Coast & Country - July 2018 by Sun Media

Carole Appleton was raised on a Eureka dairy farm. Her father also bred, owned and trained racehorses. She had “the best of both worlds” growing up. Now she’s using her passion for animal welfare with her knowledge of animal husbandry to run a heifer grazing unit at Te Poi. But there’s more to it than meets the eye. Check out her story on pages 14-15.

Rat Research PAGE 6-7

WHAKATANE

Calving PAGE 11-13

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Dairy PAGE 16-23

Fieldays Follow-up PAGE 25-36

Country Living PAGE 42-45

Avocados PAGE 51-53

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Kiwifruit PAGE 55-57

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Page 2

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

M.Bovis and a mixed bag for July What a month it has been since our last edition.

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The Government’s announcement it will undertake phased eradication to rid New Zealand of Mycoplasma Bovis has brought both hope and anguish with it. People on infected farms are distressed at losing stock and possibly their futures in the industry, while those free of infection are trying to come to grips with how to prevent its arrival on-farm. And opinions on the Government’s stance vary – some farmers were quietly optimistic at Fieldays, others told their mates they thought ‘the horse has already bolted’. And there were stands and tents galore offering every type of product and service to boost animal health, under the cloud of the disease. The pathway to prevention is much-talked about. Can improved cow health ward off M.Bovis? Is the solution in the way we enrich the soil? Or treat and use effluent? Regenerative farming is what David Law wants farmers to turn to – see page 40. While Brett Petersen talks soil nutrition on page 50. And with calving upon us, preventing M.Bovis extending its fingers further is the challenge. According to DairyNZ feeding infected milk to calves is the second highest risk of spreading the disease. There’s precautionary tips on page 11, and information on the CalvingSmart workshops on page 13. In the Waikato, which has cases of M.Bovis detected by the Ministry for Primary Industries, farmers are making their feelings known and asking questions of officials at meetings – see pages 16-17. MPI’s M. Bovis information and meetings list is at: www.mpi.govt.nz/protection-and-response/mycoplasma-bovis/ For more information, see: www.dairynz.co.nz Or for drystock, see: https://beeflambnz.com/newsviews/mycoplasma-bovis

The crowds were there at the 50th Fieldays at Mystery Creek last month. The Rural Support Trust is also available to assist farmers. More information at: www.rural-support.org.nz or phone 0800 787 254. And while our avocado industry is celebrating record returns from last season – see page 51 – there’s a new threat on the horizon. Avocado producers in Mexico, Peru and Chile want to enter our biggest export market – Australia. See page 53. The kiwifruit industry is also capping off a successful harvest – but there are challenges ahead for them too. Catch Zespri CEO’ Dan Mathieson’s thoughts on pages 56-57. Plus the 50th Fieldays is being hailed a huge milestone for NZ’s rural industry, especially in the Waikato. Check out our Fieldays Follow-up section – featuring neat new innovations on show – on pages 25-36. We also proﬁle a Waikato University student’s unique overseas experience training rats in Tanzania on pages 6-7; set foot on NZ’s only golden passionfruit export orchard on pages 4-5; and preview one of the most interesting advances in farming technology in recent years on page 9. Merle Foster

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MPI considers claim findings The Ministry for Primary Industries is now considering the findings – and whether it should appeal – the recent High Court decision, which found it negligent in allowing the vine-killing Psa-V disease into New Zealand in 2009, which devastated the kiwifruit industry.

back 12 years, pre-dating the establishment of MPI, and requires a thorough examination. We cannot rush this process,” says MPI. “Once we have completed consideration of the judgment, a decision will be made on whether to appeal.

The High Court decision, released on June 29, partially upheld a claim by a group of 212 growers for damages over the Psa outbreak in 2010. But the judge did not uphold the claim by the second plaintiff Seeka, saying post-harvest operators were one step removed from the direct harm suffered by growers, so were less closely connected to the consequences of ministry negligence. The Kiwifruit Claim group, representing the growers, sued MPI – formerly operating as MAF – for approving a shipment of pollen products to come into NZ from China in 2009, which they argued is how the disease entered NZ.

Liability

MPI had earlier said any liability on the Crown for losses as a result of a biosecurity incursion was covered by a statutory compensation scheme. In her judgement, Justice Mallon found Psa entered NZ through the anthers consignment imported pursuant to the permit granted to Kiwi Pollen by MAF. “I have also found that MAF breached its duty of care by acts or omissions at the pre-border stage when granting import permits to Kiwi Pollen.” Justice Malon said MAF had powers to control the entry of the risk goods into NZ – both pre-border and at the border – as well as powers for responding to the risk from a harmful plant pathogen once its presence in NZ is known. “The particular risk in this case, Psa in kiwifruit plant material, was known to MAF. It was obvious that if kiwifruit plant material was allowed to be imported without a proper assessment of the conditions on which it could be imported and, if that plant material was intended to be applied to kiwifruit orchards, the vines and crops on those orchards were at risk of harm. “It was also obvious that if pollen was not free of plant material or other contaminants and was to be used commercially to artificially pollinate kiwifruit orchards, the vines and crops of those orchards were at risk of harm,” said Justice Malon. Kiwifruit Claim chairman John Cameron says it’s hugely significant for the kiwifruit industry and other primary industries that the Court also established MPI owed a duty of care to kiwifruit growers when carrying out its biosecurity functions. “We completely agree with the Judge when she says that the wrong to the 212 kiwifruit growers should be remedied. “We’ve waited a long time for this day, and we are absolutely thrilled that the Court has held that MPI owed a duty of care and breached that duty when it allowed Psa to enter New Zealand in 2009. “We hope that this significant decision draws a line in the sand for what has been a long and difficult eight years for growers who could not have brought this

“That decision must be made by the Solicitor-General, not MPI.” MPI says it is continually enhancing and improving the way it manages preborder risk and processes at the border. “We have confidence in our current biosecurity system and in the continued robustness of it going forward.” Justice Mallon heard the case in the High Court in Wellington last August. The case’s second stage will involve determining a level of compensation.

At first orchardists with vines with symptoms cut out areas of infection but the bacteria kept spreading.

The vine-killing disease Psa-V was first detected in NZ in two Te Puke orchards in November 2010. action without the support of LPF Group. “Biosecurity is critical to NZ, and our primary producers and economy are heavily reliant on MPI to protect our borders against known biosecurity risks such as Psa,” says John. “The kiwifruit industry alone is worth around $1.67 billion a year to the NZ economy, and MPI is the only agency in the country with the mandate to manage biosecurity risks.”

Significant ris

John says MPI knew for many years that Psa was a significant risk to the kiwifruit industry, “and if it had done its job properly and followed its own regulations and protocols under the Biosecurity Act, the Psa incursion would not have happened”. “Psa decimated the kiwifruit industry and its impact was far-reaching, not only on growers and their individual orchards, but on the NZ economy. “We’ve had to fight a really hard and expensive battle to get this decision. Some growers lost everything when Psa hit, their orchards and businesses, their life savings, and for many, the financial and emotional impact is ongoing. “Even for those that were able to survive, some suffered a complete loss of income for several years, taking on huge debts to replant their orchards. Kiwifruit growers continue to suffer the effects of Psa eight years on,” says John. “We hope the Government accepts the Judge’s decision and that kiwifruit claim growers can finally be properly compensated for their losses. We look forward to working cooperatively with the Government to achieve this.” MPI says it has received the High Court’s decision on the long-running Psa litigation and “we are now carefully considering its findings and implications for current and future biosecurity activities”. “The 500-page document traverses events dating

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 4

doesn’t go into the retail market like the purple does,” says Rob. “We grew our ﬁrst lot of plants from the seed of the gold fruit, we planted them and when they started fruiting half of them were gold and half were purple.”

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Rob Peden talks to NZ Tree Crops Association conference-goers on his property on April 8. Photos Merle Foster. growers of gold When Rob and Rosaleen Peden www.functionalfertiliser.co.nz bought 1.15 hectares on Katikati’s passionfruit in NZ. “We set this orchard The Future of Farming Specialising in Busby Rd 16 years ago, it was in up under .6ha of hail Specialising in foliage plants for the fl ower market. cloth to protect fruit • Removal chipping of whole trees • Removal / chipping/ of whole trees from frost down to minus “Back then Tauranga’s flower market had two degrees Celsius.” • On site chipping for stand off pads • On site chipping for stand off pads closed and everything had to go to “We happened to buy a plant from a Auckland. There was no money in it so we • Wood chip for sale guy in Auckland that was double-grafted. • Wood chip for sale let floral artists and churches help themIt was purple on one graft and gold on selves until we found what we wanted to • Orchard shelter removal • Orchard shelter removal the other,” says Rob, who hosted NZ Tree do,” says Rob. • Stump removal The journey of discovery took eight years, Crops Association conference field trip on • Stump removal April 8. including planting 150 tamarillos. “They Woodlot marketing all tree species • Woodlot• marketing of all tree of species Originally the couple planned to cut the got frosted out in the first year. So we gold off “and forget about it”. “We let it thought that’s not going to work.” flower and when it fruited we knew it was The Peden’s Katikati business saw Rob good [tasting], so we made enquiries with hang drapes in homes. “I went to a cusour exporter on whether there would be a tomer and he had passionfruit growing. market for it – and, yes, there was in the That’s the first time I knew passionfruit United States. grew around here and we got talking...” They started off small – and nearly by “It’s not a big market – it only goes coincidence became the only commercial into high-end restaurants and suchlike. It

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“The bees had cross-pollinated them – and that’s what we’ve ended up with.” But the faux pas did have some advantages. “The gold fruit were very small but by having this happen we got some very good-sized gold passionfruit. The only way we get gold plants now is taking cuttings from a healthy plant with the right size fruit. We like to have a fruit size of 30 to 35 count. That is how we’ve managed to establish the orchard.” The orchard is about three-quarters gold. “We still have some purple in the original part so we’ve carried on with them. We feel the purple fruit from this hybrid plant are much nicer than the purple Passiflora edulis fruit most commercial growers have.” Rob is not 100 per cent sure what species the gold is – but believes it is Passiflora flavourcarpis. And it has advantages. “It’s nowhere near as vigorous as the purple edulis so we don’t have to spend as much time pruning. “The downside is it probably doesn’t produce as much.” Rob says gold fruit has a more tropical flavour, slightly sweeter, and is very fragrant.

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Inside NZ’s only golden passionfruit export orchard continued...

The packroom exudes a tropical smell when you open the door. No passionfruit is picked – they drop and are picked up off the ground. “One disadvantage of the gold is it’s more labour-intensive because when the fruit drops it’s green. We pick it up and it can be in the packhouse for up to 14 days, before it turns gold.

The larger hive’s ﬂoor has special tubes from France that are slippery, so varroa mite falls through and cannot re-enter the hive. “If we put it into the coolroom while green it will stay green. So our packroom has air-conditioning set at 20 degrees Celsius. This seems to keep the fruit at the right condition for ripening. “That’s why we’re the only commercial gold passionfruit producer in NZ – most wouldn’t bother with the hassle. Storing it until it ripens means we have to go through the fruit two or three times and re-pack it all because it doesn’t ripen at the same time.”

Almost perfect

Ninety per cent of Peden’s gold passionfruit goes to the US and a little is sent to Japan. “The Japanese market is quite difﬁcult because the fruit have got to be almost perfect. The American export fruit can have a small amount of marking on the skin. They often check it at Auckland Airport before it leaves.” Luckily, the gold fruit doesn’t damage as easily as the purple. Early-April the Peden’s were 90 per cent through harvest. But Kiwis won’t taste the gold fruit – unless they head to Katikati’s plant and produce market, where Rosaleen sells the fruit which is not export standard. Deciding to sell their property, the Peden’s have many young vines – replacing those that weren’t producing for new owners. “We also had a really wet winter in 2017 where more vines died than usual as they don’t like the wet.” Rob does soil tests and leaf analysis every year “and applies fertiliser at that stage, when the whole orchard is broadcast”.

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The family spend much time deflowering young plants so they don’t fruit in their first year. “We want them to put all their energy into growing. We allow them to flower in spring.” Early-spring pruning also takes up much time and energy. “This is a mass clean out – a heavy prune – most laterals will be cut down to two or three leaves because they fruit on new growth. We take 80 per cent of leaves off. Because they’re so rampant you’ve got to go through regularly,” says Rob. “Home-growers don’t understand you’ve got to prune heavily and open them up to get a good spray coverage.”

For pollination, Rob has beehives. “You go into the orchard and it is humming – there are sometimes two or three honey bees on each ﬂower.” “A lot of commercial growers bring bumblebees in – we haven’t had to do that yet.” A larger hive he’s built himself. “It has 36 frames, divided into three lots of 12. There are two colonies of bees

Home-made hive

Rob often gets phone calls from home-growers, asking why leaves on their vines are falling off and their fruit has marks. “I say it’s because the fruit hasn’t been sprayed regularly. We spray regularly – especially in summer. We apply a copper fungicide every seven to 10 days. “During winter we spray every three-four weeks. But we don’t use any insecticide sprays at all.”

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and they work together to make honey in the middle.” For the hive’s ﬂoor he imported special tubes from France. “Instead of a wooden base I’ve spaced out the tubes. They are slippery and the varroa mite drops between them and out of the hive and can’t get back up. This technique is used in Europe.” Merle Foster

Page 6

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Waikato’s Haylee Ellis worked on HeroRAT training in Tanzania, which teaches rats to sniff out landmines. Photo: Aaron Gekoski. Animal behaviour and welfare researcher Haylee Ellis has recently returned to New Zealand after spending two-and-a-half years at the non-governmen-

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tal organisation of APOPO – which Rat training stands for Anti-Persoonsmijnen “They are bred at the centre specially Ontmijnende Product Ontwikkeling or to be trained for landmine and TB Anti-Personnel Landmines Detection detection,” says Haylee. Product Development, in English. At four weeks old, the baby rats are APOPO is responsible for the training weaned and move into the care of and deployment of HeroRATs, an army humans. They are handled and socialof giant African pouched rats, which ised at first, and their full training takes are highly trained to sniff out undetoaround nine months. nated landmines, and the presence of “Rats are not socially motivated, they TB in sputum samples. Haylee’s work are curious and inquisitive by nature training rats at APOPO is being written up as her thesis for her PhD. Haylee, a Waikato University Bachelor of Psychology student, has studied animal behaviour throughout her long academic career which includes training as a vet nurse after her degree, and then Honours and Master’s degrees back at Waikato. Her choices of study were inspired by the work of the revered American professor of animal science, and autism spokesperson, Temple Grandin. Haylee was lucky enough to meet her hero in person, and describes herself as being “quite flustered” by the HeroRAT Zac out in the training field in occasion. Tanzania. Photo: APOPO. The opportunity to go to East Africa arose through and will do anything for banana,” says Haylee’s connections at Waikato Haylee. “Compared to dogs, they are University. She lived at the APOPO cheaper to keep, have shorter breeding Research and Training Headquarters cycles and it is very rare that a rat is in Morogoro, Tanzania. In this quite rejected for the programme. isolated but very friendly African town, They live for around eight years she was introduced to the lovable which makes the training worthwhile.” HeroRATs (Cricetomys gambianus). ...continued

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The rats are extremely well cared for, living in large Cambodia and Mozambique,” says Haylee. clean kennels, receiving an excellent diet, There are about 10 million new global cases regular exercise, weekly veterinary care of TB (tuberculosis) per year, with around 1.7 and an onsite animal behaviouralist, million people dying from the disease. It is and plenty of personal attention and now the world’s leading cause of death from an infectious disease. In most sub-Saharan playtime. They are retired when too old to work, and are never euthanAfrican countries, only about half the patients with active TB are diagnosed. ised. They also only work for short periods as they are affected by the TB containing sputum has a distinct smell heat. that rats can be trained to identify. Before humans and rats are exposed to TB containing Minefield detection HeroRATs samples, the samples are made safe using heat are trained to sniff out TNT treatment. Using the same training methods (trinitrotoluene). The rats for TNT detection, the rats will identify soon learn that the scent TB positive samples for their banana of TNT is associated reward. with getting banana, so they can be quickly TB detection trained to identify TNT from other substances “One rat can check a hunto get their reward. This dred samples in less than 20 progresses to utilising minutes, a task that would another natural rat take a lab technician up to behaviour of scratching Haylee Ellis with one of the APOPO HeroRATs. four days,” says Haylee. “The the ground when TNT Photo: APOPO. rat will hover over a positive is smelt buried under sample for three seconds and soil, and a specialist team moves in to safely detonate be rewarded for a positive identification. the identified land mine All rat-positive samples are confirmed in APOPO’ Fully trained rats work with handlers in cordoned lab using World Health Organisation-endorsed methoff areas that have not been cleared of suspected land- ods. Results are back to the clinics within 24 hours mines. They are too light to set off landmines and so infected patients can start immediate treatment. very fast to detect the TNT in them, so are therefore APOPO’s TB detection research indicates that partner the perfect “tool” to speed up detection and clearclinic detection rates are being raised by 40 per cent. ance, in conjunction with other methods such as Using HeroRATs for TB detection is happening in metal detectors, says Haylee. There is then a process Tanzania, Ethiopia and Mozambique. where the land is returned to the locals. Haylee is proud to have been part of such a successful NGO that is making such measurable differences Sniffing landmine in the world, and their work is well received at confer“We have not lost any rats out in the field,” Haylee ences. is quick to point out. Sixty-one countries and states throughout the world Adorable animals suffer from the legacy of landmines buried during times of conflict. They are a barrier to develo “It was great work, I met some really awesome people ment, constraining communities and denying access and the rats are adorable,” she says of her time in Tanto fertile land, travel routes and basic needs. Every zania. “I really enjoy animal detection work.” year thousands of innocent adults and children are Now she’s concentrating on her thesis and is on her maimed or killed when they accidentally detonate a way to becoming Dr Haylee Ellis, while also conburied landmine. “APOPO has sent mine action teams to eight coun- sidering whether to find a job or do further researc overseas in another area of animal behaviour. Meantries so far, and are currently operational in Angola,

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS addresses animal welfare and offers the cows more freedom to roam.” Extensive trials and testing are carried out on the company’s working dairy farm in Morrinsville; and work is underway to begin operations on ﬁve pilot farms across the Waikato region. “New Zealand is an amazing market for this technology and the best place by far to develop it,” says Craig. “We already have a massive waiting list of interested New Zealand farms.” Halter is a privately-funded company, with backing from Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck and Sir Stephen Tindall’s K1W1, Tuhua Ventures, and

Farming powered by technology Halter founder and CEO, Craig Piggott out in the ﬁeld working with the Hoop neck band and Helm app. Photo supplied by Halter.

A young man from the South Waikato has found himself leading one of the most interesting advances in farming technology in recent years. Craig Piggott, aged 23, is the founder CEO of Halter, an Auckland-based company that has developed ground-breaking technology to enable farmers to shift, manage and monitor their herd using an app. And in June, Halter announced it has raised NZ$8 million to commercialise its patented technologies. Craig was raised on dairy farms and studied mechanical engineering at Auckland University. He then worked with satellite launch company, Rocket Lab. The concept of Halter wasn’t a speciﬁc light bulb moment for Craig. “I’d seen the issues on farms ﬁrst-hand, and I’d learnt engineering skills at uni,” says Craig. “There was a natural intersection between farming and engineering.”

