Taranaki/Manawatu Farming Lifestyles, February 2012 by Integrity Community Media

u t a w a n a M / i k a n a Tar

Farming Lifestyles

February 2012 Edition

Phone: 09 439 6933 | Freephone: 0800 466 793 | Fax: 09 439 6930 | www.farminglifestyles.co.nz

Page 6

Page 11–17

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Central Districts Field Days

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February 2012

Taranaki/Manawatu Farming Lifestyles

The Taranaki/Manawatu 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 Editorial: Annette Lambly-Robinson

Advertising: Caleb Williams Tracey Sharples

by Annette Lambly-Robinson

Taranaki/Manawatu Farming Lifestyles Distribution area

Graphic Design: Greer Mackay Gavin Bainbridge David Stevens Emily Stevens Production: Jenny Crundwell

Managing Editor: Allan Mortensen (am@thelifestyler.co.nz) Accounts: Lesley Robinson (accounts@thelifestyler.co.nz) Front Cover: Some amazing scenery from Makowhai Station Story on Page 6

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b blockages so nature can handle the gradual seepage and evaporation for you. When this is happening your system will be 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 Septi-Cure™ 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. Problematic septic tanks – treat with Septi-Cure™.

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Lisa Hicks and partner Graeme Sorensen ‘grabbed the bull by the horns’ six years ago and made a dramatic career change that now sees them 50/50 sharemilking a 170-cow herd at Rongotea, near Palmerston North. At 45 years of age Lisa has found her dream job and lifestyle and is looking forward to a future in the dairy industry. “We’ve worked in a few different industries, I’ve had jobs like merchandising with Anchor and Graeme, who is a mechanic by trade, has worked as a carparts sales person,” says Lisa. “We had some land in Hastings and ran some bulls on it. But I’d always had a passion for calves and cows. We leased out the bull farm, set out to get ourselves trained up and went for it.” The couple secured junior positions on a Dargaville dairy farm and, keen to learn and ‘do it properly’, dived into AgITO workshops, on-line training and ‘any conferences that we could get to’. With a focus on up-skilling and making industry connections, Graeme and Lisa were in a strong position to enter the regional 2010 Farm Manager of the Year Competition. “We weren’t successful in the competition, but every opportunity is an opportunity to learn and the experience showed me, while I had gathered a lot of great knowledge and skills I really lacked confidence in public speaking,” says Lisa. “One of the components of the competition was preparing and giving a two-hour long presentation — it was really a gap that I needed to fill.” A recent student and industry survey gave a clear message — attitude, character, personal principles and people skills are still extremely valuable to those already established in their careers. In 2010, through the Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre Lisa began a ‘Generate' course — a professional and personal self-development and growth programme. The programme, aimed at up-skilling those in the rural sector, taught her presentation, preparation and delivery skills.

Lisa Hicks has achieved her dream job — dairy farming

Their hard work and unwavering focus on learning proved a recipe for success when the couple won the 2011 Federated Farmers Leadership Award. “We aim to own our own dairy farm in three to five years,” says Lisa. Alongside the share-milking work Lisa has begun a side-line import business. She is also now in demand as a speaker, having already presented to Young Farmers her next presentation at SMASH, the small herd conference in Palmerston North in March. She has recently joined the Lower North Island SMASH committee, an achievement she is particularly proud of. “I feel like I have come along way in a short time — I’m loving it!” she says. Lisa is now recruiting Generate students for Taratahi in 2012. The Generate programme is offered free of charge with graduates gaining a nationally recognised Certificate of Rural Leadership. Generate courses are starting in Wellington, Masterton, Feilding Dannevirke, Taradale, Hamilton, Whangarei, Invercargill and Fairlie as well as at Massey and Lincoln Universities in February/March 2012. Enrolments are open now. Please contact Clarissa Notley at generate@taratahi.ac.nz or 0800 827 2824 for further information.

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Taranaki/Manawatu Farming Lifestyles February 2012

Digesting the Food Bill — fact vs fiction By Kate Wilkinson, Minister for Food Safety

There has been a lot of talk and a lot of misinformation spread over the holiday period around the proposed Food Bill. In my role as Minister for Food Safety, I am responsible for the Bill, and I’d like to take this opportunity to set the record straight. Currently New Zealand food Bill unless they are selling or trading food for commercial purposes. Food manufacturers and sellers operate grown at home for personal or family under regulations that are 30 years consumption, or given or exchanged old. These regulations need to be for other food with friends is not updated to ensure that the food within the scope of the Bill. people buy is safe and that those selling food take responsibility for the If it becomes law, the Bill will food they sell. It’s a fact that New require those involved in the Zealand has one of the highest rates commercial trade of food to operate of food poisoning in the developed under one of three regulatory world. systems, depending on the level of Before Christmas, an anonymous food safety risk involved. Kate Wilkinson, internet campaign began spreading Minister for Food Safety Those in the lowest risk category misinformation about the Food Bill — including small traders running roadside stalls and making claims that scared a lot of people or selling their own horticultural produce at farmers unnecessarily. markets, charity sausage sizzles and bake sales — They claimed that the Bill was being rushed would simply receive free ‘food handler guidance’ through Parliament before anyone could be made information. They will not need to register anywhere, aware of it, that the Bill would make growing your and will incur no extra costs. own veges a privilege, not a right, and that food The Government recognises that charitable safety officers with guns would soon be storming and community events such as sausage sizzles, into private homes. home bake sales, and other fundraising events are The facts are very different. an important part of our Kiwi lifestyle. These will The Food Bill has gone through extensive public continue to occur as they always have. The Bill is consultation over the past four years. In 2010, designed to protect, not harm, as the Bill’s critics it was passed by Parliament’s Primary Production would have us believe. Select Committee with cross-party support, and is Finally, it is simply nonsense that armed Food due to go before Parliament sometime this year. Safety Officers would enter premises without a No one will come under the scope of the Food warrant. Food Safety Officers will not be armed

and will retain the same powers that they have had for the past 30 years under the current Food Act 1981. It is extremely disappointing that the current misinformation campaign has caused so many people to worry unnecessarily. There is nothing to fear from the Food Bill. It is all about improving food safety, updating out-dated regulations, and helping grow our economy.

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February 2012

Taranaki/Manawatu Farming Lifestyles

Living the life at Blueberry Patch by Annette Lambly-Robinson

After a busy week as an administrator at TGM Design in New Plymouth, it's hard to imagine when Christine Frey finds the time to bake up to 50 loaves of European style bread to sell at the markets, let alone tend the fruit, berries and other daily chores the farm requires.

hristine and her husband Christof own Blueberry Patch, a 50-acre lifestyle block near Okato, about 30 minutes from New Plymouth. The couple established the place about 10 years ago after emigrating from Switzerland. “We always wanted to be able to grow our own food — even in Switzerland we had our own garden, but it was our dream to be able to do it on a larger scale,” says Christine. The couple were no strangers to growing or farm life. Christine grew up gardening and spent her holidays on her

godmother's farm, while Christof grew up on a farm and is also a qualified diesel mechanic. Both admit it’s been very hard work setting up the farm, but as Christine points out, she used to live in the mountains at Grison near Zurich and it was a daily hour-and-a-half commute each way for her to get to work so she is used to long hours. Blueberry Patch as one would assume grow mostly blueberries. The decision to plant the crop was made after considerable research, neighbourly advice and the knowledge the Taranaki soil was favourable. The Freys

also had the opportunity to buy established plants after an acquaintance offered his mature bushes for sale when the lease on his property was up. Christof hand picks the blue berries The established replanted bushes gave them a head lightly on Mother Earth,” said Christine. start on normal production and thereby They also grow currants gooseberries an earlier income. and a selection of around 250 trees of They use no chemicals sprays on the various stone, pip and citrus fruits which property. include pear, quince, apricots and prunes “We are too diverse to make organic as well as a selection of nut trees. certification a viable option, but we “While I have about 50 varieties of do follow organic and permaculture apple trees — my favourites — we aim guidelines, doing our best to tread to have fresh produce all year around so have planted accordingly,” said Christine. They grow the fruit and vegetables firstly for themselves and sell what ever is excess. A commercial kitchen built four years ago means the couple are also able to process and preserve any 'seconds' as an additional saleable product. The farm runs around 24 head of mixed-aged Highland Cattle — another of Christine’s favourites, a breed which she says she fell in love with after first seeing them when holidaying as a

