Taranaki Farming Lifestyles, July 2015 by Integrity Community Media

Taranaki

FARMING Lifestyles

July 2015 Edition

10,000 copies DELIVERED FREE to every rural delivery address in Taranaki

Assistamce available for flood-hit farmers

Impressive start to farming career P3

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

Farmer experience ‘bottled’ to help dairying bounce back

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

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This is part of the organisation’s work to help farmers cope with lower milk prices and set the industry up for a speedy recovery. Economic modelling shows if farmers can decrease their potential loss by up to $1/kg MS this season they could recover from the low milk price three to four years faster. DairyNZ general manager of research and development David McCall said one of the ways to capture this dollar is by spending on the right things and implementing good budgetary control of costs. “This is where we can learn from the best, so we’ve created new online

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information to help show farmers where to prioritise their spend and how to make savings.” “Dairy farmers have asked us for more practical and specific data on which to benchmark themselves — we have listened to that feedback,” said Mr McCall. “We’ve pulled together in-depth budgets from a number of top performing farms nationwide with a sub $3.50/ kg MS cost of production. These top performing farms have honed their farm systems. Many of these farmers have learnt lessons from past downturns to build resilience. We’ve bottled that experience in a sense, by creating a new online benchmarking tool that will enable dairy farmers to identify areas for improvement.” DairyNZ estimates the average New Zealand farm will lose around $150,000 to $200,000 at the current forecast payout for 2015/16. Whilst the average farmer could take a few years to repay this loss, the top 20 per cent farmer would be able to recover much sooner. This latest online tool builds on existing information provided through 29 Tactics for Tight Times farmers who have been sharing their decision-making and tips to get through a low milk price period, since February. “Without the willingness of farmers to share their information I think many would be in a lot darker place — the strength of the dairy industry is its ability to pull together in tough times,” said Mr McCall. To access the tool, visit dairynz.co.nz.

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Assistance available for flood-hit farmers by Denise Gunn

As the recovery phase continues following last month’s floods, offers of support are pouring in. States of emergency were declared in Taranaki, Whanganui and Rangitikei following a severe storm which crossed New Zealand between June 18–20. Reports of recorded rainfall across the region ranged from 130mm to 302mm in a 24-hour period. Although those states of emergency declarations have since been lifted, the Taranaki Civil Defence Emergency Management group continues to work alongside response and lifeline agencies as part of the recovery phase. Civil Defence minister Nikki Kaye said the recovery led by local authorities is well under way. “Within these regions some areas were affected more than others, so the speed of recovery will differ for each area.” Primary Industries minister Nathan Guy declared the flooding in the lower North Island as a medium-scale adverse event for the primary sector. He said a recovery coordinator would be appointed to coordinate the activities of local Rural Support Trusts and other industry groups in order to provide help where it is most needed, and provide a liaison point for government agencies. Lower North Island farmers struggling as a result of the recent flooding are now also able to access Rural Assistance Payments. RAPs can be activated after a mediumscale adverse event and cover essential living costs when farmers’ income is affected by the event with a payment equivalent to Jobseeker Support. Mr Guy said local Rural Support Trusts will be coordinating with farmers to facilitate RAPs for those in need. Social Development minister Anne Tolley said many rural people may be reluctant to ask for help, but support is available for those in extreme hardship.

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

July 2015

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The Waitotara Valley has been badly affected

“We recognise that some farmers are struggling as a direct result of the recent flooding and we want to support them as they work through the clean-up and begin to repair damage.” Mrs Tolley encourages anyone struggling as a result of the flooding to get in touch with Work and Income to see what support they may be eligible for. Flood-hit farmers with stock needing access to grazing, help with moving stock, emergency feed, generators, large capacity water pumps to help cleaning

up should ring Federated Farmers’ freephone line 0800 376 844 or the Rural Support Trust on 0800 787 254. A Taranaki Disaster Relief Fund, administered by the Taranaki Regional Council, was set up for public donations to help local people affected by the floods. Donations can be deposited into the TSB Bank, 15-3947-0492814-01 ‘Taranaki Disaster Relief Fund’.

