Coast & Country News - April 2021

Kiedis, 4, and Juno, 2, may be young, but they’re not afraid to walk among the bees. That’s because their parents, Ben and Robyn Stinson, have made a career out of them. Read more about the family of beekeepers on page 4. Photo: Catherine Fry.

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Page 2

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

A different kind of April Thinking about last April is odd to say the least.

The country was still in the midst of the first lockdown, and the way forward remained riddled with uncertainty – we still didn’t even know whether to call it Coronavirus or Covid-19.

While many Covid-related unknowns still linger, we’re lucky in New Zealand that the question has morphed from “will we be okay?” to “how do we move forward?”.

Our old mate old normal still hasn’t returned yet, and probably never will, but we’re learning to deal with the new one by continuing to adapt.

On page 13 of this month’s edition, we look at how the Fieldays has prepared for changing Alert Levels by hosting both the classic physical event at Mystery Creek as well as a digital broadcast of the day, so people can watch from home – hopefully by choice, rather than necessity.

Page three gives an overview of the 2021 kiwifruit harvest season so far, while on page seven Horticulture NZ chief executive Mike Chapman discusses how the shortfall of workers due to border restrictions will affect the industry

and looks at potential solutions.

Is it okay to buy natural resources from a wartorn country if it keeps cadmium at a safe level? We discuss the moral dilemma of where New Zealand’s phosphate comes from on page 22.

But, it’s not all doom, gloom and coping with Covid. We meet a family who have started a honey making business on page four, and another who are creating a goat milking enterprise on page six.

On page 36, we take a look at the climate-friendly future of New Zealand’s heavy cartage fuel, which is on track to become a reality in the not too distant future. Or, if you’d rather take a stroll back in time, head to page 16 to read about Kevin Beck’s pre-war Farmall tractor.

The keen-eyed among you may noticed that a new face has popped up on the left there.

After almost three years in the Coast & Country News editor’s chair, Merle has decided to take a step back and focus on her family.

She has left big gumboots to fill, but I m looking forward to the challenge.

MacKenzie Dyer

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

NO DEPOSIT

A kiwifruit worker picking green kiwifruit.

This year’s kiwifruit harvest is underway and it’s forecasted to be a record breaker that surpasses last year’s 157 million trays of kiwifruit.

That means up to 23,000 seasonal workers will be at orchards and pack houses during the season’s peak this month.

“Growers and the wider kiwifruit industry are working hard to make sure consumers across the world can enjoy fresh, healthy fruit like our kiwifruit once harvest begins,” says Zespri chief grower, industry and sustainability officer Carol Ward.

“We’re encouraged by the strong demand we’re seeing for our fruit, and we’ll continue to closely monitor the Covid-19 environment and its impacts both in New Zealand and abroad as we begin shipping this year’s crop.”

Page 3

NZKGI chief executive Nikki Johnson says the lead up to harvest has been a mixed bag for growers.

“This year has been devastating for a small number of growers whose crops in Motueka and other isolated areas who were hit by hail.

“On the other hand, the season is shaping up to produce high quality kiwifruit which means consumers can anticipate a great tasting product coming to supermarket shelves.”

In addition to the Green and Gold kiwifruit, consumers can look forward to Zespri’s sweet, berry-tinged tasting Red kiwifruit which will be picked for supermarket shelves in New Zealand and some overseas markets this year.

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Better pay

The kiwifruit industry is an important player for communities across New Zealand, contributing almost More fruit, less workers $2bn in 2020.

The make-up of kiwifruit This includes $417million harvest workers will be different to Pickers all around the country are in Te Puke, $219 million in previous seasons. heading on-orchard for Tauranga, $209 million in Usually, around 50 per cent of this year’s harvest.

Katikati and $66 million in kiwifruit harvest workers are from the Waikato.

New Zealand, 25 per cent RSEs NZKGI report that almost all packhouses will pay and 25 per cent backpackers. workers at least the living wage of $22.10 per hour.

The kiwifruit industry continues to negotiate with Kiwifruit picking is also expected to exceed the the Government to increase the allowed 2000 RSE workers. In normal circumstances, about 14,000 RSE living wage with an average of $24 per hour paid last year when the minimum wage was $18.90 per hour. workers come to New Zealand for harvest.

Information on job opportunities can be found Whether government schemes and organisations’ on the NZKGI website or on the Facebook page recruitment campaigns will be enough to fill the Kiwifruit JobsNZ. shortage is yet to be seen.

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 4

A family of bee “Running your own beekeeping business only becomes viable when you have a minimum of 500 hives,” says beekeeper Ben Stinson.

“It’s always been a dream to run my own business,” says Ben. Robyn is a fashion designer, known for opening the Cambridge designer clothing store Ooby Ryn, where she sold her designs.

She is now happily a full time mum to Kiedis, 4, and Juno, 2, combined with using her creative skills to brand the couple’s honey making venture.

Their business, called Black Shepherd Apiaries, is named after the family’s much loved black German Shepherd, Pebbles.

Using the word Apiaries was something the couple kept coming back to before finally settling on it as “it has a nice ring”.

“We started in January 2018, still living in our town house and putting hives on other people’s land as we built the numbers up,” says Ben. “We sold our first jar of honey, which was Rewarewa, in December 2018 and it tasted fantastic,” says Robyn.

Work from home

Beekeeper Ben Stinson. All Photos: Catherine Fry. Ben and his wife Robyn went through the rather manic process of building up their own hive numbers, while Ben worked full time and Robyn looked after their two small children.

“I’ve worked with bees for 12 years after a summer holiday job that I never left.

Vote

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While their honey can be processed at Ohaupo Apiary, where it is extracted, packed and stored, the couple’s dream is to bring that process to a property of their own.

They bought a suitable two acre property in Horahora, south of Cambridge, in September 2020.

It had the perfect shedding set up for them, and a 1920s Californian Bungalow which the family has fallen in love with.

“We’d like to be packing and storing our own honey at home by the end of 2021,” says Ben. MPI and Assure Quality certification will be required first.

Then, they will be able to pack for small bee keeping businesses and hobby beekeepers, as ...continued well as themselves.

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Page 5

keepers continued...

At the moment Ben and Robyn are happy to just consolidate their business, and even though they’ve had “quite a fast start”, the financial outlay to be able to extract at home is a large one.

“We’re aiming for two to three years’ time.

“It’s a big leap for something so weather dependent, so we’d like to take our time,” says Ben. At the moment the business is run by just Robyn and Ben, with Ben doing all the physical work.

“It’s fine as I’m still young, but as I get older I will find all the heavy lifting harder, and would like to have staff to do the heavier work,” says Ben.

Beekeeper kids

Black Shepherd sells several honeys, but the real money is in Manuka.

New Zealand’s clean reputation makes Manuka honey a profitable export product.

From October to February, Ben works long hours moving hives up to Northland at first, and then working south to catch the Manuka as it flowers down the country as far as Taihape.

It takes a couple of months to bring the hives back to local land and ensure the bees have enough food for the winter.

Through May, June and July, the hives are regularly checked, and Ben carries out maintenance and builds new hive boxes.

The Stinsons use an Italian strain of honey bee that is a little more orange in colour than regular honey bees and a better temperament.

“Ben breeds his own queens now and he takes the time to breed with non-aggressive traits.

“They’re pretty calm, but he still gets stung at least

LU

Ben, Juno, Kiedis and Robyn Stinson.

Kiedis and Juno Stinson. once most days!” says Robyn.

“We really hope we have a business to pass down to the children,” says Ben. “Kiedis already loves working the bees with Dad,” says Robyn.

The couple export to Malaysia already and would like to increase their local and export market.

They aim to ensure that they keep a low carbon footprint.

“We have a refill system, which we take to the Tamahere market and is also available in Fill Good, Cambridge, where the consumer can fill any jar of their choice,” says Robyn.

Robyn started their innovative fundraising initiative, where instead of the usual chocolate or pies, schools, clubs and organisations can sell Black Shepherd Apiaries honey, and retain 40 per cent of the profit.

At present there are no plans to make products other than honey and beeswax candles, and they are thankful each day for the life they have built Catherine Fry for themselves.

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Page 6

Becoming goat farmers It’s a real family affair at a Waikato goat milking enterprise extending from a traditional dairy cow operation.

Dean and Ang Finnerty are project managers on a Waitoa property, owned

by Ang’s parents Ray and Arna Curtin.

Dean’s sister, Sharon Finnerty, is the farm manager.

Ray and Arna are long-time dairy farmers in the area, between Morrinsville and Te Aroha, with the next generation of the family looking to broaden the business.

“We always wanted to diversify,” says Ang. She laughs that they have ‘stolen’ 40ha of her parents’ 182ha dairy farm

Specialising in

• • • • • •

on Toa Rd to run 850 milking goats through a new 50-bail milking shed.

Ang says the move also means the dairy herd’s farthest distance from their 40-a-side herringbone milking shed has been ‘taken away’, making for a more compact cow farm.

They had been thinking about moving into dairy goats ‘for years’, with Ang’s brother part owner of a goat farm.

From left, 2IC Len Keoghan, farm manager Sharon Finnerty, farm owners The Paeroa-Tahuna Rd goat Ray and Arna Curtin and project managers Dean and Ang Finnerty. milking operation became a Photo: Steve Edwards. reality in 2020.

Ang says the Toa Rd shed is a mirror image, with Jenny says the system uses salt to automatically Projects on the go an emphasis on efficiency. regenerate the ion exchange media in conjunction The design and construction of the “Two rows of cups means we cut milking time by with the company’s proprietary media cleaning goat milking shed and barn is based on putting through 100 goats system. This system continuously that used by Dean and Ang in a similar at a time.” produces treated water, even when project of their own.

A smooth entry and exit is regenerating, ideal for directly They own a combined 138ha on also key to the Toa Rd design, treating the bore to the farm or both sides of nearby Paeroa-Tahuna again modelled on the Paeroahouse supply.

Rd, with 700 milking goats on 38ha.

Tahuna Rd set-up.

“Because the bore water had a On the other side they milk 285 cows “We used ideas from the high level of tannins, we added an in a 32-a-side herringbone shed. other farm, plus a couple of Iron-Man colour removal system,” Dean and Ang bought the properties small tweaks,” says Ang. says Jenny. eight years ago.

The milking shed on the “With this unit, we achieved Toa Rd property is built on crystal, clean water.” the site of an old cowshed, Indoor herd which Ang says “wasn’t worth Associated with the Toa Rd saving” for the new venture.

A younger member of the goat herd milking parlour is a 70m x 65m She says the opportunity in the baby barn. Photo: Steve Edwards. covered goat barn, with pens and was identified three years ago, feeding units. with capacity for 1200 goats.

The goats literally walk out of thousand inideal.” isingis the Spe“Acial the barn and into the milking ping of whole trees Efficient system oval / chip shed, says Dean Finnerty.

• Rem Physical work started He says the roof, supported for stand off pads chipping siteproperty • On on the last June, by treated wooden poles, has with the first pick-up skylights in every bay to give the sale forNIG d chip for • Woo in September goats well-lit surroundings in Nutritionals at Paerata. natural light. ard shelter removal • Orch The company tanker visits “It’s warm in winter and cool in three times a week, summer,” says Dean. ovalwith the rem p • Stum milk destined to become Dean and Ang say they ies spec tree all infant formula. were advised that milking goats of g ketin mar dlot Woo • Temple Water’s Dual alternating Temple Water Technologies run outdoors are more subject tank system. provided an ‘Iron-Man’ to worms and sore feet than system at the Toa Rd property. those housed in a barn.

Business development manager Jenny Caicedo says Milk production is also reportedly higher from an this is configured with a dual alternating tank Ion indoor herd. exchange system and a colour removal unit.

“Most milking goat herds are now kept housed The process removes soluble iron, manganese and indoors,” says Dean. hardness minerals.

The goat barn has three concrete laneways for feedout purposes, with maize and barley dished out into troughs in front of the pens.

Crushed sunflower seeds and pellets are also fed individually in the bails of the milking shed.

For removal of: Ang says the herd is predominantly Saanen, Iron a white Swiss breed, and British Alpine.

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 7

Picking season: where are the workers?