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Taranaki/Manawatu Farming Lifestyles February 2012 5 Christine sells her fresh fruit, her home made goodies, sourdough style breads (wheat free and diary free included) and baking at the local farmers markets and organic shops. The breads  Blueberries are native to North America and Canada and have in particular have become very popular been collected by native people for thousands of years. as more and more Europeans including  They were used in a wide range of foods including drying the Swiss people move into the district. berries for use during the long cold winters.  Blueberries are part of the Ericaceae family which includes She enjoys the contact with her azaleas, rhododendrons, heaths and heathers. customers saying its a nice way to meet  Modern days’ cultivation started seriously in the 20th century people and a good way of sharing her and is now world wide. passion of sustainable living.  Reputed to be high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory Blueberry harvest is later in the properties which is enhanced the longer the fruit is left on Taranaki region than most parts of the the bush. country and harvest is now starting  Blueberries also contain reasonable levels of vitamin C, A, E and to gear up. The main, big harvest is several B groups, and are also a good source of dietary fibre. in February, so Christine aided by the  Studies have shown this berry is also anti-ageing, and can longer summer days will be kept even improve motor skill ability if taken regularly. busier over the next few months.

Blueberry — a useful berry

Christine handfeeding her small flock of East Freisland sheep — she intends to make cheese from the hand-milked ewes

teenager in Scotland. While she loves them (the cattle) to bits, Christine is practical and the cattle are raised to fill the couple's own freezer or sold on as freezer beasts or breeding stock. The Freys have deliberately kept their operation small so they are able to manage it themselves, without the need for large amounts of mechanical equipment or staff. They have achieved this by 'cycle' planning and allowing pick your own during the height of the blueberry season to cope with the main harvest. “Blueberries are big sellers and we could sell three times more than we grow, but we prefer to grow only what we can manage comfortably.” Currently Christine is breeding 'up' East Friesland sheep which she will milk for the house and maybe in time make her own cheese — something she hasn't done since she was in Switzerland. She is on her third generation cross and it will take a few more crosses yet before they are purebreds, but Christine is content with progress. Again she will only keep one or two for the house selling off excess stock. “It’s no way to get rich but we love the lifestyle and love being busy.” she said. “I consider it a hobby — not work.” SEED DRESSI N A IN &

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February 2012

Taranaki/Manawatu Farming Lifestyles

ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND

by Annette Lambly-Robinson

For those seeking an outdoor adventure type holiday, South Taranaki's Makowhai Station may be the answer to your prayers

he 22,000 acres working sheep and beef station in the upper reaches of the Waitotara Valley offers a range of activities from camping, bush walks and tramping to horse riding, trout and eel fishing swimming and mountain biking to four wheel driving, motocross riding and hunting. Operated by Henry Matthews and Eon and Melody Wallace

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(Henry's sister) Makowhai Station's Eco-Tourism venture runs alongside the farming operation and a bee-keeping enterprise — Settlers Honey. The station has been in the family for the past four generations after great grandfather Joseph Haddow and his wife Sophie paddled up in a canoe to start the first school in the remote area in 1893. The reason for its Maori name meaning — kowhai flowering over the white papa bluffs — is obvious in spring and summer. Over the years four other farms have been added to Makowhai — its landscape starting at sea level climbs to around 800 metres altitude and boasts numerous streams, lakes, native bush and back country vistas. Over 200 kilometres of tracks and roads criss-cross the station. The vastness of the area means trampers, riders and motorcyclists may never cross each others tracks, leaving each group

All aboard the Rhino Henry Matthews drives with Melody Wallace in the passenger seat, Brianna Wallace and John Cain (the guide) on the back

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Remote, but beautiful scenery on the way to the ‘camp area’ at Kapara

climate and while cold, snow is rare around the lower levels where the houses are based (with the exception of this winter). Rain can be heavy at times and rivers can swell preventing access to the upper levels and making tracks slippery so people are well advised to check weather forecasts before setting out. “We have set rules and regulations including safety checks, but otherwise clients create their own adventure. To date we have had no problems at all,” said Melody. Clients bring their own 4WDs, motor, or mountain bikes and horses. “We get a lot of trail bikes — almost every weekend,” said Melody. The station hosted a successful trail bike event in November and another in late January. The loops which range from 35kms to 120kms are suitable for experienced riders only. An organised horse trek is planned for next month (February). And does the remoteness of the area mean being lonely for the families living on Makowhai? “Not at all,” said Melody. “We wanted

We have “ set rules and

regulations including safety checks, but otherwise clients create their own adventure

”

Children love the opportunity to land a nice brown trout

Makowhai Station Makowhai Station is 22,000 acres of hill country situated in the upper reaches of the Waitotara Valley. Retreat to our rustic accommodation, hunt for wild pigs, deer, bulls and goats, fish for trout or eels, ride our tracks or tour our beekeeping enterprise.

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able to enjoy their own activities in peace. It also means some of the tracks can be closed off from the public when required to allow normal farming activities in a particular area to proceed. Melody, who was raised on the farm, returned home with Eon and their three children last June to set up and run the eco-tourism — while Eon helps run the beekeeping business. The couple had been dairy farming for 12 years so she admits it has been a big learning curve, but one to which the family have all adapted happily. The bush and manuka honey is processed on the property so visitors can, if they wish, go through the plant or even be actively involved in the collecting of the honey. Don't expect five star accommodation — there is Opaku Lodge — a rustic historic homestead which has no power or the shearers quarters which is basic, but powered. Your own bedding is required at both locations and a 4WD vehicle to get your gear there. If you don't have one Melody is happy to transport you and your supplies in and out. There is also a camping area which is currently under development and will in the future have a basic shower block and ablution facilities, but for now it is just you and mother nature. Hunting is the only guided activity and is reported to be very good. Fallow deer, goats and trophy boar can be hunted all year round although the drier months make it easier under foot. Hunting sows is avoided to allow for numbers to grow. Eco tourism is about living with the environment so clients, while fully briefed on safety recommendations, including hazards and emergency procedures are left pretty much to their own devices. The valley provides its own micro-

Taranaki/Manawatu Farming Lifestyles February 2012 7 a change of lifestyle — a different healthy style of living and that's what we got,” The kids love it, they attend Ngamatapouri School which has a role of 10 pupils and are doing well. The outdoors are their playground and they have already learned to fish for brown trout. “It is really interesting meeting the various clients and really neat being able to share with them their adventure.” she said. Visitors costs range upwards of $20, depending on the activity selected with accommodation in the lodge or shearer quarters also costing $20 per night. For more information www.makowhaistation.co.nz.

February 2012

Taranaki/Manawatu Farming Lifestyles

Trading corporate jobs for open spaces The good life and wide open spaces is why organic growers Patricia Blatti and her partner Richard Sheldrake traded their corporate jobs in Auckland for a hectare of Taranaki hill country.

Richrad Sheldrake and Patrica Blatti are happy with their lot in life — and their fresh produce

S Its a busy life and there is always something to do

wiss-born Patricia, now 52, a former administrator for the Westfield group and English-born Richard, 63, who worked in IT, decided to move from the big smoke, to the outskirts of New Plymouth in 2004 and haven’t looked back. The couple, who grow organic fruit and

vegetables mostly for their own table, decided to start the three-year process to become organic certified in 2005. “We love nature and I find working in offices and being involved in erecting big shopping malls in a big city pretty pointless to be honest. I think what’s happening to nature in that way

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Taranaki/Manawatu Farming Lifestyles February 2012 9 tomatillos from the tomato family “They are quite gluttonous birds and but look more like a big green cape eat everything they can. We’ve tried gooseberry, capsicums, beans, zucchini, hanging reflective and noisy objects on cucumber, pumpkin, Florence fennel the branches like CDs but it only puts used in French and Italian cooking and them off for a couple of days and we’re a few potatoes. back to square one. We may have to The property has two donkeys, two somehow put netting over the trees,” cats and some chickens and roosters. Patricia says. “The donkeys keep the grass down The couple say their crop yields are and their manure is used for compost.” not enough to benefit from financially, One main draw-back to the fruit but they are established and they feel side of things is a large native pigeon their lifestyle is better. population that unfortunately love eating “We’ve done a lot of travelling and the new buds on the trees. The largish birds also frequently break branches we are happy here, so we are getting by with their weight. growing our own food,” she says.

