Coast & Country News - October 2019

When Hauraki Vintage Machinery Club stalwart Brendon Adams bought this Tangye 5 HP Colonial 5” x 7” Steam Engine from the family of his good friend, the late Murray Stent, he immediately saw a use for it. The rare engine, which started life in Birmingham, England, circa 1910, will soon be used to power the Kerepehi Flax Mill that Brendon and fellow enthusiasts are working to get up and running as a museum. Read about the engine’s rich history on pages 50-51. And learn more about how the Kerepehi Flax Mill will be brought back to life, with an open day on November 24, on pages 48-49. Photo: Catherine Fry.

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Avocados PG 44-47

Rural Homes & Building PG 60-62

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Page 2

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Embracing change Change is a funny thing. Some of us revel in embracing it and tackling it head on.

Others hate the thought of it, let alone moving with it.

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Well, right now in the primary industries, change is coming thick and it’s coming fast. And whichever end of the change-embracing spectrum you sit on, it doesn’t seem there will be much choice.

The Government’s newly-released proposed policy of freshwater management is currently the hot topic – no matter which industry you work and live in.

It’s really causing a stir as rural sectors try to grapple and get their heads around how they can adapt to become more environmentally-friendly in their operations and strive to meet new regulations while still having the ability to be successful, profitable businesses that support the NZ economy as well as their own rural communities.

It’s a big ask – and I’m not saying it is unwarranted – and a lot of pressure to contend with. Some farmers are showing a whole range of emotions – anger, mistrust, confusion, helplessness – while others are more optimistic, with thoughts that they knew more regulation was coming and they’d have to deal with it – like they deal with all other changeable elements in farming.

Yes, farming is a job where you deal with change daily – in a myriad of elements. And farmers have been changing. Many already consider their roles as custodians of the land – or kaitiakitanga – and have been improving their operations to be more environmentally sustainable, or working to restore soil,

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So why the big uproar? Well, I guess the proposed regulations really shifts the goalposts and sends the way we farm in New Zealand in a different direction. But I’m confident the prima y sectors will rise to the challenge. If there’s one thing farmers are good at, it’s weathering a storm. We shouldn’t forget we are one of the most innovative, number8 wire-metaled, hardy lot of farmers in the world.

In this edition we cover a range of work, actions, meetings, scientific studies, syposiums, thoughts, discussions and improvements unfolding that those on the land are undertaking to move with change.

So please embrace the change – as some famous people recommend below.

“Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle” – Martin Luther King Jr. “To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often” – Winston Churchill.

“People who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do” – Steve Jobs “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek” – Barack Obama.

I’ll leave the last word to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon: “We are the first generation to be able to end poverty, and the last generation that can take steps to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. Future generations will judge us harshly if we fail to uphold our moral and historical responsibilities”.

Merle Foster

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Cultivating a new industry for the BOP A new primary industry could emerge in Tauranga as a local company teams up with an Australian-based medicinal cannabis company to grow the plant and research its use as a health product for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Greenfield MC, a licensed medicinal cannabis importer and distributor in Australia, and Canadian licensed cannabis producer Emerald Plants Heath Source have entered a joint venture with Tauranga-based Wepiha Health Co. Wepiha Health Co is a newly-created entity led by Maori clinical researchers and academics, agriculturalists and leading pharmacists, which is already engaged in agriculture and health and pharmaceutical services.

Co-founders are Dr Anna Rolleston, a senior research fellow at the University of Auckland and University of Waikato, and a director at Tauranga’s The Centre for Health Ltd; and Rush Wepiha, an internationally recognised indigenous youth mentor who focuses on development of better healthcare and medical education in rural and/or Maori communities.

Cultivation operation

The venture is being seed funded by Greenfield M Global, which is currently doing a second series of capital raising; and the venture’s representatives are meeting with prospective landowners to base a cultivation operation and research facility.

Wepiha Health Co co-founder and community cultural relations officer ush Wepiha says they’re particularly interested in the Tauranga region.

“Our company is named after myself and Anna’s great-great-grandfather Wepiha. We named the company after him because he had a deep connection to the land and he’s passed it down to us.

“Our family has cultivated all types of fruit and vegetables for generations and generations.

“We currently cultivate kiwifruit – all the way from there to Te Puke we have family working in the kiwifruit industry.”

The joint venture’s initial research project will focus on growing certain strains of cannabis under a range of conditions. But then they plan to focus research on looking into the safety and efficacy of medicinal cannabi for health conditions that disproportionally affect Maori, such as Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, known as T2DM. Greenfield MC Ltd NZ s director of research, Dr Anna Rolleston, says in NZ health disparity for Maori is a key area of focus.

“Once we have cultivation underway in NZ and have completed our initial research project, one of the objectives is to understand how medicinal cannabis could be beneficial to aori healthcare and how the industry as a whole might support Maori aspirations.”

Rush says they first met with reenfield MC in March to explain their connection to whenua, to cultivation and that they come from the health space.

“We want to ensure any medicine we make here aligns with our values in Aotearoa. Because it’s such a booming

Greenfield MC chai man and president Arjun Chabbra, COO Katy Williams Day, Wepiha Health’s co-founder Rush Wepiha and Greenfield MC s CEO Nicholas Hanna. industry we knew it would only be a matter of time before it takes off here.

We want to ensure from the beginning it’s on the right track and the people that need this type of medicine – that it gets to them.”

Rush says, understandably, Maori still have negative views of cannabis from the past. “I’m trying to bridge that gap and bring our people up to speed – so we can move forward with this opportunity.

“And who is to say the people of Tauranga can’t be a major player in this industry? I’m all for building the Bay of Plenty economy.”

Greenfield MC di ectors, who met the Wepiha team in Tauranga mid-September, told Coast & Country News that Wepiha’s local expertise, knowledge and understanding of patient needs, especially those impacting Maori, make them the ideal partner.

Greenfield MC chairman and p esident Arjun Chabbra says the venture will construct a state-of-theart hybrid glasshouse facility with automated water and climate management systems and on-site scientific testing apparatus. “Security systems and protocols, as well as a deep cannabis genetic bank, are also crucial.”

medicinal cannabis. “Cultivation for the purpose of research can proceed now. The new Medicinal Cannabis Scheme is directed towards a commercial regime for medicinal cannabis. Once the scheme is in force, we’ll seek to also cultivate for commercial purposes.”

Wepiha Health Co will lead research and development and eventually guide the conduct of clinical trials, says Arjun. Asked if there are plans to expand offerings in NZ if the November 2020 referendum to legalise a recreational cannabis industry passes, Arjun says Greenfield MC is a medical and healthca e organisation. “Legalisation of adult-use cannabis will open up new revenue streams from the sale of CBD wellness, cosmeceutical and nutraceutical products, including skincare products and food supplements.

Those product categories would be our focus.”

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Research strains

Arjun says cannabis cultivation for research purposes requires strict growing methodology and practices that place quality control, crop consistency and science at the core of operations. “Part of the cultivation facility will be dedicated to scientific analysis.

Arjun says Greenfield MC NZ has access to arious strains and is presently determining which strains are best suited to NZ grow and climate conditions, as well as the final esearch project.

“Greenfield MC will be esponsible for evolving the joint venture into a commercially viable enterprise that can meet the growing and enduring needs of NZ patients.

“Its deep bench of pharmacists, doctors and researchers will help develop future research projects.

Our third partner, EPHS Holdings Inc, will contribute its world-leading cannabis cultivation skills, genetics and project management expertise to ensure the grow facility meets the rigorous demands of NZ’s regulatory bodies, as well as help open up global export markets if and when cultivation for commercial export purposes is permitted.” Arjun says the joint venture will soon apply for licences to cultivate, import and distribute

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Farm-specific carbon emissions reports are being introduced by Miraka for the 100-plus farms it work with.

Farmers supplying milk to Taupo-based Miraka will receive their first farm-specific carbon emissions report this month, which is a New Zealand-first initiative by the dairy company to position their suppliers to curb their environmental footprints further.

Miraka has announced it will report farm-specific carbon emissions for each of the more-than-100 farms they work with from this month. Reports will be distributed annually to farmers along with their already-in-place freshwater footprint reporting in October.

Key performance indicators

“Miraka will generate the reports, which will be accessed by farmers through a cloud-based system.

“Environmental Key Performance Indicators will be

reported annually, generated from an Overseer Nutrient Budget completed by certified nutrient management advisors using each farm’s operational data for the previous year,” says Miraka’s general manager of milk supply Grant Jackson.

And Miraka will host a workshop on October 10 to assist farmers in understanding the reports and what each KPI means for their businesses, says Grant.

“The reports will give a detailed understanding of greenhouse gas emissions, and compare results between farms.

“Currently, many of our farmers have little awareness of their carbon footprint,” says Grant. “Measurement and reporting are the first steps in the journey. Once we’ve identified the biggest impacts on each farm, we can start working with our farmers on reduction targets and strategies.”

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Miraka already provides freshwater nutrient reports and detailed environment management plans for their farmers.

And the new emissions reports have been generated using data from Overseer – software developed in New Zealand to help farmers more effectively monitor and manage nutrient use.

“At Miraka we believe in the importance of kaitiakitanga, about making decisions for the long-term,” says Miraka’s kaitiaki and general manager of environmental leadership, Murray Hemi.

“As part of the Paris Agreement, New Zealand has made a global commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Emissions from the primary sector are significant, and we all have a role to play in addressing the growing threat of climate change,” says Murray.

Miraka’s general manager of milk supply Grant Jackson.

Although Miraka believes that future innovation will play a big part in reducing agricultural emissions, Grant says there are several actions they currently recommend to farmers.

“Balancing feed to include lower roughage/higher sugar options can help reduce methane emissions, and optimising the application of nitrogen fertilisers also significantly reduces emissions.

“Improving pasture species and soil quality is another great step our farmers can take.”

Murray says Miraka’s investment in emissions reporting and environmental management plans puts them at the forefront of sustainability in the dairy sector.

“Our goal is to have the lowest carbon footprint of any New Zealand dairy processor and we include our farm supply base in that footprint. We are walking this path together.

“By investing in emissions reporting and environmental management plans we are helping our supplier community take control of the greenhouse gas challenge.

“Providing quality information to our farmer whanau enables us to learn, trial and explore together and find solutions,” says Murray. Merle Foster

www.coastandcountrynews.co.nz

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

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Potential game-changer for water quality An innovative approach to improving environmental sustainability is proving its success in intercepting and treating stormwater before it leaves the farm – and trials indicate it could be a game-changer for water quality.

Massey University’s Lucy Burkitt says the project is unique and shows the value of partnerships.

“Our collaboration with the Phosphorus Mitigation Project has demonstrated the incredible potential of researchers working closely with farmers and industry groups to help find practical solutions to improve the sustainability of farming.”

A public field day on the Detainment Bund research is on October 30 from 12 noon-2.30pm at J&C Paterson’s farm, 136B Stewart Rd, Kaharoa, Rotorua.

Here Brian Levine and fellow researchers will speak about the project’s results and potential benefits for improving the environmental sustainability of farming.

Attendees need to pre-register by email to: john.patersonPMP@gmail.com

A full Detainment Bund with excess stormwater overtopping the outlet riser at Waiteti Trust Farm.

Massey University PhD student Brian Levine – out in the rain, water sampling at a Detainment Bund field research site.

“The suspended sediment particles and attached phosphorus cannot infiltrate, and instead settles back onto the flooded pasture rather than going into the lake.

The research has been undertaken by Massey University PhD student Brian Levine.

Brian has indicated the Detainment Bunds capture around 60 per cent of the annual phosphorus load and 80 per cent of the annual sediment load of stormwater, depending on soil drainage conditions.

Project group chariman Lachlan McKenzie says the bunds have the potential to make a significant difference to lake water quality.

A key attraction of the bunds is they do not unduly compromise farming activity or pasture production in the area they occupy – with the grass in the ponding area remaining healthy and productive, says Lachlan.

“This technology has the potential to intercept and treat stormwater for multiple benefits on a whole catchment scale that previously had not been considered possible.”

A four-year trial has been underway looking at intercepting and treating stormwater before it leaves the farm – stopping the phosphorous, sediment and E. Coli from washing off into Lake Rotorua.

The Detainment Bund science project manager John Paterson says while there is an increasing spotlight on farmers and the impact farming has on waterways, this is a project developed and led by farmers.

The results of the four-year project will be released at a public field day on October 30 at one of the research sites near Rotorua.

The Phosphorus Mitigation Project Incorporated was established in 2016 and this farmer-governed research group has focused on intercepting stormwater with structures called Detainment Bunds, says John.

After a storm a partly-full Detainment Bund at Mogg’s Farm.

“It appears the initial effort and expense is about to be well justified with some exciting outcomes now coming out of the four-year long project.”

In Rotorua, phosphorus loss to Lake Rotorua from human land use activity is around 20 tonnes per year – and most of this comes from stormwater runoff.

John says the Detainment Bunds are low-earth mounds built across gently sloping land in valley floors where stormwater flow paths occur during high intensity rainfall events.

These temporarily detain stormwater runoff in a large ponding area for up to three days, allowing time for the ponded water to reduce in volume due to infiltration.

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Maui garners interest in

Some of Maui Milk’s dairy ewes on Lucerne.

Interest in Maui Milk’s offer of multi-year contracts to sheep-milking conversions in the greater Waikato is high – and the phones have rang louder since freshwater policy proposals were announced last month.

The Taupo-based sheep-milk company made the offer early-September after securing a supply deal with global giant in early childhood nutrition, Danone, which is launching a sheep milk toddler formula.

Maui has two farms running 6000 ewes on the western shores of Lake Taupo – with flocks it has bred from imported semen and embryos from Europe.

General manager Peter Gatley says Maui Milk has had contact with Waikato farmers in the last two-three years interested in the concept – to supply free-range, grass-fed dairy sheep milk to its company.

“As expected, the announcement we’re working with Danone has absolutely lifted the level of interest.

Maui Milk general manager Peter Gatley.

“And in the last few weeks there’s been another surge of interest based on changing environmental regulations – this has really motivated farmers to look at their options.”

Conversions

Peter is “flat out” dealing with potential new farm conversions. “Certainly one constraint is the number of sheep available. We’ve known about this for 18 months but couldn’t talk about it until last month.

“But, because we knew, we’ve done a fair bit of breeding and created a number of ewes we’re holding and can make available to farmers to help them hit the ground running next year.”

Maui only needs a small number of conversions initially – within two hours of Hamilton where milk is processed at Innovation Park. “The easiest and most ...continued

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Waikato contracts offer Maui Milk’s dairy ewes being milked in a 64-bail French internal rotary at the Waikino station.

Page 7

Freshwater proposal meetings in October Dairy farmers are encouraged to attend upcoming DairyNZ events and webinars, which will delve into the Government’s Essential Freshwater package.

The Essential Freshwater package is a complex proposal with short timeframes – and DairyNZ is hosting regional events and an online webinar to help dairy farmers understand the package, what it might mean for them and how they can write an effective submission.

These events are also opportunity for DairyNZ to hear farmer feedback and respond to their questions.

DairyNZ strategy and investment leader Dr David Burger says his team is working to understand the implications of the package on the environment, and on dairy farming families and their communities.

“These events are one way for dairy farmers to learn more about the proposal and what it could mean for them. The work underway within DairyNZ to understand water quality and economic implications of the proposed policies will also be outlined.”

To find out more, see: www.dairynz. co.nz/freshwater

continued...

cost-effective conversion is a small dairy farm between maybe 50ha to 80ha.

“Conversion from dairy cattle is low-cost and we’re offering multi-year contracts at a payout equivalent to $3 per litre. We can supply pregnant ewes during winter so a farm can dry off cows in autumn and be milking sheep next spring 2020. We could supply enough ewes to stock five or six farms.”

In comparison with a typical Waikato dairy farm, Peter says sheep-milking shows a better return per hectare, especially on farms 50-80ha. “The system is all grazing, no barns are required, and the lactation is shorter than for cows. And the environmental footprint is similar to sheep and beef farming.”

First wave

With a few farmers progressing rapidly with conversion plans and others interested, Peter says they’re looking for farmers who can tick the boxes Maui Milk require to ensure success, but there’s no guarantee contracts will be available after the first wave.

“The first wave will automatically result in increasing milk volumes over several years because each season they’ll have more ewes, improved genetics, a better age profile and famers will quickly learn how to get the best out of them. Milk production will grow rapidly, say 20 to 30 per cent compounding, for the first several years.

“So it’s not definitely an opportunity for someone to start in 2021, or 2022 – the opportunity is for those who can milk in spring 2020. And it is very doable – small dairy farms already have races, small paddocks, and sheds that are easily converted.”

Chairman Paul McGilvary says the company is also working on complementary products to sell under its own brand. “Whatever form the product takes, we see grass-fed sheep milk as the perfect fit for brand New Zealand.”

Maui Milk’s Waikino Station is hosting an on-farm open day on November 5. To register, see: www. mauimilk.co.nz

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Edgar’s concerns

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The proposal for change to the Healthy Rivers: Plan for Change has attracted more than 1000 submissions, and commissioners expected to hear around 450 oral submissions before hearings finished mid-September.

Beef farmer Edgar Henson, who owns a 207ha property at Glen Murray, is among many individuals and organisations to make submissions on the council’s Plan Change 1, known as PC1.

Edgar, like many other submitters, is supportive of the plan’s objective to improve water quality, but is opposed to key aspects within the plan on the basis that proposed measures will be inefficient, ineffective or difficult to administer.

Key concerns

The need for modified objectives, policies, rules and methods for the management of nitrogen were among Edgar’s key concerns. He opposed the introduction of a nitrogen reference point and the use of Overseer as a means of regulating nitrogen management.

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Edgar and Nona Henson’s Glen Murray farm has been under careful environmental management for many years. suggested a number of fundamental changes to the plan to more effectively deliver desired outcomes.

B+LNZ co-funded development of Edgar’s Farm Environment Plan as part of its programme to increase adoption and uptake of FEPs, says B+LNZ’s North Island extension manager Maria Shanks.

“The idea is that farmer leaders complete a Land Environment Plan Level 3 on their property and hold a field day so we can promote the benefits to other farmers. Ultimately, we are supporting farmers to take further actions on-farm to enhance nutrient and erosion management plans, which will have a long-term beneficial impact on water quality in the Waikato and Waipa catchments.” ...continued

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Holistic approach to water management needed continued...

Under Waikato Regional Council’s proposed rule changes, FEPs will become compulsory and Edgar was the first to present a plan to the commission.

He told commissioners: “You can’t dump rules on people. It just won’t work. A holistic approach that considers the environment, economics and other issues is best and will deliver good results”.

Edgar advocated for what he considers a more simple, fairer system than that proposed in the plan.

“I suggested the addition of an easy-to-read section within the FEP that includes four critical measures: stocking rate per hectare, cattle per hectare, phosphate kilograms per hectare, and nitrate kilograms per hectare.

Simple model

“How each farm’s numbers stack up against the council’s standards would determine whether a property is compliant or non-compliant, and updates to those four numbers would be reported biannually. Council would also take a random sample of properties and get them assessed independently to validate results. “Keeping the model simple is very important,” says Edgar.

The 207ha Kaike Farm property he owns with wife Nona has been under careful environmental management for many years.

Edgar did the groundwork for the FEP himself before turning over development to specialist Leanna Birch.

Edgar has been measuring water quality on his property for three years, taking phosphate and nitrogen measurements at the boundary as the Taringapeka Stream enters the property; and again at the stream exit point, which is just good practice he reckons.

Around two-thirds of the property is steep and classified with a Land Use Capability of 5 or 6 and the rest of the property is flat, productive pastoral land. The farm also includes 25ha of bush subject to three QEII covenants.

calcium and magnesium. Fertiliser applications are then tailored to bring the soil back into balance,” says Leanna.

“When the soil biology is right, the plant – whatever it is – will acquire all the necessary nutrients in the proper amounts,” says Leanna.

“What’s good about Edgar’s FEP is that it doesn’t just cover the basics. It goes beyond what is mandatory and provides environmental tools and

Josephine Reader

Around two-thirds of the 207ha Kaike Farm property is steep and classified with a Land Use Capability of 5 or 6. The rest is flat, productive pastoral land.

The pastoral land – about one-third of the property – is used for hay and grazing, and LUC 5-6 land is very lightly stocked, says Leanna.

Land care group

Planting poplars has been underway for a long time and works to protect the steepest parts of the property from erosion, says Leanna.

About 24 local landowners, including Edgar, formed the Upper Maire Land Care Society to collectively manage the land along the Upper Maire Valley that runs through their properties. The society provides a framework for making grant applications and working collectively to improve environmental outcomes for that land.

