Waikato Farming Lifestyles, February 2020 by Integrity Community Media

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Highland heavies competing

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February 2020 Edition

Investing in blueberries

Advancing Monte Pahu

Three years into organics Page 4–5

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February 2020

WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES

Be wise with water use

Integrity community media

The Waikato Regional Council is asking water users to be vigilant given the low flows in the region’s rivers with the dry conditions being experienced.

The Waikato Farming Lifestyles is published with pride by Integrity Community Media, a privately owned NZ company. Phone: 0800 466 793 Email: info@integrity.nz General Manager: Deb Wright | deb.wright@integrity.nz | 021 639 696 Editorial: Ann van Engelen, Paul Campbell, Andy Bryenton Advertising: Teresa Steed Accounts: accounts@integrity.nz Distribution: Laurie Willetts Website: www.farminglifestyles.co.nz

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“All resource consent holders of water takes need to carefully check their consent conditions and comply with low flow restrictions. For those taking surface water this might mean an immediate reduction or cessation of take,” says the council’s water allocation team leader Donna Jones. “Most rivers and streams in Waikato River catchments are experiencing low flow conditions, and flows are expected to keep dropping under the current dry (drought) conditions. “We did have some rain relief from the heat and dust across the region recently. Unless we get more sustained rainfall during the coming weeks, we will see little recovery of the declining soil moisture levels and river flows. “It is crucial that all those who have not already done so begin conserving

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water now to reduce the pressure on our waterways and to protect water quality and ecology. “Waikato Regional Council has contacted all surface water take holders with low flow restrictions to check their water usage and river flows at their specified monitoring site. “Groundwater users should also ensure all take limits, and monitoring requirements are fully complied with. “Council staff are keeping a close eye on the state of catchments in the region and further restrictions on taking water may be required for stressed catchments if river levels continue to decline. Information on river flows can be found on the council website at waikatoregion. govt.nz/rainfall-latest-reading.

WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES February 2020

Highland heavies competing The inaugural Southern Hemisphere Highlander Championship will be held at the Ford Ranger New Zealand Rural Games in Palmerston North on Saturday, March 14–15. “Highland Heavies has been part of the Rural Games since it began more than six years ago as a trans-Tasman heavies competition,” said Rural Games founder Steve Hollander. “We have been getting inundated with requests from around the world for entries, so we felt it was time to step it up a notch. We approached the rural division of Professional Unique Realty, and they fell in love with the concept.” Southern Hemisphere Highlander Champion organiser Jono ‘Minister of Misery’ McFarlane said it’s been a fantastic opportunity to create a whole new competition. “We have extended the competition for the two days of the Rural Games. That way, our athletes will physically be in top form throughout the competition, and audiences on both days will get to experience the thrill of what the heavies can do. “This year our Kiwi heavies will come up against big men from Canada and Australia.” Professional Unique Realty rural specialist Jeremy Cotter said he was a little bit in awe of the heavies. “Having been a professional rugby coach for the Manawatu Turbos, I have worked with some big boys over the years, but I can tell you that heavies are seriously next level in terms of strength. From tossing the caber to picking up 150kg Manawatu River rocks — it is more than a little bit awe-inspiring,” said Mr Cotter. “For Professional Unique Reality, it is a fantastic alignment. Providing a free entertaining event that showcases

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Southern Highland Heavy competitors Callum McConachy and Adam Miller (left) with Professional Unique Realty rural specialist Jeremy Cotter in the middle

what training and mind over matter can achieve. I am super stoked that three of our heavies are locals — that puts some real meaning behind the saying ‘Mighty Manawatu’.” Steve Hollander said 2020 is shaping up to be a great year as 80-year-old Des McLean, master caber craftsman, from One Tree Bay in Northland, is crafting a new caber for the Southern Hemisphere Highlander Champion competition from a Tanekaha tree. “Tanekaha is the creme-de-la-creme for cabers as they don’t snap,” said Jono McFarlane. “The heavies in Waipu have been using them for years, and it is fantastic to have one being made for our new competition.” The 2020 Southern Hemisphere Highlander competitors are New

Zealanders Craig ‘Lifts n Biffs’ Manson — Canterbury, Reuben de Jong — Auckland, Callum McConachy — Palmerston North, Carl Waitoa — Palmerston North, and Adam Miller — Palmerston North. Luke ‘Blue Mountain’ Reynolds from Blue Mountains, New South Wales, Australia, Joshua Plate — St Catharine, Ontario, Canada, and Jayden Hill from Adelaide, South Australia, Steve Hollander said the games are in discussions with heavies in Scotland and Europe, with the aim to have a world-wide field of competitors in 2021.

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February 2020

WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES

THREE YEARS

into organics BY ANN VAN ENGELEN

Kenny Finlayson and Terri Donaldson converted their 100 ha 170 dairy cow farm to organic as a way to give their animals a healthier life and care for the environment for future generations.

enny’s great-grandparents immigrated from Nova Scotia and for more than 27-years Kenny has farmed the property, which has been in his family since 1869. The couple decided to convert to organic three years ago. Wharepuke Organics is EU and NZ certified, and they are nearing full NOP certification this July. “The property sits on limestone and clay and is flat to rolling with bush. When you look after the land, the land looks after you, and we changed to organic because it is ethical and the right thing to do,” says Kenny. “We downsized from 200 cows to manage what we have well. Being

