February 2022 edition
Sunflowers for Leisha Pages 6–7
Taming the wolf
A shearer’s world
P2
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February 2022
WAIKATO FarMING LIFeSTyLeS
Taming the wolf by Ann van Engelen
The Waikato Farming Lifestyles is published with pride by Integrity Community Media, a privately owned NZ company. Phone: 0800 466 793
Jacob Hatten became a wholesale raw pet food supplier as an alternative to working on the fishing boats.
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Jacob and Tiri Hatten enjoy ensuring dogs are able to be provided good quality raw meat for their diet
“I call our business a romantic beginning because when I met my now wife Tiri, I was a commercial fisherman,” says Jacob. “The trips out to sea were too long and cold, and I wanted to have time with Tiri, so I took a random job with NZ Meat Processors Ltd. “I had a bit of a background with highend hospitality, and working on fishing boats, I saw the low and high end of human food production. “I was super impressed with the standards at NZ Meat Processors and was more impressed when I put my dogs on to a raw diet from the meat I got from the company. “I got a good gauge of the different export quality livestock but didn’t want to stay stuck on the chain or change my dogs’ diet if I left.” Jacob and Tiri secured a meat contract with the company to supply raw pet food. “The movement of humans watching what they put into their bodies has moved on to animals as well. Things like wheat and fillers added into some pet food don’t help. “The Matamata-Piako area where we come from had no raw food at the time. We purchased a chiller room and set up a butcher style processing business, and now offer affordable raw pet food designed for dogs. “We buy blocks of meat and cut it into smaller cubes. It is all sourced and killed
locally and would otherwise be shipped overseas or across New Zealand. “We do beef, chicken, lamb, salmon and fish and chick mixes — nothing is wild. We are also looking in to goat. I believe pets are family, and our meat is the quality that you would feed a family member. “Raw food is what animals like to eat. A lot of fussy dogs who aren’t keen on some commercial food enjoy real meat. It is better for their skin and coat health, but we encourage people to do their own research. “We now go to Te Aroha on Wednesday, Morrinsville on a Thursday, Matamata on Friday and the Cambridge Farmers Market every Saturday. People follow our TameWolf Raw Petfoods Facebook page for info. “We have a cost-effective base, and people often cook up their own mixes with pumpkin and things. “I have always had a dog, and to me, it is important to keep them happy. If you come home from a bad day, a dog will remove a lot of that stress by being there for you. “Our business began with a love story and for the love of dogs. Our firstborn son is due on April 29 after many years of trying with IVF. On May 1, we will have been open for one year and we are really proud of the whole thing. Having baby will top off a fantastic year.”
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WAIKATO FarMING LIFeSTyLeS
by Ann van Engelen
Innovation proves promising
February 2022
3
Cropsy Technologies proved the potential of its crop vision system after raising $1.5 million in an oversubscribed capital raise.
Leila Deljkovic with the Cropsy team
and investors, which sped up the commercialisation process. “I loved sharing my passion for agtech and Cropsy’s innovation with people in the Fieldays® Innovation Hub. “You could see the ‘wow’ moment in someone’s eyes when they realise the scope of the information we can provide to a grower, whether they were in the industry or not. “We are now aiming for our organisation to be recognised as the brains and operating system behind vineyards and orchards of the future. “Our mission is to provide certainty to growers in a changing world and forge new frontiers in fruit growing with adoptable and transformative technology.” Fieldays® Innovation Awards is now accepting applications for the 2022 intake.
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February 2022
WAIKATO FarMING LIFeSTyLeS
A
SHEARER’S WORLD BY ANN VAN ENGELEN Toa Henderson was one of several shearers who placed well at the recent Rotorua Agrodome Shears competition.
T
oa has been honing his skills since returning to the competitive circuit when he returned home from Australia in 2017. “My grandfather and father were shearers, and I went into it straight into it as a career from school because I really enjoy everything about it,” says Toa. “Being the youngest in the family, I was the keenest to follow in dad’s footsteps and am the only one left doing it. “When I lived in Australia, I was helping my dad with his business. I returned to New Zealand nearly five years ago because I felt it was time to come home to have time with my mum’s family. “I have set up a shearing run and have a team of shearers, rousies and a presser. I enjoy travelling across the country with
my job and being somewhere different every week.” Toa can be in the North Island or South Island at any given time, working at various sheds. “I like encouraging people that want to get into shearing to go for it. We don’t have as many shearers in the country now due to the reduction in the amount of sheep farms. “After a few years of bending over sheep all day, you can lose motivation, but I still really enjoy it. “I think it is sad that there is not much happening with the price of wool. Farmers now look more at breeds that don’t need shearing because it is expensive to get sheep shorn. “The price of meat is good, and that helps — hopefully, the price of wool picks up soon, which will help the industry.