Soil testing is an important part of the Kaike Farm management plan, and influences the annual fertiliser application on the hill country parts of the property. “Edgar uses the Kinsey-Albrecht system, which identifies parameters for potassium, sodium,

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Kaike Farm includes 25ha of native bush subject to three QEII covenants.

solutions that will make a difference not only to the environment, but also to business outcomes – and that’s how it should be,” says Leanna.

Waikato Regional Council has until April 30, 2020, to make a plan change decision. According to WRC, its PC1 work schedule will continue despite the Government’s newly-announced freshwater proposals – due to them only being proposals at this stage.

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 11

The way we dairy will have to change Climate scientist James Renwick doesn’t believe Earth has a future without humans but he does lie awake at night worrying about how, if we don’t address the problems, perhaps 80 per cent of the world’s population will die within a century.

3. Joining him are business journalist Rod Oram, Green MP Chloe Swarbrick, Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s general manager of strategy and science Namouta Poutasi, and environmental campaigner Rachel Stewart.

“I don’t think I need to be saying anymore about what dairying needs to do,” says Rachel, who writes a weekly opinion column for NZ newspapers. “The way things are working out, change will be forced on them.

“It will take a lot to kill off humanity,” says James. “But if you’re one of the 20 per cent who survive it will be in a significantly changed world with a harsher climate, higher Synthetic milk sea levels and many fewer food “Dairy farmers love the free and water resources. market, and I get that, but “We absolutely can still save they’re going into a future they Climate scientist ourselves – human action is driving can’t control.

Synthetic milk will James Renwick. the problem. If we stop everything be a boon for millions of lactosethat we’re doing wrong now, we’d intolerant Chinese.

Why would we be okay in 10 years. We need to do damage to the countryside when we can make take responsibility and do something, including milk in a lab?” reducing consumption.”

Although some farmers have cut stock Dr Renwick, who lectures at Victoria numbers and fertiliser application University and won the 2018 Prime in tune with what the land is Minister’s Award for Science telling them, more need to Communication, notes that half do the same thing, says the of New Zealand’s methane and former Federated Farmers nitrous oxide emissions come Whanganui president. from agriculture.

“This isn’t news to “It wouldn’t surprise me if farmers.

The east is dry and we move away from intensive the west is wet, so you farm dairying, especially – it’s only to those conditions. This is in the last 25 or 30 years that about joining the dots and non-traditional dairy areas, like getting off the ‘boom and Canterbury, have exploded but bust’ cycle of farming that those areas aren’t sustainable.

New Zealanders seem to love so much.”

Plant-based agriculture Environmental campaigner The panellists will share their “Water issues – availability and Rachel Stewart. views at the Getting Louder event quality – are only going to get worse, so my impression is we’ll move towards a more plant-based agriculture. I can picture a New Zealand of the future where the climate is suitable for a wide range of vegetables, legumes, pulses and fruit and where these farms are profitable.

“I think possibly we won’t be exporting to the extent we are now but Australia is close enough and already our biggest trading partner. Moving primary produce to North America, Europe and Asia is going to cost a lot more and possibly won’t happen.”

Dr Renwick will talk about climate change at a Tauranga Arts Festival panel on Sunday, November

at 2.30pm November 3, Carrus Crystal Palace, Durham St, Tauranga.

Tickets are for sale at Baycourt box

office or: taurangafestival.co.nz Tauranga Arts Festival runs from October 24-November 3.

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Buildings include a 3 bedroom home, stock yards, older shearing shed and implement shed. Approx. 35 Ha is mowable, 65 Ha is easy rolling and the balance is med. to steep. Currently run in conjunction with the owners neighbouring Dairy Farm, the land is now surplus to requirements.

An established dairy farming area, Galatea is also a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts with hunting to be had in the nearby Urewera National Park and Local Forests, fishing is also popular on Lake Aniwhenua, the Rangitaiki River and its tributaries. Major centres close to the property are Rotorua 80 Km, and Whakatane 56 Km. There is a general store and primary school in the valley as well as a Farm Source Branch. 137 Hectare, (338.5 acres) approx.

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Page 12

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Now is the time for united action Three groups are often involved in change. Those that talk about it; those that make rules to try and get it to happen; and, in the minority, those that actually do the change.

The time, energy and resources that change require usually fall disproportionately on the minority who

actually do the work.

When it comes to massive, whole-ofcountry change, all three groups must work together. It cannot be left to the minority to shoulder in isolation. The whole country needs to work together.

Responding to climate change and improving freshwater quality are prime examples of whole-of-country change.

These are not rural problems – they are

New Zealand-wide problems – and everyone in the country needs to do a lot more.

New techniques

Urban water pollution is one of the biggest issues that needs to be resolved. While councils have been good at imposing rules on the rural

sector, they now need to take their own medicine – and face up to the fact some of their operations are a major pollution cause.

This pollution affects farming and growing when it is downstream from the urban centre. It’s been easy to blame the rural sector for the dirty water coming from urban New Zealand because it is very visible. But now is the time to stop finger pointing. We must sit down as one and do what is required to improve freshwater quality. We all want to achieve further improvement but to achieve it, we all need to make significant changes.

The other telling factor is that improvement will not happen overnight. For a long time, the rural sector has been working hard to improve water quality. Progress has been steady but it is clear that more needs to be done.

To make significant progress in both the urban and rural sectors we need new techniques and ways of growing our food and living in our cities. It is not as simple as buying an electric car and planting more trees. As a nation, we need to be investing in research to find new ways to improve freshwater quality and mitigate climate change. This research will require significant investment and it will take time to adopt and implement.

Start the journey

The targets and timeframes that will be agreed for the whole of New Zealand – both urban and rural – need to be realistic and start the journey. Unrealistic goals will achieve nothing except frustration and anger – they will not achieve the outcomes we all desire.

At the same time, we need to be able to grow enough fresh, healthy food to feed ourselves and to export, so we can pay for new infrastructure, healthcare and housing, while permitting urban and rural businesses to operate profitably.

Successful, whole-of-country change is not a case of a lot of people talking up the problems and others imposing unworkable rules. It is now time for the talkers and rulemakers to join with the rural sector in facing up to the fundamental challenges. The time for blame, talk and impossible rules is over. Now is the time for united action: let’s together solve the nation’s problems and respond to the challenge of change.

Drystock farmers need to share concerns too

Vinni Bhula +64 22 632 0630 vinni.bhula@bayleys.co.nz MACKYS REAL ESTATE LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REAT ACT 2008

Anthony van Gessel +64 21 754 686 anthony.vangessel@bayleys.co.nz MACKYS REAL ESTATE LTD, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REAT ACT 2008

Those in the sheep and beef sector still have a chance to attend some Beef+Lamb New Zealand Environmental roadshow events this month.

The events take attendees through the Ministry for the Environment’s proposals on freshwater in detail.

Plus, B+LNZ is urging farmers to still attend the Ministry’s public meetings on proposals to raise the sector’s concerns.

The MFE has extended the submission process on its freshwater proposals – to accept submissions until October 31. According to B+LNZ, the proposals will have implications for all farmers, but most of the modelling indicates low emissions farmers – particularly sheep and beef farmers and other low input farming systems who have already cut their emissions – will bear the majority of the burden for at least the next five-10 years.

“This is through a combination of grandparenting provisions that will lock in low emissions farms at current levels of stock or inputs and prevent land use change; the policies fail to recognise significant environmental gains already made by sheep and beef farmer and farms; and will significantly increase compliance costs our farmers won’t be able to afford because they can’t adjust their farming systems due to the grandparenting provisions.”

An MFE consultation meeting is on October 3 in Te Puke at The Orchard, from 5.30pm-8pm, with B+LNZ, Federated Farmers and DairyNZ meeting farmers afterwards.

MFE’s consultation meeting at Te Kuiti is on October 8 at Les Munro Centre from 12.30-2.30pm, with B+LNZ, Federated Farmers and DairyNZ to meet attendees afterwards.

A conference call and webinar is on October 3 for farmers who can’t make meetings. For more information, see: https://beeflambnz.com/

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 13

Symposium: biosecurity affects us all The symposium is free to attend by anyone with an interest in biosecurity.

Registrations are a must and close October 11. The event is at the Tauranga Yacht Club on Tuesday, October 22, from 9.30am-3.30pm. Details at: tmbiosecurity.nz Or email: diane@tmbiosecurity.co.nz Elaine Fisher

Schoolchildren taking part in last year’s week-long launch of the Tauranga Moana Biosecurity Capital.

Photo: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media.

It may seem that biosecurity is only the responsibility of government departments, but a symposium in Tauranga this month aims to show that the arrival of unwanted pests and diseases in our country can be intensely personal.

Among the speakers at the ‘This is Personal’ themed Biosecurity Excellence Symposium on October 22 will be a kiwifruit orchardist affected by vine disease Psa-V and a dairy farmer whose herd was impacted by the Tuberculosis, TB, disease.

“The theme ‘This is personal’ was chosen for the symposium, to highlight how biosecurity affects all of us – reminding us what’s at stake and why we’re working collectively to protect our region from unwanted pests and diseases,” says Diane Berghan of Tauranga Moana Biosecurity Capital, which is hosting the symposium.

The event also marks the first anniversary of the establishment of TMBC, which was launched by Minister for Biosecurity and Primary Industries, Damien O’Connor last October.

TMBC aims to be an exemplar for other regions to emulate, all with the aim of enlisting New Zealand’s 4.7 million citizens into a biosecurity team to keep the country safe from unwanted pests and disease.

Among speakers at the symposium will be a Biosecurity New Zealand spokesperson giving an

update on the Government’s ‘Ko Tatou This Is Us campaign’.

Riki Nelson of Ngati Tewai, who is Department of Conservation lead track ambassador for the region, will outline the work done to protect Kaimai Kauri from the kauri dieback disease.

“Another speaker will be Heather Loughlin of Matau, who had an award-winning garden filled with roses and exotic plants, but decided to transform it into a biodiverse garden to provide a home for beneficial bugs,” says Diane.

School children involved in the TMBC sentinel gardens project, designed to attract unwanted pests, will report on their findings. Te Puna School, which is a TMBC member, has its own biosecurity team and students will talk about how the team operates and what it has found.

An exercise in learning how to identify the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug and an address by Kiwifruit Vine Health CEO Stu Hutching CEO on biosecurity innovations on orchards, are also on the agenda, as is a presentation by The House of Science.

Penny Payne of AgResearch, who led the research project ‘Biosecurity Excellence in Port Communities’ will talk about the surveys and interviews conducted with four key groups – port staff, transitional facility staff, local community surrounding the port and school children – to provide a baseline measurement of biosecurity awareness, perceptions and behaviours and to measure the effectiveness of targeted interventions.

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Page 15

More than effluent

Last year’s expo saw more than 1600 farmers attend.

The NZ Effluent xpo Event, taking place in Hamilton next month, has been rebranded and opened up to include more than just effluent due to feedback f om the farming community.

The event is now called the NZ Effluent Environment Expo – and is on this November 19-20 at Mystery Creek events centre, Hamilton.

Expo organiser Amanda Hodgson says the new strategy is in response to pressure from farmers searching for more answers on managing their total environmental footprint, including effluent management “Management of a farm’s total environment is under the spotlight more than ever, so farmers are asking for wider solutions than just how to manage effluent a ound their dairies or dairy housing systems.

“Effluent management is still the exp ’s primary focus for now, but we can see potential to broaden that out

to offer farmers advice, products and services across the entire farm environment package.

“This is the really just the start of a journey.”

Amanda says the expo is a collaborative approach to developing awareness and outcomes for effluent environment, biosecurity and consumer challenges that farmers face as food producers.

A new brand and logo will capture the expo’s broader focus and appeal to other livestock farming sectors and companies that service them.

“And a new layout, with extra sites, that takes in the entire Event Centre pavilion at Mystery Creek, means there is scope to increase exhibitor numbers to more than 100.”

Amanda says this year’s expo will follow a similar format to the highly successful 2018 event and remain free for farmers to attend, thanks to the generosity of sponsors. Farmers are encouraged to register for this free event, as well as each seminar, at: www.effluentexp . co.nz/farmer-registration

Showcasing innovative products at expo Numedic, which is celebrating the 25th year of business under the ownership of Peter and Cathryn Reid, is keen to showcase their innovative effluent p oducts at the Effluent & nvironment Expo at Mystery Creek on November 19-20.

Numedic has very much grown since 1995, when the only product line was the Numedic Power Drenching System, says Peter.

“Numedic are now designers, manufacturers and suppliers of a wide range of dairy farm machinery including consultancy services, effluent systems, irrigation equipment, hoses and pipelines, water-saving Hydrofan nozzles, electric motor service and supply and power drenching

can achieve depths down to 5mm.

“It still has the short and long boom, which ensures the effluent is evenly spread on the paddock to achieve maximum grass growth.

The irrigator can now be supplied with braid instead of wire rope.

“The main benefits of braid a e no damage if it kinks and it has high visibility in the paddock.”

And Numedic hydrants now includes hydrants for use with 110mm OD effluent pipe. The range includes hydrants with various-sized tailpieces as well as ones with 80 BSP male thread.”

Numedic is a Farm Dairy Effluent ystem Accredited designer.

To get their expert advice regarding a total effluent system or an improvement on your existing system, visit them at Site 18 at the expo – or Numedic’s ADCAM750 LD Travelling Irrigator see their advert on this complete with braid. page for contact details. systems.” Peter says Numedic now has a new shore-mounted selfpriming effluent pump to add to its popular range of NG pumps. “This pump is able to handle solids up to 35mm diameter with a suction lift of up to 8m.”

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EFFLUENT & ENVIRONMENT EXPO

Investing in effluent

Dave Mansfield, aeroa Farm Services owner Warick Buchanan, Jean Mansfield and fa m manager Rod George in front of the 300m3 effluent sto age bladder installed on the Waihi dairy farm.

A serendipitous meeting with a Kiwi dairy farmer in France helped Jean and Dave Mansfield find a sustainable solution fo their Waihi farm effluent “We were in France for our daughter’s wedding, wine tasting at a beautiful chateau when I saw a huge plastic bladder and asked what it was,” says Dave.

“When the farmer said it was for dairy effluent storage, I started asking questions and soon left the wine tasting with him for an inspection tour. That sowed the seeds of an idea for how to sort out our effluent issue.

Best option

The Mansfields, who wn an 86ha (70ha effective) dairy farm near Waihi have invested around $250,000 in a fully compliant effluent system, including $30,000 for a 300,000L storage bladder, supplied by Waikato

“we make farming ezy”

The travelling irrigator can be controlled to spread effluent xactly where it’s required with adjustable settings that can avoid stock drinking troughs.

Effluent and nvironmental, formally known as Hi-Tech Irrigation.

“We looked at open ponds but found they had potential future health and safety issues especially for servicing equipment, and at large storage tanks, but finally decided the bladder system was the best option,” says Jean.

Extensive excavation work for the bladder site, laying of underground pipes and pouring of concrete for the new sump was completed by July, in time for the new season’s first milking on the farm which has been in Dave’s family for more than 100 years.

“The farm is two 100 acre blocks which were ballot farms taken up by Dave’s great uncles after World War I, and have been in the family, as sheep and beef and then dairy farms ever since,” says Jean, who describes the property as “one-third flat, one-thi d rolling and one-third steep”. With careful management, cows can graze on even the steepest paddocks.

“Caring for the land, the water and the wider environment has always been important to the family and we want to ensure it can continue to be farmed for the next 100 years or more.”

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That’s why the couple, both in their 60s, decided to use money from selling Fonterra shares to invest in a futureproofed and environmentally sustainable effluent system. “Selling the shares made this possible. Most farmers can’t make that kind of investment from their milk income alone,” says Jean.

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EFFLUENT & ENVIRONMENT EXPO

Page 17

storage futureproofs Waihi farm continued...

Before the extensive upgrade, effluent was irrigated onto pasture at nearly every milking. “Now I can choose how much, when and where to spread effluent – either directly from the sump when it’s not raining, or to the bladder for storage,” says Rod. “It’s a simple system to operate and only needs attention once-a-week instead of daily. It’s taken a lot of stress out of the farm operation because we can store effluent and irrigate it onto 18ha compared with just 4-5ha under the old system.

And there is no smell from the bladder,” says Rod. While the system was expensive, there should be ongoing savings in potentially reduced fertiliser costs because effluent is sp ead over a wider area and in electricity bills with effluent sto ed in the sump pumped to the bladder using off-peak electricity.

Warick Buchanan and farm manager Rod Warick Buchanan, owner George at the sump designed so stirring and of Paeroa Farm Services pumping gear can be lifted out for servicing. which installed the system, of the pumphouse, which drives the says bladder storage is particularly farm-wide system by sending effluent to suitable for the Mansfield farm, which pasture or the bladder. experiences high annual rainfall. “As Imported from France, with a 20-year the bladder is enclosed, there’s no guarantee, Warick says the bladders are infiltration of rainwate . It also has very robust and constructed of materials one-third more capacity than required designed specifically to handle effluent because Dave and Jean wanted to be While the system is relatively new to sure there was sufficient storage for New Zealand, it has been in use in times when it can’t be spread.”

Europe for some time.

“From the word go, Jean and Dave Sump and stone trap wanted a fully compliant system done Paeroa Precast Concrete installed the once and done properly and they have sump and stone trap adjacent to the more than achieved that goal.” herringbone dairy, which is also the site Elaine Fisher

The site of the 300m3 effluent sto age bladder on the Mansfield fa m was levelled to plus or minus 5mm to ensure the bladder remains level.

Above: Robust enough to walk on - Paeroa Farm Services owner Warick Buchanan demonstrates the toughness of the effluent sto age bladder.

Page 18

EFFLUENT & ENVIRONMENT EXPO

Sir Graham to share life lessons at expo Former All Blacks coach Sir Graham Henry leads a strong lineup of speakers confirmed for the 2019 National Effluent & Environment Expo at Mystery Creek Events Centre on November 19-20.

Expo organiser Amanda Hodgson says farmers can choose to attend any of the educational seminars running throughout both days of the expo.

“We wanted to deliver a combination of

education on effluent management and something for the top few inches too in our speaker slots this year,” says Amanda.

“Making sure farmers are sorted in terms of their own wellbeing and mental health is crucial, so we’re so pleased to have someone of the calibre and experience of Sir Graham on our speaker list.”

Amanda, who recently heard Graham speak at another event, says he’s amazing.

“His role with the All Blacks means he’s well equipped to talk about the value of team and personal wellbeing.

“He’s also very amusing and fun, so it’s a great opportunity for farmers and

‘The Lean Dairy Farm’ is a book to help their staff to come along and enjoy farmers learn how to run more efficient, themselves as well as learning profitable dai y units. something from a master of Amanda says the primary aim of people management.” the expo is to provide farmers with Sir Graham will speak positive, effluent management at 4pm on Tuesday, solutions.

November 19, the first day “But we can see potential to of this year’s expo. broaden that out to offer farmers Also confirmed a e advice, products and services across Manawatu dairy farmer, the entire farm environment package. regular newspaper columnist This is the really just the start of a and author of ‘The Lean Dairy journey,” says Amanda.

Farm’, Jana Hocken; and respected Expo keynote speaker Farmers are encouraged to visit the agribusiness commentator Sir Graham Henry. expo website to register for this free Jacqueline Rowarth. event, as well as each seminar – with spaces filling fast. To register, visit: www.effluentexp .co.nz/ farmer-registration Amanda says this year’s expo will follow a similar format to the highly successful 2018 event and remains free for farmers to attend, thanks to the generosity of sponsors.

Farmers asked to register for seminars

Seminars were so well attended at last year’s expo, that for 2019 organisers are asking for farmers to register for them.

Feedback from 2018’s event has seen the NZ Effluent & nvironment Expo – this year on November 19-20 at Mystery Creek in Hamilton – tweak the way it runs it free seminars.

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Expo organiser Amanda Hodgson says from feedback received on 2018’s seminars, her team has removed a 40-minute session each day, to allow more time for farmers and visitors to wander around and have engaging conversations with exhibitors. “And this year we’ll be taking pre-registrations to each seminar – including the supplier-sponsored sessions – as a lot of them were over-full last year. So we really encourage farmers to register for the seminars they wish to attend – so we can accommodate numbers.”

And for maximum attention and minimum distraction, they’ve moved all seminars into the Annex Room.

“Access to the Annex Room will be between industrial sites 75 and 76. And the Tuesday evening Networking function will also be held in here.

“Our keynote speaker Sir Graham Henry will be in the demonstration area of the pavilion and is free.”

