Northern Farming Lifestyles, April 2014

Northern

Farming Lifestyles April 2014 Edition

33,400 copies DELIVERED FREE to every farm and rural delivery address from Albany to Cape Reinga

People power helps forest sing again CONTACT US 0800 867 6737

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Dairy Woman of the Year celebrates Pages 8–9

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April 2014

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES

Northland estuary environments in focus

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

Phone: 09 439 6933 or 0800 466 793 • Fax: 09 439 6930 Email: info@thelifestyler.co.nz Postal Address: PO Box 474, Dargaville Physical Address: Lifestyler House, 107 River Road, Dargaville General Manager: Deb Wright | 021 639 9633 Editorial: Paul Campbell Andy Bryenton Colin Patterson Joanne Speechly Cynthia Matthews

Northern Farming Lifestyles Distribution area

Graphic Design: Gavin Bainbridge Jan Balcombe Paul Bakulich James Menzies Jessica Wright Greer Mackay

Advertising: Betty Willetts

Farm runoff which affects Northland estuaries and waterways is going under scrutiny.

Production: Brenda Ilton Vivian Webb

Accounts: Lesley Robinson | accounts@nsmm.co.nz Distribution: Laurie Willetts Website: www.farminglifestyles.co.nz

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Northland waterways are getting attention

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The health of several Northland estuaries could soon be boosted by the combined efforts of hundreds of students thanks to a recent Northland Regional Council teacher workshop at Ngunguru.

Twenty-one teachers from across the North attended the workshop late last month which was aimed at boosting estuary catchment care education in Northland schools.

NRC environmental education officer, Susan Botting, says teachers who attended are expecting to work with more than 1000 students back at their schools to put what they’ve learned into action.

“We’re looking forward to seeing how teachers integrate their new estuary catchment-care skills into their school life and how students in turn start to take action in local estuaries.”

She says setting up estuary sedimentation monitoring, measuring water quality and investigating estuary catchments will be among the student actions resulting from the workshop.

Participating schools were based in six Northland estuary and harbour catchments — the Bay of Islands, Kaipara, Mangawhai, Ngunguru, Ruakaka and Whangarei.

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Council technical specialists ran hands-on sessions to help teachers learn how to set up estuary health monitoring through measuring cockle populations and sedimentation rates.

Estuary catchments were also investigated with teachers exploring challenges facing their local estuary, the differing values people held for it and how people could contribute to its health. Ngunguru School’s estuarythemed environmental education was also showcased.

“Estuaries are a key feature of Northland’s coast,” Ms Botting says.

“Rivers, streams and creeks flow from the land behind our estuaries.

What happens on that land has a huge influence on the estuaries where we like to gather kaimoana, swim, play and more.”

Teachers from schools spanning Oromahoe in the mid-North to Mangawhai in the south attended the workshop, representing primary, area, and secondary schools.

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NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES April 2014

Water storage on meeting agenda

3

by Paul Campbell

The adverse event declaration covering drought in Northland’s West Coast will not provide a lot of direct financial assistance but will provide huge psychological relief, according to Federated Farmers.

However, many farmers from Auckland to the Cape will find cold comfort in that sentiment with the dry weather putting pressure on supplementary feed supplies and eroding farm profits as farmers pay rising prices.

Farmers in the region have been forced to take action by drying off their herds early to ease the feeding burden.

But Federated Farmers Northland provincial president Roger Ludbrook says a meeting on April 22 is going to focus on the way forward, as weathermen and scientists seem to agree that the big dry is becoming a fact of farming life, with thoughts turning to drought resistant pastures as well as water supply.

“In the longer term, drought prone regions like Northland should have water strategies in place because New Zealand doesn’t suffer from a water shortage issue, just a water storage one,” Mr Ludbrook says.

“You can bet we will be focussing on these things at Federated Farmer’s Northland provincial annual meeting on April 22 at Westpac in Whangarei.

They’re fairly key to the future of farming here.”

Mr Ludbrooke added that “the big thing the adverse event declaration triggers is the Northland Rural Support Trust, so any farmer can approach the RST for free advice on farm management, or just someone to have a decent chinwag with.

“Beyond this, it doesn’t mean much financially unless the absolute worst happens. There is a safety net, but it is exactly the same as for any other New Zealander and carries the same eligibility rules.

“Then there is Inland Revenue and to be fair to them they aren’t unapproachable.

time of the season. Speak to your feed merchant and those you have feed contracts with. You need to keep everyone in the loop.

“I am talking to the national office to activate Federated Farmer’s feed line in order to provide an additional backstop.

“The immediate solution is of course rain, but over the medium term, farmers need to start looking at drought resistant pasture.

“If there are farm and non-farm businesses out there who are struggling, I encourage you to get your accountant to talk to them.

“At this time the federation really encourages farmers to talk to their bank as well. You need to keep them up to

date since they’re the ones bank-rolling your business but of course, whatever you borrow needs to be paid back.

“While autumnal rains will come, winter feed has been used and it’s doubtful if we’ll get pasture covers back to where they ought to be at this

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April 2014

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES

Gecko cheese makers GRINNING ALL OVER

BY COLIN PATTERSON

PHOTOS BY LENKA MASON

Catherine McNamara got into cheese at an early age. “My father had a passion for cheese,” says Catherine “I got it from him.”

N

ow many years later and half a world away, cheese has become her life.

She and her husband James have founded the Grinning Gecko Cheese Company which is has developed a growing reputation for producing quality handmade organic cheeses from their premises in the port area of Whangarei.

Yet it very nearly didn’t happen.

Catherine had a successful career in human resources, while James was an engineer. They had a dream that one day they would run a business together. But nothing seemed to suit their skill set.

“One day I was walking the dog, and I stopped and wondered — what could I do? It came down to chocolate

and cheese. But I knew nothing about chocolate.” So Catherine enrolled in a course at the New Zealand Cheese School in Whangarei. She also stepped up making cheese at home.

“A good cheese is really easy to make,” she says. “But it’s harder to make it again. “ Cheese making is trial and error, working out what works and what doesn’t. But good record keeping is essential.

She says cheese making is almost a forgotten art. “One hundred years ago just about everybody could make cheese. Now everybody could learn it, but not everybody could be good at it.”

Catherine McNamara checks out a consignment of cheese during the production process

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Regular checks take place as the cheese is produced

She says the secret to good cheese making is continual learning, a willingness to take advice, plus lots of reading. Four years ago Catherine and James took their first steps into full-time cheese making. “We bought a building in a rundown state. It took us two years to bring it up to scratch.”

Then they had to acquire cheese making equipment. They bought a second-hand pasteuriser from Southland, while liquid food process systems came from Thermaflow in Palmerston North.

After lots of testing the first Grinning Gecko cheese rolled off the production line in January 2013. There were was little fanfare. Catherine says they decided on a slow, steady policy of controlled growth, determined not to become too big, too soon. That also allowed them to keep a hands-on approach to ensuring quality.

But in the year they have been in business Grinning Gecko has become well known to those who enjoy fine cheese. Last year they took away a bronze medal from the New Zealand Cheese Awards. This year they did better with their camembert winning a silver medal. “We were stoked. Camembert is a tricky thing to get right.” Catherine

and James sell at farmer’s markets in Whangarei and Kerikeri and they also supply some local restaurants and the store at Tutakaka. They have just completed an order for 850 blocks of Halloumi for ‘My Shopping Bag’ — an online retailer. “It’s our biggest order to date,” says Catherine. “My Shopping Bag shares our belief in sustainability.”

That belief is demonstrated by Catherine’s insistence that she will only make cheese using organic milk. “Milk is a carrier of the essentials to sustain life, she says. “If any chemicals go into milk, we absorb it.”

Grinning Gecko gets all its milk from two certified organic suppliers. And despite the advent of mechanisation, turning it into cheese is very much a hands-on task. And with demand increasing Catherine and James have taken on two full-time staff. “Hopefully we can get one part-time packer. That will allow James to do more sales while I can take the weekends off.”

Catherine admits there are huge opportunities for Grinning Gecko.

So far they have barely scratched the surface. “People are asking ‘where can I get it in Auckland’. We will go into Auckland. But we can’t do everything at once.”

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April 2014

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES

People power helps forest sing again

BY COLIN PATTERSON

In the middle of Northland a conservation renaissance has seen a return of some of the country’s most endangered native species to an ancient kauri forest.

I

t has happened because a group of community-minded volunteers have put in thousands of hours of their time over the last decade in an

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effort to rid Puketi Forest of introduced pests, such as stoats, weasels, rats and possums. They have also reintroduced Kokako and Toutouwai (the Northland Robin) into the forest. And because of their hard work in reducing predator numbers, the forest is now home to a cacophony of native bird calls.

The volunteers are part of the Puketi Forest Trust, a charitable trust formed in 2003 to restore native wildlife to the forest and raise the perception of the forest in the collective consciousness of the community. The trust has been established as a partnership between iwi, the community, and the Department of Conservation.

Among other things, the trust seeks to: • Restore the historical and cultural significance, as well as the mauri

(physical and spiritual force) of Puketi Forest; • Bring together and represent the different groups to ensure that the restoration of Puketi Forest is successful and the benefits of a restored forest are realised by the wider community; • Promote education about Puketi Forest and become a resource for conservation education and science; and • Provide governance and direction at all stages of the project of restoration and enable fundraising.

Trust chairman Gary Bramley says the group is committed to trapping rather than using 1080 poison, even though trapping is more expensive and labour intensive. They also know that complete eradication of pests is

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Volunteer Isabella Godbert with a rat that has met a sticky end Volunteer Jiill Mortensen checks a rat trap

impossible. Therefore they will need to keep trapping in perpetuity. “The day we stop is the day we’ve wasted every cent we’ve spent.�

Dr Bramley says there are more species he would like to reintroduce, include Whiteheads, native frogs and Kakariki (native parakeets).

Since it was set up the trust has raised more than $1 million. That money has come from the sale of merchandise, and also from donations, sponsorship and grants. The money has helped to establish a 5,500-hectare management zone on the south east side of the forest. Within that zone, 10 trap lines with 740 stoat traps and 246 cat traps have been set up. Within a 650-hectare core area, 2,300 rat traps have been installed, along with 841 possum traps.