Shearing keeps sheep cool in the warmer months and reduces the risk of fly strike
“Generally, the sheep are in the yards before we get to the shed. They come in with wool on and go out with wool off. The wool is placed in bails and sent away or
stored. It sounds easy, but it is a big job.” Shearing keeps the animals cool. It is unhealthy having wool in the hot weather as they get fly struck.
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“Dane took fourth place in the open final, and Jayden came runner-up to Tama in a close senior final. Destiny was runnerup in the senior woolhandling final. ”We went because I competed in 11 open finals last season, from Kaikohe to Gore and realised there may not be many other opportunities this summer. “We had 36 of the season’s 59 scheduled competitions cancelled, and more may follow due to Covid restrictions. “Rotorua was a close destination for us to travel to, and it was well worth the effort of getting there. It was a close competition. Competing is also a great way to learn from watching the older competitors work as well.”
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Toa has now won eight open finals since his return from Australia. “At the Rotorua competition Digger Balme from King Country and myself each shore the 20-sheep final in 17min 29sec.” Toa had the better-quality points, including conceding just 16 penalty marks on the shearing board. He took the win by 4.55 points from Te Kuiti shearer Jack Fagan and Digger. “Tama shore the 12-sheep senior final in 14 minutes, beating Jayden by three seconds and just 0.317 points. Destiny did great, too, in her section. “I really enjoy competing, especially as I am getting more experienced at
it and understanding what to do in the finals. It comes down to practise — the more you do it, the better you get at it. “The other guys were really happy with their wins too. There are some good shearers competing, and you are able to learn by watching them. It is a great lifestyle, and I will carry on competing with the goal to compete in the Golden Shears.”
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Toa Henderson, Tama Nahona, Destiny Paikea, Jayden Mainland and Dane Phillips all placed at the recent Rotorua Agrodome Shears competition
Toa is whānau orientated and has grown his shearing gang since returning from Australia five years ago
“The lambs grow better and can get around the paddock a lot easier when they are shorn. In winter, if the wool gets heavy and they get wet and fall over, they can’t get up. If they are in mud and roll over — that’s not good either. It feels good after you finish a mob. “Down south, the country is very hilly, so there will always be sheep, meaning the career isn’t going to go away.” Toa, along with friends Tama Nahona and Dane Phillips, Destiny Paikea and Jayden Mainland, claimed ribbons and wins at the Rotorua event. Toa took out the open shearing final and Tama, the senior title.
February 2022
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February 2022
WAIKATO FarMING LIFeSTyLeS
SUNFLOWERS FOR LEISHA BY ANN VAN ENGELEN Deanne and Phillip Crowder became well known this summer for their sunflower field on the Gordonton Road in Taupiri, in memory of her sister Leisha Steiner.
“P
hil comes from a dairying background, and my parents farmed near Morrinsville,” says Deanne. “We found this block with nothing on it, not even a house, and we took the plunge to make something of it. “Phil and I rear 700 mostly Friesian calves and a few Hereford, that leave the farm at 110kg. We pick up from a raft of sheds. It is interesting how everyone runs their farm differently, but they are all really good farmers who love their animals. “Raising little four-day-old calves is one of the most rewarding things. I love seeing them get up to weight and go to their new home.
“In 2001, my 18-year-old sister Leisha died in a car accident near mum and dad, Gerard and Linda’s house. “When we lost Leisha, our cousin painted a beautiful sunflower on top of her casket. From then on, sunflowers became Leisha’s flower. “Last summer, we were planting our maize in the paddock alongside Gordonton Road. We thought it would be nice to grow sunflowers all the way down the road to welcome mum and dad when they came for Christmas.” The seeds, however, got stuck in the contractor’s spreader and were scattered amongst the maize.