The eyes have it.... Excess produce is sold at the Taranaki Farmers Markets

is horrendous and I guess doing this is our way of making a smaller carbon footprint,” says Patricia. The organic certifying process requires the couple to have a yearly management plan, describing what they do to improve their soils where the health of organic growing starts, rather than with the plants. “The systems need to be in place to ensure there is more going back into the soil than is taken out, as well as making sure that all practices used on the property are permitted (without chemicals),” Patricia says. However, now into their fourth year, Patricia says the record-keeping is easier

as the changes to the couple’s practices are now fewer. Patricia and Richard feed themselves from their produce and surplus is sold at the Taranaki Farmers Market on Sundays. In addition they also supply a food outlet. Fr uits grown include: feijoas, four terraces of oranges in amongst some native bush, raspberries, strawberries, plums, apples, nectarines, peaches and a few pears. Vegetables include a large amount of summer vegetables: various lettuce varieties — rocket, mesclun, a large variety of herbs, spinach, globe artichokes, yakon — an earth apple from South America,

I think what’s “happening to

nature in that way is horrendous and I guess doing this is our way of making a smaller carbon footprint

”

From a necessity to a fashion accessory, eyeglasses have a fascinating history through the ages. Most historians believe monks or craftsmen in northern Italy were the first to come up with the idea of eye glasses as an aid to vision way back around 1285-1289. The magnifying lenses for reading were set into bone, metal, or leather mountings, shaped like two small magnifying glasses with the handles riveted together to form an inverted ‘V’ shape that could be balanced on the bridge of the nose. Well glasses have certainly come along way since then! Today stylish glasses are the ultimate fashion accessory. People love the design choices, the colours and the idea that glasses are so much more than they used to be.

Eyes On Victoria manager, Raey Hardey's, selection of top name brands is one of the best in the country, and the shop is one of the most appealing in the eye care business. A crisp lime green colour scheme combined with exposed brick gives the shop a very contemporary look and feel. It’s an environment Raey enjoys working in and, one her many local and out of town customers enjoy visiting. But it’s the extensive range of glasses and sunglasses that ultimately draws the people. Resident optometrist is Kerry Bennett who moved from the UK to join the partnership of Raey’s husband Ross and fellow optometrist John Mellsop, and its parent company Wanganui Eye Care. The partnership emphasises style, creativity and fashion backed with eye health.

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February 2012

Taranaki/Manawatu Farming Lifestyles

Dr. Julian Waters proudly sponsored by...

Which Inoculant for Maize & Whole Crop Silages? There are a number of factors to consider when making maize or whole crop silages. These include crop maturity at harvest, harvesting conditions, stack configuration, feeding out, previous experience plus the type and actions of the bacteria in the inoculants. Conventional silage inoculants have been formulated to supply high levels of homofermentative lactic acid producing bacteria. These speed up the rate of fermentation and reduce ensiling losses, resulting in more silage with improved palatability that is used utilised more efficiently leading to higher production. Enzyme only products tend not to be favoured as they merely provide an energy source to the resident population of bacteria, which produce a number of acids one of which is butyric, which is unpalatable. These homofermentative inoculants have also been demonstrated to improve silage stability after the pit or stacks have been opened. However, in some cases aerobic spoilage, due to growth of yeasts and moulds, have still been an issue. This has often been associated with drier mature crop silages, where compaction may have proved difficult, or with large stacks where it takes several days to clear the face. Inoculants containing high levels of Lactobacillus buchneri, which is a heterofermentative bacteria that produces both lactic and acetic acids, have been used, where silage instability has been an issue. Acetic acid inhibits growth and multiplication of specific species of yeasts that contribute to silage heating. High levels of L. buchneri are required to produce sufficient acetic acid to be effective. The FDA stipulated a minimum level of 400,000 cfu/g wet material for claims of improved aerobic stability. The question then, is how to decide on which inoculant to use to produce the best silage. Reviewing the factors listed in the first paragraph will help answer this question. Consideration needs to be given to both ensiling and feeding

out, as conditions during either may be conducive to aerobic spoilage of silage. The basic principle is that one should use homofermatative lactic acid producing bacteria, if all the conditions are favourable, as they tend to be more palatable. However, mature crops tend to be more difficult to compact, providing easier access of air after opening, so are inherently less stable after opening. Inadequate compaction may also arise when the time required for adequate compaction through rolling is exceeded by the rate of harvesting, or if layering of the crop is too thick to be adequately compacted. In both these cases an inoculant containing L. buchneri might be the better option. Once silage stacks have been opened then some other factors need to be considered. First is the rate of silage removal from the face of the stack, relative to its size. Air penetrates the silage from the open face, facilitating growth of yeasts and moulds, so sufficient silage needs to be removed from across the face of the stack to limit their growth. The extent to which air penetrates depends on the method used to extract the silage. Machinery that cuts the silage from stacks result in a clean, tidy faces, whereas loaders may create air channels into stacks and leave untidy faces, which may heat up more quickly. In cases where it takes several days to remove silage from the entire silage face, or when it is difficult to achieve a tidy face, then use of an inoculant containing L. buchneri could be considered. In summary, an inoculant containing homofermentative lactic acid producing bacteria is generally the preferred option under good ensiling and feeding out conditions, whereas one containing L. buchneri would suit challenging ensiling or feeding out conditions, or on farms where heating silages have been an issue previously.

Dairying Kiwi kids gearing up for AgriKidsNZ Friends, the outdoors, prizes, farming and fun — what more could a kid want? This year's AgriKidsNZ Competition will be held in Taranaki/Manawatu on March 12. One of seven regional finals (the first held in Otago/Southland on February 12 ) being held around New Zealand the competition is one of the highlights of the primary school year. More than 600 primary school children took part in last year's competitions and organisers are looking forward to more of the same action this year. New Zealand Young Farmers organise the competition to takes place alongside The National Bank Young Farmer Contest.

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Teams of three are tested on what they know about New Zealand as well as their farming knowledge. NZYF business development manager Roz Lever says the energy, enthusiasm and teamwork seen at the competition was a testament to Kiwi kids and their love of the outdoors and being active. “The competitors are always so keen to get stuck into things. Sometimes they’re off farms and know exactly what they’re doing and sometimes they’re just there to learn and try something different. The competition really does cater for everyone. For some of these children the competition is their one chance a year to have a rural experience.” AgriKidsNZ is open to students in year four to eight who can enter for free by downloading an entry form at www.agrikidsnz.co.nz. Teams must complete a series of practical and theoretical modules before they can progress through to the fast paced race-off to determine which teams will head through to the Grand Final in Dunedin on May 25. Competitors also have the option to join the AgriKidsNZ Club — a network of over 1200 children, many of whom have competed in the regional finals within the last couple of years. AgriKidsNZ Club Members are kept up to date with all the latest information on the competition and receive four AgMag Magazines a year, packed with all sorts of fun farming facts, stories and puzzles. A full list of dates is available on the AgriKidsNZ website.

Taranaki/Manawatu Farming Lifestyles February 2012

Central Districts Field Days Field Days gears up for showcase The final touches to organising the Central District Fields Days are well underway for three days of showcasing the best in rural enterprise, and once again, there’s a huge range of new and returning exhibitors signed up for Manfield Park in Feilding.

