Coast & Country News - September 2019 by Sun Media

By day Rukuhia’s Owen Pratt maintains properties, while wife Tracy is a plant sales rep, but their ‘hobby’ is hens. It all started when they closed the garden centre they used to run on their three acres of land. Today they breed and supply quality hens around the Waikato region. Flick to pages 30-31 to find out more about their operation and why they love keeping chickens. Photo: Catherine Fry.

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Welcome spring and local representation Well, it’s getting dark later at night, spring is lurking, and so are Local Body Elections around the country.

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As we find out who is running for each board and council in each region, it’s crucial those living and working in rural communities think about how they are being represented. And how they’d like to be represented in future. With climate change a hot topic and the Government currently trying to work its way through how it encourages the rural sector to reduce emissions in its primary industries, it’s crucial that local communities have local representatives who understand their region and what types of businesses operate in their backyard – and what kind of challenges, barriers and opportunities they face. These local voices may not be able to change regulation on the way, but they can offer support and a local voice on such issues. So please do take part in the voting process. Remember: if you don’t vote, don’t moan! Meanwhile, as spring ushers in a range of jobs to tackle on-farm and on-orchard we do hope you get to flick through this jam-packed issue, covering a range of topics across the primary industries. With New Zealand’s risk season for the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug beginning this month, we talked to an organic kiwifruit growing couple who got to see one of the bugs, and its damage, up close in Italy. Read about the White family’s Italian orchards trip on pages 6-7.

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We profile Peter Buckley and his work on his family’s Loch Carron Farm, at Island Block Rd in the Whangamarino Wetland. While the farm has recently sold, we find Peter’s environmental work continues. See pages 10-11. And a leading Kiwi scientist, recently honoured for his work to bring a Psa-fighting product to market, says the fight is not over yet. See page 17. Meanwhile horticulture’s highest honour has been bestowed on Bill Thorpe of Gisborne. Read why on page 18. Otorohanga contractor Ross Gower shares the family history of his most prized piece of machinery on pages 20-21. And in our dairy pages we talk effluent, winter grazing, dehorning calves and soil fertility. See pages 25-29. Elaine Fisher shares her recent visit to Tahiti and its pineapple plantations on pages 36-37. And with spring a busy time on sheep and beef farms, keeping safe is key according to Beef + Lamb New Zealand lead extension manager Mark Harris. See his advice on page 39. Plus, Roger Hill has just received the prestigious J Benton Jones Jr Award at the 16th International Symposium on Soil and Plant Analysis in The Netherlands. The award recognises an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the scientific profession of soil and plant analysis. Read about his career, and creating Hill Laboratories 35 years ago, on pages 46-47. And yes it’s nearly maize season. To learn more about the brands, varieties and services on offer, see pages 54-56.

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Have your say on protecting elite soils In recent years Pukekohe has seen housing encroach on fertile soils traditionally used for cultivating domestic produce.

growers can make best use of available land. Two, so growers can quickly get fresh produce to market; and three, so growers have access to workers, given how labour intensive horticulture is.”

Low emissions transition

With the Government moving to protect our country’s most fertile and versatile land from being built on, the public has until October 10 to have their say on the proposal. Announced mid-August by Environment Minister David Parker and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor, they say continuing to grow food in the volumes and quality we have come to expect in NZ depends on the availability of land and the quality of the soil. “Once productive land is built on, we can’t use it for food production, which is why we need to act now,” says Damien.

Nationwide approach

“We cannot afford to lose our most highly productive land. It brings significant economic benefits includin employment for nearby communities, and adds significant value to New Zealand’s primary sector. David says the Government’s draft National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land – or NPSHPL – proposes a nationwide approach to protecting our most productive land for future generations. “This stands alongside the new NPS for Urban Development, which will be released soon, to ensure we get the balance right and that the development we need is in the right place. We need to house our people and to feed them too.” About 14 per cent of NZ’s land is categorised as highly productive. “It’s under increasing pressure from

expanding urban areas and the growing number of lifestyle blocks,” says David. “The NPS-HPL introduces a clear and consistent policy that councils must follow when making decisions on land use. It proposes that councils be required to ensure there’s enough highly productive land available for primary production now and in future, and protect it from inappropriate subdivision, use and development,” says David.

Michelle says keeping our best soils for producing food is also important in the transition to a low emissions economy. “As the Paris Agreement states, countries need to find ways to adapt to climate change ‘in a manner that does not threaten food production’. “NZ needs to ensure it’s able to grow all the fresh and healthy food it needs, in a world where it will be difficult

to import fresh food due to climate change.” Michelle says current poor rules are preventing new vegetables gardens being established to replace land lost to housing in Auckland. “This situation is also why we need central government to guide regional and district councils through policy statements like highly productive land.” The proposed NPS-HPL is at: www.mfe.govt.nz/ consultation/proposed-nps-highlyproductive-land To make a submission, see: www. mpi.govt.nz/news-and-resources/ consultations Submissions close 5pm October 10.

Full analysis

“Councils would need to do a full analysis of alternatives, benefits and costs when considering whether urban expansion should be located on highly productive land used for growing food and vegetables and for other primary production.” The NPS-HPL also supports other government priorities, including freshwater management. David says a two-month consultation period has begun, and he encourages “everyone with an interest to share their views”. Horticulture NZ has welcomed the draft NPSHPL, saying it will help ensure NZ can grow its own vegetables and fruit. “The policy statement recognises that NZ needs its best soils for domestic food production,” says HortNZ natural resources and environment manager Michelle Sands. “Once you build houses on our best soils, you cannot get them back. However, with good planning and buffer zones, houses and horticulture can co-exist, which is important for three main reasons. “One, so

Kiwi pet food brand wins prestigious US export award A Mount Maunganui-based specialty pet food manufacturer has won a prestigious American Chamber of Commerce award. Ziwi, which has had phenomenal growth in the massive US market, picked up the Exporter of the Year to the USA in the over-$10 million category in the 20th annual 2019 AmCham-DHL Success & Innovation Awards for companies doing business with the country. Phenomenal growth in export markets and a loyal following for its unique air-dried pet food saw the manufacturer catapulted into the global marketplace 16 years ago. Since then it’s continued a fastmoving upward trajectory, now

placing the brand as global leader in the air-dried category, according to Ziwi managing director Richard Lawrence “It is an honor for Ziwi to win the award. This category was a tough one with extremely successful large exporters competing in this category. “In recent years with the help of our majority shareholders, the Stewart family, we’ve consistently invested in our people and plant to set up a strong network of marketing and distribution teams throughout the world. “It is wonderful to be recognised for the huge passion and commitment our team has made,

especially in the last few years.” Richard says the US was Ziwi’s first export market and remains its largest and most developed. “North American pet guardians have embraced Ziwi and our free-range NZ ingredients. We’ll continue to invest in growing our North American business as we expand around the world.” The judges say Ziwi showed a clear detailed strategy with innovation embedded at its core. “They’ve taken their first-mover advantage and executed well – not only in the area of the core product itself, but in ‘whole of product’ as it relates to packaging, promotion, logistics and fulfilment.

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Shining a spotlight on who will be impacted by carbon charges What lies behind New Zealand’s farming operations facing upcoming regulation to achieve the Government’s zero-carbon goals is rural families and communities who have no full interpretation of how such policies will affect their lives, livelihoods or quality of life, according to Rural Women NZ. “We want to raise this because it’s an important issue and will have an impact on our rural communities,” says RWNZ national chair Penny Mudford, who with her acting chief executive Angela McLeod attended their organisation’s Region Five Rimanui AGM in Tauranga last month. The ladies were in town to workshop through future directions and policies of RWNZ with members of Region Five, which spans from the Coromandel down to Te Puke. One of RWNZ’s public policies is Climate Change – and urges the Government to ensure the proposed Climate Change Commission carries out both a Gender Impact Analysis and Rural Impact Analysis on its work; and supports the need for recommendations on economically viable measures the farming community can do to reduce their impact on the environment and climate change. “We understand things need to change in regard to emissions, but it’s difficult to understand the science [behind the proposed policies] and to know whether or not these proposed policies are going to achieve that or what the impacts will be on rural communities,” says Penny. She says with RWNZ being around 94 years with the purpose to support and strengthen rural communities – taking interest in issues and matters that impact on

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RWNZ national chair Penny Mudford and acting chief executive Angela McLeod attending their organisation’s Region Five Rimanui AGM in Tauranga last month. rural women and families and communities and businesses – their voice is an important one. “This is because often, particularly in policy development, it’s a voice not often heard. So it’s really important to bring the voice of those who live rurally to the table of decision-making and policy that impact back on our communities.” With the Government’s Zero Carbon Bill – introduced to Parliament on May 8 – set to be passed later this year, and a Climate Change Commission to be formed afterwards, the topic is very hot in rural areas, says Penny. “We expect there will be an impact on rural communities with the new policies that come forward, and that will impact

on jobs and communities in terms of less money going into communities as it instead will go towards addressing the carbon policies. But we don’t know to what extent. “The other concern we hold is that we know we need to head in that direction – but how long is a sensible time for that to happen without negatively impacting those communities in the meantime?” And while the carbon-reducing goal currently seems focused on farmers, the wider NZ community needs to be part of this movement as well, says Penny. “It’s not just farming that will solve the problems in terms of our emissions. But it seems to us the focus is on farming. And in the absence of understanding the direct science benefits and the economic impact of that – and the impact to women and children and families and services in rural communities – it is really difficult to have an informed opinion.” Angela says current messaging is around: ‘Farmers have got to do this…’ – “and that’s why we need discussion on the science behind these policies and what needs to happen at farming levels”. “And also how does it impact at community level – so they can understand – because I think rural communities feel disenfranchised from the discussion because of the complexity of the arguments.” Angela says farmers work with weather and climate daily and understand conditions are changing. “So what we have to be able to do is translate that science [guiding these policies] down to that level in that community – so they actually know how to go forward.” “And then have policy that is fair in terms of moving us all forward,” says Penny. Merle Foster

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

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Reviving horticulture education What began as a project to create a new, innovative and attractive horticulture course for Katikati College students has morphed into offering education and pathways to employment for the wider community. Teacher Hilary Johnson took on KKC’s horticulture department two years ago, when subject enrolments were dwindling but the local horticulture industry was screaming out for workers. “Horticulture in schools doesn’t provide what the industry needs, or what tertiary providers need. “Traditionally, it’s been gardening – while every kid should learn how to grow vegetables, 16-17-year-olds should be learning something way more relevant to the industry,” says Hilary.

Personalised learning

She’s designed a modular, flexible, cross-curricular and future-focused programme where students personalise their learning by picking their own subjects. For example, in one class students individually learn topics from science to business studies, marketing, finance, cashflow, futureproofin innovation, sustainability, robotics and coding – via several specialist teachers in the same time slot. “Students choose what they want to do, and this can take them down a variety of pathways. It offers opportunities for students wishing to go straight into work, those seeking cadetships and further training, and those looking to go to university to secure a career in horticulture at the highest levels.” Katikati College Hilary’s classes also offer student Rose Rayner, real-world learning and 16, is part of the new horticulture programme.

industry involvement, with out-of-school learning such field trips the norm. This year students have visited a honey-processing plant, hydroponics and tissue culture propagators, an under-cover blueberry operation, a maturity-testing lab, nurseries, orchards, packhouses, King Seeds and been exposed to drones and technology. “Some students have done paid work with Zespri contractor Start AFresh, working on realworld research that has purpose, instead of a science experiment.” But while the college’s horticulture subject went from 19 enrolments in 2018 to 58 this year, and is forecast to hit 80 in 2020 – something occurred to Hilary. “We realised there are people out there who don’t have access to this sort of training and education – and we needed to do something for the whole community, rather just for the college.” The result is Katikati Innovative Horticulture Trust – which is fundraising to build a new horticulture block on the college grounds to educate both school students and local youth not in paid work or education. “In the BOP and Katikati we’ve got too many people who aren’t employed or in education. Figures show 30 per cent of people aged above 15 in the Katikati community have no qualifications whatsoever.

“Our vision is to be the centre of horticultural excellence in the BOP, and ultimately NZ.” The trust’s new horticulture ‘barn’ will cost $302,000 to construct and $90,000 annually to run. It’ll be trust-owned but situated on school land owned by the Ministry of Education, by agreement. “Later on we want to build a nursery on-site so we can be self-sustainable

financially, to run without asking for money or being dependent on anyone.” With a full business plan, the trust has support from Zespri, NZKGI, Priority1, and a number of industry leaders plus Katikati horticultural businesses – and financial pledges of $200,000 for the new facility. See: https://givealittle. co.nz/cause/innovative-horticulture-isthe-future Merle Foster

Positive change

She cites high travel costs and no local training venues as barriers to education. “And the fact is horticulture is hugely significant to our country and this region – and this industry will actually require fewer unskilled people and more skilled people in future due to robotics and automation. “So the trust’s aiming to bring the community into this programme to improve youth employability, and support needs of the industry – and altogether make a positive change. We’ll run this free, NEETspecific training separately, but alongside our school programme, using other providers and expertise who will team up with us. We won’t do it as a school – but we will host it.” Hilary says education will go up to a diploma course above Level 3 and lead participants directly to a career pathway or a job.

The teacher behind Katikati College’s new horticulture programme is Hilary Johnson. All photos: Merle Foster.

Year 11 student Anthony Gray, aged 15, designing a handsfree watering system using electronics and coding.

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Stink bug encounter encourages Opotiki organic kiwifruit growers Catriona and Mark White on tour in a newly-established Italian orchard with concrete posts and covering around the base of the plants to protect from frosts and snow.

As Opotiki organic kiwifruit grower Mark White stood in an Italian orchard near Verona, back in May, talking to the orchardist, a Brown Marmorated Specialising in Specialising in Stink Bug (Halyomorpha halys) • Removal / chipping of whole trees crawled up his leg. • Removal / chipping of whole trees

• • • • •

On site for chipping for pads stand off “Wepads weren’t expecting to see any because it On site •chipping stand off was very early and not their breeding season. • Wood chip for sale But there it was,” says Mark, who with wife Wood chip for sale Orchardremoval shelter removal Catriona and children, Letisha, 16, and Orchard• shelter Lochlan, 14, were on a two-week trip of Italy • Stump removal to learn how their European counterparts are Stump removal dealing with an incursion of the bug. Woodlot marketing all tree species Catriona says the orchardist’s reaction Woodlot• marketing of all tree of species

was: ‘Oh, well there’s one’. “He wasn’t at all surprised. “That was pretty sobering. It made it all very real.” From their experience, they believe New Zealand needs to do everything it can to stop this bug getting into our country. “Protecting our border is crucial. Because once it gets here, there’s potential for some significant damage,” say Mark and Catriona, whose

trip was part of their 2018 Ballance Farm Environment Awards national title prize. The family toured Latina, two hours south of Rome, a big kiwifruit-growing region. Here, they joined a Greek kiwifruit growers’ tour of organic and conventional orchards, then went north to Bologna and Verona orchards.

Smorgasbord of food

Mark says the stink bug is seen in southern Latina but it seems to too hot for it to establish there. “It’s more prevalent up north in Verona. In the bug’s favour is Verona has a larger range of crops for it to eat.” Catriona says soya beans is a favourite. “But once that food source is depleted it will move to basically whatever else is ripe. And with orchards being smaller and multiple-crop in Verona, there’s a smorgasbord for the stink bug.” Mark says he met a pear grower who lost 100 per cent of his crop. “A Bologna grower said the bug’s impact on orchards is like a bell-shaped curve. In the establishment phase

A Brown Marmorated Stink Bug on Mark White’s hand, which crawled up his leg in an Italian kiwifruit orchard. there’s 20-30 per cent losses. At peak in his kiwifruit orchard he experienced 70 per cent loss, then it tailed off to 20-30 per cent yearafter-year.” Catriona says a popular method to keep the bug out of Italian kiwifruit is to enclose orchards. “Almost all G3 SunGold have hail netting. The orchardists build on sides, right to the ground to enclose the orchard, so adult stink bugs can’t get in. They then spray inside, which is somewhat effective.” “One grower told us is: ‘We spray today but ...continued

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orchardists to share experience continued...

tomorrow another lot comes’. He means the nymphs (babies) can get through, and so another population breeds up.” Mark says orchardists seem to use two strategies. “The first is a pull strategy – they try to use a soya bean crop or something similar to pull the bugs into it and out of the orchard. The push strategy is spraying. But the chemicals they use can’t be sprayed close to harvest.”

“The Italians haven’t got the Samurai wasp – not native they’re not permitted to import it.” Catriona says Italian kiwifruit growers are also concerned about stink bug-infected fruit getting into the marketplace. The bug pierces fruit but it can take up to one week for signs of damage, such as shriveling, to show. “Pierced fruit could go into the marketplace and consumers could buy it – but it tastes terrible, so there’s fears they won’t repeat purchase. “As a result, growers manage harvesting a little differently so affected fruit doesn’t get through.” As organic growers, seeing tools such as netting and biological controls in action in Italy, gave the Whites comfort organic control methods are available – if needed – one day back home. “Chemicals are not really a long-term answer because it can kill predators the bug may have, like the wasp.” But the couple say Italian horticulturalists, like NZ growers – “are ever hopeful researchers will come up with a really effective way of controlling the bug”.

A family shot of the Whites: Catriona, daughter Letisha, 16, Mark and son Lochlan, 14, who enjoyed sightseeing in Italy.

Very collaborative Hail netting, with the sides up to allow easy access. These come down during ‘stink bug season’ to stop adult bugs entering this Italian orchard.

Native wasp

Some University of Bologna researchers told the couple the most effective strategy they’ve seen is in cities gardens where there are no sprays but a native wasp that kills BMSB eggs. “They said this wasp is 30-40 per cent effective and the samurai wasp – approved for use by the Environmental Protection Agency in NZ if a BMSB incursion happens – will be more like 80 per cent effective.

“We also realised NZ’s kiwifruit industry is very collaborative, which is good for sharing knowledge and information about growing practices – and going forward will put us in good stead for getting information out there about how we can stop this bug,” says Catriona. “That’s a difference to what we saw in Italy,” says Mark. The Whites thank Ballance Farm Environment Awards for enabling them to take their children on the trip of a lifetime. “Entries to the 2020 BFEA are now open – we encourage any farmers and growers thinking about putting their name forward to do so. We learned so much from it.” More information about BFEA is at: www.nzfeatrust. org.nz/ballance-farm-environment-awards

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Tinopai, 154 Years in the making This year the Hannon family of Hautapu, near Cambridge in the Waikato, travelled to the South Island town of Lawrence to collect a 2019 New Zealand Century Farm Award. The awards aim to honour and preserve families’ histories that are tied to the same piece of land for 100-plus years. In this second instalment, Coast & Country News writer Catherine Fry tells the more recent history of the Hannon family’s 154 years on the land.

Richard and Carol on the verandah of the Tinopai, Hautapu. The house is a protected historic home and is being spruced up, with the roof newly-painted, and the exterior is next. Echoes of the past resonate through the large, high ceiling rooms, and Richard’s eyes twinkle as he mentions the possibilities of ghosts. “We haven’t seen one but others reckon they have.”

Modern life at Te Miro Richard Garland Hannon and wife Carol Hannon at Tinopai, Hautapu. All photos: Catherine Fry.

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Richard Garland Hannon and Carol married in 1963, and have four children; Richard known as ‘Rick’, Nadine, Mathew and Marcel. They started married life at the Te Miro block, living in the brick homestead and working for Richard’s father, the late Richard ‘Richie’ Capewell Hannon, for a couple of years. Carol remembers life up there very well. “There was no electricity, so we went to bed when it got dark. The fridge was a cream can strung across the stream. [And so] We ate a lot of rabbits and pukeko!” Thankfully, life today at the Tinopai homestead – the family’s other long-held Waikato farm – is a lot more comfortable. The couple have much of their own furniture there, but the house is still dominated by the past. The sense of history is enormous, with photographs, paintings and objects from previous generations all around them. Richard looks at the shelves of papers and books and shrugs. “We’ve never even looked at most of these.”