The apple and kiwifruit harvests are underway, and winter pruning is approaching.

Before we know it, spring will be here and we will be harvesting asparagus, strawberries and new season’s vegetables.

This will be quickly followed by cherries and other summer fruit.

Seasonal workers are needed for harvest and pruning because these are jobs that only last for a few months.

Having enough seasonal workers is vital for good quality produce, high returns, horticulture’s continued growth, and increasing the number of New Zealanders employed in permanent positions.

When insufficient seasonal workers are available, the complete reverse is true: less crop is harvested and quality is down because harvest cannot be done at the optimum time.

This results in lower returns and rural economies suffering, putting the permanent employment of New Zealanders under threat.

Some growers may go out of business in what is a vicious downwards cycle.

Worker outlook

New Zealanders are nearly half horticulture’s seasonal workforce.

About a third are workers from the Pacific through RSE temporary immigration scheme – the workers return home after the season.

The rest are backpackers getting their overseas experience.

This season there are far fewer RSE workers and hardly any backpackers.

Depending on how many additional

New Zealanders can be attracted to horticulture, we are short across all our crops – including wine grapes – by 5000-10,000 workers.

We predicted the problem and have been working with the Government to find solutions.

That is why the Government authorised the movement of 2000 RSE workers from the Pacific, starting in midJanuary this year. This decision is a great help and we are appreciative but unfortunately, it is not enough.

In the meantime, programmes to attract New Zealanders through pay, accommodation, meals and transport have been running.

However, horticulture will still be short of seasonal workers and the economic impact on businesses and communities will be lasting.

The way forward

We are an innovative and solution focused industry. We continue to develop ways through which to meet the seasonal labour shortage.

None of them, apart from increasing the movement of workers from the Pacific, will alleviate today and next season’s requirement for more seasonal workers.

We also have the issue of workers who have been stranded here for some time.

They need to be repatriated home.

We believe our industry’s collaborative view is the best option. We need to be able to return to the pre-Covid flow of Pacific seasonal workers, both ways.

An empty orchard awaits workers ahead of the 2021 kiwifruit season. Photo: Shaun Mathis.

This can be achieved through the creation of a Pacific workers’ bubble, where the workers and the villages they come from are vaccinated.

On arrival in New Zealand, these workers would remain in their bubble for the first few weeks.

Similarly, when these workers return home, they would go back into their bubble for a few weeks.

This solution is predicated on a health-based risk analysis, linked to the fact that the Pacific is Covid-free and that New Zealand’s Covid controls have kept most of the country free from community transmission.

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FORESTRY

ACC invests in work safe tech ACC’s Impact Investment Fund has taken a share in Tauranga-based company Robotics Plus, with the goal of improving the wellbeing of workers in dangerous industries.

Robotics Plus is the first successful opportunity for ACC’s new Impact Funds, which aims to improve the health, safety and wellbeing of New Zealanders and provide a strong investment return that helps Kiwis pay less in levies for accident cover.

ACC’s investment sits within the target range of $2 million to $15 million.

Robotics Plus co-founder and chief executive Steve Saunders welcomed ACC on board as an investor.

“It’s great to have ACC investing in Robotics Plus alongside the continued support of Japan’s Yamaha Motor Co.,” says Steve.

“The investment will help us accelerate the development of our advanced technologies that help solve complex global problems, including robotic log scaling technology, as we scale up rapidly and enter new markets internationally whilst providing solutions domestically.”

The technology

Robotics Plus’ technology is designed to keep forestry, agriculture and transport workers safe.

Its innovations include a Robotic Scaling Machine that can quickly and accurately measure the volume

Scanning the volume of timber on a logging truck at an RSM checkpoint. of timber on logging trucks, eliminating what is a dangerous manual task at ports, forestry sites and sawmills.

ACC data shows that log handling is a major cause of workplace injuries – last year there were 17,000 active claims costing $75 million.

Mt Maunganui-based port logistics company ISO Limited, which handles more than half

P ROFESSIONAL H ARVESTING S YSTEMS

of New Zealand’s log exports, has recorded no injuries or fatalities in log scaling since installing 11 RSMs at its sites throughout the country.

Improving workplaces

The move has also allowed workers that were doing this task manually to move into higher skilled positions.

“It’s safer and more productive than the previous manual system used throughout the world which The RSM’s scanning arm. requires people to manually scan and measure the logs by climbing onto trucks and trailers to perform the task,” says ISO chief executive Paul Cameron.

The technology is among a suite of innovative projects Robotics Plus has developed, including robotic fruit packers that reduce the musculoskeletal strains and injuries associated with repetitive manual tasks, and robots capable of a variety of tasks in horticulture.

The RSM, developed in collaboration with ISO, led to Robotics Plus being listed on Robotics Business Review’s top 50 most transformative companies in the global robotics sector in 2020.

The Robotic Scaling Machine scans a logging truck.

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 9

Winter grazing rules delayed The government has delayed new intensive winter grazing regulations for a year, meaning revised regulations will not be implemented until May 2022.

Work continues

Sam says Beef + Lamb will continue to advocate for changes to some of the rules government intends to apply from May 2022, including deletion of the pugging standards, the resowing dates and to the slope trigger, as recommended by the Southland report.

“It seems that if the IWG module is successful, this may mean the government looks more favourably on amending the rules and deleting the more draconian requirements,” says Sam. “In the meantime we’ll continue to support farmers

A year to plan

Environment Minister David Parker says the farming sector has agreed to make immediate improvements to intensive winter grazing practices for the coming season, and in return for this commitment, government will help them achieve this and delay implementing new regulations.

“The one year deferment will enable an IWG farm plan ‘module’ to be rapidly developed, tested and deployed ready for formal incorporation into wider certified freshwater farm plans in 2022,” says Parker.

Rules preventing the expansion of IWG will still apply.

Minister O’Connor says the decision provides certainty of direction and timeframe.

“We can get on and put farm plans into place as quickly as possible across all farming operations,” says O’Connor.

“Immediate improvements in IWG practices this season are required, and I have set out my expectations to both councils and industry bodies.”

Parker says increased monitoring and reporting by councils will also ensure measurable improvements in IWG by May 2022. This monitoring will include quarterly reporting to the minister.

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This follows recommendations from the Southland IWG Advisory Group on the government’s initial plans. Members of the group include several farmers, as well as members and staff from Beef + Lamb NZ, DairyNZ, Federated Farmers, Fish and Game and Environment Southland.

B+LNZ chief executive Sam McIvor says it’s encouraging that the government has accepted some of the Southland group’s proposals, including an industry-led approach to IWG farm plans in the coming year.

“Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor made the point to our annual meeting that more time is needed to work through the Southland group’s recommendations and to write robust policy as a result,” says Sam. “We welcome this commitment to getting it right and look forward to working with the government on this process.”

in implementing best practice on the ground and to work with other industry partners to press the government to address these issues.

“The Southland Advisory Group was a highly effective and collaborative process across the regional council, sector groups, farmers and Fish and Game, supported by iwi, and it came up with workable solutions that we’ll continue to support.”

Dan Gardner +64 27 533 3343

Page 10

COPING WITH THE DROUGHT

Probiotic drives better feed conversion in droughts

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With size options ranging from

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Six years ago, Chris Collier went to Tasmania to see farmers who were using a potent probiotic – BioRumen – to substantially improve feed conversion.

“I was so impressed with what I saw that I eventually set up Probiotic Revolution to import it into New Zealand,” says Chris.

“With improved feed conversion one farmer there was able to drop his grain inputs from six to 5kg/cow/day during the summer.”

Chris is now seeing similar results here. A Matamata farmer first started using BioRumen in January.

He immediately noticed that cows were leaving more grass behind, so instead of reducing feed inputs he was able to lengthen his summer rotation.

“There can be huge benefits in having a longer rotation coming into a

drought, but the downside to this can be poorer quality pasture.

However, BioRumen, with its 11 components, is particularly good at breaking down fibre as evidenced by much shorter fibres in the dung.

“So it is great at getting more energy from summer pasture and maize or grass silage.”

Coming out of the drought, cows have difficulty handling the change in diet with lush grass growth.

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One farmer introduced BioRumen when he had lush feed in the autumn and was able to reduce palm kernel inputs by 2kg/cow and had close to a five per cent lift in milk protein.

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Page 11

Public to decide what’s organic The Ministry for Primary Industries is seeking feedback on proposed regulations for organic primary sector products.

The proposals outline the processes that would apply to businesses marketing organic products.

“With these proposals, consumers would be better able to tell which products are organic and make more informed choices about what they buy,” says MPI director of food skills and science policy Fiona Duncan.

JCB has released the thirdgeneration of its industry-leading Loadall telescopic handlers.

“The proposals will also benefit our primary sector exports by providing greater assurance to our trading partners.

“The new requirements aim to strike a balance between providing certainty that businesses are meeting organic standards and ensuring the costs to those businesses are reasonable.”

MPI will develop a national organic standard linked to these proposals. The consultation period closes at 5pm on 8 June 2021.

Make a submission, here: https://bit.ly/3144D1Y

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“A seat-mounted joystick and control “The lack of bare metal inside the cab pod configuration is standard in Agri means is 50 per cent quieter than the Torque Lock4, Agri Super and Agri Pro previous design.” specifications. Overall, the cab is 12 per All models are equipped with the cent larger than the previous model.”

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Machinery demo day a hit Everything from lawn mowers to tractors was on display and ready for a test drive at Jacks Machinery’s Demo Days at Jacks Machinery Katikati last month.

STOP RUST Jacks Machinery owner Steve Jacks.

Antonio Carraro showcased bin, mowing and spraying tractors, and also the low ground pressure quad track orchard tractor.

MultiOne’s versatility was on display, with six sizes of machines and a dozen of the 170 attachments available for attendees to take for a spin.

Mowing options were on show from Seppi, Fischer and Hustler.

SAM spreaders showed both farm and orchard models and A1 Spreaders contractor Zane exhibited his SAM orchard spreader.

Polaris have many models of different sizes and petrol, diesel, and electric variants, with eight options on show and available to drive.

“It was two big days that have been praised as a huge success by both the organisers and attendees,” says Jacks Machinery director Steve Jacks.

“With comments like: ‘best Fieldays I have ever been to’ this could turn into an annual event.”

There was a large range of equipment on show with everything being able to be driven and operated, with manufactures and wholesalers on hand to offer expertise.

Orchardists and growers were the main focus but equipment also catered for farmers, contractors and lifestylers.

A new innovation to mow the orchard weedstrip gathered a lot of interest. This is a swing arm attachment for Hustler Zero Turn mowers, which is also coming soon to other brands.

It has been developed by Jacks Machinery in consultation with growers looking for an alternative to spraying.

Left: Demo Day attendees take a MultiOne for a spin.

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Page 13

Extraordinary circumstances led to a very different Fieldays last year, where the largest agriculture event in the Southern Hemisphere moved entirely online for the first time in its 52-year history.

But it was far from all bad – introducing a digitised format through Fieldays TV and Fieldays Online meant 90,455 people from more than 75 countries could virtually attend.

That’s why Fieldays 2021 will feature both a digital broadcast of the event via Fieldays Online, and the classic physical event at Mystery Creek, Ohaupo.

“We’re hosting a hybrid event so we can extend the reach and engagement for exhibitors and create a great experience for visitors,” says Fieldays major events manager Lee Picken.

“It’s exciting to see the two come together.”

Backing a Kiwi classic

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, Lee says last year’s Fieldays had to be organised from home in just 108 days.

“This year we are more prepared than ever to adjust the event so it can go ahead in different Alert Levels.

That’s important to us, as Fieldays is a part of Kiwi’s DNA. “We’re working closely with all of the relevant authorities, both locally

and nationally, and we have plans in place so we can adapt quickly.”

Lee says that despite the uncertainty, exhibition holders have remained just as keen to sign up this year.

“We’ve found that really humbling and have been shown continued support from all involved, particularly our sponsors, partners and volunteers.”

New and improved

The Fieldays app will return this year with the continuation of the ‘find my car’ feature, where users can drop a map pin on their park.

The app also includes an event planner so the Fieldays experience can be tailored to all – from farmers in the market for a tractor, to those who want to collect as many free pens and beanies as possible.