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organic you can’t buy feed in, and everything has to be produced on the farm unless it is approved. We grew a multi-crop of chicory, plantain, red and white clover, maize, peas and sunflowers for summer feed. “It is scientifically proven that a variety of plant roots can interact and this grows humus and that grows topsoil, which stores carbon. Organic soil has healthy biology, which grows healthy feed. “The sunflowers provide high protein and the oil is good for animal health and is amazing for the cows’ coats. The flowers attract bees and are attractive in the paddocks. We have people ask to take photos when they are in bloom

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WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES February 2020

— it is a nice experience to be able to share. We are also experimenting with a worm farm. I only use earthworms, and in six months they have created half a cubic metre of topsoil for our vegetable garden and fruit trees. We haven’t done anything but add vegetable and fruit scraps. People are amazed at how many worms can grow and how they produce soil.” Planting trees has also been a focus on the property. “The worst thing is the sun and the wind for the land and animals and with the climate changing animals need trees to stand under,” says Terri. “Trees lessen the effects of sun and wind burn off in summer to pasture. Cows can handle cold as they have internal heaters in their stomachs but they can’t handle heat. Tree roots also help the soils and the soil is the key to everything — if you get that right everything else will follow.” Production was up 10 per cent with fewer cows last year. “Milk production is stable with more cattle on the farm as all our youngstock for replacements can’t be farmed out as they need to graze organic,” says Kenny. “Our costs are way down because the farm is very self-sufficient with healthy soil. We don’t spray so we don’t buy chemicals or drive the tractor every day. We grub thistles while we are waiting for the cows to move. Every aspect of organic farming is positive and happy. Every cowpat is the same all season with no diarrhoea. “Youngstock have good growth rates with great coats. We definitely have happy, calm, healthier cows and with oor -to-d Door y to your r s delive r busines o e ! s m y ho 4 da in 2–

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happy lines, which are the parallel lines of fat over the ribs. The lack of chemicals grows healthy grass, so cows eat less and we get more nutrient-rich ourselves. “The further we advance, the more passionate we become. The wider community is very supportive and want to learn as it is change and different from what we have been told to do. Organic is like the holistic approach, and we love meeting other organic farmers because they want to learn and share and help each other to do well. “I love the way it opens your mind to other ways of farming, growing soil health and increasing the microbiology in the soil. The opportunities to learn, experiment and grow have been exciting and rewarding. We have fewer weeds, less mastitis and internal parasites are non-existent despite not using chemical drenches. “The rewards are numerous, the environmental pay off is organic soils,

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which are more capable of absorbing atmospheric carbon, soils leach fewer nitrates and absorb more moisture. It is mentally more stimulating with new ideas and methods to learn, and costs are down, and profits are up thanks to Fonterra’s organic premium and animal health is vastly improved. “Recently, we started taking interested groups around the farm showing people how the system works, and we talk about sustainability, soil biology and environmental footprints. We enjoy sharing what Wharepuke Organics is all about and are considering pursuing eco-tourism and educational farm visits in the future. “We were just normal everyday conventional farmers, and if we can do it, anyone can do it. Organic farming is a good lifestyle, it is a mind shift, and we have no regrets. We wish we had done it sooner.”

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February 2020

WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES

Investing in blueberries by Ann van Engelen

Steph and Dave Wood are in the midst of establishing a blueberry orchard on their volcanic soil property with three varieties of the berry.

“I

was born and bred in Dargaville and came from a growing background as my dad has grown kumaras since 1981 formally known as Turiwiri Produce,” says Dave. “I did my building trade and moved to Australia. Three years later, due to family health and change of plans, I returned and caught up with my old schoolmate Steph who was living in Auckland when our friendship turned into a relationship. “We were in Waiuku and considering our options for the future, and thought maybe we could grow blueberries. We found a guy in Pukekohe growing them,

and he invited us to see how he had set up then we found this property with the right soil content and area.” The property has volcanic soil with a good outlay. Dave and Steph have transformed the land in the last three years. “We also have a hedge trimming business, and we have turned 11 acres into usable growable land for the blueberry orchard. We ordered three varieties of blueberries. It took a year for the nursery in Cambridge to propagate 4,000 plants ready for their new life. “Late one afternoon, some mates and I built a nursery for the plants that were

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stowed on the ground when Steph was about to have our first baby. A storm was coming, and we needed to protect the plants. One mate came with the post rammer and tractor, and one brought the nail gun and screw. We got the nursery ready in super-fast time then rushed to the hospital, and at 10.30pm that night we had our first child. “We are harvesting at present. We tend to the blueberries before and after work and in our spare time. The three varieties we have fruit at different times and are different in shape and flavour. Considering the dry season, we are doing well with a decent size berry. It takes five years to get to full production, and we have another two to go. “These berries grow extraordinarily well for Northland. They are designed for the climate where other types wouldn’t survive the harsh conditions. The hardest part is keeping the weeds under control. “We limit our sprays and planted with further spacings than recommended to keep a good wind flow and help minimise disease. We only spray minimum weeds when necessary and rarely apply fungicide.” The plants are irrigated every night with a controlled amount of water and Dave has a pest management system to eliminate the risk of loss of fruit and damage to plants from pests such as rabbits and birds. “We originally had trouble with the irrigation and had to hand-water until we could afford an automated system. With the spare irrigation products, I built a fertigation tank and wrote my own

programme for how much fertiliser to add per acre on a general base of the food we use. “We have had an ongoing battle with weeds taking over, and the plants on one of the four blocks got annihilated because we did it on the cheap but discovered you can’t afford to cut corners and lost approximately 300 plants. We then bought 300 cubes of mulch, and 100 rolls of weed mat and the plants doubled in size first growing season and are very healthy. “Harvesting is a challenge as we do it in our spare time. Every berry is individually picked by hand. That gives us a good idea if there are disease or pests that need to be dealt with. With every one you pick, you get a feel as you feather them off in your hand. We generally harvest a kilo per person an hour and grade as we pick. If they are soft — you have to work out the reason. Birds often peck them and leave them to rot on the bush. “We belong to Blueberries NZ, and the plants we have selected are licensed varieties. You need a serious amount of time, patience and money to start. It is not for the faint of heart as the infrastructure isn’t cheap. “Blueberries are a wonderful naturally good looking super fruit full of antioxidants and are like nature’s lollies. Once you buy them, we recommend you keep them in the fridge and use them within 10 days if freshly picked but no one ever gets to 10 days as they are so nice. “We are waiting for our next lot of plants to expand, and ultimately we

