Coast & Country News - July 2020

JefďŹ e Botha and her son Leon have farmed goats since she rescued two does about seven years ago. Today, goats are a family passion that offer the pair an enterprising venture and an incredible country lifestyle. Read their story on pages 6-7. Photo: Merle Cave.

Avocados PG 13-17

Calving PG 18-21

QUANTUM orchard tractors

Farm Vehicles & Machinery PG 23-25

Dairy PG 26-29

Country Living PG 31-33

New stock just arrived 0800 77 88 99

Kiwifruit PG 34-35

Fertiliser PG 39-41

Cab options available

caseih@jml.co.nz

Page 2

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

A world of uncertainty We all let out a collective inconsolable sigh when health officials tested and ealised two UK woman had Covid-19 after they’d travelled from Auckland to Wellington for a funeral.

www.coastandcountrynews.co.nz

For some, it seems the huge commitment and expense to all of our livelihoods from lockdown did nothing to encourage our health department to be extra vigilant in how they manage our borders. Maybe they missed those annoying beep-toned ‘Unite against Covid-19’ messages on every media and social media platform from dawn til dusk?

But the more worrying part is this pandemic is still raging beyond us. Many high-population countries worldwide are reporting their highest number of cases, or second wave, as I write this.

So for our primary industries, our much relied-upon export markets and economies remain incredibly uncertain. This is mirrored by MPI not releasing its usual ‘Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries’ due to “situations changing on an almost daily basis and the outlook for sectors more uncertain than ever before”, and instead offering an economic update of sorts.

But, some might say is good news, is that the Government is throwing money at every industry it comes across to bolster business, jobs and keep us

Gypsum delivers Gold for Kiwi Orchardists

afloat. ome of the focus is to send people into the primary industries, which has job vacancies galore.

But many of these jobs have been on offer to Kiwis for years, so the uptake of primary sector roles in coming months will be interesting to see.

This edition we look at kiwifruit training on page 4, and the new GoDairy initiative on page 10. The avocado industry is gearing up for its new season with Covid-19 in play. See page 3 and then pages 13-17.

Meanwhile, 15 Kiwi women working at the top of their industries have started a conversation to better connect our urban and rural communities so they can grow ‘together’ postCovid-19 – see page 12.

Hort NZ chief executive Mike Chapman proposes how we can grow our way out of Covid on page 14.

Our local Nuffield scholars aren’t on study leave just because travel is out of the question – see page 8.

Calving is just around the corner – we have key advice on how to keep calves healthy from birth on pages 18-21.

And latest market reports show higher log prices in China but the big question is what happens once the country’s supply chain is back up and running in the next two months – see page 30.

And the trees versus farmland debate has been reignited by last month’s passing of the emissions trading reform legislation – see page 38.

Merle Cave Happy reading!

Improves soil structure by adding calcium which is needed to flocculate clays in acid and alkaline soil Contains non acidic sulphur, an important nutrient in the production of green protein rich leaf material As a fertiliser CaSO4-2H2O is a pH neutral source of readily available calcium and sulphur Suppresses soil borne root disease such as armalleria which are often present in anaerobic soil conditions Prevents waterlogging of soil where high sodium, swelling clay and excess water result in drainage issues

For more about Natural Gypsum and soil stabilisation visit www.gypsum.co.nz

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 3

Avo exporters face Asia airfreight dilemma New Zealand avocado exporters are currently trying to figure out how to get their produce to Asian markets for the upcoming season, with the Covid-19 pandemic causing major supply chain issues.

Thailand, which became New Zealand’s number one avocado export market outside of Australia last season, overtaking Korea, is currently off limits with no air freight options available to get fruit there.

Last season the total volume of NZ avocados exported to Thailand was 281,000 trays, up from 148,000 trays in the 2018-2019 season – according to NZ Avocado figures.

Currently, Thailand’s civil aviation authority has extended its ban on incoming international flights to June 30, according to a New Trade & Enterprise website offering Covid-19 information for Kiwi exporters.

Avoco communications manager Steve Trickett says market dynamics in Asia are changing weekly, and currently none of the usual airfreight pathways to a number of Asian markets are available.

Thailand

With no scheduled air freight services to Thailand and India – two of the nine Asian markets Avoco exports avocados to under brand name Avanza – Steve’s team is working on contingency plans to get fruit there once exporting begins from August.

“These two markets we supply by airfreight only, and with no passenger planes – that usually have cargo capacity underneath – flying to these countries, airfreight is currently zero,” says Steve, in early-June.

“And even if we were able to find flights to these countries we need to look carefully at cargo costs – and what premiums consumers would be willing to pay for each piece of fruit in a post-Covid world.”

Darling Group’s general manager of sales and marketing, Jacob Darling, says due to Covid-19 closing borders and stripping passenger flights in and out of countries, Just Avocados – which is the NZ avocado supply arm of Darling Group – is now reviewing their initial aim of putting 50 per cent of Just Avocados’ export volume into Asia this coming season.

“We are reviewing this in the best interests of our growers,” says Jacob. Darling Group increased the total volume of its NZ-grown Just Avocados crop shipped to Asia from 28 per cent in 2018-2019 to 42 per cent in 2019-2020.

Sea freight

Jacob says Darling Group will now sea freight Just Avocados produce to all of its seven Asian markets this coming season – except Thailand. “What we’re looking to do for Thailand is to have block-space bookings

had an impact on orchards, particularly those without irrigation.

“So there’s a higher percentage of small fruit likely to be available. If – worstcase – we were to lose access to Thailand then that fruit needs to find a home.

“Logically it needs to go to Australia, and we can probably get away with that. Our contingency plan here is talking to customers about our pre-pack programmes.”

Jacob says additional Australian demand this coming season, due to a lighter volume Australian crop, will mean a lot of volume will be sucked out of Asia and will go to Australia.

“This will naturally put less pressure

on the air freight and sea freight requirements into Asian markets.”

Steve says the Asian airfreight dilemma is a concern for Avoco. “However, we’re still a couple months out before we’re due to start shipping, so by then this situation may be a little different.”

This season Avoco plans to send around 12 per cent of export fruit to Asia, down from 14 per cent last season, with its biggest market Australia looking get more than 85 per cent of its fruit this year.

Read about NZ’s Australian market prospects – including Chile entering this market – on page 13.

Merle Cave

Just Avocado’s promotion of Darling Avocados in a Thailand supermarket. with freight forwarders, which means flights versus competing we can secure fl for cargo space with other dried goods and products.

“At this stage we will rely on sea freight for all other Asian markets, and we can’t see there will be any considerable delays with this option.”

But another issue is air freight costs – which exporters say have increased dramatically postCovid-19.

Steve says cargo rates appear to now be at least double what Avoco paid last year. Jacob says at a per-kg cost, they now range from $1-$2 up to $4-$6 per kg. “So we’re trying to get our heads around, at a consumption level, what this is going to mean in the market and how it is going to affect our growth in these [Asian] markets,” says Jacob.

THE SPIRIT HORSE - BELT DRIVE Range: Charging Time: Speed: Lights: Pedal Assist: Throttle Only Option:

EXCLUSIVE INTRODUCTORY OFFER:

$5,230* INCLUDES GST

THE STREET GYPSIE - STEP THRU

Fresh produce and wellbeing

“The pleasing thing is the consumer wants to contribute to buying produce, because of the correlation between fresh produce and wellbeing.

“They believe it’s good for them, so regardless of the fact that the cost of the produce has increased – due to supply chain and freight costs – we also have this additional demand for products that contribute to people’s immunity and wellbeing. So it’s about trying to get a handle on where that demand sits.”

Steve says a contingency plan being worked on involves a potential collaboration between NZ avocado exporters to secure cargo space on chartered aircraft at viable freight rates to get fruit to Asian markets.

“That is research we’re currently working through together with our freight forwarder, on whether we can come up with a commercial solution to get our product to these markets. But that’s uncertain at this stage.”

Steve says another component is a market like Thailand has good demand for smaller size fruit, “which NZ is probably going to have a high percentage of this season due to dry conditions”.

“The industry’s total crop volume is expected to increase by up 15 per cent – but we’ve had this long dry period through summer and autumn and that’s

Approx. 40km per charge Approx. 2/3 hours 25km/h when restricted LED front & back 6 speed motor assist with a single speed belt Yes

Range: Charging Time: Speed: Lights: Pedal Assist: Throttle Only Option:

EXCLUSIVE INTRODUCTORY OFFER:

Approx. 40km per charge Approx. 2/3 hours 25km/h when restricted LED front & back 6 speed motor assist with 8 speed Shimano Acera Yes

$3,950* INCLUDES GST

Vallkree Co. is an Australian based manufacturer of high performance electric bikes founded in 2013. All our bikes are conceptualized and designed in Byron Bay Australia with Japanese engineering.

With Vallkree you have the option to have 6 levels of pedal assist or just use the throttle if you get a bit tired!

Buy direct from the NZ distributor!

Test ride now at Ford Hot Spring Spas: 34 Chapel Street, Tauranga - Ph: 021 675 900 * Terms & Conditions apply. See instore for details.

MGX SERIES 100-135HP THE POWER TO PERFROM

Get the advantage with Kubota’s mighty M Series. The MGX delivers massive torque and smooth transmission, delivering ample torque for heavy pulling and constant power for tough PTO jobs.

THE TASK MASTER

0.9%

P.A.

FINANCE FOR 36 MONTHS*

R & R Tractors 4 Te Puke Quarry Road, Te Puke Ph: 07 573 9107

across the MGX Series FINANCE PROVIDED BY

rrtractors.co.nz

UDC FINANCE LIMITED

M135GX *This finance ffer f om UDC Finance Limited is only available to eligible business applicants on loans with a term of up to 36 months. The 0.9% p.a. interest rate is fi ed for the term of the loan and is only available with a minimum 20% deposit and applies to new MGX Series models UDC Finance credit criteria, fees, terms and conditions apply. The finance ffer a e valid to 30th June 2020.

KUBOTA.CO.NZ

Page 4

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Kiwifruit training welcomed Free kiwifruit industry training courses are now on offer across the Bay of Plenty, after starting on June 22.

The Government announced last month that up to $200,000 is being invested into kiwifruit training programmes to help the industry provide employment opportunities.

Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor says this will help people into work, and meet urgent seasonal demand in the sector. “We know that people have lost their jobs because of Covid19 and there is significant and urgent demand for trained workers in the horticulture sector,” says O’Connor.

“During lockdown the kiwifruit industry provided a lifeline for a number of displaced workers from industries such as tourism, forestry and hospitality.

“We want to continue to connect people with jobs in horticulture, and more broadly in the primary industries,

because we know these sectors will be key to our economic recovery.”

NZKGI CEO Nikki Johnson says the training courses are a win-win for both the industry and the people employed.

“NZKGI is very pleased to work with the Ministry for Primary Industries to train winter pruners for kiwifruit orchards,” says Nikki.

“While the industry should gain at least 60 people to support winter pruning, the employment will also be beneficial for the individuals.

Main struggle

People in the industry have recognised the need for education and training for a long time, with many trusts and organisations establishing their own programmes to meet the need. This includes Te Whanau a Apanui Fruit Growers Sustainable Labour Initiative.

Te Kaha 15B executive chairman Norm Carter, who was instrumental in establishing the initiative, says new government-funded training programmes

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speaking with workers in Trevelyan’s Packhouse. Photo: Daniel Hines.

BASED CLEANER

Kevin Deane Real Estate

NZKGI CEO Nikki Johnson and NZKGI chairman Doug Brown inspect vines during winter. are welcomed. “Funding has been our main struggle when it comes to providing education for our people, so the Government making free courses available is a very positive thing.”

There will be two free courses, starting with a oneday taster, followed by an optional, more intensive course in winter pruning. Participants will receive certification for both courses. Those who complete the intensive training will be encouraged to seek work as winter pruners on kiwifruit orchards.

This is the first initiati e to be funded from the $19.3 million allocated in the 2020 Budget to help recently-unemployed New Zealanders into training programmes in the next four years.

A press release from Minister O’Connor says indicative figu es show kiwifruit businesses have employed around 70 per cent New Zealanders, with some businesses employing up to 90 per cent, compared to approximately 50 per cent last season.

Due to privacy reasons, NZKGI can’t disclose which businesses have employed up to 90 per cent of Kiwis.

PM visits packhouse

Following the announcement, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern visited Trevelyan’s packhouse in Te Puke on the first day of NZ being in Ale t Level 1.

There she talked to workers about their experience working in kiwifruit, took a tour, and addressed media.

Trevelyan’s managing director James Trevelyan says the visit was “an honour”. “Not only did we get to show the Prime Minister what we’ve been doing, but it’s the last packing day of the season and the first day of Alert Level 1 – a relief for many.”

Free kiwifruit training information is at: https://www. nzkgi.org.nz/winter-pruning/#article MacKenzie Dyer

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 5

Milk to yield more pay Fonterra farmers producing sustainable, high quality milk will be eligible for a new payment, as Fonterra announces important changes to the way it pays farmers for their milk.

From June 1, 2021, Fonterra is introducing a Co-operative Difference Payment of up to 10 cents per kilogram of milk solids (kgMS) if the farm meets the co-op’s on-farm sustainability and value targets.

Fonterra CEO Miles Hurrell says the move is part of the co-op’s strategy to add value to New Zealand milk and responds to increasing demand from customers here and around the world for sustainably-produced dairy. The payment will be funded out of the Farmgate Milk Price.

Drivers of value changing

“The total Farmgate Milk Price will remain the same across the co-operative, but the amount that each individual farm is paid will vary depending on their contribution under The Co-operative Difference, in addition to the other variables, like fat and protein, which affect the amount that’s paid,” says Miles.

“We’ve always paid our farmers based on the value that milk provides to the co-operative. The reality is that the

produce high-quality, sustainable milk and prepare for any changes needed in the future.

The payment will replace the Farm Source Reward Dollars farmers currently earn through The Co-operative Difference and will work on a tiered system.

The more a farmer achieves in The Co-operative Difference programme, the higher the payment will be. The precise payment structure will be confirmed during the next few months following discussions with farmers but will be no more than 10 cents per kgMS. And the amount and targets will be set annually by the Fonterra Board.

Looking to the future drivers of value are changing, and we need to reflect that. Our customers want to know that the products they are buying are not only safe, but also produced sustainably.

“This payment helps us meet the changing needs of our customers, so they continue to choose our milk and enjoy dairy as a sustainable and nutritious choice,” says Miles.

“We want to deliver the innovation, sustainability and efficiency needed to make the most difference to our strategy and our bottom line. It makes sense to financially reward those farmers who go the extra mile to help our co-op differentiate its milk.”

Last year Fonterra launched The Co-operative Difference – a straightforward framework to help farmers

Miles says all farmers can participate in The Co-operative Difference “and we’ll keep supporting them through Farm Source”.

“We want farmers looking to the future, and The Co-operative Difference encourages them to continue to focus on the things that will create the highest value milk.

“This helps us create higher value products that stand out in the global market for their New Zealand-ness and the sustainable way they’re produced.”

Specialising in Specialising in • • • • • •

of whole t Removal• Removal / chipping/ ofchipping whole trees On site for chipping for pads stand off p On site •chipping stand off • Wood chip for sale Wood chip for sale Orchardremoval shelter removal Orchard• shelter • Stump removal Stump removal Woodlot marketing all tree s Woodlot• marketing of all tree of species

Architectural, Prefabricated & Modular Pods CUSTOM BUILT | MULTIPURPOSE | BUILT TO CODE | OFF-GRID PACKAGES Sleepout, Office, Minor Dwelling, Worker Accommodation, Granny Flat, etc.

Thames Valley drought relief fund open Drought-stricken Thames Valley farmers have until Monday, July 13 to apply to a $250,000 Mayoral Drought Relief Fund provided by the Ministry for Primary Industries for partial reimbursement of feed transport costs.

“So if you’ve been hit in the pocket for transport costs of supplementary feed, or cartage of livestock for grazing, make sure you get those forms filled out and back to us as soon as you can,” says Hauraki District Mayor Toby Adams.

Anyone who lives in the Thames Valley area and owns livestock, including equine, with a

predominantly pasture diet can apply to the fund.

However, it’s expected applicants will have a feed plan in place and recovery of pasture covers must have been very slow due to low autumn rainfall.

The maximum grant available per application is $5000, with one application accepted per business.

Application forms are available at: https://www.hauraki-dc. govt.nz plus local council offices.

30sqm 2-bed pod eco $66,400 incl. gst*

concepts

24H ESTIMATE 0800 ECOPODS | 09 8693249 Enquire Today sales@ecopodconcepts.nz *Includes electrical cert., not delivery, foundations or amenities. Mention this Ad for a 5% Discount!

THE PERFECT MATCH Better than the rest...

ORIZZONTI MULCHERS BEST FINISH - from shape to paint BEST DESIGN - uses 30% less power BEST LIFE - double skinned heavy duty BEST RESULT - finest mulch BEST VALUE - quality that lasts

$

ALL FOR JUST

59,900 + GST

0228030 573 4910 | p 07 573 4910 | A 295 Jellicoe Street, Te Puke Contact: James 022 573 4910 | Blake James 022 573 is for 1.8M H/Duty Power mulcher & Star 3080 (other packages available). p 07 573 4910 | A 295 Jellicoe Street,Pricing Te Puke | www.boptractors.co.nz All pricing is GST exclusive & applies to cash no trade basis. Only three units available for this offer.

FEATURES: 75hp 4 cylinder VM Detroit engine // 4 WD Low seat height, on 20” wheel equipment

www.boptractors.co.nz

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 6

Apata goat farmer turns focus At the front of Jeffie Botha’s 1ha hillside Apata property is her friendly Laborador, ‘Luna’, with a shiny coat of fur gleaming in the afternoon sun.

Jeffie and son Leon, aged nine, feed Luna goat’s milk alongside a full raw food diet. They’ve been selling goat’s milk in frozen 500ml bags via a distributor in the Western Bay of Plenty for about 12 months.

Jeffie twigged onto the idea in 2017 while selling a range of home-made goat products.

But her love affair with goats began

years ago. “In 2013 I rescued two goats when with Leon’s father on a farm in Opotiki,” says Jeffie, who admittedly grew up as a city girl in Pretoria, South Africa.

Living near Katikati for nearly three years, Jeffie says she just love goats. “I love their personality. I’ve always had an affinity for them.”

Unbeknown to Jeffie, her rescued goats came home in-kid; and once kidded their milk came in. Her initial dream was to make goat’s milk cheese commercially. But when Jeffie looked into the skill of cheesemaking, she realised it wasn’t straightforward. “There is a bit more to it than just making the cheese. So I started a business making goat milk soaps and lotions.”

Leon loves learning how to look after the animals. Photos: Supplied.

But after a few house moves and a decision to homeschool Leon in 2019, Jeffie found the soap and lotion-making too time-consuming. She decided to re-strategise, rebrand and for the time being, solely focus on her pet milk business selling goat’s milk for pets in its raw form under her new label ‘Goat Milk for Pets’.

A small player, Jeffie has 25 goats and works with what she can manage. This year she will have at least eight Saanen goats in milk.

“The goats produce varying amounts of milk – to start with they were not full-breed high value stock, but over the years

I’ve been breeding the best does to registered bucks to add better genetics to improve the quality and quantity of milk produced by the does.

“The girls that kidded last year have lovely sized udders on them with a good milk supply. We are finally getting there!”

She began handmilking in 2013 but has since bought a small portable milking machine that can milk four goats at a time. With this machine, milking time was cut from around three hours per milking to one hour.

“I milk, bag and freeze it and deliver the final product to our

The end product. distributor, Out of The Wild Pet Food outside Katikati. We have a few stockists around the country that sell our products with more coming on-board in the next season.”

Jeffie’s customers feed the milk to their cats or dogs. “But it can be fed to any animal – including ...continued

CCTV - SECURITY ALARMS - ALARM MONITORING GPS TRACKING - GATE ALERTS - FUEL TANK ALERTS

BOOST THE SECURITY ON YOUR PROPERTY! We can help you to do the following - and more: ● Install Crystal Clear cameras that allow you to actually “see” things instead of fuzzy images ● Keep an eye on the calving pen from your house or on your phone ● Receive a message in the house or on your phone when there is movement at the fuel tanks ● Install Driveway Alerts so you know when someone comes through your gates ● Install CCTV cameras on your Cow Sheds, Milk Vats, Fuel and Implement Sheds. ● Know where your bikes and machinery are in real time* ● Carry a GPS alert with a panic button* ● Install Wireless Data across the farm so you can have Internet on your phone at the Cowshed We ask more questions than other companies - to help you get the solution you need.

For a One Stop security solution provider - Call the experts now!

Call 0800 93 63 63 www.smartway.co.nz

WE ARE No. 1 FOR CCTV

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 7

to the pet food market fencing. “Goats are very intelligent and that kefir has to be inquisitive animals. If there’s a hole introduced slowly in the fence, they’ll find it. That’s just to pets. how they are.”

