Coast & Country January 2018 by Sun Media

Clever dogs Dog behaviourist and trainer Estelle Leyshon really can teach old dogs (and their owners) new tricks. Read her story on pages 4-5. Photo: Elaine Fisher.

Plan Change 1 PAGE 3

WHAKATANE

Rural Women PAGE 6-7

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From the Manufacturers PAGE 10-11

Kiwifruit PAGE 15-19

Avocado PAGE 20-21

Dairying PAGE 26-31

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Country Living PAGE 36-41

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 2

Time is now – to save the world Time is running out to save life on Earth as we know it, say 15,000 international scientists who have signed an open letter to the world.

Brian Rogers Director/ Editor

Elaine Fisher Editor 07 928 3046

www.coastandcountrynews.co.nz

Entitled “World Scientists’ Warning to Humanity: A Second Notice”, the report predicts catastrophic consequences and human misery if changes aren’t made. Prepared by the Alliance of World Scientists, its on-line version has been signed by 15,364 scientists from 184 countries and it was released on the 25th anniversary of the ﬁrst warning made by scientists about the need for urgent action. “Soon it will be too late to shift course away from our failing trajectory, and time is running out. We must recognize, in our dayto-day lives and in our governing institutions, that Earth with all its life is our only home,” the report says. The scientists say individuals can make a difference. Their recommendations for action include: prioritising the enactment of connected well-funded and well-managed reserves for a signiﬁcant proportion of the world’s terrestrial, marine, freshwater, and aerial habitats. Maintaining nature’s ecosystem services by halting the conversion of forests, grasslands, and other native habitats and restoring native plant communities at large scales, particularly forest landscape are called for. Other actions are: re-wilding regions with native species, especially apex predators, to restore ecological processes and dynamics; developing and adopting adequate policy instruments to remedy de-faunation,

the poaching crisis, and the exploitation and trade of threatened species. Reducing food waste through education and better infrastructure is something we can all play a part in achieving. Promoting dietary shifts towards mostly plant-based foods and further reducing fertility rates by ensuring that women and men have access to education and voluntary family-planning services, especially where such resources are still lacking is also on the list. Increasing outdoor nature education for children, as well as the overall engagement of society in the appreciation of nature and divesting of monetary investments and purchases to encourage positive environmental change can also be in uenced by individuals. Devising and promoting new green technologies and massively adopting renewable energy sources while phasing out subsidies to energy production through fossil fuels; revising our economy to reduce wealth inequality and ensure that prices, taxation, and incentive systems take into account the real costs which consumption patterns impose on our environment and estimating a scientiﬁcally defensible, sustainable human population size for the long term while rallying nations and leaders to support that vital goal, are also part of the report. It’s an almost unimaginably huge issue but as humans are a large part of the problem – then we must also be the solution. The full report – which is around 10000 words long – can be found at http://scientists.forestry.oregonstate.edu/

Elaine Fisher

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 3

Forensic testing of water next step in battle Comprehensive in-stream monitoring and environmental forensics to determine where contaminant sources are entering waterways will be employed by Farmers For Positive Change in high priority catchments as part of its battle against Waikato Regional Council’s Plan Change 1.

“ e want clear, scientiﬁc evidence about which farms are adversely affecting water quality to demonstrate that the plan’s one-si e-ﬁts-all’ rules are wrong,” says Rick Burke, chairman of F4PC. The group will work with a laboratory whose staff are skilled at testing water to extract and analyse the DNA content of contaminants to show if they come from dairy cows, sheep or beef cattle, or even human sources. “We want to use sound and credible science to challenge Plan Change 1 and expose it as failed and unfair,” says ick. Under Plan Change 1, all rural properties with an area greater than two hectares will need to register with Waikato Regional Council between September 1, 2018 and March 31, 2019. Along with providing the key information about each property, the process is designed to allow council to gain a better picture of land use across the catchments for more effective future planning.

Nitrogen leaching

Most properties greater than 20 hectares and commercial vegetable growers will need to provide a Nitrogen Reference Point (known as a NRP) to council by March 31, 2019. A NRP is an estimate of the highest annual amount of nitrogen leaching from the property during the reference period and financial years, or the average annual amount between July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2016 for commercial vegetable growers. The NRP is usually estimated using the computer model Overseer which uses management and physical information about the property to estimate the nitrogen leaching loss. he P will need to be approved by a Certified Farm Nutrient Advisor, an expert in understanding and modelling nitrogen leaching losses. ick says F PC believes the system is awed and unfairly discriminates against drystock farmers and those dairy farmers who have made significant changes to reduce their environmental impacts. Locking in the NRP at levels leached by farms in the 2014-2016 period means high-leaching farmers are being rewarded by having little impact on their farming systems, while those who already farm in environmentally sustainable ways are restricted in improving profitability. “That’s because they cannot optimise land use by improving farm systems or by changing stock classes, even though they may be farming within the ecosystem health limits of their sub-catchment.

Redesign farm

“The same applies to low nitrogen-leaching farmers who may have signiﬁcant environmental work to carry out via their Farm Environment Plans. “ hey have little opportunity to improve proﬁtability

A signiﬁcant number of farmers have cowshed ef uent disposal systems that do not meet best practice guidelines.

Divided farmers

Rick Burke, chairman of Farmers for Positive Change. needed to redesign their farms to protect environmentally sensitive areas and optimise land use.” While the regional council states that “the proposed plan change has been developed using a collaborative process that means those who are most affected by the changes have been at the table developing the policy”, Rick says the process was dominated by the dairy industry with its representatives determined to protect intensive farming and high milk production. “Both Fonterra and DairyNZ support the grandparenting model because it will ensure the continuation of intensive farming and the supply of milk for Fonterra. In my view these organisations’ support for Plan Change 1 is morally wrong. “I speak to many dairy farmers from around the country and almost all have said they support the stand taken by Farmers for Positive Change, but I believe many are reluctant to speak out because of peer pressure within their own industry. “What would win the hearts and minds of the New Zealand public would be for Fonterra to admit that it has pushed unsustainable production too far and that Fonterra will take responsibility for what intensive dairying is doing to our waterways and therefore reject the grandparenting model in PC1 in the Waikato.

Hide real issues

“This might save them and their shareholder farmers a truckload of money with their present advertising campaign where they are trying to hide the real issues facing our deteriorating water quality. New Zealanders – both farmers and the public – aren’t stupid and can see right through this corporate propaganda.” Rick also believes that the concept of regional councils setting and having to police rules is outdated, legally cumbersome and costly. “While bottom line rules are required, farmer environmental responsibility should be driven by the companies to which they supply product. “Companies such as Fonterra and Silver Fern Farms and other meat companies can more effectively drive change by paying more for supply from farms that achieve speciﬁed environmental standards and penalise those who don’t to the point of refusing to accept their supply. “An IS accredited certiﬁcation scheme should be used so that claims made about sustainable farming practices are credible.”

Rick says PC1 in the Waikato has driven a wedge between dairying and drystock farmers with little incentive for them to work together to achieve the desired outcomes of improved water quality. “In Otago’s Pomahaka catchment, where no grandparenting limits have been imposed, DairyNZ, Beef + Lamb and local drystock and dairy farmers have worked together to achieve signiﬁcant improvements in water quality. The

same could happen in the Waikato if grandparenting provisions were removed.” Instead of grandparenting, F4PC is advocating a catchment-by-catchment approach where farmers and rural communities work together using science and local knowledge to establish sources of water pollution and come up with ways signiﬁcantly reducing them within workable time frames. “To date the Waikato Regional Council has spent millions of ratepayers’ money on Plan Change 1 but none of that money has been used to clean up waterways,” says ick. For council’s response, see page 8.

Elaine Fisher

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 4

Restoring human-dog relationships Dog behaviourist and trainer Estelle Leyshon with Luna the black and white heading dog, Honey, the wire-haired pointer cross, and Snow, the deaf Hunterway Catahoula cross foster dog in need of a home.

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relationships are to be happy, says dog behaviourist and trainer Estelle Leyshon of Katikati.

Many people make impulsive decisions when it comes to selecting a dog and the consequences can be unfortunate for all concerned.

However, says Estelle, relationships can be signiﬁcantly improved and enhanced by understanding a dog’s characteristics and the environment in which it lives. “Sometimes people have chosen completely the wrong dog for their home or their own personalities and the best thing to do is re-home the dog. Some dogs just don’t make good pets but the traits that are a problem in a domestic situation may be an

asset in a working role such as search and rescue or police work.” In many other cases, a separation isn’t necessary and Estelle can help dog and owner learn to enjoy each other’s company.

Abilities recognised

Opening owner’s eyes to their pet’s abilities can be done on a one-to-one basis to help behaviour change, or by involving ...continued

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Old dogs can learn new tricks continued...

dogs and owners in one of the many courses Estelle runs through her business Allsorts Dog Training. Her aim is that owners gain an insight into a dog’s world and appreciate that dogs, whatever size or breed, are intelligent animals which need mental as well as physical stimulation. Among the most enjoyable ways of getting owners and dogs in tune, are ‘scent work’ and ‘nose work’ during which dogs learn to track following a speciﬁc scent, or ﬁnd ob ects infused with an odour. “These courses are designed to be fun and enable dogs and owners to work together. Scent work is also an ideal indoor activity if the weather’s too bad to go for a walk and 20 minutes of scent work is as valuable as a 40 minute walk for the dog.

When Estelle moved to New Zealand seven years ago, Rush came with her. He’s now retired but still loves tracking for fun. “I had visited New Zealand many times and it felt so much like home I decided to move here permanently,” says Estelle who, 18 months ago, bought a lifestyle block just south of Katikati. There 11-year-old Rush is joined by a seven-year-old rescue Pointer/ Greyhound cross called Honey, and a one-year-old rescue heading dog.

Enjoyable exercises

“And yes, you can teach an old dog new tricks. Owners are constantly surprised and impressed at just what their dogs can do when given the opportunity.” While the courses Estelle teaches are designed to be enjoyable and not competitive, there are regional and national competitions for scent and nose work for owners keen to take their training to another level. “It’s not necessarily the biggest dogs or the breeds you would think most suited to scent work that are the most efﬁcient. Sometimes tiny ichon Frise can out-do a big hound in the tests.” Dog owners are often astounded to see their pets seek out a scented object in a room or car, or follow a scent trail, much as highly-trained drug and police dogs do. “They also come to understand that a dog’s world is the world of scent, not the visual world which we experience. A dog’s sense of smell is so acute it can detect a drop of blood in a body of water the size of

Estelle Leyshon with her collie Rush, a retired search and rescue dog. that in two Olympic swimming pools.” Estelle grew up in Kent in the UK on a small farm with livestock and sheep dogs. “I always loved dogs but when I went to university I studied geology as the environment is my other interest.”

Animal rescue

When she graduated, Estelle worked for the 'Head of ehoming at a branch of attersea ogs and Cats Home animal rescue for eight years. It was in this role that Estelle discovered many serious behavioural issues were resolved when she found the dog's natural working talent and focused on developing those attributes. As a result she managed to successfully rehome many dogs as pets as well as in working roles with the armed forces, biosecurity and as assistance dogs. While Estelle has a natural ability to understand and assess the characteristics and behaviour of dogs, it was rock, the rescue collie she adopted, who taught her most about dogs, she says. “He was a natural leader and would teach many other foster dogs what being a dog is all about. It was a true insight into seeing how dogs in uence each other and build relationships.”

Search and rescue

Dog behaviourist and trainer Estelle Leyshon, also a horse enthusiast, pictured with Deej.

is for

The next big learning step for Estelle was qualifying with her collie Rush, as operational Search Dog Handler with a Search and Rescue Dog Unit. The pair went on to be involved in scores of operations to ﬁnd missing people, mainly in low-land and urban areas. “It was demanding and at times exhausting work but also immensely rewarding, especially when the outcome was positive.”

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Estelle also fosters rescue dogs and is currently training a young, deaf crossbreed dog called Snow. There are two horses, a family of goats and a small number of chickens, which serve as ‘teachers’ for dogs who have a tendency to want to eat the birds. As with all her training techniques, Estelle uses reward and positive reinforcement to deter hen-eating. “My dogs leave the hens alone. They know if they do, their reward will be an egg to eat – not a bird.”

Elaine Fisher

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 6

Rural Women – making a difference for 84 years For 84 years, women of rural Omokoroa have hung a banner embroidered with kowhai and anuka owers and recited a creed at monthly meetings which have played an important role in their lives, and enabled them to make a difference in society locally and nationally too.

The 1933 banner was hung once more in early December, as seven members of the Omokoroa branch of Rural Women gathered for their Christmas meeting at the home of branch president Jenny Turner in Work Road, Katikati. Among those attending was 93-yearold Enid Plummer. “I’ve been a member since I was in my 20s. It’s a much smaller group now but I continue to enjoy the meetings,” says Enid.

As a young, newly wed woman living in what was then an isolated rural area, the companionship and support of other women of all ages was an important part of her life, she says. Back when Enid joined, the organisation was called the Women’s Division Federated Farmers, and the banner still bears the initials WDFF. However, it’s now known as Rural Women New Zealand. Omokoroa branch treasurer Jeanette Merritt says the work of Rural Women at branch level goes largely unrecognised by the public. “People often think all we are about is scones and cups of tea, but that’s not the case. As a small branch we have limited funds but we regularly contribute to a number of local causes. If we see a need we set about raising money to help and it’s surprising how much we are able to achieve,” she says.

National initiatives

The Omokoroa branch funds, among others, the TECT Rescue Helicopter, local volunteer ﬁre brigades, the Waipuna Hospice, Women’s’ Refuge and the Seafarers Union. Friendship and the social aspects of their monthly meetings are important Members of the Omokoroa branch of Rural Women: Jenny to the women but so too, says Jenny Robertson, Erin Barry, Jenny Turner, Gloria Corin, Jeanette Turner, is the chance to make a differMerritt, front Enid Plummer with banner and Lovey Brammer. ence on a much wider scale. As members of the national body They are also able to make their views known on Rural Women New Zealand, the issues of concern they identify which affect everyday branch members support initiatives such as leptospilives of rural families, including currently, reductions rosis research, breast cancer awareness, faster roll out in school bus services. Such issues are often taken up of rural broadband, suicide prevention, school bus for action at government level by the national body. safety, prostate cancer awareness and rural However, Jenny says membership numbers in support initiatives. branches like Omokoroa are dwindling as changing lifestyles and interests mean the organisation isn’t attracting younger members.

Online meetings

“I can see a time when Rural Women exists almost entirely online, with women connecting through social media and email.” However, the virtual world would be no replacement for the experience members of the Omokoroa branch enjoyed on December 5, when Jenny treated them to an Italian-themed Christmas lunch, inspired by her visit to Italy to attend a Peta Mathias cooking school in Puglia, Southern Italy, in September.

...continued

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 7

Italian theme for festive lunch continued...

Jenny began with a demonstration of making pasta dough, with durum wheat our and eggs, which she kneaded to elastic consistency then left to rest before rolling through a pasta machine. nce thin enough, enny turned the pasta into “strings” using the same machine and cooked it for a spaghetti and meat balls dish. “In Italy meals are continuous with one dish coming after the other. he Italians really do sit outdoors in summer around long tables, with extended family members contributing dishes to the meals.”

It was an enjoyable afternoon for a group of women who are determined to continue to meet, to en oy friendship, to make a difference to the lives of rural people, and in keeping with the closing words of their creed “strive to touch and to know the great human heart common to us all, and ord, let us not forget to be kind”. Elaine Fisher An antipasto platter began the meal.

Nip of Limoncello

enny’s menu began with an antipasto platter of olives, cheeses, cured meats and sardines. hat was followed by rice balls and salad, pan fried marinated salmon, the spaghetti and meat balls, a roasted dish of ointed chicken with olives, grapes, tomatoes, garlic herbs and lashings of white wine. he meal was completed with a wedge of Pannetone and a nip of imoncello.

Jenny Turner making spaghetti from hand-made pasta dough.

hree outstanding young leaders recognised A mental wellbeing advocate, a Prime inister s Award winner and a airy high yer have been announced as oung Farmers cellence Award winners.

and she has also been awarded a Prime inister s scholarship that enabled her to travel to Colombia. he third e cellence award winner, ach ounsey, from the amilton City oung Farmers Club, has numerous achievements and awards to his name including studyIn only its ing some of the second year, the world s most award recognises comple issues outstanding as a inistry young leaders for Primary and is open to Industries’ New oung Farmer Zealand delegate members. to Argentina in ethven . based, -yearhe -yearold Sam The NZ Young Farmers 2017 Excellence Award winners are Sam old holds an Robinson has Robinson, Sarah Tait and Zach Mounsey. equity stake made a sigand is the sharemilker on the family farm, but has niﬁcant impact in the mental health and wellbeing e celled as a strategist and economist in varied roles landscape for rural youth this year, after he bravely inside the dairy industry. shared his own struggles. ow the technical assistant to airy C im he incoln niversity student courageously outackle, ach has also held roles in public trading lined his struggle in a live Facebook post this year. and ﬁnance at Fonterra. his set in motion a positive chain of events that His leadership abilities have been to the fore from led to young people speaking up more and NZ an early age, and included him taking up the position oung Farmers taking a leading role in highlighting of Sharemilkers Section delegate of Federated Farmand working on the issue. ers in torohonga ing County before going on to Also from ethven, P rightson agronomist become chair, while at niversity. Sarah ait is an outstanding young leader who initie is also a ellogg ural eadership Programme ated the mpty Plate Pro ect to encourage young graduate and in he was chosen to be the ew people into the agri-food sector. ealand delegate to the lobal outh Agriculture he -year-old was selected to represent ew Summit. ealand at a Food Security Conference in Canberra

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 8

Some land uses more strongly associated with contaminant losses Plan change strongly advocates sub-catchment approaches to align works and services, improve efﬁciency, integrate action, support research and coordinate funding, says aughan Payne, aikato egional Council chief e ecutive.