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February 2020

WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES

Advancing Monte Pahu by Ann van Engelen Helena and Ed Barrio are seven years on from beginning their adventure of establishing Monte Pahu’s herd of pedigree Red Devon cattle as a way to diversify and bring a piece of ‘home’ to New Zealand.

“I

grew up in Devon, England and attended Liverpool University and became a doctor. I returned to Devon to live and met Ed, also a doctor,” said Helena. The couple moved to New Zealand and found a 28-hectare property at Te Pahu, which reminds Helena of Devon. Drawing on Ed’s Spanish roots, they used the word Monte, which means mount in the farm name. “We have a great belief that you need cattle that suit the land, and this property is hilly, rough terrain. To begin with, we had dairy cross cows, but they didn’t finish properly. The farm has clay soil, is a bit damp and humid in summer and not the best grass ever. “I thought Red Devon would suit the land very well and acquired some

foundation animals from Woodlands Stud. We used AI from bulls in the UK, and now our stock is just the way we want, fine examples of Red Devons. “We have removed a lot of the weeds and gorse and are improving the grass. The cattle are not shy about getting their nose in the gorse. They crush and trample it and eat all sorts of plants, and we also give them mineral tubs to help keep them healthy. The grass is able to grow up after they have been through and any weeds that return we try and remove. “We are improving the fences and making the paddocks smaller for a better grazing rotation instead of having 10-acre blocks. The cattle were originally a multipurpose breed, but we have them for beef due to their moderate-sized

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WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES February 2020

Red Devon are known to be excellent converters of various types of grasses and plants as they forage

frame. We sell bulls and young heifers to other breeders through the stock agent and usually have more enquiries than we can cover. One of our bulls is at the breeding centre in Tararua due to a few semen enquiries, and we are hoping to share our genetics from this.” The property has several areas of native bush fenced off. “There are some big native trees scattered throughout the property, which are great for the cattle to shelter from the sun and rain. We believe all farms should invest in planting trees for stock to be comfortable and happy. It is important they have shade and helps them produce much better. The meat of Red Devon has great marbling

Helena originates from Devon in England and appreciates the stability of the Red Devon breed

and the cattle grow to 400–600kg for a mature cow and the bulls grow to around 800kg. They are still a moderate size, so they don’t damage the ground as much as the bigger breeds. A big cow has a big appetite and these being smaller, need less, and I think their quiet temperaments improve the tenderness of the beef. “The breed calves with ease, which is another thing I select for, and we need to maintain and preserve that. Any animal that has trouble calving I do not keep or breed from. Our average birth weight is 35kgs, which is a nice size, and they grow beautifully. I keep my expectant mums close by otherwise they would go into the bush and hide their

babies if you let them. They are natural mothers and very good at caring for their offspring. We have gone from nothing to seven foundation animals and now have a herd of 30. We retain the best calves, and if they have issues — we cull them. We look for good feet so they can walk properly on our hills. It has to be sturdy and nicely put together. I watch to see if it can convert the feed and store enough fat to grow a very nice calf. They look like a great Red Devon too and have a deep body and a nice face with a solid rump. “We are part of the Red Devon Association, and our cows are registered so you can trace their pedigree and see what is for sale. The association

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field days are very helpful, especially when you are starting out as we share information on how we do things. “Taking on our adventure has been very positive, and the cattle have been a perfect fit for our property. I am so glad we took them on. Everyone who sees them loves them — you can walk through our herd because they are friendly. The biggest thing we have learnt is to trust your instincts and cull properly — then you earn a good reputation when you sell an animal. We are hoping more people will start having them on their lifestyle blocks as they are perfect in size. They are good converters of feed and produce a lovely beef carcase.”

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WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES ADVERTORIAL

ADVERTORIAL

What’s up with turmeric? by John Arts

I speak daily to people affected by inflammation — this commonly affects joints but can affect most types of body tissue. While we can feel the discomfort of joint inflammation, we cannot feel inflammation of blood vessels till disease symptoms appear. Our immune system responds to injury and sickness by generating inflammation. It is an essential part of our in-built repair and recovery systems. While we cannot heal without inflammation, unwanted inflammation can not only slow healing but create new problems. The long list of problems with the suffix ‘itis’ are all inflammatory diseases. One of the reasons we are told to eat lots of deep coloured plants is that the anti-inflammatory antioxidants are locked into their bright colours. It is the yellow in turmeric that contains curcumin. It is the purple colour on grape seeds that contain the potent OPCs (oligomeric proanthocyanidins). While osteoarthritis is the most common joint problem, others such as tendonitis, bursitis and rheumatoid arthritis affect many people. The centre of any nutritional medicine programme is an anti-inflammatory diet. Adding well-formulated supplements with highgrade ingredients can add healing compounds at levels much higher than

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through diet alone. Two of the most potent are curcumin from turmeric and the OPCs from grape seeds. For example, adding 1,000mg of 95% Curcumin is equivalent to several tablespoons of turmeric. You would also need to eat tablespoons of red wine grape seeds to get 100mg of pure OPC. I speak to clients on a daily basis that are more mobile and more comfortable by adding potent natural anti-inflammatory compounds. One with rheumatoid arthritis is much more comfortable by adding 1,000mg of curcumin and 200mg of OPC daily. I have written a comprehensive Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition Guide. Please contact me if you would like an email copy. John Arts (B.Soc.Sci, Dip Tch, Adv. Dip.Nut.Med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health Ltd. For questions or advice contact John on 0800 423559 or email john@abundant.co.nz. Join his all-new newsletter at abundant.co.nz.