And she’s about to Other necessities are grazing, water release wheat-free and shelter. Prolonged dry weather dog treat biscuits has Jeffie giving her goats supplement made with goat’s feed to keep condition on, and they milk and goat milk enjoy in-paddock salt blocks. Jeffie dog shampoo bars. clips hooves every six weeks and says “All of our goats are very susceptible to worms, so products are made require regular drenching. with natural raw With Leon, who has Asperger ingredients and syndrome, being home-schooled, I source supplies Jeffie says the goats offer a beneficial and packaging environment for him to thrive in materials locally or while also learning skills out of the from NZ-owned classroom. “He knows the practical businesses where side of goat farming. He’s seen births, possible.” and me process culled goats for the Currently dried freezer. He also helps at feeding off, Jeffie’s girls times and hand-rears babies.” With Leon also knows the practical side of goat farming well. Photo: Merle Cave. will kid in August.

Kidding is a stressful both Jeffie and Leon being on the continued... autism spectrum it’s ideal for them time for Jeffie, so calves, foals etc. Our dog Luna’s coat just shines, to be outside, getting the therapeutic she keeps all in-kid does on her home she’s in very good health. We have customers that benefits of being around animals. block to observe them. are dog breeders, and they give the milk to lactating She also leases 2.5ha in Jeffie works hard to create a bitches as well as puppies.”

Whakamarama, which has a small sustainable business that supports a Goat milk contains vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, milking shed and yards. This land lifestyle on the land her and Leon trace elements, enzymes, protein, and fatty acids, says houses doelings from 2019’s kidding can enjoy.

“The health benefits from Jeffie. season, which will be 2021’s milkers, goat’s milk are just phenomenal. In “In fact, the body can digest goat’s milk in 20 and boer-cross-kiko goats for homekill my eyes – goat’s milk is white gold,” minutes. Having fat molecules one-fifth the size of for Jeffie and Leon. says Jeffie. “And I just can’t see my those in cow’s milk makes it easily digestible and She finds goats very easy to look life without goats.” tolerable even for dogs with digestive issues.

Merle Cave after – but does warn: you need good “Plus raw goat milk is a source of easily digested probiotics that can help with many chronic diseases.

Some clients give it to their elderly dogs, or dogs that have had operations, for it’s believed antiinflammatory properties.”

Jeffie recently added Goat Milk Kefir treats to her

pet range. “Kefir is a fermented milk product that

has probiotics and is very good for health. Goat milk kefir contains up to 30 different strains of good bacteria, which may help improve overall health and wellbeing of pets,” says Jeffie, who also warns

Goat milk-made dog soap. Photo: Merle Cave.

0

%

P.A.

*

FINANCE

ON SELECTED UNITS ACROSS THE ENTIRE JOHN DEERE RANGE.

Jeffie is about to release pet treat biscuits made of goat’s milk.

Photo: Merle Cave.

Act QUICK!

THIS OFFER WONT LAST FOREVER. Contact your nearest Cervus Equipment branch today to learn more.

0800 333 734

CervusEquipment.co.nz *Conditions apply. Finance available through John Deere Financial Limited to approved commercial applicants only. Offer is based on 30% deposit, GST back and 36 month term. Fees and charges of $425 apply. If not amended or withdrawn earlier, the promotion expires on 31/07/2020.

Page 8

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Studies continue for Nuffield scholars When Covid-19 hit, around 75 Nuffield scholars from around the world were on Moreton Island, 40km off the coast of Brisbane, for a conference to kick-start an exciting year of travel and agriculture research.

Most of the five Kiwi scholars spent just 24 hours on the island before rushing back to Brisbane Airport on March 13, to make it home before forced isolation was implemented.

They soon realised their scholarship year wouldn’t go ahead as planned.

Scholars Tracy Brown from Matamata, Phillip Weir from Te Pahu and Whakatane’s Shannon Harnett are back to normal life at home and work – which is rather different to their original plans.

Tracy was meant to be in India, Phillip in China and Shannon in Israel. But, the three remain in good spirits. “We had so much fun on the Island despite our short stay,” says Shannon.

“To get to the conference, us Kiwi scholars did a road trip from Sydney to

Brisbane. It was an awesome experience.”

Farm owner Phillip says despite the circumstances, he enjoyed the lockdown period. “I have three young kids, so it was nice getting to spend the time with them. Being on a farm, it became easy to forget what was going on in the world – you had to drive to town to remember a pandemic was happening.”

Tracy, a farm owner who is also involved in a number of off-farm roles, is grateful to have more time to plan her Nuffield travel.

“The delay means Phillip Weir. we have more time to make connections with other scholars around the world who will help us set up key visits and meetings.”

Nuffield organisers have extended the report deadline from the end of this year to next year, leaving a hopeful window open to the possibility of travel. “There are plans for us to do some travel within a trans-Tasman bubble later this year, and a shortened version of Nuffield’s Global Focus Programme in 2021 if other countries manage to control Covid-19.”

True to the Covid world, whether or not this will happen is uncertain. But regardless, the scholars are marching on with their research virtually.

A sustainable way forward

Tracy’s research looks at how policies, processes and mechanisms can lead to positive environmental change for dairy. “New Zealand’s dairy industry is a world leader in sustainability, but I want to also take learnings from other countries and apply them in our context,” says Tracy.

While Covid-19 didn’t change her topic directly, she says it has proven the robustness of NZ’s supply chain.

“We’re a country of five million people that can feed more than 40 million. When the world shut down we still managed to feed ourselves and continue to export our products. My vision for NZ is to become the world’s producer of choice by having the best products, the best people and the most sustainable practices.

“Covid-19 has proven how quickly human behaviour

Shannon Harnett. can change when we reprioritise what’s important.”

It’s positive to see how Covid-19 has bridged the divide between producers and consumers, says Tracy. “For a moment, farmers felt wanted and respected again for producing food.

That’s a great place to build from.”

Tracy Brown.

Phillip’s study will look at barriers that prevent collaboration in the primary sector – and, more specifically, the structures that support farmer representation, advocacy and research.

The topic fits in exactly with his expertise – he worked for AgResearch NZ before getting into farming and is now a Beef + Lamb NZ farmer councillor.

“There are many organisations providing research, advocacy and support to the primary sector, so I’m interested to see if the system is optimal and if they are working together as effectively as they can.

“I want to see how farmers in countries including Australia, the US and Europe are represented politically, and how they interact with those that support them including the research organisations.”

Plant variety rights

Shannon is drawing on her expertise as a chartered accountant and partner at Rural Accountants, and from sitting on multiple boards relevant to horticultureto study Plant Variety Rights, known as PVRs, which allow growers to have exclusive producing and selling rights over new types of plants.

“NZ being a commodity grower is not sustainable.

“Let’s make Kiwi-grown goods a premium product we can control the supply of. I’m interested in how other countries PVRs work, particularly in the US.” She planned to visit San Francisco, where an American company, called Plenty, grow vegetables in a closed vertical system.

“At this stage, a meeting with the NZ scholars in Christchurch is going ahead this month, so I’m looking forward to that.”

MacKenzie Dyer

Extra value $325/ha* 501 Chicory is very fast establishing and out-yields some other varieties. This could mean an extra 50kg MS/ha worth $325/ha*. *Based on 550kg DM/ha extra yield and $6.50/kg MS milk price. Yield data based on yield info from combined trial analysis of Cambridge 11-12, and Canterbury 12-13.

Make more green this summer with 501 Chicory. barenbrug.co.nz 0800 449 955

facebook.com/BarenbrugNZ

@BarenbrugNZ

ealand nfo@ef.net.nz

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

NZ kiwifruit profit and demand grows Zespri has reported an eight per cent increase in New Zealand-grown fruit and service payments for the 2019/2020 season, meaning nearly NZ$2 billion has been returned to the local kiwifruit industry.

And 2020/2021 is shaping up as another strong year, according to Zespri chief executive Dan Mathieson.

Releasing its financial performance results for 2019/2020 in mid-June, Zespri reported total operating revenue was NZ$3.36 billion, up from NZ$3.14 billion, with global revenue from fruit sales increasing by seven per cent to NZ$3.14 billion. This was based on the sale of 164.4 million trays of NZ and non-NZ-grown kiwifruit, a two per cent reduction on the previous year.

And strong results were achieved across each fruit category. The average Green per-tray return increased to NZ$6.67, with the average per ha return for Green reaching a record high of NZ$67,295.

Organic Green reached an average return per-tray of NZ$9.88, with the average per ha return reaching NZ$63,734. The SunGold average return per tray increased to NZ$11.86, and the average return per ha was also a record NZ$161,660. Sweet Green achieved an average return per-tray of NZ$7.66 and an average return per ha of NZ$43,550.

Zespri’s Net profit after tax was NZ$200.8 million, up from $179.8 million in 2018/2019. The Board expects the total dividend for 2019/2020 to be $0.94 per share, up slightly from $0.92 in 2018/2019.

Encouraging

Zespri chairman Bruce Cameron says the results are incredibly encouraging for the industry and wider NZ economy in a time of much economic uncertainty.

“Working with the NZ industry, we’ve continued to strengthen Zespri’s reputation for providing the world’s leading portfolio of branded kiwifruit for 12 months of the year, which drives stronger returns for NZ growers and our communities.

TREE CONTROL

“The result reflects the hard work Zespri and the industry are undertaking to both grow supply and add value through a world-leading brand and a premium product,” says Bruce.

Zespri chief executive Dan Mathieson says it was an incredibly encouraging year, with the industry working hard in NZ and the markets to manage quality and deliver more than five billion pieces of Zespri kiwifruit worldwide.

“Overall, 2019/2020 was another strong year for Zespri with continued growth in our largest markets including Japan, Greater China and Europe.

“On top of strong returns we achieved some real milestones last season including commercialising the new Zespri Red variety, opening our new head office in Mount Maunganui, launching our new brand, announcing our sustainability targets and investing in communities. “We’ve also made excellent progress in building our business for the future and investing in systems we need to continue to grow.”

FOR CONTROLLED TREE REMOVAL Reaching Heights Of Up To 30 Metres

Significant demand

Dan says this coming season is “one of our best-ever tasting crops and largest by volume, albeit with smaller Green due to the dry weather” and that demand worldwide is significant, driven both by Zespri’s investment in sales and marketing and by demand for safe, healthy foods high in Vitamin C. “We’re continuing to see strong growth in our largest markets, including Japan, China and Spain, and making real progress in newer ones like the US and continuing our efforts to get closer to consumers and to broaden our sales channels. Some sales restrictions remain including on ‘point of sale’ promotions in some markets but our teams have adapted, with a greater focus on in-home media and health benefits of Zespri kiwifruit. I’d also like to acknowledge the support we received from our communities in NZ during the lockdown, which helped with this year’s harvest.”

“Risks to our outlook include wider concerns around consumer purchasing power being negatively affected by the global economic turmoil, changes to normal flow of fruit trade and potential disruption across global supply chains.”

We Have The Latest In Tree Control Equipment And The Expertise To Get The Job Done Efficiently!

• Our Latest Machinery is purpose built to top shelter belts up to a height of 30 metres safetly, fully under control. Built and designed with health & safety in mind.

Ideal for removing out of control shelter belts/trees in difficult terrains and in awkward spaces.

• 30 METRE HIGH TREE TOPPING • FULL TREE CHIPPER Why Do Things In Days When They Can Be Done In Hours!

CALL US AT

TREE CONTROL

MATT 027 628 8762

Matt@treecontrol.co.nz Follow Us on Facebook www.facebook.com/NZtreecontrol

Solid and Liquid Fertilisers Liquid BioChar/Humus Builder /Cal-Phos Increase soil humus and biological activity – from $15/ha Soil Force Biological Phosphate Fertiliser Re-Charge/Nano-Cal/Multi-Cal Calcium-Carbon Fertilisers

www.treecontrol.co.nz

Stock Primer – Mineralised Carbon Drench Build immunity, suppress pathogens; e.g. Rotovirus & E.Coli for as little as 4¢ per cow per day Humates/Humic Acid/Fulvic Acid Increased water retention & nutrient release.

New Biological Controls for Cricket, Cicada, Argentine Stem Weevil, Clover Flea – all added into solid and liquid fertiliser programmes.

Biological PSA management options. Reams Soil Testing, Home Garden Fertiliser.

Page 9

Biological Fertilisers

Solid and Liquid Fertilisers Liquid BioChar/Humus Builder /Cal-Phos Increase soil humus and biological activity – from $15/ha Soil Force Biological Phosphate Fertiliser Re-Charge/Nano-Cal/Multi-Cal Calcium-Carbon Fertilisers Stock Primer – Mineralised Carbon Drench Build immunity, suppress pathogens; e.g. Rotovirus & E.Coli for as little as 4¢ per cow per day Humates/Humic Acid/Fulvic Acid Increased water retention & nutrient release.

New Biological Controls for Cricket, Cicada, Argentine Stem Weevil, Clover Flea – all added into solid and liquid fertiliser programmes.

1 Railway St, Paeroa, PO Box 204, Paeroa 3640, New Zealand Telephone: 0800 867 6737, Fax: 07 867 6068, Email: info@ef.net.nz

www.ef.net.nz

Biological PSA management options. Reams Soil Testing, Home Garden Fertiliser.

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 10

Govt entices people to GoDairy Alan Paterson traded a diesel mechanic career in Australia’s mines to work on his parents’ Kaharoa farm, north of Rotorua.

His partner Michaela also made the switch “from high heels to gumboots”, from a career in banking to being on-farm.

Eight seasons and three kids later, the couple have no regrets. “When I was a mechanic, I worked 13 days on, one day

off. One time, I only saw Michaela once in six weeks,” says Alan.

“My parents had a milking position going, and we took it. Now, we’re 50/50 sharemilkers.”

Wanting to make more stories like this, last month the Government and the dairy sector launched a new campaign called GoDairy to support Covid-19 affected workers into farming careers.

“We know that people have lost their jobs because of Covid-19, and we know

Gateway Finance Brokers Limited

who want to refocus their skill there is significant and urgent sets. “We have direct access to the demand for trained workers in largest pool of available talent in the dairy sector,” says Agriculture NZ and can help the dairy sector Minister Damien O’Connor, who fill jobs while supporting New says the Government has invested Zealanders into an important $3.5 million into the initiative. career pathway.”

“We want to continue to connect Tim says while the new campaign people with jobs in dairy, and more is in its early days, there is good broadly in the primary industries interest from people. “Like all because we know these sectors will successful businesses, dairy farming be key to our economic recovery.” needs good talent.”

DairyNZ’s chief executive Dr For Alan, farming’s biggest Tim Mackle says currently 1000 benefit is being able to spend time jobs are available on dairy farms with family. “Getting to have – particularly in the Waikato, breakfast with my boys in the Canterbury, Southland and morning means a lot. My parents Otago. And with the new season also live on-farm – so it’s been nice underway, he expects more for them to see so much of their positions will open up. grandkids.”

“For people looking for work and And in a way, he didn’t give like the idea of caring for animals up his diesel mechanic career. and the environment, there are “There’s always breakdowns and lots of jobs and career progression an excuse to get my tools out. You opportunities. Also, dairy pays one also have to be a plumber, sparky, of the highest average wages of all Alan Paterson busy on-farm. accountant – all sorts. the primary sectors.”

“Every day is different, and I According to industry figures, enjoy the variety,” says Alan, who milks 275 cows entry positions average $48,000 per annum, rising with one employee. “I do miss working around more to $60,000-$62,000 for herd and assistant manager people, but we make sure we go to field days and positions, and $78,000 for farm managers. things like that.”

GoDairy now also offers training courses to help He says the most challenging transition has been people transition into farming. DairyNZ’s GoDairy from employee to employer. “It was a bit of a shock.

Farm Ready Training courses for newcomers are I’d definitely say staffing is the hardest part. But hands already underway, with 64 of an expected 500 down, the work itself is awesome. participants receiving an online introduction to “If someone was looking in to going farming, I’d tell farming. This is followed by two weeks of hands-on them it’s not the bad industry that recent publicity training on farms. Training is for NZ residents and makes out. Our job is to work with the environment, citizens only. it’s in our best interest to protect it.”

Social Development Minister Carmel Sepuloni says For more information, see: godairy.co.nz Or call MSD is focused on getting New Zealanders into jobs 0800 4 DAIRYNZ. and this is an important partnership to support people MacKenzie Dyer

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 11

Two new leaders for farming industry As farmers head into a new season they have two new leaders steering their industry into the future.

Federated Farmers’ new president is Manawatu dairy farmer Andrew Hoggard, who was elected to replace Katie Milne at Fed’s national AGM on June 26.

Meanwhile, Fonterra announced the same day that current farmer director Peter McBride has been selected as the co-operative’s chairman-elect by his fellow directors. Peter replaces current Fonterra chairman John Monaghan, who will retire as a co-op director this November.

Feds chief executive Terry Copeland says Andrew Hoggard, who was vice-president for the last three-year term, has proved himself as an energetic and able representative “especially in his roles as spokesperson on climate change, commerce and connectivity”.

Wairarapa farmer Karen Williams, who has a background in resource management and environmental planning, finishes her term as Arable Industry Group chair and takes on the vice-president role. The new Arable chair is South Canterbury’s Colin Hurst, the 2019 ‘Arable Farmer of the Year’.

New blood

New blood on the national board includes Golden Bay Provincial president and ‘YOLO Farmer’ Wayne Langford, who has just taken up the reins as Dairy Industry Group chair, and Wairarapa Provincial president William Beetham, who is the new Meat & Wool Industry Group chair.

For the two board ‘at large’ positions, provincial delegates voted to retain both Chris Lewis, who finishes his term as dairy

chair; and Canterbury’s Chris Allen, who has been integral to the Fed’s advocacy on complicated water and biodiversity issues in the last three years.

Andrew says outgoing president Katie Milne has set a high standard.

“They’re big gumboots to fill. She brought her own style to the role

Fonterra chairman-elect Peter McBride with current chair John Monaghan. governance succession.

“We’ve made significant progress in the last two years in our effort to refresh our co-op’s purpose, strategy and culture. It’s important to the board that we provide stability while Miles Hurrell and his team continue to embed the changes and maintain Federated Farmers’ outgoing our momentum. president Katie Milne with new “Making this decision now also gives our president Andrew Hoggard. farmer-owners transparency of leadership prior to this year’s director elections and and made it a priority to increase the level allows Peter and I a period of handover.” of understanding between urban and rural Peter is looking forward to leading the NZ. I want to continue that work, and co-op on behalf of 10,000 farming families. also the advocacy we’ve been doing with “I grew up on a dairy farm near Te Aroha central and local government politicians and and today my wife Linda and I run the officials on getting them to recognise that family farm milking 950 cows in South policies and regulations need to achieve a Waikato, so dairy has always been part of balance between protecting the environment my life. I’m looking forward to leading our and preserving livelihoods, always keeping co-op into its next phase and creating value practicality and cost-effectiveness in mind.” for the benefit of our farmer owners and At Fonterra, John Monaghan says Peter unit holders.” He also apllauded John, who McBride’s chairman-elect announcement is has given almost two decades’ service to the co-op, with 12 years as a director. part of the board’s commitment to planned

RENT A SIZE TO SUIT

EVERY DAY OR ALL DAY - IT’S BETTER FARMING WITH MASSEY FERGUSON HEAVY DUTY FARMING TRACTOR, TOUGH & VERSATILE FOR ALL DAY FARMING

SIMPLE, EASY TO OPERATE GLOBAL TRACTORS FOR EVERYDAY FARMING

MF4708 ROPS 82HP 12F x 12R Hyd power shuttle transmission, 65lpm hyd flow, 3300kg rear lift, MF936XFEL

MF7614 Cab, 155*HP, 16x16 DYNA-4 Pshift transmission, 110 CCLS hyd flow, 7100kg rear lift, MF4323FEL. *max with EPM

MF5710 ROPS, 102HP, 12F x 12R Hyd power shuttle transmission, 92lpm hyd flow, 4400kg rear lift, MF946XFEL

Non Adblue 6 cylinder engine, multifunctional loader joystick with integrated loader and transmission controls makes loader operation simple and precise.

All round package when combined with Massey Ferguson 4323 Loader.

These modern tractors from the Massey Ferguson Global Range are very tough, well designed utility tractors for modern farming and combined with the Massey Ferguson front end loaders give you an all round package.

GREAT TRACTOR FOR ALL ROUND, EVERY DAY FARMING Finance available to approved purchasers @ 1.99% PA over 36 months. 30% deposit.

Monthly repayments. Offers last until 31st July 2020 and subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply.

MATAMATA TRACTORS & MACHINERY 13 Broadway, Matamata

I

07 888 6292

Bruce Lynn 027 292 6501 I Paul Tuffey 027 292 6569 I Kevin Morey 027 493 1620

GREAT HEAVY DUTY TRACTOR, SOLID & DEPENDABLE FOR ALL DAY FARMING

Finance available on 7614 to approved purchasers @ 1.99% PA over 36 months. 30% deposit.

Monthly repayments. Offers last until 31st July 2020 and subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply.

