19,680 copies DELIVERED FREE to every rural delivery address in Waikato and King Country.
midas diamond jewellers
MIDAS JEWELLERY
REPAIR CENTRE
It’s all in the
by Barbara Kuriger, MP for Taranaki-King Country
soil
Soil: many from outside the farming community take it for granted, and that is understandable because, for them, it is simply the medium in which grass grows.
Onsite Workshop, Unique Design & Manufacturing, Ring Sizing, Remodelling Existing Jewellery, All General Jewellery Maintenance, In-store Insurance work & Valuations, Free Ring Cleaning & Inspection 307 Barton St, Casabella Lane, Hamilton 07 839 0039 www.midasdiamondjewellers.co.nz
Farmers know it is much more. Soil also filters and purifies our water, reduces flooding, helps regulate the atmosphere and plays a crucial role in driving the carbon and nitrogen cycles. It is also key to tackling climate change.
The true impact of soil on all aspects of our life came to light when I watched an incredible movie that the rural advocacy charitable trust, Quorum Sense, brought to New Zealand.
Six Inches of Soil is a new grassroots UK documentary that shares the inspiring story of three young British farmers transforming how they produce food to heal the soil, improve our health, and provide for local communities.
Soil is the essence of farming, of life, but for most urban New Zealanders, that goes no further than what they see — green, verdant pastures.
It’s only when we dig deep into it, beneath the surface, that we discover an additional benefit. Soil is an excellent storage medium for carbon, reducing emissions into the atmosphere, enriching the soil and its productivity, and maximising water infiltration and filtration.
New Zealand farmers know this. They are aware of the organic benefits of carbon retention in soil and actively cultivate it. Yet, the sequestration of carbon in the soil and the consequent reduction of carbon emissions are either not known by the wider public (which is understandable) or, more insidiously, largely ignored or obscured by certain sectors of society that claim farmers are major contributors to climate change.
Movies like Six Inches of Soil point out the opposite, which is why I was so encouraged by Quorum Sense touring it through New Zealand. However, movies can only do so much. I have long advocated that we should do more about the science of soil — studying it and improving it. For example, we could find ways to improve water retention to mitigate droughts.
Then we should be telling people about it so that they get the good oil on soil; that it is a lot more than just green pasture. Once people understand that, perhaps they will stand beside New Zealand farmers in protecting and nurturing our land.
Barbara Kuriger, MP for Taranaki-King Country
by Paul Campbell
Farm support scholarships on offer
As part of efforts to boost on-the-ground support for farmers and growers, the Ministry for Primary Industries is offering six scholarships, worth a total of $30,000 to tertiary students enrolled in relevant agriculture, horticulture, science or viticulture degrees.
“Ensuring farmers and growers are assisted to adapt to change will help contribute to the government’s ambitious goal of doubling the value of exports within 10 years,” said MPI’s director of On Farm Support Dr John Roche.
“Farmers’ ability to access support hinges on having a highly-skilled primary industry advisory sector with the capacity to provide specialised on-the-ground extension services and advice.
“We have decided to offer our On Farm Support Science Scholarships for a second year and to widen eligibility for the programme.
“We are seeking applications from students who have a genuine interest in joining the agricultural and horticultural advisory sector. Applicants must be studying at Massey, Lincoln, Otago or Waikato universities, or the Eastern Institute of Technology or Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology, and have completed their first year of study.
“The profession can be hugely rewarding, especially if you like getting out in an orchard or paddock and supporting farmers to improve business performance with advice backed by science and analysis.”
One of the inaugural 2024 scholarship recipients Nerissa Edwards is studying a Bachelor of Agricultural Science
“I have found the scholarship programme hugely beneficial,” Ms Edwards says. “My On Farm Support mentor has helped me build connections within the advisory sector, leading to an internship with a local advisory company. I am grateful for these relationships and excited to see what opportunities arise when I graduate this year.”
MPI established On Farm Support in 2022. The regionally-based service connects farmers and growers to government resources, advice, extension services, and learning and funding opportunities. It has advisers providing on-the-ground support and assistance in 10 regions.
The team works closely with industry organisations, private consultants,
regional councils, catchment groups and national science providers to ensure farmers have consistent and evidencebased information to help them navigate complex challenges, seize opportunities and enhance their overall performance.
Applications for the MPI On Farm Support Science Scholarships close at 5pm on September 16. Further information, including how to apply, is available on MPI’s website.
We’re here to make a real difference to you and your business. Delivering a high-quality, efficient compliance service is just part of that. Helping you develop, improve, and grow your business is the next step.
Our offerings are practical and tangible services to create long-term value for you and your business.
Phone: 07 827 6102
Email: office@shelleytweedy.co.nz
Nerissa Edwards, inaugural On Farm scholarship recipient at Massey University in Palmerston North.
YOUNG HEARTS IN FARMING
BY AMY FIFITA
and Josh Barbour and Jackie Sneddon focussed their minds on the agricultural life around them and became victors in the 2024 AgriKidsNZ competition.
osh and I live on a dairy farm in Waotu, a small farming community between Putāruru and Tokoroa,” said Ben.
Inspired by a family from the local rugby club, who were involved in AgriKids for many years, Josh and Ben sought another teammate, and they asked Jackie to join them. Last year, the trio received third place in the national competition in Timaru.
“Eager to join the team and improve on the prior year’s results, we competed again: this year receiving second place in the regionals and first place in the nationals,” said Jackie. Immersed in farming from an early age, Jackie has her heart set on working for one of the farming industry’s companies.
“When I was an infant, my mum was still milking. She would secure me in a baby carrier, so she could still work on the farm. Living on a farm from a young age, I started helping my parents when I was about five years old, with my oldest sister Tamsin, and have done farm tasks ever since.
“In calving season, I enjoy feeding calves, shifting animals, putting up fences and anything my parents need assistance with.
“I enjoy the freedom of living on a farm. When you need to take a walk and have some time out, you can easily do that by just going outside — there is always something to do.”
Ben and Josh aspire to follow in their parents’ footsteps and pursue a farming career.
“I want to start with sheep and beef to explore that side of the industry. We lease a sheep and beef farm 20 minutes away that I enjoy going to,” said Ben.
“There is a different range of work that we do up there, and our dad has been teaching us how to do some fencing there, too. Sometimes, I wake up at 5am to help my dad get the cows in and do the morning milking if our worker is away. I love farming.”