“It also recognises that the nature and scale of actions identiﬁed in individual Farm nvironmental Plans to address contaminant loss should recognise and re ect the state of water uality in that sub-catchment. “ owever, it does not provide for each catchment community to set its own preferred limits and targets as that process must take into account the cumulative effects on water uality as it ows through the catchment,” he says. aughan is responding to comments made by ick urke, chair of Farmers for Positive Change see page . aughan says the plan change has undertaken analysis and identiﬁed -year and -year targets for each

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of this. In the aikato there are over sub-catchment. “The sub-catchment land care groups that work on local approach is therefore focused on finding environmental issues, however nitrogen, and implementing the best sediment, phosphorus, and bacteria local solutions.” levels in our waterways continue to rise. e disagrees with ick’s comments that “In order to have a significant impact the plan disadvantages those who farm in on reducing contaminants and improvenvironmentally sustainable ways. ing water uality everyone in the “ he P is worked out on a whole aikato and aipa river catchment farm’ basis so if retiring land or fencing needs to do their part. PPC sets limits riparian margins causes the area of land and targets to ensure everyone in the actually farmed to be reduced, then the catchment is working to improve water P doesn’t reduce it simply means the uality,” says aughan. total nitrogen loss allowed can be spread “ ith regard to grandparenting, the more intensively over the land that Collaborative Stakeholder roup recomis farmed. Vaughan Payne, Waikato mended itrogen eference Points as an “ he levels of nitrogen entering waterRegional Council chief interim measure to transition from curways have been increasing over time due executive. rent activity to a new allocation approach to the increasing intensity of farming in that will be established in the future. the catchment. ealthy ivers ai ra Proposed Plan Change addresses this by holding most farms at “ he CS didn’t want people locked into their current the level of intensity that existed at the time the plan use based on historical choices or factors, and didn’t want was notified, but also re uiring the top per cent to reward those who had pursued land development with of emitters to reduce. his will allow time for further a high level of discharges by giving those properties a work to assess alternative methods for allocating nitrohigher discharge allocation based on current use. gen leaching at a property scale.” “ hey have signalled in the proposed plan change principles including land suitability as a starting point for allocation in any future plan changes where propStock numbers erty level limits are set. In the meantime, to meet short he level of nitrogen leaching is strongly associated term targets for nitrogen in the water, it was important with stock numbers, so if the farm gra es the same to the CS that current nitrogen discharges are held stock on a smaller, effective area the farm’s total nitroand reduced. he itrogen eference Point is a tool to gen leaching will remain essentially the same unless do this. other factors also change, says aughan. “Council is developing a Farm nvironment Plan In many cases the fencing of waterways improves the efficiency of the remaining productive land because the template and guide for farm environment planners. e’re also working with industry to develop Industry fencing and associated reticulated water supply allows Schemes and certification programmes for Certified better stock and pasture management. Farm utrient Advisors and Certified Farm nvironhile the proposed plan change includes rules ment Planners, which are e pected in early .A to manage nitrogen, it also focuses on three other web portal is also being developed.” contaminants phosphorus, sediment, and microbial pathogens. “Put simply, what we do on the land impacts our water uality and some land uses are more Total costs strongly associated with certain types of contaminant he total cost of the Plan Change pro ect to une losses. any factors impact the risk for contaminant , was . million, comprising loss including soil type, farm practices, and land use. . million direct costs “Additionally, the proposed plan change focuses on . million staff labour costs the ne t years. Future plan changes for ealthy . million of corporate overheads. hese costs ivers ai ra may treat P levels differently. begin from the year. he council received submissions on the proposed plan change but says the submissions have not Community initiatives been analysed in a way to show percentage of those in “Many voluntary community-led initiatives across the region make a difference to their local environment favour or opposed to the proposed changes. and the Pomahaka catchment group is a good e ample Elaine Fisher

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Demo derby part of great ayPark summer season

There were plenty of smashes and big hits at the annual SunLive Demolition Derby, including some from ﬁrst-time competitor Aimee- eigh runsdon.

The Sun Media sales consultant took to the track in a battered Daihatsu Charade alongside more than 40 other drivers at aypark Speedway in mid- ecember. Although super nervous at first, Aimee- eigh soon found her stride on the slippery track, which she proudly says she made one and three- uarter laps of. “I lasted a whole five minutes, pretty much riding first gear the whole time because I was worried I would stall – I haven't driven a manual for Sun Media sales consultant Aimee-Leigh years.” Brunsdon driving in the black SunLive car. It's a pretty good achievePhotos: Kerry Mitchell. ment, considering her car was smoking from the starting line. ith terone-fuelled competitors, and even got a host of other cars hogging the track, her nails done for the occasion – one of there were also the inevitable collisions which sadly broke, her sole injury of that make the derby so pleasing to the night. watch, and so e citing to take part in. “ ut I d seriously do it again, “ ou can t really see the cars coming. hands down.” You just get shunted from the back and Other classes of racing on the night the side – I was sandwiched between included sprint cars, super saloons, two cars at one point, but I managed to saloons, stock cars and mini stocks. get myself out,” she says. ayPark has a line-up of events in the “Then I just drifted up a storm around coming months, beginning with the the track.” South Pacific Super Saloon ChampionIt all came naturally to young driver, ship on Saturday, anuary . he ew who says she gets her “boy racing nonZealand Super Saloon Championship sense” from he Fast and the Furious ualifying ight is on Friday, anuary film franchise. , with the ew ealand Super Saloon “I m a big fan of Paul alker.” Aimee- eigh was one of ust three girls Car Championship Finals ight on Saturday, anuary . Ryan Wood holding their own against their testos-

Aimee-Leigh Brunsdon.

atteries in electric cars long-lasting he batteries in the issan eaf electric cars will deliver at least an 85km range on average after 10 years, with some models going further. his estimate is from Flip the Fleet, a citizen science coalition of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle owners that upload data from their vehicles to a communal database each month. “Many people are understandably passionate about battery health in their electric vehicles,” says r aniel yall, Flip the Fleet’s statistician. “It deter-

mines the ’s range and affects resale value. ust as your cellphone battery gradually loses its ability to hold charge, so too an EV cannot store as much energy as it gets older. “For most owners, we have good news. he battery in issan eafs, one of the commonest EVs on our roads, loses on average between two and four per cent of its range each year. The newer model EVs have bigger and better batteries so it’s even less of an issue for them.

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STRAIGHT FROM THE MANUFACTURER

Page 11

Student builders for boat Six school leavers from Opotiki will gain valuable skills when they join the team constructing a new mussel boat.

“ y hope is that our trainees will find e tra satisfaction through they and their families' own personal connection to this project and that the satisfaction and pride they feel will anchor their work ethic and ultimately set them up for long-term Auckland boat builder success.” McMullen and Wing is Whakatohea Mussels Chief partnering with WhakaExecutive Peter Vitasovich is tohea Mussels and the pleased by McMullen and Wing's Whakatohea Maori Trust commitment to supporting their Board in Opotiki to vision for build a mussel boat and take on the school leaver An artist’s impression of the new mussel boat. the region. “Employment options for our trainees. young people are limited in Opotoki,” says Peter. “McMullen and Wing has a proud history of innova“We're working hard in the region to grow opportion and partnership. We're now taking that to a new tunities for our people and we are thrilled McMullen level with Whakatohea Mussels and the Whakatohea and Wing have this vision to use our project to help us Maori Trust Board,” says McMullen and Wing CEO, expand the options even more broadly.” Michael Eaglen. The highly customised vessel will have a number of “Not only will we build a fantastic custom-made unique innovative features in line with Whakatohea vessel for them, we will have their young people Mussels and the iwi's considerations of the staff workactually in the factory building it, and building great ing on the vessel and the environment. careers for themselves.” Some of the features include: a special high-stability Whakatohea Maori Trust Board, which is the major shareholder in Whakatohea Mussels' aquaculture busi- design, specific to the rough open ocean operating conditions of the Opotoki mussel farm; comfortable interior ness, has a focus on creating sustainable high-quality conditions for farm workers; and a range of eco-focused employment opportunities for the people of Opotoki, features to minimise says Michael. “Our trainee programme is aimed at further support- environmental impact and maximise end product ing that work by offering these young people a career quality.The aquaculture pathway in a growing industry where skill shortages vessel is expected to launch are prevalent.” in September 2018. The six youths, between 16 and 18, will be trained The mussel farm is part in metal work and construction skills that they can immediately apply to the building of the marine farm- of the trust’s vision to generate financial returns ing vessel for Whakatohea Mussels which will directly and create sustainimpact their own community. able employment for the “We are giving these young people the chance to region and its people. start a life-long vocation,” says Michael.

SAVE TIMEMONEY and MO SAVE SAVE TIME TIME and MONEY and SAVE TIME and MONEY with the ORIGINA with the ORIGINAL SAVE TIME MONEY with the ORIGINAL SAVE TIME andand MONEY ATIC andchicke with theAUTOM ORIGINAL chicken AUTOM and ATIC ORIGINAL ATIC chicken AUTOM withwith thethe ORIGINAL and chicken ATIC and poultry chicken AUTOM ATIC and poultry feeder! chicken AUTOM poultry feeder!feeder! ATIC AUTOM poultry feeder! poultry feeder! poultry feeder! There are no substitutes whentoit c There are There no substitutes when it comes are no substitutes whento it comes

Grandpas Ifin you aren't GrandpasGrandpas Feeders. IfFeeders. you aren't satisfied If Feeders. you aren't satisfied insat are noit substitutes when to noThere substitutes when it comes to it comes There There are noare substitutes when comes to both the workmanship and the effe both the workmanship and the effectiveness, both the workmanship and the effectiveness, Grandpas Feeders. If you aren't in Grandpas Feeders. If you aren't satisfied in satisfied Grandpas Feeders. If you aren't satisfied in we will refund your purchase price in we will refund your purchase in full, up in tofull, “These technologies have the potential we will refund your price purchase price up to both and the workmanship and the effectiveness, both the workmanship and the effectiveness, the workmanship the effectiveness, to make New Zealand moreboth prosperous monthspurchase. following purcha 24 months24 following purchase. months24 following by improving access to we services, we will refund your purchase we will refund your purchase price in full, up toin full, up to willhelprefund your purchase price in full, up to price ing businesses be more efﬁcient 24 purchase. months following purchase. 24 months following purchase. 24 months following and creating economic growth

Concerns about the growing tech divide

The government is right to raise concerns that there is a growing digital divide, NZTech chief executive Graeme Muller says. The opportunities throughout the country. emerging from the rapid “Those that don’t have exponential growth of access to the right techtechnologies like artificial nologies or the skills or intelligence, robotics, motivation to make the autonomous vehicles and most of them are being left augmented reality are fantasbehind. Left unaddressed this tic for all Kiwis, he says. Communications Minister Graeme Muller. digital divide will exacerbate the social divide. Clare Curran late last year “However, if we move faster to address released a report – “Digital New the growing digital divide as a country Zealanders: The Pulse of our Nation” we will find that the technology will also outlining the digital divide in help reduce the social divide. New Zealand. “Giving people the understanding, She says the government will, with the confidence and skills to use digital tools assistance of a soon to be established will help New Zealand prosper. advisory group, help determine what “The introduction of digital technolotech skills Kiwis need to be ready for the gies into the New Zealand curriculum jobs of the future. in 2018 is a great step in ensuring all “The Minister is right to raise this Kiwis understand digital technology and concern that there is a growing digital how to make the most of it.” divide,” says Graeme.

SAVE TIME! SAVE MONEY! SAVE TIME Stop pests sparro No more rushing homeSAVE to Nolike more rus SAVE SAVE TIME! TIME! SAVE SAVE MONEY! MONEY! SAVESAVE TIME! TIME! SAVE MONEY! MONEY!

Stop pestspests likepests sparrows like sparrows and and No more No more rushing rushing home home to to Stop rodents from stealing feed the chickens. Feel free feed chic Stop like pests sparrows likethe sparro and No more No rushing more rushing home to home toStop rodents stealing fromfrom stealing your your feed feed the chickens. Feel free the chickens. Feel free rodents hens' Our feeders are hens' food.food. Our rodents feeders are food. to go ongoholiday and be sure to on holiday and be sure rodents from stealing from stealing your hens' Our feed feed the feed chickens. Feel free Feel free tochickens. gothe on holiday and be sure to go on holi that your chooks will be that your chooks willfedbe fedalso weather also weather proof,proof, so noso no whileholiday you are while youaway. are food is ever wasted orOur stolen.that food is ever wasted or stolen. that chooks willbe be fed your chs also weather proof, hens' food. hens' food. feeders Our feede are to go on to holiday go your on and beaway. and sure sure while youchooks are while you foodweather isproof, ever wasted o that your that chooks your willaway. bewill fed be fed also weather also so proof, no are so while you while areyou away. are away. food isfood ever iswasted ever wasted or stolen o

Page 12

LIFESTYLE FARMING

Many common plants deadly to livestock Sporadically, during most years, vets are called to investigate sudden illnesses and unexpected deaths in otherwise healthy animals.

to look at intoxication as the cause of the symptoms. While not exhaustive, in this and subsequent columns, we will cover some of the main plants that are known to be lethal to livestock. Avocado: (Persea americana) All parts of While they can occur at any time of year, the plant are toxic. A wide range of livesummer time is more common for poisonings stock are affected with goats and horses as feed supplies shrink and hungry animals being most sensitive. Signs of intoxicabecome less discerning with their diets. Hot, tion include lethargy, respiratory distress, dry summer conditions are preswelling, cyanosis, cough, sent throughout much of New exercise intolerance and Zealand as we turn into the New death from heart failure. Year, so once again we are likely Horses may develop to see an increase in edema of the head, tongue, plant poisonings. and brisket. The toxin persin Other factors include stress on also produces a sterile mastipasture and crop species, proliftis in lactating animals. eration of weed species, fruiting Foxglove: (Digitalis spp.) and seeding of trees and shrubs Sporadic consumption and dumping of garden waste of these colourful owers Foxglove: (Digitalis spp.) can occur by accident in in paddocks. is very bitter in taste but gardens, on roadsides, in Often where no obvious sign livestock which eat it can pastures and bordering bush. of infection or trauma has occurred to the animals we need suffer from heart failure. Although very bitter in taste

and therefore not being very palatable, inquisitive young horses and cattle can be affected. The toxin digoxin causes heart failure preceded by drooling, weakness, collapse and seizures. Karaka: (Corynocarpus laevigatus) Accessed near bush blocks when grazing scrubby or bush areas and transporting stock along roadsides. As well as livestock it can also affect people and dogs. The toxin karakin affects the body’s energy supply (interfering with the Krebs cycle) which results in profound lethargy and collapse with neurological and muscular distress preceding death. If you have any questions about possible toxins on your property, contact your local vet before running the risk of exposing stock to the source. Vets are wellplaced to investigate any suspicious cases and help to prevent future poisonings.

Transferable titles soon to be ‘all but history’ Waikato District Council has recently posted a draft of its proposed district plan online.

To us it brings no surprises but we strongly believe that, as always, following submissions from the public and regional council, the rules will most likely be completely different. The complete rewrite was particularly needed to bring the ‘old Waikato’ together with the part of Franklin District annexed when the Super City was created. Although recently talking as if there would still need to be two sets of rules to cater for historic situations, council has now promoted one set of rules for rural subdivision. The General Rule allows for a lifestyle lot of between 8000 square metres and 1.6 hectares to be cut off a title more than 20 hectares in size that was created prior to December 1997. However, don’t relax and do nothing if you currently comply with this – I fully expect that this will eventually refer to titles over 40 hectares in size.

Franklin owners

This rule could provide ‘Franklin’ owners a path to subdivide small lifestyle lots from a larger title that hasn’t been subdivided recently. This method of subdivision has been available to their Waikato neighbours for many years. As predicted, transferable titles are gone. So, if you are involved in a subdivision utilising these,

you have limited time left. Equally if you have surplus titles, particularly under 40 hectares in size, you should consider selling these rights now for good money and amalgamating your farm into fewer titles. This could be a useful thing to do if your farm is remote, has no suitable house sites or you just don’t want to subdivide lifestyle blocks in the future. Replacing the ‘transferable title’ rule is a new ‘rural hamlet’ rule which promotes the relocation of titles. For example, if your farm is in four titles you could apply to create three titles of up to 1.6 hectares as long as you create a balance title greater than 20 hectares.