PIAKO TRACTORS Thames Street, Morrinsville

I

07 889 7055

Mike Kitching 021 735 665 I Glenn Greay 021 862 169 I Todd Hewitt 021 945 817

490 Te Ngae Road, Rotorua

I

07 345 8560

Mike Rogers 021 998 819 I Tony Johnston 021 349 816 I Jamie Lamont 021 905 458

www.matamatatractors.co.nz

www.piakotractors.co.nz

TRADE MARKET

Page 12

Jen Scoular filming her part in the ‘Together We Grow’ video on her Kaimai avocado orchard.

Fifteen Kiwi women working at the forefront of their respective primary industries have started a conversation to better connect New Zealand’s urban and rural communities so they can grow ‘together’ in a post-Covid-19 world.

FOOTWEAR

MANUFACTURERS z it co.n Vis rite. lity a t las qu w. ore cts ww r m odu fo pr

M

M • L ore • ea pro • WLeat ther duc or her far ts a k & h mi va ad u Fo ntin ng b ilab e re g oo le to str & y h tra ts or ig mp de h r & ing lo b w o leg ots wo rk bo ot s

‘Together We Grow NZ’ is a platform to enable Kiwis to better understand and connect with their homegrown food sector – and the importance of an integrated system of both plants and animals that results in a healthy environment, healthy economy and healthy population.

The pan-sector platform also enables growers and organisations across the food and fibre sector to connect directly with consumers, to share stories and knowledge, “so together we grow”.

New Zealand Avocado chief executive officer Jen Scoular is one of the group – part of the AgriWomen’s Development Trust’s Escalator programme last year – who created the project over Zoom chats during lockdown.

The idea sprung from the fact that Covid-19 resulted in an awareness among Kiwis that ‘something’ has to happen for food to get from paddocks and glasshouses to our supermarket shelves.

But understanding what that ‘something’ looks like hasn’t been a consumer consideration for decades, according to the group.

And finding supermarket shelves empty, and ‘Click and Collect grocery’ slots fully subscribed has prompted many urban New Zealanders to consider not that NZ has a sustainable, efficient food chain, but actually that a food chain exists at all.

And so the initiative launched mid-May via online video showcasing what some of the ladies do in their respective ‘day jobs’ – showing their stories as food producers – and their pride in being able to produce fresh food for Kiwis now and into the future.

Lockdown

Jen says lockdown gave many Kiwis a unique chance and rare fluid time to dust off their cookbooks and try new recipes and really take an interest and value in the food they were using. “Isolation has given us the time to look at where our food comes from, and we’ve realised we love local produce and we’ve had the time to create new dishes to star on the family dinner table.”

‘Together We Grow NZ’ is a platform where food producers can share stories and knowledge, like where people’s food comes from, and how much energy and packing going into producing great food, says Jen. “And we wanted to share the message that there is a

lot going on in orchards and on farms and we’re doing it because we are really proud to be producing food that New Zealanders enjoy.”

During the next five years, it’s estimated more than 100,000 additional workers will be needed across the primary sectors. And with 90 per cent of NZ’s population living in towns and cities, many people will not have grown up amongst Kiwi orchards and farms.

Jen says a spinoff of the platform is it offers opportunity for people to learn that being part of the avocado industry, for example, does not mean you have don gumboots, plant trees and pick fruit for a living. “At NZ Avocado we definitely want more people looking at horticulture as a career. And the platform shows that really there is a lot going in horticulture and agriculture that’s really no different than any other field, but people tend to say: ‘Oh, I don’t know anything about agriculture’ or ‘that’s not my field’ but in actual fact we, from a capability pointof-view, need just as many marketing, finance and strategy personnel as sectors you tend to associate city living with, like technology or banking.

“And in a post-Covid world you can sit at a computer desk or log into technology from just about anywhere and work remotely in nearly any industry.”

Important message

The platform, which exists across Facebook and Instagram, also discusses the future of the industry in a ‘post-Covid’ world. “We already produce enough food to feed 40 million people, but I think there is an opportunity for our primary sectors to develop even further,” says group member Susan Goodfellow.

“We should be looking at a wider range of plants, including grains and pulses that we can grow sustainably and develop nutritious food products for New Zealand and global consumers.”

Jen says this is a really important message. “Rather than shipping a commodity product offshore, for someone else to add value to it, we actually want NZ to think about innovating our primary products before they leave NZ, so the NZ producer gets more for their product.

“We know we’ve got this is amazing opportunity for NZ to be to be proud of what we’re producing here – and the post-Covid world is only going to make this opportunity bigger.

“We know people are interested and want to know what this means. And the main goal of this initiative is to get people thinking. We’re trying to push this conversation so everyone can be involved in designing a path forward.”

Visit @togetherwegrownz on Facebook and Instagram. Or see the video at: https://vimeo.

Merle Cave com/414363644/cc9f276f73

STOP RUST

AVOCADOS

Keen on big NZ crop New Zealand’s avocado exporters say the Australian market is hungry for NZ fruit this coming season due to a below-par domestic season, and this could take some pressure off freight woes of getting Kiwi avocados to Asia.

that it will likely have pretty significant economic impacts due to Covid-19 that could flow onto changed consumption patterns, from a general demand perspective the avocado within the fruit bowl of Australia is a pretty important item.

“At Avoco, we are certainly enjoying an increase in retail orders already in the book from the major retailers we work with.

“And we’d never normally have these orders so early.

They were coming to us as early as February and March, usually it’s June-July before we finalise supply programmes for such volumes.

“But this year, like us, they were identifying there was going to be significant domestic crop reduction and clearly they needed to firm up commitments.”

But there is one threat lurking – whether Chile will export avocados to Australia this season after being granted market access provided they meet biosecurity import conditions.

New Zealand Avocado CEO Jen Scoular says this year NZ’s industry is forecasting a 10 per cent increase in total fruit volume. “Overall, we’re expecting more avocados will be available in NZ and Future threat for export this season.

Darling Group’s “That’s because we’re general manager of sales increasing productivity and marketing, Jacob but we’re also getting more Darling says while Chile volume from these new may begin exporting orchards that have been to Australia in earnest, developed during last five in future they will be a years.” direct competitor to NZ Between 75-80 per cent fruit. of NZ’s export volume of “It will be a massive avocados goes to Australia. challenge going forward “We know domestic More NZ avocados will head to Australia this to compete with a supply is Australia is coming season following a low-volume domestic price-point [from Chile] down this year because crop across the Tasman. that historically on of extreme weather international standards has been a lot cheaper than conditions they’ve had over there.

“So we’re feeling reasonably confident about demand NZ fruit.”

Jacob says despite Chilean fruit coming a long for NZ avocados in the Australian market this coming way to get to Australia, really it’s only 21 days into season – even taking into account that Chilean fruit is now able to be imported into Australia.”

Sydney from Chile.

“Yes, they do have a long transit time – and it is more difficult for them to get fruit to the market – Chile but the reality is they will be there [in Australia] and Jen says Chile does have a similar avocado growing season to NZ “so it would definitely be a competitor to it will be a challenge for us.”

NZ avocados in the Australian market”. “But Chilean Jen says the NZ avocado industry’s strength is Kiwi avocados will have to come along way [to get to exporters have created very good relationships in the Australia] – the ships may even have to come via NZ. Australian market. “And that collectively between the “Also Chile has been strongly been impacted by Australian and NZ industry, there has been a lot of Covid-19, and they’ve also had weather events, so it’s promotion of the amazing health and versatility of possibly a challenging time for Chile to be looking to avocados in the Australian market. export into an entirely new market.”

“So I think it’s a very strong market for us. And Avoco communications manager Steve Trickett says if there are supply chain challenges globally, for us while Chile has been granted access to Australia, it – being just across the Tasman – then that is good still has technical requirements to tick off before it can news too.”

Merle Cave export fruit there for this upcoming season.

“We don’t see that Chile will export large quantities of fruit to Australia this season. It will most likely send a small consignment to test the market.

“What we do know is Chileans predominantly grow small-sized fruit and demand is mostly for medium-tolarge sized fruit in Australian markets.

“So we don’t expect Chile to get too much attention from supermarket chains but they may gain some interest at wholesale level.”

Steve says NZ can’t rule out Chile as a direct threat to the Australian market in future but he doesn’t see the South American country making Australia one of its main priorities just yet.

Chilean fruit will travel by sea to Australia – a much longer trip compared to NZ exports in terms of quality factors of fruit.

“There’s probably some opportunity to see a bit of fruit volume from Chile in Australia, but we’d expect it to initially be in small quantities – we don’t expect to it to hugely impact our programme for Australia.”

Demand up

And with forecasts of an increase in NZ’s total crop, Steve says more Kiwi avocados will end up in Australia – with demand for it already there. “In this current market, having come through Covid-19 there are still many countries in different lifecycles of their progress with Covid-19 with restrictions on business and people’s movement.

“But we’re very fortunate this year that the Australian market has got its mouth wide open for an increased volume of fruit this coming year from NZ. This is on the back of Western Australia and other Australian avocado growing regions being well down on volumes.

“While we’re not being silly around pricing expectations, because Australia is a bit like NZ in

Page 13

Thermo ThermoMax

Max

Page 14

AVOCADOS

Growing our way out of Covid I’m proposing there is a third wave to New Zealand’s Covid recovery plan.

The first wave focused on the health of people. The second wave is focusing on the economy, with a large number of financial initiatives announced in the 2020 Budget. My proposed third wave will, however, be long term and enduring, and it will encapsulate the first and second waves covering both health and financial sustainability. It will also actively contribute to environmental sustainability.

My third wave is expanding the growth

of fruit and vegetables in NZ, which ticks several recovery boxes. First, getting healthy food to all in NZ so that they have resistance against not only Covid but other diseases and medical conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Second, horticulture employs a lot of people, and our produce earns premiums in export markets. It will, therefore, enable financial sustainability within NZ and give us valuable funds to buy what we need from overseas countries, including the Covid vaccine when it’s developed. Third, it is environmentally sustainable and, with funding applied in the right way from

Budget 2020, it will become much more environmentally sustainable. Lastly, growing fruit and vegetables nurtures our rural communities and enables social development

Accelerate outcomes

Financial, social, environmental and health sustainability – driven by an increase in horticulture – is very possible, and several Budget 2020 initiatives are directed to achieve these outcomes. But they will not come easily, and they will not be successful unless the initiatives are industry-led. PreCovid, horticulture was making significant

gains in all four categories.

What we now need to do is accelerate these outcomes for the benefit of NZ. Innovation and expansion are constrained by regulation and laws, so the first step is to work out what can be changed. The Government’s proposal to speed up the Resource Management Act and the recently-passed Immigration Amendment Act are good examples of what needs to be done to clear away unnecessary bureaucracy. The key, however, is for the Government to truly partner with industry, to listen and give industry appropriate leeway to make the progress that’s so urgently needed. The Government must use its amended powers to promote growth, not stifle it.

There are three key areas for action: trade; infrastructure; and labour. As a nation, we are going to have to trade our way out of our financial crisis.

Tourism will not be the immediate or even the medium-term answer. Depending on the transTasman bubble and whether a vaccine is developed, tourism will progressively increase over the long-term.

But it will not answer the issues we are facing today.

The world needs food, and that’s what NZ is good at. But to get our food to the world’s consumers, we need market access. Here is a key role for the Government: keeping our trading pathways open.

Linked to this, and supported in Budget 2020, is enabling the safe importation of new plant varieties so NZ can keep up with international competition by selling the latest and best fruit and vegetables.

Water storage

Growth also needs supporting infrastructure. The East Coast of NZ is and has been in drought for many months. Plants need water to thrive and so do humans. Our cities on the East Coast have water restrictions in place, and just recently, concerns have been raised about sufficient water for Auckland. To provide water for people and plants, significant water storage schemes are urgently required. These cannot be modest and need to accommodate previously unknown drought conditions. What applied in the pre-Covid world is no longer relevant.

If we are to feed our people and many of the world’s consumers, we need to expand our growing of healthy food and that requires water. The Government’s RMA process proposals are critical and need to be urgently applied to water storage schemes.

Many other infrastructure projects are needed and will hopefully get funding, but significant water storage schemes are the most urgent.

Availability of labour and suitable land are also vital requirements. Many New Zealanders now need to develop new skills and take on different jobs thanks to Covid. This is no easy process and requires aptitude and re-training. It also requires the industries they are joining to be growing.

Horticulture relies on seasonal workers for harvest and pruning. These workers enable continued growth that creates attractive permanent careers opportunities for New Zealanders. All of the primary sector has a reliance on offshore labour and this will continue. However, if access to offshore labour is limited, the growth NZ needs will not eventualise.

For horticulture and wine, this means the continuation and expansion of the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme that employs Pacific Island seasonal workers. We need these workers for our continued growth and they need the work in NZ so they can earn money to invest in their communities. Simultaneously, the scheme results in more New Zealanders being permanently employed.

Partner with industry

Growing our way out of Covid will not be easy. It requires the Government to partner with industry, loosen regulatory requirements and urgently support key projects such as significant water storage infrastructure. The Government also needs to support trade access and ensure the offshore labour that industry needs remains available.

All of this will enable NZ to grow its way out of Covid.

AVOCADOS

Page 15

Veteran advisor of industry takes step back For more than 20 years, Colin Partridge has been helping New Zealand avocado growers become more productive by bridging the gap between science and their orchards.

A technical manager for export marketing company Avoco, Colin has made the decision to step back from full-time duties from July. However, his technical expertise will be retained

by Avoco part-time in a mentoring role and to help with the handover to his replacement.

Colin’s expertise and advice has been the secret sauce in the recipe for success that Avoco created as the company leading the way in market development outside of Australia.

His easy way with people has enabled him to overcome language barriers that working in a foreign country can present, and his technical knowledge has been valued highly by fruit ripeners and distributors in Asia.

His role, firstly with Team Avocado then later with Avoco, has also

taken him to orchards across Bay of Plenty and Northland, and it’s the face-to-face contact with avocado growers that Colin says he’s most enjoyed about his job.

“I really appreciate the hospitality that growers have extended to me and many of them have become personal friends. There has also been a lot of satisfaction gained from advising brand new growers, many of whom had zero prior experience of avocados, watching them getting stuck in and seeing their trees flourish and produce.”

A professional business

With the avocado industry maturing and becoming more commercialised, Colin says more people in New Zealand are taking the business of growing avocados seriously.

Attendance at grower field days is on the rise with the most active growers willing participants in industry research trials. An open-minded bunch keen to learn and share their knowledge, growers are always looking for ways to improve, says Colin.

“Controlling post-harvest rots remains a big issue and, while we are making progress by implementing a raft of horticultural, operational and handling changes, some improvements have been due to more favourable weather this past season,” says Colin.

“It would be nice to have some effective post-harvest treatment. If we did, then other shelf-life enhancing treatments could be used without aggravating rots, which they do if we use them now.”

Throughout his career, alternate bearing of avocado trees has remained a constant struggle on orchards in NZ and around the world.

While strategic pruning can lead to more consistent fruit bearing, Colin says crop manipulation is proving a

difficult nut to crack.

“It would be a breakthrough if we could develop additional techniques that would allow very late hanging of fruit without jeopardising the next set.”

Growing in the future

With global demand for avocados exceeding supply, the industry will be turning to field research and technology to help growers maximise their orchard’s potential. But until the technology was readily available, Colin believes growers are best served by “doing the basics well”.

“If I had a magic wand, I’d wish that every avocado grower had a well-designed and effective irrigation system, and enough water and knowledge to use it properly. This would relieve water stress

TM

"Passionate about Avocado's"

- On Orchard Technical advice - Direct to Retail Marketing Specialists

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

JIM TARAWA

DAVID ALDERTON

AVOCADO PROCUREMENT MANAGER BOP

TECHNICAL SERVICES

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

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

GROWER POWERED

MARKET DRIVEN

✔ EXPERIENCE CC0720

Horticulture New Zealand says it backs moves to introduce a national standard for organic products through the Organic Products Bill, currently before Parliament.

HortNZ chief executive Mike Chapman says having a uniform, national standard for organic fruit and vegetables that’s recognised across the world will increase exports “because the standard will make it so much easier and cheaper to gain access to international markets”.

“NZ used to have a growing and dynamic export market for its organic produce. However, that growth has been stymied due to the cost and complexity of meeting market-by-market requirements because our country has no, internationally-recognised organic standard.”

Mike says the Bill proposes a national standard that will give consumers worldwide and in NZ greater confidence that organic fruit and vegetables they’re buying has been grown to a rigorous and consistent standard. “We’re confident this standard will increase export and domestic demand, in a world that is increasingly interested in how its food is grown.”

NZ is one of only two of the top 25 organic markets – by value – that doesn’t have a mandatory regulation. The Bill is currently being considered by Parliament. Along with the NZ Certified Organic Kiwifruit Growers Association, HortNZ has made a number of suggestions on how to improve operation of the new standards.

Freshmax provides:

- Flexible Harvesting and Packing Options

Avoco technical manager Colin Partridge is preparing for semi-retirement and will hand over the reins of his role this month.

HortNZ backs Organics Bill

at critical periods and improve the application and uptake of nutrients at key growth phases, which over time should improve set, fruit size and overall productivity.”

In his new part-time role, Colin will continue to deliver some specific technical and quality-oriented projects that Avoco invests in and will be on-hand to mentor Danni van der Heijden, whom Avoco has promoted to the position of quality and export systems manager.

This role has a greater focus on quality outcomes and in-market performance from a fruit quality perspective.

Jerome Hardy will continue providing technical support to the Avoco team. Recruitment for the new technical manager is well underway.

✔ DISCIPLINE

✔ RELIABILIT Y

avoco.co.nz

AVOCADOS

Page 16

Tailored programmes improving orchards Just Avocados’ orchard management programmes, led by technical manager Erica Faber, are taking Bay of Plenty orchards and growers to the next level.

Kyra Fielden, grower services for Bay of Plenty and Gisborne, says growers who come into a programme with orchards in poor health can bring them

into production within four years.

“Over the first two years we focus on improving the tree health before pushing productivity, by the third year to fourth year they come into full production again; that’s a fairly quick turnaround, but it takes time and investment.”

For established orchards with good tree health, Kyra says the focus is on pruning and maintenance of required nutrient levels to boost production and get the tree out of alternate bearing.

Just Avocados technical manager Erica Faber and avocado grower Chris Shallard are working together to improve productivity on Chris’ Te Puna orchard.

“specialists in local “specialists in local market avocado “specialists in local market avocado marketing” market avocado marketing” marketing”

P: 027 597 4726 | E: glen@zeafruit.co.nz | www.zeafruit.co.nz P: 027 597 4726 | E: glen@zeafruit.co.nz | www.zeafruit.co.nz P: 027 597 4726 | E: glen@zeafruit.co.nz | www.zeafruit.co.nz

“Achieving consistent cropping is an important part of Just Avocados’ programmes which starts with bringing tree height down, which also reduces harvesting and spraying costs. From there, consistent pruning every year helps to bring the tree into consistent cropping which achieves cashflow yearon-year.”

Kyra says traditionally there has been a ‘one size fits all’ approach to managing avocados. “Our use of foliar fertilisers and evolving our programmes to the age and stage of the orchard is definitely different to what has been done before.”

Just Avocados technical manager Erica Faber says there are many factors to consider when creating and managing a programme. “You have to understand what the specific orchard conditions are, what the tree health is, what the bud strength is, what percentage of flowering wood there is, are they irrigated or are they not? In a season like the current one you have to then manipulate the programme to try and push certain things if the tree isn’t taking up nutrient like it should or the fruit is not sizing or the root mass is not there.”

Growers Chris and Jenni Shallard have seen a marked improvement in their Te Puna orchard’s performance since coming on-board with Just Avocados and a programme managed by Erica.

“We’ve been working with Erica now

OUR ABILITY = YOUR PROFITABILITY True orchard profitability is about much more than just OGR. Our innovative model offers greater flexibility, with the technical ability and dedicated support you need to maximise profitability.

Visit thetruthaboutOGR.co.nz to view our OGR at a glance report and find out how much more profitable your orchard can be.

Or call us to discuss key influences on your profit.

Kyra Fielden

John Emett

027 257 5028 kyra@justavocados.co.nz

027 476 9087 john@justavocados.co.nz

Grower Services (Bay of Plenty and Gisborne)

Grower Services (Northland and South Auckland)

@justavocados info@justavocados.co.nz www.justavocados.co.nz 027 472 9490

for three years and have seen a massive boost in quantity,” says Chris.

In the 2019-2020 season, the Shallards harvested 70 bins. Chris says the established 2ha orchard purchased in 2013 came with a crop of 30 bins. From there, volumes fluctuated to lows of 15 bins and never achieved higher than 45.

Erica says the main concern when she stepped onto the orchard was tree health, consistent productivity, and a lack of consistent pruning.

“I completely reworked the fertiliser programme and changed the way they were pruning.”

Chris says Erica has also helped him gain knowledge of the physiology of the avocado tree and the specific requirements of their orchard. “Now we’re doing soil and leaf testing every six months and lots more analysing of what we are doing and then getting the right application.”