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July 2015

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

by Denise Gunn

IMPRESSIVE START TO FARMING CAREER In just two years since taking over their 372 hectare Awatea Farm, Sami and Laura Werder have made an impressive start to developing this breeding and finishing property.

heir efforts have also been recognised in this year’s Taranaki Ballance Farm Environment Awards, picking up wins in three categories. The couple grew up with farming backgrounds and enjoy working outdoors with livestock. Sami’s family are dairy farming at Manutahi, whilst Laura’s are sheep and beef farmers near Stratford. Following the completion of a Bachelor of Applied Science degree at Massey

University, Sami worked on his family’s farm from 2008 to 2011. For the past five years he has worked full-time as an ASB rural manager. Laura, who holds a Bachelor of Science with Animal Science and Ecology majors, worked full-time for three years as a Ravensdown fertiliser representative in Feilding before moving back to Taranaki. When the couple bought their first farm at Te Popo in October 2011, Laura combined working part-time

Laura and Sami Werder

for Ravensdown with working on the property for two years. Then, although they didn’t intend to move up to a larger farm so soon, the opportunity to buy Awatea came up and they grabbed it.

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are in a position to buy replacement stock and build up their flock. “We have about 500 Perendale and 1,100 Romney ewes,” said Laura. “The Romney ram went over the Perendales and the better 500 Romneys and the Suffolk ram got put over the ‘B’ mob of 600 Romney ewes,” she said. Lambs are sold to AFFCO or Land Meats. The majority of the Hereford cows on Awatea Farm were purchased from Phillip George of Tarata. Cows are mated as yearlings and bull calves are retained to be sold as service bulls into the dairy industry. Other cattle are sold to AFFCO. Dairy heifers and weaners are also grazed on the property. Judges commented on the couple’s strong emphasis on growing stock and keeping them in excellent condition. Laura said the farm is reasonably wet in winter with an annual rainfall of 2,000mm, and there are quite a few frosts. “This is managed by reducing wintering stocking rate, and running cattle in smaller mobs to reduce pugging.” The property is generally summer safe. Financial and practical help is offered by the couple’s families, and they all work together when possible, particularly with docking and shearing. “Everyone helps everyone as much as they can — it makes the jobs much more enjoyable,” said Sami. The couple list plenty of plans to continue upgrading the farm to make it a profitable and sustainable unit. Among these are increasing sheep flock performance, prioritising animal health, and maximising pasture production and utilisation.

Their contagious enthusiasm for a future farming within the New Zealand sheep and beef industry was noted by the judges. Sami and Laura won the Ballance Agri-Nutrients Soil Management Award, the Beef and Lamb NZ Livestock Award and the WaterForce Integrated Management Award.

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Their farming backgrounds, university degrees and agricultural-related employment have provided them with well-rounded knowledge. “We definitely wouldn’t be in the position of understanding our business as well if we hadn’t done Massey and had the work experience,” says Sami. BFEA judges were impressed with the couple’s start to their farming career. “A joint effort, great to see equal involvement, interest and enthusiasm,” they said. One third of Awatea Farm is flat to easy rolling country and the remainder is easy to medium hill. The couple are wintering close to 4,200 stock units with a 65:35 cattle to sheep ratio. Since arriving on the property in June 2013, the couple have worked hard to make improvements to the farm. Waterways have been fenced, capital fertiliser applied, insulators added to the top wire of electric fences, and paddocks subdivided. The development of a new spring-fed gravity water system has improved the supply to almost the entire farm. Dams have been constructed in other paddocks where required. Already this modification to the farm’s water supply has seen an improvement in stock health. “It’s the way we see is the most practical way to farm, all these things add up to our drive towards a financial performance on the farm that will allow us to build on what we have, to grow our business,” said Sami. Sheep prices were high when the couple started out on their first farm. And their budget meant purchasing sheep at the cheaper end of the scale. Now at Awatea Farm, Sami and Laura

July 2015

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July 2015 TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

Winning the Taranaki Sharemilker/Equity Farmers of the Year title held extra special significance for Rob and Mel Van den Brand. Mel’s parents, Murray and Judy Brown, won the same title in 1981.

lthough Mel grew up on the family dairy farm near Hawera, her initial career path followed a different track. She graduated from university with a Bachelor of Business, was accepted into the ANZ Graduate programme and worked in the banking industry for five years. Rob entered the dairy industry after graduating from Massey University with a Bachelor of Science. Starting out as a trainee herd manager in Foxton, he then progressed to farm management roles on properties in Feilding, Bulls and Himatangi. When the couple decided to go farming together, Mel resigned from the bank. Mel said they were fortunate enough to build cow numbers whilst Rob was managing a farm in 2008. “Natural increase through the ability to keep calves grew our asset base,” she said. “When Rob changed jobs, we leased these cows out.” The couple lived off one wage and saved the other to build the deposit to purchase their herd. The balance was bank-funded. When the couple’s daughter was born in 2009, Rob and Mel felt ready to take the next step into herd ownership. They were also keen to move closer to one set of grandparents.