The event, which runs from March 15 to 17, is a rural celebration as well as a marketing opportunity, where innovation meets the test of country experience. “We continue to make improvements and take pride in the high return rate of exhibitors,” says events manager, Cheryl Riddell. “They use Central Districts Field Days as a valuable marketing tool —

combining some or all of the elements of a trade show to increase brand awareness, meet existing and potential customers, launch new product, generate leads and of course to sell.” The event is ranked one of the largest regional agricultural field days in the country with more than 500 exhibitors and over 35,000 visitors expected over continued on page 13 . . .

www.hino.co.nz

Leave the farm for the day Meridian is passionate about working with rural communities. That’s why we’re proud to be part of the 2012 Central Districts Field Days. Visit the Meridian tent at sites J29 and J30. We’ll be on hand to discuss: • Special discounts if you pay your Meridian bills through ATS, CRT, Farmlands or RD1 • Farm specific pricing plans • Farm energy efficiency advice • Fixed or variable energy rates Come and talk to the Meridian Agribusiness Team at the Central Districts Field Days, 15 to 17 March Manfeild Park, Feilding.

THE COMPLETE TRUCK RANGE

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Do you suffer from BACK or NECK PAIN? If you suffer from back or neck pain come along to the Central Districts Fieldays and try the Teeter Hang-Ups Inversion Table. A three and a half year medical study recently completed at the Regional Neuroscience Centre in Newcastle by one of the UK’s leading Neurosurgeons and authorities on back care, found that Inversion Therapy reduced the need for spinal surgery by 77% compared to 22% with traditional methods of treatment. We will set the table at a slight angle of 20 degrees, which will gently take the pressure off your spine and relax you in a way you have never felt before. Come along for a free stretch! You will love it!

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February 2012

Taranaki/Manawatu Farming Lifestyles

Central Districts Field Days

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See us at the Field Days National Certificate in Dairy Farming (Milking) Level 3 ∞ National Certificate in Agriculture (Animal Feeding & Pastures) Level 3 National Certificate in Building, Construction and Allied Trades Skills Level 2 ∞ AGC Certificate in Carpentry Level 4

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Taranaki/Manawatu Farming Lifestyles February 2012

Central Districts Field Days It will cost $12 per adult at the gates with a discount to $9 for senior citizens on the first two days with children up to 16, accompanied by an adult, free of charge. For further information: Fax 06 354 2412 or 09 524 1170, email Cheryl@cdfielddays.co.nz or phone 06 354 0000 or 09 524 1178.

. . . continued from page 11

the three days of show, providing the opportunity to showcase product from Australia and further afield, as well as New Zealand to an estimated 40,000 farms and small block holders in the lower North Island. “We are very focussed towards farming, agriculture and rural land utilisation — we also recognise that ‘lifestyle properties’ are an increasing market,” said Cheryl. “We also cater to the fact that rural families own homes, have gardens, computers, cars, take holidays, educate their children and have leisure activities such as boating and fishing, so it’s not all farming — in fact our visitor marketing is based around ‘Best Day Off the Farm All Year’. The event swells the population of the surrounding district and provides a major economic boost to the local service industry, particularly the hospitality sector. Once again this year, Massey University is the major sponsor for the event. “Each year the university provides knowledge and expertise to the primary

SITE N45 The Natural Way production sector from farming to international trade,” said the institution’s marketing manager, Tracy Pleasants. “Massey promotes the highest standards of research and research-led teaching and university staff members work with businesses and industries to create value in the economy and looks forward to joining with the field days’ community.” The field days is again offering opportunity with a Suzuki ATV and a trailer of other prizes. One of the major prizes will be decided by a draw of rural address entry forms on the last day. Gates open from 8.30am to 4.30pm on Thursday and Friday and the event closes on the Saturday at 4pm.

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February 2012

Taranaki/Manawatu Farming Lifestyles

Central Districts Field Days Visit Boon Nappies at the Central Districts Field Days

Special events at the Central District Field Days will include:

(Site number) MP5

| Rural lifestyle Expo focussing on the rural home and family

Be sure to enter our draw to win 4 superior Boon nappies

| Straight Furrow Agriculture Pavilion

Or contact us on

ph: 027 873 6715 email: boonnappies@xtra.co.nz

| Rural Lifestyle Pavilion | STIHL TimberAces

Visit our website

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| National Excavator Competitions

NZ MADE

| Case IH Central Districts Tractor Pull Competition

and proud of it!

The DeLaval VMS will be on display at the Central Districts Field days - Fielding We hope to see you there, site D20B/D21 ™

Roaring mad about Johne’s disease in your deer?

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Come and see us to discuss your farming requirements Conventional & Automatic Milking Systems, Barn Solutions and more.... MacDougalls

We have the Johne’s Consultant Network to help you plan an on-farm JD control programme and we’ll even pay to blood test 100 of your deer. Know your status? Find out! Call JML on 0800 456 453 or visit www.johnes.org.nz

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Taranaki/Manawatu Farming Lifestyles February 2012

Central Districts Field Days Prolan natural quad bike protection and general farm lubricant With the general day to day running of quad bikes along dairy farm treks, near coastal areas — or any other corrosive environment — manure, dirt, sand or mud — or simply long term storage — the underside of bikes quickly corrode. Prolan NZ specialises in the manufacture of environmentally friendly lanolin lubricants, corrosion inhibitors and anti-seize greases. Prolan once sprayed underneath quad bikes, will last on a bike frame from 9 months to 2 years (depending on use) and won’t wash off — so bikes can be waterblasted and the frame and product remain intact — providing excellent protection. Many quad bike frames rust out within 3 years.

For seized hinges or padlocks out on the farm Prolan can save a lot of time. One spray can save months of continual maintenance and headaches. Gates swing freely and the Prolan continues to lubricate and protect. The ability of Prolan to “STAY-ON’ and its environmental friendliness, safeness and versatility ensure assets are well protected and time is saved on maintenance. Site S43 Central District Fieldays. Ph: 0800 PROLAN (0800 776 526) website: www.prolan.co.nz

Protect your farm assets long term

Prolan’s main ingredient lanolin (natural wool grease) is one of the most versatile natural substances on the planet. It’s unique properties surpass other petrochemical products in performance, reliability, longevity, protection, safety and asset management. Use Prolan to preserve, lubricate and protect your assets to ensure their longevity. Use Prolan on tractors, quad bike and 4WD chassis, harvesters, feeders, chains, conveyors, irrigation, spraying equipment, fertilisers, trucks and electrical hardware. It is at this time of the year that a lot of Agricultural harvesting is being carried out. A squeak in the mower or the elevator can soon be resolved with Prolan. One spray and the noise disappears, parts are protected and Prolan stays on. Once harvesting is complete haymaking equipment can be sprayed with Prolan to protect whilst in storage till the following year.

• Stops corrosion by preventing air and moisture attack. • 9-12months of lasting protection saving time on multiple reapplication. • Bike service life can be doubled.

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Implementing Agrifert fertiliser programmes promoting healthier soils, healthier pastures and thriving animals

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.

Find out more at sites AG7 & AG8 Visit www.agrifert.co.nz to find your nearest field consultant

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S43

5139

Quality Assurance

Find out what you can do to help make New Zealand

TBfree

Visit the Animal Health Board at the Central Districts Field Days at Manfeild Park, Feilding from 15-17 March to learn about: • The revised national TB strategy • Assessing your TB risk when buying cattle and deer • Wild animal control for TB • Hunting safely to prevent TB spread • ‘Best practice’ advice • Update your herd or contact details

You can find us at sites AG 46 and AG 47 in the Agricultural Pavilion

0800 482 4636

February 2012

Taranaki/Manawatu Farming Lifestyles

Central Districts Field Days Country’s top digger operator set to return to Central Districts Field Days Following on from his success in taking out New Zealand’s top excavator operator title at last year’s Central Districts Field Days, Taranaki’s Matthew Hareb is set to return.