The net result of this work is that by the end of 2013 more than 34,000 predators of native species had been

killed and removed from the park. Dr Bramley agrees this is a significant result. “We’ve killed 1,400 stoats. That represents a lot of birds out there that wouldn’t otherwise be alive.�

He says the trust would like to do more but is limited by resources. “We’d like to expand the management area.

But because we are reliant on donations we’ve got to be sure we can sustain the effort. Whatever we do we must be able to continue it.�

Puketi Forest was — in pre-European times — much larger than its current size of 15,000 hectares or 37,000 acres. But land clearances for agriculture and felling of kauri for its gum have significantly reduced its extent.

Even so it is the largest intact Kauri forest in the country. It is now part of the Northland Forest Park and is administered by the Department of Conservation. Dr Bramley says the trust

has made a big difference to the forest. “In the past 10 years we’ve seen the reappearance of a native shrub that possums like. We’ve also got more

fuchsia and flowering rata. And the bird counts are phenomenal. Kiwi core counts are up three times what they were. It’s a different forest.�

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April 2014

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES

Dairy Woman of the Year celebrates

BY COLIN PATTERSON

It could be said that Charmaine O’Shea lives a double life. The Northlander works fulltime as an accountant, running her own practice in Whangarei.

I

n the weekend she heads out to the farm she and her brother Shayne own at Maungatapere, about 15km out of town. There she puts on her gumboots and heads for the milking shed where she helps Shayne milk their herd of 390 cows.

Her work encouraging young women to consider agriculture as a career saw her named as New Zealand Dairy

Woman of the Year at a gala function held in Hamilton last month.

Judging panel convenor Michelle Wilson says Charmaine is committed to dairying.

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Dairy Woman of the Year Charmaine O’Shea with her trophy

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women to further develop their business leadership and governance skills and provides mentoring for dairy farming women in this area Charmaine says it was a great experience receiving the award with her parents, brother Shayne and partner Wayne. “We had a celebration. But it wasn’t late. I knew I had to do a media appearance at 8.15 the next morning.”

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Charmaine with her brother Shayne on their farm west of Whangarei

Charmaine speaks watched by her brother Shayne

Dairying has been in Charmaine O’Shea’s blood. She grew up on her parents’ Maungakaramea dairy farm and from a young age was helping them with milking and other farm chores.

Her parents also had a Jersey stud which meant travelling to lots of AMP shows. And then was calf club, an almost obligatory part of any rural youngster’s life.

“Dairying has always been a passion of mine. I’ve always known from a young age I’d be involved in dairying in some form.”

When she finished school, there were few farm jobs available. So Charmaine started work as an office junior with chartered accountants Sumpter and Baughen in Whangarei.

While there, she did her accounting qualifications at Northland Polytechnic. Why accounting? “I’ve always been good at numbers,” says Charmaine. “I’ve always had a logical head.”

At age 28 she branched out, setting up her own accountancy practice. Seventeen years later she is director and partner in Whangarei accounting firm Johnston O’Shea.

Although running the business and tending to the needs of hundreds of clients throughout Northland has kept her busy, Charmaine has not neglected her farming interests. In 1993 she was Northland sharemilker of the year.

She and Shayne set up their equity partnership after both went through marriage break ups. She says Shayne is in charge of the day-to-running of the farm, while she brings a more strategic approach. “We’ve got complimentary skills. Shayne’s got incredible pasture and livestock management skills.”

As an accountant with many rural clients, Charmaine is in a good position to see what management styles are most effective in farming. “No one size fits all. But it’s important that everyone understands their skills. And getting the right people around you is important.”

Farming in the 21st century is a whole lot more complex than it used to be. “You need a whole range of financial, farming and environmental skills,” says Charmaine. Recent years have seen a proliferation of corporate farmers.

“But there are plenty of individual farmers out there who are successful.”

Apart from a handsome trophy, becoming New Zealand Dairy Woman of the Year has earned Charmaine an invitation to take part in the Global Women’s Leadership Programme in Auckland. “It’ll give me exposure to globally focussed leadership roles in business. It’s an amazing opportunity to develop an agricultural leadership style in a corporate environment. I’ll be able to develop networks I can bring back to agriculture.” b a r n s s h e d s g a r a g e s 0 9

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OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT

376 KAMO ROAD

09 435 0222

kamomowersandchainsaws@xtra.co.nz

SALES

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09 439 5838 Mark 021 848 537 rodney 021 810 787 parts@wilsonearthmoving.co.nz

Phone Mark Wilson 021 848 537 Murray Pattinson 021 226 6161 mark@wilsonearthmoving.co.nz 47 Edwin St, Dargaville

10

April 2014 NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES

ADVERTORIAL

Fertility — to be or not to be

One of our Farmers, who had been on our programme for many years, entertained a discussion group on his farm, fronted by a Dexel consultant. There was a list of questions that our farmer had to answer and when they got to the infertility percentage the farmer answered ‘none’.

The consultant replied that he couldn’t go on without a number, so after some discussion our farmer reluctantly answered “one”. In that area, at the time infertility percentages were over 20 per cent and with the continual bombardment of the soil with nitrates and phosphates these percentages will be on the rise.

Today, infertility is quietly but surely affecting all life: plants, animals, people, fish, birds, bees and butterflies; those special pollinators. What’s happening to our planet?

Agrissentials’ belief is that all fertility is generated through and from the soil. Our best on earth fertilisers are just that. They are designed to target the soil by bringing back health, vitality, energy and fertility back to soils. Agrissentials are achieving this through multi-mineral, microbial rich, energised fertilisers based on nature’s own principles that have been pumping and propagating away for the past 460 million years; since the time when the first plant popped its head above the soil.

Here’s how it works: the soil microorganisms are the first creatures to dine at the mineral table, converting those raw minerals into a plant available form, wrapping them in humus so that they don’t leach and the plant roots go into the humus, taking up the minerals they need.

Humus, which is carbon, not only holds the mineral but holds water too, making both of these available to the plant. Humus increases the water retention quality of the soil. What a great system, especially during times of drought.

The plant in return for the favours performed by the micro-organisms exudes sugars and proteins through its root system to feed the microbes. This is known as the symbiotic relationship between the plant, its roots and micro-organisms.

The microbes are designed to look after and manage the soil. They are the farmer’s friend, a major part of the farmer’s team and they are excellent at looking after that part of the farm, the soil. They are a highly programmed soil management team. Why would you destroy this valuable team with chemicals?

The more microbes in your soil the better your soil performs. They are temperature driven, will work 24 hours a day, become dormant when it is cold, but when operating, never ask for a pay increase, never go on holiday and if left alone are programmed to turn your soil into a, live, living, breathing, pulsating, energy rich fertile soil — that’s their job.

When the plant receives mineral, it converts that mineral into an animal and human available form. All this transfer of mineral to plants, animals and people

works at the cellular level, the ultimate level for maximum uptake of minerals ensuring health, vitality and fertility.

Fertility comes from food via the stomach. The more nutrient-dense the food, the better it is recognised by the cells to transfer into energy, growth and production.

What’s happening in the gut of the animal and the gut of humans is the same thing that is happening in the soil which acts as the gut or stomach of the plant. The soil micro-organisms are the same microbes in the gut of fish, animals and humans.

All life is intrinsically tied to these micro-organisms. The equation to grow a plant is micro-organisms + minerals + moisture + sunlight. Agrissentials specialises in providing the minerals and the microbes, the basis for a fertility rich soil.

Times are changing, so it’s a good time to change to a system that works with nature and benefits the farm, family, production and the environment — that’s all bases covered.

There’s never been a better time to call with Agrissentials’ atmospheric nitrogen

fixing program incorporating clovers and nature’s nitrogen fixing team PLUS the freight free deals on this month. For more information call us today on 0800 THE KEY that’s 0800 843 539 today for a FREE INFO PACK or you can contact your friendly representative Chris Storm on 021 738 609 (North of State Highway 14) or Mike Jujnovich on 021 669 059 (South of State Highway 14) to find out how we can make your farm more successful.

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES April 2014

FREE DELIVERY ORDERS OVER $1000

Retailer of Rural Piping and Farm Supplies

0800 RURAL DIRECT Smaller coils also available

11

APRIL/MAY 2014

MAXI drain

ALL PRICES INCLUDE GST

Punched & Unpunched Drain Coil

299.00 299.00

110mm OD x 100m$ 160mm OD x 45m $

MEGA ROLLS AVAILABLE

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90mm 110mm

PIGTAIL STANDARDS

3.66m (12ft)

$

$149.00

38.00

Bundle of 10

Made in New Zealand

SHEEP NETTING 100m$199.00 50m$110.00 Manufactured in New Zealand

STEEL Y POSTS 1.65m 7 Hole

ID nominal bore

$

20mm x 100m 116PSI

$141.00

9

Lock Thru Post Gudgeon $ 13 20mm x 275mm .........................................

Screw Gudgeon

6 $6 $

20mm x 200mm ................................................

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Manufactured in New Zealand

$89

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$ per 100m

20mm x 275mm ................................................

25kg

NORTHLAND BRANCH

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Thru Post Gudgeon

New Zealand made

each

per metre

15mm 130 $ 76.00 20mm 116 $141.00 25mm 94 $182.00 32mm 72 $223.00 40mm 65 $264.00 50mm 50 $346.00 Anka & Hansen fittings available

HIGHtensile HURRICANEwire

5.99

$8.55

LDPE water pipe

2.5mm

$

90mm

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Joiners and custom fittings available

FARM GATES

$6.87 per metre $8.55 per metre $11.68 per metre

75mm

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

12

April 2014

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES

ADVERTORIAL

Still flying high and now local in Dargaville Helinorth Agricultural Ltd, owned and operated by local Kaipara family Allan and Kirsty Jessop has made a few changes in recent times.

The helicopter firm has been operating in and around Northland for the past 15 years specialising in all types of aerial work including agricultural spraying and fertiliser spreading.

Ideal time to consider environment fund projects By the Land Management Team, Northland Regional Council

Now could be an ideal opportunity for farmers, other landowners and community groups to consider projects that could potentially qualify for funding through the Northland Regional Council’s Environment Fund.

Last year the company made a few changes which included retirement of its senior pilot Barry (Baz) Reiher. In December 2013, Helinorth gained the resource and backup in order to allow the company to part ways with Precision Helicopters and now operate and trade under its original name Helinorth.