“You can save your favourite exhibitors and the app will show you the quickest way to get to them from where you are, so you don’t have to miss out on anything.

“We’re always looking to refine and improve the event – so watch this space.”

Tickets: www.fieldays.co.nz MacKenzie Dyer

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Kiwifruit en route People-focussed award The first shipment of what is expected to be a record season of New Zealand-grown Zespri kiwifruit is now on route to Tokyo and Busan.

The fruit is aboard the MV Kakariki, the second of three new specialised reefer vessels built by Fresh Carriers to ship New Zealandgrown kiwifruit to Zespri’s Asian markets, with the ship expected to complete its maiden voyage early this month.

Zespri chief global supply officer, Alastair Hulbert, says MV Kakariki is the first of 57 planned charter reefer vessels under Zespri’s shipping programme this season, up from the 49 charter vessels used last season.

This season will see five sailings to North Europe, 12 to the Mediterranean and 40 to Zespri’s Asian markets.

Zespri expects to send around 18,000 containers of kiwifruit.

Alastair says that while Zespri is closely monitoring the global shipping situation, it is well placed to mitigate any risks associated with port and container congestion due to Covid-19.

“This season we’ve increased the number of charter vessels we’re using, providing an additional 47,500 pallets of reefer capacity,” says Alastair.

“The use of our reefer vessels, in combination with our refrigerated containers, is providing extra flexibility on when we ship.”

Trevelyan’s Pack and Cool have been nominated for a national award by the Ministry for Primary Industries.

The Te Puke based company is up for the Supreme Award at the 2021 Primary Industries Good Employer Awards.

The category recognises businesses that provide great employment conditions in their business, demonstrate a commitment to diversity, share their ideas and resources among others to lift regional expectations of great employment and have a highly effective programme in employee development or health and safety.

“The award is for the whole organisation,” says Trevelyan’s marketing, communications and sustainability manager, Sarah Lei. “It’s across a number of initiatives.”

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Fitted with LA344 Loader and Deluxe reclining high seat, backspacious seat, spacious Fitted with Loader and Deluxe reclining high back Shaft Drive Deck Shaft & Hydraulic Drive Deck Deck &LA344 Lift Hydraulic Deck Lift & Zoperator Series the BX & Z Series RCK60Mid-mount Mid-mount moweracross the BXacross control andtoeasy to RCK60 mower operator area,area, cruisecruise control and easy reach controls reach controls 23HPKubota Kubotadiesel diesel engine 23HP engine *Image without mower deck. Price *Image without mower deck. Price Switching mowing lawns & & Switchingbetween between mowing lawns includes mower deck.deck. includes mower * +GST * +GST BX2380 $22,500 BX2380 $22,500 front loader work has never been frontend end loader work has never been easier. can bebe attached easier.The TheBX BXloader loader can attached Fitted with LA344Fitted Loader with and LA344 Loader and Deluxe reclining Deluxe high back reclining seat, spacious high back seat, spacious without leaving the driver’s seat without leaving the driver’s seatarea, cruise RCK60 Mid-mount RCK60 mower Mid-mount mower operator operator control area, and cruise easy control to and easy to reach controls reach controls 23HP Kubota diesel 23HP engine Kubota diesel engine CO M PET IT IV E *Image without mower *Imagedeck. without Price mower deck. Price mowingbetween lawns &mowing lawns & F INANCE Switching AVAIL Abetween B L ESwitching includes mower deck. includes mower deck.

573been 9107 has never been front end loader front work end has07 never loader work 07BX 573 9107 4 Puke Te Puke easier. The BX loader easier. can The beTe attached loaderQuarry can be Road, attached 4seat Te Puke Quarry without without driver’s leaving the driver’s seatRoad, Te Puke www.rrtractors.co.nz across the BX & Z leaving Series the KUBOTA.CO.NZ

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Ministry for Primary Industries deputy director general Karen Adair acknowledges the past year has been tough on employers but says the finalists had shown the passion, innovation and commitment required to be acknowledged.

“Our food and fibres sector plays a vital role in the recovery of our Supporting workers economy,” says Karen.

Trevelyan’s staff have been “Our people are our most offered a number of benefits important resource. The including a living wage for finalists demonstrate that they operational employees, subsidised put their people first.” flu vaccinations for permanent staff, “People just really want to be able Trevelyan’s marketing, emergency loans and healthy meals to go to work and feel fulfilled and communications and provided by the canteen. challenged,” says Sarah. sustainability manager They also supported staff in pursuit “If we can make it work for Sarah Lei. of full New Zealand driver’s licenses, people, and make interesting and including RSE workers. challenging roles within their work, it’s more likely “The initiative that I really like is about sharing Mathew Nash that they’ll want to work for us.”

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PARTS & LUBRICANTS INSIST ON GENUINE Page 15 PARTS & LUBRICANTS

FARM VEHICLES & MACHINERY

Buckling up on farm

INSIST ON GENUINE INSIST ON GENUINE PARTS & LUBRICANTS PARTS & LUBRICANTS

Almost half of vehicle-related deaths on farms could be avoided if seatbelts were used.

Tractor industry remains optimistic for 2021 Tractor and Machinery Association president Kyle Baxter says that while 2020 posed challenges for the industry, the current mood of members is positive.

The tractor sales industry finished 2020 on a strong note with December sales up 18.4 per cent on 2019.

Overall tractor sales for 2020 were down 15.3 per cent compared with 2019, with sales for the bigger machines particularly affected with a drop of 25 per cent.

TAMA members are now reporting that demand for tractors and equipment is steadily building across the country.

“However, the pandemic is continuing to disrupt the overseas supply chain across Europe, America and Asia. While New Zealand TAMA members are doing everything they can to ensure machines arrive on time for the season ahead, there will be potential delays in global manufacturing and international shipping routes that could be felt during the first half of the year.”

Mr Baxter has advised TAMA members to stay well informed of any shipping delays via their overseas manufacturers and shipping companies, and to liaise with their customers who may be affected by these delays.

“On a positive note for 2021, our members who manufacturer within New Zealand are reporting strong order banks for their equipment from customers.

“This is very good news and another sign that our primary industry is still feeling buoyant amongst the global turmoil.”

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WorkSafe are encouraging farmers to make it click.

WorkSafe New Zealand is advising farmers to buckle up after an analysis of vehicle-related fatalities found that nearly half those that occur on farm could have been avoided if a seatbelt was being used.

The data analysis, completed by WorkSafe, reveals that not wearing seatbelts while on the job was the largest single factor contributing to fatal work-related accidents.

The data analysis coincides with the launch of a new side-by-side vehicle simulator which will spend the next six months travelling New Zealand’s agricultural Fieldays and featuring in the FMG Young Farmer of the Year competition.

The simulator allows a driver to sit in the seat of a retired side-by-side vehicle and navigate a series of farm safety tasks while driving an off road course. The first task is putting on your seatbelt.

“Putting on your seatbelt is the simplest task and one we practice easily when driving on the open road,” says WorkSafe engagement lead for agriculture Al McCone.

“If we can get people doing this on farm as well, we will see lives saved.”

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FARM VEHICLES & MACHINERY

Page 16

Restoring a pre-war Farmall F14 Kevin Beck with his 1938 Farmall tractor.

Semi-retired, fertiliser contractor, Kevin Beck, is the proud owner of a 1938 Farmall F14, which he towed from the back of a farm in Ngaroma in the early 1980s.

All Photos: Catherine Fry.

It was manufactured in the United States through 1938 and 1939, and was imported into New Zealand as new.

“It was sitting by a trough right at the back of Bushy Downs Hereford farm, with a ceased seat and engine and a rusted out petrol tank,” says Kevin.

After hauling it across the farm and bringing it to Kevin’s place near Morrinsville, the engine was pulled to bits by a one of Kevin’s workers, Welshman Kevin Hodgeson, who “then went back to Wales and it sat in bits for another three years”.

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The story has a happy ending as Welsh Kevin immigrated to New Zealand and rebuilt the Farmall’s engine.

The four cylinder, 14 horsepower engine has four gears, runs on petrol or kerosene, and has a top speed of 6mph. There are no foot brakes, only 1938 two independent hand Farmall brakes. It uses a crank tractor, four handle Magneto start. cylinder, 14 HP “In those days it petrol engine. was usual for tractors to be little more than a chassis, fuel tank, radiator and engine, giving them a skeletallike appearance.”

Kevin is an engineer by trade, so he tidied up the relatively unrusty chassis and painted in the darker red of the older Farmalls. ...continued

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Page 17

Adding to the collection continued...

The F14 has characteristic row crop front wheels which would have originally been steel, but tyres would have been added to reduce flexing, and potential cracking of the chassis.

The large rear wheels are steel with spade lugs, the equivalent of tyre lugs, and were fine on 1938 farms as the tractor never left the farm, but they would tear up modern day sealed roads and concrete yards.

“I think they would’ve unbolted the spade lugs for things like haymaking, as the lugs would dig the cut hay into the soil!”

Today the tractor has removable steel bands over the rear wheels, for less destructive movement and transportation when not out in the paddocks.

The Farmall 14 was a general farm tractor, suitable for farms of the era that were much smaller.

The Farmall F14 is part of Kevin’s wider collection of stationary engines,

12 tractors and two trucks, which are housed in a purpose built shed on his two-acre property near Morrinsville.

Catherine Fry

Rear of the 1938 Farmall, showing the protective steel bands over the cleated metal wheels.

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Page 18

The tools for farming success As environmental regulation, debt management and fluctuating commodity prices put pressure on farmers’ bottom lines, it’s more important than ever that they have the support and tools to succeed.

Waikato-based chartered accounting firm Diprose Miller believes that financial planning in real-time is critical for farms now and in future.

“We’re confident that Xero for Farming is the best solution,” says Diprose Miller director Ed Wagstaff.

“By combining the power of Xero and Figured with our team, the North Island’s only Figured Platinum partner, we can offer our farming clients the tools and support they need to succeed in real time.”

Figured has been in the New Zealand market for more than five years and is the leading online financial planning and management tool for farmers and accountants to work together.

Xero connects with Figured to integrate real-time financial data with farm production information, so farmers have an up-to-date view of their whole business.

With Figured, farmers can use existing data to quickly build a 12-month plan, test the feasibility of their long-term goals using the scenario tool and communicate directly with their accountant, rural bank manager and farm adviser.

They can also generate real-time variance reports to review how they’re tracking against their plan and against their peers.

Right now, Xero for Farming is being offered at 50 per cent off for three months.

Diprose Miller director Ed Wagstaff.

This includes a free conversion service from your current financial planning and management tool.

“With Diprose Miller and Xero for Farming, you’ll have the best team and best tools working for your farm.”

Fonterra reports positive half year result Fonterra’s recently announced 2021 interim results show the co-operative has had a positive first half, resulting in a total group normalised EBIT of $684 million, normalised profit after tax of $418 million and a decision to pay an interim dividend of five cents alongside a strong forecast Farmgate Milk Price.

Fonterra chief executive Miles Hurrell says Fonterra is pleased with its reported profit after tax of $391 million.

“While down on this time last year at a headline level, the 2020 financial year benefited significantly from the divestments of DFE Pharma and Foodspring.

“Despite the major impact Covid-19 is having around the world, the co-op is staying focused on what it can control: looking after our people, making progress on our strategy to drive sustainable value for New Zealand milk and remaining committed to our 2021 priorities.”

Strong forecast

Fonterra has lifted its 2020/21 forecast Farmgate Milk Price range to NZD $6.90 - $7.50 per kgMS, up from $6.70 - $7.30 per kgMS. The midpoint of the range has increased to $7.20 per kgMS. Miles says the lift in the forecast 2020/21 payout is a result of strong demand for dairy, which is demonstrated by the continued increase in Global Dairy Trade prices since Fonterra last revised its milk price at the beginning of December.

“In particular, we’ve seen strong demand from China and South East Asia for whole milk powder and skim milk powder, which are key drivers of the milk price,” says Miles.

“This lift in our forecast Farmgate Milk Price would see the co-op contribute almost $11 billion to the New Zealand economy through milk price payments this year, which helps support the wellbeing of rural communities.”

