Manawatu Farming Lifestyles, July 2016

Manawatu

FARMING Lifestyles

July 2016 Edition

15,060 copies DELIVERED FREE to every rural delivery address in Manawatu

Commitment and passion

Cash for best bull calves

Refined ute gains six appeal

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DON’T PANIC...

GO ORGANIC! P14

0800 THE KEY

Dairying at altitude Page 6–7

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July 2016

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

Awards for enterprising women

The Manawatu Farming Lifestyles is published with pride by NorthSouth Multi Media Ltd, a privately owned New Zealand company.

Enterprising Rural Women Awards entries are open for 2016.

The ERWA offer women who run their own rural businesses the opportunity to showcase their innovative rural enterprise and gain recognition for their success.

Phone: 0800 466 793 Advertising: Betty Willets, Kelvin Green, Shane Hendriks, Julie Lennon Editorial: Denise Gunn — 06 329 7701 Website: manawatufarming.co.nz

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The categories are: Emerging Enterprising Rural Woman Award — inspiring business or community leader; Innovative Enterprising Rural Woman Award — use of new technology and adapting to rural location; and Entrepreneurial Enterprising Rural Woman Award — business success in horticulture, agricultural, dairy, tourism or the rural sector.

“We look forward to hearing from many amazing businesswomen telling us about their achievements and how they have contributed to Wendy McGowan, their rural community,” says National President, Rural Women New Zealand Wendy McGowan, National President, Rural Women New Zealand. cent or more in the business. Winner To enter the awards, women have to of last year’s supreme award Latitude own and operate a small business with Magazine’s Joanne Taylor, encourages less than 10 full-time equivalent staff, rural women to ‘just do it’ and enter based in a rural area. The business the competition.

“It makes you look at all aspects of must have been running for at least your business, from where you started, two years.

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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES July 2016

Election nominations open

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With nominations for this year’s local authority elections open, Federated Farmers is calling on farmers and other businessminded people to consider standing for election.

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of regional plans and policies can and does have huge impacts on the way farms are run.”

Farmers are also exposed to other council regulations like building and dog control — and bylaws for things like stock crossings and stock movement across and along roads.

“Councils also provide infrastructure and services of value for farmers and for the rest of the community. Roads are especially important for farms,” she says. Federated Farmers have launched their 2016 Local Government Manifesto.

“The manifesto is a must read for anyone thinking of standing for council and not just for farmers. All aspiring candidates would do well to read a copy,” said Ms Milne.

Nominations for the 2016 local authority elections open on Friday July 15 and close at noon on Friday August 12. Voting papers will be posted out from September 16 and they will need to be returned by noon on Saturday October 8.

YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT’S AROUND THE CORNER

Katie Milne, Federated Farmers’ Local Government spokesperson

W NE IP R SH DE ER UN WN O

Federated Farmers’ Local Government spokesperson, Katie Milne, said it’s vitally important that we get good candidates to put themselves forward.

“Being a councillor is a challenging role but farmers can make a real difference on councils as they can inform and educate their colleagues and staff about what happens on-farm. This is crucial for getting sensible, workable outcomes,” said Ms Milne.

The way local government is funded through property value based rates, has a big impact on farms’ financial viability.

“The average farm now pays well over $10,000 per year in rates which are often in the top ten farm expenses,” she says.

“As a fixed cost there is no way for farms to cut back, short of selling up, during downturns like the current one in the dairy industry.

“One of the most important council functions is to manage natural resources, including water, land and air.

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July 2016

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

and passion THE HOROWHENUA BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ AGRICULTURAL CLUB CELEBRATES ITS 86TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR. NN GU E NIS DE Y B

F

ounded by local farmers, the club aims to promote and encourage primary school children in the responsibility of caring for animals and plants. Six schools were initially involved in 1930. Two years later there were 10. At the club’s peak, 15 schools participated with more than 240 calves entered.

Four generations of Carol Christenson’s family have been involved

with the club. Carol has been the club’s secretary/treasurer since 1995.

She said the club began during a push to get people into farming when dairying was seen as the key to New Zealand’s primary future.