HINTERLAND
TOURS
World of WearableArts – Wellington 26th to 29th September – 4 days
$2250pp twin share.
Platinum Grade seats with Souvenir program. Travel through the Hawkes Bay on your way to Wellington, Returning on the Train to Hamilton.
Matilda the Musical
Saturday 5th October. Matinee performance.
Bruce Mason Centre. Includes morning tea, show tickets. $220 Pick ups available $20 per stop or usual stops.
Taranaki Garden Festival 3rd to 7th November – 5 days
$1975pp twin share.
Visit Private and World-Renowned public gardens including Pukekura Park, Pukeiti Gardens and Tupare House and Gardens.
New Plymouth Festival of Lights 12th to 15th January – 4 days
$1595pp twin share.
View Stunning Light Displays in Pukekura Park Gardens.
See website for details on these and all our tours
www.hinterlandtours.co.nz
Josh, Ben and Jackie all aspire to work within the farming industry
Aspiring young Waotu farmers Ben
Josh wants to explore all parts of the industry with a desire to pursue not only dairy farming but sheep and beef, too.
“I love to get out on the farm and work the land, and want to pursue dairy farming and maybe sheep and beef too. I’d love to be a part of a high country muster one day,” said Josh.
“Ben and I enjoy being outdoors. Our dad takes us out hunting, and we do pest control on our farm, so we go out trapping and shooting a lot.
“A couple of hunting trips have included flying by helicopter into the Kaweka Ranges and spending a couple of nights there. That has been a highlight.”
The team would highly recommend the competition to anyone wanting to have a go, even for those not from a farming background. The AgriKids competition is for students from 8 to 13 years old and is part of the Young Farmer of the Year competition. Having been in the top three in their regional competition, last month, the Te
“One aspect I enjoyed about the AgriKidsNZ competition was the broad subjects we could research. We studied hard during the holidays and made quizzes to test ourselves,” Ben says.
The team said they learnt a lot, and the competition gave them a reason to ask a lot more questions about different things when they were out on the farm.
“I found the nitrate and wallaby research interesting. It was fascinating how widespread wallabies are, and how the wider community are trying to help out where they can,” said Jackie.
While the AgriKids competition is complete for another year, it is now the season for calf clubs and pet days at many rural schools. For Ben, Josh and Jackie, calves have been selected and named, and there’s plenty of training to be done in the next few months.
Jackie, Ben and Josh recommend other children to compete in the Agrikids competition
Josh, Ben and Jackie at the module set up by Tipu Mātoro
Waotu Bushwhackers progressed to the finals at Claudelands in Hamilton.
TBY PAUL CAMPBELL
here are not many Kiwi mealtimes without potatoes on the table, mashed, boiled, chipped or roasted, or breakfast hash browns with any concern about where they come from, unless perhaps from a kitchen garden. New Zealand uses more land for growing potatoes than any other crop, with over 10,000 hectares grown by 175 commercial potato growers each year and worth more than a billion dollars in revenue.
The Waikato is home to extensive potato production where fourth-generation commercial vegetable growers AS Wilcox have their farms strategically situated to take advantage of the fertile, volcanic clay loam soils found in Pukekawa in the northern part of Waikato, as well as
NEW SCIENCE BOOSTS VEGETABLE PRODUCTION
the free-draining sandy loams present in Matamata.
The family-owned enterprise manages farming and packhouse operations that are spread across several regions throughout New Zealand — they began growing at Matamata in 1984.
“Over the years, the business has grown, and now employs up to 15 fulltime and seasonal staff members,” says potato crop manager Brian Hart.
“In the early days, we cultivated several hundred hectares annually, focussing on a range of potato varieties for fresh retail and processing into French fries and potato crisps.
“In recent times, the business has shifted its focus more towards supplying fresh potatoes directly to
major supermarket chains around New Zealand. This strategic pivot has enabled us to specialise in growing high-quality, flavourful potato varieties, including the renowned Perlas brand, which is primarily sold during the summer months.
“To accommodate the diverse range of potato types we cultivate, we
implement a customised approach to crop nutrition management. Recently, the company has adopted an innovative decision support tool known as the SVS Tool. This technology assists the business in optimising nitrogen inputs, which is crucial for achieving maximum production potential.”
Potatoes nearing harvest time
Science and research have come to the fore with a new aid to New Zealand’s vegetable production described as “a world-leading” innovation.
The industry body, Potatoes New Zealand, offers a wide range of support for members, including information, advice and grants for work that explores or develops new markets. It is behind the recent launch of the Sustainable Vegetable Systems (SVS) Project, “an innovative solution designed to enhance sustainability practices within the vegetable farming industry.”
It was officially launched by Horticulture Minister Nicola Grigg at a ceremony at Plant and Food Research in Lincoln in August “to celebrate the hard work of many through the development of this technology. I see the opportunities and benefits of this tool as a remarkable example of what may be achieved through collaboration, innovation and science.
“The SVS Tool is a nitrogen budgeting tool, developed in collaboration with leading agricultural experts, environmental scientists and industry partners. The tool aims to provide
growers with comprehensive evidencebased decision support to optimise their nitrogen management practices.”
Growers can reduce environmental impact, increase efficiency, and promote sustainable agricultural practices. The system originated in 2019, arising from the scarcity of data on vegetable nitrogen flows, particularly in crop rotation systems and a need to sustainably support growers. Over a three-year period, nitrogen flow data rates using varieties of fertiliser was measured through a selection of representative vegetable crop rotations at research sites. This work and data produced laid the foundation for the SVS tool.
The experiments were reproduced regionally around New Zealand, with increasing engagement with growers to provide valuable insights into vegetable nitrogen optimisation. The project consolidated data from various sources and stakeholders, with key inputs from
Plant and Food Research modellers and plant and soil scientists.
Key industry players included Potatoes New Zealand, Vegetables Research and Innovation, Vegetables New Zealand, Process Vegetables NZ, NZ Buttercup Squash Council, Onions New Zealand, Horticulture New Zealand, and the Ministry for Primary Industries provided government investment.
The tool offers real-time nutrient management decision-making support for growers, and tailored guidance for nitrogen application, helping meet sustainability goals and regulatory requirements. Designed with ease of use in mind, the tool is accessible to all fertiliser decision makers.
CEO of Potatoes New Zealand, Kate Trufitt, says the tool “represents a significant advancement in our efforts to promote sustainable farming practices. By equipping our growers with cutting-edge technology and actionable insights, we are taking a
major step towards a more sustainable and resilient agricultural future.”