Boundary adjustments

Boundary relocations can be applied for as long as one resultant lot is over 8000 square metres and the other is over 20 hectares. This rule obviously needs some tweaking to allow simple boundary adjustments where the title sizes change little. Going against the national trend to reserve large tracts of ecological features, Waikato is proposing to reduce the beneﬁts currently available to

farmers by reducing the number of lots available to a maximum of two, no matter how much bush or wetland you propose to protect. The new rules will come around fast and you will have an opportunity to make submissions to them. However, taking action now is by far the best approach and the only guarantee to hold on to your current rights. With transferable titles all but history now in Waikato, those with possibilities should move fast. If you have any interest in subdividing a title between 20ha and 40ha in size in the old Waikato Rural Zone, now is the time to do so. Likewise, if you have an ecological feature over 10ha to protect, it could be worth an extra lot if you apply soon. If you are interested to ﬁnd out what opportunities for your land might potentially be lost, feel free to give me a call and discuss your situation without delay. Brent Trail, managing director of Surveying Services, specialises in resource consent applications for subdivisions across the Waikato, Coromandel and Bay of Plenty. For further information call: 0800 268 632 or email: btrail@surveyingservices.co.nz

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

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KIWIFRUIT

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DMS records lowest fruit-loss post-harvest rates once again Despite a good fruit quality year across the entire kiwifruit industry in 2017, end-of-year results show that DMS once again leads the post-harvest industry with the lowest onshore fruit-loss rates for both Hayward Green and Sungold. This is the seventh consecutive year the Western Bay of Plenty kiwifruit operator has topped the fruit-loss charts – considered the number one metric for quality when comparing packhouse onshore performance. The DMS Sungold fruit-loss result for this season was 0.1 per cent, considerably stronger than the industry average, which ﬁnished on . per cent. he S ayward fruit-loss was 0.16 per cent, which was a fraction of industry’s 1.29 per cent. The company’s post-harvest operations manager, Lorry Leydon, puts DMS’s ongoing success down to a continual investment in people, culture, and the ability to offer the full package to growers – from growing the crop right through to loading it onto a truck. “Every single person in our team is an

DMS site managers Marty Hansen (Te Puke) and Aaron Price (Te Puna). house, coolstore and beyond.” orchard champion with a total commitThese results come on the back of a sucment to our objective of increasing grower cessful season for DMS, which announced proﬁt. It’s about ma imising care and record net proﬁts for at the growdeploying our e pertise at every step in the process – from the orchard to the packers’ annual general meeting last year.

Declare or dispose says ministry The Ministry for Primary Industries is taking a hard line on arriving air passengers who fail to declare items that could bring pests or diseases into New Zealand. y late last year, PI officers had issued more than 9100 biosecurity infringements and given 1135 warnings to air passengers for failing to follow New Zealand's strict biosecurity rules. In , officers issued fines in total, compared with 6102 in 2015 and in . "The stats show biosecurity fines increased by more than 50 per cent between and 2016. With the busy summer period, we are e pecting to see another increase," says Craig Hughes, PI passenger manager.

"The rise is partly due to the increased numbers of visitors, but also to the tough stance we're taking on people that put New Zealand at risk. e re now more likely to issue a fine than give a warning. "Travellers should be aware that failing to declare because you forgot, were tired from travelling, or did not know the rules is not enough to avoid a fine. " he fines are a stern reminder to air passengers who unintentionally fail to declare biosecurity risk goods such as fresh fruit. Where there is deliberate intent involved, passengers can face prosecution or be refused entry into New Zealand. "The message is very simple for international travellers – declare or dispose of Splash Direct that anything 2113 Main Road Phone 07 573 6138 could have Te Puke Email info@splashdirect.co.nz biosecurity risk before you enter New Zealand."

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KIWIFRUIT

SunGold brings potential for orchard development

The Bay of Plenty economy claimed the biggest GDP growth to March 2016 of . per cent against a national average of three per cent, and growth continued strongly through . Meantime, a well-established orchard management support sector also means block owners converting to kiwifruit can tap into a base of highly experienced management skills if they lack the skills or time to run a new orchard themselves. While larger corporate type orchardists were seeking larger (10ha-plus) tracts of land, there is also greenfields orchard fruit. Initial plans had been to offer Thanks to Zespri carefully In the wake of the opportunities for existing pastoral 400ha a year from 2015 through managing supply against growdevastating Psa-V disease farmers wanting to add another income to 2022. ing demand for the fruit, prices that struck the kiwifruit stream, and additional capital value, to But this has been ramped up sigfor SunGold has remained at a their properties. sector in 2010, the Psa nificantly to ha a year starting premium even as volumes have “We could easily move a drystock or tolerant SunGold variety in 2018, pushing the total new area ramped up from less than 20 mildairy property that had land suitable for committed to SunGold to 3500ha lion trays three years ago, to almost has proven to be an industry Orchard sales kiwifruit plantings upon them, these by 2022. Te Puke-based Bayleys rural agent and sort of properties are highly desirable,” lifesaver, outperforming even 50 million this year. “It’s clear from performance in The continuing strong demand orchard specialist Snow Williams says its creators’ expectations and growth has prompted Zespri to says Snow. the markets in recent seasons and orchards continue to sell quickly. He says demand for quality horticulhelping turn the sector into increase the licensed area it is from our assessment of future He says he’s constantly being asked tural land in the region was also buoyed an industry star performer. offering to growers to plant more demand that we need to accelerate about land that would have the potenby crops other than kiwifruit. tial to convert into SunGold kiwifruit Avocadoes were also enjoying a surge to take up the additional area being in interest on the back of promising under thewith licensing process. Ourallocated Atoms are set up radar speed sensors, this market returns and expansion My Name is Neil Woodward. “ ightwith now, weautomated could findsprayer buyerscontrollers and combined fully into China. easily for rings blocksenhances of land suitable for efficiency and I am a director of Z-Contracting- we are family run three nozzle application espri has confirmed green field business, our team consists of three, being myself, my accuracy. kiwifruit plantings, but the challenge is conversions for SunGold is likely to son and my brother. actually getting listings of that land, it is 216 four Pongakawa We also use a quad bike for strip weed spray form a big part for the next years’ Bush Road proving uite difficult to find.” Our organisation has been established for over 18 applications. Te Puke of license issues. While supply is tight, he says the Sunyears. I have been involved in applying crop protection hold variety all certificates needed meet Globalgap is proving to betoparticularly programmes within the horticultal industry since 1966. WeGold compliance. Green crop To contact us: robust, heavy cropping and suitable for We specialise within the kiwi fruit industry, We two years of the 800ha beyond the traditional Te PukeWegrowing look at all challenges to help ensure we protectOver the pastPhone: 021 907 621 have the equipment to spray orchards with our two planted in SunGold, 500ha was cut Western Bay of Plenty growing zone. your crop with excellence. Atom sprayers and one recently purchased Tracatom E-mail: ontozcl@zanadu.co.nz Green orchards “We have sold quite a bit of land down over and grafted Formula tractor which is also available for mulching with the remainder being green fields Opotiki way that is very suitable for and mowing. developments. SunGold kiwifruit planting. Down that Our Atoms are set up with radar speed sensors, this My Name is Neil Woodward. However the kiwifruit marketer Zespri way the dry matter levels in the fruit combined with fully automated sprayer controllers and is also acutely aware of the value of the seem more assured, and there are some I am a director of Z-Contracting- we are family run three nozzle rings enhances application efficiency and long standing Green variety, and did not beautiful tracts of land through there business, our team consists of three, being myself, my accuracy. want to lose much more Green crop cut that suit the crop.” son and my brother. Pongakawa Bush Road We also use a quad bike for strip weed spray For smaller216 block holders the e ibility over to SunGold. Our organisation has been established for over 18 applications. Te Puke of orchard management and location “It is good to know Zespri are aware years. I have been involved in applying crop protection could make conversion to kiwifruit an of Green’s value. It is a longstanding programmes within the horticultal industry since 1966. We hold all certificates needed to meet Globalgap appealing With compliance. Tooption. contact us:its strong econ- crop that has served the industry well, We specialise within the kiwi fruit industry, We omy the greater Bay of Plenty provides and we are going to be having to look at We look at all challenges to help ensure we protect Phone: 021 907 for 621 have the equipment to spray orchards with our two multiple opportunities off-orchard where other land lies that is suitable for your crop with excellence. Atom sprayers and one recently purchased Tracatom income tozcl@zanadu.co.nz supplement an orchard in its E-mail: SunGold,” says Snow. Formula tractor which is also available for mulching early stages of development. Richard Rennie and mowing. supply growth of SunGold,” says Zespri chairman Peter McBride. “ he gap to fill between the strong demand outlook and our current trajectory of supply growth presents a significant strategic opportunity.” The SunGold fruit has proven to have a golden touch not only on consumers’ palates, but also on orchard values. Initial licenses were valued at only a hectare, then the formal ha a year licensing process had that value ump to , a hectare, with last year’s 400ha touching $235,000 a hectare. With supply of existing orchards tight, orchard sales of up to almost $1.0 million a hectare have been reported and some have sold within only days of being listed.

KIWIFRUIT

Page 17

Climate change - no need to be number one Climate change is often referred to as a moral imperative, an ‘issue of our generation’, and in many respects there are aspects of that description that I am comfortable with.

What I am not comfortable with is the view that we need to be ﬁrst, that we need to be fast, and above all that we need to be famous and acknowledged by the non-government organisations as somehow taking on more than our fair share on behalf of the global community. I disagree with that notion. The National Party has a strong record on climate change. We have always believed that our response should be proportionate. Yes, we

should take part in the global communities’ response, but the response must match our means, because there is no premium to be the best and the ﬁrst. I agree that climate change is a critical issue that we have a moral imperative to address, but I also feel we have a moral imperative to keep in our minds the Kiwi families who seek to compete on the world stage, selling their goods. Those families understand the importance of the environment, of climate change and of a proportional response and this country doing our part. I don’t disagree that we should consider a Climate Commission to pro-

vide some independent advice. The emphasis being on the independence. Not ‘independent’ like the Labour government’s ‘independent tax working group’ chaired by the previous Labour Minister of Finance Sir Michael Cullen. Let’s not see someone like the former Green Party Leader Russell Norman heading the Climate Commission. That would be a joke, and not a funny one for our exporters. There are some fundamental choices this country has to make as we move away from a carbonintensive world and now is an appropriate time to pose questions about our collective appetite for

Putting more pieces of fruit in the tray

change; the appetite to actually crystallise the cost of the move. Yes, there will be opportunities, but there will also be signiﬁcant costs for our trade-exposed industries and it’s absolutely critical we get the balance right. Our motivation must always be doing what is good for New Zealand, not what the United Nations will give us a gold medal for, because it is for

New Zealanders that we work. It is for New Zealand that we endeavour and strive. There are 190 countries on this journey and we are but one. We emit 0.16 per cent of global emissions. It is important we play our part but it must be proportional. Let’s not get carried away by international rhetoric saying being number one is what counts; being for New Zealand is what counts.

Lot Job or 25 s f Deal more or

Aongatete Coolstores Ltd employs many advanced technologies to ensure growers receive maximum return and pack-out for their kiwifruit crop.

to pick and use NIR to size 39 and 42. The fruit was packed on March 24, 2017. We recovered 1369kg out of a possible 2315kg, giving a recovery rate of 59 per cent. This the grower packed in week 12 of Kiwistart. “For a second grower located in Omokoroa using NIR we recovInVision, which grades for ered 2772kg out of a possible external blemishes and shape 3534kg, a recovery rate of 78 per issues, and NIR (Near Infrared), cent for sizes 39 and 42. Fruit which checks internal fruit attribwas packed on May 12, 2017. utes without invasive damage, are The grower was paid for fruit two examples. Firstly NIR allows The InVision technology in action that would otherwise have been the packhouse to grade fruit at Aongatete Packhouse. classed as reject,” she says. which otherwise has not met the “Aongatete Packhouse gradoverall minimum harvest standing and quality team’s efforts ards, and secondly to recover fruit ensured that the packed fruit was of high standard. which is still taste-acceptable to overseas consumers. Our average reject rates of 8.68 per cent for Hayward Tracey Chinnery, Aongatete grower services team (industry average 11.94 per cent) and 9.2 per cent leader, says two examples from last season show how for Sungold (industry average 13.94 per cent) delivI directly beﬁtted growers. ered more Class 1 trays for every kilogramme of fruit “One of our growers, located in Katikati, was cleared to pick up to size 36. The grower decided supplied to the packhouse.”

More fruit in trays & higher returns NIR netting extra trays Rejects well below industry averages Leading OGRs Hayward $6.68 per tray

Sungold $11.11 per tray

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KIWIFRUIT

Nuffield Scholarship opens door for Simon i ifruit orchardist and orchard contractor imon oo is a

This year will be a stimulating and challenging one for Te Puke orchardist and businessman Simon Cook. he -year-old is one of five ew ealand uffield Scholars who will be travelling the world, learning about agriculture and horticulture and conducting their own specific research pro ects. ogether with his wife atey, Simon owns a five canopy hectare green and gold kiwifruit orchard near e Puke, and with his father ob, owns and operates anfurly rchard Services, specialising in spray services for kiwifruit and avocado orchards. Simon is also on the e ecutive of iwifruit ine ealth and ew ealand iwifruit rowers Inc. It was because of his obvious leadership abilities and industry knowledge that Simon was encouraged to apply for the scholarship which he was awarded in ovember.

G3 vines on the Cook family orchard

ealand ufﬁeld cholar.

As part of his month long uffield Scholarship, Simon will spend up to weeks travelling overseas, firstly as part of an organised study tour and secondly based around his individual research pro ect. “I think at this stage I’ll oin the study tour to India, urkey and the iddle ast. India is certainly a potential future market for kiwifruit and I’m sure I will learn a lot from this tour.” Simon has yet to plan exactly where he wants to go as part of his personal research, which will probably focus on bio-security. he scholarship will mean significant time away from atey and their daughters ody, , essy- ac, , and Sammy, . “I’m so fortunate that atey fully supports me in this opportunity.” Simon is among the most diverse group the scholarship has seen for many year, as it has traditionally been dominated by people from the red meat and dairy industries. he other scholars are Andy lliot, of akatu Incorporation, elson, who has years’ e perience in ew ealand’s a uaculture industry uri cFarlane of ank Pennisula who works for avensdown nvironmental with e perience in agricultural systems and sustainable land management Solis orton from near Port Chalmers, who manages the industry funded national animal health and productivity programme for the ew ealand eer Industry and ate Scott, from Central tago, owner of an environmental planning and surveying business which services a broad range of agri-sector businesses. Elaine Fisher

FAMILY OWNED & RUN SINCE 1981

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AVOCADO

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On-orchard safety responsibility Growers will now be starting to see trees showing their next avocado fruit crop. It may look like a mixed bag, with some outstanding results from a heavy owering, while some other trees may be suffering from that mild early spring.

Pest and bugs are on the rise and spraying is being undertaken. The latest AIC recommendation on coppers per season will add costs to production. Our Avogreen monitoring in this past year has shown a signiﬁcantlyreduced need for crop pest spraying. Aongatete Avocado Limited orchards have most of their fertiliser applied timed to meet tree ush, owering and initial fruit growth. It’s now back to basics in applying regular dressings until mid-winter. With an expected heavy cropping phase, AAL will again be doing a full autumn round injecting with the Avoject syringe for Phytophthora. In orchard management there is a great emphasis on making sure we do this safely. I am aware there have been a number of near-misses on orchards this harvesting season. Reporting these near-misses can have a big impact on stopping them re-occurring.

Hydralada courses

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INTERESTED IN GETTING INTO AVOCADOS? HAVE QUERIES ABOUT YOUR ORCHARD MANAGEMENT PRACTICES? Come chat with our specialist team at the upcoming Katikati and Te Puke A&P shows or get in touch today! Greg O’Carroll, Grower Services BOP 027 268 0374 greg@justavocados.co.nz Erica Faber, Orchard Productivity Manager 027 549 8229 erica@justavocados.co.nz John Emett, Grower Services Northland and South Auckland 027 476 9087 john@justavocados.co.nz or drop in and see us at 54 Woodland Road, Katikati.

against small local business operators. It’s in all our interests to get this right. The new legislation drives responsibility back to growers (as designated under the act: a Person Conducting a Business or Undertaking, or a PCBU). It amazes me how many growers still do very little to ensure contractors on their properties/business operations are operating with health and safety programmes, training, records and plans, and if the contractor staff are fully trained. Do the growers as business owners ask for docu-

I tutored Hydralada courses for a number of years and it was surprising the number of stories that emerged of near-misses and close shaves. However, what I got out of them was the learning Correct on the causes and therefore the opportuoperation and nity for improved prevention. maintenance As an industry we are very weak in this of picking area. While many of the larger contracplatforms is tors have good systems, few if any have a vital for safety. common investigative process for learning from near-misses and accidents. The mented records of such? Do they query if machinery industry continuing to have near-misses will place inspections are being done and that contractors are considerable harvesting costs on growers. operating with a comprehensive health and safety It’s in all our interests to improve the risk prevenprocess? I know in AAL that by taking a strong leadtion tactics used. For a number of months Worksafe ership approach in our management team regarding has been issuing a weekly media release on matters health and safety, this is rubbing off on all our staff. around workplace safety. Some of those releases conWe regularly meet and get feedback from our teams tain information on court prosecutions and findings. and are continually improving our safety systems and procedures. ignifi ant fines It is our collective responsibility to drive safe operThe message I’ve taken from them is that a workating environments and attitudes in our industry. It’s place accident will be very expensive if Worksafe is also important that our central leadership provides a successful in a prosecution. he fines and costs it has been publishing are in the framework to drive that in our growing community. Tony Bradley, Aongatete Avocados hundreds of thousands of dollars and some have been

AVOCADO

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Steve Trickett joins Avoco team Steve Trickett has joined Avoco’s senior management team to expand on market development in Asia and oversee grower communications at home. A familiar face to many avocado growers, Steve has joined the company as marketing and communications manager and is responsible for market planning and performance with focus on new and developing markets where fruit carries the Avanza brand. He will support the existing sales and marketing team, oversee contestable fund applications and develop Avoco’s communications and proﬁle among the grower community. Steve’s 35-year experience in the export sector includes stints at Fruitfed Export, NZ Kiwifruit Marketing Board (now Zespri), Chiquita Brands New Zealand Ltd, ENZA Fresh, Freshmax Ltd and Turners & Growers Exports. Until earlier in 2017, Steve worked for another Bay of Plenty avocado exporter. He says the move to Avoco enables him to continue in an industry he’s passionate about.