Allan Jessop says: “I have heard all sorts of stories out on the street anywhere from, the company has gone broke, has no helicopters, has given it all up, to Helinorth has sold out!” However, Allan says these rumours are totally untrue as the company is still owned and operated by himself and his wife Kirsty, and is simply operating as normal.

Helinorth’s original Whangarei operation is now permanently based at the Dargaville Airfield with renovations currently underway in order to extend its current hangar to be able to accommodate various sized helicopters which the company utilises.

Allan says “now that we are permanently based in the Kaipara, we hope to gain support and backing from the local farming community by providing a great competitively priced service to all of our customers. Helinorth also operates from Wellsford to as far as Cape Reinga, covering all of the North in between, and will still continue to provide the same service as we have done in the past to our Northland customers.”

“Pasture spraying season is just around the corner and so we will be gearing up for this shortly” Allan says.

We have designed all of our equipment in order to make life as simple and easy as possible for our customers. This means our customers only pay for the exact amount of chemical required for the job. We also offer our chemical at wholesale prices which are very hard to beat along with free delivery.

AERIAL WORK Pasture Spraying, Gorse and Scrub Spraying, Fertiliser Application both solid & liquid

All enquiries phone Owner/Pilot, Allan

0800 435684

Environment fund grants help with projects to fence off streams and wetlands from stock. This wetland on a Waipu property was fenced in 2010 with environment fund assistance

This fund has provided more than $5 million since 1996 to help Northlanders enhance and protect our region’s natural environment. Although the application process doesn’t involve filling out an application form, a visit from a regional council land management advisor is a prerequisite and it’s a great time to organise that before the wetter weather arrives.

In recent years, the fund’s main focus has been on supporting projects that will help to improve water quality in our rivers, lakes, wetlands and coastal environments. Northland landowners and community groups have shown considerable commitment to initiatives to reduce loss of soil, bacteria and nutrients from their land.

The type of projects that may be eligible include: • Stream, lake and wetland fencing • Wetland and lake restoration projects • Soil conservation projects such as planting of poplars and willows and fencing of erosionprone land • Coastal projects, targeting restoration, protection and maintenance of estuaries, dunes and salt marshes • Riparian plantings intended to achieve water quality benefits • Exceptional projects that may not fall under the above categories, but may still

be approved by council as having a high regional priority.

Our current Draft Annual Plan is proposing to increase the Environment Fund by $235,000 over the next 12 months, lifting its budget to $635,000.

The fund is open to landowners and volunteer groups and typically contributes up to 50 percent of the project cost. Applicants must be able to provide the remainder of the cost by way of voluntary labour, cash, other funding or in-kind contributions such as donated materials. Projects designed for personal or commercial profit, or required under a resource consent or simply to beautify a site, are not eligible.

Funding cannot be provided retrospectively either — it must be approved before work takes place and setting up a visit from a land management advisor is the first step.

Along with funding aspects, our land management team can offer expertise on topics such as erosion control, riparian management, wetland protection and restoration. They can also provide ideas on fencing options to suit your property and prepare farm maps and Farm Water Quality Improvement Plans.

For more information, contact one of the land management team at the regional council on 0800 002 004. You can also find further information on our website at www.nrc.govt.nz/environmentfund.

$19,950

+GST

INTRODUCING NEW AMERICAN BUILT ‘INTIMIDATOR’ • 3cyl Kohler Diesel • Tipping steel tray (1400 wide x 900 long x 300 deep) • 14” wheels – good ground clearance • Comfortable bench seats • On farm demo’s welcome

Ph: (09) 423 7788 343 Rodney St, Wellsford www.polandmotors.co.nz

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES April 2014

FA R M W H E E L S

13

Classic status well deserved

by Andy Bryenton

The 2014 Hilux is well and truly here, and many fans of the evergreen utility favourite may be wondering where the bells, whistles, smoke and mirrors are going to pop out from.

Toyota aren’t here to reinvent the wheel this year, however — the Hilux for today is a fettled and sharpened version of the Hilux of ’13, not the game changer which Toyota’s skunk-works engineers are currently still working on for two years down the track.

So, like an ageing rocker, the ute which still commands a hefty slice of both market share and genuine Kiwi affection takes to the stage with an artful facelift, a bit of new technology, and — most importantly — the chops to put newcomers in their place.

The Hilux is ageing better than many of its contemporaries in the ute world — it rides with aplomb, pulls off the family car/workman’s mate crossover with consummate skill, and at the top of the utility tree it’s still going head to head with the phenomenon which is the Ford Ranger.

What this new look 2014 package really offers (apart from a useful reversing camera, which is a handy addition) is a look at just how far ahead of the curve the Toyota was when it was an all-new model. Jump behind the wheel today and

you’ll find it comfortable and competent, a proper contender with the pricier VW Amarok and the aforementioned Ranger.

There’s plenty of power from that three litre turbo diesel, even if it isn’t a new unit, and a level of ride and refinement which should satisfy the modern demand for a vehicle that carts fence posts Monday to Friday and can take the family to church on Sunday.

There’s even the welcome return of Toyota’s 6-cylinder petrol 4-litre to the lineup, the perfect mate for a new five-speed manual box if you want chop-down passing power and towing grunt.

A good time then, to reflect on how the Kiwi ute has changed over the years.

And the Hilux is the perfect place from which to do so, because — and this is the important part — nearly every one of us has driven, owned or at least been a passenger in something with the Hilux badge at some point. Take that memory, and recall it as you try out 2014’s iteration. The Toyota’s new, grown-up sensibilities won’t be growing old with the New Zealand public any time soon.

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14

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES

April 2014

FA R M W H E E L S ADVERTORIAL

Stateside contender is built tough

The UTV side-by-side is definitely here to stay — in a swing-shift on Kiwi farms has seen the bigger, safer and more versatile machines supplant the venerable quad bike in several rural roles. But now that the market for UTVs has grown, it’s up to farmers to choose

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the wisest investment for their dollar, weighing up price and practicality with another very important factor — is the machine they select going to be tough enough to handle all that farming in New Zealand can throw at it?

That’s a question which has been answered by a New Zealand-new series of UTVS, made in the United States by long established off-road manufacturers American Sportsworks.

This company has been turning out rugged vehicles for the trail and farm for more than half a century.

Now these tough, no-nonsense machines are here in New Zealand, selectively imported to provide an alternative for farmers seeking to upgrade their fleets.

The Landmaster series incorporates several revolutionary hybrid UTVS, balancing electric motors with petrol engines in the same manner as the McLaren P1 — or the more humble Prius. Pure electric models are also available to save big dollars on fuel.

If you are reading this then so are your customers

0800 466 793

Old favourite reinvented by our motoring correspondent

It’s known by many names worldwide — the Foreman and the Rancher are just a couple — but farmers and outdoorsmen in New Zealand will know Honda’s iconic 420cc quad bike by sight rather than by name.

Now change is afoot in the Honda ATV world, with big engineering and design paradigm shifts making the 2014 Honda 420 a more nimble, agile and comfortable proposition.

Two things remain the same — Honda have not pitched in to a sheer battle of empty horsepower with this latest offering, and they have kept it red.

Under that rugged, Hondas next generation 420cc squared-off new skin, quad offers dramatically improved handling there’s a whole lot of difference though. The new 420 (codeHonda’s 420cc mill is legendary, named the Rancher in the US) has and time has simply allowed the Honda benefited from a ground-up chassis and engineers to make it more reliable and suspension system redesign. bulletproof. Coupled to a state of the art This ‘double cradle’ frame is built auto transmission, the single overhead super tough to handle anything which cam donk delivers ample torque with a the Kiwi farmer may throw at it, and a squeeze of the throttle — no mammoth new swingarm and rear axle setup more amount of race-level speed, but then evenly distributes the weight across again, that’s not what the 420 is built the quad, allowing for more precise for. Instead it’s composed, capable and manoeuvring and safer control on torquey as heck, ready to haul ‘you uneven surfaces. name it’ just about anywhere.

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Northland Pioneer Ad.indd 1

10/02/14 1:39 PM

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES April 2014

FA R M W H E E L S ADVERTORIAL

Determined to crack down on corrosion

Neil Young told us that it never sleeps. Globally, it destroys more machinery per year than even the most fierce warfare. And while rust is accepted as a ‘fact of life’ for anything made of metal, the good news is that it doesn’t have to be.

The oxidisation of metal has been a problem for humanity since the dawn of the Iron Age, when our ancestors first learned to shape tools and weapons with more than wood and stone. In modern times, our whole world relies on steel machinery, both economically and in terms of food production, defence and transportation.

The big question — especially here, in New Zealand, with our salty maritime climate — is how to eliminate the creeping destructiveness of rust for good.

International company Corrosion Control NZ have developed what may be the best answer yet to this age-old problem. Their scientifically formulated CorrosionX range of products are designed to shut down the process by which rust forms and grows, snuffing out oxidisation in the same way that firefighters quash a blaze — by depriving it of the conditions in which it thrives.

Already used by all the branches of the United States armed forces and by NASA, CorrosionX has a lot to offer Kiwi farmers and their fleets of hard-working machinery. The key to its performance is ease of application

and the ability to deeply penetrate into rusted interstices — loosening bolts, for example, or taking the creaks and groans out of joints.

Corrosion Control NZ’s scientists explain that CorrosionX works by making ferrous metals like iron or steel behave more like gold or platinum, which never rust. So long as the coating is there, it’s chemically impossible for corrosion to take hold. Long term tests have proven the effectiveness of this system — and Kiwi customers such as the Northland Emergency Services Trust and the engineers of Whangarei’s Hatea bridge are true believers.

Non-flammable, non-toxic, and safe up to 36,000 volts, this military-grade solution to rust may be ‘just what the doctor ordered’ for your farm. After all, if it can protect a billiondollar battleship afloat on salty water, it can work wonders for your tractor too!

RUST NEVER SLEEPS Abrasive Blasting and Protective Coating for all types of machinery, cowsheds, caravans, chassis, fuel tanks and swimming pools etc.

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CorrosionX is specially formulated to displace moisture, stop corrosion instantly and provide long-lasting protection.

CorrosionX actually kills existing rust and corrosion (keeping it from spreading) and provides long-term protection against rust and corrosion on any metal surface.

CorrosionX utilizes a revolutionary technology called Polar Bonding that does far more than merely slow down the corrosion process.