PLATINUM PARTNER

RURAL FINANCE

I have changed my writing style to that of an old fart!

If any of you think I am repeating myself, I am, and that’s okay because we need to read or hear something about five times before there is any shift in our ‘bean-can’, and I can’t remember what I wrote about last time anyway.

At my tender age of nearly 75, people are dropping like flies with illness, bad health, not to mention death. Yes, I mean dying – not moving, leaving this planet. No matter how you see it, we are all going to die sooner or later.

How many summers do we have is a calculation we all need to make. My dad, his brother and their father lived to about 85, all not well for that last 10 years of their life.

So, given that I will be about the same I have 10 years, or only 10 good summers, to live.

Frightening? No. No, because I have been embracing my longevity for some time now – I have the pedal to the metal and am doing heaps of things. Heaps.

And so should you, if you can.

opportunity to have a life-style change.

And while I am at it, if you are hard of hearing, go and get a hearing check and, if you need hearing aids, use them.

Nothing is more annoying than some old deaf bugger who cannot hear and won’t listen either.

I know who all my deaf mates are, as they are all stubborn and shout loudly. It is very annoying.

So my parting thought is in the words of the Nike ad, ‘just do it’.

Shake off those shackles of anxiety and trepidation, step over your fear and make and embrace those changes you need to make.

Just feel the fear and do it anyway.

Disclaimer: These are the opinions of Don Fraser (an old fart). Any decisions made should not be based on this article alone and appropriate professional assistance should be sought. Don Fraser is the retired Principal of Fraser Farm Finance and was a consultant to the farming industry for many years.

Contact him on 021 777 675.

Embracing mortality

Have a realistic think about how long you expect to live and then work backwards to the present and just see how few summers you have left.

I stood by my brother at the funeral of our last uncle and said: “we are next pal!”

It was a turning point moment.

If things are not working out for you, or you feel you need to make improvements, embrace, and make the changes that are necessary.

Do not be a miserable old sod and hang onto everything until you are too old to change and too old to embrace a difference and better life.

And you probably will not remember anyway when you make the changes.

A friend of ours was a rural realtor and regularly regaled stories of stupid old farts who had refused to sell up while they were able, only to find it was all too late when they did.

Listen up

I need to say I get a bit grumpy these days with old farts who are hanging onto everything, staying on the land, and depriving their long-suffering wives of the

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Page 19

Page 20

FERTILISER

Fertiliser prices on the up and up There has been a significant rise in fertiliser prices the past six months, partly due to world demand, but also due to increased shipping costs and port charges which have come about largely as a result of Covid-19 slowing down the unloading and reloading of ships.

One fertiliser importer I recently talked to had delays of a month as the ships which would normally load and offload at a port like Singapore in a couple of days en route to New Zealand, are now having to wait up

to three weeks to get unloaded and reloaded. This has put pressure on the supply of products and farmers having to wait several weeks due to shipping delays for products to arrive in the country. I know of two importers who have shipments of triple super which are presold while on the water.

At the moment the price of triple super appears to be linked to the price of single superphosphate for both big co-ops who have been selling it for $690/tonne the past year, whereas DAP (Di Ammonium Phosphate) has jumped up from $750/tonne to $890/ tonne over this same period. Private companies are selling both triple super and DAP for around $100/tonne

cheaper than the co-ops. Sulphur 90 products have risen from $550/tonne last year to $600/tonne from the co-ops, and again private importers are over $100/tonne cheaper than the co-ops.

Potassium chloride has risen marginally from $660/tonne to $690/tonne from the co-ops, with private importers selling it for around $50/tonne cheaper. Locally manufactured single superphosphate on the other hand has hardly risen at all, moving from $295/tonne up to $310/tonne the past 12 months.

Urea however has risen from $568/ tonne to $634/tonne.

Price snapshot

RPR (Reactive Phosphate Rock) fertilisers have in some cases stayed the same, whereas other importers have lifted the price up to $40/tonne more than this time last year. Last year Ballance had a very good deal on RPR selling it for $265/tonne, compared to other companies who were selling it in the $320-380/tonne bracket, but since last winter Ballance have not been in the RPR market. Magnesium prices however have largely remained the same with the co-ops compared to a year ago, with private importers being around $70/ tonne cheaper.

Last year there were a couple of private importers

Robin Boom

CPAg MBSPC

Independent Agronomy & Soil Fertility Consultant

selling MAP, Mono Ammonium Phosphate, for around $200/tonne cheaper than the co-ops, but with a six-fold increase in shipping costs for containers out of China, it may not be a goer this year.

Sulphate of Ammonia has only risen around $10/tonne compared to last year and locally manufactured Phased N has gone up $20/tonne due to the increase in prices for urea and elemental sulphur.

Finding value

My take on best value phosphate products at the moment, is that if applying by truck, then single superphosphate products from one of the co-ops are competitively priced once rebates are factored in, but if applying by plane of helicopter, then high analysis products like Triple Super or DAP/MAP from one of several private importers is currently better value.

If you already have good phosphate levels, then don’t apply any more and work on other elements which are limiting production.

Phosphorus is the most expensive element to correct in the soil, and if other elements are limiting productivity, then focus on these, including lime.

Beware of claims made my manufacturers of expensive granulated lime products that light rates of these are equivalent to ten times normal ag lime.

This is nonsense. They are also up to 10 times more expensive per unit of calcium carbonate and it is the cost per unit of calcium carbonate which is the main thing to consider. The ballistics of granulated limes are better and being ground finely may speed the working of the lime, but over time normal ag lime works a treat. On May 11-12, the New Zealand Grassland Association is holding a symposium on Resilient Pastures at Karapiro, at which I will be presenting a paper on the application of lime on hill country based on a four-year trial I conducted on a farm near Te Akau. In total there are about fifty presenters discussing their findings over this two day event. Early-bird discounts apply if registered before 16th April. To register, go to: www.grassland.org.nz

FERTILISER

Page 21

The forgotten nutrient Crops respond in different ways when the ideal percentage is not achieved.

Magnesium is an important but mostly forgotten nutrient in New Zealand agriculture that’s inextricably linked to calcium.

Finding the balance

If magnesium, a determinant of nitrogen and phosphorus efficiency, is outside 10-12 per cent, maize yields will reflect that by tapering away from the optimum.

The relationship between calcium and magnesium is direct.

A soil with 80 per cent calcium

Extracting Dolomite from the Mt. Burnett quarry in Golden Bay. Calcium is another neglected mineral that is used for the wrong reasons.

They both should form the basis of fertility programmes. Other nutrients can be more effective when calcium and magnesium are at optimum levels.

They are vital for soils, plants and animals alike.

Deficiencies of either result in serious economic consequences.

The ideal soil

The percentages of calcium and magnesium on a soil’s base saturation are critical to the success of any growing operation. Don’t let anyone try to tell you it is a ratio – it is not.

An ideal soil is 45 per cent mineral, five per cent organic matter and 50 per cent pore spaces occupied equally by air and water.

Calcium and magnesium are the minerals that determine this configuration in the soil.

In turn, that determines the physical drainage characteristics and water/air holding properties of that soil.

Optimum pore space then translates to an ideal environment for soil biology to thrive.

Plant yields are not only determined by soil nutrients, but also by root depth.

Without the correct soil structure, high yields of quality will not happen.

The soil needs to be in top condition.

It is mandatory that calcium and magnesium be correct.

On a Perry Agricultural Laboratory test, in most soils, calcium needs to be at 68 per cent and magnesium at 12 per cent.

In lighter soils, the amount of magnesium increases, while calcium decreases. Magnesium holds water better than calcium owing to the smaller size of the atom, giving a larger surface area.

Soils with inadequate magnesium will dry out faster. The total percentage of calcium and magnesium should not exceed 80.

It is the percentage that determines mineral adequacy, not the actual kilograms.

a Req uest p m le ! f re e s a

and five per cent magnesium still has the magnesium there, but it is not available to the plants. Excess calcium has suppressed it. Lower calcium to 73 per cent to end up with 12 per cent magnesium.

When soil calcium is below 60 per cent however, the soil will be too tight to allow magnesium to move out.

Deficiencies are far easier to deal with than excesses. It is a matter of adding the correct material that

will raise the nutrients in the soil.

Some fertilisers will not raise soil magnesium levels. Dolomite will raise both calcium and magnesium in the soil. Coupled with calcium carbonate, correct amounts can be calculated to reach the selected soil percentages over one or several years, to suit economic circumstances.

For further information on calcium and magnesium, see our website: www.kiwifertiliser.co.nz

FERTILISER

Page 22

Origins of phosphate fert under spotlight Shipments of phosphate rock into New Zealand are being criticised for being sourced from the disputed territory of Western Sahara in North Africa.

Ballance Agri-Nutrients Mount Maunganui site operations manager Charlie Bourne standing in a phosphate storage room.

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Mount Maunganui-based Ballance Agri-Nutrients have sourced the material from the region since 1989. Their first shipment for this year carried approximately 56,000 metric tonnes of phosphate rock mined in the area, with an expected annual amount between 150,000-200,000 metric tonnes.

Western Sahara is a disputed territory in Northern Africa. Morocco has governed the territory since 1975 when Spain gave up colonial rule.

The Polisario Front, a national liberation movement representing the indigenous Saharawi people, are seeking independence and consider Moroccan rule an invasion of their territory.

The United Nations established a mission toward a referendum regarding independence in 1991, but that is yet to materialise. A ceasefire between Morocco and the Polisario Front that had existed since 1991 ended in November.

This conflict and the disputed sovereignty of the area where the phosphate rock is mined has led to the popularisation of the term ‘blood phosphate’.

Crucial to Kiwi agriculture

Ballance strongly oppose this phraseology, labelling it highly emotive and disrespectful. They insist the terminology oversimplifies a complex topic.

However, Mike Barton, of Western Sahara Campaign New Zealand, stands by the term.

“I think the companies involved have always had a bit of a corporate guilt about things,” says Mike.

“I think they know they’re on shaky ground.”

Phosphate rock is used in superphosphate fertiliser and is considered crucial to New Zealand agriculture.

Ballance suggest agricultural production would be halved without it. Due to its physical and chemical properties, no other alternative is said to offer the same performance as Western Sahara rock.

“It’s got a high phosphorous content, which is what is desired,” says Mount Maunganui site operations manager Charlie Bourne.

“The superphosphate, what we produce, is best for New Zealand. It’s also really low in cadmium.

“There are other sources of phosphate but they have a high cadmium count.

“We could source from other sources but what would end up happening Close-up of the product. is we would poison the soil. We would not see an immediate impact now, but 300 years from now you have pretty much killed all your kids and grandkids.”

Keeping out cadmium

Kamal Fadel is the Polisario Front representative to Australia and New Zealand. He suggests the claim New Zealand cannot source from elsewhere is baseless, citing an example of three Australian companies who stepped away from phosphate rock originating from the Western Sahara region.

“They have been really intransigent and strongheaded,” says Kamal. “These companies are just looking at it from a profit point of view and have not taken into consideration the legal aspects or the moral, ethical aspects of this trade.”

It is a claim disputed by Charlie.

“We pay a premium for the Boucra rock because of the low cadmium. So we could bring in something with a high phosphate content, but it would have that hike in cadmium.”

Ballance ensure they are working in conjunction with a United Nations framework for operating economic natural resources activities in a non-selfgoverning territory, such as Western Sahara.

The framework insists that operations should provide direct and indirect benefits to inhabitants of said territory, including economic advancement.

Ballance currently source their phosphate rock from mining company Phosboucraa, a subsidiary of Moroccan fertiliser company OCP. OCP say all profits from the operation supplying New Zealand are reinvested in the region.

But Kamal disputes that claim, suggesting money will go toward the Moroccan treasury and does not benefit locals.

“Our people have suffered a great deal from oppression, occupation and they live in refugee camps in dire conditions while you benefit from our resources.”

Mathew Nash

DAIRY

Multi-species pasture is a hot topic amongst farmers at the moment, brought to the fore by the popularity of the regenerative farming movement.

But farmers interested in planting a multi-species pasture would be wise to consider that what grows successfully in another region with different climate or soil types may not grow successfully on their own farm.

There is no point rushing in and planting a 15-species pasture mix when only 10 are going to emerge.

