Taranaki Farming Lifestyles, February 2014

Taranaki

FARMING Lifestyles February 2014 Edition

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Breeding Arabian horses for performance

Countdown to Central Districts Field Days P5

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Nuffield year draws to a close for rural entrepreneur Page 6–7

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February 2014

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

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by Denise Gunn

This month marks the 10th anniversary of the 2004 floods when a one-in-a-hundred-year storm system hit the central and lower North Island.

Moist air from the tropics, drawn into a multi-centred low which was deepening over the North Island, caused the low to deepen further.

A southerly storm that formed in Cook Strait added to the mix, causing meteorologists to issue a heavy rain warning for Mount Taranaki, the Whanganui Several flood protection hill county, Hawke’s Bay projects have been completed since 2004 and Taihape. Another small but intense low which formed near of the water flow and severity of the the Wairarapa coast intensified the wind flooding, the Taranaki Regional Council and rain.

(TRC) began a long-term river channel Entire farms were submerged, homes clearance programme in the district. flooded and livestock swept away by Contractors have cleared willows from raging floodwaters. Communities were the banks and channels of the lower left isolated with road closures, loss of Waitotara River and its Weraweraonga power and telephone connections. and Moumahaki tributaries. This work, Several flood protection projects and funded by both the TRC and the South upgrades have since been completed by Taranaki District Council, has increased the Taranaki Regional Council, including the capacity of the river channel. work in the Waitotara catchment.

The TRC has also worked with When the Waitotara River peaked landowners in the Waitotara catchment at 13.49 metres during the 2004 to encourage and support slip and floods, most of the farms in the valley erosion prevention measures to provide were affected by flooding, silt deposits long-term benefits. and slips. The Waitotara township Late last year the TRC completed a was devastated. Forty-one of the 47 major upgrade of the Lower Waihakaiho houses were extensively flooded and Flood Control Scheme in New Plymouth.

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February 2014

More than 500 million family farms span the globe

3

by Denise Gunn

The United Nations has designated 2014 as the International Year of the Family Farming (IYFF), and Rural Women New Zealand plan to celebrate.

There are more than 500 million family farms around the globe, ranging from smallholders to large scale farmers, traditional communities and indigenous people. The goal of the IYFF is to highlight the role farming families play in producing food, managing natural resources, protecting the environment and sustainability.

There are also plans to promote discussions at various levels to raise awareness of the challenges farming families face.

Rural Women NZ will be leading several events around the country with a series of roadshows, beginning in Oamaru on March 27. Similar events to follow include Carterton on April 6 and Stratford on April 9. Registrations for roadshows, which will be held at local A&P showgrounds, will start at 9.30am with the programme beginning at 10am.

Roadshows will include seminars on succession planning, safety on the farm, investing in your farming future and sustainability.

Market stalls, crafts and displays by local businesses will also be on-

site, along with Kiwi performers — The Bitches Box, and Mel Parsons from 4pm.

Marlborough drylands farmer, Doug Avery, will co-host the events, giving an inspirational talk on the transformation of his drought-stricken farm into a sustainable venture through visionary changes to his farming system.

Mr Avery was the 2013 Landcorp Communicator of the Year and predicts farming families will continue to excel in New Zealand.

“There is one reason they will do that, which is because you can’t replace passion in anything, and people that are working for themselves with their own vision have that element that is called passion, which will lead and beat pretty much anything else that corporate structures will throw at us.”

Rural Women NZ national president Wendy McGowan said every family needs a farmer, and every farmer needs a community.

“Our organisation is focussed on growing dynamic communities, so celebrating the UN International Year of Family Farming is the perfect fit for us.”

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February 2014

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

BREEDING ARABIAN HORSES FOR PERFORMANCE

BY DENISE GUNN

Jenny Klemra has always had a deep love of horses, but it’s the Arabian breed that captured her heart.

H

orses were an everyday feature during Jenny’s childhood. Her parents used them for work on the family farm and her father was involved in a racehorse partnership.

Jenny’s first pony, a partbred Arabian, was gifted to her when she was six years old.

As Jenny progressed through the New Zealand Pony Club system, she gained her B certificate and Instructors

Certificate. Shortly after her marriage to husband Ed, she visited a local horse sale and purchased a derivative mare, in foal to an Arabian. More foundation mares were soon purchased and in 1976 Jenny formed Golden Shelter Arabians, named after her father’s Jersey cow stud farm, Shelter Pine.

Jenny said she aimed to improve on the type of horses and ponies around that time, using the Arabian to give

them presence, movement and a beautiful look.

“From here, we have had the most rewarding and fabulous time,” said Jenny.

“Sometimes sad too as having animals can give you not all good moments.”

Situated on 40 acres in the Inglewood district, Golden Shelter Arabians has been immensely successful, particularly at national level.

Both purebred and derivative Arabians bred by Jenny have gained extensive national titles at halter and under saddle.

“Breeding the Arabian and derivative has been a huge part of my life,” said Jenny.

“I have always bred for the performance horse, maintaining type with correct conformation being imperative.”

Two stallions, Willowvale Resident purebred Arabian stallion, Willowvale Sa’arfari Sa’arfari and Chelleason Jullyani (imp Australia), currently stand Jenny’s daughter, Nikki, has followed in her mother’s footsteps, at Golden Shelters Arabians.

Four of the stud’s five mares have competing with horses since the age been imported from Australia, offering of five.

Her current show horse, Golder a selection of purebred Arabian and Warmblood lines. Two or three foals are Shelter Davaaron, is an Anglo-Arabian bred at the stud. Together the pair have born on the stud each year.

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won numerous national titles in-hand and under saddle.

Nikki imported Chelleason Jullyani from Australia as a weanling to blend with Golden Shelter Arabians broodmares and improve on the lines.