Formidable team

“I’ve worked with, known and respected the key people in Avoco for well over 20 years and I’m a strong supporter of the Avanza model used beyond Australia. So, I am excited by the fact that Avoco management were keen for me to join them and further bolster what is a formidable marketing team,” says Steve. “I also welcome the opportunity to be part of a much larger business such as Avoco that has compelling brand relevance via ‘Avanza’, the Asian market

brand, with recognised market leadership and the best pick of customers across the region.” Steve is a ﬁrm believer that ew ealand’s avocado industry has a bright future. Avocados tick all the right boxes from a consumer perspective and this has fuelled global demand.

Healthy fruit

“Avocados are nutritious, versatile and tasty. Taste and texture is very important to the Asian consumer especially. They are very aware of the subtleties of every part of the fruit. “From a commercial perspective, avocados can be shipped by sea from New Zealand to avoid costly air freight. Overall, they’re a fabulous, healthy fruit that has won over consumers worldwide and that demand shows no signs of abating.” Outside of Australia, Asia is New Zealand’s next biggest market and it’s a region Steve where relation-ship-building Trickett. with key customers and distributors is paramount. Steve has worked in the region extensively and says the ‘New Zealand story’ has real currency for export groups like Avoco. “In Asia, our fruit is regarded as a great product, it’s come from a great origin and is mostly supplied at a time when competitor supply countries such as Mexico struggle with quality. People also have a favourable perception of our clean, green image. “ very time you go to a trade ofﬁce in okyo, Seoul or elsewhere in Asia, they say don’t stop promoting the ‘New Zealandness’ of your product. It’s very important and resonates well with consumers.” With the New Zealand avocado industry inching closer to market access to China, Steve is taking an

active role in helping Avoco lead the way by visiting China to learn more about sales and distribution systems. A small industry-coordinated, noncommercial trial shipment to China is scheduled for this month following completion of on-shore audits by the Chinese authorities. Full commercial

shipments are unlikely until the new season starts in September. While there are huge trade opportunities in China, Steve says it’s critical to ﬁrst understand the market’s supply chain differences, and to then select which sales channels to pursue in the immediate to medium term.

Separating people from the risk Keeping everyone safe on orchards is about more Safe, Keep Growing: How to be Healthy and Safe in than having the appropriate paperwork, says Al Horticulture’ to help you. The guide will help orchardists work out the best McCone, WorkSafe sector lead for agriculture.

way to identify, manage and communicate health and safety risks to family and workers and what part other people on-farm should play in risk management. “Health and safety doesn’t just happen. It needs a conscious decision to make a healthy and safe workplace,” says Al.

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Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 all businesses have a responsibility to keep workers healthy and safe. “What this takes is some underlying health and safety planning and management as part of your everyday operation. It’s not just about paperwork; it’s about everyday good business practice,” says Al. The key is in three simple actions: • identify the risks • work out how to eliminate them (or if they can’t be eliminated, managed) • then make sure everyone in the workplace understands both risks and management. “ veryone includes contractors. here are specific requirements when other businesses are working on your property – you need to make sure you are aware of each other’s risks and are jointly managing these. “There are some real basics you need to get right, like making sure machinery and vehicles are fit for purpose and safe to use, or making sure that people are competent to safely do the tasks they are doing. “In addition, you need to pay real attention to the things that can cause fatalities and serious injuries. For these ‘critical’ risks, you need to work out how to separate the person from the risk.” WorkSafe New Zealand and Horticulture NZ have published a horticulture-specific guide called eep

HAY, SILAGE & PASTURE RENOVATION

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Sustainability focus on hill country farming A scientiﬁc programme aimed at improving the sustainability of hill country for sheep and beef farming is to be launched with the support of Beef + Lamb New Zealand.

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The project, which is backed by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Partnership Scheme, will look at ways to invigorate hill country by developing sustainable production systems. A strategy and action plan to increase the sustainability of hill country farming (economic, environmental, social and cultural) will be one of the key priorities for the initiative. A new farm class classiﬁcation system for red meat production systems, using production based analysis, as compared to the current topographic/soil based system, will be developed. As part of the programme, researchers will examine and quantify the impact of legumes and indigenous plants on production systems and their impact on hill country sustainability. A forage value framework for assessing the economic and ecological sustainability of mixed forage in the upper layer of soil (swards) is also planned. Beef + Lamb NZ chief executive Sam McIvor says hill country is the backbone of the sheep and beef sector, accounting for 70 per cent of land use and the source of 70 per cent of the animals processed. “The ongoing use and productivity of New Zealand’s hill country is critical to the future of our industry. Consumers, customers, farmers and the wider public’s interest and expectations around the use of natural resources are rapidly changing. “Historically, the focus has been on lifting the productive capacity of our landscapes.

Health of land

“The purpose of this science programme is to focus on New Zealand hill country farming systems of the future by applying a new lens. That’s about focusing on developing our hill country production systems, while maintaining a sustainable balance between production, what is taken from the land, and enhancing the health and wellbeing of our land. “B+LNZ’s development and leadership of the programme re ects our commitment to supporting vibrant rural communities, providing valuable insight

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for farmers, and improving farmer profitability. “An improved understanding of resources, potential external inputs such as forage, and market opportunities for hill country will create a foundation for greater productivity and profitability, better risk management, and the attractiveness for hill country farming as a career opportunity. “New science is all about insight and this project will give farmers and the wider community a new and enhanced understanding of physical resources held on farms, their value and how they can be managed to ma imise not only the financial returns but also wider environmental returns for the sector, community and the country.

Productivity challenges

A key aspect of the programme will be looking ahead five to years to e plore what the opportunities will be for hill country land use and the productivity challenges, says Sam. “Importantly, the project also has a strong wider community focus by creating ways to engage, grow understanding and support for hill country farming.” B+LNZ, one of three partners in the programme alongside MBIE, PGG Wrightson and Seed Force New Zealand, is investing $700,000 per annum ($3.5 million over five years . I is contributing . million over five years to the project via the New Zealand Government’s Partnerships Scheme, which supports high-quality research aimed at increasing the competitiveness and sustainability of New Zealand’s economy. Pakihiroa Farms (owned by Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou) and Greenlea Premier Meats are also providing in-kind support. The Federation of Maori Authorities, AbacusBio, Lincoln University, DairyNZ, AgResearch, and On-Farm Research will deliver the research capabilities. “We are really pleased to be partnering with the Federation of Maori Authorities and Pakihiroa Farms, as the principle of kaitiakitanga, guardianship and protection, will be integral to this project,” says Sam.

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Glyphosate extension welcomed New Zealand farmers and growers have welcomed an EU majority decision backing a five-year e tension to glyphosate’s licence, which was due to expire, says Agcarm chief executive Mark Ross. Glyphosate, a herbicide widely-used in agriculture and by gardeners, is “an efficient and cost-effective means to keeping our agricultural economy growing, our environment protected, and our country weed-free”. “The decision is good news for farmers, as they won’t be forced to find an alternative solution for use on exports,” adds Mark. Glyphosate is a sensible choice for the agricultural community, as it reduces the need to use other, less effective and more environmentally-damaging herbicides. It helps protect soil by reducing the need for ploughing - decreasing the release of carbon dioxide into the environment. It also enables farmers to grow crops that help produce safe, affordable, high-quality food. The herbicide has recorded over 40 years of safe use.

It continues to be rigorously tested by regulators in New Zealand and throughout the world. Regulatory agencies agree that glyphosate, when used per label directions, does not present an unreasonable risk of adverse effects to humans, wildlife or the environment. Europe’s regulatory authorities recently completed their own multi-year reassessment and found that glyphosate is safe for use. A study of elderly adults in California, conducted from 1993 to 2016, has found that they've had increased exposure to the pesticide glyphosate, with higher levels found in their urine over time. This coincides with an increased use of glyphosate in the area since 1994, and indicates that people can be affected without direct contact just by eating the products — none of the study participants were farmers. However, while the glyphosate levels did increase, they were still much lower than those from previous studies of non-farmer European adults, and more than 50 times smaller than a dose thought of as 'ultra-low' that was consistently fed to animals and resulted in liver in ammation.

Farmers – be prepared for PKE changes Federated Farmers is reminding dairy farmers and sharemilkers to update existing business agreements, as they face joint liability to meet upcoming changes for using palm kernel as feed. Dairy co-operative Fonterra is introducing a grading system next September to measure milk fat composition. The fat component of milk changes with excessive use of PKE, impacting on manufacturing capability and seasonal customer preferences. Fonterra farmers who don’t comply with new recommended levels for cows’ PKE intake will be penalised. Sharemilker Farm Owners’ Section Chair Tony Wilding says the Federation’s sharemilkers and share-

milker farm owners’ sections had been anticipating the changes since they were announced in June this year. "The sharemilkers farm owners section and sharemilkers’ section have been aware of this emerging liability. We consulted with farmers, farm advisors and various farming groups and we believe we’ve come to a fair resolution for both parties." Farmers tended to use PKE to assist in the shortfall of pasture. Farm owners and sharemilkers in current agreements should seek to add a clause to address this new risk. New agreements will also have an additional clause under milk grading and feed to direct the parties. "Our conclusion is this is the fairest way of allocating these new demerits as per the revenue share of milk production. We intend to update Federation contracts to acknowledge these changes," says Tony.

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Te Aroha’s one-stop-shop for farmers - and more garden equipment (Husqvarna sales and After spending 20 years as a heavy diesel technician for a local business in service), heavy diesel, Pre-COF and WOF, crane and EWP specialists. Te Aroha, Stan Knight decided it was time for a change.

“This year we became the Landini McCormick, sales and service agent for the Waikato/Thames Valley region. The team at Te Aroha Tractors & Garden Machinery.

So in 2015, Stan and Fiona purchased Te Aroha Tractors & Garden Machinery. In just two years, growth of the business has seen it go from just six staff to 16. Stan says they decided to move to a much larger premises and add an automotive and air-conditioning servicing division in October. “The move has really complimented the business,” says Stan. He says it’s now a one-stop-shop. “It provides convenience for our clients with a range of products and services available, and it’s important to us that our client needs are taken care of.” Te Aroha Tractors has a range of services: agricultural equipment sales and service, automotive (authorised Ford service agent), air-conditioning, auto-electrical, lawn and

“I was really impressed with the quality of their tractors. They’re made in Italy and as the Italians are well known for making high quality goods, so too are their tractors.” Fiona agrees with that. A dairy farmer for the last 21 years she says there’s minimum electronics, which a lot of people like, making them simple to operate and service. And they’re at a really affordable price too.

New bronze sponsor for Ahuwhenua Trophy The Ahuwhenua Trophy has a new bronze category sponsor in Pamu Academy which is a joint venture between Pamu/Landcorp and Wilsons Consulting. Trophy management committee chairman Kingi Smiler says it is great to have Pamu Academy coming on board. Sir Apirana Ngata and Lord Bledisloe, who inaugurated the Ahuwhenua Trophy competition in 1933, had strong and successful interests in agriculture, says Kingi. “Lord Bledisloe had a background in science and technology and during his time in New Zealand he gave many speeches to farmers around the country. “Pamu Academy is an exemplar of

the type of leadership and innovation on-farm and beyond that aligns with the original vision and values of Sir Apirana Ngata and Lord Bledisloe. They would both be impressed with what Pamu Academy is doing and feel a great sense of pride in their legacy,” he says. Kingi is looking forward to working with Pamu Academy to enhance the leadership performance of the New Zealand agri-sector and showcase its success to everyone in the country. Pamu Academy general manager Rebecca Keoghan says the academy sponsoring the prestigious Ahuwhenua Trophy was a no-brainer for the organisation. “We are targeting safety leadership within the industry and the Ahuwhenua Trophy competition has a

focus on farm leadership so the fit was natural for us. We look forward to being a part of the Ahuwhenua whanau and helping drive a focus on safety leadership in the competition.” he finalists in the Ahuwhenua rophy competition will be announced in February and the final awards function will be held in Christchurch on Friday, May 25.

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Some of the East Friesian sheep which are part of the . oc at Wai ino tation o erloo ing La e aupo.

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A stunning new facility near Lake Taupo which milks 2000 ewes is to hold a public open day in early 2018. The facility incorporates genetic, electronic and mechanical technology to combine a hybrid farm system with a new hybrid dairy sheep created speciﬁcally for ew ealand conditions. It will provide access to genetics and knowledge for farmers interested in converting to become suppliers to Maui Milk Limited. Development of the 770-hectare property overlooking Lake Taupo, known as Waikino Station, has been funded by the Maui Food Group Ltd. The Shanghai-based marketing company formed Maui Milk with joint venture partner Waituhi Kuratau

Trust, which pioneered sheep milking in the region in 2007. The property has been developed with new pasture, plantain and lucerne. A 64-bale internal rotary has been imported from France with the plant including in-line electronic milk meters, automatic cup removers, Reporoa backing gates, and an adjustable height platform in the pit to ensure comfort and ergonomic efﬁciency for milkers. Two barns, capable of housing 1000 ewes each, come complete with feed conveyors. The intention is to use the housing to minimise climatic stress on the ewes and to ensure lamb survival. This hybrid farm system complements the all-outdoor operation on the WKT farm so Maui Milk is able to compare

...continued

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reasons and say they have yet to see another they would rather have for the purpose. The cold winters and pumice soils provide a healthy environment for sheep, and there is usually little challenge from facial eczema. The location is ideal for growing lucerne which is grazed and fed as silage in the barns. The farm offers scale for future growth, and a good mix of topography. Being only 15 minutes from the original WKT farm is a bonus, and the tanker collects milk for processing into WMP at Waikato Innovation Park. Anyone wanting to attend the ﬁeld day is invited to register by email ofﬁce southerncrossdairysheep.co.n Clare Bayly

AG-WORX Maui Milk’s 64-bale internal rotary for milking ewes has been imported from France. continued...

the pros and cons of each. Just as in the cow dairy industry, it is expected that there is a role for both. A purpose-built lamb rearing facility has already graduated 1400 valuable AI and ET lambs onto pasture. The goal is to have as many as possible reach 50kg for mating as hoggets. General manager Peter Gatley and geneticist Jake Chardon bring a strong focus on genetic improvement and have secured the genes necessary to create a crossbred with genetic diversity and hybrid vigour. Incorporating the main northern hemisphere dairy sheep breeds (East Friesian, Awassi and Lacaune), and built on a Coopworth base, it will be known as the ‘Southern Cross’ breed. Mating last autumn

involved more than 2000 straws of French Lacaune semen and 450 UK East Friesian embryos, with backup by Awassi/East Friesian cross rams. The farm has a key role in promoting Maui ilk in offshore markets where af uent customers demand high standards of animal welfare and environmental protection. Directly overlooking Lake Taupo, the property is subject to close scrutiny by the Waikato Regional Council. It has a very low Nitrogen Discharge Allowance, because a previous owner sold some of the original rights, and now operates well under the level of most traditional sheep and beef farms in the district. Peter and Jake selected the property for several

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The search is on for less pollution and more sustainability A recent international conference titled ‘Integrating Multiple Aquatic Values’ mainly focused on rivers and streams and what is in them. Attended by hundreds in Hamilton, including scientists from all round the world, the oral presentations ﬁlled four full days. A keynote presentation delivered by Catherine Knight, author of ‘New Zealand’s Rivers – An environmental history’ provided an eye-opening background to Maori and Pakeha settler attitudes to water ows, which went a long way to revealing both how our streams ended up less than pristine, and why the battles over values continue now. While Maori treasured awa as food supplies and ancestors, early Pakeha regarded all moving water as drains, into which anything could be tipped. A battle between early gold mining and farmers was won by mining interests, as representing the most ‘economically favourable’ industry at the time. I saw some irony in the current state of affairs where farming is ‘the economic backbone of the country’ and rights to pollute are still being fought. In a number of linked sessions ‘land use suitabil-

ity’ was the overall focus. Much of this research has come about because of the Our Land and Water National Science Challenge, coupled with the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management in New Zealand.