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Phillip and Deanne Crowder raise 700 calves each year and have now added an annual sunflower field to their diary
“It wasn’t as spectacular as we hoped for mum and dad’s arrival, but we picked the blooms and placed them in a roadside
stall. At $3 a stem, they flew out the gate, and we thought there must be a call for this — people must love them.”
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WAIKATO FarMING LIFeSTyLeS
After losing her sister Leisha in a car accident, Deanne wanted to bring a little bit of sunshine to her parents, Gerard and Linda Steiner, through sunflowers, which became Leisha’s flower
Deanne googled sunflowers and found sunflower tourism happening around the world. “We planted a big paddock this season to see if people would come and to really bring smiles to mum and dad’s faces. With lockdown and families being kept apart, we thought a paddock full of happiness would give a little bit of joy to others. “We are in the middle of nowhere and wanted to make sure no one missed the display. My cousin painted a big sunflower mural, and Phil made a huge sunflower windmill. “We put health and safety policies in place but were worried Covid would shut us down. It was a huge paddock with plenty of space for everyone to spread out and stay distanced. “We decided at worst people could drive past and see the flowers. It was amazing. People have come from Auckland and
Taranaki to see us, even in the rain, every single day. Some dressed up beautifully for their photos. “They came and shared their stories of how the sunflowers brought memories of their loved ones back too. “One gentleman had a single sunflower painting that was painted as a celebration of van Gogh. He was so touched he gave it to us in honour of what we do. “A lady showed my mum a photo with big angel wings in the clouds over the field. Mum couldn’t believe it — it was so special to her. “Visitors loved the fact that they were in a big open area and there were no rules other than health and safety. “We gave them secateurs and told them to cut the stems as long as they wanted. They were amazed to have a little bit of safe freedom, including paying on the way out, not the way in.
February 2022
Opening the fields up to the public not only brought the family joy but other people a moment of happiness as well
“It is like society has changed, and it is hard to trust people as they have been totally bound by Covid rules. People took lots of photos and had enormous amounts of fun. “The paddock became an extension of our garden, and photographers came and did family portraits and maternity shoots. We also had a marriage proposal. “A lot of Chinese people taught us how to cook and roast the sunflower seeds and the health benefits of them. “This year’s event finished on Valentine’s night, and we are going to
miss it. More than once, I felt we had Leisha back with us again, and I haven’t had that for a long time. “Our parents are so happy and proud of what we achieved, not just for ourselves, but other people. They came and helped us pick for the markets, and while we were harvesting, we saw the most gorgeous sunsets together. “Something that started for mum, dad and Leisha gave others joy. Children found the giant sunflowers to be a big adventure like being in a jungle. The sunflower field was like having Christmas every day.”
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February 2022
WAIKATO FarMING LIFeSTyLeS
A CULTURAL
JOURNEY BY ANN VAN ENGELEN
Brody Runga grew up in Tūākau township with a truck driver dad originating from Māhia Peninsula, and his mum, who was from a local early settler family. PART TWO
“C
oming from a mixed marriage, I was a child that never knew what it was to be Māori,”
said Brody. “My dad was a carver but from the generation that didn’t acknowledge their culture as it wasn’t recognised back then.” Brody has since discovered and studied, the art of wood carving himself and is currently working on a series of whales and stingrays. “2020 was the best year of my life with the lockdowns. Financially, it was difficult as my income was cut in half like a lot of other people, but it allowed me to explore who I am as a carver. “I begin each project with an idea and then select a piece of wood to work with. The humpback whale I have completed took me 200 hours of research to better understand what it is I was trying to create. “You think you know what a whale looks like, but then you realise they have
more dynamics than just shape — they have movement too.” Brody says you are always working within the limitations of the wood. “It is a process of reduction, and then you decide how to add to it. I shape the wood to what I want it to be within the wood’s limitations. “I have invested in a lot of tools because you need the right equipment to work with. I start with a chainsaw and then move on to my adze, hatchet, chisels, electric plane and sanders. “My priority for this year is to get a living space back and have my workshop elsewhere rather than at my house. I still have a few large pieces to finish. “To finish my humpback whale, I made my own mix of boiled linseed and beeswax. Sometimes I use polyurethane for a different layer of protection. “I am very new to defining myself as an artist. I don’t have a website yet, but
NEW BUILD
Making wooden paddles is one of the projects Brody has completed
people can find me on my Brody Runga Facebook page. “For my level seven degree final presentation, I did a project celebrating
RETROFIT
Matariki, and I am yet to complete the side panels. I carved a tiki out of swamp kauri and put together a panel telling the story of Matariki’s creation.