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Yesterday Once More set to entertain Four dynamic performers, direct from Las Vegas, will be touring New Zealand in May featuring music from ABBA, The Carpenters, The 5th Dimension and The Mamas and The Papas.

The two-hour toe-tapping show, Yesterday Once More, will delight crowds with non-stop instantly recognisable hits and colourful choreography, accompanied by informative and humorous banter. The multi-talented group of performers, Katch Gray, Tai Lewis, Anna Love Ruthfuss and Tim Winski, have extensive international careers entertaining audiences with singing, dancing and acting. Together they are known for their soaring, vocal harmonies. Yesterday Once More promises to be a unique evening of reminiscing as the talented quartet rolls out hit after hit. With a blend of different vocals, the four performers will sing a range of charttopping songs including The Carpenters’ Close to You, ABBA’s Dancing Queen,

The Mamas and The Papas’ California Dreaming, and the 5th Dimension’s Up, Up and Away. Michael Chapman conceived and directed the show, which was written by George Solomon. The show’s choreographer is Paul Holmquist. Stewart and Tricia Macpherson of The Stetson Group are presenting Yesterday Once More to New Zealanders. For more than four decades, The Stetson Group has produced and presented numerous shows internationally as well in New Zealand. The Macphersons have organised hundreds of artists to tour the country, performing in big cities to smaller town venues. Tickets for Yesterday Once More are on sale from February 13 through Stetsongroup.com.

WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES February 2020

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Getting pastures growing again Dry conditions in many parts of the North Island mean some pastures are in less than ideal condition as autumn approaches. If you have paddocks, which have taken a hiding during summer, now is the time to assess the damage, and work out what’s needed to restore DM productivity before winter. The sooner you act on this, the better. If thin, weak pastures are not already full of weeds, it won’t be very long until they are, which means they won’t grow or feed cows well for the year(s) ahead. “Pasture’s our key feed, so that’s why it’s important to get out now and check all of your pastures, to see how they have fared through summer,” says Barenbrug Agriseeds pasture systems agronomist Jen Corkran. If the damage is severe, eg, ryegrass plants cover less than 50% of the ground, full renewal is the best way to restore these paddocks, either this autumn or if necessary via short term crops to grass next autumn. For larger areas of damage, with too many paddocks for summer cropping in 2020/21, undersowing can really benefit. That entails hard grazing, then drilling ryegrass seed in pastures, without spraying, and works best where paddocks have thinned out, but are not yet full of weeds. It’s quick and has little effect on cover, so it can be a fast and cost-effective way of boosting growth in these paddocks. “Be aware; however, your results will be compromised if weeds have already gained a good foothold,” Jen advises. Shogun hybrid ryegrass, in particular, has proved ideal for undersowing. New

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Zealand’s best-selling hybrid establishes as fast as Italian ryegrass, so you get paddocks back to full production, or better – before winter, but Shogun with its NEA endophyte lasts longer than any Italian. “The only way Shogun can achieve this performance, however, is if it has room to grow! For it to fulfil its potential, it must be sown before existing weed seeds in the soil germinate and get a head start.” Sowing in the dry can work really well, as the seed is in the ground ready to respond to the rain. Jen says it’s important to always use coated seed, and monitor for slugs. Common mistakes with undersowing include drilling too deep (10mm), drilling too fast (8km/h), sowing bare

speed and sowing at too light a rate. The DairyNZ Pasture Scoring Tool is a useful visual guide for scoring paddocks on a one–five basis. See dairynz.co.nz for more.

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WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES

Every seed in its place by Andy Bryenton

Each year the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers gathers to judge the top 50 most innovative products and engineering designs in the food and agriculture industry. The resulting AE50 Awards are chosen by international engineering experts and provide a snapshot of state-of-the-art in the agricultural tech industry. Winning products are recognised for their ingenuity, for advanced product development, and for saving farmers time, costs and labour in the field, while making advances in ecology, economy and operator safety. With only 50 places to award across all the multiple facets of farming, they are hotly contested — to say the least. This year a significant AE50 Award went home with John Deere, for their highly advanced N500C Series air drill. Judges deemed the complex implement with its simplified interface; an outstanding innovation that improves production on the farm. “AE50 Awards reaffirm the innovative spirit of our employees and illustrate

John Deere’s commitment to bring those linked to the land the most useful, highquality products possible,” says Joel Dawson, the director of production and precision agriculture for John Deere’s. He cited the firm’s commitment to innovation as the reason behind the win. “No one in the industry invests more in research and development than John Deere, and we remain committed to that strategy. “Our engineers take great pride in creating new technology and products to benefit our customers.” The N500C Series gives operators easy meter access, the latest in integrated technology for highly

accurate seed placement, and control and confidence to help them do the best seeding job possible for cereals, canola, soybeans and other crops. Feedback and an easy to understand control system make all the difference, as in farming knowledge is power. New technologies added to the N500C Air Drills include John Deer’s proprietary ActiveCal tank scales for onthe-go seeding calibration from the cab,

RelativeFlow blockage for row-to-row seed-flow monitoring, TruSet downforce control from the cab, and the SeederPlus app for convenient calibration of meters and weight monitoring for tank scales. Combining both software and hardware advantages makes this seed drill easy to switch between different crops and fields, ensuring that every one of literally millions of seeds is put precisely in its place.