Children were encouraged to raise calves for competitions. Lambs were first judged in 1935 and this section limited to younger children. Garden competitions were introduced in

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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES July 2016

1934 when the club amalgamated with the Horowhenua Boys’ and Girls’ Home Garden Club. The Department of Agriculture originally subsidised this division. There are nine schools in the Horowhenua region currently participating in the club’s competitions.

“We actually let children that attend other schools within our zone enter an animal,” said Carol. “This zone is a historic area from the old Education Board days. “So children that go to Levin town schools can have animals and show them at a school we select, then they will be eligible to come to our group final day.”

Children can enter a calf, lamb, kid goat, or yearling in the animal section of the competition. The yearling must be the calf they competed with the year before. The animal events are usually held in the second week of November at all the schools. Children are then entitled to enter the club’s group final day in Levin the following week.

The garden section includes flowers and vegetables. Gardens are judged the week after the group final day and winners announced in the first week of December.

Carol said the club committee has been trying to improve and promote the garden competition.

“Last year we brought in a container garden competition just at the schools

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for junior kids.” The club currently has 14 committee members — all volunteers and generally farmers or parents who have past or current connections.

“Some of our committee have been around for a very long time,” said Carol.

Judges for the animals and gardens are also volunteers. Animal judges complete three years as an associate with a senior judge. New garden judges usually go out with another judge for two years.

Last year 112 calves, 10 yearlings, 102 lambs and 21 goat kids entered at

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the nine school competitions. Of those, 100 animals competed at the group final day.

“We normally get around 100 each year,” said Carol. Children also proved to be keen gardeners with 40 flower gardens, 60 vegetable gardens and close to 50 container gardens entered last year.

Although there have been changes in the agricultural industry, land use and demographics, Agricultural Day continues to be a highlight for many school children and their families.

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July 2016

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

DAIRYING AT ALTITUDE

BY DENISE GUNN PHOTOS BY GRAEME BROWN — VISION MEDIA

A

lthough Lance did some dairy farm work when he finished high school, his main job was driving machinery for a local agricultural contractor. This vocation took him overseas, working in the United States and Europe for three years.

Katherine attained a bachelor’s degree in nursing and also headed overseas to take up a nursing position in England, then the United States.

The pair travelled together around the globe before returning to New Zealand.

Lance began working on his brother’s dairy farm and Katherine worked as a registered nurse in Palmerston North.

In 2004 the couple purchased a dairy farm near Apiti, as a joint venture with

DAIRY FARMERS LANCE AND KATHERINE GILLESPIE ORIGINALLY SET OUT ON DIFFERENT CAREER PATHS BEFORE BUYING THEIR FARM AS A JOINT VENTURE WITH FAMILY.

Lance’s brother, Andrew, and his wife, Caroline. Three years later Lance and Katherine purchased the farm outright and moved there with their young family.

The 300ha farm, with a milking platform of 145ha, milks 380 Friesian cross cows.

The Gillespie partners bought the nucleus of their herd from Rotorua and built up numbers from there. Since their first season on the farm, milk production has risen from 135,000kgMS to 185,000kgMS. Lance said this increase is due to good feeding and management.

Although there are 30 less cows in the herd than there were four years ago, the production figure

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has remained at 185,000mgKS or late September. Palletised meal is fed 480kgMS per cow this past season. in the shed.

The former 2009 Bank of New “It’s rewarding to see well-fed cows Zealand Dairy Business of the Year producing well,” said Lance.

Situated at 680m above sea level, regional winners are strong on caring the Gillespies’ farm qualifies as the for the environment and looking after country’s eighth highest Fonterra the soil.

“We’ve been farming supplier. Lance said the biologically for a number farm’s altitude comes of years and use the right with its challenges.

“IT’S fertiliser to enhance the “It’s rugged; it can be RUGGED; soil,” said Lance. cold, wet and we can Along with Lance get snow.”

IT CAN BE and Katherine, a herd The annual average COLD, WET manager, dairy assistant rainfall measures and a part-time relief between 1,600– AND WE milker complete the 1,700mm.

CAN GET farm’s team.

“The grass is little to SNOW.” With 20 years of nil for the three winter farming experience and months of the year.” more than a decade in The cooler nights, however, have advantages as there have dairying, Lance continues to upskill his been no facial eczema problems with knowledge through a broad range of the herd. Lance said this comes down training courses and seminars.

Both Lance and Katherine have to grass management as well.