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WAIKATO FarMING LIFeSTyLeS
February 2022
9
“I have invested in a lot of tools because you need the right equipment to work with.”
Brody Runga has followed in his father’s footsteps and taken the challenge to learn all aspects of wood carving
had to go and save him. The boy had been turned into a carving in a meeting house under the ocean. “There are all sorts of origins of stories that help provide narratives. “Carving was part of my path to regaining my life after years of stress. To
me every day is a gift, and we never know when our time is up. We have to make the most of every day. It is one of the ethoses I live by and making small smart choices consistently over time. “It is very satisfying when I complete a carving. It is a highlight when people like
and appreciate my work. I felt so driven to do it and didn’t really know what the outcome would be, but I have found a new calling. “Whether people buy them or like them, it doesn’t matter. I will continue to carve anyway.”
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“It is about the separation of Rangi and Pāpā — Mother Earth and the sky. Tāwhiri-mātea, the god of the weather, got so upset he tore his eyes out and threw them into the sky, which forms the stars Matariki. “It means the little eyes of the god, Tāwhiri-mātea. The tiki represents the star Matariki. Around her, I have eight white koru representing her hapū, making up the rest of her cluster. “Pāua shell is traditionally used for eyes as they represent seeing. I think when you sleep in the meeting house at night, and you look at the carvings, you see the pāua eyes glowing in the dark. It is like your ancestors watching over you, keeping you safe. “I think the other thing is the origins of carving. It is said that carving began under the sea when Rua, who was one of the sons of one of the gods, had to go under the ocean to rescue a son. “The son had gone fishing and not blessed the hook he was fishing with. Rua
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February 2022
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by John Arts
In theory, osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the simplest diseases. For years, we thought that cartilage in our joints wore away over time. Peas and beans are part of the extended family of legumes utilised for food consumption and provide nitrogen to the soil through nodules on the roots. The family also includes peanuts, kidney beans, lentils, scarlet runner beans, broad beans and many more. In the ornamental range, plants include sweet peas, lupins and many more used as cut flowers. Lupins, in particular, along with clover are also used as green manure for the soil to improve nitrogen levels and improve soil texture. Growing beans in the garden is more a matter of taste than thinking about the nitrogen-fixing side of things, and the same applies to peas. Taking a look at the vast range available from New Zealand seed suppliers the choices are mindboggling, to say the least. Gardeners will be looking for varieties that are prolific producers for a long growing season. Climbing beans speak for themselves. They need some support to grow upon, the same as most pea species. Use poles, strings or netting to provide your climbing varieties with the necessary support required to ensure high cropping yields. Types include Scarlet Runner, Blue Lake Runner, Italian Flat, Lazy Housewife, Neekar Golden and Yard Long.
More popular in smaller gardens, dwarf beans are an ideal alternative to the climbing varieties. They can be planted easily in pots or between rows of corn or other vegetables to provide extra nitrogen for the soil. Prolific growers; these provide endless fresh pods for the table daily. Try out Dwarf Butter Cherokee, Roquefort Dwarf, Purple Tee Pee Dwarf, Top Crop and Borlotto Fire Tongue. Peas need little introduction — they’re another iconic part of the Kiwi diet. Most varieties require netting for support since they have a climbing habit. Use netting to provide a solid framework for your plants to grow upon. As with beans, peas need little care other than regular watering, a little fertiliser and regular picking of the pods. Types to try are Sugarsnap, Princess, Alderman Tall, Petit Provencal and Utrillo. For a little interest, peanuts can be germinated in small pots and transplanted into the garden. They’re especially good for restructuring difficult clay soil, so I’ve found in recent years. Harvest when the plant dies back. Sow lupins as either a green manure crop and cut down before flowering, then dig into the soil. There are also lupin varieties that can be grown for their spectacular flowers covering the colour spectrum. For more information on legumes, look online or talk to your local nursery professional.
