Coast & Country News - October 2020

Philip and Teresa Linehan have been producing quality sweetcorn since 2002. Last year they decided to expand their business and diversify their produce lines – and Tender Fresh Produce was born.

Read their story on pages 8-9. Photo: Catherine Fry.

Bushcraft for Women PG 11

Fertiliser PG 17-19

Effluent & Enviro Options PG 20-23

Kiwifruit PG 27-29

Wor th $19,495 Ts & Cs apply - see go2jacks.co.nz/50years

Enviro Friendly Farming PG 32-33

Maize & Spring Planting PG 34-39

Lifestyle Farming PG 44

Celebrating 50 years 1970 - 2020

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Page 2

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Swift decision-makers needed Regardless of what party comes to power after October 17, what our agricultural and horticultural sectors need to prosper and help New Zealand rebuild from Covid-19 is a government which can make informed decisions that are swift.

www.coastandcountrynews.co.nz

The old adage bandied about is that government wheels always turn slowly. But it’s about time that they turned faster. Yes Covid-19 is a mammoth and monumental task to wrangle and overcome – but in the private world we are seeing businesses, big and small, adapt quickly.

Some have changed their entire range of products and services to survive in a post-Covid world. Yes, Kiwi businesses are learning to be more nimble and agile.

But it seems the new note of professionalism has not caught on in Wellington or the various halls of power across the country, within its ministries.

There’s a few examples in this edition of how the primary sector has signalled early to government what they desperately need to carry on in a post-Covid world only to find decisions being made late in the piece – or policy changes without much thought as to how they would be implemented.

Bluegrass Contracting boss Brook Nettleton talks about foreign tractors drivers being approved for entry

Gypsum delivers Gold for Kiwi Orchardists

to NZ while the first plantings of maize go in the ground – see page 26. This is too late and simply not good enough considering this rural contracting sector had been asking for assistance for at least a few months now.

And on page 3 we have the Supplementary Seasonal Employment visa changes to help horticulture get through the summer work season being decided but the kiwifruit industry having no clear indication of how they will be implemented – so not knowing how useful they will be. And right when people are needed for summer work, which begins this month.

We are continually preached to about the whole team of five million doing its part to get through this pandemic and its challenges to our wellbeing – both health and financial. But I think that the team of 120 we elect in Wellington need to play their part too.

Agriculture and horticulture have so far hauled us through the financial crisis of this pandemic – and they need informed, agile and well thought-out policy to keep supporting them to continue to pull us through the economic crisis. Remember – foreign tourists visiting us could be just a memory for a few years yet. Possibly the difference between the reactions to surviving Covid-19 from entrepreneurs and government departments is that the former has to evolve and adapt to survive.

Merle Cave

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 3

Implementation of visa changes unclear

Nikki Johnson.

“The changes would help fill roles that cannot be filled by New Zealanders in the short term, while the industry works on other solutions,” says the Minister.

“These policy changes are a good balance between meeting the labour needs of these industries and ensuring good jobs for Kiwis who are looking for work as a result of Covid-19.”

Nikki estimates about 7000 RSE workers are currently in NZ, with many shifting around jobs to earn money. And she points out that NZers are the primary workforce for this summer kiwifruit work.

“So most positions will be filled by Kiwis – but in order to get 16,500 workers for what is effectively one month or so, we need a flexible workforce and that is where the WHV holders would normally come in.

“So yes, the visa changes have got potential to be useful for us but the implementation element of this is still unclear.”

Merle Cave

Hands are needed for kiwifruit bud thinning, summer pruning then fruit thinning tasks this summer.

Despite government changes to New Zealand’s Working Holiday Visa scheme – so people with expiring visas can stay here to fill short-term horticulture and viticulture roles – the details of how and if this workforce can be utilised for summer work is still unclear. And kiwifruit summer tasks begin this month.

The Government announced mid-September that the Supplementary Seasonal Employment visa will be automatically given to about 11,000 WHV holders in NZ with visas expiring between October 1 and March 31, 2021. The SSE visa transfer will allow these people to work in horticulture and viticulture roles where there are not enough New Zealanders available to do this work.

New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc CEO Nikki Johnson says while having 11,000 workers available for summer is potentially helpful – “as we are not letting these visas expire and render people unable to work” – the way this SSE visa system works is what her industry is concerned about.

Best-case scenario

“In order to employ a person holding an SSE visa, the employer has to be a Recognised Seasonal Employer with unfilled RSE scheme spaces or an SSE-approved employer with unfilled roles – or the Ministry of Social Development is going to issue labour shortage lists per region.

“But we don’t know when the Ministry will issue these lists – let’s say best-case scenario in October and November the BOP is listed as a region experiencing a labour shortage for the kiwifruit industry, then all of those workers could go and work for any employer.

“But if they don’t do that then SSE workers can only work for approved SSE employers – in the BOP we currently have one SSE-approved employer.

Further to this, this employer is restricted to how many SSE visa holders they can employ, which is currently 50.”

“So while it sounds like there is going to be 11,000 workers available come October/November the

details of exactly how those workers are going to be utilised within the kiwifruit industry are not clear.

“And we’re getting increasingly closer to the time where we are going to be under pressure for workers.”

Nikki says the kiwifruit industry’s summer work programme begins this month and peaks in November, with workers undertaking bud thinning, summer pruning then fruit thinning tasks. “In October about 9000 people will be required for ‘summer work’ in the BOP. In November, we’ll need about 13,500. Nationally, we will need 10,500 workers in October and 16,500 in November.”

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Normally, the kiwifruit industry wouldn’t have many RSE workers in the BOP during the summer – “we’d generally have quite a high reliance on WHV or backpackers during this period for this work”.

“Currently, we aren’t sure what number of backpackers will be available – that is where the Minister’s SSE transfer announcement has come in.”

Another issue is Nikki believes a large number of Working Holiday Visas expired on September 25.

“Those people will now go onto visitor visas and will have to apply for an SSE visa, so there wouldn’t be an automatic transfer which is pretty frustrating.

“This is why we told the Government the initial November 1 SSE transfer date was not suitable. They have now chosen October 1.”

Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi says it’s important that the Government support the horticulture and viticulture industries to keep going, while ensuring that, where there are job opportunities, New Zealanders are given a fair chance at filling them.

“This season we expect more Kiwis, who have lost jobs due to Covid-19, will be available to work in these sectors, but it is likely there will be a shortfall of workers as these industries have often relied on migrants for their seasonal peaks,” says the Minister.

In addition, all RSE scheme workers stranded in NZ who have been granted a more flexible limited visa to be able to work part-time and do non-RSE work will be able to ‘re-enter’ the RSE scheme and work for an RSE employer with 30 hours per week average pay guaranteed.

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Farmers to trial bio-fertiliser Farmers and growers will become an important part of researching and refining the use of bio-fertiliser created in New Zealand’s first large-scale food waste-to-bioenergy facility being built at Reporoa.

Construction of the facility, which will turn 75,000 tonnes of organic waste from businesses and kerbside food scrap collections throughout the North Island into sustainable renewable clean energy, began recently.

The facility will also produce clean bio-fertiliser for about 2000ha of local farmland and provide CO2 and heat to enhance the growth of tomatoes in T&G Fresh’s local glasshouse, which are part of T&G Global.

The new anaerobic digestion facility is owned by Ecogas – a joint venture between Pioneer Energy Ltd and Ecostock Supplies Ltd – on land owned

by T&G Fresh.

Co-funded by Ecogas and a 2019 $7m loan from the Provincial Growth Fund, the $30m state-of-the-art facility will provide an infrastructure boost to the local economy and generate close to 60 new jobs during its construction.

Ecogas director Andrew Fisher says the facility will be an enclosed manufacturing site creating bio-gas and bio-fertiliser by recovering biomass/

organic matter/food waste and feeding it at a consistent and managed rate. “Part of the management is removal of all packaging and containers via two stainless steel 20-tonnesper-hour processing lines, which also reduces all matter to less than 12mm, as it’s liquidised into a consistent ‘soup’ for feeding to the ‘bugs’ housed within the digestor tanks. “The process also includes holding the ‘soup’ in a low ph state Ecogas director Andrew Fisher with T&G Fresh managing 2-4 (acidic) for three-five director Andrew Keaney at the sod-turning ceremony. days, then it’s pasteurised at a minimum of 72 degrees centigrade market experience in using bio-fertiliser – a product already proven globally, and delivering savings and for 60 minutes. The final bio-fertiliser productivity. passes through a 1mm screen, to Currently Ecogas is working with a pool of give a consistent product suitable existing local farmers who’ll look to use the clean for application via different on-farm bio-fertiliser. They will look to meet and work with methods.� others throughout the Central North Island, and have established a pilot plant in Wiri, Auckland, which will Feedback be producing bio-fertiliser from January 2021.

During the last nearly four years Ideally, Ecogas would like another 10-15 farmers, Ecogas has appreciated the support who could offer 100-200m2 on their farm to do given to the project by the PGF, local comparative growth trials throughout the next two iwi and Federated Farmers, so they are years, says Andrew. keen to acknowledge the support by “In the UK more than 2000 large-scale farms use bioengaging and working with farmers fertiliser to reduce the percentage of synthetic nitrogen and growers to gain feedback and application and support carbon sequencing in the soil.�

Andrew estimates the new facility will also create enough energy to annually power up the equivalent of around 2500 households in the region. “The outcome is a carbon-neutral, circular economy solution. By revolutionising our reuse and recovery of this organic resource, each year the facility is expected to remove up to 10,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide. It’s innovative solutions and real-world science such as this, which we believe NZ needs to increasingly pilot and adopt, that will help us as a nation meet our zerocarbon targets.�

Anaerobic digestion technology is well-proven overseas with similar plants operating in Europe and the US – however this joint venture will be the first commercial-scale facility in NZ.

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The project has received immense support from every sector of the local community, says Andrew, “They’re making it happen, providing catering, contractors, tractors and showing that rural NZ is leading the sustainability push.�

As for construction, the first stage is the foundations and civils then building tanks and buildings during the next 12 months. “Following this is the installation of control panels and specialist equipment which then allows manufacturing to begin. “The commissioning and testing of the facility, and all of its specialist elements, is a significant period which will include linking up with off-shore ‘sister sites’, so going forward our operations and management team can compare performance and output with similar facilities,� says Andrew. “Benchmarking is an important aspect and we are striving for this facility to be part of a global community leading bio-technology and innovation, hopefully in future being able to host short and longterm exchanges with other facility operators in UK, Europe and Australia.�

The facility will be operational in 2022. Merle Cave

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 5

Call to let RSE workers return

The chairman of the Pacific Cooperation Foundation believes New Zealand can achieve a winwin from providing financial support for Pacific people from neighbouring island nations by letting them into the country to help our horticultural sector in the upcoming fruit-picking season.

“Our brothers and sisters in the Pacific islands are struggling for income due to the collapse of tourism in the region, this is a way to help them – and to help our growers who are extremely concerned about labour shortages,” says John Fiso.

While NZ has experienced a second wave of Covid-19 recently, he believes a pragmatic solution can be found so Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme workers from Covid-19-free Pacific countries could still travel here for work.

Protocols in place

“Industry-managed quarantining can work for countries in the RSE scheme that are Covid-19-free, such as Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu, if protocols are in place. And there has been no new cases of Covid-19 reported in horticultural hotspots like Katikati or Oamaru or Marlborough.

“In Australia, it’s reported 160 seasonal workers have been recruited from Vanuatu and have started harvesting mango in Darwin. If it can work for Australia, it can certainly work for NZ.” John says while he agrees with making unemployed New Zealanders a priority for employment, not all of them would be opt for this work. “If the Government thinks 60,000 people are going to pick fruit from within NZ – I think that’s a high expectation. Some Kiwis will want to pick fruit this season but the reality is a lot of them won’t want to uproot themselves to go to

Pacific Cooperation Foundation chairman John Fiso.

that would enable those RSE workers recognition of Covid-19-free status across both countries – those RSE workers that haven’t been home could go home and then we could bring them back or other workers out – as we normally would – to work in our harvest season.

“But that’s not looking like scenario the Government is going to accept in the short-term.

“There is a conversation about managed quarantine, so we are talking to government about utilising the facilities we have in our industry to undertake the quarantine required. And with an election in the mix, we will have to wait til after the next government is formed.”

Nikki says about 7000 RSE workers are currently in NZ. “We estimate that by next harvest there could be around 4000-5000 in NZ for all sectors of the horticulture industry if the borders don’t open.

“As a horticulture industry, we’d normally have 14,400 RSE workers to share around all sectors come March – next harvest we’re likely to 4000-5000 to share between all sectors.”

John says NZ is making special quarantine arrangements for the foreign film industry and sports teams to enter Aotearoa – “why can’t the same happen Merle Cave for people from the Pacific?”

Katikati or down south. And there is no reason why we couldn’t bring workers from the Pacific Islands and also employ New Zealanders who have lost their job. There are enough roles available for both.”

Realm responsibility

John says NZ also has a responsibility to its Pacific neighbours, especially the Pacific realm countries whose residents hold NZ passports “which therefore means they are under our guardianship”.

“And allowing the RSE workers to return would mean a lot to fanau in the Pacific who are hugely affected by the impact of closed borders. At the same time, it prevents millions of dollars of produce in NZ going to waste. There are humanitarian and economic benefits to this.”

John says PCF helped initiate the RSE scheme in collaboration with others in 2007. The RSE worker cap was set at 5000 places but has incrementally risen to 14,400 last October. Eligible countries for recruiting workers are Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

NZ Kiwifruit Growers Inc CEO Nikki Johnson says the best-case scenario for the kiwifruit industry would be being permitted to get more RSE workers into NZ from Pacific nations for the March 2021 harvest.

“At the moment the borders are closed from a NZ Government perspective but they are probably closed from Pacific perspective as well.

“But if there was a Pacific bubble

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Page 6

Regenerative farming In 2001 industrial designer Paul Quinn assisted his parents, Maureen and Paddy Quinn, to build new greenhouses for their blueberry business on the outskirts of Hamilton.

He stayed on to design roll-down canopies in the mesh houses, and is still working there today.

“Around 2008 we were experiencing increasing pest and disease issues in our blueberry bushes,” says Paul.

Leaves were developing brown patches around them, and developing what the Quinns describe as “leaf burn”.

The exceptionally large, export quality blueberries grown by the Quinns.

“We were in danger of losing all our plants to this dieback. Scientists found it was a sodium excess, but we eventually discovered that the plants will substitute with other elements when one is short.”

The shortage was potassium, so the plants were taking in extra sodium, causing them to draw in more water via osmosis. The “leaf burn” was cells rupturing from an excess of water.

Changing their ways

Paul Quinn in one of the mesh blueberry enclosures he helped design. All Photos: Catherine Fry.

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Paul remembers an interview on RNZ more than a decade ago, which presented a nutritional study by a New Zealand university, evaluating the differences in the nutritional density of food grown now, and in the early-20th Century.

“Our soils are so depleted of the elements, microorganisms, fungi, and organic matter needed to grow nutrient dense-food nowadays,” says Paul.

“We started to think about the importance of soil composition as the basis for growing healthy plants that produce nutrient-dense foods.”

Paul and the family started to research and experiment with their blueberry bushes. “We were facing losing our plants, so we had nothing to lose by changing how we did things,” says Maureen. ...continued

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 7 The first buds are already bursting into flower on the blueberry bushes in August.

Left: Scan this QR code with your smartphone to listen to regenerative farming podcasts.

Left: The dormant winter soil is rich and dark, with some good fungi already starting to grow. continued...

“Paddy and I were behind Paul’s ideas 100 per cent.”

The Quinns adopted the phrase ‘looking after the soil so the plants can look after themselves’.

One significant change was the purchase of a decent mulching mower for the grass strips that were thick with fallen leaves. “This left the strips covered in brown, fine leaf debris. By morning they were green again, and we realised that the soil biology had consumed much of the mulch.”

Soil composition

One of the farm’s advisors and suppliers, Clive Umbers of Air8tors, encouraged a focus on the soil biology. This is easily monitored by brix levels, smelling the soil and how easily weeds pull out with mycelium attached to their roots. The brix level is the percentage of solids present in the juice of a plant, measurable using a refractometer.

A healthy soil ecosystem has a diverse and balanced 1:1 ratio of fungal and bacterial life, which will buffer and administer to the plants’ nutritional needs in exchange for carbohydrates in the form of plant sugars and other root exudates.

Levels of the macro elements nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, and levels of the micro and trace elements such as calcium, boron and selenium, must also exist in the correct balance to maintain the plant ecosystem.

“Fungi act like a broker to source relevant bacteria to sequester a required element in the soil for the plant,” says Paul.

“Reliance on the grower to supply the correct amounts can lead to over-application and destroy the fungi and bacteria as the plant uses the fertiliser and neglects its relationship with the soil’s microbiology.”

A good soil should also have a 7:1 carbon to nitrogen ratio, be five to six per cent organic matter, and contain 50 per cent air, 25 per cent moisture, and 25 per cent mineral parts, according to Paul.

density of the food plants produced.

He recommends the Regenerative Agriculture Podcast website as a starting point for people interested in learning more. See the Scan QR code on this page.

Dr Zach Bush and David Johnson are also worth researching, along with Dan Kittredge who is developing smartphone technology to analyse vegetable and fruit nutrient density. This will be a game-changer for both consumers and growers, as the information will be made publicly available.

Paul hopes to one day put into practice all he has learnt while blueberry growing, and produce quality nutrient-dense food for family and friends from a small holding of his own.

“Once established I’m hoping to share my findings with the wider public, encouraging and educating people to pursue regenerative farming practices.”

Catherine Fry

Nathan Bettridge finishing the final winter pruning.

