Manawatu Farming Lifestyles, June 2017 by Integrity Community Media

Manawatu

FARMING Lifestyles

June 2017 Edition

12,965 copies DELIVERED FREE to every rural delivery address in Manawatu

Animal genetics interest

Education through conservation P6

Double vision

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Dairying won career choice Page 4â&#x20AC;&#x201C;5

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June 2017

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

Horizons assisting with myrtle rust search

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

Horizons Regional Council’s biosecurity staff are assisting the Ministry for Primary Industries as the search for the serious fungal disease, myrtle rust, continues.

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Horizons Regional Council biosecurity officer Dave Alker suits up to check leaves for signs of myrtle rust

Myrtle rust was first detected in New Zealand in a Northland nursery in May and is believed to have arrived via spores from Australia. Severe infestations can kill affected plants in the myrtle family, such as pohutukawa and manuka, and have long-term impacts on the regeneration of young plants and seedlings. Nationally there have been 34 confirmed cases, which include private properties, nurseries, a golf course and an orchard. While most infections are on seedlings, some more recent detections were in established pohutukawa. Horizons biodiversity, biosecurity, and partnerships manager Rod Smillie said while Te Apiti — Manawatu Gorge had an initial scare of myrtle rust a few weeks ago, the area has since been declared free of the disease. “In fact, the whole ManawatuWhanganui region has no known cases,” says Mr Smillie. “However, that doesn’t mean we aren’t being vigilant.” “In addition to assessing upcoming riparian plantings for the disease, three of our biosecurity team have been in Taranaki where 29 confirmed cases have been found,” he said. Led by MPI, the biosecurity capability network (of which Horizons is a partner)

have set up a local coordination centre in Taranaki. Mr Smillie said Horizons staff can expect further rosters there in the near future. “The process requires suiting up and checking every leaf before decontaminating themselves to ensure no potential spores are transferred when they move onto the next property. “Should a plant potentially have the disease, it is double bagged and sent to Auckland for testing. “With numerous plant species susceptible to myrtle rust, it is a very thorough operation.” The MPI Response Team has established a welfare team to assist people and businesses applying for financial compensation for losses incurred as a result of actions taken under the Biosecurity Act. Members of the public have been asked to check their own gardens and planting areas for myrtle rust and to report any suspicious detections to MPI on 0800 80 99 66. Myrtle rust generally attacks soft, new growth, including leaf surfaces, shoots, buds, flowers, and fruit. Symptoms to look for include bright yellow powdery spots on both sides of leaves.

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New funding for climate change projects Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy and Associate Minister Louise Upston have announced $3.3 million in new funding for eight climate change research projects in the agriculture, horticulture and forestry sectors. The research projects were approved by the Ministry for Primary Industries under its Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change (SLMACC) research programme. The SLMACC research programme helps agriculture and forestry sectors with the challenges arising from climate change. This is achieved through enhancing and supporting adaptation to climate change, reducing agricultural greenhouse gases, encouraging the establishment of forest sinks, managing deforestation, and capitalising on new business opportunities arising from the world’s response to climate change. Mr Guy said this funding plays an important part in helping our primary industries prepare for the future challenges of climate change. “The information we obtain through these research projects help us better understand the effects that climate change has on our primary sectors, and to make informed decisions for the future. “There is a high calibre of research projects approved for funding. For example, AgResearch will be looking at the energy efficiency of livestock agrifood products through their lifecycle to overseas markets. “Another project will look at the potential impact of climate change on where different horticultural industries are based,” he said. Four of the eight projects involve the forestry industry.

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June 2017

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

BY DENISE GUNN From a young age, Paul Mercer planned to become either a farmer or a mechanic. With the opportunity to try both occupations, dairy farming came out as the winner.