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WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES February 2020

RURAL CONTRACTORS ADVERTORIAL

Lightwire’s rural broadband connects It’s 10am in Tauwhare at Grassy Downs, home of The Bull Man bull leasing company, and stock is waiting to be processed for transport. Back at headquarters in Cambridge, Jimmy O’Hearn’s mobile phone pings with updates. As Sales and Technical Support Administration for Grassy Downs preferred livestock company, BYL, the rural broadband installed at both Bull Man farms is key for Jimmy. “All the apps in the world don’t matter if you don’t have data coverage,” Jimmy says. That is where Lightwire comes in. Lightwire goes where no other internet service provider in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty can, which means increased coverage in remote or difficult locations. At The Bull Man’s Tauwhare and Te Awamutu farms, this translates to reliable internet at the house, the shed, the paddock and beyond. “They get internet up at the house sweet as and now down at the woolshed. I’ve helped set up the office down there, installed the computer and upskilled the manager.” Traditionally, updates were written down and passed to someone else to enter, creating a lot of duplicate processing.

“Now I’m able to keep tabs on clients and staff, as well as completing banking, NAIT and MINDA updates. All the workers can now do their thing remotely, so there’s no double handling,” adds Jimmy. “It’s all about the traceability of stock these days and the timeframe you have to do it in. Now we can get it done in the paddock, shed or sale yard, before heading home for the day.” As farming becomes increasingly digital with higher levels of compliance, so does the demand for on-thego software solutions and reliable rural broadband. It enables farming businesses to input data from the getgo, freeing up time and resource down the line. Using world-class wireless internet technologies and hilltop sites, Lightwire’s savvy local team delivers rural broadband solutions across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty to more than 6,300 families, homes and rural businesses. Check if you’re in coverage at lightwire. co.nz.

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The employment status of some 140,000 self-employed contractors across New Zealand is now in the government melting pot with submissions closed on February 14 in a public consultation over their job conditions. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is concerned that some contractors are vulnerable to poor outcomes because they lack both the protections offered to employees by law and the power to negotiate a better deal. However, some contractors oppose regulation and have expressed their views accordingly, saying change could increase the cost of business in the country. Workplace Relations Minister Iain Lees-Galloway says some contractors, and particularly dependent contractors, are vulnerable in the workplace. “For example, employees who are labelled as ‘independent contractors’ by their employers miss out on their basic employment rights. Workers who are caught in the grey zone between employee and contractor status are also vulnerable. I have heard stories of contractors who work long hours, in some cases 80 hours a week, or

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others who receive an income, which works out to be less than the minimum wage once you account for their hours. Some workers are finding themselves dependent on one employer for all their income, with no flexibility or power to negotiate better conditions. “In some cases, workers are completely unaware that they have been engaged as contractors and not employees. These workers are surprised with tax and ACC bills at the end of the financial year, which they cannot afford. This government is committed to taking

action to ensure that businesses treat contractors fairly.“ The ministry says it’s consulting the public on options for change to: • Ensure that workers receive their minimum rights and entitlements • Reduce the imbalance of bargaining power between firms and contractors who are vulnerable to poor outcomes • Ensure that system settings encourage inclusive economic growth and competition The government is now evaluating

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WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES February 2020

RURAL CONTRACTORS written submissions and an online survey. However, the online discussion of the government proposal raises concerns that the proposed new contracting rules will force tens of thousands of compliant contractors to become ‘employees’ of the entities that they contract to. “It will affect many industries, rural contractors, skilled trades, professional services, freelancers, consultants, service businesses, real estate agents, taxi drivers, healthcare and many other contractors,” says one contracting enterprise. “These rules could potentially undo the healthy business relationships contractors have with their customers and the organisations they contract to. The changes under discussion could add a significant cost to New Zealand businesses.” Minister Lees-Galloway says New Zealand currently has one of the highest employment rates in the OECD and near record-low unemployment. “Our GDP growth is better than the OECD countries we like to compare ourselves with. “We know our economy has solid foundations. “However, there are problems that have built-up for a number of decades and led to higher levels of inequality and poverty. Changes made to our labour market in the 1990s in the name

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collectively. Government has largely agreed to their recommendations and is now drafting legislation to implement them.

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February 2020

WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES

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A man ahead of his time Rural contractors everywhere would likely be praising the name of Hiram Moore every morning as they turned the keys to their combine harvesters; if only they knew who he was. The American inventor lived an eventful life but missed out on fame and fortune by reaching too far too fast. Today he’s known as the father of the combine, but in his own time, he was the man who missed out on patenting the reaping machine. Moore lived in the interestingly named town of Climax, near Kalamazoo, Michigan, a place he’d helped to found by wagon train. The strait-laced Christian settlers saw nothing funny about the name; they were talking about the fact that the founding of the town was the high point of their journey west. They also found nothing funny about the sheer amount of crops, which the fertile soil there brought forth. Enough that, in 1835, a friend of Moore’s asked him if he could design a machine to help cut it all, saving the town’s scytheswinging menfolk a lot of aching backs. It’s possible that Moore’s friend had read about a machine made by Scotsman Patrick Bell in 1826, using