Plant and Food research business manager Miriam Hall says the tool “is world-leading modelling creating databased decisions.”
The ultimate endorsement comes from the growing industry with Bryan Hart saying: “By utilising the SVS Tool, AS Wilcox is able to enhance productivity while minimising unnecessary expenditures on fertiliser, ensuring both environmental sustainability and economic efficiency.”
ARE YOU A LANDOWNER IN THE WAIKATO REGION?
MYNOKE (THE WORLD’S LARGEST WORM FARMING OPERATION) IS SEEKING 10+ HECTARES OF FARMLAND TO LEASE IN THE WAIKATO REGION, WITH THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICS:
10+ hectares available (can be across separate paddocks)
Land rotation is an option, we don’t need to be on the same parcel of land year after year
Less than 10% slope for the majority of the land
Dry land, with low flooding risk
At least 200m distance away from residential dwellings
At least 50m from public roads
Having sheds onsite would be a plus but not essential
BENEFITS TO LEASING YOUR LAND TO MYNOKE’S WORM FARMING OPERATIONS:
Secure a reliable, long term source of income
Potential for soil enhancement & improved land health
Establish a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship with a reputable company
Play a role in advancing sustainable agriculture & environmental conservation
Reduced maintenance burden on unused or underutilised land
As a landowner you’d have the first right to secure worm castings for application to soils
If you have land that fits these criteria & are interested
Sorting Medley potato varieties for retail sales
Brian Hart checks white potatoes at Matamata
A PLACE OF SIGNIFICANCE
BY AMY FIFITA
Sue is the fourth generation to farm on the significant property, an area that holds many family and historical memories.
“I grew up on this land, and so did my dad, David Cullen, and grandfather, Ray Cullen. My great-grandfather John Cullen, also known as ‘Waikato Jack’ was the original purchaser of Ōrākau Farm,” said Sue.
“My family has been on the land for 123 years. When my great-grandfather bought the initial 200 acres in 1901, he was told he’d never survive, but he persevered.
“In 1917, my grandfather went to the first world war, but during his time away, they looked at selling the land. Through reading family letters he told them, ‘If you have to sell it, sell it.’”
See us for all your upholstery needs
• All Vehicle Trimming
• Tonneau/Truck/Crate Covers
• Motorbike and Truck Seats
• Boat Covers & Canopies
• Carpet Binding
• Corporate Refurbishments
• Shade Sails & Awnings
• Vehicle Branding
• Graphic Design
• Heat Pressing
• Ziptrak Outdoor Blind System
Custom made products are one of our specialties and we are often creating and fabricating products specifically to our client’s needs and to individual designs.
142 Broadway, Matamata
Ph/Fax: 07 888 5484 • E: autotrimmers@xtra.co.nz
Sue says the soil on the farm is alive now, and creates a diverse pasture for organic dairy cows to
Fortunately, the family escaped the need to sell the property. Returning from the war, Ray married Hilda Raine from the neighbouring farm at the local Methodist church in Te Awamutu and continued farming.
“When my grandfather’s health declined, they relocated to town, dividing the farm into 100-acre blocks for my dad and his only brother, Garth. My dad farmed here his whole life, and was what I call a barefoot farmer, because if you walk the land, you understand what is happening on it.
“Dad milked 100 Jersey cows until the early 1980s when he went into dry stock, raising Hereford bulls, and purchasing a further 30 acres alongside the Mangahoi Stream.
“He was later one of the first people in the district to start growing maize through John Austin. I still use him as a contractor for my hay and silage.”
After travelling overseas doing various jobs, Sue returned to the Waikato to marry Bruce Graham.
Ōrākau Farm organic farmers Sue and Bruce Graham have a passion for the history and land on their property in Waikato.
graze on
Sue takes care of the farming side of the operation, while Bruce tends to the plentiful organic garden
“We lived here in the original homestead while I was nursing at Tokanui, and my parents had built another home on the other side of the farm. Our children were born here, and when they were still young, we relocated to Tauranga for two decades.
“Returning in 2013 to purchase half of the farm, we began venturing on an organic pathway for the farm through BioGro. It took three years to convert the farm from a monocrop maize system to a certified organic pastoral farm, with a focus on creating excellent soil biology and diverse pasture.
“Many international markets are reliant on our organic and genetic engineering free branding, and the proposed relaxation of GE regulations would seriously impact all farming systems.
“Although we are a small farm, we get a huge amount of production from it. Bruce runs the organic gardens growing all manner of vegetables, including garlic and onions, and every type of fruit desirable. I run the farm, winter grazing an organic Jersey herd.
“They are not supposed to have calves while they’re here, but when they do, I really enjoy them.”
In early to mid-July the herd returns to their home farm for calving, so Sue can spend the next few weeks on farm “housekeeping”, before taking a winter ski holiday. The pasture is left to grow until October, when the first bulk silage cut is made.
“With organic farming, the diverse pasture and the absence of chemicals allow the soil biology to gradually return,
and the system becomes self-sustaining.
Apart from certified organic seaweed products, I haven’t put fertiliser on for years, and when I did, it was based on soil tests and all certified organic.
“The soil is now alive, full of biology, worms and many microorganisms needed to interact with plant systems to make a nutritious pasture. It not only looks beautiful, it produces good-tasting produce.”
The whenua has experienced much change, being passed on from one generation to the next, but also holds historical significance. Ōrākau was where the last battle of the Waikato Land Wars was fought.
“Following the wars, the land was confiscated, and 50 acres were given to soldiers, and 100 acres to the officers. Most of them had come from England and were not farmers. Many sold their land or left because there was no accommodation or way for them to survive. In recent times, the battle site area has been returned to Māori.
“Ōrākau means ‘place of trees’. My dad left a wonderful legacy and planted trees on both sides of the original farm, and Bruce has taken over the tree planting from him. It is a special place and deserves respect to be natural. We consider ourselves kaitiaki of this whenua.”
Sue welcomes an organic Jersey herd on to the property for winter grazing
Lodge for cancer patients
The Cancer Society’s Lions Lodge is experiencing a meteoric rise in demand, providing 16,025
Waikato and further a eld in the last year.
The lodge is a free ‘home away from home’ for cancer patients needing treatment at Waikato Hospital.
Maraia SInclair, a Putaruru resident and mum of three, stayed at the lodge while being treated at Waikato Hospital for breast cancer.