A foliar fertiliser programme was the main feature of the rehabilitation phase.

Chris says there was a high cost to this type of programme, but he can see the benefits of it now.

“Everything has improved; lots more leaf, bigger leaf, and better colour.

Erica says that initially it is important to focus on tree health and structure rather than pushing production.

Read this column in full at: www.coastandcountrynews.co.nz

AVOCADOS

Page 17

Marketing campaigns re-worked around Covid While NZ avocado exporters are having to re-plan how they get fruit to Asian markets this upcoming season, other parts of the industry are also figuring out how they navigate a Covid-19-inflicted world.

New Zealand Avocado CEO Jen Scoular says her organisation undertakes digital marketing across a number of Asian markets. “When we spoke to our agencies in Korea and China back in February they were already in lockdown.

“So we’ve been going through the scenarios of how this [current situation] will pan out.”

This edition I want to raise two topics.

First, let’s talk about managing water-stressed tress as there are a number of orchards suffering from the lack of rainfall around the Western Bay of Plenty.

This reduced rainfall has resulted in some trees becoming stressed and suffering. This suffering may manifest itself in a lack of leaf, a lack of vigour, and poor fruit sizing. The stress can be increased with heavy crop loads and small fruit. This can make the trees more susceptible to pests; in particular six spotted mite may be more prevalent and this pest impacts leaf volume.

To break this tree stress cycle we at AAL tend to target pest control and leaf quality first. Having the leaves that are in their best condition is important to ensure the tree can operate and grow effectively. To achieve this we will spray the pest, and use seaweed and nitrogen to stimulate and feed the tree. We also apply copper in every application.

Afterwards, we prune and inject. This year we injected first, once the rains arrived. We injected most trees regardless of their phytophtora status.

This was to stimulate a flush. We expect to inject again in spring to again stimulate tree growth. We then pruned the trees.

This leads me to my second topic. Despite cutting fruit off, it is important for future years that you prune. I have learnt that pruning annually is a key tactic to support return cropping. This maintains younger growth on the tree, it stimulates growth and leaf replacement and helps maintain the tree canopy in balance to the root mass. Remember, we want tree/shoot growth to carry our flower.

Of course, as grower, we get concerned with fruiting – however not managing your trees right during this drier season could have an impact for many years.

On my own orchard we’re severely affected by drought and have some tree with dieback from a lack of water. Now the rains have arrived we have removed 60 per cent of fruit crop, pruned the trees to remove 30-40 per cent of the canopy, injected all the trees, controlled pests and increased nutrient applications to more readily-available nutrient forms by changing the types of fertilisers being used.

And this year we are fertilising all winter.

Strong bold actions and proactive management will help me have my trees in a better condition at spring time than they were heading to some months ago.

Be proactive – prune this winter regardless of crop loading and seriously consider injecting all trees in spring. This will set your trees up for a better crop return and a better longer-term cropping programme.

For example, for the last two years NZ Avocado has run competitions for NZ avocado consumers in Asia to win a trip out to NZ. “That’s been a big part of our campaign but this year we haven’t been able to do that in these times.

“We also had key influencers coming out to NZ and we’ve had to change those ideas and so we have some additional challenges – but everyone is understanding that we need to be agile and may need to make changes during the season. And so we need to ensure our campaigns will allow us to do that,” says Jen.

CALVING

Page 18

Calf-rearing: Get the basics right Two women who are part of NZ’s calf-rearing industry have created their Stacey Cosnett and Karen Fraser, who both work own Facebook page to provide quality information and to upskill calf-rearers. for NRM in their day job, have a passion for calf-

rearing and animal welfare. They believe it is very easy to overcomplicate things, but in their experience getting your basics right is the key to good animal performance and an enjoyable season.

Getting enough quality colostrum into calves on their first day of life could easily be the most impo tant thing to get right for calf-rearing.

Calf immunity

The pair say if this golden opportunity – to build calf immunity – is missed it can cause problems during the first f w months of life, “as calves rely on the immunoglobulins absorbed from colostrum for protection from disease while still building up their own immunity”.

Not all colostrum is created equal however. Both ladies have found some operations don’t have good quality colostrum on-farm. “They might have pulled together their transition milk– but it’s not day one colostrum. This transition milk has a lower immunoglobulin level and it doesn’t offer calves the immunity day one calves need from it,” says Stacey.

Rumen development is a critical piece of the puzzle too. Stacey says calves are born with the ability to digest milk but their rumen – the stomach compartment that digests fib e – is virtually nonfunctional. “One day soon though, calves will need to rely heavily on that rumen to make good use of pasture and continue growing post-weaning.

“So, we need to start developing the rumen early to get a good head-start. Ensuring calves have access to a good quality calf hard feed from early in life is important. While intakes will be small at first, i ’s all about creating a habit and intakes will increase as they get older.”

Stacey says make sure you feed a good-quality calf milk replacer or if feeding fresh milk, make sure it has not gone bad. Consistency with the milk feed is important – calves love routine.

“When feeding milk, it’s important to make sure each calf gets their allotted amount. You don’t want smaller, slow-sucking calves to miss out. Use compartment feeders for as long as you practically can but when calves do go onto open troughs, try your best to group animals of a similar size and similar ‘suck’ together.

Always keep a close eye on calves as they feed to make sure no one is missing out.”

Working Working smarter. smarter.

So So your your feed feed works works harder. harder. smarter.

Karen Fraser, testing quality of colostrum with a colostrometer (pictured) or a refractometer.

Karen says having a healthy shed with no stale air and no dampness is important. “Shed health should never be overlooked. Deteriorating shed health is the beginning of animal health issues.”

Shed hygiene

She advises to spray sheds regularly using a good disinfectant. “If you smell ammonia, then you’re exposing calves to respiratory illness and pneumonia could be around the corner. Check dryness of bedding daily. Top up the shed with fresh bedding in-between each mob or as soon as you pick-up an issue. Damp bedding increases heat loss and bacterial build up, putting calves at risk.”

Working with broken or worn equipment can be very frustrating too and takes up your valuable time.

Equipment that’s not fit-for-purpose can also risk performance of calves. “Clean and check all feeders and decide if you need to fix or eplace. Perished, old teats can deliver milk too fast, causing overfeeding and bloat. Or teats might be blocked and filled with bacteria. Check weld points on paddock feeders– there is nothing worse than driving into a paddock with hungry calves and the feeder collapses!”

Healthy calves eat more and grow faster. The pair says the biggest threat to profit margin and people fatigue is sick calves. “Be proactive with picking up health issues and don’t give infections an opportunity to set in. The faster you react to problems the higher the chance of ...continued

eed works harder.

Specialists in customisable feed Silo | Bulk | Liquid | Calf Specialists in customisable feed Silo | Bulk | Liquid | Calf 0800 300 313 0800 300 313

GrainCorpFeedsNZ GrainCorpFeedsNZ

www.graincorpfeeds.co.nz www.graincorpfeeds.co.nz

2.

n customisable feed Silo | Bulk | Liquid | Calf GrainCorpFeedsNZ

www.graincorpfeeds.co.nz

Working smarter. marter. od your feed works harder. works harder.

Specialists in customisable feed Silo | Bulk | Liquid | Calf omisable feed Silo | Bulk | Liquid | Calf

0800 300 313 GrainCorpFeedsNZ rainCorpFeedsNZ www.graincorpfeeds.co.nz

www.graincorpfeeds.co.nz

3.

CALVING

Page 19

and keep things simple

continued...

The Calf Experts: Stacey Cosnett and Karen Fraser.

a good outcome. A lot of this is not ignoring the signs and not saying ‘She’ll be right, I’ll wait ‘til tomorrow’. That’s too late.”

Stacey says being in tune with calves and picking up any issues early is important – trained staff will be able to do this. “For example, taking a calf ’s temperature can help you make some decisions in terms of how you treat a sick animal.”

Young calves are very vulnerable and open to stressors, which can be compounding. If farmers are making a ‘change’ or adding a stressor to calves, such as weaning, dehorning, vaccinating etc, don’t do it all at once.

Karen says you’ll be surprised how

many people are nervous about stomach tubing, or don’t know how, and instead sit for hours trying to get a calf to drink.

But tubing saves lives. “Being confident with stomach tubing electrolytes is a must – ask for help if you need it.”

Stacey says planning is vital. Plan when you’re dehorning, vaccinating etc as having this all pre-planned will mean you have a better chance of getting things done at the correct time.

“If you don’t have set points to do certain tasks, stuff gets pushed out of the way and suddenly you’re not on-track.”

Karen has come across dehorning being regularly delayed or not done well. “Instead of dehorning within the MPI recommended standard for health

and wellbeing of under six weeks, you’d be surprised how many leave it ‘til 12 weeks. This puts stress on the animal and the person, and likelihood of regrowth is higher.” Another blunder is skipping a follow-up vaccination, which makes the first dose a waste of money. “Everyone gets busy but you need to be organised with a plan and have dates locked in.”

The ladies also recommend having Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for important calfrearing jobs – especially when training newbies.

“Developing simple, easy-to follow SOPs can eliminate frustrations during the season. If people know the expectations of tasks and why they should be done in a certain way, it will mean less stress and will keep the team motivated and happier. Work on areas where reoccurring animal health issues have been identified first.”

And make sure to pull on your resources – talk to industry experts and always try to upskill yourself and be open to new ideas. That is what Stacey and Karen’s ‘The Calf Experts’ page is all about!

Talk to Stacey and Karen at: https://www.facebook. com/The-Calf-Experts-110270624034415/

Merle Cave

Making sure calves have access to a good quality calf hard feed from early in life is important.

CALVING

Page 20

Make calf-rearing easy with natural product There is no doubt that the calving period is a very tiring and often stressful time for dairy farmers.

StockMate is organically certified for organic dairy farmers.

Difficulties come in a myriad of different ways, from calving troubles to downer cows and milk fever to mastitis and machinery breakdowns.

To top it all off, the weather doesn’t always make it any easier. Amongst all this, the last thing you want is sickness going through your calf pens and compromising your future milkers.

StockMate is a 100 per cent natural product, certified-organic, which is high in carbon and humic acid, helping to boost the immune system of growing calves

and assist them fighting disease, says Andrew Roy of Southern Humates. “It is a loose lick, which is left as a free choice supplement in calf pens.”

Andrew says StockMate has been making life easier for calf-rearers for some time now, helping to keep sickness out of calf sheds.

“But don’t just take our word for it, try StockMate for yourself.

Below is what our farmers say about StockMate.”

Farmers Johan and Michelle Roos say they leave StockMate in each pen to enable ad lib feeding, which calves do happily. “We add it on top of their water supply and they get into drinking water the same day. We haven’t bought electrolytes or Scourban for three seasons now and we don’t use antibiotics either.”

Michelle is a solo calf-rearer for two farms with 350-400 heifers and has no trouble with rotavirus or any other gut-related diseases “on a property with a history of seasonal outbreaks”.

“I’ve seen StockMate detox, hydrate, break fever, perk up, encourage water intake and keep calves’ tummies firm. I strongly suspect it helps with their rumen development as well due to my heifers increasingly reaching earlier weaning weights.”

Andrew says having StockMate available to calves from day one helps to prevent sickness getting a foothold. “Why not make life easier for you and your calf-rearers this spring and put StockMate in your calf pens? “It’s totally natural and organically certified for organic dairy farmers.”

Picking a good calf electrolyte Have you ever looked at an electrolyte container and tried to figure out if it contains the necessary ingredients to treat scouring calves – or do you just pick the cheapest option?

Sometimes picking the cheapest option is not the best and can make things worse, says ex-dairy farmer Tony Waugh of Biocalf Animal Health Products Ltd. “It can be quite confusing comparing products as each manufacturer lists ingredients differently on their labels and unless you understand what should be included – and at what

TM

THE BEST WAY TO KEEP YOUR CALVES IN OPTIMUM HEALTH

StockMate is a supplement for calves, to keep your calves in good health, aid in the preven�on of disease and treat sick calves.

StockMate is the natural way to look a�er the health of your calves.

Now Available in FARM SOURCE Stores Call Steve: 021 1506 050 www.southernhumates.co.nz

Available in 20kg Bags

concentrations – you’re left in the dark as to the product’s effectiveness.”

Tony says to treat scours effectively an electrolyte should include an energy source, usually glucose; minerals sodium, chloride, potassium lost in the faeces; glycine to assist with sodium and water absorption; and bicarbonate/acetate to

correct acidosis. “The standard information on product labels lists ingredients used to make the product – for example, sodium chloride (salt), sodium bicarbonate, sodium citrate, potassium chloride.

There is, however, one slight problem. Several ingredients – such as sodium chloride, sodium citrate, sodium bicarbonate and potassium chloride – don’t exist in the electrolyte solution that the calf drinks. Once these substances contact water, they dissociate into their base components.”

To compare products effectively farmers and calf-rearers need to calculate the actual numbers of molecules of the different ingredients that make up each electrolyte product expressed as mmol/L, and collectively known as Osmolality. “Simply put, this is a measure of the concentration of a substance, such as sodium, chloride, or glucose that is dissolved in a solution.

“When choosing an electrolyte look for a list of each substance expressed as mmol/L, mOsm/L or mml/L with total osmolality between 400-600mmol/L.” In a study of 10 available electrolytes only three ticked all the boxes when compared on a mmol/L basis. To see a comparison table, visit: https://www. biocalfelectrolytes.nz/rea ringinformation#Unders tanding

CALVING

Page 21

A good strategy for preventing calf scours Rotagen Combo, a natural product to prevent and treat calf scours, is a very good option for protecting valuable replacement heifer calves.

Vetpak director Steve Atfield says with a decreased payout, it’s essential for farmers that every replacement heifer calf is kept alive and performs to the best of its ability.

“But in the same instance, being able to do this economically is key and this is where Rotagen Combo can be part of that strategy.”

Rotagen Combo is a dried egg yolk product made from eggs laid from hens vaccinated with Rotavirus 6 and 10 virus antigens. The hyper immune status these hens achieve ensures very high levels of antibodies end up in the eggs yolks.

“New Zealand is the only country where specific antibodies against specific pathogens, such as Rotagen Combo, are a registered animal remedy.

Similar products are used widely overseas as growth promotants in calves and piglets, with very good results.”

Steve says the main cause of neonatal calf scours is Rotavirus, a disease caused by a virus calves pick up from carrier cows very soon after calving.

“It’s a disease of very young calves – often one-four days old – but older calves are still vulnerable until at least one month of age. Other pathogens can be involved, but Rotavirus infection is always present in at least 80 per cent of outbreaks.”

Rotovirus can carry a death rate of 20 per cent or more without treatment.

“Unprotected calves can result in an infection rate of 80 per cent or more in severe outbreaks.”

Hidden costs of affected calves is damage to the intestinal lining, and reduced growth rates.

“Most farmers who’ve experienced outbreaks know calves that have had the scours never grow as well as non-infected calves and have difficulty reaching target live-weights. This is a huge cost because the lifetime production from an affected calf is going to be reduced.”

A simple programme of drenching calves at birth with Rotagen Combo once-a-day for five days will prevent clinical cases of Rotavirus.

The other important aspect is to reduce contamination of Rotavirus or other viruses that may be in the environment. An effective hygiene strategy using a virucide such as Vetpak’s Vetsan Super Concentrate, which is effective against Rotavirus 6 & 10, Cryptosporidium Parvum, E Coli, Salmonella and Corona, should be used to

spray out calf sheds before the season begins and throughout the season at weekly intervals.

For more information, see: www.vetpak.co.nz or talk to your local vet clinic.

Her favourite feed is also New Zealand’s favourite

Planning is key when it comes to calving A smooth and successful calving season is possible if planning and preparation is done by your farm team before the action starts, according to DairyNZ.

Another key piece of advice is to look at how you look after your team. Planning and preparing for calving with your team will reduce stress when calving is in full swing and help it run smoothly.

Hold a team meeting prior to calving and decide who will do what and when. Record the plan where everyone can see it. Introduce new staff to systems and processes so everyone is on the same page. Establish a roster and ensure staff know how to fill out timesheets.

Eating well is important and some owners provide staff with crock pots, keep healthy snacks at the shed or have a cooked breakfast together after milking.

Watch for signs of stress, meet regularly and talk often. For more information on rosters and wellbeing, visit: https://www.dairynz.co.nz/people/ DairyNZ’s calf care video is at: https://www.dairynz. co.nz/animal/calves/setting-up-for-calving/

The organisation recommends a pre-calving checklist – so tackle these jobs now.

They’ll love New Zealand’s No.1 Calf feed* • Have supplies of metabolics, electrolytes, navel spray Here at SealesWinslow, we know just how important it is to give etc on hand or ordered. your calves a healthy start. But if their feed doesn’t taste great • Ensure new team members are up-to-date on farm they’re simply not going to eat it. Our delicious feed contains policies and what to expect during calving. everything they need to ensure they get complete nutrition, and • Make sure the calf trailer and feeding equipment is you get complete peace of mind. To order yours today contact us. clean and disinfected.

• Calf sheds need to be cleaned and disinfected and all sealeswinslow.co.nz | 0800 287 325 repairs and maintenance done.

No.1 *Based on NZFMA 2016 Compound Feed Production Statistics • Have a designated ‘sick calf ’ area ready.

• Fresh bedding needs to be laid in calf sheds.

(Source: https://www.dairynz.co.nz) • Have a calving kit prepared.

According to DairyNZ, a well-stocked calving kit will save you making trips between the paddock and the shed. Keep your calving kit at the gate of the springer paddock. Have a team member in charge of making sure it is restocked regularly.

Calving kit should contain: • Bucket with a lid to contain kit (tape a checklist of contents inside the lid).

• Metabolics (clearly labelled milk fever treatments and starter drench).

• Three calving ropes or chains (strong, supple and cleaned after each use).

• A 2L container of lube (a plunger pump is an easy For prevention and treatment of calf scours caused by Rotavirus 6 &10, Crypto, Combo For prevention and treatment of calf scours caused byisRotavirus 6 &10, way to dispense lube if hands are busy).

E coli K99,Rotagen Salmonella, Coronavirus.

Rotagen Combo anti-biotic FREE Crypto, and GMO FREE. E coli K99, Salmonella, Coronavirus. Rotagen Combo is anti-biotic FREE and GMO FREE. • Towel and soap for cleaning hands.

For prevention and treatment of calf scours caused by Rotavirus 6 &10, Crypto, E colitreatment K99, Salmonella, Coronavirus.

Rotagen is anti-biotic and GMO FREE. For prevention and of calf scours caused byCombo Rotavirus 6 &10,FREE Crypto, • Notebook and pencil (A pencil will still work in wet E coli K99, Salmonella, Coronavirus.

Rotagen Combo is anti-biotic FREE and GMO FREE. conditions, unlike a pen).

Enerlect is a high energy source electrolyte that also supplies all the important Enerlect • Eartags or other calf identification system Enerlect is a lost highduring energydiarrhoea source electrolyte also supplies electrolytes casued bythat infectious agentsall orthe dueimportant to a nutritional Enerlect lost is a during high energy source casued electrolyte also supplies important electrolytes diarrhoea by that infectious agentsallorthe due to a nutritional (Pre-numbered tags with corresponding numbers on imbalance. electrolytes lost during diarrhoea casued by infectious agents or due to a nutritional imbalance. a record sheet will save time and reduce the chance imbalance.

Enerlect is a high energy source electrolyte that also supplies all the important of recording mistakes). electrolytes lost during diarrhoea casued by infectious agents or due to a nutritional • Spray paint: red plus another colour (red can be used imbalance.

Vetsan “Super” Concentrate Virucide, biocide and deodoriser for all surfaces on farm including farm sheds and as a warning colour – for example, withhold milk.

Virucide, biocide such and deodoriser forVetsan all surfaces on against farm including farm sheds and animal housing as deodoriser calf pens. is active all thefarm important Virucide, biocide and for all surfaces on farm including sheds and animal housing such as as calf pens.

Vetsan isis active against all theimportant important Communicate this with staff ). pathenogenic micro-organisms that can cause calfagainst scoursall including Rotavirus, animal housing such calf pens.

Vetsan active the pathenogenic micro-organisms that can cause calf scours including Rotavirus, pathenogenic micro-organisms that can cause calf scours including Rotavirus, Cryptosporidia, Salmonella, E coli, Coronovirus.

• Gloves for rectal or other examinations.

Cryptosporidia, Salmonella, E Ecoli, Salmonella, coli,Coronovirus.

Coronovirus.

AlsoCryptosporidia, effective against Mycoplasma Bovis.

• Head torch and spare batteries.

Virucide, biocide andeffective deodoriser for all surfaces on farm including farm sheds and Also Also effective against Mycoplasma Bovis. against Mycoplasma Bovis. animal housing such and as calf pens. Combo Vetsan are is active against all the to important Enerlect Rotagen registered pursuant the ACVM Act 1997, • Iodine spray pre-mixed with water (do not use teat Enerlect and Rotagen Comboare areregistered registered pursuant pursuant to ACVM Act 1997, Enerlect and Rotagen Combo tothe the ACVM Act 1997, pathenogenic micro-organisms that can cause calf scours including Rotavirus, Enerlect A9276, Rotagen Combo A9928 dip as an alternative).