Twenty mules pull a mid-1860s Case brand combine; a refinement of Hiram Moore’s early work

the same scissor cutting method sometimes still used today. A few of these machines had reached the east coast before the founders of Climax saddled up to go west, but they

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were notoriously tricky to use and were never patented. However, Hiram Moore had a vision. He wanted to design a machine that could not only reap the grain but thresh it and winnow it too. All three parts of the machine were clear in his mind. He retreated to a large barn and began to experiment. In 1835, as the harvest came around, a monster of a machine came forth from that old building. Hiram Moore had done it. He had created the first-ever combine harvester, but it was gigantic. Twenty horses and a team of men were required to get it moving, and its internals were complex and made of wood and iron, not modern materials as we see today. Despite all this, the

concept caught on. Poor old Hiram spent his later years wrangling with rival inventor Cyrus McCormick, who designed a simpler reaping machine at about the same time. Some Michigan folk say that Cyrus literally pinched patent blueprints from Hiram out of the post, while others accept that the McCormick reaper was simply a coincidence. By the 1860s the combine concept had been picked up by large companies, and soon enough modern steel and the diesel engine would see it become king of the fields. Modern machines unload six bushels a second; unthinkable in the 1830s. Without Hiram Moore’s 20-horsepower creation, none of it would be possible.

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WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES February 2020

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Twenty years of flight expertise It’s hard to believe it, but Yamaha’s R Max helicopter drone is more than two decades old. The venerable spray, rescue and generalpurpose drone may be the longest-serving high powered civilian UAV, and it’s paved the way for a revolution in agriculture, going places where land-based vehicles fear to tread. Since being introduced in 1997, Yamaha RMAX helicopters have flown more than 2 million hours, and treat 2.4 million acres of farmland in Japan each year. It is mainly rice paddy land, which would otherwise need to be patrolled on foot. Now all the expertise and feedback from 20 years and more of flight time has been refined into a new Yamaha helicopter drone, which pushes the concept even further. Some in the industry are calling the Fazer, and Fazer R models the most advanced UAVs outside the military, and a quick look at their specifications tells you why. Equipped with a four-stroke, twincylinder ‘boxer’ engine, the Fazer R benefits from Yamaha’s other famous business direction, the production of fearsomely quick motorcycles. A compact light engine has been rendered from the machinery and materials technology needed to triumph on the Moto GP circuit and the road. That allows the not-diminutive Fazer to carry a 32-kilogram payload and deliver it with the precision of a full-sized chopper. In agricultural fit-out, this means that the Fazer can be loaded with twin 16-litre liquid tanks and sprayers to attack tough or boggy terrain or to overfly densely

packed crops, which would suffer attrition from wheels or tracks. It can alternatively pack a granular dispenser of similar capacity. The big surprise for most operators first approaching the Fazer is its size;

in an era when drones are tiny, multirotored things, the three-metre main rotors of this UAV seem big and serious. That’s because they are. Yamaha has built a machine that handles and responds with grace

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February 2020 WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES

An Open Letter to The Right Honourable Winston Peters Mr Peters, what are you doing? On December 5th, 2019, you introduced the Racing Industry Bill to Parliament. It contains a number of truly disturbing clauses, which would give the racing industry unprecedented powers to seize the assets of local racing clubs. The Bill contains these words:“The racing code may determine that a racing club is no longer racing …” “A racing club no longer racing may be dissolved …” “This section applies if a racing club is dissolved by any means … The assets of the racing club remaining (after all creditors’ claims on the club have been satisfied) vest in the racing code with which the club was registered.” The Governor-General may, by Order in Council made on the recommendation of the Minister, (a) approve a proposal prepared by the racing code relating to the transfer of the surplus venue to the code (a transfer proposal), with or without modification; and (b) state the date on which the transfer takes effect.” “The Registrar-General must, on written application by a person authorised by the Minister, (a) register the racing code as the owner of the fee simple estate in the surplus venue in substitution of the racing club; and (b) record any entry on the record of title, and do anything else that may be necessary to give effect to this subpart.” “The transfer proposal may provide that the racing club is to transfer the surplus venue to the racing code without receiving in return any, or an equivalent, asset.” And this:- “The transfer of the surplus venue must not be regarded as placing the racing club or the racing code, or any of its officers, employees, or agents, in breach of any Act, rule of law, or agreement that would otherwise apply.” So far 20 racing clubs have been identified as no longer adding value to the industry if they continue to race on their home tracks, and if the new Racing Bill is adopted as presented to Parliament in December, they could have all of their assets and land seized with no payment whether they agree or not. This follows the Messara Report — which advised the shutting down of twenty regional racecourses around New Zealand, including Dargaville, Avondale, Thames, Rotorua, Wairoa, Stratford, Hawera, Waipukurau, Woodville, Reefton, Greymouth, Hokitika, Motukarara, Timaru, Kurow, Oamaru, Waimate, Omakau, Winton, and Gore. Of these, Thames, Wairoa, Stratford, Marlborough, Dargaville, Winton, Westland, Waimate, Winton and Avondale have been identified as first of the clubs that will potentially be stripped of their assets if this bill is passed in its current form. We understand that the Racing Industry has problems. We understand you and your advisors are trying to find a solution. But surely, seizing the assets of local, community based racing clubs is not the way. Certain clauses in the Racing Industry Bill before parliament would seem to open the door for just that — the overriding of individual club’s constitutions, the seizing of ownership from local hands, and the appropriation of community assets that have been renamed ‘industry assets’. These are, in many cases, assets built up over more than a century by local clubs and local people on land donated by local people. Many pre-date the ‘industry body’ which now plans to seize them. It is just wrong. Legal property ownership is a cornerstone of our society. We will not have what we’ve worked to build taken away with no legal recourse. Every year on Anzac Day we commemorate the fallen, who gave their lives to ensure that we live in a free democratic country where no club, and no person, in any industry, in any town or city, should live in fear of the seizure of their assets by the state. One stroke of the legislative pen stripping them of ownership and the rights thereof … it’s not the Kiwi way. Maybe in Mugabe’s Zimbabwe. Maybe in Pol Pot’s Cambodia. But not in New Zealand, under a democratically elected government. Mr Peters, it falls to you as Minister of Racing to ensure that this bill is amended and remove any chance that this country should be besmirched with the kind of dictatorial avarice which is the hallmark of failed states. The racing industry might need a hand. But first, it needs to know; HANDS OFF our local racing clubs and their assets. It’s legalised theft, it’s wrong, and it must stop here.