The big issues on the farm are grass completed the Dairy NZ Mark and Measure Farm Business Governance grubs in autumn and porina in spring.

“We lose quality pasture and the Programme. Governance is an area of native grasses come through. It’s a interest to Lance.

Lance is currently undertaking challenge,” said Lance.

A 50ha support unit is located the Professional Primary Producers adjacent to the farm and a further 25ha Business Management programme, property, near Rongotea, provides winter jointly run by Dairy NZ and Primary ITO. Two years ago, the couple added a grazing for dairy heifers. The majority of the cows are wintered off the farm, farmstay to their property. Katherine manages this enterprise. returning early August.

Lance hasn’t ruled out buying another The Gillespies ensure there is plenty of supplementary feed on hand in farm, possibly as a joint venture.

“I also look at what we could do preparation for calving.

Baleage, grown on the farm, is fed out better and more efficiently, especially until grass starts to grow again towards in today’s environment.”

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July 2016

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

Holiday Guide Discover your back yard Travel is the only thing you can buy that will make you richer however there is nothing worse than returning from your travels to find you have been burgled.

Here are some suggested tips about how to keep your farm, home and business secure whilst on holiday so you can relax properly and take the break you deserve.

Theft of quad bikes, two wheeled farm bikes along with tools, chainsaws and fuel are some of the most common kinds of crimes in rural areas.

Police recommend keeping valuable items such as these under lock and key overnight and when no one is on the property.

Bulk fuel should be secured by way of a good lock, making it as difficult as possible to remove.

Crime prevention is one of the main focusses for police, and people need

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to look out for their neighbours. It is recommended that you call 111 if you see any suspicious activity or vehicles on your neighbouring property.

Good quality security cameras can also help identify offenders and the higher the resolution the better along with signage to act as deterrents. You can make your house a hard target to thieves by installing automatic timers or sensor lighting around your property including at both the front and rear of your house and sheds.

Mount them high enough to prevent criminals from being able to remove

the bulb or cover the sensor. Leave curtains partially open so your home looks occupied. Leave a light on in the living room or a bedroom when going out at night to give the impression that someone is home. Remove keys from vehicles and lock them away in garages if possible. Leave them empty of fuel for an added measure of security.

Never announce travel plans or indicate that you will be away in public, on social media or through answer machine messages, and let your neighbours know when you are going and when you will be back.

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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES July 2016

9

Holiday Guide Touring from North to South The often talked about theory of don’t leave town until you have explored the country is said for good reason. New Zealand has many destinations with a vast array of coastal, vineyard, art, museums and outdoor activity experiences for young and old alike.

From Cape Reinga to the Bluff, by motorhome or car, with pre arranged or go as you please itineraries, exploring the different regions is an eye opener for many local travellers.

In Taranaki the Forgotten World Highway is a journey built on colonial bridle paths formed in the late 19th century. It is remote and mysterious.

The settlement of Whangamomona is where the historic hotel is known for its own Whangamomona passport. See who the mayor is. Is it a man, is it a child, or maybe a goat?

Heading North the options of Taupo, Whangarei or Cape Reinga all have their own particular landscape and hidden gems to be discovered. There are retreats for couples and family friendly motels dotted around the country.

Cycle the Hawke’s Bay Trails with three or five-day self guided tours.

Visit Hamurana Springs and explore the Redwood Forest with crystal clear streams with shades of blue, turquoise and emerald, and a variety of wildlife.

Venture deep into Pureora Forest Park on the timber trail featuring ancient forest, birdlife, graceful suspension bridges and historic timber industry relics. Take the teenagers surfing at Raglan and spend

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ROAD SAFETY New Zealand has many destinations to get away to that cater for both adults and children

time looking through the many seaside village shops. Stop at the local Four Square supermarket wherever you may travel to pick up items for a picnic lunch.

Heading to the South Island visit the baby seal nursery at the Ohau Stream walkway and waterfall 27 kilometres North of Kaikoura. Explore the different Lord of the Rings film set locations.

Stop off at the Moeraki Boulders and

then carry on toward the Yellow Eyed penguin colony. Further toward Bluff, visit Gemstone Beach and look for jasper, garnets or sapphires amongst the pebbles on the shore.