Enerlect A9276, Rotagen Combo A9928 Enerlect A9276, Rotagen A9928 Cryptosporidia, Salmonella, E coli,Combo Coronovirus.

• Key contact numbers (vet, manager) on laminatedAlso effective against Mycoplasma Bovis.

Talk toyour your animal health professional, TalkTalk to your animal health professional, sheet. Save numbers in phone). to animal health professional, Enerlect and Rotagen Combo are registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997, your local veterinarian youryour locallocal veterinarian • Calving intervention guide. veterinarian Enerlect A9276, Rotagen Combo A9928 • Food/energy bars.

Building Blocks Building Blocks Building Blocks To Good Calf Health To Good Calf Health To Good Calf Health

Rotagen Combo Combo Rotagen

Rotagen Combo Enerlect Enerlect

Enerlect

Vetsan “Super” “Super” Concentrate Concentrate Vetsan

Vetsan “Super” Concentrate

Talk to your animal health professional, your local veterinarian

Page 22

LIFESTYLE FARMING

Tips to prevent milk fever During the dry period a cow’s metabolism gradually builds and then increases quickly once lactation starts.

This is most notably seen with the demand for two key ‘macro’ minerals: calcium (Ca) and Magnesium (Mg).

Calcium is an essential component of the skeleton and serves a role in muscle contractions,

blood coagulation, enzyme activity and hormonal secretion. Demands rise rapidly when lactation starts and can result in milk fever cases as well as subclinical problems.

Subclinical hypocalcaemia (low calcium) has been linked to ‘sad cow syndrome’, retained membranes and infertility.

Magnesium is required for production of hormones important for the absorption of calcium from the gut and the mobilisation of calcium from bone. Low magnesium levels can suppress a cow’s appetite and cause irritability in the herd and reduce milk letdown.

Fortunately, magnesium supplementation prevents grass staggers and helps cows to mobilise their calcium stores to prevent milk fever. Cows do not store magnesium, therefore daily dosing is required. This means if the cows miss out on their daily dose during a patch of adverse weather, you can expect some clinical cases.

Lush, fast-growing spring

pasture is often very low in magnesium.

Calcium and magnesium demands are exceptionally high in the weeks surrounding calving for calf growth and lactation.

High-producing, older cows are often most susceptible to deficiency. It’s best to avoid supplementing calcium in the three weeks before calving as the cow needs to prime her body to mobilise her own calcium stores. For example, additional lime flour should be stopped.

Magnesium supplementation should begin about one month prior to the start of calving and continue until peak milk is achieved, which is normally up to four-six weeks after the last cow has calved.

Supplementation can be achieved in a variety of ways.

Dusting pasture with magnesium oxide at a rate of around 100g per cow per day. Drenching with magnesium oxide at a rate of 30-40g per cow per day. Maize silage is naturally very low in magnesium, calcium and salt, so needs to be balanced by adding these elements.

If cows are eating a lot of supplement, it is possible to add magnesium to this feed at a rate of 60g per cow per day. Please note: the 60g is additional to the base magnesium added to maize silage to help balance the ration value.

Magnesium sulphate or chloride may also be added to water supplies, but care must be taken not to make water unpalatable, as magnesium tastes bitter. Flavour enhancers may assist.

Read this column in full at: www.coastandcountrynews.co.nz

Time runs out for subdividing in Waikato Perhaps the delays caused by Covid-19 have given some Waikato farmers one last chance to subdivide their farm before the rules change, but you’ll have to act quickly since the subdivision process takes time.

Many of those owning a farm within the ‘Old Waikato’ district boundary have long enjoyed the ability to subdivide off a section or lifestyle block, however the opportunities have been pared back in recent times. On the face of it, the advertised Proposed District Plan looked to keep this rule constant for many larger farms. However, there is real opposition by some.

The Waikato Regional Council has requested that council lift the minimum size of the subdividing property from the current 20ha to 40ha. Regional council has the finance and clout to push on with this idea, potentially even referring it to the Environment Court. I believe they have the resources to win the day. This will instantly count many people out of an opportunity to subdivide.

In the past, it was possible to subdivide blocks much smaller than the current 20ha size. Regional council has, for some time, been pushing for an increased threshold. I believe that, once lifted, it will never go back down to current levels. So those with a block size between 20ha and 40ha may never get the chance to cut off a separate title for family or sale once this rule change goes through.

If your property size sits within this range and you have ever contemplated subdividing, you should act now without doubt.

It is now or never, in my opinion. If there was anything good to come out of the ‘lockdown’ for Waikato landowners, it was the delay it caused in this planning process. It’s given some people that one last chance to secure their subdivision rights before they are taken away.

Aside from this rural subdivision rule there are still some other limited ways to subdivide land. One opportunity is where you own more than one adjoining title. You can apply to relocate or change the shape and size of these sections so they are more appropriate for lifestyle living, without affecting your farming operation. Another opportunity to gain subdivision entitlements is available by placing covenants on your native bush or wetlands to protect them indefinitely.

This environmental protection idea is available in most other districts as well.

Don’t sit back if you believe you may have an opportunity to restructure your titles or create an additional title for yourself, family or sale. Act now, before changes come into play and prohibit it. Please feel free to give me a call and discuss your situation without delay.

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

FARM VEHICLES, MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

Page 23

Tractors and diesel in Murray’s blood With 10 tractors, a bulldozer and a BSA Bandtom 1951 motorbike, Tauranga Vintage machinery club president Murray Wastney has quite the collection.

“Tractors and diesel are in my blood.

“There is a lot of satisfaction that comes with restoring something that would otherwise be scrapped,” says Murray.

He keeps his prized machinery and seven stationary engines in a 22 metrelong shed on his Katikati property, where he lives with his wife Natalie.

His passion for tractors dates back to his school days, growing up in rural Nelson.

“My parents were war pensioners, so we didn’t have a car or transport and you had to entertain yourself. They never owned a farm, but I would help neighbours on their land.”

“I worked for money, but did plenty of free labour too because I loved it.

“One of my neighbours had a tractor especially for me, which he called ‘Murray’s tractor’. It was an old thing with a hand clutch, which I got to use to harrow the paddocks.”

While ‘Murray’s tractor’ was a John Deere, his passion lies with Fergusons.

Murray drove a brand new Gold Belly 1957 Ferguson FE35 when he was a boy. Now, a tractor of the same make is in his garage.

“It was a great experience. When I look at my Fergusons they bring back those memories.

“The Gold Belly colour was only manufactured in 1957 and 1958. It’s

beautiful, especially in sunlight.”

Murray led a varied career using plenty of different machines – from driving Land Rovers and bulldozers on D’Urville Island in the Marlborough Sounds to motorscrapers for his own business. “I had nine machines in my business and would always work on them.”

He only decided to take up restoration as a hobby after retiring five years ago. “You have to have the time to do it. I’ve always been a manual worker so retiring to lay on the couch was never going to work for me.”

“It’s a good hobby to have when you’re retired because it doesn’t cost a lot. With the money I’ve spent on all of my tractors, I’d be lucky to restore one vintage car.”

Most recently, Murray finished restoring his 1949 Farmall M, which his son Scott, 36, drove in the club’s recent Tractor Trek from Murray’s house to Waihi.

“I said: ‘Go on son, take the pride of the fleet’.

He helped me put the transfers on, so seeing him drive it was a pretty cool moment.”

Murray Wastney on his 1957 Ferguson FE35.

MacKenzie Dyer

Murray Wastney has been driving tractors since he was at school.

BX1880 tractor with 54” mid mower

$

15,990 +GST

Murray Wastney with his 1949 Case LA, left, and 1949 Farmall M, right.

3.5%

P.A.

FINANCE FOR 36 MONTHS* across the BX Series FINANCE PROVIDED BY

UDC FINANCE LIMITED

Photo - BX2680 complete with optional front guard The BX Series is small in size yet huge in output, with it’s 3-cylinder, liquid cooled Kubota diesel engine. Switching between mowing lawns and frontend loader, work has never been easier. The BX loader can be attached without leaving the driver’s seat.

KUBOTA.CO.NZ

R & R Tractors 4 Te Puke Quarry Road Te Puke Ph: 07 573 9107

rrtractors.co.nz

*This finance offer from UDC Finance Limited is only available to eligible business applicants on loans with a term of up to 36 months. The 0.9% p.a. interest rate is fixed for the term of the loan and is only available with a minimum 20% deposit and applies to new BX & B Series models UDC Finance credit criteria, fees, terms and conditions apply.

The finance offer are valid to 31st October 2020.

Page 24

FARM VEHICLES, MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

A robust and spacious crush, offering superior support and comfort for the animal.

Specially designed to provide a safe and functional facility for the farmer when hoof care is necessary. Easy and safe to use.

Cattle hoof care crush,

Type-L from Ekochute.

Features include Self catching head-bail Full walk-thru head-bail Self-locking hand winches with folding handles Fully hot-dip galvanised Gas-spring anti-kick back bar with ‘W’bar rear leg support Unique front leg fixation system 2x 16cm wide belly bands Checker plate welded floor, topped with non-slip rubber mat 2x lead-in rear gates

All these features come on a

Ekochute as standard Why pay more?

Other options upon request

Trailer kit (NZ road legal with Wof and Rego) Several Electric winches Head-bail insert for smaller cows

New Zealand Dealership Stuart Rogers

T: 0212788278

E: waikatohooftimming@gmail.com

FARM VEHICLES, MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

Page 25

‘Tractor Dave’ inspires SOMETHING When Pokuru couple Chris and Rachel Numan bought a second-hand 1390 David Brown tractor to mow the roadsides of their dairy farm they had no idea it would transpire into a children’s book that would support a farmer-led charity helping Kiwis in need.

the day after drama hits during the important maize harvesting day on the farm.

Aimed at three to seven-year-olds, the book, illustrated by Filip Lazurowicz, is described Fast-forward 12 months as a “fun rhyming and the first story of adventure”.

‘Tractor Dave’ – which Rachel hopes it will follows a cheerful tractor, appeal to machineryand his life on a typical lovers big and small New Zealand dairy and help Kiwi children farm – will be released in living in urban centres September. understand more about The 32-page book is the farming life. “The core brainchild of Rachel, a reason I wrote it is I’ve first-time author, who lives always felt like those rural on a dairy farm in with her stories are lacking for two young sons, Jack, aged kids. I’m passionate about 3, and Oscar, 10 months, encouraging kids to read, and husband Chris. and about NZ’s primary “Chris and I bought industries.” Pre-sale The original ‘Tractor Dave’ still resides a 1390 David Brown copies are available at: and works on-farm at Pokuru. tractor just over a year ago www.tractordavebooks. from a trade dealer at co.nz Morrinsville. It’s a sweet And 50 cents from every little tractor that starts copy of ‘Tractor Dave’ sold with a purr on the first will go to new farmer-led try, and it quickly won charity Meat the Need, our whole family’s heart which supplies meat to foodbanks for Kiwis in need.

– especially my three-year“I’m really excited sales of the book are supporting old, Jack,” says Rachel.

Meat the Need – they are an incredible charity fi filling “While we initially a gap that sorely needed filling,” says Rachel, who has purchased it for mowing nearly finished a first draft of the second instalment of roadsides of our farm, ‘Tractor Dave’. So watch this space.

‘Tractor Dave’ – as he Thanks to Rachel, Coast & Country News has a became known – soon found himself roped in to help copy of ‘Tractor Dave’ to give away, when published out with the big tractor jobs like teddering silage and in September. To be in to win, email your name and weed control on-farm.” address to: merle@sunmedia.co.nz with an answer to From here Rachel was inspired to write a children’s the following question: What make of tractor is the original ‘Tractor Dave’ on Rachel’s farm? Or post book covering Tractor Dave’s adventures. “I was these details on an envelope to: Country Funnies, PO inspired after my three-year-old fell in love with the Box 240, Tauranga 3140 to arrive by July 31. The little tractor and it became a big thing whenever he winner will be contacted thereafter. was seen out on the farm.”

Merle Cave In this first book ‘Tractor Dave’ steps in to save

FOR EVERYONE 1.99% FINANCE*

TRACTOR SALES EVENT ON NOW UNTIL 31ST AUGUST 2020 When you buy Case IH you benefit from our decades of working with farmers to develop products, systems and support that are proven in every type of New Zealand farm.

And now, with our Tractor Sales Event, there’s never been a better time to benefit from this proven reliability and performance of Case IH. Purchase one of our selected Farmall, Maxxum or Puma Tier 3 tractors before 31st August 2020 and you can enjoy outstanding value and significant savings on repayments.

✓ OUTSTANDING VALUE ✓ MODELS FROM 38 HP UP TO 158 HP

DAIRY

Page 26

The need to question widely-held beliefs Forward-thinking New Zealand farmers might consider themselves on a learning journey at the moment, as they find themselves questioning the status quo and the way they have farmed for decades.

And there is plenty to question, because the way we’ve ‘always farmed’ is not necessarily the right way.

But there is also a need to question whether widelyheld beliefs around particular ways of farming are true, or false.

Recently, a keen follower of Total Replacement Therapy questioned whether we had considered that the amount of clover growing on our Whakatane demonstration farm was, in itself, the source of

nitrogen leaching.

He referenced a Lincoln University study that observed an organic dairy farm, no less, had been leaching large amounts of nitrogen through their abundance of clover.

There are several things wrong with this study; the first being that the academics assumed an ‘organic’ farm was the epitome of healthy farming.

I would suggest there is far more to a healthy farm than a title of ‘organic’. Soil quality is not a prerequisite to becoming organic. Rather, organics is more to do with not using chemical fertiliser, weed sprays or antibiotics. You can put no fertiliser on and be registered organic.

So, if this organic farm was leaching excessive nitrogen because of its clover, then I would guarantee the farm in question had depleted soils, no biology, and shallow pasture roots.

It is important to revisit what causes leaching – or rather, what prevents leaching.

The whole concept behind riparian plantings 3m-5m from waterways is that they reduce leaching by 35 per cent, because the plants’ long root systems capture excess nutrients.

Similarly, a healthy biological system, with healthy soil, promotes a long root

system not only in plantings and crops, but in any pasture.

We have measured pasture roots of 800mm on a biological farm, which is a far cry from the measurements of 100mm we generally find in a chemical system.

So, what our keen follower is suggesting just doesn’t make sense – unless the whole concept of riparian planting is flawed as well.

However, we welcome all questions, criticism and commentary as it means we are always testing our findings and research against others’ observations, and outdated trial work.

Certainly, the absence of clover in your pasture is a red flag. Clover is generally a sign of a healthy soil, but clover grown in a biological system will have long roots and, as a result, capture excess nutrients and reduce leaching. Total Replacement Therapy is setting out to prove this.

We also have to take into account the amount of liquid fertiliser that is being applied, and what happens to it after application.

A liquid fertiliser is a good soil enhancer when you have healthy soil, but if you only use liquid fertiliser as a foliar feeder the soil will, over three-five years, become depleted of microbes and nutrients.

Adhering to the Albrecht/Kinsey system, we follow the concept that we feed the soil, and let the soil feed the plant.

And going back to the point of questioning widelyheld beliefs, an organic farm does not necessarily have a balanced soil. And it doesn’t necessarily mean tasty, nutritious produce.

An organic farm with healthy, balanced soils and a thriving biological system will grow a lot of clover and reduce nutrient leaching at the same time.

But it has to be said that there are a lot of biological farms that are not organic but are very fertile farms, using a very small amount of N and producing high quality products.

Organic is a good direction, but there is more to the concept than being chemical-free.

Innovative Innovative Design Design Improves Improves Efficiency Efficiency Ezi-flo pit gates completely Ezi-flo pit gates completely clear exit ways and cannot clear exit ways and be touched by cowscannot leaving be touched bythe cows leaving milking area. the milking area.

The fully galvanised gates

are available in kitset for The fully galvanised gates speedy are available in installation kitset for speedy installation GRUNDFOS ®

0800 226974

2 C OW S H E D 0800 226974

Ph Jim 07-850 Mob. 0274 936 693 2 C5971 OW SH ED Ph Chris 07-849 3630 Mob. 0274 936 692 Ph JimP.O. 07-850 5971 0274Hamilton 936 693 Box 10 188,Mob. Te Rapa, www.dairybuilders.co.nz Ph Chris 07-849 3630 Mob. 0274 936 692

P.O. Box 10 188, Te Rapa, Hamilton www.dairybuilders.co.nz

ezi-flo

PITGATES

ezi-flo

PITGATES

DAIRY

Page 27

Will your farm grow enough grass? supplement reserves.”

Jen says there’s no ‘one size fits all’ solution – the answer is more likely

to be a mix of options depending on farmers’ individual situations.

“In all cases, however, advance

planning will help ensure the best possible result.”

Authorised Dealers Authorised Dealers

• 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

Jen Corkran says many farms have started winter with lower-than-average pasture covers, and this could continue.

Spring-sown crops will be vital this season to help keep animals well fed on farms throughout the upper North Island.

Pastures affected by dry conditions last season are likely to grow hundreds of tonnes less grass than normal in the next 12 months, and bought-in supplements are both scarce and expensive.

Looking towards spring, home-grown forage like chicory, brassicas, maize and fodder beet could be the best way to fill this pending deficit, says a Waikato agronomist.

Jen Corkran, who works in the pasture systems team at Barenbrug, says many farms have started winter with lowerthan-average pasture covers, and this could continue.

Chicory and clover.

Pastures that normally grow 15 tonnes of dry matter per year, for example, might only grow 9-10t DM/ha in the year ahead. “Then we face a really important question – what can we use to make up the difference?

“The true extent of pasture damage caused the dry may not become clear until soils start to warm up, and spring grass in some paddocks simply doesn’t come away as expected,” says Jen.

She’s urging farmers to start thinking about this sooner rather than later.

“The most effective response in many situations will be sowing larger areas of summer crop than usual.

“Even though some areas have had rain, this won’t be a ‘normal’ spring for many farmers, because conditions were so abnormal earlier in the year and many new pastures were less dense than usual heading into winter.”

• Pumps & Water fittings – Galvanised, PVC and Alkathene • Rubberware • Stainless Steel manufacture and repair • Trenching

Key calculations

The key is to look at feed requirements for the coming season at the budgeted level of production, and stock condition, then subtract the likely effect of the drought on grass growth.

For example, if 20ha of pasture is damaged, this might add up to 100t DM less feed grown. But if 100ha is damaged, it could be 500t DM. Home-grown feed is always a more cost-effective way to fill such deficits than anything that arrives in a truck, says Jen. Annual-type chicory like 501 Chicory is one of the easiest summer feeds to fit into many systems, because it’s a multigraze crop that will provide high quality feed from December through to March, and potentially April.

“As well as growing valuable extra DM/ ha, it has high ME and protein to keep cows milking or lambs growing well in summer, and provides ideal preparation for new grass and clover in autumn.”

Interval rape and Dynamo turnips also have a good fit for increasing farm DM growth, as do mixes of cultivars, such as chicory and red clover, which provide different fodder flows.

No ‘one size fits all’

“Fodder beet is a potential option for autumn feed, and of course maize is a high-yielding crop for silage production, which is very important given the effect of the drought on farmers’ own

Extra value $325/ha* 501 Chicory is very fast establishing and out-yields some other varieties. This could mean an extra 50kg MS/ha worth $325/ha*. *Based on 550kg DM/ha extra yield and $6.50/kg MS milk price. Yield data based on yield info from combined trial analysis of Cambridge 11-12, and Canterbury 12-13.

Make more green this summer with 501 Chicory. barenbrug.co.nz 0800 449 955

facebook.com/BarenbrugNZ

@BarenbrugNZ

DAIRY

Page 28

Reducing N use and refining practices Farming will, during the next few years, become That the country is resolutely heading increasingly buoyant with not only higher market towards a carbon neutral economy is not the prices but a higher percentage making its way back to least bit secret, nor will the target change the farmer.

And that’s because the farming with a different government. community has shown time and again when there is a requirement for fundamental change it will simply get on and do it, however we don’t see that as embracing the current high profile regenerative farming model.

Without clover as the base, multi-species pastures and poor utilisation will result in a steady reversion to low fertility species with proponents steadily losing enthusiasm.

Nitrogen is essential for higher fertility species to thrive, and with reduced urea usage the only way sufficient nitrogen can be made available for highproducing permanent grazed pastures is via stronger and more vigorous clover.

That less urea will be applied is clear from the proposed regulation limiting annual nitrogen application to 190kgN/ ha maximum. The amount is not the key issue as this can be altered, it is the fact that there will be an enforceable limit.

NZ Unit price

Hard on the heels of that came the news that the NZ Unit (carbon) price will be lifted from $25 to $35, allowing government to provide both an incentive and a penalty.