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Halter uses solar-powered, GPS-enabled neck bands on cows that emit audio cues to direct cows to stay within a predeﬁned perimeter, or guide them to a location. It is controlled by the farmer using an app called Helm. “We have found that cows are pretty intelligent and most pick up the four basic forward, backward, right and left audio cues in around 30 minutes,” says Craig. “We use an electric shock around one-quarter of the strength of a normal electric fence as training – it teaches the cows to associate the noise with a boundary.” The technology aims to remove the manual inefﬁciencies of drafting cows with dogs or bikes, and constantly shifting electric fences. It also monitors and records individual cow health-related data such as if a cow isn’t eating or sleeping; when it is calving and if it needs assistance; or if it is walking slower due to lameness. The farmer can then intervene at an early stage. “It’s like a ‘Fitbit’ for a cow,” says Craig. “Halter

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Page 9 Promus Ventures – plus the recentlyannounced $8m. Craig says new funding will allow them to scale up and meet the intense demand and pre-orders that are “rolling in”. The company employs close to 20 engineers, scientists and animal behaviour experts – and Craig says the funding boost will see the team grow four-fold. They hope to have the technology commercially available by the end of 2018. There is already healthy interest from Europe, Australia, the US and South America. Catherine Fry

Page 10

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

US warms to NZ kiwifruit A non-traditional market warming up to New Zealand’s Zespri-branded kiwifruit is the United States – with chief executive Dan Mathieson predicting volumes heading there this season to jump by at least two million trays. Dan says Zespri’s SunGold variety has attracted more and more US consumers to quality kiwifruit “so on the back of that we’ve seen very strong demand”. “But also US retailers are starting to take Zespri-quality green as well, whereas before they’d probably taken more of other origin green at a cheaper price and lower quality,” says Dan, at a media briefing at Fieldays to provide an overview of the 2018 harvest and how markets are responding. Zespri has much effort into USA as one of its focus markets, says Dan. “We put out first office there two years ago. We’ve now got 10 people on the ground in California. “And we’re building very close relationships with major retail partners like Cosco, Wholefoods; and really getting them to see the value of SunGold and how a premium kiwifruit can deliver in the fruit space. “They’re attracted to that; they can see the value in it. And they want to partner with us more and in bigger volumes.” Dan estimates Zespri will sell 6.5-7 million trays into the USA this season “up from about four million trays last year”. Meanwhile the British market I still proving hard one for Zespri to crack. “It’s a little bit like the USA a

few years ago,” says Dan. “The retail structures there are really strong and they have their own way of doing things – and because we’re such an under-developed category our business is successful when we can come in and create impact with the consumer at the point of purchase. “That’s very difﬁcult to do in the United Kingdom because of their supermarket structure. And they tend to go for very cheap price and that tends to also impact on quality.” But Dan says Zespri is certainly not giving up. “We think that through the evolution of e-commerce it will be a different way for us to reach to the consumer, talk about our story online through social media, talk about health and nutrition of kiwifruit through social media – then actually deliver to consumers online through different vehicles as well.” He points to how the online sales platform Alibaba is becoming a more mainstream retail outlet in China. “Yes, in China is great example of that – 20 per cent of our sales now is sold through online. So not only are we selling to consumers online we’re actually having a conversation with them in real time. “So they try our fruit and if they like our fruit they post comments. If they don’t like our fruit they post comments. Then we can actually take action and improve our service or the quality of our product.” Dan says Chinese are very active, as consumers, online “so we have a whole digital marketing function set up to communicate more effectively and receive feedback from Chinese consumers”. Merle Foster

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CALVING

Page 11

An easy way to supplement magnesium before and post-calving help break down the feed; offering more energy to them improves the digestibility of feed offered at a time when space in the rumen is tight and demand high.”

To get a successful milking season off to a good start, farmers need to take action prior to calving, says SealesWinslow’s nutritionist and quality manager Wendy Morgan. “In the last three weeks of pregnancy and the ﬁrst three weeks post-calving, a cow needs to move from channelling her energy into growth of the calf to producing large volumes of milk.” Wendy says this is a high-risk period and if managed well can help reduce the risk of milk fever, ketosis, retained placenta and other diseases. “Balancing the diet is key to reducing the risk of these metabolic challenges.

“So it’s essential we consider the requirements for dry matter, protein and energy needs, as well as the demand for minerals and trace elements.” Magnesium is a very important mineral to consider at this time of year, says Wendy. “Spring pasture does not have enough to meet the cow’s requirements and in addition, it is not stored in the body and so needs to be supplemented on a daily basis.” Offering a SealesWinslow Calver Max block precalving and into the colostrum period is an easy way of supplementing this magnesium, and also making available other vitamins and minerals that are essential for the cow. “The molasses in the blocks helps to supply energy to the rumen microbes. These microbes

Take precautions not to spread M. Bovis Feeding infected milk to calves is the second highest risk of spreading Mycoplasma Bovis on-farm, according to DairyNZ. Their website says calves can contract M. Bovis through direct contact with infected cattle, or by consuming milk from infected cows. So if you’re buying or selling calves or milk, there are some simple steps you can take to reduce the risk of spreading M. Bovis and other diseases. If you’re buying milk or feeding calves on your farm, here’s some information. Milk that has the lowest risk of containing M. Bovis bacteria comes in the form of calf milk replacer powder, acidiﬁed milk, or pasteurised milk. If you’re using milk replacer powder, order now to avoid problems with supply. If you’re feeding whole milk, consider the following. Do not feed milk from cows under treatment for mastitis or other illnesses. This milk should be

discarded. These cows are more likely to shed M. Bovis into their milk than healthy cows. Acidiﬁcation with citric acid to a pH below 5 for at least eight hours will kill M. Bovis – but below a pH of 4 the milk will be unpalatable and the calves will refuse to drink it. DairyNZ’s recommended target is 4.5. Pasteurisation will kill M. Bovis if the machine is working correctly and the proper procedures are followed. There is considerable ﬁnancial outlay required for a pasteurisation machine. Addition of yoghurt to milk is a less reliable way to reduce the pH, as this process takes more time and is temperature-dependent to get the culture growing. If the pH doesn’t drop below 5 for at least eight hours, M. Bovis will not be killed. And, M. Bovis is not killed by the addition of potassium sorbate preservative. For more information on this topic, see: www.dairynz.co.nz/animal/ cow-health/mycoplasma-bovis/

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CALVING

Page 12

Prevent infectious calf scours A programme of preventive treatment with Rotagen Combo, the natural calf scour product, is ideal for protecting valuable replacement heifer calves that may be exposed to a viral or bacterial infection resulting in infectious scours.

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for five days will prevent clinical cases of rotavirus. “Rotagen Combo works by coating the virus particle with antibodies, which render it inactive in the gut. It doesn’t kill the virus but prevents it from causing damage to the intestinal lining. If the calf is later exposed to rotavirus because of a breakdown in the control of environmental contamination, Rotagen Combo-treated calves may still get rotavirus, and will need to be re-treated. Vetpak director Steve Atfield says Rotagen is made “The key to a successful regime is treating all heifer from dried egg yolk from hens that have been vacreplacement calves and any others being kept. cinated with specific antigens. “All non-replacement “The hyper-immune calves that aren’t being status these hens achieve kept or treated need results in very high levels to be kept separate of antibodies in their so there’s no crossegg yolks, which provide contamination.” a passive immunity to Steve says another specific infection in the key aspect of infectious gut of the calf.” scour control is The main cause of reducing environmental neonatal calf scours is contamination. rotavirus, a viral disease “An effective hygiene picked up from carrier strategy is to use Vetsan cows following calving. Super Concentrate, Steve says rotavirus is which is active against a disease of newborn Rotavirus 6 and 10, calves, however older Cryptosporidium calves are still vulnerable parvum, E. coli, Saluntil at least one month monella and Corona to of age. spray calf sheds before “Other pathogens may the season and throughbe involved in neonatal out the rearing season. The Rotagen Combo. scours, but rotavirus “An effective hygiene infection is always prepolicy should be developed with staff for calf-rearing sent in at least 80 per cent of outbreaks.” before the season begins to help reduce and maintain The disease is characterised by severe diarrhoea, low environmental contamination levels. which has a distinctive smell, and dehydration; and “Vetsan has residual activity against viruses for the death rate is 20 per cent-plus without treatment. seven-10 days so weekly spraying is recommended. Calves affected by an infectious scour will suffer “When spraying at a 100ppm dilution rate it is damage to the gut’s intestinal lining, resulting in safe to leave the calves in the pen, but avoid spraying reduced nutrient uptake and a severely reduced directly into the calf’s face.” growth rate. Steve says such calves rarely perform as well as nonFor more information on Rotagen Combo and infected animals and have difficulty reaching target Vetsan Super Concentrate live-weights. contact your veterinarian. “A simple programme of treating calves at birth with Rotagen Combo is registered under the ACVM Act a preventive drench of Rotagen Combo once-a-day 1997, No A9726.

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CALVING

Page 13

Learn to calve smarter this season to animal care; industry standards are being raised every year,” says Helen. To register for a CalvingSmart

Planning, planning and more planning is the key to a smooth and stress-free calving, according to DairyNZ animal care team manager Helen Thoday. “Ensuring the entire farm team is working to the same plan will help calving be less stressful,” says Helen. “Having everyone on the same page also supports good farm routines and ultimately means calves get a good start to life.” DairyNZ is holding CalvingSmart workshops throughout the country, offering farm staff at all experience levels the latest tips and techniques to prepare for the calving season. The workshops are divided into streams, with farmers in their ﬁrst season attending a new skills session to learn the signs of calving, stages of labour, identifying when to assist calving cows, safe handling of newborn calves and transporting calves. Decision-maker sessions explore what it would take to be world-leading in on-farm animal care, as well as calf-rearing and system designs that work for calves

and the team. Farm teams come together in the afternoon to attend team sessions, discussing how they can work better together to save time and provide good animal care, along with boosting team morale, establishing clear standards and processes, and down-cow care. “We really encourage farm teams to attend as many haven’t worked together for long,” says Helen. “The Well-Oiled Team session is designed for teams to get to know each other better, and to learn to be civil while under stress.” Helen says teams need to feel clear about their manager’s expectations around calving, while planning for any eventuality. “You can have the best intentions, but the pressure can come on if issues arise, such as staff sickness. Teams shouldn’t shy away from planning for different situations.” Helen hopes farm teams will be motivated to return to their farms and talk about what they’ve learnt, and how they can apply it on-farm. And that new farmers will be able to demonstrate on-farm what they’ve learned and deliver good practice in their ﬁrst season. “You never stop learning, especially when it comes

Look after your staff too this calving season Calving is one of the most stressful and busy times of year on a dairy farm.

Lastly, keep tempers to a minimum. Calving is a stressful time for all involved – so before ﬂying off the handle over something, take a deep breath. It won’t And while calf health comes ﬁrst – farmers and farm solve anything criticising staff for what’s happened. managers also have to think of the wellbeing of their Instead think of how it can be remedied, devise a staff. solution with your team – and implement a new So here’s few tips from Coast and Country News on process if needed. The calving season rollercoaster is how to help farm staff survive the calving season. all about how you deal with the ups and the downs. Get a couple of crockpots going at the cowshed kitchen. Staff are out in cold, wet weather for much of the day wrangling calves and cows in muddy conditions.

Hearty meals

So if you have a hot, hearty meal or two waiting for them – so they can access it when they have the chance – it will keep their energy levels up. Some farmers use pie warmers for the same task – and stack it with food that is warm and easy-to-eat on-the-go. Make sure all staff have correct-ﬁtting and usable wet weather gear because keeping warm and dry is key when calving means a long day in the rain. It doesn’t hurt to have an extra set of gumboots and jackets handy too. This could help ward off winter ills and chills – or prevent injury from ill-ﬁtting gear. Rosters – they are so important. While it is ‘all hands on deck’ at calving it is critical to have a roster – so you have back-up measures in place in case someone falls ill or gets injured. And if you roster staff so they can have some downtime or time-out, it will keep them refreshed and energized for work.

Divide tasks

Get all staff up-to-date on what their tasks will be during calving; how all machinery and calving equipment is used; and how the calf kit is stocked and what to use for what job. If you’re all on the same page from the beginning it will make for smoother times ahead – especially if people are rostered on at different times etc.

workshop in your area, visit www. dairynz.co.nz/calvingsmart-2018

Anne Boswell

Page 14

WAIKATO FOCUS

Stock welfare first on Te Poi block Farm manager Carole Appleton has successfully combined her genuine passion for animal welfare with her knowledge of animal husbandry and farming, to run a 108 hectare grazing block in Te Poi. Carole was raised on a dairy farm in Eureka, and her father also bred, owned and trained racehorses. “As a child I had the best of both worlds, farming and horses,” says Carole.

She’s worked in agriculturerelated industries all her life. The opportunity to become farm manager at Brookside Farm in Te Poi came in 2012 when the dairy farm was bought by her family, with the plan to use it as a heifer grazing unit. “We took over the farm on June 1, 2013,” says Carole. “But I had to advertise for farmers wanting the service before that. I showed people over the land asking them to imagine how it would be.” Now she has a waiting list for her services. The changes started with earthmoving and tree felling to improve visibility on the access-

ways. The races were tidied up and new ones made to give easy access to all areas of the farm. Steeper areas unsuitable for grazing were fenced off and planted with thousands of native trees. The paddocks were re-fenced into manageable sizes with a view to the rotational grazing system needed. The quality of the grass is very good and Carole has a regimented fertiliser plan, combined with regular weed control and spraying. The water system was upgraded and troughs moved so every paddock had better access for stock. “Our water in-take is from the bush, around 3km away across

two other farms,” says Carole. “We have shared water rights with other farms and we have keep the in-take clear and maintain the pipes that lead to our property.”

Weight gain

As the land is ex-dairy, there was already an effective efﬂuent system in place. Carole has converted the large feed pad into a complex yard system to suit her purposes. The fences and gates have been ﬁxed to the concrete using DynaBolts to make a layout perfect for receiving stock, weighing, drenching and draughting. Every year on May 1 the farm receives an intake of about 400 rising one-year-old heifers, usually made up of several mobs from different farms. In December, Carole takes on another 150 weaned calves. All stock are weighed, counted and checked for health issues as they are unloaded from the truck.

“My job isn’t just to graze the animals,” says Carole. “It’s to grow them too. The stock are continually developing and are fed with a diet of grass and silage supplemented as required. I expect a weight gain of half to 1kg per day per animal.” On October 1 each year, the yearling bulls come to run with the older heifers for three or so months. Last season the empty rate on the farm was two-four per cent over the entire mobs, a clear indication of the high level of care for the mobs. Carole can pick out the troublemaker bulls early on and keeps a close eye on them. A ‘dirty eye’ is a farming term for a look in a bull’s eye that indicates they may be a handful. “I’m old school,” says Carole. “My father has taught me a great deal over the years about just looking at stock and understanding their body language.” ...continued

Carole with the rising one-year-old heifers. Photo: Catherine Fry.

WAIKATO FOCUS

Page 15

A lifelong passion for animals continued...

Carole is “very big on animal welfare”. Her philosophy is to nurture the stock, and act quickly if one looks sick, feed them well, and ensure they are handled regularly by humans.

No stress

and a Christmas card usually with one of their heifers wearing a Santa hat. “These animals are the farmer’s livelihood, the future generation of their herd,” says Carole. “Trust is very important and I take that very seriously.”

“We never stress the stock,” says Carole. “They are regularly brought into the yards for weighing and drenching and the atmosphere is calm. We walk around them, touch them and talk to them. Part of my job is to get them used to being handled.” It is important that when stock return to their farms to join the milking herd they are quiet and manageable. “If a cow is happy, it will have less health issues, gain weight well and be calm,” says Carole. “They can’t speak for themselves, so we have to look after their welfare.” Carole’s clients can expect an open gate policy, regular reports of weight gain and any health issues, progress photos,

During her ‘downtime’ Carole can often be found in the middle of a mob of gentle and inquisitive ‘girls’, gathered around her snifﬁng and vying for some attention. Her affection for them shining through as she interacts with them. Catherine Fry

The new yard system on the old feed pad at Brookside Farm. Photo: Catherine Fry.

Interactive tool launched by regional council to help farmers Waikato farmers got to try a newly-launched interactive tool at Fieldays that will help them identify common environmental risks on-farm – a task that will soon be required of them by a plan change implemented by their regional council.

WRC land management and advisory requirement of the proposed plan change, services team leader Alan Campbell farmers may choose to design their farm environment says the aim is for every NZ farmer plans with this in mind and may even be eligible for and grower to have a farm environsome funding.” For more information, visit ment plan to help them identify www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/farm-environment-plans. environmental risks and set out ways to manage them. Solid and Liquid Fertilisers WRC’s new interactive tool will help Solid and Liquid Fertilisers Waikato farmers to do that on their Liquid BioChar/Humus Builder Solid and LiquidFertilisers Fertilisers /Cal-Phos Solid and Liquid own farm, says Alan. Liquid BioChar/Humus Builder Increase soil humus and biological /Cal-Phos “A key part of Healthy Rivers/Wai Liquid BioChar/Humus Builder activity – from $15/ha soil humusBuilder and biological LiquidIncrease BioChar/Humus /Cal-Phos Waikato Regional Council’s stand at Ora is farm environment planning, Soil/Cal-Phos Forceactivity – from $15/haand biological Increase soil humus Fieldays had the interactive tool with Biological Phosphate Fertiliser activity – from $15/ha Increase soil humus and biological identifying risks on-farm,” Alan, who Soil Force activityBiological – from $15/ha Soil Force touchscreen on show, for visitors to Phosphate Fertiliser Re-Charge/Nano-Cal/Multi-Cal says Fieldays was also good timing for Biological Phosphate Fertiliser Calcium-Carbon Fertilisers Soil Force navigate risks such as hill country slips, farmers to have conversations with Re-Charge/Nano-Cal/Multi-Cal Re-Charge/Nano-Cal/Multi-Cal Calcium-Carbon Fertilisers Biological Phosphate Fertiliser Stock Primer – Mineralised stockyard effluent disposal and stream- WRC staff about any problems they’ve Calcium-Carbon Fertilisers Carbon Drench Stock Primer – Mineralised Re-Charge/Nano-Cal/Multi-Cal Stocksuppress Primer – Mineralised bank erosion. Build immunity, Carbon Drench identified on their properties Calcium-Carbon Fertilisers Carbon Drench pathogens; e.g.immunity, Rotovirus & E.Coli Build suppress Healthy Rivers/Wai Ora: Proposed Build immunity, suppress Alan says Healthy Rivers/Wai Ora for Stock as littlepathogens; as 4¢ per cow day & E.Coli e.g. per Rotovirus Primer – Mineralised pathogens; e.g. Rotovirus & E.Coli Plan Change 1 Healthy Rivers Wai Ora is not just about healthy rivers but forDrench as little as 4¢ per cow per day Carbon Humates/Humic Acid/Fulvic Acidper day for as little as 4¢ per cow Build immunity, suppress Increased water retention will require environmental risks to be Humates/Humic Acid/Fulvic Acid profitable and sustainable farming. “By Humates/Humic Acid/Fulvic pathogens; e.g. Rotovirus & E.ColiAcid & nutrientIncreased release. Increasedwater waterretention retention identified in individual farm environfor as little as 4¢ per cow per day improving the way we use the land, we &&nutrient release. nutrient release. Biological PSA New Biological Controls for ment plans. will improve the water quality in the Humates/Humic Acid/Fulvic Acid BiologicalPSA PSA New Controls management Cricket, Cicada, Argentine Biological NewBiological Biological Controlsfor for Increased water retention management Cricket, Cicada, WRC had farm environment plan Reams Stem Weevil, Clover FleaArgentine –Argentine options.management Cricket, Cicada, Waikato catchment. options. Reams Stem Weevil, Clover Flea – & nutrient release. options. Reams Stem Weevil, Home all added into solid and Clover liquid Flea – Soil Testing, templates and guides available at its Soil Testing,Home Home allalladded “Landowners also have an opporTesting, addedinto intosolid solidand andliquid liquid GardenSoil Fertiliser. fertiliser programmes. 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DAIRY

Page 16

What the farmers think about M. Bovis On June 8, several hundred Waikato farmers gathered at the Te Awamutu Rugby Club for an update on the Mycoplasma Bovis response.