Marcel Hannon inherited the Te Miro block with his father Richard, in 2003. Marcel and his wife Sandra met while working at Fonterra, and continued working there until Marcel was made redundant. The couple and their young family, Jared, now 13, and Sarah, now 11, moved into the old homestead at Te Miro and renovated it. Marcel stayed at home with the children and worked on-farm from 2008 to 2013, while Sandra continued working. “We were pretty much the first family to live permanently on the farm since my parents in the 1960s,” says Marcel. The couple role-swapped in 2013, with Sandra, who has a farming background, taking over the farm work, and Marcel returned to Fonterra. He spends much of his days off working with Sandra. “We’re developing our part of the land, and have introduced 400 dairy grazers to generate cashflow “We’ve built a decent modern home, a stable driveway, and we’ve worked hard on weed control, fencing, infrastructure, a water reticulation system, and a fertilising programme.” Across the whole 360ha, there are 220 Angus cattle, 220 Romney sheep, and the 400 dairy grazers. Marcel and Sandra are committed to making the land a

...continued

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 9

The current generation continued...

productive and viable drystock farm. The new homestead requires wind turbines to generate power. It stands high above the family land, with outstanding panoramic views. With easy 20-minute access to Cambridge, it is a far cry from the old days, but a trek to the top of the farm, where the wind hammers from all angles, is a reminder of how remote and tough life would have once been up there.

Waikato Expressway

Back at Tinopai the threat of the proposed Waikato Expressway route lingered over the property, as it did much of Cambridge, for many years. It was a stressful experience when 10 acres of the land was seized. “The expressway opened in 2015, but we’re still negotiating the price in 2019, and it’s been a costly, ongoing fight,” says Richard The road isn’t the only threat to the property. It is now in an industrial zone and slowly but surely neighbouring properties are being swallowed up by new industrial businesses. Regardless, Tinopai remains staunchly intact and running as a farm. Richard, 77, and Carol, 77, still run the Tinopai farm full-time, and with amazing

Fifth generation Hannons, Marcel, with his wife Sandra, and sixth generation children, Jared and Sarah, are co-owners of the Te Miro block. energy. The two farms still operate as one. the now industrial-zoned land, Richard has Richard and Carol have around 150 Angus no intention of selling his family’s legacy, steers and yearlings from the hill block, and a despite numerous offers. “It’s not about the 100 or so sheep to fatten. money, this is our family’s land.” The Hautapu dairy factory is at the end Richard and Carol are happy to continue of the road, heavy machinery and noisy where each of the previous generations left manufacturing businesses line Hannon Rd, off. Seven generations of family, children and the motorway hums in the background. and grandchildren have worked on the farm, But life at Tinopai endures behind its making it what it is today. As its Maori curtain of trees, and the stock quietly graze name implies – ‘Tinopai’ is a “very good” green paddocks. Despite the high value of place to be. Catherine Fry Part of the extensive collection of metal work gathered over the years by third generation Hannon, the late Richard ‘Richie’ Capewell Hannon.

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Peter Buckley by an outlet behind the stopbank where the water is crystal clear and phosphate, nitrate and sediment-free. All photos: Catherine Fry.

Loch Carron Farm, at Island Block Rd in the Whangamarino Wetland, has been in 67-year-old Peter Buckley’s family since 1929, when his grandfather Thomas Buckley acquired 250ha of land as payment for a bad debt. Thomas’ son – also Peter’s father – 16-year-old Tuppy ‘Malcolm’ Buckley was given 100ha and his father’s financial help. “He bought 20 milking Shorthorns from the Pokeno sales and drove them to the land, swimming the Whangamarino River on the way,” says Peter. Each morning Tuppy milked his cows, then used them as draught animals to break in his swampy land. “The 1930s brought roads and more people to the area.” In 1938, Tuppy married his first wife June, and had 10 children over two marriages, with Peter being the second eldest of the second marriage to Marjorie. Peter trained as a boiler maker/welder on the railways

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in Otahuhu, and then spent a year in the UK. None of his siblings were interested in farming, so Peter bought a one-third share from his parents in 1974 and the other two-thirds when he married his wife Judy, in 1976. “By then the 1966 Island Block District Drainage scheme was really showing results, and much of our wetland was well developed pasture.”

The 1950s flood

The 1950s floods had completely washed out the infrastructure and the Government, keen to support agriculture, had stepped in with subsidies to drain the swamp. By 1974, the farm milked 250 mainly-Friesian cows, to show a profit. “I didn’t want to spend seven hours a day in a milking shed,” says Peter. After reducing the herd to 180, Peter soon learnt that production increased because they could afford to feed the cows more. This led to a lifetime of environmentally-sympathetic farming – a concept well-ahead of its time back then. ...continued

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Page 11

Tackling environmental issues for 45 years palm kernel. “The land hasn’t been re-grassed since 1981, and there are still areas of pasture originally planted in 1929.” The cows are on a 25-day round in spring and summer, lengthening to 100 days in winter. About 170 tonnes of silage, and around 100 round bales of hay are grown on a 12ha run-off block.

New owners

Effluent is used over the whole farm at 5ml. Dung beetles have recently been introduced, and in two to three years, their dung-burying habits will greatly

improve the soil structure and root architecture. Peter and Judy retired in June, and still live in the house they built in 1976, now on a 4ha block. New owners, apiarists Bill and Margaret Bennett, are committed to the ongoing upkeep of the farm, and position hives near to the Manuka there. They are committed to dairy farming as Peter used to. As for Peter, he still walks the stopbanks, and is actively involved in further environmental work that may be carried out on Loch Carron Farm. Catherine Fry

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Peter Buckley on a bridge over one of the drains inside the stopbank on the farm. continued...

“By the end of the 1970s, we’d beaten our best ever milk production, with a herd of 200 eating only pasture and hay.” Peter understood that looking after the environment could save money and keep production high. The farm’s super phosphate inputs have been reduced over the years from 82 tonnes to 16 tonnes in the 2017/2018 season. “The farm is chequered with manmade drainage channels, with water level probes that automatically kick in the flood pumps when the water level rises, or can be overridden in the drier summer.” Four powerful flood pumps can pump out water at 6m3 per second.

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Two of the flood pumps in action, pumping water to a pond above the stopbank.

Beehives belonging to new farm owners, Bill and Margaret Bennett, have been placed near the wetland flora

water, and the water is treated with UV light and chlorine due to high levels of E. coli. The north sides of the drains are planted to provide shade, and weed in the drains slows sediment loss. In partnership with Kerry Reilly, from the adjoining Winstone Aggregates quarry, Peter and Judy took 4.5ha out of production to plant an extensive wetland area. This takes discharge from both the quarry and the farm, naturally filtering it and releasing it back into the Whangamarino Wetland. The water pumped up over the stopbanks is at a higher level than much of the farm, and the ponds are crystal clear with negligible nitrates, phosphate or sediment, but some E. coli from the wetland birds. The farm has a System 1 production system, but is closer to a System 2 if they have to buy in emergency

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Peter foresaw that issues were coming down the track that could be very contentious, such as water quality, and started looking at these on his own farm. “If we used our inputs effectively, applying only what was needed, nothing would leach into the waterways.” Today, the farm’s nitrogen reference point is 20, and 20kg/ha of nitrogen is applied straight behind the cows in spring.

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FORESTRY

Move from oil to biofuels is possible It is not beyond the realms of possibility for biofuels to one day replace finite fossil fuels. That’s the message from Crown Research Institute Scion’s business development manager Rob Lei – and one he shared with delegates at 2019’s New Zealand Farm Forestry annual conference in Rotorua. Rob says the future use of trees could see a move from an “oil economy” to one of biofuels. This would revitalise regional rural economies in New Zealand, says Rob. A government-owned company, Scion

specialises in scientific research an technology for the forestry sector. Rob says global brands such as Ikea, McDonald’s and Coca Cola are “driving change” away from oil-based products. An example is bioplastics made from pine. “The challenge is that it is more expensive,” says Rob. “But a change from plastics is happening.” The use of biofuels instead of fossil fuels is also becoming a reality. “The world is heading this way,” says Rob. The issue is getting this technology out of the laboratory and into a scale suitable for commercial production. Scion CEO Dr Julian Elder agreed

there is a move from “black oil to a green path”. But, he said there is not enough “joining up” of conversations in New Zealand about this. Parties including the Government, farmers and councils need to be having “robust conversations”. “It is very important to bring knowledge together,” says Julian. “The opportunities are pretty exciting.” Julian says questions that need to be answered included the supply of trees for a biorefinery, the type and source. “Forestry can enable very significant outcomes for New Zealand socially, environmentally and economically.” In Scion’s view, by 2030 New Zealand will have “grown and transformed” forestry and

timber-based manufacturing. “Regions across New Zealand will be thriving through their expanded and enriched planted forests. “High-value construction and appearance timber products will be meeting domestic and international demand. “New materials and energy derived from trees will have displaced oil-derived products. “And new bio-based industries that use tree and wood wastederived materials will have replaced those that relied on imported chemicals and fuels. “Timber will be the norm in multi-

level construction, and NZ cities will be increasingly sustainable in character and design. “Trees will make up more of the rural and urban landscapes as major contributors to mitigating climate change and protecting and enhancing our environment,” says Julian. “Anything you can make from fossil fuels today, you can make from trees tomorrow.” Steve Edwards

Mill town festival celebrates timber artists As a town that was founded on the back of a booming logging industry and the ensuing pulp and paper mill, Kawerau is the perfect venue to hold the annual WoodFest event, celebrating all things wood. Held in conjunction with the Kawerau National Woodskills Competition, WoodFest attracts 12,000 visitors annually who come to see Australasia’s best carvers and woodturners and their amazing creations. Entrants into the Woodskills competition have more than 15 categories to consider entering including pinus radiata, carving, sculpture, woodturning, furniture, toys, models and games, musical instruments, youth and indigenous carving.

Top timber sculpting artists will have the full week to work on their pieces, with no restrictions on what tools they can use. The Woodskills Exhibition, showcasing the products of the Woodskills Competitions, will be held in the Ron Hardie Recreation Centre starting with the prizegiving on September 26. It is an opportunity for sponsors, artists and the public to both view and reserve exhibits for purchase after the weekend has concluded. Several categories will be awarded with prizes including the Ru Heather memorial, Kawerau Rotary Accolade, Lily Stubbs Memorial Honours Board and Roy Buckley Youth Award. The public are also encouraged to vote for their favourite entry in a special category, celebrating a wild and adventurous nod to Kiwiana. WoodFest culminates in a weekend of woodrelated events and competitions: chainsaw races, woodchopping competitions, the Purex World Record Games, and the Big Dig and Diddy Dig competitions. The Big Dig Competition is an extreme woodchip shovelling competition where teams vie to shovel 3m3 of wood chip into a giant ‘Foote’ bin. The Pacific Toyota Diddy Dig is the children’s versio of the Big Dig, where teams of four primary school students compete to be the fastest to shovel half a cubic metre of woodchip into a specially-made diddy bin. In addition to wood-related events and competitions, the festival is also packed with free, fun family activities including a Truck Pull, the Hubbard Contracting FMX Pro Show and the BMX Freestyle Crew. Spectators will also witness the NZCT Bike Trials, with demonstrations throughout the weekend and a competition on Sunday. Originating in Spain, trial riding tests bicycle handling skills through a variety of natural and manmade obstacles. Kawerau WoodFest is on September 28-29. Door entry to the National Woodskills competition is $10 for adults or $5 for senior citizens; under 12s enter for free.

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Consumer trust is key for our food industry Consumer trust has never been more valuable to New Zealand’s food industry and is set to play a key role in its future success, according to a visiting international agricultural expert. Yet winning and sustaining this trust has also never been more complex. Speaking at the New Zealand Horticulture conference in Hamilton last month, RaboResearch Australia and New Zealand general manager Tim Hunt, who is based in Sydney, told delegates consumer trust was becoming an increasingly precious commodity for NZ food producers.

RaboResearch Australia and New Zealand general manager Tim Hunt. “New Zealand’s emerging markets, like China and South East Asia, place a high value on food safety and the process of food preparation, while more mature wealthy markets are willing to pay for sustainability, animal welfare, fairness and attractive provenance,” says Tim. “In both cases, the attributes customers are looking for are not self-evident at the point of purchase or when they consume the food. So in order to win their business and hopefully extract the premium, it is vital food producers win their trust.”

More complex

While Tim says consumer trust has never been more valuable, he cautions that earning and maintaining this trust is now more complex than ever. “Trust in companies, the Government and regulators is on the decline and the integrity of the food industry is under attack from media and documentary makers,” says Tim.

“We’re also seeing a shift to online food sales, which is changing the environment in which we’re building consumer relations, and new technology creating the capacity of consumers to trace product through the supply chain.” Tim cited a recently-launched app in Australia to verify free-range egg labelling as an example of how organisations outside the food industry are utilising technology to influence consumer perceptions of food brands. “Australian consumer advocacy group Choice hasn’t been happy with the standards the Government and industry set around free-range eggs so they’ve set up their own app to download on your phone, which you can use to scan cartoons of eggs labelled as free-range in the supermarket,” says Tim. “Via augmented reality, the app generates a threedimensional image on top of the egg cartoon with either incredibly densely-packed chickens, if Choice deem the eggs have not been produced in free-range conditions; or one happy dancing chicken, if Choice deem they have been. The app then gives you the ability to take of photo of the image and share this information with all your friends and followers via Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp.” In New Zealand a new voluntary egg-stamping programme is being introduced so consumers can trace their eggs back to the farm they were laid on by punching an egg’s stamp code into an app. Tim says for those industries able to build strong consumer trust, there were significant rewards, and NZ’s food industry was well placed to do so.

Capitalise on technology

“It won’t be easy, but winning this trust starts by setting high standards of food production and supply chain management that aren't too far out of whack from what local communities and customers expect. “And it’s sustained by consistently meeting those standards time after time and year after year.” Tim told the conference it would also be essential for the NZ food sector to capitalise on evolving technology to highlight the strong provenance and health and welfare story that’s already in place. “We’re going to see more and more technological developments which enable us to trace the standards of food in the supply chain. And it’s absolutely essential that NZ food producers are utilising this technology to tell the New Zealand food story and put the industry on the front foot, because if they don’t, the risk is other outside groups step in and shape the story in this very valuable area.”

Page 13

Page 14

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

We need a future-focused Biosecurity Act The review of the Biosecurity Act provides an opportunity for industry groups to have a say in the future framework to protect New Zealand.

The first of its kind in the world, our Act led a global trend in protecting the economic, environmental, social and cultural values from biosecurity risk. However, like all pieces of legislation, they become outdated and require review. In its current form, the Act provides a basis to protect New

Zealand from unwanted pests and diseases across the biosecurity system.

Increased pressure

However, in a modern world with increasing pressures from trade and tourism, the emergence of new risk pathways and climate change, we need a future-focused Act that will provide regulatory flexibility so we can respond to biosecurity risk. To understand how participants of the biosecurity system interact with the current framework and see the pressure

How NZ’s biosecurity system is funded is critical for horticulture’s continued confidence in investment points, the Ministry for Primary Industries is holding nationwide stakeholder workshops. How the biosecurity system is funded is critical for the horticulture industry to have continued confidence in investment. The response to the Mycoplasm bovis biosecurity response has emptied the Government’s coffers and there’s not much left. This has resulted in the Government considering alternative funding mechanisms to help fund current and responses.

Investment

How the horticulture industry pays for biosecurity responses is usually under the Government

Industry Agreement, or GIA, for Biosecurity Readiness and Response. Plant sector groups were early adopters of GIA, seeing the benefit of shared decision-making and cost-sharing with MPI. Our investment in GIA means we co-fund readiness programmes for priority pests and have a mechanism to pay for responses under operational agreements with set cost shares and decision making. We need to ensure a future system won’t add another layer of cost. This is why it’s so important for industry to have a say at the Act workshops. Other funding issues include how growers are compensated

after a response, how funds are recovered from industry groups not party to GIA, the importance of on-farm biosecurity practices, GIA provisions and principles to assist economic outcomes.

Get involved

I encourage everyone to get involved and attend a stakeholder workshop to share their experiences of the Act and help shape future legislation. HortNZ will continue to advocate for the interests of our members to ensure the revised Act enables our industry’s continued growth and can operate under a resilient biosecurity system that’s appropriately funded.

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 15

Farmers: Please realise help is out there I’m appalled at the continued spate of suicides in the farming community. The statistics are basically one a week. It is not only the loss of a farmer, but the family trying to come to terms with the sudden exit of dad, husband, brother, son, farm-owner, sportsman, advocate and so on. Unfortunately, there always seems to be a common denominator and that’s a rural banker. Yes, I was a rural banker in the 1960s and a rural financier in the 1990s-2000s – man was I aware of the suicide issues, let alone depression and anxiety that normally go before it. I wrote about suicide and farming last year and suggested “somebody” should be paid to go and talk to the bereft family and try to find out what really happened. It wouldn’t be about finger-pointing or trying to find who is liable, but looking for the commonality and then trying to mitigate it for the farmers and the community at large.

I could write all day about cases I’ve heard about. So, as rural bankers, do we get training in this area to understand overload, sleep deprivation, exhaustion, anxiety, depression and suicide? In my time we did not. I understand the banks today are trying.

‘Stress test’

Do bankers become insensitive and does dealing with stressed farmers becomes normal? Do they normalise it? Do they really understand what is really going on in the farmer’s head? Do the young bankers, fresh from university, get training this area? Should they have a ‘stress test’ and ask the farmers a few pertinent questions to gauge if there are problems? Should they call a psychologist in if they perceive the farmer is in trouble? I know I had my own ‘stress test’ and I did get a psychologist involved a few times

and I really did listen and support the client. Remember their budget is the bank’s budget, not yours. If you’re taking on a lot of debt get independent advice to ensure you’re not overcommitted. A fatal flaw is to overestimate and overstate the estimated production. Given bank ratios are largely calculated on a production basis, overstated production can make the ratios look good. But if you need to spend more, or get a couple of bad seasons, the numbers look perilous. When we hear of depression and talk of suicide, our immediate reaction is to stand back and keep out of the way. Bankers might not know what to do and avoid the situation. This is not the answer. We need to step up and go and help, listen, encourage, stress test, look around for help and support for the client. Farmers have this dream of

owning their own farm, but it is all about using debt to get there.

Ask for help!

There is basically no other way. But is the farmer able to handle the debt, stress and issues that come with it? If you’re a farmer and feel like crap, ask for help.

Internationally, vegan industries are gaining traction as hot stocks, although just when and how much Return On Investment an investor will receive is undetermined, if anything at all. There are also many claiming animalsource proteins are bad for human health and the environment, encouraging consumers to move towards a more vegetarian or pescatarian-based lifestyle. Much can be said for eating five-plus servings of fruit and vegetables a day for good health, as can ensuring a balanced diet of which lean meat is a major source of protein, providing key essential B vitamins and minerals. Our national conversation needs to move from condemnation to celebration of our primary sector. Agriculture is the largest sector of our tradable economy, contributing to a billion-dollar export-earner. The Ministry for Primary Industries’ chief science

advisor has produced a briefing that accurately highlights how a lot of the reporting of meat and dairy diets effect on health and the environment has been misleading. It highlights many studies condemning meat and dairy for environmental issues have largely generalised the environmental footprint, rather than taking into account our world-leading and efficient systems There’s no doubt vegan and plant-based diets have a potential to be a disruptive industry to NZ’s traditional farming methods . We’re one of the most efficient food producers in the world, and our farming systems are world class. We’re also one of the world’s best producers of food and fibre. And we must continue to change in step with market and consumer expectations, as we produce enough food to feed about 40 million people. A healthy balanced diet isn’t a threat to NZ’s agriculture industry – we welcome it. I expect the debate on how the world should feed itself in a sustainable way to continue on. We must ensure NZ food lies at the high value end of the spectrum.