Regenerative farming

True regeneration of the soil incorporates animals, but regenerative agriculture can be done without animals too, says Paul.

“In the wild a herd of animals would pass through the landscape trampling the plants and soil, and their saliva, urine, and faeces are left behind.

“When the rains come, the bacteria, viruses, fungi and microbes allow the vegetation to thrive, creating the perfect environment for plant life.”

This ‘circle of life’ means the soil ecosystem is balanced leading to healthier plant life, as they get the required nutrients to fight off insects and diseases.

Paul says modern farming practices try to force the circle of life using chemicals, which results in soil health issues, and ultimately a decline in the nutrient

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Page 8

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Trial and error market gardening Since 2002, Teresa and Philip Linehan have been producing quality sweetcorn.

Initially growing on Teresa’s father’s farm, then on a four-acre block; and finally from their own eightacre block they are on today. Last year they decided to “get serious”, and have expanded into potatoes, broccoli, lettuces, cabbages and more.

The 3.35 hectare, gently undulating Te Kawa property, offers “fantastic” maeroa ash soil.

Specialising in • • • • • •

Market gardeners Teresa and Philip Linehan in their machinery barn. All

Initially, the sweetcorn business was a way of Teresa being able to work part-time and raise their three sons, while Philip worked off the property. After a life-changing brain injury following an accident in 2003, Philip has had to work around the symptoms he will now experience for life.

The Linehans sell their produce through the Farmer’s Markets of Cambridge, Hamilton, Tauranga and Clevedon, plus Te Awamutu Twilight Produce Market in summer. Teresa was on the board of the Waikato Farmer’s Markets for some years.

“It was clear from public feedback that the demand for vegetables grown spray-free, biologically or organically, was high,” says Teresa.

With the family all grown up but still living at home, the Linehans decided to expand their business and diversify their produce lines beyond sweetcorn.

Tender Fresh Produce was born.

Photos: Catherine Fry

farming Removal / chipping of wholeBiological trees While both Philip and Teresa grew up on farms, has a background or formal education in steers, raised from weaning until they On site chipping for stand offneither pads horticulture.

And today they have years of experience in growing sweetcorn, and a huge interest and passion for growing are yearlings. They are also fed any healthy vegetables without the need for damaged or surplus vegetables.

Wood chip for sale chemicals.

“We sell them on after a year before “We’ve always tried to use biological, they require more grass than we have,” solutions our weeds, pests, says Philip. ingforin ecialis Spnatural Orchard shelter removal diseases and fertilisers,” says Teresa.

He takes care of the machinery side She is always reading articles,of andwholeoftree things, s and has a Ford 7840 tractor, ping chip / l ova • Rem Googling for information, plus sharing and a shed full of implements for tasks Stump removal knowledge with other growers. Tenderd off as ploughing and seed drilling. All s pad for stan such ping chip • On Freshsite Produce now grows sweetcorn, remaining vegetable matter is put back potatoes, a large selection of brassicas the soil.

Woodlot marketing of all tree species salevegetables into for root od chip and green vegetables, For some of the vegetables, Teresa • Wo

• Orchard shelter removal them in seaweed solution, and plants them by hand. She uses weedmat with spaced holes for planting, having found l ova rem mp • Stu it to be the most effective method of weeds. species ...continued tree • Woodlot marketing of all suppressing and much more.

The 3.35 hectares is carefully managed, using crop rotation. After each summer growing season, a couple of paddocks are retired to grass for two years, and grazed by up to 15

buys in eight-week-old seedlings, soaks

Healthy cabbages waiting to go to market.

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 9

Meeting demand, protecting the environment the “rules around what can and can’t be done” have been clarified, meaning the horticulture industry can act

Market gardeners Teresa and Philip Linehan on their 8 acres at Te Kawa. continued...

For the last 10 years, the Linehans have not used pesticides. They have dealt with caterpillars on the sweetcorn, nematodes on the potatoes, slugs and snails on the greens, fungus on the cauliflowers, and more recently, rabbits. “It’s all learning through trial and error,” says Philip.

“We’ve experimented with solutions such as neem oil, natural pyrethrum and diatomaceous dust, and our neighbour shoots the rabbits.”

planting at a lower level than they would have at this time of year. Teresa acknowledges that another lockdown will hit them hard, but she is hopeful that

Companion planting

This season, with Philip’s newly-ploughed paddock ready for the first planting of the early potatoes, Teresa is looking at companion planting with marigolds. “Something that is exuded by the marigold’s roots causes nematodes to die before they can reproduce.”

Teresa is also trying mustard plants to combat the cauliflower fungal problem. The plants are harvested before flowering, and composted back into the soil to create unfavourable conditions for the fungus.

The farm is run by the family, with Teresa working full-time and Philip part-time. When more help is needed, extended family and their three now young adult sons, have always been involved, especially with the weekend markets. “The farm as it is supports the family, but that is only because we do the work.

“It’s too big a responsibility employing people and having to pay wages if we have a bad season.”

Drought and Covid-19

Last summer’s drought impacted them – with their limited, very manual watering system, unable to cope, they stopped planting in December.

The Covid-19 lockdown had less impact than the drought as there was not a lot left to sell anyway by the time the pandemic came. The couple set up a jotform for orders on their website, but delivery was time-consuming and expensive petrol-wise.

“We managed to sell some of what remained via online orders, and the steers did very well feasting on the rest.”

Their seedling deliveries were disrupted during Level 4, and there was a noticeable lag in production as nothing was coming on through the lockdown.

And so, the Linehans are “proceeding with caution”,

Teresa Linehan planting seedlings into holes in weedmat – a proven weed management process.

k t

faster in changing how they sell their produce in a lockdown.

Catherine Fry

Page 10

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

RMPP delivering major boost to sector The Red Meat Profit Partnership is delivering a significant boost to New Zealand’s primary sector, returning $17 in value for every dollar invested, according to an independent evaluation of the project.

A $64 million Primary Growth Partnership programme, the RMPP has brought together farmers, meat processing companies, Beef+Lamb NZ, banks, and the Ministry for Primary Industries in an innovative seven-year collaboration to improve the productivity and profitability of NZ’s sheep

and beef sector.

Now, research conducted prior to RMPP finishing in March 2021 has highlighted the value of the programme to the wellbeing of the industry.

Benefits continue

The evaluation by Scarlatti Limited concluded that the programme’s productive benefits will lift annual total farm profit before tax by a further $96.4 million by 2025. The benefits continue beyond that point, meaning that for every $1 invested, RMPP will return $17 in value.

“Farmers have been telling us for some time

about how RMPP has helped them access information and support so they can make more informed decisions for the benefit of their businesses,” says RMPP chair Malcolm Bailey.

“Additionally, what this independent evaluation clearly demonstrates is the range of real and tangible benefits that RMPP has delivered – both behind and beyond the farm gate and in rural communities across NZ.” RMPP’s projects such as the Action Network and the NZ Farm Assurance Programme wouldn’t have been achieved without RMPP programme investment and coordination, says Malcolm.

“Farmers and red meat sector businesses have successfully developed, tested and introduced new ways of engaging with information and technology.

Farmers are adopting more effective measuring and monitoring to support informed decision-making and are increasingly using digital farm management tools.

“Hundreds of like-minded farmers who are working together alongside trusted experts in facilitated small groups now have the confidence to put their ideas into action.

“RMPP’s Action Network has never been about telling farmers what to do. It has been about creating an environment where farmers can learn from each other, share what works, embrace change and make better decisions for the future of their business, their family and NZ. “Farmers want to do well to support their families and their way of life, and when farmers are doing well, NZ does well.”

Key findings

According to research by Scarlatti Ltd, farms participating in the RMPP Action Network will, on average, increase profitability by $17,712 per farm, each year. When averaged across the sector, including farms that gain a ‘spill over’ benefit and farmers that do not benefit, the impact of the Action Network is to raise profitability by $46 million across the entire sector, by 2025.

The impact on profitability for farmers participating in training programmes varies depending on whether they’re engaging with an e-learning module or undertaking a multiday training workshop. The aggregate impact of all training courses, including farmers that gain a ‘spill over’ benefit and farmers that do not benefit, is to raise industry profitability by $18.5 million across the entire sector, by 2025.

In 2025, the increase in profitability resulting from RMPP’s investments in talent attraction will be $3.15 million across the entire sector.

The Electronic Animal Status Declaration (eASD) technology is saving farmers, livestock representatives and meat processors’ time and reducing costs. In 2025, the eASD development is projected to be generating an annual economic benefit of $6.69 million across the industry.

In 2025, the NZ Farm Assurance Programme is projected to be generating an annual economic benefit of $0.9 million across the industry.

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 11

Supporting women to learn bush skills When you enter our beautiful New Zealand bush all the busyness of day-to-day life is left behind, says Pahoia resident and tramper Anja Morris.

you need to take tramping in the bush.”

“We talk about trip-planning – what to think about before you go out on a walk. Leaving your details such walking route, destination and approximate trip duration with someone.”

“I explain how to use a map and compass. Often “Some people say going for a walk is a good way to participants will say they’ve just been following their think things through. But to me, when I’m tramping husbands and they want to know how to read a map my mind goes calm. I leave everything behind. themselves.”

I’m totally in the moment.”

“We talk about risk management – Such is her passion for tramping our how to deal with certain situations, bush-filled outdoors that she’s held basic first aid, and river crossing a range of Western Bay of Plenty safety.” voluntary positions for the NZ Day two the group puts the Mountain Safety Council since theory into practice. “We go the mid-1990s – including for a bush walk on a private outdoor first aid and bushcraft property. The amazing thing instructor, and assessor, is most participants don’t roles – plus ran her own know each other – but local Bush Skills for Women they all connect. We laugh courses since 2002. so much. It’s amazing Ending her women’s course the friendships that have eight years ago, thinking established on my courses she’d saturated the area, Anja over the years.” started offering them again This month, Anja will last year. offer her two-day Bush “I thought we’ve got so Skills for Women course many more residents now, I from 8.30am-2.30pm will give it another go.” on October 17-18 in the From her past experiences Whakamarama area. training people how to go bush To find out more, give her a safely, Anja says women, especially call on 027 725 0567. Or email: Anja Morris in action. when it comes to navigation, often shy anjaoutdoors@gmail.com back from learning map and compass in If you don’t hear back from her a mixed group as the men seem to take over in promptly, she’ll probably be on one of her this area. “But by themselves, on this course, they are frequent bush excursions. “I just love the whole feel of so relaxed.” it – it’s hard to describe.

As a result, Anja’s whole aim is to give women the “But one comment I always hear from participants confidence to tramp and navigate the bush. “And for is: ‘I love being out in the bush; I should get out more confidence, you need a few basic skills. You should often’. I suppose I feel like that but I’ve embraced it and I make an effort to get out.” know about what clothing, footwear and equipment Merle Cave

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RURAL FINANCE

Page 12

For farmers, heading into debt discussions with the bank can be an intimidating – and expensive – process.

To help level the playing field, the Ministry for Primary Industries implemented the Farm Debt Mediation Scheme on July 1, which aims to make the mediation process more accessible.

“Being in debt not only impacts farmers on a financial level, but on a mental and emotional level as well, which often impacts the whole family,” says MPI rural communities and farming support director Nick Story.

“The Farm Debt Mediation Scheme can help set out a way forward for the farmer to turn things around so they can stay in business – or, at worst case, provide them with a dignified exit.”

The scheme

Under the Farm Debt Mediation Act 2019, it is compulsory for creditors to offer mediation before taking debt enforcement action.

The cost of mediation is shared equally between creditors and the farmer, but the farmer’s

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After witnessing the impact interest rate swaps had on farmers in the mid-2000s, financial adviser and Smart Money Advice owner Janet Natta can’t recommend the scheme enough.

“The whole point is to prioritise fairness when farmers have to face the large lending institutions.

“Farm debt is complex and there are lots of issues to work through, so having that support is so important.”

While it’s compulsory for creditors to offer mediation before an eligible farmer defaults on payment, farmers can independently request mediation any time, says Nick.

“We know Covid-19 and drought is placing financial pressure on some farmers. If you’re struggling with debt, find out more about how the scheme may help you as early as you can,” says Nick.

“Mediation is far better than forced foreclosure – it’s a fairer system in the interest of all parties.”

For more information, visit https://www.mpi.govt. nz/funding-and-programmes/farming/the-farm-debtmediation-scheme-2/ MacKenzie Dyer

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contribution is capped at $2000 – which is one-third of the total average price of mediation.

Two mediation organisations – the Arbitrators and Mediator Institute of New Zealand and MPI rural communities Resolution Institute – and farming support have been appointed to director Nick Story. deliver the scheme.

Nick says MPI has had several enquiries from both creditors and primary sector businesses since the scheme came into operation. “It’s too early to have the data on how many mediations have been completed. The mediation process has a 60-day timeframe to complete, so we expect to have statistics on the Smart Money Advice scheme uptake later this owner Janet Natta. month.”

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COUNTRY LIVING

A holistic way to heal animal issues A love of animals is in Don Jackson’s blood – he can trace his family’s unbroken farming ancestry back many generations to England.

and a natural gift for communicating with and healing animals. He takes a very structured and allopathic approach to peeling away and dealing with the layers of issues affecting an animal’s wellbeing.

“The cause of an animal’s underlying issue can be as diverse as past physical

He grew up on his parents’ Canterbury farm and from an early age was involved in his school’s agricultural club, rearing

Don Jackson has a natural gift for communicating with animals.

a wide variety of livestock and attending the local pony club. After attending agricultural college and university he had a number of agricultural careers here in New Zealand and overseas. Don’s interest in alternative health methods for treating dairy cows began in the late-1990s when he was district manager for Livestock Improvement Corp.

Since then he’s gained qualifications in complementary modalities – including a Dip Equine Psychology, Reiki Master and Bach Flower Remedy Practitioner. He’s developed a holistic style of animal care that pulls together his lifetime of rural knowledge, practical animal husbandry, horsemanship, dog breeding and training

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Based in rural Hawke’s Bay, Kirsty Hill and daughter Amanda have developed and expanded their range of products in the last seven years.

“It started as a hobby, making fishing accessory products and it has grown from there,” says Kirsty.

“I was brought up on a farm and orchard and I like things that are practical, and, of course, New Zealand-made. We’re passionate about our pets and working dogs, fishing, hunting and farming – that’s how we’ve got the nous to create all these products.”

Today, they make all sorts of items to fulfil pets, lifestyle, farming and equestrian needs as well as hunting and fishing essentials. “Our exclusive

product range is all handmade either by myself or my daughter Amanda or my able sewers in our local district,” says Kirsty.

“Our passion for sewing and product design plus the knowledge and Dog beds and coats experiences on the are just a couple of land, gives us the the popular products confidence to design from BagEm. and provide wellmade products that are both useful and practical.”

And the ladies are always on the lookout to make more products for Kiwis and their pets to use.

“Quality, attention to detail and practical use of these products are important to us.”

The BagEm Collection’s products are for sale on their website: https://www.bagem.co.nz “There are no retail margins and you’re buying quality products designed by Kiwis for Kiwis and their pets.”

or emotional trauma, inappropriate diet, lack of required supplements or an environmental stress.

“As long as the physical damage is not so advanced as to be irreversible, and the underlying problem can be eliminated and the mind/body corrections undertaken the animal can get on with self-healing along with the appropriate holistic and/or veterinary support.”

Don’s business is The Holistic Animal Ltd, a mobile clinic service to horse and companion animal owners as well as farmers in the BOP, Waikato and South Auckland areas. If you’re having ongoing health or behavioral problems with your animals that you can’t get to the bottom of and want common sense help that gets results, give Don a call.

Don doesn’t claim to be a veterinarian and doesn’t diagnose specific physical conditions. But he can provide general wellbeing support to animals alongside veterinary treatments to enhance recuperation.

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COUNTRY LIVING

Page 14

The role of co-enzyme Q10 for energy Mitochondria are our cell engines that take the energy from food and change this into the energy our bodies need.

At the end of the line is the production of adenosine triphosphate, known as ATP, to provide the energy that makes our bodies work.

Free radicals, especially nitrogen radicals like peroxynitrite, can damage delicate cell structures and cause less energy to be made.

Some diseases can damage mitochondria. Studies show Chronic Fatigue Syndrome weakens mitochondria, resulting in significantly less energy than in healthy people.

The result is always tiredness but other symptoms are

determined by the type of disease. For example, in Multiple Sclerosis mitochondrial changes occur leading to nerve myelin damage.

The first step to improve energy is to add co-enzyme Q10. Be aware that most of the CoQ10 on the market is low-cost, semi-synthetic material.

I prefer high-grade Japanese or US naturally-fermented material.

Unfortunately there is no such thing as good, cheap CoQ10.

The most important component of nutritional therapy for fatigue and inflammatory problems is adding a range of mitochondrial nutrients and co-factors. These include CoQ10 and other compounds such as Resveratrol, Grape seed extract, Acetyl l- carnitine, N acetylcysteine,

Alpha Lipoic Acid and curcumin.

These help to increase energy output, support flagging energy processes and reduce free radical damage by actively targeting the free radicals that damage delicate energy systems. We then add a full B vitamin complex because these are needed in most of the steps to make energy.

A combination of a good diet and these beneficial supplements can make a real difference in life quality for those with low energy. Most people feel a real difference within one to two months.

John Arts (B.Soc.Sci, Dip Tch, Adv.Dip.Nut.Med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health Ltd. For questions or advice, contact John on 0800 423559 or email: john@ abundant.co.nz Join his newsletter at: www.abundant.co.nz

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‘Roll on Waitaki’ is a new tour on offer early-May 2021.

Unprecedented times have bought unprecedented tour entries for NZ Adventures, the South Island-based back country tour company owned by Robbie and Connie Crickett.