The meeting covered the Government’s plan to eradicate the disease from New Zealand. DairyNZ’s Sharon Morrell, Ministry for Primary Industries’ director of response Geoff Gwyn, MPI epidemiologist Evelyn Pleydell, Beef+Lamb NZ general manager Dave Harrison, the Rural Support Trust’s Wanda Leadbeater and Minister of Agriculture and Biosecurity, Damien O’Connor, presented at the meeting. “A ﬁnancial, political, organisational and scientiﬁc decision has been made to eradicate the disease,” said Damien.

“New Zealand would be better off without it. It’s going to cost a lot of money but we’re giving it our best shot. It’ll be an issue of trust, there are still unknowns about the disease, but we believe we’ll be in a better space long term.” A slideshow presentation covered what M. Bovis is and what we know about it to date; surveillance and tracking carried out so far; how testing will be carried out to identify and contain infected farms; methods intended to contain and eradicate the disease; and current statistics. A detailed breakdown of this information is at: www.dairynz.co.nz/animal/cow-health/mycoplasmabovis/ MPI’s Geoff Gwyn explained the planned phased eradication over a 10-year period, which will be achieved by culling of all cattle on identiﬁed infected farms.

Minister of Agriculture, Damien O’Connor, speaking at the Mycoplasma Bovis response meeting in Te Awamutu, Waikato. Photo: Catherine Fry. The estimated cost will be $886 million over 10 years – with 68 per cent of that cost carried by the Crown, and DairyNZ and Beef+Lamb NZ carrying the remaining 32 per cent. It would be more expensive to try and manage the outbreak. The $886 million includes $870m of operational costs including compensation, and $16m in industry impact. Geoff stressed that farmers will receive “like for like” compensation if their farm requires the culling of animals. Extra staff have been brought in to process claims very fast with a view to maintaining the farm’s business model, and minimise the “hit they are taking for the team”. The atmosphere in the room was quiet and tense, with those present obviously thinking deeply about the information they were hearing. The hour-long Question and Answer

session after the presentation illustrated the concerns of Waikato farmers. Coast and Country News has documented some of the queries raised. The answers were valid as at June 8, 2018, but some may have been superseded by new information since then. Isn’t the disease endemic already? Damien O'Connor responded that he didn’t think so and eradication was still a viable option. If we don’t know where it came from, how can we stop it coming back after eradication? MPI’s Geoff Gwyn responded: “It’s an ongoing investigation. We can’t shut pathways without absolute proof that it is a route of entry”. Surely we should put a lot of blame on NAIT non-compliance for it spreading? Every person should be responsible – farmers, carriers, stock agents, meat works all should insist all

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animals have tags. Damien O’Connor responded: “There is no excuse not to be NAIT compliant. People will be fined for NAIT non-compliance going forward”. With calving coming up, should we be closing the yards to stop animals mixing? MPI’s Geoff Gwyn responded: “We can’t shut down farming as we know it. We must farm as normal but minimise the risks. No one should trade with lock-down farms”. What about the school calf club days? Beef + Lamb NZ’s David Harrison responded: “It’s sensible to avoid unnecessary risk, and it would seem better to minimise risk by considering lambs, goat kids or pets”. Why aren’t we testing tonsils of all the beefies at the abattoirs? Beef + Lamb NZ’s David Harrison responded: “Logistically this isn’t possible. We will test high risk farms and we are rolling out regular testing”. Can the organism live outside animals? What is the best practice in yards and pastures? Mobs will be getting mixed in yards. MPI veterinarian, Dr Eve Pleydell, responded: “The bacteria needs to be in the airways or udder. It is susceptible to drying out, sun, UV and disinfectant and can’t live out in the environment or pasture for long. It prefers cool, damp conditions. From one test we’ve established it can live outside the cow for 50-55 days, hence the 60-day fallow period on farms after culling”. With NAIT compliance so low, how can you be sure testing is correct? MPI’s Geoff Gwyn responded: “I believe it is variable rather than slow. Between farmer interviews, NAIT and farm records we can usually track animals”. What about heavy machinery movement? Tankers, silage trucks? Do they have to be cleaned and who is responsible for cleaning them? Beef + Lamb NZ’s David Harrison responded: “Again it is a matter of risk management. We can’t stop farm machinery and vehicle movement. Machines should be cleaned regularly, but logically something like a maize harvest with no cattle near will be a lower risk”. Can calves get it through the colostrum from their mother? MPI veterinarian, Dr Eve Pleydell, responded: “Yes it could get it from the first suck. But it is important to use colostrum. On a farm that has tested positive, it would be advisable to treat milk for calves. If you’re getting milk from other farms milk should definitely be treated”. What about non NAIT animals on lifestyle blocks? MPI’s Geoff Gwyn responded: “This is a hard audience to get information to. They need to comply too. We need to make NAIT more user-friendly”. MPI veterinarian, Dr Eve Pleydell, responded: “Two lifestyle properties have tested positive so far – and the animals were traced to dairy farms”. What about bulls brought onto the property? Beef + Lamb NZ’s David Harrison responded: “I think it’s about understanding what you are bringing onto your farm. Look at the origin herd health status, management and breeding histories”. Can it be present in effluent? MPI veterinarian, Dr Eve Pleydell, responded: “It’s the million-dollar question. We are looking at treating effluent. Our international contacts can give us no definitive answer”. Catherine Fry

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From Young Farmers to head the Feds The man who helped transform NZ Young Farmers has been appointed to lead the country’s most inﬂuential rural lobby group.

participation,” says Katie. “We need to get more young farmers engaged in the important work our organisation does. We’re conﬁdent Terry can help do that.” During his time at NZ Terry Copeland, 50, has been Young Farmers, Terry has named the next chief execuspearheaded projects tive of Federated Farmers. He designed to grow the replaces Graham Smith. number of people Terry has been the chief entering the primary executive of NZ Young industries. Farmers since 2013 and is Almost 200 seclooking forward to a new ondary schools have challenge. downloaded free “I feel the time is right to Terry teaching resources giving take the step up to Federated Copeland. students a taste of career Farmers during a period when the opportunities in the agri-food wider industry needs renewed leadersector. ship,” says Terry. “I’m really proud of our results across Federated Farmers’ president Katie Milne education engagement, membership, the describes Terry as a strategic thinker, who FMG Young Farmer of the Year and the understands young people. development of the Donald Pearson Farm “Terry’s done an amazing job lifting the in Auckland,” says Terry. proﬁle of NZ Young Farmers, building its “It’s a great time to pass on the mantle as membership base and increasing member

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chief executive of NZ Young Farmers. “Many of our NZ Young Farmers members join Federated Farmers when they ‘age out’. It’s a natural progression. So the irony of my latest career move isn’t lost on me,” he laughs. NZYF Board chairman Jason Te Brake says Terry’s departure will be a big loss. “Terry has helped transform our organisation and put it on a more sustainable footing,” says Jason. “He also cares deeply about the wellbeing of members and has been a passionate advocate of tackling suicide in rural communities.” NZ Young Farmers expects to begin advertising for a new chief executive this month. Prior to joining NZ Young Farmers, Terry had more than 20 years’ experience in the wine industry. He’s also an international wine judge. Terry will ﬁnish up at NZYF in mid-July after the 50th FMG Young Farmer of the Year Grand Final in Invercargill.

Page 18

DAIRY

Ask for the performance data Farmers have a right to know what their fertiliser inputs will deliver, and every company selling products has an obligation to provide sound data. So farmers need to ask for these ﬁgures.

increasingly naive, as our understanding of soil being a living breathing organism grows. Early research in NZ on beneficial earthworms under pasture showed a significant increase in numbers when lime was applied, and this was attributed to the calcium content of lime. Aglime generally contains around 30 per cent calcium. Phosphate rock used for superphosphate contains a similar amount. However no-one argues that superphosphate applied at 1-2tonne/ha, the rate at which lime is generally applied, will have the same beneficial effect on soil earthworm numbers. There’s a lot more to soil fertility than its chemistry based on the analysis of a bagful of 75mm cores. It’s a useful part of the picture, and a lot more information is required before a beneficial fertiliser programme can be formulated. It’s essential for the long-term survival of pastoral farming that soils are actively sequestering carbon. As there is no static position, soils are either losing or gaining carbon, and the present situation – where most of our soils are steadily losing carbon – must be addressed. To not do so means the pastoral farming industry, as we know it today, will cease to exist within 25 years. Fortunately, there is the technology, supported by data, to show an increase in soil carbon under intensively grazed pasture is not only achievable; it’s actually inevitable, turning pastoral farming from an environmentally negative activity to a positive one in every respect.

Simply being advised to use a product “because it’s what everyone does” doesn’t necessarily make it the most effective option, or even ensure it is ﬁt-forpurpose. The largest fertiliser companies spend the most on research and development and should therefore have the best data, but do they? Science is based on measures, and when it comes to soil fertility only systematic and accurate ﬁgures are good enough. Without sound long-term measures there can be no reasoned discussion, and any attempt to get to the truth quickly descends into a “he said, you said” farce, or a condescending put-down.

Fit for purpose

A high school teacher, many years ago, regularly finished a lesson with: “Boys, if you don’t understand, ask; it’s better to look a fool than to be one”. And that’s been an integral part of how I’ve worked ever since. The NZ phosphate-based fertiliser industry has worked on sourcing and applying essential nutrient at the lowest cost per kilogram of nutrient, which was fine when there was a plentiful supply of suitable resource with low levels of heavy metals. As the supply of suitable phosphorus became scarcer and more expensive, the least cost rock was unwanted by many countries due to its levels of cadmium. There are now large areas of NZ not suitable for vegetable production due to unacceptably high levels of cadmium. It’s essential that product available to NZ farmers is fit for purpose, not right now but in future when environmental and product quality standards are even tighter. The argument that it doesn’t matter in what form product is applied to the land looks

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Lessons to learn from the way the Irish do dairying The Irish presence at our National Fieldays seems to grow every year, and they offer an amazing range of machinery, equipment and ideas. This year there were 18 companies exhibiting and their catalogue listed 13 more who already have a presence here. Enterprise Ireland also hold a dinner the night before it starts. This year I was fortunate enough to have a discussion beforehand with Dr Frank O’Mara, director of research at Teagasc, which is the semi-state authority in the Republic of Ireland responsible for research and development, training and advisory services in the agri-food sector. Unlike in New Zealand, where all these areas are under different organisations, Teagasc puts everything together – and the data they collect is very comprehensive, including from individual farmers.

with inspections. If As part of the European farmers are found Union, Ireland is subject to have exceeded to EU regulations, one the 170kg/ha limit, of which is their Good there are a range of Agricultural Practice for increasing percentProtection of Waters (S.I. age penalties which No.31 of 2014). This are applied to their sets out in detail the way payments in which every type of from EU-funded animal-produced waste Frank O’Mara. schemes of which – including soiled water they are in receipt. – must be calculated, spread, and sufAn interesting feature of their ficient storage provided to cope with official calculations is a figure a whole winter’s effluent production. of 85kg/head/year for nitrogen What it comes down to is that for excretion of fully grown dairy dairy the basic stocking rate is cows. This presumably includes two cows/ha, and the animal prourine, cowpats, and a proporduced nitrogen level is not to exceed tion of effluent from feed pads, 170kg/ha. dairy sheds and wastewater. From the minor mentions of chemical Derogation fertilisers in their listings, I’ve had If a farmer wishes to increase their to assume this figure is calculated stocking rate they must apply for a largely against cow feed – pasture derogation. And this year the amount and concentrates – which is not of data, maps, soil analyses, buildings coverage etc to be taken to the oneon-one meeting with a Teagasc expert has been increased, and the derogation approval is checked every year,

distorted by copious amounts of applied urea. However, urea is certainly being used, as the ﬁgure for usage is 350,000 tonnes/year. This may go some way to explaining why, with all these requirements, Dr O’Mara’s lecture slides revealed their EPA reported: “the quality of our surface water has remained relatively static since 2007-2009 and improvements, planned for under the ﬁrst river management cycle, have not been achieved”.

Progress

However, in other areas they’re making considerable progress. With a strong focus on their Economic Breeding Index, since 2008 this has gone from a ﬁgure equating to around 8 euros, to one around 76 euros. These ‘elite’ cows are producing around 300

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litres more milk each, and the milk solids ﬁgure has increased, as well as protein and fat percentages of the milk. They’re getting pregnant quicker and more reliably, with an in-calf percentage of 92 per cent at 12 weeks. Their Body Condition Score is better, although they’re a bit lighter overall. And overall milk production for Irish dairying increased more than 500,000 litres in the last year. And after last year’s announcements about their Origin Green scheme, their agri-food exports rose 13 per cent to 12.6 billion euros in 2017, so it must be working for them. If NZ brings in even half the measurements required in Ireland, our farmers will have some subduing lessons to learn. And Ireland still aren’t achieving their water targets!

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NZ Dairy trainees’ tour – an unforgettable journey I embarked on the most unforgettable journey on may 8 to meet up with 10 fellow New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards’ regional dairy trainee winners. Arriving at the airport we were greeted by our incredible study tour hosts, Nathan Erksine and Sally Bosch. They had an exciting itinerary in place for us, much of which we might not have had the opportunity to do if it wasn’t for the NZDIA competition. We all travelled by minibus from Queenstown airport to the highlycredited Fergburger for lunch before heading to Shotover Jet Boats. We then set off for the next leg of our journey, the beautiful Cardrona Distillery. We received a guided tour around the establishment, sat down for an indepth conversation and all got to taste the spirits being made there. We then made tracks to our accommodation in Gore, where an amazing guest speaker was lined up for us – the vibrant Loshni Manikam, who is 2018’s NZ Dairy Woman of the Year. Loshni spoke to us about leadership, passion and goals. Bright and early on Wednesday morning our practical skills were put to the test at Nathan’s dairy farm. As a part of the judging section we were given four different farm tasks

to complete within a timeframe, which all went towards to our judging. As teams of four went out for judging the others stayed behind to complete a wearable dairy arts challenge, certainly the most hilarious part of our trip with some fantastic items being created. Following this we headed to Edendale Fonterra for a tour of the factory and some insight behind the workings of where our milk goes once it leaves our farm gates. Quite a long day once again but it didn’t end there – we headed back to our hotel for dinner and a very intuitive and passionate presentation from Don Moore of Dairy Holdings Ltd. We all got a bit of a culture shock on the Thursday as we reluctantly hopped out of bed at 5am for a CrossFit team building session. After a quick shower and breakfast we were back on the road –this time headed to the Tiwai Point Aluminum Smelter. Then we went to the Southern Dairy Hub to hear about everything the research team has been doing and caught up with some representatives from Ravensdown, who introduced us to new technology and nutrient research. Dinner with all of the NZDIA entrants wrapped up our study and we began to organise ourselves for judged interviews on the Friday. Each of us found value in different things during the tour. For me it was networking with likeminded farmers,

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Loshni’s speech on leadership and seeing the aluminium smelter. When I asked Nathan Erskine why he’s involved with the NZDIA he replied: “It’s a way of giving back to the industry and it makes me happy to be a part of developing new industry leaders”. Nathan and Sally loved hosting us as much as we entrants loved being a part of it.

New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards’ regional dairy trainee winners touring the Tiwai Point Aluminium Smelter.

The NZDIA regional dairy tra inees group at Shotover Jet Boats.

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Farmers wondering where it’s all heading We hope everyone took advantage of men’s health month in June and got a check-up at their GP.

With calving starting soon farmers will be busy and won’t have much time for visiting doctors. So hopefully they’ve done it – or have at least made an appointment.

Attention Farmers

Problems with Iron and Manganese?

The Mycoplasma Bovis outbreak is really starting to get farmers’ attention. They’re really starting to take on-board that they’re going to have to be pretty proactive about trying keep it off-farm and reduce its spread. At Fieldays we found everyone was quite nervous and worried about it. The trouble is farmers don’t know who has got it and who hasn’t, or the farms under restrictions. They’re not sure if it’s their neighbour or not, so are unsure if they need to put in extra boundary fencing to keep stock away. So the Privacy Act is causing a lot of grief out there. If farmers knew the farms infected they’d be able to avoid them – they could work around it – to reduce the chance of contamination of their own farms and prevent further spread. So farmers will have to be very proactive in how they’re going to reduce the risk of infection of M Bovis on their properties. They may have to start vetting the type of vehicles coming on-farm, find out where machinery has been, set up wash stations and disinfectant areas for visitors with dirty gumboots. It’s a bit like when the kiwifruit industry was dealing with the spread of Psa-V. Orchardists were disinfecting vehicles and footwear – all that sort of thing. I know it sounds a bit over the top but if farmers want to keep themselves secure in terms of biosecurity they’ll have to do it. They’ll also have to be strict on stock entering their farm – find out where they came from first. Obviously, keeping NAIT records is very important. Farmers need to ensure they’re focused on

getting all of these numbers right. Doing this will step up their game plan. So farmers will have to be very vigilant. In fact, we’re all going to have to be vigilant. All of these measures will make for a different type of season – and I’m not sure where it’s all going to end. Think of a fertiliser truck – which farm did it come from? Did it have any cow crap on it? Or a stock-truck – where did it come from? What stock has been on-board? Are the stocktrucks going wash out after every delivery? I don’t think so. If they did have to where are they going to wash and when? How long will it take? How far will they have to travel to do so? And at what cost? Vets, Artiﬁcial Breeding technicians coming onfarm – will they have to disinfect their vehicles, footwear and equipment? I suppose it’s up to the individual farmer on how far they want to take it. So there’s a lot to think about and get their heads around. At Fieldays farmers were happy with the predicted payout forecast but also a little concerned with Fonterra and where it’s heading. Then there was M Bovis and environmental issues. So they’re all wondering where it’s all heading. Fieldays didn’t

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seem to offer a lot of new stuff – just more things that do things better. More technology for fertiliser placement and mapping, yield monitoring etc with science is connecting up more and more. We’ve still got grazers but the cows head back to the farms soon. It’s been a wet winter so far – we’ve had rain just about every day. So it’s hard not to make a mess of paddocks and hard to keep condition on cows – because they’re burning energy just to stay warm. Pugging damage in paddocks could be a problem for grass regrowth come spring. So farmers need to plan for it. Pastures might be a bit open and prone to weeds coming through. Farmers should be onto it and spray them sooner than later. Otherwise they’ll end up with paddocks full of weeds and not grass. They could drill in new grass if spring is dry enough to stitch in a bit to keep weeds at bay. So another challenging season so far. Fortunately, we still have a reasonable supply of quality silage, and straw available for anyone that gets caught short of supplement going into spring.