“We always believe that the stallion is to improve on the mare and we look for horses that not only have good type, but have good substance and bone to mature into excellent riding horses with excellent temperaments,” said Jenny.

“I have always strived for this and Nikki has followed on with the same expectation.”

Champion Australian National Derivative mare, Warrawee Veeana, was in foal to top German Hanoverian stallion Gymnastsyk Star, when Nikki purchased her.

“She has since produced an outstanding filly,” said Jenny.

“What a bonus for our stud.

“We feel so very, very privileged to own and have these beautiful horses at our stud.”

Nikki is a senior surgical nurse at the New Plymouth Veterinary Group. She also helps and works in all aspects of Golden Shelter Arabians, including show preparation and competitions.

As a fully-qualified A class international Arabian horse judge, Jenny’s judging appointments have taken her all over Resident purebred Arabian stallion, Chelleason Jullyani (imp. Australia)

P OW E RED

BY

T H E

February 2014

5

New Zealand and also to Australia. She is a fully-qualified miniature horse judge as well.

“I have been judging for many years and find it very rewarding.”

Jenny has also ventured into the animal health field, creating and marketing her own antimicrobial powder. After unsuccessfully trying many products on the market to heal her stallion’s mud fever, Jenny began to combine several ingredients to formulate her own remedy, Kwillow powder. She has found Kwillow powder effectively heals mud fever, rain scald and wounds.

“My stallion was suffering terribly with mud fever and after months of trying so many products on the market, I put this powder together and my horse’s mud fever was gone and healed within a week.

“So began the journey to produce this and have it approved by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and registered with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).”

Jenny and Nikki aim to continue breeding Arabian horses, crossing them with Warmbloods and other breeds to enhance the movement and type of horse for the modern day horse.

“I love what the Arabian is and I am passionate as a breeder.”

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February 2014 TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

Nuffield year draws to a close for rural entrepreneur

BY DENISE GUNN PHOTOS COURTESY FRANK GASTEIGER

The decision to relocate her cheese-making business closer to town brought Lisa Harper all the way from the Marlborough Sounds to Taranaki in February last year.

Lisa picked up her cheese-making skills from her mother and grandmother

I

n the past 12 months Lisa has also travelled extensively as part of her Nuffield scholarship, and taken on a fixedterm position as Taranaki’s Federated Farmers’ regional policy advisor.

Raised on a 480 acre sheep farm in the remote Mahau Sound, Lisa and her brothers were home-schooled through The Correspondence School.

Lisa said her home-schooling began at the age of seven until she left for university.

“When it came to exams, I’d drive to the nearest high school on the day, to sit them with the other kids.”

Originally the family farmed a Romney/Perendale mix on the property, before moving onto Suffolks.

“But we diversified when the bottom fell out of sheep farming,” said Lisa.

The roads in and out of the farm were fairly primitive in the early days, with seven fords and five gates between the house and letterbox. Slips during winter often closed the main road.

“We used to row a boat to get the mail if that happened,” said Lisa. “It’s beautiful country and a great place to grow up — oysters on the beach, views down the sound.”

On completing her secondary education, Lisa studied towards a science degree at Victoria University before completing a PhD in plant pathology at Lincoln University. Lisa then worked as a scientist on potato crop diseases in the United Kingdom.

A family illness drew her back to Mahau Sound in 2003 when an extra pair of hands was needed.

Soon afterwards the family began to build up a cheese-making business under the brand Sherrington Grange, milking cows and goats on the property.

“I thought I’d had my days at uni, but when the business grew and my usual professional advisors began to look blank when I asked them something, I ended up taking a paper in advanced strategic management from Massey,” she said.

Lisa studied while continuing to work seven days a week on the farm.

“That turned into a masters’ degree in business management, with research on rural innovation practices.”

Lisa picked up her cheese-making skills, along with other rather old-fashioned techniques, from her mother and grandmother as she was growing up.

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

February 2014

Welcome to 2014 Welcome to the second edition of Abundant Living in 2014. Over the past 10 years I have written over 400 columns covering many topics. Most of these are related in some way to the role of nutrients in protecting and reclaiming our health. In the process I have spoken by phone to thousands of readers and offered personalised advice where appropriate. I trust you will benefit from the comments and advice. I also write a longer weekly email column. To subscribe to this column just follow the instructions below.

Sherrington Grange cheeses are made with traditional recipes and techniques

Lisa (second from left) with other Nuffield scholars in Canada

“These were useful, especially when trips into town for supplies were few and far between. “We’d been taking in tourists for a couple of years as well and I’d feed them cheese as if they were family.”

After building a licensed cheese-making room, Lisa began making cow’s milk cheeses, from milk brought in from a local dairy farm.

She said her scientific training helped a great deal.

“The last job before I came home to the farm involved quarantine work which gave me a voice in the back of my head, keeping a tally of what I’d touched. This was invaluable later.”

The family specialised in making cheese for restaurants then chefs began requesting goat’s milk cheese.

Lisa said she wasn’t that keen on the idea to start with as there weren’t any goat dairies in the area.

However, as Lisa’s youngest brother worked in the construction industry and was able to provide the expertise, the family went ahead building and licencing a milking shed.

“We built a tiny shed which still had the same food safety protocols as a normal dairy shed,” said Lisa.

“But it was designed so I could milk goats and then switch over and milk cows, changing the clusters and suction valve. I enjoyed milking and eventually we had our own cows as well.”

Lisa described the herd as a typical mixed ‘cheese-makers’ herd’, with all manner of goats, bred for good feet and worm resistance, rather than any particular breed.

The cows were also a mix but mostly Jersey.

When the family began to make cheese commercially, Lisa researched traditional recipes and techniques, putting together antique recipes.

“I wanted to both preserve the old techniques, and to produce cheeses that wouldn’t be like what was already on the market here.”