River strategy

A broad concept is looking at systems which can be applied nationally to inform land use, and catchment planning and assessment, involving science people from all over the country. It aims for a basic shift from the traditional focus on production, to a broader view that accounts for effects of land use on environmental, social, cultural and economic values at multiple spatial and temporal scales’ and is known as LUS. Its three components involve: the potential of individual parcels of land for long-term primary production; the inherent contribution of each land parcel to the delivered load of potential pollutants to a critical point in a receiving environment; a measure of the pressure on an environment that can be ameliorated by on-farm mitigations or interventions at receiving environments such as rivers and estuaries. A paper which followed looked at where ‘critical

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points’ might occur, and the requirements for the variety of upstream sources to ‘over achieve’ to ensure that the critical points were not exceeded. A matter which concerned me (and seemingly many others was the ﬁnal outcome of the ealthy Rivers Plan Change, where various interested parties are working on a change to a sub-catchment basis, where decisions on discharges would be made locally, and the resulting overall effect on the river quality, if these were not restrained by their positions of being at different upstream and downstream points on the Waikato River.

Mapping systems Other science groups have been working on computer based analysis of spatial and mapping systems to provide the multiple layers of data to be used to effect the overall changes in approach planned by LUS, and the system is known as the Land Use Suitability Spatial Explorer. A further group has been investigating the realities and potential effects of ‘tipping points’, a phrase for which e plicit definitions have been somewhat lacking. On the second day there was a session on the effects of land use changes to create ‘integrated catchment management’, using tree planting, extensive wetlands and animal management changes. Our new Government’s focus on tree planting may yet have significant effects on land use. Some regional councils are already viewing their catchments in an integrated way, but with limited ability to make significant changes on farms. NIWA and the University of Minnesota have been measuring eight nutrient level indicators at 17 sites in the

Waikato River Catchment from Taupo to the sea for a whole year, focuseding on nitrogen, phosphorus and phytoplankton (chlorophyll), particularly the effects of ow and light on the latter and its growth. The data collected must surely be of value, both to other groups of researchers and to councils attempting to achieve signiﬁcant plan changes in the search for less pollution and more sustainability. Sue Edmonds

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DAIRY

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MPI ‘not listening’ to cure claims The Ministry for Primary Industry’s current focus is not on treating “The bacteria which enjoy the particular condition the cow disease Mycoplasma Bovis, but on minimising its spread, dominate, and ef uent, good or bad, is irrigated to pasture. In other areas of the world where M. Bovis says the ministry’s incident controller Stephen Bell. is more prevalent, farmers follow similar systems. In There is no evidence of a cure for the disease, which has affected dairy cow herds in eight South Canterbury farms, he has told Coast and Country News. However, former dairy farmer and Forward Farming Biological Consultancy managing director David Law of Hamilton believes he knows the cause of the devastating disease and may also have a cure, but says he is not being taken seriously by MPI. avid first volunteered internationally-recognised disease information to PI in ctober, three months after the first cases of . ovis appeared in amaru, but says the ministry has failed to act on it. “Since then, more farms have tested positive for M. Bovis,” David says. “We have a product designed to kill anaerobic bacteria, and we think it could really help. eanwhile, PI is culling cows with a gestapo-type attitude.” So far around 5000 cows have been culled and eight farms in South Canterbury are confirmed as having the infection in their herds.

ermany, they no longer irrigate anaerobic ef uent to pasture after hundreds of cows infected with M. Bovis had to be slaughtered.” David believes MPI needs to look seriously at the information he has provided before more farms are devastated. “ illing cows is only killing the symptoms. The pathway which I believe has a starting point can easily be tested and veriﬁed. . ovis is enjoying a particular set of conditions which is allowing it to ourish. ur team informed the latest farmers affected that we had a possible treatment

David Law (left) with Jorn Erri, a Danish veterinarian specialising in anaerobic pathogenic diseases and his wife Bodi photographed in Europe. Stephen says MPI makes decisions based on a body of scientiﬁc evidence. “There is no evidence of a cure for M.bovis and all international evidence shows that this is a disease which primarily spreads by direct nose-to-nose contact and by contact with body uids such as mucus and milk. “Our current focus is not on treating this disease. his whole operation is about managing the disease while keeping our future options open,” says Stephen. “We want to minimise the risk of further spread of the disease. Moving ahead with depopulation of the affected farms will allow them to get back to normal business as soon as it is safe to do so.” David bases his claims on what he learned while attending a series of biological farming seminars as guest speaker in England in January. It was then that he met Jorn Erri, a Danish veterinarian specialising in anaerobic pathogenic diseases. David revisited Erri in July. “Since meeting Jorn, I don’t believe M. Bovis is the result of a contagious disease, but rather of a particular farming system – and the irrigation of anaerobic ef uent to pasture is the beginning of it.” avid says understanding the makeup of ef uent is key an anaerobic ef uent pond, with a p below , is crusted and sludgy and harbours bad pathogenic bacteria, whereas an aerobic pond, with a pH over , is clearer of crust and sludge and contains healthy aerobic bugs.

GRUNDFOS ®

to put to the test, but anything new needs MPI approval. MPI is not winning any friends with its attitude, and I feel helpless when I believe we could help. “ illing herds of well-bred cows won’t change these conditions, but will certainly guarantee that the disease is not going away.” Mycoplasma bovis is a bacterium that causes illness in cattle, including udder infection mastitis , abortion, pneumonia, and arthritis. It does not infect humans and presents no food safety risk. Mycoplasma bovis is common internationally and is present in most countries with animal production industries. his is the ﬁrst time it has been found in Elaine Fisher New Zealand.

DAIRY

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PITGATES

Climate change – whether or not you believe that it’s our fault – seems to be an oft quoted term at present. There are still those who might admit to the warming, but choose to see it as part of Earth’s long-term variations. But we are, even today, entitled to our views. Even the science fraternity has taken several decades to make up their minds, and still they aren’t 100 per cent together on this one. So, is science still the only resource for incontrovertible facts? Many of us were brought up to think so, and from dealings with some of today’s scientists, many are still convinced of their unassailable worth as being right on everything they hold dear. Or does this attitude hold true only when next week’s salary or research funding is being considered? What does a

‘non-scientist’ believe when those who claim to be ‘right’ don’t agree among themselves?

Popularity contest Do we weigh up the numbers professing for and against, in which case the ‘truth’ is no more than the result of a popularity contest? Or do we accept the view of those we know best, trusting that they tell us what they really believe, and don’t have differing public and private views? And the situation is really no different in discussions on what constitutes ‘sustainable farming’ in relation to effects on the environment. There appears to be a great number of ‘public vs private’ views between scientists, farmers and environmental ‘experts’,

on what should and shouldn’t be done in future, and what the results of such actions would be. With so many options, who to believe? There is a measure of agreement that no-one has the right to make a mess, either deliberately or from gross ignorance, when the same output or better can be achieved without a requirement for costly rehabilitation. The effects of such actions are unlikely to affect just their own business operations, but have ‘downstream’ effects on others, or on the reputation of all members. Recent study by institutions such as Landcare Research has demonstrated that current ‘conventional’ farming methods on grazed pastoral land, using regular applications of chemical fertiliser N (bag N) is causing a continued loss of carbon from soils, particularly where irrigated.

Carbon loss

This is important because as soils lose carbon they lose both moisture and nutrient-holding capacity and long-term (30 year) measures clearly show a steady decline in pasture production, a natural consequence of that loss. Carbon is also a highly effective ﬁlter, and the evidence of increasing concentrations, particularly of nitrogen in groundwater, is a clear and obvious outcome. Many have argued to date that applying less bag N would decrease both farm production and income, and have signiﬁcantly bad effects on individuals, communities and the country as a whole. If this held true, then how to explain why the growing number of farmers, using alternative technology and grazing management have, for the past decade, been growing more feed than before, and generating higher incomes with lower costs?

Extra growth

The measures supporting those farmers’ claims of extra growth and lessened environmental impact are becoming more robust as time goes on, with differences between those embracing fresh methods and their ‘conventional’ neighbours increasingly obvious. There is never a convenient or comfortable time to make fundamental changes to farm systems. However the consequence of individual operators not making the move voluntarily will be more regulation and greater bureaucratic intrusion; both unwelcome developments as they create even deeper divisions within farming communities. For more information call: 0800 843 809.

PK / SILAGE BUNKERS

DESIGN – SUPPLY – BUILD

DAIRY

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Feed shortage looming as summer heats up Most farmers have brought their dairy cows through a difﬁcult winter and spring in good condition and will be striving to maintain lactation through until autumn to keep production up to make up for the poor start. Part of doing that means having good feed on hand and now is the time to order hay and straw for delivery in January and February. The cheapest feed is that delivered straight off the paddock, from behind the bailer, because it can go straight to the client, reducing double handling and transport costs. As a New Year starts, we are all hoping for better things, especially on the weather front, from 2018. It has been a very hard year for farmers, contractors, orchardists, market gardeners and, in fact, anyone whose income is affected by the weather. After almost constant rain since autumn, many farmers are now hoping for rain to keep grass and crops growing. Despite delays to planting caused by prolonged wet weather, most of our maize crops were close to fence height before Christmas, which is a good sign.

Pasture renewal

Aside from buying in feed, farmers’ thoughts will also be turning to pasture renewal. Not a lot was done last year, partly due to the poor payout and good grass growth, especially last autumn. Renewing pasture from paspalum or kikuyu could present problems with black beetle, slugs and army caterpillar so extra attention needs to be given to controlling these. For many farmers this year production has dropped

because of the very wet spring. For that reason, most farmers will be aiming to keep cows milking for as long as possible into the autumn, by delaying switching to once a day or drying cows off, unless the current dry spell continues. In that way, they may be able to recover some of the income they have lost due to falling production. That makes sense so long as it is not done at the expense of cow condition and farm cover because it is vital to ensure cows and the farm goes into the winter, and the next milking season, in the best possible condition.

straw order in early to avoid missing out. There is a huge demand as there is not a lot around due to the current dry spell in the North Island and parts of the South Island.

Maize silage

Feeding maize silage is one way of keeping cows milking while maintaining or building up their condition, and extending the grazing round, allowing pasture to recover and provide a good feed wedge ahead of the herds for the coming winter. Grass is, of course, the cheapest feed and it is important to use it ﬁrst before feeding out supplements, but at this time of year grass alone won’t keep cows milking well without taking condition off their backs. Maize silage is one of the few supplements which will keep cows lactating while maintaining or enhancing their condition. It may be necessary to feed out grass silage for a few weeks in autumn until the maize silage is harvested, just to keep the cows going. It is too late in winter or early spring to try to improve cow condition because all you are doing is increasing the size of calves and not helping the cows much. There is a feed shortage so get your orders in early. Demand is high and you don’t want to miss out when you need it most. This will be the summer when protein levels are traditionally high and you are restricted

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as to how much PKE you can feed before you breach Fonterra milk taint levels. We still have some good quality grass silage bales available. You also need to get your hay and

chemical effects. You save so much time on pool maintenance, because you don’t have to add excessive chemicals, or frequently test the water. And, you save money too, because your chemical bill can be cut by an amazing 90 per cent.” Floatron solar-powered puriﬁers and odiac pool cleaners are available from Floatron NZ Ltd.

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EFFLUENT & IRRIGATION

Page 32

Grandparenting penalising sustainable farmers Good bacteria that eat pond crust and sludge? The immediate cause of your pond crust is pathogenic bacteria in the effluent. These bacteria separate the effluent fibres and the send them to the surface to form the crust. How do you counter these bad bugs? With good bugs. That’s what Slurry Bugs are – helpful bacteria that eat the pond crust. Literally. Not only do Slurry Bugs remove the crust, they transform the effluent nutrients into organic forms that are easily used by plants. In other words, they liquefy your pond and turn it into an effective, spreadable fertiliser.

NEW eco-friendly sanitiser Most farmers use Chlorine to clean their sheds. Problem is, Chlorine also kills the Slurry Bugs. But now, there’s a new Chlorinefree sanitiser that kills pathogens 2.46x better than Chlorine but leaves these good Slurry Bugs alone! It’s called DX50. To fix your pond without expensive machinery, go to www.forwardfarming.co.nz to read more or call David Law on 027 490 9896. SEE US AT THE EFFLUENT EXPO HALL B, Site 19

MINI

Waikato dairy farmers who reduced their environmental footprint by cutting herd numbers and spending tens of thousands of dollars on infrastructure are being penalised by new planning regulations, says Alison Dewes, dairy farmer, veterinarian and sustainable agriculture consultant.

now penalised under Plan Change 1.” The grandparenting of nutrient loss rights using Overseer favours intensive, leakier farm systems in high milk price years, says Alison.

Leakier farms

That’s because the limits set by council mean farmers with low leaching levels can’t increase stocking rates or change their land use for livestock farming. These leading farmers who have taken steps to farm in environmentally sustainable ways, says Alison, are in the same situation as sheep and beef farmers who are also hit by the grandparenting rules. However, farmers who haven’t attempted to improve their environmental impacts will beneﬁt under the rules. “In August 2017, only two per cent of all farms monitored by the Waikato Regional Council were deemed fully compliant to a high level.

“These leading farmers have been penalised by the Waikato Regional Council’s Plan Change 1 in a number of ways. They have been ‘grandparented’ a nitrogen reference point that is lower than the average, because they lowered their footprint ahead of time, and ahead of the industry trend,” she says. Under Plan Change 1, which has been notiﬁed and is to be the subject of hearings later this year, all farm enterprises in the Upper Waikato will have limits imposed on the amount of nitrogen they can leach, based on ﬁgures produced by the Overseer programme in the year 2014-2016. “Unfortunately those innovative farmers, trying to do the right thing, who consciously lowered their nitrogen leaching, greenhouse gas emission and environmental footprint, are

Sad message

“It’s a sad message to good farmers and those that have tried to show leadership in the industry. One does not get rewarded for it; instead the present system of grandpaenting of nutrient loss rights using Overseer that favour intensive and leaking systems and coupled with a low level of enforcement by regional authorities, means that leadership in farming is penalised rather than encouraged. “The message of rewarding poor compliance, higher emis-

Alison Dewes, dairy farmer, veterinarian, and sustainable agriculture consultant. lowest foot-print systems. sion farming and taking your “Many in this group time to change, is the wrong destocked by 15 to 30 per cent message for our agricultural in some cases, prior to the milk industry right now. price drop in 2014 and fared “Agricultural leadership reasonably well during that needs to come from within the difficult period as they had industry and from the ground fewer, more efficient cows, with up. There are lots of questions similar profitability. being asked about leadership “Other farmers we have right now. The real agricultural worked with also wanted to leaders for the 21st century will do the right thing. They put be the ones that have done the right thing – just because it was in sheltered stand-off areas, reduced cow numbers, adjusted the right thing to do.” their systems and also upgraded Lighter footprint their ef uent systems, in some Among those leaders are cases to the tune of $300,000 farmers who were part of to $400,000 per farm.” ‘Tomorrow’s farms Today’ The practice of grandparentgroup that Alison studied in ing (rewarding the highest the upper Waikato between leaching farmers) for allocation 2010 and 2014. They were is likely to be challenged, and farmers seeking to understand a more equitable allocation what farming systems had a system sought. lighter footprint on water, “Change is coming, including climate, people and animals. in the form of increased public “ wenty-five farmers e posed scrutiny and pending pressures all their financial and envifrom climate change, nutrient ronmental data annually in a restrictions, consumer four-year project. At the end of perceptions and increasing the project, they were all clear demand for transparent and what was the most profitable, ethical behaviours.”

WithWith newnew Health Health andand Safety Safety requirements requirements changing, changing, there there is aisreal a real demand demand on on farm farm & orchard & orchard owners owners to keep to keep compliant. compliant. Kyle Kyle from from Nexus Nexus Signs Signs hashas been been assisting assisting owners owners by by creating creating a very a very effective effective interchangeable interchangeable H&SH&S SiteSite SignSign tailored tailored to each to each farm farm or orchard. or orchard. TheThe signsign consists consists of separate of separate modules modules thatthat cancan be be updated updated as and as and when when details details or maps or maps change. change. It also It also features features areas areas in which in which staffstaff cancan fill in filland in and wipe wipe off temporary off temporary or new or new hazards. hazards. Signs Signs areare made made of Composite of Composite Panel Panel Board, Board, 1220 1220 X 800 X 800 withwith high high performance performance vinyl vinyl andand Laminate. Laminate. AlsoAlso available available is aiskitset a kitset withwith posts posts andand fixings fixings to keep to keep things things simple. simple. ThisThis H&SH&S Solution Solution hashas been been so popular so popular thatthat he he is rolling is rolling them them outout across across farms farms andand orchards orchards all over all over thethe Country. Country. Contact Contact Kyle Kyle @ Nexus @ Nexus Signs Signs today today to order to order yours. yours.