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 021 777 675

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KIWIFRUIT

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KIWIFRUIT

Page 17

Scientist keen to keep fighting Psa He’s just been honoured for his work in bringing a product to market that fights Psa – but Dr Philip Elmer warns the fight is not over yet. “Our mission does not end here for the kiwifruit industry,” says the senior scientist at Crown Research Institute Plant & Food Research, who was awarded the Sir Brian Elwood Award at Zespri’s annual Harvest Dinner. “We are constantly looking to improve what we have developed and right now we are working on a new plant defence booster that will help boost the power of Aureo Gold – so watch this space.” Philip was awarded the kiwifruit industry’s top innovation award last month for his contribution to the fight against diseases and the industry’s efforts to become more sustainable

Aureo Gold

He led the team that developed the organic-certified biological control agent Aureo Gold, which is being used in the fight against Psa Zespri chair Bruce Cameron says Aureo Gold was developed during a time of real hardship as most of NZ’s 2600 kiwifruit growers were forced to cut out all or some of their vines because of Psa, with many pushed to the financial brink. “The industry needed hope and Dr Elmer and his team played an important part in that, leading the effort to find a new way of controlling the disease which was safe, bee-friendly and did not affect quality of canopy and the fruit. “Thankfully, despite the immense pressure, his team succeeded and Aureo Gold is in high demand today. It’s also taken on new significance, with more consumers now looking for more

He’s thoroughly deserving of this recognition and we thank him for his contribution.” Philip has spent more than 30 years developing tools and technologies to manage diseases that impact NZ’s horticulture industry.

World leader

KNZ Chair Kristy McDonald QC presenting the award to Dr Philip Elmer at the Zespri event.

He’s a world leader using his expertise to improve how we grow and manage pests and diseases in a more sustainable manner. Last year he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Kudos Awards for his regional and national contribution to science, and to the international profile of NZ science. Philip says the joy he gets from his work stems from leading a team that’s both passionate and energetic about

sustainably-produced products, and growers looking to further reduce their environmental footprint. Developed through the industry’s longstanding partnership with Plant & Food Research, AgResearch and UPL – formerly Etec Crop Solutions Ltd – Aureo Gold ticks both boxes as a biological control that’s BioGro organically certified, adding to the industry’s sustainability efforts.

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

Recognition

Kristy McDonald QC, industry regulator Kiwifruit NZ chair, says the importance of science and innovation to kiwifruit is underlined by the discovery. “The industry has a proud record of innovation, investing heavily in developing new varieties and products in search of better tasting, higher yielding fruit with a lower impact on the environment. Innovators like Dr Elmer are an important part of those efforts.

Designed for under vines

The Landini Trekker with the Grassland Shakerator attached. The Grassland Shakerator features a The new Landini Trekker 2.5m working width, unique vibration Orchard Crawler has been action, fully adjustable pivoting springespecially designed for under loaded discs, rear packer roller depth adjustment, spring-loaded grassland vine structures. discs and adjustable wheel roller With its low seat height, power, assembly. traction capabilities and light footprint, The benefits to kiwifruit orchardists the Trekker is ideal for working in is it relieves soil compaction, is proven kiwifruit orchards, leaving no mess to to do deep soil conditioning, improves clear away later. vertical drainage, is suitable for a wide Kym McIntosh, owner of Kiwi Land range of environments, promotes Developments Ltd, combines the root growth and with the power of Landini Trekker with his purpose-built the Trekker is able to pull three tines McConnel Grassland Shakerator. The 450mm deep in a single pass. legs of the shakerator pass through The proof is in the results. Such the ground heaving the soil upwards, has been the demand that Kym has which removes soil compaction, a second Landini Trekker that’s just creating room for the roots to grow arrived and in the process of being and moisture to trickle through, set up. “There are all these benefits resulting in highly effective capillary and features as well as my local and aeration allowing good crop and grass competitively-priced service,” says growth. “All this with little surface Kym. Give Kym a call and see how he disturbance as the impact is felt in the can help you. soil below,” says Kym. Helen Wilson

helping NZ’s horticulture become more environmentally sustainable. “I love biocontrol research and the freedom to develop new biologicallybased solutions to industry problems. “Where else can you realise that a micro-organism you stashed away in a freezer over a decade ago is the key to controlling a bacterial pathogen that killed so many vines? Philip says when his team started the work, they had their fair share of sceptics – many thought Psa was just too tough for a biological control. “Therein lies the heart of why we do what we do – our team loves a challenge and Psa was the biggest one we had ever faced. “This award means a huge amount to my team and recognises all the hard work and technical barriers we had to overcome – from discovery in 2012 to commercial product for sale in 2018.”

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KIWIFRUIT

Top honour for horticultural leader Horticulture’s 2019 Bledisloe Cup has been awarded to “an absolute gentleman and statesman of the industry” who was involved in some of New Zealand’s first commercial kiwifruit plantings in 1969. Bill Thorpe of Gisborne, with wife Anne, was presented the cup that celebrates a person who has made an outstanding contribution to horticulture in NZ, at the Our Food

Future Horticulture Conference dinner in Hamilton on August 1. Bill has been associated with horticulture for 50 years. Involved in some of NZ’s first commercial kiwifruit plantings in 1969, by 1975 he’d developed Gisborne’s first, seamless kiwifruit packhouse and export facility. In 1980 he set up Thorpe Horticulture providing development services for large new plantings of kiwifruit, persimmons, satsumas and nashi. Bill also supervised the construction of four new packhouses including NZ Fruits, now Gisborne’s largest, hich he

later became a shareholder in. In the late-1980s the logic of expanding the growing and packing activity into the marketing of Gisborne fruit and produce became obvious – Bill thus established First Fresh in 1989. At the conference, Bill was also acknowledged for his profound contribution to the persimmon industry during the last 40 years. In 1988 he became a NZ Persimmon Industry Council founding member, and remains an active member. In 1997 he began exporting persimmons and was highly instrumental in the push into markets like China and the US. Described by colleagues as

“commercially mature and unfailingly courteous”, Bill is also known to be “relentless in representing the growers of the Gisborne region”. Bill says it’s been particularly satisfying to have spent most of Bill Thorpe and wife Margaret with the Bledisloe his working life Cup in Hamilton last month. involved in such career I’m particularly honoured a dynamic and forward-looking industry. to join the impressive list of people “To receive this award is a real who have their names engraved on this magnificent trophy. honour. In the twilight of my

Wet pollination service offering excellent results With a new kiwifruit season approaching, and flowering upon us, good pollination is essential, says Grant Luscombe of All Terrain Pollination. “Pollination is essential to maximise taste in gold kiwifruit, and taste, size and shape in green kiwifruit.” Grant says gold kiwifruit research shows large count size fruit can be grown with minimal pollination. “The result is low dry matter having a major effect on grower returns and in the worst scenario fruit unable to pass the minimum taste threshold. “Last season was very dry, resulting in high dry matter fruit – but this may not be the case this season.” Gold kiwifruit are relatively easy to pollinate but flowers only have a viable fertility of two-three days. “Plus, poor synchronisation of male flowering is becoming more of an issue as fruiting plants mature. To maximise dry matter, artificial pollination should be employed.” All Terrain Pollination applies wet pollen directly onto flowers using a patented process designed, tested and proven in New Zealand’s kiwifruit industry. It is cost-effective and can be applied efficiently “Another advantage is application can be done in most weather conditions, ensuring maximisation of pollination through adverse weather where both dry application and bees are ineffective.” Grant says green kiwifruit is difficult to pollinate and

if there’s alternative flowers, bees go elsewhere. “Recent trial work shows to maximise size, shape and total first class trays, artificial pollination is an efficient and cos effective tool.” In a recent trial, wet pollen application was run alongside dry pollen application. “This demonstrated significantly better results using wet pollen application, resulting in bigger, better-shaped fruit producing a larger number of first class trays. All Terrain Pollination services from Gisborne to Northland.

All Terrain Pollination applies wet pollen directly onto flowers using a patented process designed, tested and proven in New Zealand’s kiwifruit industry.

FARM VEHICLE, MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

Page 19

Low on cost but big on features The D-Max has earned its reputation as a hard working ute with good looks and the LS double cab 4X2 is no exception. This model is low on cost but big on features and fills a major role in the market as a tough, reliable work ute that can tow the big stuff, carry the loads and still transport the family with style and comfort. There are loads of safety features, like the advanced braking system, side intrusion bars and airbags and it earns its five-star ANCAP safety rating. There are extras like trailer sway control but mostly there is just the things you need in a ute; traction control, Sat Nav’, Reverse Camera and a great sound system. There are none of the things you don’t need. A reputation for reliability is backed up with a three-year unlimited kilometre warranty – the only ute in NZ with this type of warranty.

The 3L turbo diesel engine produces about 130kw of power and 430Nm torque while the recently re-worked rear suspension system provides a higher level of comfort, without sacrificing load capacity The load capacity is pretty impressive – you

can put 1085kg on the back, which is basically a 1000L tank. Towing capacity is a hefty 3500kg. On the open road and around town the rear wheel drive and the suspension deliver a surprisingly comfortable drive. The three leaf suspension is designed to handle a big load, but without sacrificing comfort Inside, you can put your feet up at lunch and listen to your favourite tunes on the eight speakers. If you get lost there is an eight-inch touchscreen with a satellite navigation system.

Model: D-MAX LS Double Cab 2WD Manual Engine: 3.0l DOHC, turbo diesel Transmission: 6-speed manual Power: 130kw (175hp) Torque: 430Nm Price as tested: RRP $46,790 – with special promotional price $29,990+GST+ORC. A special promotional price is also available on D-Max LS-M 4WD Auto double cab of $36,990+GST+ORC (RRP $56,990). Daniel Hutchinson

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Page 20

FARM VEHICLE, MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

From breaking in land to trekking Rural contractor Ross Gower of Otorohanga describes the 304-acre property he grew up on as a “floating swamp”.

His father Don Gower, and uncle Gerald Gower broke in the land – in 1950, they bought a brand new Nuffield Universal M4 tractor to help them Today Ross is the proud guardian of the M4. “The

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Ross Gower beachtrekking with his Nuffield M4 tractor. Photo: Helen Hansen.

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land was flat and wet, with bulrushes growing everywhere.” In its day the Nuffield M4 was one of the biggest, heaviest and most powerful tractors available. “It was a great all-rounder with a 38hp engine, which was big for 1950,” says Ross. It was used for general The original ownership papers from farm work, and cutting new in 1950. Photo: Catherine Fry. out bulrushes with a Hooper 5-a-side Giant Discs trailing behind. “We used big Darvill strakes on the back wheels, to give better traction on the swampy ground.” Ross remembers driving the Nuffield when he was still at primary school. He worked all the hours of daylight in low gear and full throttle, dragging a heavy flail mower behind. “It was a constant battle keeping the rushes down, and digging out stumps with chains and the tractor.”

Original state

The serious 1958 flood in Otorohanga devastated the farming community and flooded the farm. In the late-1960s, the Mangawhero Stream was straightened and deepened, and Ross says “the farm drained immediately, like a miracle”. Consequently, the Nuffield was retired from 1968, and parked up on the family farm until the 1974, when Ross’ contracting business started doing hay. “My wife Lorraine used it for tedding and sweeping hay.” The tractor was fully retired in 1980 – and Ross has maintained it ever since and is proud that it is still mainly in its original state, with the original faded Poppy Orange paintwork. “It had the last genuine head gasket in the country, but most parts available now are replicas.”

FARM VEHICLE, MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT Ross is a keen member of the Otorohanga Vintage Machinery Club, and the Nuffield regularly accompanies him on treks, maintaining a steady 29km/hr on the flat “It’s been to places like Marokopa Beach, and a 500km round trip to Whangamomona.” The Nuffield also visits a local resthome, where Ross’s father, Don, now in his nineties, resides. “His eyes light up with joy when he sees his old Nuffield again. That’s one of the reasons why Ross looks after the machine and will never sell it – he knows how special

Page 21

it was to his father, and how it quite literally shaped his family’s land. Does your farm or your boss have a pet tractor? Or maybe a pet digger or bulldozer? If so, we’d love to hear about it! Email: merle@sunmedia.co.nz with a photo of it and a contact name and phone number. We might even throw a prize your way for a good yarn. Catherine Fry

Right: Ross Gower trekking with his Nuffield M4 tractor. Photo: Amanda Roobottom.

Just like it was in 1950, Ross Gower’s Nuffield M4 tractor engine. Photo: Catherine Fry.

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Ross Gower at home in Otorohanga. Photo: Catherine Fry.

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FARM VEHICLE, MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

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Page 23

Engineering firm heads to industrial park Working in his family’s engineering workshop has been part of Alex Quinn’s life since he was a primary school kid. “I’d get home from school and if you weren’t going to help feed calves, you were probably on the saw or on the paintbrush painting up machinery to send out,” says Alex. “It was good, hard work but it has given me so many skills in life that we’ve always said: ‘You can turn your hand to anything’.” More than 50 years later, Alex now owns the family business, Quinn Engineering, which is thriving. The auraki Plains business has grown from one worker in the 1960s to 20 staff toda , supplying tractor-mounted forklifts and home lifts throughout NZ and the South Pacific, as ell as bespoke design for one-off engineering jobs. Th ’ve outgrown their current site so are building a new, purpose-built, 1000m2 premises at the Kerepēhi Industrial Park.

Better services

Hauraki District Mayor John Tregidga says the park was developed by his council to create growth and jobs in the district. “Closure of the dairy company in Kerepēhi was a huge loss to the community because dozens of qualified empl yees moved out of the area. “The industrial pa k is slowly building that back up. So far we’ve got several businesses which have come in, with more than 50 staff. Then ou’ve got additional employees from existing companies.” Alex says moving his business to the industrial park made sense. “We’ll get better telecommunications, better courier services, and we’re among friends in an industrial site, which means you

can operate like farmers – you can just nip across to borrow some tool or piece of equipment you need from your neighbour. The location is also a g eat advantage, we’re smack in the middle of the Golden Triangle and so we’re close to Auckland, Tauranga and Hamilton. We can be parked in Auckland Airport in around an hour.”

Family history

Leaving their old premises is huge for the Quinn family, who’ve lived and worked on the land for three generations. Alex’s grandfather, John Quinn, was a cartwright, making carts and wagons in Auckland before buying the dairy farm where Quinn Engineering was formed. While Alex’s father Eddie was farming the land the business was established, after Eddie saw the need for a specialised piece of equipment to handle hay. “He got sick of paying contractors or trying to get them to come on time. From that piece of equipment, we call the Bale Boy, came the company named Quinn Bale Boys Ltd.” As a graduate, Alex worked for his parents in the workshop to pay off a loan for his agricultu e diploma at Lincoln University. He never left. “I enjoyed it, I had talent for it, and continued in the company from there.” Alex bought the company from parents Eddie and Pauline in 1990 and changed the name to Quinn Engineering in 2003. He expects to be in the new building by Christmas. “The building has been purpose-built to specifically handle the two sides of the business – the engineering side and the lift side – and it’s also been designed to allow for growth and expansion going into the future.”

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Alex Quinn on-site at Quinn Engineering’s new purpose-built premises at Kerepēhi Industrial Park.

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Page 24

EFFLUENT & IRRIGATION

Improving Young Farmers-owned farm With calving in full swing last month at the NZ Young Farmers-owned dairy farm in Auckland, a major upgrade to the operation’s effluent system was about to be put to the test. The Donald Pearson Farm Board’s chair Julie Pirie says about 135 cows were wintered on the 74ha property, up from 115 last season. And 43 in-calf Jersey heifers arrived on-farm in late-May, bought from the estate of the late Bobbie Backhouse. “The heifers are in the top five per cent for Breeding Worth and are some of the country’s best Jersey genetics.

“The majority were in-calf to an AB mating. Many have had heifers, which is excellent,” says Julie. “We already have more than 30 replacement heifer calves.” The herd produced 26,370 kgMS in the 2018-2019 season, with production hampered by a wet winter and dry summer. But this season is off to a promising start. “Milk production is up 50 per cent on the same time last season,” says Julie. “The new heifers are settling in well. The herd is being fed a blend of pellets with added minerals through the in-shed feed system.” And farm manager Tom Ruki is using the covered stand-off pad to feed grass silage to the cows and protect pastures from damage.

“Tom’s using that facility really well. The cows are in good condition and things are looking a lot better than they were at this time last year,” says Julie. “Our focus now is on getting as much milk in the vat as possible before the farm dries out in summer.” A major upgrade to the farm’s effluent system is complete – with a new, fully-lined pond built to handle effluent from the 11-aside herringbone milking shed. It’s connected to pods and a travelling irrigator, which utilise the valuable effluent to fertilise the soil and grow more grass. “We now have a big amount of storage. The cost of the upgrade is not finalised yet,

Construction of the lined effluent pond on Donald Pearson Farm in Auckland.

Attendees at an open day at the Donald Pearson Farm earlier this year.

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but it looks to be around $150,000,” says Julie. Graduates working at Fonterra have been assisting the Donald Pearson Farm Board with long-term planning for the farm. They’ve looked at how the farm can be used as an education tool and to improve the connection between rural and urban people. “They’ve taken ideas from an open day earlier this year and the board’s thoughts. “We hope to see some exciting proposals put forward,” says Julie. The graduates’ report was to be presented to the Donald Pearson Farm Board meeting on August 29.

Effluent monitoring in the Waikato Seasonal monitoring of dairying operations in the Waikato region has begun, with a continued focus on high risk farms. Kicking off the 2019/2020 monitoring last month, WRC farming services team leader Stuart Stone says they will continue their strategy of inspecting high risk properties around the region, without prior notice “and hope to see more farmers improving their effluent management” Last year, WRC monitored more than 1000 farms and found “mixed results”, with significant improvements on some high risk farms but not all. During the 2018/2019 season council officers physically inspected 936 farms, with a further 99 being checked from the air with no visible issues. “Overall our inspections revealed mixed results. While we’re definitely seeing significant improvements on som farms, we have unfortunately also found a number of farms with inadequate infrastructure and management practices. Some of these are allowing their dairy effluent to negatively impact on the environment.” Stuart says using a fixed wing aircraft his team to cover far more ground. “If we see something of concern from the air we have ground teams that can follow-up immediately to see exactly what is going on.” Stuart says a number of elements determine whether a farm is ‘high risk’, including insufficient effluen storage, an expired resource consent and previous compliance issues. “Good systems have the dual benefi of preventing effluent polluting the environment, whil providing an excellent source of fertiliser for the farmer.” DairyNZ and WRC encourage use of certified designers and the dairy effluent storage calculator, as storage requirements depend on a number of different factors.

DAIRY

Page 25

Good versus bad effluent... As the environmental consultant of Sustainable Water 2019 Ltd, Ashburton’s Mike Harrison is on the ground every day witnessing the challenges dairy farmers encounter with their effluent ponds

And with so much riding on the ponds performing as they are intended, any issues need to be fixed as quickly as possible “One predominant problem we are seeing is a build-up of solids in farmers’ effluent ponds,” says Mike. “As Canterbury has a high number of dualpond effluent systems, where the solids are separated from the liquid before it is irrigated to pasture with a pivot irrigator, this issue can be particularly impactful.” Mike says the only option available to farmers is to engage a pumping contractor to empty the pond and spread it on the farm. “One client was required to pay $45,000 to have their effluent pond emptied, so you can see that the cost can be considerable,” says Mike. “It’s also an ongoing cost; you can expect to have to de-sludge and empty your effluent pond once every five year

Not sustainable

“Around $2000-10,000 per year is a considerable sum to come up with, as it’s usually not budgeted for.” It’s clear that the way the majority of farmers are maintaining their effluent ponds is just not sustainable – financially or environmentally.