It really is a very individual thing; rather than applying the broad brush-stroke that is a general multi-species pasture mix, farmers need to do their homework and find out what will work for them.

“We were a little disappointed in the chicory germination which was over sowed last autumn – we have since discovered it germinates better if planted directly into the soil – but the plantain planted on our Oriini farm last spring has really performed this summer.

“In the next 12 months we plan to plant plantain over the other half of the Oriini farm and the whole home farm.

“Farmers will be following the DairyNZ plantain

trial with interest as it appears its inclusion in pasture can reduce nitrogen concentration in animal urine and increase nitrogen uptake from the soil by plants, improving the farm’s nitrogen use efficiency. It could be another tool for farmers to consider.”

Alan says their aim going forward is clear.

“Our objective is to find a good multi-species pasture that can stand up to the rigours of rotational grazing and

Careful approach

Total Replacement Therapy demonstration farm owner Alan Law has been exploring multi-species pasture options as part of his transition to a more regenerative way of farming.

Alan, who has reduced his synthetic nitrogen to only 35 units/ha under the Total Replacement Therapy programme, is planting a multi-species pasture mix in mid-March that includes diploid ryegrasses Trojan 150 and Governor, plantain, cocksfoot, fescue and three types of clover: Kotuku, Weka white clover and Morrow red clover.

The mix will be planted at 31kg/ha on an area of 4.5ha that has just come out of maize.

Alan says although some might consider his multi-species pasture mix a little “conservative”, he is comfortable transitioning slowly from a ryegrassdominant pasture.

“We really just want to dip our toes in to start with,” says Alan.

“We aren’t prepared to throw money around when it comes to experimenting with seed.

“I’ve spoken to local farmers who have tried new pasture species’ which have not performed or survived because it wasn’t suitable for their farm.

“I’m very mindful that different regions require different species, and I’m not sure that the 12-15-species ‘one size fits all’ pasture mixes would stand up to the rigours of our more intensive rotational grazing system.”

Finding a way forward

Alan is one of many farmers who have experienced poorly persisting ryegrass cultivars in the past, and last season started along the multi-species route by incorporating chicory and plantain into his pasture, as well as three species of clover.

GRUNDFOS ®

Page 23

performs well across all four seasons of the year.”

It is important to note that soil fertility also plays a part in germination.

If the nutrients are not present in the soil, the new grasses that are planted will not have the energy to get going, let alone stay over a period of time.

Although these new grasses and clovers will eventually fix nitrogen from the atmosphere and build fertility over time, they still need nutrients to get established.

Page 24

DAIRY

DAIRY

Page 25

Why denying the obvious won’t work Innovative Innovative Design Design Improves Improves Efficiency Efficiency

every environmental measure largely due to astute and sympathetic daily management.

Every year there is the potential to grow more pasture and produce a greater quantity of meat, Ezi-flo pit gates completely Ezi-flo pit gates completely however that is at the clear exit ways and cannot clear exit ways and be touched by cowscannot leaving discretion of the owner. be touched bythe cows leaving milking area.

It provides a blueprint the milking area. that can be used for The fully galvanised gates far larger properties are available in kitset for The fully galvanised gates speedy and ultimately the are available in installation kitset for speedy installation entire pastoral farming industry. The owner 0800 226974 extends an invitation to 2 C OW S H E D the scientific fraternity, and politicians, to visit, Ph Jim 07-850 Mob. 0274 936 693 2 C5971 OW SH ED examine, and measure Ph Chris 07-849 3630 Mob. 0274 936 692 ezi-flo Ph JimP.O. 07-850 5971 0274Hamilton 936 693 Box 10 188,Mob. Te Rapa, every aspect of the PITGATES www.dairybuilders.co.nz Ph Chris 07-849 3630 Mob. 0274 936 692 operation. For more information, call Peter P.O. Box 10 188, Te Rapa, Hamilton PITGATES www.dairybuilders.co.nz on: 0800 843 809.

To the right is a recently taken photograph of a Functional Fertiliser client’s property from 2500ft.

The move to organic certification was made in March 2013 with all required nutrients applied annually.

Without accurate rainfall data it’s not possible to know whether it’s been drier or wetter than normal recently, however what is important is the difference in colour between the property and neighbours.

The farm is situated close to Forest Lakes just north of Otaki, an area where locals enjoy walking and over the past 10 years the owner has received many compliments and often been asked the question: “why is your place so much greener than the neighbours?”

Under the current conventional model of excessive water-soluble nutrient propped up by unsustainable synthetic nitrogen applications many farmers will not survive the coming crisis.

0800 226974

A holistic view

Carbon positive and high levels of pasture and animal production are compatible however will only be achieved when the current models are dismantled.

The new system will be based on the awareness and understanding of the interconnectedness of soil, plant, animal and human health.

Soils are the basis of the new paradigm and until there is a focus on creating healthy biologically active soils that necessarily grow more feed of higher quality, there will be a continued reduction in farm profitability.

The models used to justify the existing growing systems have a flaw. That flaw is calculating plant protein by measuring the nitrogen content and multiplying by 6.25.

The number reached is a measure of crude protein and a poor indicator of actual protein.

Plants containing high levels of crude protein are unacceptable to animals unless balanced by a high energy and fibre supplement.

Animals consuming high levels of crude protein necessarily excrete excess nitrate resulting in loose dung, dirty backsides, rapid weight loss and poor mating performance, the reason for, on average, dairy cows lasting less than three lactations.

Animals grazing pasture grown on truly healthy soils containing all necessary elements are clean, docile, and gain weight at a rate that most find unbelievable.

When the pasture is grazed after reaching the top of the rapid growth phase it is naturally high in full protein, and the losses of methane and nitrous oxide are of little if any consequence.

Plants develop a stalk and seed head in response to stress, which over summer is usually due to a lack of moisture, and high soil temperatures.

The pasture highlighted has a deeper root structure and is therefore able to access both moisture and nutrient from a greater depth.

ezi-flo

A Functional Fertiliser client’s property from 2500ft.

The difference in colour is in part due to the plant’s ability to convert sunlight to protein and energy very efficiently.

Because there is less stress plants stay leafy and digestible for longer.

Better every year

The current industry model actually incentivises lower levels of pasture production and taken to its logical conclusion, brown top becomes the pasture species of choice.

That means far fewer animals gaining weight slowly with lactating stock producing much lower volumes of milk, resulting in an uneconomic pastoral industry.

The highlighted property was part of an Agricultural and Marketing Research and Development Trust study that showed it to be actively sequestering carbon, lowering atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. The property is positive on

DAIRY

Page 26

Metabolics a precursor to herd diseases A major issue in New Zealand cows are the diseases of mastitis and metritis.

There are various reasons for the occurrence of both, but one of the main reasons is clinical and subclinical milk fever.

“In New Zealand, approximately 40 per cent of the herd will

experience either clinical or sub clinical milk fever,” says Sollus head nutritionist Dr. Joe McGrath.

While cows are rarely culled (outside of deaths) for milk fever itself, they are regularly culled for other reasons that are caused by milk fever.

“We know that herds with high incidence of metabolics have poor health, but is it related?

Published research has shown that milk fever, clinical or sub clinical, directly increases the incidence of many diseases,” says Dr. McGrath.

“In one study early-stage mastitis increased the odds ratio by 8.1 and in the case of retained foetal membranes, which lead to metritis, the increase was 3.2.

“Mastitis and metritis are major reasons for cows leaving the herd and costing money.

“We can’t sell the milk, we need to treat them and their chance of getting in calf is much less, especially in our seasonal systems.”

The other major costs that are rarely monitored are time spent by staff tending to these diseases, and opportunity cost.

“If a cow leaves within 50 days in milk she has cost you a full lactation worth of milk as you have wintered her, calved her, plus her salvage value is much less than at the end of last season.

“Why does milk fever increase the risk of these diseases? The first reason is immunity. Research has shown that low blood calcium reduces a measure of immunity called neutrophil

oxidative burst, meaning cows with low blood calcium have less chance in resisting/ fighting infection.”

The second reason is muscle strength and Calcium is critical for this.

“Smooth muscles are often the first to lose strength when calcium is deficient and the ones we are concerned about are in the uterus and the teat sphincters,” says Dr McGrath.

“Poor teat sphincter closure means easy access for bugs post milking, and for the uterus it means the inability to crunch down and expel the placenta cleanly.”

At the end of the season when reflecting on why cows have left the herd, Dr McGrath says to think past the initial symptom and focus on the cause.

DAIRY

Page 27

Farmer to pay it forward “The situation was exacerbated A Hawke’s Bay sheep and because our farm is in a livestock beef farmer is emphasising the movement control area for tuberculosis. importance of having a buffer of “In a normal season, when it got dry feed to get through tough seasons. we would be able to sell store cattle at Bruce Goldstone farms 4000 breeding ewes, 1000 hoggets and 450 cattle on 1,045ha at Putorino, north of Napier.

He started running short of feed for his livestock during the North Island drought early last year.

Bruce turned to the national feed coordination service, funded by MPI, for help.

“If it had not been for friends and the baleage we sourced through the feed coordination service we would have been in serious trouble,” says Bruce.

“I could not fault the organisation of the service. It was a lifesaver and I will be forever grateful.”

Tough times

Through the service, Bruce sourced 100 round bales of grass silage from the Waikato and the South Island. He was sent a further 100 bales of baleage by friends, bought 40 tonnes of PKE and already had 200 bales of silage.

the sale yards, but we had to carry an extra 50 to 60 steers through.”

The shortage of feed had major flow-on effects for his business.

Major losses

“The ewes were not fat enough at mating. That resulted in a 40 per cent drop in our lambing last spring costing $150,000 in lost income. A further $50,000 was spent buying extra feed.”

The situation has made the Bruce reassess the buffer of feed he needs to have on hand for significant adverse weather events such as drought.

MPI has extended funding for feed coordination and planning services until the end of June.

The feed planning service is delivered

by Beef + Lamb New Zealand, DairyNZ, Federated Farmers, and other specialist providers.

A feed plan helps farmers set trigger dates for key management decisions, such as culling surplus livestock.

Innovative electronic cup removers Mike Smith of Riverstone Farms milks 1200 cows on 320ha in a 60 bail rotary, which was built in 2014.

“At that time labour was not such an issue, so cup removers weren’t considered then,” says Mike.

“Move on six years and there are increasing challenges with getting good labour. Cup removers became necessary to attract the quality of sharemilker I wanted, and for improving animal health by reducing over milking.”

Mike says choosing MilkTechNZ cup removers was an easy decision, due to its many features.

“Key features for my sharemilker and myself include the ability to change the milking parameters in real time, within seconds, from our smart phones. This allows us to adapt our milking routine during the cows’ lactation. The multi-colour LED button in the bail is a simple way for our staff to identify issues from the different modes through colour.

“Other features like lift-and-start and rapid venting of the ram make the milking process a pleasure.”

“It is important to make decisions early. Do not watch as your livestock get lighter while you wait for rain.”

This summer, Bruce has a solid buffer of stored feed.

“I have told the people who sent me feed that if they are ever short, I am ready to return the favour.”

The feed planning service can be accessed by phoning: 0800 BEEFLAMB, or DairyNZ on: 0800 43 24 79 69.

Bruce Goldstone on his Hawke’s Bay farm.

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Sharemilker Geoff Colson and Mike Smith of Riverstone Farms, Oamaru.

Mike says teat spraying was also a big part of the decision when considering the different systems available on the market.

“We chose the MilkTech NZ bail teat sprayer because it allows us to apply straight after milking. It interfaces through the CR-1 cup remover.

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Page 28

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Based on high yields in company and industry trials, Avatar is expected to become the benchmark amongst tetraploid perennial ryegrasses.

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There has been a lot more scattered showers depending where you are – just enough to keep things green. So, many people are still feeding out but most farmers are on once a day milking but hope to milk through to the end of May with feeding maize silage.

The weather has stayed reasonably mild and the grass is growing slowly.

Good news for all

The payout is looking really good with Fonterra’s new prediction, going from $6.90 to $7.50 for this season and with some economists and banks suggesting a $7.20 to $7.30 opening forecast for next season.