This year’s seminar programme offers a raft of talks. On day one, Tuesday, November 19, the seminar programme begins with Fonterra’s general manager of sustainable dairying, Charlotte Rutherford, talking on ‘Sustainability and the future of Good Management Practice/Farm Environment Plans/Dairying for tomorrow strategy’.

A Challenging Everyday Thinking Session on biosecurity by DairyNZ follows. Soil and agricultural scientist Jacqueline Rowarth’s topic is: ‘NZ farmers are bug farmers – whether the bugs are in the rumen or in the soil, it is feeding them that drives the economy’.

There’s a DairyNZ seminar on ‘water use and efficienc on dairy farms, and the importance of water metering’.

At 4pm Sir Graham Henry will speak and the day finishes with a netwo king function the public can attend for $50 per person.

On day two, November 20, you can catch Charlotte Rutherford’s talk before a Challenging Everyday Thinking Session by social licence consultant Penny Clark-Hall, and another CETS by author of book ‘The Lean Dairy Farm’, Jana Hocken. DairyNZ’s Logan Bowler will talk on ‘The importance of adequately sized effluent storage and an insight into the airy Effluen Storage Calculator. The full seminar programme is at: https://effluentexp .co.nz/ Farmers are encouraged to visit the expo website to register for each seminar – with spaces filling fast

EFFLUENT & ENVIRONMENT EXPO

Page 19

Meet regulations with quality effluent sumps Effluent is a natural pa t of farming, and while not a great conversation-starter it’s an important topic we all need to think about, says Bowers & Son Ltd director Scott Hill.

to farm, as did generations that went before them.

“Also, coinciding with environmental factors, is vast benefits of irrigating effluent for utilisation of nutrient and water.”

Te Awamutu-based Bowers & Son Ltd manufacture precast concrete effluent sumps “Our world as farmers is forever designed with anti-flotation footing changing, whether we welcome to help prevent tanks rising out of change or not. There’s a continuous the ground. need for compliance and fitting in “Tanks are designed with farmers in with rules and regulations set out by mind, using Duracrete’s innovative regional councils. technologies. We also manufacture “To become compliant, or to precast stone traps to make effluent ensure we remain compliant, storage as easy as possible,” says effluent storage facilities a e now Scott. compulsory.”

“If you have unique capacity Scott says a well-designed effluent requirements, we manufacture storage system holds numerous specially-designed precast effluent benefits. “ irst and foremost, is panels for construction of effluent Bowers & Son Ltd’s tanks are compliance – a storage system designed with farmers in mind, ponds. These can contain thousands implementation means peace of into millions of litres, depending on using Duracrete’s innovative mind and reduced risk of noncapacity needs. technologies. compliance.

“Benefits of a p ecast concrete “Secondly, is environmental protection. Although some storage system include less costs in excavation works, may eye roll, it’s important to preserve our country’s they can generally be installed year-round, are long essence and ensure our great-grandchildren are still able lasting and durable.”

Learn how to dairy farm using the Lean method If you want a more efficient profitable and mo e robust dairy farm, then you may want to register to listen to one speaker in particular at 2019’s National Effluent Environment Expo at Mystery Creek Events Centre on November 19-20.

Jana Hocken, author of ‘The Lean Dairy Farm’, will be running one of the Challenging Everyday Thinking sessions in the seminar line-up on Wednesday, November 20. Her session starts 12.30pm.

Jana is a Lean consultant with

more than 17 years’ experience working for Toyota in Australia and further abroad and in Lean consulting.

Since 2013 she’s also been involved in supporting her husband Mat’s 1000-head dairy farm in the Manawatu, introducing Lean thinking to the business.

In 2017 she developed and rolled out the successful LeanFarm training programme across New Zealand.

Now LeanFarm workshops have been run with more than 200 dairy farmers and more than 200

sheep and beef farmers across New Zealand and Australia.

In her book, Jana Hocken explains why this approach is essential to every dairy farm. And using her own family’s farm as a case study, she introduces practical tools that every farmer can apply, and shows you how to create a farm culture that supports Lean thinking.

Farmers are encouraged to visit the expo website to register for the free seminars – with spaces filling fast To register, visit: www.effluentexp . co.nz/farmer-registration

Visit our website for more on how the

Page 20

MAIZE, CROPPING & SPRING PLANTING

How to plant and manage maize crops With most farmers selecting their maize hybrid of choice and their cropping paddocks by now, it’s time to offer advice around best management of the crop, says VPMaxx account manager Barry Smallridge.

“Growing maize can be made easy, providing correct timing of planting, accurate amounts of spray, fertiliser and plant numbers are all calculated before

starting.”

Barry says when calculating populations, growers should take into account both soil type and environment. “Hybrid choice should be based on selecting your preferred maturity date with a view to establish new autumn pastures in a timely fashion once the maize is harvested. At VPMaxx, we have some choice hybrids!”

Planting should only commence once soil temperature has reached 12 degrees Celsius.

Germination can be sped up by as much as 10 days if ground temperatures reach 20 degrees Celsius, says Barry – and under

normal conditions, seed planted at 5cm depth is about spot on.

“A conscientious and committed contractor will ensure the seed bed is fine and firm, c eating an excellent contact zone between seed and soil.

“This ensures maize roots can penetrate the soil profile and seek out nutrients, so it pays to check your seed is being planted at an accurate and consistent depth.”

Barry says to always use seed treated with both fungicide and insecticide. “In situations where bird pressure exists, consider planting outside rows with seed

s n o i t a r e Gen mpeccable i of

VPMaxx account manager Barry Smallridge can help farmers and growers with their maize requirements.

. g n i d ee r b

treated with bird repellent.

“Use starter fertiliser to complement both soil test results and base fertiliser application. The highest demand for N is between 50 and 70 days after planting, so delayed application of N could also be beneficial.

And arrange timely application of pre-emergent herbicide. “These sprays usually give control of weeds, however the need to scout the crop at around 20 days after planting to check success of weed control, germination and insect damage is a must.

“Seek assistance from your seed merchant representative or VPMaxx account manager should you have any concerns around unidentifiable eeds or crop uniformity.”

Barry’s last piece of advice? Never cease to be vigilant. “Prior to this point in the growing process, insect and cut worm would have been identified.

Army worm could remain a threat as new adult moths emerge and lay eggs in spring and can typically produce three generations per year.

“Chemical control is not always required as parasitic wasps can keep numbers in check but be prepared to zap some bugs if the wasps are not doing their job.”

For queries or to chat about planting VPMaxx this season, give Barry or Joe a call.

. e o J d An

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Joe Heng

Barry Smallridge

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

Bay of Plenty, East Waikato, Manawatu, East Coast and South Island bsmallridge@nzsh.co.nz, 027 801 9992

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MAIZE, CROPPING & SPRING PLANTING

Page 21

Funny weather and big challenges ahead want to be seen as part of the solution, not the cause.

Many have created wetlands, fenced off waterways and are watching water quantities irrigated and managing fertiliser applications. They want to comply and work to benefit the envi onment, but if the bar is pushed too high it could be detrimental to the industry as it will stifle the incenti e to act. We just have to keep focused and work together to achieve a clean and green environment, which is what we market and sell our produce on.

We’re all ready for a great season and have bulk and baled grass silage available, and hay and straw. We’re taking orders now for next year’s maize silage and advise you to get in early to ensure you don’t miss out!

Most maize silage is grown to order due to high costs to establish it and the risk of not selling it.

It’s been funny old weather lately. It started off windy and showery, we had a break so we got a bit of silage off and now it’s windy and raining again.

Maybe it’s the start of the equinox winds, as they’re forecast to come early and last longer. I’m told farmers are welcoming the rain – they could do with a drop or two. Meanwhile, daytime temperatures are good, soil temperatures still aren’t great. We’re tracking between 11.5-13.5 degrees Celsius. You normally plant maize when the soil temperature reaches 14 degrees Celsius upwards. By September 25 we’ve usually started but we haven’t planted any yet.

There are changes are coming thick and fast for the dairy industry with recent government announcements and things will be challenging going forward.

It seems like the banks are certainly putting a lot of pressure on farmers as most of their debt is in the rural sector. The interest rates being so low and talk of zero or sliding interest rates may be fueling this. They are probably trying to claw back some cash and are reminding farmers not to commit to things this early and to keep costs down and repay debt. This doesn’t help maize growers plan how much or how little they plant, leading to possible shortages if weather turns dry.

But, if you want to borrow money to buy a kiwifruit orchard, you can certainly do that!

Cheap feed warning

Some farmers are trying cheaper feed alternatives.

I signal this because there are different feeds. In my opinion, preference should be for high starch feed, like maize silage, that’s good for milking cows on, fully feed them in spring prior to mating and put condition on the cow’s back in autumn so they extend lactation.

They say the condition of cows at dry-off is normally the condition they calve in; and if cows don’t calve in good condition you’re in trouble. They may not cycle as well and the following year you may pay with low conception rates, an extended calving period and reduced production. So saving a dollar today might cost you $2 tomorrow.

Also, the guys growing high quality feeds and not getting interest may back off their supply – then when the farmer needs it, it won’t be there. I’ve heard of people who’ve been winter cropping that are not

a iN &

intending to do it again next season, with the issues highlighted around the practice of intensive winter grazing down south this year. It’s that high yield of crop and high concentrations of cows on a small area causing issues – and they don’t want association to that. They’re not only concerned about erosion but also nutrient leaching.

Late autumn-winter is the danger of high nitrate leaching, called the piddle patch. I’m told the equivalent of up to 1000kg of nitrogen/ha can be reached in one cow piddle.

At other times of year the ground is dry enough and plants can uptake most nitrogen, and it won’t leach too quickly. But during late-autumn and winter plants don’t take it up so well. The solution may lie in cow homes or emulsion pads, with effluent sp ead out later.

This infrastructure is expensive but it’s good for the environment so it’s a rock and hard place situation.

Farmers need to be able to make money because so many related industries and workers rely on them, but we don’t want to be ruining the planet.

Greta Thunburg

Swedish schoolgirl, Greta Thunburg, who started the now-worldwide student climate strike, will certainly make people start to think about environmental issues. Greta figu es her generation have a lot to lose, and that’s clearly struck a chord worldwide given the reaction to her stance.

The freshwater management policies will be weighing heavily on farmers’ minds. I want to mention farmers

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Page 22

MAIZE, CROPPING & SPRING PLANTING

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The HME ryegrass field trial ha vest in the US in July.

While the results have been encouraging, Greg is issuing a note of caution. “This is complex long-term research and we’re working on a species with challenging genetics.

“It takes several years to breed the HME trait into elite ryegrass varieties currently used by farmers, and very He’s recently visited the United States importantly, to test performance every where the Crown Research Institute is step of the way. conducting field trials of the genetically “It’s important to stress that the modified igh Metabolisable Energy forecast environmental benefits ryegrass. associated with the grass need to be Kiwi forage scientists have been supported by rigorous research. conducting experiments to find “We have a good understanding out whether this new potentially of the potential benefits of the grass environmentally sustainable grass – because of our institutional expertise in one that strikes a balance between animal nutrition, from animal nutrition reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, models, and from the biochemical greater tolerance to drought and farm analysis of the grasses in in-vitro (test productivity – will perform in the field tube) studies.” in a similar way to how it performs in Greg says eventually they’ll need to controlled environment studies. seek regulatory approval for HME “Our ryegrass research has generated ryegrass to be grown here in NZ for high levels of public and scientific livestock grazing trials. “We need interest here in NZ and overseas and to test in NZ conditions using NZ now is a good time to provide an animals to ultimately confirm or update on the progress we’re making. refute the potential environmental and The HME ryegrass has performed well productivity benefits of HME yegrass.” in controlled growing conditions,” says Greg, who saw the plants in the US field World-leading science trials in competition with one-another, just as they would in pasture. “And the DairyNZ is investing farmers’ levies plants are doing well.” alongside AgResearch to support the US trials. DairyNZ’s Dr Bruce Thorrold Best novel traits says dairy farmers are looking for new “We’re breeding the best novel traits ways to reduce their environmental into ryegrass cultivars that will best suit footprint and improve productivity.

NZ growing conditions and we’re also “The science done by AgResearch to introducing genes into plants that have develop these plants is world-leading, simpler genetic patterns that will make and we’re investing to see how these future breeding programmes easier. plants perform in the field and test “The ultimate goal of the US phase of research is to conduct realistic rather than their potential value for our farmers.

While there is a long way to go, we’re simulated animal nutrition studies so encouraged by the results to date.” we can evaluate whether the grass might Federated Farmers say the trials’ have the potential environmental benefits progress serves as a hurry up for NZ to such as reduced methane emissions and begin a mature national conversation reduced nitrogen excretion, that our modelling suggests it will.” about genetic modification

AgResearch’s development of a new generation grass is making steady progress, according to the organisation’s principal scientist Dr Greg Bryan.

MAIZE, CROPPING & SPRING PLANTING

Page 23

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FERTILISER

Page 24

Robin Boom

CPAg MBSPC

Independent Agronomy & Soil Fertility Consultant

Zero carbon: Pipe dream or reality?

Hitler once stated: ‘It is not truth that matters, but victory. Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it’.

Unfortunately the media-driven climate change propaganda machine has followed Hitler’s rule, and only allowed one voice to be heard in the public square and well-informed voices of dissent are silenced, ignored or shouted down.

The recently-proposed Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment bill attracted more than 10,000 submissions and the Parliamentary Select Committee has listened to more than 1000 individuals or groups who wanted to make an oral presentation.

I spent more than a week in July preparing an 8000-word written submission in which I went through some of the science and facts on what was the best way forward for New Zealand to meet its commitments to the Paris Accord obligations

regarding greenhouse gases and global warming.

Those who wanted to make an oral presentation were given fi e minutes to do so before the select committee.

My fi e-minute slot was at the end of the day, and of the four politicians who were on the committee, two had already fl wn back to Wellington, and the two remaining had a glazed-eye look about them as they’d probably listened to dozens of people venting their opinions from those totally for it and those totally against it like myself.

I asked the remaining Parliamentary Select Committee members if they had read my submission and they informed me they hadn’t; and in my fi e minutes I could only make a couple of points, so concluded the whole process was farcical.

Methane

Methane from livestock is blamed for nearly half our greenhouse gases, yet our 10 million cattle only make up one per cent of cattle numbers worldwide. And for countries such as India where cattle numbers total 300 million, because it is a developing country, their methane emission is unlikely to be taxed.

The average daily milk yield of Indian cows is 7L, well under half what our cows produce, yet they both have the same maintenance feed requirements with similar amounts of methane produced for maintenance purposes, so the milk and meat our cows produce is a lot more efficient as far as g eenhouse gas emissions go.

Nitrogen fertiliser

Neither Indian cows, nor the much greater quantity of methane produced from rice production in India, is likely to ever be considered in any carbon trading scheme.

The average Waikato dairy farm absorbs between 12000-14000kg of CO2 annually in grass growth and hill country farms absorb around 8000kg annually, which needs to be considered in any accounting programme. Unlike carbon from fossil fuels and nitrous oxide production, enteric methane does not introduce new carbon into the atmosphere, since it has been recycled.

Nitrous oxide

What I do agree with including in an Emissions Trading Scheme is nitrous oxide emissions. Since 1990 NZ nitrous oxide emissions have increased 27 per cent, largely as a result of a 600 per cent increase in usage of nitrogen fertiliser.

Taxing nitrogen fertiliser does make sense, as it is a voluntary action farmers take – and in many situations an unnecessary crutch too many farmers have become reliant on, rather than fixing other aspects of their soil fertility, which if they got right in the first place would gi e a much better financial eturn, and wouldn’t harm the environment in the process.

Outcome

The outcome of this bill – if implemented as proposed – is likely to have severe ramifications for future land use and rural communities and for NZ Inc as a whole. Productive fertile land is likely to be earmarked for carbon farming, being planted in trees that will just be left to take out carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, reach their peak and die off. The impending idiocy of this scheme – if implemented – is short-sighted and counter-productive for future generations of Kiwis.

Robin Boom, CAg, member of the Institute of Professional Soil Scientists. Phone 027 444 8764.

FERTILISER

Page 25

How to offer horses healthy grazing growth and photosynthesis.

“This is why horse owners need to keep in mind the importance of

Supplying a readily available source of calcium and magnesium should be part of an annual routine on horse paddocks.

‘active’ leaf area when rotating pastures and to maintain higher than usual post grazing covers.”

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It’s a common sight, sometimes unavoidable, to see horse paddocks grazed continuously low, says Sarah Morgan from CP Lime Solutions.

“Eating off what is called a ‘dirty plate’ peppered with dung and pickled with urine can make for an unpalatable dish!”

And this combination leads to what is often referred to as ‘sour’ soil, and henceforth ‘sour’ pasture.

“A mature horse can produce approximately 20kg of dung and urine per day. Multiply that by 365 days and you have 7.3T of nutrient-rich fertiliser hitting your paddocks every year,” says Sarah.

Horse manure is an excellent source of nitrogen and potassium, among other nutrients – however these are the most abundant.

“Horse manure is about half as rich as chicken manure, but is richer in nitrogen than cow manure and it is for this reason that it is considered a ‘hot’

manure because the high nitrogen component can damage or ‘burn’ plant roots.”

When high concentrations of nitrogen are applied to the soil, what isn’t used up on a growing plant is leached away, taking with it key balancing or ‘basic’ nutrients like calcium and magnesium, says Sarah.

“These two nutrients are vital to maintaining an optimum pH.” Supplying a readily available source of calcium and magnesium should be part of an annual routine on horse paddocks, says Sarah.

“We have made Equi-lise specifically to balance intensive horse grazing situations and it’s easy to apply.

“About 2ha will only require 500kg of Equi-lise.

It is not only the high nitrogen returns in dung and urine that create a sour soil, but the excess potassium affects the vital balance of magnesium uptake by pasture.

“Magnesium is a key nutrient for chlorophyll production in plants and is necessary for efficient

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Page 26

There is absolutely a better way Thirty years ago, a colleague said to me: “It doesn’t matter if you believe in manmade climate change or not; there is always a better way to do things resulting in improved results”.

For me that was a turning point.

There is absolutely a better way.

What has changed during 30 years? Very little. The Government, local councils, Federated Farmers, DairyNZ, fertiliser co-ops and others have not grasped the nettle.

Or if they have, it’s been the nonstinging type.

The banks were very antialternative/sustainable/ regenerative thinking, and farmers had to tell lies in their budgets to add magnesium and to omit phosphorus or nitrogen when that was appropriate. How stupid can it get to apply what the bank dictates rather that what your

property needs? That is a classic case of the system feeding off itself. Now those banks recognise the farmers on a more natural pathway are financially better off. They are building Organic Matter, not destroying it. When N is applied without carbon, the microbes rapidly increase their numbers. Since they consist of a 5:1 C:N ratio, they balance their carbon by taking it out of the soil.

Our OM is decreasing and ends up in the atmosphere as CO2. In addition, lower OM does not infiltrate water at a higher rate but causes faster runoff and water loss.

Measures

Some of the measures being proposed now are beyond the tipping point. For example, fencing sheep out of streams.

Would it not be better to measure nitrates and phosphates at the origins of waterways, then at each boundary they cross, to ascertain whether the N or P is improving or not? Those that increase pollution pay the price. Those that decrease pollution get rewarded.

Of course, we need strict standards to work to. One bonus can be reward in the supply chain, versus commodity status.

Unfortunately, Federated Farmers is not helping farmers cope with change. We at Kiwi Fertiliser do just

that. Many farmers believe they cannot farm without nitrogen, because the people they buy it from, and their consultants keep telling them they need it. It couldn’t be further from the truth.

If you want to, you can grow better quality forage and more of it; eliminate diseases, pests and parasites; drastically lower veterinary expenses, cut leaching/emissions and produce superior meat or produce without buying nitrogen. The solution and results are not solely due to fertiliser or other off-farm inputs.

Management is huge. Biodiversity is paramount.

Abundance of species

Ryegrass and white clover won’t cut it. That’s what is leftover after almost everything has been preferentially eaten out. That makes those plants convenient, not necessarily the best.

The best option is an abundance of species. The plant species need to include grasses, cereals, chenopods, brassicas and legumes. As far as biology is concerned, 1 + 1 = >2. It may be 5, 6 or 7. Having properly balanced minerals in the soil invokes the law of synergy and leaves antagonism for dead. All things need to be in balance to work in harmony. Let Kiwi Fertiliser show you how.

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Learnings of beet’s needs As a three-year Ministry for Primary Industries’ Sustainable Farming Fund project to identify agronomic solutions for fodder beet came to an end in August, project leader John de Ruiter delivered a seminar covering the key messages resulting from the trial.

John says the project was supported by Foundation for Arable Research, several key seed and fertiliser companies both financially and with fiel technical assistance – and Plant and Food Research administered the trial with him at the helm.