CorrosionX Heavy Duty forms a dripless, dynamic, nonhardening, self-healing film that stubbornly resists erosion by splash or spray - including complete submersion in saltwater.

Applicator about to apply CX inot the J4 arms of the Hatea Bridge, Whangarei

09 438 8800 / 09 414 1046 tom@corrosionx.org / chris@corrosionx.org

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Protect your farm assets long term Prolan solves corrosion issues • Stops corrosion by preventing air and moisture attack.

• 12 months to 2 years of lasting protection • Reduces maintenance • Prolongs machinery life • Stays on in the harshest environments • Increase machinery re-sale value

0800 PROLAN www.prolan.co.nz

15

PROLAN LANOLIN LUBRICANTS Prolan is an all-purpose natural lanolin lubricant and corrosion inhibitor. Its unique properties surpass other petrochemical products in performance, reliability, longevity, protection, safety and asset maintenance.

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www.plaztuff.co.nz

16

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES

April 2014

More power on tap from less thirsty puma Versatility is very much the key to farming success these days, and while many farmers are expanding into new fields of endeavour, their old one-purpose tractors are finding it hard to keep up.

Finance available to approved purchaser. Conditions apply.

4.99% interest over 24 months.30% Deposit.

• 200hrs AS NEW!!

• Self leveling loader included • 3rd Service included • 30 months Warranty

FOR sale

$79,500+GST

Call into REDLINE and speak to JOHN Moolenschot.

Ph:(09) 439 3266 Mob: (0274) 820 146.

FA R M M A C H I N E RY

Contractors too, demand more use from their investment, and hate to see a machine worth tens of thousands (or even hundreds of thousands) of dollars left sitting idle in the shed while other tools pick up the slack.

Case IH, the well-known agricultural brand with the big red presence on Kiwi farms, have been trying to crack this puzzle for decades, with more than fair success. Now they’ve released a new refinement to their ‘swiss army knife’ Puma series of tractors, sharpening it up for even better performance in a variety of rural roles.

“The 2014 Tier 4 B Puma model tractors now offer more power than ever before, in addition to an enhanced cab that was first introduced in late-model Tier 4A Puma tractors. These new Puma tractors can be equipped with advanced end-of-row controls and new rear remote control on the MultiFunction handle,” says Dave Bogan, Case IH Marketing Manager for Puma and Maxxum tractors. This means in practical terms that the same machine can be fitted

out for both cropping (where it’s an established leader in the row-crop field) across to livestock farming. Add-ons and extra tools able to be fitted to the powerful little Puma which make it great for specialised tasks. Available in up to a 6.7 litre, 240 horse engine size, the Puma range is also engineered to use less fuel, by way of Case IH’s innovative selective catalytic reduction system and smart engine ECU mapping. Added to this multi-role capability is another key component. Case promotional materials refer to the Puma’s cab as a farmer’s boardroom office in the field, and every effort has been made to make a day behind the Puma’s wheel a comfortable one.

Heightened visibility and ease of operation were also red-flagged by Case IH engineers as points of supreme importance, and so the cab floats above the wheels and chassis with acres of glass, commanding a position from which the driver can contemplate which of many tasks he’s going to tackle next with this sharp and competent machine.

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GR2120 48” or 54” Mower

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DARGAVILLE • P: 09 439 3266

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NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES April 2014

DAIRY

17

Soil Matters with Peter Burton

A way through for dairying The Government appointed Commissioner for the Environment, has again criticised the government’s fresh water policies, saying they are inadequate for the maintenance of present water quality.

There is little in the national policy for fresh water management that would prevent the dire 2020 scenario in her report on water quality presented last year becoming a reality.

Amy Adams the Environment Minister rejected the criticism and said the commissioner seemed to be deliberately forgetting that every council will be required at a minimum to maintain water quality.

Bryce Johnson of Fish and Game said the commissioner’s comments were timely and that the current government’s enthusiasm for irrigation with very little attention to the serious consequences scares the hell out of them.

Willy Leferink of Federated Farmers says farmers aren’t dumb, and are regulated by rules as well as economic sense and with every kilogram of nitrogen costing $2 farmers want to mitigate the loss of nitrates.

There is much in each statement that is factual and relevant, and most importantly little by little the discussion is getting to the heart of the matter — the annual application of more than 500,000 tonnes of urea to our 15,000 dairy farms at an average of 150kgN/ha.

Thirty years ago very little urea was applied, and one of the consequences of applying nitrogen, now around 230 million kilograms annually is becoming apparent.

In a number of areas the amount of Nitrate N in groundwater is rapidly approaching the level where health warnings will have to be issued. It’s been claimed that New Zealand’s water is already ‘stuffed’ and we don’t

accept that, however large dairy farm developments currently applying for irrigation rights claiming Nitrate N leaching losses will be mitigated by ‘yet to be developed technology’ highlights a real issue.

It takes ten years for sufficient information to be gained to know whether a new product or process will actually provide the desired results, and even if the ‘yet to be developed technology’ was available tomorrow ten years is too long to wait.

The only valid argument for the continued use of fertiliser nitrogen is that much less pasture would be grown without its use. Not one of the scientists that have supported our work agrees with that.

MAF pasture measurements from the late 70s early 80s recorded annual pasture growth in excess of 18 tonne of dry matter annually without the use of nitrogen fertiliser.

Annual pasture growth from permanent pasture now is significantly less. DoloZest and CalciZest based total nutrient packages have been used for ten consecutive years on intensive dairy farms and total annual pasture production this season will measure close to 20 tonne, substantially exceeding any conventional system.

Nitrate N losses from leaching on the Berryman property, the ESI focus property, meet the current Ministry of the Environment ‘good’ standard, about one third of the losses from a comparative property using a conventional N driven programme.

Each component of DoloZest and CalciZest has a proven benefit. The key to the substantial improvement in

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18

April 2014

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES

DAIRY ADVERTORIAL

ADVERTORIAL

Manganese matters

Some research has shown that a lack of manganese in the diet can contribute to cancer of the sex organs, (breast cancer and prostate cancer).

When growing strawberries the lower the manganese generally the bigger the berries.

Manganese deficiency will result in a variation in fruit size, and is only required by plants that reproduce themselves by seed, therefore strawberries don’t require it. This also linked with the lack of plant available calcium and phosphorus.

The following crops don’t require high manganese levels, strawberries, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, endive etc.

Crops like corn and stone fruit like peaches and plums require plenty of manganese. If the fruit has set, it is too late for that season’s crop.

Manganese needs to be taken into the plant in the phosphate form.

Applying your calcium (lime, Nano-Cal) and phosphorus (Soil force, RPR) in the autumn, you can almost double the yield response compared to applying the same in the spring.

Harnessing wind power The uses for windmills are myriad. They have been the machines of man since the dawn of time, and now in the 21st century, they are still proving their worth.

In essence they are used to produce power, and that can in turn be used in any way the imagination might devise. They can be used grinding wheat, sawing wood, making paper, spices, and pottery.

Harness the force of the wind and the list becomes endless.

At NZ Stirrers the American Eagle aeration system provides an easy way to aerate ponds, water storage areas, effluent ponds, and fish farms etc, using wind power to drive an air pump that delivers oxygen to your pond.

“Our windmills can also operate a water pump at the same time as aerating water, delivering real value to our customers,” says owner, Ken Borg.

These windmills are easily erected and need no power supply, and generate a managed supply

Makers of Biological Fertilisers We make fertiliser mixes suited to your soil using the Reams Soil Test (which shows what nutrients in the soil are available for plants).

Our fertilisers nourish the soil microbes so they can begin to cycle nutrients for you. We’ll get your soil working for you again!

of air. “We have designed a stirrer to keep the effluent pond in suspense and stop the build-up of toxic sludge. By keeping the pond stirred, and the solids suspended, you will get an even spread of your effluent over the paddocks, instead of just dirty water being sucked off from the top.”

NZ Stirrers also offer technology that switches in the effluent stirrer at night, when electricity rates are less expensive, and timed to coincide with the dispersal of effluent onto paddocks.

Windmills have been used for agrarian purposes for centuries — indeed the earliest windmills may be those from pre-Imperial China, dating back three to four thousand years.

But this innovative new use of wind power must surely rank up there with the thoroughly modern push to harness the power of the wind to generate electricity on a huge scale.

It’s never been so cost effective to turn a natural by-product into an asset for farm productivity.

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NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES April 2014

DAIRY

19

Focus on Effluent ADVERTORIAL

Top tank rolls out in Northland

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The Tauranga based inventor of the above ground bulk storage tank, Neil Peterken, went to the United Kingdom and Europe to research the best materials to use to build his pioneering idea in New Zealand.

His mission was to find material that would withstand all that the down under climate could throw at it. Steel was discounted because the tank would be sitting on the ground and galvanised steel does not last in the harsh effluent environment.

Concrete was discounted because it cracks and earthquakes are hard on rigid structures. Glass infused steel (ceramic) was also discounted because of the risk of cracking causing rust and the need for a rigid concrete base for the tank wall to sit on. So the Kliptank was born.

A modular system using marine grade aluminium, HDPE plastic panels and an FPP liner material imported from Germany.

Over 200 Kliptanks have been installed all over New Zealand in the last three years and used for both water storage and effluent storage on dairy farms.

The Kliptank is a sound alternative to clay lined in-ground ponds which will crack when exposed to repeated wetting and drying as the pond is filled and emptied over the summer months.

The Randall Family on the Poutu Peninsular south of Dargaville are also pioneers being the first to install a Kliptank on a dairy farm in Northland. Milking 360 cows they have installed a 2,300,000 litre Kliptank giving 80 days’ storage.

The decision to purchase a Kliptank was not difficult. Because of soil types and risk of opening up a spring if an inground pond was dug the Randalls were able to locate the tank exactly where they wanted it, on top of a poorer soil type gravity feeding to the existing pump and then to the effluent block. The tank gave them a smaller footprint and a synthetic liner rather than the risk of clay. The tank has centre bottom drainage which enables the tank to be completely emptied when required preventing any sludge build up.

The saucer shaped site gives extra storage volume at no extra cost. With the 16% depreciation rate the Kliptank also offers taxation advantages. Clearly a Kliptank was the best option.

Kliptank Ltd built the first above ground relocatable mega effluent storage tank for dairy farmers in New Zealand and continues to be innovative in effluent storage with such add on products as covers to avoid collecting rain.