We now know that OA is a complex disease where the processes that reduce cartilage are affected by genetics, past joint trauma and nutrition, especially levels of important antioxidants. Cartilage is very different from other tissue types. It has no nerve or blood supply, and it appears as lifeless tissue. Cartilage is a dynamic tissue. It is a matrix of proteins (collagen and elastin), chondroitin sulphate, water and living cells called chondrocytes. Research shows that the health of chondrocytes is central to the development of OA. Each chondrocyte looks after a small patch of cartilage, repairing damage by secreting new cartilage matrix where needed. The problem is when chondrocytes are damaged or die. It means that the cell can no longer maintain cartilage. Eventually, the cartilage thins — leading to a (painful) bone on bone scenario. One of the most annoying and painful arthritic joints are small hand joints. While Nutritional Therapy can help, these are among the slowest
joints to respond. It seems counterintuitive, but big weight-bearing joints, especially knees, tend to respond faster. I have been helping someone with OA in their base thumb joint at the wrist. Within three months, the pain had reduced. Now, after a year, the discomfort is really minor only when under heavy use. I use a two-pronged approach to supporting cartilage. Firstly, we add compounds, especially chondroitin, that can support and repair cartilage. Secondly, we add curcumin from turmeric and Omega 3 fish oil to reduce inflammation. Often the inflammation causes more pain and mobility loss than the actual cartilage damage. Thirdly, we add the antioxidants that protect chondrocyte cells from further damage. 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 423 559 or email john@abundant.co.nz. Join his all-new newsletter at abundant.co.nz.
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February 2022
WAIKATO FarMING LIFeSTyLeS
RURAL CONTRACTORS & SUPPLIERS by Andy Bryenton
New power source a renewable hit
One of the most contentious gases in agriculture is being harnessed for good as New Holland rolls out a methane-powered tractor, scooping the prestigious 2022 Sustainable Tractor of the Year Award.
The New Holland methane-powered T6 may be the future of sustainable farming
The T6 Methane Power is the world’s first methane-powered tractor, using the gas in the same way some cars utilise LPG. Methane has come to the fore of climate change arguments, as farmers contend that methane produced by ruminant animals is locked in a cycle and does not contribute to greenhouse gas levels in the same way as its industrial equivalent. Using the gas, which can be sourced from biodigesters or even from animal waste on the farm, is a way to create a sustainable circular economy of energy. Cue the research team at New Holland, which developed the large and capable T6 variant tractor that has been awarded Sustainable Tractor of the Year by an international panel. Engineered at the company’s plant in Basildon, England, the T6 Methane Power performs the best trick a new, alternative-energy vehicle can; it runs and feels just like the original. “We are all very satisfied with this 25th edition of Tractor of the Year,” said Fabio Zammaretti, president of the awards committee.
“The level of tractors competing grows constantly, and it was a very tight race. The jury this year, once again, did an extraordinary job in evaluating all the tractors competing for the four awards. “Our mission is to make the most of the technologies offered by tractors, without forgetting that sustainability plays a fundamental role in our industry.” In this case, that sustainability comes with cost savings as well. The New Holland T6 Methane Power boasts the same power output and utility as a similar-sized diesel tractor but costs 30% less to run. It’s a serendipitous case of ecological and fiscal interests aligning for better farming. The first prototypes of New Holland’s methane technology rolled out in 2013, and now the system has come to fruition with both awards recognition and practical deployment to working farms. In the future, New Holland sees this technology as forming part of a self-contained cycle and even for biomethane fuels to contribute to road transport energy loading.