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Nexus Nexus Farms Farms Ltd:Ltd: 62 62 College College Road Road Site Site Emergency Emergency Information Information

Nexus Nexus Signs Signs Orchard: Orchard: 62 62 College College RdRd Site Site Emergency Emergency Information Information

GPS Location: 176.944558, GPS Location: -37.978164 176.944558, -37.978164

Contact Details for person Contact in Details for person in This Site Address:This Site Address: Charge of this orchardCharge are: of this orchard are:

Te Rahu Farm Ltd Te Rahu Farm Ltd

Name:

220 Te Rahu Road220 Te Rahu Road Whakatane

Whakatane

3193

Cam Bierre Name:

While on Farm, all persons shall take all While takeon allFarm, practicable all persons stepsshall to ensure take all their takeown all practicable safety and the steps to ensure their own safety and the

Ph:

027 2999 Ph:239

027 2999 239

Position:

Manager Position:

Manager

AUTHORIZED AUTHORIZED PERSONNELPERSONNEL ONLY! ONLY!

safety of others. They shall carry out work safetyinofa others. mannerThey that shall will keep carrythemselves out work inand a manner all others thatonwill keep themselves and all others on

Nearest Medical Facilities:Nearest Medical Facilities: Remember the emergency Remember telephonethe emergency telephone Number for: Number for: Medical Centre: The Doctors Medical Phoenix Centre: The Doctors Phoenix Fire: Phone: 07 307 0586 Phone: 07 307 0586 Police: Police: Hospital: Whakatane Hospital: Hospital Whakatane Hospital Ambulance: Ambulance: Phone: 07 306 0999 Phone: 07 306 0999 Power: Power:

the yellow letterbox.

National Poisons Hotline:National 0800 764Poisons 766 Hotline: 0800 764 766

- Do not perform any task, operate-any Do not machinery, performor any deal task, with operate any substances, any machinery, unlessoryou deal with any substances, unless you

1. Remain calm

Notes

have been trained

- If you open a gate, shut it. All road- If gates you open MUSTabe gate, shut. shut it. All road gates MUST be shut.

- Open waterways (fenced off) and hidden - Open waterways - Dairy (fenced Shed –off) slippery and hidden surfaces, pinch-points, Dairy Shed – slippery surfaces, pinch points, drains in some paddocks

ORCHARD HYGIENE ORCHARD RULES HYGIENE RULES

- Covered footwear must be worn at - Covered all timesfootwear must be worn at all times

drains in some rotating paddocks platform, hazardous substance rotating platform, hazardous substance

- Slips, and falls - Effluent pipes may be hidden by grass - Effluent pipes may trips be hidden by grass

- Slips, trips and falls

in effluent area.

ACCIDENTS

- Report all accidents, including all-near Report misses all accidents, that couldincluding have resulted all near in an misses injury, that could have resulted in an injury, immediately.

-Vehicle movement – Motor bikes, tractors -Vehicle movement - Dust – Motor bikes, tractors and feed wagons

4. First Aid Kit is located in the4.Dairy First Aid Shed Kit inisthe located toiletin cupboard. the Dairy Shed in the toilet cupboard. 5. Farm Manager is a qualified5.First Farm Aider Manager is a qualified First Aider

have been trained

Treat all fences as live.

- Abide by the speed limit of 20Km/Hr, - Abide 15Km/Hr by thefor speed tractors. limit of 20Km/Hr, 15Km/Hr for tractors.

in effluent area.

1. Remain calm

- Dust

and feed wagons

immediately.

- Accident Register is located in the- yellow Accident letterbox. Register is located in the yellow letterbox. - First Aider – Cam Bierre 027 2999 -239 First Aider – Cam Bierre 027 2999 239 - First Aid Kit is located in the Dairy- Shed First Aid in the Kittoilet is located cupboard in the Dairy Shed in the toilet cupboard

-Stock

VISITORS REPORT TO: CAM BIERRE VISITORSPHONE: REPORT027 TO: 2999 CAM BIERRE 239

PHONE: 027 2999 239

PLEASE REPORT ALL NEW UNIDENTIFIED PLEASE REPORT HAZARDS ALL TONEW MANAGEMENT UNIDENTIFIED HAZARDS TO MANAGEMENT

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES EMERGENCY PROCEDURES PROVIDE FIRST AID, CALL 111

62 College RD Edgecumbe

PROVIDE FIRST AID, CALL 111

EVACUATE WORK SITE IF REQUIRED EVACUATE WORK SITE IF REQUIRED

PERSONAL HYGIENE This is a smoke free workplace

- Always wash your hands before eating - Always andwash drinking your hands before eating and drinking - Toilet facilities are located at the dairy - Toilet shed facilities are located at the dairy shed

Bas Overdevest

While on site, All workers shall take all practicable Whilesteps on site, to All ensure workers theirshall owntake safety alland practicable the safety steps to ensure their own safety and the safety

DATE AUTHORIZED AUTHORIZED PERSONNELPERSONNEL ONLY! ONLY!

Ph:

021 224 Ph:0732

021 224 0732

Position:

Manager Position:

Manager

THIS IS A MULTIPLE THISHAZARD IS A MULTIPLE AREA HAZARD AREA

of others. They shall carry out work in a manner of others. that will They keep shall themselves carry out work in a manner that will keep themselves

HAZARD DATE

ASSEMBLY ASSEMBLY POINT POINT

CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION - KIWIFRUIT CANES AND DEBRIS

and other workers or visitors safe.

GENERAL

- Do not perform any task, operate any machinery - Do notorperform deal with any any task, substance, operate unless any machinery you haveor been dealtrained. with any substance, unless you have been trained. - SPS’s must be available at all times.

ACCIDENTS

- SPS’s must be available at all times.

ACCIDENTS

- Report all accidents, including near misses- that Report could all accidents, have resulted including in injury, near immediately. misses that could have resulted in injury, immediately. - Make sure you know who your first aider is. - Make sure you know who your first aider is. - Keep your first aid kit in your work area at -all Keep times. your first aid kit in your work area at all times.

ORCHARD HYGIENE ORCHARD RULESHYGIENE RULES PERSONAL HYGIENE

- DUST

- Do not eat or smoke under the canopy.

CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION - NOISE - KIWIFRUIT CANES AND DEBRIS

and other workers or visitors safe.

- Never undertake a task if you feel it is unsafe. - Never undertake a task if you feel it is unsafe.

COMMON SITECOMMON HAZARDSSITE HAZARDS

DUST - SPRAY DRIFT / CHEMICAL SPILLS, - SPRAY DRIFT /-CHEMICAL SPILLS,

CONTROL GENERAL

- Always be aware of all hazards on the property - Always yoube areaware working of all on. hazards on the property you are working on.

Nearesttelephone Medical Facilities: Nearest Medical Facilities: Remember the emergency Remember telephone the emergency Number for: Number for: Medical Centre: Riverslea Medical Medical Centre: Cen Riverslea Medical Cen Fire: Fire: Phone: 07 304 9106 Phone: 07 304 9106 - MOVING VEHICLES - TRUCKS, TRAILERS - MOVING VEHICLES - BEES- TRUCKS, AND HIVES TRAILERS - BEES AND HIVES Police: Police: QUAD BIKES, SPRAYERS OR MOWERS QUAD BIKES, SPRAYERS OR MOWERS Hospital: Whakatane Hospital: Hospital Whakatane Hospital Ambulance: Ambulance: UNEVEN WATERWAYS OR STEEP / DRAINS / PONDS - OPEN WATERWAYS / DRAINS / PONDS Phone: 07 306 0999 Phone: 07 306 0999 - RABBIT HOLES, UNEVEN OR STEEP- RABBIT HOLES,- OPEN GROUND GROUND Power: Power: National Poison Centre 0800 National 76 47 Poison 66 Centre 0800 76 47 66

HAZARD CONTROL

- It is your responsibility to report all and health - It is and yoursafety responsibility related issues to report to your all and Supervisor. health and safety related issues to your Supervisor.

Persons entering this property must Persons comply entering with all this Health property and Safety must comply at Workwith Act all 2015 Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and its amendments and its amendments DO NOT ENTER WITHOUT PERMISSION DOAND NOTNOTIFICATION ENTER WITHOUT OF THE PERMISSION HAZARDS AND WITHIN NOTIFICATION OF THE HAZARDS WITHIN

the yellow letterbox.

- It is your responsibility to report -allIthazards is your responsibility / accidents / near to report miss to allthe hazards Farm Manager / accidents / near miss to the Farm Manager

- Slippery / uneven surfaces and tracks- Slippery / uneven - Live electric surfacesfences and tracks – Do Not Touch. - Live electric fences – Do Not Touch. Treat all fences as live.

62 College RD Edgecumbe

Bas Overdevest Name:

- Always be aware of hazards on the - Always property beyou aware areof working hazardson. onFull theregister propertyisyou located are working in on. Full register is located in

COMMON SITE HAZARDS COMMON SITE HAZARDS

2. Contact the Farm Manager 2. Cam Contact Bierrethe as soon Farm as Manager possible Cam – 027 Bierre 2999as239 soon as possible – 027 2999 239 3. Move quickly to the evacuation 3. Move point quickly located to opposite the evacuation the vatpoint stand located at the dairy opposite shedthe vat stand at the dairy shed

farm safe.

Name:

- This is a drug and alcohol free property. - This isZero a drug Tolerance. and alcohol free property. Zero Tolerance.

Fire:

In case of any emergency, it isIn important case of any you..... emergency, it is important you.....

farm safe.

THIS IS A MULTIPLE THIS HAZARD IS A MULTIPLE AREA HAZARD AREA

GENERAL GENERAL Persons entering this property mustPersons complyentering with all Health this property and Safety mustatcomply Work Act with 2015 all Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and its amendments and its amendments - All people entering the property MUST - All people sign inentering and out.the property MUST sign in and out. DO NOT ENTER WITHOUT PERMISSION AND DO NOT NOTIFICATION ENTER WITHOUT OF THE PERMISSION HAZARDS WITHIN AND NOTIFICATION OF THE HAZARDS WITHIN

LIST OF NEW LISTHAZARDS OF NEW HAZARDS ORCHARD HEALTH ORCHARD AND SAFETY HEALTH RULES AND SAFETY RULES FOUND ON FOUND SITE ON SITE

Contact Details for person Contact in Details for person in This Site Address: This Site Address: Charge of this orchard Charge are: of this orchard are: Nexus Signs Orchard Nexus Signs Orchard

Farm HealthFarm & Safety Health Rules: & Safety Rules:

Cam Bierre

PERSONAL HYGIENE - Do not eat or smoke under the canopy.

- Always wash your hands after eating, smoking - Always andwash toiletyour breaks. hands after eating, smoking and toilet breaks.

- NOISE

In case of any emergency, itIn is case important of anyyou..... emergency, it is important you..... - ELECTRICITY - ELECTRICITY - PERGOLA WIRES AND PROTRUDING - PERGOLA WIRES AND PROTRUDING 1. Remain calm 1. Remain calm LIMBS FROM VINES LIMBS FROM VINES 2. Listen to your supervisor 2. Listen to your supervisor - SLIP, TRIPS ANDAND FALLS - SLIP, TRIPS AND FALLS - SECATEURD, LOPPERS, POWER AND - SECATEURD, LOPPERS, POWER 3. Move quickly to the Evacuation 3. Move orquickly Musterto point the Evacuation identified below or Muster point identified below HAND TOOLS HAND TOOLS 4. Ensure you stay together 4. with Ensure youryou group stayand together take others with your with group as youand go take others with as you go 5. Remember to take your Orchard 5. Remember Healthto and take Safety yourFolder Orchard Health and Safety Folder VISITORS REPORT TO:............................................PHONE........................ VISITORS REPORT TO:............................................PHONE........................ 6. First Aid Kit with Supervisor 6. First Aid Kit with Supervisor (This Contains the names of(This everyone Contains in your thegroup. namesWhen of everyone you getintoyour the group. musterWhen point you get to the muster point PLEASE REPORT ALL NEW UNIDENTIFIED PLEASE REPORT HAZARDS ALL TO NEW MANAGEMENT UNIDENTIFIED HAZARDS TO MANAGEMENT Check this list to make sure Check everyone thisislist accounted to make sure for) everyone is accounted for) EMERGENCY PROCEDURES EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

- Always cover cuts or grazes.

- Cover mouth and nose if you sneeze.

- Only use designated toilet facilities provided. - Only use designated toilet facilities provided. - No rubbish is to be left on the orchard or placed - No rubbish in harvest is tobins/bags. be left on the orchard or placed in harvest bins/bags. - Appropriate clean clothing and enclosed sturdy - Appropriate footwear clean shallclothing be worn. and enclosed sturdy footwear shall be worn. - Any jewelery likely to be a hazard must be-removed. Any jewelery likely to be a hazard must be removed. - Where required clean footwear and sanitise - Where your hands required prior clean to leaving footwear andand entering sanitise Orchard. your hands prior to leaving and entering Orchard.

OPERATIONAL HYGIENE

- Grazing of livestock under the canopy is prohibited - Grazing of during livestock harvest under or at the spraying canopy times. is prohibited during harvest or at spraying times. - Animals must be kept away from harvest bins, - Animals including mustload be kept out away pads. from harvest bins, including load out pads. - Any risk of contamination to product must- be Anyreported risk of contamination immediately. to product must be reported immediately.

SICKNESS REPORTING

PROVIDE FIRST AID, CALL 111 PROVIDE FIRST AID, CALL 111

SICKNESS REPORTING

- If you are feeling unwell, report it to your supervisor - If you are before feelingitunwell, becomes report an issue. it to your supervisor before it becomes an issue.

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FERTILISER

Page 33

‘Victorian hierarchal model’ stymies future vision A former Waikato Regional Council scientist turned in-demand consultant proffering advice all over the country was a keynote speaker at the recent Wai-Bop Soils Conference. Peter Singleton’s views on what needs to happen to stop the decline in our methods of resource management caused much discussion between many of those at the conference. So why are environmental issues still getting worse (if more slowly) when we’ve had the RMA since 1991? Like climate change it’s not blindingly obvious, yet, and if we keep doing what we are maybe something will work and the future will suddenly become sustainable. Einstein pointed out long ago that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Well not yet.

Those with power

Despite what we think of as massive changes in societal thinking, our current advice and decision model is still apparently based on a Victorian hierarchal, patriarchal, colonising model. Those with power in the scheme of things are still deciding how things should be done, and their decisions are followed by all the layers below them including managers, science advisors, bureaucrats and servants, with the public crouching on the bottom level. This results in a reductionist approach to knowledge which gets divided and categorised, so that those lower down get to focus on the parts, but lack the oversight to see the whole.

mentary Commissioner for the Environment. Social scientists need to be employed to study the psychology of change and how it will be received in different areas and classes. Collaborative decision making can only work if advocacy is made for the resource, not the using sectors as we’ve

Colonisation changed resource use.

seen until now. Councils need more expertise and iwi, and not just elected members. And our current pyramidal structures, with man at the top, need to change to more circular thinking where everything in the environment is considered to be equal to all others. An urgent step change needed, but can we face what it means? Sue Edmonds

Photo: Encyclopedia of New Zealand.

There is also the long-held perception that nature is attacking us, and we must go out and ﬁght it every day. Once it was wild animals and unseen deities. These days it’s weeds and oods and droughts. Colonisation across the centuries has embraced topdown administrative structures, scientiﬁc approaches, and the superiority of the colonising peoples.

Complex issues

So far democracy, where everyone supposedly gets a say, hasn’t worked. People don’t use their vote, are poorly informed, and the politicians who lead are generally well-meaning amateurs who aren’t around long enough in a parliamentary term to really get to grips with complex long-term issues such as resource management into the future. So how does all this affect soil? It’s there in Section 5(2b) of the RMA, but there is no National Policy Statement for soil. nly ﬁve per cent of our land is measured as Class 1, but it has no real protection to keep producing most of our food. Singleton recommended that government science funding be transferred to an Environmental Protection Authority, possibly the independent Parlia-

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Advisers working in this ﬁeld need to have completed both courses as one of the prerequisites to becoming certiﬁed. Massey’s contribution has been huge in terms of building knowledge of nutrient management in New Zealand.

Louise Hargraves is the tirelessly energetic and hard-working Programme Administrator for ACP. She is the first point of contact for potential and current certified advisers and for any public enquiries about the programme. She is also the Administration Manager for the Fertiliser Association. Louise can be reached on 04 or info nmacertification.org.n (Source: Fertiliser Matters- the Fertiliser Association of NZ quarterly newsletter).

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Land-grabbers and how the Torrens System enables them In his most interesting book, “ he new ﬁght over who owns the Earth”, Fred Pearce explains how

there is a race to grab the world’s most precious and irreplaceable resource – land. He writes about

how large tracts of land are being gobbled up by wealthy investors. e also identiﬁed how much of it

is fraudulently sold as vacant – which actually turns out to be the property of subsistence farmers, cattle herders and forest tribes. It is being done in the name of feeding the world. It’s “investigative journalism” at its best. Anyway, it prompted me to consider our own little country here at the bottom of the world. One could consider the English taking the land from the Maoris in the late 1800s as the same. Governor Grey and his cohorts did it in the name of the British Monarchy and it ended in land wars. Similar things are happening now in Africa and Asia as the wealthy just take the land off the “locals” and the government looks the other way.

Indefensible title

Here in New Zealand we have the English system of land ownership called the “Torrens System”. I quote; “In which a register of land holdings is maintained by the State and guarantees an indefensible title to those included in the Register”. Land ownership is transferred through registration of the title. What all this means in short is that if your name is on the title in the Land Registration it is yours for your exclusive use and rights. It also means that if foreigners buy our land it is theirs forever and ever until it is either sold or transferred to another party. That then means that we as a nation will never be able to get rid of those people who now have exclusive rights to land they purchased here under the

Torrens System. A lot of good land was sold at the barest minimum price. Dare I mention the Crafars here, where their farms were sold for $25 per kg/ms, which was a pittance.

