Taranaki Farming Lifestyles, November 2017 by Integrity Community Media

Taranaki

FARMING Lifestyles

November 2017 Edition

9,541 copies DELIVERED FREE to every rural delivery address in Taranaki

Jumping to great heights

Health from the ocean

monsoon season’s nearly

Nutfield scholar’s research findings P6

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Helping hands on the farm Page 12–13

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

NOVEMBER 2017

New chair for Farm Environment Trust

The Taranaki Farming Lifestyles is published with pride by NorthSouth Multi Media Ltd, a privately owned New Zealand company. Phone: 0800 466 793 Advertising: Lara Stott, Tania Wilson

by Denise Gunn

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Ashburton farmer Joanne van Polanen was recently appointed the new chair of the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust. The trust runs the Ballance Farm Environment Awards. Mrs van Polanen said the organisation is looking forward to working with the new government, showcasing the efforts that farmers and growers are making to balance the needs of the environment, animals, plants and people. “The trust is uniquely placed to work across the primary sector to promote farming excellent with other farmers and growers. “Increasingly, farmers and growers are reframing environmental issues as opportunities. “We would like to see New Zealand’s farmers and growers recognised as global leaders in the stewardship of land and water.” She said the trust’s awards have identified a strong cohort of regional and national farming leaders who exemplify the very best in profitable and sustainable farming practices. “These are the people who are taking farming to the next level, showcasing what ‘future-ready’ farming really looks like. These are people who are ready and proud to welcome consumers onto their farms.” Mrs van Polanen said farming is evolving quickly in New Zealand, and adopting practices and technology that will see our producers retain their place as world leaders in food and fibre that comes from using resources responsibly. Mrs van Polanen acknowledged the role of the previous chair, Simon Saunders, who had been on the trust board for the last nine years. Mr Saunders has stepped down to focus on personal and business commitments. With Hew Dalrymple also retiring after several terms, two new board members were elected; Phill Muir who farms with his family in Taranaki, and Dr Mike Scarsbrook who is employed at Fonterra as programme manager — water. Mr Muir, his wife Bronwyn and

Joanne van Polanen is the new chair of the New Zealand Farm Environment Trust

their three adult children currently own and operate two dairy properties, milking 650 cows. The family also established the nationwide OnFarmSafety New Zealand brand. In 2014 Mr Muir took on a regional judging coordinator role in the inaugural Taranaki Ballance Farm Environmental Awards. Mr Muir said he thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of that role, and the opportunity to actively support the successful implementation of the regional competition and showcasing the best of Taranaki farming operations. “I feel it is now time to contribute to the sustainable success of agriculture at a national level, to ensure the future successes and publicity of the work being completed by the sector.”

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NOVEMBER 2017

Dairy industry awards help couple fast-track progression by Denise Gunn

Two south Taranaki dairy farmers, Owen Clegg and Hollie Wham, have almost halved the length of time they set to become herd-owning sharemilkers. The couple credits entering the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA) in 2015 with fast-tracking their progression. Hollie said when they started lower order sharemilking, they had a goal to be herd-owning sharemilkers within five years. They achieved this in three years. “Entering helped us build a stronger relationship with our bank and analyse how we operated our business.” “The process gave us the nudge we needed to take the next step,” she added. Now in their second season 50:50 sharemilking 185 cows at Manutahi, south of Hawera, the couple also set a goal to shorten the length of their calving period by almost four weeks. “When we bought the herd last season, it had a calving spread of 12.5 weeks, which is quite long,” said Hollie. “Last spring, we shortened mating to 10.5 weeks, using short gestation semen at the end to condense calving this year.” This season the couple has cut mating to nine weeks and will do all artificial insemination for the first time. “We don’t see the point of buying four Hereford bulls to run with the herd for a fortnight,” said Hollie. The changes will give cows more time to cycle before mating and get more milk in the vat before the coastal farm dries out in summer.

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Taranaki dairy farmers Owen Clegg and Hollie Wham

To help combat the current wet conditions, the couple has introduced palm kernel (PKE) to the herd’s diet during mating. “Ensuring the cows are fully fed when the paddocks are wet and the grass gets trampled has been a challenge,” said Owen. “We started feeding two kgs per cow per day a fortnight before mating started last month.” “Two-thirds of the herd was mated in the first 14 days, which is a lot better than we anticipated,” he said. Owen and Hollie are constantly looking at ways to improve their business and grow their skills.

The couple have decided to enter the awards for a second time this season. “Our goal is to have a larger 50:50 sharemilking position, be in an equity partnership or leasing a dairy farm within five years,” said Hollie. The couple are both members of South Taranaki Young Farmers. The region’s five Young Farmers’ clubs are running an interclub challenge to encourage members to enter the awards. Entries close November 30.

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES Photographer credit Christine Dawkins

by Denise Gunn Taranaki showjumper Mathew Dickey recently received a $5,000 AMP Scholarship to assist in his dream of representing New Zealand in the showjumping arena.

rowing up in a family of riders, Mathew was around horses from a very young age. Lessons at Jill Tompkins’ riding school in Oakura began when Mathew was around six years old, along with attending the local pony club. Mathew said his passion for show jumping stemmed from working with horses from this young age, sparking the lifelong dream to become the best horseman and show jumper in New Zealand. “The jumps fall down in jumping, compared to the cross-country phase of eventing, also, the fastest, clearest round wins — you are not at the mercy of the judge’s opinion. And you get to

jump the highest fences across the equestrian sport.” he said. He began competing with a team of ponies, winning a number of top national titles including Pony of the Year, Pony Showhunter of the Year, Pony Grand Prix Series, and National Pony Grand Prix Champion. When he moved onto hacks, success continued. Ten years ago, he competed in Germany at the ‘German Friendships’ competition with riders from 35 countries participating. In 2011 he won the Young Rider of the Year title and took out numerous wins and placing’s at Grand Prix and Young Rider level. He was selected to travel to Abu Dhabi as

Photographer credit Libby Law

Mathew (right) with his parents Jen Blyde and Phil Dickey

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Photographer credit Libby Law

NOVEMBER 2017

Photographer credit Libby Law

Mathew riding Quango during the Country TV World Cup

with a dislocated hip. “I overcame it through my friends pushing me around in a wheelchair, and then hopping straight back on horses as soon as I could.” He’s also recently undergone shoulder reconstruction surgery, focussing on his rehabilitation to get straight back on a horse. The 27-year-old currently has seven horses in his show jumping team. Four of these are competition horses and the other three are young horses he is developing. “Quango is my best horse currently, our family purchased him as a five-yearold and have produced him to be a World Cup show jumper.” “I get great satisfaction thinking back through the progression of a horse’s career to where they are now, they are

very generous animals to do what we ask of them.” Mathew said. AMP Managing Director Blair Vernon said the talent, dedication and courage of the 2017 AMP Scholarship applicants meant it was extremely rewarding as well as particularly challenging to choose this year’s talented recipients. “This year AMP will provide up to $200,000 to help inspirational and gifted New Zealanders of all ages and from all walks of life who have the courage to chase their dreams — whether it’s a desire to start a new business, launch a community-focussed project or to represent New Zealand at the Olympics — we can help turn their dream into reality,” said Mr Vernon. “Since 1998 AMP is proud to have dedicated more than $2 million towards

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helping over 200 everyday Kiwis realise their dreams and to contribute in meaningful and profound ways to our communities. We will continue to help foster greatness in our gifted dreamers, and we look forward to helping talented Kiwis like Mathew go on to achieve great things.” With his team based in the family’s stables at Oakura, Mathew plans to use his AMP Scholarship to upgrade these management and training facilities. Decreasing his full-time hours working as a civil engineer to part-time is allowing Mathew to focus on his dream.