Lisa was soon asked to design entire cheese boards for restaurants, using some of the 10 or 12 different cheeses she was making at that stage.

She also taught cheese-making and ended up helping local wineries with publicity exercises too.

“Mostly hosting visitors for them, matching whatever they were pouring to a suitable cheese or talking about the parallels between wine-making and cheese-making,” she said.

As well as selling cheese to restaurants, the family sold their products to the Marlborough Farmers’ Market. In 2009, Lisa was a finalist in the Cuisine Artisan Food Awards.

Two years later her cheese-making business was recognised when she won the Rural Women Enterprising Woman Award. Last year, Lisa was awarded a Nuffield New Zealand Scholarship with her travels taking her to several countries.

By way of introduction to new readers, I am the founder of my company Abundant Health, established in 1998. I work with various international experts to formulate what I think are a very special group of nutritional supplements. I also practise as a nutritional medicine practitioner providing personalised advice in a structured way. This column brings together my thoughts as a both a nutritional therapist and supplement formulator and researcher.

“We are visiting everything from soy or wheat plantations and dairy farms, to embassies where we talk about global trade issues.”

The main component of a Nuffield scholarship involves researching a topic of interest to industry in New Zealand. Lisa’s interest involved rural entrepreneurship and innovation.

Lisa has also written a book, ‘The Wharf at Waterfall Bay’, about her experiences building up the family cheese-making business.

As a Federated Farmers’ regional policy advisor, Lisa represents the rural community in discussions about regional and district plans.

“The people are lovely and you certainly feel like you’re doing some good in this job.”

The next few months will be a very special time for me as we introduce a product I am sure will have a profoundly positive affect on cardiovascular health. This is a completely natural product that research shows is the most effective natural cholesterol support product available. Many people have genetically high cholesterol which causes an imbalance in the series of liver enzymes responsible for new cholesterol production. This US patented product will help balance these enzymes. This will be excellent for people who cannot tolerate cholesterol medicines or for those who prefer not to take them. People on cholesterol medication will also be able to take it safely as it will have many heart health benefits not just cholesterol balance.

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I will be writing a new series on heart health which will focus on the types of diet and supplements that can offer significant benefits for those concerned about their heart and circulatory health.

We will be looking at most aspects of cardiovascular health with everything from cholesterol to the actual processes which cause arteries to block. We will look at hypertension and in particular the types of diet proven to help lower blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health. In the meantime feel free to call me for personalised advice.

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February 2014

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

Soil Matters with Peter Burton

How competent farmers handle dry weather ‘Why is it that dry spells are no longer a bother?’ It was a rhetorical question, more a case of thinking out loud and an answer wasn’t expected or required.

Pastoral farmers have no guarantee of rain on an as and when required basis and they enter the industry knowing that for best results they must work with the weather and develop strategies and skills that enable them to cope with fluctuations in pasture growth that occur every year.

The Waikato and Bay of Plenty are areas of intensive pastoral farming because weather conditions and soil type favour the activity.

Rainfall of around 1,250mm a year spread evenly throughout the year compared to other regions provides farmers with a relatively low risk

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occupation. Healthy well-structured soils provide a buffer when growth conditions are unfavourable with humus, which builds rapidly under pastoral farming, providing moisture for plants to draw on over summer.

Because the effect of last summer’s ‘drought’ was confined largely to February and March pasture recovery has been rapid. With winter temperatures higher than normal and little heavy rain during the period cows were behind wires, pasture growth from early April until mid January has been well above usual.

On well managed properties there is now more conserved feed than is usually required for winter. For most areas there is also more pasture cover than normal at this time of the year so production is higher and animal condition better than usual. With the first autumn rain likely to arrive by mid-March the period during which pasture growth is less than required to maintain covers is likely to be no longer than 60 days, or two

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grazings where a genuine 30-day interval between grazings was established by the end of December.

For most it is not until the second grazing in February that there is likely to be a genuine requirement for supplement to be fed, and with plant roots capable of extracting moisture from below half a metre growth in excess of 30kg of dry matter per hectare per day can be expected.

Pastures changing colour in summer can lead people to believe that the amount of feed has diminished and the pasture that is available is low quality.

Where a strong dense clover base has been established there is more total feed than may initially be apparent and the quality is high enough for well-fed animals to maintain production without significant weight loss.

Dry looking summer grown pasture is likely to contain between 25 and 30%DM — almost double that of spring grown grass so regular and careful observation is important.

The comment that production is remarkably good based on what appeared to be ‘not a lot’ is common during this period.

However it’s not OK to put animals in paddocks where there is insufficient feed. Apart from the welfare issues it is far more efficient to maintain the condition of animals than allowing them to lose weight and then feed extra in

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autumn to regain what was lost in the previous two months. Where there is insufficient feed for animals, silage made from rapidly growing spring grass is the ideal complement. This contains protein that allows best use of the high energy and fibre rich feed still in the paddock.

Hay or balage made in December and early January is the ideal supplement in autumn to complement short green rapidly growing pasture. As one farmer remarked, ‘feed green when the paddock is brown and brown when the pasture is green’.

Ruminants have a requirement for a balance of energy (carbohydrate) protein and fibre and well managed pastures will contain all three but seldom is the balance ideal, which is why making supplement available throughout the year for animals to eat as they require is a sound policy.

The pasture on properties where DoloZest/CalciZest based total nutrient programmes are in place are largely untouched by beetle or grub so strong even growth can be expected soon after rain arrives.

And with negligible damage by flea or weevil the exceptional clover growth over spring and early summer will have fixed sufficient nitrogen for maximum growth during winter and spring.