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“In addition, when the herd was purchased we bought 130 cows from a herd of 570.” Mel said this formed the nucleus of their herd and the balance were tidy budget cows to get to the total they required. The couple moved to their current 50 percent sharemilking role, for the J D Bashford Trust at Manaia, five years ago. The J D Bashford Trust is a charitable trust run by the Bishops Action Foundation. “We were lucky enough that everything aligned and we were offered this job,” said Mel. Rob and Mel both enjoy the variety that comes with working in the dairy industry, the challenge of building their herd and asset base, and being outdoors. Raising their young family on the farm also enables Rob and Mel to include their children in day-to-day activities. “And to be present for our kids activities as they grow,” said Mel. This season, the Van den Brand’s milked 210 crossbred cows on the 64.1ha effective property. The couple plan to increase the herd to 220 cows next season. Farming with a high stocking rate on the property, which also includes a 20.6ha runoff, is one of the challenges Rob and Mel face. An iron pan which runs through part of the farm causes

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pasture to dry out quickly in summer. Rrecent drought conditions, particularly during the 2012/13 season, have been testing. The couple endeavour to grow as much supplementary feed as possible on the farm. Six hectares of turnips are grown annually and between 70-100 bales of silage is produced. This season they also grew six hectares of winter oats. During the 2013/14 season the herd produced 88,989kgMS. This reached approximately 92,000kgMS for the 2014/15 season. Rob said entering the competition made them review and question everything they do in terms of their business, and made it a more robust one. “It’s given us a clear understanding of our progression pathway as well as the skills to network and make contacts in the wider dairy industry.” The couple believe the ability to focus and work hard on the elements that are important to them have helped them to grow their dairy farming business. “Having a good team with complementar y strengths, and surrounding yourselves with good people who are experts at what they do, so you can have access to good advice and information,” said Rob. In the near future, the couple are aiming to build their equity, and continue developing the farm and runoff to improve functionality. “We plan to build the herd so that it is in the top one percent of herds for Production Worth and Breeding Worth, get a bull accepted into an AI company’s bull team, and achieve grade-

July 2015

Rob, Mel, Riley (2) and Sophie (5) with some of the herd

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free status for four or more consecutive years,” said Rob. The Van den Brands want to position themselves to be able to provide tertiary education for their children, and farm ownership or part ownership via an equity partnership. The couple placed third in the 2015 New Zealand Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year.

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ADVERTORIAL

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

Economy Starts in The Soil

by John K Morris CEO of Agrissentials

In these fluctuating times of moderate to poor returns we find ourselves in zones of either going backwards, locked to the spot or unable to go forward with future plans to help stimulate income. What is going on out there? The politicians and the bureaucrats, living off the taxpayers have recently been able to increase their income while the producers of our country struggle to keep their business going forward.

If we look back at those good years, 50s, 60s and 70s life was different, people were happy, payouts were good and money was circulating. Agriculture and horticulture were pumping, but since the financial collapse in 1987 producers have struggled to gain

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parity in the market. I was a victim of that collapse, having to borrow money from the merchant bankers to keep my commercial cropping business going, while paying 27% interest to the bankers. I believe that since then producers have had to work long and hard to extract any money out of the system. As a producer at that time, I had already shifted from a conventional chemical system to a natural system of production which helped me produce better crops for a better return, which helped to pay off the merchant banks loan; Man, that felt good! Today, for producers, nothing has really changed. To make money you need to do the hard yards and for those producers on the “chemical treadmill” they need to work harder to keep up with the treadmill. Late last year the Australian Grain Board made a statement that they were moving away from the chemical age to help lift dropping production and reduce toxic chemical input to meet today’s consumer demand for safe certified nutritionally dense food for better health and less hospitalisation. It appears to me that the more we continue down the chemical path, the more production suffers, resulting in leaner payouts. For producers to increase income we need to move away from chemicals; their use-by-date has long expired, and look to the new consumer call for safe, certified, nutritiously dense food,