He is also embarking on an equestrian business venture to coach riders and train horses. Now that he has more time to live his passion, he has a “new-found energy to leap out of bed in the mornings.” He said a major highlight of his show jumping career has been producing some great horses with the help and support of his family and partner and his immediate focus is working towards the World Cup New Zealand Series. “I want to get to the top of the sport nationally, and look towards competing internationally if the opportunity arises.”

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

Health from

the ocean by Ann Morgan

Whilst visiting organic farms around New Zealand some years ago, Jill Bradley and Keith Atwood discovered the importance of organically grown fruit and veges and started their family business AgriSea, producing seaweed products for the home gardener.

ver time a range of skincare products was created under the business Ocean Organics in 1996 as a way for Jill to have a natural hand cream made from a wide variety of New Zealand herbs. Other products have also been made available to help with skin. “Our skincare products are created from an array of high quality hand picked and hand pressed New Zealand native wild herbs, and the results are

incredible,” says Jill. “They are produced in small batches and are made totally by hand — from the picking to the mixing and packaging. “I often gardened without gloves and my hands had little infections from rose thorns and things so I needed a cream that was moisturising and healing. We set about visiting many medical herbalists to find someone we could work with on our project.” It took well over a year to find someone the couple would work with.

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

Jill and Keith had two questions for each person they met with. How long have you been a medical herbalist and would you be prepared to sit with Maori experts to work with herbs of our own country? “We all hear about Chinese herbs and the European knowledge of herbs but it was the knowledge of New Zealand medicinal herbs that we wanted to integrate. Our herbs come from a perfect bush environment — grown in beautiful quality soil. We found a lady that has worked with herbs all her life and she said she would be honoured to sit with Maori herbal experts to learn from.” Jill and Keith then decided their Agrisea gardeners might appreciate the hand cream as it is not filled with chemicals and is moisturising and healing. The family then created a healing salve that has also become very popular. “It is really outstanding and a lot of people with eczema use it — it was like magic. In the early days I cleared a big bank of cleavers, and my forearms were absolutely on fire when I came in. I said to Keith I made a mistake and should have worn sleeves and gloves, so I used the salve on one arm as a test and it was an instant relief. “It has a mixture of herbs such as manuka, flax root, seaweed, rescue remedy and lavender. It is one of those balms that is good for anything and clients have said it is magic for hemorrhoids as well. A friend who had bowel cancer used it out of desperation after chemotherapy and said it was like magic and helped her get relief where nothing else had worked.” Five years later Jill’s daughter asked her to create

a face cream. “The rose and almond face cream was the very last product we made and is for our gardeners and Agrisea farmers’ wives — the men use it too. It is a truly nourishing face cream and is great if you are out in the elements. It has no chemicals in it, just herbs. “Agrisea is the family’s main business and Ocean Organics is the sideline company that is just as important, and we plan it to always be here for our customers. We refuse to have the products mass produced — I think you would lose something. Keeping it made in small batches regularly is the best thing. Even the base cream took us ages to find as it needed to be special. We found a Chinese chemist and medical herbalist and he makes it especially for us. “Having created these products is amazing, there are little stories all the time. Our grandchild uses it for eczema — a man came because the salve is the only thing that helps his skin condition that he has had for many years. Someone’s horse had an ulcer and the salve healed it. It sounds like a miracle but it really is that we have a phenomenal array of truly healing herbs, put together by a woman who knows her stuff. There is always three per cent in the world things don’t work for but for the majority it helps. It is our go to balm. “Even our Agri Sea products are handmade with wooden paddles by people — not machines. We believe if you are going to sell something to people it is very important to sell something of high value.”

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

research findings by Denise Gunn

As part of his year as a Nuffield scholar, Jason Rolfe spent several months travelling overseas and returned with a better understanding of how global agricultural and food production works, along with New Zealand’s place in the chain.

ason was born and bred on his family’s dairy farm near Inglewood, providing him with a solid agricultural foundation. “Mum and Dad grew this farm from 120 cows to 360 cows over my childhood, setting a great example of the goals you can achieve by being determined, motivated and aiming high” he said. Following high school Jason headed to Lincoln University, graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce in Agriculture

majoring in Rural Valuation and Farm Management. In between university semesters he furthered his agricultural knowledge working on a Te Kuiti sheep and beef station, as well as on the home farm. In 2010, Jason began working with Farmers’ Mutual Group (FMG) as part of the FMG graduate programme. He covered a number of positions, taking up his current role as Taranaki’s FMG area manager two years ago. Jason leads a team of highly capable sales staff in the Jason meets with Japanese dairy farmer Mr Yoshikawa

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region. “The role has a large amount of diversity from dealing with farming clients, learning about their farming system and risks they face one day, to meetings in Wellington discussing overall strategy, direction and goals for the business both locally and nationally.” Two years ago, Jason attended an intense six-month Kellogg Leadership programme. He said this was a huge personal stretch and growth from a leadership point of view, as well as a great opportunity to build a network of like-minded people around the country. “My topic centred on how we can better attract talented school leavers into careers in the primary industry.” Jason is also a Taranaki Federated Farmers member, a National Institute of Primary Industry Management (NZIPIM) local committee member, and a Rural Business Network Taranaki founding member. The Nuffield scholarship took him to a number of countries with the first stop in Brazil to attend a conference with 60 other international Nuffield scholars. This was followed with group and individual study tours of Argentina, the United States, Canada, Singapore, the Philippines, Hong Kong, China, Japan, South Korea, the Middle East, Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. “Across these countries I was lucky enough to visit a full range of agricultural and horticultural enterprises from dairy, beef feedlots, sheep and beef farms, to cropping farms. We also visited orange, sunflower, vegetable and almond producers, pig and chicken farms and everything in between.” Jason said some of these farms were as large as the entire Taranaki region.