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February 2014

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After three years the average production over all the farms, perhaps surprisingly, showed the new grass, the control and the good paddocks had all produced the same amount of grass — approx 50 tonnes of dry matter per hectare rendering no production advantage from regrassing a stable, old paddock. AgResearch Senior Scientist Tom Fraser was involved in the trials led by Lincoln based associate Anna Taylor.

When we look as nature’s farms like the Serengeti Plains in Africa, most probably the earth’s oldest farm which has been operating for thousands of years, we never question or think about how it operates, it just does. The only interference by man is the culling of exotic animals for money.

There are no fertilisers spread upon the plains, no drenches or drench guns used, no veterinarians with chemical wands; it operates by itself, successfully producing hundreds of thousands of kilos of muscle, blood and skin and bone and newborns every year in a very fertile and sustainable natural capital system. The grasslands

provide food for the herbivores and meat for the predators whilst continually renewing themselves without interference. The annual floods that erode the rockdust from the Ethiopian mountain range are providing mineral for the soil microbes living on the plains, who in turn convert that mineral to a plant available form and that’s the system that Agrissentials uses and promotes. It’s not the brand, species or variety of the plant that is important, it’s the mineral value within the plant that is the most critical factor for both animals and people.

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If you want to get more of that free natural capital to drive your farm forward hook into Agrissentials natural, certified, sustainable fertilisers. To find out more about Agrissentials best on fertilisers phone 0800 THE KEY that’s 0800 843 539 today for a FREE INFO PACK or you can contact your friendly representative Adrian Rowe (North Taranaki) on 021 873 304, or John Winter (South Taranaki) on 021 738 513 to find out how we can make your farm more successful. Come and see us at site O55 at the Central Districts Field Days and ask about our cash and carry specials for the home gardener or volume specials for the farmers.

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

February 2014

DAIRY

Be my Guest

11

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

Keeping farming in the family The family farm has been the cornerstone of farm ownership for well over a century. The issue of succession can be very emotional for many families. There is an old saying, where there is a Will there is a relation.

Over Christmas, reading Keeping Farming in the Family, A guide to farm succession, by author lawyer Allan Ross Blackman, was a very valuable read and I recommend it.

The majority of us have difficulty in dealing with the issues of testamentary promises, Life Interest Wills, The Inter Vivos Trust, Memorandum of Wishes, Companies, The Succession Plan, Choosing your Advisors, Protecting the Family Farm.

The majority of farming families are asset rich and cash poor and if the family farm is to remain an important part of farm ownership, it is important to receive the very best of advice in the setting up of trusts and formulating a good succession plan.

Mr Blackman says in his book, that educating the farming client is a vital aspect of succession planning, one that the traditional professional is not inclined to do.

The old-fashioned conventional approach by professional advisers has been to tell the client what to do, without explaining why and how.

In the context of succession planning, the professional who says do it this way because I say so, is not providing an adequate service.

The ability to identify what the farmer needs and provide innovative and flexible solutions is key.

Simply forming a trust and divesting all your property into it, requires great thought, particularly when choosing trustees. Under the Trustees Act, there are special responsibilities the trustees must follow in ensuring the interests of the beneficiaries are protected.

Many farms have been owned by families through successive generations, but there

have been a number of law changes where families under the Family Protection Act, have successfully challenged estates and there is case law, in particular the High Court case Scott vs. Scott which was held in December 2007 in Hamilton and twice in 2008 in Rotorua, that makes compelling reading.

This family over a six-year period was in litigation concerning the fate of two farms which had been in the family for many years. In summary, the plaintiff was Mr Lewtyn Scott and the defendants were Lewtyn’s mother and his three sisters.

Lewtyn Scott was encouraged by his father and mother to return from London to take over the main family farm.

He purchased his father’s half-share in July 2000 at the registered valuation and his mother promised him her halfshare of the property. He paid $36,000 in interest on the money he borrowed from his mother, up until October 2004 when the family became involved in litigation.

He would have thought having paid fair value, that he had an entitlement to the increase in the value of the half-share of the property that he had purchased.

Because of the significant increase in the value of the farm land at the time, Lewtyn’s three sisters were concerned that his acquisition of the farm had disadvantaged them. It is also ironical that Lewtyn’s mother in 2002, had promised in writing, to transfer to him her total interest in the farm and that she would make provision in her will to forgive the debt.

Her letter concluded — in the meantime you can regard the farm as yours. The letter omitted one important piece of advice, that the second farm had already been transferred to Lewtyn’s three sisters to his exclusion, which he did not accept.

The issues surrounding this case were complex but after six years of legal dispute and hundreds of thousands of legal costs, Lewtyn was told by the judge that he had to give back his half-share of the main farm and his mother was not obliged to sell him the other half.

The importance of having the legal structures correct, and clearly documented directions as to how the family succession plan will work is important. When the court’s get involved the gloves are off.

Ian Ross Blackman’s book Keeping the

Family Farm, A guide to farm succession, is a must-read for all farming families. For further details regarding the book, contact Farmers of New Zealand.

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February 2014

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

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The new Ranger 570 HD carries all the tried and true features of the Ranger 500 which it replaces and more, with major improvements in power, handling, styling and durability developed right here in New Zealand.

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

February 2014

Central Districts Field Days

13

13–15 March, Manfeild Park, Feilding

Countdown to Central Districts Field Days

by Denise Gunn

The list of exhibitors and events is growing daily with the countdown on to the Central Districts Field Days.

Recognised as one of the largest regional agricultural field days in New Zealand, the event’s central location at Manfeild Park makes it an ideal location to cater for the lower North Island.

This year marks the field days’ 21st anniversary and there are plenty of special events planned to entertain the crowd.

“We have a fantastic line-up of regulars returning along with some new attractions which are certain to provide plenty of entertainment to ensure this is the best day off the farm all year,” said Central Districts Field Days event manager Cheryl Riddell.