“I had the option of driving home every day but then I went through the pamphlets I’d been given of the
lodge. I didn’t expect it to be this big! It was amazing, more like a hotel. I just felt like I was coming home and I felt relaxed.”
The lodge is state-of-the-art facility with 58 rooms for cancer patients and a support person. It is situated within walking distance of the hospital, and many of the rooms feature a view of Hamilton Lake.
As well as accommodation, the lodge also provides a regular shuttle to and from the hospital, leaving every hour throughout the day, and breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Guests can also access on-site therapeutic massage, support groups and speak to an experienced nurse for advice and guidance on their cancer journey.
“I think a lot of people don’t know about this place. I couldn’t believe that it’s all free. There’s less stress, less worries about parking, no worries at all.”
Maraia, like the hundreds of other patients, who have passed through lodge doors this year, were able to stay thanks to community support. It is not directly government funded. You can help the lodge continue providing essential accommodation for cancer patients by making a donation this Daffodil Day on August 30 — daffodilday.org.nz.
The Red barn 5786 State Highway 29, Karapiro 3484, Waikato
character to boot, The Red Barn is an
Waikato wedding venue
Maraia Sinclair stayed at the lodge while being treated for cancer
Northland — home of the friendly eld days
Northland Field Days is the largest agricultural event in Northland, attracting thousands of visitors and more than 400 exhibitors each year; the event is in Dargaville at Northland’s premiere outdoor event venue.
A hub for the latest innovations in the farming industry and machinery and technology, the Northland Field Days receives visitors from around New Zealand interested in what’s the latest in the agricultural field.
It doesn’t stop there. With Ripiro Beach, the longest driving beach in New Zealand as our backyard, the event is the perfect opportunity for all things hunting, fishing, 4x4 and the outdoors.
For the petrol heads, the Northland Field Days always puts on show with Lawn Mower Racing, Mini Mack Rides and the exciting Tractor Pull, where you can watch the big machines race on the dirt track to test brute strength, skills and technique.
While at the Northland Field Days be sure to watch the sheepdog trials where
men and their best friends show their skills herding sheep in this calm and entertaining farming sport.
With 400-plus exhibitors and more than 20,000 people at the last event, the committee of the Northland Field Days is preparing for its 39th event. It is determined to keep its motto of the ‘Friendly Field Days’, all whilst delivering not only the largest, but the best event in Northland, where there is something for everyone.
Exhibitors’ registrations are now open and sites are selling fast, so get in quick and secure a site at the biggest outdoor event in Northland.
The Northland Field Days is also planning a painting competition for the community, so keep an eye on its website if you would like to show your skills to more than 20,000 eventgoers.
Nutritional medicine for osteoarthritis
(Part one)
by John Arts (Adv.Dip.Nut.Med) founder of Abundant Health Ltd
Almost everyone above 60 will have joint tissue degeneration caused by osteoarthritis (OA). Unfortunately, there are few medical options outside of surgery and pain relief; this is one health problem where nutritional therapy can be very helpful.
My discipline of Nutritional Medicine identifies compounds in food and supplements that can stimulate the bodies joint repair processes. The results can be significant and in many cases life-changing.
As an example, I have one client that contacted my last year with pain from hip and knee OA. This restricted him by limiting the exercise he really enjoyed. Now, six months later, he said that the pain had almost gone. He is now exercising and has muchimproved quality of life.
Inflammation is a major part of OA, and can cause more discomfort than actual cartilage loss. OA is a disease of cartilage loss and associated reduction in joint space between the bones of the joint. The main process is the death of specialised cells called chondrocytes that maintain cartilage. Free radical damage and certain enzymes can damage chondrocytes, eventually causing them to die. Unfortunately, chondrocytes cannot replicate, so when they die, the tiny patch
of cartilage it maintained starts to degenerate.
The immune system then tries to heal the problem with inflammation, making the problem worse. Extra fluid accumulates in the joint capsule causing stiffness, pain and swelling in some cases.
An anti-inflammatory diet combined with therapeutic levels of chondroitin sulphate, glucosamine sulphate and curcumin from turmeric can help. Of these, chondroitin is by far the most important. To be effective, chondroitin needs to be at 800mg or more. There are only a few joint supplements that have this amount. Most have either none or very little. I guess that this is because of the high cost of quality chondroitin. Feel free to contact me for a copy of my OA programme.
John Arts (Adv.Dip.Nut.Med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health Ltd. For questions or advice contact John on 0800 423 559 or email john@ abundant.co.nz. Join his newsletter at abundant.co.nz.
What is Bettaflex?
• Bettaflex is a joint support formula to promote healthy joint cartilage function
• Bettaflex has 400mg (per capsule) of high-grade avian chondroitin, 400mg of glucosamine and 100mg of BioSolve® bioavailable Curcumin (from turmeric).
• Try Bettaflex for 3 months and see for yourself.
How can Bettaflex help?
• Chondroitin and glucosamine are building blocks of cartilage.
• Supplementation with correct levels can support healthy cartilage function and cartilage repair processes.
• New BioSolve® bioavailable curcumin helps joint function while gentle on the stomach.
• Research indicates that chondroitin is highly effective at 800mg daily.
John Arts comments:
“My
Northland Field Days is the north’s premier agricultural event of the year
Course to help in environmental risk management
In the ever-evolving landscape of dairy farming regulations, staying ahead is imperative. Dairy Training’s Farm Environmental Planning course is designed to support pastoral farming businesses with the skills and knowledge they
around freshwater management with a Freshwater Management Action Plan.
“Understanding and adhering to freshwater regulations is not just about compliance — it’s about improving water quality for everyone,” said Craig Zydenbos of P3 Trust. He helped develop the Farm Environmental Planning course with MPI, Waikato Regional Council, DairyNZ and Dairy Training.
Course participants will gain insights into regulatory requirements and develop actionable strategies tailored to their farm’s unique needs. This includes a Freshwater Management Action Plan.
“Farmers might invest up to $10,000 in a consultant to develop a plan. However, when they participate directly in designing and implementing the plan, they gain a deeper understanding of the rationale and the environmental impact on their farm and finances. This involvement often boosts their motivation to achieve positive outcomes, large or small, because every improvement matters.”
The Farm Environmental Planning Course covers topics, including the impact of contaminants on water quality, nutrient management, and the development of effective management plans. Upon completion, participants earn a Farm Environmental Planning micro-credential.