DAIRY

Page 23

Percentage leasing – Stage 2 on farm leasing The previous article looked at the advantages of smaller dairy farms being leased to the neighbour because of the lack of economy of scale, compliance costs and so on. The article included discussion around the sale of cows and shares to repay the debt. The numbers were 70ha producing 70,000kgMS could be leased for say 1300/ha giving a gross income of $91,000 with virtually no outgoings, which is a lot more than you can make by actively farming it I would have thought.

Percentage leasing

This tenure of leasing for a percentage of the dairy cheque has caught on like wildﬁre. How it works is the tenant get 78 per cent to run the farm and pays all outgoings. The landlord gets 22 per cent of the

milk price by way of dairy order paid by Fonterra at source, and pays for very little. The advantage of percentage leasing is the lessee and the lessor share in all the ups and downs of the industry. The lease document does set out a minimum rental and minimum cow numbers to avoid any issues with downsizing of herds etc. I prefer to use the Federated Farmers’ Farm Lease agreement, which is the industry standard and has apparently never been challenged in court. There are many additional issues that must be covered off in the lease. For example: Soil tests to reﬂect nutrient levels that must be maintained; expectations about maintenance of the fences and farm; who pays for ‘capital items’ such as pump replacements; shut up clauses; rights of the owners for access and fruit harvesting; term of lease; efﬂuent disposal; water supply;

cropping areas; nitrogen levels; insurance; disputes; health and safety…and the list goes on. In my opinion percentage leasing is a far better option than 50:50 sharemilking and the reasons are: sharemilkers ‘thought’ that for half the cheque only the owner could pay a lot more costs. Sharemilkers by name did not see themselves as farm maintenance people. There was always a crossover of ‘who’ was the boss. And owners tend to live on the farm and ‘keep control’ and interfere.

Clears doubts

Now I know I’m generalising and 50:50 does work in some cases, particularly with family; but by and large they seem to be problematical. The percentage leasing gets rid of all those doubts and lack of clear boundaries. The owner can be living in London and still get 22 per cent of the dairy cheque.

Another good feature of percentage leasing is that it can be very long term. The fuss and both goes, the tenant has a long term view and everyone is happy. As a commercial landlord, I could also see that by paralleling dairy farms to long term commercial leasing both the owner and tenant beneﬁted hugely. Critical mass does come into it however. I think that you really need 100,000kgMS-plus to really make it economic, particularly for the tenant. The numbers are: 100,000 kgMS x $6 milk price = gross incom $600,000 Owner: 22% to the owner $132,000 Remember the owner has virtually no outgoings Tenant Tenant share 78% to run the business = $468,000 There are other calculations showing up in the industry but percentage remains the most favoured option. Interestingly I’ve been talking to an oil and gas consultant and much the same system is used there. Owners of

the ﬁeld get 20 per cent of income and 80 per cent goes to the exploration oil and gas harvester.

Summary

Unashamedly, I’ve got a lot of pleasure out of introducing percentage leasing into the dairy industry. It has morphed and changed but the basics remain the same. It seems better and fairer than 50:50 with a lot less organising and bitterness. It will continue to change and grow to meet the ever-changing tenure needs of the industry. It does encourage farm land to stay in the family rather than being sold, cashed-up and then where does the money go? 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.

Page 24

FARM VEHICLES & MACHINERY

Own drill making regrassing easy The ﬂexibility of owning your own drill is And the new Duncan Eco Seeder adds even more ﬂexibility because it can work in long, fantastic, says farm manager Liam McMenamin.

dried-off grass and not clog up. Liam, who uses a Duncan Renovator Eco Seeder, says it has improved operations considerably on-farm by providing superior pasture and giving him more options. He manages a 250-cow 100ha dairy operation on Taumata Island near Carterton, plus a few runoffs, for brothers Gordon and Selwyn Taylor. The Taylors bought the Duncan Eco Seeder 18 months ago. Liam is the machine’s main operator. The family previously owned an old Duncan 750 till seeder but decided to upgrade to carry out an intensive regrassing programme on one of their run-offs. “The boys bought another property that has a short growing window, so it made sense to put a pretty vigorous grass in and make the most of it when we could,” says Liam. He uses the Eco Seeder exclusively for regrassing in a grass-to-grass programme. “The Eco Seeder is quicker and tidier than our old drill and we’re able to drill in more diverse soil conditions, as far as dry soil goes. With the old drill, you had to go out slowly or it would bounce around too much, and the seed wouldn’t end up in the furrow. “Now we can get through the work quicker,

as it’s a bit wider too. With the coulters in front it’s not picking up the muck like the other drill was.” The new Eco Seeder also offers Liam and his team greater flexibility in their work. Up until five years ago, they were reliant on contractors to do their regrassing programme. “We don’t like mucking contractors around, so we tried to get as much done as we could in one hit,” says Liam. “One of the big benefits of this new drill for us is I can go into a paddock as soon as we have some surplus grass, even after a particularly wet spring. “If we have surplus grass we can take The Duncan Eco Seeder can sow a variety a paddock out to regrass it. We can go of seeds from clover, rape and swedes right straight in, do some subsoiling, drill through to oats, wheat and peas. it with new grass in a short amount time and get the paddock back in the can make a big cost difference. round. “It lets us be a little bit fussier with things “It’s a huge benefit to be able to manage and has allowed us to improve our grass those little surpluses. It just takes the edge off yield. I drill paddocks on half rates and do and is ideal for our stock management.” two passes, so we get a better coverage and a Liam drills in a diamond shape, doing two more even paddock.” passes over each paddock. “When it is your own drill you don’t mind spending that extra hour or so to do that second pass, but if you’re paying a contractor that second pass

Liam McMenamin says the Duncan Eco Seeder does a good job, even in drier soil conditions.

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Tractors attracting crowds Tractors, tractors everywhere. It didn’t matter which road you went up or down at Fieldays 2018 you were bound to see a tractor on show. From those high-powered machines in the pulling competitions, to the

technology-driven beasts providing greater efﬁciencies on the land to the older four-wheeled lasses of the vintage era – plus all of those on display and for sale – they were all there. Coast and Country News snapped some of the machines, old and new, on show.

The Vintage Tractor Parade at Fieldays 2018. Photo: Catherine Fry.

A steam tractor chugs along in the Vintage Tractor Parade. Photo: Catherine Fry.

A New Holland in Police colours on show. Photo: Merle Foster.

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Fieldays debut for unique tractor Fieldays-goers got to see a one-of-a kind tractor, which is put to work at New Zealand’s only commercial tea estate, at Mystery Creek this year. The Waikato-based Zealong Tea Estate, which today has 1.2 million plants on 48 hectares at Gordonton, displayed the tractor at their ﬁrst Fieldays stand alongside a range of the brand’s teas to see, smell and taste. Purchased in late-2015, Zealong Tea Estate’s research and development manager Fabien Maisonneuve says the specially-designed hydraulic tractor has dramatically reduced the need for manual labour for various jobs at the certiﬁed organic estate. “Due to strict organic regulations, we were unable to use conventional methods – for example, having to manually control weeds, and having limited options for BioGro-approved organic fertiliser. “We had to think outside the box – using expertise from several different countries within our team, we’ve ended up with

a machine with a wider range of applications, less wear and tear, and more power than the mechanical machinery traditionally used on tea farms.” Zealong Tea Estate’s ﬁnance manager Ken Stokes says the tractor is one of a kind. “It is designed around the French wine industry and we sort of used Kiwi ingenuity and Japanese technology to develop it and design all of our attachments,” says Ken. The tractor can do just about everything on the estate – except picking, which is done by hand for just 60 days of the year. Affectionately called ‘The Transformer’ by the Zealong team, the large yellow machine straddles two rows of tea as it trims, prunes, mows, weeds, ploughs, or spreads fertiliser. Before the tractor arrived, due to the width between the tea bushes, it was impossible to drive a tractor between the rows, says Ken. “Basically, beforehand, because we’re organic we can’t use any sprays to control weeds, we had to have somebody behind a hand-mower to mow manually down each row. “We’ve got a 48ha estate – the grass and weeds between the rows grow very quickly, so it was a big job before the tractor came along.” It also spreads fertiliser sheep pellets and this year certiﬁed organic soya meal will be applied as well.” Merle Foster

Zealong Tea Estate’s tractor at Fieldays. Photo: Merle Foster.

AUTOVILLAGE

FIELDAYS FOLLOWUP

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Love of microgreens sparks innovative growing kit Growing fresh microgreens right in your own kitchen just became simple and environmentally-friendly thanks to the thinking of three Aucklanders who have created the Micropod.

“And by growing microgreens in your Micropod at home you’re effectively reducing the price by cutting out the middle men involved when you buy them from the supermarket – plus you can On show at the Fieldays’ Innovation Centre, guarantee they will founders Brian Lai and Jeff Xu were fielding large be fresh.” amounts of enquiries about the Micropod – and “Because you can cut them ended up winning the Fieldays Innovation Origin when you want to use them – Intellectual Property Awards. they will not go limp or The pair say they developed the Micropod with a rotten in the fridge and be biodegradable seed mat – which has 427 seeds and forgotten about.” embodied nutrients. And they are simple to use – The seeds are perfectly spaced to allow maxi‘growers’ just have to add water mum yield and also eliminates issues with once to the Micropod Micropod has the only copyright/ moulding, which is common in traditional tray before placing the licence for the compostable mats microgreen set-ups. seed mat and covering used in the product. Jeff had tried to grow his own microgreens it with a dome, which but failed – then found there wasn’t many growing helps the seeds to germinate. options on the shelves of retailers. Growth is optimum if it is placed He got Brian to join him and develop their own – in a sunny location such as a winand with help from the Sprout Agritech Accelerator dowsill. programme the result is an indoor microgreens pods Brian says the beauty of the that can be grown in less than two weeks. Micropod is that it’s simple. “It means people can grow their own micro“You water once and forget greens regardless of whether they lack a about it until they are ready garden, the space to grow vegetables or to harvest.” the time to tend to plants,” says Brian. Plus the Micropod Micropod co-founder Brian Lai. Photos: Merle Foster.

seed mat is the only patented fully compostable product of its kind in NZ – making the product environmentally sustainable.

Due the overwhelming success at Fieldays, Micropod is looking to have product to sell by the end of the year. To find out mo e, see: www.micropod.nz Merle Foster

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FIELDAYS FOLLOWUP

Fertiliser company’s milestones at Mystery Creek Exhibiting at Fieldays 2018 is one of many recent milestones for Marsden Agri founder and managing director Carl Sisson.

The 50th anniversary of Fieldays coincides with Carl’s own anniversary – 25 years in the fertiliser industry – plus Marsden Agri’s ﬁrst time exhibiting at Mystery Creek and the company’s introManuka Provenances

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duction of Quinfert RPR, which is short for Reactive Phosphate Rock. After hearing farmer frustrations with commodity-based fertiliser representatives or unqualiﬁed self-labelled ‘experts’ offering questionable solutions, Carl set out to address a gap in the market. He founded Marsden Agri to deliver on environmentally sustainable nutrient management principles by offering custom

fertiliser solutions aligned to each customer’s GPS soil/herbage testing and nutrient budget. “These philosophies are well supported by the growing number of customers who recognise the value of this custom approach to fertiliser and animal health solutions,” says Carl. Through its stores in Central Waikato and Eastern Bay of Plenty, Marsden Agri recently announced North Island distribu-

Coromandel

tion of Quinfert RPR. This is another exciting chapter for Carl, who worked with Dr Bert Quin during the 1990s assisting in RPR gaining acknowledgment as the environmentally sustainable natural alternative to superphosphate. According to the pair: “RPR today just isn’t getting the exposure it deserves or needs”. For more information contact Carl or the Marsden Agri team.

Marsden Agri founder and managing director Carl Sisson with Dr Bert Quin unloading the ﬁrst shipment of Quinfert RPR.

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Fencing a match of skill, speed and sheer tenacity Generations of families have fiercely contested the New Zealand Fencing Competitions at Fieldays over the years. But this year’s win by Tony Bouskill will celebrate family rivalry, after he won first place in the prestigious Golden Pliers by Wiremark Singles Championship. It’s a position Tony’s father Shane Bouskill has dominated and held four times previously. NZ Fencing Competitions marketing manager Debbie White says it’s also recognised on the world stage as being a highly coveted trophy, which exhibits precision fencing. “It’s a gut-busting test of endurance and requires dedication, fitness, an eye for detail and the mental agility to produce a top-quality post and batten fence.” Competitors’ 50m, nine-wire fences are scrutinised closely by judges, right down to the smallest details. Leading up to the event Shane had mixed feelings

about wanting to win the Golden Pliers. He definitely wanted to win, but also wanted Tony to win. Together the father-and-son duo also won Fieldays’ Silver Spades Doubles Championship for the second time. This is a doubles’ teams competition, which is more about the modernisation of fencing as it uses new products from sponsors. The competitions are organised and run by NZFC. Qualifying heats are held prior to Fieldays and the top eight finalists qualify for the Golden Pliers final. The next six finalists who have never competed in a Golden Pliers final qualify for the Bill Schuler Competition final, named after the legendary fencer and champion competitor who recently passed away. Jared Nicholson won the 2018 Bill Schuler Final while Fergus Smith and Angus Bennett from Smedley Station took first place in the Fieldays Silver Staples.

FIELDAYS FOLLOWUP

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Robot turns heads of kiwifruit growers at Fieldays A battery-powered fully-autonomous robot system, which can scan kiwifruit orchards and offer growers a full picture of their crop via accurate data, was drawing the interest of many in the horticultural industry at Fieldays. The robot is the brainchild of Nicholas Woon and Matthew Warner – and is the start of their business Acuris Systems, which is in the pre-commercial stage but ultimately is aiming to give growers the power to make decisions from deﬁnitive ground-truth data. Accurate data is something Nicholas says is missing in kiwifruit orcharding – which is why he and Matthew set up their analytics and automation company, based in Auckland, in late-2016.

Crucial decisions

Nicholas says currently most kiwifruit orchardists take a walk through their orchard, have a look at the crop ﬂowering and guesstimate how much thinning they should undertake to increase their yield. “Often the information is formed from tiny samples sizes – and from this growers make crucial decisions that can impact the quality of their yield and ultimately affect their season’s results on large areas of their orchards. “What we do is we provide an industry-ﬁrst, 100 per cent, full population count for every hectare on a kiwifruit orchard. This gives growers a full picture of their crop and allows them to make data-driven decisions to optimise yield and mitigate risks.”

“Huge amounts of fruit data is collected via the camera on the robot then we process this data to form high-quality, accurate orchard information,” says Nicholas. Acuris Systems was born after Matthew heard about data challenges facing orchardists from a family friend. “I’d ﬁnished university and was doing some project work. I have a big robotics background. I’ve built them all of my life. “So I was thinking about this orchardist’s issues and I knew a lot of new technology had come out allowing small companies to implement technology like this.

“And the more we talked to them, and the more we talked to the kiwifruit industry, the more we found there’s a huge problem in the sparseness of data within traditional methods of capturing it so we set out to change that.” Their pilot programme has four customers – “two of which are quite large

post-harvest operators”. “So we’re scanning 200ha of kiwifruit vines this season, in the Bay of Plenty – mainly during ﬂowering in late-September,” says Matthew. The commercial partnering will ﬁnish at March’s harvest, “then we want to scale up and begin commericialising”. Merle Foster

Acuris Systems’ co-founders Nicholas Woon and Matthew Warner with their fullyautonomous robot system, which can scan orchards and give hard data to growers.

Scan vines

Acuris Systems will deploy the robotics system in an orchard to scan vines – in particular kiwifruit buds, ﬂowers and fruitlet – so accurate data can be given to the grower to determine their crop-load balance for the season. “So we’ll turn up to an orchard with a bunch of these units. They will go out and scan up and down each row of vines from underneath – we’ll gather that data and process it on our computers and give growers hard data,” says Matthew. Stationed inside the Innovations Centre at Fieldays, the pair were explaining how the robot works and how the data is presented to growers. The battery-powered fully-autonomous robot – The battery-powered fully-autonomous robot system which doesn’t require remote control – runs around on-orchard for preliminary trials. Photo: Acuris Systems. an orchard via a sensor package and smart software.

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FIELDAYS FOLLOWUP

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Fifteen years of displaying at Fieldays The Beams & Timber Direct Ltd stand always creates much interest at Fieldays. “This year we showcased our impressive top of the range entranceway fencing with our high quality gates hung on large 300mm gate posts, teamed with 250mm2 fence posts,” says Julie Fox, who owns Beams & Timber Direct Ltd with husband Graeme. “The large posts are very tactile and many of the men that visited our stand couldn’t help but touch them.” Julie says the large gates and posts make a statement on any sort of property, including commercial, lifestyle blocks, subdivisions or large farms. They are not all big timber though – in fact Julie was able to direct people to the Ag Museum at Fieldays to see installed fencing in their standard posts of 125mm2 and 150mm2. Rails slot perfectly into pre-machined rebated posts to give a strong, durable, visually appealing fence option. The posts and rails are made from sustainable, high quality treated pine, not often seen in fencing timber. Beams & Timber Direct Ltd had a hectic time at Fieldays, Julie says it was a hectic four days at with huge enquiry from visitors from all over New Zealand. Fieldays. “We had huge enquiry from “It’s now 15 years since we debuted our fence at visitors from all over New Zealand. The Fieldays and we’re particularly proud of our product furthest away was from Timaru. and our Interlock brand,” says Julie. “We can competitively ship anywhere in the Many offers were received for the display gates and country. It was fantastic to meet our customers fence, with the entranceway going to a new home on and hear their positive feedback about our fences a station in Taupo. and gates.

Fifty years of Fieldays proves fruitful to NZ economy The impact Fieldays has had on the New Zealand economy since it began in 1969 was released as Mystery Creek geared up to the host the 50 event last month. An Economic Impact report, prepared by Dr Warren Hughes and Prof Frank Scrimgeour of the University of Waikato

Management School’s institute of business research. highlights how the last 49 years of Fieldays have contributed to the economy. Using attendance for each year as a scaling factor, the report outlines total revenue contribution of Fieldays over

the last 49 years is estimated at $18 billion in today’s economic value, with GDP contribution estimated at $8 billion. The impact Fieldays has on employment is an estimated 2340 jobs effected in 2017, with 900 created in the Waikato alone.

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FIELDAYS FOLLOWUP

Prepare your farm for a wet winter with the right feeder Is your farm prepared for the wet winter? If not, Wilco Engineering can help. Winter often means muddy, boggy paddocks – and this year is no different. It’s been a wet winter so far and pugging is a real problem, says Wilco Engineering owners Gary and Glennis Wilson. “We’re seeing paddocks like this everywhere at the moment, as we are regularly travelling around the North Island making deliveries of our feeders. “Paddocks which get into this sort of condition can take years to fully recover.” The couple say it can be difﬁcult to keep your paddocks in

good condition for your stock to feed and sleep in, especially during a wet winter. “And it makes things hard on your stock – particularly during calving. That’s why it is so important that you have feed ready for your stock when they need it.” One of the beneﬁts of Wilco feeders is you can easily move them around and in between paddocks, which helps prevent excessive pugging around feed areas. “By having the ability to move the feeders around, it gives the ground a chance to recover, not to mention looks after your stock and keeps them comfortable,” say the couple. If you want to learn more on how a Wilco feeder can reduce feed wastage and A Wilco feeder can reduce feed wastage save you time and money, get and save you time and money. in touch.