while naturally achieving the regional councils call for sustainable farming and a sustainable environment. To achieve this is very simple — all you need to do is drop agro-chemical production and hook into all the benefits nature provides. Agrissentials can take you half way there with our multi-mineral, microbial rich fertilisers, with Mother Nature providing the other 50 percent requirement of rain and sunshine, resulting in better quality production and better returns. While we stay with chemical production and commodity markets we will always be struggling for income. Out of all the countries in the world New Zealand is the most ideally positioned to move to safe, certified nutritionally dense food production. Our isolation, our soils, our sunshine, our potential for water storage, our natural fertilisers and most importantly our enterprising producers, give us the opportunity to be the best producers on the planet and we can easily achieve this goal within 5 years. A year to plan it, 3 years to nationally certify it and an extra year to perfect it — together we can do it. Call 0800 THE KEY (0800 843 539) for a FREE INFO PACK or you can contact your friendly representative Adrian Rowe on 021 873 304 to find out how Agrissentials’ system will improve farm soil, farm health, environmental health and increase food quality.

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

July 2015

EDUCATION ADVERTORIAL

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Skills and horses Clearwater Riding Academy has been in operation for over forty years within Taranaki, producing many skilled riders who have gone on to represent their pony clubs and the region in all riding disciplines including an Olympic rider. “We provide a safe and secure environment where riders of all ages and abilities can come to learn and enjoy our horses. We teach valuable skills including both physical and mental abilities and achievements for children and teenagers,” says owner and trainer Lydia Quay. “The activity can help improve balance, posture, coordination and general fitness. It gets students outdoors and in tune with nature, and as they progress their confidence builds and this gives them a sense of freedom.” The students learn respect for the animals as the relationship between horse and rider is built, and they learn to work as a team to achieve goals set. A lot of enjoyment is gained and riders progress in their abilities each day. As the pupils succeed and reach their goals, they want to improve more, therefore they want to ride more. “I feel I can’t put a price on what I get back from my horse. It’s a lifelong love and activity that brings different rewards at different phases of our lives.” For more information contact Lydia on 021 759 342.

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Clearwater riding school has been established since 1980 Situated up Carrington Road, we provide tuition for all levels, from lead rein riders to advanced riders, both children and adults. Friendly experienced environment, well mannered horses and ponies ranging from 11HH to 16HH. They are versatile all rounders and are used for a variety of activities including: dressage, jumping, hacking, games, pony parties, holiday courses... For more information, please contact 021 759 342

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Discovering the dairying lifestyle Bella-Kinza Ward is a bright young Taranaki woman who has found a passion for dairy farming early in her working life. After leaving school at Year 13, she was still not sure what she wanted to do for a career. A friend of Bella’s was already enrolled with Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre and planted the seed that maybe agricultural training was worth looking into. “I’d never even been on a farm before and I wasn’t sure it was for me but I wanted to give it a go and it turned out that I just loved it.” Bella has been training with Taratahi since 2013; she has already completed the National Certificate in Agriculture (General Skills) Level 2 and the National Certificate in Farming Skills (Work Ready) Level 3. She is currently undertaking the National Certificate in Agriculture Level 4, specialising in dairy. “Study has given me the confidence to go out there and do the work that I have found I love. It also opened the door to dairying in the first place,” she says. “There’s not one thing I don’t love about training or dairy. Luckily I’m a morning person. I enjoy working hard and being outdoors. I love the milking, the cows definitely all have their own

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personalities and I’m excited about the technology that’s on-farm. It is interesting to see the technological developments happening in the dairy industry.” After completing the National Certificate in Farming Skills, Bella got a job with Marc Jackson, who is the 50/50 sharemilker on a 500 cow dairy farm just out of Stratford. She is 2IC, great recognition for a 20 year old, and a demonstration of the value of training with Taratahi. Bella was recommended for an interview after Marc rang Taratahi to enquire about suitable graduates for this role. “I am really glad that I studied with Taratahi. I knew nothing about dairy farming when I started, but now I know quite a bit,” she says. “I’d definitely recommend studying at Taratahi. This is how I found out that dairying was for me, and was able to get into the industry.” The future potentially holds further study for Bella. She is considering a Diploma in Agriculture Level 5 next and one day she’d like to own her own dairy farm.