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Site AG 50 Central Districts

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“I’ll give it another crack,” said Matthew. Thir teen regional champions pitted their skills against one another in last year’s competition. Matthew’s win made him just the second person in the competition’s 17-year Field Days excavator: Taranaki’s Matthew Hareb is set to defend history to win the title in his his top excavator operator title at this year’s Central Districts Field Days. first attempt. He often works 18 to 20 hour days Matthew’s interest in machinery and tractors stemmed from a young age. But his first introduction to operating a up to seven days a week completing a digger was when he was around 16 years old, using a machine wide range of tasks including farm work belonging to his cousin. and projects for the oil industry. “I’ve always liked machinery ever since I was young,” Matthew hopes his previous he said. experience will help in this year’s The 26-year-old has since gone on to establish his National Excavator Operator competition own business, Matthew Hareb Excavating Limited, in and that he won’t be so nervous. New Plymouth. And in just five years has steadily built up a “You are always learning and there workforce of eight employees. are things you can try better,” he said.

Farm Dog Training A day with Anna Holland learning an easy method for

training

farm

dogs

Taihape — 19th February Feilding — 26th February places limited — 35 only $100 — includes booklet Ph Donna (06) 328 9171 or Anna (06) 388 1318 www.annaholland.co.nz

Using 12 tonne Hitachi machines, challenges in last year’s competition ranged from planning and completing construction related jobs to other tasks set to test competitors operating skills. Members of the New Zealand Police commercial vehicle investigation unit also tested competitors on land transport regulations. The competition is organised by the New Zealand Contractors’ Federation.

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Taranaki/Manawatu Farming Lifestyles February 2012

Central Districts Field Days Mechanic gears up for tractor pull Manawatu mechanic Todd Fletcher took up tractor pulling competitions just two years ago and has already gained national recognition Driving a New Holland T7060, owned by Manawatu-based agricultural contractor Nick Eames, Todd placed second in the standard class at the 2010 Central Districts Field Days. He followed this success up by winning the national weight transfer finals at Mystery Creek the same year. Todd said he hadn’t had a lot of experience driving tractors before the event. “I’m usually on the other side fixing them,” he said. He has worked at Norwood Farm Machinery Centre in Palmerston North for the past 10 years, and got together with workmates Ian Vincent and Roger Allen to modify a Ford 66-10 tractor just over 12 months ago. The tractor was donated by the Hopkins Farming Group.

The team used last year’s Central Districts Field Days competition as a test run and they placed third in the modified section, then travelled up to the Mystery Creek Field Days and took out a second placing. “Brent Smith of Kopane Transport trucks it around to the different events for us,” said Todd. Weight and tyre pressures are usually checked before a competition and a few adjustments made to the tractor. Now Todd is gearing up for this year’s competition at the Central Districts Field Days. “I’ll be there and another Norwood mechanic, Roger Allen, will also be competing.” “We will be sharing the tractor,” he said. Todd said to finish the competition is a bonus but the event also has a social side to it. “You get a sense of achievement,” he said.

Norwood Farm Machinery Centre mechanic Todd Fletcher will be driving this Ford 66-10 tractor at the Central District Field Days.

We manufacture and directly supply the only New Zealand made Plastic Mouldboards to the agricultural sector – PRF Mouldboards Being kiwi made we are close to our market and we offer prompt delivery. We freight PRF Mouldboards direct to your door – why wait for a shipment to arrive from overseas? And with our money back guarantee on workmanship and quality you have nothing to lose. PRF mouldboards are manufactured from a plastic that has a super low coefficient of friction, therefore it requires less horsepower to pull the plough through the soil. This plastic is often referred to as the world’s toughest polymer. It has a very high abrasion resistance along with high impact strength. (The same material as all the European plough manufacturers use for their OEM mouldboards.) Vaughan Dawson Managing Director 228 Taupo Quay, Wanganui, NZ. Phone 0800 2 PLOUGH (0800 2 756844) Mobile 021 402013 Email Vaughan@prf.co.nz

Spending evenings and weekends at the Norwood workshop, the team began to restore the machine, starting with a bigger engine, larger rear wheels and new paintwork. “We named it ‘Henry’ after Henry Ford,” said Todd.

Call today to advertise in the Taranaki / M

an a wa t u

Farming Lifestyles

Phone 0800 466 793

at See us icts l Distr Centra for your ays Field D Free hoof D. free DV rpen and ha knife s deals. great

Do you know how to treat this cow? Join us at the Central Districts Field Days to find out how

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE FOR SUMMER SPECIALS Visit us on Stand D36 at the Central District Field Days Importers and Distributors of Lubricants for…  Automotive  Industry  Marine  Agriculture  Food  Cleaning 0800 ANGLOMOIL

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Come and visit us at the Central Districts Field Days, Palmerston North 15–17 March, SITE 061. Grab yourself a FREE Hoofcare DVD and learn the proper way to treat lame cows. While you are at it, bring along your hoof knives for a free sharpen and watch our live trimming demonstration. We have new products we are launching as well – with sizzling hot intro deals. We look forward to seeing you there!

SEE YOU AT CENTRAL DISTRICTS FIELD DAYS Qualied hoof trimmer Fred Hoekstra

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Stylish NZ made merino… Basics from $79 — Stand M36

Central District Fieldays

February 2012

Taranaki/Manawatu Farming Lifestyles

The Science behind the Neal Kinsey NZ group The Neal Kinsey NZ group has been recently formed to bring superior fertility to as many farms as possible. It is responding to a trend of declining results, particularly with pastures, but it is very relevant to all crops. It strongly recommends using the expertise of Kinsey Agricultural Services to assess the soils’ needs. Kinsey Agricultural Services specialises in building and maintaining soil fertility for optimum quality and yields. As a consultant, Neal Kinsey’s job is to advise

those who want guidance on how to improve their soils, crops, pastures and animals, so the clients’ production targets are better achieved. Certain fertiliser materials are recommended; they may not be the cheapest materials to buy, but they are the best, when considering the superior results achieved. Recommendations are solely focussed on improving each client’s specific soils and crops. The soils’ needs are determined by a specific set of tests that may differ from

Healthy Ewe

other labs, but are based on mimicking the plants ability to extract nutrients from the soil. Neal Kinsey studied soil science under Dr. William Albrecht, Emeritus Professor of Soils and former Chairman of the Department of Soils at the University of Missouri; College of Agriculture.

Part of your Pre-Tup Strategy

The Role of Trace Elements and Vitamins Trace elements are well known for the importance they play in ensuring healthy and productive livestock, and the effect they can have on production when deficient is equally well recognised. Trace elements are a group of 15 elements essential for the health and productivity of all animals, however the elements of prime importance with well known deficiencies are Selenium, Copper, Cobalt and Iodine. Adequate daily intake of these is required for maintaining efficient metabolism, resistance to disease, detoxification processes, healthy growth, good reproduction performance and efficient feed conversion. If levels of these elements is inadequate, or if the daily requirements are above what can be obtained from natural feed such as can occur during pregnancy, reproduction or periods of stress, then a vitamin/mineral supplement should be considered. It is with this in mind that Vetpak has developed a product containing a combination of these essential minerals and vitamins to help boost levels in sheep during those crucial periods. Healthy Ewe is a water soluble multi- mineral, multivitamin powder containing Iodine, Selenium, Cobalt and Zinc and Vitamins A, D and E. Healthy Ewe comes in a 1kg pack and is mixed with clean water to make to 5 Litres of liquid product, which should be drenched at 10mls per Ewe and 5mls per lamb. Healthy Ewe has no meat or milk witholding periods. For more information please contact you local veterinary clinic.

Dr. Albrecht was born on a farm in Illinois. He grew up with an intense interest in the soil and all things agricultural. These he approached, however, through the avenues of the basic sciences and liberal arts. As he and his associates unlocked the secrets of nature, they recorded their findings over the decades between the 1930’s and 1970’s. Dr. Albrecht held four degrees — B.A, B.Sc, M.Sc, and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. He travelled and studied soils in Great Britain, Europe and in Australia. During his long teaching and learning lifetime, Dr. Albrecht wrote no less than 445 papers on sound agriculture, and almost all have been reprinted in the world’s major languages.

do not take the time or effort to educate themselves to understand the science behind the programme, and have therefore failed to correlate such testing with actual field results in terms of yields, stock health and production. Some, from our institutions in New Zealand even claim that overseas soil tests do not work for NZ soils. If that were true, then how can they explain the superior results we obtain? We are committed to encouraging farmers to understand the “true science” behind soil testing and fertiliser application. So what is that real science?