That’s good news for everyone, because when the farmers have money, they can spend on maintenance, seed and fertiliser etc.

When farmers are struggling, so are the suppliers – it’s a twofold situation.

While Covid-19 is still causing problems for Auckland, we’ve been very lucky out here in the rest of the country.

A lot of businesses I’ve spoken to have never been so busy, and that really is thanks to the dairy and horticulture industry. The latter is especially true here in the Bay of Plenty – land is constantly being put aside for new orchards and structures.

When the backbone of the country does well, everyone gets a piece of the pie.

Plenty of feed

Supplementary feed sales are slower than they were last year because there’s a lot of feed around. Lots of silage has been cut in and around the Waikato, and there’s not much additional maize purchasing going on.

But the grain market is finally up this year, so the grain guys will hopefully make a good profit.

The beef schedule is still down a bit, but that’s typical for this time of year.

Now, farmers need to remain aware of the environmental rule changes that are coming up, particularly in regards to water regulations and feeding out forage crops in winter.

Keep planting those wet and boggy areas in plants like flaxes and native trees and keep those areas fenced off to keep stock off them.

Filtering the water going into our streams is important, as clean waterways benefit everyone.

Pasture renovations underway

Everybody should be well into their pasture renovation by now and getting their seed in before the end of April. The later into April you leave it, the less likely you are to be grazing before spring.

Every week into April means an extra three weeks at the other end – it’s a three to one ratio.

If it stays very mild or we get good rain then that won’t be the case, but it certainly will be if it’s an average year that turns cold in May. Then only the weeds will grow – so there will be no grass to graze, but weeds to spray.

This month, keep monitoring those new pastures for weeds, and keep doing follow up sprays to keep them under control.

After that first graze put some nitrogen on just to keep that rye grass going until the clover starts, and get it established well before winter.

Keep monitoring brassica crops, Lucerne and new pasture for army caterpillar as they can take out a lot of crop in a short time so may need to be sprayed with an appropriate insecticide.

And finally, stick to your pasture plan.

Proper planning prevents pitiful performance.

We have some excellent milking quality grass silage bales available along with meadow hay and barley straw. Call us for a quote and make sure you have plenty of feed for winter.

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PASTURE RENOVATION

Page 29

Reflecting on another maize win stand-out in this trial, with P0937 taking second place.

“P1253 certainly suits the Bay of Plenty climate.”

The Dovastons plant and harvest the crop themselves in order to have full control over all inputs.

Their family has been growing maize since 1967. The brothers attribute an

element of their success to paying close attention to detail.

“We’ve been in the industry for a long time, and back then there wasn’t a lot of information available. It was trial and error,” says Daniel.

“Today, we don’t do anything new or out of the box; we do what’s recommended. We don’t cut corners.”

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The Dovaston family have been harvesting maize since 1967.

The Dovaston family are stoked to have another Pioneer Maize Grain for Yield Competition under their belts.

Dovaston Agricultural Ltd won the Bay of Plenty regional Pioneer Maize Grain for Yield competition for the fourth time in seven years at the end of 2020.

Daniel Dovaston, who runs the business with brother David, says the consistent wins reinforce that they’re staying at the forefront of the maize grain industry.

“It means we’re going down the right track,” says Daniel.

“A lot of planning goes into growing maize but at the end of the day, the biggest player in the success of a crop is the weather.”

Each year, Pioneer Brand

Products runs a series of grain strip trials as part of its hybrid testing programme. All growers who run a grain strip trial are entered into the competition.

The Dovastons’ winning hybrid, P1253, yielded 19.64 tonnes per ha, the third highest regional yield in the 2020 competition.

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Sniffing out velvetleaf A quick whiff and sniff, and Wink the dog is off.

Moments later he barks and sits, to alert his handler that he’s found what he’s been searching for.

Wink has been trained to find a serious cropping weed called velvetleaf.

Velvetleaf has yellow buttery flowers, distinctive seed pods with heart shaped leaves that are velvety to the touch and can grow up to 2.5m tall.

A member of the mallow family, velvetleaf is notoriously hard to control and each plant can produce over 17,000 seeds which can survive for decades. If allowed to germinate, it could cause up to 70 per cent reductions in crops.

It’s a nuisance for farmers around

Aotearoa, and the Ministry for Primary Industries is asking everyone to keep an eye out for the weed.

“Velvetleaf is an invasive pest that competes for space, nutrients and water, which affects crop growth,” says John.

“Wink has a very keen and astute nose, much more adept than a human eye and he can locate it really quickly.

It’s been a team effort between Wink and myself.”

When Wink locates velvetleaf, it is removed and destroyed. But everyone can help control the weed and stop its spread, says John.

“We need everyone’s help.”

MPI urges anyone who sees velvetleaf to call their pest and disease line, 0800 80 99 66.

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Page 30

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Just Avocados, a Katikati-based avocado supply group, has brought together a group of enthusiastic avocado growers from across the regions to provide guidance to their team on Just Avocados’ value proposition and operating policies.

Andrew Cutfield, general manager of investor relations and supply at Just Avocados, says the grower advisory group was formed out of Just Avocados’ former Grower Trust which was originally put in place to oversee the avocado pool rules.

“The value of the Trust expanded beyond its core requirements to become a wider influencer and sounding board for Just Avocados in terms of our strategic direction.

“The value of having a group of proactive and commercially minded growers at the table was still important to the business and so hence the grower advisory group was created.”

Currently the group has four representatives who are growers from Katikati, South Auckland and the Far North.

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Andrew says the role of the grower advisory group is to act as a further conduit between growers and Just Avocados, acting as a sounding board for Just Avocados as well as representing the interests of growers and being another point of contact for suppliers to air key concerns with.

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“This is a group of people that are looking at the business from the outside and providing constructive feedback on how we are walking the talk.

“Through this group we are also getting feedback from the field and the opportunity to develop deeper relationships with our growers.”

Steve Smith, an avocado grower of four years and chair of the group, is passionate about assisting growers and especially about sharing his knowledge gained through the journey of his own orchard purchase and its rejuvenation from a run-down state.

“As a relatively new grower with a background in communications and primary production I would like to think I can be a useful point of contact for growers as well as providing Just Avocados with input to their programmes and strategies. Both parties are dependent on each other for success and the advisory group is a means to achieve this.

“If I have a particular area of expertise, it is probably understanding what new growers are going through or the questions that prospective growers should be asking.”

Steve says his journey into the avocado industry has been a huge learning curve but feels he is at the point now where he is making good decisions and can share some of that wisdom.

Meet the team

The group is currently made up for four growers with a diverse mix of experience but with a shared passion for avocados and the New Zealand industry.

David French from Glenbrook Beach, near the Manukau Harbour, has been growing avocados with partner Jocelyn for 25 years. He served on the NZAGA Board as a grower representative for several years up until 2015 and has recently covered part of his orchard with an overhead canopy.

Iain McGillivray from Katikati has been growing avocados for 13 years and along with wife Liz, is very involved in industry activity and technical trials.

They assisted the industry by participating in an audit with Chinese officials in 2018 when the New Zealand industry was going through the process to gain access to China.

Grant Kokich from Ngataki in the Far North has been growing avocados for 10 years. He is continuing to convert his land and develop high density plantings and is achieving production yield in excess of 20 tonnes per hectare on two orchards managed with wife Samantha.

Steve says that the benefit to growers of this group is that they have a semi-independent point of contact that they can discuss their issues with without the perception of having a marketing or sales pitch being put to them.

“Across the Grower Advisory Group there is some really interesting experience and knowledge and because we are Just Avocado suppliers, we also understand the bumps in the road and can give our view on things and share why we’re doing what we’re doing.”

Contact details for members of the Just Avocados Grower Advisory Group are available on the Just Avocados website: www.justavocados/about-us

AVOCADOS

Page 31

Growing: it’s really quite straight forward This is going to be a shorter column as I wanted to focus on the single topic of compost and mulch.

I’ll start by saying growing avocados really is a straight forward process. It’s not too scientific or highly technical, and it’s quite practical.

Growing avocados is all about trying to keep it like that – simple.

It’s about keeping the fruit growing for the time the fruit is on the tree. The faster the growth rate, the better and bigger the fruit.

The key is to keep your eye on the detail of growing. Ok, and a bit of the technical stuff, science weather, nutrients…

We quite often forget about the small things, like controlling the weeds that invade and compete with avocado tree roots, and protecting and enhancing the root zone.

Mulch has been widely used as a tool in root zone management. In my view, it is both an expensive item and also an inexpensive tool for its job.

There is no doubt that avocado trees respond to mulch and compost.

It adds organic matter to the soil and root zone, helps beak soils down and provides a range of nutrients that enhance soil fertility.

With constant use, it’s very beneficial and helps to control weed growth through suppression.

Now’s the time

When applying bark chip mulch, consider applying slightly more nitrogen fertiliser as decaying mulch binds up nitrogen and releases it over a later time.

Now is a good time to apply compost to support trees’ root zones, as the temperatures are decreasing and the trees are growing.

It enhances the soil prewinter and helps get the roots in better condition.

I use a Revital compost and vermicast mix around the root zone – and the worms spread it for me.

It’s self-contained, quick and timely. You can also add a vermicast and seaweed mix, which adds even more nutrients and biodynamic benefits.

I recommend integrating this into you annual nutrient programme as either an autumn or a spring timing.

It also needs to fit into your budget rather than an ad hoc item, and have a purpose that fits your programme.

Plan ahead

I’ll note that adding compost and mulch to avocados when times are tough is an expensive use of the budget.

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You don’t always need to add it into you activity, but it is beneficial.

If your budget is constrained, do less area but to a better standard.

I started by saying growing is simple. You need to keep it simple otherwise it can become a

minefield of issues.

Having a plan, setting some targets and focusing on just keeping your tree and fruit growing makes it so.

Getting jobs and resources correct for your property at the correct time is key, so they don’t

become bigger than they need to be.

Mulch and compost can be part of that but use the best resources and the product that suits your budget.

Happy growing this autumn season.

Page 32

AVOCADOS

Taranaki eyes avos A Taranaki development organisation is encouraging people into the avocado industry.

Venture Taranaki’s initiative, called Branching Out, hosted an event last month attended by 120 potential growers, investors and support services.

“Through this event, we were able to present firsthand credible information while busting myths,” says Venture Taranaki chief executive Justine Gilliland.

“We gave potential growers the information they need and industry connections to support them as they consider the viability of avocado orchards for themselves, here in Taranaki.”

Proud to be associated with

Branching Out project manager Kevin O’Reilly.

Guest speakers included Trevelyan’s Pack and Cool orchard productivity manager, Jonathan Cutting, and Avoco market manager, Henry McIntosh.

The support from the speakers and the engagement from the attendees was encouraging, says Branching Out project manager Kevin O’Reilly.

“It was really heartening to have speakers from the Bay of Plenty come and share their expertise, since horticulture is something the East Coast does so well,” says Kevin.

“Growers here have been able to sustain the local supply of avocados to a certain degree, but the idea of the Branching Out project is to make sure we drive sales further into New Zealand, and export.

“We’re not just here just to feed Taranaki – we’re here to feed the world.”

How avocados would handle Taranaki’s weather was a hot topic at the event.

“There’s a very accurate belief that Taranaki is quite windy, and wind is no friend of the avocado,” says Kevin.

“A generation ago that was a problem but now we have ways to mitigate the wind and smarter ways of pollinating the plants.

“We’re more likely to be successful now than we were a decade ago.”

Taranaki’s cool weather in November is also something to consider, says Kevin.

“That’s why new orchards won’t roll out everywhere in Taranaki, they still need to be grown on sites that are in those warmer micro-climates.”

Venture Taranaki say there are about 207,000 ha of land potentially suitable for generic horticulture within the boundaries of the Taranaki Regional Council.

The organisation commissioned Plant and Food Research to complete a land and climate assessment of the region, to determine its suitability for nine potential horticulture ventures, including avocados, kiwifruit, apples, hops, and cannabis for hemp and CBD. In October, Venture Taranaki hosted the project’s first in-person event, which focussed on kiwifruit.

Kevin says the focus crops were decided based on existing markets.

“We’ve focussed on two crops that are a bit harder to grow, but easier to sell.