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At the age of 16, Paul left school and worked for his uncle for a season. He then attended UCOL and completed an automotive course. “I was relief milking that year and also worked two days at TRC Tractors in Feilding as work experience,” said Paul. “After that I realised what I wanted to do and worked one more season for my uncle.” In 2013, Paul began work as a farm assistant for Jarrod and Nikki Greenwood. The couple won the 2017 Manawatu Share Farmers of the Year, and currently milk 320 cows on Ian Strahan’s 109ha effective dairy platform near Palmerston North.

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Paul is now 2IC and placed second in the 2017 Manawatu Dairy Manager of the Year competition. In 2015 he was runner-up in the Manawatu Dairy Trainee of the Year contest. In the lead-up to the Manawatu Dairy Industry Awards, Paul said the team ensured everything was recorded during the season. “We did everything we could to have the farm running as well as it can,” said Paul. With the basics well taken care of, it was just a matter of fine-tuning the property. “With good records in place, I then did my presentation which shows what we have done and how we have done it.” Two crops are grown on the farm — 16ha of chicory and just over four hectares of fodder beet. “The chicory is fed from December to April and we aim to harvest 14 tonne of dry matter. “The fodder beet was a 22 tonne/ dry matter crop and we feed this from February to May.” Paul said there are also plans to pull out three-and-a-half hectares of sugarbeet and feed through the mixer wagon in spring. Silage is not harvested on the platform. The farm is currently on target for 160,000kgMS with the herd

producing 500kgMS per cow. Paul enjoys the variety each day brings with dairy farming, and the range of options available when dealing with challenges that arise. He also appreciates the opportunities for progressing up the dair y industry ladder. “And the dairy farming community is great,” he added. As a member of the Fitzherbert Young Farmers Club, Paul is the new member’s liaison officer and encourages young people in the industry to get involved. “Young Farmers is great fun and you meet a great bunch of people,” he said. Achieving a balance between work and life has been one challenge Paul has found difficult. “This can be hard to achieve and sometimes you feel like all you have done is work. “I find setting time and actually planning a good holiday away is what I need.” Next season Paul and his wife Laura will take up a contract milking position and work towards reaching the targets set for that farm. “In the long term I want to achieve targets and build my equity towards herd ownership,” he said. Paul is also aiming to become a leader and role model within the dairy industry.

A herd of 320 cows are currently milked on Ian Strahan’s 109ha effective dairy platform at Tiakitahuna

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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

ANIMAL GENETICS INTEREST BY DENISE GUNN

GROWING UP ON THE FAMILY’S SOUTHLAND SHEEP FARM SET THE FOUNDATION FOR MASSEY PHD STUDENT ISABEL TAIT TO PURSUE HER DREAM OF BECOMING AN ANIMAL GENETICS RESEARCHER. THE INTENSIVE SHEEP FARM AT OTAHUTI, RUNS 2,500 ROMNEY AND 100 POLL DORSET BREEDING EWES.

lthough the high school Isabel attended didn’t offer an agriculture class, she believes her subconscious interest in animal

breeding and genetics stemmed from attending numerous ram auctions with her father in Gore. The pair would purchase Poll Dorset rams to improve

ISABEL AT THE OPIKI YOUNG FARMERS CLUB JUBILEE

the genetics, specifically eye muscle depth, of the family’s Poll Dorset breeding flock. “I also liked assisting Dad in choosing Romney rams for the breeding flock,” she said. When Isabel headed to Massey University, she initially considered studying towards a Bachelor of Veterinary Science. However during the first year of study, she discovered a vast array of courses available leading to different careers in the agricultural sector. After completing a Bachelor of AgriScience degree, she went on to finish her honours year focussing on the effect of skin thickness on lamb survival.