“We offer a wide range of 4X4 tours in the South Island during our November to April season and now even a couple of tours in the North Island – but the offerings quickly sold out for the 2020/2021,” says Robbie, in explanation of the fully-booked sign going up very early this year.

As a result, Robbie says they are now offering a further tour.

“We at NZ Adventures are basically farming people who remain very proud of our farming roots and prouder still of the relationships we have with the farming community, as those relationships are so important to what we do with our tours and where we go.”

The new tour – dubbed ‘Roll on Waitaki’ – is a five-day tour in early-May 2021, starting in Fairlie and ending in Geraldine with overnights along the way in Oamaru, two nights in Omarama, and a night in Tekapo.

“The tour will be very farm-focused with visits to a range of farm properties from high country merino stations to intensive dairy and a number of semiintensive sheep and beef properties in between,” says Robbie.

For further information, visit: www.nzadventures.co.nz

COUNTRY LIVING

Page 15

Garden and art festival sure to bloom Anticipation is growing amongst garden and art enthusiasts at the thought of viewing some of the Bay of Plenty’s most stunning residential properties.

gardeners spend so much time in their gardens and it is their passion and hard work that help makes the festival special.”

Matching artists with gardens is one of the outstanding features of the unique garden trail. This year there has been more opportunity for ‘hoers’ and growers to while away selfisolating daylight hours planting, cultivating and propagating.

The diverse range of gardens extends from oriental, formal, roomy and organical through to country, native, woodland, and botanical.

Dalyn Lodge garden at Oropi Downs, E-Bike hire and a Tauranga, will be on show in the festival. bus shuttle service An incredible 80 stops feature will both be available to festival in November’s four-day Bay of patrons.

Plenty Garden and Art Festival “One E-Bike trail goes around trail, spanning from Katikati to Tauranga, and another from Te Te Puke.

Puna to Omokoroa,” says Marc.

“Ten are art studios, and the rest “And people can book a seat are gardens,” says festival director or hire a complete shuttle for a Marc Anderson. “The festival group tour.”

Gardens to be explored include large sprawling country delights, courtyards, city, rural and rustic gardens.

Wandering through rambling cottage gardens, urban freestyle, coastal, forest, subtropical and floral extravagance is sure to enrapture all festival fans.

“We have introduced a sustainable garden element,” says Marc. “And there will be microgardens showing you what you can do in a very small space.”

New to this year’s festival is The Weekend Sun Emerging Artist Award. All finalists will have their work exhibited at Bloom in the Bay, the festival hub at the Tauranga Racecourse.

The Bay of Plenty Garden & Art Festival runs from November 19-22. Tickets are now on sale, and available at Palmers Bethlehem, eventfinda.co.nz or gardenandartfestival.co.nz

Connecting kids with gardening – and seeds This month New Zealand is celebrating National Gardening Week on October 19-26.

And just in time, Yates has launched a very cool range of seeds especially for children – that is aimed at making gardening even more fun for younger would-be greenfingers.

Yummy UFOs Alien Scallopini Zucchini, Pop Star Strawberry Popcorn, Dinosaur Gourds Prehistoric Monster Mix, Behemoth Giant Pumpkins, Magical Creatures Fairy Flower Mix and Little Ted Fluffy Sunflowers are now for sale, for youngsters to plant.

According to the people behind National Gardening Week, there’s 10 top reasons to grow your own food.

Fresh vegetables, straight from the garden, are there when you want them.

The produce tastes better when it’s not sitting on shelves/in chillers. Fruit and vegetables can ripen on the plant.

Vegetables that ripen in the garden have more nutrients than some store-bought vegetables that must be picked early. Children will eat more fruit and vegies if they come from their own garden. And by growing your own, you minimise your environmental impact, save money, set children up to learn how to garden and

grow their own food; and it’s about food safety. You’ve grown it, so you know where it’s come from.

You reduce waste by picking only what you need and you can share or swap what you don’t need with neighbours and friends. And, gardening reduces stress and improves physical and mental health.

Thanks to Yates, Coast & Country News has six sets of seeds to give away to six lucky young readers.

To be in to win, email an answer to the following question – plus your name and address – to merle@sunmedia.co.nz Or put these details on an envelope and post to: Coast & Country News Seed Competition, PO Box 240, Tauranga 3140 to arrive by October 26. Winners will be contacted thereafter.

Question: What vegetable grows from Yates’ Yummy UFOs seed packet?

More than 46 years of love has been poured into this large cottage garden with everything being planted by the owner.

Page 16

CENTRAL PLATEAU FOCUS

Keep an eye out for rooks Farmers and landowners from Mangakino to Taupo, Te Poi/ Matamata and Cambridge/ Hamilton are being asked to report rook sightings for targeted pest control to prevent the wary invasive, big black bird from becoming a problem on farms.

Rook.

Waikato Regional Council biosecurity officer Andrew McConnell says now is the time of the year to start seeing rooks as it’s breeding season, which is when they congregate. “Rooks generally building nests in pine or eucalyptus trees.”

Andrew says rooks are one of the most destructive farm production pest birds in the world. “They feed

on newly-sown crops and destroy paddocks by tearing them up in search for grubs.

“A large rook population can completely destroy entire paddocks.

It’s definitely not something we want to be seeing here in our region.”

Rooks were introduced to New Zealand in the 1860s to control insect pests. WRC has been managing rooks since 2002 and the Waikato population is now estimated at less than 50 birds. “It’s a bit like looking for a needle in a haystack for them, which is why we need landowners to give us a call when they see rooks. They’re also very wary so it’s important landowners contact us rather than try get rid of them themselves.” Report a sighting by phoning 0800 800 401.

Updated Taupo Overseer rules approved The Minister for the Environment has signed off a change to the Waikato Regional Plan to allow the latest version of Overseer to be used by Taupo farmers.

The change to Chapter 3.10 of the WRP allows use of Overseer’s latest version and any subsequent versions to model nitrogen leaching in the Taupo catchment.

Version 5.4.3 previously required by the plan expires this December.

A standard plan change process was unlikely to result in new operative rules being in place early enough, so a streamlined planning process was used instead for Plan Change 2: Taupo Overseer Version. It’s a simplified process directed by the Minister for the Environment, who is then responsible for making the final decision, which can’t be appealed.

Waikato Regional Council decided to use this process to ensure the plan change would become operative before December to enable farming consents and nitrogen trading contracts to be updated with new Overseer versions before the old version expires.

Notification of the proposed plan change was made in April. Since then council staff have worked with the 83 affected farmers and consent holders to ensure nitrogen allocations are appropriately managed and accounted for.

Overseer is an important tool used by farmers to help protect the high water quality of Lake Taupo and its tributaries. The approved plan change takes effect on October 12. More details are at: waikatoregion.govt. nz/taupo-overseer

A farming utopia at Taupo for sale You’re invited to the Mid Northern North Island

B+LNZ FARMER COUNCIL AGM AND DINNER

Wednesday 21 October 2020 | 4.00pm-9.00pm Holiday Inn, 10 Tryon Street, Rotorua GUEST SPEAKERS Roger Dalrymple – Rangitikei Rivers Catchment Collective Chairman and Farmer Sam McIvor – B+LNZ Chief Executive Officer

Registration is essential at rachel.jukes@beeflambnz.com

A 49 hectare property on Oruanui Rd, just 10 minutes out of Taupo, is for sale – offering a rare opportunity to get into farming on a small but lifestyle-friendly scale.

The vendors purchased the property six years ago and have created the good life at a very desirable lifestyle location.

They’ve completely converted the property, which now milks up to 90 cows once-a-day. The farm’s cowshed is off-grid with generator, and has support sheds for calf-rearing and implements, races, an effluent system exceeding compliance – and the property is complete with a beautiful architecturally-designed home.

The property has enabled the vendors

to have a lifestyle with a great income, close to town. They’ve enjoyed selling Taupo raw milk, selling freerange eggs at the gateway off the main road, plus supplying Fonterra with approximately 28,000 kgMS per season, therefore earning – payout-dependent before expenses – $168,000. So check this property out today – utopia is yours for the taking! See Bayleys Taupo advert on this page.

FERTILISER

Hay/silage nutrient needs Recently, I was asked to take some soil tests on a property that had been leased for a few years where the leasee was continually harvesting hay/silage crops and taking it away and spraying on seaweed to return nutrients to the soil.

The owner was concerned the pastures appeared to be getting poorer and more and more weed-dominant over time. I informed the owner that spraying on liquid seaweed at 20 litres/ha was only providing a tiny fraction of the nutrients being harvested, and that the fertility of the property was effectively being mined.

Seaweed naturally has around three per cent potassium, but not much else in terms of nutrients – although companies will often fortify liquid products with things like ammonium nitrate, mono ammonium phosphate and potassium nitrate and additional trace elements.

But even fortified products – which may be something like a 8-5-5 NPK rating when applied at 20 litres/ha – only provides 1.6 kg/ha N, and 1 kg/ ha of both P and K. Seaweed, like most plant-based products contains some natural plant hormones like cytokinins, auxins and gibberellins – but not in sufficient quantities to make much difference unless again it has been fortified with extra hormones. It may however have a tonic value as it is reported to reduce the effect of some fungal toxins, and some research has indicated feeding certain seaweeds direct to livestock can reduce greenhouse gas losses. But as a source for replacing nutrients in the soil, it falls well short.

Potassium

A three tonne/ha silage crop will remove approximately 60kg/ha potassium, 11kg/ha phosphorus, 9kg/ ha sulphur and 6kg/ha magnesium.

And a four tonne/ha hay crop will take out 20-30 per cent more than this. The biggest nutrient lost from hay/silage crops is potassium. Many farmers apply replacement fertilisers after being harvested but I’m more in favour of paying it forward and applying it as paddocks are locked up with some nitrogen to increase the yield.

Page 17

Robin Boom

CPAg MBSPC

Independent Agronomy & Soil Fertility Consultant

Plants will luxury feed on potassium, which is essential for tensile strength and stem development and also for seed and flower production.

Any excess potassium applied pre-harvest will still be there after-harvest for pasture regrowth. As a leachable element, applying it in the autumn, post-harvest, can result in some of it being lost from the root zone and never utilised. For a silage crop, applying something like 400kg/ha Pasture Mag 15K when shutting up will provide a nitrogen boost as well as the nutrients being taken out. A hay paddock should have 500kg/ha of the same fertiliser applied to it. If phosphorus levels are good, then applying 150kg/ha of Muriate of Potash and 60kg/ha of Urea is an option.

Cowshed effluent

Cowshed effluent is also an ideal replacement nutrient source, and I try to encourage dairy farmers to try and use effluent paddocks for hay/silage because the extra fertility on these paddocks can then be redistributed around the farm when fed out. This also saves money in not having to apply extra fertiliser to these before or postharvest. Generally, effluent paddocks are close to the cowshed so many farmers prefer grazing these as they’re convenient for the milking herd and instead shut up paddocks at the back of the farm to harvest, which is really the wrong way around. It’s much better for the soil and bank balance to harvest effluent paddocks than non-effluent paddocks.

Many sheep and beef farms don’t need much potassium on their hill country pastures and focus on phosphate for their general fertiliser needs, but silage paddocks should have additional potassium applied to them, and again prior to harvest is best. Any harvestable country can have potassium and nitrogen applied to it by a truck or tractor, so applying these when shutting paddocks up will ensure a greater crop for contractors to harvest and give better utilisation of these nutrients.

Robin Boom, CPAg, member of the Institute of Professional Soil Scientists. Phone: 0274 448 764.

Miles Pope : 0274 935 659

Jenny Pope : 0274 716 000

ealand nfo@ef.net.nz

FERTILISER

Page 18

Custom mix base of fertiliser is key Finding out what’s best for pasture or crop growth may seem to be common sense, but is not always followed through by landowners, says Grant Paton.

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Solidmake and Liquid Fertilisers This takes on even more significance in spring, with crop planting, flowering of crops such as kiwifruit and avocados, and readying pasture for what could be a long, dry summer.

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nutrient status of soil,” says Grant. “You need a custom mix base fertiliser. It’s important to have a high energy mix to get pasture cover going.”

This means nurturing a deep rooting system, with nitrogen and carbon the key elements.

Grant says the same applies for keen home gardeners, with a fertiliser mix the best bet pre-planting.

During the CovidEnvironmental Fertilisers owner Grant 19 lockdown his sales Paton in the garden. of home fertiliser “Get it right at the start and you’ll skyrocketed by 400-500 per cent. get better results at the end.”

Overall, Grant says the same On dairy farms, Grant says while principles apply across all soil the good winter reduced stock types – and fertilisers can be damage to pasture, soil testing tailored to suit. has shown that nitrogen levels are “Spring planting sets the stage “shockingly low”. Steve Edwards for future growth,” says Grant.

Plantain now a pasture type in OverseerFM New Zealand farmers can now assess the potential impact and investment of plantain, using OverseerFM. Plantain varieties have been used on NZ farms for some time, with positive effects on milk production and in reducing nitrate leaching.

Following the comprehensive research programme Forages for Reduced Nitrate Leaching, plantain has been included in OverseerFM as a pasture type on pastoral and cut and carry blocks.

Overseer Limited chief executive Dr Caroline Read says for the first time, farmers considering sowing plantain can compare estimates of their farm’s nitrogen losses before investing time and money.

“Also, those who already use

plantain can have it recognised in their farm plans,” says Caroline.

“There has been a lot of interest in exploring the impact of adding plantain to farm systems or including it in compliance reporting.”

Plantain offers significant potential benefits. Depending on the proportion of plantain in the animal’s diet, less excreted nitrogen ends up in urine and urine volume increases, resulting in urine patches with less nitrogen – which is better for the environment.

How large the environmental effect is, depends on the farm’s situation – for example, scale of plantain use, amount of supplementary feed used, soil type and climate.

The FRNL programme was led

by DairyNZ and funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and research

partners DairyNZ, AgResearch, Plant & Food Research, Lincoln University, Foundation for Arable Research and Manaaki WhenuaLandcare Research.

First, FRNL assessed the impact of Ceres Tonic plantain and other forages and identified plantain reduces nitrogen leached. Overseer has spent the last year working with AgResearch scientists to translate the FRNL findings into OverseerFM. “Including plantain in OverseerFM ensures farmers can have the good work they are doing acknowledged as part of compliance processes,” says DairyNZ senior scientist and FRNL programme lead, Dr Ina Pinxterhuis.

“Further research is planned to better understand the effects of plantain on nitrogen processes in the soil,” says Ina.

FERTILISER

Page 19

Silicon – the mediator of soil-plant nutrition Silicon is a much-underrated nutrient ignored by mainstream agriculture to our detriment.

It is like a mediator that evens out the highs and lows of soil-plant nutrition.

When we rely too heavily on chemistry, chemical reactions in the soil between applied products and resident compounds can lead to wastage of the applied substances if they are the wrong products to use. ‘Cheapest

shows its significance for the life of plants and the performance of crops in the following aspects, but not confined to these.

1. Essentiality for some forms of life.

Animals, Diatoms, Bacillariophyta, and plants such as horsetails (Equisetaceae).

2. Enhancement of growth, yield, and quality, up to

Soil-iron is 900ppm. Iron is 300ppm in the plants but almost useless. Silicon is the remedy. is best’ may turn out to be the worst decision that can be made. All plants – including orchard trees – can be affected by conditions that include iron chlorosis, which results in poor photosynthesis and is seldom diagnosed.

Silicon can mitigate most of these flaws we unknowingly accept as part of the cost of doing business. Follow the trail below.

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3.

4.

5.

and during handling, transport, and storage.

Promotion of mechanical strength, plant erectness and resistance to lodging.

Better light interception and promotion of photosynthesis.

Improved performance when insufficient sunshine or too much shading.

Effects of plant surface properties.

7. Potassium is required by, and promotes, fungi and non-rhizobia bacteria.

8. Resistance to plant diseases involving fungi, bacteria, viruses, and nematodes.

9. Resistance to herbivores ranging from phytophagous insects to mammals.

10. Resistance to excess metal toxicity.

11. Resistance to salinity stress.

12. Inhibition of transpiration and resistance to drought stress and inefficient water use.

13. Resistance to high temperature and chilling or freezing stress.

14. Resistance to UV radiation or monochromic exposure.

15. Enhancement of root oxidizing power and root activities and hence alleviation of reduced toxicity under low Eh. Oxidation-reduction conditions as measured by the redox potential (Eh), expressed in volts.

16. Effects on enzyme activities.

17. Alleviation of stress from other mineral deficiencies or excesses. Froe example, potassium, phosphorus, manganese and iron, nitrogen, cadmium, arsenic, chromium, lead, zinc copper and boron.

18. Promotion of nodule formation in legume plants and hence promotion of N2 fixation.

19. Promotion of formation of long-term stable carbon and hence, having implications in carbon bio-sequestration of atmospheric CO2 and global climate change.

20. Used by earthworms to grind up soil parent materials.

EFFECTIVE RETRACTING 6.

COVER SYSTEMS New guidance on Phosphorus Keeps feed oruse fertiliser dry the benefits of phosphate fertiliser, we The Fertiliser Association of NZ to understandsystem the loss mechanisms has produced a more user-friendly need Winch for easy access so these too can be well managed.

Phosphorus Guidance Note to explain FANZ commissioned an international clearly why NZ’s agricultural industry review Canvas or steel cladding options of the mechanisms of phosphorus needs to manage phosphorus losses. loss from grazed farm systems, which The six-page PDF booklet comes published the ‘Journal of cut waste as FANZ warns that while pastoral was Save intime and Environmental Quality’, (Vol 48, Issue agriculture is essential for supporting 5, September-October 2019). our economic wellbeing, we need to Now FANZ chief executive Vera Power ensure any negative impacts of fertiliser says the new Guidance Note provides use are well managed.