Aviation enthusiasts will be in for a treat as the Royal New Zealand Air Force performs an aerial display over the field days’ venue on Saturday afternoon.

Also onsite will be Griffin Ag-Air Ltd with what is thought to be New Zealand’s original aerial topdressing loader.

The 1924 Hupmobile car, converted to a truck, was used in 1949 to load the first Tiger Moth used for topdressing.

Regular features set to the return to the field days include chainsaw carving, the National Excavator Operator competition, tractor-pulling and the Central Districts Double Power Fencing competition.

The Taste of Central Districts marquee, introduced a couple of years ago, will also return showcasing a variety of food and beverages to tempt the taste buds.

Ms Riddell said there are a number of exhibitors who have attended Central Districts Field Days since the first year the event was held.

“Many of them have some fantastic stories to tell of the early years.”

“While the exhibitors and punters attending the Central Districts Field

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February 2014

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

Central Districts Field Days 13–15 March, Manfeild Park, Feilding

Long-standing association with the field days As an independently owned farm merchandise store, Turton Farm Supplies has had a long association with the rural community. And the team pride themselves on providing superior quality products combined with personal, knowledgeable, friendly service.

Dick Turton established the business 25 years ago. Formerly a fencing contractor, he was becoming increasingly frustrated at the poor quality of round wood that was available so began to source his own supply. Farmers then suggested that gates, wire and hardware should be added to the range.

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our many valued clients,” said Ross Turton. Turton Farm Supplies focusses on supplying a diverse array of farm merchandise and materials to a wide range of farming clients, at the best price possible.

“We now stock an extensive range of product for farmers, lifestylers and DIYers, including farm buildings, woolsheds, and covered yards.

“And we are able to offer a design and build service,” said Ross. A fleet

of vehicles enables deliveries to be made to client’s requirements. Turton Farm Supplies has had a trade stand at the Central Districts Field Days since the event originally began and will be there again this year with plenty of show specials.

Ross said the field days offer an opportunity for staff to talk with their valued clients, meet new people, discuss their requirements and enjoy the relaxed rural atmosphere.

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

February 2014

Central Districts Field Days

15

13–15 March, Manfeild Park, Feilding

Gearing up for field days Established amongst the vast cropping and farmland of the Canterbury Plains in 1989.

Robertson Manufacturing initially began building silage wagons and silage grabs as well as performing general engineering work.

“We grew to the stage where the repairs and local sales were moved across the road to Robertson Farm Equipment, so Robertson Manufacturing could concentrate all its efforts on manufacturing a strong and reliable range of agricultural equipment,” said managing director Don Robertson.

Robertson Manufacturing then expanded into designing and building

the Comby range of feed-out equipment capable of handling all types of feed including maize, round and square bales of hay and silage, as well as pit silage.

Rober tson Transpread trailed spreaders, available in both agricultural and horticultural models, and built with stainless steel bins, have proved to be a very popular Robertson Manufacturing product. The business also constructs a full range of side and centre feed wagons of differing sizes in both tandem and single axle. Using the latest technology to design their machinery, Robertson

Cow handling made easy Kiwi farm ingenuity is famous the world over and The Wrangler is a great example.

Awarded ‘Most Innovative or Quirkiest Business’ by NZ Business Magazine’s David Awards, the Wrangler was invented by a farmer who thought ‘there must be a better way’. Many years on the Wrangler has become standard farm equipment and made cow handling safer and easier along the way.

Wilco Klein Ovink, farmer turned developer of the Wrangler, explains that by giving staff equipment to do the job properly will reduce the cost of lameness. “Good equipment encourages staff to look at hooves.

Lameness can be reduced by examining a hoof at the first sign of lameness rather than leaving her in the hope she will come right”.

The Wrangler has winches and a backleg support which holds the leg securely for examination. Belly girths prevent the cow from falling during

treatment. The front hoof can likewise be winched onto a support and held in place with webbing. With two feet up, the cows head in the headbail, and two belly girths under her she can’t move at all and examination can be conducted quickly, easily, and safely. Calving, caesareans, or other procedures can also be performed in the Wrangler.

“All new sheds should include hoof facilities,” explained Wilco. “Many shed designers are now putting Wrangler’s into every yard layout which is great because they can have a great set-up and be in place before the concrete is poured”.

The Wrangler range can be seen at Central Districts site O41. On display will be the new Walk Thru Headbail and also the Ride Over Gate which is fantastic for centre pivot irrigators and for ease of driving.

Manufacturing then utilise the skills of an experienced engineering team in the construction of its products.

Robertson Manufacturing has steadily built up a strong dealer network around New Zealand. Robertson machines are also sold into Australia, South Africa and

Chile. For the past 15 years Robertson Manufacturing has made the journey north to have a stand at the Central Districts Field Days.

“We feel it is a very well run field days and very beneficial to our products,” said Mr Robertson.

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February 2014

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

BY DENISE GUNN

Husband and wife team, Chris Jury and Daniela Krumm, have not only established an organic self-sufficient lifestyle on their 48-hectare north Taranaki farm, they’ve turned growing macadamia nuts and avocados into a thriving cottage industry.

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hris and Daniela’s macadamia orchard is believed to be the oldest of its type in New Zealand.

The couple are the fourth generation of the Jury family to live on the Tikorangi farm. The property was originally purchased by Chris’s great-grandfather Thomas around 1870, after immigrating to New Zealand from England.

Chris’s father, Felix, began importing different macadamia plant varieties in 1975, becoming New Zealand’s first

experimental grower. The farm’s orchard, Greenacres, was established in 1978 with 400 macadamia trees. A further 800 trees were planted 16 years later.

Now there are 2,000 large and 1,000 smaller trees on the property.

“When I was a boy, it was a dairy farm, then a dry stock farm,” said Chris.