“We’ve come away from this with extensive data on nutrient requirements

Project leader John de Ruiter.

differing soil types. Detailed field wo k compared regional differences in crop productivity under varying rates and timing of N and K fertiliser, and effect of disease and weeds on production levels.

“Fodder beet is an excellent feed but needs to be managed well to achieve the best outcome from production and environmental perspectives,” says John.

In the final ear, demonstration blocks of fodder beet managed by farmers in Waikato, Whanganui, Mid-Canterbury and Southland were compared with Good Management Practices derived from trial work in previous seasons. The comparisons showed farmers were achieving good results with similar yields and profit margins to the GMP t eatments.

John says the following key messages emerged from the three years of trials.

Firstly, there is no yield response above 100kg/ha of total N applied in fertiliser. Soil N tests prior to cultivation can be used to refine N inputs Timing of N application is important – 50 per cent at sowing and 50 per cent before canopy closure.

And, there is no effect of potassium fertiliser on crop yield, so limit the application of K to less than 100kg K/ ha, especially if the crop is grazed. Less K can be applied if a soil test shows Quick test K values < 5, and none if QTK >5 levels.

Better understanding

In trials, boron rate and timing of application had no effect on yield or incidence of B deficiency symptoms And, farmers need to maintain a healthy canopy through monitoring and control of foliar diseases to maximise yield. Plus, prevent carry-over of disease by not sowing successive crops of fodder beet. “Future work needs to address significant issues wit crop health appearing in Healthy fodder fodder beet crop,” says beet plant.

John.

“Our aim of increasing yield was hindered by the disease problems in most crops. However, we have a better understanding of the crop requirements for fertiliser and the practices required from numerous trial sites research, and a sound Good for sustainable Practice Guide for growing fodder beet,” says John. management.”

“The focus was on fertiliser management, in The findings of particular nitrogen, potassium and boron, and their the research, and effect on yield and profitabilit . the Good Practice Guide, with nutrient Yields recommendations for “Potential yields of 35 tonnes DM per hectare were fodder beet can be possible in perfect growing conditions and with high viewed on the DairyNZ crop health. However, yield in the range of 20-32t info@slidingroofs.co.nz website: www.dairynz.

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COUNTRY LIVING

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Be heard, so you can be helped Wearing your lifejacket helps to prevent you from drowning, but if you can’t call for help then no-one can rescue you, says Waikato Regional Council’s team leader of maritime services Richard Barnett.

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“Waterproof communication tools are one of the most essential things to take boating to increase your chances of survival when faced with an on-water incident.

“If you can attach your communication tools to your lifejacket, so they’re worn at all times, that’s even better!”

Richard says now – as people begin to enjoy being in and on the water this spring and summer – is the ideal time to learn what type of communications are best suited for coastal or inland waterways.

“And also to ensure you are carrying at least two suitable forms while you’re out boating this summer.”

Here’s a rundown of communication tools available.

Marine VHF radio

A waterproof VHF radio is the most reliable way to call for help

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Cellphone in a dry bag

when out in coastal waters, but only if you know how to use it.

“The biggest advantage is everyone tuned to channel 16 can hear your call for help, especially Coastguard and Maritime Radio,” says Richard.

“However, VHF may not always be suitable for inland rivers and lakes because of limited radio coverage.”

Any person operating a maritime VHF radio must hold, as a minimum requirement, a Maritime VHF Radio Operator Certificate, unless transmitting in an emergency or a distress situation on channel 16. Certification is a ailable through Coastguard Boating Education. See: boatingeducation. org.nz or call 0800 40 80 90 for more information.

Cellphones are rarely designed to be waterproof, so keep yours in a sealed waterproof bag that you can still use if you are in the water.

“Remember, not all locations have cellphone coverage, particularly remote lakes and rivers, so make sure to take another form of communication that will work.”

Distress beacons

EPIRBs and PLBs are the most effective way of letting people know that you need urgent help in any location, says Richard.

“You are required to register your beacon with Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand and ensure your details are up-to-date. It’s also important to regularly check its battery life.”

Flares

Always carry torches or fla es.

They are essential if you want rescuers to locate you, particularly at night or in poor visibility. “So please get your communication tools sorted – and enjoy safe boating this season!”

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Are you always looking for a wholesome-yet-delicious snack on the run? Well, two new snack ball products, ‘The good bite’ and ‘Yumba’, being launched nationwide may be just what you’ve been looking for. And – they come in packaging you can put in your home compost.

‘Yumba’ is a range of proteinfilled energy balls in two fl ours: Peanut Butter & Jelly; and Chocolate and Hazelnut. ‘The Good Bite’ is plant-based energy snack made with nutritious hemp seed, and comes in two fla ours.

Hemp & Choc peanut; and Hemp and Raspberry.

Director Jeremy Dixon says Revive Café’s ambition is to offer a snack ball that’s healthy, tasty and does no harm to man or the planet. “With more than 10 per cent protein, omega-3 and whole food ingredients, we take healthy snacking to a new level.”

Coming home from a health retreat, with wife Verity, back in 2003 is when the idea came to Jeremy to open a café offering healthy food.

Eventually he took the dive, buying an existing Auckland café.

After 12 months of getting the formula right, he had queues out the door most lunchtimes.

Now he’s launching ‘The Good Bite’ and ‘Yumba’. “The majority of the bag is derived from wood pulp and GM-free corn sources that will break down when disposed of in a composting environment containing heat, water, oxygen, soil and microorganisms. That means you can put in your home compost!”

Thanks to Revive Café, Coast & Country News has four snack packs to give away.

To be in to win, email your

answer to the following question, with your name and address with ‘Snack Pack Giveaway’ to: merle@ sunmedia.co.nz Question: What snack ball product contains hemp seed?

Or put your answer on an envelope and post to Coast & Country News, PO Box 240, Tauranga 3140 to arrive by October 20. Winners will be printed in our December edition.

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COUNTRY LIVING

Stand-on covers more ground in less time

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In the last year the Stand-on ride-on mower has become more readily available, says Andrew Peacocke of ZTR Mowers, which imports the Grasshopper ride-on mower brand into New Zealand.

“These machines have a Zero Turning Radius, like your normal lever steer mower, but the operator stands up on the back rather sitting in a seat.”

The concept was invented back in the mid-1990s by Wright Manufacturing in Maryland, US. “The idea was born from the pursuit of productivity improvements for lawnmowing professionals. “Since then Stand-on mowers have gone from strength-tostrength to become the fastest-growing ride-on mower segment in the US with annual growth of 25 per cent,” says Andrew.

“In the US, Stand-on mowers are predominantly a machine for lawnmowing contractors but they offer many benefits that suit large lawn and ural block owners in New Zealand.

“Improved safety on slopes is an important one, due to the wide range of steeper mowing conditions we have here.

“On a stand-on mower you can easily move your weight to suit the terrain, improving traction and control. If you get into trouble you can quickly bailout by simply stepping off the mower.”

Stand-on mowers offer improved safety on slopes – so are ideal for use on NZ’s wide range of steeper mowing conditions.

Due to the shorter footprint and improved visibility of a standing position they’re also better for mowing tight spaces.

“This superior manoeuvrability allows you to cover more ground in less time on a stand-on mower. “And those mowing for extended periods, standing can be a more natural and comfortable position.”

If you have a lawn with tight areas to mow or you’ve had too many near-misses on a gnarly slope, consider a Stand-on mower. Wright Stand-on mowers range from 32” to 72” cut. Contact ZTR Mowers by viewing their advert on this page.

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Nutritional medicine strategies to heal muscle pain Muscle pain can have many causes. It can be anything from injury, genetics, medication side effects and a number of diseases. The most common causes of muscle pain I help with are cramp, restless leg syndrome, Polymyalgia Rheumatica, Fibromyalgia and side effects of cholesterol-lowering medication.

There are a number of effective nutritional medicine strategies we can use to help with muscle function. Our goal is to help relax stressed muscle fib es and improve muscle oxygenation through improved circulation. This is important at night for conditions like cramp and restless legs.

Muscle stiffness and pain can be a side effect of statin cholesterol-lowering drugs. Statins slow the rate of the enzyme responsible for cholesterol production. However, this same enzyme is responsible for producing Co Enzyme Q10. A high quality Co enzyme Q10 like the US-patented CoQsol can really help. Some diseases cause muscle pain. Two more common problems are the inflammato y condition PMR and FM, a non-inflammato y muscle problem.

With PMR we target over-production of inflammato y

immune system chemicals cytokines and prostaglandins and help restore immune function. With FM we focus on adding compounds like magnesium and methylsulfonylmethane, more commonly known as MSM or sulphur, to relax and oxygenate muscles.

Once we know the cause of the pain my role is to identify the healing processes damaged or affected by the problem.

For example, cramp and restless leg syndrome can be an indication of mineral deficiencies or poor peripheral ci culation.

As an example, people with cramp generally respond very well to magnesium therapy. The best magnesium supplements use expensive but better absorbed amino acid chelated forms. While magnesium can be very effective, some people need to be careful with magnesium therapy – especially those with digestive issues or on some medications. For more information, give me a call or email: john@abundant.co.nz You can read my all new newsletters at: www.abundant.co.nz John Arts is a qualified nutritional medicine p actitioner and founder of Abundant Health. Contact John on 0800 423 559. To read more, go to: www.sunlive.co.nz

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COUNTRY LIVING

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Embark on a truly NZ adventure NZ Adventures most popular 4x4 multi-day tours – the only two they run more than once during summer– are the High Country Heritage and West Coast Explorer tours.

Robbie and Connie Crickett, who operate back country tours throughout the South Island, say these tours are “total contrasts to each other”.

The High Country Heritage tour is

a six or seven-day adventure, while the West Coast Explorer is fi e days.

Starting in Blenheim the High Country Heritage tour travels through iconic Molesworth Station and into Hanmer Springs where it overnights.

Subsequent nights are in Methven, Fairlie, Omarama, Cromwell with the last night at Cardrona.

“Highlights are the upper Rakaia River valley, Orari Gorge and the huge stations of the Mackenzie Basin and Lake Benmore.

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“Further south of the Oteake Conservation Park, quaint St. Bathans and the Vulcan Hotel and the Dunstan and Pisa Ranges will not disappoint. It’s a wonderful trip down the spine of the island,” says Connie.

“But nowhere is the east-west contrast more noticeable than on the first day of the West Coast Explorer, when the tawny brown tussocks

Adventuring on the High Country Heritage tour takes you to incredible places.

of North Canterbury, St. James Station and Western Molesworth are left behind as the trip plunges into verdant beech forests.”

Tour highlights include the tracks on St. James, Lake Tennyson and the highest road pass in New Zealand. Overnights on the coast include two nights in Murchison, a night in Westport, Reefton, ending in Greymouth.

“Day two takes in a bushclad river valley east of Murchison, which is always an adventure.” Another highlight is visiting the Denniston Plateau and the history and presence of coal in this historic-butoften-inhospitable place. “But for most, the absolute highlight comes on the last day in the forests and farmland inland of Ohaura.”

For an information pack, phone, email or visit the NZ Adventures website.

Rural town’s fun run for college People, young and old, are encouraged to take part in a Morrinsville tradition this month that aims to support the local college.

Last year’s competitors - some in wacky outfits The 18th annual Morrinsville College Fun Run/ Walk is on Sunday, October 20, offering a 5km and 10km run or walk. Participants get the chance to dress up and run around the streets of the township to support the college.

“Morrinsville is a rural community with about 6500 people, and Morrinsville College is at the forefront of education for its younger citizens,” says organiser Sue Brownlie.

She says the event is put together by the Morrinsville College Parent-Teacher Association, with assistance from sponsors and raises funds for various school activities.

“As a community, we want to support the school as much as we can and the fun run enables the parents of the school to raise funds.”

The event starts and ends at Morrinsville College Sports Fields on North St, with the 10km option beginning 9.45am, and the 5km at 10am.

Sue says the fun run caters to all ages and abilities and each participant receives a goody bag at the end.

“There are heaps of spot prizes kindly provided by our sponsors.

“And the event is always a fun day with a great atmosphere – so make sure you register now.”

To enter, see the college’s website: www.morrcoll. school.nz or the ‘Morrinsville College Fun Run’ Facebook page.

EQUIDAYS

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combined with the lights, crowds and atmosphere of the NRM & McMillan indoor arena.”

Jump for Cancer began when cancer survivor Lisa Tennekoon decided to combine her two passions – breast cancer fundraising and the sport she loves, showjumping.

The result has been a hugely successful event at the iconic Hagley

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Equidays event manager Ammie Hardie says her team is rapt to be able to support such a great cause by featuring the Jump for Cancer at this year’s Friday Nightshow.

“Ten-15 high profile riders wil compete over various jumps and will be auctioned off with any money paid for the riders going straight to the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ. “The speed class, brought to you

by CryNZ, will provide a thrilling spectacle to watch with the Friday evening entertainment showcasing the exciting sport of showjumping

Park and importantly, raising funds and awareness of breast cancer.

“I wanted to expand the event throughout NZ – Equidays was my first choice as a way to do this The plan going forward will be to align with other major NZ events, and perhaps Australia in future,” says Lisa.

Ammie says aligning Equidays with Jump for Cancer “is one great way the society can give back to deserving charities such as the Breast Cancer Foundation”.

Equidays’ Showjumping Spectacular Nightshow is on October 18, from 6.30pm-9.30pm.

The Jump for Cancer speed class will be followed by the Wade Equine Coaches Grand Prix. Spectators can enjoy the event via general admission or VIP tickets.

To purchase tickets, see: www.equidays.co.nz

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Jump for Cancer will feature in this year’s Equidays Showjumping Spectacular Nightshow on October 18 as a speed class, raising funds and awareness for breast cancer while entertaining the crowd.

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Jumping for cancer

E A L A

Western gear that’s made right here in NZ in New Zealand,” says Terry, and he’s proud of that Having the right gear for the job is important when fact. you’re out and about – and Circle M can help.

Circle M also makes and sells bushman gear, coats, “Circle M was created from a simple philosophy gear for farming and hunting and much more. of ‘make what people need’,” says Circle M’s Terry Terry started “messing around with Marshall. leather” when he was a kid at school.

All Circle M clothing is designed, “Me and my mates had horses and created, tested and manufactured in we always played cowboys. When Otorohanga using only the finest fabrics I left school I went to work on my available, says Terry. parents’ farm and working with cattle, “Our commitment to quality and the ‘cowboy’ developed. This led to design is second-to-none and has following the rodeo circuit for 20 years. established itself as a leader among its “I used to make belts, bags and rodeo competitors in the marketplace.” gear, and this led to making Western Circle M will be displaying their saddles to support my rodeo hobby.”

Western saddlery and horse gear at the This early love of leather-making upcoming Equidays equine event at has continued into Terry’s equestrian Mystery Creek on October 18-20. business, Circle M, located near They’ll have the very best of their Otorohanga. In the late-1980s Circle stock, including Western horse gear, Circle M will have their M started making oilskin coats as well. oilskin clothing, leather chaps, satchels Western gear on display Check out what they have to offer at and bags and more. at Equidays.

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ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY FARMING

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Environment Minister speaker at symposium Bay of Plenty horticulturalist and farmers will have the chance to hear first-hand what futu e regulations they are facing when the Minister for Climate Change, James Shaw addresses a pan-sector symposium in October.

Rick Burke, chairman of the Pan-Sector Industry Alumni Events subcommittee, which is organising the BOP Future Farming Symposium on October 24, says the rural sector is facing a freight train of regulations coming down the track fast.

“The aim of the symposium is to get Bay of Plenty farmers and growers ahead of the game. We all face similar challenges and by pan-sectors working together through ‘a team approach’ we can drive meaningful change,” says Rick.

The symposium, which begins 9.30am on Thursday, October 24, will be held on an 850ha mixed kiwifruit and dairy property at Otamarakau owned by Bruce Cameron, chairman of Zespri. It is open to all Bay of Plenty growers and farmers, but registration is essential as numbers are limited.

Among speakers are the Ministry for the Environment’s director of water Martin Workman and Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller, who is National’s spokesperson for agriculture, biosecurity, food safety, and forestry.

“Growers and farmers will have the chance to listen to these speakers, learn what regulations are coming at us in terms of environmental issues for the land, and ask questions of them during a panel discussion,” says Rick.

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“The opening keynote speakers will leave farmers and growers feeling ‘where to from here’, and that’s where the workshops after lunch come in. They are designed to give growers and farmers ‘toolkits’ to help take control of their own destiny, to be environmentally sustainable and at the same time improve profitabilit .”

All who attend will have the chance to participate

in the workshops on land environmental plans, water quality and subcatchment initiatives, led by speakers from the Ministry for Primary Industries, DairyNZ, Zespri, NZ Avocado, Beef + Lamb NZ, Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Ballance Agri-Nutrients, rural professionals and award-winning farmers and growers.

The symposium is an initiative that’s grown from the alumni, including previous winners, of the Bay of Plenty Ballance Farm Environment Awards and its aim is to provide pan-sector support, education and innovation for sustainable food and fib e production.

Rick says throughout the country there are growers and farmers who are successfully running environmentally and financially sustainable businesses and are role models for others in their sectors.

Farming ‘All Blacks’

“They are in effect the ‘All Blacks’ of farming and growing,” says Rick, a sheep and beef farmer who is a previous winner of the Bay of Plenty Ballance Farm Environment Awards supreme award.

The BOP awards are part of the national awards, run annually by the NZ Farm Environment Trust, whose national alumni became the catalyst for a pan-sector event the Ministry for the Environment held in June 2018.

That event arose from a meeting with MFE senior management officials; Tracy Brown, who chairs, among other roles, the DairyNZ Environmental Leaders Forum and is a previous Ballance awardwinner; Graeme Gleeson of Farmers 4 Positive Change, and Rick.

“For several years the NZ Farm Environment Trust had been discussing how its alumni could become more effective and during the meeting in Wellington, it was pointed out that NZ already had pan-sector champions who were driving change and were excellent role models.”

The result, says Rick, was the MFE pan sector event in June 2018. “It was an excellent event and the Bay of Plenty alumni, with the support of our national body, decided to organise a similar regional symposium to drive change, from the bottom up.

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The first BOP uture Farming Symposium in October is open to livestock farmers too.

Kiwifruit orchardists are among those who will attend the first BOP uture Farming Symposium in October.

“Farmers want to reduce their impacts on the environment, but too often don’t know how to go about that. Once they understand the forensics of their farming and growing practices on water quality and are shown steps to fix that, it’s a lightbulb moment for them. Key to making those changes is the Farm Environment Plan.”

Rick says the sub-catchment approach

to improving water quality is highly effective, in bringing neighbouring landowners and the wider community together to focus on environmental improvements.

Advantages

“There are so many advantages to a sub-catchment approach, for the environment, for water quality,

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pasture and forage crops where high levels of production are required.”

Allan talks passionately about a product he believes packs a special punch. “Driving round the countryside can be quite special some days.

“We’re privileged to be able to supply a product that is natural and environmentally-friendly and helps our clients get the best out of their land.

“We offer a range of natural and certifie organic input fertilisers for pasture, maize crops, market gardens and small blocks.

Our products are not only convenient but are costeffective and free of harmful chemicals,” says Allan.

“Located in Papakura, we Operating a fleet of ell-maintained bulk truck are equipped with a customand trailer units, enables Bennett Fertilisers to made storage facility, which service all areas from Taupo to Kaitaia. gives us the ability to store the product for you and deliver it when Chicken litter is a valuable resource to you actually want it. optimise pasture production, according “Operating a fleet of ell-maintained to Bennett Fertilisers sales manager bulk truck and trailer units, this gives Allan Eddy. us the ability to service all areas from “Chicken litter is high in organic Taupo to Kaitaia,” says Allan. matter, suppling key macro nutrients as To make the grass greener on your well as trace elements. side of the fence, contact Bennett “It helps hold moisture, improves soil Fertilisers today. See their advert on structure and encourages organisms this page.

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Page 33

biodiversity and for farmers too. So often farmers and growers are isolated, working on their land, but once they become involved in these projects there’s a huge wellbeing benefit to .”

Subcatchment projects often involve others in the wider community who bring a range of skills relevant to the undertaking.

But improving environmental outcomes for farming and horticultural practices are not just a ‘nice to have’, says Rick.

“Regulations are coming, and growers and farmers will have to comply.

“We want to help them gain the tools they need to do and there are ‘carrots’ in terms of help available.

“But there will also be the ‘stick’, or penalties for laggards who don’t do the right thing.”