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February 2022
RURAL CONTRACTORS & SUPPLIERS
13
ADVERTORIAL
Treat your stock to the best by Blair Cotching, Barenbrug Pasture Systems Manager
What’s gorgeous, nutritious, made in the North Island, happy in the sun and guaranteed to tempt the fussiest eater? Morrow red clover, that’s what. If you haven’t yet treated your animals to this energy-rich palate pleaser, get some in the ground this autumn, and get ready for multiple nosh-ups next season. Yes, that’s right — I said ‘multiple’. Morrow is different from traditional red clovers. You can graze it more often. Picture an exposed, dryland Bay of Plenty dairy farm, grazed rotationally and intensively. That’s where Morrow’s parents came from. They not only survived but thrived in an environment where red clover would normally be expected to give up the ghost pretty quickly. Come summer, when grass struggled in the heat, they flourished, and so did the cows. You are what you eat. We all have our favourite foods. Some of them are even good for us. Grazing animals have the best of both worlds — their forage of choice is a nutritional powerhouse. You’ve probably seen your animals go through a pasture and deliberately pick out the clover. That’s because legumes taste lip-smackingly good to cows, sheep, cattle and deer, even when hot weather tends to put them off eating other things. Combine this with the highest energy level of any pasture species, and you can see how Morrow helps keep animal growth and production humming during late spring and summer. Unlike white clover, red clover is tap-rooted, so it can dig down for soil moisture. In today’s climate, that’s a plus for pasture resilience. Another bonus? It loves warm weather, staying green and leafy when the thermometer usually
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February 2022
WAIKATO FarMING LIFeSTyLeS
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WAIKATO FarMING LIFeSTyLeS
February 2022
RURAL CONTRACTORS & SUPPLIERS
15
Flexible performer
by Andy Bryenton
The 2022 Tractor of the Year Awards has been announced, with the highly contested specialised category seeing several new innovations suitable for the orchardist or horticulturalist. While the winner of this year’s supreme award, the low-slung and stable little Reform Metrac is specialised in another direction for alpine pasture management, one of the runners-up displays all the credentials needed by a modern orchard operation, as well as boasting a famous name. The Ferrari Vega 85 Dualsteer shares a moniker with the most famous Italian company of all. Rather than a speedster in red livery, it’s a small and highly manoeuvrable tractor in forest green. The two firms share nothing but a name and a passion for internal combustion innovation, and while one came to fame with road and track velocity, the Vega 85 is more at home at a sedate pace. However, because the red Ferraris of the road are famous for being wide and low, the little 85 would leave them far behind in the narrow confines of an orchard or between rows of vines. That’s because it bends in the middle, enabling cornering, which almost defies belief. As well as that central articulation point, the wheels steer too, making for a machine that can tuck into the tightest squeezes. Under the hood, you’ll find a Kohlerderived turbocharged inline-four producing 75 horsepower. A 16 + 16 transmission delivers power to the wheels, which, as noted, can swivel and turn the Vega 85 Dualsteer with utter precision. Close-in work can therefore be achieved
“The red Ferraris of the road are famous for being wide and low, the little 85 would leave them far behind in the narrow confines of an orchard or between rows of vines.” with plenty of power left over for powerful PTO and hydraulics. The driver’s cabin provides a clear all-around view, which is necessary as the entire seat and equipment binnacle can rotate 180 degrees within seconds. Some applications require tools in front of the tractor and some behind. Ferrari has solved this conundrum by making the Vega 85 Dualsteer swiftly reversible. The driving platform is not only mounted for rotation; it’s also isolated from vibration and noise, making for a more comfortable day’s work. Of course, the Vega’s ace card is that extreme 70-degree turning angle, but this Italian machine has more to offer than just a single party piece. Adopt one for your orchard duties, and as well as a practical workhorse, you’ll be able to boast that you have a real Ferrari in the garage.
Ferrari Vega 85 dualsteer — runner-up for specialist tractor of the year, but a winner with a 70-degree turning angle
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FEBRUARY 2022
WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES
VEHICLES, MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT
Revolutionary tractor project
A driverless tractor able to perform up to three tasks at once is on the cards for New Zealand orchards.
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The government is contributing $622,360 through the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund to develop a prototype tractor. The Robo Tractor is set to transform the productivity of trellised orchards while reducing carbon emissions. The Smart Machine Company Limited is taking the lead on the three-year project and is contributing a further $945,520. “The tractor will be able to perform several tasks, including canopy spraying, mulching, mowing, trimming and leaf defoliation,” says MPI’s director of investment programmes, Steve Penno. “As well as lowering carbon emissions, we could expect to see reduced spray drift and improved soil and tree health. “By improving orchard productivity sustainably, we could increase the value of crops like apples by meeting the growing demand for products made with less impact on the environment.” Smart Machine chief executive officer Andrew Kersley says the end goal is to develop a fully electric tractor. “While we want to go fully electric eventually, we need to be sure it will be suitable for remote rural areas. Some orchard tractors run 20 hours a day, seven days a week, so if growers have a fleet that needs frequent recharging, that might not be practical.”