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July 2015

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

RURAL WHEELS

Scaling the heights of popularity

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It was a sneak preview which had many visitors to the recent Mystery Creek Fieldays wondering just what else the Ford Motor Company have up their voluminous sleeve. With the Ranger ute flying high, the outgoing FPV Falcon satiating a need for speed, and the release of the new Mondeo making waves, many would have thought that the blue oval would give their competitors a little breathing space. But that is not how Dearborn does business. Hot on the heels of pricing announcements for the stunninglooking new Mustang, which will cost the same as a medium to high spec Holden Commodore - Ford have unveiled what they believe is the future of sports utility practicality. The new Ford Everest is no micro compact crossover. This area of the market is well served by both the EcoSport, the Kuga and their competitors. No, the Everest sits firmly in the territory relinquished by well, the Territory. And otherwise occupied by the likes of Range Rover, Land Rover and the real elephant in the room, the perennially favoured Land Cruiser. Seven seats are a necessity for any parent who has more than two kids, or anyone who carpools their school runs. Add in anyone who likes to holiday, tow a boat or simply lug huge loads, and you can see why this sector is so huge.

The Everest is based on the underpinnings of the Ranger, so from day one it has a pedigree for both on and off road handling. The ute that’s beloved of tradies, foresters and farmers has been re-skinned in a bold and muscular body-shell, and has had a complete internal transplant to boost the level of luxury enjoyed by driver and passengers alike. With the big 5 cylinder diesel mill of the Ranger doing the hard work under the hood, this big SUV will not lack power, either. Ford may have taken the Ranger as their inspiration, but it’s

also apparent that this is no chop and change job. Thousands of man-hours of engineering have gone into the design. So, is this the machine which will deliver a blue-collar uppercut to the Audi Q7, the Land Rover Discovery or the Mercedes G-class? If the way its wellside ‘little brother’ the Ranger has swept the board is any indication this will definitely be a model to watch. Clever tech and Ford’s rediscovered fun driving dynamics make this an interesting addition to the blue oval stable.

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

July 2015

RURAL WHEELS

The cream of the crop by Andy Bryenton

Versatility is the key to success for tractors in the hotly contested 100–150 horsepower segment, with the ability to cover a wide range of tasks on the farm proving popular, as savvy farmers invest in a ‘swiss army knife’ approach to their machinery. Kubota have taken this ethos a step further than most with their latest M-series tractors, delivering a range of machines spanning from 100 to 135 horsepower which are as adept at feeding out to the herd as they are undertaking cropping operations. Rather than being focused on one particular form of primary production, the MGX 135 and its little brothers down the HP range are designed, like the old dependable tractors of yesteryear, to simply go where they are needed. Aside from the bulletproof nature of Kubota’s low-emission diesel mill under the hood, this has been achieved largely through clever design. Class-leading underbody clearance and the ability to fit row-crop friendly narrow wheels makes the MGX fit right in on a cropping farm, while the option to fit a powerful hydraulic bucket up front is welcome in any operation. Add to this a smart PTO memory system which remembers the revolutions per minute needed for the

optimum use of a range of trailed or mounted implements, and this mediumsized tractor begins to truly punch above its weight. A versatile tractor is often called on to work in muddy and difficult conditions, both the front and rear diffs of the MGX can be locked using an electro-hydraulic system, providing the kind of traction which off-road trucks can only envy. The big orange machines from Kubota have had a great showing at this year’s Fieldays, and offerings like the MGX series can only do more to ensconce the brand’s name in the top echelons of agricultural machinery. As farmers look to get the most machine for their money, you can expect that many more will be put through their paces for a test drive this season.

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July 2015

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

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Saving you time and money At Pump & Purify we know achieving industry compliance can be costly and time consuming. We are specialists and we will save you time and money with water filtration systems for dairy sheds from just $695 including GST and all our product is freight free to you! Our business is based on high quality product, direct from the manufacturer to you. We cut out the multitude of people in the supply chain and therefore cut out the costs! All you need to do is arrange installation and a labour only contract. Recently, one of our customers was being charged each month for water testing because they didn’t have a filtration system

installed. They purchased a full filtration and UV system from us for $1,125 including GST for their 600 head dairy shed, and immediately passed all compliance tests and were reimbursed the cost of the testing for the previous 12 month period which more than covered the cost of the system! We know water inside out — it’s all we do. We can help arrange your water testing, or analyse your results and make a product recommendation. High quality product, awesome prices, expert advice all at Pump & Purify!