Her interest in the theory of animal genetics began whilst studying towards a third year paper ‘Genetics for Livestock Improvement’. This research looked at the skin thickness, fat depth and eye muscle depth relationships with the breeding value for lamb survival. It involved calculating heritabilities of lamb weaning weight and skin thickness, fat and eye muscle depth at eight months of age. Isabel graduated in 2014 with first-class honours and became involved as a junior research officer for the Pastoral 21 Next Generation Dairy Systems programme. This five-year farm programme, involving DairyNZ, Lincoln University, Telford Farm Training Institute

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and Massey University’s No. Four Dairy Farm, was designed to provide systems to lift production and reduce nutrient loss. She said working on that project was a big eye-opener to the industry. “I also started to see where I could apply my undergraduate learning.” It was around this time that Isabel thought research would be an area she would like to continue. In October she decided to undertake a PhD in animal genetics. Her study will focus on understanding the genetic parameters of the body condition scores of sheep and beef breeding cattle. Isabel enjoys the challenges her studies present. “It keeps me interested and constantly learning new skills and information.” This year, as a member of the Opiki Young Farmers Club, Isabel has proven her versatility, with the opportunity to put the hands-on skills and experience learnt on the family farm to good use. Isabel was the sole female finalist in the Taranaki/Manawatu FMG Young Farmer of the Year Regional Final. Isabel joined the Massey Young Farmers Club in 2011 and two years later held the professional development role. In 2015, when she began working at Massey University as a junior research officer, she transferred to the Opiki Young Farmers Club. Last year she held the position of secretary and is now currently vice-chairman. Isabel is also treasurer for the Taranaki/Manawatu regional committee. “I enjoy meeting new people who can be from a range of backgrounds and working in different industries,” said Isabel. “At the end of the day we all have a common passion for agriculture.” Running and regularly attending the gym keeps her strength up,

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along with playing football. “During my undergraduate degree, I played rugby for the Massey Maidens and I played football, first for the Massey Thunderbirds and now for Hokowhitu Womens 1st XI,” said Isabel. “I am an active person and have played these sports since high school along with many others, including rowing.” Isabel plans to continue growing her farming knowledge and skills with the goal of eventually reaching the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final. On completion of her PhD, Isabel hopes to obtain a post-doctorate position, preferably in New Zealand working in research to provide relevant information to pastoral livestock farmers.

“I would like to be in a role doing research and then bridging the gap between the science and on-farm practice,” she said. “My goal is to make a difference in the sheep and beef industry by getting the science out to farmers to help make farming more profitable while still being sustainable.”

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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES June 2017

Passengers on quad bikes Carrying a passenger on a quad bike that is not designed for more than one person can increase the risk of accidents by making it more unstable, more difficult to control, and more likely to roll over. Worksafe New Zealand has clarified the circumstances in which it is acceptable to carry passengers on single-seat quad bikes in consultation with Federated Farmers, Beef + Lamb NZ, and DairyNZ. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, persons conducting a business or undertaking such as farming must identify and manage risks arising from work, so far as is reasonably practicable. WorkSafe’s position on quad bikes is that single-seat quad bikes should not normally be used to carry passengers. “WorkSafe’s guidance is that you should use the safest vehicle for the job. When carrying a passenger this would mean using a vehicle specifically designed for more than one person,” said Al McCone, WorkSafe sector lead — agriculture. WorkSafe acknowledges that farmers and others using quad bikes for work need the policy clarified so they clearly understand what is acceptable in terms of carrying passengers. It is only acceptable when there is no reasonable alternative having considered factors such as availability

of alternative vehicles, terrain, and rider and passenger capability. In those cases where a passenger is taken, appropriate mitigation measures must be taken — including limiting speed, briefing the passenger on best practice riding, and avoiding unsuitable terrain. If carrying a passenger on a quad bike is a recurring necessary practice, you should be looking at acquiring an alternative vehicle suitable for the circumstances as soon as is practicable. The clarification also stipulates that carrying a child as a passenger on a quad bike creates a particular set of risks that you need to consider. As with the general principle, you may only carry a child as a passenger if there is no reasonable alternative and following an assessment of the related risk and risk-mitigation measures. “This is a good example of WorkSafe and farmers working together to find practical solutions. We all want fewer accidents and injuries on our farms, so the important thing is that we always consider risk and this guidance emphasises that,” said Beef + Lamb NZ chief executive Sam McIvor.