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10

July 2016

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

ADVERTORIAL

To Be or Not to Be! The current model of agro-chemical production is well past its use by date and out of kilter with today’s consumer call for safe, certified, nutritious food produced in a sustainable and ecofriendly way.

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and a better farming lifestyle working with nature rather than against her.

“Not To Be”, I believe is not an option!

Farming methods are changing all the time and some of those changes over the past 30 years have favoured the merchants at the farmer’s expense.

Looking at that past 30 years we have seen a move towards “synthetic farming” and it is not working. Farming is a natural process with a governed set of natural laws and equations, that if adhered to makes farming a lot more enjoyable and that’s how it should be — the chemical treadmill and its low payout has farmers stressed to the max, paying heavily for rescue remedies that need to be administered on a full time basis.

So, what is it going “to be”? “To be” what is it going “to be”! This is your choice. Remember fortune favours the brave.

Here at Agrissentials we already have the new model of fertility, based around Mother Nature’s laws and designed to remineralise our deficient top soils, regenerate new top soil and enhance the environment, all for the price of our fertilisers which are in-line with current fertiliser costs, but with all the added benefits of building a multi-mineral,

microbial rich, worm wriggling, water retaining soil, enhancing the farm and the environment.

In the mid 1980’s as an agrochemical commercial grower of produce for the Japanese market, my squash plants failed to grow. This created a major change in my thinking, to a point where I made a move towards using more natural fertilisers and managing chemicals out of my spray program; focusing on supplying more mineral content to the plant, so that it would build its own immune system. What a difference that made, not only to the plants health, but to my health too!

There is no denying that our planet is in the midst of an ecological crisis.

However, thanks to gravity, all the products needed to repair the system and especially the soils are still here on our planet.

Basically, the best top soils on our planet are made up of rock dust deposited on the plains and in the valleys through glacial movement. Here at Agrissentials we have sped that process up.

To grow a good healthy plant you need MINERALS — MICROBES — SUNLIGHT — WATER not one or two minerals, but a full spectrum of minerals in a completely natural form — not synthetic Not just one or two microbes, but a full array of micro-organisms in mega numbers. This is what we specialise in, multi-mineral, microbial rich fertilisers bringing health and vitality back to soils, plants, animals, humans and the environment.

Our fertilisers are live, living fertilisers which encourages worm life, which in turn increases mineral potency on

average of 306% over all minerals taken through the worm’s gizzard and deposited in their castings. (Brookside laboratories research on worm castings).

There is a lot of freely available “natural capital” provided by Mother Nature for farming i.e. Topsoil, water, sunlight, micro-organisms, worms, bees, atmospheric minerals, being carbon in the form of C02, oxygen hydrogen and nitrogen all natural and non-polluting, however we are witnessing a lot of destruction of this natural capital through the use of agro-chemical production methods. Agrissentials safe certified system can restore and sustain this pool of free natural capital essential for farming.

Agrissentials have been BioGro certified since 1995. The transfer from chemical production to natural production is extremely simple. The only change is replacing the toxic soluble, synthetic minerals, for a full spectrum of Agrissentials natural minerals and Agrissentials ability to restore the essential natural capital that all farmers depend upon.

There is only one choice. So, call us today and get underway to natural farming and all the benefits derived from this energised system. Call 0800 THE KEY, that’s 0800 843 539. Alternatively you can contact your best on earth fertiliser representative Ben Tippins on 021 738 601 to grab your special deal today.

Note: For the first 100 callers prepared to change to a natural certified system, be it BioGro or Asura, we will hold our fertiliser pricing for the duration of the certifying period, which is three years.

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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES July 2016

LIVESTOCK

11

Cash for best bull calves Dairy farmers in the thick of calving are being offered thousands of dollars for their best bull calves by CRV Ambreed.

The company is offering farmers who breed the best bull calves $4,000 if they are selected for the CRV Progeny Test Program. That $4,000 could turn into $11,000 from graduation payments or more if royalty options are taken.

CRV Breeding Program manager Aaron Parker said with calving now underway, a lucrative source of extra income could be dropping in farm paddocks across the country right now.

“As well as being welcome income for dairy farmers, delivering their best bulls to CRV Ambreed will contribute to genetic diversity, and thus advancement across the national herd. Farmers know best when it comes to their herds.”