Register for the BOP Future Farming Symposium on October 24 at: https://www.facebook.com/ bopfuturefarmingsymposium/

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CENTRAL PLATEAU FOCUS

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Idea brews to make

A Central Plateau couple who’ve been farming under the strict regulations to cap nitrogen run-off into the Lake Taupo since 2011 have found diversifying into a totally different venture has helped both their farm’s production and the property’s water quality.

up with when they were on holiday in Australia nearly a decade ago.

“I was in Aussie on holiday, when a mate gave me a bottle of Cooper’s beer and I had a lightbulb moment.

“At the time we were looking to diversify off the farm as a result of the introduction of nitrogen caps within the Lake Taupo catchment.

“With my surname being ‘Cooper’, I thought we could do this James and Elissa Cooper farm on at home using the water 330 acres of pumice-rich soil, and off the farm.” another 400 acre lease block nearby, Back then the new Nitrogen which are 10 minutes’ drive from Discharge Allowance cap effectively Taupo. capped stock levels and fertiliser Today the couple use water from their Three beers produced at farm to brew beer in an old implement Lakeman Brewing Company use on Taupo farms within the lake at Taupo. Photo: Supplied. catchment. And with the allowance shed on-farm – an idea James came

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most of farm water The view over Lake Taupo to Ruapehu from the Cooper’s lease block. Photo: Matt Mortimer.

James and Elissa Cooper in the brewery with full-time brewer Rory Donovan. Photo: Matt Mortimer. based on historic use, the Cooper’s farm had a relatively low NDA due to previous owners’ low fertiliser use – making the rules tighter for them.

So James, wanting to use his pure bore water for his brewery dream, began working with an agri-manager to manage nutrient inputs on the farm. The idea was to strike a balance between having the best water available for his brewery while also ensuring the farm was productive. As a result, James has cut most urea use on-farm and has planted more clover to fix nitrogen.

Then he set about searching for a brewery, and eight years ago bought complete a set-up from the recently-sold Tuatara Brewing company.

“Unexpectedly, our farming operation grew at this time so the brewery sat in the shed for a few years collecting dust.”

But this time wasn’t wasted, as the dream grew in detail and the process of naming had to be sorted.

“As much as I’d have loved to have called it Coopers here, after a bit of toing and froing Elissa came up with Lakeman and away we went.”

Brewing

The couple began brewing with a bit of trial and error. “We probably tipped out a good 15,000L in the first ear,” says James. “But it helped the grass grow, which is a bonus!”

Today the second business is called Lakeman Brewery, producing a craft beer brand that’s becoming more recognisable by a ‘hairy yeti-like’

persona that appears on every bottle in various guises.

And it uses James’ good quality farm water supply – a key ingredient according to any brewer – to craft the products. “The water here is straight out of a bore on the farm,” says James.

And this isn’t the only area of the operation where the two businesses have the same needs. “There are other things shared across both businesses, and some which aren’t quite so obvious,” says James.

One example is aging alcohol in wooden barrels, much like whiskey. “The barrels have been aging in one of the farm sheds for the last three years,” says James.

The Lakeman team looks after everything in-house – from brewing, bottling and labelling, to packaging and distribution. Orders are filled and eady for pick-up via a big chiller out the back of the shed the brewery is housed in.

Experimenting

“The tractor we feed out with is the same one we load the trucks with when they come to pick up deliveries each day,” says James.

And there are now two full-time brewers, Rory Donovan and Kenny Rivers. “On-the-job training is a massive advantage to becoming good at brewing beer,” says James.

“We’re always experimenting here and trying new things. Based on demand, we don’t always have the capacity to – but when we can, we like to try new things.”

The Lakeman brand is going from strength-tostrength, with award-winning beers in its line-up including the Hairy Hop IPA named 2018 Champion IPA in the NZ Brewers Guild Awards.

They’re becoming regulars on social media too and at craft beer shows, including Beervana in Wellington, which the Coopers recently returned from.

Larger breweries are taking notice too, accommodating Lakeman beers on tap in establishments where this traditionally may not have been possible. “Taupo Thunder is one we’ve targeted to be on tap where we can, and having Taupo in the name is cool; it helps promote the area too,” says James.

And so a diversification p oject, prompted by the need to protect nearby Lake Taupo, has improved a natural resource and enabled James’ farm to become more productive with less stock. I bet James has raised a glass to that.

Matt Mortimer

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CARTAGE & EARTHWORKS

Natural solution to man-made problem

One of the ponds with the quarry face in the background. Photo: Catherine Fry.

When Kerry Reilly bought some land to open a commercial aggregate quarry at Meremere 20 years ago, he encountered a massive man-made problem.

How could he filter the quar y’s run-off, so when it drained into the surrounding 7000 hectares of the Whangamarino Wetland, a Ramsar site, it would be crystal clear?

Fast-forward to today and the Waikato quarry manager has won a prestigious international award for his low-cost, low-maintenance sustainable water treatment option for the runoff from Baldwin’s Quarry, Meremere, which is now owned by Winstone Aggregates.

Kerry was bestowed the award at the recent Institute of Quarrying New Zealand Inc’s AGM, at the QuarryNZ 2019 Conference.

In conjunction with local dairy farmer Peter Buckley, whose land adjoined the Kerry Reilly with his prestigious Caernarfon Award, which recognised his low-cost, low-maintenance sustainable water treatment option for the runoff from Baldwin’s Quarry, Meremere. Photo supplied.

quarry, Kerry put into action a plan he’d been considering since 2000 – a 4ha wetland to act as a buffer and natural filtration for the quar y runoff.

The $500,000 project was a win-win for all concerned and a commitment to protecting the precious Whangamarino Wetland. Discharge from the farm is now naturally dispersed by the wetland – and the discharge from the quarry is not polluting the environment.

Kerry says work on the project commenced in 2005, but resource consent for the project was retrospectively approved by Waikato Regional Council in May 2008.

Clearing the introduced willow trees from the area took several years.

The Waikato Catchment Ecological Enhancement Trust sponsored the supply and planting of more than 15,000 native trees and shrubs to beautify and enrich the whole development.

And Kerry himself grew and planted hundreds of cabbage trees and fla es from seeds of existing plants in the Whangamarino Wetland.

He says more than 32,000 native trees and shrubs were planted in total.

“It was encouraging to have the confidence of our neighbours, the Waikato District Council and Environment Waikato for issuing the necessary consents to allow this project to proceed,” says Kerry.

The fi e-pond system has a central island, which provides a viewing area for the public to observe the nowflourishing populations of ducks, swans, fish, f ogs and birds. Stopbanks with access roading surround the wetland, with a depressed area for emergency overfl w.

The multiple ponds have a 1250m-long water path fl w, enabling greater pond retention times and promoting filtration of mic oscopic fines th ough the vegetated wetland.

“I’m confident that this will help lead the way for other industries and farmers to co-operate and demonstrate that we can all work together to create a cleaner NZ,” says Kerry.

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Leading way on improving water quality A farmer-led group is attracting the right kind of attention for its work fostering sustainable farming practices.

Formed in September 2018, King Country River Care is helping its members get ahead of anticipated regulatory change by pooling their resources to monitor water quality, source funding for waterway improvement projects, and work alongside farmers to promote sustainable farming practices.

The group is unique, according to Aria sheep and beef farmer Anna Nelson, who is employed by the group as its co-ordinator.

It is a farmer-led initiative and was initially solely self-funded through member subscriptions, though it has recently received $30,000 from the Waikato Regional Council to support its work to improve the region’s waterways.

The group has two primary focus areas, says Anna. “We are working to improve water quality in the region through promotion of sustainable farming practices, and to give the region’s farmers a voice and representation in the development of policy.

“We are a farmer-driven and farmer-initiated group, and have had no seed funding from any third party.

This is about farmers being proactive about doing a better job environmentally.”

Building community understanding about sustainable farming is an important part of the group’s mandate too.

“We are working to show that sustainable environments and communities can be achieved together,” says Anna.

King Country River Care has also partnered with Beef+Lamb NZ and Waikato Regional Council to deliver risk and mitigation and farm environment planning workshops throughout the region, and has also been working with local councils on water quality measurement and initiatives.

ng Farmers planti w lo il w d an ar popl e is il ab poles to st d hill country an n. io os er ce du re

Lower Mokau Sub-catchment farmers attending their local risk and mitigation day.

The group also supports farmers to make funding applications for a variety of waterway improvement projects, including riparian planting and hill country erosion control.

While the group has about 50 paid up members, its target is to have every one of the 300 or so farms in its catchment – which extends from Mokau River in the south to Waikawau/Mangaokewa/Benneydale in the north – involved in its work.

“So far, we are tracking well. Around 200 farmers have turned up and started getting involved in one way or another,” says Anna.

Members meet monthly in Piopio to discuss progress on projects they’re working on in their area. Regular email and phone contact keeps the momentum going on projects.

While the current focus is on water quality improvement, Anna says soil health, biodiversity and carbon farming are all important areas for the future.

She also envisages more engagement with local iwi and the Department of Conservation. Josephine Reader

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 38

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DAIRY

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Benefits abound for those who enter DIAs Entries for the 2020 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards open October 1 and are an opportunity for entrants to secure their future while learning and connecting with others and growing their career.

The 2019 Share Farmers of the Year Colin and Isabella Beazley say the benefits to their ca eer and business from entering were worth the effort and time.

Colin and Isabella won the 2019 Northland Share Farmers of the Year and went on to win the national title as well.

“We entered to benchmark ourselves against the best and also for the networking opportunities. The networking and contact with industry

leaders is unparalleled and we have used these relationships to grow our business.”

Their advice to potential entrants is to remember ‘evidence is key’. “If you can’t prove it to the judges, they simply cannot mark it, so keeping good records is paramount,” says Isabella. “Sorting through and collating everything that farmers do on a daily basis can take time, so start now if you’re thinking of entering!”

Colin says as a busy farmer you can get caught up in the day-to-day running of the farm.

“So to stand back and watch our presentation, visually seeing the nine plywood boards plastered with our collated evidences and setting up our machinery for display and effect was quite eye-opening for us,” says Colin.

Isabella and Colin Beazley won last year’s National Share Farmer of the Year title.

“It made us super proud of how far our industry has allowed us to grow and excited for the prospects of where it can take us.”

New DTS branding the way forward

Laser Electrical Morrinsville Your Local Farming Electrical Specialists

In a move going back to the future, DTS is the new brand name for Tru-Trust Dairy Solutions, creating a new, bright look for the company and ushering in a new direction, says CEO Gavin Thwaites.

“DTS has always been synonymous with quality stainless steel milk vats as well milk refrigeration systems,” says Gavin.

“Our Normanby plant in Taranaki, which manufactures 95 per cent of farm holding tanks in New Zealand, has always been known as Dairy Technology Services.”

Gavin says the new brand’s strapline is ‘Growth Through Innovation’ “which signifies our continued m ve into providing effective milk vat and herd monitoring software solutions”.

DTS was bought out by Tru-Test Group back in 2013 and was then branded Tru-Test Dairy Solutions even though its legal trading name remained Dairy Technology Services Ltd. The Tru-Test Group then split the business in 2018 DTS chief executive into two separate operating divisions – Retail Solutions officer avin Thwaites. and Dairy Solutions, so the former could be sold to the Swiss firm atamars along with the Tru-Test brand.

This left Tru-Test Dairy Solutions out by itself as a provider of farm holding tanks, milk cooling and refrigeration, and dairy automation solutions – and with a timeframe to stop using the TruTest brand name by September 2020.

The buyouts and business renaming created some confusion in the marketplace, says Gavin.

“The re-branding back to DTS was logical as many of our customers still refer to us as DTS,” says Gavin.

Through its nationwide network of sales and service teams, DTS has a contract to supply FHTs to Fonterra co-op farmers right around New Zealand and is also commissioned to supply FHTs to other dairy co-ops such as Synlait, Open Country, Westland and Tatua.

DTS Milk Cooling product range includes precooling of milk before the FHT, FHT refrigeration, and FHT insulation wraps.

DTS is also a leader in remote on-farm monitoring – measuring and reporting milk temperature as it first enters the FHT and then as it is refrigerated via smart devices, complete with automated alerts.

In its Dairy Automation Services range, DTS continues to develop a range of on-farm services including manual and autodrafting, walk-over weighing, feed control, in-bail identification and inline milk sensors – all run off smart devices.

Colin and Isabella are active on social media and feel it is important for their family, friends and local community to keep up-to-date with what is happening on their farm.

This year the Beazleys are involved with the Northland regional committee as regional managers and are enjoying being able to encourage the next wave of entrants coming through. “We 110 per cent recommend entering the Dairy Industry Awards.

“First, the industry networking is invaluable. Second, the judges are industry experts and the constructive feedback that you’ll receive is a great way to grow your business and career in the dairy industry.”

“Last, but not least, is time off-farm. Being able to flick off the c w poo clothes and don some suave suits and flash heels to enj y some time with others within our industry ‘who get what it’s like to be a farmer too’ is also just as rewarding as the event itself.”

To find out mo e, or register for the awards, see: www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz

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DAIRY

Page 40

Why cows not the problem Were the cow the problem the answer would be simple. Eliminate cows and the problem goes away.

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Without cows, pastures would rapidly move from high fertility grasses and clovers to low fertility browntop, followed by gorse, scrub, and eventually native bush, and there’s almost unlimited hectares of gorse covered land that shows that effect.

Some might argue that’s fine, h wever the issues encountered in the next 30 years would far outweigh the long-term benefits.

In fact, few of us would survive the necessary selection process and the society that resulted would be unimaginably primitive. Cows are essential to our survival and wellbeing, so we need to look elsewhere for the solutions.

Could cow numbers be the issue? There’s room for many more so perhaps the intensity of cows is the key. Spreading them out would help solve some of the soil damage in wet weather, so a useful consideration.

While pondering on that give thought to the effect the diet might have on what is being excreted. At present the farming community lives and dies based on models, and current models show all cow urine is the same.

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Simple logic suggests changing the diet will markedly change the composition of both dung and urine, and measures already available show that to be the case.

And this – in our view – is where the problem, and solution, exists. Fast-growing pasture is high in nitrates because nitrogen

drives vegetative growth.

It’s what occurs when growth starts to slow that is really interesting. At this point nitrates start becoming full proteins, and protein production is the reason for the farming of grazing ruminants. The urine of lactating animals with a higher percentage of full protein in their diet contains significantly less nitrogen.

Longer pasture also starts to produce fib e. A stalk develops that in time supports a seed head, and as grazing ruminants require some long fib e in their diet for optimum digestion, grazing longer pasture makes perfect sense.

The argument against is that more mature pasture is less digestible and palatable and animals therefore consume and produce less.

That is certainly the case when pastures are supplied with large amounts of water soluble, phosphorus and potassium, supplemented with frequent dressings of nitrogen.

Clover

However, when calcium, supported with magnesium, is used as the driver the game changes. Phosphorus and potassium remain essential requirements, but not the drivers.

Because clover contains three-four times the amount of calcium that is in grasses, a calcium-rich soil fertility programme encourages clover growth. Clover is more digestible than grass, the reason for lambs

fattening more rapidly on high clover content pasture.

Clover leaf also has higher levels of soluble sugars, or energy, a primary requirement for all animals in spring.

Clover, even when mature, remains palatable and digestible and is the primary fi er of atmospheric nitrogen.

Nitrogen in this form is not subject to the same leaching loss as that applied as urea.

An often-heard objection to a change in soil fertility systems is there would be a loss of production. This is not the case and there is more than 13 years of continuous measures that show there no drop of in production, only a steady increase.

More effective system

Animals fully fed on these pastures in spring not only perform at an enhanced level with far fewer ill-health issues, they also lose much less weight due to the higher energy intake. Overall, a far more effective and efficient system esulting in up to 70 per cent lower Nitrate N losses to groundwater.

With the Government determined to reduce Nitrate N losses it’s up to the farming industry to wean themselves off highlyaddictive soluble phosphorus and urea, and enjoy the support and sense of belonging that’s been lost over recent times. For more

information, call Peter Burton 0800 843 809.

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DAIRY

Page 41

Getting socially connected

All the evidence points to the necessity to be socially involved with a clear vision for our future to survive. Too much time on our hands, with no idea of where we are going, and not having enough social contact is not good for our health, our mental health or our longevity.

the nest and we are no longer on the school committee; and suddenly we have no purpose.

Without purpose

Too much time on our hands and nobody to really talk to can cause us to start internalising stuff, bottle things up and what is running around in our head becomes our reality. If we eventually pluck up the courage to chat to somebody about how we are really feeling, it is like lancing a boil and the problem vanishes. This is where social connectedness really comes in. Do we have someone we can share our concerns with?

Apparently, if we are not socially connected, we become anxious and worried. We feel on the outer and that nobody cares about us. To feel great, we need to be socially connected and with purpose.

As farmers, we can be huge on purpose as we buy and build up our farming business.

Purpose is everything and we will step over anybody who gets in the way of our objective. Eventually, we get the farm, hopefully the debt down, the kids have fl wn

My phone runs hot with farmers who have lost their purpose. What do I do now they ask? They have lost sight of the future and their purpose has gone.

I was out walking recently and ended up chatting to a retired farmer who was less than chirpy. He’d sold his farm and relocated, his wife had died, the kids were all busy and he’d invested all his money.

He was socially disconnected and without purpose.

I suggested he join groups such as golf, cycle groups, Probus, Menz Shed, church, anything to get him out to meet people, get connected and a reason to get up in the morning. I even suggested a small dog for company. Will he? Who’ll be watching out for him in future and follow up to see if he’s okay?

They tell me resthomes are full of people who’ve been socially disconnected, are lonely and have no purpose.

Reach out

We started a Probustype group in our community recently.

There’s a monthly

meeting with speakers, plus an outing. And 100 people show up; it’s great to see the enthusiasm and light in their eyes as they connect and share.

Getting back to farmers, it appears all this disconnect starts later in life as purpose wanes. It’s also the time statistics show they are more likely to consider suicide as the only way out. I guess an important point here is: as an individual we need to step up and reach out to these disconnected people.

I guess it is called leadership, the ability to check in with people, to ask if they are okay and lead them to a better space.

As the saying goes: “Leadership is not what you do when the people are looking, it is what you do when they are not looking!”

I guess our wives are often much better socially connected with coffee mornings, activities suchlike, and with better purpose trying to look after family and keep everything going.

If you feel you’re falling between the cracks, ask for help; and if you’re around and see disconnected people, show some leadership. Feel the fear, step up and reach out to them. Social connectedness with purpose is everything.

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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DAIRY

Page 42

Automatic heat detection replaces paint An Otorohanga farm has done away with tail paint after becoming the first farm in New Zealand to pilot an automated heat detection system for cows.

The simple method uses an electronic circuit contained in an adhesive patch to replace tail paint and manual drafting in the shed. The patch is activated once pressure is applied and cows are automatically sorted at the gate for mating. The system can be used in

any shed and farming system.

Robbie Van Der Poel operates a dairy farm with 400 cows in Otorohanga and is the first to test the technology.

“I like the simplicity of the patches, anyone can use this in a way that minimises labour – we now have one less labour unit in the cowshed,” says Robbie. “You can do the whole herd in one milking ready to send out the next day, and it’s a one-off cost.”

Milking technology company DeLaval, which has launched HeatGate, powered by DeLaval and Estroscan, says the effectiveness

of automated heat detection can result in improved submission and in-calf rates.

DeLaval’s herd management solution manager Peter Wilson says they’re focused on the technology that farmers need to lift their profitability and manage the health of their animals without increases in labour requirements. “We’ve seen about 231 more days in milk on our test farm as a result of automating heat detection alone.

Robbie says in his cows’ first mating they had a seven per cent increase in their three-week in-calf rate. “So that basically means more

Authorised Dealers Authorised Dealers

cows in-calf earlier, more days in milk, more money in my pocket,” says Robbie.

DeLaval HeatGate can be installed and operated in any cowshed and any farming system, either using a handheld operator, a standalone fixtu e on any gate without requiring a connection to a centralised data management system, or in conjunction with a DeLaval sortgate.

“Before HeatGate we were using a traditional tail paint system, how I was taught. Now the cows are automatically drafted out and they’re there waiting for me to deal with after milking,” says Robbie.

An adhesive patch, with an electronic circuit, automatically sorts cows at a drafting gate for mating.

• Dairy Shed installations and upgrades • Service and parts for all types of milking machines • Drench pumps, teat spray systems, hoses and supplies • Machine Testing • Effluent and Irrigation Supplies • Pumps & Water fittings – Galvanised, PVC and Alkathene • Rubberware • Stainless Steel manufacture and repair • Trenching

The automated heat detection system for cows can be used in any shed and farming system.

TAIL PAINT is how my grandfather improved his heat detection guesswork, and its pretty much how we still do it.