With that in mind, Mike contacted the Forward Farming team to investigate longer-term solutions to farmers’ effluent woes. Although farmers work with effluent every day, few fully understand just how much it impacts their farm business. Years of research and field work using Slurry Bugs has left Forward Farming with a clear idea of the composition of good and bad effluent, and what makes it so important in the first place. We’ve found that a healthy effluent pond is clear and free from crust; and when irrigated to pasture, is light-colored-toclear with very little odour.

Crusting

In contrast, an effluent pond with crusting demonstrates the effluent within is tending towards poor. Underneath the crust is a section of “dead water”, and, at the bottom of the pond, a sludgy build-up. Poor effluent, which contains elevated levels of methane and nitric oxide as unprocessed solids, is dark and strong smelling when irrigated to pasture. What makes the effluent “good” or “bad” is determined by the pH of the pond, and what type of bacteria thrives within those conditions. A pond with a pH of 7.4 is ideal to create a healthy pond in which aerobic, or Authorised Dealers

“good” bacteria thrive, naturally digesting the ponds’ solids and creating a crust-free pond with clear, processed effluent that is ready for soil to readily absorb. In contrast, a lower pH pond (under 7) encourages the dominance of anaerobic bacteria, resulting in crusting, thick, undigested effluent and blocked up irrigators. It can be hard to “read” an effluent pond that uses a solids separator or weeping wall, so in these cases a pH test will determine if a pond is dominated by aerobic or anaerobic bacteria. Also, it is important to note that stirring a pond does not change the biological make-up of the pond – it simply disrupts the job of the aerobic bacteria to eat the crust and later, the sludge. If the good bugs aren’t present, you must introduce them in the short term – we use Slurry Bugs – and follow up with a review of the farm’s biology in order to improve the conditions in which the good bugs thrive. This is a process the Forward Farming team specialises in and we are always keen to help.

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DAIRY

Page 26

Sharemilker’s sugar beet trial pays off Herd-owning Reporoa sharemilker Alastair Neville is singing the praises of sugar beet as a winter crop. Having recently moved to autumn calving, Alastair introduced sugar beet to the feed mix for the first time this season

“It was a good option because of its high dry matter content and the ease of managing lifted beet,” says Alastair. The 350-cow herd has responded really well to the sugar beet, and Alastair will definitely be planting it again next season “It offers much-needed energy in winter months when there’s less grass around, and less goodness in grass.

“We’ve had good results so far.” Alastair started feeding beet precalving, which helped limit loss in body condition. Once calving began, there was a 0.1 per kgms increase in production across the herd, says Alastair. Horror stories about cows breaking through fences and over feeding led Alastair to feed lifted beet, rather than feeding in-ground. “This approach minimises nutrient loading in crop paddocks, and when properly managed lifted beet stores extremely well, lasting up to three months,” says Alastair. “But, unlike maize, there’s no storage infrastructure cost, which is good.”

The cropping regime targets poor performing grass paddocks, which are first planted in maize, followe by sugar beet, before being planted with oats or a similar annual, and finally kale in spring. “One o the challenges with beet is weeds, and the potential to build up a weed seed bank, so kale helps put nutrients back in the soil, and helps clean up the weed problem. “Crop establishment is especially important for beet, and the best advice I got was to get in the mindset of a market gardener. “Attention to detail is so important. “A fine seed bed is critical, as i timing of spray and fertiliser.”

Alastair’s cost of growing sugar beet this season was at 14c kgDM compared to kale at 13.35c kgDM. “Sure kale is a cheaper and easier crop to grow, but we wanted to grow sugar beet for its feed value. There’s not a lot of grass around in winter and high energy food like beet fills the gap. Next year we’l work on increasing the yield. “Because of the positive impact on production, beet has allowed us to maximise income as we’ve increased production during the winter milk premium payment bracket. Sugar beet might not work for everyone, but if it suits your farming system, it’s worth the effort,” says Alistair. Josephine Reader

Sugar beet being precision drilled at Reporoa.

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DAIRY

Page 27

Encouraging signs but danger remains On almost a daily basis I talk and work with farmers moving away from the soil fertility model focussed on driving mono-culture pastures with soluble phosphorus accompanied by regular applications of nitrogen. Those in that group I’ve had contact with lately are young enthusiastic folk doing their own research, determined there’s a better way, and experimenting on their own properties. There are common threads through the various philosophies evolving, which will eventually result in uniquely New Zealand pastoral systems that are both highly productive and environmentally positive in all respects.

Evolving

What is evolving is a flexible, multi-pronged, principle-founded approach that will be adapted depending on regional climatic differences, topography and animals being farmed. Most importantly, the longterm success of these systems is due to daily observation and a love of the farming process, with everyone having a slightly different perspective. Essentially, art is being woven back into the farming fabric – and we’ll all be richer as a result. The ‘new’ is outcome-based, rather than process-focussed, and the scientific fraternity will be endlessly busy working out why the systems are as successful as they are. Discovering how the many different plant species being introduced, natural soil fertility inputs, and grazing management techniques work as they do. A change in thinking is required to understand the process of putting together in an innovative

way already-proven principles and practices whereby the outcome is greater than the sum of the parts.

Obstacles

There are, however, obstacles to overcome. There are nay-sayers determined to maintain status quo, and they have a number of oneline dismissals. The claim that any alternative will result in lessened production is a contention that’s now easily refuted. Claims of better outcomes used to be batted away as anecdotal. There’s now many years of independent measures and a growing number of farmers with the same experiences for that line to be effective. There are already well-established farming systems that are not based on soluble phosphorus and additional nitrogen. Production is markedly higher, inputs and costs are significantly lower, and carbon is being actively sequestered. Of late I’ve heard the claim that should the Government and councils continue with pending regulations, pastoral farming will be decimated along with our national income and standard of living. Not so, pasture production is already declining due to the welldocumented loss of carbon from our most intensively-farmed soil, evidenced by an increase in nitrate nitrogen reaching aquifers, a fact that’s not disputed.

New methods

The new methods are far more effective and efficient and due to topsoil being steadily built, they can be claimed to be carbon positive. The days of any farming activity that is not environmentally sustainable are numbered and will eventually cease to exist.

It has often been said that any changes to current systems must be science-led, yet breakthroughs in agriculture have almost without exception been initiated by farmers. They come from observation over a prolonged period – an attribute of all genuine long-time farmers, particularly powerful when knowledge is passed from one generation to the next. At the centre of the failure of current soil fertility practices to be genuinely sustainable is the unregulated use of fertiliser nitrogen. It is important to understand better why increases in short-term production might come at the expense of longterm growth. Farmers under financial pressure have monthly financial commitments and there is often little HOMEOPATHIC time or energy to focus FARM SERVICES on practices that may adversely influence production in years PYROGEN, SEPIA, to come. That’s not a CAULOPHYLLUM criticism of individuals, it’s simply a fact of life. Homeopathic Currently, $400m per products for year is spent by farmers pre-mating/mating. on urea, approximately 30 per cent of the total fertiliser dollars spent annually. An industry HERBAL DIGESTIVE DRENCH of that size has genuine staying ability and for it Herbal Digestive Drench is a natural health to be replaced there must tonic and nutritive, to support a healthy faecal be an alternative. egg count and to maintain a healthy animal. The products and Suitable for calves, cows, lambs, sheep, goats, knowhow are available; alpacas and horses. and for those prepared to look to the future, more information is available. Call Peter Burton e info p 07 858 4233 wf 0800 843 809.

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Winter grazing taskforce gets to work A newly-established taskforce to respond to animal welfare issues associated with the practice of winter grazing is getting underway quickly, with the appointment of 10 members.

he G et t n e ay R ay M a n d H ose g s itti F n ge nt a a d va y! toda

Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor announced on August 18 the taskforce members are Independent chair Dr John Hellstrom, SPCA chief scientific adviser Dr Arnja Dale, NZ Veterinary Association’s chief veterinary officer Dr Helen Beattie and dairy cattle vet, of NZVA, Dr Stephen Hopkinson, environment campaigner Angus Robson, AgResearch senior scientist Dr Ross Monaghan, DairyNZ’s Elaine Cook, Beef+Lamb NZ’s Dave Harrison, Southland dairy farmer Ewen Mathieson, and sheep and beef farmer Pania King. The group was to provide an initial report back to the Minister by end of August and work on a plan of action by end of September. Farmers in the Southland region have been in the spotlight with pictures emerging of cows calving and grazing in mud, and

a kindergarten impacted by poor winter grazing practices. DairyNZ strategy and investment leader Dr Jenny Jago says while much work has been taking place to address poor winter grazing practices and the farming sector feels progress has been made, there’s clearly still work to be done, particularly for some. “The vast majority of farmers take great pride in caring for their animals and the environment.” The Minister’s expectation of the taskforce group is to do a stocktake of the multiple initiatives already underway to promote good winter grazing practices and identify why these are not currently working for all. “Then we need to come up with actions as to how we can get farmers where they should be. “The taskforce will draw on advice and expertise from various

groups and individuals across the country, who can inform and challenge the taskforce’s thinking.” The Minister said earlier last month that images of cows up to their knees in mud, unable to lie down and rest and calving in these conditions is unacceptable to him “and I’ve heard loud and clear from the public that it’s unacceptable to them too”. “Winter crop grazing is necessary in some parts of the country to provide enough feed for stock at a time when there’s not a lot of pasture. Done well, it provides animals with quality feed to keep them warm over winter. “Done badly it means cattle can be knee-deep in mud, which gives rise to completely justifiable concerns for their welfare. Winter grazing also has an environmental impact and the Government is working on ways to address that too.”

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hoses for dairy farms and cropping farms. Snap-tite hoses come in a range of sizes from 65mm-150mm in many assorted lengths and are always competitively priced. Snap-tite hoses also have a 10-year factorybacked warranty. “We are a family-owned business, have been in business for a long time and employ skilled staff such as designers and engineers, who can design and install irrigation and effluent systems anywhere in New Zealand. We have a fully equipped workshop for any maintenance requirements or we can do on-site repairs and maintenance,” says Ray. Ray Mayne Hose & Fittings is always available to advise farmers on their irrigation and effluent disposal systems. Snap-tite irrigation drag hose used to supply water to a B100 TurboRain irrigator

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New rules for dehorning calves on way New regulations, which come into effect this October 1, will require local anaesthetic to be used for the disbudding of calves or dehorning of older cattle.

responded positively to increasing public scrutiny around animal welfare, and because many dairy farmers have already made changes to their disbudding practices, or because they outsource, Helen says DairyNZ sees no barriers to farms being compliant DairyNZ estimates about 97 per with the new regulations by the cent of farmers use a hot iron to October deadline. cauterise the horn buds, which is the The new regulations are consistent recommended method of disbudding. with New Zealand Veterinary In anticipation of the new Association policy, which stipulates regulations, there’s been a steady the use of effective and appropriate increase in the number of farmers analgesia for disbudding. The using local anaesthetic, says DairyNZ’s NZVA considers the dehorning and team leader of animal care Helen disbudding of cattle necessary farm Thoday. practices due to serious injury that But she warns anyone can be caused to other animals practising disbudding of farmers by horned cattle, without anaesthetic or especially when confined in a using caustic paste will yard or truck for transport. need to change. The practice of disbudding Research indicates dairy calves is best for both disbudding coupled animals and farmers, and is with appropriate ideally done between two ongoing pain relief, and six weeks of age, says like an antiHelen. inflammatory “While many or topical farmers outsource anaesthetic, disbudding, they significantly can still do this reduces animal work themselves. discomfort, says However, they Helen. must contact “There are costtheir vet to effective solutions access the local on the market that anaesthetic, can be administered and it’s likely either by a vet or some training DairyNZ’s team farmer.” and competency leader of animal care She believes the must be reached Helen Thoday. industry has before being

able to administer the local [anaesthetic] to their own stock. “Coming into the new calving season, it’s important farmers are aware of and plan for the new regulations. “A range of cost-effective additional pain relief options are available to address the lingering pain that comes with disbudding, and we recommend farmers chat about the options available with their local vet. There are exciting new remedies that are both easy to administer and cost effective.”

Josephine Reader

New regulations for disbudding calves come into effect on October 1.

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COUNTRY LIVING

Preserving heritage hen breeds for all As more and more people buy lifestyle blocks and take up the good life, the demand for the beautiful heritage hen has increased. Rukuhia couple Owen and Tracy Pratt discovered there was a niche to be filled, breeding and supplying quality hens around the Waikato region. By day Owen maintains properties, and Tracy is a plant sales rep, but their ‘hobby’ is hens. It all started when they closed the garden centre they used to run on their three acres of land. “The land isn’t big enough to do much with,” says Owen. “We’ve always liked chickens, they’re not too time-consuming and they don’t take up too much space.”

A Splash Orpington hen, Orpington rooster, and Black Orpington hen. Owen Pratt with a Gold Laced Wyandotte, and Tracy Pratt with a Light Sussex. All Photos: Catherine Fry. The Pratts have a large paddock with several movable enclosures. Currently, they have 11 breeds in their care.

Day-to-day care

There are huge Black, Splash and Blue Orpingtons, and hilarious Faverolles with their fluffy beards. Barred Rocks, and Gold or Silver Laced Wyandottes add an exotic beauty to the flock. The staple heritage breeds of Speckled and Light Sussex, Rhode Island Reds, and Dorkings are also available. The enclosures contain one breed, and house a rooster and around four hens. There is plenty of space for the

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chickens to exhibit normal chicken behaviour. Owen moves the enclosures around each week, giving each ‘family’ some fresh grass. Although the fences are only 1.2m high, each unit seems content to stay together and the roosters don’t want to fight “Unfortunately, we can’t let them be totally free range over the whole property, because we’d end up with lots of crossbred birds! “We get the odd escape artist, and then I clip their wings, but on the whole they don’t fence hop.” Wing clipping involves trimming the line of primary flight feathers on a wing, so the chicken can’t take off Cleanliness is paramount, and Owen and Tracy can’t emphasise that enough. Each coop is mucked out weekly, and sprayed with disinfectant. Water dispensers are kept scrubbed clean with no algae or mould allowed to take hold. “All of our birds are trained to use an automatic step feeder, and they catch on from a really early age.” The chickens stand on a step, which lowers under their weight, and a lid on the food trough pops up. This type of feeder keeps feed dry, clean and fresh. The lack of wastage on the ground stops sparrows congregating for food. Sparrows are carriers of disease, especially mites, which can be a major issue for chickens and their habitat. Chickens are omnivores, and it is important they have a diet containing both plants, and animal protein. Owen and Tracy feed Sharpes pellets, plus the chickens forage in the grass for bugs and grubs.

Breeding

While they don’t breed the classic Hyline Brown/Red Shaver, they are bought in as sexed, one-day-old chicks. “We rear them in a large enclosure until they are 10 to 12 weeks old. They normally start laying at 16-18 weeks.” The Hylines will lay more than 350 eggs a year for up to two years, whereas the heritage breeds will only lay 200-250 eggs per year for up to eight years.

...continued

COUNTRY LIVING

Page 31

Owen with ‘ Pratt, N Herita ero’ at ge Hen s.

nearly Hylines e sold. b ready to

continued...

A mixture of both ensures good egg production and a daily selection of pretty, different coloured eggs. Owen says their breeding season starts around July. “We start collecting fertile eggs and putting them in the incubators once a week.” Eggs stay fertile up to 14 days as long as it’s not subjected to intense heat or cold. The automaticallycontrolled incubators are run at 37.8 degrees Celsius, and 55 per cent humidity for 20 days, and 65 per cent after that. “We collect the one-two-day-old chicks and transfer them to a box with a heat pad. The chicks crawl underneath, just like they would with their mother.”

Early care

The early care of the chicks is important. They are fed Sharpes Starter Crumble, which contains a coccidistat to prevent the very unpleasant parasite disease, coccidiosis. The Pratts keep all chick breeds together inside

a shed, on wood shavings. They need to be protected from the cold until their feathers are grown by around six weeks.“They all go outside in a large, grassed pen, and start enjoying scratching and dust baths.” Even for the experienced, it is difficult to correctly sex chicks before they are 12-16 weeks, so the Pratts wait until then to be sure. “The males are sold to the public for breeding or eating, and the females are sold for laying. Hens are usually available until at least February. Every so often the couple buy in eggs from other suppliers in NZ and raise them. This is to ensure that breeding stock lines at the farm are kept fresh. It’s easy to see why people love keeping chickens. Ten minutes among them, listening to soothing clucks, and sneaking in a cuddle or two, is a sure way to reduce the stress levels of our modern life. Catherine Fry

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Page 32

Dairy cattle and goats return to show Matamata A&P Association is hosting its 106th show on Saturday, October 5, back at the Station Rd venue, just on the outskirts of town. Matamata A&P Association president Phil West says this year, with biosecurity measures in place on the day, they will be continuing the strong tradition of showing dairy cattle and dairy goats. “Although the Calf Club section hasn’t returned this year, it looks like a very strong pet lamb and pet goat showing with, to date, more than 80 pets on the books from local schools.

“This is very promising.” Phil says the show provides an opportunity for budding young farmers to demonstrate their animal-rearing and handling abilities. “Another popular activity on the day is the sheep dog trials, this is hugely popular and usually attracts a big crowd.” Phil says the equestrian events also attract a large number of entries and onlookers alike with the miniature horses section being particularly popular and exciting to watch. “A full entertainment schedule is also planned this year with some great entertainment booked. “There’s bagpipers, Matamata Brass

Band and local kapa haka performers along with the New Zealand Strongman competition. “And there will be more children’s entertainment to keep the kids amused with mini bikes, chair-o-plane, pony rides and face painting – plus there’ll be plenty of food and trade stalls.” The Matamata A&P Show is on October 5th at Station Rd, Matamata. Entries for all events are open now and the schedule is available by emailing: matamataaandp@gmail.com

106th Annual Equestrian events at the show also attract a large number of entries and onlookers alike.

Dairy cattle and dairy goats will return to this year’s Matamata A&P Show.

Symposium to strengthen myrtle rust community SAVE THE DATE! Saturday 5th October

The 2019 Myrtle Rust Science Symposium in Auckland this month will bring together organisations passionate about safeguarding and sustaining New Zealand’s precious myrtles for future generations.

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Myrtle Rust Strategic Science Advisory Group chair Ken Hughey, who is also the Department of Conservation’s chief science adviser, says a key aim of the symposium is to strengthen the myrtle rust community so stakeholders continue to communicate and share research, insights and new work. “Encouraging a collaborative community is an action coming out of the new Myrtle rust science plan, which has been developed by the SSAG to guide what science will be most valuable for the management of myrtle rust.”

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The in asive disease has the potential to damage many ecologically, economically and culturally significant t ee species, including pohutukawa, rata and Manuka. Investment in science is helping increase understanding of the disease and management options. First detected in New Zealand in 2017, myrtle rust is now widely distributed across key parts of the North Island and the South Island’s north and west. Ministry for Primary Industries’ manager of science policy Naomi Parker says more than 100 delegates are expected to attend the two-day event on September 9-10, including researchers, science funders, central and local government, Maori, environmental and industry groups. “More than 100 delegates are expected to attend the two-day event, including researchers, science funders,

central and local government, Māori, environmental and industry groups," says Naomi Parker, manager of science policy at the Ministry for Primary Industries. Biosecurity New Zealand, part of MPI, is organising the symposium with support from the Myrtle Rust Strategic Science Advisory Group and the Department of Conservation. “The symposium will discuss the latest research progress, and what it means for the organisations working to limit the impact of myrtle rust” says Naomi. “We’ll also hear about what’s happening on the ground to manage the disease, and what is needed from the science.”