Each agricultural practice is now being rightly questioned as to sustainability. Despite that, many diverging parties claim to occupy the moral high ground, leading to farmer confusion.

Dr, Albrecht emphasised that to be true science, it must be highly repeatable. What science does the growers or farmers need to know to produce the best possible result? To begin with, the soil test must be accurate. If you can’t measure it; you can’t control it. It controls you. In these circumstances, you are subject to the whims of nature and fluctuating yields, diseases and results. A worthy soil consultant, working with a truly scientific soil test must be able to differentiate between soils that produce top quality crops and those that don’t; and be able to tell why. Furthermore, he must be able to improve the situation for the client.

Soil Scientists are not familiar with all laboratories, tests and procedures that exist. Like everyone else, they only know what they know. Sometimes they feel threatened by certain developments, because it challenges what they believed and what they still believe. Time after time we hear “Where’s the proof?” Put simply, lack of proof for these doubters is a lack of effort on their part to do the research and find out for themselves. They simply

The proof of the pudding is in the eating. You can only prove what is being said here by doing it in the field. In some cases, the complete response may take up to three years to achieve. In most cases, results are evident within a month or two, but almost certainly within the first year. If you still have doubts about the effectiveness of the programme; try it on a small scale. You will not regret it. The results you get will prove; this is true science.

“Principles of Building Soil Fertility”

Neal Kinsey, by popular demand is retur ning to NZ in 2012 for the third time to present his three day courses. Peter Norwood, well known animal nutrition expert from Australia will be joining Neal at these events

Course Venues & Dates: TAUPO Huka Falls Lodge Taupo March 5th - 7th 2012 INVERCARGILL Ascot Hotel Invercargill March 12th - 14th 2012

eal of Kinsey Agricultural Services, Charleston, Missouri is a soil fertility specialist who lectures and consults to farmers and horticulturists world-wide serving 66 countries. Golden Bay Dolomite Limited and the Neal Kinsey NZ group is pleased to inform that again in 2012 we are to sponsor this “dean” of soil fertility to visit Taupo, Bay of Plenty and Invercargill, Southland to present his three day “Principles of Building Soil Fertility” workshop. Neal is one of the foremost practitioners of the Albrecht – style soil fertility balancing and is the author of his book “Hands on Agronomy.” Many of the attendees of the previous years’ courses followed up on Neal’s teaching and advice. As a result they have proved to themselves and others that biological farming is the

new way forward. Many have reported positive changes to pasture, animal health and profit! This is especially pleasing considering the challenging seasonal weather conditions and recessionary times.

Neal conveys the message of soil fertility in a simple to understand manner that just makes sense to his audience. Often farmers become bogged down in the detail of a sophisticated soil audit and are confused as to whom to believe. Neal conveys the message of soil fertility in a simple to understand manner that just makes sense to his audience. Neal offers world-wide examples

of how and why the system works including examples from New Zealand. What we learn from the successful Albrecht system of soil balancing is that when calcium and magnesium and all other nutrients including the micro-nutrients are in proper balance in the soil, crops thrive, animal health improves, weed and insect pressures lessen and yields and soils improve season after season. This year’s sponsors Golden Bay Dolomite Limited and the Neal Kinsey NZ group would like to extend an invitation to you to attend this course. We believe that the investment of $560.00 (plus G.S.T.) and the time in attending these three days will enhance your knowledge and perhaps the knowledge of your colleagues into the future – we look forward to you participating in a three day course. We are passionate about the services

and products we provide as healthy soils are a prerequisite for healthy crops, healthy animals and healthy people. It is the informed farmer who is at the forefront of this chain.The goal of all farming operations must be to produce top quality nutrient dense food for our generation, our children and our grandchildren. To check out Neal Kinsey’s credentials: • www.kinseyag.com To check out our website containing further information and to register: • www.nealkinseynz.co.nz • seminar@goldenbaydolomite.co.nz • www.goldenbaydolomite.co.nz Or Contact: Anna Mayne 0800 546 739 anna@nealkinseynz.co.nz Ron McLean 0800 549 433 ronmac@goldenbaydolomite.co.nz

41 K

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Steph www

Farm Wheels – Taranaki/Manawatu Farming Lifestyles February 2012

FA R M W H E E L S

Ford fills the trophy cabinet with 2011 accolades As is traditional for the end of a busy year in the automotive sector, groups of experts have been putting their heads together recently to decide just which cars, vans, utes, SUVs and motorcycles were the cream of the crop for the last 12 months — the stand out performers in a very competitive field. Well, the people have spoken, and the results for 2011 are in. And leading the charge to the trophy cabinet this year is Ford, whose ‘world car’ programme has turned out some stunning new vehicles of late, including award winners like the Focus and Ranger. What can we say about the new Focus? It’s been minutely dissected by

the same press who have now declared it overall New Zealand Car of the Year, and there’s just so much to talk about that only a test drive will do it justice. A similar paradigm shift is apparent in the Ranger — a ute which blends the unstoppable power (and some of the styling) of the legendary F150 (at one point they were selling one of these a minute in the USA) with the practicality and toughness we demand in the Kiwi back country. Idle talk? No — AMI Insurance and NZ Autocar magazine agree, awarding the new Ranger their overall Car of the Year award, and following that up by crowning the big Ford Best Ute as well. It’s the first time

ever that a ute has won the ‘best overall car’ badge, and a drive in the Ranger will show you why — for all that solid metal grunt you’d swear you were riding in a luxury sedan when you get the Ranger onto suburban tarmac. “With the Focus winning the Guild award, 2011 has been a fantastic year

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Manawatu

February 2012

Taranaki/Manawatu Farming Lifestyles

Beyond pH Feeding Soil Microbes for Fertility, Productivity

by Neal Kinsey (reprinted from Acres, USA) Far too many farms, and it is not just those with pastures and hay meadows, suffer from a failure to consider and feed all of their livestock properly. You would think any successful beef or dairy operation would never entertain the idea of starving their livestock to reduce the feed bill — at least not knowingly. Surely most would think this could never apply to those farms and ranches that are interested in building and maintaining biological activity in the soil, but in many cases, it actually does!

BEST SEAT AT THE TABLE

Soil microbiologists tell us that measuring all the life in an acre of soil is equivalent to the same weight as that of an average-sized cow. What’s more, this life in the soil always eats at “the first table” and the crops or stock get what is leftover. If there is not enough for the life within the soil and whatever is to be produced there, guess who gets the first choice. The soil microbes take what they need first and the plants eat at “the second table.” How many farmers and growers consider the need to feed an average-sized cow per acre even before the crops they are trying to grow there or the animals feeding there are able to acquire what is needed to properly grow and produce? This is why Dr. William Albrecht always advocated, “Feed the soil and let the soil feed the plants.” Even so, the soil does not just operate on the biological laws of science. It is also subject to the physical laws of science that determine the pore space for water and air in each soil which provides the proper environment for biological activity. The amount and type of lime you use or fail to use generally determines this air and water relationship. And this same land is subject to the laws of chemistry that determine whether each element will remain adequately available in the soil for use by the plants that grow there. All of these laws are important and do not change in any part of the world where plants are to be grown. The combined effects that each of these laws will have on the others must be considered in order to have the most productive soil and grow the best crops and livestock.

There are very influential people in agricultural thinking who strongly disagree with what is being written here next. Some seriously believe the points being advocated here are just another ruse to try and be different enough that farmers and growers will think they should send soil tests to our company instead of some other consultant. However, our business is not about seeing how many people we can get to send us soil samples. We are a consulting company, not a soil laboratory or fertilizer company. We want to locate and educate clients so that they know the value of doing what needs to be done for building and maintaining the fertility of each different soil.