Simplistically farmers losing carbon will have a tax to pay, and those sequestering carbon receiving a payment. It is important that farmers begin measuring soil carbon on their properties. The VSA colour, and local laboratory Hot Water Carbon tests are an excellent start point.

It is under permanent grazed pasture that carbon is most rapidly sequestered and with increased soil carbon comes improved nitrogen retention. As more carbon from atmospheric carbon dioxide is removed, the greenhouse gases nitrous oxide and methane will become steadily less relevant.

Those farmers, who for the last 15 years, have been using soil fertility systems that have included little if any nitrogen have benefited significantly when compared to neighbouring properties relying on 230kgN/ha or more.

Firstly, their pasture production has steadily increased due to more moisture and nutrient storage capacity with

pastures growing longer into summer and recovering more quickly in autumn.

Allowing recovery time

More carbon has resulted in increased soil crumb, allowing plant roots to access nutrients from greater depth.

With little or no applied nitrogen, mycorrhizal fungi, which extend root zone by at least nine times, ensure healthier, stronger, and more diseaseresistant plants.

The notion that pastures should not be grazed to low levels is a fallacy.

High utilisation means more of what is grown is processed through an animal and dung is far more readily digested than long fibrous feed trampled into the surface.

The key to growing and utilising large amounts of pasture is allowing pasture plants time to fully recover before grazing again.

Initially regrowth is slow as leaf surface area builds. Then comes the rapid growth phase as increased leaf surface area converts sunlight to energy before plant growth slows as a stem and seed head develop, the time when grazing best takes place.

A small amount of stem is essential fibre for optimum rumen function, and due to growth rates changing throughout the season grazing intervals may vary from as long as 100 days during winter, to as short as 18 days in spring when growth is at its most rapid.

Apart from steadily reducing reliance on fertiliser nitrogen, the changes required are more a refinement of the practices NZ farmers already do best, than wholesale change.

For more information, call Peter on 0800 843 809.

DAIRY

Page 29

Weather unknowns mean planning is key Well, we’ve had a bit of rain now, which has been good for grass growth. I’ve been talking to a Welcome Bay farmer who reckons we’ve had 800ml for the 12-month period. Normally we’d average 1600ml, so that’s 50 per cent less rainfall.

Hence why things have been so dry for the last five months. And definitely we’re suffering in Welcome Bay, just like much of the North Island is. Now, my weather guru suggests the current neutral phase we are in could extend into next summer. However, other weather gurus suggest it may change to a La Nina pattern in spring – but still the indications aren’t all there yet.

But if it’s another neutral phase, we could see the same conditions in terms of grass growth and feed availability next summer. So now is the perfect time – while farmers aren’t milking their cows – to plan ahead for their feed requirements for the coming 12 months.

This year our phone has been ringing red hot with people needing feed quickly and we’ve been running around trying to source it – and with not having enough, having to work out how we distribute it fairly.

So be warned – it’s not just scaremongering. It’s what I’m hearing from our weather forecasters going forward. This could be long-term. Our rainfall average is forecasted to be belownormal and sea temperatures are slightly up around NZ. So we have slightly warmer-than-normal temperatures.

We may have patches of wet weather over the next few months. But if the weather pattern stays in a neutral phase that will change out over summer again.

And an early dry could extend through December to February and beyond.

So while farmers aren’t doing much they should be planning ahead – using this season as a benchmark.

Currently there’s still a lot of PK coming in to fill those gaps for everyone who hasn’t got their feed situation in order but it can be limited to ‘contracted

supply only’ when there’s a shortage so there might not be an ‘on the spot’ market available if you need it. It’s not good to have a lot of imported feeds coming in when we’re trying to reduce our environmental footprint, grow local and buy local and look after locals.

With wet weather watch out for pugging of paddocks. Be mindful when feeding out in paddocks, and to cows behind electric fences. Ensure they have a good-sized area and in the wet make sure they have water.

Take them off paddocks to races or stand-off areas if it’s going to be wet.

This will prevent pasture damage, weeds, and having to re-sow in springtime. When feeding winter crops ensure cows have enough room to stand off out of the mud. Keep them away from wet areas and waterways when feeding to avoid run-off. Councils will be keeping an eye on this as well as animal welfare I’m sure.

Mid-June, the Global Dairy Trade Auction price index rose 1.9 per cent compared to the previous sale on June 2. Whole milk powder prices, which have the greatest bearing on Fonterra’s farmgate milk price, were up 2.2 per cent to US$2829/tonne.

Economists were talking the payout back a bit but now say dairy markets have performed better than expected in recent months and prices should now avoid dropping to levels anticipated earlier this year, which is great news for the industry and NZ. Some of our high-end cuts of lamb have had prices drop back, with UK restaurants that demand those specialty cuts being closed or operating via reduced hours. The beef market is looking okay, but it’s hard to know going forward how demand will be with countries at all different stages in their Covid-19 responses.

Normally at this time of year we’d also be talking about how Fieldays went. With that not happening farmers still need to be mindful that they need to take time off-farm while they can.

Otherwise they’ll be working yearround and that’s not good for health or wellbeing. So try to take a break somewhere, spend some money in NZ somewhere. It’s also timely to look at

all these young Kiwis kicking around back in NZ there might be some really good talent out there designing software programmes to suit all types of applications.

And having the latest software could help give you real precision in the way you farm and help you accurately know

their businesses. Normally now is when farmers would buy machinery, utes, milking equipment, software etc at Fieldays.

Don’t stop doing that – because our service and supply industry needs our support.

For example, a lot of these types of businesses need to order equipment early and if you get to spring and think you need a new mower asap, they won’t have it because it take months to get this gear into the country.

Also take a good look at what software and/or apps are available for all aspects of your operation.

There is some really savvy stuff that can improve efficiencies, and get jobs done better. And with

your land’s parameters or challenges.

And you could help keep this talent employed and keep them in NZ. We still have a bit of feed available but it’s very limited. We’re looking at baling some milking quality grass silage as soon as the weather permits, so give us a call for any feed requirements.

Page 30

FORESTRY

All eyes on Chinese log demand Two months since New Zealand moved out of lockdown, marshalling areas at ports are busy again with export cargoes arriving from forests – but one question remains.

How strong will China’s demand for logs be in the coming months?

According to the Ministry

The rare sight of largely empty wharves at the Port of Tauranga during lockdown. Photo: Port of Tauranga. for Primary’s ‘Economic update for the Primary Industries’ – released mid-June instead of the usual Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries due to situations changing on an almost daily basis and the outlook for sectors more uncertain than ever before – the NZ forestry sector has been significantly impacted by the outbreak and responses; first by China’s lockdown, then NZ’s.

The report says forestry export revenue was down 23 per cent in February, 29 per cent in March, and 62 per cent in April from the same period in 2019.

“Much of the decline in February and March is due to China’s lockdown, but a portion of this is also due to significantly lower prices than the previous year.

Forestry exports have been heavily impacted since the start of alert Level 4, with $434 million less revenue – down 39 per cent – compared with the same period last year, and 42 per cent down to China.”

Level 3

Since moving to Level 3 in late-April, forestry export revenue has been able to ramp up, with higher export revenue in the second half of May than the same period in 2019. “Monthly harvest data from the Forest Growers Levy Trust shows the impact on harvesting. Total harvest volume in April reached just 377,000 cubic metres, 87 per cent down from the same period in 2019.

“The latest market reports show higher log prices in China and lower inventories at Chinese ports. Part of this is down to logs being reallocated across China’s supply chains now their manufacturing sector is operating again.

“China reopened as supplies from NZ and Europe had slowed to a trickle. Log prices at NZ ports are showing an even higher bounce due to lower shipping costs and a lower NZD boosting returns.”

But the report says the big question is what happens once China’s supply chain is back up and running in the next two months. “That will be determined by the strength of underlying demand in China’s construction sector. And that, in turn, will depend on China’s ability to weather the looming global recession.

“In the wider context, this uncertainty is set against a backdrop of a sharp drop in log prices in mid-2019.

“The main driver behind that price fall was surplus supply due to high harvest volumes in NZ and a surge in exports from Europe’s beetle-ravaged forests.

“Prices were in recovery mode in the second half of 2019, but entered the current crisis in a somewhat fragile state.”

Subdued demand

Mark Procter of TPT Forests Ltd, which ships, markets and sells NZ-grown logs for clients around the globe and is one of the two main leasees of storage space at the Port of Tauranga, says customers are happy they’re back in operation post-lockdown that’s for sure. “However, there is definitely subdued demand right across the world with these uncertain health and economic times. The export log markets will not be immune to this uncertainty, so we’re cautious of the current pent-up supply situation and a soft demand environment.”

Pre-Covid, TPT would have typically held about 100,000 tonnes at any one time in stock at the POT. “During the very early stages of Level 4 lockdown, exporters were requested to ship as much inventory as possible to make space for essential services supply chains in case the land was required.

“We had to assess what cargo we had in stock around NZ and re-organise international customer orders and sales. I recall there was only three days from the Government’s announcement to full closure, and so we didn’t necessarily have the right products available in stock to meet the customer orders already committed.

“As well, there were a number of vessels contracted; either already at berth in NZ loading, at berth in NZ discharging cargo and then prepared to load logs, or on NZ’s coast waiting in a queue; and some vessels already on their way from Asia to NZ to load logs. “So there was a significant juggling of inventory, sales and shipping.” Once completed, TPT Forests had only 200 tonne at the port.

Read this story in full at: www.coastandcountrynews.co.nz

Merle Cave

COUNTRY LIVING

Long-time residents Sharon Barnes and Anna Horne have been helping with dune planting for many years.

As we trample across the sand towards the soothing sea, do we ever give a second’s thought about the health of the dunes underneath our feet that hold our coastlines together?

Well, at this time of year that’s exactly what Coromandel coastal restoration coordinator Tanya Patrick wants you to think about – and hopefully put your hand up to help restore.

“Over the years we’ve had an increase in coastal erosion and damage to the local dune systems,” says Tanya, who works for Thames-Coromandel District Council – one of the first councils in New Zealand to employ a dedicated full-time coastal restoration coordinator to focus on this task.

“A lot of coastal erosion is caused by land development, extreme weather events, high foot traffic, vehicles driving on beaches and in general, people not understanding the function and the value of a working and protected dune system.

“But we also have a big group of nature-loving residents and bach owners in the area who are passionate about restoration, conservation and ongoing improvement of dunes and wetlands and coastal areas.”

And with such help, TCDC has been planting and restoring coastlines for about 10 years, working closely with Coastcare – Waikato, part of Waikato Regional Council, the Department of Conservation and iwi, and beach care and ratepayer groups to protect and restore our coast,” says Tanya.

She’s currently getting the Coromandel’s dune planting restoration programme back-in-action after the Covid-19 lockdown, with thousands of plants ready to plant on beaches across the peninsula’s east coast.

“Coastlands Plant Nursery held and nurtured the plants during lockdown, so they’ve grown and are in pristine condition for planting.”

She has 30,000 plants to plant across the Coromandel by Labour weekend – and she’s looking for volunteers. To get involved, email: tanya.patrick@ tcdc.govt.nz Tanya says many people out walking and enjoying our beaches during lockdown gained a new appreciation for the dunes.

TCDC’s full-time coastal restoration coordinator Tanya Patrick in her plant nursery.

The winter planting project will see Whangapoua, Matarangi, Rings Beach, Kuaotunu, Otama, Opito Bay, Wharekaho, Buffalo Beach, Cooks Beach, Tairua, Pauanui, Whangamata and some smaller beaches receive plants.

“We focus on areas where dune restoration is muchneeded, or has not occurred, and also areas where we have volunteers to help us. Some volunteers do travel to other beaches to help as well.

“And every year we go back to the previous year’s project and ‘infill’ plants and continue restoration where needed. With this year’s drought, we have to go back to replant some areas as some plants didn’t make it.

“We also have an ongoing weed management programme in place – until the area is vegetated sufficiently to push out the majority of the foreign species.”

Tanya says planting coastal native plants offers ‘soft erosion control’ by helping the dunes trap sand and rebuild naturally, helping to create a working dune system. “This creates a natural defense against erosion.

The native coastal plant species also help dunes recover faster after a big storm event as they tend to hold the dunes together.

“In contrast, foreign/domestic plants and invasive species are not as capable of helping dunes recover and build naturally.”

But it’s important to note that we cannot stop erosion, says Tanya. “We can only help nature recover faster and better.”

Her advice is to stay off dunes and use marked accessways to get onto beaches, rather than trampling over plantings.

“People can also help by not driving on beach reserves or dunes and not leaving green waste, grass clippings and rubbish on the beach.”

Merle Cave

Page 31

COUNTRY LIVING

Page 32

Tour the south with experienced guides For Robbie Cricket, the 2020/2021 season will be his 22nd guiding people along the tracks and back roads of the South Island.

He and wife Connie are very proud of NZ Adventures’ culture of

close involvement with the farmers and rural communities they travel through. “Connie and I, as retired farmers ourselves, are passionate about farming and the rural New Zealand way of life and wish to both support that and show it off to our guests as much as we can,” says Robbie, who outlines NZ Adventures

Like us on Facebook

Septi-CureTM is:      

Cost Effective Easy To use Improves Soakage Reduces Solids and Scums Eliminates Nasty Odours Reduces Costly Pump-outs

A satisfied customer in Hamilton has been using Septi-Cure for over five years.

Maniototo from Shannons Track.

He says this allows them to have an odour free septic tank with low maintenance costs. He also says that his service person is amazed at how well Septi-Cure works, keeping their tank in very good condition. *Results may vary

Robbie Cricket has been part of NZ Adventures for 22 years.

Before*

After*

Breakthrough Product Developed for your Also Available at: Septic Tank

0800 109 202

www.ecoworld.co.nz

15x3col (11.18cm)

FIRST

HOUR

FREE

was initially a motorcycle tour business mainly for large capacity dual purpose bikes before shifting to 4WD tours.

Today, the couple’s guided 4WD tours are all different – “as the South Island is a large area with a lot of contrasting landscapes”.

They offer five tours throughout the South Island and now a sixth trip, the Heartland tour, during winter in the North Island.

South Island offerings include the West Coast Explorer, which transitions suddenly from the open dry grasslands of North Canterbury to the beech forests. “Another massive contrast is on the extremely popular 46 South tour across Southland, where the hilly coastal landscapes of The Catlins are quite different from the Southland Plains and towering mountains of Fiordland and the Takatimus.”

NZ Adventures’ most popular tour is the High Country Heritage trek from Blenheim to Cardrona along the eastern slopes of the alpine divide. “This a mix of extensive and intensive farming systems punctuated by lengths of wilderness tracks over mountain foothill ranges.”

Overnights on all tours are in hotels or motels along the route, with evening meals and breakfasts in restaurants.

Lunches range from sumptuous offerings in station homesteads through to packed picnics to enjoy out on the trail. “There is always time for a morning tea stop along the track as well.”

COUNTRY LIVING

Page 33

Taking the reins again Tauranga’s Riding for the Disabled facility is set to reopen later this month with classes completely booked out.

“I’ve really missed riding at RDA. I miss the horses, volunteers and my awesome coach; I can’t wait to go back.”

Tauranga RDA have riders attend from as far as Pukehina to Katikati. Elisha says Tauranga RDA manager interest continues to grow, as Elisha Olds says the facility was people are becoming more aware permitted to reopen in Covid-19 of the benefits of therapy riding.

Alert Level 2 but opted to wait “We have a big population of and restart at the beginning of people to cover – the next closest Term 3 on July 20.

RDA is in Te Aroha. Some riders “Term 3 and 4 are booked up, come year-round because the and we have a long waiting list.” movement in riding has real The equestrian therapy centre physical benefits for them. The has been closed since March 21 social aspect is great for them too.” due to Covid-19. Before closing, To look after RDA’s 18 horses 171 riders with disabilities would during lockdown, the centre’s attend every week, as well as 12 riders in mainstream classes.

Tauranga RDA rider Blake Waller, 9. horse manager moved onsite and shared a skeleton roster with a few Holiday programmes ran helpers. between school terms, inviting even more riders to the Elisha says despite the high number of riders set to Welcome Bay farm.

Riders and their parents have kept in touch with Elisha return, the financial impact of Covid-19 on RDA will be significant. “Rider fees only cover 20 per cent of since RDA closed, saying how much they miss it. costs, with the rest made up from donations, grants, “Some of the kids were pretending to be their sponsorships and the work of 120 volunteers from both instructors and would name their toys after RDA NZ and overseas. “Luckily, we employed a fundraising horses. Riders have the same horse every week, so coordinator the day of lockdown who’ll be a great naturally they get quite attached, and treat them help to us, especially with our flagship relay fundraiser like their own. That’s why we’ve stayed active on our coming up in November.”

Facebook page during the time off, so riders can keep To donate to Tauranga RDA, visit: http://www. up with their horses while they’re having a holiday.” taurangarda.co.nz/ways-to-support-us/ Rider and volunteer Bethany Dawson, who is 22, is make-a-donation patiently looking forward to taking the reins again.

MacKenzie Dyer

BIOROCK ST1‐4000 SEPTIC TANK  4,000 litre capacity  Rugged HDPE construc�on  Lightweight 275 kg  Complete with effluent lter  Dimensions: L x W X H (3,550 x 1,150 x 2,113)

Cer�ed compliant AS/NZS1546.1 2008 Technical: Steve Crockford Sales: Geoff Jones‐Prichard Email: info@biorock.co.nz

We looked at the first lesson we can learn from this. All healing comes from specific healing systems in our body. We also saw that these healing systems can be restricted or even dormant if our diets tip the scales in the wrong direction.

The second lesson is very important.

The ‘gap’ between healing and continued disease is often much less than you think.

What surprised my client is how little he actually had to do to activate the healing capacity in his knees.

The first step is to slow or stop unwanted inflammation. This does mean you need to think about foods but in most cases it is simply substituting one food for another. This can be swapping the inflammatory high Omega 6 cooking oils for Olive oil and adding fish oil supplements.

The rest of his programme was not difficult. I started him on an initially high dose of my joint

formula. This meant that initially he was getting 1600mg of high grade (small molecular size) Chondroitin Sulphate with 1600mg of glucosamine sulphate and 400mg of a 95 per cent bioactive curcumin (from turmeric) extract.

Chondroitin is the most important as it directly improves the heath of cells that repair and maintain cartilage.

Curcumin-targeted inflammation with glucosamine helped with joint function. This sounds complex but all this meant was after breakfast taking two of the joint capsules and three fish oil, then repeating this in the evening.

Yes, there is the discipline of having to take the supplements and of course fitting these into his budget. The results meant he has much less pain and more mobility.

For more information, give me a call or email: john@abundant.co.nz You can read my newsletter at: www.abundant.co.nz John Arts is a qualified nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health.

Contact John on 0800 423 559. To read more, go to: www.sunlive.co.nz

steve@biorock.co.nz geoff@biorock.co.nz www.biorock.co.nz

021 926 364 021 645 199

New enhanced formula

Can I improve my joints? Part 2 Last time I mentioned a client who went from having very sore knees to now being able to move with much greater freedom.

$3,140.00 (plus GST)

Abundant Health

KIWIFRUIT

Page 34

RSE workers get home More than 1000 Vanuatu nationals working as RSE workers in New Zealand’s horticulture industries who became stranded here due to Covid-19 border closures made it back to the Pacific late last month.

Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Mike Chapman says Summerfruit NZ, NZ Apples and Pears, NZ Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated and HortNZ have worked with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Immigration NZ to find ways to get these workers home

“because, currently, there are no commercial flights to Vanuatu”.

The New Zealand Defence Force took more than 1000 Vanuatu nationals home via eight flights during five days.

The first 100 returning ni-Vanuatu RSE workers touched down in Port Vila on June 19, according to the NZ High Commission in Vanuatu, with the final flights for this repatriation effort on June 23. “Preventing the spread of Covid-19 to Vanuatu remains a key priority for both our Governments, and we are all working to ensure Vanuatu’s entry requirements are met.

“All workers underwent a health pre-screening before boarding their flight,” says the NZHC in Vanuatu’s Facebook page.

Mike says not being able to return home was incredibly hard for the RSE workers “and we are thankful that these families are being reunited”.

“Vanuatu increased its quarantine capacity significantly over the past month, which has made this possible.”

Repatriated RSE workers arriving safely in Port Vila, Vanuatu.

Photos: NZHC - Vanuatu.

Mike says community and industry efforts to look after the stranded RSE workers have been commendable.

“It’s been heartening to see the generosity that communities have provided to RSEs to make their stay here more comfortable. A good example of this is in the Teviot Valley, where residents donated winter clothing to Vanuatu RSEs.” While here in New Zealand, Cyclone Harold devasted Vanuatu. And the horticulture industry has supported the Fruit of the Pacific Trust to help rebuild efforts on the ground.

To return the generosity the RSE workers have experienced

in New Zealand, there have also been several stories about RSE workers helping out in their host communities.

The RSE scheme is highly regarded internationally and enables the growth of horticulture, which in turn provides permanent jobs for New Zealanders.