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Therapy for osteoarthritis Part 1 Everyone is different and this is certainly true when using nutritional therapy for osteoarthritis. Sometimes these differences are obvious — helping someone in their 80s with advanced arthritis is different from someone in their 40s who have had their first joint niggles. Other differences though are not so obvious. In some people joint pain is more from inflammation while in others more from the actual joint deterioration. This series of columns looks at some personal stories and the methods we used to bring improvements. I have just spoken with someone with significant osteoarthritis. He is in his 80s and has long term osteoarthritis in his ankles, knees and hips which caused significant pain with restricted mobility. He rated his discomfort at 7/10 and was faced with further steady deterioration. He was already doing some positive things through supplements with a good Omega 3 and a joint supplement. What we did was to fine tune his programme and introduce an antiinflammatory nutrition programme.

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The main supplement component was to lift chondroitin sulphate to over 1000mg daily combined with curcumin and glucosamine. This is much higher than in many joint products. After only 2 months he now rates his pain at 2/10 down from 7/10. He is both surprised and delighted having lived with this for a long time. Our body, including our joints, is equipped with powerful healing processes which can be overwhelmed when fighting a disease processes. The first goal of nutritional medicine is to get these working again. Once these are activated the body can then set to work trying to heal the problem. In the case of my client the supplements played a huge role in stimulating this often latent healing force. For more information give me a call or email john@abundant.co.nz. You can read back issues at www. abundant.co.nz John Arts is a qualified nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health. Contact John on 0800 423 559. To read more go to www.sunlive.co.nz

• Chondroitin and glucosamine are building blocks of cartilage. • Supplementation with correct levels can support healthy cartilage function and cartilage repair processes. • Curcumin from turmeric helps to balance joint immune function to support joint health. • Research suggests chondroitin is effective only at levels of over 700mg daily.

John Arts comments: “I formulated Bettaflex based on the latest research into natural compounds that can help with joint support and function. The normal dose is 2 capsules daily but I recommend a double dose for the first 1-2 bottles to saturate joint tissue.” (John Arts, Founder Abundant Health Ltd)

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June 2017 MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES June 2017

LIVESTOCK

Wool Perspective

From Rob Cochrane GM, Procurement, PGG Wrightson Wool

Crossbred prices remain sluggish Market conditions for crossbred wools have continued to be extremely tough with returns delivering less than cost of production in many cases. On the flip-side, fine wool prices have remained buoyant as demand appears to be outstripping supply big-time. For many mid micron types, market interest has also remained positive, particularly with the small volumes of these types offered for sale during the past few weeks. As new season’s pre-lamb shorn wools begin to filter onto the market, many producers of strong wool who may not have been exposed to the market place for almost twelve months, could struggle to come to terms with the low pricing structure which has evolved during that time period. At recent wool auctions crossbred prices have remained sluggish and, in particular, an obvious lack of interest for poor scouring colour and/or very short second shear and/or medium-to-high levels of vegetable fault has become

apparent as buyers are more selective with their purchases, a probable reflection of a distinct slim order book particularly from Chinese mills. The majority of buyers have shown most interest in well prepared, good colour, sound tensile strength wools with a minimum staple length of approximately seventy-five millimetres. Halfbred and finer Corriedale types have received good support from the trade recently, buoyed by the very solid global fine wool market. Well prepared halfbred types drew widespread interest from buyers at all Christchurch wool auctions during May with most micron categories improving slightly in value at each offering perhaps a reflection of the limited supply available at this time of year, and with so many clips in recent years having either succumbed to

crossbred sheep or a complete change in land use, such as dairy or viticulture. The very small quantity of merino wool types available to the exporting trade in New Zealand during the past few weeks have drawn fantastic interest, with the also small number of vendors mostly ecstatic about the returns for their, mainly, short and or oddment types. Australian wool brokers and exporters have also reported a continued improvement for their wools, with only a couple of sales during the past month or so experiencing a slight easing in price before regaining the lost ground. At the time of writing there had been some publicity condemning pollution via plastic micro-fibres ejected into the seas around our planet, generally as a bye-product of clothes washing. At a time when natural products appear to be enjoying support around the world,