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Sustainable thinking required Sustainable thinking on dairy farms is beneficial for everyone. It ensures you are constantly driving towards your long-term purpose, looking after your people, protecting the planet and maximising/ safeguarding your profit streams. Nowhere is sustainable thinking more pertienent currently, than in setting up you farm dairy effluent system. With such high stakes: non-compliance issues, the substantiality of the investment, the potential cost of something going wrong and the financial returns that can potentially be realised from this naturally-derived, nutrient-rich waste, the decision must be weighed up carefully. Short-term, cost driven thinking can lead to decisions being made today that will have serious environmental and financial consequences tomorrow, warns Oliver Prestidge of Presco Group’s Environmental Infrastructure division. He has noticed a larger number of farmers this year who want to ‘do it once and do it right’ when it comes to Farm Dairy Effluent management. “The big increase in the number of Presco Group’s durable concrete Prosumps being installed this season can be put down to one thing,” says Oliver. “Peace of mind.” “After researching all the options, farmers often

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

July 2015

DAIRY COMPLIANCE Investing in compliance infrastructure by Andy Bryenton

As the new season begins in farming, all eyes have been on the success of the recent agricultural field days in the Waikato — a barometer of the health of this vital sector of the economy. Despite a lower than average payout for those in the dairy trade, those commentators who have watched the rural market for many years have been pleased to note that the cyclical nature of agriculture has been recognised — while spending on nonessential items has indeed waned, farmers are still working smart to ensure compliance with the standards expected of them by those who they supply with primary goods. As in any industry, standards and practices are there to ensure a balanced and equitable relationship between the producer and supplier, with guarantees of quality enforced, in this case, for the best of reasons — the health not only of consumers, but of New Zealand’s reputation as a top-grade exporter. Thus, farmers are still investing in the important equipment which allows them to run a modern, healthy and quality-controlled operation, whether in dairy, dry stock or even in cropping. Of course the dairy sector is in the

spotlight at this time, and the nature of the goods produced by these hardworking farmers means that their plant and infrastructure are held to rigorous standards. Fonterra’s handbook for suppliers outlines a list of key areas in which contributing dairy farmers must comply, from the purity of water used for operations (including lack of harmful bacteria and other residues) through to a robust chiller system used to bring milk down to temperature prior to collection. It’s not just the equipment in and around the milking shed which must meet new standards. As an example of wider requirements, Fonterra now requires new, repaired, or structurally upgraded tanker roadway bridges or crossings to be certified to at least 53 tonne, allowing safe access for their fleet. Waterways must be fenced to ensure environmental standards are met, with results in stream and river purity already being felt in the Waikato as a result.

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These factors, along with the machinery required to hygienically wash down milking sheds and equipment, and the modern milking systems needed to cut back on ills like mastitis, mean that, season after season, the backbone infrastructure of farms must be kept in good shape, no matter what mother nature or global commerce throw at us. A good example is the robust new systems used to treat dairy effluent — systems which turn what was once an odious problem into a potential source of fertiliser and nutrients. In this arena, farmers have been able to work innovatively within the framework of environmental protective laws to find a sustainable way forward. With the trend toward global free trade pushing further regulation and more exacting measures to ensure milk and meat quality, keeping these vital infrastructural systems at peak efficiency would seem a wise choice, this season as in any other.

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July 2015

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

LIVESTOCK

Next phase for NAIT July is the start of the next phase for OSPRI’s NAIT programme with the three-year exemption period for pre-NAIT cattle now over. This means that all cattle must be tagged and registered in the NAIT system, even if they are not leaving your property or were born before the NAIT programme launched in July 2012 -the transition period for deer ends on 1 March 2016. “Our goal is to get everybody on board with NAIT so we can all reap the benefits of tighter TB control and continued access to export markets. The only way to make this happen is if farmers play their part and fulfil their NAIT obligations,” said OSPRI group manager Dr Stu Hutchings. A key focus over the coming months will be working with farmers to help them understand and meet their obligations. The information collected by NAIT allows OSPRI to hold and report on movement and location data to support our food safety and biosecurity systems within New Zealand.