Elite bull calves are usually sourced through contract mating, stud breeders and CRV Ambreed’s embryo transfer programme, but it is through farmers nominating their bull calves on the open market where more unique bulls are discovered.

“We’re really looking for bulls whose daughters will be efficient and easy to manage for our farmers,” said Mr Parker.

CRV Ambreed is building its genetic portfolio to suit the broad range of

environments, conditions and farming systems in operation now and in the future. Okura Stud farmers, Luke and Lyna Beehre, offered CRV Ambreed a breeding superstar through the open market in 2005.

Okura Lika Murmur S3J, who recently retired, came from their Northland stud and contributed to the national dairy herd with almost 500,000 semen doses. He sired 22,464 herd testing daughters in New Zealand and many legendary sons. His genetics were also popular in South Africa, North America and Australia.

“He’s bred outstanding sons and daughters with super production, udder and capacity traits,” he said.

“Hundreds of his cows have been contract mated in New Zealand and as a sire of sons he has produced some of the country’s best jersey bulls.”

The more bulls like Mumur in CRV Ambreed’s breeding programme, the greater genetic diversity feeds through to New Zealand’s national herd and the higher the genetic gain. Bull calves from any sires will be considered by CRV Ambreed. “Farmers we haven’t worked

Aaron Parker CRV Breeding Program manager

Meet Your Local Wool Representative at PGG Wrightson Wool

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SEEKING SUPERSTAR BULL CALVES

57 56 Kg carcass weight

with before could potentially have the genetic diversity that we are looking for and could hold the industry’s next superstar.

We are really keen to talk to these farmers right across the country.”

Nominate your bull calf by ringing 0800 262 733 or online submission at www.crv4all. co.nz/contact-us.

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Contact your local CRV Ambreed Rep 0800 262 733 Nominate your calf online www.crv4all.co.nz/contact-us

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12

July 2016

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

WHEN TIMES ARE HARD, WHY SPEND MORE ON A BIKE TO DO THE JOB?

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Excavators • • Graders Bulldozers • • Loaders Dump Trucks • • Rollers & Compaction Access equipment • • Large range of machinery

Ring for all your hire requirements

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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES July 2016

13

Shelters help animals Shelter and protection from the extremes of weather including the wind, rain and the sun is a primary need for animals and plants and shelter helps them to survive and grow.

Dairy feed pads and shelters allow farmers to allocate feed more accurately to each cow resulting in faster growth of yearling animals in the winter. Often dairy production increases of 20 percent are a result of increased pasture growth and cow contentment and efficiency.

A large shed where stock can be housed and fed is an ideal building to protect them for the weather changes.

In winter and spring these sheds or feed pads allow cows to be removed from pasture for part of each day if necessary.

This helps reduce overgrazing and ‘pugging’ of the land which can interrupt grass growth. In summer these shelters help to reduce heat stress in animals.

Animals find comfort when they are able to get into a shaded area to escape the heat.

There are many designs of practical and stylish farm sheds and shelters available. They can often be multipurpose and can be used for hay, wool or equipment, and housing calves or stock.

A lean-to is also a convenient style shelter to provide shade for animals.

Sheep shearing sheds include an area to keep sheep dry overnight before shearing, an open area to sort the fleeces and a storage area for wool bales.

Cows were originally hand-milked in simple sheds and over time sheds have changed to include running water and concrete floors. Now we have the herringbone or rotar y sheds available.

Far ming practices have changed over the years and the farm building designs have altered to accommodate these changes.

Buildings are often available in colour steel or wood and can have additional features such as skylights, bird proofing or canopies, and they can come in

Certified Installer Monier concrete tiles Metro (pressed metal) tiles Long run New roof Reroofs Repair and insurance work carried out

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kitset form or can be custom-made.

Buildings are a significant investment on any farm, regardless of whether it is a lifestyle block or a large livestock or horticultural venture.