One of the beneﬁts of Wilco feeders is you can easily move them around and in between paddocks.

www.coastandcountrynews.co.nz

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The fine art of farming Waikato dairy farmer Peter Morgan understands the value of data in effective decision-making on a high performing farm. With Agrigate, he has more time to spend understanding his data, benchmarking and making better decisions. Pete has been farming in Pokeru for 18 years. Starting with 350 cows on 180 hectares, by next season the farm will have grown to 240 hectares and 640 cows. “With this increase in size comes a signiﬁcant increase in complexity in terms of running the farm and managing performance well,” says Pete. Pete has always paid close attention to his data. Before Agrigate, this meant manually collecting,

inputting and analysing information and using lots and lots of spreadsheets that he had to keep up-to-date. “With partners on-board, we need a whole business overview so everyone can see the same information and make decisions together,” says Pete. He needed what he called coffee table information – visual data “in one place so you can sit down and discuss it over coffee,” says Pete. “What’s great about Agrigate is it gives me more time to spend understanding and decision-making rather than ‘doing’ the data. I no longer have to go to multiple sources to get the information I need. [Agrigate] lets me cross check pasture, rainfall, production and cows at a glance. Having everything in the one place saves time, energy and ﬁddliness,” says Pete.

Taking the milk industry Pamu’s focus on innovation in the food business has been recognised at the 50th Fieldays, winning the Innovation Grassroots awards, with its ground-breaking deer milk product. The award comes after three years of trial and testing for the company – formerly Landcorp – with partners Sharon and Peter McIntyre, who farm near Gore. Pamu chief executive Steve Carden says deer milk is the sort of innovation the agriculture sector needs to invest in to make sure it remain competitive. “As an industry, agriculture needs to be changing and evolving what we produce in response to consumer demand.” Steve says Pamu deer milk is one of the ways Pamu is investing in innovation, with like-minded partners, to take the milk industry forward. “With is high fat content and protein levels, Pamu deer milk is ideal for food service, cosmetics and other uses we’re exploring. “While still early days for the product, [the award] win is an awesome acknowledgement for the team at Pamu, and for our partners the McIntyre family with

Find out more at agrigate.co.nz or sign up for a free 30-day trial to see how Agrigate can help you.

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support from Agresearch, Agmardt, Asure Quality and the Food Hub. “Pamu is looking at how we can enhance shareholder value, by not just being a price taker at the farm gate, but adding value right along the food chain. “Whether it is looking at how we can use the unique properties of deer milk, or partnering with Spring Sheep Milk Co to offer a unique product range, or the provision of high quality wool to NZ Merino for the innovative brands they work with, Pamu is always looking at ways we can drive value and innovation in our business. “Partnerships such as the one we have with the McIntyre’s, are a key part of that strategy. We are seeing a unique product like Pamu deer milk, turned into the sort of potentially high value, niche export product that is the ‘holy grail’ for the primary sector. “It provides an earnings multiplier way above selling the product at the farm gate.” Steve says while testing with top chefs in Auckland got positive feedback, the challenge, as always, is making such a product commercially viable. “We believe we are on the cusp of something very exciting,” says Steve.

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FIELDAYS FOLLOWUP

Kiwi Peel so popular another product is under development Twelve-year-old Christian Stark and his father David were rushed off their feet selling out of their new invention Kiwi Peel each day at Fieldays – now they have a new product under development.

The Tauranga Intermediate pupil came up with the idea for Kiwi Peel after getting sick of the mess of peeling the fruit. Christian’s led development of Kiwi Peel supported by his father – and the ﬁnal design, produced by engineering ﬁrm Tig Art, is simple and The Kiwipeel being demonstrated at Fieldays by inventor Christian Stark.

Christian Stark manning his Kiwipeel stand at Fieldays.

effective: a tube made of foodgrade stainless steel with a rolled top edge. There is no plastic in the design and it is fully recyclable. “Just top and tail the kiwifruit and then press the Kiwi Peel down, and the skin is gone,” says Christian. David says at Fieldays, where they had entered Kiwi Peel in the Innovation Awards, people loved the product because it’s made of stainless steel. “It can go in the dishwasher and will last a lifetime.” Parents were big customers too – with Kiwi Peel offering a fast and simple way to peel fruit for their children – “which is good because the kids end up eating more fruit”. “They also liked the story of Christian being 12 and inventing this product. And they loved it because it is so simple. Some asked why someone else hadn’t thought of it before?” says David. One-hundred Kiwi Peels were made to sell at Fieldays. “The ﬁrst day we’d sold 40 by lunchtime, so I rang up my manufacturer who made 20 and we ran out of them by 3pm Thursday. “On Friday I made 50 myself – we sold those within three hours. On Saturday we took 150; it was a bit quieter but we sold 80 of them.” David says they have potential orders from three big companies of 1000 each – “they’re looking to use them as promotional items for their international customers’”. And they’ve introduced two more sizes – a large and a small – to complement the original. Now the Starks have a new product under development. “People want us to make one for peeling avocados, that is strong and made from stainless steel”.

FIELDAYS FOLLOWUP

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Taihape girl takes home Golden Gumboot spending two years travelling and working overseas. She currently works as shepherd on a hill farm in Taihape. Entering the competition apparently wasn’t an idea of her own making. “My girlfriends just want to marry me off,” says Mairi. “I’ve always been busy doing my own thing; that’s probably why I’m still single. There was an ultimatum of this or ‘Married at First Sight’, so this seemed the better option as I’m a rural girl.”

Watch this space

Winner of the Rural Catch, Mairi Whittle, celebrating at Fieldays 2018. Photo supplied by Fieldays.

Twenty-eight-year-old Mairi Whittle has won the Rural Catch title at Fieldays 2018. Formerly known as Rural Bachelor of the Year, at this year’s 50th annual Fieldays bachelorettes joined the bachelors for the ﬁrst time in the re-named Rural Catch competition.

Ultimatum

Mairi took home the title, Renae Flett, aged 32, won the Farmlands Choice award, and the People’s Choice Award went to Lilly Newton, 21, leaving the bachelors trailing behind. Mairi was brought up on a hill country sheep and beef farm in Taihape. It’s hardly surprising that she studied for a BCom (Ag) at Lincoln University, moving into rural banking for ﬁve years, then

Mairi was a little sceptical at first, but it helped that she knew fellow contestant Berny Hall quite well. “After the first couple of days, we all relaxed and started to have fun,” says Mairi. “As we all got to know each other it became more about having a good time, rather than being competitive.” Mairi competed in challenges including culinary skills, dog handling, fitness, All Terrain Vehicle skills, health and wellbeing, chainsaw skills, tractor driving, fencing, rural finance, and problem solving, to prove her mettle against the other finalists. She was blown away by the support of her home town of Taihape, the gumboot capital of the world, where she has now returned with the prized Golden Gumboot trophy. Work-wise, the future holds a change for Mairi, as she will soon be taking over the management of the family’s 600ha sheep and beef farm in Taihape. The burning question is whether Mairi has been BAFFLED TANK inundated with requests from suitors? “There’s been a few messages, but I’ve not really had a chance to look into them yet!” All may not be lost though; there could be a small plot twist. On the last night Mairi suggested to fellow finalist and friend, Berny Hall, that if they were both TANK BAFFLED single by the next Fieldays, they should get together... we are watching this space! Catherine Fry TWIN BAFFLED TANK

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FIELDAYS FOLLOWUP

Museum celebrates 50 years of Fieldays A striking copper wire coil, mounted programme covers, a display of the 1970 visit by Her Majesty The Queen and a significant Maori ko, or digging stick, are all part of Waikato Museum’s exhibition celebrating 50 years of Fieldays. Exhibition curator Dan Morrow says conversations with New Zealand National Fieldays Inc CEO Peter Nation on how to display 50 years of Fieldays began more than a year ago “with a view to the museum doing something to mark the 50th anniversary”. Fieldays is the largest and most visited agricultural event in the Southern Hemisphere and a lot of information had to be compressed into the available space at the museum.

NZNational Fieldays Society president Peter Carr and Hamilton city councillor Angela O’Leary opening the exhibition. Photo: Waikato Museum.

Press coverage from the first event in 1969 was an important starting point. A chart of the various economic and attendance statistics up until the present day is a visual

reminder of how the event has grown. “The economic impact of Fieldays is quite staggering,” says Dan. The museum has scanned and mounted Fieldays programme covers, from 1969 to 2008, which provides an interesting journey of how design processes have changed over the decades. Another display commemorates the 1970 visit to Fieldays, by Her Majesty The Queen, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles and Princess Anne. Some memorabilia with Fieldays branding has been lent to the museum, including a smart green blazer worn by Fieldays Society staff at the event. Visitors can sit down and watch a short video which explains Fieldays’ origins, introducing some of the key players from the early days, and reflecting on how it has grown over time. A Maori ko or digging stick, carved at Turangawaewae, Ngaruawahia, has pride of

Origin ’68 by Cherise Thomson, a specially-commissioned copper wire sculpture for the NZ National Fieldays’ 50th anniversary. Photo: Catherine Fry.

place at the entrance to the exhibition. “This was presented to Fieldays by the Maori Queen, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, when she opened the show in 1980,” says Dan. The centrepiece of the exhibit is a beautiful sculpture made from reclaimed copper wire. “It’s called ‘Origin ‘68’ by sculptor Cherise Thomson,” says Dan. “It was specially commissioned by Fieldays for the 50th anniversary, and is a reminder of the origins of Fieldays.” The origin Dan refers to is to the vision of the original founders. In order to buy the Mystery Creek site for their event, the group of Waikato farmers required a 100 per cent loan. They used financial backers and personal guarantees, but also reportedly offered their bank coils of copper wire leftover from the initial events at Te Rapa as collateral. ‘Origin ‘68’ is a striking, huge copper wire coil, mounted on native wood panels, reclaimed from the old Fieldays’ boardroom. The ‘50 years of Fieldays’ exhibition runs to August 19, 2018. Catherine Fry

Rural careers on show Showing city kids there is more to food production than cows and gumboots was the aim of NZ Young Farmers running the third annual Amazing Race food challenge at Fieldays this year. Almost 60 South Auckland students were given a taste of careers in the primary industries by taking part in the food challenge, which had them zigzag across the largest agricultural event in the Southern Hemisphere. “I thought we were coming to see cows being milked, but this is mind-blowing,” says Year 12 student Linda-Rae Porter after competing in the June 13 event. Organised by NZ Young Farmers and funded by the Red Meat Profit Partnership, this year’s event had many participants from Aorere College and Manurewa High School viewing Fieldays – which hosts almost 1000 exhibitors and attracted more than 133,000 visitors last year – for the first time “It’s about showing city kids that there is more to food production than cows and gumboots,” says Leeann Morgan from NZ Young Farmers. Year 12 student Saane Fotu wants to study science at university and had planned to enter the health sector. “Then I arrived at Fieldays and was like ‘wow’. This is not what I expected. Now I’m considering working in agri-science.”

HORTICULTURE

Page 37

Opotiki kiwifruit growers win top national award Competing against dairy, sheep and beef farmers as well as beekeepers and orchardists who promote sustainable land practices, an Opotiki organic kiwifruitgrowing couple have won the top trophy in 2018’s Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

the Gordon Stephenson trophy – the annual national award. As recipients, the Whites are recognised as ambassadors for promotion of sustainable and proﬁtable farming in New Zealand. The trophy is named in honour of Waikato farmer and noted conservationist, the late Gordon Stephenson.

Judging panel chairperson Dianne Kidd says the Whites demonstrate an excellent understanding of all aspects of sustainable food production. “They’re outstanding strategic and agile thinkers on the key issues for NZ and have strong primary sector and community leadership qualities. “They are strong users of evidence-

based science and technology in their business and orchard and demonstrate a broad global market understanding and a real energy to be agents of change.” Their BioGro-certiﬁed orchard encompasses 3.19ha of Zespri Organic Green kiwifruit and 2.65 ha of Zespri Organic SunGold (G3) fruit.

The couple gained entry to the event by scooping four awards, Announced at the BFEA’s National including the supreme one, at the Sustainability Showcase in Wellington on BFEA’s Bay of Plenty regional comJune 7, Mark and Catriona White won Catriona and Mark White. petition in February.

Fresh produce exporters introduce new staff

industry from grower to grower services, to multinational territory manager and technical manager roles. “Bruce can be relied on for sound technical advice based on science. He’s looking forward to working within an experienced, approachable team for the beneﬁt of our growers.”

The JP Exports Bay of Plenty team of Glyn Williams, John Bird and Bruce Shepherd. New Zealand exporters of fresh produce, JP Exports, is welcoming two new additions to their team in the Bay of Plenty region. John Bird will join Glyn Williams procuring avocados and assisting growers, while Bruce Shepherd will be providing technical advice to JP Exports’ growers. JP Exports general manager Lesley Shield says John is also an avocado grower, so he knows what growers go through to get their avocados to markets. “He and his wife Marie have an orchard in Pahoia. John has been heavily involved in the avocado industry for seven years, as a grower services manager for two major packhouses and was heavily involved in Logistics and Food Safety Compliance whilst there.” Lesley says Bruce is well-known and highly respected in the industry. “He’s won the Advisor Productivity category at the Australasian 2017 Syngenta Growth Awards, which took place in Sydney. “This award recognises growers and advisors who use best practice in achieving consistent productivity gains.” Lesley says Bruce has worked on many sides of the

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their farm environment. “Many novel and practical ways to do this are detailed in our new Deer Industry Environmental Management Code of Practice,” says Ian. He launched the code – the first for a New Zealand pastoral industry – at the deer industry conference in Timaru on May 16. “It is intended to keep the deer industry at the forefront of efforts to improve water quality. While we strongly encourage farmers to adopt it, we won’t have to do much prodding. Most are already highly motivated to have a great environment on their farms,” says Ian. He says the NZ Deer Farmers Association first published a Landcare Manual in 2004 that was updated

in 2012. The new code builds on this work. “It draws many of its case studies from the Deer Industry Environmental Awards initiated by Fiona Lady Elworthy and the late Sir Peter Elworthy in 2000. “These awards continue to throw up great examples of the work farmers are doing to improve the environment.” Ian says much had changed in the last two decades. “While many farmers have fenced off their waterways and retired erosion-prone areas, regional councils, customers, visitors and our fellow New Zealanders want proof that we take our environmental obligations seriously. “That means having Farm Environment Plans that show we are

doing our best to protect soil and water, and ensuring streams, rivers and lakes stay clean. “That’s where the new code comes in. It provides deer farmers drafting a plan with practical answers to the environmental challenges they face. “We believe it is realistic to have all deer farmers operating with a Farm Environment Plan by 2020.” NZDA outgoing chair David Morgan farms deer at Raincliff Station, South Canterbury. He says the code is a “fantastic resource” that’s practical and easy to follow. “Good environmental management goes hand-in-hand with good animal husbandry. “Deer that are healthy, well-fed, not stressed and given the room to act like deer are a lot easier on the environment than a poorly managed herd,” says David. See the code at: deernz.org/environmental-management-code-practice

Specialist agricultural tour operator business snapped up Travel Time South Pacific has announced it has acquired AgriTravel International, a Waikatobased company which creates customised agricultural and special interest tours across New Zealand. The purchase will strengthen Travel Time South Pacific’s inbound tour operator business and enable an even broader range of specialised product offerings for their international clientele. The purchase of the specialist agricultural tour operator fits into Travel Time South Pacific’s growth and expansion strategies and will enable them to offer specialised agricultural tours both domestically and to the growing number of international clients seeking to visit one of the world’s most progressive agricultural nations. Travel Time South Pacific managing director Scott Mehrtens says the acquisition of AgriTravel International complements

his company’s overall tailor-made travel offerings “so we can now provide a stronger focus on these much specialised agricultural tour itineraries and agri-biz programmes”. “This investment adds to our capacity, geographic presence and enables us to support increasing numbers of requests from leisure and corporate sectors asking to include visits to our world-leading facilities, farms and companies that specialise in agricultural technologies and food production.” Karen Baldwin, who has been managing AgriTravel International for the last five years, will be joining the Travel Time South Pacific team with immediate effect. Karen says she’s excited to be joining forces with an outstanding and experienced family-business that would strive to ensure the needs of all AgriTravel clients were a top priority, now and going forwards. “AgriTravel will continue to work with its valued suppliers to offer creative tour programmes for our existing clients and new markets keen to meet the people and businesses that shape the agricultural sector

Company stakeholders Scott Mehrtens, Les Mehrtens and Barbara Mehrtens, with AgriTravel manager Karen Baldwin. in New Zealand,” says Karen. “It’s very exciting to be working with such a large team of experienced and passionate travel professionals at Travel Time South Pacific. “Our priority will continue to be the creation and delivery of inspiring travel experiences to all our clients.”

LIFESTYLE FARMING

Page 39

First-aid advice for spring calving Prompt and effective management of newborn calves is critical to give them the best chance of getting through the first few vulnerable months of life in good health. While not exhaustive, below are some of the key ways to minimise issues developing when rearing young calves. Ensure colostrum intake is 2L in first six hours and 4L in first 12 hours of life for maximal immunity to be absorbed. It might be necessary to use a stomach tube if they will not suckle. Courtesy of a modern design by a Waikato vet

there is now a safer and more effective stomach tube to deliver ﬂuids. See your local vet for more details. Use good quality colostrum, ideally from the ﬁrst milking for newborn calves. And offer access to fresh water and hay from day one as well as meal from one week of age to assist with rumen development. Good shed hygiene is also key to preventing spread of disease. Use a virucidal spray twiceweekly, use a free-draining litter to prevent wet areas. Apply all-in all-out systems, and ensure there is

no movement between pens. Use footbaths and separate equipment for an isolation or sick pen. Try to identify and isolate sick calves early. Rectal temperatures above 39.5 degrees Celsius are considered high/ feverish and need attention. Compare with other calves in the same pen if you are unsure. Scouring calves die from dehydration not infection in most cases. So use a good quality electrolyte – the outcome you get is related to what you pay for. Most sick scouring calves will

need around 8L – depending on how dehydrated they are – of fluid a day to rehydrate and maintain hydration, divided into three-four feeds. All electrolytes have insufficient energy to maintain bodyweight or growth so ensure some milk feeds are had after 24 hours of electrolytes. Calves that are unwell with scours can benefit and recover faster by using an anti-inflammatory. Contact your local vet clinic for more details.

Govt decision could halt WBOP subdivision Development in the Minden Lifestyle Zone could come to a grinding halt following an apparent Government decision to delay progress on the proposed Tauranga Northern Link.

is currently the only lifestyle block area in the Western BOP. As well as limiting this development, ongoing residential development at Omokoroa, which also depends on this road, will be severely compromised. Under the current subdivision rules, subdividers must purchase a Transferable Development Right from a qualifying rural property before they can apply to council to create a new lot in the Minden Zone. These ‘rights’ are generally available to landowners who own older titles more than four hectares in size who, prior to the District Plan change, were entitled to subdivide on-site. TDRs can also be created by protecting ecological features and amalgamating existing titles together in the rural zone. If you own land in the Minden Zone, located on the inland side of State Highway 2 between the Wairoa River and the Te Puna Stream, you may have opportunities that are disappearing fast. If you wish to clarify any subdivision strategies relating to your land, please feel free to give me a call. I’m happy to discuss the situation with you to see if it is worth pursuing.