Most people who sell tail paint in New Zealand tell us this is OK – and I guess, for them it is.

Trev Dugan, who farms out by Governor’s Road agrees with them and has doubled down on tail paint this season by trading up to some cutting-edge tail paint technology and going fluro - he says that if this pays off for him he may even look at getting one of those new phones you can carry around out of the house that have no wires.

The use of tail paint as a way to indicate the possibility a cow has submitted, and is therefore in heat, dates back to Victorian and New Zealand dairy farms in the late 1970’s.

Since then, despite pretty much everything else changing, we still are using this basic method on many dairy farms. Tail paint is used to suggest cows that are in heat by indicating

those which have been mounted, resulting in the tail paint being rubbed off.

Where other parts of the dairy world have seen amazing innovations and improvements using the technology that has been invented or improved since the 1970’s (back before cell phones, the internet, personal computers , tries were still worth 4 points, rugby players were amateurs and there was no lifting in the lineouts) – the improvements to tail paint based heat detection have been limited to the colours they use, the cans and how sticky the paint is.

Perhaps its time to move on from the old school to the new school of heat detection, especially when you consider how important accurate heat detection is in a seasonal calving

You won’t miss tail paint.

(Or heats) Unless you have a telescopic neck, figuring out which cows are in heat using tail paint is frankly, a pain in that neck. With HeatGate we take the pain away, so you can throw the tail paint away.

Every cow, every milking – automatically drafted with no complicated computer or technical knowledge required. Contact your local DeLaval Dealer to make tail paint history on your farm. delaval.com | 0800 222 228

system like New Zealand. If you miss a heat you can stretch your calving pattern – missing days in milk, creating avoidable empties –

and ultimately sending cows to the works for “pennies on the dollar” compared to the value they would have if they were able to stay in the herd.

Contact your local DeLaval Dealer to make tail paint history on your farm;

HeatGate in action.

Happy farmer not in action.

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DAIRY

Page 43

Workshops on pasture Growing grass better gets more milk in the vat, which is the key takeaway from a new series of pasture management workshops being run in the Taupo region by DairyNZ.

concepts and tools are applicable across NZ, and similar sessions are available in other parts of the country, says Colin.

He also suggests benchmarking pasture growth performance and recommends the Dairy NZ pasture potential tool, which allows farmers to compare pasture and crop eaten value against other similar farms in their area.

Good pasture management is a no-brainer when you consider the impact pasture growth has on a farm’s bottom line, says Dairy NZ’s Colin GraingerJosephine Reader Allen, who is running the workshops.

“Every extra tonne grown is worth $300 annually.

Pasture grown and eaten is a Key Performance Indicator and can generate additional profit with ery little extra effort.”

The workshops, which began last month and will run until May next year, are designed to help farm managers and assistants develop their core pasture DairyNZ’s Colin Grainger-Allen talks about skills, says Colin. pasture with a group of farmers.

“Often people will go out and put a break up in a paddock without really understanding why the break is put there, or why that paddock is the one to be grazed.

“These workshops provide practical tools and hands-on experience that will help attendees make better on-farm pasture management decisions.”

Learning more about commonly-used pasture measurement tools like plate meters, sward sticks, pasture probes and tow-behind devices are all part of the hands-on learning at the sessions.

“It’s only possible to manage what has been measured – the main takeaway [from these wrokshops] is that measurement and ongoing monitoring is critical to successful pasture management,” says Colin.

“Understanding pre-graze grass cover is critical, as is post-grazing residuals. Methods for calculating pasture cover and using tools like feed wedges to assist paddock rotation decisions, and for identifying feed deficits and surpluses are also covered.

“We also talk about what to do when residual targets aren’t met, or growth isn’t where you want it to be.

Grass that is grazed when it is too long or too short won’t deliver the best results.”

The workshop sessions are intentionally spread out during the year to build understanding about pasture GRUNDFOS ® management at different times of the year, says Colin.

“In September and October the focus is on feeding cows during mating; in November we talk about setting up for summer; in February the focus is on managing pasture growth through the dry period; in April it’s all about dry-off; and in May we talk about winter pasture management.”

While these workshops are based in Taupo, the

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AVOCADOS

Page 44

Understand orchard profitability better Darling Group and Just Avocados are challenging the status quo when it comes to Orchard Gate Return or ‘OGR’ in the avocado industry.

Jacob Darling, who is general manager of group sales and marketing for Darling Group, says there is an issue with the common perception that export per tray OGR is the primary indicator for determining the profitability of an o chard.

“It is clear that the current perception of a profitable orchard is determined through OGR and the corresponding dollar amount that is presented to each grower at the end of the export season, but it’s time we starting discussing the truth about OGR,” says Jacob.

“This is a widely accepted perception but not one

that is entirely accurate for determining your orchard’s profitability or potential.

Jacob believes this perception is fla ed – especially when combined with the popular export strategy of hanging fruit late in the export season to take advantage of high prices in Australia post-Christmas.

“Leaving fruit to hang late to take advantage of market opportunities reduces your pack out, increases the chance of quality issues, and reduces the ability to produce consistent crops year-on-year.”

Jacob says it is the dollars returned per hectare that is what really matters. “Production is a far bigger contributor to profit than eturn in trays.”

When looking at growers that have productivity of 20-22 tonnes per hectare consistently, Jacob says there are a few key things they have in common – harvesting at the same time every year in September/October, and

pruning at the same time every year.

“Their export OGR per tray might be less then someone who harvested after Christmas, but if you looked at their return per hectare it would be more.

“When 55 per cent of the industry crop last season went export, it’s worth considering the contributors here and what the other 45 per cent of the orchard’s income could have looked like if the growers were able to take actions – pick and prune etc at the optimal times.”

Just Avocados is keen to talk to growers about what they are calling the ‘OGR equation’, which takes a holistic approach to charting a course for orchard profitability and also for analysing previous seasons’ results.

“The focus for Just Avocados is to deliver on the end goal of profitability for our growers by working with them to improve aspects such as quality management, pruning, planting, soil health – these are key drivers to

higher pack outs, consistent production, good market returns and ultimately a better return per hectare,” says Jacob.

On the marketing side, Darling Group’s strategy is to ensure fruit is harvested, packed and consumed efficientl , prior to the Christmas months.

According to Jacob, this is a key strategy as there is more competition on the horizon.

“The New Zealand supply base is changing; we have a wide range of large-scale growers coming on board, which will raise further competition in the market and place pressure on the grower who is relying solely on OGR as a means of sustainable income.”

Jacob says growers need more options and opportunity to work their orchards commercially, which Just Avocados has catered to with its on-consignment pool.

“We’ve opened up the topic and welcome growers to come chat with us about what their goals are for their orchard, how they calculate their OGR and what this looks like inside our model.”

Darling Group’s Jacob Darling is leading the conversation on looking beyond export per tray OGR to determine your avocado orchard’s profitabilit .

Your ‘go to’ tractor place in the Bay For tractor and machinery repairs, sales and service in the Bay of Plenty, Maintrac Services Ltd is your ‘go to’ says manager Julian Senior known as ‘Julz’.

Some of the Maintrac Services team: engineer Nathan Beattie, service manager Matt Roberts, admin and marketing person Jodi Johnson, manager Julz Senior and mechanic Dan Phillips.

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027 257 5028 kyra@justavocados.co.nz @justavocados www.justavocados.co.nz

“Our workshop specialises in the repair and service of all brands of tractors, machinery and frost fans, and offers a wide range of engineering repairs and custom builds or modifications of machine y to meet your requirements.”

Branson Tractors are now in the Bay and in the Maintrac Services yard at Paengaroa too, says Julz.

“These quality tractors are an American brand built in Korea that can cater to any job, from an orchard or farm to a nursery or lifestyle block, and more.”

Being frost season – Maintrac Services can help with this too. “We are the sales and service agents for Tow & Blow frost fans, but we service them all – Tow & Blow, FrostBoss, Orchard-Rite, and even the odd Chinook.

“We can even custom build to your needs – there are many options to suit your requirements and budget,” says Julz. And with spring here, and grass growing, Maintrac Services is your local sales and service agents for Grasshopper zero-turn mowers. “So give us a call for a demo and quote.”

At the Maintrac Parts Barn, they stock parts for tractors and machinery, oil, electrical componentry, ground engagement, hydraulic hose systems and much more.

“And we have access to a wide range of parts for a wide range of tractors, forklifts and machinery – so if we haven’t got it, we can get it for you. Pop into our site at 255 State Highway 33, Paengaroa – and we’ll take care of it for you.”

Or give them a call – see Maintrac Services Ltd’s contact details in their advert on this page.

AVOCADOS

Rugby World Cup set to boost avocado sales The hype and excitement of this year’s Rugby World Cup is helping to drive sales of avocados in Japan for New Zealand’s most influential avocado export marketing company.

With the All Blacks raising the profile of New Zealand in Japan throughout their world cup campaign, Avoco, through its Avanza brand, is capitalising on this exposure by designing promotional activity that highlights the presence of New Zealand avocados in the market.

The international sporting event continues until November 2 and runs through the main period of Avanza’s shipments there.

Market manager Ted Thomas says it’s a perfect opportunity to run targeted PR and consumer campaigns that highlight the availability of Avanza avocados and their special nutritional benefits.

“An example of the communications message is: ‘Be victorious with Avanza avocado, filled with power from New Zealand’s land’,” says Ted.

Avanza avocados with its almond soy milk and our brand will greatly benefit from their wide-reaching online presence.”

Outside of Korea and Japan, Avanza is shipping fruit to Malaysia, Taiwan, India, China, Thailand and Singapore.

And Avoco expects to handle a total of 2.25 million export trays this season – up from 1.9 million trays in 2018-2019. About 80 per cent of the volume is destined for Australia, which is NZ’s highest-paying market.

The 2019-2020 season is the seventh year Avoco has been operating, following a merger of the avocado businesses of Team Avocado and Primor Produce in 2012.

Collaboration

A collaboration between Avanza and one of Japan’s top 16 rugby teams, the Kubota Spears, has been negotiated allowing Avanza to promote avocado as a power food for rugby players.

Social media channels are being used during the World Cup to extend the reach of these messages and encourage consumers to buy avocados when they do their grocery shopping. Avanza is shipping more than 100,000 An agreement with one of Japan’s top 16 trays to Japan this season, rugby teams, the Kubota Spears, allows making it the second biggest Avanza to promote avocado as a power Asian market for the brand. food for rugby players.

Fruit will be handled in-market by Farmind Corporation, Avanza’s longstanding commercial partner with a strong ‘value add’ reputation as an importer-distributor.

Ted says that Farmind specialises in ‘ripe for retail’ programmes, which, when coupled with retail demonstrations and sampling activity, lead to increased avocado consumption.

An extensive retail programme is also central to marketing activity in Korea, which has become Avanza’s biggest Asian market for volume. This year, about 165,000 trays will be shipped to Korea between August and January.

Avanza’s Korean market manager Martin Napper says the biggest opportunity for Avanza supply is early in the season before the ‘new crop’ Mexican fruit arrives in volume from November.

Avanza’s market strategy is to target young, single and married women – a demographic typically concerned about their health and diet. “Mothers with babies is also an important sub-group as avocado is a great first food for infants,” says Martin.

Permanent ripe fruit graphics will support in-store sampling activity that, due to the success of previous campaigns, will centre around avocado smoothies.

Martin says first-time consumers respond well to the creamy taste and texture of NZ avocados when combined in a smoothie “which is why we’ve continued to partner with Maeil Beverage”.

“Maeil will run digital promotions combining

CC0819

Smoothies

Page 45

NZ to host next World Avocado Congress New Zealand has won the bid to host the 10th World Avocado Congress, meaning the world’s leading avocado growers and specialists will descend upon our shores in 2023.

Announced at last month’s WAC 2019 in Colombia, NZ, which contributes two per cent of global avocado production and is

the world’s ninth largest avocado exporter, was up against Mexico, the world’s largest avocado exporter and Kenya, the sixth largest exporter.

NZ Avocado CEO Jen Scoular says it’s been an amazing team effort to put forward this bid, across the NZ Avocado team, Tourism NZ, the NZ Embassy in Colombia and NZTE. WAC attracts 3000-plus delegates.

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Page 46

AVOCADOS

Protect tree health and support growth Well, what a wet August and September we’ve had. After a good winter this wet weather period may adversely impact leaf and tree health.

Preventative injecting with Avoject and HiPK solution will be well worthwhile.

Proactively injecting the trees will not only help protect tree health, it will also support the important growing period in spring-summer.

Injecting recommendations abound.

However, the programme recommended and supported by Avoject and AAL is one syringe every 100ml spacing around a tree trunk. Any spacing greater than this and you won’t be getting enough solution into the tree.

Also, using HiPK is the best practice we’ve established after more than 15 years of trial and error. For trees with less disease pressure, injecting at a 15 per cent active solution rate is recommended.

High disease-pressured trees may require a stronger 20 per cent mix. Work is now being done on trees with a silicon mix,

however this is some time away.

Time and time again the low pressure system for Phytophthora treatment has proven to be the most reliable and effective.

Injecting with Avojects has a double impact. Not only does it enhance tree health, it seems to stimulate the tree and quite often in spring you’ll also get a growth push; sort of like a shot of coffee in the morning or a shot or adrenalin for an athlete. It’s like a ‘pick me up’ tonic to get the tree moving and growing.

The outlook is for a cooler-than-usual spring influenced y climatic and atmospheric conditions being seen above the Antarctic. This has a big potential to impact our spring conditions during fl wering. To minimise this, orchardists need to be considering what factors they can influence. actors include considering the wind speed and wind chill at the fl wer head. How to retain warmth in the orchard; how to help ensure sunlight penetrates the ground level to retain heat in the orchard. Activities to consider include establishing wind-

breaks, mowing regularly and shorter grass length, weed control and pruning to open up the orchard to sunlight.

All of these small actions can help the orchard environment during fl wering and in marginal conditions.

Then there are the nutrients and their levels. Most important, the nutrient boron plays a key role in fruit pollination and given colder weather forecast this year it may well be a year to consider boron levels and boron spraying.

Bee activity is affected by cooler temperatures so anything to warm hives, and shelter the bees from the breeze and place them in the warmer parts will be important. Talking with your beekeeper may provide an opportunity to enhance the value you get from the bees. I’ve always suggested planning is important and having the orchard activities completed in a timely manner during this important growth phase to the end of January is a priority.

Tony Bradley of Aongatete Avocados Ltd

Committed to supporting grower producers at all levels As a grower group itself, involved in cherries, vegetable production, persimmons, and a number of leased avocado orchards, JP Exports has a strong empathy with producers, and clearly understand the variables of being a grower.

JP Exports is part of the broader J&P Turner Group, a leader in produce marketing and distribution, with generations of experience in distributing fresh produce, says general manager Martin Cowie.

“The company is strongly supportive of NZ horticulture’s commercial development – we provide employment, investment in production, contracting services, as well as domestic, processing, and export sales channels.

“Involvement in fruit and vegetable marketing goes back to 1885 in NZ, and today members of the fourth, fifth and sixth

The New Zealand stand at a past Hong Kong Logistica featuring JP Exports avocados. generation of the family are actively involved in the day-to-day running of the business.”

Martin says JP Exports manage their supply to best fit g ower requirements, production and orchard health – rather than just market demands.

“Solely-focused on avocados, and in addition to our export

marketing and logistics team, we have four dedicated field representatives offering a wealth of experience across all things avocados – Chris Frost and Steve Brown in the North, along with John Bird and Bruce Shepherd in the Bay of Plenty.

“We’re active in multiple global markets 52 weeks of the year, across a broad range of fresh produce, from numerous source countries. As such, we have strong and close customer relationships who give us preference in a competitive supply environment.”

And JP Exports is committed to supporting their grower producers at all levels of orcharding, harvest, and post-harvest activities.

“Equally as important, JP Exports will ensure we provide clear market information, and always strive to place fruit into the various markets to the grower/suppliers’ best advantage.”

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AVOCADOS

Page 47

Yielding more than fruit At 0.2ha, Jen and Bob Scoular’s Kaimai avocado orchard is never going to be commercially viable, but that’s not the aim.

“I recognised that I needed to know more about growing avocados than I could from field days and f om behind my desk,” says Jen, who is CEO of NZ Avocado Growers Association Inc and NZ Avocado.

So, fi e years ago she and Bob planted 50 avocado trees on part of their 2.023ha property, well aware that at 150m above sea level, in the Kaimai Ranges, and often subjected to severe frosts, it wasn’t the ideal avocado environment.

Jen attended field days, talked to technical expe ts and read extensively about avocado orcharding, but the gardener in her knew there is nothing like watching trees through the seasons to understand each change in their cycle and the impacts of pests, disease and weather.

Jen told 70 people at a field day at the o chard in August, that in 2014 she couldn’t buy trees. “Avocado trees were in demand and none of the nurseries were able to sell me even a few trees. I told Ashby Whitehead [then board chairman] that I wanted some trees and he offered 50 he was about to mow over in his kiwifruit orchard.”

The trees were completely defoliated but Jen took the risk. The trees were transported, bare-rooted, three to a bucket and planted with little preparation on a sloping grassy site. Jen says it is “sort of north-facing – if you turn a bit to the right”. “On reflection I should ha e done more preparation including improving soil before planting. This part of our garden had received virtually

Jen Scoular with her avocado trees. no attention for the 20 years we’d owned it.”

Around half of Ashby’s trees survived and this season many have a promising crop of fruit. Jen and Bob have since planted 40 Bounty and Dusa clonal avocado trees, this time following the avocado planting guide, and expect a first ha vest this season. “We’re following our consultant’s advice and industry best practice.

We’re using foliar sprays and hard fertiliser, applying copper to improve quality and take regular soil and leaf samples to monitor soil and tree health.” In her quest to truly understand avocado growing, Jen does most work herself, including pruning, applying foliar fertiliser and pest monitoring. Bob looks after mowing and spraying.

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Page 48

FARM VEHICLES, MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

Bringing Kerepehi’s old flax mill Two vintage machinery enthusiasts who’ve been working to bring the Kerepehi Flax Mill back to life will next month show the public the old mill’s first time back in action since closing in the 1970s and the project to preserve it.

R ER

ES

were several mills in the region, speeding up and mechanising what was a skilled, but laborious process for the Maori.

Waterways

“The mills were close to waterways as a considerable amount of water was used during the cleaning process of the flax, and harvested flax was b ought in by water on punts,” says Brendon.

Above: Lewi Niederer and Harold Watson – owners of the Kerepehi Flax Milling Company circa 1950s.

Photo: Supplied.

Left: Kerepehi Flax Mill working circa 1940.

Photo: Supplied.

While many of the mills closed by the 1920s, the Kerepehi Flax Mill, on Kaihere Rd, remained running until 1973 under the ownership of Harold Watson, in partnership with father and son, Lewi and Bruce Niederer. According to Brendon, Harold Watson was born and bred immersed in the flax indust y. He supported and acknowledged the talent of Maori in the growing and processing of flax.

“Harold was enthusiastic and inventive about the material, and moved with the market fluctuations and e olving demands, which explains why Kerepehi was the last mill standing,” says Brendon.

Located 6.5km up the Piako River from Ngatea, Kerepehi milled more than 500 acres of flax, much of it planted se eral decades before. The mill was initially run using a steam, diesel or gas engine, and converted to electricity as it became more available.

“Kerepehi may have had two strippers at some point,” says Brendon. “Up to 25 people per stripper were employed at a mill like Kerepehi during its peak.”

Short ends

Short ends of fib e were lifted out of the drain of the stripper, but the main fib e was collected to hang out to dry over fences in the paddocks. The short ends were dried and teased through another machine before being baled for use by Sleepyhead, Smith and Brown, and for plasterboard manufacture.

When the mill closed, it sat as it was left on ...continued

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Diesel mechanic Brendon Adams and retired dairy farmer Robin Hill have restoring the mill since about 2015. Back then they’d found it standing abandoned and rotting since its closure in 1973.

So the two Hauraki Vintage Machinery Club Inc members independently came to the same conclusion that the old flax mill at Kerepehi should be preserved.

New Zealand’s native flax, kn wn as Harakeke or Phormium tenax, was one of the country’s earliest export commodities, says Brendon.

“Its strong fib es had been used by Maori for weaving and cordage, and the European settlers soon started using it for rope, cordage, chaff sacks, wool packs, baling twine and carpet textiles.”

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FARM VEHICLES, MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

Page 49

back to life continued...

part of a local farm. “When we approached farm owner Eddie Rees, he was very keen on seeing the mill preserved, and leased the land to us for very little money,” says Brendon.

Hauraki Vintage Machinery Club members banded together and performed a major clean-up and maintenance. “Local businesses came on board to assist with materials,” says Robin.