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Page 20

EFFLUENT & ENVIRONMENT OPTIONS

Effluent expo cancelled Day one of last year’s New Zealand Effluent & Environment Expo.

Despite New Zealand returning to Covid19 Alert Level 1 – with the exception of Auckland – organisers of the NZ Effluent & Environment Expo have decided to cancel the event for 2020.

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Set to go head on November 10-11 at Mystery Creek near Hamilton, event spokesperson Amanda Hodgson says it is not a decision her team had taken lightly.

“It is with much disappointment that we’ve decided to cancel this year’s Effluent & Environment Expo.

“A lot of work has gone into this event to date so it is not a decision that we have taken lightly. This event relies heavily on sponsorship and we have decided to be prudent and cancel the event until November 2021.”

This year the expo’s focus was to be broadened out to create a wider dairy field day event to fill the gap left by the axing of this year’s National Fieldays.

Earlier this year Amanda had said the team of organisers were planning to open up the scope of the event “and offering an invitation to any dairy sector companies outside the normal effluent and environment scope to take a site and engage with farmers”.

“The strong feedback we have had is that farmers and businesses alike are eager for some face-to-face interaction.”

But this was not meant to be in 2020 – with the second outbreak of Covid-19 unfolding in recent weeks.

Amanda says the event is an important one for all exhibitors and farmers alike. “But the reasons why we have taken this course of action is due to the following: “Farmer-related feedback indicates discomfort and reluctance to travel to other regions.

“The event is not covered with insurance if we have another outbreak under the pandemic clause i.e.

Covid-19.

“If Auckland remains in Alert Level 2 – all exhibitors and farmers in this area will be excluded/ prohibited to come to this event.”

Amanda says while it is a “real bugger” and a shame to see all the work go in to-date not coming to anything – it’s not a waste. “It allows us to have early preparation for the next event!

“We will continue to put a lot of time and energy getting the event organised for November 2021!

“We think that this event is so important for our dairy farmers and we have had amazing feedback from all those that have attended in the past.

“Thank you for your understanding; if you have any questions please feel free to discuss with us anytime.”

To get in touch with the expo team, visit: https:// effluentexpo.co.nz/

EFFLUENT & ENVIRONMENT OPTIONS

Page 21

Family farm finds favour in closed effluent system Paul Knight runs his family farm in Whakatane like clockwork, everything has its place and purpose and is thought through.

TechniPharm CEO Harmen Heesen says the groundworks were done to a millimetre correct to plan. “Not often do we see such a nice job.”

Installation was done by the TechniPharm team and Paul and his family. “The weather was fantastic during install and everyone chipped in to complete So when it came to sorting out his effluent storage the job,” says Harmen. solutions, Paul did his research.

“On the final inspection early-September the system “When you invest in something which is going to was three-quarters full and looking just great.” stick around for a while you want to make sure you Paul’s system is simple and easy. invest in the future, Effl uent from the dairy goes to the not the past. existing sump where the existing “With the pump can either be diverted to environment being direct irrigation to pasture – as was discussed and debated common in the past – or direct to everywhere you look, the Ecobag. Stored and stirred on you start thinking. a regular basis, the effluent can be For me that was: ‘drained’ back to the sump where ‘Nutrients are valuable the same pump then so there’s no point pumps it to pasture. flushing them away’.

The Ecobag stored “Secondly, greenhouse Groundwork and effluent has no gasses; open ponds installation of the smell, no crusting produce methane and Ecobag underway. and no rainwater is up to 60 per cent of N collected. The system is just gone like that.” is available from Paul says it did not take long to find 500 cube to 15,000 TechniPharm and their Ecobag closed nutrient cube. TechniPharm capture system could meet his requirements. is soon installing an “After some checking with the regional council 8000 cube system in about design parameters and our close proximity Southland – “without to a waterway, it was confirmed all was okay to a doubt it will be the proceed.

“We ordered the system in February and by end The Knight family’s Whakatane largest closed effluent of May we had the Ecobag installed, groundwork dairy shed from above, with the system in New Ecobag nearby.

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Page 22

EFFLUENT & ENVIRONMENT OPTIONS

WRC’s plan for effluent rules A Waikato dairy farmer and regional councillor favours education over interrogation for farm effluent management.

the pond is stirred once-a-year by a contractor and the solid material spread onto paddocks.

Stu says Waikato Regional Council wants to help farmers upgrade systems without using costly consultants. “The days of having your head in the sand and saying you don’t know the rules are over,” says Stu. “Most ‘mum and dad’ farmers want to leave a farm better than they got it. It’s personal pride.”

Stu says the new policy will give farmers clarity and enable them to budget accordingly.

Stu Husband, who farms at Tauhei, near Morrinsville, says policy before the Environment Court will “put a stick in the sand” for farmers. The plan firms up current rules which Stu says are “pretty grey”.

Running 180 cows on 121ha, Stu is the Waihou Constituency member on the Waikato Regional Council.

He says the key element of the new policy is for farmers to provide 90-day storage of dairy effluent when the soils are saturated – generally May to July.

“Otherwise, it would run straight into waterways.”

Working with dairy companies and other associated agencies, Stu says the council is creating a template for an effluent management plan which farmers can easily transfer to their particular operation.

While a majority are currently compliant with existing rules, Stu says at least half of the farmers in the area will need to upgrade their systems to overcome the storage issue. Options Stu Husband with his farm’s sand-trap which catches effluent include holding ponds, tanks and from a feed-pad and cowshed before it enters a holding pond. bladders.

The regional council wants to have more of an In his own farming situation, Stu spent more than education role “rather than whacking farmers with a $100,000 upgrading the old system. “There was big stick if they haven’t got it right”. an unsealed feed-pad and effluent flowed wherever Consultation with farmers has included public it wanted to.” Shed effluent destined for a pond meetings and mailouts. overflowed because of inadequate piping – he Information on Waikato Regional Council’s current changed it from 100mm to 300mm. guidelines and rules can be found at: Stu also put in a sand-trap, between the shed/pad https://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/community/ and pond, and concreted the feed-pad. your-community/for-farmers/effluent-management/ Then liquid is sprayed onto pasture monthly – except during winter – by a travelling irrigator, while Steve Edwards

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EFFLUENT & ENVIRONMENT OPTIONS

New ‘information broker’ DairyNZ’s environmental change specialist for the Waikato and Bay of Plenty, Caleb Higham.

Caleb Higham is an ‘information broker’ between farmers and associated organisations in the management and disposal of dairy effluent.

From a farming background in South Waikato and with a PhD in water use on dairy farms, Caleb has taken on a new position as environmental change specialist for the Waikato and Bay of Plenty at DairyNZ. Caleb says the role sees him communicate relevant government and Waikato Regional Council policy to farmers. This also includes a close association with dairy companies in the region.

“It’s about joining people up,” says Caleb. “Giving farmers the right resources and programmes.”

A key tool he’s worked on is an upgrade of DairyNZ’s Dairy Effluent Storage Calculator. Caleb says the more user-friendly version, on the Dairy NZ website, helps farmers manage effluent properly.

The calculator uses information based on a particular farm operation, including location, herd size, soil type and rainfall.

From this, the programme calculates a farm’s effluent storage requirements. Caleb says a majority of farmers use ponds, tanks or bladders for storage, with material ultimately irrigated onto pasture.

“Adequate storage is vital when pastures cannot absorb the nutrients and there is a risk of it entering

waterways.” This is in line with regional council policy.

Dairy NZ has an online farm dairy effluent planning guide, while also getting its message out to farmers via e-newsletters and social media.

Caleb says the farmer levy organisation hosts discussion groups across the region, with its consulting officers sharing information to farmers.

“Farmers learn from other farmers,” says Caleb.

“They have the practical expertise.”

Caleb says feedback has shown that if some farmers could go back in time they would add more storage capacity to their dairy effluent disposal systems. “It costs a lot to do it later.”

Caleb says greater storage capacity allows for an increase in herd size “and gives farmers more flexibility in their disposal system”.

His role is all about providing options to farmers.

And he stresses it is also important to have a “consistency in messages” from Dairy NZ, the regional council and dairy companies to farmers.

DairyNZ offers advice to farmers on effluent pond safety – fencing/signage/access/exit – for children and farm animals.

Also online is an ‘Effluent WoF’, a programme which Caleb says is particularly useful for those taking on a new farm. For more information, check out: https://www.dairynz.co.nz/environment/ effluent/

Steve Edwards

Page 23

FARM VEHICLES, MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

Page 24

Attracted to tractors from day one!

Chris Nicholl’s career choices have all had one thing in common: tractors.

The Massey Ferguson badge.

The retired Plummers Point resident has a line-up of five tractors which he tinkers with and rides on his 4.5 acre property.

But his interest in the fourwheeled machine began at a much younger age, when he and his family

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lived in Putaruru. “I started as an apprentice mechanic in 1965 at Waikato Motors in Putaruru, when I was 16 years old. I worked for two different garages there,” says Chris.

Sadly, his father Les Nicholl, who ran a drystock farm in Putaruru, suffered failing health at a young age. “My father asked me: ‘How about you come home and we convert the farm to dairy?’

So we built our own 12-aside herringbone and converted the farm in 1974. We did all the work ourselves except for the electrical work.”

Then Chris’ younger brother Rod wanted to get back into farming. “So he went on that farm and my wife and I bought the neighbouring dairy farm in 1980.”

Cows then avocados

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Chris and wife Jean stayed put until 1999. “I was getting a bit sick of milking cows. I was milking 230 by myself and I was 50. We didn’t need any staff. So we sold that farm and came here to Plummers Point in June 1999.

The land was bare, only horse paddocks.”

The couple planted 100 avocado trees on the 4.5 acres. “Then I thought life was too cruisy – so we bought a kiwifruit orchard at Lockington Rd in 2002. We used to travel 240,000km just coming and going to and from the orchard.”

The Nicholls went through the downs and ups of the kiwifruit industry – buying in the up cycle, then suffering from kiwifruit vine disease Psa-V, then grafting the G3 variety on part of the orchard. “After that it was worth a few bob again, so we sold it in 2017. Since then we’ve stayed at home and played,” says Chris.

Chris Nicholl’s favourite tractor – a 1965 Massey Ferguson 135 he’s given a total makeover. All Photos: Merle Cave.

And lot of his ‘play time’ is spent with his five tractors. The bright red 1978 Massey Ferguson 188 Chris bought brand new. “That’s why it’s still here – but it doesn’t do anything these days.”

There’s a blue 1963 Fordson Dexter. “I bought that as a bit of bomb in 1987. It was doer-upper – it’s still here and has done thousands and thousands of hours on the farm and around here.” Today, it’s Chris’ orchard hack. “It’s very handy.”

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There’s another red Massey Ferguson 135 but it’s a 1974 model – Chris is only its caretaker but for how long he’s not sure. “This one I tidied it up for ...continued

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FARM VEHICLES, MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT went to the scrap – now people put those in fun tractors,” says Chris, who is somewhat kicking himself. Although wife Jean might think differently.

There is word that Chris’ project list – which includes two Mini Coopers in the shed – has had a cap put on it.

continued...

Page 25

Although, we don’t believe it will slow Chris down!

Does your farm or boss have a pet tractor? Or a pet digger or bulldozer? If so, we’d love to hear about it!

Email: merle@sunmedia.co.nz with a photo of it and a contact name and phone number. We might even throw a prize your way for a good yarn.

Merle Cave

Chris Nicholl with his line-up of tractors, and pet dog ‘Poppy’.

my oldest brother Tim a few years ago. Before he died at age 68 he told his family that the tractor is never to be sold. That’s why it resides here and it goes to shows and all sorts,” says Chris. “Tim had about three of those tractors at a large farm at Tirau.”

The grey 1957 Ferguson 35 was gifted to Chris by a Waikato family, who had three generations use it.

“The dad, daughter, and her boys used it. But it was deteriorating so the daughter, who is my age, asked me to collect it. She said I could have as long as I didn’t sell it. So it’s still here – and it comes in handy.”

Last-but-not least is Chris’ favourite tractor – a 1965 Massey Ferguson 135 he’s given a total makeover. “It was petrol then I repowered it in 1998 to a diesel.

It became a really good orchard tractor, which is why I’ve lowered it. And for a bit of fun two years ago – as I’ve always wanted to see if I could put a bigger motor in the same length, same-bonnet set-up – I put a Perkins 80hp under the bonnet. You can say it’s a hoot to drive – it’s so fun!”

Above: The grey 1957 Ferguson 35 was gifted to Chris by a Waikato family, who had three generations use it.

Left: This blue 1963 Fordson Dexter was a ‘doer-upper’ that’s since done thousands of hours on Chris’ properties.

Mini Coopers And while Chris’ fellow orchardists have new wheels under their avocado trees, Chris is proud he puts this old girl to use. The day we visited it had a sprayer attached.

So what is the attraction? “Being a mechanic when I was young, I’d liked the nuts and bolts. Being a dairy farmer I liked it because I could have a tractor.

And the reason I became an orchardist – again, is so I could have a tractor. So my whole life the drawcard has been the tractors,” says Chris.

“And all those years I lived at Putaruru I never collected anything, until I came here and met all these funny old jokers who have so much fun with their old tractors.

“At our farm we had ploughs, tillers, all sorts – I left it all on the farm when we sold it, and some stuff

The tinkerer in his shed with pet dog ‘Poppy’.

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Page 26

FARM VEHICLES, MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

Letting plant operators into NZ a bit late A last-minute decision by the Government – at the start of maize-planting – to allow 210 agricultural and horticultural mobile plant operators to come to NZ for summer work is too little too late, according to one agricultural contractor.

“The biggest problem about this announcement for me is the Government wants business owners, such as myself, to pay for isolation of would-be staff we can get into NZ,” says Brook Nettleton of Bluegrass Contracting Ltd. “My argument is what about all the other people they’ve let into the country – and have paid for their mandatory Half of Bluegrass Contracting’s tractor drivers are isolation requirements – new and have only two weeks’ tractor experience. that are not going to be drive our machinery. So what earning any money in NZ or paying any tax here? are we going to do?”

“Originally, I was going to try bring in 15 guys – With the Government and at $4000 each that’s a lot of money.” previously not budging Time-limit issue on border exemptions for Brooke says another snag is the time limit of six agricultural tractor drivers, months for people coming to NZ under this class Brooke held an open day exception. “The announcement is all good and well in mid-August at his Te Poi – but our season goes to end of April – so it’s an business site near Matamata eight-month season and this timeframe includes their in a bid to attract more staff isolation of two weeks as well. and highlight the issue.

“So I feel the Government haven’t given this He now has 13 tractor announcement a lot of thought. Also – we’ve spent drivers for the season – but much time in the last few months trying to find and half have only completed train new Kiwi drivers – now they’ve come up with a two-week tractor course, this option and we already have hired staff to train to which puts much pressure on his business going into the busy season.

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“We’ve got enough staff now but half have minimal training so they don’t have the experience behind them to confidently operate the machines this season, some of which are multimillion dollar pieces of machinery.

So it will be mayhem for me to keep training them while delivering services to customers.

“If the Government had said in future we can only get 200 drivers for the industry into NZ and we had to hire so many Kiwis – that would be fine as we’d have time to train them.

This season we don’t.

“We’ve run out of time. We’re planting maize now. If we’d done this back in June, it wouldn’t be an issue.”

In its announcement, the Government established class exceptions for border entry for a limited number of veterinarians, deep sea fishing crew, plus agricultural and horticultural machinery operators.

Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi says tight border restrictions remain the backbone of the Government’s border strategy to protect NZ against Covid-19 and ensure NZ citizens and residents can return home.

“The Government understands the challenges the tight border restrictions create. We continue to review possible exceptions that would help address critical workforce gaps that cannot be filled by New Zealanders and help support the Covid-19 economic recovery, while ensuring our managed isolation and quarantine system can cope.

“We also know that because of Covid-19, more New Zealanders will be seeking work. When we consider exceptions for workers from overseas, we’re prioritising industries that can demonstrate a plan for education, training, wages and other activities that will attract New Zealanders into their sector.”

Read Rural Contractors NZ CEO Roger Parton’s response to the situation on page 37.

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Page 27

PLANT AND CROP PROTECTION

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Cosio Industries Ltd are official Firestone Building Products Australasian distributors Research chair Nicola Shadbolt, Russell Lowe, Zespri in 2007, the cultivar “This award is chairman Bruce Cameron.

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epitomises innovation within the industry, drier periods or in Spring and Autumn when grass growth slows nserve yoursays waterRussell supply well into the future. marks a significant milestone for the industry, and not just with his work on developing the red cultivar, Ease of daily management from troublesome effluent irrigators RESTONE EPDM has the longest standard material warranty

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EPDM liner Strengthening fruit-bowl share and is grateful for the support over manyINDUSTRIES years by his on 021 280 7266 Cosio Industries Ltd are official Firestone Building Products Australasian distributors “Russell’s success in developing this red cultivar has colleagues in P&FR and Zespri Innovation. “This again enabled the NZ kiwifruit industry to provide the breeding success has been very much a team effort market with a new, distinctive great-tasting fruit which by breeders, our operations team, research orchard will strengthen kiwifruit’s share of the global fruit bowl network teams and subsequent evaluation systems. in the years ahead,” says Bruce.

“Innovation drives IRRIGATION continued industry growth AND WATER STORAGE Quite a mission which leads to stronger returns for growers, greater TRA-PRO Shade cloth fabric FIRESTONE EPDM pond “Developing a commercial quality red kiwifruit has employment opportunities across NZ’s growing liners.