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Ken says the science plan builds on research already underway and which will be shared at the symposium. This includes the outcome of more than 20 research projects commissioned by Biosecurity NZ, on subjects ranging from seed banking to integrating matauranga Maori (Maori knowledge) alongside Western science to better understand the disease and its impacts on native taonga. Speakers will also share updates on the Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research’s ‘Beyond myrtle rust’ programme, and the recently-established programme Nga Rakau Taketake – Saving our Iconic Trees, administered by NZ’s Biological Heritage Nga Koiora Tuku Iko.

COUNTRY LIVING

Page 33

How to grow a strong and resilient child O U NT R

N NIE

Recognising there are no absolute answers, distinguished UK psychotherapist, mother and grandmother, Dr Joanna North instead aims to help you become aware of the types of emotional support your child may need. Through following this practical advice, you can help your child grow a strong and resilient mind, even when going through difficult times ‘Mind Kind: Your Child’s Mental Health’ helps parents

and carers support their children towards positive mental health and wellbeing. The book devotes chapters to behaviour management; helping children in difficult times; dealing with mental

Flip through the new book ‘Mind Kind’ and you will not find parenting techniques, but rather a parenting philosophy.

health conditions such as anxiety and depression; eating disorders; family break-ups, divorce and step-parenting. Dr North also addresses common parental misunderstandings and provides tools to create an environment that promotes positive mental health. Thanks to Exisle Publishing, Coast & Country News has a copy of ‘Mind Kind’ to give away. To be in to

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Stimulating our dormant healing processes The best part of what I do is to hear back from clients who have less pain and more mobility. If you’re in pain, the first step should be a visit to your health practitioner for an accurate diagnosis. In the next few editions I’ll look at the most common causes of pain and the measures we can take to help. In all cases these measures are designed to help restore your body’s natural healing processes, which can be greatly affected by disease. Most pain is either caused or worsened by tissue inflammation. For example, in osteoarthritis the immune system response to cartilage loss is inflammation. This can cause fluid accumulation swelling, loss of function and invariably pain. An anti-inflammatory diet combined with well formulated supplements can help. My preference is to have equal amounts of chondroitin and glucosamine with a potent curcumin turmeric extract and solid doses of fish oils

win, email captions for the photo to the left, with your name and address to: merle@sunmedia.co.nz Or put these details on an envelope and post to: Country Funnies, PO Box 240, Tauranga 3140 to arrive by September 19. Winner of July’s Country Funnies is Kyla Duke of Pukekohe. She wins a copy of ‘Waddle’ by Professor Lloyd Spencer Davis.

Of these, chondroitin sulphate is the most important as it helps support several joint healing processes damaged by arthritis. In most cases I start with 1600mg of chondroitin and glucosamine plus curcumin to help improve cartilage function. Chondroitin is so effective it is now available in Europe on prescription. During the last six months I’ve been helping a man in his seventies with long-term knee osteoarthritis with some damage from his rugby years. He was really struggling with pain and mobility, and in his own words is “now 95 per cent better”. All he has now is a few niggles. The key is to use multiple measures that target the processes that help maintain healthy joints. The answer is not diet or supplements. The answer is to stimulate dormant healing processes overwhelmed by degenerative changes to joints. Your body does the rest.

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Page 34

LIFESTYLE FARMING

The early signs of grass staggers New Zealand’s fast growing spring pastures are traditionally low in magnesium and it is this lack of magnesium that can enhance the disease Hypomagnesaemia, also known as grass staggers. This can occur when animals are grazed on lush grass or fed green cereal crops. Adult lactating cows are most susceptible to the disease due to loss of magnesium through production of milk. Soils naturally high in potassium and those fertilised with potash and nitrogen are high risk areas for cows to develop hypomagnesaemia. Low blood magnesium levels interfere with nerve activity throughout the body, causing general weakness, loss of appetite, and eventually brain dysfunction. An early sign of grass staggers is cows may appear to be grazing normally then suddenly throw their heads in the air, bellow and run blindly around the paddock. They start twitching, are nervous, may have staring eyes and stiff movements and may also urinate frequently. They can be dangerous to people and other stock as these signs progress. Ultimately, they become unsteady on their feet and once down spastic movements develop with the head often moving up and down incessantly with a lack of muscle control.

Respiration is rapid and laboured. Left untreated, the cow will die in a short period of time.

Emergency

This disease should be considered an emergency and immediate treatment to restore blood magnesium levels is crucial. An intravenous injection of a metabolic solution containing magnesium is required, sometimes with the aid of a sedative to be done safely. Guidance is recommended for inexperienced people using jugular vein access, or a call vet to assist. This step must be done slowly as the condition of the heart and brain is vulnerable at this stage.

Follow-up treatment

The simple magnesium sulphate 20 per cent solution, in a yellow bag, can be safely given under the skin as a follow-up supportive treatment. Full recovery may take several hours as the magnesium balance is restored to normal levels in the brain tissue. Once the cow has the swallow reflex it is imp rtant to maintain blood magnesium levels for at least the next two-three days to guard against a relapse, which can be done with an oral magnesium supplement. Magnesium oxide powder or a similar magnesium-enhancing supplement should be given to cows prior to calving to help prevent hypomagnesaemia developing. Supplementing magnesium can also be of benefit in itself with an increase in milk production expect d. If the combination of magnesium infusions followed by oral magnesium is not enough to get the cow back on her feet, then it is probably more than a case of simple grass staggers. It’s best to contact your local vet to assess the cow for any other reason/s she is unable to recover.

Hauraki district confirms subdivision rules The Hauraki District Council has recently completed their public hearing process and notified its decisions on the District Plan. The proposed changes come in two forms – reduced sizes for residential sites in several of their towns, and allowance for minor dwellings on many urban and rural sites. As well as freeing up more land for subdivision, the changes will assist in providing housing for single people and elderly or disabled family members in both rural and urban areas. At the time of writing, the council’s decision was still subject to appeal to the Environment Court. Those that made submissions and are not happy with the council’s decision can appeal to the court within 30 days of notification Council has confirmed their goal of reducing their minimum residential section size to 450m2 in Paeroa, Waihi and Whiritoa from the 525m2 allowed earlier. This means finally we are back to a sensible size that unlocks the potential of many of the older quarter acre sections – land that’s currently ‘locked up’ and not available for housing. This still puts their minimum

size larger than the 350m2 allowable in adjoining Western Bay of Plenty District and central areas of Morrinsville. The minimum section size remains unchanged at 525m2 in Ngatea and Kerepehi. In an effort to allow more housing on existing sites in both the rural and urban areas, council is allowing the building of minor dwelling units on serviced residential sites above 650m2 in the residential areas and on rural sites between 2500ma2 and 40ha. The minor dwelling units are limited in size to a maximum of 60m2 with additional garaging allowed. There are restrictions to control the effects on both the environment and neighbours. For example, both houses will have to use the same driveway, and in the rural zone the minor dwelling will have to be located within 10m of the main dwelling unless granted a specific exemption Hauraki has a minimum size of 40ha for new rural lots on the plains, which makes it difficult to subdivide there unless you have more than one house on your title or you are proposing a boundary adjustment with neighbours. Around Waihi there is a minimum of 6ha, acknowledging the need for smaller horticultural blocks. These rules are balanced by allowable subdivision in the foothill areas where you can often subdivide lifestyle blocks down to 5000m2 in size, with limitations on the number of blocks produced from each existing title. If you are planning your future and wish to clarify any subdivision or land use issues, feel free to give me a call. I’m happy to discuss the situation with you to see if it is worth pursuing. Brent Trail, managing director of Surveying Services, specialises in resource consent applications for subdivisions and land use across the Waikato, Bay of Plenty, and Coromandel. For further information, call 0800 268 632 or email: btrail@surveyingservices.co.nz

TRAVEL

Explore Europe by bike and boat Europe has a great network of canals, waterways, coastline and islands in outstanding historic regions that offer an exciting concept to explore by boat and bike, says travel company A Walker’s World director Jill Grant.

“We offer more than 40 week-long routes in 14 European countries that go between great capitals like Amsterdam, Paris, Vienna and Budapest, through wine country from Burgundy to Provence and amongst idyllic islands of Greece, Croatia, Turkey and Italy. “The idea is you unpack once. No ritzy outfits are required, just biking gear and casual attire for relaxing on-board, sightseeing and dinners with fellow passengers. Comfortable traditional vessels range from standard to premium and cabins have private facilities.” Jill says each day A Walker’s World travellers leave the barge or boat, to cycle well-researched trails to historic towns, attractions and through timeless countryside. Visits are incorporated to cheese factories, vineyards, castles, chateaux and museums. “The key difference between these tours and a river cruise is the biking routes are well-planned to explore the region in depth. You meet the vessel after each ride at a new location. There’s plenty of time to explore the villages and towns. If you want to skip a day’s ride, you can cruise with the boat and relax on deck instead.” Restaurants on board serve delicious meals, often typical of the region, to equalise the energy spent biking, says Jill. “There are guided and self-guided options. A daily briefing on the cycle tour is given plus route notes. “Electric bikes can be hired for those less fit so anyone can do these trips. And best of all is the camaraderie of like-minded fellow bikers from all over the world.”

Page 35

Kiwi world’s top tree climber – again and fellow Kiwi Stephanie Dryfhout received the highest combined scores. fABulouS “It’s a great achievement,fABulouS this was my 10th time competingGAlAPAGoS at the ITCCs GAlAPAGoS and I previously held the title in 2011, ISlANDS ISlANDS 2012 and 2013,” saysTour Scott.eXTeNSIoNS ToureXTeNSIoNS He also won the national NZ title AVAIlABle AVAIlABle five times – in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2016 and 2018. Scott says anyone interested in competing in tree climbing should “go for it”.

New Zealand’s national tree climber, Husqvarna brand ambassador and H-team member Scott Forrest has been crowned the International Tree Climbing Champion for the fourth time. Travelling to Knoxville, Tennessee, in the US, in early-August, he was one of 85 competitors from around the globe. Scott took out the coveted men’s title, and NZ also won the Chapter title, as both he

South America fABulouS fABulouS

Sojourn

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fABulouS

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Cyclists on the Rhine Bike & Barge trip in Germany.

JUNE 2020 2020 JUNE

with Phil Phil && Jane Jane Harris Harris with

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$16,500 $16,500

HostedTour Tour Hosted Tour JUNE 2020 JUNE 2020 Hosted JUNE 2020

• by Colourful canyons The Bordeaux vineyards can be explored bike Experience of North Argentina • Colourful canyons • Shimmering salt from a Bordeaux Bike & Barge tour. of North Argentina lakes of Uyuni & visit

Andean specialties • & Colourful canyons

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PERSON, TWN/DBL SHARE. • Fine Latin American cuisine * PER of North DEPART FROM AUCKLAND. • Explore theArgentina city of Cusco & • Explore the city of Cusco & & Andean specialties SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $2,900* PP fromValley of the Incas Valley ofsalt the Incas Sacred • Sacred Shimmering • Explore the of & Cusco lakes ofcity Uyuni visit & • Travel deep into the • Travel deep into the Sacred Valley ofLa the Incas • Shimmering saltLa Paz fascinating fascinating Paz Amazon rainforest and Amazon rainforest and lakes of Uyuni & visit exoticinto wildlife spot exotic wildlife • Floating reed islands & • Travel • spot Floating reed islands & deep the fascinating Paz of Taquile Amazon unique La culture unique culture of Taquile rainforest and • End with an insightful tour • End with an insightful tour Island, Lake Titicaca Lake of Titicaca spot exotic wildlife • Floating reed islands & *T&Cs apply. Please contact us for full details and *T&Cs inclusions. apply. Please contact us for full details and inclusions. ofIsland, Lima, “City Kings” of Lima, “City of Kings” unique culture of Taquile • End with an insightful tour Island, Lake Titicaca *T&Cs apply. Please contact us for full details and inclusions. of Lima, “City of Kings” www.worldtravellers.co.nz/motueka www.worldtravellers.co.nz/motueka

The historic ducal town of Ferara is a stop on the Venice to Mantova Bike & Barge route.

Bike, Boat & Barge

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Page 36

Pineapples thrive on Small trucks weighed down with pineapples heading for the ferry terminal, restaurants, hotels and the juice factory are a common sight on Tahiti’s Mo’orea Island. So too are the colourful, and immaculate roadside stalls where local families sell pineapples, coconuts and other tropical fruits all day long. That’s because Mo’orea Island is the pineapple centre for French Polynesia with pineapple farms set alongside native jungle on the slopes of the island’s steep mountains. The fruit thrives in the tropical environment and the island’s rich red volcanic soils, but it’s not native to Tahiti. A member of the bromeliad family and thought to be the only one to produce

Pineapple farms set alongside native jungle on the slopes of Mo’orea Island’s steep mountains. All photos: Elaine Fisher.

Door to Door Service

edible fruit, pineapple originated in Southern Brazil and Paraguay, eventually reaching the Caribbean. Christopher Columbus came across the fruit in 1493 and took it back to Europe where it was cultivated successfully in hot-houses.

Link to Bounty

It’s believed the first pineapple in the islands of Tahiti was planted by Captain James Cook around 1777 but those early plantings didn’t survive. More were planted by the crew of the Bounty, whose captain William Bligh recorded the fact in his ship’s log while in Matavai Bay in November 1788. That was before the mutiny aboard the Bounty, which saw Bligh and 19 of his crew, including botanist David Nelson who probably oversaw the planting of the pineapples, set adrift in a small vessel by Fletcher Christian and the mutineers. Today pineapples are an important part of Mo’orea’s economy, although tourism is its major earner. When I visited the island in May this year, I joined two French couples on an island excursion with guide Tiarere Raparii, of Torea Nui Tours, who drove us in a 4x4 vehicle to two high points with out-standing views, and to visit a pineapple plantation and a shadehouse where vanilla is grown. Harvesting pineapples is hard work and pickers wear jeans, long sleeves, boots and gloves despite the heat, to protect against cuts from the prickly plants, says Tiarere. The tops of the fruit are cut off and used to produce new plants. Queen Tahiti pineapples, or by botanical name Ananas comosus, are smaller than some varieties but are deliciously sweet and juicy. ...continued

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Page 37

tropical Tahiti’s mountains continued...

While a pineapple is regarded as a single fruit, it in fact consists of individual berries, fused together around a central core and each pineapple scale represents a single ‘berry’.

are hand-pollinated. Fruit ripen individually and must be harvested daily to pick beans at the optimum time.

Juice factory

Exotic fruits are not all the Tropical Garden has to offer. There’s a small shop offering fresh fruit juices and home-made jams, souvenirs and extensive views. Mo’orea, with a population of 18,000, is a short ferry ride from the

Locals and tourists alike can buy pineapples from the many family-operated stalls to be found along Mo’orea’s 65km-long coast road. Each morning stallholders put up their tables complete with brightlycoloured cloths, often under plastic awnings, and lay out the fruits and handcrafts they have for sale. Mo’orea pineapple are also sent to other islands in French Polynesia and many to the ‘Manutea Tahiti Rotui Juice Factory & Distillery’ in Cook’s Bay. I also visited this popular tourist attraction, well-known for its free tastings, its fruit juices and tropical-flavoured rum with Tiarere. She also took us to another popular tourists spot – the Tropical Garden, where a wide variety of exotic fruits are grown. It has a shadehouse growing vanilla beans. Tiarere says the growers use coconut husks, shells and leaves to create a water-absorbing

Tropical Garden

Tiarere Raparii of Torea Nui Tours, the Mo’orea Island tourist company owned and operated by her extended family. mulch for the roots of the vines, which are part of the orchid family. This plant is also not a native to Tahiti and is a labour-intensive and costly plant to grow. The flowers

bustling capital – it even has a short four-lane motorway – of Papeete, and is a stunningly beautiful island whose people are friendly and waters warm and filled with colourful tropical fish so th snorkelling is great. Tahiti is a five-and-a-half-hour fligh direct from Auckland to the capital Papeete. French, Tahitian and English are spoken, and the currency is the French Polynesian Franc (CFP). Elaine Fisher

Autumn Colours Tour

New tour options prove extremely popular as part of a smaller more personal group of vehicles, each with radio contact, accessing remote tracks – some only available to High Country Journeys.” If you’ve ever wanted to see the back country and enjoy the iconic South Island sheep stations, the isolation and majestic scenery in your own time, contact John.

On tour with High Country Journeys. Photos: Bill Irwin.

High Country Journeys introduced two new fully-guided tours last season, which have proved extremely popular, says Ranfurly-based owner-operator John Mulholland. The ‘South Island High Country Grand Slam’ is a seven-day/eight-night package that starts in Blenheim and takes in Molesworth Station, the North Canterbury high country then follows the usual route from Lake Coleridge and the Rakaia River area through the Mackenzie Country to Cardrona/ Wanaka in Central Otago. ‘Great Mackenzie Country and Central Otago Explorer’ is a six-day/ five-night tour starting near Lake Ohau and takes in rugged tussock lands and majestic high country of the

lower Mackenzie Country/ Lindis Pass and Central Otago area and ends in Cardrona. “Running these newer tours for a season we’ve been absolutely rapt with the response, especially the ‘Grandslam Tour’,” says John. “Keeping our tours smaller and using local farmstays whenever we can is one of the reasons they are so popular.” John says the tours are an adventure as well as a holiday that combine fine hospitality in very comfortable rural farmstays, good food, farming tales, high country yarns and four-wheeldriving through stunning scenery with passionate local guides who really know the country. “You’re able to drive your own 4WD vehicle, or a hired one, and travel at a more relaxed pace from station-to-station

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Page 38

SHEEP & BEEF

55th Annual Hereford Bull Sale Wednesday 25th September, 12noon

PGG auctioneer Cam Heggie looking over this year’s Stokman bulls.

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Many bull breeders prefer to sell twoyear-old bulls, but Mark and Sherrie Stokman from Waikite Valley, south of Rotorua, say yearling bulls can offer economic advantages to farmers. “Yearling bulls reduce the cost per calf, as they are usually far less expensive than two-year-old bulls, and can result in one additional year’s production in that bull’s life,” says the couple. “Yearlings are easier to handle, can settle in better, and often have less injuries, due to

them not carrying excessive weight. “Yearling bulls also provide quicker access to superior genetics, and purchasing bulls closer to the start of breeding season saves on wintering costs, plus deferring the bull’s purchase cost.” Stokman Angus’ 10th annual yearling bull sale is being held at their farm in Waikite Valley on Wednesday, September 18 – and they believe in selling yearlings so strongly they only have the one annual bull sale. All of their top bulls are put up, unless there is one they are going to retain in their own herd.

Stokman sale bulls this year were all HD50K genetic and parentage-tested, fertility-tested through Totally Vets, Fielding, BVD-tested and vaccinated, and carcass scanned. “We try to provide all the tools we can for our customers to make the most informed decision they can on their breeding programme.” This year, Stokman’s is also offering 30 R1 and 30 autumn-born Angus heifers in the sale. The sale will start at 12.30pm at the property at 1078 Te Kopia Rd, Waikite Valley.

B+LNZ holds onto ‘critical tool’ after funding ends The initial funding arrangement for Beef + Lamb New Zealand Genetics has come to an end – and Beef + Lamb NZ Ltd is taking over sole funding of BLG’s activities, says B+LNZ chief executive Sam McIvor. B+LNZ Genetics was established as a wholly-owned subsidiary in 2013 to consolidate farmer investment in NZ’s sheep and beef genetics research and innovation into a single entity. It’s been funded under a Partnership Programme between B+LNZ and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Sam says integrating BLG into B+LNZ is a logical decision for the sector. “It will mean we can more fully power-up B+LNZ

Genetics’ world-leading tools and technologies developed under the MBIE partnership. “Genetics is a critical tool to achieving B+LNZ’s vision of profitable farmers, thriving rural communities, valued by all New Zealanders. It plays an integral part in our three priorities of unlocking market potential, enhancing our environmental position, and supporting farming excellence.” B+LNZ has committed ongoing support for the beef programme, so current activities can be completed while B+LNZ Genetics awaits the outcome of a funding application with MPI’s Sustainable Food & Fibre Futures fund. The transition will be completed October 1, 2019.