“This project aligns with the government’s Fit for a Better World roadmap.” With this in mind, Smart Machine is working on a diesel hydraulic system with some electric components, with the view to converting to full electric further down the track. “Smart Machine researchers will adapt the learnings and technology from the successful testing of a tractor they developed for vineyards. This tractor was developed in collaboration with Pernod, with testing taking place on Pernod vineyards. “The transition to developing an autonomous tractor for orchards isn’t a huge technological leap, as pipfruit growing environments with their 2D canopies are close to the way grapes are grown. “This project aligns with the government’s Fit for a Better World roadmap to boost New Zealand’s recovery from Covid-19. “Developing this low emissions alternative for orchards will help in our goal of shifting to a zero-carbon society, boost sustainability and also has the potential to increase export earnings.” The project is based in Blenheim, with plans to expand testing to Motueka and Hawke’s Bay next year.
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WAIKATO FarMING LIFeSTyLeS
February 2022
VEHICLES, MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT
17
Covering all bases
by Andy Bryenton
The competitive price point and durability of CFMoto’s early quad bike offerings gave the brand a tenacious foothold in rural New Zealand, and now the company is set to unveil its biggest range ever.
CFMoto has expanded its range beyond the quads and UTVs that forged a good reputation for them on local farms
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The big surprises from the 2022 CFMoto offering are in areas that those original farming customers might not expect, but they deliver a message that’s loud and clear. CFMoto is a serious contender with the big brands in this space and is moving up to challenge road bike builders of pedigree at just the right time. In the UTV and quad off-roader arena, 2022 sees a whole lot of choice, with UForce side-by-side units spanning the power range from 600cc through to a beefy, power steering equipped 1000cc unit. CForce quads continue to deliver good value for money, with a span from the utility focussed 400cc model all the way up to the CForce 625 with power steering. This summer has seen a lot of action in the recreational and sports off-roader field. CFMoto’s ZForce 1000 EPS may be the perfectly balanced entry-level machine for this category, beating its rivals hands down in a comparison of cost to thrillfactor. There’s even an electric quad on the way for the youngsters, with styling reminiscent of blockbuster computer game Halo’s ‘warthog’; a reference many gamer parents will smile about too. However, it’s in the realm of road bikes where CFMoto has really thrown down
“This summer has seen a lot of action in the recreational and sports off-roader field.” the gauntlet for 2022. In a year when commuters are seriously considering two wheels to bust petrol price woes, a trim, good looking commuter bike like their 300NK is just the tonic. Alternatively, the 300SR has the look of a real racer, or buyers could step up to the 700CL-X Heritage, an aggressive-looking bob-tailed street machine that still comes in, brand new, at less than $10,000. Then there’s the 650MT adventure bike, and an even bigger, more versatile 800cc model in the works, slated for release later this year. It all adds up to a stable of machines rivalling the scope of some big, established names out of Japan and the US and poses an important question for farmworkers, adventure enthusiasts and road riders alike. Why not give one of these sharply priced and well-appointed machines a test ride when you’re shopping around for some fresh horsepower in 2022?
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February 2022
WAIKATO FarMING LIFeSTyLeS
DAIRY AND LIVESTOCK
by Andy Bryenton
Special forestry test branded unfair
Short term incentives for foreign investors to buy Kiwi farmland and turn it into unmanaged, potentially unlogged pine forest may be hurting future prospects for agriculture. The forestation of productive farmland has raised concerns in both the dairy and red sector agricultural industries, as multiple government policies promote the growth of Pinus radiata for carbon credit trading. “The recent spike in the afforestation of sheep and beef farms is not the result of consumer-driven demand,” says Federated Farmers meat and wool chair William Beetham. “Rather, it is the result of heavy-handed and short-term government policies designed to incentivise more trees, regardless of whether or not they are the right tree in the right place.” Of particular note is the so-called special forestry test. The Overseas Investment Office requires most investments by foreign concerns to display a ‘benefit to New Zealand’ in their business model. However, this clause is waived entirely when offshore interests buy farmland for forestry activities. Technically, there is no mechanism to ensure that these new forests are logged and harvested when mature or pruned, maintained for fire prevention or swept for biohazardous pests. “That’s not fair even to our responsible New Zealand foresters,” says Mr Beetham.