GENERAL DIRECTION One of the biggest mistakes made when building up fertility for cropland and pastures is to rely on the use of a pH test to tell whether the soil should be limed or not. Most conventional wisdom for agricultural production places great emphasis on soil pH. But ask those who insist on using pH and they will tell you that such a soil test is only meant to provide a general direction for the fertility of each field. And pH does provide a general direction. Just about everyone acknowledges that a pH of 6 is better than 4.5. But just using pH to determine when and how much to lime can cause the grower relying on achieving the utmost productivity from that land a serious shortfall in terms of both yield and/or quality. You won’t likely hear or read this from an agricultural university — more likely the exact opposite would be true. But you can learn by experience that what is given here is actually the case. And as Will Rogers once pointed out, some people learn the facts by reading, some learn from seeing the experience of others, and some just have to touch the electric fence for themselves. Such experience can be especially meaningful for those who have been led to believe that when growing crops on a field with a pH of 5.5 liming does not pay. To prove to yourself what actually is required, just take one field that is not producing well and split it. Test both sides separately to be most accurate. Then treat according to what the pH would indicate as needed on one side and treat based on actual nutrients shown to be required by liming on the other. On field after field where the testing has been done correctly and a proper analysis has been performed to establish the presence of the nutrients that most affect soil pH, providing the correct type of limestone, but only in the proper amount, will always pay. This is true on soils that test both below a pH of 6.0 and above a pH of 8.0 based on the soil analysis advocated and used for testing soils by Dr. William Albrecht. And more often than not, the pH does not provide a complete picture of what type of fertility a soil actually contains.

FARMING FACT

When the soil pH is in the 5.5 to 8.0 range its principle make up is determined by four elements — calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium. The problem is a combination of too much of one or more of these elements and too little of one or more of the others can cause the pH to look good when in fact the soil is lacking what it needs to provide good nutrition for the plants growing there and those that consume them. On some tests from near the coast and in parts of the western U.S. the sodium will have an undue influence on the soil pH. On other soils farmers may cause problems by using only one particular limestone to maintain the pH, not considering the need of providing an adequate supply, but not an excess or too little of either calcium or magnesium contained in that limestone. When liming is being considered, care should be taken, especially in lighter, sandier soils, to assure that sufficient magnesium is present. Studies have shown that magnesium in the soil actually helps to attract and hold more water there. Soils that are too low in magnesium will tend to dry out more quickly. It is not just the kilograms of magnesium shown to be available in the soil that determines how the plants will take up and utilize it. Uptake also has to do with the amounts and concentrations of other elements like calcium and sodium in that same soil. If the soil is lacking magnesium it will cause specific problems and if the soil contains too much it will cause another set of problems. This is where sampling and the use of the soil’s cation exchange capacity to measure both the actual and the needed saturation of magnesium will most accurately identify and determine how to correct the situation. When a soil has too much of one element, it will not have enough of something else. A good soil test should tell farmers what is causing the pH to be where it is. Such tests should enable farmers and their consultant or fertilizer dealer to identify any excesses and deficiencies in each field. To control any nutrient that is excessive in the soil, begin to make any corrections first by supplying any required nutrients that are shown to be absent in the correct amounts. Supply any deficient nutrients to control any excessive nutrients. This is the true beginning for building balanced soils. The soil is the plant’s stomach. This balancing is not just for supplying the needs of livestock, but to supply the needs of all that will benefit from what is being produced there. When a fertility program is employed that only considers the needs of the crop, and not the needs of the soil, that neglected soil, the crop and whoever or whatever consumes it will all pay a steep price. Far too many farmers assume that the soil they have can never be changed for the better. However, once the nutrient make-up of the soil is considered and not just the pH, even problem soils can be changed for the better. A good example in pastureland is pugging, or soils that are easily tromped down by livestock especially when wet. Note that some fields, or in some cases, even areas of the same field, tend

to have the problem more-so than other areas. Check the areas that have the worst problem with pugging as compared to those that do best under the same conditions. Use any good soil test that shows the percentage of calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium. Compare the numbers and see what they show. The closer each one of these specified elements are to the needed percentage the less pugging should be evident there. The correct amount of each nutrient in the soil, in particular that of calcium and magnesium, actually form a stronger support system to better withstand the foot traffic of cattle or any other livestock grazing there. The same principles apply to help fields better withstand wheel traffic needed for planting and harvesting. Such needs are not solved just by knowing the pH, but by measuring the percent saturation of the elements that most affect how the soil holds up and performs under wet conditions. For example, many of the soils in parts of Eastern Europe, Ireland and New Zealand have quite good levels of calcium, but are very low in magnesium which shows more trampling or pugging damage. Yet on the other hand, many heavy clay soils have extreme levels of magnesium and insufficient calcium to allow proper drainage and they too suffer inordinately from pugging problems. Though both situations are related to two major elements (calcium and magnesium) contained in limestone, the needed solutions are quite different. There are several factors to consider when determining the need for liming each soil (principally supplying needed calcium and magnesium) and how much is enough. These include the nutrient holding capacity of the soil, the calcium and magnesium content of liming material to be used, the fineness of grind of the lime to be applied and how much is needed to supply what each soil is lacking, and yet at the same time assuring the lime used will not cause an excess of either one. All of these factors should be considered for each different type of soil. Furthermore, the amount of lime to be used there must be properly measured and its use managed accordingly. The soil test and a good limestone analysis should be considered as absolutely necessary to assure both accurate and sufficient information is available to make any needed corrections or changes. More growth, better moisture utilization and higher nutritional values are all possible when the correct amount of calcium and magnesium are maintained in the soil. For more information on soil testing and other aspects of soil fertility contact our office directly (Neal Kinsey NZ Group – 0800 546 739) for your specific needs. And for those who consider the points made above of utmost importance, we encourage the establishment of a test area to help determine whether a fertility program such as the one mentioned here can provide the needs for building better soil, building more life in that soil, and increasing the yield and value of crops to be grown there to benefit all the “livestock” in the soil and all those depending on the results.

INCREASED PROFITABILITY STARTS WITH HEALTHY SOIL

By simply correcting your soils calcium and magnesium base saturation levels with a calculated application of fine ground dolomite you will significantly reduce your farms liming/animal health & fertiliser outgoings. For a no obligation consultation of your farms soil contact:

RON MCLEAN | 0800 549 433

ronmac@goldenbaydolomite.co.nz

www.goldenbaydolomite.co.nz

Taranaki/Manawatu Farming Lifestyles February 2012

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it truly great, then take a look at the ways you can upgrade, expand, renovate and revitalise what you have. You’ll find that a little work undertaken by skilled professionals will add value to your home if and when you come to sell — but you may also find that your new, better home is an asset you’ll want to hold onto for life!

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February 2012

Taranaki/Manawatu Farming Lifestyles

Employment 90-day trial period not an unqualified licence to dismiss employees by Bill Guest, Farmers of New Zealand

The Employment Court recently ruled that a farm employee had the right to issue a personal grievance claim against his employer in regards to the 90-day trial period. This case raised a number of issues.

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His new employer sent the employee confirmation by way of a letter that he would be offered employment. An employment agreement was not enclosed with the letter of offer. The employee, in the initial negotiations with his new employer, stated that he would not take up any job offer that involved a 90-day trial period. The new employer verbally agreed to this. The employee moved on to the new employer’s farm and after commencing work, his new employer presented him with an employment agreement, in which it maintained that a 90-day trial period was stipulated.

The employer did not advise the employee that he was entitled to obtain independent advice, nor did he give him a reasonable opportunity to seek that advice. The employee felt trapped and pressured by the employer. The employee feared that he had no choice but to sign the agreement and did so in the belief that he thought he may be dismissed after he had started work. The employer consequently dismissed the employee and claimed that the 90-day trial period disqualified the employee from claiming he was dismissed unjustifiably. This Court decision reaffirms that all employers are required to present and negotiate an employment agreement with an employee before the commencement of the employment. Negotiating retrospectively can be costly.