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TRA-PRO Woven weed matthe commercialisation of the red cultivar the remaining Psa-tolerant parent vines we have been Bruce says 20 year Firestone Warranty TRA-PRO Frost protection fabric approved See us at the able to develop advanced material leading to the release was based on extensive on trial work installations. and consumer TRA-PRO Canopy Netting NZ Agricultural Fieldays demand for new and unique products, and would LYGRO 200 EVA greenhouse covers Mystery Creek of Zespri Red. Contact us for nationwide Pavilion site PB30 help weed Zespri continue provide the world’s leading OCIL non woven control fabric toinstallers “The joint research partnership between P&FR and portfolio ofLynn, branded Zespri has been the key to the support of the breeding s Ltd, P.O.Box 15014, New 0640, kiwifruit Auckland for all 12 months of Email : sales@cosio.co.nz the year.Auckland “While it’s still relatively new, its already Crescent, Avondale, programme and the subsequent success in releasing Website : http://www.cosio.co.nz Fax 09 820generating 0274 real excitement in international markets and world-class varieties for the NZ kiwifruit industry. the industry is indebted to Russell for his efforts,” says “I feel we can expect to see more innovative varieties Bruce. released in future from our strong breeding and research teams.”

Extend seasonal employment With global operating revenue of NZ$3.36 billion in Fellow judge Kristy McDonald QC, chair of 2019/2020, Zespri is one of the world’s most successful kiwifruit industry regulator Kiwifruit New Zealand, horticulture marketing companies. says Russell’s successful development of a red cultivar Today Zespri manages kiwifruit innovation and Usereaffirmed Polygro covers to for increase the industry’s reputation innovation. profits supply management, distribution management and Replace your tired old film with Polygro and forget recovering for up to 5 years “Mr Lowe’s efforts in developing this new cultivar marketing of Zespri Green, Zespri SunGold, Zespri reflectsistheeasy strongtosense that for characterises Polygro useof -innovation High EVA longer life Organic, Zespri Gold, Zespri Sweet Green and Zespri the NZ kiwifruit industry,” says Kristy.

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Second life for fruit sticker waste One fruit sticker may not seem like much in terms of filling a landfill, but when packing 15 million trays of kiwifruit a year like they do at Trevelyan’s Packhouse the humble labels can quickly create a significant amount of waste.

“The backing paper to the fruit stickers creates about 11 tonnes of waste a year,” says Trevelyan’s

sustainability manager Sarah Lei. “New Zealand packs 160 million trays of kiwifruit yearly – so whatever waste Trevelyan’s creates, the New Zealand kiwifruit industry is producing around 10 times as much.

“It all adds up, so we’re constantly looking at our waste streams and trying to come up with novel solutions.”

The backing paper is made from silica, so it’s non-recyclable. But as it turns out, it makes great animal bedding – Trevelyan’s has been

Trevelyan’s grounds supervisor Kevin Page and sustainability manager Sarah Lei with bags of backing paper saved from landfill.

Millions of stickers are placed on kiwifruit every year.

collecting and separating the paper tailings for pig and dairy farmers since 2014.

For the last two years, all of Trevelyan’s backing paper has been delivered to Te Puke farmer Brendon Bragg.

“I have three herd homes all connected together, and we have filled up the first two with a 60cm layer of backing paper covered in sawdust,” says Brendon.

“Because the weather has been good the last two seasons I’ve only really had the calves in there, so the paper is still working well.

“Once it breaks down more, the plan is to try and compost the paper and put it on the maize paddocks, but we haven’t reached that stage yet.”

Brendon says time will tell if the paper is a viable long-term option. “We’re still learning, but for now it’s a win-win situation: it’s cheap for me, and a convenient, waste-reducing option for Trevelyan’s.”

With a third herd home yet to fill, Brendon’s farm will be Trevelyan’s go-to place for the backing paper for some time yet.

“If it proves to be a good long-term option, we’ll look at the logistics of transporting the paper to farms further afield,” says Sarah.

“We’re lucky at the moment as Brendon’s farm is close to the packhouse, which is handy when delivering tonnes of paper.”

Sarah says finding a sustainable way forward for kiwifruit stickers is an industry-wide conversation.

“The stickers are a challenge really. We don’t like putting them on fruit because they don’t break down – but from a food safety and a traceability perspective, stickers are essential.

“The organic kiwifruit market is trialing biodegradable stickers. There are also industry-wide discussions about printing labels onto the fruit itself, but that presents other challenges like choosing an ink that’s safe but will last through the cool chain process.

“It’s definitely a challenging issue not just for the kiwifruit industry, but for the entire fruit industry.

“Finding a solution for all of our waste streams is something Trevelyan’s is committed to, and will keep working towards.”

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KIWIFRUIT

Page 29

Ahuwhenua horticulture awards back on A new date has been set for the inaugural Ahuwhenua Trophy competition for Horticulture and the Young Maori Grower Award.

Covid-19 postponed the final judging round and field days with finalists in the competition scheduled for March and April – now judging is resuming this month so the awards dinner can take place on Friday, November 20, at Rotorua Energy Events Centre.

And of the finalists, Ngai Tukairangi Trust will still hold a field day on Thursday, October 8 from 9.30am at Hungahungatoroa Marae, Matapihi, Tauranga. All are welcome to attend this public field day.

The competition’s three finalists are Te Kaha 15B, Hineora Orchard, a Maori freehold land block in the Eastern Bay of Plenty township of Te Kaha; Otama Marere located at Paengaroa who grow a mixture of Green, SunGold and organic kiwifruit

as well as avocados; and Ngai Tukairangi Trust, which is a very large kiwifruit operation with one of its orchards, based at Matapihi, just a few kilometres from the centre of Tauranga city.

And while the Ahuwhenua Trophy Management Committee appreciate that in these uncertain times there is a risk that things may change at the last minute, they will continue to plan with confidence that they will be able to host the event.

Check for updates at: www. ahuwhenuatrophy.maori.nz

Timing is crucial for product’s success Timing is key to getting the best results – so kiwifruit growers need to order their Agrizest and Primazest products now to make the most of the programmes’ benefits, according to Zest Biotech.

Agrizest is a unique Kiwi technology that’s proven to increase plant health and Orchard Gate Returns in New Zealand orchards, says Zest Biotech chief technical officer Nathan Balasingham.

“For a strong start to the season growers can begin by applying Primazest at the two-leaf stage with two applications seven days apart.

Primazest is formulated for early-season kiwifruit growth, to For a strong start to the season reduce stress from growers can begin by applying variable spring Primazest at the two-leaf stage. weather conditions such as frost or high winds and to support energy production during early-growth stages.”

But Nathan says the most important part of the programme is the four Agrizest applications: two applications two-three weeks before flowering followed by two applications after flowering – one immediately after the bees are removed and the final application

three-seven days later.

“Agrizest is an elicitor of the phenylpropanoid pathway for vine health and crop performance that’s been developed, tested and proven on NZ kiwifruit orchards for more than 10 years.

“Agrizest improves plant health, reduces damage and stress caused by pests, disease and environmental factors, and improves fruit quality and yield,” says Nathan.

Both products are NZ-made by Pukekohe-based Zest

Two Agrizest applications are required twothree weeks before flowering followed by two applications after flowering.

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Ngai Tukairangi Trust is the only one of three 2020 Ahuwhenua finalists to hold field a day, which will take place on October 8.

Page 30

CARTAGE & EARTHWORKS

An aerial view of the recently-constructed inanga ponds alongside the Whakatane River, looking east towards the SH30 bridge.

Excavating a number of small, interconnected ponds in the river berm alongside the Whakatane River has provided a new off-river habitat for inanga and eels.

The riverside berm has been leased for grazing

by Bay of Plenty Regional Council for many years as a convenient way of keeping the area tidy and controlling weeds.

However, earlier this year, the council’s Rivers and Drainage team decided to trial a different approach that will increase the environmental and amenity values of that area.

Now, inanga can enjoy a new spawning habitat alongside the river.

BOPRC rivers and drainage operations manager Bruce Crabbe says the project is multi-stage.

“Downstream of the Awatapu Lagoon outlet we’re progressively retiring sections from stock grazing and converting the higher areas to a hay growing operation.

“In the lower, wet areas, we’re improving the habitat for native fish, wading birds and whitebait along with a few changes to improve public access for recreation.

“At the Ferry Road location, we have excavated a number of small, interconnected ponds to provide off-river habitat for inanga and eels.”

The area surrounding the ponds has now been planted with more than 3000 native plants, and

shallow areas have been created around the ponds to provide spawning areas for inanga.

“The ponds will provide a safe haven for the adult inanga, away from predatory fish in the main river channel, so there is a healthy population of adult fish for spawning. So we ask that people don’t net whitebait in the ponds so the juvenile inanga have a chance to develop into a good population of adults.

“Other wildlife seem to be enjoying the new environment as well and we’ve seen a variety of native birds around the area,” says Bruce.

The ponds are connected to the river by small channels to allow tidal fluctuations to regularly refresh the ponds system that are designed to retain plenty of water even at low tide. The ponds are located alongside a low-lying wet area that already has good wading bird habitat.

BOPRC is working collaboratively with Whakatane District Council to improve public access and amenity value in that area. The excess spoil produced from the ponds excavation was used to improve the walkway and cycleway between Ferry Road and the rowing club.

“These grassed areas within man-made stopbanks are a common sight across the country so this trial is a chance to check how we can improve the amenity of these areas and better reflect the natural river movements and native habitats that they foster,” says Bruce.

CARTAGE & EARTHWORKS

Page 31

How can we mitigate greenhouse gases?

Climate change affects all of us and reducing greenhouse gas emissions must be a priority.

Carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are the three main greenhouse gases, affecting the climate by warming the planet.

Carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide are considered long-lived gases, remaining in the atmosphere for centuries. Carbon dioxide causes sustained warming for thousands of years.

Methane is a relatively short-lived gas that breaks down within a few decades. However, once emitted into the atmosphere it causes a lingering warming effect for a long time after the methane itself has gone. One tonne of biological methane traps approximately 33 times more heat than a tonne of carbon dioxide during a 100-year period.

Globally, agriculture is the largest source of anthropogenic nitrous oxide emissions, accounting for between 56 per cent and 81 per cent of the total. In New Zealand, agriculture accounts for an estimated 94 per cent of the anthropogenic nitrous oxide emissions.

Each molecule of nitrous oxide is about 300 times more powerful than one molecule of carbon dioxide in terms of greenhouse potentiality. Nitrous oxide is both potent, like methane, and persistent, like carbon dioxide.

Urine patches About 80 per cent of our country’s total nitrous oxide emissions come from urine patches on paddocks. One recent Government report indicates that nitrous oxide emissions have increased by almost half since 1990.

Increases in emissions from dairy cattle and road transport remain the largest contributors to the growth in emissions since 1990. During the last 20 years, our farmers have improved the emissions efficiency of production by about one per cent a year.

Agricultural emissions are linked to intensive

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farming. In 2018, NZ’s greenhouse gas emissions comprised of 44 per cent carbon dioxide, 43 per cent methane, 10 per cent nitrous oxide and two per cent fluorinated gases. The agriculture and energy sectors were the two largest contributors to NZ’s greenhouse gas emissions, at 48 per cent and 41 per cent respectively.

Methane emissions are higher on farms with higher stocking rates and higher dry-matter consumption.

Some of the options to reduce methane are lowering replacement rates, reducing the dry matter feed per cow, and lowering stocking rates.

Nitrous oxide gas generally comes from the conversions in the soil by microbes of nitrogen in fertilisers, urine and dung. When soils become anoxic, nitrate can be sequentially reduced to nitrous oxide and inert nitrogen. This is called de-nitrification.

Minimising erosion

Minimising human-induced erosion and maintaining good soil quality are essential for maintaining soil ecosystem services such as nutrient and water buffering, productive capacity, assimilating waste and minimising impacts of sediment and other contaminants on water bodies.

Other good practices include optimum cultivation, avoiding over-grazing and heavy grazing under wet weather leading to compaction, avoiding under or over-fertilisation, practising appropriate use of pesticides and other agrochemicals, managing pasture to maintain complete soil cover and careful application of farm dairy effluent to avoid saturation and optimise organic matter.

The options for reducing nitrous oxide could be reducing nitrogen inputs through judicious use of fertilisers, using low nitrogen feeds and improving pasture quality.

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

Page 32

ENVIRO FRIENDLY FARMING

Co-op begins shift to renewable energy Fonterra’s Te Awamutu site is taking its next step in its transition away from coal use, with commissioning the use of wood pellets last month.

The co-operative announced the Te Awamutu site’s move to renewable energy at the beginning of 2020, with the site previously using a mix of coal, gas and electricity to process milk.

Fonterra chief operating officer Fraser Whineray says sustainability is core to the co-op’s long-term strategy and while Covid-19 has presented some challenges, they’ve still managed to complete the decarbonisation project at Te Awamutu before the spring milk arrived.

“We did have delivery delays with certain offshore components, and I’m pleased with the outcome thanks to our team and suppliers.

It’s really important sustainability investments like this are maintained despite the pandemic challenges.”

The move away from coal at Te Awamutu is part of Fonterra’s plans to have net-zero emissions at its manufacturing sites by 2050.

Once completed, the transition at Te Awamutu will reduce the co-op’s national coal consumption by almost 10 per cent, saving more than 84,000 tonnes of carbon emissions per year – the same as taking 32,000 cars off the road.

“It’s a positive step towards meeting our interim target of achieving a 30 per cent reduction

Fonterra employees Jonathon Milne and Kevin Liao during the wood pellet trial at Te Awamutu last year. then use to reduce their greenhouse in emissions by 2030 and shows emissions,” says Natures Flame us what can be achieved by using operations manager John Goodwin. wood biomass to decarbonise our EECA chief executive Andrew manufacturing sites.”

Caseley says industrial process heat Fraser says partnering has makes up a little over one-quarter been important in reaching this of the country’s energy-related sustainability milestone. emissions.

“We value our partnerships with “There’s enormous potential in Natures Flame and the Energy NZ to bring those emissions down Efficiency Conservation Authority – they are integral to major projects significantly by moving away from coal, as Fonterra is doing. This is like this.” the largest boiler conversion project Natures Flame pellets are made to biofuels to date, so our funding from renewable, plantation-based fibre residues from local sawmills in via the technology demonstration programme will help to derisk it. the form of sawdust and shavings.

“It also has added benefit of “We use renewable geothermal establishing a more viable and energy to transform the residues large-scale wood pellet supply into a premium and reliable fuel, chain.” which customers like Fonterra can

Extremely easy solution to stop rust naturally Prolan’s new lanolin ‘Extreme’ product is proving to be a successful natural rust protection solution for some of the toughest testing grounds around, according to users.

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In NZ the product has proved successful in the fight against corrosion for the Ninety Mile Beach spat farming industry.

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Prolan coating as a crucial The ‘Extreme’ product – part of their maintenance manufactured in New Zealand programme, reducing downtime using sheep’s wool lanolin – protects Prolan Extreme applied to equipment and machinery exposed to motorhome chassis to prevent rust. in maintenance and component replacement, with improved fertiliser, sand, salt and mud.

WOF and COF pass rates and resale value on Prolan director Murray Shaw says the product was machinery.” initially developed for the Danish offshore turbine Murray says wherever the environment is harsh windmill industry as a long-term natural rust on gear – rust is an ever-present problem. “Prolan protection with a less tacky finish. is effective in shutting off the supply of oxygen to a “‘Extreme’ has proved itself, as once applied it stays surface. It can be used on areas where existing rust is on and protects in harsh environments, reducing present and it prevents it going any further.

“The preparation time is minimal – the surface just needs to be clean and dry. For example, a used vehicle chassis may require a quick waterblast and wire brush over flaky rust, then Prolan can be applied straight over the surface.”

Prolan ‘Extreme’ is a perfect coating for chassis on 4WDs, trucks, motorhomes, loaders, fertiliser spreaders, horticultural tractors, plus spray equipment, bridges or marine applications.

“The product is easily applied using a trigger pack, airless spray gun or garden sprayer – for smaller areas, it is also available in an aerosol form.”

ENVIRO FRIENDLY FARMING

Page 33

A farm driven by conservation efforts Regenerating native species is at the heart of Blue Duck Station, a farm in the Central North Island covering 2800 hectares of beautifulbut-tough hill country terrain, surrounded by Whanganui National Park.

Many would consider the land too hard to farm, but owner Dan Steele says “it is just a matter of using the land for what it is best suited for”.

And ensuring that practices are sustainable, is what makes Blue Duck more like a conservation project than a farm.

In their efforts to reduce their environmental impacts, Dan is working with Avalon Genetics to breed a sheep that will require minimal chemical inputs.

Dan Steele and his pet lamb. home to a healthy population of about 30 blue ducks.

“The blue duck is a great identifier of a healthy environment,” says Dan. “It needs the water quality to be really high, good rainforest surrounding the Ultimate sheep stream to provide shade and insects “We are aiming to breed our ‘ultimate for food, and it needs a predator-free sheep’,” says Dan. “If they have a environment. bare tail and belly that will mean “Anything wrong with your no docking, and minimal dagging, environment and the blue ducks can’t dipping, or drenching will be required, survive so we have to get it right.” which will be a lot less work for us and But protecting this species, and mean that the sheep will essentially be others, is a constant battle. Dan and his able to survive out on these steep and team work hard to trap predators that wild hills on their own.” prey on native species using sustainable Dan and his team have also trapping and hunting practices with undertaken the massive task to 400 certified humane traps and 1500 reestablish wetlands around the farm bait stations on-farm. Some of their and fence them off from stock. offerings to tourists also include “Establishing wetlands and planting guided hunting trips to help keep land natives around the waterways will help mammals at a sustainable level. to naturally purify the water coming Visitors are a big part of the station. down off the hills and encourage native Along with honey – Blue Duck flora and fauna to regenerate in the produced 49,000kg of high-grade area,” says Dan. manuka this year – tourism provides One native species that is flourishing another opportunity for Dan to at Blue Duck, is its namesake, the diversify and avoid the need for whio, or ‘blue duck’. The station is intensive stock farming.