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20

April 2014

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES

Ready for the Rain Dealing with the deluge

It’s been another long hot summer in the north, which has brought its share of challenges for farmers. But nature will take its course, and the cycle of the seasons is changing at last.

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This means that much needed rain is on the way — though it’s pertinent to note that the land, in its parched condition, may not be able to handle too much of a ‘tall drink’ at once. Smart farmers are making plans to trap and store as much of the coming deluge as possible, with warnings still echoing of possible further dry summers in the future.

Diggers are out in force reinforcing and revitalising dams which have seen some big ups and downs over the last few seasons, and those same machines are also being turned to the maintenance of races and roadways across the north.

Another concern, especially in the dry season, has been the reticulation and supply of water from dams, wells, bores and creeks to where it is needed. When water seems worth Specialising in its weight in gold, a trickle or a drip can

Northland Bulk Haulage Ltd

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Full range of bedding for sheds, herd homes and standoff pads Calves – Cows – Goat – Chickens

A new innovative and easy way to clean your spouting and downpipes to prevent leaves and debris from clogging up your stormwater system. Collect rainwater, and divert dangerous runoff from entering into our precious waterways.

The ecodrain is easy to install and easy to use. for more information and orders give us a call today

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weigh heavy on the farmer’s mind, and a lot of time and effort has been spent this summer making systems watertight and more efficient. As the rains refill parched dams and catchments, keeping this reticulation structure in top nick will be the key to good drainage and a good ‘harvest’ of rain to carry over into summer of 2015.

It’s not just water for livestock which is an issue, either. Many a farmer and sharemilker (and indeed, all those out of towners not on council supply) will have had some tense moments with the water tank this summer. Many will have been forced to dip into much needed funds to refill their tanks and keep the taps flowing and the toilets flushing. A timely look at spouting and catchment systems for potable water at the homestead is not a bad idea this time of year. Check to see that the system is clean and flowing right — and remember that some tanks which have run down to the silty ‘last gasp’ may need testing to prevent contaminants in drinking water.

Drainage may seem like the last issue to tackle when you’re sweltering in the summer sun, but as storm clouds gather it’s a major factor in helping rejuvenate the soil. Good field drainage will make sure that paddocks don’t

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NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES April 2014

21

Ready for the Rain DICKSONS FOR… Suppliers of ALL grades of Aggregates Blue & Brown Sawdust and woodchips mix Brown Rock for cattle raceways Bulk Haulage — Hire of Trucks & Trailers Roading Equipment — Transporter Glenbervie and Tutukaka locations … CALL NOW

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Q FR U E O E T E S

make the transformation from a desert to a swamp, and of course properly drained soil is the literal seedbed for lush grass regrowth.

As dairy herds come in from the cold to shelter in herd homes or receive their daily sustenance on feedpads, making sure that these areas are ready for some heavy, hoofed foot traffic is also high up the list. Those races and roadways mentioned earlier will need to be resurfaced to keep up with the winter weather, but the same holds true of the bedding which makes livestock’s winter residence that bit more comfortable.

After the big dry, it’s also a good idea to take a look at septic tank systems.

The delicately balanced environment

inside these underground tanks is easy to disturb, with smelly and potentially health threatening results. A good treatment involves introducing new, vigorous micro-organisms into the septic system, where they can get to work breaking down solids and scum. Think of it as ‘reinforcements’ for the army of little critters that do a very dirty job for you and your family!

A dry spell is never welcome on the farm — especially an extended one as we are currently suffering through.

But it’s never been more timely to keep a ‘weather eye’ out for the inevitable onslaught of winter — the land will need all the help it can get to make the most of this season of recovery.

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SEPTIC TANK OWNERS How you can save money by keeping your septic system effective and healthy Septic tanks and multi-stage septic systems are delicately balanced environments. It does not take much to upset them. Common practice is to ignore the septic system until problems occur. Good and best economical practice is to always keep your septic system well maintained.

A malfunctioning septic system can become a health hazard.

When a system is not maintained or operated as a delicately balanced environment, problems occur.These problems include nasty odours, leach line blockages, untreated liquid rising to the surface, toilets gurgling and taking time to empty. At this stage your septic system is a serious health hazard to you and your children. Human waste produces faecal coliform bacteria, a source of viral and bacterial gastroenteritis as well as Hepatitis A and other diseases. Hepatitis can be a debilitating condition and cause long-term harm to children.

There are only three remedies.

One: stop using the septic system until it recovers.

This can take over a month and is not normally practical. Two: excavate your septic system and relocate it.This is very costly and time consuming, sometimes requiring new resource consents and different systems. Three: treat your septic system with Septi-Cure™ every six months.

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operating effectively and not endangering you or your family’s health.

What is Septi-Cure™ Septi-Cure™ is a concentrated mixture of selected naturally occurring microorganisms.

These harmless tiny organisms live and multiply by feeding on waste material. When introduced to your septic tank system, they go to work straight away digesting waste material, reducing solids and scum, allowing your septic system to start operating to its maximum efficiency. As they progress through to your irrigation field they feed on the slimes that prevent seepage and evaporation. When seepage and evaporation return to normal, you have reduced the risk of contaminating groundwater and the environment as well as reducing the chances of infection for you and your family. Eventually, they get washed out of the system and have to be replaced to continue their work.This is why you introduce SeptiCure™ to your septic system every six months for maximum efficiency.

A satisfied customer in Hamilton has been using Septi-Cure™ for three years.

He says this allows them to have an odour-free septic tank with low maintenance costs. He also says that his service person is amazed at how well Septi-Cure™ works, keeping their tank in very good condition.

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22

April 2014

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES

LIVESTOCK

Be my Guest The Northland Rural Support Trust drought declaration last week for the western side of Northland from the Cape to Helensville, I believe came six weeks too late.

After five months of drought conditions this area has reached a crisis point and the economic viability of the majority

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of farms has been severely affected.

There are a number of high-debt farms that are being sold up through the banks giving notice to either refinance elsewhere or sell. These farmers have been pressured by the bank to sign confidentiality documents where they are unable to take any legal action against the bank . If a farmer did take legal action, the farmer guarantees to pay the bank’s legal costs.

At a recent Farmers of New Zealand meeting a number of them met with lawyer John Waugh who specialises in dealing with banks. They were advised that banks are bound by the Code of Banking Practice and the Fair Trading Act which deals with misleading conduct in relation to service and false or misleading representation. The issue of bank swap and CARL loans was also discussed.

Farmers were advised to seek sound legal advice prior to signing any legal documents for bank loans or where a bank requests the borrower signs

Bill Guest, Farmers of New Zealand Membership Services: 09 439 5219 09 430 3758 www.farmersofnewzealand.com Email: newzealandfarmers@xtra.co.nz

confidentiality documents limiting their rights. There is court law in New Zealand which clearly defines there is no property in a witness, which means that no confidentiality agreement can muzzle a witness where there has been a breach of statutory law processes.

The start of autumn dairy calving sees farms with insufficient feed available. Farmers are placing seed and fertiliser orders but are withholding the application until there is an assurance of adequate rainfall. Some early new pasture planting that received rainfall from Cyclone Lusi germinated but dried off and died.

Northland has a long history of drought, which in the past has been followed by great infestations of crickets on the high fertility flat land bordering the Northern Wairoa river.

The debate at the moment with the pressures of modern farming, high stocking rates and high debt and farmers annually applying new grasses at great cost only to have them wiped out by drought is whether future pasture production going to be reliant on less permanent pasture, the introduction of Italian ryegrasses and encouraging kikuyu.

And also the need to buy in substantial amounts of supplements to mitigate the huge economic costs caused by droughts?

There is even talk that farmers may have to rely on the sowing of tall fescue. Many in the Kaipara district will remember tall fescue as the curse that caused fescue foot and in some cases caused some farmers who could not control this grass to lose their herds and eventually sell their farms.

New Zealand has been renowned for the development of pasture species since the 1850s. Between 1871 and 1881, 2,782,900 acres of pasture were sown. The normal sowing rate was 30 — 40 pounds of grass seed per acre which included ryegrass, cocksfoot and white clover. This seed was imported from Britain, which resulted, in many cases, in imported seed mixes containing a variety of weeds and inferior seed.

There is a great range of high feed value grass available on today’s market, at some great cost. It is important that we all seek the very best of advice in light of declining dairy payout projections and the probability that Northland could be entering another period of annual drought.

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES April 2014

LIVESTOCK

A dog’s tail …

ADVERTORIAL

Wot’s lefft ina tank?

“She’s a wurr y Dog,” seda Boss.

Gidday, me Billy BC again, an I prikt up me ears wena Boss sed this wile we wuz havin’ smoko ona wool shed steps.

We’d just bin upta tha big water tank ona ridge an’ Boss startid to look pritty koncerned.

“Another bluddy long summa and yep, once agin we hasint not hadda nuff rein Dog,” went ona Boss.

“That farmer association bloke reckons we needs ta have more’n 100 mils at least, an there wasint eny rein in that supposed-ta-be cyklone that come down last month. Here it is blimmin Aypril and still nothing falling. Farmas bloke, you no that Mister Gest, reckins we farmers gunna havta change our ways a bit. Reckins there’s more drought comin ina future an’ we gotta m ake plans fer it.”

Boss was getting’ inter his stride now an’ I juss looked wise an give him tha eye. Worked like always and on he wint.

“It’s bin happinin’ all over,” he sed.

“Them pore peeple in Honeyara — that’s away up norf ina Pacific Oshin Dog, they just had huge floods. Then ova in Inglind and ina “Merica, tha wether has bin reelly strange. They reckin it’s called climate change.”

I herd Boss an’ his gerlfrend Sharlene talkin’ about it later on, afta she red tha Hirild newspapa.

“Oh deah,” sed Sharlene.” Them scientists reckin there’s gunna be drought pestilince and playg, like wot happind ina bibil. I wunda wot sorta werld our Sophie gunna inherit.” Sophie isa Boss ‘n Sharlene’s yung dorter.

That made me porse a bit eh readas.

It’s not so bad fer me ana Boss and Sharlene, cos we bin around a bit. But ifa yungsters like Sophie gotta wurry about drought pestilince and playg, well thats not bluddy good enuff!