Jason and his wife Christina

Tours of several milk, feed, lamb and chicken processing plants, as well as meeting with embassies, trade office government officials, and other professional firms including banks, insurers and consultants, were arranged too. Jason had two main areas of further study underlying his Nuffield research topic. “These were how do we become the employer of choice in the dairy industry, and how does the dairy industry better utilise E-commerce platforms to improve on farm returns,” he said. Now writing his research report, Jason will present his findings at the Nuffield New Zealand conference in May next year. While still early days putting his findings into a credible report, he has already developed some key insights around both topics. He hopes to develop these further into a New Zealand setting.

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NOVEMBER 2017

Visiting a dairy farm in Brazil

“E-commerce for example is a sales channel that is seeing double-digit growth in many of our major markets, particularly China and the United States. With the logistics getting more competitive, New Zealand certainly has an opportunity to list its presence in this space and be only a click away from our premium customers.” Jason believes New Zealand still has a long way to go to becoming employer of choice compared to some of the countries he visited. “One of the biggest deterrents to a dairy industry career is the long hours, particularly during the busy periods of the year. Many countries Jason visited employed more staff on-farm, working less hours.

He said although this would seem a higher cost model, all staff were paid an hourly rate, working no more than 40-50 hours a week. “The result was value for money as staff were more productive when they were at work as they were well rested and took less breaks during the day.” Although Jason and his wife Christina are not currently farming, they are looking into either a lease farm or becoming more involved in the family farm next year. “Other short-term goals for the next one to three years are to get into some governance roles in the primary or sporting sector so I can give back on my Nuffield learnings as well as develop my own leadership skills.”

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ADVERTORIAL

Safe or not safe? by John K Morris CEO of Agrissentials

From my perspective the only safe phosphate on our planet ever, was guano. When these deposits were depleted the ‘phosphate companies’ moved to Reactive Phosphate Rock (RPR). Guano contained no heavy metals and was full of macro nutrients and trace elements. This was a beautiful product, keeping soils and animals and people fit and healthy. When the Nauru, Banaba and Christmas Island deposits were depleted, the British Phosphate Company organised the import of phosphate rock out of Morocco in to both Australia and New Zealand. Phosphate rock is full of heavy metals; uranium, lead, mercury, fluorine, arsenic and cadmium — it has no trace elements but has the micro minerals phosphate and calcium. I find it hard to get my head around how RPR is certified, and I ask, how is it ‘reactive’? I know that in the making of

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super phosphate, the phosphate rock is blended with either phosphoric acid or sulphuric acid to make soluble enough to be taken up by plants. The amazing thing is that after all the preparation to manufacture ‘super phosphate’ according to research done in Ruakura around 1953, only one percent of the phosphate rock is actually taken up by the plants with the eight percent balance of the phosphate going directly into the environment or locking up in the aluminium and clay particles of the soil. The acidic nature of super phosphate is impacting on the microbial life of the soil, creating erosion and acidity. The whole point about farming is to look after your soil. When you get that soil healthy the whole farm is going

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to be healthy, along with productivity! Some organic farmers use RPR on their pastures, but I still want to know how it becomes ‘reactive’. You could maybe lower the pH of the soil, but that would create more acidity and more problems. When I decided to use natural volcanic rock dust as a fertiliser I came up with all sorts of ideas to make the rock dust reactive. I even tried some of the ideas, but there was no reaction — nothing. However, quite by chance I blended together rock dust and our Oceans100 liquid fertiliser — still no activity. I needed two more products in combination with the rock dust and Oceans100, and bingo, 48 hours later I had a steaming, living, multi-mineral, microbial rich, environmentally friendly fertiliser ready for production. The beauty of this product and all the other products we produce is that the ingredients all come out of the environment; they are part of the environment and part of your farm, unlike

chemical fertilisers, sprays and drenches which are all artificially produced. As I have always said, farming is a natural process. All the materials we use on the land must come out of the environment. When we look at Mother Nature, she is a big part of farming. She has provided the top soil, the water we use — she provides the photosynthesis from the sunshine, she is an essential part of farming. Moving to Agrissentials natural system is not a leap of faith, but a positive move in the right direction, bringing health and vitality to all life. Visit us at www.agrissentials.com or give us a call on 0800 THE KEY for a FREE INFO PACK, that’s 0800 843 539 to find out how we can partner with you to find a better way of farming. Alternatively you can contact your best on earth fertiliser representative Ben Tippins 021 738 601 to grab your special deal today.

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

by Denise Gunn Lee Jane’s passion for farming began in high school. Now she runs her own business providing a helping hand on farms around the region.

hrough her years at high school, most of Lee’s friends lived on dairy, sheep and beef farms. During weekends and school holidays, Lee was mostly likely to be found helping out on these farms or exploring the countryside and surrounding bush land. “I was keen to help out with any duties that needed to be done,” she said. When Lee left high school, she initially took up work as a checkout operator and lotto attendant. A general cheese packer position at Fonterra in Eltham followed. Lee said she soon realised however, that working outside around animals was more appealing. “I also wanted to challenge myself on a daily basis.” After attending Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre in Stratford, Lee gained a Certificate in General Farm Skills

— Levels Two and Three. She has since added years of practical on-farm experience in Taranaki, Waikato and the Rodney District. “Admittedly I missed the mountain and family so came home,” she said. Around that time, she was working for several different farms when it was suggested she start her own business. Although Lee hadn’t considered this previously, two seasons ago she took the plunge and established Lee’s Milking Services. The business essentially offers milking services, calf-rearing, tractor work and farm sitting. “If I’m honest, I was a little worried about running the business side, but with a bit of guidance, advice and study, I seem to be doing all right. “There’s actually a big calling for this type of work as everyone needs time off.”

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Lee has a natural affinity with animals

Through word of mouth recommendations and with social media exposure, Lee’s business has steadily grown. “Last season, I was completely booked and I don’t recall any time off until the dry season.” Based in Kapuni, Lee’s business covers all of Taranaki. “I went as far as Manutahi last season which was pretty cool.” Lee enjoys working on different farms with a variety of stock breeds, meeting new people and their pets. “I also like that I get to work in so many different types of cowsheds — old, new, small, big.” She also enjoys helping farmers to get much needed time off the farm to attend functions, birthday celebrations, spend Christmas with their families, or even to have a casual afternoon to play golf or go fishing.

NOVEMBER 2017

With plans to expand the business, Lee is considering offering more services or covering a wider area

When the dairy payout dropped, Lee was determined to help in some way and introduced a no-charge milking. This also helped prove Lee’s capabilities which eventually resulted in more ongoing work. “I used to just randomly do them here and there when I could fit them in, now I kind of turn it into little competitions, just to make it a little fun.” she said. Lee’s sense of humour has been known to amuse some of her clients too. “Last season for Christmas, my worker and myself dressed up as Santa and an elf. We milked that way and the people we were milking for had a good laugh. You’ve got to be able to have a laugh and fun now and then.” Her natural liking for animals has been picked up by one cow in particular. “I have this one farm where No. 152 comes and stands in the pit with me right up until the end of milking. She is

never worried about knocking cups here and there as long as she is getting her pats,” she said. “I love friendly cows.” Lee is keen to expand her business and is considering whether this would

be with extending the range of services provided or employing more staff to cover a wider area. Meantime she plans to continue each season as she has in the past — with integrity and a sense of humour.