“For farmers, the drivers that will improve on-farm water quality will also improve on-farm efficiency and profitability. Excess nitrogen entering waterways is not only harmful to the environment but wastes both nitrogen and money,” says Craig.
Under the current regulations, farmers will need a Freshwater Farm Plan if they have 20ha+ in arable or pastoral use, 5ha-plus in horticultural use, or 20haplus in combined use.
The course is suitable for managers, sharemilkers, contract milkers and farm owners. The roll-out for freshwater farm plans began in August 2023. Farmers will
hear directly from their regional council when they need to get the plans in place.
“Long term, there is only going to be more pressure on the environment. Having a base understanding will put you in a good position to adapt and go forward as required,” says Craig.
This FREE course includes four partdays,10am to 3pm, with betweenclass contact. Two Waikato courses are available: Gordonton starts on October 22, and Otorohanga starts on October 9.
Dairy Training is also offering its very popular contract milking course in Gordonton, Matamata, Reporoa and Ngatea. Its emerging leadership course starts in Matamata on September 25. For more information and to enrol, visit dairytraining.co.nz/courses/fep.
The issue of housing and building supply around rural New Zealand may be eased by the proposition of new building rules, introduced by Winston Peters.
Housing has been a topic of intense scrutiny for rural district councils, a major point for regional economic development committees, and a recurring discussion around the nation’s council table.
From early in the term of the Luxon coalition administration, rhetoric has focussed on making it easier to build locally, with core documents itemising systems for affordable housing design and preapproval and a push to minimise consenting requirements and costs.
Mr Peters made easier building a platform in his coalition agreement, and the rules he proposes, alongside RMA reformer Chris Bishop, would allow for simple standalone homes up to 60 square metres in size to be exempt from building consent.
“Removing the regulatory red tape will not only speed up the build process, it is also estimated to save up to $6,500 just in the standard building and resource consenting fees per build,” Mr Bishop said.
“Over a quarter of households that do not own their home spend more than 40
per cent of their income on housing,” said Mr Peters.
“The National-NZ First Coalition Agreement commits the government to amending the Building Act and the
“Over a quarter of households that do not own their own home spend more than 40 per cent of their income on housing.”
resource consent system to make it easier to build granny flats or other small structures up to 60 square metres.” While ‘granny flats’ have been much mentioned in the discussion around these proposed new rules, some landowners may be looking at other sub-60-metre options. Large sections, rural lifestyle blocks and small farms will welcome this news, as it can open up opportunities for off-grid buildings, worker accommodation and cabins.
Winston Peters, proponent for new, easier building rules
FOX CABINS
One of the original manufacturers of Tiny Homes in New Zealand, Fox Cabins prides itself on creating accommodation solutions that are both beautiful and enduring.
The quality of craftsmanship and durability of the buildings are where Fox Cabins stand out, and why they are the first choice for those looking for a high-end AirB’nB unit, a holiday home for the family, or simply a more affordable lifestyle.
To date Fox Cabins have designed and built over 100 bespoke Tiny homes, for sites from Whangarei to Invercargill. As licensed builders they have experience in building everything from Tiny Homes on Wheels though to “Grand Designs” council consented off grid dwellings.
&HOME
Enhance productivity with quality accommodation
Ensuring high-quality employee accommodation on your farm is not just a priority; it’s essential for fostering a
environment and optimising your team’s performance.
Providing staff with warm, dry and safe living spaces that meet New Zealand’s Healthy Homes standards is fundamental for their wellbeing and productivity.
Lockwood’s ReadyBuilt homes offer a solution that ticks all these boxes, offering a hassle-free housing with minimal on-site disruption. ReadyBuilt homes are crafted in our Rotorua factory, ensuring a high standard of quality before being delivered as completed units, ready to connect to services. The ease of delivery and installation means you can focus on what truly matters — running your farm efficiently.
For optimal ease and convenience, we currently have one three-bedroom ReadyBuilt home ready to deliver to your site now. The ‘Bayview’ comes with a brand-new interior fit-out and a spacious laundry/mud room, ideal for rural living. Two two-bedroom ‘Lakeview’ homes are also complete,
and ready to be transported to your site now.
ReadyBuilt offers bespoke options, too, with a range of designs available to order in your choice of exterior cladding materials and colours and endless options for interior styling and fit-out. Investing in quality accommodation is not just about fulfilling a basic need; it’s about nurturing a positive employeremployee relationship. A comfortable
living environment can significantly enhance your workers’ satisfaction and performance. Additionally, ReadyBuilt homes are low-maintenance assets, offering long-term benefits for your farm.
If you’re interested in securing the Bayview or Lakeview homes, view them at our Rotorua show village and manufacturing facilities, or visit lockwoodreadybuilt.co.nz.
ReadyBuilt Airbnb accommodation, South Waikato
LANDSCAPING&HOME
by Andy Bryenton
It’s looking great outdoors
There’s a certain kind of person, and we all know one or two, who will look out the window at a bitter sideways rain, and wistfully sigh as they contemplate the barbecue season to come.
It’s probably been the same, ever since some enterprising Portuguese pirate conceived of the idea of prying the metal hatch cover off of his captain’s ship, and using it as a hot griddle to roast a wild pig, on the shores of a sunny Carribean island. History records that this first ‘barbie’ went down in the Dominican Republic, though it doesn’t say if the captain was pleased that bits of his boat had been turned into cooking utensils.
If you are the kind of person who can smell smoking manuka three kilometres away against the prevailing wind, who considers brisket and ribs to be ‘grocery essentials’, and strikes up conversations with perfect strangers about smoked chilli rubs and marinades, spring is just around the corner.
For many, it’s not spring until they have seen lambs bouncing among the daffodils, but for others, the sight of lamb turns the brain inexorably toward words like ‘mint’ and ‘rosemary’. A bit mean? A bit delicious, they’d say. For the barbecue purist, a break in the rain long enough to slow-cook a point end means
that the halcyon days of outdoor cooking are coming.
Some of us will look upon our barbecue areas at this time of the year and despair. Slugs, snails, moss and nameless green slimes of winter have advanced like a nasty invasion force across concrete and brick since the last time we hung up the combination spatula and beer bottle opener, but all is not lost. A weekend’s work with the waterblaster, some organically-based weed killers, an edge cutting tool, a stiff brush and some wood stain will render the ‘hear of the yard’ workable again.
