a team of Kiwi tractor and machinery technicians are challenging their neighbours across the ditch.

Nine New Zealand finalists will fly out to challenge the best of the best in their field at the 2023 John Deere Technician of the Year Awards. This contest has been run for the past three year, and spans the skills technicians need in industries such as agriculture, forestry and construction. While the Kiwi contingent comes from different backgrounds, including photocopier repair and sports, all know their way around big diesel machines.

“Technicians require a unique combination of mechanical knowledge, proficiency in digital technology and advanced problem-solving skills, and becoming a finalist in the annual awards is a testament to the hard work and dedication our technicians inject into their roles,” said John Deere Australia and New Zealand managing director Luke Chandler.

There were more than 60 applicants to represent New Zealand when the contest kicks off in Brisbane this month. The tasks they will face under the scrutiny of watchful adjudicators will span all aspects of keeping big machines from the field and forest operational. There are multiple awards and categories to aim for.

Greg Bishop of Otago Farm Machinery and Bryce Dickson of Brandt Whangārei will compete for Agriculture and Turf Service Technician of the Year. Parts Technician of the Year hopefuls include Brandt Gisborne’s Mollie Clarke and Jimmy O’Donnell of Drummond and Etheridge in Blenheim. Nick Fargher of Brandt Feilding and Mark Haughton of Drummond and Etheridge Rolleston could come back as Construction and Forestry Technician of the Year. Dylan Bruce and Paige Hunter, also from Drummond and Etheridge in Rolleston, and Tom Fyfe from Brandt Rotorua will compete for apprentice of the year titles.

“Each finalist has a proven track record of helping farmers and businesses unlock greater productivity and sustainability achievements through technology, and they should be very proud of rising to the top of a very competitive field,” says Luke Chandler.

“While they’re all diverse in their experience and background, what they have in common is a deep enthusiasm to learn and commitment to deliver exceptional aftermarket service to their customers,” said John Deere Australia and New Zealand’s director of aftermarket and customer support, Emma Ford.

Bryce Dickson will travel from Whangārei to Brisbane to compete in the fourth annual John Deere Technician of the Year Awards

Ezicalve bulls adds value to your calves

First, farmers must be con dent that beef bulls will not wreck their heifers and cows. Ezicalve breeders Mike and Cath Cranstone of Riverton Herefords, alongside Morrison Farming’s Ardo Herefords, take this responsibility seriously. Our clients are trusting their livelihoods, their cows, to our bulls. Easy calving and low birthweights are non-negotiable traits in their breeding programmes. They also have zero tolerance for anything without a quiet temperament.

The Cranstone and Morrison families have been breeding bulls speci cally for heifer mating for several decades, with this year being Riverton Ezicalve Herefords’ 32nd Annual Sale. We value our long-standing relationships we have with our clients and believe it is key to offer a quality product, backed up by good support and service.

Ezicalve breeders use genomics to identify homozygous polled bulls in their sale catalogues. Using these bulls removes the need to dehorn any of their offspring. Also, targeted traits are short gestation, fast growth rates and carcase quality.

Ezicalve breeders are con dent that they have the genetics to help dairy farmers and the industry diversify their

income streams and reduce the number of bobby calves. We aim to have our yearling bulls at 400kglw, which we believe are large enough not only to mate heifers but also tail up the cows. Their sales are on September 21 and 26 at Fordell and Marton, where 250 yearling and two-year-old bulls are to be auctioned.

MIKE CRANSTONE 027 218 0123

SALE Thursday 21 Sept, 12noon | Riverton Herefords, Wanganui

WILL MORRISON 027 640 1166

SALE Tuesday 26 Sept, 12noon | Ardo Herefords, Marton www.ezicalve.co.nz

Capturing additional value from calves can signi cantly contribute to dairy farmers’ income, especially relevant in the tough season ahead.

Ezicalve breeders are confident they have the genetics to help dairy farmers and the industry diversify their income streams

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“Have been breeding bulls for several decades.”