The station’s undeniable beauty brings tourists from worldwide. The team at Blue Duck Station uses each opportunity to educate their visitors about endangered native NZ species, and the vital conservation work they do to protect them.

On-farm fine dining

Dan has also gone into business with British chef Jack Cashmore to create an extremely unique fine dining experience on one of the farm’s highest ridges with views of surrounding protected bushland, and volcanoes, which also offers boutique accommodation.

Conservation is central to Blue Duck Station’s work

and continues to dictate each decision they make.

“You can’t do conservation work for a while and then stop,” says Dan. “Otherwise the situation will go back to where it was within a couple of months.

This is an ongoing project for us, so I can pass this land onto future generations with pride.”

For more information, see: https://blueduckstation. co.nz And find out more about Avalon Genetics – which helps farmers breed high performance, multi-disease resistant, low-input sheep with less chemical and labour inputs to improve profits – at: https://www. avalongenetics.co.nz

Page 34

MAIZE, CROPPING & SPRING PLANTING

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The 2020 maize trials for the Foundation of Arable Research have managed to more or less stay on-track despite the knock-on effect of the Covid-19 Level 4 March lockdown, says FAR general manager – research, development and extension, Andrew Pitman.

“After a number of silage harvests were missed, and following a delay in the harvest of the grain crops, we were late to get the Maize Performance Programme Booklet out, but we got there.

“We were lucky to come out of lockdown when we did as our cover crop trials were also due to be planted and we were largely able to achieve that.”

And so 2020 sees the continuation of trials started in previous years, and the start of several new projects.

Year one of a four-year project for understanding yield potential in maize will compare information from existing trial results and actual yield records from harvesters, grain companies etc to commercially-promoted yields. This will identify key factors influencing yield and profitability in New Zealand maize systems.

Trials will then be developed to demonstrate how combining best practice management approaches can enhance profitability rather than yield. This includes the use of an updated version of the AmaizeN tool that can be used to estimate nitrogen (N) fertiliser needs, based on realistic yield targets.

Year one of a five-year trial will compare the N-Use-Efficiency (NUE) of maize grain and

silage systems in the Waikato to improve understanding of the utility of the NUE indicator for informing N management FAR general manager – decisions, compliance research, development requirements and and extension, Dr greenhouse gas (GHG) Andrew Pitman. emission reporting across arable crops.

A related two-year project will bring together a group of farmers as maize nitrogen managers to assess whether the NUE indicator is practical for farmers to implement for nitrogen management, and for reporting as part of their Farm Environmental Plans.

Andrew particularly mentioned a herbicide resistance survey in maize crops. “In some of our regions, we’ve noticed widespread resistance to herbicide in rye grass, which is a key part of the maize rotation cycle.

“So we are looking to address this issue by surveying maize paddocks in North Island systems.”

This survey will inform ongoing weed management research being conducted by AgResearch and FAR using cover crops.

A three-year project to enhance stover breakdown during winter and early-spring to aid direct drilling establishment of both cover crops and maize in a continuous maize system, is designed to offer practical results and guidelines for maize grain production, incorporating various cover crops Catherine Fry during winter.

MAIZE, CROPPING & SPRING PLANTING

Page 35

Keep maize pests at bay With spring beckoning the start of maize season, the Foundation for Arable Research has released updates of seedling pests.

Here, we focus on information to prevent the occurrence of argentine stem weevil and greasy cutworm.

Argentine stem weevil

Argentine stem weevil (Listronotus bonariensis) was first recognised as a pest in NZ in 1933 and is now regarded as one of our major insect pests. Both adult and larval stages feed on a range of cereal host plants and grasses and maize.

Maize can become infested with ASW larvae if planted without a suitable fallow period, about six weeks, after cultivation following pasture, annual ryegrass or cereal crops, or in previously-cropped ground where grass weeds are present.

In these conditions, partly-developed larvae transfer from decaying grass tillers and tunnel into young maize plants.

ASW can kill maize plants before they emerge, while seedling damage can resemble moisture stress – for example, centre leaves wilt and turn blue-grey.

The growing point is usually eaten, resulting in collapse and plant death at the two- to four-leaf stage. Movement of ASW larvae between maize seedlings is rare and larval development is usually completed in a single seedling. Almost all ASW damage occurs in the first four weeks of plant growth.

Use of Integrated Pest Management

methods should be considered when trying to reduce the risk of ASW damage.

IPM offers an opportunity to move away from a routine broad-spectrum insecticide-based approach to pest management by considering cultural and biological strategies.

Full details of IPM methods and considerations are at: https://www. far.org.nz/articles/278/far-focus-12integrated-pest-management The best method of controlling ASW larvae is implementation of a fallow period of six weeks prior to planting. The fallow starts when all grass is completely buried. Cultivate to achieve a fine, even seedbed ensuring all clods are broken up to hasten vegetation breakdown. During the six-weeks, the ASW larvae move to the soil surface where they die from starvation and desiccation.

In no-till or strip-till systems, a chemical fallow can be used to terminate the winter crop six weeks before maize sowing.

If crops are planted into areas at risk of ASW damage without a fallow period an insecticide should be used. Treated seed is the best option for ASW control. More details at: https://www.far.org.nz

level after emergence. Often a severed seedling is dragged into the cutworm’s ‘burrow’. In larger maize plants, cutworm can tunnel inside the stem.

IPM methods

Larval feeding often destroys the growing point, at the plant base, killing the seedling. Plants cut above the growing point usually survive but have greatly-reduced yields.

Cutworm infestations of three per cent of plants before the two-leaf

stage, or six per cent at the two-four leaf stage, can equate to losses of more than 10,000 plants/ha.

Use of IPM methods should be considered when trying to reduce risk of greasy cutworm damage.

The success of any greasy cutworm control programme depends upon recognising field conditions that favour their development and undertaking frequent scouting, from seedling emergence, to enable early detection. If required, a properlytimed application of an appropriate

insecticide will achieve good control.

Destroying alternative hosts such as docks, or cultivating before planting will reduce cutworm numbers. A sixweek fallow period before planting can also be beneficial. Treating seed with the neonicotinoids gives shortterm control, particularly where cutworm numbers aren’t high, and has the added benefit of helping to control black beetle and Argentine stem weevil.

Read this article in full at: https://www. coastandcountrynews.co.nz/

Greasy cutworm

Greasy cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon) has a very wide host range including maize and occurs in all of NZ’s maize-growing regions. Young larvae are foliar feeders while older larvae feed on seedlings at, or below, ground level. Damage can start before maize emergence, but typically plants are cut and felled at ground

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Page 36

MAIZE, CROPPING & SPRING PLANTING

Roustabout 840 your safened solution ®

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MAIZE, CROPPING & SPRING PLANTING

Page 37

Maize herbicides – more than meets the eye ground soon after seed sowing to protect maize yields from weed competition.

“But not all acetochlor formulations are equal, and this matters as maize is a grass species,” says Chris.

Roustabout 840 is one of the few acetochlors available with a safener. This ensures the emergence of maize seedlings that are not stressed from the herbicide, and better able to resist other earlygrowth challenges such as cold, wet conditions.

“We’ve done research that shows you only have to grow a very small amount of extra yield – 14kg/ha of grain, or 18-30kg/ha DM silage – to cover the cost of using Roustabout 840 versus an unsafened acetochlor.”

Chris says in a season like this one, when good silage yields in particular are vital to restore

To increase your maize yield this season, use Nufarm’s pre-emergent herbicide range, including Roustabout 840 – a safened acetochlor.

A little homework on herbicides this season could make a big difference to your maize yield.

That’s the advice from Nufarm territory manager Chris Brenan, who

says it pays to specify exactly which products are used for pre-emergence weed control in maize silage and grain crops.

The grass weed killer acetochlor, for example, is often applied to bare

Swift action needed to fill tractor seats

Rural Contractors NZ CEO Roger Parton.

Rural Contractors NZ CEO Roger Parton is welcoming the move by government to allow 210 agricultural and horticultural mobile plant operators into NZ to help with this cropping and harvest season.

But he says the industry is now reliant on the swiftness of government departments to put the processes in place to get workers on the ground as quickly as possible.

“We appreciate being able to bring in the 210 workers – but we are pushing the barrow at this stage because the season is already starting,” says Roger, who says maize is already going in the ground.

“So I’m working with the Ministry for Primary Industries and Immigration NZ to get this all in place as quickly as possible – but we have two issues.

“First, is bringing the people into NZ and getting flights for that; the second is the two weeks’ quarantine facility they have to go into when they arrive.”

“So yes it is good news, but getting everybody on the ground – that is the real issue.”

Roger says RCNZ has told the Government, like in Bluegrass Contracting’s situation – see page 26 of this edition – that some agricultural operators do require workers for eight months each season.

The Government announced mid-September that it had established class exceptions for border entry for a limited number of veterinarians, deep sea fishing crew, plus agricultural and horticultural machinery operators – but these exceptions would have a six-month time limit.

“But the border exemption for critical other workers – if you want people here longer than six months – there are salary implications you’d have to meet and that is way outside what we’re talking about.

“So the only way is within a six-month period and we will be arguing that the two weeks’ mandatory quarantine should not be inclusive of that six month time-limit for working here. It should be exclusive.”

Roger says those contractors in need of workers over an eight-month period are now faced with doubledipping – using local people if they can and then bringing in foreign workers at a later time with the cost of travel and of isolation. “And there’s not a lot we can do about those costs at this stage.”

The 210 workers figure was determined by RCNZ surveying its membership to calculate the bare minimum of overseas workers they would need to get through this cropping/harvesting season.

And with MPI, Immigration NZ and RCNZ working together on the process, Roger hopes the industry can get

workers on the ground as soon as possible.

“We have to arrange air travel and arrange beds in quarantine facilities and suchlike. We do have people ready to start in October and November – and we hope to address the most urgent needs first.

“But really, we’re reliant on the ability of government to respond quickly on it.”

Read one agricultural contractor’s thoughts on the situation on page 26.

Merle Cave

supplements depleted by drought, “close attention to such details is part of best practice crop establishment”.

“Industry research has shown uncontrolled weed competition can cut maize yields by 10-20 per cent, and pre-emergence herbicides are a key step in preventing this.”

Recommended rates of Roustabout 840 mixed with either Nutrazine 900DF or Flowable Atrazine will control a wide range of both grass and broadleaf weeds in maize grain and silage crops, says Chris.

For more information, contact your local Nufarm territory manager by viewing Nufarm’s advert opposite this page. Roustabout is a registered trademark of Nufarm Ltd.

Page 38

MAIZE, CROPPING & SPRING PLANTING

Maize – the multi-purpose athlete

G

N& rai

SEED DrESSi

VP Maxx’s Barry Smallridge, Grant McDonald and Joe Heng are available to help growers with advice.

CRID G E SEEDS

NG

qua lity paSturE SEED

Maize, first domesticated by the Mexican people 10,000 years ago, has offered New Zealand maize growers a tool that can be used to extend lactation, assist cow condition, and fill feed deficits.

“Its numerous benefits mean it is seen by many as the multi-purpose athlete,” says VP Maxx account manager Barry Smallridge.

“The definition of an athlete is a ‘skilled performer’ but to perform, each athlete must adhere to certain disciplines.

“For maize to perform, the nutrient management of the plant is paramount.”

Nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium combined represent around 83 per cent of the total nutrients absorbed by a maize plant.

The secondary nutrients calcium, magnesium, and sulphur represent a further 16 per cent of the total absorbed nutrients.

Barry says to grow a finely-turned maize plant and attain peak performance can be made difficult because the maize plant can easily be over-fertilised

due to it showing no symptoms of excessive uptake of N. “Maize, having a deep-rooted structure – up to 1.8m – can utilise nutrients that have dropped below the root zone of shallow-rooted pasture species.

“The cultivation of pasture paddocks results in the release of N from soil organic matter. Higher organic matter soils or long-term dairy farm pasture paddocks tend to release a significant amount of N through mineralisation.”

Research has shown crops grown on these soils may not require any N fertiliser, especially if the paddocks have a history of effluent application.

“Long-term maize paddocks will require a higher nutrient input to assure the maize plants become outstanding athletes.

“This topic is massive, however growers should be mindful that around 13kg of N, 2.75kg of P, 12kg of K, 1.7kg of Mg and 1.4kg of S are removed from each tonne of silage DM grown.

“Thinking of the maize plant as an athlete and making sure its nutritional needs are met – and not exceeded – will help you get the best from your crop this season.”

MAIZE, CROPPING & SPRING PLANTING

Page 39

Ordering feed now is your best insurance policy ground by end of September. Those growing maize need to spray out and get paddocks ready. Those growing turnips and chicory should get them in early if they can spare the ground. If not, order maize!

With NZ now in recession, the country will rely heavily on agriculture for some time yet. So banks need to reassess their funding strategies to help

It looks like we could have a La Nina event – but who knows when this is going to kick in and for how long.

Meanwhile, it is very dry. In the first three weeks of September 2019, we had 96mm of rain. We had 5mm of rain for the same period this year – and winds drying out ground. That doesn’t cut the mustard for grass growth on the hill country.

One block we’ve had for 12 years has never been so dry. So we need rain. I’ve had some farmers with plans to cut silage before putting in maize but there’s no silage – it’s been eaten by cows to extend the round out, not shorten it. That tells you there’s a feed shortage.

Another farmer said a month ago he wouldn’t buy maize this year; he didn’t need it. He’d do some of his own and had a stack of maize silage left. He rang yesterday to order the same amount he took in 2019.

People’s memories are short and things can change so quickly. Many farmers who bought maize last year haven’t re-ordered. They’re waiting to see what the weather brings but the frustrating part for us is last year, when people needed feed it wasn’t there because pre-orders hadn’t been done. And maize growers had committed their produce to grain; this year could be worse because the grain price is up. This makes it very hard to help out if and when things get dry.

So right now, all farmers need to do a really good assessment of the current situation of their whole farming26.5 system and what they have on-hand – and x 18cm order supplementary feed now – so if things do go

and support farmers. As my old man always said: ‘Flog the horse that works; not the dead one!’ The same applies to councils; they may need to ease off on water policies so farmers can help the country recover.

We have good quality silage for sale; and we’re still taking orders for maize so we know how much to plant. So get in touch today!

dry, they have an insurance policy.

The predicted La Nina is not a given. Ordering feed now is an insurance policy, just like paying insurance if your home burns down or lightning strikes, so you’re covered.

Hawke’s Bay is still dry. Now there’s an extra 25,000 animals there to feed that were meant to board ships for live export, but this activity was suspended after the Gulf Livestock 1 tragedy. We always struggle to sell feed to farmers when they’ve got feed. But we’ve only had two-thirds of our usual rainfall so far for 2020.

We thought most farmers may have learnt from last year, and ordered feed early in case it turns dry.

But they haven’t; this is what concerns me. Feed gets expensive when there’s a shortage. Prices go up to accommodate extra travel we have to do to source feed from far-flung areas when local feed runs out.

And don’t forget about global warming! Don’t listen to Trump!

Swamp farmers are having a really good season because it’s the driest they’ve had for 20 years. Their pastures are growing in moist swamp areas. They’re humming along making silage. One farmer who is usually chasing every blade of grass has 40ha he could cut for silage. But hill country farmers need rain otherwise they could run short of feed later.

To start cropping, we’re waiting for warmer soil temperatures. Last year we started planting earlyOctober. You need 14 degrees Celsius and rising before planting. Hopefully we get something in the

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FORESTRY

Page 40

Cost to taxpayers if production forests restricted Taxpayers are likely to have to pay billions of dollars for imported carbon credits if planting production forests is to be restricted with the idea of protecting farming, according to the Forest Owners Association.

more than 50ha that is classified as arable.

FOA president Phil Taylor says one-quarter of the forest estate is already on these land classes. “If foresters were only allowed to plant the harder non-arable class 6-7 land, then the overall forest planting rate will fall.”

The warning comes after Environment Minister David Parker said Labour would use the Resource Management Act to limit forest planting on areas of

Choice

Phil says that would mean NZ would most likely to be well short of enough forests to meet the Government’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 through carbon sequestration. And this would result in either importing expensive carbon credits, or NZ will not meet its 2050 carbon neutrality target. “Planting restrictions would also be a hit on iwi and farmers who want the choice to plant trees for harvest on the land they own, for sound economic as well as environmental reasons,” says Phil.

“Banning forests stems from some idea that farming is automatically a better land use.

That’s taking away landowner choice of how to produce from their own land.

“The recent PwC report into the employment and income of hill country farming found that production forestry, per hectare, is ahead on both counts.

“Forest products are a $7 billion industry and hugely important for many rural communities. The government plan would be both an economic and an environmental step backwards.”

“I can’t see what the panic is about. The total plantation estate is 74,000ha smaller than it was in 2003. It’s only occupying seven per cent of the farmed or plantation forested arable land area. It’s hardly a

takeover.” Phil is emphatic that he’s not referring to carbon forests where the owner has no intention to harvest the trees. “There is a place for these carbon forests. It’s on the most highly-erodible land, which would be unprofitable and irresponsible to harvest.”

And so Phil says it’s a mystery as to why the Government appears to have abandoned a previous commitment to use trees to soak up atmospheric carbon, such as through the 1B Programme. “It’s not as though there has been any breakthrough with reducing any of the greenhouse gasses NZ is producing. Our gross emissions are still 20 per cent above what they were 30 years ago.