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

Eliminating Old Man’s Beard

Ongoing vigilance by landowners is required to help control an aggressive pest plant threatening streamside planting and biodiversity in the Taranaki region.

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“Old Man’s Beard poses a significant threat to riparian planting along streams and rivers, and indigenous biodiversity, with the potential to infest most lowland forest across the region,” says Taranaki Regional Council Environment Services manager Steve Ellis. “Residents need to destroy Old Man’s Beard on their property as required under Taranaki’s Pest Management Strategy. There are some exemptions on land within 50 metres of the Waingongoro and Patea Rivers due to highly infested areas. These will be lifted once control operations in these areas successfully reduce the pest plant to low levels.” A control operation targeting Old Man’s Beard along South Taranaki’s Waingongoro River, is underway. It follows a successful control operation along 30km of the Kaupokonui River. This operation will expand to the Patea River, but a start date and area to be covered has yet to be defined. Contractors will work along 16km of the Waingongoro River in Eltham, from Finnerty to Stuart Road, over summer. Different control techniques will be used including herbicide sprays, but any chemicals used will be at approved concentrations, along with cutting and pasting vines. “The type of technique will be discussed with the occupier or landowner before it begins,” Mr Ellis says.

The Waingongoro operation will run until February 2018, with a possible follow up in November 2018. TRC and Department of Conservation funding will meet all costs of the initial control operations. The control operation aims to emulate the success of the Council’s Self Help Possum Control Programme. “Controlling this damaging climber is crucial if we are to protect our valuable biodiversity and maintain the hard work

by Taranaki farmers on the region’s award winning riparian programme. “Landowners continuing to look after their own backyard is our best chance of beating this weed and taking Taranaki forward.” The Council provides technical advice and education to land occupiers and owners, undertakes property inspections, compliance monitoring and, when necessary, enforcement action to eliminate the pest plant.

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

Rabbit virus application received The Ministry for Primary Industries has received an application to approve the use of the Rabbit Haemorrhagic Virus Disease RHDV1–K5 for pest rabbit management nationwide. RHDV (Czech strain) already exists in New Zealand after it was introduced in 1997. This 2017 application is for a Korean strain that isn’t currently found here. MPI has notified the application under the Agricultural Compound Veterinary and Medicines Act (ACVM), and will consider any submissions before making any decision on the data that has been submitted in support of the registration. “We are keen to hear from the public, including pet owners. The consultation closes on December 14, 2017,” says MPI’s Allan Kinsella. “We will consider benefits of the release to the agricultural sector, as well as identification and management of risks to animal welfare, agricultural impacts, trade and public health matters associated with the virus. This will include consideration of the risks posed to non-target animals such as pet rabbits. “The strain of RHDV that already exists in New Zealand has a vaccine which is being used to protect against the new strain in other countries. As part of MPI’s assessment we will be considering evidence of protection against the new strain.”

Allan Kinsella, MPI director systems audit, assurance and monitoring

Any new strain that is released, propagated, and sold also needs to be approved under the Biosecurity Act. RHDV1-K5 strain will only be approved if it meets the requirements under the ACVM and Biosecurity Acts. The Canterbury Regional Council has made the application and the intent is to introduce the strain nationally.

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Improving joints (Part 3) Back in 2011 there was some interesting emerging research that suggested the traditional osteoarthritis supplements were perhaps targeting the wrong ingredient. Most supplements were heavily weighted towards glucosamine sulphate with a smaller amount of chondroitin sulphate (CS). As a result of this research I completely reformulated my Bettaflex joint supplement. I did two things. Firstly I increased CS to 380mg per capsule and secondly added a 95% curcumin (turmeric) extract. This gave a maintenance dose of 760mg of CS. Almost immediately clients reported better results on the new formulation. These results were increased where we added 1-2 months on a double dose (4 capsules daily) which delivered over 1500mg of CS. Over the last few years there has been still more quality research into the benefits of CS with knee osteoarthritis. Just last year a study compared 1,200mg of chondroitin sulphate 1,200mg with a leading COX-2 selective anti-inflammatory arthritis medication. The study was over two years and used MRI to establish the

benefits. This was a high quality double-blind placebo controlled trial involving 200 people over 24 months. It concluded that while both groups had similar improvements in comfort, MRI analysis showed the CS group had much greater reduction in cartilage loss. This finding was consistent with five other studies looking at the benefits of CS for knee OA. While most of the studies have been with knee OA, I have found that most joints affected by OA can be helped. While such studies are useful really it is all about what happens to an individual with osteoarthritis. This is why I prefer to create a personalised programme which takes many factors like age, weight, medications, diet and exercise into consideration. Please contact me for further information. John Arts (B.Soc.Sci, Dip Tch, Adv. Dip.Nut.Med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health Ltd. For questions or advice contact John on 0800 423 559 or email john@abundant.co.nz. Join his full weekly newsletter at www.abundant. co.nz.

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

Consultation launched for biosecurity

NOVEMBER 2017

Sheep and beef farmers are being encouraged to have their say on a proposal to give the sector a direct say in readiness and response to biosecurity threats. Beef + Lamb New Zealand, in conjunction with DairyNZ and Deer Industry New Zealand, is launching consultation on a proposal to sign a Government Industry Agreement for Biosecurity Readiness and Response Deed. Information packs outlining the proposal are due to arrive in farmers’ mailboxes and the consultation officially got underway from October 31. Sam McIvor, chief executive of B+LNZ, said the GIA was about working together to protect farmers from exotic pests and diseases. “Farmers consistently tell us that biosecurity risks are among the biggest risks we face as an industry. “Currently, when hard decisions are being made about how New Zealand prepares to respond to an exotic pest or disease incursion and, more importantly, what to do during an actual response — we are ‘in the room’ and consulted, but it is the Government that makes all the final decisions. “Signing the GIA would give sheep and beef farmers, through B+LNZ, a seat at the biosecurity decision-making table. Alongside other GIA Signatories,

we would have more direct influence on biosecurity preparedness and response decision making. “There are costs associated with signing the GIA, because it means agreeing to contribute to readiness and response costs. The level of these contributions would depend on the significance of the pest or disease to the sheep and beef sector. “Importantly, our sector could also choose to set a funding limit as part of a GIA Operational Agreement.We think that the benefits of signing the GIA, with increased certainty and control over our own biosecurity destiny, justifies potential costs. We would be better prepared, have a pre-agreed set of minimum readiness and response commitments between industry and government, and agreed limits on our industry’s potential cost-share for readiness and response activities. “If we don’t sign the GIA, we will have much less influence over the decisions that affect our sector.” Mr McIvor said the Government could also use powers under the Biosecurity Act 1993 to recover costs from industries that benefit from a