The traffic issues have long been an issue north of Tauranga and when the Western Bay of Plenty District Council proposed the Minden area for its main rural residential development area some 10 years ago, the number of potential lots were capped by the New Zealand Transport Agency due to traffic safety issues. The zone was broken into four areas, based on the capacity of highway intersections. Each area has a limit to the number of new titles that can be created prior to roading improvements in the region. The area accessed near the Wairoa River bridge used up their 30-lot allocation within the first year or so, following the structure plan release in early-2012. A further area, accessed off Ainsworth Rd, used up most of their remaining allocation more than two years ago now. During the last six years, with demand ramping up, we’ve already worked our way through 177 lots out of the original 252 lots available, leaving only 75 to be taken up prior to a major roading upgrade. The two remaining areas with allocation available are depleting fast; and, at the current rate, there is likely less than two years’ supply left. Without road improvements to the north of Tauranga, further titles will not be released in what

Brent Trail, managing director of Surveying Services, specialises in resource consent applications for subdivisions across the Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Coromandel. For further information, call 0800 268 632 or email: btrail@surveyingservices.co.nz

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Page 40

Regenerative farming key to M. Bovis disease control A team of farming specialists has had its ﬁndings presented to rural MPs in the hope its proposed management system of the devastating cattle disease Mycoplasma Bovis will be considered. Forward Farming biological consultant David Law was invited to present a statement compiled by a team of New Zealand and overseas specialists, includ-

ing veterinarians, soil scientists, farm consultants and agronomists, who understand and endorse the science-based regenerative farming approach. David brought the team together to present a cohesive stance for a more comprehensive approach to M. Bovis than the Government’s mass culling of cows. The group has communicated what it believes is a long-term solution to managing the disease. “The Ministry for Primary Industries has chosen to view M. Bovis solely as a contagious disease. It’s actually a symptom of immune system deﬁciency/collapse prompted by a nutritional imbalance that can be remedied without the present trauma to farmers and animals,” say the group.

Altering conditions

“Our Farm Systems Management Team approach is to focus on altering those conditions that we believe compromise any animal’s immune system and make them susceptible to disease – inadequate nutrition from minerally-unbalanced, microbe-deﬁcient soils. “Our approach is to help farmers achieve a better

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immunity in their herds, rendering M. Bovis innocuous.” The group say NZ has an unprecedented opportunity to solve its farming, water quality and animal health breakdowns by embracing regenerative farming practices that improve soil, animal health and proﬁt. “We’ve viewed agriculture through a chemical lens for the last 75 years to the detriment of our farms and entire environment. “Years of cutting edge science has demonstrated that all ecosystems, including agricultural ones, are more productive and resilient when they are bio-diverse and chemical free. “Our problems in agriculture are born from a chain of events, beginning with the application of unbalanced fertiliser programs. Past agricultural science has emphasised chemistry instead of biology.”

Minerally-depleted soils

The team says this approach has led to minerally-depleted soils, which has altered soil, plant, cow rumen and efﬂuent pH levels, leading to undernourished soil microbes, plants and animals. “Optimum soil pH is above 6.3. New Zealand’s soil pH has been consistently dropping under the NPK system due to the overuse of super phosphate and urea. Animal and human health problems have been increasing as a result. “Cutting edge agricultural science focuses on the importance of diverse

Cow

microbiology, full spectrum mineral fertilisers and lowered chemical use to grow nutrient dense food for healthy animals and people. The group says the NPK-driven fertiliser system, and resulting pH issue, is at the core of the M. Bovis problem. “This is not a disease to be eradicated so much as it is a nutritional issue to be remedied by altering our approach to soil fertility and animal nutrition.” In addition to eliminating the further emergence of M. Bovis in NZ herds, the group believes regenerative farming practices will have positive effects on the country’s farming industry as a whole.

Rethink needed

“Regenerative farming approaches have shown it is possible to farm sustainably with less costly inputs and achieve better proﬁtability. Restoring our soils this way is the cutting-edge science for the future of agriculture. “Regenerative farming helps restore ecosystem function, build topsoil, sequester atmospheric carbon and create nutrient dense, spray-free food, which we need, and our markets are crying out for. To heal our environment and people, New Zealand needs to rethink how we do agriculture.” Farmers requiring more advice about a regenerative farming system can contact David Law at Forward Farming Biological Consultancy, who will direct them to a consultant in their area.

WRC to target farms with undersized efﬂuent storage th1962m 27/4/18

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combining one-on-one site visits of high risk farms with aerial inspections which could include using satellite imagery, drones, ﬁxed wing aircraft or, if necessary, helicopters. During June 28’s meeting councillors voted in favour of limiting use of aerial inspections to circumstances where there is cause to suspect properties present a high risk of non-compliance or are non-compliant. They also agreed aerial operations should be carried out in a way that prevents animal disturbance and interference with farm operations.

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Leading-edge biotech research base setting up in Tauranga The Government and the University of Waikato are investing $13 million in a new research programme in Tauranga to help tackle some of the biggest issues facing New Zealand’s primary sector, says Education Minister Chris Hipkins. The project, part of the Entrepreneurial Universities programme administered by the Tertiary Education Commission, will see leading Australian-based expert Dr Marie Magnusson relocate to Tauranga to set up the programme. “This is an exciting development for the University of Waikato, Tauranga and the whole of NZ,” says Chris. “By supporting entrepreneurship at universities, we can help strengthen innovation, build academic and industry connections and grow the pipeline of entrepreneurs. “This type of research and technology will be critical as we look for solutions for things like reducing cattle methane emissions, limiting nutrient run-off from pasture, and ﬁghting agricultural and horticultural diseases in an environmentally sustainable way.” The Government is commit-

ting approximately $4 million during five years to the programme, while the University of Waikato has pledged $9 million. The first stage will examine options for growing macroalgal species like kelp and sea lettuce alongside existing mussel farms. Later stages will extract valuable bioproducts for use in fertilisers, animal feed supplements, cosmetics and other initiatives. Dr Magnusson will move from her role as a senior research fellow at Australia’s James Cook University in Townsville. She’ll be joined by other senior academics as well as post-graduate students. She is a senior research fellow of the university’s College of Science and Engineering department, with more than 10 years’ experience in the fields of algal biology, biochemistry, and product development. Chris says NZ needs to attract top research talent and the Entrepreneurial Universities initiative is one way of doing that. During the next three years, the initiative is expected to bring 15-20 world-leading researchers and their teams to NZ.

Australian-based expert Dr Marie Magnusson will set up the new research programme in Tauranga.

Page 41

COUNTRY LIVING

Page 42

Pegging up eco-friendly fundraisers at Whenuakite Whenuakite Country Kids early childhood centre is saving the environment one plastic peg at a time. A focus on sustainability inspired the centre to sell stainless steel clothes pegs as a fundraiser – and they sold a whopping 6500 pegs in just three weeks.

The popularity of the pegs took fundraising organiser Rochelle Palmer by surprise. “There’s a lot more interest in sustainable options than there ever used to be, and I think we’ve tapped into that desire with this fundraiser. “We’ve done reuseable shopping bags and fresh food bag fundraisers before, but they weren’t this popular.”

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The pegs, made from high grade stainless steel and manufactured as a single part – meaning they won’t break – have been sold to centre families and locals. Social media helped spread the word, says Rochelle. “Though we would have preferred to source the pegs from New Zealand, there weren’t any local suppliers, so they are coming from overseas.” The success of the stainless steel peg fundraiser along with the centre’s sustainability focus inspired the development of Eco Corner, a label and ethos that will drive future fundraisers. Rochelle has a few more eco-friendly fundraising ideas up her sleeve, and believes it is important to focus on everyday items. “Making small changes to the way we do things can have a big impact. “I’m blown away by the fact that people don’t realise that there are better, more sustainable alternatives available for a lot of products we use every day.” Through Eco Corner, the centre plans to do a new fundraiser every few months, with each one featuring an eco-friendly version of an everyday item like coffee cups or shaving razors, says Rochelle. While the centre’s children weren’t heavily involved in the stainless steel peg fundraiser – “I did consider getting the children to help package up the pegs,” jokes Rochelle – plans for a reusable canvas shopping bags decorated by the children are on the list of possible future Eco Corner fundraisers. The centre’s sustainability focus doesn’t stop at fundraising. They have recently become a community drop off point for TerraCycle, a company that specialises in recycling hard-to-recycle waste. Food scraps from the centre are used by local farmers and they recycle and reuse where possible says Rochelle.

Indie Hayward, 2, and Digby Palmer, 3, pegging up dolls clothes with Whenuakite Country Kids’ popular stainless steel pegs. “It’s all about raising awareness among our children and the wider community, that there is a better way,” says Rochelle. Enquiries about the pegs are welcome by emailing: info@wck.co.nz Jose Reader

Five different tours to enjoy the high country NZ Adventures’ owner-operators Robbie and Connie Crickett say their self-drive 4x4 tours throughout the South Island are the ideal way to enjoy spectacular scenery and the hospitality of landowners in the high country. “For any NZ Adventures’ 4x4 trip the only stipulation is that it is mandatory for vehicles to have decent all-terrain-type tyres in good condition and a low range transmission fitted,” says the couple. They offer five different tours of five, six and seven days during the season, which runs from November until the end of April. Accommodation is in motels, dining at restaurants, some lunches are with run-holders and the balance are picnic lunches. Each vehicle is equipped with a quality radio so Robbie can provide a knowledgeable commentary as the trips proceed. The High Country Heritage is the most popular tour and is run in December, February and April as a six-day and in March as a seven-day. The West Coast Explorer is a five-day trip run in November and April; while the Eastern Explorer takes place in the later part of January, travelling from Geraldine to Alexandra in five days. The 46 South tour starts in Lawrence and finishes in Cromwell. “It’s a very popular trip travelling roughly along the 46th parallel, as a five-day tour,” says the couple. “And Big Sky is a six-day tour exploring mostly Central Otago.” For an information pack, phone or email Connie, or visit NZ Adventures’ website.

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Page 43

Farms wanted for hunting peacocks Peacocks are not a farmer’s friend – they can eat as much grass as one sheep and, because they are rapid breeders, scores of the big birds can take up residence on farms.

delighted at how successful it’s been,” says Mawera. “The free service we provide to farmers means they can get rid of pest birds without using poisons, which has to be good for the environment; and we are able to harvest birds for meat and feathers. Nothing is wasted.” Feathergirl and its associated pest control service is currently looking for more farms to hunt for peacocks to supply their business with feathers. Dave and the team hunt can also target other pest species if the landowner requests it. The hunters meet the farmers beforehand and talk about what birds they want removed, identify Hunters Tony Newth of Auckland, Blair Anderson of Tauranga, and Dave any safety issues and Barrett of Whakatane with some of the peacocks shot for meat and feathers. check out the location. “When it comes to cullBut Whakatane couple Dave Barrett and Mawera ing the birds we do it in a way that is humane and Karetai can provide an easy solution to the problem doesn’t damage the feathers.” thanks to their innovative business Feathergirl – and Mawera says once the birds are brought in, they it’s free! remove and grade the feathers by hand, then cut up Dave and a team of experienced hunters cull birds the meat. “What’s left goes to feed pigs so there is for farmers who want them removed; and Mawera nothing leftover.” and Dave make a living selling their plumage to Dave and Mawera are keen to hear from property clients throughout New Zealand and overseas. owners who want to use their free pest control ser“We started the business 15 years ago and are vice. For inquires, email mawera@feathergirl.co.nz

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Improving your joint comfort and mobility At any given time I’m helping hundreds of people improve their joint health. My goal is to help prevent further cartilage loss, reduce inflammation and improve the function of the joint. In most cases we can get significant improvements in joint comfort and mobility. I have one client who was referred to an orthopaedic specialist with suspected Osteoarthritis – also known as OA – in his left knee. It was sore, stiff and swollen. He had x-rays which confirmed there was significant cartilage loss and changes to the bones of the joint. His right knee caused him no problems but the specialist decided to x-ray that one as well. What he found was the arthritis in his ‘good’ right knee had more cartilage loss than the sore one.

You may wonder ‘how can moderate arthritis cause significant pain while the worst knee did not?’. The answer is probably inflammation. The sore knee was obviously inflamed. It was swollen, puffy, stiff and very sore. The more degenerated right knee had no swelling and no pain. After a few months his sore knee is much improved. The body can be quite cynical at times. The normal way damaged tissue is healed is through initiating the process of inflammation. In simple terms, blood vessels allow more fluid into the damaged area. This causes swelling and pain. I’ve

found that OA symptoms are caused as much by inflammation than actual cartilage loss. The first step is to reduce inflammation. We do this by adding Omega 3 from oily fish and antiinflammatory antioxidants especially curcumin from turmeric. The second thing is to add therapeutic amounts of chondroitin sulphate and glucosamine sulphate to stabilise cartilage. Chondroitin is most important as it is an actual constituent of cartilage. Contact me for personalised advice. John Arts (B.Soc.Sci, Dip Tch, Adv.Dip.Nut. Med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health Ltd. For questions or advice contact John on 0800 423559 or email: john@abundant.co.nz Join his full weekly newsletter at: www.abundant.co.nz

Do you have

COUNTRY LIVING

Page 44

Getting kids hooked on history A poignant story about a Vietnam veteran and his relationship with his granddaughter is the subject of the book ‘My grandfather’s war’, written by the award-winning team of Glyn Harper and Jenny Cooper.

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This is a sensitive exploration of the lingering cost of war and of the Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder so many returned servicemen experience. It also sheds light on a war that is not always remembered in the same way the world wars and other conﬂicts are. Many who served experience a sense of betrayal at the treatment they received on their return, as the conﬂict came to be regarded as the ‘unpopular’ war, and this is covered in a child-friendly way in a note at the back of the book.

N NIE

O U NT R

While the relationship between grandfather and grand-daughter is a positive one, the young girl senses her grandfather’s pain and is curious to ﬁnd out the cause. As she innocently seeks answers, she unknowingly opens old wounds and discovers her grandfather’s sadness is a legacy of the Vietnam War and his experiences there.

The Country Funnies’ book prize for July is a copy of ‘My grandfather’s war’.

Caption this photo to be in to win July’s Country Funnies book prize.

Glyn Harper is a highly regarded military historian and an award-winning author of children’s and adult book. A secondary school teacher, before joining the military and rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, following his retirement Glyn is now Professor of War Studies and Massey Project Leader of the Centenary History of New Zealand and the First World War. Glyn writes books for children as he thinks it is important to ‘hook’ them into enjoying history. Jenny Cooper is an awardwinning illustrator, who specialises in a realistic style. Her previous books with Glyn include the internationally acclaimed ‘Jim’s Letters’.

Thanks to Exisle Publishing, Coast and Country News has a copy of ‘My grandfather’s war’ by Glyn Harper and Jenny Cooper to give away.

To be in to win email captions (as many as you like) for the photo below and send with your name and address with Country Funnies as the subject line to merle@sunmedia.co.nz Or put these details on the back of an envelope and post to Country Funnies, PO Box 240, Tauranga 3140 to arrive no later than August 17. The winner of the May Country Funnies caption Mrs B Dawn Wagner of Gisborne for her caption: “I wheely love those big jubey wheels. Good enough to eat”. She wins a copy of the book ‘Practical Beekeeping in New Zealand’ by Andrew Matheson and Murray Reid published by Exisle Publishing.

COUNTRY LIVING

Page 45

A set of very rare twins for Te Puke An unsuspecting mare, aided with some human help, at the Wake Field Equestrian Centre in Te Puke has deﬁed the odds.

A very rare set of twin foals were born at the centre in May – and are now thriving after surviving their miracle birth. The chances of twin foals being born and surviving are about one in 100. “It was a massive effort by everyone involved,” says Val Baker, who has horses at the equestrian centre. “In May, totally the wrong time of the year to have a mare foaling. Then

she popped out twins and both alive.” Alive, but one struggling. “The filly was fine, the colt wasn’t happy. In fact, when I first went up there and saw him I thought: ‘…mmm, that little fella isn’t going to make it’. But he has and it’s remarkable.” Most twin pregnancies end with resorption or loss, or the birth of small growth-retarded foals. But not at Wake Field Equestrian. But it went close. The colt called ‘Whiz’ couldn’t get up on his own. He was quite a lot smaller than his sister, ‘Pixie’, The twin foals are now thriving, thanks to help from the humans at Wake Field Equestrian Centre. and they finished up

feeding them by hand round the clock. “A massive amount of effort has gone into these two horses over a month,” says Val. Now both horses are up and gallivanting around. The owner of the horse and foals lives

in Thames. But they will stay at Wake Field unto they are big and strong enough to travel. “However, the vet fees are humungous,” says Val, who has set up a Givealittle site to help. “These little fellas are such a miracle, I am sure pope will love to help.”

Dodging bad weather is the name of the game On the good days, the main catch has still been snapper but we’re starting to see more tarakihi closer in as the water temperature chills. There have been some exceptional John Dory caught and also some very nice gurnard. The tarakihi have been in the 35cm-40cm range and in very good condition. Best bait has been squid and you can never go wrong with some tuatua or pipi when the tarakihi are hungry. Ledger rigs are working well for all species and a rig with a short trace and running sinker has been producing snapper. Kingfish are still around and the best catch this week was a real fighter of 12kg. Barracuda, which have been few and far between, are now back with vengeance – again predictable as the temperatures drop. They do cause some mayhem on-board but make excellent bait if filleted and skinned. The other effect of the cooler conditions are sharks have become less aggressive. The overnight trips are producing some good bluenose, hapuka, gemfish and bass. This is the time of the year when they’re biting well, so we have trips planned to get out amongst them. For winter we’re running some shorter trips from 9am-3pm for those who don’t want to get up so early or want to be home before dark. Fishing at this time of the year, on a nice day, can be spectacular.

Above: Pamela Fletcher, proud of her barracuda catch. Left: Shane Thompson caught a beauty John Dory.

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FORESTRY

Forestry scholarships to attract women and Maori A new forestry scholarship has been launched by Forestry Minister Shane Jones and Associate Forestry Minister Meka Whaitiri.

The new scholarship, launched last month at Fieldays, aims to grow the capability of the forestry sector

and increase the number of women and Maori in the industry. Shane says the new scholarship – named Nga Karapihi Uru Rakau – provides $8000 a year to Maori and female students enrolling in either a Bachelor of Forestry Science or Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Forest Engineering at the University of Canterbury. “It also provides a paid internship with Te Uru Rakau – Forestry NZ – and other forestry employers.Scholarships will be available to school-leavers and people working in the industry who want to upskill and undertake tertiary study. “Four scholarships will be awarded for the 2019 academic year, and this will increase to a total of 18 over the next three years.” Shane says the One Billion Trees programme is a key focus for the Government “and we want to ensure that our young

men and women see forestry as a sustainable and exciting career”. Meka says the forestry sector provides opportunity for rewarding and lifelong careers. “The forestry industry is exciting and evolving – and it will need people who can work with robotics, and help develop products and processes to take advantage of engineered timber, new bio-material and bio-energy. Meka says currently the sector employs few women and Maori are also under-represented in the professional areas of the industry. “Not only will the successful students be gaining the skills we need, but through the programme’s internships they will also gain valuable industry

relationships, along with practical job experience.” Applications open in September and close in December, with successful applicants announced early-2019. For more details, see: www.mpi.govt.nz/about-us/our-work/ scholarships-and-awards

Forest owners pledge to deal with harvest slash Forest Owners say the industry is focused on measures to ensure a repeat of recent ﬂoods

transporting harvest debris out of forests and into Tolaga Bay isn’t repeated 25 years from now. Forest Owners president Peter Weir says different silvicultural planning and improved forest engineering and harvest management in sensitive landscapes will reduce the risk considerably. He visited the Tolaga Bay region on June 27. “I can absolutely understand the feelings of downstream residents and farmers whose homes and land has been inundated with forest debris.”