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SHEEP & BEEF

Keeping safe on-farm in the busy spring months With spring arriving, farmers will be spending more time out on the farm undertaking the new season’s jobs. Lambing and calving, tailing and docking, lice treatments, vaccinations, BVD testing for bulls, drenching young heifers, spreading fertiliser and shearing make it an incredibly busy time. “Many of these jobs require close contact with animals, including lifting, chemical use and using heavy machinery,” says Beef + Lamb New Zealand lead extension manager Mark Harris. “In many cases, contractors will be coming onto the farm. All farmers should have identified the main risks on their land and it is useful to have a hazard map of the property – which can be updated as needed and shared with new staff and contractors. “Have a conversation beforehand, even if they are familiar with your farm, to update or refresh their memory around anything they need to know about. New workers should be trained to ensure they are competent in all areas and supervised until they’re confident they are ready to handle jobs safely. Injuries caused by being kicked, bitten or crushed by an animal, being trapped between moving and stationary objects and for muscular stress increase in the spring months, says Mark. “Cattle and sheep handling is a skill that comes with time and experience – learning how animals behave and react and understanding their balance lines and flight zones is vital.

Page 39

PIONEERS OF SHEARING SHED

SAFETY & RELIABILITY LESS TO STRESS ABOUT IN THE SHED

Check equipment before and throughout shearing. Suitable washing facilities should be provided including running water – ideally hot and cold – liquid soap/sanitiser and single-use drying materials. “Good health and safety doesn’t end with an induction or hazard management plan. The most effective way to lift health and safety on-farm is to make it a simple part of everyday activities – keeping it front of mind. Encourage everyone to take a few minutes ahead of every job to take into account any issues – like ground conditions. If a vehicle needs to be used, think about the best vehicle for that job on that day. “Above all, ‘walking the talk’ around safety will have a huge impact on-farm. Every safety conversation you have on your farm makes it a safer place to live and work.” Learn more at: https://beeflambnz.com/complianc

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Vehicles and machinery are the main cause of fatal accidents on farms and the leading cause of accidents in agriculture requiring more than a week off work. Long-term harm caused by chemicals, pesticides and fertilisers cannot also be underestimated. Almost 100 deaths and 670 hospitalisations annually are linked to work-related exposures to airborne substances in the agricultural sector, says Mark. “Anyone using chemicals, pesticides or fertilisers needs to be properly trained, provided with correct PPE in good condition and product labels and up-to-date Safety Data Sheets.” Shearing poses a wide range of risks, from manual lifting to using shearing and crutching equipment and close contact with animals – raising the spectre of contracting zoonoses, says Mark.

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RURAL HOMES & BUILDING

Page 40

Building the perfect family lifestyle The Armstrong’s new home spans more than 34m end to end, on a generously-proportioned lifestyle block.

Matt and Celeste Armstrong, with their three children in their Classic Builders home, south of Auckland.

“We see this home as an investment – it’s an opportunity to set us up long-term.” They are sensible words from banker Matt Armstrong.

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He, along with wife Celeste and three children, recently moved into their new home. Spanning more than 34m end to end, it sits on a generously proportioned lifestyle block, just south of Auckland. “We’d always dreamed of a property like this one,” says Matt. “We used to throw our gumboots in the car and head out to look at sections. One day we were traipsing around someone’s land when a real estate agent spotted us. “We told him we were only dreaming but he guided us to this lot and from there, it all started to come together.” Celeste says her and Matt had hesitation building for the second time around, having a nightmare experience with their previous home. “Building with Classic Builders, was a completely different story. Right at the start, they said they’d do the right thing by us. If we discussed something we wanted, they’d make it happen – we had complete faith. Many assume Classic Builders will only work within certain areas of New Zealand. With this notion in mind, Matt and Celeste weren’t sure their ‘off-the-grid’ location, would be a consideration. But it came as a pleasant surprise to know Classic Builders was able to lead the project. Their 331m2 home has lots to offer, including five bedrooms and an office. The open pla kitchen, dining and large living space is a family favourite. “We put in a large slider to divide off an area for the kids. It’s a great option when everyone wants to be together, while still allowing a little of our own space. “And that’s the best bit – the space. We can now cater for visitors and our families when we all come together,” says Matt. “This is our home. We designed it to be our home – and it works.”

The Duke is perfect for modern country living, designed to take in sweeping country vistas. Its flexible footprint will suit families that want to live together and features a central kitchen and dining area perfect for entertaining. Four generous bedrooms, a media room, separate lounge and dining and a double garage tick all the boxes for an impressive family home built for living. If you’ve got the right land, this is the home for you. Classic Builders have created the optimum family home for the Armstrongs.

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RURAL HOMES & BUILDING

Historical homestead to change hands

The Oruanui Rd house boasts more 200m2 of space. All photos: Matt Mortimer.

One of the oldest remaining homes in the Taupo area is about to change hands, with the owners who restored it to its former glory now set to move on.

In a nice touch, Stuart and Rona received a letter in 2001, from Gerard Ward, a man whose parents owned the house in the early-1930s. In 1933, he was born in the house and was delighted to see it looking exactly the same as all those years ago. Due to a change in circumstance, the home was put on the market recently. Real estate agent and self-confessed history buff Jil Richardson is selling the house. “It’s a delight to learn about this property and sell it for some people who have put so much time and love into it,” says Jil. “It really is the The wooden cabinetry is in keeping with end of an era.” Matt Mortimer the character of the house.

The four-bedroom, twobathroom home, which was originally built in Rawhiti Place, Taupo, from timber in the area, namely kauri, matai and rimu, was for sale last month. Built in 1915 by the Palmers, the timber for the home was milled in the Oruanui settlement. This area was inhabited before Taupo itself, with the mill, a church, a marae and a small cemetery all that now remain. The home, more than 200m2, was used as a surgery for a local GP, Doctor Latchmore, a boarding house and a wedding reception venue before Stuart McKinstry and Rona Reid came across it. They purchased it in 1997 – and a year later decided to move it back home to Oruanui. Moving a house can be a stressful undertaking, and this one didn’t go to plan in regards to the weather, says Rona. “We cut the house in half to move it, which also meant taking the roof off. And oh my, did it rain; the heavens opened!” Following stitching the house back together once it dried out, which included putting on a new roof, the restoration began. Light fixtures were used from the old Wairakei Hotel as well as interesting approach to the landscaping. And the home itself wasn’t the only thing uprooted from Rawhiti Place. “We bought the trees with us from Rawhiti Place. That’s why it’s so established out here, the original photos show the house sitting in the middle of bare land – but it certainly wasn’t like that for long!” In regards to the house, the inside is where the bulk of improvements took place. “We kept the outside original,” says Rona. “Inside, we opened it up to make it more open plan. It originally had basins in each bedroom, that sort of thing. We wanted to keep the character too, by keeping nice native timber throughout.” Throughout the home are original kauri ceilings, wood paneling and fireplaces, one of which warms the lounge, the other now decorative.

Page 41

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Farm building kitsets you can rely on Alpine Farm Buildings are sturdy and reliable.

If you’re looking for a sturdy, easy-toassemble kitset farm shed, look no further than Alpine Buildings. The family-owned business specialises in quality, complete kitset sheds that are strong and simple to construct. Builder Sam Bain from Bain Construction says Alpine Buildings are a breeze to work with.“They’re really easy and pretty straight-forward to install. They come with a good set of plans and they just bolt together pretty easily.” Sam says one of the biggest drawcards for Alpine Buildings is their unique kitset system. “They have a really good system, which they’ve designed – they have a steel rafter that the timber purlins bolt to. This really helps with the speed of assembling it. The other thing that’s good is with this system, we can bolt together all the timber purlins

and steel together on the ground, so we’re craning full roof structures up. “It’s a huge bonus,” says Sam. “With other, more flimsy sheds you can’t really do that, and it’s obviously saving us a lot of time being able to do that on the ground and not 6m in the air.” Sam says Alpine Buildings are the strongest he’s ever built, likely due to their use of strong structural steel. But the best part is the team that works there. “They’re really efficient with getting back to you with pricing, they’re pretty efficient on their deliveries – if you’re short on any materials they sort it out pretty quickly,” says Sam. “And they’re a pretty good bunch to work with; nothing’s ever a problem, everything works out quite well working with them,” says Sam. If you are in the market for a large clearspan building, call the Alpine team on 0800 428 453.

Medication to be delivered to farmers’ doors A new scheme will see more than 13,000 Federated Farmers have prescription medications delivered to their door. According to recent research, mental health disorders are prevalent among those living in rural regions as are chronic diseases such as stroke and diabetes – conditions experts say can be addressed through better adherence to prescription medication.

Federated Farmers have partnered with a healthcare service provider to ensure members have prescription medicines delivered to their door, with a subsidised delivery charge – helping remove barriers that may prevent them from accessing prescribed medication. Also, a team of pharmacists will help monitor a patient’s medication adherence and

then phone to offer professional care and advice if they identify issues the patient might be having in taking their medicines correctly. Prescriptions will be written by a prescribing GP or nurse and sent to the pharmacy. Federated Farmers CEO Terry Copeland says it’s part of a larger programme aimed at improving health outcomes for those living in rural areas.

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WEED CONTROL

Lessons learned from Californian thistle trial Topping two or three times a year, and a follow-up grazing, provides very good Californian thistle control, according to Kevin Knowler of AgResearch’s Woodlands farm, who is sharing his lessons from a two-year trial.

’S

“Keeping this costly pasture weed under control will improve pasture quality, which in turn can give better lamb growth rates,” says Kevin. AgResearch Woodlands near Invercargill had 60ha involved in a Californian thistle control trial, looking at a topping/grazing programme. All the thistles in the 49 paddocks in the programme were either topped or ZEALAND grazed at least six AN ZEAELW and up to 10 times during two years, D EW says Kevin. “There was a significant reductio in thistle density in the first year, wit the second year used to control the remaining thistles. The effectiveness was directly linked to the number of times the paddock was either topped or grazed. “To date almost three-quarters, or 73 per cent, of the area has either zero or very low thistle density, with the remaining paddocks having a low density with some heavier patches.” AgResearch found topping two to three times annually, with follow-up grazing, has allowed control over a much larger area than would have been possible with only one topping and four grazings. To achieve a successful result, there are a few key points to remember, says Kevin. The mower must be able to cut

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clean and low to the ground removing, if possible, all of the leaves. Topping gives better clover re-growth than a hard grazing. After the second or third topping the thistles become easier to graze. Topping or grazing three times is the minimum required, with five giving a better result Grazing is possibly more effective than topping due to the lower height the sheep can graze the thistles down to. Thistles should be grazed after three weeks re-growth, before they get too hard. The topping/grazing programme should start in November or December. Fence lines may need to be sprayed. And bear in mind this programme may be difficult to implement in a clover-dominant or young grass paddock, where hard grazing may not be desirable. Regular high topping, leaving some lower leaves, will have some effect on reducing thistle density but it will take much longer to achieve the desired result. Kevin says the thing to note is what treatments are achieving is depleting the plant’s resources to the point where it can’t recover. “So the less time and area of foliage the plant has available to photosynthesise and recover, the better.”

The Californian thistle in flower

Free tool to identify weeds and pests If you’re having trouble identifying pests and weeds on your property, there’s a free online New Zealandmade tool that can help. AgPest, which is run by AgResearch, is a website that includes practical information to upskill farmers and their advisors on identification and management of more than 80 pests and weeds and provides alerts emailed out to registered users. These alerts provide timely information warning farmers of pest and weed issues in their region and suggests appropriate management

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responses. The website also has a quick and easy function where you can follow prompts to identity an unknown weed or pest. AgPest covers four main categories: Biology, the weed or pest life-cycle and where it is found; Impact, how the weed or pest affects your crops, pasture and livestock; Control, different methods used to control the weed or pest; and Identification, use the identify tab to identify a weed, pest or its damage. To find out more, see: http://agpest.co.nz

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The climate change conundrum Almost daily we read or hear in the media items about climate change and the impending danger the planet is in. School children around the country held protests in May. In June, Wellington City Council stated climate change would be front and centre of any future policy-making. With almost half of New Zealand’s greenhouse gases coming from agriculture, there is pressure for a reduction of sheep and cattle farming and for more land to be planted in trees. However, is climate change something we humans can control? Or is it largely driven by natural forces we cannot control?

Ice melts

Real science progresses through falsificatio as advocated by Karl Popper, demarking scientific from unscientific theories. I belie Anthropogenic Global Warming is a theory that can easily be falsified. The reality is tha our climate has been radically changing on this planet for millions of years. During the last two millions years there have been a series of ice ages and warming periods, driven by the Earth’s axial tilt and orbit around the sun. Around 12,000 years ago, at the end of the Last Ice Age, northern Britain was covered in glaciers and our own Southern Alps were covered by a massive ice sheet. This Ice Age, which peaked around 22,000 years ago, is called the Late Glacial Maximum. And from about 19,000 years ago until 6000 years ago, as

these ice sheets melted, the sea levels rose 120 metres, about one metre per century – double what it is expected to in this current century. So cries of sea levels rising alarmingly fast are misleading and are in line with what took place naturally for more than 12,000 years, with no human influence whatsoever. As ice melts, sea levels rise.

Interglacial period

Two thousand years ago, it was warm enough in Britain for the Romans to grow grapes, something which could not happen for the 1500 years of the Little Ice Age, which ended about 1850. This is why climate alarmists use the date 1850 as their benchmark, claiming global temperatures have risen by 0.8 degrees Celsius since then. They avoid saying that the world got colder for 1500 years after the time of Julius Caesar, and even today it is still not as warm as it was 2000 years ago. It also needs to be borne in mind that most of the time biological life has been on this planet, there have not been polar ice caps, and that we are currently in an interglacial period. Antarctica has its own oil and coal reserves from plant life that once existed on this now barren, frozen, uninhabitable continent.

Long-term view

Although the claimed ‘hockey stick’ effect of increases in atmospheric CO2 levels from 250ppm

to 380ppm in the last 200 years from the burning of fossil fuels is probably making some contribution to seasonal fluctuations, its overall impact is likely to be exaggerated. Taking a long term view of our planet, when CO2 levels were five times higher than they are today, in the Jurassic period, speciation occurred on a massive scale. In all likelihood, with the high greenhouse gas effect, plants were growing very quickly and large because of all of the available plant food in the form of carbon dioxide, which explains why the massive herbivorous dinosaurs got to grow so large. A lot of this excess CO2 has since been incorporated into coal and oil reserves, which we have been mining for the last 200-300 years, and are now putting back into the atmosphere. But it is highly unlikely we will ever see CO2 levels get anywhere near the levels they were at 250 million years ago.

human-induced greenhouse effect. So in real terms, thinking we can change the climate may be akin to the legendary King Canute’s attempt at stopping the tide from coming in. Our land, our whenua, is our greatest asset. It will feed and nurture us as a nation if we treat it right. Planting it in exotic, fast-growing conifer monocultures, which reach their maximum carbon absorption after only 30 years, is not the answer. Robin Boom, CPAg, member of the Institute of Professional Soil Scientists. Phone 027 444 8764. Email: agronomics@xtra.co.nz

Robin Boom

CPAg MBSPC

Independent Agronomy & Soil Fertility Consultant

Greatest asset

The atmosphere currently contains only 0.001 per cent of all carbon at the surface of the earth, most of which is contained in sedimentary rocks like limestone, and even the oceans contain almost 50 times more CO2 than the atmosphere. Beneath the Earth’s crust there is untold carbon resources, which get belched out via volcanoes, thermal vents, tectonic plate shifts etc. All of these factors as well as the tilt of the Earth and proximity to the sun have a much greater influence on our changing climate than an

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How Roger grew Hill Laboratories When Roger Hill and wife Anne began Hill Laboratories in Hamilton 35 years ago, they thought if it grew to four staff they’d have made it.

had our two employees. We grew very quickly.” Today, Hill Laboratories’ is New Zealand’s largest privately-owned testing laboratory covering three main areas: agriculture, environmental and food, with 430 staff across its Hamilton, Christchurch, Wellington, Blenheim and Auckland sites. “We never, ever imagined Hill Laboratories would be at the scale it is today,” says Roger, who recently won the J Benton Jones Jr Award at the 16th International Symposium on Soil and Plant Analysis in Wageningen, The Netherlands.

“Anne was looking after the office part-time, our two young boys and the family home. I was the chemist and main customer relations person. Employing two full-time technicians was our goal,” says Roger. “There was no in-depth business plan in those days – it was work hard and keep running. Within nine months we

The award is bestowed at each biennial symposia to recognise an individual who’s made an outstanding contribution to the scientific profession of soil and plant analysis. “It was an honour, I was delighted,” says Roger, who accepted the award in person. The 69-year-old grew up on a Te Aroha dairy farm, went to university “and tended to just follow the subjects I was interested in”. He married Anne while studying for his master’s degree. “I managed to get a scholarship to do a PhD. Initially, I never had any intention of going further than a Bachelors.” Finishing his PhD, Roger found it hard to get work as the Muldoon Government had placed staff ceilings on government departments. But he got a job in Cambridge, at Analytical Services. “I set up the lab, a challenging task for a recent graduate, then managed it for eight years. There weren’t many private labs at the time. Most testing was done by the Ministry of Agriculture, which was free, but sometimes you had to wait up to six weeks to get your results.” “It was a great job. I had a very entrepreneurial boss, and we grew the business to 14 employees. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get any share ownership in it, which was important to me.” So Anne encouraged Roger to set up their own lab in Hamilton.

Hill Laboratories founder, Dr Roger Hill, with his son Dr Jonno Hill, the company’s CEO. Hill Laboratories went into food testing in 1995 – in specialised areas such as pesticide residue testing of kiwifruit and other crops, and heavy metals in food. “Since then we’ve responded to other niche areas. We were the biggest lab doing methamphetamine analysis, and we also do asbestos testing. We are also NZ’s largest water testing lab.” With technology advancing, testing methods have changed rapidly – Roger says this is part of the excitement and part of the headache. “Really, we were chemists running a business, so we loved the technology and the new ‘toys’ that came out. “Every five years there seems to be a generational change. When I started we measured Parts Per Million, then Parts Per Billion – now it’s Parts Per Trillion.” But the challenge is keeping up-to-date. “We spend around $2 million annually on instrumentation – to keep up with capacity to keep growing markets, but also on the latest technology to do things better.”

Diversifying Solid and Liquid Fertilisers With a need for quick, comprehensive tests, Hill Laboratories offered soil testing initially but quickly Liquid BioChar/Humus Builder diversified as other requests came in. “We were very /Cal-Phos agile and willing to take opportunities as they arose. Increase humus biological “When wesoil started, we and focused on agriculture and horticulture, as kiwifruit activity – from $15/ha was booming. Then came water testing in 1987, when gold mining kicked off in Soil Force the Coromandel. Biological Phosphate Fertiliser “Then Environment Waikato, just down the road, closed their lab and sent us their samples. In those Re-Charge/Nano-Cal/Multi-Cal early days it was very exciting, heady stuff.” Calcium-Carbon Fertilisers

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“The environmental story and how it will impact on agriculture is a big area that’s going to grow in future.” Two years ago Hill Laboratories moved into a new 7000m2 laboratory in Hamilton, setting things up for the future. Anne and Roger’s elder son, Jonno Hill, who has a PhD and has worked in the business for 13 years,

Roger Hill hard at work in his laboratory in 1985.

Soils being prepared for analysis at Hill Laboratories.