“We still have to work out how we are going to deal with agricultural emissions, which make up 48 per cent of NZ’s total greenhouse emissions.

“We are still in the same situation as when the Productivity Commission in 2018 concluded that whatever technology, politics or market reduction there was, there would

still have to be a huge reliance on pine forestry to get to carbon zero by 2050.”

Phil says without the full range of forest planting options, there is no way NZ is going to meet its targets without more draconian and unpalatable action to reduce emissions further down the track.

Long term

Although he points out that carbon sequestration ability of trees stops being an answer in the longer term. “Pines are the only viable immediately available option to reduce net emissions. But we can’t rely on this for more than perhaps one harvest rotation.

“Longer-term measures have to include drastic reductions of use of petrochemicals and development of renewable technologies.

Forestry has a role in this as well with such products as plastic replacements and alternative fuels.

“Don’t rely on our industry for the longterm answers, but just as much don’t get in the way of us providing the short-term solutions,” says Phil.

Wood preference policy is good Forest owners say a government policy to give preference to low greenhouse gas emission materials in government construction is good for the environment and the timber construction industry.

Forest Owners Association president Phil Taylor says the Labour Party promised a policy to use timber as a first option for government building contracts before the last election. “It’s great to have the policy announced at last, which cites wood as the preferred material. It’s an opportunity to get government officials whose job it is to specify for construction materials to seize on new timber technologies now available, such as cross laminated timber and laminated veneer lumber.”

Phil says mid-rise construction is now possible; and the Government announced in July that building codes for all construction would increasingly reflect a priority of protecting the environment under a Building for Climate Change policy. “The two new policies, one for government construction, and another for construction in general, are over time going to benefit both the forest industry and domestic timber processing industry as well.”

Farm Forestry Association president Hamish Levack supports the policy, saying small-scale foresters are very vulnerable to price fluctuations. “If there’s a new domestic demand driver through wood preference then smallscale foresters are more likely to get back into business and provide income and employment for harvest crews.”

DAIRY

Fonterra CEO Miles Hurrell says 2019/2020 was a good year for the co-op, with profit up, debt down and a strong milk price.

Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited announced its annual results mid-September, with a final Farmgate Milk Price of $7.14 per kgMS and a dividend of five cents per share for the 2019/2020 season, bringing the final cash payout for farmers to $7.19 per kgMS. Plus the co-op reported a profit of $659 million, up $1.3 billion; and net debt of $4.7 billion, down $1.1 billion.

“We increased our profit after tax by more than $1 billion, reduced our debt by more than $1 billion and this has put us in a position to start paying dividends again,” says Miles.

“I’m proud of how farmers and employees have come together to deliver these strong results in a challenging environment. They’ve had to juggle the extra demands and stress of Covid-19 and have gone above and beyond. I’d like to thank them for their hard work and support.

“This time last year we were announcing our new strategy and customer-led operating model. We were clear that to build a sustainable future we needed to focus on three interconnected goals – Healthy People, a Healthy Environment and a Healthy Business.

“We went on to deliver a strong performance for the first half. However, what none of us could have ever predicted was what then played out – a world facing Covid-19. The flow-on effects of the pandemic did impact our performance in the second half, particularly in our Consumer and Foodservice businesses.”

how we’ve responded to Covid-19.

“We’ve continued to reduce our environmental footprint, including hitting our 2020 target to reduce energy intensity across our NZ manufacturing sites by 20 per cent, from a 2003 baseline – cumulatively, that’s enough energy saved to power all the households in NZ for 1.5 years. [And] We’ve achieved our key financial targets with normalised earnings of 24 cents per share, a Total Group normalised gross profit of $3.2 billion, a $181 million reduction in capital expenditure and a $1.1 billion reduction in debt so the ratio of Debt to EBITDA has now improved to be

3.4 times our earnings, down from 4.4 times.”

Miles says the co-op’s work done to strengthen its balance sheet has allowed it to focus on managing Covid-19.

“So far, demand for dairy has proved resilient and our diverse customer base and ability to change our product mix and move products between markets has meant we can continue to drive value. We’re at our best when we’re clear on what we need to do, why and how, and the whole co-op is focused on it. When I look back on last year, it’s great to see how this clarity has helped us respond to challenges, adapt and deliver results.”

Year of two halves

Miles says as a result, 2019/2020 proved to be a year of two halves, but Fonterra delivered on all four of its priorities: “We’ve supported regional NZ, contributing around $11 billion into NZ’s rural economies through the milk price, and we’ve rethought our approach to community support with the aim of helping out more where it’s needed the most – such as, growing the KickStart Breakfast programme…to help get dairy nutrition to those that need it the most. We’ve built a great team through a focus on our culture, and we’ve seen that in action in

GRUNDFOS ®

Page 41

DAIRY

Page 42

Top Maori dairy farm competition opens for 2021 Entries are now being called for next year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy competition for the top Maori dairy farm.

Ahuwhenua Management Committee chairman Kingi Smiler says the competition is a wonderful opportunity for Maori to showcase to all New Zealanders the high standards that are achieved in their farming operations. “There is much talk about the need for dairy farmers to run sustainable farming operations

and significant progress has been made in the industry. In entering the competition, Maori have the opportunity to showcase this to the primary sector and wider community.

“For farmers, trusts and incorporations there is the benefit of receiving invaluable high quality feedback on their farms.”

Competition details and entry forms are available at: www. ahuwhenuatrophy.maori.nz

Stock enjoying grass on Forest Lakes Organic Farm in the Kapiti Coast district.

Dairy farmers focussed on providing nitrogen fixed by That change is coming in the agricultural clover are finding that although early-season growth is a sector is not in question – the only questions little less, summer and autumn growth is considerably are, how big and how soon? enhanced.

With environmental degradation heading many people’s priority list, it’s almost inevitable the incoming government will grasp the opportunity to make changes that will forever change our farming landscape.

The emotive button is water quality and environmental groups will lean heavily on it and with the urban voice louder than the rural, the outcome is predictable.

Fonterra is already planning for a substantial decline in milk volumes during the next five years due to a reduction in cow numbers, which they believe will be mandated in the near future.

People naturally resist change. We develop patterns of behaviour that provide order and certainty in our lives; and change is made only out of necessity.

Even when the benefits of change outweigh present practices we defend and maintain our current lifestyle until either through catastrophe, peer pressure, or regulation we are forced to adapt.

And in the farming community, particularly the fertiliser industry, the reliance on urea as the primary source of nitrogen for grazed pasture is coming to an end.

The conclusion of a report by a leading farm consultant, when comparing total farm performance of a Functional Fertiliser client with the district average, follows.

“Based on the above analysis the biological farm performs well in all respects when compared to the district average farm.

“It produces more base pasture, applies less nitrogen, runs a lower stocking rate and still achieves high production per hectare due to exceptionally high per-cow production. This is a very efficient farm system which produces a high farm profit and has less impact on the environment.”

That report was from the 20112012 season, when the Functional Farming System ‘biological’ farm grew 18,281kgDM/ha based on monthly cage cuts.

Annual pasture growth has steadily increased since with a high of 21,397kgDM/ha, an average of 59kg DM/ha/day during a 12-month period.

There is a limit to the amount grown, and the growth increase graph has flattened, however resilience has improved with low growth seasons above previous.

Nitrate nitrogen levels

No worries

Nitrate nitrogen levels rather than greenhouse gas emissions will be the catalyst for change as a reduction in synthetic nitrogen will necessarily reduce nitrous oxide and methane losses.

Nitrogen for pasture is provided by either synthetic N or that fixed naturally by clover, and less applied nitrogen does not necessarily result in less pasture being grown and fewer kilograms of milk solids or meat leaving the property.

A sheep breeding and fattening client on the Canterbury Plains recently commented that he no longer worries about dry summers, not because they don’t occur but because he knows that he’s doing the best he can.

Under a Functional Fertiliser programme pastures grow longer into a dry spell and recover more rapidly after, due in part to the ongoing increase in moistureholding capacity of the soil as carbon is sequestered.

Soil scientist/agricultural consultant Graham Shepherd, in a Visual Soil Assessment report of another client’s property, wrote that for every one per cent increase in soil carbon levels an extra 144,000 litres of water per hectare is held.

Soils become measurably more friable and plant roots access moisture, and nutrient, from a greater depth further delaying slow growth with the onset on summer.

The programmes are tailored to individual properties based on fertiliser history, stocking rate, and pasture requirement, with now an ideal time to get ahead of the game.

For more information, call Peter on 0800 843 809.

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

DAIRY

Page 43

Platforms Richard’s specialty There’s a new division at Milking & Water Systems Ltd, adding yet another service to their shed maintenance offerings that cover the wider Bay of Plenty area.

Rotary platform maintenance service manager Richard Palmer has joined the team, bringing 28 years of milking platform upkeep and building experience to Milking & Water Systems Ltd. Richard’s specialty is building new rotary platforms, custom-made to fit within existing shed structures and servicing all brands of existing platforms.

“Some platforms I’ve built still look the same 12 years later, which is the reliability you need when running a farm,” says Richard.

Working within the shed’s existing foundations and drainage often means

Innovative Innovative Design Design Improves Improves Efficiency Efficiency

built rotary platforms up to 54 bails.

Richard says maintenance is key to an efficient and costeffective rotary. He recommends Ezi-flo pit gates completely Ezi-flo pit gates completely a scheduled maintenance check clear exit ways and cannot clear exit ways and be touched by cowscannot leaving each season. “We’re general be touched bythe cows leaving milking area. engineers here, so as well as the milking area. building platforms we repair farm The fully galvanised gates machinery, fix and build backing are available in kitset for The fully galvanised gates gates – all sorts really.” speedy are available in installation kitset for Milking & Water Systems Ltd speedy installation director Innes Richardson says Rotary platform maintenance service manager Richard is a great asset to the Richard Palmer. business.

2 C OW S H E D there’s no need to seek council permissions.

“Finding someone who is easy to work “If we don’t expand the shed size getting Ph Jim 07-850 Mob. 0274 936 693 2 C5971 OW SH ED with and can find solutions to a whole new permits is not required, saving plenty Ph Chris 07-849 3630 Mob. 0274 936 692 range of agricultural engineering problems of time and money.”

Ph JimP.O. 07-850 5971 0274Hamilton 936 693 Box 10 188,Mob. Te Rapa, PITGATES is a priority for farmers when undertaking Ph Chris www.dairybuilders.co.nz 07-849 3630 Mob. 0274 936 692 From the design stage to completion, shed projects, making Richard a fantastic P.O. Box 10 188, Te Rapa, Hamilton Richard and his trusted team can complete PITGATES person for the job.” a platform build within six weeks. He’s MacKenzie Dyer www.dairybuilders.co.nz

0800 226974

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ezi-flo

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Vote to have a voice on DairyNZ Levy-paying farmers will have until October 20 to cast their votes on who they want elected to DairyNZ’s Board of Directors.

Voting opened on September 21, with three candidates nominated for two positions on the board. Waikato’s Jim van der Poel has put his name in the ring, along with Colin Glass and Cole Groves, who are both from Ashburton.

The two successful candidates will play a key role in supporting the governance and leadership of DairyNZ. Electionz.com returning officer Anthony Morton says levy-paying dairy farmers should vote and have their say for which farmer candidates they believe will best represent their views and guide the direction of the DairyNZ board.

“DairyNZ levy payers will receive a vote pack in the mail from September 21, so I encourage farmers to look out for their pack, which includes information about the candidates to

inform their vote.”

Voting takes place by internet and post.

DairyNZ’s board consists of five farmer-elected directors and three board-appointed directors. This year, farmer-elected directors Colin Glass and Jim van der Poel are both retiring by rotation.

One nomination was received for a Directors’ Remuneration Committee position, which reviews and recommends changes to directors’ payments and other benefits to directors each year. As only one vacancy exists, Shirley Trumper of Rotorua, has been declared elected unopposed as a committee member.

The successful candidates for all positions will be announced at DairyNZ’s AGM in Ashburton on October 21. For information on the candidates and voting, visit: dairynz. co.nz/agm

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LIFESTYLE FARMING

Page 44

Rescued goats need country homes Bay of Plenty animal rescue organisation Rescue, Revive, Rehome is looking for homes for about 100 baby male goats.

RRR’s Rowan Elliott says the goats – black, brown, white and mottled – were acquired about six weeks ago from dairy goat farms. They were surplus to requirements and would have been culled or used for meat.

“The farmer let us take them,” says Rowan. So she did. “Some of them were one-day-old.”

She’s found homes for about 60 of the wethers but still has 40 to go.

Castrated male goats make fantastic pets, says Rowan. They get on well with other animals and eat weeds.

But it’s not easy finding the perfect goat owner. Rowan says RRR doesn’t want to send the goats to homes where they are just going to be tethered up all day.

“The ideal owner would be someone on a lifestyle block or farm, and have a large paddock with plenty of forage.”

Feeding 100 extremely friendly and tame baby goats is a mammoth task and requires deep pockets.

Rowan says it costs $113 for a 20kg bag of milk powder every two days. “It’s our own money at the moment.”

But she is immensely appreciative of so many volunteers who also help out. “Mandy Priestley donated a huge amount of her time, milk powder and a large feeder. Her whole family came to help.”

Rowan says they were successful

Rowan Elliott is looking for people to adopt a baby goat. they are generally good animals last year rehoming baby goats. to have on a lifestyle farm because “The goats are great at weed they are placid and intelligent and control. And they make fantastic don’t require shearing or Tb testing. companions for horses and other animals.

“Hand-reared kids make good “But this year it’s been awful. pets for children. They can be Because of Covid-19 and because taught their name and to come of the bad drought, no one’s got when called, their lifespan is about grass. It’s getting better though.” the same as for a dog, and they are It’s not by chance that the herd animals which means they like acronym of GOAT stands for to have companions.”

Greatest Of All Time, says Rowan, To adopt a baby goat, contact as they were one of the first animals Rowan on 027 461 0888. If goats to be tamed by humans and were aren’t your thing, then there is also being herded 9000 years ago.

300 hens to find homes for, some The baby goats that RRR are sheep and a horse called ‘Nacho’. wanting to adopt out are all Saanen Rosalie Liddle Crawford and Toggenburg-cross. Rowan says

A guide to the dehorning cattle rules • Ideal for Cattle Troughs • High Flow • Side/Bottom Mount • Detatches to Clean • Compact/Robust

• Ideal for Cattle Troughs • High Flow • Side/Bottom Mount • Detatches to Clean • Compact/Robust

Recently, there’s been a number of changes in NZ to improve animal welfare across a range of species, in particular to significant surgical procedures for stock.

With the bedding in of last year’s new legal requirement, all cattle being disbudded/dehorned now require an appropriately-placed and effective local anaesthetic that is authorised by a veterinarian. This is true for all methods of horn tissue removal including hot iron cautery, scoop dehorning, amputation (guillotine) dehorning, and caustic paste.

•

distress, injury, or illhealth so prompt remedial action or advice is taken.

The three options available now include: • Veterinary staff perform the procedure of disbudding/dehorning.

• Veterinary Operating Instructions, known as VOIs, can be provided for local anaesthetic for Ideal for • providers Id C non-veterinary to proceed.

• Hig • Disbudding training • • Side/Bo and assessment for • Detatch • In addition, anyone veterinarians to train •disbudding/dehorning Compa non-veterinary/farm must be experienced personnel to effectively with, or have received administer local training in, correct use of anaesthetic, and disbud the method being used; calves. For example, and be able to recognise farmers who disbud their early signs of significant own calves will need to be trained by their vet to administer a local anaesthetic block.

Pain relief is essential for disbudding and improves recovery.

Training is required before administering local anaesthetic. The most common methods of administering local anaesthetic are via cornual and ‘bleb’ nerve blocks.

The process requires patience, technical competence and practice to be consistently effective.

Where the traditional corneal, aka horn, block has been used, the bleb block is an alternative method of achieving pain relief – it’s quicker and consistently effective.

Local anaesthetics available in NZ last about two hours, so a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug or long-acting topical anaesthetic can be used to extend pain control.

Contact your vet clinic for further details.

AVOCADOS

Let’s talk finishing fruit As we head into a key growth period, it’s timely to talk about finishing your fruit.

By mid-October a number of orchards will have completed their first pick, leaving the smaller fruit to grow in size. During the period from September to December it’s suggested that here in New Zealand the fruit will grow a size count every six weeks. That’s almost growing so fast you can hear it growing.

To ensure you achieve the maximum growth rate, you need to have your house – or rather tree – in order. You need to have a good nutrient feeding programme that delivers target minerals, nitrogen, potassium etc to the trees that enhances its growth. You need to have enough water and moisture available to optimise the tree growth.

This may involve irrigation during the flowering and post-flowering periods. Here in the Bay of Plenty we’re still seeing soil moisture deficits after the winter –

particularly in areas where there was a big summer dry.

You also need to have the tree in good health, particularly having debilitating pests such as six spotted mite and leaf roller well under control. While six spotted mite is not aggressive at this time of the year, if it’s around it will be laying down a base population during these key months with a resulting impact during summer months.

It’s also timely to consider if your tree is carrying too much fruit. We are busy cutting small fruit off the trees to lighten the load and to protect the available growth into the fruit we want to finish. If it’s too small, it’ll never make it to a marketable size. Remember, growth will slow significantly in the height of the summer heat.

So given we may have our first pick completed, there’s still plenty to do to get our fruit to the finish line.

EPA taking steps to reassess insecticide A decision-making committee appointed by the Environmental Protection Authority has found that grounds exist to reassess the insecticide, chlorpyrifos, and the related compound chlorpyrifos-methyl.