Offshore investors

Does the Government of the day have the right to allow offshore investors to buy up our land or is it incumbent upon them to protect the nation’s biggest asset – land? History will prove that one of our biggest gaffs has been to sell our land to foreigners. Some will quickly argue that there were not other buyers, which is just not true. Locals would have purchased it, but at a much lesser price and that would not have been all bad as many have been priced out of the market as demand by foreign investors has pushed prices up. In other words “demand has exceeded supply”. It may be our saving grace that the “Maori land” does not fall under the Torrens System. It is administered by the Maori Land Court and cannot be mortgaged or sold to anyone, so will remain the property of Maori and New Zealand, for that matter, forever. The “Torrens System” is a brilliant system for foreign investors, but not so good for Kiwis.

Disclaimer: These are the opinions of Don Fraser of Fraser Farm Finance. Any decisions made should not be based on this article alone and appropriate professional assistance should be sought. Don Fraser is the Principal of Fraser Farm Finance and a consultant to the Farming Industry. Contact him on: 0800 777 675 or: 021 777 675. A disclosure document is available on request.

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he Albrecht system of soil fertility e plained It must be confusing for farmers to differentiate between those that claim to practice the Albrecht system, from those that actually put it in to practice by using the correct tools. Few laboratories claim to produce soil test results that line up with Albrecht’s ﬁgures. his is not at the discretion of the fertiliser company’s representatives, but of the lab itself. his role used to fall to Brookside Laboratories, but a change in ownership altered that. We only know of one lab that follows the true principles by calibrating their equipment to the Albrecht values. hat lab is Perry Agricultural aboratory known as PA in issouri. e have tried to correlate results with some NZ laboratories, but found we could not. In our opinion, any company applying a NZ lab’s ﬁgures’ to a insey Agricultural Services recommendation, as derived from eal insey’s manual formulas is also breaking the rules. AS e clusively works with PA .

Many variations

Simply put, another ab’s numbers will not necessarily e uate to the PA numbers. here are many variations out there of how practitioners ply their trade. Please check any company’s modus operandi very carefully. he Albrecht protocol of PA and AS is followed all around the world. It cannot be any different in NZ. We can name three companies in NZ that follow these rules iwi Fertiliser, Golden Bay Dolomite and op Soils. Grass as high as a farm bike – in If someone claims November on a New Zealand to be adhering farm using the Albrecht system to the Albrechtof fertiliser application. insey system, ask them to show you PA results and the insey recommendations in an un-editable form such as pdf. ou can ﬁnd copies of both on our website: www.kiwifertiliser.co.nz Some companies are also selling li uid products under the guise of the Albrecht, insey or Perry programme. e have nothing against li uids, e cept to say that when you get your solid programme up to scratch, some liquids will enhance the result; but not before applying the correct amendments. We are not into products as such; we are into a superior soil fertility building system. Albrecht did not and insey and

Perry do not recommend li uids. he following is a uote from a booklet published by the NZ Fertiliser anufacturers’ esearch Association. “Soil tests indicate general soil fertility, provided they are calibrated against pasture growth. Soil tests do not give a measure of the amounts of nutrients re uired for ma imum pasture growth. arget ranges for soil tests indicate levels needed for high levels of pasture production.”

‘Test and guess’

his looks like “test and guess” to us. PA soil results and the Albrecht system as documented by AS actually enable precise calculations of what is needed to achieve superior production of both quality and quantity. Each recommendation is tailor-made to suit the individual soil test. hey are not general they are site speciﬁc, and they deliver results second to none. he essence of the Albrecht programme is to fertilise the soil and let the soil fertilise the crop, whatever that crop may be. Under this system, pests, diseases and weeds ﬁnd it a lot tougher to cause any real harm, eventually fading into the background.

Essential nutrients

All essential nutrients are considered, not ust P plus pH. When the budget is limited the nutrients recommended are prioritised, lime may be used to correct calcium levels; not to change p . Similarly, Dolomite may be used to correct Ca and g levels if the nutrient proﬁle is suitable. If not, other materials are used to improve the soil balance. he p is the result of a soil fertility programme, not the cause of it. Is low pH caused by low Ca, g, , a or a combination? Don’t just assume it is calcium. On a dairy farm, if pH is too low, production will be compromised on a per cow and on a daily basis. Visual signs of low pH can be crusting on the o idation pond. hat not only costs money in lost production and revenue; it also costs money to clean the pond. he cause is easily permanently cured as part of the soil fertility programme. he same principles of soil fertility apply to any other stock enterprise.

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“To be truthful, it’s even more exciting and even more rewarding,” says eonie. As the alpaca numbers have grown to more than 700, so too has Leonie and Neville’s commitment to succeed in what they describe as an ever evolving industry. The Walkers believe in creating their own opportunities. his has certainly been the case for them in farming alpaca. Alpaca are ideal for farming commercially, as well as for lifestyle block owners. hey can be kept on small acreages, require relatively little care and attention, while being gentle on the environment, a real “green” business choice.

Having alpaca that are easy to handle, with after-sales support, is important when purchasing the animal. At Nevalea, Leonie and Neville also provide shearing options, along with assisting customers with their fibre. his can range from selling the raw fibre through to producing a product from their pet. “The alpaca industry is a growing one, it does not matter if you only have a couple of pet alpaca or a couple of paddocks of alpaca. very alpaca breeder can have a contribution, and be on the supply chain. I’ts up to the individual where they see their role.” It can be growing the fibre and pooling it with other producers, taking it through to another process, selling the end product, or like Nevalea a combination opf them all. Nevalea Alpacas at Ongarue, Taumarunui is open for visits/tours seven days a week, which enables you to get close to the alpaca and ask any questions and view their designer knitwear in their farm shop.

auranga ubilee is dahlia of The New Zealand Dahlia Society celebrates its 80th anniversary with a national show in Blenheim from February 17-18 and has chosen as its 2018 Dahlia of the ear a ower called auranga ubilee’. To help celebrate the anniversary, a couple of South Island growers have made sure there is a stock of auranga ubilee for ahlia Society members to plant. In the society’s th birthday national show was hosted by the Bay of Plenty Dahlia Circle (no longer in e istence in auranga. An unnamed seedling bred by laine Fenton of the South Island won its class. he ower went to the top table and was named auranga ubilee by the well-known ritish dahlia grower, ave eid, who was visiting the show. laine Fenton’s success

in hybridising began when she obtained seed from Cyril Higgo, a dahlia specialist in South Africa. She later acknowledged Cyril by naming one of the most recognisable large ﬁmbriated dahlias The 2018 dahlia of the year – called Tauranga Jubilee. in New Zealand in Photo: John McLennan. his honour. hree of her other dahlias are still grown and exhibited in this country – Kaka Beacon, Kaka Copper Queen and Kaka indy ou. Sandra Simpson and Garfield Andrew

COUNTRY LIVING

Page 37

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Plenty to do and see at show

A chance to experience the thrill of driving a V8 supercar, climbing a rock wall, watching sheep racing or winning $100 just for being there are among the attractions of the Katikati A&P Show’s 96th event in February.

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“Each year we scratch our heads trying to come up with something new and entertaining,” says Katikati A&P Show president Louellen Davies. “This year we have the V8 simulators, which will be a hit with young and old alike, kindly sponsored by Harcourt's of Katikati. There is a lucky gate ticket, $100 dollars to be won, sponsored by Farmlands Te Puna and F M G I insurance. “We have the rock wall for the brave to pit their skills against. This is free, as is the petting zoo complete with kuni kuni pigs, so come along and give the animals a pat.” Back again, by popular demand, the sheep racing promises to be a real crowd pleaser. The racing will be alternated with the sheep shearing demonstrations, for those who haven’t seen a sheep shorn this is a must. Local resident Bruce Polley, and his Clydesdale Royal, will be at the show giving sledge rides and the chance to see a magniﬁcent Clydesdale at such close quarters. “The highland dancing has always been part of the Katikati A&P Show and we are fortunate in having them in attendance again this year. There is just something special about the sound of the pipes

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that sets and atmosphere and tugs at the heart strings,” says Louellen. The Tug Of War will be on again this year so get a team together to pit your strength against the might of the machine. If the Tug Of War is not for you then try the striker - ring the bell to test your strength. Always popular the Katikati Wrestling club will be hosting competitions all day, and of course you can have a go as well easy to ﬁnd over by the oak tree. Horses, dairy and beef, the show has them all including the cow milking contest at 12 noon in the dairy section. Avoco will have its marquee, with everything avocado, and they are also sponsoring the wood chopping display. There will be pony rides, and the lolly scramble at 12.15pm - sponsored by Farmlands Te Puna. The home industries and photographic competitions have a good selection of classes for both children and adults to enter. “We are four years away from our 100th Show so we are looking at so many things for 2022. What an achievement, 100 years and going strong. There is just so much history to cover with our local show and closer to the date we will be asking anyone with memorabilia to come forward and perhaps it can be used to enhance the displays,” says Louellen. “The Katikati A&P Show February 4, 2018 is a great fun day for young and old please write it on your calendar. We would love to see you there.”

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Page 38

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Summer breeds problems in water tanks Summer is the worst time for water in tanks. As the water levels get low and the temperature gets higher, it is an absolute breeding ground for bacteria.

It is especially harmful to children and visitors who are not used to drinking tank water, says Aquavac Water Tank Cleaning owner/operator Roger Craig. ” I don’t understand why people take the risk in having a dirty and often contaminated water tank. They wouldn't bathe or do their dishes in a sink with contaminated sludge in the bottom of it but many will risk drinking the water. They are often surprised at what is found at the bottom of the emptied water tank.” If people are buying-in water then Roger recommends tanks are cleaned first so the new, clean water does not stir up the sludge on the bottom of the tank, blocking the filters and contaminating the clean water. Roger says the sludge at the bottom of a water tank can be five to si inches deep. It is made up of dust, dirt, leaf litter, bird and rodent droppings and even dead rodents or birds, which affect the quality of your water. ater filters can also become clogged and ineffectual in a tank which contains sludge. “We empty the tank and suck the sludge and any debris out, then waterblast the inside and vacuum until the tank is completely clean and looks like new.

Contaminated sludge in the bottom of a drinking water tank about to be cleaned by Aquavac Water Tank Cleaning. “Bach and holiday home owners who have tanks should call me now and book the tank in for cleaning or repairing during the winter months when no one is using the holiday house.” Aquavac is now servicing the Coromandel and the Waikato as well as the BOP.

Woman power enlisted in war effort January 16 1941 was the day the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force was formed to enable the Royal New Zealand Air Force to release more men for overseas service during the Second World War. Within 18 months, authorities also created a Women’s Auxiliary Arms Corps and a Women’s Royal Naval Service. The events are recorded in the book, Today in New Zealand History, by Neill Atkinson, David Green, Gareth Phipps and Steve Watters, published by Exisle Publishing. The hardback book records important, amusing and interesting event, for each day of the year, some of them dating back to the ﬁrst uropean visits to ew ealand. WAAF was formed on January 16, 1941. Source: ‘Today in New Zealand History’.

COUNTRY LIVING

Page 39

Students who attend the United World Sports Academy in Tauranga have the chance to compete nationally and internationally in their sport.

Sports academy opening The launch of the United World Sports Academy is well underway and doors are set to open for students on February 7. Now is the time to get studentathletes registered with the academy, says United World Sports Academy managing director, Caroline Dafoe. “There isn’t anything like this in New Zealand and especially in Tauranga. Students get to live their passion for sports, complete their education and learn skills and build character that will last them a life time.” “We’re excited to bring this

to New Zealand,” says the academy’s director of sports Robert Bethea. “We’re collaborating with local sports clubs, elite athletes, trainers and professionals to bring the training that students would receive after hours and bringing it within the school hours. “We provide them with highperformance training and these students will be well positioned for an opportunity to join a national high-performance programme, or a university scholarship, when they have graduated and if not then they know they have achieved their best.

“They have the opportunity to not only compete here nationally in their sport, but internationally as well. Not too many colleges in New Zealand can boast about that,” says Robert. UWSA is launching in auranga first, then Christchurch, Cambridge and, Palmerston North. Christchurch will deliver the academy’s winter sports training which offers alpine skiing, cross country skiing and snowboarding. Special offer for the first ten students who register with the academy is two years for the price of one tuition. Some conditions do apply. o find out more visit: www.uwsa.co.nz

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Page 40

COUNTRY LIVING

ew name for vital emergency service A new organisation, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, has been established following a reform of the way fire and emergency services are delivered in ew ealand. The Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act received oyal Assent on ay 11, 2017, and Fire and Emergency NZ was established on uly , . eputy principal rural fire officer, astern Zone Pumicelands District, Tony Gillard says the Act combines urban and rural fire and emergency services into a single fire and emergency services organisation for ew Zealand, with an increased mandate to provide a wide range of services for communities. “The new organisation has a strong foundation of passionate, committed and skilled people who have earned the trust and respect of ew ealanders. hether they are urban,

rural, employees or volunteers, our people serve their communities to protect and preserve life, property and the environment,” say ony. A restricted fire season was imposed by Fire and Emergency NZ on October 1, 2017 and will run through to April 30, . All fires in the open air re uire a fire permit, with gas cookers or barbecues e cluded. Fire permits can be obtained by visiting the ‘Check It’s Alright Before You Light’ website: www.checkitsalright.n or call . Any fire you light, be it campfires, cooking fires, bra iers, rubbish fires, controlled burns or prescribed burns is your responsibility.

Fire and Emergency NZ is the new organisation helping protect and preserve life, property and the environment.

There are some simple precautions you can take before lighting up: • Check weather conditions ave water on site Clear surrounding vegetation btain a ﬁre permit read condition on permit) Insurance should your ﬁre escape.

ook celebrates individuality and togetherness

www.coastandcountrynews.co.nz

O U NT R

N NIE

This picture book, published by EKBooks is about twin sisters who

both love to draw. race’s drawings are ﬁlled with straight lines, squares and angles while Katie’s drawings are full of colour, patterns, s uiggles and swirls. The differences in their art are never so obvious as when they decide to draw a map of their home. owever, as they discover, there’s strength in difference, especially when individually is brought together. As would be expected, this is a very well-illustrated book, showcasing the skills of both sisters. It’s an imaginative story of individuality, sisterhood, creativity and appreciating each other’s strengths. Thanks to Exisle Publishing and EkBooks, Coast & Country News has a copy of ‘Grace & atie’ to give away. o be in to win email captions as many as

Better together could equally be the title for the delightful book by Susanne erritt and i Anelli called race atie’.

Grace & Katie is the January Country Funnies book prize.

you like for the photo above and send with your name and address with Country Funnies as the subject line to elaine thesun.co.n r put these details on the back of an envelope and post to Country Funnies, PO Box 240, Tauranga 3140 to arrive no later than anuary .

COUNTRY LIVING

Page 41

Fairies in pink tutus can catch fish In early December we enjoyed beautiful weather – such a great and much-appreciated change from the previous few months.

Tutu attire may have helped this ﬁsherman (a o e) and Phillip tolte (right) dining room manager from the cruise ship MS Amsterdam with his catch.

There have been plenty of groups wishing to get out on the ocean and make the most out of it. One trip was rather special. It was for the ‘wait staff’ from the cruise ship MS Amsterdam. They were a neat bunch of guys, who work hard doing long hours. When they get a day off they play hard. e headed off out to about the ﬁve mile mark where the boys proceeded to catch a variety of species, much to their delight. The variety including a rather large shark that was taunting them with its interest in the boat. It took a fair bit of training and a number of demonstrations before they could lower their lines without producing a birdsnest in the reels as most had never held a ﬁshing rod in their lives. A great day was had by all and a good feed was taken back to the ship to be prepared by the chefs. The next trip was the group from Barton

Painting, a good keen bunch of guys off on a work trip. We headed out to Karewa in search of some traditional kai moana. On dropping the anchor and setting ourselves up, the boys were into it. he first fish of the day was a nice keep-able kingi, a first for the angler who caught it. Throughout the day the boys were picking away at the terakihi, managing get themselves a nice feed. The following day out was with a bunch of good keen lads on a stag do. With only having a short day we trundled off to about the 40m mark with the lads managing to produce good numbers of snapper, trevally and kahawai. They certainly proved to me that fairies in pink tutus can catch fish. Another good trip was a public reef fishing trip with a nice small group. e headed out of the entrance aiming for the 35m mark, towing a few lures to catch a bit of fresh bait on the way out. ith the fishing steady for the day, the crew were quietly picking away at the tarakihi and managed to gather a good feed by the end of the day.

‘Bleep!’ service helps keep your kids safe online According to the latest NZ Children’s Media Use Study, two thirds of six to 14-year-olds use the internet every day. With technology and mobile devices becoming more and more accessible to the younger generation, we need to figure out ways to manage the ow of damaging information. Bay of Plenty internet service provider EOL will be introducing a new service at the end of January that can do just that. Called leep ’, it is a content filtering service which allows all EOL customers to opt in at no cost, to family-safe zones when using the internet, either on a full-time basis or at specific times of the day. These zones will offer differing levels of family security, from blocking pornography right up to limiting access to a wide range of content that parents may feel is inappropriate for their family. Terry Coles, technical director at EOL, says “There are other blocking systems offered by other New Zealand internet

A new service allows parents to ensure safe internet use for their children.

service providers but they are of limited use and only partly effective. Our equipment is head and shoulders, world class above any other solution available.” Bleep! is not just available to residential customers. “For businesses we can offer

the additional beneﬁt of blocking sites that reduce productivity such as online shopping or social media, and from downloading copyright-protected content that makes the business owner liable for infringement,” says Terry. isit www.eol.co.n to ﬁnd out more.