Dr. Hutchings says, “We’ve got a team out in the field dedicated to helping farmers meet their obligations. We need every cattle and deer farmer to provide the information about their stock, or they jeopardise the effort put in by their fellow farmers throughout the country who see the importance of this for primary industry.” OSPRI is constantly working on ways to make

it easier to meet NAIT obligations and recently launched a new way for farmers to update their NAIT account called ‘stocktake’. Using a scanner, farmers can scan all their animals, or a group of them, and upload one up-todate file to the NAIT system. OSPRI also recently announced there will be no change to the process for your animals that are impractical to

tag-ITT. You can continue sending these animals to a meat processor, and pay a $13 ITT levy. The current legislation around ITT animals is going to be reviewed and the process for them is likely to change in the future. OSPRI helps protect and enhance the reputation of New Zealand’s primary industries. It currently runs the NAIT and TBfree programmes.

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

A dog’s tail …

She shud no, I thort, cos’ Sharlene’s a skool teacher. Then she went on: “It’s blimmin disgustin, is what it is. Make me feel rill ashamed ter be a kiwi wen’ we gotta govmint that not only can’t feed the kids, or evin get medercine wot peeple need, or evin rilly help peeple get in dry housis — did yer see that chile wot died cos her house was rubbish an wet an’ cold deah?” Sharlene was rilly sniffin’ now. “Nah. Let;s spind hundrid of millyins of dollas ona bluddy flag, or ona cycleway. Let tha kids go hungry. Let peeple like me Mum get crook cos’ medercine costs too much.” Well, as yooshil, Boss hada last werd. “Yep deah. But wot about that Mr Mkully. Givin’ millyns of dollas an’ free sheep ta that bloke ina desert over there. I reckin the welrd accordin’ to John Ki is bluddy fantissy land. Tell yer wot. Let’s succede from New Zilland. Declare tha farm an independint republic. An’ we’ll fly tha old New Zilland flag ona woolshed if they changes it.” Well readas. At least Boss made Sharlene hava smile. “Don’t suppose govmint gonna ever make any sinse,” she sed. “Now I betta look atta roast pork fer dinna.” Hey hey! Pork cracklin’ commin up. Can’t be all bad eh?. Cheers readas, Billy

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A dose of bad medercine Gidday readas. Guess wot. Boss is not happy. An’ nyther is Sharlene happy. They been havin’ a talk atta kitchin table cos’ Sharlene’s Mum hada go ina hostible. Boss an’ Sharlene bin readin’ up about medercine wot peeple need ter get better. Even me too, wen’ Boss takes me ter the murderhouse. Y’no, to tha VET. Sharlene hada newspapa froma kattil stop that sed New Zilland is one ofa werst country ina werld for havin’ good medercine to make peeple betta.’ She red it out to Boss. “ In New Zealand, only 13 per cent of newly registered medicines have been funded by the government, second-to-last in the world!” Well readas, ya shuda seen Boss go red ina face. He evin spluttered, cos’ he was readin another page ova papa. “Bluddy hell deah. Sez hear that John Ki gonna give 300 millyn bucks to cycle ways. “And just rememba that he alredy spendin’ thirty millyin dollas on that blimmin’ flag idea. An’ thats not countin’ the millyuns more would hava be spent if they getta new flag eh? They gona havta change orl the uniforms ina army, ana navy, ana airfarce, an alla manuils, and books, an’ paper, and court stuf. Wear wood it all end rilly? Well readas, Sharlene hada bit ofa sniff then. Boss lookt a bit wurried she mite hava cry. Then she tole Boss wot was wrong. “See deah, the papa sez hear that ‘270,000 NZ children live in poverty, that’s 1 in 4 children! Thousands go to school hungry and without lunch. It’s hard to learn on an empty tummy’.”

July 2015

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July 2015

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

New Plymouth Girls’ High School is a school that undertakes to ensure that the young women entering its gates will receive an education that enhances learning and is responsive to individual needs. Our platform of traditional values encourages respect, responsibility and positive relationships. What we offer is a unique opportunity to be educated at one of New Zealand’s oldest, most prestigious state girls’ schools that is committed to the education of young women.

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Veterinary Nursing Level 5 Enquiries & Enrolments are being taken now for 2016 Course available in Wanganui