Sam McIvor, chief executive of Beef + Lamb New Zealand

response even if they have not signed the GIA.“That would be a poor outcome for our sector and we would lose the opportunity to work together with government and other industries under the GIA to manage fundamental risks to

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

Calling in on the country by Andy Bryenton

So, you’ve managed to become the one relative in the entire extended clan who happens to run a successful farm, or who has retreated from the big city to enjoy the lifestyle block ‘good life’. The rural idyll — complete with lots of hard work, of course — looks pretty appealing to suburban siblings as the holidays roll around, and your position amidst the green hills or near the coast suddenly becomes a magnet for family and friends. If you’re generous and game enough to play host to all those cousins, aunties, uncles, kids and grandkids (not to mention old university mates, work buddies and sports’ team acquaintances) who ‘were just in the area’ over Christmas and New Years, then we salute you. But there are a few things to know which will make preparing for the coming ‘tent city’ that little bit easier. First, tell them what to expect. A holiday in the country is not the Ritz-

Carlton, and that’s a big part of its appeal. Be straight up and honest about the need for your rellys to bring plenty of insect repellent, and all the gear to keep their little camp site self sufficient. Running countless cables from the barn, house and garage for fridges, xboxes, televisions and hair straighteners isn’t really camping, is it? If you’re playing host while summer farming chores are still ongoing, it’s also good to gently remind the folks that the concept of a ‘holiday’ is a bit blurry in the agricultural sector. And that a farm comes with hazards for the unwary. That being said, there’s something great about helping teach the

young ones just where their breakfast eggs and milk come from. The hard part of hosting your family and friends out in the country is not becoming like John Cleese’s mad hotelier Basil Fawlty. There’s such a thing as being a gracious host, but don’t try to be a chef, butler, valet and tour guide as well.

Expect your guests to pitch in and they’ll likely be happy to help. Remember that sometimes a gentle reminder that you can’t take hour long showers on tank water in summer goes a long way. That a bit of help around the barbie and the beer fridge goes along way toward securing next year’s hearty welcome.

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Spoiled for choice in sizzle season

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The barbecue used to be a simple thing. Back in the past this method of cooking got its name from pirates who, unable to muster up a chef’s skills, simply dragged the iron grille from their ship’s gunpowder hold, set it up over a fire and threw fresh-caught slices of wild pork on top. But now the art of the true barbecue is making its presence felt. Through the television and internet we’re graced with visions of the true pitmasters of this culinary way of life, and tastes are changing. Say that you’re planning a summer barbie today and people will be asking about your plans for a dry rub for that brisket, or your secrets to perfect slow cooked pulled pork. This means making a fundamental choice before the summer season really hits. It’s time to assess the grill itself, and see what kind of cooking you’re going to indulge your friends and family with. Choosing a classic charcoal kettle marks you out as a purist, and is sure to deliver a real old-fashioned flavour. There’s a lot more can be achieved with this classic design than many people realise, and it all comes down to a careful use of charcoal to deliver slow and even heat. A gas grill has been the front runner for many households for the past decade or more, and is also a versatile outdoor kitchen thanks to its lack of actual coal or wood chips. Definitely a must for the boat, a gas grill may not be able to provide that smokey flavour all on its

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own, but quick and even heat mean that it’s a great platform for cooking all kinds of different fare, from seafood to steaks and even, with the fitment of the right accessories, a mean rotisserie. The outdoor cooking setup of the moment, however, features an offset firebox in the style of barbecues in the American southwest. This method allows a fire to be kindled in a separate chamber from the meat itself, and delicately flavoured wood chips can be added to mix their aroma with the slowly cooking main course.

For the master of the backyard kitchen, there are barbecues which combine three or more of these functions - offset firebox, gas grill and charcoal, or gas, charcoal and a rotisserie. No matter how you grill, the key to a great result is to choose the best cuts of meat, to prep with marinades and rubs for flavour well in advance, and to be patient. Good things take time when it comes to the new, slow-cooked trend in barbecue, but the taste is well worth the wait.

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

Holiday Guide A whole world to experience by Andy Bryenton

They say that travel broadens the mind, but in this era of broadband and globalised entertainment it does far more than that. Travelling to far-flung places makes all the images you’ve seen of them more real, and adds that elusive element often missing from documentaries and movies — the real, down to earth culture of the people who live there. Here are some top tips from questioning seasoned world adventurers about how to enjoy the wide world around us. 1. Go somewhere off the tourist trails. We all want to visit the pyramids, Machu Picchu or the Eiffel Tower, but the reality which lives around these monuments and attractions is what

you’ll remember. By all means visit the icons of world travel, but look below the surface too — go where the locals go to eat, check out small music venues, theatre or cinema in the local language, and, just like a Kiwi holiday, remember that some of the most interesting attractions are often under-advertised.

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2. Don’t be afraid to try the local cuisine. Tales abound of world travellers sticking to fast food franchises for fear of food poisoning. But most nations have tourist-friendly rules for food prep, even for street vendors. Of course there are exceptions, but no dirty chef stays in business long. See where the local folks eat and be adventurous. Telling tall tales about trying scorpions in honey or spicy squid is much more interesting than NEW ZEALAND SOUTH ISLAND 2018 Nature Walking Tour for Seniors

18 Day Tour: Departs 25 April 2018 $4,800 per person (twin/double) Join us for 16 beautiful nature walks exploring the South Islands most iconic features from pristine waterways, wild untamed beaches, forested lakes, estuaries, river trails, gold fields, bird sanctuaries. Diverse and rewarding during the beautiful Autumn season. Start and finish in Nelson with many two and three night stays in the same place.

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October 9th-27th, 2018

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a parade of hamburgers. 3. Be cautious with your currency. But don’t treat everyone as a potential criminal. Sadly, every country has it’s bad apples, so it’s prudent to invest in a money belt that sits close to your skin, and beware of crimes uncommon in New Zealand like pickpocketing. This being said, most people will be happy to help you with things like advice, directions and translations — just as we are in New Zealand. 4. Learn a little of the language. The locals will appreciate you trying, even if you mangle their dialect a little. Try to study some key phrases even if you plan to use a translation device or app — being able to say thank you, hello, good evening, and ask for the location of key facilities will make you seem more approachable. Research local customs too — little things like whether or not to take your shoes off, shake hands, sit or stand for cultural ceremonies — it makes you seem like a clued-in world traveller and a gracious guest. Most of all, have fun. Try to get the most out of each day, even if it means throwing carefully made plans out the window to explore or join in an event that’s happening where you happen to be.