Peter says FO’s member companies there have already done a good job in cleaning up the beach “and are doing what they can to clean up the mess on neighbouring farms”. “But I can appreciate the frustration of the landowners and why they wouldn’t be very interested in me trying to explain that new replant rules under the Resource Management Act will take years to have an effect,” says Peter. “It’s a priority for our forest engineers, planners and managers to work with scientists, as well as

local and central government, to make sure we reduce the risk of similar debris ﬂoods,” says Peter. FO is now printing a revised set of harvest slash management guidelines and making them widely available. “We want to make best forest practice a universal practice,” says Peter. “The industry will be putting more resources into understanding the mechanisms of hillside failures and what can be done to stop wood being entrained by them, or reducing the impact if they do occur.”

Loggers with 85 years’ combined experience Cam Negus Contractors is the farm forestry logging specialist that can tackle any job from one to 200 hectares of trees. They can handle wind rows, have expertise when working around power lines, buildings, orchards and roads. Their crew of five have a combined 85 years of experience in the industry and pride themselves on being efficient. “Our contracting rates are very competitive, we keep our costs down and leave a clean and tidy work site on job completion,” says C&P Negus Contractors business partners Cam Negus and Mike Cornwell. “Our fleet of machinery is very modern, the latest addition is a John Deere 959 harvester processor and a CAT 527 track skidder,” says Cam. There are no management fees and they market the timber directly to local and export markets. Plus, they’re always available for a site assessment or just some free genuine advice. Helen Wilson

Cam Negus Contractors logging trees.

FORESTRY

Trust an efficient team Glen Stewart, owner of All Terrain Chipping, has recently added to his ﬂeet of machines so he can manage bigger jobs in tighter areas.

He specialises in land clearing, wood chipping, stump grinding, shelterbelt removal, high topping shelterbelts and tree felling. “I’ve recently bought a specialised, more compact felling machine, log skidder and a four-axle low loader which will enable us to deliver greater service to our clients,” says Glen. “I’ve been doing this work for 18 years so have the experience for commercial, farm, orchard and subdivision work,” says Glen. All Terrain Chipping can do any sort of land clearing including removal of unwanted trees or shelterbelts. Once felled, the trees are Glen Stewart, Gary Russell, Todd Spargo from shredded and turned into chip and carted way All Terrain Chipping. leaving the area ready for land conversion, a new subdivision or roading. Most of the chip is We have the machinery to do the entire job so don’t used for avocado mulch or animal bedding. have to contract any part of it out. Clients are dealing Glen has a horizontal grinding machine which with one company the whole way through,” says Glen. turns commercial green waste, at transfer stations, He also committed to innovation. With a backinto compost. ground in mechanical engineering and a full And with eight qualiﬁed, experienced operators he engineering workshop at his disposal, Glen is able to can also organise the logging and marketing of tree lots. make or modify existing machinery, bringing further “Once our operations manager, Todd Spargo, efﬁciencies to his work. quotes on a job and it’s accepted, we will arrange a Based in Katikati, All Terrain Chipping can accept time convenient to the client to complete the work. Helen Wilson work from all over the North Island.

New CEO for forestry services firm Forestry services firm PF Olsen Ltd has announced a replacement chief executive officer for Peter Clark when he steps down at the end of this September. Te Kapunga Dewes will join the Rotorua-headquartered company as CEO. Te Kapunga has a strong background in forestry and wood processing and for seven years was the NZ general manager for Contract Resources, a substantial firm servicing the energy sector. He has a degree in forestry from Canterbury University, and an MBA with distinction from Waikato University. PF Olsen has 200 staff and employs hundreds of contractors servicing forest

establishment and harvesting operations across Australia and NZ. The company was founded in 1971 by the late Peter Olsen. Peter Clark joined it in 1979 and became CEO in 1999. Te Kapunga will be the third CEO in the 47-year history of the ﬁrm. He joins at a time when the forest industry is in a growth phase, says Peter Clark. “There is an expanding harvest proﬁle based on extensive plantings during the 1990s and recognition that planting more trees is a cost-effective Te Kapunga Dewes will domestic response needed to meet be the CEO of PF Olsen NZ’s international climate change Ltd from October. commitments,” says Peter.

Page 47

FERTILISER

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Farm management tool gets funding boost A farm management tool that helps measure nutrient use and greenhouse gas emissions is getting a funding boost via the Coalition Government’s Budget 2018. The Coalition Government and the primary sector will be work together to boost the science behind the valuable Overseer farm management tool, say Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor and Environment Minister David Parker. “Overseer is a New Zealand tool used by a range of primary industries and regional councils that helps measure nutrient use and greenhouse gas emissions. “Well-used, it can assist farmers to minimise waste and maximise profits,” says Damien. “All farmers and growers want to keep their fertilisers on their paddocks and crops, and they want the best tools to manage their environmental responsibilities.

“That is why Budget 2018 includes an investment of $5 million of operating funding during the next four years to enhance Overseer,” says Damien. The extra funding for Overseer will enable quicker adoption of environmentally-friendly farm practices; the inclusion of a wider range of land types and farming systems; and a more user-friendly interface. “The extra funding in Budget 2018 opens up opportunities for farmers to trial new technologies, techniques and tools that would otherwise be too risky or expensive to try,” says David. “We need practical, science-backed tools to achieve this Government’s goals to improve land use, achieve a net-zero-emissions economy by 2050, and help clean up our rivers so our kids can swim in them without getting crook.” The Ministry for Primary Industries, AgResearch and the Fertiliser Association of New Zealand each hold one-third stakes in the Overseer intellectual property.

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FERTILISER

New fertiliser delivers results

Environmental Fertilisers is getting some outstanding results with their new Carbon Plus fertilisers. Manufactured in the United States, the company has the Australasian rights to distribute it in New Zealand and Australia. “This new organic fertiliser has the ability to replace fungicide, pesticide and bactericide. It comes in liquid form and can be used by farmers and home gardeners,” says Environmental Fertilisers’ CEO Grant Paton. “We have nanotechnology and even more accurate is Pico technology, which is 1000 times

smaller than nanotechnology. The Carbon Plus fertiliser stimulates the plants’ immune system and increases the plants’ resistance to pests and Trials of Carbon Plus fertiliser with fungus. It is an ‘all in one’ kumara crops has delivered harvests product,” says Grant. of 100-120 tonne per hectare. Trials have indicated the the average is 20-30 tonne new Carbon Plus fertiliser per hectare. has better growth than applying For home gardeners 100ml of urea and less damaging to the Carbon Plus concentrate can environment. On pasture it can make 50 litres of spray. spread at 300ml per hectare for Grant says Carbon Plus fertilisoptimum results. ers do away with having several Grant says at the end of last different products to keep soil year trials were carried out on and plants healthy for maximum maize crops and for every dollar yields. “And Environmental of carbon plus fertiliser used, Fertilisers is there to help farmers the return was $85. “Trials with kumara crops showed harvests of and home gardeners with their 100-120 tonne per hectare when soil fertility.”

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Page 49

Scholarship for new ways of measuring soil nutrients Waikato University student Thomas Corbett has been awarded a Ministry of Primary Industries’ doctoral scholarship at Fieldays. Worth up to $50,000 Thomas is to develop a nitrate/nitrite and phosphate sensor for freshwater he hopes will be easy to use, accurate and affordable, to measure the impacts of runoff and leaching. Thomas says understanding the effects of run-off and leaching is key to the sustainability of primary production. His sensor will be based on the Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films technique, able to be deployed during days or weeks to provide time-weighted average concentration of a nutrient. Thomas says getting an average concentration rather than a one-off sampling will give landowners much greater certainty of hotspots of nutrient losses and allow targeted mitigation strategies.

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Page 50

Where Mycoplasma Bovis takes hold

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Dr Linus Pauling (1901-1994), two-time winner of a Nobel Prize stated: “You can trace every sickness, every disease and every ailment to a mineral deﬁciency”.

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Diseases all boil down to substandard nutrition of the host. The soil is the key to nutrition, good or bad. Take your pick where you would like to be. Is the number of diseases reducing? The answer, of course, despite the “best” advice given by the “experts” is that they are increasing. A system that supports ﬁddling with symptoms will always be broken.

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The system that works with nature and deals with root causes was in practice decades ago, but is being side-lined. A paradigm shift by farmers, their advisors and farming institutions is required. That change will come from the grassroot farmers, not from institutions and others that have too much to lose by being proven wrong. If we are lucky, science will catch up to leading sustainable practices 20 years later. If dairy farmers’ effluent ponds have a properly constructed pH of 7.4, the pond will be clear and able to reflect images. It will be self-maintaining. The effluent will have originated from a healthy soil, healthy plants and healthy animals that will have a pH of 6.4 or close to it. If the pH is less than 7, then it will crust over and be the home of anaerobic and diseasecausing bacteria that will have thrived in sub-optimal conditions from the soil, through pasture and stock and finally to the pond. Those ponds cost a lot of money to run year in and year out. Given a choice, stock avoid grazing dung and urine patches. It is bad enough when stock are forced to graze too hard, but far

more dangerous when the pH is as low as many urea-driven farms are. Simply put, those that run their stock aerobically will not suffer from as much disease as those that run anaerobic soil and animal systems. In places like United States, organic and biological farms are not bothered by Mycoplasma Bovis, but industrially-run farms are. Those that run their properties at a correctly balanced pH of about 6.4 will certainly not have the same health problems of those that run at 5.9. Those that apply too much urea and don’t compensate with lime and those not fertilising correctly, will eventually end up with animal health problems. Every 200kg/ ha of nitrogen requires 400kg of lime to counter the unintended consequences. Remember, the swine ﬂu H1N1 created itself in an American-owned Mexican piggery that was home to one million pigs. The diseases we are discovering or creating are the result of man-made conditions.

Symptoms

The symptoms of Mycoplasma Bovis include but are not limited to deformed ears, mastitis, arthritis, pneumonia, abortions and more. How long have those symptoms been viewed in isolation? Clostridia may also occur in association with Mycoplasma Bovis. Perhaps Mycoplasma Bovis has been here much longer than the Ministry for Primary Industries suspect, say 30 years. Perhaps the organism is in all farming areas, but the disease only manifests itself as conditions allow? We have learned recently that at least one of the major banks in NZ have ﬁnally cottoned on to superior ﬁnancial performance by those farming biologically, and they are in the process of producing a DVD or similar to show to their clients. It’s about time, as the banks along with other ‘advisors’ have been anti-biological, trying to discourage farmers from applying non-NPK fertilisers. Miraka has two lists each with their top 10 farms; one for farms with the highest milk score, and the other for the lowest Somatic Cell Count. They have 100 suppliers. Kiwi Fertiliser services Miraka farms. We have four farms on each list. The moral of the story is clear. If you want to produce top quality milk – or meat, fruit, grain or vegetables – and not be so susceptible to disease, pick up the phone and call Kiwi Fertiliser. We’re only too happy to help you to get to the top of your game.

AVOCADO

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Strong returns driving investment into avocados The New Zealand avocado industry’s draft result for the 2017-2018 season is $150m in sales, with $105m from export markets and $45m from the NZ market. The result has been achieved from 3.8m trays – just 50 per cent of the production volume of the previous year, which achieved $200m across all markets. Avocado exporters and NZ avocado suppliers acknowledge it’s been a phenomenal season for avocado demand,

with record returns to growers. New Zealand Avocado Growers Association chair Tony Ponder says the Government’s ﬁve-year Primary Growth Partnership investment and the commitment of research funding through Plant and Food Research and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment has “strongly supported growth in returns to avocado growers”. Orchard gate returns were as high as $40 per tray, a huge improvement from the $10-$12 per tray prior to this investment in 2012. NZ Avocado CEO Jen Scoular says

NZ Avocado CEO Jen Scoular and avocado grower Tony Gibbs on the site of a new 125ha avocado orchard in Tapora, Northland.

Trust an experienced family business Family-owned business KauriPak has a long association with avocados. Hugh and Dorothy Moore were kiwifruit growers. In 1979 they could see the potential of growing avocados as well as kiwifruit on their property at Katikati. They now have seven hectares planted in avocados. Avocados are a sub-tropical fruit and the Bay of Plenty climate is ideal for producing quality fruit. From those beginnings has grown a large avocado packing business with 180 clients from Welcome Bay to South Auckland, says Kauripak’s avocado business manager Jenny Gilliver, who is

Hugh and Dorothy’s daughter. Hugh has been heavily involved in the avocado industry at all levels during a 30-year period including being New Zealand Avocado Industry Council chairman. Currently, he holds positions on the Avoco’s Avocado Growers Relations Committee and Team Avocado Trust chairman. “We are one of the few family businesses around. We provide avocados for and pack for Team Avocado Trust and Southern Produce Limited, who supply Avoco,” says Jenny. “We can help our clients with technical advice, tree management, injecting, pruning and

Owners Dorothy and Hugh Moore with Jenny Gilliver from KauriPak.

packing,” says Jenny. Hugh and Dorothy’s other daughter, Linda Flegg, is responsible for compliance, food safety, health and safety and is vice chairperson of the New Zealand Avocado Growers Association. “This season looks to be a good season for avocadoes. Two seasons ago we managed 640,000 export trays and last year we packed 220,000 trays,” says Jenny. Avocados have been known for their inconsistent producing seasons and are challenging for all sectors of the industry – growers, packers and marketers. Helen Wilson

demand continues to grow in all markets – and the focus is now on increasing productivity of existing orchards and supporting new orchard development. “More than 1000ha of dairy and drystock farms in Northland have been converted to avocado orchards over the last three years, and some of these orchards are expecting their ﬁrst crops in the coming season,” says Jen. In the Bay of Plenty, orchardists are rejuvenating orchards and investing in implementing best practice orchard management to reap the high values being returned for premium quality avocados. These new avocado plantings and improving production will enable further growth towards the industry goal of $280m in total sales value by 2023, says Jen.

“This will also help to bridge the current gap between avocado supply and demand in NZ and globally, with a growing supply of NZ fruit for avocado lovers to enjoy.” New Zealand currently produces just two per cent of the global supply but is the ninth largest international avocado exporter, with more than 4000ha of avocado trees planted primarily in the Bay of Plenty and Northland. Supported by innovation and collaboration with stakeholders and new partnerships with the Crown and Crown Research Institutes, the NZ avocado industry has a vision and strategy to quadruple sales to $280m and triple productivity by 2023. For more information, visit www.nzavocado.co.nz

AVOCADO

Page 52

Three key actions orchardists need to prioritise During winter avocado growers may be reviewing their operations, evaluating the next plans on their orchards and getting ready for the next season. They’re hunting for the best next steps, trying to identify gaps in their activities to improve their orchard performance, and searching for more knowledge. Without doubt, there’s three consistent actions they need to be doing before delving off into minor improvements. I was recently at an exporter conference, which had some outstanding speakers. Two speakers linked their comments on priority focus for on-orchard actions. One approached it from consistency of available research; the

other from a review of orchardist actions. They were agreed three key actions need to be prioritised. They are nutrition, pruning and injecting. Complete these consistently throughout the growing year and you’re addressing some key factors to support success. For some years now this approach has been Aongatete Avocados Ltd’s key focus.

Pruning

Pruning 30-35 per cent of the canopy each year is necessary to maintain vigour, health and ﬂowering strength. Pruning the right wood is also key. There a number of operators who can cut wood – but are you sure they have the skills, training and knowledge to prune the right wood for future crop and tree beneﬁts? In other words it’s easy to operate a chainsaw but much harder

to use it effectively and correctly. We’ve got to this high operating standard by consistently investing in training, knowledge and the consistency of our actions.

Injecting

The same goes for nutrition and injecting. The Aongatete Avojet is proven to be one of the best tools in a grower’s kit. Injecting correctly may seem easy, but AAL staff have learnt from the year and orchards we run that we need a range of options to get the best from the injecting programme. Many operators believe they’re following the correct programme, however check out their experience, training, the options they provide; and knowledge cycle behind their programme. Nutrition is a knowledge and skilled activity. Consistency, little and often, is an easy process for

orchardists to follow. However, the right mix with the right timing and the best products aids better results. AAL has built fertiliser brews for key times such as growth phases, fruit growth and ﬂush growth. We’re trained, experienced and spend time reviewing our programmes. We regularly tweak them for tree phase and environmental conditions at application time.

Nutrition

We’ve built our nutrient programme over 15 years of operating and growing avocados. If you want to ﬁnd out more, ask us.Because focusing on nutrition, pruning and injecting with consistent actions will take your orchard a long way to boosting productivity consistency. Tony Bradley of Aongatete Avocados

Dealing with climate change At the Mystery Creek Fieldays in June, the National Party announced its climate change policy stating it is taking a bipartisan approach based on the following ﬁve key principles: Southern Orchards are on the hunt for existing pragmatic, science-based Southern Orchards Orchards are are on on the the hunt hunt for for existing existing Aapproach Southern is needed to tackle Avocado orchards, SOLSouthern will tailor a lease oronwill Orchards are thetailor hunt aforlease existing Avocado orchards, SOL or climate change; innovation Avocado orchards, SOL will tailor a lease or Avocado orchards, a lease orsoand technology will be crucial management plan to suitmanagement your requirements plan to to SOL suitsowill yourtailor requirements management plan suit your requirements so meeting any target; get management plan to suit your requirements you can can gain the most most from from your your orchard. orchard. soto you can gain the most from your orchard. the incentives right to drive you gain the you can gain the most from your orchard. long-term changes rather than imposing short-term shocks; P: 07 548 2540 P: P: 07 07 548 548 2540 2540

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Call us today to start growing your future

Call us today to start growing your future Southern Orchards are us on the hunt for us today to start growing your future Call today toexisting startCall growing your future Avocado orchards, SOL will tailor a lease or management plan to suit your requirements so you can gain the most from your orchard.

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New Zealand must act, but never in isolation: climate change is a global issue that requires a global response; and the wider impacts on the economy – on jobs and incomes for New Zealanders must be considered. In facing such a critical issue as climate change, a bipartisan approach is very much needed. This is not an issue for political ...continued point-scoring.

AVOCADO

Page 53

Supplying Asia as global players eye up Australia Early moves by avocado producers Mexico, Peru and Chile to enter the Australasian market is a timely reminder about the benefits of supporting market development in Asia, says Avoco. While success by other global players to gain avocado market access to Australia and New Zealand is far from guaranteed, the avocado exporter company says it has a watchful eye on supply competition in Australia where growing avocado consumption makes it an attractive option. Earlier this year, Australian officials confirmed they were starting a risk assessment for importing fresh avocados from Chile – the start of a process that could lead to Chile gaining market access. Currently, only avocados from NZ can be imported into Australia. The Association of Producers and Packers Exporters of Avocado in Mexico has signalled its interest in exporting to Australasia following signing of the revised Tran-Pacific Partnership Agreement in March. The free trade agreement involves 11 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, including NZ, Australia and Mexico. Its signing on March 8 established the largest free trade area in the world. Avoco’s marketing and communications manager Steve Trickett, says he’s confident Australia would continue to reward NZ growers if conditions changed. But interest from Chilean and Mexican exporters in Australia’s market especially, was a reminder about the industry’s need to investigate options further afield. There has been euphoria within the NZ industry following last season’s strong returns, with Avoco again delivering a record high. However, Steve points out the harvest delivered the lowest volume in more than five years – and, in many

All parties need to unite continued...