Looking ahead, Mike says it is clear that RSE workers will continue to play an important role in horticulture’s ongoing growth.

“Despite increased availability of NZ workers, RSE workers are highly skilled and experienced and will be needed if horticulture is to lead New Zealand’s postCovid recovery.”

New orchard spreader at Jacks Jacks Machinery will soon be home to the brand new SAM Orchard Spreader.

COMPOST MULCH FERTILISER

· The SAM Orchard Spreader is versa�le and easy to use · Made to meet the needs of most modern orchards · Choose between spreading and banding from your tractor at

the touch of a bu�on

The new development spreader is ideal for New Zealand horticulture crops, says Jacks Machinery sales manager Bruce Donald.

“Its low height and narrow width make it the perfect machine for moving through kiwifruit orchards with ease, as well as tree crops like avocados, apples and citrus.

“Selecting between banding for one load and spreading for the next is quick and simple – no time consuming removal and attachment of parts.”

Precise spreading patterns are created easily through the speed-controlled movement of the floor mat and spinners, just set and forget. Or you can stop, switch to side-delivery and place a larger volume in one spot, says Bruce.

“Whether you’re using organic product, or processed fertilisers like superphosphate, lime or urea, the SAM Orchard Spreader will provide a long and reliable service.”

The machine is by Coombridge & Alexander, a wellknown and accepted Kiwi brand.

Having sold their SAM trailers, feed-out wagons and agricultural spreaders for many years, adding the SAM Orchard Spreader to Jacks’ reliable machinery offerings was a no-brainer, says Bruce.

Jacks Machinery sales manager Bruce Donald.

Jacks Machinery pride themselves on putting their money into stocking high quality equipment, and providing the best training for their team. “This year we will achieve 50 years of service to our customers.

So give us a call, whether it’s for horticulture, farming, forestry or lifestyle,” says Bruce.

“With sales and lease options available, Jacks has you covered.”

· Spread compost, green waste and mulch. Also spread processed

fer�liser, with absolutely no change-over �me! The belt simply reverses - forward for banding/piling, backwards for spreading

My Name is Neil Woodward.

· No more an�cipa�ng when your product is going to come out

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

with instant star�ng and stopping of applica�on

· Low profile and narrower width

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.

· Majority stainless in the back end

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 Atom combined three noz accuracy.

We also u applicatio

We hold complian

We look a your crop

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.

Ph E-ma

KIWIFRUIT ULTRA-PRO

Brandon represents BOP

Page 35

PLANT AND CROP PROTECTION

FABRICS

ULTRA-PR Profession

ULTRA-PRO

Windbreak

windbreaks, shade cloths and ground covers.

PROVEN QUALITY PERFORMANCE VALUE

The BOP’s Young Maori Grower finalist, Brandon Cross.

Photo: Alphapix.

COSIO COSIO INDUSTRIES

Cosio Industries Ltd, P.O.Box 15014, New Lynn, 0640, Auckland 27-33 Lansford Crescent, Avondale, Auckland Ph 09 820 0272 Fax 09 820 0274

Email : sales@cosio.co.nz Website : http://www.cosio.co

EFFLUENT STORAGE PONDS Firestone EPDM Lined Pond advantages Enable effluent to be stored and applied strategically during

drier periods or in Spring and Autumn when grass growth slows Ease of daily management from troublesome effluent irrigators

Realize the value of your effluent and utilise its real potential

20 year Firestone Factory warranty - best in the business

Insist on your Firestone issued Warranty Certificate

INDUSTRIES

Contact Cosio Industries Ltd ph (09) 820 0272, email : sales@cosio.co.nz. or call Vaughan on 021 280 7266 for more information on Firestone EPDM and your nearest installation contractor.

EPDM liner

Cosio Industries Ltd are official Firestone Building Products Australasian distributors

AGE and FROST PROTECTION DAMS

our farm water supply an ongoing problem? ld a new pond or line an existing earth dam with the best and gest lasting membrane available in NZ. ure proof your farms water supply for many years to come. h a proven life expectancy of over 50 years* FIRESTONE DM is the ideal choice for harsh NZ conditions to help store and nserve your water supply well into the future.

EFFLUENT STORAGE PONDS

A Bay of Plenty Seeka employee could be this year’s Young Maori Grower of the Year, after being named one of the top three finalists in the Ahuwhenua Trophy competition for 2020.

Brandon Darny Paora

interview, so it definitely was ’t as bad as

RESTONE EPDM has theCross longestisstandard material warranty it would be.”

I thought Ngamoki a ailable in NZ. This is a 20 year FIRESTONE manufacturers 24-year-old trainee rranty - a global company and a name you can trust.Brandon was born in Gisborne, and s lining is laid on site tomanager, any size ormainly shaped dam. is of Ngāi Tukairangi, Ngāi Te Rangi, orchard

Te Whānau-ā-Apanui and Ngāti Porou on kiwifruit stries Ltd phstationed (09) 820 0272, email : sales@cosio.co.nz.

021 280 7266 for more in information.

EPDM withliner his orchards Paengaroa and descent. He lives in Tauranga

partner and young son, and spends his Te Puke. spare time martial arts training.

“It was a privilege to In the competition he’s up even get an interview, let alone be named a finalist ” against Finnisha Tuhiwai, a berry packhouse manager from Northland, says Brandon. “I applied and Maatutaera Akonga, a senior because I set a goal to try leading hand at Hasting’s Llewellyn and put myself out there IRRIGATION AND WATERwhich STORAGE Horticulture, predominantly more, so I’m really happy TRA-PRO Shade clothmade fabric it this far.”

FIRESTONE EPDM pond to have liners.

TRA-PRO Windbreak fabrichorticulture Brandon’s For horticultural irrigation, TRA-PRO Hail netting career somewhat water storage, effluent TRA-PRO Pea and bean mesh storage liners. happened by chance. He TRA-PRO Woven weed mat 20 year Firestone Warranty originally went to Victoria TRA-PRO Frost protection fabric on approved installations.

See us at the TRA-PRO Canopy Nettingin Wellington University NZ Agricultural Fieldays LYGRO 200 EVA greenhouse covers Mystery Creek Contact us for nationwide to study commerce, but Pavilion site PB30 OCIL non woven weed control fabric decided a job indoors installers Ltd, P.O.Box 15014, New Lynn, 0640, Auckland wasn’t for him.

Email : sales@cosio.co.nz Crescent, Avondale, Auckland Website : http://www.cosio.co.nz After being introduced Fax 09 820 0274 to Seeka CEO Michael Franks, Brandon was offe ed a job.

He’s now been working with Seeka for six years, and in that time has obtained a Level 4 ITO qualification UsePrimary Polygro covers to increase profits in horticulture. “When I Replace your tired old film with Polygro and forget recovering for up to 5 years started I had no specific Polygro to use - High EVA for longer life interestisineasy horticulture but, over time, have- Antifog additive to prevent condensation dripping on plants.

Polygro lasts longer than otherI films Wide rolls from 4m - 10ma width - standard . developed passion for lengths of 50 metres or cut to length to suit your house. the industry.

27-33 Lansford Crescent, Avondale, Auckland. Phone 09 820 0272 Fax 09 820 0274 “Working with people ynn Auckland is the part I enjoy the Free Phone 0800 109 093 o.nz most. I recently trained osio.co.nz some RSE workers who ended up doing a great job, which was really rewarding.”

Brandon’s role is varied, and includes driving The Professionals Choice machinery and vine management. “Seeing the Whyfruit worry summer - save winter rain growingevery well on the vine and EPDM being able to say FIRESTONE is the recognised water storage ‘I did – it’s a goodto provide long life liner used by that’ growers worldwide water storage feeling.”ponds. Plan now for next summer, build EPDM liner a pond to give yoursays business Brandon the real security and confidence. interview was the most For the best value GROWERS solutions, contact : nerve-wracking part 15014, of Cosio Industries Ltd, P.O.Box New Lynn Auckland the processes.

“I was 27-33 Lansford Crescent, Avondale, Auckland.

Email : sales@cosio.co.nz – Ph 09 worried 820 0272 going Fax 09into 820 it 0274 Website : http://www.cosio.co.nz even more so when the three guys interviewing me walked in.

“It ended up being a The Professional free-fl wing conversation Greenhouse film rather than a traditional

FABRICS - FIRESTONE LINERS

Firestone EPDM Lined Pond advantages Enable effluent to be stored and applied strategically during

drier periods or in Spring and Autumn when grass growth slows Ease of daily management from troublesome effluent irrigators

Realize the value of your effluent and utilise its real potential

20 year Firestone Factory warranty - best in the business

Insist on your Firestone issued Warranty Certificate

grows apples.

Finalists were due to have a second interview and attend several events, including field days, which ere cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It is yet-to-be-confirmed Contact Cosio Industries Ltd ph (09) 820 0272, email : sales@cosio.co.nz. or call Vaughan when the winner will be announced.

INDUSTRIES on 021 280 7266 for more information on Firestone EPDM and your nearest installation contractor.

Cosio Industries Ltd are official Firestone Building Products Australasian distributors When asked why he was chosen to be a finalist, randon remains modest. “I don’t know why they picked me, maybe they liked my story. I’m just stoked to have made it this far.

“In saying that, it would be awesome to take it out.”

MacKenzie Dyer

EPDM liner

NHOUSE COVERS

TER STORAGE

DURA-FILM

SUPER 4 GREENHOUSE PLASTIC Superior strength and toughness - higher light transmission.

Guaranteed longer life - DURA-FILM Super 4 is Bee compatible.

Available in a wide range of sizes to suit all applications.

We also fabricate covers to any size or shape to suit your specific requirements.

The Professionals Choice

CARTAGE & EARTHWORKS

Page 36

Illegal earthworks spike Waikato Regional Council is being inundated with calls from across the region reporting illegal earthworks, many of them directly impacting on streams and rivers.

of the region. Often the purpose of the earthworks has been to increase or enhance pastoral land, but it comes at the expense of our natural wetlands and streams.

“All landowners and earthworks contractors need to stop and think before they commence With 47 individual any such work and incidents reported since ensure it is being done March 1 this year, the lawfully and without council is calling for the risk of adverse greater diligence from environmental effect.” those undertaking any Patrick says it is scale of earthmoving. likely the more serious “Over the same period incidents that have been last year there were reported to WRC will 16 incidents, so this end up in prosecution, is a very high number “which is unfortunate and reflects a lot o and, in all cases, damage being done completely avoidable”. to the environment,” Illegal earthworks destroying what was previously As a result, Patrick says Waikato Regional a freshwater tributary. Photo: Waikato Regional Council. urges landowners and Council compliance earthworks contractors manager Patrick Lynch.

“Though we may be looking to contact Waikato He says that despite many to hold people accountable and Regional Council prior to doing of these calls being received change behaviour, unfortunately any works in or about natural from members of the public the environmental harm is waterways and wetlands. during the lockdown period, the already done in many instances,” Members of the public can council’s environmental incident says Patrick. report environmental incidents response team was an essential “The incidents have been to the council seven days a week service and responded to many reported from literally all corners on 0800 800 401. of these.

New animal transportation rules in force It is now an offence to transport an untagged animal in New Zealand – except for animals that have ‘an unsafe to tag’ exemption.

The offence does not apply to a transport operator carrying an Animal Status Declaration paper or eASD declaration from the farmer that the animals being moved are tagged and registered in NAIT. All farmers moving animals off-farm should be prepared to provide their transport operator with a paper or eASD declaration that animals are NAIT compliant.

To avoid delays, OSPRI advises farmers to: check all animals are tagged and registered in NAIT; declare any ‘unsafe to tag’ animals in NAIT and ensure the animals are clearly marked; and fill in the declaration (paper or eASD) ready for your transporter to collect.

A book of ASD forms can be requested on at: https://ospri.co.nz/our-programmes/tbfree/tbfreerequirements/asd Or call OSPRI on 0800 482 463.

Farmers can also request the Declaration to

ADDLINE TRANSPORT LTD

Livestock Transporters forms if still using old ASD books. The livestock transporter declaration will be included on the bottom of new ASD forms and can also be completed in the eASD application.

You can fill out an editable online ASD form – but this must be sent or emailed to your transporter in advance of the animals leaving your farm. Remember you must keep copies of all ASD forms that are sent or emailed.

The new law, introduced on June 14, is to reduce the number of untagged animals being moved without any accountability. It also aims to drive incentives for the tagging and registering of animals.

According to OSPRI, transporters are united on the new legislation following extensive consultation throughout the country with members and farmers.

The universal advice is not to transport animals unless they receive a completed paper ASD or eASD declaration from the farmer.

OSPRI is currently distributing several thousand books of the new declaration forms to farmers who have a high volume of livestock movements.

CARTAGE & EARTHWORKS

What would be worse?

Right at the start of lockdown, an article appeared in ‘The NZ Herald’ setting out how the world would cope with failed internet through attack, failure on radiation from the sun.

It probably all sounds a bit far-fetched, but we were trained at university to consider such possibilities. Now I’m no expert on the internet and its complex working, but I can troll through all the possibilities and project how it all might look. It is clear there have already been many cyber attacks on countries. I think North Korea effectively shut down Sony when they threatened to publish something detrimental on North Korea. There is constant noise about US and Iran over cyber attacks on each other. A big bolt of radiation from the sun may shut down the world internet in seconds.

Let’s imagine

So, let’s just try to imagine how it might look, what might happen and maybe what the remedy might look like.

Everything, like everything, is now run by computers and the internet. Recently, during lockdown a digger went through a cable in Matamata taking out much of the greater Waikato on Vodafone. You could not work online, teachers could not connect with their students, all of our phones, including the landlines were down.

It was quiet in our house for sure. Imagine banks being frozen, the internet not working, cashpoint machines not functioning; you could not pump petrol, your monthly dairy cheque could not be posted online, and the list goes on, and on. Nothing, like nothing would work. You would not be able to phone anybody, let alone deal with an emergency. You could not draw cash or know how much money you had in the bank. All the history held in the cloud would vanish.

Imagine that?

You have no cash, so how do you buy food? The food supply would grind to a halt. If you have a bit of cash, you could trade a little until your cash ran out. The petrol pumps would not work, and you’d be unable to pay for the gas in any event as everything is controlled by the internet, so you cannot go anywhere.

Power would cease and the lights would go out,

everything would shut down. Remember dams and power systems are all run by the internet. Water would also cease to flow out of the tap as all the pumping systems are controlled by wifi and the internet. The nights would be a world blackout.

What is the first thing we run out of in a crisis? Not money, not food, but water!

This all sounds a little dystopian and I’m no doomsday person, but I am a realist and have a brain that considers all options. I do have a modest gravity-feed rainwater system at home, gas cookers and I always keep my vehicles full of fuel. Scary? Not really, but it is something to consider. It is important because our very wellbeing is increasingly dependant on the internet.

The powers that be are trying to make us a cash-less society; they do not want us to even have cheques anymore.

Overrun with modernism?

Have we conveniently forgotten what we know?

Have we become overrun with modernism? Have we forgotten the lessons we learnt?

Now, I’m not saying it is going to happen, but it could. Would it be worse than a pandemic? Probably much worse. How would we survive it? The wealth of the world is dependant on trade. All that as we know it would come to a screaming halt.

I guess pilots would be able to land planes on manual, but could they see the runways if it was nighttime or foggy? Older tractors and cars would go if you could get fuel, but by-and-large the world would come to a very ugly halt.

The remedy to get it all going again is way beyond my brain and do they have systems in place to restart it all? I hope so.

As I often say: my writing is not a statement of fact, it is an endeavour to make people think about life and the issues that we may face from time to time. It is to try to make you think about what could happen and what we may need to do ‘futureproof ’ ourselves, our families, our businesses and our country. Could it be, that a world internet failure may well be more catastrophic than this pandemic?

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 principal of Fraser Farm Finance and a consultant to the farming industry.

Contact him on 021 777 675.

Page 37

SHEEP & BEEF

Page 38

Reform incentivises pine planting – B+LNZ Beef + Lamb New Zealand says the emissions trading reform legislation, passed mid-June, incentivises productive farmland being converted to pines planted – not for wood but for carbon credits.

Ava i

lab

le f or p

ubl

ic s

ale

Native Revegetating Plants Fieldays Special!

250 plants for $1,322.50 500 plants for $2,443.75 1,000 plants for $4,885.00

Limited varieties and even selection required

* Prices include freight and GST within 150kms (a surcharge of $200 plus GST will apply for additional travel up to 300kms) * While stock lasts

Contact Matt today on

027 204 4458 or at

matt@minginuinursery.co.nz PROUDLY PRODUCING

WHIRINAKI Pure Natives

Seeded from the Whirinaki Forest - Grown by Minginui Nursery

B+LNZ chairman Andrew Morrison says the legislation will not lead to a reduction in emissions, but simply lead to fossil fuel emitters offsetting their pollution by planting more trees.

“B+LNZ has been asking for a clear mechanism in law that allows the Government to place a limit on the use of forestry offsets, but the Government has repeatedly ignored this request.

“Planting a tree does not make carbon emissions go away. Exotic pines absorb carbon for around 17 years.

If carbon emissions don’t change, the same amount needs to be planted to offset for the next 17 years. This increases exponentially, and sucks towns, schools and communities into a ‘green hole’.”

Andrew says some 70,000ha of productive sheep and beef land has already been converted to forestry since 2019, and carbon-related investment has been a major driver for this. “As the carbon price rises, as a result of this legislation, this conversion is likely to increase.”

Since the legislation passed, The Forest Owners Association has come out saying NZ’s carbon-zero goal is seriously in doubt after a statement by Agricultural Minister Damien O’Connor, that the Government would ‘need to step in’ if new forest planting increased to more than 40,000ha a year.

FOA vice-president Grant Dodson says if the Government gives in to the ‘anti-tree campaign’, then NZ will fail to achieve a carbon neutral economy by 2050, which is part of the Zero Carbon Act. “In 2018, the Productivity Commission set out scenarios for getting to zero carbon. They all involved reducing greenhouse gas emissions. They also accepted the need to expand the plantation forestry area to sequester large volumes of carbon that would still be emitted.”

But Andrew says large-scale exotic afforestation will not address climate change issues. “Allowing fossil

fuel emitters unlimited ability to offset their pollution by planting trees – or ‘planting pollution on farms’ – allows the fossil fuel industry a get-out-of-jail-free card, while the pastoral industry is asked to pick up the tab for other industries’ pollution.

“While B+LNZ is supportive of the regeneration and restoration of indigenous habitats within farming landscapes, and establishment of plantation forestry where appropriate, we’re concerned about the impact of policies that look set to distort markets and economically incentivise wholesale land use change from pastoral-based farming into exotic trees for the sole purpose of carbon farming.”

Grant takes issue with the expression that forestry is taking over ‘productive’ land. “Forestry is productive too. The average returns per hectare per year from forestry are well above those from hill country farming. And farmers are increasingly questioning the economics of continuing to rely on a farm income.”

He also believes it’s a fundamental right to decide what business you conduct on your farm. “I know of many farmers who strongly believe it’s their right to farm stock or trees or both, without the Government telling them what to do.”

Andrew says converting productive farmland to pine plantations for carbon credits is only a short-term solution to make progress on climate change targets “but one that will lead to severe long-term negative impacts, at a community and national level”.

He says research by BakerAg in 2019 found forestry supports far fewer jobs than the red meat sector, particularly in the regions.

“The red meat sector employs 92,000 people in NZ and in some regions accounts for 12 per cent of full-time employment. The regions can’t afford to lose these jobs, especially as the economy seeks to recover from Covid-19.”

Calving ease important in profit equation Many beef farmers are mating yearling heifers as a way to increase profitability, says John Allen, who with wife Mary owns Mahuta Poll Hereford Stud at Glen Murray south of Bombay hills.

“The aim of this may be to generate replacements for a beef herd or to increase efficiency by breeding oncebred heifers. But a major influence on this profit is the

Mahuta Poll Hereford Stud breed bulls that are ideal for heifer mating. bull used for heifer mating.”

John says calving difficulty has costs in terms of time, farmer stress, lost heifer production and lower repeat breeding rates.

And so choosing a bull with high calving-ease Estimated Breeding Values, or EBVs, will help to minimise the problems calving two-year-old heifers.

“This is the first column in the EBV table and is calculated using a combination of birth weight, gestation, and history of calving difficulties in the bull’s family,” says John.

He reckons farmers can increase the chances of lowproblem calving by buying from a breeder who records birth weights and calving difficulties, presents data at the time of sale, and by checking the conformation of the bull. “A small investment at the time of purchasing a bull can result in large savings at a later date.”

John says Mahuta Poll Hereford Stud has a specialist heifer mating programme. “The stud has been breeding bulls for yearling heifer mating in the dairy industry for more than 20 years.

“We recommend discussion about individual choices, as there is a range of calving ease among the bulls we offer.”

Find out more about Mahuta Poll Hereford Stud in their advert on this page.

FERTILISER

Page 39

Calculating farm fertiliser expenses sure most farmers would be well prepared to either order a week or two ahead, or wait another week or two for this sort of saving.