*per person share twin

Package Includes:  Return economy class airfare flying Singapore Airlines from Napier.  6 hour transit hotel in Singapore.  Domestic economy class airfare: Delhi – Udaipur, Agra-Varanasi, Varanasi - Delhi.  Accommodation in Hotels including breakfast and some meals.  All transfers, sightseeing, excursions, etc as mentioned in the program.  Excursion to Sam Sand Dunes, Jaisalmer with camel ride.  Boat ride on Lake Pichola, Udaipur.  Services of an English speaking guide for the entire program.  All ground services using private air-conditioned coach.  All entrance fees (as per sightseeing programs in the itinerary), gratuities. baggage handling in the Hotels and current applicable taxes.

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

NOVEMBER 2017

H O L I DAY G U I D E

It’s all just around the corner by Andy Bryenton

When it comes to exotic holiday destination, it’s often easy to miss the fact that we are living right inside one. International tourists all have a visit to New Zealand on their ‘must do’ list, so isn’t it strange that many of us who are lucky enough to be born here have never sampled the sights and scenery that makes our own land unique? Of course, there are plenty of great reasons to check out a part of the nation you’ve never visited. From the breathtaking vistas of Fiordland through to the high country grandeur which formed the backdrop for Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, you’ll never have to learn a single foreign phrase or change your currency once. And if your work means there’s only time for a quick break away, you’ll spend less time on board long haul flights and queueing in airports if you opt for a Kiwi getaway. Tourism is one of our biggest earners, and there are plenty of attractions both natural — Waitomo Caves, the thermal playground of Rotorua, the beauty of the Heaphy Track — and man-made to take in. Have you ever taken a trip on a river jetboat? Jumped off the bungee swing in Queenstown? See the northern coast from a gyrocopter, or the Bay of Island from under a parachute? You could even tone it right down and simply travel between the vineyards of Marlborough on a winery tour, or take in a weekend of charter fishing, culminating in some fine seafood.

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Of course, the classic Kiwi vacation is rumoured to have gone missing over the years, as camp grounds become luxury apartments. But it’s still out there. A top pick for this year is to get into some nostalgia or retro camping — the new trend which rejects ‘glamping’ and its electronic creature comforts. Pack an old-fashioned tent and a charcoal kettle grill, book in with one of the many

great ‘no frills’ camp grounds which still dot the coast, and do it the oldfashioned way. You might get sand in your sandwiches and zinc on your nose, but recapturing the summer good life requires only a single big commitment. Leave your cellphone at home. The Kiwi camping definition of ‘checking up online’ is seeing if that surfcaster stuck in the sand has picked up any bites.

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

NOVEMBER 2017

LIVESTOCK

A HARDY BREED Shirley Jenkins is the secretary and herd registrar of the Welsh Black Cattle Society of New Zealand and she and husband Bruce moved into Welsh Black cattle in 1980 as an alternative type of stock for their 600 acres of rolling land, now reduced to 200 acres.

“

e farmed the family property

that Bruce grew up on for some 40 years. It was originally Bruce’s grandfather’s property. “We started with a Friesian dairy herd and went back into Jerseys. We then wanted beef cattle to go with the sheep running on the steeper 400 acres as well, and thought we would try a different breed of cattle to go with them,” said Shirley. “The Welsh Black have a good reputation for being hardy and providing high quality meat and milk. Bruce and I started using the bulls to tidy up after AI for our dairy herd. They seem to be getting more popular and we sell the bulls to dairy farmers. “They are average sized cattle, about the same as a short horn — not great big huge things, but definitely not miniatures. They used

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to be dual purpose but with the increase of performance of traditional dairy breeds, they are now essentially a beef animal.” Shirley says they grow well and the stock handle all weather and are versatile for grazing hard country and land with rough feed, and they are a good size for lifestyle block owners. The meat has good flavour with nice marbling. “The cattle are bred all around the country and there is a polled strain as well as the horned ones. They are a good breed for anything really.” Last year the Welsh Black Cattle World Congress was held in New Zealand with 46 people visiting from across the world, including, Germany, Australia, United Kingdom, Luxembourg and Wales. “They are still popular in Wales and have been cross bred with an exotic cow but the farmers there are going back to the original

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Welsh Black cattle convert rough feed into weight gain and are known to enjoy foraging

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

NOVEMBER 2017

LIVESTOCK

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EITHER WAY IT’S 20K Shirley Jenkins is the secretary and herd registrar of the Welsh Black Cattle Society of New Zealand now. A Canadian visitor said they are great for the snow conditions where they live,” said Shirley. “They are good for cold climates because of their thick winter coat. They need a shelter to hide from the wind but they don’t necessarily need housing in tough snow conditions as they hold their own heat longer than other breeds. They have very thick hides and like all animals they do need shade in the summer.” In summer and in hot climates this coat is replaced with a smooth, glossy coat. “Welsh Blacks are a true hill country breed of cattle and are generally easy calving,” said Shirley. “Their history of being raised in harsh, outdoor environments and their ability to convert rough feed into weight gain and having a willingness to forage makes them an ideal animal for any property.” The calves are known to be vigorous and hardy and do not present feeding problems in dairy operations. The cows have a long, even lactation up to 300 days and they have a long productive life of 15–20 years. “This hardy breed has much to offer modern

farming systems with its ease of production and award winning succulent meat. For more than 100 years the Welsh Black Cattle Society has nurtured, promoted and sought to improve the breed — a job which is continuing.” Margaret and Edwin Foord have 40 head of cattle and say they like them because of their temperament. “I was first introduced to the breed through some bulls my dad had. They were older Welsh Black and they were very calm and mellow to be around,” said Margaret. “Our children mistook them for stumps in the bush and it was then that I got really interested in the cows. My husband and I foot farm so we have a lot to do with the cattle and interact with them. The more we walk and talk to them the more they trust us.” Margaret says cattle they have brought in that had never been handled are now people friendly and as the years go on their progeny have become more trusting. “We sometimes have open days with 50 people visiting and our cattle handle it. They grow well on moderate or rough tucker. At present we are clearing off the neighbour’s property getting rid of the rank

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tough stuff including gorse and turning it back into pasture. “They are wonderful cattle. They grow well and we don’t lose as many stock because they are so hardy. We highly recommend these cattle for all types of farms, they suit hill as well as low country.“

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NOVEMBER 2017

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

DAIRY Avoid Drink Driving BE THE SOBER D FOR A NIGHT

Uncommon sense

Game of two halves

POND DEATH Do we have to kill the good guys to get the bad guys? Most farmers use Chlorine to clean their sheds. Problem is, Chlorine also kills the good bacteria in your pond that eat the crust and sludge. Now there’s a new Chlorine-free sanitiser that kills pathogens better than Chlorine and leaves the good guys alone! It’s called DX50.