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Claudia Hood managed to catch a nice 45cm tarakihi, and Heran Crease (the birthday boy) caught another not far behind her. here have been some very good condition ﬁsh coming aboard. Wenting Dong even managed to catch a double-header on her ﬁrst drop. et another glorious day out there on the water.

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Page 42

CARTAGE & EARTHWORKS

Horse Haven looking for a new home Tauranga local Michelle Lake has grown up with horses, and for the past years worked towards fulﬁlling her dream by establishing Horse Haven Riding Academy.

Haven Riding Academy runs from Wairoa Road As well as breeding and training right through to SH2 at Clark’s Hill just horses, she teaches children to ride north of Bethlehem. Michelle has lost and care for the horses on a propcount of the many horses and riders erty at Te Puna. that have come to her But plans to build a new for training over highway right through the years. the heart of Horse Haven Michelle’s ideal lease means Michelle has to property would be relocate in order four to six hectares to continue. (10 to 15 acres) of “Earthmoving has at to rolling, wellalready started with fenced land with soil compaction tests good water supply, and they advise us that close to Tauranga, so construction may start she can continue to in September 2018, so breed ponies and help we need to ﬁnd a new children and adults property to lease as soon learn to ride and ﬁnd as possible,” says Michelle the joy that horses who currently has 24 Michelle Lake and two of the horses at Horse can bring. horses and ponies. Haven Riding Academy. “It would be wonder“I’ve been looking for ful if it had buildings which could be used for a tack some time, working with land agents and others but so far haven’t found anything suitable. It took a great room and horse stalls, and also had a house we could rent,” says Michelle. amount of time to build and train a team of horses Michelle and her husband, Ekel, are keen to for the school that work together so well and are hear from anyone who has a suitable property for good with the children,” says Michelle. long-term lease and can be contacted by email via: Michelle is a well-known horse trainer in Tauranga michelle@horsehaven.co.nz and the property currently occupied by the Horse

Wetland part of wastewater treatment plan Gisborne residents have made it clear they want a very high level of wastewater treatment, with 80 per cent of the community preferring options including a wetland. The Gisborne District Council reports a great response to the wastewater management survey with option 5 – calling for exceptionally high wastewater quality – the preference of many. It would include the addition of ultra-violet light disinfection, clariﬁcation, a -hectare wetland,

wood chip ﬁlters and an additional biological trickling ﬁlter to improve treatment. And it would exceed current resource consent water quality requirements. Options 3, 4 and 5 are also seen as positive steps towards meeting cultural drivers in the community. Senior project manager Wolfgang Kanz says councillors will now consider the feedback from the community, along with the recommendations from the Wastewater Management Committee, the legal and technical requirements of the wastewater consent

JIM MARSHALL EARTHMOVING Ph: 0274 315 450 / (07) 3332657 E: jmearthmoving@xtra.co.nz www.jmearthmoving.co.nz

CONTRACTORS

Sites - Roading - Driveways - Landscaping Drainage - Effluent Ponds - Tree Felling

and the overarching Long Term Plan issues, including prioritisation and affordability. “Survey respondents were driven by interest in community health and the Poverty Bay region and the survey responses conﬁrm the signiﬁcant value placed on it for recreational pastimes along with the cultural and community connection. The challenge for Council is delivering what the community wants in the context of the bigger picture of what the community can afford to pay for.” The survey received 1183 responses.

HORTICULTURE

Page 43

Looking to horticulture’s future The New Year is a good time to look to the future of one of New Zealand’s growth industries. Horticulture, not including wine, is currently valued at $5.6 billion, with export value in the last year growing by 35 per cent. This pattern of growth looks set to continue, provided some key ingredients are available to sustain it. It’s looking likely we will meet the industry target of $10 billion in value by 2020. This is because New Zealand is one of the best places in the world to grow fruit and vegetables – we have the light of Spain and the climate of Bordeaux, France. Land, water and labour are the key ingredients and they are all in short supply. As part of Horticulture New Zealand election manifesto and, in our work with the overnment since it took ofﬁce, we have had a strong focus on protecting our elite soils from houses and life-style blocks. nly about ﬁve per cent of ew Zealand is suitable for growing fruit and vegetables.

Class one soils

When the requirements of climate and water are added to the need for quality soil, the options become more restricted. Class one soil, the best there is, can be used to grow sustainably and productively. The lower the class of soil, the more inputs are required and productivity reduces. In addition, frosts, hail and pests are considerations. Pukekohe, for example, is relatively frost and pest free and has most of the class one soil that is found in the Auckland area. So keeping current ideal growing locations and ﬁnding new locations that are similar, is vital. Moving growing south of Pukekohe into the Waikato is, in effect, not permitted at present by the Waikato Regional Council. Houses and life style blocks are pushing growing further out from the towns and cities. This is not new and has been happening ever since New Zealand was settled by Europeans. On the outskirts of each town, the fruit and vegetables for that town were grown. As the towns grew, the growing operations

had to move further out. Then, with modern transportation, places where fruit and vegetables were grown were located in areas best suited to each crop. Horticulture New Zealand has asked the Government to develop a policy that will ensure that our fruit and vegetables continue to be grown in the best possible places, spread around the country to ensure that there is a year-round supply for New Zealanders.

Seasonal workers

Access to labour is one of the other major constraints. Both permanent and seasonal workers across the country are in short supply. In the South Island, where there is low unemployment, finding ew ealanders for work is very difficult. Growers are reliant on workers from overseas. For seasonal work, back packers and Pacific Island workers under the RSE scheme are vital. If you cannot prune, plant and harvest at the right times, quality and productivity are affected. This issue was also covered on Horticulture New Zealand’s election manifesto and is being followed up with the Government. Finally, there is the absolute need for water. The realisation that we do not have abundant water supply has become very apparent to the New Zealand public, along with concerns over water quality.

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Page 44

COAST & COUNTRY

FORESTRY

Page 45

Below minimum wage rates ‘unacceptable’ The Forest Owners Association has taken a strong stand on pay rate breaches by forest planting contractors. President Peter Clark says a recent Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment audit of pay rates and conditions in three forest regions has revealed what appears to be widespread non-compliance with employment law among forest planting crews.

Not condoned

“We forest owners don’t pay the silviculture crews ourselves. That’s done by independent contractors. But our industry cannot condone exploitation of any sort. “We, as a major primary industry, are taking a stand on this. We don’t want to deprive good workers the opportunity to earn bonus money by planting more trees in a day. But on the other hand it is unacceptable to allow inexperienced planters, or those who have to travel long distances to new locations, to be deprived of what the law speciﬁes as minimum pay. “I’m not going to point any ﬁngers, but it is clear all of us must ensure there is more

transparency and compliance in the industry than is the case at the moment. We’ve already set up a working group of forest companies and contractors to ensure this happens.”

Fully compliant

Peter says getting employment compliance is crucial as the industry gears up to anticipated large-scale extra planting under the new government’s billion tree target. “There’s not many extra trees going to be planted in 2018. However, when the new planting load comes on in 2019, with many hundreds of extra planters, we have to have our employment side fully compliant with the law.” Forest companies have been backing the recently begun Forest Industry Safety Council Safetree Contractor Certification scheme. For a contractor to be certified they must provide documentation to prove they are labour law compliant. The scheme was launched in late October. “Sixty-nine companies are already working through the process, which will result in a much more transparent industry when they are certified,” Peter says.

Kanuka bioactives may help erosion control A Tairawhiti group looking to optimise the sustainable growth and harvest of kanuka is set to receive up to $242,000 from the Ministry for Primary Industries for its erosion control beneﬁts. Hikurangi Bioactives Limited Partnership, a majority community-owned charitable company, is looking to identify optimal growing and sustainable harvesting techniques for bioactive extracts from existing mature kanuka stands grown in and around Ruatoria.

Reduce erosion

The funding comes from MPI's Erosion Control Funding Programme community grant which helps East Coast landowners, community groups, iwi, organisations and businesses with innovative ideas, to help reduce erosion in the Tairawhiti region. "Hikurangi Bioactives wants to optimise the use of mature kanuka which is already growing on about 30 per cent of land in the Ruatoria district. The group has been researching new techniques and emerging markets for bioactive extracts from kanuka for use in health and beauty products for some time," says Ben Dalton, deputy director-general, Sector Partnerships and Programmes.

Regional beneﬁts

"If successful, the long-term potential for a bioactives industry on the East Coast could be huge and the whole region will beneﬁt from a new, high-value industry that creates jobs. "At the same time kanuka has signiﬁcant environ-

mental and erosion control beneﬁts and keeping it in the ground will help retain existing land cover, particularly on steep and erosion-prone land. Gisborne has the worst eroding land in New Zealand due to its geology, steep terrain, and increasing adverse weather events," says Ben.

Plant genetics

"We'll be working with plant scientists and local landowners to research a wide range of areas, including plant genetics, optimal planting and growing conditions and locations, best harvest times and techniques and the use of technologies to promote plant health and good regrowth," says Manu Caddie from Hikurangi Bioactives. "Providing jobs and education opportunities is also a large component of our ongoing work. Through this project we're looking to raise awareness about the opportunities for kanuka and to give locals a real appreciation of job potential in the sciences – particularly in biology, chemistry and genetics." Since 1992, when the Erosion Control Funding Programme opened, $49 million has been spent on erosion control in Tairawhiti, with 42,000 hectares of land being treated to date. Twenty-six per cent of land in Tairawhiti is susceptible to severe erosion, compared to eight per cent of land for the rest of the country. MPI works closely with Gisborne District Council and Te Runanganui o Ngati Porou on a number of erosion-related initiatives. The three organisations have a joint team of people based in Gisborne and Ruatoria available to support landowners and community groups through the application process.

www.coastandcountrynews.co.nz

COAST & COUNTRY

Page 46

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January 6

Tairua School Wine & Food

Festival. See tairuawineandfood.co.nz Teach Your Dog to Avoid Kiwi, 8.30am, Sailors Grave, Whenuakite, free but bookings essential, ph 07 867 9080.

NEED A C.V? A C.V. For You can provide you with the professional touch. From scratch or alterations. “Get the interview….Land the job” Contact via www.facebook.com/ acvforyou or 0204 037 6034

January 7

for sale

Teach Your Dog

PULLETS HY-LINE BROWN, great layers. Phone 07 824 1762 www.eurekapoultryfarm.weebly.com

trades & services

to Avoid Kiwi, 8.30am, Te Mata, 9am, Colville foreshore, free but bookings essential, ph 07 867 9080.

January 7, 14, 21 & 28 Gecko Encounter, 11am,

DOC Kauaeranga Visitor Centre, Thames, gold coin. See tinyurl.com/yatzso4m

January 8

Wainora Walk, 9am-noon, DOC Kauaeranga Visitor Centre, Thames, gold coin,

January 12

for ages 12+. See tinyurl.com/ y9wncrhf

Te Maari Tramp, 8am, Ton-

January 8 & 15

gariro National Park, $12. See tinyurl.com/ydh8usmh

Twilight Walk, 8.30pm,

DOC Kauaeranga Visitor Centre, Thames, gold coin. See tinyurl.com/y6vrqg4p

Bats, Dactylathus & Other

January 8 & 15 Nocturnal Adventure,

8.30pm, Waikawau Bay DOC Camp phone kiosk, $10/$5, bring a torch. To book ph 07 866 6903 or text 021 186 2876.

January 9

Stream Study, 10am-noon, DOC Kauaeranga Visitor Centre, Thames, gold coin. See tinyurl.com/ycf3arbp Lake Rotokawa Geothermal Area, 8am, near Taupo, $7. See tinyurl.com/yd8ewt43

January 10

Kauri Gum Polishing, 10am-

noon, DOC Kauaeranga Visitor Centre, Thames, gold coin. See tinyurl.com/ycukdz55

January 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26, 31 Gold Prospecting, 10am-

noon or 1-3pm, DOC Kauaeranga Visitor Centre, Thames, $10. See tinyurl. com/y77cms7k

Fascinating Things, 11am talk, DOC Kauaeranga Visitor Centre, Thames, gold coin. See tinyurl.com/ y95o7ncn

Boulder Hopping, 10am3pm, Kauaeranga Visitor Centre, Thames, gold coin, for ages 12+. See tinyurl.com/ y8fktlhp

January 13

Avocado Food & Wine

Festival, 11am-6pm, Uretara Domain, Katikati. Pre-purchase (to December 20) $20 or $25 at the gate. See www. iticket.co.nz.

Teach Your Dog to Avoid

Kiwi, 8.30am, Kuaotunu, free but bookings essential, ph 07 867 9080.

Medicinal & Edible Native Plants, 1pm, Driving Creek Railway (Coromandel), $5 koha. To book ph 07 866 6903 or text 021 186 2876.

Poronui Mountain Bike Trip, 8am, Ohakune, $21. See tinyurl.com/y9g6j3g2

January 13, 19, 20

Kiwi Night Adventure, 7.30pm, Port Charles Fire Station, $10/$5. To book ph 07 866 6903 or text 021 186 2876.

January 16

Meet a Gecko, 11am, Driving Creek Railway (Coromandel), $10/$5. To book ph 07 866 6903 or text 021 186 2876.

January 17

Sigley Falls Tramp, 8am,

January 20

Landscape Photography,

8am, Whakapapa Visitor Centre, $12. See tinyurl.com/yba5ggkp

January 21 Mountainbiking Confidence,

10am, DOC Kauaeranga Visitor Centre, Thames, gold coin. See tinyurl.com/ydxeystz

Mountainbiking Single Track Skills, 11.30am, DOC

start Ohakune, $6. See tinyurl.com/ybmbfkqu

Kauaeranga Visitor Centre, Thames, gold coin. See tinyurl.com/y8yox5wy

Wairakei Wildlife Sanctuary open day, near Taupo, $12. See tinyurl.com/y7mjfvsd

January 22

January 18 January 19

Great Mercury Island

Guided Hike, 7.30am-5pm, from Whitianga Wharf, $160. Book by email: info@meg.org.nz Waihi Dahlia Show, 12.303.30pm, Waihi Memorial Hall, free. Ph Jennifer, 07 863 7563. Predator Free 2050, 8am, Ohakune, $5. See tinyurl. com/y9z29lft

Okupata Caves Adventure,

8-11am, Whakapapa, $12. See tinyurl.com/y78kykxf

January 23

Origins of Flax, 9am,

Opotaka Scenic Reserve (Lake Rotoaira), $6. See tinyurl. com/yanq5dce

January 27

Free Home Composting

Workshop, 1.30pm, Taupo Community Gardens.

Young growers in action at Te Puke show The Young Grower of the Year Competition will again be a feature of the Te Puke A&P Lifestyle Show next year. The annual event, which is being held on Saturday February 10, giving the public a chance to see dedicated young fruit growers in action. The contest, hosted by New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc, includes practical and theory competitions and the contestants will also host some children’s competitions including ‘Snakes & Ladders’ and ‘Apple Bobbing’. “Other major events on the day include - lawn mower racing, as well as the return of the Truck and Tractor Pulling competition.

“Keith Merritt is organising a turnout of up to 80+ classic cars,” says show secretary Kim Cawte. “This is a rustic show where the “town meets the country” and has only been cancelled once in its 112 years. The Te Puke A&P Lifestyle Show is one of the shows that continues to grow, so bring your family and friends along to enjoy this great day.”

There’s plenty of action at the Te Puke A&P Show.

BER TR TIM E

NT ME AT

PEP PE R

Tractors will be put to the test at the Te Puke A&P Show.

Rides and animals to pet are always popular at the Te Puke A&P Show.

“Mandy and Greg Clark will be back again with the huge crowd pleaser of sheep racing. Te Puke Young Farmers Club will be running the ladies gumboot throwing and horse shoe throwing competitions and a tug of war.” The Rotorua and BOP Hunt Club will be parading their horses and hounds in the main horse ring by the just after midday and Colette Hintz and her team will have the tents full of animals and

birds to view and purchase. Jacqueline Whitehead and her team will be organising all Home Industries displays as well as the Hargreaves Children’s competitions, entries for which will need to be delivered to the showgrounds on Friday February 9 before 4pm in time for judging. They will also organise the Miss & Master Competitions for boys and girls aged from four and up to 11 years of age. The All breed dairy cattle section and beef cattle classes will feature and there’s the primary school calf section with children encouraged to bring along calves from their school ag-days. Shearing classes will include the full range for everyone starting from junior, to intermediate, senior, veteran and open, with very attractive rewards. Schedules and entry forms can be sourced from the website: www.ras.org.nz or email the Secretary at: kimcawte@gmail.com

COAST & COUNTRY

Page 47

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Page 48

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

“One for the ch ickens, one for me and watch out that Buddy Lincoln at his gr (the dog) doesn’t steal one.” andparents’ farm in Waiau Pa.

farm Olivia, 4 months old, out on the ts mee e, tan with dad in Whaka e. tim rst ﬁ the for Daisy’s calf

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