Disclaimer – these are the opinions of independent agronomy and soil fertility consultant Robin Boom, of Agronomic Advisory Services. Any decisions made should not be based on this article alone and appropriate professional assistance should be sought. Robin Boom, CPAg, is a member of the Institute of Professional Soil Scientists. Ph: 0274448764. Email: agronomics@xtra.co.nz

Robin Boom Last month I was having a discussion with a farm advisor for hill country farms in the King Country, challenging him on why he didn’t look at some of the smaller importers which could make considerable savings for some of his clients compared to the two big fertiliser co-operatives.

on prices with and without the sulphur. This price comparison was based on the Ravensdown Direct pricing as of 22/5/2020.

Superphosphates

Ravensdown Superphosphate ($315/tonne) at 400 kg/ha on ground price = $178/ha.

Triple Super @ 180 kg/ha from Fert Wholesale Direct or Dickie Direct ($585/tonne) = $134/ha. Or $153/ha with Sulphur, or Triple Plus @ 200kg/ ha from Inphos ($610/tonne) = $154/ ha on ground.

He asked me to go through the exercise and show how this was possible. Fertiliser prices are always a moving target so company comparisons should be done on a case-by-case basis, depending on nutrients required at the Dicalcium Phosphates time and cartage and spreading costs.

Ravensdown DCP ($196/tonne) at For this exercise I made the following 800 kg/ha on ground price = $260/ha. assumptions of a cartage cost ex-port Feed grade 17 per cent P DCP of $40/tonne to airstrip, and an applied 210 kg/ha from Dickie Direct application cost of $90/tonne for low or Fertilisers Direct = $178/ha. Or analysis (superphosphate, dicalcium $197/ha with Sulphur. phosphate and RPR) fertilisers; and $120/tonne for high analysis (triple DAP super, feedgrade DCP, DAP, MAP).

Ravensdown DAP ($800/tonne) @ I also worked on the equivalent of 180 kg/ha on ground price = $173/ha.

400kg/ha of superphosphate providing Or $194/ha with Sulphur on ground.

36kg P/ha, and acknowledged that Dickie Direct or Fert Wholesale with the exception of volcanic ash Direct DAP ($700/tonne) = $155/ha soils, there is value in the sulphur of or $174/ha with Sulphur. superphosphate. Although with it being sulphate sulphur and prone to leaching, the equivalent of 30kg/ha of Sulphur 90 MAP Ravensdown MAP (Ammophos) (elemental sulphur) should suffice as the ($895/tonne) @ 160 kg/ha = $169/ha. equivalent.

Or $190/ha with sulphur.

For volcanic ash soils, the sulphur Fert Wholesale Direct or Inphos in superphosphate has no value and MAP ($700/tonne) = $137/ha. Or in some respects could be seen as a $158/ha with sulphur. negative as high sulphur can interfere with copper absorption in stock and Granular RPR as it leaches through the soil it can info@slidingroofs.co.nz Ravensdown RPR (11.6 per cent P carry positive cations with it such as calcium and magnesium, removing priced at $395/tonne) @ 310 kg/ha = www.slidingroofs.co.nz these from the root zone. So I worked $163/ha. Or $184/ha with sulphur.

Dickie Direct RPR (12.5 per cent P priced at $335/tonne) @ 290 kg/ha = $135/ha. Or $156/ha with sulphur.

Last year Ravensdown paid an average rebate of $30/tonne, which taxed at 33c gives a cash rebate of $20/tonne which equates to around $8/ha, so there is an average saving of $20/ha using importers products. The advantage of using high analysis fertilisers however drops off when being applied by truck, where using single superphosphate-based fertilisers can be just as economic as the imported high analysis fertilisers once rebates are factored in.

After going through the above exercise for the consultant, he’d be able to see that for a 500ha sheep and beef farm he could save them $10,000. Or for a 1000ha farm the saving would be $20,000, which should cover his annual consulting fees several times over. He did respond it is more convenient to get from the local co-op store, but I said that if it took an extra week or two to get from another supplier, I’m

EFFECTIVE RETRACTING COVER SYSTEMS  Keeps feed or fertiliser dry  Winch system for easy access  Canvas or steel cladding options  Save time and cut waste

0800 262 788

CPAg MBSPC

Independent Agronomy & Soil Fertility Consultant

Page 40

FERTILISER

Synthetic nitrogen cap set at 190kg/ha?

The year of 2008 was a drought year, but a dairy farm I was running increased production by six per cent while using 9kg/ha N.

Most drought-affected farms and a Bay of Plenty Focus Farm decreased production by 15 per cent.

The BOPFF’s N usage was 191kg/ha. That is 21 times as much, and for what? Pasture growth was 12,900kg/ha on BOPFF and 12,400 on ours. In 2009, our pasture was up a further 12 per cent; N was 36 units. BOPFF was down eight per cent with 235 units of N. Pasture analysis N for ours in 2009 averaged 4.6 per cent.

This soil has had too much synthetic nitrogen.

What is the big deal about reducing N? When N is applied, farmers see a visual difference, but that does not translate to quality. The cows need to eat more, but they can’t eat enough.

Not to mention digestion problems as reduced cud chewing of low DM pasture allows undigested grass to pass through their stomach’s system.

Another farm fertilised by Kiwi Fertiliser in Waikato was measured by DairyNZ. Measurements were pasture eaten on rolling country, which rose from 11,500kg/ ha to 14,100kg/ha – an annual increase over three years of 7.5 per cent including the 2013 drought. Nor was it just about dry matter. Pasture quality and stock health both improved.

A hill dairy farm increased its pasture growth by almost 50 per cent in the five years 2008 to 2012 while ending up applying a total of 3kg/ ha of synthetic N/ha in 2012. Pasture production went from less than 11,000 kg/ha to more than 16,000kg/ha of pasture grown. There is no doubt that gains can be made through means other than nitrogen.

Meanwhile, the nay-sayers claim many farms will take a financial hit by having to reduce their N input.

That can either be a self-fulfilling prophecy, or a challenge to overcome.

Kiwi Fertiliser now has more tools in its toolbox than 10 years ago. There

are six nutrients required to fix free nitrogen from the air. Appropriate calcium and magnesium percent as measured on the base saturation.

Available phosphate, iron, cobalt, and molybdenum. If Mg is deficient or excess, it will require up to 50 per cent more bagged nitrogen to get the same results. The microbes need Co and Mo to help them create nodules, but most farmers and growers do not apply enough. Some do not apply any.

This adds the third soil-science in addition to chemistry and physical structure; and that is biology. Microbiology is where the greatest gains will be made on farms that already have good soil physics and chemistry. We have the expertise and the products to build pasture production and animal health to the next level. For those that lack the chemistry and physics, these areas need to be addressed first. But to be fair, that is where Kiwi Fertiliser was 10 years ago without the extensive knowledge we have now and were still able to increase pasture production by substantial amounts, including during droughts. That also applies to the drought of 2020. We can not only increase pasture production, but also improve animal health including halving empty rates, and lowering somatic cell counts. The potential has just begun.

Minimise winter nitrogen loss Cooler months can pose a significant challenge for nutrient management – but some simple actions can reduce winter nutrient loss.

Winter applications of nitrogen fertilisers are generally least effective for promoting grass growth. Slow growth of pasture in winter and drainage can result in nitrate leaching directly from fertiliser before plants can take it up.

Milking cows will excrete, in urine, about 70 per cent of the nitrogen consumed. The risk of nitrogen leaching from urine patches is much higher in winter.

Leaching nitrogen and run-off phosphorus losses not only contaminate

the water bodies but also represent a loss of economically valuable nutrients.

Most nitrogen is leached during winter and early spring when rainfall exceeds evapo-transpiration. Generally, the pasture species are not active during low temperatures, adding to the potential for nitrogen loss through leaching.

Research

Some of the research to mitigate the nitrogen losses has focused on growing pasture with more rooting depth for interception of nitrate, duration controlled grazing for reducing the amount of time animals spend on pasture, and feeding high-sugar grasses for reducing the dietary protein.

...continued

a Req uest p m le ! f re e s a

FERTILISER

Page 41

The benefits of biochar soil conditioners of biochar-amended soil not only reduces total fertiliser requirements, but also climate and environmental impact of croplands,” according to the initiative.

Miles says biochar-amended soils show 50-80 per cent reductions in nitrous oxide emissions and reduced runoff of phosphorus into surface waters and leaching of nitrogen into groundwater.

“As a soil amendment, biochar significantly increases efficiency of and reduces the need for traditional chemical fertilisers, while greatly enhancing crop yields.

“Renewable oils and gases co-produced

Biochar has become a main component of Soil Conditioner Products Ltd’s mixes on offer to New Zealand’s agriculture and horticulture sectors.

And its use is gaining good feedback, says Soil Conditioner Products Ltd’s Miles Pope.

“We’ve had positive client feedback where we’ve included biochar in our soil conditioner, poultry manure and fine lime mixes,” says Miles, who owns the Mangatawhiri-based company that collects and processes organic and inorganic products for soil conditioning.

“In addition biochar filter ponds have shown excellent capture of nutrients and sediments.”

Miles says according to the International Biochar Initiative, biochar is a fine-grained charcoal high in organic carbon and largely resistant to decomposition.

“It’s produced from pyrolysis of plant and waste feedstock. As a soil amendment, biochar creates a recalcitrant soil carbon pool that’s carbon-negative, serving as a net withdrawal of atmospheric carbon dioxide stored in highly recalcitrant soil carbon stocks.

“The enhanced nutrient retention capacity

Soil Conditioner Products Ltd’s Miles Pope, in front of some biochar used in his company’s mixes for agriculture and horticulture sectors.

Caution must be taken when applying N in winter continued...

Nutrient budgeting using computer models such as Overseer, combined with feed budgeting, enables farmers to understand whether they are using too much or too little fertiliser.

Response rate

It is important that all farmers to understand the technical term ‘response rate’. The response rate is the amount of pasture grown in terms of kilograms of dry matter (DM) per hectare per kilogram of nitrogen (N) applied.

For example, when 30kg N/ ha is applied and an additional 300kg DM/ha of pasture is grown the response rate is 10kg DM/ kg N applied. The response is dependent on several factors such as soil temperature, plant growth, soil moisture, the deficiency of available nitrogen in the soil and the rate of nitrogen applied per application.

The best response to N fertiliser

occurs on fast growing pasture, when other factors such as moisture and soil temperature are not limiting growth. Response rate variation also depends on the season and on nitrogen application rate.

In winter, at the same application rate, responses are lower and slower than other times of the year. The response rate also declines when the application rate (single dose) is higher than 30kg N/ha.

Nitrogen fertiliser reduces nitrogen fixation by clover by about 1kg N/ha/year for every 3kg nitrogen fertiliser applied. In addition, clover content will be further reduced if nitrogen boosted pastures shade the clover. This effect is seen during spring.

‘Nitrogen conversion efficiency’ for any farm is another key point to remember.

It is calculated from the total nitrogen in product divided by the total nitrogen inputs into a farm

and is expressed in percentage. For a dairy farm, if it is around 40 per cent, probably the farmer is doing fine.

Further, owing to the prolonged dry spell, nitrate poisoning can result from high nitrate levels in pasture, which usually occur lateautumn. This is particularly during a flush of growth where nitrate levels build up in herbage as nitrate is taken by the plant faster than it can be converted into protein.

Toxicity risk progressively increases with high soil nitrogen from various sources.

The profitability of applying nitrogen is dependent on the utilisation of the extra feed.

Therefore, nitrogen needs to be strategically applied to fill genuine feed deficits.

Bala Tikkisetty is a sustainable agriculture advisor at Waikato Regional Council.

Contact him on 0800 800 401 or email: bala.tikkisetty@waikatoregion.govt.nz Bala Tikkisetty

in the pyrolysis process can be used as fuel or fuel feedstocks. Biochar thus offers promise for its soil productivity and climate benefits.”

In South Australia trials, biochar fed to dairy cows at 250g/cow/day gave an extra 1.3 litres of milk per cow per day. “In beef animals there was more than 20 per cent quicker weight-gains plus substantially reduced worm counts compared to control.”

Contact Soil Conditioner Products Ltd by viewing their advert on this page.

They are a member of Biochar Network New Zealand. See more at: bnnz.org.nz

TRADE MARKET

Page 42

classified listings curriculum vitae

CV’s THAT STAND OUT. Don’t let your C.V. get lost amongst all the others. Get the WOW factor. A C.V. For You can provide you with a personal and professional touch.

From scratch or update existing ones. Check out samples on www. facebook.com/acvforyou or Ph/text on 021 27 27 912.

for sale

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

* your listing *

DO YOU HAVE something to sell or looking to buy or promote your business? List it here for only $23 for up to 20 words. Email debbie@ thesun.co.nz or call 07 578 0030.

professional services

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

July 5 Rose Care Demo, 1.30pm, Decor Gardenworld, Moffat Rd, Bethlehem (Tauranga), free. See: www.decorgardenworld. co.nz

July 6

Rose Pruning Demo, 2pm, Palmers Bethlehem (Tauranga), free. Please register, ph 07 579 3925.

Registered attendees will receive extra discount above Palmers card for purchases on the day.

July 18 Understanding Soils, 9.30am-2.30pm, Whakamarama (near Tauranga). See: tinyurl. com/y6vm379z

Rotorua Botanical Society July 21 AGM, 6pm, DOC office, Tauranga Orchid Society AGM, 7pm, Wesley 99 Sala St, all welcome.

See: tinyurl.com/y9ay66ez Church Hall, 13th Ave, Tauranga. All welcome.

July 12 Ph 07 577 6676.

Orchid Auction, from July 23 midday, Masonic Hall, Oxford St, Te Puke, cash Waikato Horticultural only. Ph Faye 07 573 Society: Planting for a 9710.

Garden Show, 7.30pm,

Hamilton Gardens Gate 2, Wintec classroom, $5.

Ph Carmel 07 855 3404.

July 25 Edible Weeds & Green Smoothies, 10am-2pm, Greerton, Tauranga, $75. See: www. juliasedibleweeds.com Edible Gardening for Beginners, 9.30am-12.30pm, The Falls Retreat, Karangahake Gorge, $75.

See: www.fallsretreat. co.nz Compost & Worm Farming, 1pm-3.30pm, The Falls Retreat, Karangahake Gorge, $60.

See: www.fallsretreat. co.nz

July 28 Flower Arranging, 6.308.30pm for 8 weeks, Fraser High School Hamilton, $89. See: tinyurl.com/yb3nbnqv

Beekeeping, online at 7pm-9pm for 8 weeks, Fraser High School Hamilton, $79. See: tinyurl.com/ ya7oar4e

baking, books, eggs, etc, all welcome. Ph 07 549 4522.

Winter Fruit Tree Pruning, 9.30am-2.30pm, Whakamarama (near Tauranga). See: tinyurl. com/y6vm379z Garden Design, 9am-3pm for two weeks, Fraser High School, Hamilton, $89. See: tinyurl.com/ y8xx4ctc

July 29 Waste Free Living Workshop with Kate Meads, 6.30pm, Community Centre, Waihi Beach, $15. See: tinyurl.com/ycs2kfwj July 30

August 5

August 1 Worm Composting Workshop, 1pm-3pm, Settlers Hall, Omokoroa, $34.50. Western Bay residents only. See: tinyurl.com/ybmh932w Crop Swap, 10am-11am, 14 Jocelyn St, Katikati.

Veges, fruit, seeds,

Growing Food with Supergrans, 10-11.30am, Katikati, free. Ph 07 549 4522.

August 6 Waste Free Living Workshop with Kate Meads, 10pm, Great Lake Centre, Taupo, $15. See: tinyurl.com/ yauwmrbs

Fortunate growers give back to communities

The DMS Progrowers Charitable Trust is donating $180,000 to eight organisations across the Western Bay of Plenty this year.

The trust was formed in 2018 and growers voluntarily contribute one or two cents per tray of fruit to the trust. The money raised is then matched by DMS Progrowers Ltd, doubling the size of the overall contribution to local charities.

Great causes

DMS Progrowers Charitable Trust chair Andre Hickson says by banding together, local growers are able to make a substantial contribution to some great causes including Waipuna Hospice, St John, Tauranga Foodbank, Empowerment Te Puke and Katikati Community Centre.

“Many people helped support our industry

Ask how you can get 40% OFF + 2 months FREE Digital Advertising*

Phone 07 557 0505 or email sophie@sunmedia.co.nz

through Psa and now it’s our turn to support communities,” says Andre. “We’ve all been very fortunate; we’ve had most of our fruit picked and while we’ve still got a long way to go in the season, growers are keen to help their community and give back in some way. You’ve just got to do what you’ve got to do – that’s how NZ has got through this crisis.”

Demand high

Andre says the five trustees who select grant recipients recognise that health services such as St John and Waipuna Hospice, are always under pressure and the demand for food parcels is at an all-time high.

Traditional fundraising activities have also been curtailed due to Covid-19 and many charities will suffer a major income drop this year as a result. “We keep in touch with organisations we support and because of Covid we started to hear a lot of sad stories.

“We have switched our focus a little bit

to support the foodbanks in Tauranga, Katikati and Te Puke this year, which may have otherwise not been on our radar.”

Live for More

One organisation that soldiered on throughout lockdown to help support at-risk young men in the Bay of Plenty will receive $5000 from DMS Progrowers Charitable Trust for the first time this year. Live for More provides surf therapy programmes in conjunction with counselling, group work, mentoring and social support for young men caught up in our criminal justice system. Other new grant recipients this year include St John receiving $30,000 and Graeme Dingle Foundation $20,000.

The trust’s cornerstone grant of $70,000 will go to Waipuna Hospice, Empowerment Te Puke receive $35,000 to run a foodbank and social services, Tauranga Foodbank $5000, Katikati Community Centre $5000, and Te Aranui Youth Trust $5000.

“ “

Bay of Plenty kiwifruit and avocado orchardists, who pack their fruit with DMS Progrowers Ltd, are digging into their own pockets to support foodbanks, health services and other charities which are under pressure due to Covid-19.

MANUFACTURED BY THE

WRANGLER

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

100%

y all

ly oud loc

k iwi ow

ed

o w ne

d a neD r nd ope

at

Grab a winter deal at your local dealership

pr

Page 43

AGROLUX LOADER COMBO

75-85HP, 4 CYLINDER • SDF 1000 series engine gives extraordinary reliability together with extremely low running costs • Option of 15x15 or 20x20 synchromesh gearbox • Four-wheel independent braking for maximum stopping ability

DEUTZ-FAHR AGROFARM TRIMA LOADER COMBO

• 100% front and rear locking differentials gives excellent traction • Robust build quality and a very easy to operate tractor

100HP, 4 CYLINDER

ASK ABOUT

OUR DEALS NCE RAT

90 44,9LOAD ER

Deutz Fahr NZ

+GST

DEUTZ WINTER DEAL FROM ONLY

ES

FI

NA

$

WITH CRX

• Excellent power to weight ratio • 40 x 40 transmission with High-Low Powershift makes it ideal for front end loader work • True 4-wheel braking makes it great for operating in hilly terrain • Front and rear 100% locking differentials for maximum traction and safety • Air-conditioned high visibility cabin

7,990 ER 8WITH TRIMA LOAD

DEUTZ WINTER DEAL FROM ONLY

+GST

FIEL

S FL DAY EX

IBLE

• PTO offers two speed modes, 540 rpm or 540 ECO (economy), for maximum productivity when working with implements with low power demands

$

29,990

2 WIDTHS SAME PRICE $ ONLY

+GST

3300 SERIES MOWER CONDITIONERS (REAR MOUNTED)

2 YEAR

4 3336MTV’S LEFT AT THIS PRICE

warranty

13,550

DISC $ MOWERS FROM

+GST

23-26-2800 SERIES MOUNTED DISC MOWERS (FRONT & REAR)

FINANCE OPTIONS FROM

0% INTEREST

NO DEPOSIT OPTIONS AVAILABLE

Power Farming NZ PUKEKOHE

FA5546CC

0800 570 571

MORRINSVILLE

07 889 5059

TE AWAMUTU

07 870 2411

TAURANGA

07 543 0021

ROTORUA

07 349 6528

Normal lending criteria applies. Terms and conditions apply. Offer ends 30/6/2020. Contact your local dealership for more information. Images may differ from product advertised with optional extras in image. * 4 year or 2000 hour power train warranty

GISBORNE

06 868 8908

containerco.co.nz

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS containerco.co.nz

Page 44

containerco.co.nz

Hazel, aged 5, duck hunting with dad in Taumarunui.

Charlotte looking after her dear sick ‘Weeny’ in Morrinsville.

Containers available throughout the region to Hire, Buy or Modify.

There’s no end There’s no end to what’s possible. what’s possible. e’s no to end Call us today at’s possible.

Call us today 0508 732873 0508 732873

C2007kwContainerCo

Visit us at www.containerco.co.nz

Luke, aged 2, and Harrison, aged 5, having fun on the farm in Korakonui, Te Awamutu.