often driven by younger folk who insist on sustainable consumer products, wool surely has a great opportunity to win ground as a fibre of choice both for apparel but also interior furnishings. Wool, being flame retardant, biodegradable, and a naturally renewable resource, in my opinion, ticks plenty of boxes for everyone. The Campaign for Wool has focussed on all of those properties and is doing a great job of promoting wool across these sectors. At this time of year we could all do much better promoting woolen garments to our families to be worn simply for warmth. The term ‘fleece’ is used often for garments made from entirely man-made fibres, but with an obvious connotation of natural warmth. Does that annoy you? It sure annoys me. That’s my view.

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June 2017

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES June 2017

EDUCATION Education through conservation by Anna Harding

This year the Project Crimson Treemendous programme celebrates 10 years of working with schools from across New Zealand, to enhance an important ecological area. By the end of the year, the programme will have worked with 44 schools. The programme is a partnership between Project Crimson and the Mazda Foundation. Project Crimson has been around since 1990, as after a 1989 research project it was clear that some native trees could be wiped out in parts of the country. So Project Crimson, in partnership with the Department of Conservation was established to fight for their survival. With a mission to get ‘New Zealanders actively connected to nature and contributing to healthy and sustainable ecosystems’, the Treemendous programme is one of many collaborative ventures of Project Crimson. The programme has been developed to assist schools in covering all stages of environmental education. “It is in the development of skills and the active participation that the real win occurs for our children and our environment,” said the organisers. “Through the

Treemendous programme we are helping to shape responsible citizenship through a strong environmental education programme.” Applications for Treemendous school makeovers are now open, with stage one applications closing on Friday, June 23. To apply visit treemendous.org.nz and explain why a school should receive a makeover and how a specific area could be transformed into a new outdoor area with native trees and plants. This can be in writing, a short video or picture story board. Ten finalists will be selected for stage two, where they then must submit a plan and budget for the proposed makeover. From there, four winners will be chosen by the judging panel to receive a makeover in 2018, worth up to $10,000. Runners-up will each receive $500 towards their project.

Students from Renwick School in Marlborough, ready to plant native trees. One of the many schools that the Treemendous programme have worked with since 2007

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June 2017

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

FORESTRY

Forestry Report

100

John Turkington Owner/Director of John Turkington Ltd

So many questions

IT’S NOT A TARGET

If you own a block of trees of any size and are wondering what the next step is. Questions often thought about are: When is the best time to harvest my trees? What are they worth? Should I prune them? Should I replant them? and many more.

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John Turkington Ltd (JTL) is a widely experienced forestry company whose staff can answer your forestry questions and provide a multitude of other services to you as a forest owner. JTL markets more than 700,000 tonnes of logs annually and operates at a scale that caters to the smaller woodlot but also the large forest. JTL has been operating since 1993 and has always been focussed

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on maximising forest owner returns, but also aims to provide positive experiences for growers with a view to encouraging a prosperous and sustainable forest industry. Innovative Solutions: JTL also aims to lead developments in the forest industry. One example is rail log transport. Forestry is a high volume business, and transporting logs to market efficiently is key to forestry profitability and success. Logs have been transported by rail for generations, however to a limited extent in the lower North Island until recently. Since JTL started business it was evident log rail transport to high volume destinations such as ports would be an efficient and cost-effective method for log transport. This goal of transporting logs by train was realised in 2011 when the Palmerston log transfer yard was established in partnership with Kiwi Rail and Foxpine who load the trains. JTL also transfer logs from road to train in

Wanganui and Masterton rail yards. Log train transport utilises the rail network, reduces truck movements on the port city roads and creates efficiencies for ports and transport operators. These efficiencies help to maximise returns to forest owners. Harvesting your forest: One question often asked is: When is the best time to harvest my forest? There are a number of factors leading to a decision to harvest — one of them being net return. Log prices and particularly export prices have fluctuated over time. Currently export log prices are at the upper end of historical value and although not the only reason to start harvesting, strong pricing might be the driver to initiate the harvest process. If you would like JTL to assess your forest and answer your forestry questions give us a call John Turkington 027 445 8410 or Kim Speedy 027 632 1216.