David Law, Managing Director of Forward Farming Consultancy

To complete the skills needed for our consultancy we have encouraged participation from specialists in specific fields. Mark Dixon focusses on feed balancing and making the best of the choices of feed available. I have invited him to share his thoughts: To maximise genetic potential in dairy cows having a solid game plan is crucial. The game plan needs to begin at least 21 days before calving. Consider the season as a world cup rugby test match. History has taught us that winning that game requires more than an 80 minute performance. This is no different in ruminant dairy nutrition. Our transition period is our vital warm up but without a good transition plan we can’t expect our cows to perform to their potential. A strong start sets the platform for a winning season.

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As far as purchasing genetic potential goes, most farmers are buying the ‘Ritchie McCaw’s’ for performance. I haven’t met a farmer yet that has not been extremely proud of the genetics in their herd, but when it comes to formulating a plan around unlocking the genetic potential the conversation always comes back to cents/kg/dm, or residuals. I am sure the All Blacks nutritionists don’t go and buy the cheapest nutrition on the market and monitor the residuals on the plate or bowl as a gauge of profitability and performance Unlocking your cow’s genetic potential requires planning and preparation around nutrition. Your cows are looking for this every day when you pull the feed cord in the shed, the bat latch drops to the feed pad, or they make it to the paddock that you have chosen for their daily nutritional requirements. Despite what you may have been told, pasture is not a complete diet but luckily it

doesn’t take much to balance some of the shortfalls that limit production and health. After experiencing one of the wettest springs in history this season, one would say the first half has been challenging and your cows may not have hit their peak. Don’t give up. Holding cows at a reasonable production level once in-calf for most of the second half can make up for them not peaking where you would have liked. How many times have we seen the All Blacks come from behind and win. To do this we need to head to the changing sheds have a rock solid halftime discussion, and formulate a total farm system approach to ensuring your cows have everything they need to come through the second half of the season on top and be profitable. All Blacks have never won a test match at half time — it’s a game of two halves. If you want help formulating a successful game plan then please give us a call — Mark Dixon 027 546 2900

WHY A DCS MILK COOLING SYSTEM IS THE BEST INVESTMENT IN YOUR FARM European design and quality - Over 50 years experience in developing milk cooling tanks and one of Europe’s leading Dairy Cooling Systems producers for the needs of farmers around the world – from Mexico to Japan, from Russia to South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Horizontal Milk Cooling Tanks with Iced Water Cooling – 50% more effective in cooling the milk compared to standard direct expansion systems without any risk of freezing the milk due to the water temperature of +0.5 > 1.0degC. Highly suitable for AMS (Robotic Farming Systems) with low milk flows – no risk of freezing the milk.

Improved Milk quality through Snap Chilling = potentially a higher return adding PROFITS to the farm. For 30yrs Eurotec has been supplying the NZ Refrigeration Industry with leading Global Brands. The only NZ supplier of this technology providing nationwide coverage and After Sales Support with branches in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch with over 30 Approved Refrigeration Installers throughout the country from Invercargill to Whangarei. Check out the DCS website www.dairycoolingsolutions.nz or talk to your refrigeration contractor to find out how you can comply with the new regulations before the 2018 deadline. Packo Ice Banks Packo Milk Tanks

Energy Saving with Packo Ice Builders (PIB’s) – thanks to the ice energy store build-up during night time hours, a smaller refrigeration unit can be installed plus the potential savings of off-peak power rates. Water Saving with PIB’s – bore water pre-cooling is not necessary with the correctly sized PIB. This is ideal for drought prone regions or where water supplies are restricted.

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

NOVEMBER 2017

DAIRY

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Irrigation Matters with Clem Powell

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The mystery of irrigation sprinklers

ow i

ng Smar

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ce 2010

that build carbon back into the soil.

With the impending proposal for a reduction in irrigation water take in many parts of the country, it is possibly a good time to consider efficiency in water application. Sprinklers are ubiquitous on the irrigation landscape but how well do they actually do their job? There are many claims bandied about, often from branded sprinkler systems, such as ‘they require less water than other methods’ or ‘they have less evaporation than big guns’ or ‘they achieve greater soil penetration with less quantity etc etc. How true are these claims? Firstly irrigation is the replacement of moisture which is lost through the plant growing and evaporation from the ground, depending on crop cover, soil type etc. So if you need 5mm/day to beat evapotranspiration then you need to apply 50,000 l/ha/day as average. In other words take the mm application required and multiply by 10,000= l/ha/ day required. It also depends what the evapotranspiration conditions are. NIWA publish data which may be some use if you have a test point near you. In any case you cannot make the plant starve/thirst without some loss in growth. For a short term you can

consider the ground itself as being like a reservoir for the plant. You can let the plant sip from the reservoir (existing moisture content) but finally you have to replenish and in a greater amount to catch up. Unfortunately by the time you realise the plant has stopped growing you are way behind. The application method is somewhat secondary as long as it is achieved. So bang goes the first claim. Secondly, science tells us that when we expose water to warm air, evaporation occurs. How much occurs is governed mostly by how much surface area is exposed and how saturated the air is. We can’t do much about the air saturation but we can keep droplet size up to reduce percentage of exposure. Remember school science? A globe (droplet) increases mass x 4 each time you double its diameter but the surface area only doubles.This principle works for both sprinklers, large guns and pivot sprinklers etc. Sprinklers tend to have smaller droplets. So bang goes the second claim

PUMPING PROBLEM?

Thirdly, water penetration - and we are assuming the ground has not been left to go rock hard- is a hydraulic result. Within reason, the more water you apply the more penetration you get. It’s not possible for 1mm of application to do the same as 2mm. So bang goes that claim. I know Variable Rate Irrigation with GPS plotting/mapping is helping to reduce water used, but this is probably outside what most readers are considering. Fixed sprinklers also suffer from excess application due to overlap. The most common placement of sprinklers is on a square pattern. Easy spacing requires not too much thinking and fits most paddocks. However some areas are getting four times the application of others. We offer free advice and quality products at Irri-Max Ltd 0800 426296, www.irrimax.co.nz. or sales@irrimax. co.nz