Chlorpyrifos is currently approved in New Zealand for commercial use in crops, as a veterinary medicine, and as a timber treatment chemical. It is an organophosphate, meaning it has an active ingredient that kills bugs and insects in orchards, vineyards, vegetable and cereal crops.

According to the EPA, several countries have moved to restrict or prohibit chlorpyrifos in recent years. The European Commission has not renewed its approval for the substance, Australia has cancelled domestic use, and Canada has proposed cancelling most existing uses.

Meanwhile, New Zealand studies have detected the presence of chlorpyrifos in streams, air, and soil.

“This application for grounds to reassess chlorpyrifos, chlorpyrifos-methyl, and substances containing them was initiated by the EPA,” says EPA acting general manager

of hazardous substances and new organisms, Dr Clark Ehlers.

Establishing grounds is a specific legal requirement that must be met under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act before an application can be made for a substance to be reassessed.

A reassessment is a formal review of the rules controlling a substance already in use in NZ. “Our decision-makers have now determined that grounds exist for a reassessment, based on significant new information about the effects of this substance,” says Clark.

“Chlorpyrifos is on the EPA’s priority chemicals list, which is made up of those substances we believe are most in need of review in NZ. The next step is a call for information, to seek more detail on how and where products containing these substances are being used.

“This will form the basis of a reassessment application, which will be formally prepared and opened for public submissions next year.”

Read the full decision on grounds for reassessment at: https://www.epa.govt.nz/assets/FileAPI/hsno-ar/ APP204032/APP204032_Final_Decision.pdf

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Page 45

AVOCADOS

Page 46

Enable the primary sector to perform Our GDP hit rock bottom at minus 12.2 per cent in the June quarter, and on top of that, the Government has already spent the $50 billion recovery package.

The financial cupboard is literally bare.

Everyone is talking about the rebound and they seem very confident. If there is one thing Covid-19 has taught us, it is predicting what is going to happen is not easy. In fact, I would say it is near to impossible. The result is we’ve all had to be very flexible. I can’t see any reason why the current uncertainty and the

ever-present unpredictable future will suddenly become certain and predictable.

Status quo

The problem with spending the $50 billion is it has not by-andlarge been spent on enabling NZ’s economic recovery. It’s been spent propping up the status quo with wage subsidies and the like.

With that money spent, how are these workers going to get paid?

Where are they going to work?

Accommodation and food services took a 47.4 per cent hit in the June quarter with hits also in mining, clothing and footwear, furniture manufacturing and transport.

Agriculture went down 2.2 per cent, but that drop was saved from going further down with fruit exports up 10 per cent and wine up 15 per cent. NZ is in recession.

Tourism, international education and hospitality will not be drivers for economic recovery in the immediate future. The main driver for economic recovery will be the primary sector; within this sector, horticulture and wine. So, the Government’s focus and support programmes need to be focused on the sector that will actually lead NZ’s economic recovery.

This requires a close partnership with government where what government does enables the primary sector to perform, feed NZ and trade our way out of the recession. None of that is going to be easy. And how things worked preCovid cannot be the way they work as we recover.

Recovery strategy

The collective horticulture groups have developed a Covid recovery strategy in conjunction with government. Through this strategy we aim to make a significant contribution to NZ’s economic recovery. But we can only do that if government gets the policy settings right and those need to be set now for our seasonal workforce: harvest is underway. We’ve explained what we need, and we’ve asked for it.

To enable horticulture to contribute to the recovery, there are six areas that need resourcing: 1. Develop programmes with industry to redeploy NZers who’ll work in horticulture but, with the skills required. This will take more than a year.

2. Enable unemployed NZers to

join the harvest trail starting with cherries and then apples, kiwifruit, other fruit and vegetables by providing financial travel, accommodation and training incentives and pastoral support.

3. Expand our bubble so workers can travel to and from the Pacific Covid-free countries.

4. Remove the cap on how many Pacifica workers can come into NZ to make up labour shortfalls.

5. Give stranded backpackers visa extensions to work in horticulture and wine and feed and accommodate themselves.

6. Recognise that we’re in a troubling crisis and reduce the compliance burden to let growers and farmers focus on growing us out of recession.

To let horticulture and wine contribute to our economic recovery, the Government has a series of decisions to make. These decisions are now overdue.

Great start to the new export season Strong quality and a new marketing campaign are supporting a great start to Just Avocados’ New Zealand avocado 2020-2021 export season.

Growers began harvest mid-August with most of the initial volume coming from earlier maturing orchards in the Far North.

Darling Group general manager of group sales and marketing Jacob Darling says quality assessments on Just Avocados’ arrived fruit have taken place in Australia, China, Taiwan and Thailand with all being positive to date.

“It is fantastic to see the outcomes when all Just Avocados’ stakeholders have worked hard to reassess the supply chain and our on-orchard practices to ensure we continue to deliver a premium product.”

Jacob says the grower services team have put together resources and a how-to video to assist growers when

HARVEST TIME? PICK WISELY...

At Just Avocados, we know what matters to you – because we’re growers too. That’s why 100% of our growers had 100% of their fruit picked in the 2019-20 season. It’s also why we offer three marketing options so you have the flexibility to harvest when it’s best for your tree health, cash flow and OGR performance.

Visit thetruthaboutOGR.co.nz to find out more about our flexible marketing options and how harvest decisions impact on return crop.

Or call us to discuss key influences on your profit.

Kyra Fielden

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027 476 9087 john@justavocados.co.nz

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

Vibrant point of sale marketing material has been launched into retail stores by Darling Group. making decisions on harvesting after rain. They have also held a workshop and made videos on best practice during harvest to maintain quality. “Last season, an average of 14.3 per cent of damage seen in the reject analyses could have been avoided with education of harvesters and vigilance at harvest time.”

Supporting brand awareness and sales of their avocados in Asia is a new marketing campaign with the tag line: ‘Family. Fresh. Fun.’ which relates to the people/origin, the product characteristics, and the how-to aspects of the brands Darling Avocado and Jake’s Avocado.

“Our marketing material was first launched to 129 retail stores in Thailand. Also included in the Thailand programme is in-store sampling in a selection of our retail customer’s more significant stores.”

A relatively high proportion of small fruit is being seen across the industry. Jacob says that the long summer drought has affected fruit size but Just Avocados’ innovative prepacks are mitigating their exposure to the smaller size profile.

“Retail prepack programmes have commenced for the 2020 season in China, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore and Australia. These programmes will consume a large portion of our small fruit sizes through a value-added channel. Our partners in China are also working on developing further prepack options suited to their customers.”

This season, Just Avocados will direct 20 per cent to 25 per cent of export volume to markets in Asia. “This Asian volume is lower than what we originally set out to achieve and the change is primarily driven by a strong Australian market.

“We recognise the importance of our Asian development programme as this is where future values will be driven from as early as next season. We are also mindful of the continuing short Australian market that needs to be prioritised for growers’ returns.”

AVOCADOS

Page 47

Backing a hort skills training centre in BOP Avoco is excited to announce it has donated $10,000 to a Bay of Plenty project aiming to train and educate people of all ages in horticulture.

Horticulture Trust, says Hilary.

The building will be a simple, utilitarian facility purpose-designed for courses providing pathways into the horticultural industry’s diverse careers.

Building the facility in Katikati will benefit students of all ages, the local community, and the wider industry. Make a donation at: https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/ innovative-horticulture-is-the-future innovativehorticultureatkatika/home

The donation to the Katikati Innovative Horticulture Trust comes just as the trust has reached an exciting milestone in its fundraising efforts to build a purpose-built innovative learning facility at Katikati College.

It has recently passed the fundraising target’s halfway mark and is hopeful construction of the new building will get Avoco director Alistair Young. underway early next year.

The project has strong support from the horticulture industry, which is suffering from a serious workforce shortage amid a period of intensive growth due to global demand for quality, sustainably-grown New Zealand primary products.

By 2025, the industry is expected to need a net increase of 7800 workers, including 14,900 across the workforce with qualifications.

Avoco director Alistair Young says one of the biggest challenges facing the industry is a shortage of labour, making the educational facility essential to the industry’s future.

“Everyone working in horticulture understands the pressure our industry faces during the intensive harvest periods, but our industry is growing at such a rate that we need more permanent skilled workers right through the production cycle and supply chain if we are going to capitalise on the global opportunities emerging.

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Grower support needed

Teacher Hilary Johnson says the horticulture “The facility is exactly what our programme’s personalised approach helps students industry needs to ensure our sector has discover a career pathway into the industry trained people in all areas. What’s more, that best suits them. we’re delighted that we can support our community and contribute to a project that enables people to enter an industry with exciting career opportunities for all interests and skills.”

Alistair and the Avoco Grower Relationship Committee is also encouraging growers to make a donation to support the project.

Katikati College Innovative Horticulture Manager Hilary Johnson says with more than half the funds required raised, the trust now has confidence to commission drawings and specifications for the building. “We are grateful for the support we have received so far and, with continued support, we will have plans drawn up and construction underway early next year.

“Such a centre is desperately needed. Growers are part of a rapidly growing industry, which requires a skilled labour force. We will grow that through the Katikati Innovative Horticulture Centre for excellence, with pathways direct from curriculum to industry.”

Constructed on the college grounds, the facility will be available to college students and adults keen to find careers within the horticulture industry, or go on to further education, including university.

“Now we need more businesses, especially those associated with the horticultural industry, and individuals to support us in the effort to raise the last $250,000 needed to begin construction.”

It takes a team effort

Purpose-designed

avoco.co.nz CC0820

The impacts of Covid-19 and the restrictions on overseas workers entering NZ have highlighted the urgent need for skilled horticultural workers. Meeting that need is among the goals of Katikati Innovative

Unity is our strength

Page 48

RURAL HOMES & BUILDINGS

Your shed, your way.

All your shed needs, from basic to customised, under one roof.

A range of buildings to suit every need and budget, and the ability to make it your own both inside and out.

Also, we are excitied to launch our new range of liveable sheds soon so watch this space!

RURAL HOMES & BUILDINGS

Page 49

Low-risk building exemptions now in force With daylight saving here and more time to get onto those building projects around the house and land, homeowners, DIYers and builders are now able to make some improvements without consent.

With Exemptions to the Building Act coming in to force on August 31, people can now carry out low-risk building works on single-storey detached buildings up to 30m2 – including sleep-outs, sheds and greenhouses; as well as carports up to 40m2, ground-floor awnings up to 30m2, verandas and porches and permanent outdoor fireplaces or ovens.

Other exemptions include short-span (small) bridges, single-storey pole sheds and hay barns in rural zones, small pipe supporting structures if they only carry water and are on private land, flexible water storage bladders supported on the ground, and groundmounted solar panel arrays.

Kitchen and bathroom facilities are not included in the exemption. Any plumbing work to a new or current building still requires a building consent, and any electrical work will still have to be carried out by a registered electrician.

Other exemption options are:

Kitset or prefab buildings with a maximum floor area of 30m2 where a manufacturer or supplier has had the design carried out or reviewed by a chartered professional engineer.

easier and cheaper. “Exemptions to the Building Act, which remove the need for a consent for low-risk building works, mean less red tape and lower compliance costs for homeowners.

“It also means certain structures can be built for less without any unexpected hold-ups that may have resulted from needing building consent. And it will help to improve the productivity of the building and construction sector, supporting the Covid-19 recovery,” says the Minister.

Each year, the changes are expected to result in 9000 fewer consents for

Buildings with a maximum floor area of 30m2 where a licensed building practitioner is to carry out or supervise design and construction.

Buildings with a maximum floor area of 30m2 can be built by a non-professional, where only lightweight materials with structural components built in accordance to Building Code compliance B1/AS1 are used.

Building and Construction Minister Jenny Salesa says the new rules make basic home improvements

Building for climate change views wanted Submissions are due this month on the first public consultation under the new Building for Climate Change programme – the building and construction sector’s contribution to New Zealand’s goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is seeking views on the Government’s proposals to increase the operational efficiency of buildings, and to reduce the embodied carbon across the lifecycle of buildings as part of the Building for Climate Change programme.

Building and Construction Minister Jenny Salesa announced the new programme on July 3, saying it focuses on finding ways to reduce emissions from buildings during their construction and operation, while also preparing buildings to withstand changes in the climate.

According to the Government’s Building Performance website, this will be a long-term programme that will go on for the next 20 to 30 years.

“Over the next year, we will be focussed on engaging with the building and construction sector to test ideas, and to make sure we get this right.

“From next year, a group of initiatives

will be launched that will kickstart changes in the building sector.

“We’re planning on making some adjustments to current building laws – both the Building Act and the Building Code. We’ll also focus on starting to change people’s behaviour, and the way they think about designing, constructing and operating buildings. We’ll do this through incentives, and encouraging innovation.”

The website says the first focus will be on how to design, construct and operate new buildings better. “In future, it’s possible that changes may need to be made to existing buildings as well.

“Any changes we do make will be thought through carefully, and we’ll talk to the people who’ll be affected by the changes first, and provide a chance for feedback wherever possible.”

Public submissions on MBIE’s first public consultation round under the new Building for Climate Change programme closes October 11, 2020.

For more, see: https://www.mbie.govt. nz/have-your-say/building-for-climatechange-transforming-operationalefficiency-and-reducing-whole-of-lifeembodied-carbon/

councils to process, and could save homeowners up to $18 million in costs.

“These exemptions are just one part of my broader building system reform programme, which includes the Construction Sector Accord Transformation Plan, the Construction Skills Action Plan, Building Law reforms, the Building Levy reduction which commenced on 1 July, and the Building for Climate Change programme,” says the Minister.

Guidance around the new exemptions can be found at: https://www.building. govt.nz/buildit

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CV’s THAT STAND OUT. A C.V. For You can provide you with a personal and professional touch. Check out samples on www.facebook.com/acvforyou or Ph/text on 021 27 27 912.

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

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

Oct 10 Growing Greens, 10am-noon, Katikati Community Centre, $17.

See: tinyurl.com/y27fl6lh Seed Saving Workshop, 1p-4pm, Papamoa Hills,

near Tauranga, $40. See: ti-nyurl.com/yykza2l8

Oct 17 Understanding Soils 3, 9.30am -2.30pm, Whakamarama (near Tauranga).

See: ti-nyurl.com/ y6vm379z Okareka Mistletoe Restoration Project Work Day, suitable for all ages and abilities. See: tinyurl. com/h4zph2x

Back to Basics Herbal Medicine, 10am-3pm, Katikati Community Centre, $55. See: ti-nyurl.com/y27fl6lh

Oct 17-18 Escape! Festival, Tauranga. Speakers on topics ranging from wild swimming to bird calls, from Charles Upham to the Covid crisis, plus Te Radar.

See: taurangafestival. co.nz

Oct 18

Nov 1

Welcome to the Birds, guest speaker, Pukorokoro Miranda Shorebird Centre, free. See: ti-nyurl.com/y8kog9pr

Scarecrow Festival, 11am-3pm, Hamilton Gardens, free.

Oct 22 Waikato Horticultural Society: Herbs, 7.30pm, Hamilton Gardens Gate 2, Wintec class-room, $5.

Ph Carmel 07 855 3404.

Nov 6 Morrinsville Rose Show, 11.30am-3.30pm, Presbyterian Church Hall, Canada St. Gold coin.

Ph/txt 027 788 6149.

Western BOP residents get chance to Escape!

For cost effective promotion of your business phone Sophie today!

P: 07 928 3042 sophie@sunmedia.co.nz

Rising from the ashes of June’s cancelled event, a slimmed-down version of the popular Escape! festival will take place in Tauranga on October 17-18.

The Tauranga Arts Festival Trust Board was adamant Western Bay of Plenty residents shouldn’t miss the ‘little festival with big ideas’ in 2020 and is staging the event out of its own reserves.

“We’re choosing to take the financial risk as every board member firmly believes the arts are the heart and soul of community,” says board chair Kathryn Lellman. “We think people are ready for Escape!”

Guests include Tom Scott, whose new book is a biography of Kiwi war hero Charles Upham, the only combat soldier to have been awarded two Victoria Cross medals; Te Radar, who plans a jaunt down

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Among Tauranga-area talent on-stage is short story writer and GP Dr Andrew Corin, small-town champion Karen Summerhays, marine scientist Dr Kura PaulBurke, hospital chaplain Matiu Best and bird expert Paul Cuming.

Panel discussions include the increasing use of Matauranga Maori (Maori knowledge) alongside Western science; how to talk about death and dying with our loved ones; and a look at the strangeness of 2020 from a political, business, sustainability and community point of view.

The October 17 events take place at Waikato University in Durham St, Tauranga, while Cambridge crime novelist October 18’s events Nikki Crutchley. are at Baycourt Theatre, also in some surprising byways in Durham St. Most our history; Cambridge tickets are $20. crime novelist Nikki Day passes are $60, Crutchley; Annette Lees student tickets (with and her social history of ID) $5, however both outdoor swimming; business The cover of Tom Scott’s new biography of Kiwi exclude the Te Radar commentator Rod Oram; war hero Charles Upham. show which costs $30 Taupo writer Tina Shaw, per person. whose novel ‘Ephemera’, Escape! Tickets are for sale from published just before lockdown, deals the Tauranga Arts Festival website with a New Zealand devastated by a or Baycourt box office. See the full pandemic; and award-winning science communicator Shaun Hendy. programme at: taurangafestival.co.nz

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Page 52

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Leo, 20 months old, is checking the spring pasture growth on Nana and Grandad’s farm in Matamata.

This girl loves scratches and attention.

Kruz, 8, and Kobe, 6, checking the cows with Dad in Morrinsville.

Indie, aged 9, with her pet speckle park heifer ‘Sparkles’ in Tirohanga.

Perry Williams, aged 7, with sister Deanna, 9, and brother Kingston, 4.