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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES June 2017

DAIRY

Uncommon sense

David Law, Managing Director of Forward Farming Consultancy

A better way 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 3,300kg/ 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.

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Also, the transfer of good biological activity from the soil-grass-gut-effluent means that the pond contains a higher ratio of fibre-eating 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, 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. Our focus now is to teach other farmers how to move forward.

Avoid Drink Driving Be THe SOBER D FOR A nIGHT

ow i

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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. 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 tonne dm/ha/yr using 150 units of nitrogen/ha/yr to 19 tonne dm/ha/ yr by only using 30 units of nitrogen. Here’s some other ‘round earth’ things

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June 2017

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

DAIRY

The value of effluent management Clean waterways are an ongoing rural concern highlighted by the fact that in Northland, tens of thousands of shoreline plantings have begun to make a big difference in water quality. But the real key to quality long term lies with the farmer. On the agricultural front the value of animal effluent is a fact of life and has consequences for the bottom line. Effluent disposal also means effluent utilisation. The by product, particularly of dairying, is a great fertiliser. It contains nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium

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(K), magnesium (Mg), sulphur (S) and trace elements that you’d normally pay for to have applied to pasture. The average dairy herd of 250 animals produces the same amount of effluent as a medium sized rural town. When spread over land and applied correctly the effluent of 100 cows can save thousands of dollars. While it might be ‘liquid gold’ water troughs need to be protected from spray sources as well as waterways, where the rule is to keep the distribution 50 metres away. Soil can only filter so much effluent and therefore application depths should be adjusted accordingly to reflect soil and weather conditions. Too much effluent can kill pasture — especially where effluent has ‘ponded’ on the soil surface as well as polluting nearby streams and rivers as it runs off paddocks into waterways. Then there is ground water itself that must be protected, and that’s where local knowledge comes into play. Getting a certified assessor can be good practice, particularly when effluent systems have been upgraded. You may not be aware of all the rules that must be complied with. Dairy industry advice is that when

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buying or selling a farm, it’s advisable to get an independent person to prepare a comprehensive report. The assessor checks over the entire farm where there are areas that effluent collects and the corresponding infrastructure, including feed pads, underpasses, storage ponds and the irrigation network as well as a lot more. It is a thorough assessment and also diagnostic. It takes between three and four hours to complete. A report is then prepared for the farm owner or manager.

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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES June 2017

DAIRY

Oh Poos

Nigel Pedley of Pedley Slurry Service Ltd

Prevention is the best cure You cannot prevent poo but you can prevent a mess. Wet weather like this can make preparing for winter and spring difficult, especially when it comes to effluent. Here are some suggestions that might help your effluent storage to stay compliant and hopefully a bit less messy. Firstly, get prepared ahead of time. These are some factors you should think about. When will cropping paddocks be ready for effluent application? How much solid effluent do you have? Which paddocks are most accessible, driest and in the most need of nutrients? How much storage do you have and need? Call contractors ahead of time so that they can prioritise your jobs around the weather. Make a plan so that when the weather improves you are ready to go. Think about different storage solutions. As this season is especially wet, your usual methods of effluent storage may not be coping. There are different approaches to storing effluent. It may be worthwhile to investigate investing in more storage space. Think about spreading options. There are also

different methods to spread effluent. Contact your effluent contractor about the different spreading systems that they can offer. They will be able to advise you on what is more appropriate for your farm and to keep you compliant. Injecting, for example can sometimes be a more worthwhile option especially in winter because there is less risk of effluent run off. Get the nutrient values of your effluent tested to allow you to apply it as fertiliser. Manure is always going to be the best option for your soil because it not only contains vital nutrients, it also contains organic matter. It is important for your RMA compliance to know the

level of nitrogen in your effluent. Testing allows you to calculate how heavily you can spread the effluent. If your effluent has not been tested experienced contractors will spread your effluent based on average effluent nitrogen levels. Getting your effluent tested is an easy and worthwhile process. Your effluent contractor will be able to provide this service through an accredited laboratory. Nigel Pedley of Pedley Slurry Service Ltd has been spreading effluent in the Manawatu and the lower North Island for 10 years. For further information, phone Nigel on 0800 Oh Poos 0800 64 7667.