P: 06 355 2790 F: 06 355 2792 M: 021 253 2051 E: mccreery@xtra.co.nz PO BOX 20003 Summerhill, Palmerston North 4448

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PH: 0508 FARMSHEDS (0508 327 674) EMAIL: farmsheds@vodafone.co.nz

Farm-it Sheds is a Manawatu based company specialising in all aspects of farm building construction whether it be a single-bay pole shed to a 100 metre long-plus herd home. We manage the project from start to finish for you! “Farm-it Sheds” draws the plans, drills the holes and builds the sheds, taking all aspects of construction by our own teams. Kitsets are available also and the option of “Farmer Build” with a bit of “Farm-it Sheds” help along the way to save you money

POLE SHEDS | STEEL SHEDS | IMPLEMENT SHEDS | SILAGE PITS | COVERED YARDS | ANIMAL SHELTERS

14

July 2016

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

RURAL WHEELS

Refined ute gains six appeal The Volkswagen Amarok has been a worthy contender in the cut-throat world of Kiwi ute sales — a market with more turns of fortune than medieval television epic Game of Thrones.

Seen as the more refined and Euroinspired alternative to rugged favourites such as Ford’s Ranger and Toyota’s Hilux, the Amarok never suffered from a lack of power.

But that hasn’t stopped the lads at the VW design facility in Germany from dialling in a more muscular power plant to complement the ute’s mid-life facelift. And they haven’t gone in by half measures, either.

While new versions of existing vehicles often feature a small tweak and fettle under the hood to deliver a touch more torque or a bit more oomph off the line, the Teutonic engineers — who we must admit share a stable with the octane-drinking masterminds of Audi

and Lamborghini — have slotted in a full litre of extra displacement, creating a 3 litre diesel V6 monster.

The original was no slouch, delivering over 420 Newton metres of torque from a two litre mill. This new incarnation throws the rulebook in a wood chipper, delivering a stump-pulling 550 Nm, and over 220 horsepower.

Taming all this might is left to a beefed-up braking system, sophisticated computer control, and, of course, a far more comfortable driver thanks to improvements in the cabin appointments as well. A special edition — dubbed the Aventura — will come stacked with more automotive bling, including 20 inch mag wheels, bi-xenon headlights and special

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custom detailing. But it’s the extra hardware under the hood which will really step the Amarok’s game up into the territory where it is a serious contender against the likes of the top-of-the-line Ranger Wildtrak — a prestige ute for the gentleman who likes performance and power tempered with visual head-turning appeal. John Frear, head of Commercial Vehicles for Volkswagen New Zealand had this to say about the brand’s new flagship ute.

“We are hugely excited by the addition of the V6 engine to the already powerful

Amarok range. This will sit nicely alongside the existing 2.0L 420Nm powertrain which will remain a core part of the Amarok line-up.

“Now we’ve seen the early images of the facelift Amarok, including significant interior layout updates, I really believe this takes NZ’s most aspirational ute to the next level.

“We’re sure this offers something new for loyal Volkswagen customers as well as plenty to attract those new to the brand when the first vehicles hit showroom floors at the end of this year.”

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Yes you can treat sealed batteries, simply drill into each cell, top up with water, treat, charge and reseal with silicone, sika-flex or a plastic bung.

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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES July 2016

DAIRY

15

Uncommon sense

David Law, Managing Director of Forward Farming Consultancy

It’s flat ”The earth is flat. How do I know? Because everyone around here believes it.”

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as well as nitrate leaching mainly comes from urine patches. These things are true. How do I know? Because everyone around here believes it. That includes the farm consultants who are trained to believe in and preach these conventional concepts. I believed as well.

Until 2002, when I decided to put some other ideas to the test.

I challenged the belief that good production was determined by a high usage of nitrogen.

I discovered that it’s not, and took the farm from growing 14 ton dm/ha/ yr using 150 units of nitrogen/ha/yr to 19 ton dm/ha/yr by only using 30 units of nitrogen.

Here’s some other ‘round earth’ things I discovered: Farming practices that work with the soil’s biology grows significantly longer root systems. The roots on my farm measured 800mm.

That in itself mitigated leaching and grew better grass. Biologically correct soil nutrition grows nutrient-dense feed that has far more palatability. This type of grass can be allowed to grow longer and can be grazed clean by cows at 3300kg/ha. With a longer grazing period more grass is grown, meaning less dependance on bought-in feed.