23

Well, Boss an’ me spint tha rest ofa afternoon fixin a leaky pipeline, to make shure we saved alla water we cood, and went downta the homested fordinna, wen Sharlene giva yell froma porch.

“It’s bin ona radio. Blokes atta bank rekin they made a rekord proffit, an’ that China gunna keep buyin’ lota our farm prodikts. So we gotta make hay wile tha sun shines.”

So Boss opined a bottil of whine. I gotta big muttin bone from Sharlene an heded to me kinnel. I kinn tell yer sumthin about you human’s readas. Seem yerve all got a short attenshin span.

Sharlene then put me right win she come ova with sum left ova pork cracklin.

“Dont wurry Billy. Tha more things change, tha more they stays tha same.”

Wot happind to all tha fuss about tha drought.?

See ya Billy

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Guyco a pleasure to work with, says local farmer When you’re a farmer and you want someone to do something, you want it done on time, to the required standard and within budget.

So when Puhipuhi farmer Martyn Smith asked Guyco Construction to build him a covered feed lot, he soon found he was onto a good thing.

“Guyco was very professional from the beginning,” says Martyn. “I don’t have a bad word to say about them.”

He says Guyco showed him two feed lots. “They asked me ‘is this what you want?’

I said I wanted a few changes.”

He says Guyco always turned up when they said they would and the company’s staff were easy to deal with. “Nothing was a problem. Any little issue was quickly sorted. There were no dramas.

They were very easy to deal with.”

Nor were there any budget issues, says Martyn. “They gave us a fixed price and stuck to it. There were no added extras.”

With the feed bins now complete and working well, Martyn Smith is a contented man and glad he called on the

experts from Guyco. “I’m very happy with the result.”

The covered feed pad has capacity to feed and standoff 440 dairy cows. The design is a ‘dry scrape system’ which incorporates covered effluent storage bins.

Guyco covered feed pads are a great platform for feed conversion and a tool to minimise pasture damage due to pugging, etc. Covering a feed pad lessens the environmental impact as there is no rain water contributing to added effluent volume.

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24

April 2014

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES

LIVESTOCK

Alpacas on show at Silverhill

by Colin Patterson

Valerie Bushell believes alpacas are the best and she wants the people to learn more about them.

Ms Bushell has been farming alpacas for 10 years and owns Silverhill Alpacas, about 7km north of Wellsford.

On Sunday May 4 she will be opening her farm to the public to mark National Alpaca Day. Valerie says she almost got into alpacas by accident. “I bought a bare block and wondered what I could get to eat five acres of grass. I read an article in a lifestyle magazine and decided alpacas were the answer.

She started with two boys and now has a herd of more than 70. Valerie says alpacas are superior to sheep and their fibre is much sought after. “I sell its yarn for knitting. It’s a natural fibre. It’s not flammable and it’s very warm — more so than merino. There’s no prickle factor — unlike sheep.”

Valerie says alpacas are docile and easy to look after. “They’re really lovely.

Cows are too big and heavy. And alpacas are very soft on the ground.”

Alpacas are native to South America and originate from Peru, Chile and Bolivia. They have been in New Zealand since 1986. Valerie created her herd from New Zealand-bred animals.

She says the open day will enable youngsters and adults to get close to the alpacas.

“They’re very comfortable with people. But children should be taught not to approach them from the rear.”

She says the Silverhill shop will be open on May 4 for purchases of yarn and other alpaca products. However, the shop does not have eftpos.

Silverhill is at 739 Silver Hills Rd, RD 4 Wellsford. From State Highway One, take the Mangawhai turnoff at Te Hana.

Then turn right at Waiteitei Rd. Silver Hills Rd is the first on the right.

THE ONE STOP ALPACA SHOP

Meet our Alpacas & their Cria (baby Alpaca) Learn about Alpacas and why they are great for lifestyle blocks Visit our farm shop where we have Alpaca products and knitting yarn for sale (Cash Only sales)

Silverhill Alpacas 739 Silver Hill Rd, RD4 Wellsford Ph 09 423 9668 Mob 0274 868 756 email valerie@silverhill.co.nz w w w. s i l v e r h ill.c o.nz

Celebrates National Alpaca Day

Open Day Sunday 4th May 2014 11am – 2pm Breeders of Healthy Happy Award Winning Huacaya Alpaca boys for sale with complete after sales service.

A wide rAnge of AlpAcAs for sAle National Alpaca Day OPEN FARM Sunday May 4th 10am-3pm

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Group visits welcome!

Alpaca Clothing & Gifts Open days are Sunday 27th April, Sunday 4th and Sunday 25th of May 12pm–4pm 107 Monk Road RD 1 Helensville website: www.waitakerealpacas.co.nz email: info@waitakerealpacas.co.nz ph 09 420 2185

61 Hurndall St East, Maungaturoto Northland NZ Ph 64 9 431 9141

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NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES April 2014

For a Warmer Winter

25

Warm up tips from your local insulators Northland’s largest and locally owned installer of home insulation has these great tips for keep cosy this winter: 1. Ensure your home is fully insulated Good insulation means you spend far less heating your home. There are three main types of home insulation: Under floor, ceiling and wall. The more your home is insulated the better it keeps cold air out, and warm air in.

Hot air rises, so ceiling insulation is one of the most important. It traps the air you’ve spent time and money heating up, and ensures less warm air escapes through your roof.

Even if you have some ceiling insulation, building standards have

changed a lot. You may find the original insulation up in the roof is seriously thin compared to today’s products. Also new under floor products are far superior to the old draped foil type.

2. Take advantage of government subsidies Fortunately in New Zealand, we currently have a programme through EECA’s (Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority’s) ‘Warm Up New Zealand’.

This means you can gain subsidies of anywhere between 33% of the total cost of insulation, and 100% (for people with

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Our mission is to provide professional, quality service to ensure lasting customer satisfaction — to this end our plumbers and fitters are certified craftsmen and can issue compliance certificates.

The compliance certificates are required by law and confirm the appliances and pipes have been tested, are proven safe, and meet the required codes and standards.

Another user friendly side of the company

is its comprehensive website at www. gasworksandplumbing.co.nz, where customers can get a detailed list of services, including installation and servicing of all gas appliances — a list that covers fires, water heaters, flued heaters, wall furnaces, central heating systems, stoves and hobs.

In the Whangarei showroom, there is a great selection of gas fires on ‘live display’, enabling clients to view the fires operating and choose the perfect model.

Gas Works & Plumbing are also approved suppliers and installers of solar water heating systems.

Visit the showroom or contact us on 09 438 0192.

high health needs). Subsidies apply to homes built before January 2000, for landlords, tenants, home owners and owner occupiers. At Healthy Homes North, we even take care of the whole application process for you.

3. Cover your windows — especially before dark Uncovered windows have huge heat loss in your home. So cover up and be sure to do so before dusk when the temperature drops most quickly.

Block out curtains and thermal curtains are most effective, and can usually be purchased new at good sale prices. But what has become most popular these days is ‘up-cycling’ and ‘re-cycling’ materials. Re-use and re-cycle.

Be water wise

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Is your house too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter?

We have the largest range of gas fires on ‘live’ display in Northland. Visit our showroom and let us help you choose the perfect fire for your home.

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26

April 2014

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES

FISHING, HUNTING & DUCK SHOOTING

Hunters prepare for waterfowl season The 2014 game bird hunting season is just around the corner with opening weekend on May 3 and 4.

There is a combined limit with Mallard, Grey duck, and Shoveler (no more than three Shoveler) of 15 ducks, with the season ending on June 29. Paradise Shelduck and Black swan seasons continue until the August 3. Paradise Shelduck daily bag limit is 20 birds.

The cock pheasant and quail season, north of the Maungataniwha Range also known as the Maungamukas continues until the August 3 with a daily bag limit of three birds. For both Brown and Californian quail north of the Maungamukas the season has been shortened by one month and will also close on August 3.

2014 ROAR! Contact ‘Big Boar Taxidermy’ for all trophy mounts p. 09 433 8394 • Northland

South of these ranges to the regional boundary near Wellsford the season continues for the upland game species for a further three weeks until August 31.

The daily bag limit is five cock pheasants and 10 Californian quail and 10 Brown quail.

The pukeko season for the whole of the region will go through August 31.

Remember that when hunting waterfowl, non-toxic shot is required (except sub gauges) when shooting over open water. This regulation applies both to public and private land, no matter if you are the landowner.

Also, the Wildlife Act of 1953 — the occupier, his/her wife/husband and one son

Licence Agents in the Northland Region where hunters can purchase their 2014 Game bird hunting licences and obtain game season information…

Unit A5 Nell Place, Whangarei PO Box 25003 Whangarei Mail Centre 0148 PHONE 09 438 4135 northland@fishandgame.org.nz

ANGLERS & HUNTERS FOR CONSERVATION

www.fishandgame.org.nz

or daughter to hunt on their property without a hunting licence. Many landowners do not realise that the act only allows for these three people to hunt without a licence and all other family members are required to hold a game bird hunting licence.

Northland Fish and Game wishes everyone a fun and safe opening weekend and remind hunters to leave the alcohol until after the firearms are put away.

You can receive a copy of the game bird hunting regulations from your local sporting goods retailer or contacting Northland Fish and Game 09 438 1435 or online at www.fishandgame. org.nz.

AGENCY NAME TOWN Fish & Game Northland Whangarei Birchall Auto Electrical Kaikohe Catch NZ Kerikeri Kerikeri Coopers Beach Marine Sports Coopers Beach Farmlands Kamo Kamo Farmlands Kaitaia Kaitaia Mangawhai Fishing & Tackle Mangawhai McCoy & Thomas H&F Sports Kaitaia McCoy & Thomas H&F Sports Kerikeri McCoy & Thomas H&F Sports Whangarei McCoy & Thomas H&F Sports Dargaville Nolas Sports Dargaville PGG Wrightsons Ltd Whangarei RD 1 Limited Ruawai RD 1 Limited Maungaturoto Riders Sports Depot Kaitaia Stirling Sports Whangarei Whangarei Public On Line Internet: www.fishandgame.org.nz

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES April 2014

FISHING, HUNTING & DUCK SHOOTING

Dry weather may hinder hunt The opening weekend on the annual game bird hunting season in May is almost upon us and although the weather has recently produced low cloud and drizzle, most of the region remains extremely dry.