Tim Antonio

Graeme Alldridge

Chairman Dargaville Racing Club

President Stratford Racing Club

WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES February 2020

Disappointment with MPI Federated Farmers is dismayed by reports that at least two businesses, which process meat from wild rabbits are being strangled by compliance costs.

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“It is tough times on farms at the moment, with rising rabbit numbers in dry conditions. With all the focus on predator-free and biodiversity, surely we should be working with and encouraging the commercial use of pest species, not making it harder for operators,” says Federated Farmers Meat & Wool chairperson Miles Anderson. Federated Farmers says that it has been reported that the owner of a business supplying wild rabbits to high-end restaurants, and Miles Anderson, Federated Farmers Meat & Wool chairperson for pet food, is spending up to 40 hours a week on paperwork, never contractors generally come out on farms mind growing MPI audit fees at $176 for night shooting of rabbits at no charge an hour. Another Canterbury-based to the property owner. processor has also said he was thinking “The end result is a useful and of closing down. saleable product. That is much better “We have had restrictions on the than a shot pest animal being left to firearms that farmers can use to keep rot in a field.” down numbers of rabbits, wallabies and Smaller-scale rural butchers supplying deer. We do not want to see hiked audit meat for sale also face rising costs fees and stiffer compliance as another from compliance. hurdle driving people out of the pest “It is time the people who bog the control industry. productive sector down in this sort of “Farmers and the environment benefit red tape considered more closely the from processing plants like this because downsides,” says Mr Anderson.

Email Joe@greenjersey.co.nz call 08002EXPLORE

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WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES

February 2020

MONTHS INTEREST FREE

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Available for instore purchases only until 31/03/2020. Minimum spend $299 and over. ^Lending criteria, fees, terms and conditions apply. ^24 months interest free is available on Flexi Payment Plans & Flexi Payment Purchases for instore purchases until 31/03/2020. Minimum spend $299 Annual Account Fee of $50 applies. New Cardholder fee - $55 Establishment. Existing Cardholder fee - $35 Advance. Minimum payments of 3% of the monthly closing balance or $10 (whichever is greater) are required throughout interest free period. Paying only the minimum monthly payments will not fully repay the loan before the end of the interest free period. Standard Interest Rate, currently 25.99% p.a or 22.95% p.a. (depending on your card) applies to any outstanding balance at end of interest free period. Lending criteria, fees, terms and conditions apply. Rate and fees correct as at date of publication, subject to change. Mastercard is a registered trademark and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Available at your local authorised Husqvarna Dealer, WWW.HUSQVARNA.COM Cambridge The Honda Shop 07 823 5522 Hamilton Action Equipment 07 957 9150 Huntly Peter Glidden Honda 07 828 9687 Morrinsville Peter Glidden Honda 07 889 6550 Te Awamutu Lawnmowers & Chainsaws Te Awamutu 07 871 8838

WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES February 2020

Bovine TB detected

DAIRY

Beef + Lamb NZ is informing farmers bovine tuberculosis has been discovered in cattle based in Hawke’s Bay. “A cluster of bovine TB infections in cattle near the Napier-Taupo road has been found, and these have been taken under close management by OSPRI,” says Beef + Lamb NZ CEO Sam McIvor. As of February 11, 28 cattle from eight herds are under management. A further 15 herds are currently under investigation. Some of these are expected to have infected animals. “The discovery of the disease is disappointing, as farmers have been working hard to help eradicate bovine TB, and this incursion is a frustrating setback to those efforts. It also comes at a time when the sector is dealing with the impact of Mycoplasma bovis, weaner sales are underway, and some farmers are looking to destock, partly as a result of dry conditions. “The discovery was made following routine surveillance as part of the TBfree eradication programme. Possums are the main vector of bovine TB, and this cluster of infection is likely to have originated from infected possums in nearby bush on private land. “As a precautionary action, OSPRI will expand the existing Movement Control Area in the region from March 1. It is essential to prevent the movement of the disease to uninfected regions during the coming months. Within these

controlled areas, farmers must comply with restrictions on the movement of their stock. All cattle and deer more than 90 days of age must test clear of bovine TB within 60 days prior to being moved. “Expanding the current movement control area will impact around 570 herds in Hawke’s Bay. “It means cattle heading for stock sales need to have returned a clear TB test within 60 days of moving out of the movement control area. Stock heading to processing plants are exempt from this. “Herd testing has also been brought forward for all dairy, beef and deer herds in the newly extended MCA. Infected animals will be slaughtered to remove the disease from their herd.” A Field HQ has been established in Napier to lead a response and will control stock movements in the vicinity to prevent any spread of disease with extension staff on the ground to communicate with farmers and communities. “Small clusters of disease outbreak like this are not uncommon and are expected from time to time in an eradication programme such as this. It’s important to remember there is minimal risk to human health, though food safety authorities advise against

Sam McIvor Beef + Lamb NZ CEO

the consumption of unpasteurised (raw) milk. “We encourage farmers to look out for each other and their families. The Rural Support Trust is available to

provide support to anyone who would like it.” For more information, visit ospri. co.nz/hawkes-bay or beeflambnz.com/ compliance/biosecurity.