That means it’s time to get ready to spruce up your outdoors. Those small engines in the shed are ready to get out of hibernation and could do with a service. There’s charcoal to source, and a grill to prep, and possibly even a trip to the best bit of your local hardware store to check out new barbecue hardware. An offset smoker this year, or something just for fish? Maybe that pizza oven?
All that’s certain — is this. After tucking into most outdoor chores, all
you get is a warm glow of satisfaction. When you get your barbecue area ready to rock, you’ll be filled with
something much more warming and substantial. The first ‘proper’ dinner of the new season.
Have YOU protected your property to alert you when this type of thing happens?
Are your CCTV Cameras giving you the results you would really like to have? Well now with the latest technology - Crystal Clear Cameras are available to everyone. See the face of that person of interest clearly, read the number plate of that vehicle or see what they put in their pocket like never before.
A (probably) accurate impression of the first ever barbecue, the great-great-grandfather of New Zealand’s favourite method of cooking
Fence & Deck
LANDSCAPING&HOME Classic — but beautiful
by Liz Clark
In the age of the perfect lawn, sometimes it’s nice to be adventurous and enjoy planting some colourful annuals and perennials to brighten things up.
The classic cottage garden look can fit into any setting. You don’t need a charming wee cottage to have long-lasting colour to remove the uniformity of that green everywhere. No matter how small the space is, there’s always something to fill it up with. Besides, the bees and butterflies will love you for it.
Unlike the traditional orderly landscaping of architectural lowmaintenance shrubs, a cottage garden has no rules. It means you can do whatever you like with the available space and fill it up with as many plants as you can get your hands on.
Create your planting bed shapes by using a garden hose as a guide to creating serpentine curves and winding paths. Use a sharp spade to cut into the soil and create edges. Lay down generous amounts of cardboard and newspaper to give a weedsuppressing foundation for the new garden beds. Combine a few bags of good-quality compost and potting mix together and cover it well. The weight will keep the weeds down and provide an ongoing organically-rich nutrient source for the plants.
The question is what to plant. That comes down to individual preference rather than a set formula. Layering the plantings with tall in the centre or at the rear, if the planting bed is against a wall or fence. Reuse and recycle old pots, farm implements and even old boats to create something pleasing to the eye and a talking point for friends and family.
In the flowering plant range, most of which can be easily grown from seed at minimal cost, the choices are endless. Take the option of either choosing a cottage garden
seed mix and sowing direct into the planting bed or buying young plants from your local nursery. Suggested plants include alyssum, cosmos, delphinium, dahlia, foxgloves, cornflower, poppies, hollyhock, lavatera, stock, echinacea, salvia and achillea.
Roses are another favourite. The best colours for a cottage garden theme
are pink, white and purple. Look for old varieties with classic bloom forms and a climbing variety to grow over a rose arbour. Lavender provides year-round greenery and colour, especially in the winter months when annuals and roses are no longer flowering. Mix in with herbs such as borage, thyme, rosemary and basil.
Spring and summer flowers can colour up even the blandest of lawn spaces
by Andy Bryenton
An agronomic odyssey
A nationwide contest to find the pick of the crop in the arable farming sector has turned up innovators,
breaking veterans.
The sector of the rural economy dealing mainly in growing crops is often a silent partner to the dairy sector, but the tonnes of grain grown by agronomists, as they’re known, is as vital to New Zealand as anything found in your fridge.
Like annual awards in other areas of farming expertise, the 2024 Arable Awards seek to foster excellence and promote innovation, giving accolades to those advancing the industry into a sustainable and more profitable future.
“The awards are about celebrating all that’s good in our arable sector — the innovation, commitment and achievements of the best of us,” said Federated Farmers arable chair and event spokesperson David Birkett.
“It hasn’t been an easy season for arable farmers, with rising costs and variable returns, so it’s great to see a
strong crop of high-calibre award entries this year.”
Those fiscal and economic pressures are being felt across the rural sector, but the answer, in arable cultivation as
in other spheres, is a reasoned, scientific approach. Part of that approach is in making sustainability pay, and that’s the focus of one of the awards categories, the Positive Environmental Impact Award. Another, the Innovation Award, recognises fresh ideas that will bear future dividends.
“I’m excited about the finalists for those categories because they’re all people helping us to create a stronger and more sustainable arable sector,” says Mr Birkett.
Finalists in the environmental category have taken the initiative on green technologies, such as creating an anaerobic system to reduce the impact of chicken manure, or organising a planting regime for sedimentation control. Researchers and informationsharing trailblazers are featured strongly
and
in the innovation category, with finalists pioneering new cereal fungicides, new methods of nitrogen fixing in soil, and fresh thinking about preventing disease in barley crops.
The convenor of the judging panel for this year’s awards says that selecting finalists was no easy feat.
“Elevated awareness of environmental impacts shown by finalists across all award categories,” said Ivan Lawrie, who brought the panel together.
“Managing that impact has been paramount to everyone, and that’s really encouraging. It was hard for the judges to come to a decision. All of them are people we would happily have named as a worthy winner.”
The final call, and the naming of the Arable Awards 2024 Agronomist of the Year, will come late in August.
Federated Farmers arable chair David Birkett is pleased to announce a strong field of finalists in the hunt for the title of Agronomist of the Year
Shane Davis Bulk Spreading Ltd
RURAL CONTRACTORS &
Safety trumps accidents
Significant interest from farmers nationwide has been shown in the recent crush protection device incentive with the Safer Rides programme for quad bikes.
The new programme aiming to encourage farmers to install crush protection devices (CPDs) on their quad bikes has been oversubscribed, hitting its initial target within 38 hours of the incentive offer being launched.
“It is about being responsive to the practical needs of our farmers. Our members and retailers invested in this incentive programme to remove the cost barrier, and this pilot has struck a chord with farmers. Farmers want to make their quad bikes safer,” said Farm Without Harm ambassador Lindy Nelson.
More than 100 farm businesses nationwide have signed up to the pilot scheme offering a discount of up to 75% on CPDs from Trax Equipment and Quadbar. There are approximately 100 more farm businesses on the waitlist, having applied to be part of the programme. Safer Farms is exploring options to fund CPDs for these farmers, too.
“The reasons people have given include heartbreaking personal accounts of losing loved ones and neighbours through quad bike accidents,” Lindy said.
“Many also cited the hilly nature of their farms, their desire to keep their people
safe. Many said they had been thinking about fitting CPDs on their quads for a long time but cost had been a barrier and this incentive was ‘the nudge’ they needed.