All parties need to unite to ensure NZ makes the best possible response to climate change. But as noted by the National Party, this should be as part of the overall global response. It is a point well made that NZ does not need to lead change, but rather should adopt and adapt what is successful in other countries.

Balance

Temptation to use taxes punitively, or to drive up the cost of energy from sources that may not be seen as “clean”, are not effective long-term solutions. Balance needs to be maintained so jobs are not lost and NZ’s economic growth is not put at risk, while science and technology develop future “clean energy” that is affordable, and on the scale needed. Long-term change needs to be economically and socially sustainable. A strong focus for NZ to achieve its climate change goals will be mitigating the affects from agriculture. This is a double-edged sword as much of NZ’s wealth is driven and earned by agriculture. The use of technology and innovation will be needed to bring agriculture within NZ’s Emissions Trading Scheme limits. Notably, considerable progress has already been made. For example, the beef and lamb sector is sitting around 19 per cent below 1990 carbon emissions levels, which exceeds NZ’s current target agreed to in the Paris Agreement on climate change of 11 per cent below 1990 levels.

Part to play

Horticulture doesn’t face the same issues as agriculture, but has a critical part to play mitigating climate change and assisting NZ to meet climate change targets. Our focus is on sustainable farming and caring for our environment. Many of our horticulture businesses are intergenerational. Horticulture, along with other primary sectors, supported the launch of the Good Farming Practice Action Plan for Water Quality. A copy of the plan is at: www.hortnz.co.nz/assets/ Our-Work-ﬁles/Good-farming-practice-for-wateraction-plan-2018.pdf We’ve also released a video telling the environmental story of vegetable growers Balle Bros. Find it on YouTube by searching ‘Our Environment Story’. Working with the Government’s plan to plant one billion trees in 10 years, fruit trees and vines will have a vital role. To read this column in full, see: www.coastandcountrynews.co.nz

markets, demand exceeded supply for much of the season. “While we remain positive about future opportunities for the category, we also urge caution that a bumper crop is just one good fruit-set away. Markets and competitive forces do change, so we continue to encourage growers to focus on ensuring access to all export markets available to us.” Steve says Avoco is leading the way through market development in Asia where, under the Avanza brand, it’s creating demand for premium quality New Zealand avocados. Strong values for fruit are being achieved on the back of growing aware-

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Steve says it would be difﬁcult for other growing nations to gain market access to Australasia due to strict phytosanitary measures. But outside interest shows the industry shouldn’t be complacent about its future. “That’s why Avanza was developed to futureproof our industry and the livelihood of our growers,” says Steve. “Avocado consumption in Australia keeps growing every year and with that growth comes real value. But we’ve always been careful to manage our markets responsibly and not rely too heavily on Australia.” Aoyama. In 2018-2019, Avoco is likely to send about 80 per cent of its volumes to Australia and 20 per cent to ness in Asia about avocados’ health Asia. This will ensure long-term retail customers in beneﬁts, says Steve. Australia will be supported while, at the same time, “Close to eight out of every 10 New Zealand avocados exported to the main enable market growth in emerging Asian markets, Asian market grouping of Korea, Japan including China, says Steve. and Singapore carry the trusted Avanza label. In emerging markets such as India, we represent 100 per cent of NZ exports.” Mexico is the world’s largest avocadogrowing nation, and exports avocados year-round. Marked seasonal crops in NZ and Australia, combined with growing demand for fruit, makes the two countries attractive and complementary new markets, according to APEAM.

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Page 54

CARTAGE & EARTHWORKS

Ceremony to start Kaituna re-diversion works A celebration of the start of construction works for the Kaituna River Re-diversion and Te Awa o Ngatoroirangi Maketu Estuary Enhancement Project was held in mid-June.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Kaituna catchments project manager Pim de Monchy says it was a chance to celebrate the start of work the community has called for since 1979, and wish the contractors, cultural monitors and other contributors well for their work ahead. The public event included karakia (prayers) and speeches on June 12, with the main contractor starting staff briefings and set-up work straight after the ceremony. BOPRC began feasibility assessments for the project in 2013. Eighteen different methods and options were considered before proceeding with detailed design, consultation, land acquisition, and consent application processes to prepare for the construction works that started last month. The project is due for completion by June 30, 2020. It will return an average of 600,000m3 of fresh water from the Kaituna River into Te Awa o Ngatoroirangi Maketu Estuary on every tidal cycle. Prior to 1956, the Kaituna River naturally flowed into Maketu

Estuary some or all of the time. Pim says the original diversion was done to protect the low-lying farmland from flooding and improve drainage. “But the result has been a loss of estuary health that’s not acceptable to iwi and the wider community. “So we’ve found a way to help restore estuary health while maintaining existing levels of flood protection and boat access through Te Tumu Cut.” The $13.5m construction

project includes creation of a new channel to carry freshwater from the river into a new inlet structure at Ford’s Cut. Existing stopbanks will be shifted and upgraded. Ford’s channel will be widened and the Ford Road boat ramp will be upgraded. Some road and boat ramp closures will temporarily disrupt boating and fishing access to Ford Rd and Te Tumu Cut from August 1.

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A Hauraki Plains farmer has been applauded for his near-40-year contribution to improving drainage on farmland in his area, now retiring from the work. Drainage was the key to turning land into productive pasture when Ian Coombe was first elected to Thames Valley Drainage Committee. That was in October 1978. Now, almost 40 years later, he’s attended his final committee meeting su porting and representing the Elstow drainage area. Since he was elected Ian has been instrumental in developing a fairer drainage rating classification, supporting effective flood management with the insta lation of the Ahikope pump stations and watching with great interest the Waihou Valley Scheme design and construction. At his last committee meeting in June, Ian said: “Not much has changed. Weeds still grow in the drains, water still flows downhill, and there is always a new problem”. He also acknowledged landowners are now expected to protect the environment, deal with health and safety in new ways and “everything is an electronic toy now”. A trophy recognising his long-standing commitment was presented to Ian on behalf of Waikato Regional Council by Waihou constituency councillor and co-chair of the integrated catchment management committee, Stu Husband.

KIWIFRUIT

Page 55

Red kiwifruit still a few years away Zespri’s chief executive Dan Mathieson says the kiwifruit marketer would love introduce a red kiwifruit to its overseas markets soon but predicts its commercial introduction is still at least a few years away. “We’d love a red – it’s got such strong consumer attraction,” says Dan. “We’ve just had it in Singapore over the last few weeks and it’s created a buzz,” he told a media brieﬁng at Fieldays last month. “Even in my household the kids love it. It has very strong berry undertones and is an exceptional piece of fruit.” A Zespri-labeled red kiwifruit was for sale on retail shelves in Singapore during May and June as part of the ﬁrst-time Zespri International and Plant & Food Research’s jointly-run breeding programme has put the red-coloured fruit through the entire export supply chain – on a contained scale. Zespri International’s operations manager for kiwifruit new cultivar development Bryan Parkes told Coast and Country News in March that harvesting of red fruit from three cultivars was underway and would go through the supply chain for two-three seasons “depending how things are tracking” before a business case is formed to decide whether to commercialise any of them. The entire export supply chain trial – on a contained scale – from being grown on a New Zealand orchard to reaching the mouth of an overseas consumer – is part of the programme’s third – and last – stage of evaluation in pre-

A Zespri-labelled packet of red kiwifruit on sale in Singapore this season as part of a pre-commercialisation export trial by Zespri International and Plant & Food Research. commercialisation of a red variety. But Dan admits the red fruit has hit a speed bump on export – storage longevity. “We’re excited about it – we know we have to have it in the portfolio – but it can’t just tick the consumer box. It’s got to tick all of the production side boxes as well. “At the moment we’re still struggling with storage, so getting a piece fruit that can give us a sales window which will allow us to put meaningful investment in behind it – and really tell the consumer about this how great this piece of fruit is.” Dan says the red fruit’s storage “is just not there”. “And so we’re

trying to increase that out to a 12-week window so we can export it viably out of NZ. [Currently] I think we’re about eight weeks.” Asked how the fruit’s storage value can be improved, Dan says it takes time through the natural breeding techniques. “[We have] To choose varieties that have got strong storage and combine those with those the varieties that have got that taste – but it takes time. “Ideally, we’d like to be able a red in the market in the next couple of years. By 2020 is certainly what we’re pushing for. “But again we won’t rush into that. We’ve got to make sure it ticks all of the right boxes.”

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Choice GrowersThe tasteProfessionals fruit samples and talk to Zespri staff at Zespri’s tent at Fieldays. Photos Merle Foster.

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Ultra-Mat provides light is specifically year while SunGold is 75% about 10reflection millionand trays ahead – made by and respected European manufacturer. Complete with full UV protection “so there is very strong demand”. conditions. Ultra-Mat prevents weeds and stimulates growth of plants tha He thisfortooptimum Zespri’s efforts in the last ﬁve . highattributes light reflection yield another qua years build very strong partnerships with their Sizestoavailable 1.1mcustomers 120gms/m2and ULTRAMAT Woven, retail gettingWhite excellent shelf-space 3.3m , 4.15m 100gms/m2 ULTRAMAT White Woven The Profess through its supermarket channels.

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Zespri chief sums up season and ponders clouds ahead continued...

will be in the high-70 millions of trays. “Last year we had major customers say: ‘Hey, that’s not enough’ but this year we’re going to have more fruit for them, which is going to help our retail programmes.” And markets are responding well. “Europe is doing very well. They had a lot of frost damage in the Italian season, the non-NZ supply season in 2017, so we’ve come in to a relatively empty market. “We’ve also put a lot more SunGold into Europe. “Prior, our previous licensed variety Hort16A didn’t go so well in Europe – the taste was a bit sweet. SunGold has a much more balanced proﬁle in taste composition and Europeans tend to like it better.”

Markets respond

Zespri’s also changed its retail model in Japan. “We’re now partnering much more closely with our end-retail customers than ever before. “Before we tended to sell to our distributors then we’d run parallel marketing programmes. Now we’re running fully integrated marketing and sales programmes with the retailer at that customer interface, at that point of purchase; I think that’s really demonstrating much stronger growth than we’ve seen prior.” This year Zespri will sell a total of 26 million trays of kiwifruit into Japan – up from 24 million last year. “For SunGold it will be about 14 million and about 10-12 million of green.” But China is Zespri’s biggest market – to buy about 27 million trays of fruit. “And that will have a much higher percentage of gold. The Chinese demand for gold has been really, really strong – almost stronger than every other market and very good value as well.” Zespri also expects good volumes in its non-NZ supply locations this year. “Weather-permitting we’ll be able to double our SunGold 2018 crops. “In Italy we’ve got just over 3000ha of SunGold in the ground. We planted 1600ha of SunGold there over the last two years, so that fruit will start to come on-line soon.” But there are challenges ahead. A seasonal labour shortage in the Bay of Plenty kiwifruit industry had the Ministry of Social Development declare the region needed an extra 1200 workers for harvesting. “We’ve been able to ﬁll about 600 of those vacancies,” says Dan. “That’s certainly something we’re going to have to address as our volumes grow, from next year and beyond,” says Dan. “New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated – the representative kiwifruit body – is working closely with government for a long-term solution. “There is no silver bullet; there are a lot of things we’ll have to do to ensure a good supply of labour. “We need good accommodation for workers across the industry; we need to look at how we encourage people to come into the industry versus other areas demanding labour; and ensure our proﬁle is well-seen and out there across local workers but also backpackers; and, of course, topping up with Recognised Seasonal Employer workers.” The industry employs 18,000 people but by 2030 this is forecast to grow to 29,000. “So we need a lot more people to come into the industry at

Chief executive Dan Mathieson was keen to update growers about Zespri’s harvest season and market performance at Fieldays.

“We’re going to licence 700ha of SunGold every year for the next ﬁve years, so that’s 3500ha. We did the ﬁrst tranche of that this year. Prior we had two tranches of 400ha,” says Dan. “We’re going to look at that [release] every year and if we start to see a slowdown in our sales and

Our organisation has been established for over 18 years. I have been involved in applying crop protection programmes within the horticultal industry since 1966. We specialise within the kiwi fruit industry, We have the equipment to spray orchards with our two Atom sprayers and one recently purchased Tracatom Formula tractor which is also available for mulching and mowing.

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I am a director of Z-Contracting- we are family run business, our team consists of three, being myself, my son and my brother.

12 months of the year, so when our customers around the world want kiwifruit they come to Zespri and we’re their one-stop-shop for all of it. “So we have to look at different varieties that can grow in different locations. Not just here in NZ – but offshore as well.” Plus biosecurity is another risk. “We’ve recovered from Psa-V but we still live with Psa every day – that’s a huge investment in effort and ﬁnancial resource to keep fruit growing in the Psa environment. But there’s other pests and diseases we have to be careful of – the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug is a good example. KVH manages biosecurity for our industry and is running research and raising awareness.”

all levels. The more work we can do with tertiary educators the better.”And ﬁnding good land to grow more SunGold – with access to water – is something the industry is much focused on.

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market we’ll moderate those numbers, depending on the environment.” Dan says the closer an orchard is to good water supply the better. “The further you have to go to get good water supply, the more expensive it is to run and operate these orchards.” And climate change in the long term will mean growers will have to adapt to changing growing conditions while Zespri looks at different varieties. “The kiwifruit industry is a very innovative group of people and I’m sure they’ll ﬁnd ways to grow fruit in different conditions. “But even now we’re seeing changes year-on-year; fruit coming a bit earlier or later – growers have to adapt and learn to deal with that. “Our strategy is to have the world’s best quality kiwifruit available for

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 58

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10am-12.30pm, Showgrounds, Katikati. Ph: 07 549 2795. Propagation Workshop, 9am-4pm, Koanga Institute, Wairoa, $261 (earlybird). See: tinyurl.com/y9aydx2w Growing Healthy Veges, 9.30am-12.30pm, The Falls Retreat, Karangahake Gorge, $75. See: www.fallsretreat. co.nz

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Hamilton Gardens Camellia carpark (gate 2). Cash only. Ph: Beryl 027 695 6229. Intro to Edible Gardening, 9.30am-12.30pm, The Falls Retreat, Karangahake Gorge, $75. See: www.fallsretreat. co.nz Make your Own Beauty & Cleaning Products, 9.3011.30am, Te Awamutu Library, $10. See: tinyurl. com/ybxuev4p Make your Own Beauty & Cleaning Products, 2-4pm, Cambridge Town Hall, $10. See: tinyurl.com/ybxuev4p

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Beeb, Hamilton. See: hamiltonbonsai.co.nz

of Dactylanthus taylorii on Mt Pirongia, 5.30pm talk by Monique Hall, Waikato Botanical Society, Hamilton, gold coin. See tinyurl.com/ yavslov

July 21

Composting & Worm Farms, 9.30am-12.30pm, The Falls Retreat, Karangahake Gorge. See: www.fallsretreat.co.nz

2018

BER TR TIM E

NT ME AT

PEPP ER

FREE QUOTES!

Apr il

Waikato Horticultural Society: Hamilton Garden Developments, 7.30pm, Hamilton Gardens, $5. Ph: Carmel 07 859 0158.

July 28 Kings Seeds 40th celebration. 11am-1pm at 189 Wharawhara Rd, Katikati. Guest of honour is garden writer Lynda Hallinan.

Hamilton Gardens. Fruit tree care, 1.30pm, Decor Gardebworld, Moffat Rd, Bethlehem. Free.

July 31

Easy Organic Gardening,

6.30-8.30pm for 6 weeks, Fraser High School, Hamilton, $75. See: tinyurl.com/ y84uk68r

August 4-5

Plant Sales, 10am-4pm, Hamilton Gardens.

Field Trip, 8.30am, Ngamanawa kauri. See: tinyurl.com/h4zph2x Catching Fish Using Wood, Bone, Stone & Shell, 7pm, talk by Te Papa curator Dr Chris Paulin, Pepper Tree Restaurant, Coromandel town, free. See: meg.org.nz

August 9 Art Crime, 5.30pm talk by Penelope Jackson, Te Runanga Tea House, Rotorua, $10 each for Museum Friends or $15. Pay at council reception.

Fantastic opportunity to create a brand new primary industry An industrial hemp economy summit is being held in NZ this July.

Flowering & Pollination

Competition, 10am 12.30pm, Rotorua Farmers Market. Hotel chefs create dishes showcasing traditional Maori ingredients. See: tinyurl.com/ybctuq6y Orchid & Plant Auction, noon, Masonic Hall, Te Puke, cash only. Ph: Faye 07 573 9710.

July 26

July 16

July 8

Foods of Matariki

Bunnings, Hamilton, free.

New Zealand’s first iHemp Summit is being held this month with the aim of kickstarting a home-grown industrial hemp economy. Building on global interest in hemp business opportunities and fuelled by changing legislation, the summit will explore the potential for New Zealand to be the best in the world at growing and using hemp for food, fibre and medicine. NZ Hemp Industries Association Inc and iHemp Summit chairman and Richard Barge says NZ has a fantastic opportunity to create a brand new primary industry based on hemp – and now is the time for an informed discussion. “iHemp is being recognised as a sustainable source of food, fibre and medicine and this creates opportunities for companies to make it part of their future business plan and be part of what is projected by some analysts to be a NZ$75 billion global industry by 2025.” The iHemp Summit is open to companies, farmers, scientists, funders, community leaders, economic development representatives, regulators and others wanting to look at opportunities to collaboratively develop NZ industrial hemp economy. At the summit experts will share local and international knowledge on hemp, identify local and export opportunities available to companies entering the industry, highlight tbarriers to success within the market and develop strategies and relationship to help the industry to overcome them. The summit will have a raft of speakers including Hemp Genetics International director of operations Jeff Kostuik, Hemp International Australia managing director Bob Doyle,

Hulled hemp seeds. Deputy Director General of Regulations and Assurance at the Ministry for Primary Industries Bryan Wilson, University of Waikato Professor Kim Pickering, Callaghan Innovation senior research engineer Stephen Tallon, Western Sydney University lecturer and researcher Maggie Davidson, retired scientist Dr Mike Nichols, NZHIA chairman Mack McIntosh and Richard Barge. In NZ food safety authorities are currently looking to follow Australia to allow hemp seed to be used in food by changing regulations under the Food Act, the Misuse of Drugs Act and the Medicines Act. These law changes, expected later this year, will allow hemp seed to be sold as a food in NZ, in addition to current legislation allowing local sale of hemp seed oil. Richard says Kiwi ingenuity has a lot to offer the emerging iHemp industry. “We have talented people that can create solutions and improvements for growing and processing our annual crop, in to a wide range of exportable products and technology in food, ﬁbre and medicine. “To make the most of the opportunity we need to set the vision for our country’s industrial hemp value chain and the summit can play an important role in this.” The summit is being coordinated by the NZ Hemp Industries Association Inc, which has been promoting the iHemp industry since 1997. The inaugural iHemp Summit is in Wellington on July 5-6. For details, see: https://hempsummit.nz/

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 59

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Page 60

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

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