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As a result, waterfowl habitats have been reduced and in some places, have dried to an extent they are no longer of interest to ducks.

While this may ruin the hunting plans for a few, alternative plans are required.

Previous drought situations in the Northland Region appear to do two things — either concentrate bird numbers on permanent water or send them a long distance to damper climates.

The larger bodies of water or rivers which still have some flow will be the sites for hunters to concentrate and pursue Mallard populations.

Hunters may need to change their hunting locations for this year and

new styles in store now!

look at going out hunting in the many harbours and tidal salt water marshes of Northland or go out in the paddock to harvest their ducks coming in to feed on maize silage or standing green feed crops.

Northland Fish and Game wishes everyone an enjoyable and safe opening weekend and remind hunters to leave the alcohol until after the firearms are put away.

Rover Tall You can receive a copy of the game bird hunting regulations from your local sporting goods retailer, or contact Northland Fish and Game on 09 438 1435 or online at www.fishandgame. org.nz.

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Method Kaimai

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1 teaspoon ground coriander seeds 2 teaspoons ground cumin seeds 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 tsp ground cardamon seeds 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves 2 sticks lemongrass (inner white part only), finely sliced 6 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped 1 large onion, peeled and chopped 4 cm piece ginger, peeled and chopped 1 tbsp shrimp paste 10 large dried chillies, soaked in warm water (remove seeds if you do not want a very hot curry)

1. Fry onions in a pot with the oil until brown.

2. Add the duck and salt and cook until meat is browned.

3. Add massaman curry paste and 1/2 can of evaporated milk and cook for 5 minutes on low heat.

4. Add stock, remaining evaporated milk, cinnamon sticks and bay leaves and cook for 1 hour.

5. Add kumara, tamarind, fish sauce, and palm sugar and cook till meat and kumara is tender (add a little water if needed).

6. Garnish with peanuts and spring onions, and serve with rice.

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28

April 2014

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES

brought to you by BARE ROOTED PINE SEEDLINGS FOR SALE

First for tyres.

Forestry market report

by Allan Laurie

from Northland’s largest Pine Seedling Nursery!

The China market has become a focus over the last few weeks as worrying signs start to appear. It is looking like we have hit the high point in terms of price after a wonderful ‘bull run’ over the last year.

AVAILABLE FROM MAY ONWARDS

Following Chinese New Year the general expectation was factories would kick into gear, construction projects would get under way, and overall activity would increase in anticipation of spring.

However there has been much less spring in the market than expected — indeed more of a solid thump.

The Chinese Government have continued to adopt economy cooling measures as they try to stem the tide of rapid inflation. The construction sector tends to be the target with constrained credit lines hampering new project starts. Consumption levels have been low since CNY whilst New Zealand and Australia particularly, have continued to pump the logs in.

As a consequence log inventory levels have lifted rapidly, hitting an all time high approaching five million cubic metres, more that four months’ supply.

Phone Kevin Strawbridge at

027 483 0460

or email nfn@xtra.co.nz

Northern

Farming Lifestyles

Read the paper online farminglifestyles.co.nz

Your Forestry Management Experts www.northlandforestmanagers.co.nz

Northland’s climate and soils pose many challenges to a forest manager; challenges that NFM are well experienced in handling.

NFM offers a complete forest management service to forest owners which includes; • Planning & Resource Consent • Silviculture • Forest Establishment • Administration • Harvesting and Transport • Forest Protection • Marketing and Sales • Public Use Management

At these levels buyers have closed up shop, LCs are becoming harder to confirm and all in all it has become a little ugly. As one might expect, prices are very much under downward pressure but not nearly to a level the inventory suggests they should be.

As reported last month the market indicator A grade hit a high of US$160 per cubic metre. April settlements have been in the order of US$155–$158.

General sentiment is suggesting US$150 might be reached in May. At present this level appears to be the market bottom

NORTHLAND FARM & FORESTRY

SUPPLIES SUPPLIES

Family owned business and values

• Chain, Shackles, Hooks, Tie-downs, Lifting slings, Chain blocks • OREGON Forestry products: Bars, Tips, Files, Chain, Wedges • Welding services, Light engineering

NFM has a number of clients wanting to purchase standing timber & forest.

Call us first if you are thinking of selling.

13 Cobham Rd, KeriKeri

Ph: 09 407 7115

Email info@nfml.co.nz

PROMO – 2.5Tx8.5mtr Tie-downs $19.50ea+gst Workshop 2/8 Skippers Lane, Waipapa. workshop: 09 407 8969 cell: 027 484 0999 email: rob@nffs.co.nz

FINDING THE RIGHT SOLUTION FOR YOUR FOREST

Woodbank has a proven track record of generating the best returns for your forest or wood lot.

Tailored sales methods suit the forest owner, ensuring the harvest of your trees are hassle free and into reputable markets.

We offer the following harvesting and marketing methods: • Managed forest sales • Pay as cut stumpage sales • Log grade sales • Open book management • Lump sum purchases contracts

Contact

Darrin Collett 0274 310 darrin@woodbank.co.nz

159

Mike Barlett 027 630 3002 mike@woodbank.co.nz

(09) 412 2261 www.woodbank.co.nz

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES April 2014

Gas & Tyre

brought to you by also struggling with any lumber price increases. Large volumes of Northern South Island and North Island lumber are flooding in to Christchurch. This leaves the market well sated for supply with little appetite for price lifts.

More recent news out of the Nelson and Rotorua areas is suggesting some constrained log supply also, I suspect, as forest owners chase the more

SER V ICES

lucrative export log market. Perhaps some domestic ‘correction’ is not in the too distant future.

All in all a more subdued and negative tone this month, but on the back of some very good times in the market indeed. Thus, it has never been more timely to remember the only way forward for climate, country and the planet is to get out there and plant more trees!

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line with most commentary suggesting a US$10 reduction will be enough to bring balance.

Importantly also buyers in China cannot afford to let the price go too low or they will be left holding high cost stock and eroded margins. In fact negative margins and reduced sales together a very squirmy bank manager would be the order of the day.

Importantly also it was only five months ago when we reached US$150 on the way up and we thought all our Christmases had come at once. So, you can leave the gun in the cupboard, it is certainly not time to be contemplating ending it all now!

Shipping costs have been ramping uncomfortably so but again we appear to have reached the peak for the moment.

As soon as shipping companies see prices dropping this will also be a catalyst for change or at least some more fervent negotiations. For the moment we are securing charters in the US$38–$40 per cubic metre bracket

although we have heard some have had to settle at up to US$42.

A FOREX rate against the US of $0.86+ is reaching in to the realms of the ridiculous and is certainly eroding wharf gate prices in NZ. Every cent erodes about $1.55 per cubic metre off the wharf gate price at the current sales levels. All indicators are for a continuance of this most unhealthy situation for exporters.

The market is certainly chugging along now. The big issue for sawmills is supply with forest harvest focussing on wind damage recovery and that does not always mean logs suitable for the domestic sawmills focussed on house framing.

Indeed the combined effect of generally younger age classes being recovered and therefore smaller trees, together with a lot of logs now being sap stained, mills are really struggling for supply.

There is certainly a lot of price pressure out there but sawmills are

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29

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Covering All Areas

Forest & Woodlot owners If you are considering harvesting in the next 1-3 years, NZ Forestry Ltd provide professional harvesting and marketing advice and management to maximise your net return. We start with careful planning to complete the operation efficiently, evaluate all the sales options, & minimise your risk. It is our responsibility to manage the health, safety & environmental risks of your job.

We also provide general forest management services, and will provide sound and practical advice for your growing forest asset. So if you wish to replant we will advise your options.

We have two Registered Forestry Consultants who can undertake valuations where required & provide expert advice.

NZ Forestry Ltd & ForestLand Ltd recently merged, so if you have previously dealt with ForestLand you will get the same professional service & attention to detail as in the past.

For an obligation free discussion contact NZ Forestry Ltd today!

Free up your time.

Go fishing while we stay back and work!

For a free no-obligation quote phone George Dods on (09) 470 4400 or 021 986 074

Office (09) 974 8726 Jeremy (027) 506 0676 E jeremy.w@nzforestry.co.nz W nzforestry.co.nz

30

April 2014

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES

What is happening in your heart arteries?

Last month we saw that heart artery plaques start with cholesterol becoming trapped in the walls of blood vessels. Free radicals oxidise trapped cholesterol to a dangerous form and over time this can lead to artery blockages.

It makes sense then that less circulating cholesterol translates to less becoming trapped.

There is a lot more to it than that, especially the role of inflammation, low antioxidant levels, high homocysteine and of course lifestyle factors such as exercise and diet.

Cholesterol is transported by carriers called LDL and HDL. LDL transports cholesterol from the liver via blood to individual cells to do all the things it is needed for. High LDL is a risk to coronary arteries.

HDL transports cholesterol being returned back to the liver so high HDL means your body is effective at recycling that which it cannot use.

While statin cholesterol medications effectively reduce LDL cholesterol they can cause side effects such as muscle weakness, pain and general lethargy. This is mainly because they inhibit an enzyme needed to make Co enzyme Q10 which is essential for muscle energy. If you take statins I

recommend a specific CoQ10 called CoQSol® which rapidly lifts circulating CoQ10. Call me for information on this.

Some cannot tolerate statins and others with high cholesterol would rather use natural methods to balance their cholesterol.

For this group, studies show that the most effective natural cholesterol balancer is a proprietary blend of citrus extract called PMF’s (polymethoxylated flavones) and palm fruit extract (tocotrienols).

Tocotrienols belong to the vitamin E family and can help to balance the liver enzymes responsible for cholesterol production. PMF’s help balance the processes that make the LDL and HDL carriers for cholesterol. Give me a call if you need more information.

John Arts (B.Soc.Sci, Dip Tch, Adv.Dip.Nut. Med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health Ltd. Contact John on 0800 423 559 or email john@johnarts.co.nz.

Join his weekly newsletter at www.johnarts.co.nz.

For product information visit www.abundant. co.nz.