“It is still essentially dry stock as we farm sheep as well as nuts.”

Although 12ha of the property is dedicated to the macadamia trees and

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avocados, the couple run a two-tier system wintering 450 ewes and their replacements.

Daniela said the orchards are designed for the sheep to graze in, offering double production.

“Sheep eat the grass around the trees, and also benefit from the edible foliage when the shelterbelts are trimmed and any dropping fruit.”

Shelter belts, planted with native trees, surround the macadamia and avocado tree orchards. The trees provide honey from their flowers and edible foliage for livestock.

“The sheep get a good variety of food,” said Daniela.

“We believe it makes for happier, healthier animals.”

The sheep also keep the grass under the trees short and trim the lower branches making harvesting of the nuts easier. Sheep droppings help to fertilise the soil and weed control is undertaken manually. Conversion to organics began 25 years ago and the farm became

Daniela Krumm

Bio-gro certified in 1995. Although the climate at Tikorangi is considered relatively mild and suited to growing subtropical plants, there are usually a few frosts each winter. The frosts do have some benefits however, eradicating some of the pests and bugs. Many orchardists prune macadamia trees but

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

February 2014

17

MacSnack’s wide range of organic macadamia nut products

the Jury’s have decided against pruning those growing in their orchards. They have found the tree’s inner growth is then kept protected from frosts.

“We are organic and not so tropical so we do grow less,” said Daniela.

Daniela grew up in Germany and met Chris during a trip to New Zealand. They married 15 years ago and have an eightyear-old daughter Cassia.

The couple have gained their knowledge of successfully growing macadamia trees and harvesting the nuts through experience. “We’ve learnt along the way, what to improve on and

what not to do,” said Daniela. In spring, the macadamia nuts and avocados are harvested.

If there is a large crop, harvesting continues until December. Wwoofers help out during harvesting.

Avocados grown on the farm are sold at various farmers markets including the Taranaki Farmers Market.

Ten years ago the couple began producing MacSnack organic snacks, bars and spreads. The macadamia nuts are roasted, packaged and sold — combined with organic chocolate and other ingredients to make Mac

Bars — and also available as different types of spreads. All of the MacSnack’s range of products are grown, harvested, processed, and marketed on site.

“As we are self-sufficient we need to come up with ideas to create foods,” said Daniela.

Everything on the farm is used and remains on the property, right down to the macadamia shells which become mulch.

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Daniela said it is very satisfying to see the entire process from start to finish. “I really enjoy the finished product,” said Daniela.

MacSnack’s products are available online, at the Taranaki Farmers Market and various organic shops and delicatessens throughout the country.

“It’s a pure cottage industry,” said Chris.

HFS has developed Herbal AB for animals and people to help and strengthen the immune system, MA Udder Spray to enhance udder health, Herbal Digestive Drench to balance the natural worm life within the digestive system and a Natural Teat Conditioner. Also available are Homeopathic books for cows, horses and people, kit sets, laminated reference sheets and calendars for the cowshed.

Feedback received from a south Taranaki farmer regarding the Natural Teat Conditioner.

“After much anticipation we were very pleased to get our hands onto

the newly released Natural Teat Conditioner. We premix it in a 20 litre container and fill a Cambrian sprayer at the end of each milking. The system and product work very well. After about a week all the cows’ teats had softened dramatically.

We have also received this recommendation for one of our Homeopathic Books.

“The ‘Homoeopathic Handbook for Dairy Farming’ is worth its weight in gold. Regularly referred to, it is our most used farming related text.

We have notes from our experiences and successes recorded throughout as we are continually learning and extending our remedy repertoire and knowledge base — that’s the exciting part. We are ultimately in control and not reliant on others! And most importantly, it works.”

HomeopatHy The complementary system of health for all your farming livestock

TALK DIRECTLY TO THE EXPERTS

phone 07 858 4233

See us at Central Districts Field Days site 038

Durable and UV resistant, HDPE Liners Comprehensive Material and Installation Warranties

NATION WIDE

QA documentation Specific to your project

info@aspectlining.co.nz

0800 464 235

www.aspectlining.co.nz

HomeopatHic farm support

PHOnE: 07-858 4233 • FAX: 0800 367 437 EmAIL: HFS@XTRA.CO.nz • WEb: WWW.FARmSuPPORT.CO.nz

18

February 2014

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

LIVESTOCK

Wool Perspective From Rob Cochrane GM, Procurement, PGG Wrightson Wool

South Island wool dearer Immediate realisation of the limited supply of wool in the South Island was evidenced by the cancellation of the first scheduled January 9, South Island sale and the rather small offering of less than 8,000 bales catalogued for the second scheduled sale on January 16.

Whilst competitors vie for business at the farm gate, the open cry auction platform continues to be regarded as the most reliable market setting mechanism, on a week to week basis however, with restricted availability, consistency of price and meaningful market signalling can become somewhat distorted.

The market for the 2014 calendar year opened in Napier on January 9 on a slightly firmer note compared to the close there on December 19.

A large variety of types were offered including a quantity of hogget wools and new season’s lamb’s wool. The first

Christchurch auction, held on January 16, also contained a variety of types from throughout the South Island with a good quantity of crossbred fleece wool shorn in December on offer. The majority of the fleece wool was of good washing colour and although many were showing a weakness in tensile strength, most were reasonably sound and free grown.

Buyers bid eagerly for the better wools however poorer washing colour fleece lines displaying considerable yellowness were discounted severely with around a 100 cents per clean kilogram

difference from the best to the worst fleece types.

A good quantity of crossbred hogget wool types were offered with again a queue of buyers bidding vigorously for those. The crossbred market was quoted as being between 2% and 4% dearer than the previous auction held on December 19 last. The relatively small quantities of lamb’s wool offered also drew good support with the most competition aimed towards softer crossbred types measuring finer than around 30 microns.