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Employers can make an offer of employment to a prospective employee that includes a trial period of up to 90 days. Trial periods are voluntary and must be agreed in writing and negotiated in good faith as part of the employment agreement. A trial period can’t be offered to a new employee who was previously employed in the same workplace. An employee who is dismissed before the end of a trial period can’t raise a personal grievance on the grounds of unjustified dismissal. They can raise a personal grievance on other grounds, such as discrimination or harassment or unjustified action by the employer.

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For instance we see the right cable.90 used on say, a milk pump controller, but still KERNEL PALM BISHOP, Valerie Mabel IN MEMORIA Hosted by the Golden Shears home on apply. fees *Booking everything else so it creates interference with the controller and AVAILABLE in bags or bulk bundled with — Peacefully at (Val). Y LUTEL either small or large truck ABSO Thursday June 30th, 2011. 29, lady, 0800 Korean Ph NEW Feeds late thepainful of a loads. BLM wife loved Dearly Society, this year’s World Shearing bingo, a slightly crazy controller. Unless you know what to look for it can be Dean Ra FORBES, stun- it’s not a cheap hair,say long to gorgeous, Neville,any 300 313 It’s fair knowMax. your herd size, Mum of Loved Sep 7.30pm - Fri 2ndthey One year today you TSB Showplace - Theatre Royalonce ning, good service. Phone Garry and Reney (Brisbane), earth process to find1. as it looks like a faulty controller. Championships will see 25 countries ce Offi Tata 022-613-684 Box Showplace At TSByou Shirley (Invercargill), Book No more pain you but one that can save increases you Alan areandand planning, Barrie Wicks.and suffer Donna 111 999 AN UPMARKET sensual lady or Ticketmaster 0800 FEEDexercise, from across the globe represented PRO COWbased Rodney, of Special toNana This is important for all sorts of systems from pulsation controllers cup removers gentleman. discerning You’ll never leave for the feeds Stacy, Kane, Nicola, Pru, PALM Kernel money, notPhonly on grades etc., but NOTICES 027 221 heart 10am - 2pm. and size and type of parlour. Easy! Simon Jayne, PUBLIC Cody, blended with high energyand at the event. That’s almost double no texts. Cause for me th 0727 the more sophisticated the system the more careful you have to be. We Jake essential Tayla, of plus Great-Nan liquids other oriental also inveryongoing costs. beautiful ASIAN minerals. Best value for (Australia), Mia, Ava, Austin I will love you al the number since the previous World keeping slim, data cables as far away from power as possible. service, by amazing No flowers money. Available in bulkrecommend and Kayleeam.your forever When you contact Milfos Box PO gorgeous, sz 5. Ph 027 c/loads or bags. Phone for a Messages request. — Adrienne ♥ Shearing Championships hosted by the provided box. 4340. delivered price. BLM Feeds Large dairies with big herds are New Plymouth 4016, We8730587 have all heard about stray voltage, yes it does exist and can cause all sorts Please place your advertisement and payment (cash or cheque) into held be will Ph 0800 300 313 Val, for service A Service Partner ask about the Special FORBES, Dean R BBS Massage Parlour Lovely in the Chapel of W. Abraham, Golden Shears in 1996. Discreet await Dad: Ladies no problem; twin filtersawith isolating of issues, weyou.have found major source is the cable and terminations between East, New 366 Devon Street I wish I could see parking at rear, 143 Devon 6 Wednesday on Plymouth, New Ladies Milk Filter Upgrade Deal! more time com St. 7696006 SHED COW Private PRO Variable drives and Motors. July, at 11:00am. Golden Shears president Mavis valves (use one at the start of the through my do Welcome quality Cremation to follow. high NEW A But I know th Team male and feed BISEXUAL balanced nutritionally impossible I Mullins said interest in the event There is a lot of documentation supplied with variable drives with regard to the Ph season, and in the flush change only. While we’re on the subject of for Female Together with minerals formulated your voice no 0220154385 shed feeding systems. BLM I know you can fee has been growing over time. cable to be used and metal glands for terminations etc, these are minimums and a Feeds Ph 0800 300 313 filters and you don’t between herds) or maybe a transexual, pretty, BROOKE upgrades, we’ve had a tremendous cry, slim, feminine, great body! Theresa. — ERIWATA, good Sparky will follow manufacturer’s recommendations or better. Ifwith inEva doubt men’s Yet my heart fulfil Versatile, “We’ve had a really good her loved ones, Gracefully large top load option. because fantasies. Phone 021 266 her at away response to our iCR cup remover passed get8553 it checked. understand homestead. dedicated DEAD team LINE consistently someone so at Muru arriving be will She tall, men, for massage JON But the bulk of dairies are smaller had to die, July Monday, promotion. Thank you! 3pm at Raupatu service. versatile, good slim, forget Don’t the effluent or water pump, same deal, and move the electric fence planning towards the event for the that God w pray I 4 2011. Phone 021 0299 6824 THURSDAY MIDDAY strength and DAVE and a good few years older. Most unit to the implement shed, they can be an interference nasty in the dairy. get me thro past two years,” said Mrs Mullins. Because of the huge response struggle cw CARPETS secondhand, large FERNEE will have Z" "LICK one or your two small filters selection. Gardna Carpet For sensible advice on Upgrades, findthat your local Milfos dealer or Area Sales Manager heartache losing you what’s “It’s going to be a marvellous KITTYKAT, Services, 223 Devon St we’ve decided to offer the iCR deal — Your Daughter fantasy? I’ll do anywildest West, NP. Phone 758-0837. have been okay until now. at www.milfos.com. 2008 Open winner, John Kirkpatrick thing you want! All real JONES, Alvin Laurence love you Dad ♥ event.”

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from $400 installed. Ph Rob been marvellous. at Taranaki Aerial Services 752 4994 or 0800 284 396. “We’re pretty committed to making • ROLLERS MIRANADA BOND: hear her • GLASS she transformed this special.”storylife.how Glamour that’s good her • HINGES for you. The Quality Hotel • WINDOW and Leach St. The 2012 Shearing Crn CourtenayWorld July 18th 6.30pm. Tickets HANDLES the Hardys at available Championships takes centre • stage LOCKS health shop in centre city, SECURIT $10. door sales available. in Masterton from February •29 to Y WOMAN to woman man to Daily News. man service only pvt apt. Ph PHONE March 3. WANTED TO BUY Your local Milfos Service Partner 0220154385 (06) 753-3221 PROPERTY FOR SALE WANTED Wales held the previous World can FLATMATE advise Son the filter size required CLOSE to Hospital, furnished, DEADLINEin 2010. Shearing Championships SITUATIONS VACANT 1 @ $130 p/w & 1 @ $140

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Henry. — Peacefully at Te again. Register your interest after a as Hospice now FORBES, Dean R Rangimarie Your memory is short illness, on Wednesday 29 today June 2011, surrounded by his it’s for a strictly limited Aged 66 years. As the hour y loving family.time. Much loved husband and best friend of Jo (Josephine).

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Over 200 volunteers are involved in all aspects of the competition to ensure the event runs smoothly. This includes farmers and other sheep owners presenting their animals in the best condition possible. “No matter what the weather, they will have their sheep at Masterton when needed,” said Mrs Mullins. “The work that the Wairarapa

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February 2012 Taranaki/Manawatu

Farming Lifestyles

We’re proud to support local events. They’re just down the road after all.

At ASB we pride ourselves on supporting the rural community, so you’ll see us all over the country at local events like: Central Districts Field Days 15 – 17 March 2012 Manfeild Park, Feilding Getting involved in rural events like this helps us get an even deeper understanding of what’s important to farmers and their communities. Come along and have a chat with our local Rural Managers at the ASB marquee, site H22-23. We look forward to seeing you there, or to talk to us about your Rural banking needs sooner, call 0800 787 252. ASB Bank Limited 56160 10206 0112

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