“Going forward, we’re looking at things that are easier to grow at a small scale, but that are harder to find a market for.”

Branching Out aligns with Taranaki’s regional economic development strategy, Tapuae Roa, and the Taranaki 2050 long-term vision for a lowemissions economy.

The programme is managed by Venture Taranaki and a steering group of food and fibre sector stakeholders.

Branching Out is funded by Taranaki’s three district councils and the Ministry of Primary Industries’ Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund, with significant in-kind support from Venture Taranaki, Massey University, Crown Research Institutes, and primary sector/food and fibre industry enterprises.

EVES Katikati Orchard & Lifestyle Specialists

AVOCADOS

Page 33

Changing demand and good timing

Avoco handled a record volume of export avocados during a season disrupted by a global pandemic and shipping delays.

Only seven per cent of trays were shipped to Avoco’s customers in Asia due to softer demand and global shipping disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Avanza were forced to shelve its plans for Korea and China only a few weeks into the season due to risks associated with fruit age.

Marketing and communications manager Steve Trickett says the unreliability and higher cost of shipping made it necessary to scale back volumes to Asia which normally receives about 20 per cent of Avoco’s total fruit volume.

“In Korea, for example, vessels were delayed or diverted, which resulted in fruit arriving 40-plus days after it was harvested,” says Steve.

“Other Kiwi exporters were also affected in Korea, with the New Zealand industry only supplying 18 per cent of the planned 250,000 trays.”

Avoco exports to Asia under its Avanza brand and this year, Thailand became its largest market by volume outside of Australia.

Serviced with air freight, early negotiations with airlines meant there were minimal issues securing the required weekly freight space and, while costly, ensured shipments arrived on time.

“Thai customers are prepared to pay a premium price for New Zealand fruit and largely absorb the extra costs that come with air freight shipping,” says Steve.

“What’s encouraging for us are the signals we’re receiving from retailers that there is potential to keep growing our presence in Thailand.”

“On the back of quality improvements made in the season prior, we were able to lever our strong relationships with major supermarkets to secure a bigger slice of the Australian market. Importantly this included significantly more volumes of smaller size fruit for prepack programmes.

“While Trans-Tasman shipping was a massive challenge, given the shortage of Australian fruit, this extra demand couldn’t have come at a better time, especially when sea freight shipping to many Asian markets became untenable.”

Steve says growers will be rewarded well for their efforts in adhering to best practice, especially at the time of harvest – work that leads to better quality fruit overall.

“Our quality and technical team and the work that Danni van der Heijden has done especially in reviewing harvest guidelines and working with our packhouse partners on recommendations to improve our export quality systems is now paying dividends.”

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More than 600 avocado growers supplying Avoco will soon receive payments for 2020-21 after the export pool is reconciled and Orchard Gate Returns are finalised.

This follows an export season that spanned 27 weeks, completed in the last week of February when final shipments were made to Australia and Thailand.

A record total of 2.9 million export trays were handled by Avoco, with 85 per cent sent to retail customers across the Tasman.

On the flipside, Avoco developed some new customer relationships with prospects for continued growth in other parts of Asia.

The season’s highlight was the key retail customers in Australia demanding greater volumes of fruit from Avoco, in part due to shorter domestic supply of avocados, especially in Western Australia.

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Avoco’s solid relationships with supermarket chains in Australia have been the silver lining in a season that saw it handle record volumes of fruit while coping with unprecedented shipping challenges.

Change is coming.

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Season highlights

There are signs the road ahead will require a steady pair of hands on the wheel.

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While Thailand was a star performer, Steve says it was disappointing to end the season so early in Korea and China, especially when fruit quality had improved on previous seasons.

“The drier growing conditions of 2020 helped give us better quality fruit but, unfortunately, those two markets didn’t get to experience this.

“Japan was another significant Asian market both Avanza and industry had to hit the pause button on this season.”

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FARM REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE

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Fieldays Fencing competitions aren’t just good entertainment – they are the pinnacle event for New Zealand’s competitive fencers.

The single-competitor Wiremark Golden Plyers and the Fieldays Silver Spades doubles championship showcase the country’s best fencing talent, many of whom build their confidence at regional competitions before tackling the main event.

Competitive fencing is a battle of fitness, time and attention to detail says New Zealand Fencing Competitions vice chair, Debbie White.

“The underlying principle of a fencing competition is upholding the concept of industry best practice,” says Debbie.

A Fieldays fencing competition in action. Photo: Fieldays.

“There is no better showcase of this than on a competition fence line.

“It’s a balance between being fast enough to avoid time penalties and not sacrificing quality.”

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because of the techniques we use and the types of fences we can erect on all kinds of terrain.”

Developing skills

Debbie says businesses send their employees to regional fencing Debbie says the individual competitions to develop their skills. competition is a real test of endurance.

“It’s a great training ground.

“The qualifying time is within six“Many fencers around the country and-a-half hours, and the first people are so flat-out despite Covid, as well as the day-to-day pressures of running a tend to finish in around five hours. It’s very physical and at a high pace for business. But I encourage businesses to allocate time for competitions, and to that entire time.

“Competitors build a 40m-high reap the numerous benefits.” fence, with posts, battons and nine There are many incentives to get people involved in competitive fencing. wires. It is high spec, and the only machinery they’re Winners of the South Island allowed is a motorised postregional-level hole borer, so competition win an all-expenses paid trip they’re basically building it to the Fieldays, and automatically get a by hand.” seventh qualifying Debbie says some competitors spend line in the Fiedays months fitness Silver Spades training leading up Fieldays fencing competitions are competition. a physically demanding test of “That acknowledges to the competition. endurance. Photo: Fieldays. how young the Safety is also a factor. Specified safety judges watch South Island competitive fencing scene is,” says Debbie. “It has been around the entire competition to ensure safe for about five years, compared to the practices are maintained throughout – from wearing safety glasses while doing North Island circuit that’s about wiring work to using a chisel correctly.

25 years old.”

Debbie says the calibre of judging is Fieldays also hosts the Bill Schuler competition for six fencers who are “world-class”. “Fencing competitions haven’t previously been in a Wiremark take place throughout Europe, and are just starting to take place in America, Golden Plyers final. There’s a doubles competition for fencing students, too, but nowhere has a better showcase of called the Fieldays Silver Staples. quality than New Zealand.

“Our entire fencing industry and To learn more, visit the New Zealand competition circuit is at the forefront, Fencing Competitions’ Facebook page.

On the clock

FARM REPAIRS/MAINTENANCE

Page 35

Moving earth? Talk to the professionals

Pro Earthworks’ modern machinery.

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“With all of our modern fleet of machinery fitted with 3D machine controlled systems, state of the They provide expert earthworks in the Waikato and art late model bulldozer utilising full automation Bay of Plenty regions 3D machine control along with our grader, we can From stripping topsoil, cut to constructed fill, subincrease productivity and efficiency in every stage of grade trim, undercut and replacement, the team are the project,” says Johnny. well equipped for doing it all.

“When it comes to subdivisions, we’re equipped for “All of our machines are pretty much brand new and work great,” says Pro Earthworks’ Johnny Atkins. any job; from an untouched site, to stripping topsoil, cut to constructed fill, sub-grade trim, undercut and They can help with civil site works, subdivisions, replacement and more.” farms and horticulture, and cartage.

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Get ahead on farm reapair jobs Many farm repair jobs are much easier when it’s dry, so checking off the to-do list before the wet weather arrives is key.

Now is a great time to prioritise what needs doing and creating a plan.

Start by assessing what jobs will become nearimpossible on soggy ground, and make a time to do them before winter. These include fence clearing, shed repairs, retaining walls, laying new pipes and fixing stock yards – just to name a few.

Foreseeing what may become an issue when winter arrives is also helpful – are any trees looking weary or overgrown? Have years of wear and tear left some sheds too weathered to survive a storm?

From there, figure out what jobs will require a contractor, and what equipment you will need to get your projects underway.

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CARTAGE & EARTHWORKS

Hydrogen fuelling stations not far away The installation of eight hydrogen production and refuelling stations throughout the country will begin in the coming months.

The stations mark the first phase of a project by New Plymouth-based business Hiringa Energy, which is designed to accommodate heavy vehicles powered by hydrogen.

Once completed, the network will service all of the North Island and 82 per cent of the South Island’s heavy freight routes.

Changing the fuel model

with US company Hyzon Motors, providing them with access for up to 1500 heavy and medium duty fuel cell electric vehicles by 2026. The first order of 20 trucks has been scheduled for production and are due to arrive in New Zealand later this year.

Chicken or the egg Andrew says the typical challenge associated with hydrogen for transport is what comes first: infrastructure or the vehicles?

“Commitment to the hydrogen fuel cell trucks relies on the establishment of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure,” he explains, “and the commitment to refuelling infrastructure establishment relies on fuel cell trucks being available to underpin the investment.

“We have a very talented team, both on the engineering and technical side but also on the finance and commercial side, so we have managed to come up with a solution which has the ‘chicken and egg’ arriving together.”

Hiringa has also partnered with TR Group, TIL Freight and Waitomo Fuel.

Hiringa chief executive officer and co-founder Andrew Clennett says he is pleased with how the project is progressing.

“Our first stations are currently in the consenting phase, and equipment is being ordered,” says Andrew.

“We’re essentially shifting the logistics of the fuel supply chain from an import and distribute model to a locally produced and consumed model.

“It’s a little disruptive for the traditional transport fuel model, but we’re pleased with the way it has come together.”

Hiringa chief executive officer and co-founder, Andrew Clennett.

Carbon-neutral Locations for the first eight stations include Tauranga, Hamilton and Palmerston North, and are on track to be completed by the end of 2022.

As well as being on main freight routes, the locations have been selected based on access to renewable energy and/or hydrogen supply, as well as proximity to businesses that can potentially operate a suitable fleet, such as industrial complexes, dairy factories, ports and airports.

The stations will cater for fuel cell electric vehicles, which use hydrogen fuel cells to generate a current by combining oxygen from the atmosphere and hydrogen from a tank. The only tailpipe emission produced in this process is water vapour.

Hiringa recently signed a vehicle supply agreement

Trucks the target

The target market for the refuelling network is the heavy transport and the industrial sector, because the benefits of hydrogen fuel suit the needs of the sector, says Andrew.

“Hydrogen performs most effectively for the high payload, high mileage applications where the vehicle needs to stay on the road, providing a service day and night, and covering many kilometres.

“These vehicles produce the most emissions in a diesel fleet, so hydrogen will help transport operators rapidly decarbonise their fleets without compromising their existing service.

“We often see people expecting a two horse race between hydrogen and battery electric for zero emission transport with only one winner. In reality it’s going to need a mix of both technologies, including biofuels, with each playing to its strength.”

MacKenzie Dyer

CARTAGE & EARTHWORKS

Recently released Waikato Regional Council data shows 21 environmental prosecutions were completed during the 2019-2020 financial year, with 42 convictions against 23 polluters.

A total of $1.189 million in fines was imposed against those convicted by specialist judges who heard these cases around the Waikato region.

“Prosecutions for the really serious environmental incidents are important, but only form part of our overall compliance strategy,” says Council’s regional compliance manager Patrick Lynch.

“A large part of daily business for our council is to enable the community and businesses to utilise and interact with natural and physical resources – like using water from the Waikato River. But using those resources comes with obligations.

“There is a balance to be struck and we have to ensure people also operate within environmental limits.”

Thousands of consents

Patrick says there are currently more than 11,400 resource consents across about 5000 sites in the Waikato, with 62 per cent of the monitored consents compliant last year.

“Non-compliance ranges in its seriousness, and for those found to be non-compliant a variety of actions will have been taken, including education.

“Sometimes, more than one action will be taken if initial directions are not heeded.”

Environmental compliance, enforcement and monitoring data for the last financial year also shows that 134 abatement notices, 71 infringement notices, six enforcement orders and 305 formal warnings were issued.

Of the region’s 4100-plus dairy farms, 820 were physically inspected.

More than 1700 environmental incidents were reported by the public all of which were assessed

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and responded to, with 570 physically attended by council staff.