“Others talked about how it would provide them with peace of mind when their partner or colleagues were working out on farm alone. I feel, one farmer’s application comment, summed up our goals succinctly: ‘safety first – prevention is better than an accident’.
“Farm Without Harm recognises solving this problem is going to require the whole industry coming together. The Safer Rides
ANDREW NOLA
programme is a practical way the industry is supporting farmers.
“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the two people, who died recently in accidents involving ATVs.”
The initiative is being driven by the industry-wide initiative Safer Farms in partnership with Rabobank, ANZCO Foods, LIC, Craigmore Sustainables and PGG Wrightson.
For more details, visit farmwithoutharm. co.nz/saferrides.
SEPTIC TANK CLEANERS
The Safer Rides programme has been well eceived by farmers and businesses wanting to make crush protection devices more accessible
THE BEST SOLUTION FOR YOUR DAIRY FLOOR RESURFACING
Now there is an extremely cost effective and easy to use product that will bring back your damaged concrete floors to an approved standard.
COLOURCRETE DAIRY FLOOR RESURFACER has been specially formulated for the repair of worn or damaged concrete in the dairy industry. Dairy Floor Resurfacer is a two pack system combining a Portland cement, fine aggregate based micro concrete and sophisticated binders that provide superior, compressive, tensile and flexural strength as well as a very high level of abrasion resistance and adhesion. This product is suitable for repairing worn or pitted areas or to provide a non-slip surface where necessary.
A two pot clear epoxy sealer can be supplied to reduce the wearing effects of milk and acid.
COLOURCRETE DAIRY FLOOR RESURFACER can be supplied as a ‘do it yourself kit’ and delivered anywhere in New Zealand or applied, in most areas, by contractors.
COLOURCRETE DAIRY FLOOR RESURFACER
Part A is supplied in 20kg bags and covers approximately 3m square. Part B modifier is supplied in both 10litre and 20litre containers and approximately 4litres per 20kg bag would be required. After trowelling, the surface can be broomed or sponge finished.
Overstocked and underfed
by Liz Clark
One of the biggest mistakes newcomers to lifestyle blocks can make is overdoing the stocking rates on the land in winter.
The results can be disastrous. Along with wrecked paddocks come hungry animals, and sometimes, if they have empty bellies, they could get out on the road. If the land is susceptible to flooding or bogging when winter rains set in, it’s better to understock the property or completely destock before winter. It’s also a welfare issue if animals are left hungry and dropping body condition due to lack of forage.
The basics are simple enough. If you’ve got two hectares of land (five acres) then five cows won’t fit on it — a couple is best, rather than an entire herd. A few sheep might do, but even then, ensuring they have adequate feed in winter is another challenge entirely. Many people love to have animals and enjoy them, but it is a lifelong commitment to ensure they’re taken care of.
Always consider the amount of land set aside for grazing animals. Cattle,
while not requiring as much as a fullygrown horse might, will still require adequate grazing for winter and extra forage too. While hay is a good filler, baleage has a much higher nutritional value. These usually come wrapped in plastic to keep out the air and seal the moisture in. Horses, too, can eat baleage, but always ensure it’s fresh and without any rot or mould in the contents. If the wrap has any holes in it — don’t buy it.
Before considering having any stock at all, talk to a local livestock consultant or farmers about which is the best fit for your property and how many. While spring and autumn have abundant growth, a drought in summer and a cold, wet winter can drastically change feed availability for stock. Beef and Lamb New Zealand have an excellent online app for calculating feed requirements for cattle and sheep. Visit FeedSmart at feedsmart.co.nz.
Winter can be a hard time for stock; extra feed will give them a boost and keep them healthy
• Concrete Pumping Services
Floor Slabs • Feed Pads
Chicken Sheds
Residential and
Commercial Quin Abraham 021 395 025 a1pumpit@xtra.co.nz
• Bulk or Bagged Fertiliser
• Weed Spraying • Helicopter lifting
• Aerial Survey
• Gorse & Blackberry Spraying
EFFLUENT SPREADING USING OUR UMBILICAL SYSTEM
• Evenly spread your effluent the full width and length of your paddocks; ideal for maize and other cropping ground
• Low to no wear and tear on lanes and gateways
• 1.6km of hose to reach those paddocks that otherwise don’t get reached with irrigators
• GPS proof of placement using Tabula
• Incredibly cost effective when compared to tankers or hours moving travelling irrigators
• Up to 15% solids pumped, cleaning your pond out increasing overall pond capacity
• No interruption to stock movements on lane-ways with the ability to move 300m3 per hour
• All inclusive pricing for pond stirring, nitrogen testing, effluent pumping, spreading and mapping reports
Report points the way to future gains
by Andy Bryenton
The Industry Working Group (IWG) report on New Zealand’s genetic gain system
by major names in the cattle improvement sector.
DairyNZ, along with major industry luminaries LIC and CRV, have responded positively to the findings of the important report, which was charged with the task of evaluating the dairy sector’s genetic improvement progress. The report comes with suggestions for the future, which could drive faster rates of genetic gain across the entire national dairy herd. Those recommendations are being weighed up by the leaders at the forefront of livestock improvement.
That’s important, as the evidence points out that New Zealand may be slipping behind foreign competitors in this field. DairyNZ chair Jim van der Poel has called the report greound-breaking, in that it encapsulates all the areas Kiwi farmers could get back out front.
“It also shows New Zealand can catch up quickly by taking key actions, and underscores the immense benefits to dairy farmers, including efficiency and productivity gains through animals that are more resilient, profitable and easier to farm,” said Mr van der Poel. “Overcoming sector challenges to provide
New Zealand farmers with world-leading genetic gain will require significant contributions from all parties.”
The IWG was established in November of 2023 to help the sector achieve world-
leading rates of animal genetic gain. Mr van der Poel said the report acknowledges the unique nature of New Zealand’s dairy herd, and other challenges, including a significant decline in the quality and accuracy of New
Zealand’s phenotypic data and farmers’ relative lack of confidence in the use of genomically evaluated young sires.
Dairy NZ is joined in its support of the IWG report by two of the biggest commercial names in the industry, LIC and CRV. Both companies have praised the focus on transparency and consistency the report shows, and seek to evaluate its recommendations in a bipartisan spirit of cooperation.