Builder Mark Millington, with supplies from Placemakers Kopu, assisted with recladding and adding doors to secure the building.

Brendon rolled up his sleeves and partially reconditioned the stripper “to prove it works”. His grandfather was involved in the maintenance of the Hauraki flax mills, so he finds it fitting th he’ is also working on the machinery.

Don Robinson Engineering helped with welding and Hauraki Plains Motors provided spares. Electricity had been removed from the building many years ago, so the club needed something to power the stripper.

Nuffield tracto

Robin Hill holding freshly stripped flax.

Photo: Catherine Fry.

“We were gifted a 1956 Nuffield 3 tractor and with a new drive-belt from Ngatea Milking Machines, we can use that to drive the stripper,” says Brendon.

Although a little worn on one side – a job that’s waiting for Brendon to tend to – the century-old stripper still does a good job stripping down one side of a length of flax In April, following the passing of good friend Murray Stent, Brendon bought Murray’s beautifully restored circa 1910, Tangye 5HP Colonial 5” x 7” Steam Engine, from the family.

‘No. 1576’ just needs Brendon to restore a small vertical boiler he’s acquired, and the steam engine is earmarked as the power source for Kerepehi Flax Mill.

“Our goal is to enclose, secure

Brendon Adams feeding freshly cut flax into the stripper at Kerepehi Flax Mill. Photo: Catherine Fry. Vintage machinery enthusiast Brendon Adams using a Nuffield niversal 3 tractor to power the partially restored Kerepehi Flax Mill. Photo: Catherine Fry. and renovate the whole plant, and get all the machinery working,” says Robin.

Last mill standing

As the last flax mill standing in the orth Island, complete with machinery, there is plenty of support for turning the property into a working museum, and compiling photos and history of the industry.

Maori from Paeroa have came and visited, bearing several different types of flax, and demonstrating how Maori use the fib es.

“We’d like to incorporate that aspect into the museum, and allow the public to see the whole process through to the products made,” says Brendon.

On Sunday, November 24, the Hauraki Vintage Machinery Club is holding their annual Crank Up Day at Kerepehi Flax Mill, 668 Kaihere Rd and welcome the public to attend.

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Page 50

FARM VEHICLES, MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

Century-old steam engine has new job For diesel mechanic and Hauraki Vintage Machinery Club Inc stalwart Brendon Adams, buying a rare vintage steam engine from the family of his good friend, the late Murray Stent, was a no-brainer.

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Photo: Supplied.

Brendon Adams, the current custodian of a rare Tangye 5 HP Colonial 5” x 7” Steam Engine. Photo: Catherine Fry.

2000, and that was exactly the right place “Murray had put so much time and for it end up, says Brendon. effort into restoring the machine, and “Murray was a man of steam, he’d have none of us wanted it to leave the area,” been one of the last steam engine drivers to says Brendon. work in a steam-powered sawmill.

The Tangye 5 HP Colonial 5” x 7” “He had also worked at Price’s Foundry Steam Engine, No. 1576, is a wellin Thames and had a heap of knowledge in travelled machine, starting life in that area.”

Birmingham, England, circa 1910. It Murray used his skills to make patterns was used to drive a milking machine at for the brass fittings, and then machined Ongarue, in the King Country. “Before attraction them himself. The engine is fitted with the electricity, this type of steam engine was Tales of ‘Pet’ Tractors original valve tail rod pump for boiler feed. used in the dairy industry and sawmills,” & Machinery alike Parts from a Boothmac stationary baler says Brendon. were used to make a carriage for the engine After a fi e, the machine lay outside to sit on and be transported more easily.

Bolton’s Garage in Ongarue for many “Murray’s attention to detail, and meticulous years. Over time all the bearings, brass and governor craftsmanship can be seen throughout the machine.” were stripped off.

A beautifully made wooden box sits on the carriage, The engine was “rescued” in 1983 and brought to carrying rags and oil. The whole engine is in excellent Auckland. It came into Murray Stent’s possession in

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Above: Kevin Hamilton, Murray Stent, Brendon Adams, and Owen Adams in August 1999.

A rotating laser level from Bell Precision in action on-farm.

“Farmers use our rotary lasers to accurately set out their drainage and irrigation systems,” says Bell Precision director Eugene Noel.

“Their preferred model of rotary laser level is the RL300 Grade Laser, where the required gradient is dialed in, it automatically goes to that degree and the digger can then be set up.

“The receiver unit picks up the laser beam from the rotary level and signals to adjust up or down; whether you’re on-point or not.

“We have various options of receivers from staff and boom-mounted to in-cab.”

Eugene says they’re extremely accurate tools to use – at 1.5mm/30m – quite precise. And they have a battery life of 50 hours Ni-MH or 40 hours alkaline.

“At Bell Precision we also offer a comprehensive range of pipe and drain camera systems.”

Supplying professional leveling and measuring instruments since 2011, Bell Precision products are stocked in major trade tool stores, but customers can order direct on their website – shipping is free NZ-wide – or contact the team from there.

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FARM VEHICLES, MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT condition, and runs well when attached to a steam source.

When Brendon bought the engine, he immediately saw a use for it, which would not only keep it in the area but also assist with another restoration project close to his heart.

He has a vertical, wood-fi ed boiler from Auckland Gas Works, sitting in his shed. When he can get that up and running, there is the perfect space for it on the steam engine’s carriage.

Brendon is intending to use the engine to power the Kerepehi Flax Mill in Kaihere, where he and other enthusiasts are hoping to

get it up and running as a museum for the area.

“It would be the perfect home for the engine, and I am sure Murray would be delighted with that outcome.”

To learn more about the Kerepehi Flax Mill restoration project, see pages 48-49.

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

The Tangye 5HP Colonial 5” x 7” Steam Engine was imported from Birmingham, England, around 1910. Photo: Catherine Fry.

Keeping your fuel and engine clean “If there is a little moisture in the storage tank, the high Fuel Clean is a mobile fuel filtering p ocess that sulfur content killed most of the filter clogging bacteria will see your potentially dirty and contaminated fuel and fungi,” says Andy. be brought back to under the ISO standard, with no Today’s diesel fuel is ultra-low sulfur, markedly 15 loss of fuel. parts per million, which allows bacteria and fungi to “We can sort out any bulk storage tank from a farm, grow rapidly if any moisture is in the fuel storage tank. forestry or commercial site,” says Fuel Clean NZ’s Andy Modern diesel engines use high pressure, 27,000Fullerton.

35,000 PSI fuel injectors with tiny fuel passages which Contaminated fuel can damage your engine. Today’s are easily clogged with dirty fuel diesel engine manufacturers call for fuel to meet or and damaged by water. exceed ISO cleanliness levels “The days of using of 18/16/13, with a water Grandpa’s old style boat or content of less than 0.05 per tractor filters on our diesel cent, says Andy. fuel tank are over,” says Andy.

“Not too many years ago “The old style filters and diesel engines were quite water separators that remove simple, not too efficient, 75-99 per cent of the smoked, and burned high sulfur contamination are not good fuel; in fact as many as 5000 enough for today’s diesel parts per million. engines.”

“The older diesel injections So if you need help with systems only use about half the your fuel and engine, get in fuel pressure modern engines do Jars showing before and after fuel touch with Andy. He’d be and older injectors send the fuel has been polished. happy to help. through much larger passages.

Page 51

Meticulously restored by the late Murray Stent. Photo: Catherine Fry.

FARM VEHICLES, MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

Page 52

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Page 53

Winning innovation Tauranga-based robotics and automation company Robotics Plus has won an ANZLF Trans-Tasman Innovation and Growth Award.

“In the last 18 months Robotics Plus has launched two commercial products, entered the US and European markets, completed a US$10m Series A investment with Yamaha Motor Company and grown from a team of 12 to more than 50.

“We also have a number of The award, which celebrate new products in the pipeline innovation, growth and and expect our growth to impact of emerging continue at the same rate businesses in Australia for the foreseeable and New Zealand, was future. presented by Prime Robotics Plus Minister Jacinda launched its awardArdern at a reception in winning robotic Auckland last month.

Aporo apple packers Robotics Plus was commercially in founded in 2013 by 2018. This year Steve Saunders and it launched the Dr Alistair Scarfe Robotic Scaling with a simple goal in Machines, which mind: to improve the automate the accurate quality, productivity measurement and sustainability of the Robotics Plus CFO Chelan Burton-Brown of logs on trucks horticultural and other receiving the award from Prime Minister Jacinda primary industry supply Ardern and Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and trailers, with Mount Maunganuichains. and Investment, Senator Simon Birmingham. based ISO Limited The company’s R&D commissioning the world’s first two automate efforts focus on automation, vision, robotics and AI, logging truck scalers. to solve growing challenges in the primary industry And the company has a range of technologies under globally such as labour shortages, sustainability for development to address major issues in a range of growers and producers, pollination gaps and yield industries. They include an autonomous agricultural security.

Founder and chairman Steve Saunders says it’s an vehicle, robotic pollinator, robotic harvesters, crop absolute honour for the team to receive the award. estimator, and a number of confidential p ojects. “It’s “It is validation of the hard work of a lot of an exciting time for Robotics Plus,” says Matt. people over a number of years and celebrates our The inaugural ANZLF Trans-Tasman Innovation innovation, culture and diversity. We’d like to and Growth recognise our fantastic partners and collaborators in Awards was established by the Australia NZ the commercial, research and government sectors, Leadership Forum to bring senior business and without them this would not be possible.” government leaders together to help the countries Chief executive Dr Matt Glenn says the company is prosper in the global economy. experiencing strong growth on the back of increasing Robotics Plus’ winners’ prize is AUD$20,000 and demand for its world-first platform technologies invitation to two funded winners’ summits in 2020.

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LIFESTYLE FARMING

Page 54

From city life to country gardening For many, country living means growing fruit, vegetables, fl wers and home spaces. With National Gardening Week on October 21-28, Merle Foster talked to Sarah O’Neil of Otaua, who made a career out of her passion.

Today, Sarah O’Neil and her family live on 10 acres, as she puts it, in the middle of nowhere. “It’s beautiful,” says Sarah, who has 36 raised garden beds sprouting vegetables her family eat fresh, pickle, preserve and give away. She’s also written three gardening books, is a regular gardening writer, and a brand ambassador for Yates and Gardena.

Just over a decade ago, she was an Auckland citydweller with no interest at all in gardening. While hailing from a long line of gardeners, it piqued her interest when she moved. “I wanted to grow fresh and healthy food for my family. That’s when I began

Sarah O’Neil, at home in her Otaua garden.

gardening and it became an allconsuming passion.”

The main reason for moving was a Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis. “We decided living in the city was not going to help my health,” says Sarah.

Her, husband Tom and their two

children first m ved to three acres of swampland at Aka Aka in 2007, where they spent 10 years and Sarah’s garden and her passion for it evolved into a career.

In January 2018 they started again, on bare 10 acre block of coastal land at Otaua. Sarah moved on the condition

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As of October 1, it’s now a legal requirement all cattle being disbudded/dehorned will need ‘an appropriately placed and effective local anaesthetic that is authorised by a veterinarian for the purpose of the procedure’.

This is true for all methods of horn tissue removal including hot iron cautery, scoop dehorning, amputation dehorning; and caustic paste, which is no longer appropriate.

Also anyone disbudding/dehorning must be experienced with, or have received training in, the correct use of the method being used; and be able to recognise early signs of significant dist ess, injury, or ill-health so prompt remedial action is taken.

Three options are available. Veterinary staff can perform the procedure of disbudding/dehorning.

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Pain relief is essential for disbudding and improves recovery.

Training is required before administering local anaesthetic. The most common method of administering local anaesthetic, via a cornual nerve block, requires patience, technical competence and practice to be consistently effective.

A bleb block is an alternative way of achieving pain relief. It’s quicker and consistently effective. Local anaesthetics last about two hours, so a non-steroidal anti-inflammato y drug or long-acting topical anaesthetic can be used to extend pain control.

Contact your vet clinic for further details.

LIFESTYLE FARMING

Page 55

Where will it be situated? That sort of thing.”

She also planned how her garden’s look.

“Gardens don’t need to be ugly, they can be aesthetically pleasing too. Vegetable gardens are usually utilitarian things out the back, but they can be beautiful.”

Now she just manages her garden. “It’s not trial and error. It’s a cohesive, well-designed system.”

Grow what you love

Sarah has 36 raised garden beds and keeps on top of them by dividing the garden into sections. she could set up a new garden to size she had before – and do it by the next growing season.

“It was a coastal block with kikuyu, boxthorn and gorse,” says Sarah.

And an April 2018 storm gave her a good idea of worst-case scenario on the new land.

“Winds at Manukau Heads were recorded up to 212km/hour. But we realised it was really good to have such a windy experience right at the start – because now we’ve built everything to worst-scenario.”

For example, Sarah was eyeing up an aluminum glass greenhouse wind-rated to 150 km/hr.

Instead, she invested in a geogesic biodome. “I’m glad I have it because I don’t have to worry about wind – and it’s the main feature of my garden.”

The garden project began May 2018 and Sarah did manage to get it up and running on time. A neighbour’s bulldozer cleared kikuyu, then 36 raised beds were built.

With sandy soil not ideal, Sarah says the beds were the ideal solution. “The sand is fine so it does hold

moisture better than expected – but it’s not as good as swampland. So I brought six truckloads of swamp soil with me to fill the beds, which wo ks well in combination with the sand.” So well, last summer Sarah discovered she only needed to water her garden for nine minutes every fi e days.

From seed

She grows most produce from seed. “Seed growing can be quite daunting. But growing from seed, you get way more choice. In shops you may find th ee or four varieties of tomato seedlings. In seed form there’s more than 100. And there’s more seeds in a packet – so you get more bang for your buck.”

As brand ambassador for Yates and Gardena, Sarah keenly shares her gardening journey, tips, trials and tribulations. Her best advice? Sarah says planning a new garden or renovation before picking up the spade is crucial. “I was able to sit down and think about what I wanted from it, and ask myself: What does it need to give me? How many plants can I fit in a squa e metre?

How to effectively spring clean the girls’ coop Spring is here, which means it’s time to clean the coop, says Chris Brook, who with husband Allan, runs The Chookyard, selling poultry, feeds and other needs both online and at their Franklin shop.

“Now that warmer and sunnier days are here, it’s a great opportunity for a thorough scrub and disinfect of both the inside and outside of the coop and shelters.

Or as we tell the girls: ‘It is Clean Sheet Day’.”

Chris recommends Smite professional cleaner for the outside pens. “For our inside brooders we use Sterigene disinfectant.

They are perfect tools for these jobs and after a good scattering of Smite DE and a thick blanket of untreated wood shavings, you can add any trimmings of lavender and rosemary into the bedding for a lovely natural scent.”

Chris says spring is also a great chance to check out legs, feet and

• • • • •

Warmer, sunnier days signal it’s time to scrub the chook house.

bottoms for evidence of scaly leg mite, lice or any damage hidden under previously muddy feet.

“Vaseline is great for scaly legs as it suffocates mites and moisturises dry scales – apply regularly to improve the condition.

“And don’t forget to regularly check the girls’ water and food levels, as your chooks will be

getting more active and their appetite and thirst increases in these longer days.”

As a general rule, feed your adult chooks a high protein pellet such as Westons Peak Layer or Sharpes Hi-Lay to ensure they’re in top condition for longer laying days and also for your breeding flocks, says Chris.

Another message from Sarah is grow what you love. “So many people grow things just because it’s on the list. I say if you don’t like them, don’t grow them.”

Lastly, she says everyone – whether they choose to or not – should know how to put a seed in soil and get something to eat “in the same way they should know how to boil an egg”. Follow her journey at: http://sarahthegardener.co.nz Merle Foster

Win a hamper!

Thanks to Yates, Coast & Country News has a Yates fl wer hamper to give away. To be in to win, email your answer to the following question, with your name and address with ‘Yates hamper giveaway’ to: merle@sunmedia.co.nz Question: Where does Sarah O’Neil live and garden? Or put your answer on an envelope and post to Coast & Country News, PO Box 240, Tauranga 3140 to arrive by October 20.

KIWIFRUIT

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.

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.

Our Atoms are set up with radar speed sensors, this combined with fully automated sprayer controllers and three nozzle rings enhances application efficiency and accuracy.

We also use a quad bike for strip weed spray applications.

We hold all certificates needed to meet Globalgap compliance.

We look at all challenges to help ensure we protect your crop with excellence.

Improving the sector’s identity

Our Atoms are set up with radar speed sensors, this combined with fully automated sprayer controllers and three nozzle rings enhances application efficiency and accuracy.

216 Pongakawa Bush Road

We also use a quad bike for strip weed spray applications.

Te Puke

We hold all certificates needed to meet Globalgap compliance. contact us: interest groups andTo lobbyists.”

The positive identity of In light of the Government’s We look at all challenges to help ensure we protect Phone: 021 907 621 the kiwifruit industry has a National Freshwater Policy Statement, your crop with excellence. zcl@zanadu.co.nz direct impact upon grower Mike’s beenE-mail: asking leaders about environmental sustainability and profitabilit , and on regional business profitabilit . “I want to and national GDP, says Mike know if there should be an ability to Murphy, who is NZ Kiwifruit scale back some of the environmental Growers Inc’s communications conditions if there was a recession and businesses were struggling. I’ve had a manager216 andPongakawa a Kellogg’s Bush Rural Road range of answers from ‘no’ to ‘yes’.”

LeadershipTescholar.

Puke

Freshwater policy “While Zespri is primarily The working title for Mike’s responsible for the brand, To contact us: final ellogg’s report is: kiwifruit growers have Phone: 021 907 621 an important role in ‘Growers’ role in promoting E-mail: zcl@zanadu.co.nz promoting a positive the value of NZ kiwifruit: identity for the kiwifruit Mechanisms which encourage industry.” the use of best practice to With the industry’s create a positive identity’. current rapid growth, Encouraging growers to adopt Mike says one challenge is best practice is one means of how to “create a common achieving a positive identity, understanding, sentiment but Mike says if the and acceptance which majority of growers encourages operate at best individual practice or growers to beyond, that practise their will enhance business in the such a way reputation NZ Kiwifruit Growers Inc communications that promotes of the Zespri manager Mike Murphy is taking part in a a positive brand and Kellogg Rural Leadership Programme. identity of the help ensure kiwifruit industry”. its longevity and success in a changing marketplace.

Rural leaders It is imperative growers recognise That’s a question he hopes to answer how their actions can impact on the as part of the six-month Kellogg Rural wider industry, including ensuring Leadership Programme he joined health and safety and correct pay of earlier this year. Mike is one of 22 men those working on their orchards, to and women from a wide variety of water quality and how growers care for rural careers, who’ve been accepted for the environment. the programme that includes time at Lincoln University and in Wellington.

Urban encroachment So far the experience has been Urban encroachment onto NZs stimulating and sobering, says horticultural land and public scrutiny, Mike. The Kellogg programme is both on and offshore, is increasing and highly respected and extremely well growers can no longer take for granted networked, which means participants the right to grow. “That’s why applying have been addressed by some of NZs best practice to every aspect of orchard top rural leaders, politicians, including management is so important and Ministers, and government officials contributes to enhancing everyone’s – many previous Kellogg participants bottom line. “The Kellogg programme themselves. is helping me strengthen my leadership “We’ve discussed topics such as the skills so I can contribute further role of local and regional government, the international trading environment, to development of the industry’s communication,” says Mike.

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Page 56

KIWIFRUIT

Page 57

Sales and service for all spraying needs With spring on the doorstep, now is the ideal time for orchardists, farmers and crop growers to service their spray equipment or consider buying new, says Splash Direct managing director Craig Bell.

“Whether you require a freshen up, a service of existing gear – or a new piece of equipment, we can help,” says Craig, “We offer a great selection of spraying units, to suit all applications – whether it be kiwifruit, avocados, citrus, berries, forestry, crops, and much more.”

Craig says the Avoliner 2000L sprayer is built specifically for avocados. “We helped to design it for our manufacturer Croplands.

It is customised to the individual avocado grower, because we produce them here in Te Puke.

“It has all the top quality Italian-made pumps and fans, and a quality electronic monitoring system.”

Splash Direct’s 300L trailed units come in handy for fertiliser, berries, forestry and small blocks.

“We’ve built these with all applications in mind,” says Craig.

“Many orchardists use them for strip-spraying herbicides, and we can set them up with different booms on the back for spraying berries and small crops.”

Splash Direct has been in

The Splash Direct complex has a showroom, full sales and parts room, and large fi e-bay workshop – to meet all clients’ spraying and waterblasting needs.