Roger says his award also recognises some of Hill Laboratories’ innovative, world-leading work, including development of reliable near infra-red testing of soils. “This is a very clever technology and we could see the power of it,” says Roger, and the lab staff worked hard to learn and become experts in the technology so they could adopt it into their routine testing procedures.

hard for us. I remembered how I couldn’t buy shares at my previous job – so with a sense of fairness, we offered shares to 12 key staff members, and they’ve enjoyed capital growth in the company too.” Asked what service he most enjoys, the boy who grew up on a dairy farm says soil testing. “The whole story about how soil and plant analysis complement one another and how you can diagnose problems as far plant and animal nutrition is concerned – I still love that area of agricultural analysis and how it can be used. I’m also really proud of the routine testing we now do for regional councils – the majority would use us as their contract laboratory.” What does the future hold? “Well, we define agricultural and environmental testing as two separate areas of our business. But in actual fact, the two are coming closer together. “Also, what we call ‘food testing’ is really just an extension of farming. So even though we thought we were diversifying from being just an agricultural farm testing laboratory – they’re all interrelated back into NZ’s agricultural systems. “It may get to the point where we’re doing specific environmental tests for individual farms. Currently, it’s mainly regional councils monitoring the environment but I think it’s going to come, certainly at an individual catchment level.

Soil extraction robot

Another innovation is the design and construction of an automated soil extraction robot in the early-2000s, a world first. “Working with some local engineers, we designed a system called RoSEE – the Robotic Soil Extraction Equipment. It did soil extraction but was also quite complicated. We simplified it. Version 2 is called ASTRO – the Automated Soil Testing Robot. ” Asked what’s made Hill Laboratories prosper, Roger says: “We were at the right place at the right time when developments happened. And we had the desire to do the job properly. We were ISO-accredited within the first few years. It was about not cutting corners, but finding the best technologies for the job, and being driven by our passion for science.” Roger says having good staff was also huge. “The first people we employed were really enthusiastic and excited with what we were doing and worked very

has stepped up to be CEO, keeping it in the family. Lastly, Roger wanted to thank Anne, who retired this year, who contributed hugely to the business.“Particularly with staff, Anne helped to set the business’ culture. She’s really played a big part in the way Hill Labs has evolved and what it has become.” Merle Foster

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Our food used to be our medicine

There is no more important job than growing food for human consumption. Some growers and farmers care very much about the end product. Others just churn out maximum yield without consideration of quality. Some work with nature, biology and the environment to assist potentially healthy consumers. For example, Grandad’s Beef and many other

organic producers. Others use toxic chemical sprays, accept pollution and exploit the environment to suit their businesses. Further along the chain the list of man-made diseases that are inflicted on humans, and the environment, keep increasing.

Cures

‘Cures’ for diseases are always just around the corner. It’s been that way for 100 years. It is not in big businesses’ interests to cure anything.

Nor do we need cures, unless they are short-term stop-gap measures. Cure of an acceptance disease is inevitable; of the status quo; of more ambulances at the bottom of the cliff. What we should be aspiring to is ideal health, so we don’t get sick in the first place. New Zealand is a small, isolated country and needs to focus on pristine produce, environment and results – not Genetically Engineered or Genetically Modified Organism-produced food or lab-meat or oxymoronic artificial ‘food’. We don’t need factory food. We need healthy land producing healthy food.

The EPA

What is the Environmental Protection Authority for? On their website, they say: “The work we do each day is about protecting the environment and enhancing a safe and sustainable way of life, and future, for all New Zealanders”. So why do we have more than 30,000 so-called safe, but potentially disease-causing substances in daily use? Does the EPA and other authorities not believe that a cell is a cell is a cell? Who or what owns the cell is irrelevant. Why does

EPA accept that substances are safe before they are proven safe and introduced to the environment and to us? Disease is not compulsory, but it is almost impossible to die of old age anymore. Such government organisations have failed and are a disgrace. We are poisoning the environment. The environment is poisoning us. We reap what we sow. Genetic Engineering or GMO may or may not have a place. Prove it first. It may be tha they could be used to destroy weeds and pests. Gorse, broom, blackberry, seem like a good starting place for weeds. Mustelids, possums, rodents for pests. Success must be specific. We do not nee

cures. We need the right to stay healthy and safe in the first place We need a healthy environment. We haven’t got one. How is it that the USA with its wealth, science, technology, universities, intelligence and ‘Of the People, by the People, for the People’ philosophy is at the bottom of the list for health statistics? It seems the more technology and science and medicine we have, the further we are driven from nature, common sense and good health. Are we in NZ doomed to follow like blind, deaf and dumb lemmings? Do we really want to be cash cows for corporations? We already are.

Reply: EPA an independent, evidence-based regulator In response to Brett Petersen’s column above, the Environmental Protection Authority’s acting general manager for hazardous substances and new organisms, Clark Ehlers, says the EPA is an independent, evidence-based regulator. “We make decisions about whether to allow certain chemical products into New Zealand, as well as the rules – known as controls – governing their use, storage and disposal here. These controls enable risks to be managed. “The EPA does not accept substances are safe without proof. We assess applications and weigh up the risks and benefits using our risk assessment model. “We use science and evidence, and cultural perspectives, in our assessment of new hazardous substances.

“These inform the decisions we make to fulfil our pledge to protect the environment and enhance a safe and sustainable way of life, and future, for all New Zealanders. “Similarly, we make decisions about new organisms, a term that covers all sorts of living things from tiny viruses to large plants and animals that are not present in NZ. The EPA’s chemical reassessment programme reviews hazardous substances already approved in NZ.” This can be done for a range of reasons – details about this important programme are available at: https://www.epa.govt.nz/industry-areas/hazardoussubstances/chemical-reassessment-programme/ “More information, including a video that explains the process we follow for all these types of decisions, is available on EPA’s website and on the Ministry for the Environment’s website,” says Clark.

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Page 50

AVOCADO

Early harvest is well underway In avocados many things happen that we can’t fully influence or totally control.

From weather events to soil moisture to fruit dry matter levels. This year I feel our harvesting season is well underway and fruit dry matter and quality are

ahead of previous seasons. We wouldn’t normally see the amount of fruit harvested this year to-date but the long off-season has meant everyone is keen to go and fruit quality has been there, albeit stop-start with the weather.

Cautious with copper

Exporters are also driving this early harvest on the back of poor fruit quality post-December last year. We’re still applying copper with all our sprays, however we’re cautious over the flowering period to stop for the entire flowering run. Flowering is almost upon us and this year, after the dry summer and wet winter of 2018, we’ve lifted our Boron levels. Although we’ve had wet weather recently I feel our boron levels in our soil environments will have maintained. Our winter and spring fertiliser dressings are up-to-date and we’re monitoring for the six spotted mite to prevent it from impacting our leaf quality.

Picking pressure

Exporters are now well underway with an early end to the season forecast. This is placing pressure on picking resources early, a time when most contractors are growing numbers and training new staff. One piece of learning already this season is to expect more pickers new to the industry. As labour pressures have increased during the last few years, the seasonality of avocado picking is less desirable. Retaining good quality experienced pickers is a challenge for all major

harvesters. This year it’s been about having enough off-season work to retain the staff as it has been a very long off-season.

Harness safety

Good health and safety programmes are a standard part of growers and contractors’ preharvest plans. Make sure you inspect your contractor’s records and you keep a copy of the data you inspect as evidence. WorkSafe regularly issues updates and news bulletins and recently an incident highlighted it’s not only about when staff are on the job but also about preparation and loading gear onto site. There is still great debate around about safety harnesses on elevated work platforms with experienced pickers having a view different from the best practice. Regardless of people’s views there is no data to support not using a harness. It is also important the correct harness is worn – a total restraint harness

rather than a fall arresting harness, which I have seen being used. Food safety at the consumer level has become a number one topic. At AAL, we run an independentlyaccredited food safety programme. This is a core part of our operation and forms a cohesive unit with our health and safety programme. For growers, this area of management is becoming an increasingly major and challenging topic. It requires very good record-keeping and documentation. One way to manage it is to let companies like AAL, which specialise in it, manage the food safe programme for you. A wellrun food safety programme opens up more markets for you, giving you better returns. Otherwise this month it’s all about waiting for flowering to happen, keeping the orchards grounds under control and the trees growing. Tony Bradley of Aongatete Avocados

Maori in horticulture now part of Ahuwhenua It is logical and timely to have a separate event to recognise Maori contribution to horticulture, says Ahuwhenua Trophy chairman Kingi Smiler of the sector’s entry to the prestigious competition. The new Ahuwhenua Trophy competition for horticulture was launched at last month’s HortNZ

Conference gala dinner by Associate Minister for Trade and Export Growth, Nanaia Mahuta. With support of Horticulture NZ and sector groups sponsoring the new Ahuwhenua Trophy for horticulture, Maori in the sector will be able to enter the 2020 competition. Kingi says for more than two centuries, Maori have exported horticultural products – a fact not widely recognised in NZ. “In the last 10 years in particular, Maori have become major investors in the sector and this has resulted in good financia returns and jobs for our people. “But there is still much more to done and I’m sure with the positive publicity the Ahuwhenua Trophy competition generates, this will encourage more Maori to become involved in the sector.” Kingi says it’s time to celebrate the achievements of Maori working in the horticultural sector – and with the trophy competition having mana and prestige no other event in Aotearoa has, the prospect of winning this beautiful cup will surely be an incentive. “I urge Maori leaders and rural professionals to proactively encourage Maori to enter this competition. For finalists, there is no only the prestige of winning but the added benefit of high quality feedback on their enterprises. Past finalists have noted how valuable this is. Meanwhile, the Ministry for Primary Industries has announced it will be a joint Platinum sponsor with Te Puni Kokiri for the Ahuwhenua Trophy competition. In addition, MPI is offering a $30,000 prize to provide native seedlings to the winner and finalists, which will be donated b Te Uru Rakau – Forestry NZ, and produced by Minginui Nursery. Entry Forms and further details about 2020 competition will soon be available at: www.ahuwhenuatrophy.maori.nz

AVOCADO

Scholarship opportunity for horticulture study For the second year, Avoco is excited to announce a scholarship opportunity for tertiary students in 2020. As part of efforts to advance New Zealand’s avocado industry, Avoco is offering final-year Bachelor degree students in key subjects a $5000 scholarship towards their study costs. The successful scholarship recipient will also have the opportunity to explore summer holiday work in a related field of study and receive mentoring and professional support from the Avoco community. Avoco’s marketing and communications manager Steve Trickett says a major driver for offering the scholarship was a desire to extend the industry’s research and development capabilities and recruit more talented graduates to the industry. “We were delighted to award the inaugural scholarship to Caitlin McCulloch last year. “Having studied at Lincoln University, she has a solid appreciation for how scientific excellence and research is so important for advancing our primary industry and helping us resolve our biggest challenges,” says Steve.

Page 51

NZ vies to host WAC for first tim researchers, marketers, tech innovators and investors from around the world to our country, says NZ Avocado chief executive officer Jen Scoular. “This is our chance to showcase the industry and celebrate avocados here in NZ.” The 2019 WAC in Columbia is on September 24-26 in Medellin. If the 2023 bid is successful, it will be NZ’s first time hosting the event

New Zealand Avocado finds out this month if its bid to host 2023’s World Avocado Congress in New Zealand is successful, when representatives attend this year’s WAC in Columbia. The WAC is held every four years in a different country. If hosted in NZ, it would take place during four days and bring more than 2000 of the brightest minds in avocados including growers,

challenges we face won’t be solved overnight – they are issues that are likely to require a commitment to lengthy trials and scientific exploration in a New Zealand setting. “We’re confident we’ll find another tertiary studen like Caitlin willing to combine their passion for science and research with a desire to help us find innovative, long-term solutions to challenges we’re keen to overcome.”

Studies must relate

To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be entering their final year of study for a Bachelor TM degree (or similar) at any New Zealand university in 2020. They must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, whose studies relate to any of the following: fruit production, entomology or plant TM protection, biosecurity, biochemistry or biological science, post-harvest technology and treatment, or TM new technologies relevant to horticulture. One of the mentors guiding the successful recipient TM Freshmax provides: will be technical representative Danni van der Heijden. A member of Avoco’s technical - On Orchard Technical advice team, her role connects her with TM growers while also giving her freedom Technical support - Direct to Retail Marketing to investigate post-harvest rot control “Technical support is a key focus area Specialists among other issues. for Avoco so the more that graduates F r e s h x p r o v i d e s : Danni says the m tertiary a scholarship know about adding value to our industry - Flexible Harvesting and will provide the recipient with valuable through research, the better.” O n O rfinancial c h a r T e c h n i c a lP a ca k i n gd O p tv i o n si c e support “andd an opportunity Areas Avoco would like the avocado to contribute to the industry’s ongoing reshmax provides: industry to further explore include issues- D i r e c t t o R e t a i l M a r Fk g -e F o o dts ai f e tn y success”. related to alternative or irregular crop pmust esend ctheir i a l i s t s COerrct h i fiacr adt T i oenc hs ne ri cvai cl easd v i c e To apply,S students O n Freshmax provides: bearing, crop estimation techniques, postresume, a summary of tertiary studies harvest quality issues, pest and disease F l e x i b l e H and results to date, alonga withr a vestin - Dg i r e c t ta o R en t a-i lOd M n aOr k r ceht ianrgd T e c h n i c a l a d v i c e control with a focus on consumer P a c kof i n g O p t i o n s letter application by email Specialists and environmentally-friendly to Danni van der Heijden - Direct to Retail Marketing options, and shipping F o o d by s a f e t y J I M T-AFRlA at: danni@avoco.co.nz e xWi bAl e H a r vDeAs V t iInDg Aa Ln D d ERTON technologies that preserve F r er sAhVm a x p r o v i d e s : F r e s h m a x p r v i d e s :S p e c i a l i s t s C e r t i fi Friday, c a t i o n s e v i c e s O C A D O P R O C UP R EaMcEk NiTn g O p o October 18. tT iEoC HnNsI C A L S E R V I C E S MANAGER BOP the premium quality of Applications should 505 814 - F+ 6l 4e x2 1i b lhem aHx .ac ro .vn ze s t i n g a n d - O n O r c h a r-d+O h i ceecdh export fruit and extend 6T 4e 2 7n e sd n2f7crO r4mic7ca0xha7. c6la-o .arFndzdovoT vice d s a aflednte irytco na@Plfar a cover how an individual’s j t a w a r a @ e s h cking Options their shelf life. C e r t i fi c a t i o n s e r v i c e s studies will benefit - Direct to Retail Marketing Avoco’s technical team, Avoco and the avocado -c iDaD il irset cs t tA o R eL tail D M a r kE -eFt oi n o dg s a f e t y S p eI led by Colin Partridge, is I M T A R A W A J D A V R T O N industry, examples of e r tR i fi c aV t i oIn C s e rE v i cS es S pA e c iL a l i sS t sCE investigating these A V issues O C A D O P R O C U R E M E N T T E C H N I C leadership skills, any M A N A G E R B O P - Flexible Harvesting and along with industry body + 6 4 2 1 5 0 5 8 1 4 community service roles, Pe a c kr i nt g- o O pl e tn ixoin@ NZ Avocado. However, + 6 4 2 7 2 7 4 7 0 7 6 d a l d s x . c o . n z F bs lAe fHr a re vDeA sVth i Dn gm aDna J I M T A R A W I A L EdR T O N j t a w a r a @ f r e s h m a x . c o .and/or n zsporting and cultural further research was A V O C A D O P R OP C UaRc EM EiNn T g O p TtEiCo Hn N Is CAL SERVICES k activities and achievements - F o oMdA NsAaGfEeRt ByO P always welcomed, to date, along with a vision 4 W 2 1 5A 05 814 C e r t i fi c a+t6i4o2n7 2s7e4 r7v0 i7 c6 e s J I M T A +R6A DAVID ALDERTON says Steve. for what the applicant wants to Danni van der Heijden. ozAoVdO CsA DadOafl deP eRtrOtyoCnU@R Ef rMe sEhNmT a x . c o . n z T E C H N I C A L S E R V I C E S j t a w a r a @ f r e s h m a x-. c F o.n “Many of the industry MANAGER BOP achieve in their career.

"Passionate about Avocado's"

Freshmax provides:

- On Orchard Technical advice

- Direct to Retail Marketing Specialists

- Flexible Harvesting and Packing Options

+64 27 274 7076 jtawara@freshmax.co.nz

+64 21 505 814 dalderton@freshmax.co.nz

DAVID ALDERTON

Start with AVOCO and build a top score from there. TECHNICAL SERVICES +64 21 505 814

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AVOCADO PROCUREMENT MANAGER BOP +64 27 274 7076 jtawara@freshmax.co.nz

TECHNICAL SERVICES

+64 21 505 814 dalderton@freshmax.co.nz

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Join us in 2019 and discover how AVOCO’s strategic game plan connects you to the best customers in Australia and Asia. The 2019 game will present challenges, but AVOCO’s team of experienced players have shown how to consistently deliver top OGR’s, year in and year out. Transparent results. Honest communication. No excuses.

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AVOCADO PROCUREMENT MANAGER BOP +64 27 274 7076 jtawara@freshmax.co.nz

New Zealand’s Young Grower of the Year title for 2019 will be awarded early next month at a function in Tauranga on October 1-2. The annual competition, run by Horticulture NZ, is to find the best young fruit or vegetable grower in the country. Finalists are made up of winners of the four regional Young Fruit Grower competitions and the winner of the NZ Young Vegetable Grower. With regional competitions and training days completed before the title is awarded, entrants enjoy getting out of their comfort zone, learning new skills, networking opportunities with industry leaders and boosting their career prospects. At the 2019 Young Grower of the Year Gala Dinner at Baypark Arena on October 2, finalists will present their speeches before the winner is announced. For tickets, see: www.younggrower. co.nz The winner will go on to represent the fruit and vegetable sectors at the Young Horticulturist of the Year competition, where they compete for their share of $40,000 worth of prizes.

AVOCADO PROCUREMENT MANAGER BOP

+64 27 274 7076 jtawara@freshmax.co.nz

Young Grower of Year to be crowned

C e r t i fi c a t i o n s e r v i c e s

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

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CARTAGE & EARTHWORKS

A passion well dug New Zealand’s ‘Doug the Digger’ – also known as Alistair McIntyre – has received a national service award for helping young people learn skills to operate excavators and enter civil construction careers. Accepting the award at a dinner of more than 450 industry leaders and business owners last month at the Civil Contractors NZ National Conference in Rotorua, Alistair says civil construction is his “life and passion” and the most satisfying thing in his career was identifying and developing young people to take on leadership roles, such as Clements Quarries manager Jake Rouse, who became NZ’s youngest quarry manager at 22. “I just love this industry. All the people that want to rabbit on about finding young people...they are ou there. It’s also about us old buggers stepping back, believing in them, supporting them, giving them opportunity, a bit of guidance and then allowing and having the brains to let them take over.”

Passionate commitment

Civil Contractors NZ chief executive Peter Silcock says the award recognises Alistair’s passionate commitment to introducing young people to careers in civil construction. “Alistair shares his passion and love for the industry with every person he interacts with. His time travelling the country presenting the ‘Doug the Digger’ roadshow and his time spent helping young people fin meaningful careers in civil construction have been a real asset to our industry.” Alistair’s passion followed on from his father, who was a civil engineer. He left school at 15, and by 17 had his own business. He went on to work for civil construction company McBreen Jenkins operating machinery for a number of years before a serious workplace injury led to a big turning point in his life. It was then he decided to follow his dream of writing a book.

Writing a book

He went back to school to re-learn to write and read, so he could write the book he dreamed of – which became ‘Doug the Digger’. The ‘Doug the Digger’ roadshow has seen Alistair travel the country

ADDLINE TRANSPORT LTD

Alistair McIntyre helps a young fella build his excavator skills at a ‘Doug the Digger’ roadshow. including attending many CCNZ excavator operator competitions where he runs a mini-dig to give young people a chance to see they too can take the controls of an excavator. Seeing a need to help young people get into jobs in the industry, he established the ‘Youth into Industry’ initiative, which saw many young people gain the chance, confidence and skills to take them forwar into successful careers within the industry.