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June 2017

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

RURAL WHEELS

Double vision

by Andy Bryenton

The age of the station wagon is over — the era of the crossover SUV is firmly here to stay. But what does that mean if you still want the convenience of that long, flat boot space and the lower operating costs of a stretched sedan? Is there room in the new world of bigger rims and jacked up ride heights for something to truly usurp the kind of cars which took us to innumerable childhood camping holidays? Ssangyong are among those who say yes — and they’ve brought something new to the table to back up their assertion. Taking the platform of their break-out hit — the funky, compact little Tivoli — the Korean automakers have given it a tweak and a stretch, creating the new Tivoli XLV. The original combined everything the world enjoyed in the original supermini — funky twotone paintwork, crisp retro-inspired lines, nimble handling and a low fuel bill. Now it’s been given the kind of extra boost in space which we used to see in big Commodore and Falcon sedans when they became the station wagon or estate model. This renders an impressive 720 litres of boot space, with the option for even more when the rear seats fold flat. In

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standard configuration that means room for five with plenty of gear — the ideal family touring machine. Dad’s old Valiant may have been twice the size, but this modern alternative packs in more comfort, more technology, and importantly a ton of safety systems unheard of in the days of cassette tapes and tartan blanket seat covers. As well as a full suite of airbags and an electronic stability programme, electronic brake-force distribution and anti-lock brakes work together to ensure that the front and rear wheels brake proportionately according to the number of occupants and the weight of

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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES June 2017

Off the beaten track

by Andy Bryenton

Adventure is rarely found inside one’s comfort zone. That’s an adage which has remained true since the time of the hardiest early explorers, and one which still holds true today. To really find the great outdoors, you need a machine that’s equal to the challenge. And when it comes to motorcycles, that means sticking with a tried and true recipe. While ‘adventure’ bikes designed with road tyres and a suite of creature comforts abound for the two-wheeled traveller, the classic combination of a big, torque-delivering single pot engine, bulletproof and simple, mated to a high-riding but responsive frame is still king. That’s why, after years of producing award-winning and competition beating off road bikes, Suzuki still stick to the original template when they upgrade their dr650 series. The latest generation of the big adventure bike is uncompromising as a tool for leaving civilisation behind, offering paramount reliability, agility and grunt to stomp down even the gnarliest terrain. The surprise here, then, is not that the dr650 is a consummate off-roader. The real trick is the calm, smooth road manners of the big Suzuki single-cylinder bike on tarmac. Offering the best of both worlds can sometimes be a difficult proposition, but Suzuki’s engineers have hit the nail squarely on the head thanks to years

of refinement and customer feedback. A combination of plenty of power from that 644cc air cooled, single overhead cam four stroke mill and a smooth five speed gearbox means there’s plenty of down-low grunt and grip, as well as long legs for cruising. And while every panel, guard, fender and component is tough to take the knocks, it’s a handsome beast as well. Weight has been pared back, too, adding to the crisp handling characteristics of what has always been a sure-footed model. Speaking of sure footing — and long legs — there’s even an option to drastically lower the seat height on the dr650, allowing those of a less towering stature to plant their feet comfortably at traffic stops. Lighter, tighter and still the kind of machine which takes off-road punishment in its stride, the dr650 continues a long line of Suzuki offroad dominance which has seen this recipe for success imitated — but rarely beaten. And with the complete package coming in well below the 10k mark in price, there’s plenty left in the budget for all the camping and outdoor gear which this classic adventurer can haul to just about any point on the map.

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