E M A G E H T F O D A E H STAY A EMBRACING SCIENCE AT A TIME WHEN CHANGE IS COMING FASTER THAN EVER.

DAIRYNZ: Creating a cow for the future

Improving milking efficiency

Taking the N out of Pee

Independent forage evaluation

Breeding better pastures

Influencing sound policy backed by facts

In May, you will be asked to vote on whether you want to continue the levy on milksolids, enabling DairyNZ to continue industry good activities. Your levy vote is an important one for the whole industry.

For more information on current science projects and everything else your levy covers, visit dairynz.co.nz/vote

YOUR LEVY, YOUR FUTURE

February 2020

WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES

WHEELS ADVERTORIAL

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VISIT US AT CENTRAL DISTRICT FIELD DAYS SITE K36A

assembled in a box, and we can freight to you anywhere in New Zealand. We offer affordable products, so children and adults can have hours of enjoyment and outdoor fun. By eliminating high overheads and retail markups, we pass the savings on to our customers. For more information, photos and video, please visit gokartsdirect.co.nz. Please come and visit us at the Central District Field Days March 19 to 21, site #K36A.

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Bottom of the hill

See your local dealer for a test drive: Central Mowers & Chainsaws Taumarunui 07 895 6539 Stihl Shop Putaruru Putaruru 07 883 8935

Albert St, Cambridge www.blackwoodyamaha.co.nz | Accessories may differ from image shown.

Ph 07 827 7066

Mob 027 493 2076

WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES February 2020

YOUR LOCAL HELICOPTER SERVICE AND SPRAY DRONE SUPPLIERS

AERIAL WORK

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• Pasture spraying • Bulk or bagged Fertiliser • Multispectral crop analysis

CERTIFIED TRAINING PACKAGES AVAILABLE.

info@dronezup.co.nz | WWW.DRONEZUP.CO.NZ

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Our customers come first

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Waikato CLASSIFIEDS Reach 30,000 Rural Homes • Phone 0800 466 793 Financial BANK SAID NO? We specialise in Farm Finance, working capital and debt consolidation. Also welcome applications from property developers, builder’s and first home buyers. Call 0800 888 449 or email bill@gfbl.co.nz.

Mobiles Taupiri Street. PO Box 217 Te Kuiti. 5656 Taupiri Street Brodie 8343027 459 0000 PO Box 217 Phone Te Kuiti 07 878 Mobile Brodie 027Keat 459027 0000 291 6692 Phone 07 878 8343

For Sale

Waikato’s Gas Guys

Central Motors 8272

 07 883 8

Fill and Test Welding Bottles

• GENERAL REPAIRS • WOF SERVICE • TUNE-UPS • EFI REPAIRS • LUBES SCAN TOOL DIAGNOSIS • AIR CONDITIONING SERVICE & REPAIRS Manager Peter Cranch: 027 442 0219 Phone: (07) 883 8272 Fax: (07) 883 8165 Email: putarurutowing@xtra.co.nz

7-9 Neal St, Putaruru

Supply, Planting & Re-Vegetation

Sharon, Wayne & Brett Thompson 581 Pyes Pa Road, R.D.3, Tauranga Email: nznativeflora@gmail.com Web: www.nznativeflora.co.nz

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Shaun: 022 167 1268

CONCRETE POST specialist, Posts, Angles, Strainers, Stays, Foot, Buy Direct. Phone 0800 876 844 (0800 TROUGH). CONCRETE TANK Specialist. Water, effluent, septic tanks. Price quoted, delivered to site. Buy Direct. Phone 0800 876 844 (0800 TROUGH).

SMOKE ALARMS

Save Lives

February 2020

WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES

W M NE HO OW

Country Craftsmanship Pukekura Show Home Now Open

Artist impression only.

Pukekura show home. Visit urban.co.nz for details.

Building Rural Excellence Step across the threshold of the latest masterpiece by Waikato’s most awarded master builder. Pukekura, in Cambridge, the latest show home offering from Urban Homes, epitomises country craftsmanship and showcases the company’s passion for perfection.

and incorporates iconic features that pay homage to this masterpiece’s rural setting. Rustic country living meets high end design in this show stopping

Designed for rural living, this expansive home delivers modern comfort in a rustic country style and has been built with the growing family in mind. The modular design includes a glazed brick interior wall and copper amenities,

Cambridge home, crafted by none other than the 2019 National Show Home Award winner, Urban Homes. Experience rural excellence. Visit urban.co.nz for more information.

Meeting Lifestyle and Budget At Urban Homes, we believe your home should suit your lifestyle and budget, and that begins with the right floor plan. Our range of great value predesigned plans can be tailored to your requirements and designed to match your specifications. See some examples below or view our website for an extensive range of floor plans.

Karapiro168

$319,855*

Wairere215

$367,477*

Richmond233

$396,885*

Parkview253

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* Urban Classic specification: rural services additional costs, cartage fees may apply.

Waikato’s Most Awarded Master Builder 0800 MY URBAN | sales@urban.co.nz | urban.co.nz