Te Puke for nearly 30 years, and Craig’s team are experts at maintaining and repairing many specialised spraying units, and also manufacture and distribute Croplands products. “We also supply and service a full range of industrial waterblasters, parts, hoses, lances, and build truck washes.”

And they work on sprayer calibration, assemble imported sprayer components and manufacture trailer chassis on-site. “Our new Splash Direct complex on Te Puke’s main street has a showroom, full sales and parts room, and large fi e-bay workshop – so we can meet all of your spraying and waterblasting needs,” says Craig, who has built up specialist knowledge on the critical area of spray application.

The Splash Direct team are experts at maintaining and repairing many specialised spraying units, and also manufacture and distribute Croplands products.

“From trailed sprayers, selfpropelled sprayers all the way through to hand guns and hose fittings, e can supply them.”

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Page 58

FORESTRY

Right trees in right place The One Billion Trees Fund has just hit two significant milestones that will create more than 7500ha of new forest cover, according to Forestry Minister Shane Jones.

Speaking at a celebratory dinner at Parliament last month to mark 100 years of the New Zealand Forestry Service, Shane says the fund was helping put forestry back on the map.

The fund offers direct grants to landowners for planting and regeneration projects, as well as partnership funding to co-fund projects that aim to reduce the barriers to tree planting.

“We launched the fund late last year and I’m pleased with the progress we’re making,” says Shane.

“We’ve now approved more than

170 funding grants worth more than $15 million.

“I’m particularly delighted that eight of these approvals are for Maori freehold land, where the $1.7 million allocated will see planting cover almost 1000ha.

“We know that growing the right trees, in the right place, for the right purpose will help build resilient ecosystems and help us deliver our climate change objectives.”

Grants approved to date reflect an exciting range of initiatives, the length and breadth of the country, says Shane.

“For example, on Stewart Island we’re supporting the planting of some 20ha of seaward facing former hill country farmland to regenerate as native forest, providing penguin habitat.

“In Taranaki we’ve signed a

contract with NZ Green School, a new school set to open early next year and committed to educating for sustainability. They expect to plant up to 40ha, of which about 75 per cent will be native species.

“And a key component of the grants is to provide funding for farmers to integrate trees onto their land to improve productivity; for example, retiring unproductive land through trees and to help diversify their income,” says Shane.

The grant scheme is in addition to the Crown Forestry joint ventures, which is also contributing to the One Billion Trees goal.

“There are currently 33 forestry joint ventures covering 19,446ha with 17.5 million trees to be planted. Almost 13 million seedlings have been planted since the scheme started in 2018,” says Shane.

Freshwater proposal heaps pressure onto forestry sector Water is a both a critical strategic asset and a source of recreation in New Zealand – and we all know it must be abundant, healthy, clean and cost effective.

While National encourages the constant improvement of our waterways, the recent proposals from the Government on Freshwater are shortsighted, and destined to have perverse effects on our primary sector and wider economy. It saddens me to see everyone struggling to grapple with these momentous changes in such a short timeframe.

Planting more trees

The wide-ranging proposals will limit the flexibility of NZ farmers to adjust to ma ket conditions and severely limit farmers’ abilities to make land use changes, which could restrict farmers from innovating – one of NZ’s key advantages.

This means farmers looking to be on the cutting edge of the market and transition to new crops will be hamstrung.

Ultimately, our primary sector and economy will suffer as a result. The only conversions being supported by this document is the planting of more trees.

This is heaping pressures onto a sector that is already at historically low levels of confidence.

Despite the mounting pressure in the rural world, the Government has failed to even analyse how much these regulations will cost farmers and the wider economy.

The dismissive attitude of Davis Parker: “Trust me, I know what I’m doing”, doesn’t cut it when the

livelihoods of 23,000 farming families are at stake. This Government appears content to treat our farmers like New Zealand’s cash cows and have little regard for their own wellbeing.

National established a comprehensive National Policy Statement while in government and worked alongside our primary sector to clean our waterways, which have been steadily improving as shown by the Government’s own data from Land, Air, Water Aotearoa, known as LAWA. This analysis of national river quality trends from 2008 to 2017 showed that for eight out of the nine water quality indicators reported on, more monitored sites were improving than degrading.

A large part of this consistent increase in quality is the huge amount of work farmers have already done to improve water quality. We signed an accord with the dairy industry that’s seen farmers fence off 98 per cent of their waterways, alongside spending more than $1 billion in environmental investment during the last fi e years. This is a major achievement from our farmers but not a story David Parker wants to tell.

Outrageous

It’s outrageous that the Government seems hellbent on putting more and more shackles on the sector that produces 60 per cent of our exports and is the backbone of our economy. If we want first-world healthca e, transport and education, we have to sell something to the world to afford to buy our first world affluence This means we should be encouraging sustainable growth for our industry, not stifling it with egulations in the name of political ideology.

FORESTRY

Page 59

Zero-carbon NZ won’t happen by itself If New Zealand’s ambition is to be a zero carbon economy by 2050, then it must nurture its wood industry.

That’s the message from the Wood Processors & Manufacturers Association of NZ’s Rotorua Regional Meeting on September 10.

WPMA chair Brian Stanley says many industries claim to be driving towards lower emissions but none have the low carbon profile of the wood secto .

“No other major industry in NZ can deliver carbon sequestration, carbon storage and emissions reduction like the wood industry…and the industry now has independent, third-party certification extending right from the forest to the marketplace to prove that our wood-based packaging and construction products do the right thing by the environment.

Our customers in NZ and overseas expect no less.”

At the Rotorua meeting, WPMA highlighted that both major international certification p ogrammes for forestry: Programme for Endorsement of Forest Certification, and orest Stewardship

Council, guarantee that wood products from NZ come from sustainablymanaged forests. In addition, WPMA has just launched its Environmental Product Declarations for wood products. These EPDs provide independent assurance of the environmental credentials of wood, says Brian.

“It’s crucial that our customers understand the significance of these environmental guarantees; this is why we will, very shortly, also be launching environmental guidance to architects and engineers as part of the WPMA Wood Design Guide Series.”

And while the NZ industry is getting on and proving its worth in terms of

environmental protection, Brian says it is being seriously undermined by overseas subsidies distorting the NZ market.

“If the Government wants a zero-carbon manufacturing sector creating good jobs in the regions – and the NZ wood industry is a perfect example of this – then it must play a much more active role in helping it to grow.

“The Minister of Finance has made it crystal clear in his directions to the Overseas Investment Office that he wants foreign investors in forestry to support local wood processors and manufacturers.

“It’s disturbing to see that 90 per cent of OIO applications to buy forests in NZ in the last couple of years make absolutely

Forest owners and farm foresters urged to study freshwater policies Forest Owners Association president Peter Weir says forest owners and farm foresters welcome the opportunity to join the national conversation on freshwater management.

And he urges members of both FOA and the NZ Farm Forestry Association to study the exposure draft of the new Freshwater National Environmental Standard, as well as the more stringent National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management.

Peter says he’s pleased that the positive contribution plantation forestry makes to the environment is acknowledged in the newly-released freshwater discussion documents – but he also acknowledges that, in some steepland erosion-prone catchments, under severe storm conditions, community expectations for water quality have not yet been met.

“The forest industry is deeply committed to doing its part to further improve freshwater quality.

“It is heartening the Government has clearly stated that it realises all forms of forests, indigenous and plantation ‘play a significant ole in providing freshwater resources and ecosystem services’, such as water quality, water yield, recreation, and biodiversity.”

But the detail of the Freshwater NES is important, says Peter. “We are looking closely at the setback rules for streams. We agree with the Government that the minimum distance rule for using the land should be based on the nature of the stream and the risk and effect of the use of the land.

“We note that two setback

distances are suggested for intensive winter grazing. They are 5m and 20m.

“Given that the present NES for Plantation Forests requires a 5m planting setback from small streams

and a 10m setback from larger streams, its makes no sense that year-on-year intensive winter grazing should be able to be closer to a stream than we are permitted to grow a tree.”

no attempt to do this. Is the OIO listening to the Minister I wonder?”

Brian warns a zero-carbon economy isn’t just going to happen by itself. “It needs to be driven by every mechanism that the Government has at its disposal.

“The NZ wood industry is one of the few sectors delivering a triple-bottom-line of regional wealth, strong community and environmental enhancement. Let’s be sure we are doing everything we can to grow it.”

Page 60

RURAL HOUSING & BUILDING

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RURAL HOUSING & BUILDING

Page 61

A hub of innovation A Food Innovation Hub to be built in the Hawke’s Bay has been made possible by the latest Provincial Growth Fund investment in the region, announced late-September.

The region’s local government leaders are welcoming the announcement of $12 million of funding towards the hub project, which they say will help unlock Hawke’s Bay’s potential in the food, beverage and agri-tech sectors as well as industry training and development.

The hub will provide a venue to foster innovation and collaboration and build industry skills and competency, according to Hastings District Council.

“This is crucial for the regional economy and the creation of employment opportunities to the region.”

An industry-led governance group, supported

by Hawke’s Bay councils, has been working on establishing a Food Innovation Hub for more than two years.

A Business Case has estimated the construction and net operating costs will be about $18 million.

And with a regional contribution of $6 million and now the PGF’s investment of $12 million, the governance group will be able to secure tenants for the hub and build the facility in Hastings.

Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst says her council believes the project will support the region’s producers by enabling them to adapt, innovate and develop new products, new markets “and introduce new technologies that will support everything and everyone in the food industry”.

“The Hub will be a ‘Think Tank’ to share ideas

and develop new and exciting ways to grow and market our produce.”

Acting Napier Mayor Faye White says an economic impact assessment has indicated the Food Innovation Hub would generate 500 or more fulltime skilled jobs in the region and contribute more than $100 million during 10 years to the regional domestic product “which will benefit all of our region”.

Central Hawke’s Bay mayor Alex Walker says the huge potential being unlocked by this PGF investment is incredibly exciting.

“This is a unique opportunity to establish a Food Innovation Hub facility that will facilitate innovation in our primary sector as we seek higher value products, businesses and employment.”

Wairoa Mayor Craig Little says the funding, coupled with $64 million invested by the PGF across Hawke’s Bay in June, shows the region is a priority for the Government “and this support will go a long way to improve the lives and wellbeing of our whole community”.

HB Regional Council chair Rex Graham says the investment will put Hawke’s Bay at the forefront of food innovation in New Zealand.

“We have two leading Hawke’s Bay food processing businesses seriously considering making a significant commitment to the hub, providing strong support for this facility.”

Delivery of the Food Innovation Hub will also support future opportunities for a Centre of Vocational Excellence being looked at by EIT. Construction of the Food Innovation Hub is expected to get underway in September 2020 and is due for completion by December 2021.

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Longstanding history in construction Letts Construction has been in the business for quite a while – they’ve been building for 56 years.

A building constructed by Letts Construction.

“The company started building garages in 1963, then in 1979 expanded the range into prefabricated farm buildings and implement sheds,” says Letts Construction’s general manager Sean Cleverly.

“The rural sector has always really been a core area for our business.” These days, Letts’ work includes larger industrial and commercial buildings as well, for those servicing the rural industry.

“We have our own crews so we do all of our own work,” says Sean. “Not many companies are able to carry so much of the job in-house – we have our own manufacturing plants; we bend our own steel to go in the foundations, we make our own structural steel, we’ve got our own frame and truss plant, so all of those feed into the quality of the product.”

Sean says the company is a family run business, under the same ownership for 21 years. Letts believes it has a real duty of care to all of its customers.

“We follow that process right through, which seems to be less common nowadays,” says Sean. “From your first contact with one of our friendly staff, we want you to enjoy the experience and the end result will be a building of which we can all be proud.”

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Page 62

RURAL HOUSING & BUILDING

Structures built to last Custom Cabins is a family-run business that’s been building custom cabins, sleepouts, sheds and kids playhouses for more than 25 years.

“We pride ourselves on quality workmanship, all of our buildings are built to last,” says Custom Cabins’ Kellie Peters.

“Our buildings are all kitset, which means they can be taken into almost all areas they are needed. They are also very straight-forward to assemble and you don’t need to have building skills.”

Custom Cabins has a range of buildings to choose from – or, if Custom Cabins has been supplying and making high-quality you have a design or specific need in cabins and playhouses since 2008. mind, they can build whatever you need.

From small ‘my first playhous ’ kits right through Their cabins and sleepouts come in a range of sizes, to deluxe playhouses with verandas, lofts and even colours, prices and designs, from two-storey cabins to slides. No matter what your child is in to, they’ll love cabins with fenced verandas.

Custom Cabins’ playhouses.

“We use a variety of timbers to build our cabins and “Our playhouses are great for kids both very young sleepouts, with the main timber used being treated and also for those who are older,” says Kellie. pine weatherboard R/S,” says Kellie. ‘But if you “Every playhouse is at least 1.8m high so most prefer a different timber, let us know.” adults can easily stand inside and this height And their playhouses are straight from every kid’s means the playhouse can be used by the very dream. young for years.”

Waipa museum build a step closer Fundraising for Te Ara Wai has been boosted with Trust Waikato announcing it will inject $1 million into Waipa’s new museum and discovery centre.

Waipa Mayor Jim Mylchreest says the substantial donation is a step closer to enabling the district’s diverse and largely unknown social, cultural and natural history to be shared with local, national and international visitors.

“This is such an important project for our district and we are sincerely grateful for the support Trust Waikato has shown for this project.”

Te Ara Wai will be a centre of national and international significance whe e the stories of New Zealanders are protected and shared in a way that is accessible to everyone.

Jim says no one in NZ has attempted a project this ambitious before, weaving together different perspectives on the New Zealand land wars.

“There is simply nowhere else in Aotearoa where you’ll be able to have this type of experience.”

Jim says Te Ara Wai will encompass the region’s foundational geological beginnings, it’s mix of peoples, their struggles, innovation and resilience, and their battles for sovereignty during the NZ land wars.

Jim says his council is fully committed to the project, with it signed off in the 2018-2028 Ten-Year Plan, but fundraising will determine how big it can be.

“Council will contribute $7.2 million towards the design and construction of a purpose-built facility for Te Ara Wai. But if this is a national project that we treat with national significance, then e’ll need support from the likes of the Provisional Growth Fund and other funding mechanisms.”

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Native Plant Sale,

8.30am-noon, Forest & Bird nursery. Fortune Rd, near Whakatane (follow the signs from SH30). Cash only. Ph 07 307 0227.

email your listing to: merle@sunmedia.co.nz with ‘Rural Event’ in the subject line.

Back to Basics Herbal

Medicine, 10am-3pm, Katikati Community Centre, $55. See: tinyurl.com/y27fl6l Or ph 07 549 0399.

Seed Saving Workshop, 2pm-4.30pm, Papamoa Hills, $45. See: craftygatherer.co.nz

October 11-13 Tauranga Orchid Show, Tauranga

Racecourse, 10am4pm, $3 entry (under 12 free). Ph 07 577 6676.

Worm Composting

Workshop, 1pm3pm, The Centre Community Hub, Katikati, $34.50. Western Bay residents only. See: tinyurl.com/ y5qogyo5

NZ Bonsai Convention, Hamilton. See: bonsaiconvention.net.nz

Oct 12

Herb Society Spring

Expo, 10am-3pm, Katikati Community Centre, $15. See: tinyurl.com/y27fl6lh r ph: 07 549 0399.

Okareka Mistletoe

Restoration Day. Weed control work suitable for all ages. Ph Paul, 027 650 7264.

Oct 20

Welcome to the Birds, guest

speaker at 1pm, Pukorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre.

See: tinyurl.com/y8kog9pr

Oct 21-28

National Gardening Week.

Register with www.yates.co.nz

from Oct 1-14 and receive a free packet of fl wer seeds.

Oct 23

Drop-in Gardening Group,

10-11am, 14 Jocelyn St, Katikati, free. Ph 07 549 4522.

Oct 24

Waikato Horticultural

Society: Irises, 7.30pm, Hamilton Gardens Gate 2, $5. Ph Carmel 07 855 3404.

Oct 24-Nov 3

Tauranga Arts Festival. See:

taurangafestival.co.nz Giant Plant Sale, 9am-4pm, Hamilton Gardens, free entry.

See: hamiltongardens.co.nz

Conference, Holiday Inn, Rotorua, the 75th jubilee event. See: tinyurl.com/ yxhftmlt

Oct 1-31

Kauri: The Past, The Present, The Future, Western Bay Museum exhibition, Main Rd, Katikati, free. See: www. nzmuseum.com

October 30

Detainment Bund Research

Field Day at J&C Paterson’s farm, 136B Stewart Rd, Kaharoa, Rotorua. Attendees are requested to pre-register by email to: john.patersonPMP@ gmail.com

Oct 27

Nov 1

Tauranga Indoor Plant Fest,

11.30am-3.30pm, Presbyterian Church Hall, Canada St. Gold coin.

Bonsai Workshop, 2pm4pm, Bunnings, Te Rapa, Hamilton, free.

10am-2pm, 127 Second Ave, Tauranga, $10. Free community plant swap, 2pm-3pm. See: tinyurl.com/ yxky6oms

Oct 29-Nov 1 NZ Rhododendron

Nov 2

Tauranga Rose Show, 10am4pm, Wesley Hall, 13th Ave, Tauranga, $3.

Pakaraka Organic Farm Tour, 9am-noon, near

Nov 3

Rich Enough? Mary Holm,

9am, X-Space, Baycourt, Durham St, Tauranga. See: www.taurangafestival.co.nz The Hunters, Debbie Stewart (Wingspan) and Rachel Stewart on falcons and hawks, 10am, Carrus Crystal Palace, Durham St, Tauranga. See: www.taurangafestival.co.nz Getting Louder, panel discussion on climate change, 2.30pm, Carrus Crystal Palace, Durham St, Tauranga.

See: www.taurangafestival. co.nz

Te Powhiri

Taking their lead from the grace of Ngati Hei in 1769, the Mercury 250 Trust has named their commemorations Te Powhiri – with the highlight of celebrations to be a powhiri this month.

The powhiri on October 19 will follow arrival of a flotilla of essels in Mercury Bay, which is voyaging around NZ from October-December visiting up to 19 communities around Aotearoa.

The flotilla will disemba k and follow the exact same path that Captain Cook,

the scientists, crew and Polynesian linguist, navigator and priest Tupaia took along the foreshore of Wharekaho Beach. Ngatai Hei will host the powhiri at Wharetaewa Pa site, Wharekaho. A number of large screens and a narrator will ensure the 3000 expected visitors can follow the proceedings. Later a massive hangi, prepared by Ngatai Hei, will cap off celebrations.

Tuia – Encounters 250 recognises the exceptional feats of Pacific/ aori and European voyaging that brought our cultures together, says event organiser Jan Wright.

Dual heritage

Ngati Hei spokesperson and Mercury 250 Trust co-chair says Joe Davis says the name of the celebrations recognises the decision made by mana whenua, Ngati Hei, to – undoubtedly very cautiously and watchfully – welcome and embrace this visit by the whiteskinned newcomers who arrived in their waters in an enormous vessel, thought initially to be a huge bird and was as unexpected as a spaceship landing in your backyard today. “These celebrations offer an opportunity to better understand our dual heritage, and to begin to work together for the future we all want.”

A book has been commissioned to tell 14 stories of Ngatai Hei’s first encounters with the arriving Europeans.

“The stories that have been handed down through generations of Ngati Hei and are now emerging for the first time,” says Jan. For event details, see: www.mercury250.org

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Mercury Bay as it looks today.

The first meetings bet een Maori and Europeans will be marked in Mercury Bay on the Coromandel – one of the four landings sites of the Endeavour’s 1768-1771 voyage – with a powhiri and flotilla of arriving essels including waka hourua, a Tahitian vaka, tall ships, the New Zealand Navy and the Endeavour replica this month.

The event is one of many planned this year for Tuia – Encounters 250, a national commemoration marking 250 years since the first onsho e meetings between Maori and Europeans, which received $13.5m in government funding.

Regional commemorations will take place at the Endeavour’s four landing sites: Gisborne, Mercury Bay, Bay of Islands and Marlborough.

In November 1769, Captain Cook arrived at Mercury Bay and set up a shore station at the mouth of the Purangi River – now known as Cooks Beach – leading to the first encounters between local iwi Ngati Hei and Europeans.

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upcoming event

S

BER TR TIM E NT ME AT

Flotilla of vessels trace same path as Captain Cook

Morrinsville Rose Show,

Thames, $35 (under-16 free).

See: tinyurl.com/y56s4o2w Crop Swap, 10am-11am, 14 Jocelyn St, Katikati. Veges, fruit, seeds, baking, books, eggs, etc. Ph 07 549 4522.

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Oct 19

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

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