A few coarser lines of lamb’s wool however also sold extremely well. A handful of Corriedale and Halfbred wools were on offer and most sold well with good competition evident. Prices in the main were on a par to those ruling in December. A small quantity of Corriedale lamb’s wool was keenly sought.

Australian auctions resumed on January 7 and after a cautious market opening gradually strengthened (to date of writing) although much depended on style and micron. All centres reported extra-fine and tender merino wool types as being more difficult to place than sound, well prepared, fine to medium types. The over-supply of extra-fine wools appears to be an on-going problem for the time being.

From this early point of the year it is difficult to predict what turns the

wool market will make before the end of the season on June 30 but it is certain that quantities will continue to be limited. Weather will always play a part in controlling shearing to an extent but the number of sheep to be shorn is perhaps nowadays more easily managed than it was in the past, however the beginning to 2014 in southern areas of the South Island has to date been rather frustrating with a very much stop, start approach to shearing due to warm wet conditions.

Expected wool quality from hereon will definitely be poorer than desired with yellowness and cotts more than likely dominating over the next few weeks. With 2014 being the Chinese ‘Year of the Horse’ let’s hope the wool market can ‘gallop’ ahead and ‘hurdle’ any obstacles, whilst growers enjoy the ‘ride’ as wool exporters take the ‘bit’ between their teeth and processors continue their ‘hunt’ for the best wools in the world.

That’s my view.

Meet Your Local Wool Representative at PGG Wrightson Wool

Want to find the best way to market your wool?

Expertise is only a phone call away PGG Wrightson Wool Ltd handles in excess of 350,000 bales annually through its wool store network strategically positioned around New Zealand and its export company Bloch and Behrens.

Andrew Anderson Feilding/Taihape

027 7029 496

Tony Cox

Wanganui

027 5965 144

Eric Constable

Wanganui/Taranaki 027 4409 784

For all your livestock needs, contact your

local buyer

AreA

Buyer

MoBile

After hours

Brett Innes

0274 743 041

09 423 8176

Gary May

021 971 502

09 408 0469

Brad nattrass

021 332 979

09 945 7293

Brady collinson

021 984 815

09 437 6663

terry north

0274 841 823

09 439 5902

Kelly Graham

021 341 817

0800 600 222

Freephone 0800 233 2669

northern Whangarei

russell collinson

021 726 153

09 437 6613

Freefax 0800 329 225

kaikohe

Murdoch Phillips

021 954 282

09 402 6944

Email lcs@affco.co.nz

regional manager northern northland kaikohe north southern Whangarei dargaville northern auckland

competitive prices | top service | premium markets

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

Strong demand for Taratahi graduates continues

by Denise Gunn

Programmes offered are carefully researched and developed to ensure that graduates have the skills necessary to meet the changing needs of the agricultural industry.

The centre was initially established in 1919 in the central Wairarapa as a training farm for men returning from World War One. Following the Second World War, the centre was again made available to returned servicemen.

Eighty men passed through the farm under the Rehabilitation Department’s scheme between 1944 and 1950, prior to settling onto their own farms.

In 1951, trustees carried out extensive improvements and enlarged the activities of the farm, then known as the Wairarapa Cadet Training Farm, to provide training for young people between the ages of 16–20 years.

It was renamed Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre in the early 1980s.

Today Taratahi has campuses in Manawatu, Hawke’s Bay, Taranaki, Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Rodney and Northland. More than 2,500 students are trained through Taratahi in a range of programmes each year.

Taratahi’s vision is to be New Zealand’s first choice for vocational

learning from foundation to sub-degree level and their philosophy is ‘real training on real farms’.

Taratahi’s own assets, or assets they manage on behalf of others, now equate to over $100m. Taratahi has 50,000 stock units of sheep, beef and deer, and milk 3,250 cows per year.

For the past 20 years Taratahi has had a stand at the Central Districts Field Days, sharing information about programmes available in New Zealand.

Marketing and Communications manager Yvonne Way said Taratahi staff enjoy attending the field days as it gives them the opportunity to catch up with graduates and to listen to some of the wonderful stories about what they are doing throughout New Zealand and internationally.

“Staff are also able to encourage potential students to get involved with the exciting and diverse industry that is agriculture.” For enquiries about Taratahi’s extensive agricultural training programme call 0800 TARATAHI.

19

Tapping into rural knowledge Within the farming community there is an untapped knowledge bank that could serve as a valuable resource.

New website runoff.co.nz recognises this and is seeking your help to collect and collate this information. Founder of runoff.co.nz, Steve Karl, has had a long association with rural New Zealand and says there is a wealth of information in the community that can be shared.

Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre is widely recognised for its long-standing reputation in agricultural learning.

February 2014

“The website is designed to be a starting point to gather and share information on all aspects of rural and farming life and eventually build runoff.co.nz into an encyclopaedia for our farming and rural lifestyle sector,” says Steve.

“There are many challenges to keeping rural business and lifestyles prosperous — climatic, environmental, physical, financial and political — but there is also a vast knowledge bank.” As a resource for posting

and seeking information on subjects relating to the rural sector, runoff.co.nz can be used freely. It also provides a venue to buy, sell, and advertise services and vacancies for a fee or commission.

“In the past, when I want farming information, I’ve found very little I can hook into and when it comes to trading farm items, the current websites are not specific and they certainly don’t give people a lot of options. With runoff.co.nz, people can talk to each other via email and shake hands over a deal.

“Right now, I’m looking for farmers who can contribute ideas, information and handy hints and also for specialists who can share their knowledge in specialist areas.