When all 16 soil nutrients are in their

right percentages, the biological activity in the soil increases significantly. This increase in good organisms produces more enzymes which digest the feed in the cow’s gut. This results in better conversion of feed to milk. You do not see weeping walls or effluent management machinery on biologically efficient farms. That’s because the better digestion rates significantly reduce the solid matter in the effluent. Also, the transfer of good biological activity from the soil-grass-gut-effluent means that the pond contains a higher ratio of fibreeating bacteria. These microbes liquefy the pond. The higher ratio of good soil organisms suppresses the activity of soil pathogens. This causes a drop in animal sickness — mastitis, facial eczema, foot rot, and the need for remedial measures.

Higher biological activity creates better soil physiology. This increases drainage

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which reduces pugging. It also raises the soil temperature which shrinks your winter season length and reduces dry periods because of the extended root systems. That’s what I discovered from 10 years of biological farming. Do other farmers have to go through all that in order to believe in a better science? No. All they need is to see a comparative trial — properly done — where the procedures are transparent, and politics are left out.

More on that next time.

r

Three hundred years ago, a statement like that wouldn’t have raised a single eyebrow. Back then, belief in a flat earth was so entrenched, it was preposterous to think otherwise, and if you did, you were labelled a mad man.

That’s how widely held convictions work. The sheer number of ’believers’ creates a pressure that makes it easy to conform and very difficult to entertain another idea.

Back in 2002, some farmers regarded me as a ‘round earther’ because I began to seriously look at running my farm on biological principles. It doesn’t work, they told me. It’s airy-fairy, they laughed.

That’s not how we do it, they said.

How do we do it? What are the widespread beliefs that farmers hold to so deeply it seems to them ludicrous to think otherwise?

Superphosphate and urea are the way to grow grass. Grass should be grazed at 2800kg/ha to maintain quality. At 2.5 leaf growth stage grass begins to die and should be grazed by then for best quality and production. Grass roots grow to 75mm, overseer measures leaching below the root zone, weeds are bad and should be sprayed, ryegrass is superior and is the feed of choice on a dairy farm, soil biology doesn’t affect grass growth,

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Animal Health Products HIGH CELL Count? Apple Cider Vinegar, Garlic & Manuka Honey 20L $49.95, 200L $450 or 1000L $2,000 +GST with free delivery. Black Type Minerals Ltd. Phone 021 185 1501. blacktypeminerals.co.nz.

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Calf Milk Powder JULY PROMOTION for Brytec Calf Milk Powder FREE delivery North Island $2875.00 per tonne $2975 plus deccox. Inc GST South island $3025.00 per tonne $3125 plus deccox. Inc GST Analysis 15-18% Fat.30-35% Protein. 40-45% Lactose. No additives just High Grade Cows Milk Powder. Call or text Ted: 02040619534 tedcharlton@gmx.com http://www.facebook.com/calfmilkpowder. www.calfmilkpowder.co.nz.

16

July 2016

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

Retailer of Rural Piping and Farm Supplies

0800 RURAL DIRECT

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July only

LDPE IRRIGATOR DRAG HOSE

8 BAR RATED - SUITS CAMLOCKS

90mm

$ 95.00 6m $137.00 6m $199.00 6m fittings available

DRAG hose

EFFLUENT pipe 75mm

Price

6.87 per metre $ 9.00 per metre $11.68 per metre

Hard-wearing LDPE suits AG camlocks

$

63mm x

50m $199

63mm x 100m $389

Suitable for above ground use.

MAXI culvert Twinwall Culvert Pipe SIZE NOMINAL ID

100mm 150mm 225mm 300mm 375mm 450mm 525mm 600mm 750mm

6M PRICE

$ 30 $ 65 $ 140 $ 275 $ 367 $ 525 $ 630 $ 788 $1104

3M PRICE

$95 $165 $220 $315 $378 $473 $663

TARANAKI / WHANGANUI

225mm x 6m

$

140

.00

Incorporating the strength of corrugated Ma de in outer shell with the smooth Ne w Ze inner wall to optimise hydraulics ala nd Full range of fittings available Rubber ring seals available for water tight joins

83 Wallscourt Place Normandy Phone (06) 272 8187 Fax (06) 272 8188 Email taranaki@ruraldirect.net.nz

MANAWATU / HAWKES BAY

77728 State Highway 2 Dannervirke Phone (06) 374 8971 Fax (06) 374 8971 Email manawatu@ruraldirect.net.nz

All items in this advertisement are while stocks last. Phone Rural Direct for conditions of delivery. ALL PRICES INCLUDE GST.