“Genetic gain is a critical pillar in the future success of our farmers’ businesses. It is only right that, where needed, we come together to improve the structures underpinning this success,” says LIC chair Corrigan Sowman.
“We’re looking forward to working closely with DairyNZ to set up the right governance structures, workstreams and reporting mechanisms, so we can effectively achieve the report’s stated objectives for the betterment of dairy farmers and the efficiency and profitability of their dairy herds to support New Zealand’s future.”
The genetics of New Zealand’s dairy herd could improve at a rapid pace if the recommendations of a new IWG report are implemented, say its supporters
A classic gets better with age
by Andy Bryenton
John Deere’s 6M tractors have established a formidable reputation, with their range covering all sorts of farming applications, and carrying on a tradition of Deere machines that fit the bill of ‘great all rounders’.
The big green and yellow machine has achieved this in a similar way to other great icons of internal combustion by offering a model range that covers a lot of bases, while keeping the core recipe sweet and simple. While the famous antipodean car marques, like Falcon and Commodore, did this by offering everything from a spacious station wagon to a sporty, V8 powered Bathurst racer, John Deere has taken the formula of a capable mid-to-large-sized farming machine and spread it out across a range of frame sizes, power ratings and nearly limitless customisation options.
The result is a 6M for every task, no matter how big and demanding, or precise and niche-oriented. Now, with a new model year approaching, the Deere family is getting even bigger, with no less than 13 models of 6M to choose from. All of them have benefitted from some smart upgrades, too.
“The new 6M builds on its reputation as the ready-for-anything workhorse of the farm by adding more optionality,
so our customers can build the tractor that perfectly matches the unique needs of their operation,” says John Deere production systems manager Stephanie Gersekowski.
“We have taken some of the key features of our larger machines and introduced them to the mid-size tractor market, and answered the calls of those wanting extra speed for transportation with the new option of 50km/h transmissions.”
That’s important, because transitioning between jobs, and sites around a big farm on the fly is a large part of the job for many farmers. The ability to switch from low, measured creeper speeds to a clip that’s swift enough for the tarmac has been forged in across the vast majority of the 6M range. Equally important to many farmers is the offer of more power, with four models in the updated range topping the 200-horsepower mark. The top of the line now delivers 250 horses, and most models also offer a healthy 20hp boost for operations that utilise the tractor’s rear PTO.
Waipa Water Delivery
Little details have been tweaked, too, with an example being the option of reversible radiator fans that can blow away chaff and debris, taking away one more cleaning chore. Comfort, visibility and even the design of the 6M’s looks have all been given a reworking. The message from the team in green and yellow is clear. There’s a 6M to fit any role, or multi-role, on your farm, and they’re keen to have locals put them to the test.
John Deere’s popular 6M range of tractors has been improved and fettled for the new model year
by Andy Bryenton
Wiltshires a winner in Waikato
When Rex and Kerry Vickers bought a small block of land in the green countryside near Te Awamutu, the
a gentler pace of life.
While the term ‘retirement’ was used only half-seriously, the shift from 700 hectares of rugged hill country southwest of Taumarunui looked set to herald a sea change for the experienced sheep farmers. However, they say that good news will get out no matter what, and in recent years the flock of Wiltshires, which share the Vickers’ Te Awamutu farm with them, have been closely observed, with rams in demand.
Rex says that his background has predisposed him to working with Wiltshires, and savouring the farming life in general.
“A love of dogs, horses and the back country led me to this career choice,” says Rex. “I’ve spent most of my adult life working on sheep stations, including two years mustering in the high country of the South Island.”
In the 1990s, Rex and Kerry struck out on their own with that farm in Taumarunui, but discovered that poor wool returns demanded some lateral thinking. Shedding sheep were the solution, and the Vickers farm soon became home to a flock of Wiltshires, following some intensive research .
“We wanted to breed easy-care sheep, so we put a lot of selection pressure on the flock,” says Rex. “No adult sheep was ever drenched, and any ewe with foot problems was culled. Initially, a lot of sheep fed the dogs, but the result of 30 years of these priorities is a very hardy flock.”
Using natural selection to improve bloodlines is leveraging nature’s advantage, and in recent years, Rex’s selection criteria has focussed more firmly
Rams for sale
Rangitukia Wiltshire
on fertility and growth rates. This emphasis on hardy, resilient animals has carried over to Te Awamutu, and it’s garnered attention from those seeking Wiltshire rams.
The Vickers’ farm is not a stud in the formal sense, but enquiries at the farm gate, and around the community, have led to a desire to increase the number of rams leaving to help improve other flocks. Environmental factors are still used to ensure hardy and redoubtable animals, with no sheep drenched
more than twice in its lifetime, no dipping for flies, and lambs retained as replacements raised as twins, which must reach killable weight by weaning. An exceptional eczema tolerance has also been achieved.
Anyone looking to buy rams from an exceptional Wiltshire flock is encouraged to give Rex a call. He’s happy to answer your questions about what he and Kerry have achieved, and what you could, too. Give him a bell on 027 449 0048 to chat.
Rex and Kerry Vickers have produced a Wiltshire flock with exceptional facial eczema tolerance
a
HSR brings new maize seed hybrids
the market for the upcoming growing season.
Triton, MaxTwo and Spartacus have undergone extensive research and development, including selective breeding and on-farm trials, to ensure their performance and adaptability to New Zealand’s diverse climates. HSR maize specialist Guy Mason says the hybrids are built for various environmental
conditions, including the shorter seasons in the South Island and the warmer conditions found in the North Island.
“It’s exciting to provide farmers with more choice,” Mason says. “Each HSR Maize hybrid has unique strengths that make them suitable for different situations and ensure high-quality grain or silage.”
Building on generations of research, trials and experience in Australia, HSR introduced its first hybrid maize seed varieties in New Zealand more than a decade ago. Since then, the company has continued to innovate and develop its hybrids to capitalise on genetic improvements, enhancing New Zealand’s reputation for growing quality produce to feed the world.
HSR works closely with genetic plant-breeding partners worldwide to source new genetic material for the development of new and exclusive hybrids with superior traits to those currently on the market.
Triton, MaxTwo and Spartacus showcase HSR’s dedication to innovation, by providing farmers with the latest genetic advancements to create superior seed varieties that optimise results.
You can find out more about the hybrids at nutrinza.com/hsr/.
WATER
HSR Maize Seed has introduced three new maize seed hybrids to the market — Triton, MaxTwo and Spartacus