There seems to be a reasonable amount of information for dairy farmers but there is very little available for dry stock farmers, so I am hoping that this website acts as a vehicle to get that information out there.”

runoff .co.nz rting point Our website is designed to be a sta all aspects of to gather and share information on rural and farming life. encyclopaedia I invite you to help build this into an - Steve of NZ farming and rural lifestyle.

Visit our website www.runoff.co.nz for more details and use the CONTACT US page to touch base with Steve

Taranaki Rural Marketplace Dream Doors Kitchens Ltd

Big Al’s has expanded and has shifted

from Tweed St to 25a Bisley Street

“Your dream kitchen but not a nightmare price”

Wreckers of all Road, Trail, Farm Bikes and Quads.

Full Service and Repairs on all makes of Farm Bikes.

Frame Repairs, Plastic Welding, Rebuilds New and Used Parts for most Models FOR SALE. Also FOR SALE Secondhand Two Wheeler and Four Wheeler Bikes and Quads

Big Als MOTORCYCLES

• ROAD • ATV • Wreckers

KITCHENS – SAVE $1000’s

From a single door facing to a complete kitchen. we also do replacement benchtops

Web: www.ddkitchens.co.nz Email: mike@ddkitchens.co.nz

We Buy Old and Used Motor Bikes and Quads ®

Available from CRT, PGG Wrightson, Farmlands UV Protected Polycarbonate. Fits on any container with a flat surface.

Instructions supplied with the fitting.

$20 plus p&p

GORDYS FLYTRAP FITTING 21 LITCHFIELD ST, BLENHEIM

Email: elaine.gordon@xtra.co.nz www.gordys-flytrap-fitting.com Patented in New Zealand/Australia

TARANAKI TRUCK

DISMANTLERS LTD

33 MIKE DD 0800 6453

CRAMP–STOP For Muscle Function – A Natural Approach

• Fast acting • Easy to use • Good safety profile

Use fast acting CRAMP-STOP at any time – during the night, during or after sport.

Spray once under the tongue and repeat in 30–60 seconds if necessary.

ORDER ONLINE AT www.cramp-stop.co.nz

CALL TOLL FREE 0800 620 600

ROAD SAFETY

TRUCK & 4WD DISMANTLERS

END OF MAYNE STREET, WAITARA

Phone Joe, Dave or Bruce

Ph 06 754 9006 or 0800 878 251 Email t_t_d@xtra.co.nz Fax 06 754 8966 www.taranakitruckdismantlers.co.nz

CLASSIFIEDS Phone 0800 466 793 For Sale

25a Bisley Street Palmerston North.

Ph: 06 355 4852 Mob: 027 297 8034

GORDYS FLYTRAP FITTING

TARANAKI FARMING

DRIVE TO THE CONDITIONS

STOLEN QUAD-BIKES? You won’t find any listed here, but you can pre-empt this kind of thing happening and protect your fuel too. Visit www.parabeam.co.nz or call 0508 727 223 for more information.

Energy Efficient DO YOU LIVE IN A WINDY SPOT? 3 phase wind turbines starting at $2,200 includes 450 watt turbine, 6m pole, charge controller and inverter, Batteries not included. Ring Colin at Windpower Waikato Phone 0274 831 041 A/H 07 843 7983 Email colin@windpowerwaikato.co.nz

FARM BRIDGES

Phone Pat now 0800 222 189 – Visit www.bridgeitnz.co.nz

BRIDGE IT NZ LTD

20

February 2014 TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

FREE DELIVERY ORDERS OVER $1500

Retailer of Rural Piping and Farm Supplies

0800 RURAL DIRECT

FEBRUARY 2014

MAXI culvert Twinwall Culvert Pipe

SIZE NOMINAL ID

6M PRICE

3M PRICE

225mm

$159.00

$ 95.00

300mm

$275.00

$165.00

375mm

$349.00

$209.00

450mm

$499.00

$299.00

600mm

$749.00

$449.00

ALL PRICES INCLUDE GST

NEW SIZE

499.00

$

Incorporating the strength of corrugated outer shell with the smooth inner wall to optimise hydraulics.

Contractors Ring for a Quote

Smaller coils also available

450mm x 6m

MAXI drain

Punched & Unpunched Drain Coil

299.00 $299.00 $

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

MEGA ROLLS AVAILABLE

110mm x 425m & 160mm x 190m Drainage Contractors call for a quote Manufactured from High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

MDPE pressure pipe 9 Bar Rural Pressure Pipe

Outside diameter

25mm 32mm 40mm 50mm 63mm

$ per 100m

$ per 200m

$127.00 $159.00 $216.00 $325.00 $495.00

$248.00 $310.00 $421.00 $634.00 $965.00

Other pressure ratings also available Suits compression and electrofusion fittings

DRAG hose

LDPE water pipe ID nominal bore

Pressure rating (PSI)

$ per 100m

15mm

130

$ 76.00

20mm

116

$141.00

25mm

94

$182.00

32mm

72

$223.00

40mm

65

$264.00

50mm

50

$346.00

$141.00

Anka & Hansen fittings available

LDPE IRRIGATOR DRAG HOSE

EFFLUENT pipe 8 BAR RATED - SUITS CAMLOCKS

Hard-wearing LDPE suits AG camlocks

75mm

63mm x 50m

90mm

199

$

20mm x 100m 116PSI

.00

63mm x 100m

389.00

$

TARANAKI BRANCH 83 Wallcourt Place, Normanby Phone (06) 272 8187 Fax (06) 272 8188 Trevor 027 323 2976 taranaki@ruraldirect.net.nz Depot Hours: 8am - 12noon Monday to Friday

110mm

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

Suitable for above ground use.

90mm

$8.55 per metre

MANAWATU BRANCH 77728 State Highway 2, Dannevirke Phone 06 374 8971 Sam 021 500 107 manawatu@ruraldirect.net.nz Depot Hours: 8am - 12noon Monday to Friday

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