On-water regulations

In addition, regional council maritime officers interacted with more than 2500 people on coastal and inland waterways over the 2019/20 reporting period, with 86 infringements, 34 formal warnings and 72 verbal warnings.

Taupo constituency councillor and Environmental Performance Committee chair, Kathy White, says she is heartened by the results but concerned about the seemingly slow rate of behaviour change in some sectors.

“Council staff are working really hard and, as their governors, we continue to support them in their compliance, monitoring and enforcement work,” says Kathy.

Expanding the sector

To keep up with regulations from central government, council’s regional compliance section has recently been formed.

The section comprises five investigators for very serious incidents, a 24-hour incident response service and a team who monitor farmers’ environmental activities, as well as regional harbourmaster and maritime officers who ensuring compliance with the region’s navigation safety bylaw.

This section works closely with other staff in the council’s regulatory team that monitor compliance with the thousands of resource consents operative across the region.

“Though we have more regulatory obligations, we do not necessarily have more regional resources, so we have to be as efficient with our current resources as possible,” says Kathy.

“Ensuring our compliance teams work closely together assists with that.”

Council encourages people to report Waikato air, water, land pollution incidents, or maritime safety incidents by calling: 0800 800 402.

Page 37

LIFESTYLE FARMING

Page 38

Greenfingers beware of gardening chemicals While the weather is still warm and great for gardening, it’s an ideal time to take stock of the garden chemicals stored around your home.

The Environmental Protection Authority’s Safer Homes programme has got some handy tips as the traditional Kiwi summer gardening season gets underway.

“It’s a great time to do a stocktake – or even a ‘spring clean’ – of the chemicals you’ve got at home,” says the Safer Homes programme manager Lizzie Wilson.

Storing or stockpiling products you no longer need creates unnecessary risks, and easily preventable hazards, says Lizzie.

“A common myth is that ‘natural’, ‘organic’, and ‘environmentally friendly’ products are safer to use. These substances can still be hazardous and the same precautions need to be taken.”

Safe gardening practices include wearing gloves.

“Home gardening and cleaning chemicals are safe to use when you follow • Try weeding and mulching, instead of using the instructions on the label, which will also tell you if you need protection, like gloves, a facemask, or chemical sprays. Pellet-type products can be safety glasses. attractive to young children and pets, so keep them “There’s guidance on our website about how to away while using gardening products. safely dispose of old chemicals that are no longer • Store chemicals up high and out of reach, and needed. It’s very important people never pour unused always read the label. Dispose of chemicals safely product down the drain.” and don’t pour leftover product down storm water drains.

Lizzie’s tips Read more about staying safe in the garden at: Her top tips for staying safe in the garden are www.epa.govt.nz/everyday-environment/gardeningas follows: products/ • Wear gloves, and check the label to see if you need Or follow the EPA on Facebook for more insights other protection, like a face mask or safety glasses. at: www.facebook.com/EPAgovtNZ • Choose a calm day. The wind can blow products

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into your eyes and face, or onto other people.

• Keep products away from your eyes and face, and off your skin. If you are spraying near or on edible plants, check the label to see how long you need to wait before the plant can be eaten.

• Be careful if working near streams or water. Many garden products should not be used near water.

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LIFESTYLE FARMING

Page 39

Livestock staggers Do any of your animals have the shakes?

Both rye grass and paspalum plants can cause similar neurological conditions (commonly referred to as staggers).

As opposed to ‘grass staggers’ which relates to low magnesium in livestock soon after birth, these two fungal-neurotoxin induced diseases can cause generalised tremors in all ages of cattle, sheep, deer, alpacas and horses.

Ryegrass staggers occurs when animals grazing perennial ryegrass eat large amounts of a toxin, lolitrem B, produced by ryegrass endophyte, a fungus that grows inside the plant.

This endophyte also produces another toxin that protects the plant from destruction by insects, in particular the Argentine stem weevil.

Toxicity is increased as the animals graze lower, if they are forced to eat short grass they are more at risk of ryegrass staggers.

Paspalum staggers occurs when animals eat seed heads of paspalum that have been infected with an ergot fungus. The seeds are notable dark masses that are larger than the normal seeds.

The clinical signs of these poisonings are similar and are usually seen when animals are disturbed and forced to move. The initial symptoms are subtle head tremors and skin twitching.

These can become more pronounced as head nodding, swaying, with a staggering motion that can become a stiff legged, jerky walk and eventually collapse.

Recognising infected animals

Deaths tend to be accidental following injury such as drowning after a fall into water or being caught in fences.

Recognising affected animals and taking preventative steps against ryegrass and paspalum staggers is important to prevent accidental injuries.

In addition affected animals can show reduced production such as poor growth rates and reduced milk production.

Both of these diseases are usually seen late summer to early autumn, in different types of paddocks.

In contrast ‘grass staggers’ (due to a lack of magnesium) is mainly seen in winter and spring in older cows and sheep.

Treatment of both these diseases relies on slowly

and quietly removing affected animals from the noxious pasture and to provide supplementary feed such as hay, silage or nuts.

Prevention

Anecdotally oral nutritional treatments with mineral/ magnesium based formulations may also help the severity of clinical signs for affected animals. Once removed from the toxic pasture and left quietly for a period, the animals will usually fully recover.

Injury due to misadventure and accidental death are the most common complications if treatment is delayed or the condition severe enough in nature.

Prevention is essentially stopping animals from getting access to affected pastures: avoiding hard grazing of ryegrass, topping paspalum before the fungus can grow on the seeds.

Longer term management would include resowing pastures using ‘safe’ endophyte grass strains (like AR37) which have an endophyte that kills weevil but does not produce staggers toxin.

While common at this time of year, these neuro diseases are not the only reasons for animals to stagger.

If you suspect that your animals may be suffering from one of these diseases or something else, please contact your local vet clinic for advice.

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COUNTRY LIVING

Page 40

Exploring roads less travelled in the South Whether you’re picnicking amongst off-thebeaten-track scenery or enjoying lunches on stations with the run holders, ‘unrivalled’ views await you on NZ Adventures 4x4 Tours says owner-operators Robbie and Connie Crickett.

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NZ Adventures 4x4 Tours run through the South Island’s back country. All accommodation is in motels, and meals are in restaurants.

The only mandatory stipulation is vehicles on a NZ Adventures 4X4 Tour have all terrain type tyres in good condition and a ‘low range’ transmission fitted.

“Every vehicle is supplied with a radio so a commentary is available and two-way communication is enabled,” says Robbie.

The Eastern Explorer Tour starts in Geraldine and heads south-east through the mountain ranges of South Canterbury.

“During five days we travel through the old gold workings in the Naseby and Ranfurly area, farmland in Strath Taieri and the Lammermoor and Lammerlaw ranges, as well as view the Oceania Gold Mine at Macraes Flat ranges.

“We also follow the Clutha River before turning into the mountains and old gold mining routes through isolated and sparsely-settled country, before arriving in Alexandra.”

This tour runs in January 2022.

The High Country Heritage Tour is run as either a six or seven day tour. Starting in Blenheim and traveling through iconic Molesworth Station.

“Highlights are travelling over the hills from Wairau Valley into Awatere Valley, Orari Gorge and the huge stations of the Mackenzie Basin and Lake Benmore.”

Further south travelers enjoy the Oteake Conservation Park, the quaint Vulcan Hotel in St. Bathans “and the Dunstan and Pisa ranges will not disappoint”.

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A study of invasive wasps on Great Mercury Island/ Ahuahu shows they share resources like food and habitat instead of competing with each other, a worrying result for conservation.

Introduced social wasps are a major problem in New Zealand, as they compete for food and prey on native species. The study sought to discover what areas of the Island each species inhabits.

“The findings suggest that because the four wasp species split resources, they are able to coexist on the same island,” says lead author and University of Auckland doctoral candidate Julia Schmack.

“They are voracious predators and our study shows that, unfortunately, they are not competing over food but sharing it and likely won’t be out-competing each other any time soon.”

Co-author Professor Jacqueline Beggs says invasive species cause significant problems all over the world but few studies have looked at multiple invasive species at the same time.

“By understanding their combined ecological impact, we have a better chance of developing strategies to protect our valuable native species,” says Jacqueline.

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COUNTRY LIVING

Page 41

Helping osteoarthritis (Part one) I regularly find myself buried in scientific research always looking to improve both my products and the advice I give.

New enhanced formula

Ultimately it is the real benefi benefits people get that is important. If the best research cannot be translated into health benefits then it is of no value.

One of the main differences between orthodox medicine and nutritional medicine is that, for good reasons, medical treatment is generally limited to those medications that are registered treatments using drugs that have gone through many years on testing.

Understanding disease

In nutritional medicine we first gain an understanding of the disease processes.

We then identify natural compounds that help.

With osteoarthritis this means adding compounds most importantly quality chondroitin at 800-plus mg daily with glucosamine to impact the actual disease processes.

Chondroitin is so effective that it is now available on prescription in Europe.

Once we have helped correct faulty disease processes we then focus on reducing inflammation, the cause of much of the pain and mobility loss.

Reducing inflammation

We identify dietary changes and supplements that can help reduce inflammation within the joint capsule by adding curcumin from turmeric and Omega 3 from fish oils. The outcome of improving

joint function and reducing inflammation is less pain and increased mobility.

I spoke with a client I have been helping for six months with knee arthritis.

I put him on my nutritional medicine knee osteoarthritis programme and he reported that his knees are less painful, have greater flexibility and do not click as much.

Of course I am delighted for him to be feeling better, but this comes as no surprise as this is a typical response for those I help with knee arthritis.

The key to any nutritional therapy is to work to a personalised programme with regular reviews.

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 all new newsletter at: www.abundant.co.nz

Abundant Health

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 42

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April 9-10

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BOP Orchid Show, 10am-

4pm, Memorial Hall, main street, Te Puke, $3. Ph 07 573 9710.

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Register with Graeme or Gael, ph 07 570 3123.

Katikati, $20. Ph Kylie 07 549 5250.

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Super Foods: Waikato Horticultural Society, 7.30pm, Wintec classroom, Gate 2, Hamilton Gardens, $5 nonmembers. Ph Carmel 07 855 3404.

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Blokes in Sheds Ramble, 9am-3pm,

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Conference to cover all things Angus beef King Country and Taranaki breeders will have the opportunity to discuss all things Angus beef this month.

In conjunction with the Angus NZ AGM, King Country and Taranaki Ward are hosting a conference on April 8-9 in New Plymouth.

Jam-packed

The two-day event will include education, entertainment, good dining and plenty of opportunities to socialise with fellow Angus Breeders, says

The King Country/Taranaki Angus Ward conference will be held in New Plymouth.

Angus NZ King Country and Taranaki Ward chair Alan Donaldson.

The Angus NZ AGM will kick-start the event, followed by a happy hour, dinner and an auction of donated items.

The auction is an annual event that raises money for Angus Youth.

Gilbert has been the All Blacks mental skills coach for 200 tests, and has worked with the Silver Ferns, Black Caps, Crusaders and WRC Champion Haydon Paddon.

He has also been the general manager for Harcourts International for 12 years.

Expert speakers

Attendees will have the opportunity to visit King Country/Taranaki Ward studs and see what the region has to offer following the conference.

After having to cancel the annual bus tour last year due to Covid-19, the ward decided to do something a little different by hosting a conference-style event, says Alan.

“The invitation is out to all Angus cattle breeders to come along, listen, learn a little or a lot, and meet other breeders who share your passion.”

For registrations and further information, visit: https://bit.ly/3luetUg

The conference will be held the following day and features eight speakers, who specialise in a range of fields: from breeding and animal care to research and technology.

The experts will talk on a range of topics including how to increase profits from the use of new and existing technology, exploiting genetic gains and how to make money “with the push of a button” using social media.

A speech from highly regarded mental skills coach, Gilbert Enoka, will wrap up the event.

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Farm visits

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

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Page 44

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Charlie Mathis, 12 months, giving the grass a taste test in Tokoroa.

Haylee, 9, with her deer Bambi in Waiuku – they are obsessed with each other.

Mason, 6 months, sitting with two of his furry friends, Link and Gem, in Rotorua.

Deanna, 10, Perry, 8, and Kingston Williams, 5, cooking their tucker in the beautiful Taumaraunui bush.

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