Abundant Health

Northern Rural Marketplace Acraflex Dairy Wall Coatings

AFFCO LIVESTOCK Terry North

New or existing walls

Able to be applied between milkings during summer months

Maize Planting & Harvesting Round Hay & Silage

Colourcrete Dairy Floor Resurfacing System Suitable for repairing damaged dairy floors or slippery areas Bruce Cameron 027 498 8412 / 09 235 8263

Anlyn Piling & Contracting Ltd Whangarei

Andy Payne

• Pile Driving & Drilling • Farm & Rural Bridges • Dams • Retaining Walls • Earthmoving • Drain Cleaning • House Sites • Races & Driveways • 12 T & 5 T Diggers • 6 Wheel Tipper • Bulldozer & Sheepsfoot We dig your dirt

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email: anlynpiling@value.net.nz After hours & Fax 09 436 2982

Conventional Hay Baling

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Neil Johnson P: (09) 438 4273

FARMERS – How clean is your water?

Would you drink the water out of your troughs?

Now is your best time to service your water system…

Give us a call and let’s check it out.

PHONE 09 438 9103 (24HRS) CALL FREE 0800 McQUINN

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NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES April 2014

31

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Doug Wilson Manager Phone: Fax: Mobile: Email:

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Subsurface Drainage Specialists (Nth) All Services & Maintenance Available PO Box 1174, Whangarei Ph 09 434 7741 • Mobile 027 273 6865

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A big range of Health Solutions for you, your family and animals

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NORTHERN FARMING CLASSIFIEDS Reach 33,300 Rural Homes — Phone 0800 466 793

For Sale

For Sale

ATV MATS from $89 — Come in & see us at Rouse Motorcycles, King Street, Hikurangi. Phone 0800 963 636. www.atvtyres.co.nz. Be quick offer ends 31/4/14.

NEW YAMAHA FARM ATVs — 5.9% interest & 3 year warranty. Only at Rouse Motorcycles, King Street, Hikurangi — phone 0800 963 636 & Yamaha MC Whangarei. Phone 09 438 0804.

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SINTERED BRAKE PADS — for MX and FarmBikes — from $39 at Rouse Motorcycles, King Street, Hikurangi. Phone 0800 963 636. www.atvtyres.co.nz STOLEN QUAD-BIKES? — You won’t find any listed here, but you can pre-empt this kind of thing happening and protect your fuel too. Visit www.parabeam.co.nz or call 0508 727 223 for more information.

WEED EATERS & CHAINSAWS — GET 10% OFF STOCKED ITEMS at Rouse Motorcycles, King Street, Hikurangi. Phone 0800 963 636. www.atvtyres. co.nz. Be quick — offer ends 31/4/14.

ATV SAFETY HELMETS — from $119 accessories from $15. The law has changed! Have you got yours? Come & see us at Rouse Motorcycles, King Street, Hikurangi. Phone 0800 963 636. www.atvtyres.co.nz. Subject to availability.

BACK 2 WOOD Demolition. We buy & sell renovation materials. Servicing Northland — Auckland. Specialising in Windows, Doors, Ranchsliders, Kitchens, Vanities, Roofing and More! Check out our website back2wood.co.nz or Phone 0800 10 98 77.

BOAT TRAILERS, full range to suit 12ft to 27ft boats, very competitive prices and immediate delivery for most models now. Call us to discuss free on 0800 162 500 Xpress Trailers.

BOX TRAILERS, single and tandem axle trailers at very competitive prices, full range of sizes, 7x4 $1895, 8x4 $2195, 8x5 tandem $2895, 8x5 single $2295, 10x5 tandem $3495, 10x6 tandem $3895 Ph 0800 162 500 Xpress Trailers.

CABINS TO RENT, only $49.50 per week, 3.6x2.4m, minimum hire 6 months. Fully insulated. Northland based. WINZ quotes welcome. Delivered to your site. Phone 09 459 4996, 0800 111 344 or visit www.roommatecabins.co.nz for more info.

CHAIN & SPROCKET KITS DIRT OR FARM BIKE. SAVE 10% off RRP If you get them fitted at Rouse Motorcycles, King Street, Hikurangi. Phone 0800 963 636. www.atvtyres.co.nz. Be quick — offer ends 31/4/14.

CHAINS FOR lifting, logging, transport, tiedowns, lifting slings, shackles, hooks, welding services, light engineering. Call Rob at Northland Farm & Forestry Supplies 09 407 8969 or call into 2/8 Skippers Lane, Waipapa.

NEED NEW ATV TYRES? GET 20% OFF RRP & FREE FITTING at Rouse Motorcycles, King Street, Hikurangi. Phone 0800 963 636. www.atvtyres. co.nz. Be quick — offer ends 31/4/14.

Rural Services FARM BRIDGES Phone Pat now 0800 222 189, visit www.bridgeitnz.co.nz. Bridge It NZ Ltd. FURNITURE MOVING Around NZ or around the world.

Single items or house lots. Pro Packing, moving, insurance. Via trucks, containers, shared loads.

Ph 0800 496 753 www.worldmoving.co.nz.

“Experience & Advice You Can Trust”.

FARM WATER systems, pipelines, earthworks, new house effluent & septic tank systems. Unblock existing drains. Experienced in altering & installing farm effluent systems. We are just a phone call away for all this and more! Call Adam 021 747 248.

For Sale

ATV FARM BIKE MX SPARES INTRODUCTORY OFFER New Customers Receive 7.5% discount off RRP for all stocked items with this voucher at Rouse Motorcycles, King Street, Hikurangi.

Phone 0800 963 636 www.atvtyres.co.nz Be quick – offer ends 31/4/14. Conditions apply.

ATV SERVICE

Energy Efficiency DO YOU LIVE IN A WINDY SPOT? 3 phase wind turbines starting at $2,200 includes 450 watt turbine, 6m pole, charge controller and inverter, Batteries not included. Ring Colin at Windpower Waikato Phone 0274 831 041 A/H 07 843 7983 Email colin@windpowerwaikato.co.nz WINDMILL WATER pumps by Ferguson Windmills Company. Phone 09 412 8655. www.windmills.co.nz. sales@windmills.co.nz

Animal Health Products

Receive 10% discount off RRP for standard service parts* with this voucher when you get your ATV serviced at Rouse Motorcycles,

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, Garlic & Manuka Honey 20L - $49.95, 200L - $450 or 1000L - $2000 + GST with free delivery. Black Type Minerals Ltd. Phone 021 185 1501. www.blacktypeminerals.co.nz

King Street Hikurangi Phone 0800 963 636 | www.atvtyres.co.nz. *Conditions apply, offer ends 31/4/14.

ANY SIZE flock. Top quality job, good rates. Phone Rob 027 209 0942.

MX FARM BIKE SERVICE Receive 7.5% discount off RRP for standard

Nurseries & Plants

service parts* with this voucher when you get your

SUBTROPICA NURSERY. A wide range of subtropical fruiting and ornamental plants by courier throughout NZ. Bananas, cherimoya, casimiroa, kava, lucuma, pineapples and much, much more.

Visit www.subtropica.co.nz or catalogue $5 from Subtropica, Massey Rd, R.D.2, Waipu.

MX / Farm Bike serviced at Rouse Motorcycles,

BARE ROOTED pine seedlings for sale from Northland’s largest pine seedling nursery. Available from May onwards. Phone Kevin Strawbridge at Northland Forestry Nursery Ltd, 027 483 0460 or email nfn@xtra.co.nz.

Water Tank Services TANK WATER TESTING. Find out what harmful ‘bugs’ are present in your drinking water. Samples tested for Coliforms, a written report supplied and remedial actions suggested. Contact Simon at 09 422 9345 or at tankwater@xtra.co.nz.

Sheep Shearing

ROAD SAFETY

King Street Hikurangi. Phone 0800 963 636. www.atvtyres.co.nz *Conditions apply, offer ends 31/4/14

Wanted LEASE BLOCK or grazing, anything considered above 250 acres. Phone Colin 09 433 8142 or 021 882 857.

DRIVE TO THE CONDITIONS

32

April 2014 NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES

WORK HARD. RIDE SMOOTH. $10,995 SAVE $2500 $14,995 SAVE $500

*

*

INC GST

INC GST

• 549cc 4-Stroke EFI Engine • On-Demand True All-Wheel Drive • Rolled Independent Rear Suspension • 680kg Towing Capacity • Anti-kickback steering • Active Decent Control and Engine Braking System

HEAVY DUTY FEATURES •N NEW Sealed driveshaft splines • NEW Sealed suspension bushings

• 455cc Engine with Polaris Variable Transmission • On Demand True All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) with Turf Mode • Certified Roll-Over Protection Structure (ROPS) • Independent Front & Adjustable Rear Suspension • 64 km/h Top Speed • Dump Box Capacity - 227kg • Towing Capacity - 567kg

RANGER DIESEL FINANCE OFFERS 0%P.A. OVER 24 MONTHS ^

1/3 UPFRONT

1/3 IN 12 MONTHS

1/3 IN 24 MONTHS

OW RS N E D R NG O TAKI

$11,995

$12,495

• Engine Braking System & 4 Wheel Descent Control (4WDC) • Built for Australia with Heavy Duty “HD” Features: - Sealed Driveshaft Splines - Sealed Ball Joints - Sealed Suspension Bushings • Mirrors, Indicators and Horn • Dump Box with 180kg Capacity • Electronic Power Steering

INC GST

• Adjustable Seat and Steering Wheel • Rear Rack Capacity - 110kg • 3-Point Seatbelt and Protective Netting • Unique Single Passenger Cab Design • Independent Front & Adjustable Rear Suspension • Certified Roll-Over Protection Structure (ROPS)

ROUSE MOTORCYCLES

1 KING STREET, HIKURANGI. PH: (09) 433 8471

MAUNGATUROTO MOTORCYCLES LTD

117 HURNDALL ST, MAUNGATUROTO. PH: (09) 431 8555

INC GST

KUMEU CHAINSAW W & MOWER SERVICES MAIN ROAD, HUAPAI. PH: (09) 412 8109

CA MO MOTORCYCLES LTD

725 POUTO ROAD, DARGAVILLE. PH: (09) 439 0170

*Offer ends 30/6/14 or earlier if stocks run out. Only available at participating Polaris dealers. Not valid with any other offer. Excludes fleet clients. ^Subject to credit approval, fees, terms and conditions apply.

Based on a 24 month Hire Purchase Contract. To approved Registered GST No Holders for business purposes only on applications for Polaris Ranger 900 Diesel models. Offer expires 30/6/2014. Polaris Finance is a program operated by De Lage Landen Ltd Company No: 135515.

0800 440 290 www.polaris.co.nz