Page 53

NZ Caterpillar dealership sold The Gough family’s 90-year ownership of Gough Group, which includes NZ’s Caterpillar heavy machinery dealership, will end this month as they sell it to a Malaysian company for an estimated $211 million. According to Gough Group, it has entered into a conditional agreement to sell its NZ and Australian operations to Sime Darby Berhad, one of the largest Caterpillar dealers globally. This follows a strategic review process to consider options for the long-term growth of the group. Gough Group employs about 950 people across its network in more than locations in Australia and NZ.

MAIZE

Page 54

Happy cows make happy farmers – Elsa’s story Hi, my name is Elsa, a wonderful cow with four wonderful teats. Now that I have your attention, let me tell you a true story that involves my neighbours. They’re a well-bred bunch of females, high breeding worth, good looking, but simply can’t compete with our herd on our side of the boundary fence. The reason is simple, their owners don’t feed VPMaxx maize silage. Our owners started feeding maize silage six seasons ago.

The advantages of this feed soon became obvious. Our condition is better than our friends next door. As soon as pasture becomes a limiting factor, our farmers feed maize. A combination of high protein pasture and maize in spring works, end of story. Next door they use Palm Kernel Extract to assist during pasture shortages, which runs the risk of being penalised for using too much of the stuff. This does little to keep the bank manager happy at a time when milk cheques need to make a difference. It’s obvious VPMaxx maize and pasture are the ticket to production. Our owner started VPMaxx account managers Barry Smallridge can help farmers and growers with their maize-growing requirements. with 5ha of maize and last season planted 10ha. Two seasons ago they started using VPMaxx maize hybrids, and we can taste the difference – it’s delicious! Since increasing the amount of maize, we’re now fed maize every spring, so getting back in-calf is simple. This means my sisters and I all calve together in a short period every year. Effluent-treated paddocks are use to potentially double the maize yields. Maize supports the environment by reducing the amount of N in our urine – you humans call N leaching – and growing maize on effluent-treated areas means less nutrients are lost to streams running through our place. Our owners always seem to have enough maize to feed us in autumn, which means we can keep milking right to the end of the season and make them more money. If your cows are looking for delicious maize, it’s easy. Just call the team at VPMaxx.

e z i a M rids

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d e k babcy y . s t r expe

Record-keeping is key One task that should be an integral part of maize growing, is keeping records. And there are many good reasons for this, according to the ‘Best Management Practices for Growing Maize on Dairy Farms’ resource. All Fonterra suppliers are required to complete nutrient budgets and your maize silage crop should be done as a separate block. Plus, doing a ‘Cost of Production’ worksheet can assist you to calculate the cost of growing your crop. If something goes wrong with your crop, having records will help with diagnosis of the issue. And when you grow a fantastic crop, if you have records you will know what was done so you can to do it again! Even if you rely on others – such as technical advisors or a contractor – for some or all of your crop management, you should still make sure you have copies of crop management records. These will be useful if your advisor changes, or you change to another company or contractor. (Source: ‘Best Management Practices for Growing Maize on Dairy Farms’ via the DairyNZ website).

y b d e v o l An d h

. s r e m u s con

Building a biosecurity database

As a farmer, there’s no need for you to know everything about maize. That’s because the experts at VPMAXX® are here to advise you at every stage – from choosing a highperforming hybrid for your local conditions, right through to feeding your cows. So give us a call and find out why more and more farmers are choosing VPMAXX® brand seeds.

Joe Heng

Northland, Taranaki and Waikato jheng@nzsh.co.nz, 021 514 114

Barry Smallridge

Bay of Plenty, Waikato and Lower North Island bsmallridge@nzsh.co.nz, 027 801 9992

vpmaxx.nz

The Foundation for Arable Research is developing a database of farm biosecurity issues and wants to hear from farmers from all corners of New Zealand about what they are encountering on a day-to-day basis. The organisation is interested in what is new to your farm, even if it is not new to your region. The reason for the call, according to FAR, is it’s important to capture this information so they can start building a better picture of the changing weed, pest and disease pressures. So if, in the last 12 months, you’ve noticed any changes in weeds, pests and/or diseases – either something new on-farm or an increase in pressure – FAR would like to hear from you. Contact Abie Horrocks by emailing: Abie.Horrocks@far.or.nz

MAIZE

Page 55

Time to plan supplementary feed needs Things have certainly been wetter than they were earlier on this winter, but it’s still very mild. This means grass is still steadily growing. Someone told me they achieved 50kgDM per day growth in early-August – that’s a spring rate usually. Whether or not the good fortune continues will depend on getting any more cold breaks. With these mild conditions there’s been an explosion of the rat population. There’s certainly been a lot of feed around for rats, stoats and weasels. We’ve been baiting areas every week to try to keep numbers down. Everyone needs to be vigilant around their houses, sheds, barns, maize stacks etc. Or you may pull the covers off and go; ‘Oh my god!’. So just when we thought we were going to be rodent-free by 2050, here comes a rat explosion. I visited Tiritiri Matangi Island in the Hauraki Gulf on a recent holiday. It is virtually pest-free and the birdlife that’s come back there is just amazing because there are no rats or other mammalian predators. It just shows what these pests are doing to our native wildlife. It’s incredible how they’ve turned that island around over 40-odd years.

Staff

Back on the farm, staff seems to be the hot topic. It’s always one of the most stressful parts of being in business. One guy I’ve been talking with is getting Filipinos workers in from overseas. He has a trucking firm and he goes over there to interview them, sorts out a visa for them and they come to NZ to work for him. He reckons they are really good workers. So this is an option for those struggling to get workers for their farm. And this can be an issue for older farmers trying to

retire, step back or reduce their workload. It’s also the time for farmers to look at supplementary feed, whether they need to buy it in or grow their own crops. If choosing to buy, you have to be careful with what you’re get – once it has wrap on it, you don’t know what it’s like until you open it. It could be very good or very average.

Quality feed

There is some poorly-made silage out there. The best way to know you’re paying for and receiving quality feed is to request test results. We try to test samples of most of our products. The DairyNZ supplementary feed price calculator enables farmers to go online and put in values such as ME, stocking rates etc to estimate how much you can pay for supplementary feed. Farmers need to research this well. If it sounds like cheap feed – say $100 delivered instead of $120 or $130, the quality could be poor. It could be drystock feed, not milking-quality feed. There’s a big difference. Know what you are buying so you can buy with confidence

Summer crops

Most farmers will be planning their summer crops now – chicory, maize or turnips. They should be soil testing, and working out what is required. A local fertiliser representative or merchant can do a soil test to see what the paddocks might be missing. Fertility, drainage and weed problems need to be sorted out before planting begins. Mercer grass, paspalum or kikuyu need to be sprayed out first. Farmers need to spray now and in autumn before going back into grass – not just spray in autumn and drill. Hopefully prices of things don’t rise too much this season – although fuel prices seem to be up.

Select your maize paddocks carefully Many farmers use maize grown on-farm as part of their pasture renewal programme – but not all paddocks are suited for maize production, according to the ‘Best Management Practices for Growing Maize on Dairy Farms’. This states many factors make paddocks unsuitable – so site selection is crucial. Very steep paddocks, often also with wetter gullies, not only make cultivation and harvesting difficult and hazardous, but tend to not yield well. Low-lying wetter paddocks will often mean delays in cultivation after adverse weather. Again these often do not yield as well, unless drought conditions prevail. A paddock that’s wet with a grass sward, acts as if 10 per cent wetter when the structural strength of the sward is removed by cultivation. Wet paddocks risk a loss of soil structure under cultivation, which leads to lower yields. However, many long-term effluent paddocks with high N and K levels are ideal for growing a deeprooting crop of maize often without using any

bagged fertiliser. While this often means herds have to walk further while the effluent paddock is out of rotation, the opportunity for reduced growing costs and environmental benefits should be considered. Many long-term dairy pastures also have a fertility level that means N fertiliser inputs for maize crops sown from pasture can be reduced without maize yield reductions. It’s also important to consider the location in terms of protection of sensitive areas. For example, streams, lakes, wetlands and drains. To grow high

quality maize silage on-farm for the least cost, consider factors that make a contractor’s job speedy and efficient. Paddock access is very important, as distance from the paddock to stack will reflect in harvest cost. Cartage costs from distant runoffs will be greatest. But narrow, rough farm tracks with poor access will also mean higher costs. Consult your contractor prior to finalising your site so they can assist in selecting the best paddock to sow maize. (Source: ‘Best Management Practices for Growing Maize on Dairy Farms’ via the DairyNZ website).

Road-User charges went up this year and are set to rise again next year so we may see an increase in freight charges. Labour prices may also rise slightly.

We’re taking orders now for bulk grass and baled silage and maize silage. Feel free to contact us for prices. We also have hay, straw and silage available.

MAIZE

Page 56

Herbivore Chicory an ideal summer crop As we move through to spring, critical feed reserves will dictate the production capacity of the season ahead by factoring in soil temperature now and soil moisture in summer months. It is the time to be thinking about how to minimise the effect of another drought if it was to happen and assess spring feed and identify any weaknesses in the current crop and pasture system on the farm, says Riley O’Neill of Pastoral Improvements. “There are many options available for farmers to

ensure that they have plenty of summer feed, the use of chicory as a summer forage crop has proven to be successful for many North Island farmers. “Chicory is a fantastic highly productive crop, as a variety Herbivore is offering many benefits for farmers seeking a flexibl ‘feed when needed’ summer crop.” The superior production benefits of Herbivore Chicory through dry summer periods is attributed to its deep tap root, which has the ability to ‘mine’ moisture and minerals much deeper than traditional forage species. This trait means Herbivore Chicory can keep growing to provide high quality feed through dry periods when grass and other forage crops struggle to do so, says Riley. Herbivore is also very high in metabolisable energy, digestibility, soluble sugars and protein, with the latter being extremely important to maintain summer meat and milk production. “Independent trial data has also shown Herbivore has production benefits over other chicory varieties as well. Data from a recent forage chicory trial show Herbivore grew five to 11 per cent more dry matter production than other leading varieties

The Herbivore Chicory variety should be sown in October-November. from multiple grazings. “Herbivore Chicory, as a summer forage crop, should be sown in October/ November at a rate of six to eight kg/ha,” says Riley. This crop can be used as part of a pasture renewal programme as it is quick to establish, ready to graze in approximately six to eight weeks and provides multiple grazings when other feed may be short, says Riley.

“It is also timely to assess the performance of the permanent pastures – are they ‘fit for purpose’, is the flowering date right for your farm, would the pasture benefit with more diversity not only to cover off the critical spring period but other feed crunch ‘shoulders’? “The journey from a non-performing pasture to a new pasture can be very productive by having a Herbivore chicory crop as part of the renewal process.”

Feedback wanted on maize hybrid performance trials The Foundation for Arable Research is seeking feedback from maize growers on a proposal to withdraw from the Maize Hybrid Performance Trials at the completion of the 2019-2020 season.

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Chief executive officer Dr Aliso Stewart says she’s concerned FAR’s investment in MPT is not generating sufficien benefit for maize growers and that the funds, which are generated from maize seed levies, could be better used for other maize research. “The MPT programme was established in 2014 following many years of discussion about the possible establishment of independent maize hybrid performance trials in New Zealand. “Its goal was to provide growers with independent information on the relative performance of maize hybrids in order to help them with decision-making around hybrid selection.” However, Alison says, this has proved difficult for two reasons. “Firstly we are not able to evaluate all of the commercially-available hybrids, because not all commercial seed companies have signed up to the programme, which means we cannot present a full picture of hybrid performance to the growers.

“Secondly, maize hybrids are replaced on a regular basis. The value of any cultivar performance programme lies in the ability to analyse cultivar performance over several years, at different sites under different climatic conditions. “Unfortunately, in many cases, by the time the MPT trials programme has built up this data, the hybrid is no longer available.” Alison says FAR will contribute to this year’s MPT trials programme, which will occur across eight sites and incorporate as many commerciallyrelevant hybrids as possible. Beyond that, FAR’s involvement will cease unless it receives strong feedback from maize growers about the value they feel they have gained from the programme to date. Maize growers will be sent an online survey asking their opinions on the MPT programme. Any growers who’d like more information on this matter, can contact FAR’s Anna Heslop by emailing: Anna.Heslop@far.org.nz or phone 021 960 058. (Source: ‘From The Ground Up’ Winter 2019, FAR).

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MAIZE

Page 57

Roustabout 840 time for maize ®

Step 2. Pre-emergence control Waiting a few weeks to control weeds after emergence can reduce maize yields by up to 20%. Apply Roustabout 840 soon after planting. • Up to 10 weeks pre-emergence weed control. • Controls a wide spectrum of annual grasses and broadleaf weeds. • Effective in a range of soils and climates. • Tank-mix with Nu-Trazine™ 900DF or Flowable Atrazine 500 to enhance control.

For more information talk to your Nufarm Territory Manager or visit us at nufarm.co.nz

Roustabout is a registered trademark of Nufarm Limited. ™ Nu-Trazine is a trademark of Nufarm Limited. Always consult the product label before use.

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

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classifi d listings curriculum vitae

CV’s THAT STAND OUT. Don’t let your C.V. get lost amongst all the others. Get the WOW factor. A C.V. For You can provide you with a personal and professional touch. From scratch or update existing ones. Check out samples on www. facebook.com/acvforyou or Ph/text on 021 27 27 912.

for sale

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

house sitters

HOUSE SITTING WANTED, active retired couple. Farm or lifestyle blocks or similar. Ph Brian or Julie 027 206 1605

trades & services

LIST YOUR RURAL EVENT HERE! email your listing to: merle@sunmedia.co.nz with ‘Rural Event’ in the subject line.

Sept 6

Morrinsville Daffodil Show,

11.30am-3.30pm, Presbyterian Church Hall, Canada St. Gold coin entry. Ph Margaret: 027 788 6149.

Sept 7

Rotorua Botanical Society

National News online.... including business, sport, politics & more! Major International & Regional News updates

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Field Trip, Aongatete Forest (between Tauranga & Katikati). See: tinyurl.com/ h4zph2x FibreTron Festival, 10am-3pm, Hamilton Gardens. See: www.fibretron co.nz

Sept 12

Simon Rickard Lecture,

5pm-7pm, Hamilton Gardens, $15. Japanese gardens, food and culture. See: tinyurl.com/y4yka26e

Sept 14

Kiwi Aversion Training for Dogs, 9am4pm, Blue Lake, Rotorua, $25. Allow 15 minutes/ dog. See: tinyurl. com/y2ns6fzt

Park between Tauranga and Rotorua on SH36, $25. Allow 15 minutes/dog. See: tinyurl. com/yxpsowrh

Kiwi Aversion Training

for Dogs, 11am-1pm, Ngaherenga Campsite, Te Kuiti, one person/one dog free (extra dogs koha). See: tinyurl. com/y542oasg

Sept 18

Kereru Count, 9am-12.30pm,

Sept 14 & 17

Propagation of Spring

Seeds, 9.30am-2.30pm, Whakamarama (near Tauranga), $68. Also Sept 17. See: tinyurl.com/y2p76cfe

Sept 15

Easy Flax Basket Workshop, 9am-4pm, The Incubator, Historic Village, 17th Ave, Tauranga, $75. See: tinyurl. com/yykcrakv

Kiwi Aversion Training

for Dogs, 9am-4pm, TECT

Aongatete Forest, end of Wright Rd, off SH2, between Katikati and Tauranga, free. See: aongateteforest.org

Incubator, Historic Village, 17th Ave, Tauranga. See: tinyurl.com/yykcrakv Bonsai Workshop, 2-4pm, Bunnings, Te Rapa, Hamilton, free.

Sept 25

Drop-in Gardening Group, 10am-11am, 14 Jocelyn St, Katikati, free. Ph 07 549 4522.

Sept 26

Waikato Horticultural

Daffodil Show, Hamilton

Society: Fruit & Nut Trees, 7.30pm, Hamilton Gardens Gate 2, $5. Ph Carmel: 07 855 3404.

Greerton Village Cherry

Indigenous Film Festival,

Sept 21

Gardens. Ph Robin: 021 760 545.

Blossom Festival, Tauranga. See: www.greertonvillage. co.nz

Sept 22

Floral Art Workshop

with Recycled Material, 10am-12.30pm, The

Sept 26-28

Rotorua. See: tinyurl.com/ y2lszb36

Sept 27

Making and Using Organic Farm Plant Extract, 10am2pm, Chaos Spring Farm, Karangahake Gorge, $60

(non-members). See: tinyurl. com/y5f2ye5f

Sept 28-29

WoodFest - New Zealand’s

premier festival celebrating all things wood in Kawerau, which includes the National Woodskills Competition. See: www.kaweraunz.com/events/ events/woodfest

Sept 28-Jan 12 Picturesque Gardens,

Waikato Museum exhibition to support the latest new garden at Hamilton Gardens, free.

Sept 29

Waikato Orchid Show, 10am-

3pm, Hamilton Gardens, free.

Oct 5-6

Rotorua Botanical Society

Field Trip, Whangapoua, Coromandel. See: tinyurl. com/h4zph2x Plant Sale, Hamilton Gardens.

Country flavours and falconry tips on offer at arts festival A pair of high-profile Kiwis are coming to this year’s Tauranga Arts Festival on October 24-November 3 – and both will be revealing something about themselves you may not know. As a batsman for the New Zealand cricket team, John Wright became the first Kiwi to score 5000 test runs, going on to coach the Black Caps and India. He’s currently coaching Derbyshire and scouting for the Netflix series ‘Cricket Fever’. When he’s on the road racking up the hours in hotel rooms, John’s favourite pastime is to pick up his guitar and write songs, describing his music as upbeat with country flavours With an album released in 2017 and an EP due shortly, John takes to the festival stage at 8.30pm on Wednesday, October 30, with The Sou’Westers – including Liam Ryan from Waihi – to share his music and a few yarns from his eventful life. Plus, award-winning newspaper columnist Rachel Stewart will appear in The Hunters at 10am on Sunday, November 3, talking to Debbie Stewart of the Wingspan Bird of Prey Centre near Rotorua about their shared love of falconry and hawking. Rachel became interested in hunting birds

in 2007 and to begin her education took herself off to a meeting of the North American Falconers Association in Colorado. “Falconry is many things but it is not the domestication of a wild bird,” she’s written. “They are not pets, nor should they be. It is essentially a food bond and the bird learns Debbie Stewart and a native New Zealand falcon, kārearea.

John Wright and two of The Sou’Westers, Liam Ryan and Dean Hetherington, who will perform at a Tauranga Arts Festival event.

quickly that life is easier with a human around. The birds do not love us but a rapport can, and often is, established.” Debbie, who established Wingspan in the 1980s, notes that a native falcon needs only seven days away from its handler to revert to its wild nature. “So it’s pretty hard to go on holiday. “ They won’t really work with another handler so if you’re away a week or more, you have to start training all over again.” See the full Tauranga Arts Festival programme at: www.taurangafestival.co.nz Tickets are available from Baycourt Theatre, Tauranga, or via the festival website. Earlybird prices end September 13.

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

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Page 60

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS Left: Mayson, 5, handing out with his buddy ‘Tess’ under the workbench in Tuakau.

Right: Four-month-old Carlie is loving ‘kidding time’ on the farm in Matamata.

Left: Brothers Max, 3, and Finn, 4, doing what country boys do best, playing in any mud they can find in Te Aroha.

Above: Sue’s great granddaughter Indy finding out she has a new brother or sister on the way!

Liam and his family’s dog ‘Hendrix’ are having a break after feeding the sheep and cows in Rotorua.

BS! PRIZandEdetUailsPcan beFemOaileRd (highGresRolutioAn jpgy,s)POto Box 240,

Pictures to Coast & Countr untry Camera” or posted every entry. kathy@thesun.co.nz “Co e a name, address and phone number with lud inc ase Ple ga. ran Tau