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NOVEMBER 2017

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

RURAL WHEELS

Return of the Century by Andy Bryenton

The recent Tokyo Motor Show proved two facts — that Japanese design is setting off in a bold new direction, and that electric and hybrid powertrains are here to stay. But the star of the show didn’t wear the badge of any Japanese marque you’re likely to have heard of. That, in itself is bizarre, because it is without a doubt the most prestigious product Toyota have ever made. While their robotic production lines can put together a Yaris in minutes, this car is hand assembled over nine days. The bumper alone is polished for 11 hours by a man who would, in the 1600s, have crafted samurai swords. A fleet of just five are owned by the Imperial House of Japan, and you have to be invited to an exclusive club to be allowed to own one. Nevertheless, the 2018 Century is deliberately understated — an anti-Lamborghini which is silent, unobtrusive, luxurious, silky smooth, and utterly on a par with Rolls Royce, Bentley and Maybach. It’s

a classic tuxedo in a world of sports jackets and jeans. Out of time, but never out of place. Only three design changes have defined the Century since 1967. It’s the opposite of ostentatious, and has a reputation as the vehicle for the conservative, successful — but never boastful or vulgar — Japanese VIP. Resembling a toned-down Lincoln town car crossed with a big 1980s era Mercedes, the Century now comes with a 4.3 litre Lexus V8 with an additional electric motor for utterly silent power. The outgoing edition was the one and only Toyota to be fitted with a V12. This was in fact two of Toyota’s coveted 1JZ engines joined together. It was tuned not

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for speed, however, but to move all three tons of the Century in refined silence, producing over 400Nm of torque at just 1200 rpm. Most of us will never see a Century, let alone buy one. But its very existence raises a question. Many people think that the Hilux and Land Cruiser both peaked with previous incarnations. They, like the Century, were made by Toyota

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SUZUKIFEST 2017 | SUMMER RIDES

RM-Z250L8 Suzuki provides some great ‘real world’ reasons to get out and about on two wheels over the warm summer months. And this year is no exception!

to achieve a singular purpose, and they did so with balance and sharpness. Wouldn’t you love to see what could be achieved if Toyota put the Century team on designing an ultimate, immutable, timeless off-road ute? It might cost a lot, but it would never, ever break down. And, as an added bonus, the Emperor of Japan could enjoy some off-roading on the weekends.

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

NOVEMBER 2017

Small stature, big results

by Andy Bryenton

Even the smallest lifestyle block demands something more than just a traditional lawn mower, which is why so many owners of the classic ‘few acres in the country’ opt for a powerful ride-on to tame the grass. But there are other chores which abound on the land, especially if you’re taking the plunge into running a small amount of stock, or if your land is more wild and rugged than you’d like. That’s when the allure of joining the big boys and buying a real farm tractor becomes appealing. But many lifestyle block owners will freely admit that such an investment is a bit beyond what’s truly necessary. A big tractor can be a daunting machine to learn to drive especially if you’re coming to the ‘hot seat’ later in life. Now, however, there’s a happy medium which may just tick all the boxes. The smallest tractor in New Zealand is also, paradoxically, the beefiest lawn tractor, and it comes in any colour you like so long as it’s orange. Kioti’s CS2210 is called a ‘sub compact’, and that’s because it weighs in smaller than some big zeroturn mowers. The classic setup for this machine is to fit a large slasher-mower to its central PTO and immediately begin smashing out neatly clipped paddocks. Of course it will also handle pulling a trailer, carting sprayer equipment and even mounting a dozer blade up front. A powerful water cooled diesel engine developing 21 horsepower gets plenty of torque to those wide, soil-friendly tyres. But it’s beyond the realm of mowing where this step-up from the traditional lawn tractor to a real farming machine shines.

Bridging the gap between town and country — Kioti’s smallest ever tractor is a lifestyle block champion

That’s because the baby Kioti can handle a full range of tractor sized tools. Post hole borers, stump grinders, power harrows, disc cultivators — if you want your few acres to do more, there’s a whole utility knife of functions which can bolt on to the three point hitch at

the back of this little machine. What’s even better is the classic combo that will fulfill nearly all the chores around your block or small farm — the full ‘JCB’ pattern with a big utility bucket scoop at the front and an articulated backhoe behind.

Snap on this combination and feeding out, moving bark and gravel, trenching and drain clearance suddenly becomes a much easier task, all with the help of a machine you initially considered as just the biggest and best high-acreage mower on the market.

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GORDYS FLYTRAP FITTING®

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BANK SAID NO? We specialise in Farm Finance, working capital and debt consolidation. Also welcome applications from property developers, builder’s and first home buyers. Call 0800 888 449 or email bill@gfbl.co.nz.

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NOVEMBER 2017

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

Retailer of Rural Piping and Farm Supplies

0800 RURAL DIRECT

FREE DELIVERY ORDERS OVER $1000 NOVEMBER 2017

Maxi Culvert Tw T inwall HOT DEAL

Maxi Drain

Punched & Unpunched Drain Coil 110mm OD x 100m

225mm x 6m

M ad

e in new Z ea la n d

.00 0 14

110mm OD x 50m 110mm OD x 30m 110mm OD x 15m

225mm ID x 250mm x OD x 6m

LDPE Water Pipe Rural Nominal Bore Pipe

20mm x 100m

116PSI

130.00

Enviro Culvert Pipe

Lateral Tube

Recycled HDPE Culvert Pipe

Lateral Tube 3 bar

Diameter OD

6m Price

200mm 250mm 315mm 375mm 450mm

$ 99.00 $135.00 $225.00 $305.00 $425.00

t ings available tt Joiners and custom fitt

MDPE Pressure Pipe 9 Bar Rural Pressure Pipe Outside diameter

25mm 32mm 40mm 50mm 63mm

$ per 100m

$ per 200m

$127 $159 $216 $325 $495

$248 $310 0 $421 1 $634 $965 5

Other pressure ratings also available Suits compression and electrofusion fitt t ings tt

$305.00 $164.00 $103.30 $ 53.00

Effluent Pipe $ 6.87

90mm

$ 8.90

110mm

$11.68 per metre

9.5mm

$26.00

13mm

$35.00

16mm

$45.00

19mm

$58.00

25mm

$84.50

LDPE irrigator drag hose

per metre per metre

100M

Drag Hose

8 Bar Rated â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Suits Camlocks 75mm

NOMINAL BORE

90mm

$8.90 per metre

Suitable for above ground use. A ailable 50m and 100m Av

Hard-wearing LDPE suits AG camlocks 63mm x 50m 63mm x 100m 75mm x 50m

MANUFA F CTURED BY RURAL DIRECT FA

Super Maxi T inwall Tw Culvert Pipe SN6 Stiffness rating

TARANAKI / WHANGANUI 83 Wallscourt Place Normanby Phone (06) 272 8187 Email taranaki@ruraldirect.net.nz

I tr In t odu d cto du t ry to r Of Off ffe fer 1000mm ID x 6m 1200mm ID x 6m 1800mm ID x 6m

199.00 $ 389.00 $ 299.00 $

NEW CT U PROD

$2,500.00 $2,995.00 $5,995.00

MANAWATU / HAWKES BAY 77728 State Highway 2 Dannervirke Phone (06) 374 8971 Email manawatu@ruraldirect.net.nz

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

ALL PRICES INCLUDE GST.