Federated Farmers warns that the current system governing foreign investment in forestry may be detrimental in the long term, though it supports the idea of carbon sequestration
The price of New Zealand carbon credits has hit a record high of $68 a unit. Polluting industries offshore can buy the credits to offset their carbon emissions, so investors are incentivised to buy farmland, plant trees, reap the credits,
ASAP DECORATIVE SPECIALISTS LTD
sell them offshore at a profit, and thus take that money out of the local economy. Farming, by comparison, generates export dollars to benefit the country’s bottom line, as well as putting food on Kiwi tables. A report commissioned by Beef + Lamb New Zealand from Wairarapa-based BakerAg last year found between 2017 and 2020, some 24,956 hectares of land were approved for sale to overseas buyers under the special forestry test. More
recent data shows another 40 consents were granted under the special forestry test to a foreign applicant between July 2020 and August 2021. While Federated Farmers is not against the concept of sequestering carbon in forestry, it says New Zealand should be more strategic and look to the long term. The alternative may be a landscape of unharvested pine, doing nothing for us but filling the bank accounts of foreign businesses.
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WAIKATO FarMING LIFeSTyLeS
February 2022
DAIRY AND LIVESTOCK
19
ADVERTORIAL
Nevada’s tips and predictions by Michael Prestidge
Global pressure on environmental issues, together with the impact and aftermath of Covid-19, promise interesting times ahead and our best advice is to act now.
Michael Prestidge — Nevada Effluent management specialist
Compliance If you’re already facing compliance issues, there’s a lot that can be done to not only ensure your farm is meeting regulations but to future-proof to reduce the chances of needing to make major changes soon. Many farmers who already operate well within current rules and regulations shouldn’t have too much difficulty adapting and progressing to reasonably foreseeable changes. Getting things sorted now will have a number of benefits: You can get a new consent, which would then be 25 years plus your remaining term. Resource consent conditions may vary between regions Inflation is likely to increase further, meaning there’s never a cheaper time to get things done than now Affordability — the interest on borrowing money now will probably be less than what the cost of products and services will be in a few years.
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Tax relief. Increased income means increased tax. Invest into the farm to offset your income Synthetic nitrogen usage Restrictions on nitrogen usage and price hikes are forcing farmers to review their fertiliser and effluent use. Many are investing in slurry tankers to spread evenly over the entire farm. This trend is likely to continue, as with supplements such as AddGreen™. Tractor-based spreaders make for easy recording by using your tractor’s GPS. It is a new requirement for 2022.
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Labour shortages Although we’re looking forward to the borders opening up to bring back some of the international workforce, there are no guarantees we’ll see an immediate improvement in labour shortages. To avoid emergencies, we recommend farmers have efficient equipment and a regular pumping regime. It is also a good idea to own your own tanker for a contingency plan as contractors are struggling to meet their workload too. Maybe team up with a friend or neighbour.
Moving away from disc injectors and dropper booms There has been a lot of discussion over the use of disc injectors and dropper booms for effluent application. Some farmers have found the application has caused contamination of the subsequent crop, while injectors increase the likelihood of leaching. Nevada’s RainWave™ is proving to be the way to go moving forward due to their controlled, even application and minimal volatilisation. We might also see a reversion to low-pressure irrigators instead of rainguns.
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Price $99.50+GST EACH
• Dairy effluent ponds • Irrigation dams • Frost protection ponds • Floating covers • Decorative ponds
Freight free anywhere in NZ • Buy 10 receive 12 and 2x service kits
• 3 models available – all the one price • Nearly indestructible • Only NZ Manufacturer providing lifetime guarantee on the body of the ballcock
www.sisballcock.co.nz | 0800 175 720 Only available direct from manufacturer
• Durable and UV resistant, HDPE Liners • Comprehensive Material and Installation Warranties • QA documentation specific to your project
info@aspectlining.co.nz
0800 464 235
www.aspectlining.co.nz
New Zealand’s Dairy Effluent Management Specialists | nevadagroup.co.nz | 0800 464 393
20
February 2022
WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES