After a year of Covid-19 curveballs that kept his family apart, Ahuwhenua Trophy Young Maori Farmer winner Quinn Morgan says it’s hard to describe how much the award means to him and his family. Read the Whakatane farmer’s story on page 7. Photo: Alphapix.
INSIDE:
˜°˜˛ Fieldays Lift Out
Methyl Bromide Saga PG 5
Welcome to the District PG 11-17
Education/Boarding PG 22-23
Country Living PG 25-27
Forestry PG 31-33
Avocados PG 36-39
Calving PG 40-41
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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS
New season’s greetings Happy moving day everyone. For those packing up the house, children, pets, cows and hitting the road this week, I hope the glow of a new contract makes the stress all worth it. The impo tance of connection is a theme that has unintentionally popped up throughout this month’s edition – timely, as thousands of farmers settle in to new communities. The isborne and Te Puke Young Farmers groups both emphasise that having a network of people to call on who know about the highs and lows of farming is a great reason to sign up to a rural community group. Read more on page 11 and page 16. Th oughout our pages, writers mention how having Fieldays back at Mystery Creek brings an important social event back into the farming calendar that the online event just couldn’t replace. The e’s twenty pages of Fieldays action, exhibitors and reminiscing in our special edition Fieldays lift-out. We also catch up with Avocado ‘go-to’ man, Jonathan Cutting, who is using his ‘retirement’
property as an organic avocado growing experiment. Jonathan and his wife Joy are certainly not cutting any corners – a cage of young guinea fowl will be released to assist with pest control and they have hundreds of bee hives for natural pollination, among many other organic initiatives. Read about how their doing it on page 36-37. The farming awa ds season is wrapping up, with the winners of the Ahuwhenua Trophy and New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards being announced last month. Read about Ahuwhenua Trophy winners Tataiwhetu Trust on page 26, and Young Maori Farmer winner Quinn Morgan on page 7. On page 40, NZDIA Share Farmers of the Year runner ups Reuben and Deb Connolly talk about how they tackle the calving season, and the rest of the national NZDIA results are on page 41. MacKenzie Dyer
COAST & COUNTRY NEWS
Page 3
Unliveable farmhouses to be a thing of the past absolutely should’ve,” she says. Steve says the RTA requires landlords to provide and maintain rental properties in a reasonable state of repair. “˜ e RTA also requires landlords to provide properties in a reasonable state of cleanliness. “Rental properties must comply with all requirements in respect of buildings, health and safety under any enactment so far as they apply to the premises. “Landlords must comply with these legislative requirements for the duration of the tenancy agreement.”
After hearing about the new Healthy Homes Standards, our past farmer says that it’s about time. “I could never understand how farmhouses could not be considered at the same level as other rentals. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure there’s a lot of farm owners out there that spend the time and money upgrading their houses, but personally from houses I know of, there are a lot of places that don’t have anywhere near the healthy home standards,” she says. “Farming families have a right to a healthy home.” Jordan Boyd
Farmhouses come under the government’s Healthy Homes regulations.
A large number of people within the New Zealand farming community have done, or currently do, live in contracted farmhouses. ˜ ere are con° icting opinions associated with these properties regarding whether they are liveable or not, however many views come down to the fact that it is a ‘luck of the draw’, and each house is completely di˛ erent. ˜ e new Healthy Home Standard will soon change these views as any new or renewed tenancy – whether that be private or service – will have to abide by much stricter rules after July 1, 2021. It will introduce speciÿ c and minimum standards for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture and drainage, and draught stopping in rental properties.
Upping the standard
New Zealand farmhouses come under service tenancies where an employer provides accommodation for a worker to live in during their employment. National manager of tenancy compliance and investigations Steve Watson says all service tenancies need a written tenancy agreement; even if the tenant doesn’t pay rent, it’s still a service tenancy. “˜ e Residential Tenancies Act 1986 covers service tenancies; all the standard rules apply, except for a couple of di˛ erences relating to rent and the ending of a service tenancy. “Under the RTA, service tenancies must comply with the Healthy Homes Standards.”
A woman who spent six years living in farmhouses, and wants to remain anonymous, says that some can be a very good and some are very, very poor. “We had three children, the youngest only being one. Knowing what I know now about what is required for a healthy home; we put our kids through quite a bit when they were little,” she says.
Reason to leave
Out of the four houses the family lived in, only two were what she described as reasonable. “Looking back, none of them would have passed the healthy home bill,” she says. “At one point, we had a very draughty house which had two centimetre gaps in the ° oorboards, and I was forever cleaning black mould o˛ the walls. “˜ ere was no under ° oor insulation and we had to cover the ° oors with mats and a couch, but it wasn’t just in the one spot.” She says she had to keep the ÿ re going, plus a heater for the whole winter because there wasn’t any insulation at all. “We had such a miserable winter that we had to get out of there. “We ended our contract and my husband had to look for another job in between seasons.” It was at this point that the family decided to leave farming altogether. “We’re so much better informed now. “I would never have thought to say about the mould, because we got the house as part of our contract for free, you just didn’t ask but we
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Page 4
Meet Horticulture New Zealand’s new chief executive
Nadine Tunley has been announced as Horticulture New Zealand’s new chief executive. Nadine is already known to some of the horticulture sector having been primarily in the apple and pear industry since 2000. Her involvement in the industry began just prior to deregulation in 2001, where Nadine was tasked with exporting some of the ÿ rst shipments made outside of the single desk model. Nadine has always been associated
Specialising in
• • • • • •
to the primary industries having worked in, mixed horticulture, meat, seafood, dairy and for the past four years, Manuka honey. “We are very pleased to have been able to appoint a candidate of Nadine’s calibre, with her level of horticulture and wider food and ÿ bre sector experience,” says HortNZ president, Barry O’Neil. “° is was after an extensive recruitment process. “Nadine will lead HortNZ into new territory, as horticulture adapts to Covid and the operation of industry changes.
Removal / chipping of whole trees On site chipping for stand off pads Wood chip for sale Orchard shelter removal Stump removal Woodlot marketing of all tree species
“Over the next decade, climate adaption, freshwater quality improvements, and increased use of technology and automation will result in signiÿ cant change to the way fruit and vegetables are grown in New Zealand,” says Barry. “HortNZ’s role will be to help steer the industry through this change, advocating for growers to be given the time and support to adapt. “° is is so our growers an remain viable during the transition, and do what they do best: feed New Zealand and the world healthy, good tasting and safe food. “Nadine is very well placed to lead this change,” says Barry.
Up for thegchallenge inreally looking cialisin SpeNadine says she’s
Handing over the reins forward to starting in theofHorticulture whole trees Nadine Tunley, ping chip / Barry commends Mike for leading oval • Rem NZ chief executive role. and the horticulture industry “I have had afor very strong d off pads Horticulture New HortNZ stan chipping site always • On through some very challenging times. Zealand’s new connection with the food and ÿ bre “Over the past ÿ ve years, Mike has chief executive. sale sector,dhaving grown up in rural chip for • Woo led the advocacy that has enabled New Zealand,” she says. tremendous growth in the industry, at the same oval rem ter shelindustries are in yet another period • Orch “Ourard primary time as it has started to change in response to new of change and challenge, be it Covid, climate, oval rem p environmental and customer requirements. His • Stum labour, environmental, or logistics-related. leadership of the horticulture industry through “All of these factors having a signiÿ canties spec all tree g of ketinare mar dlot • Woo Covid was outstanding,” says Barry. impact on the way we grow and farm, and our social license to operate,” says Nadine. “I am really delighted to be able to assist New Zealand’s strong and vibrant horticultural sector to forge through this next period of change. “My role will be to facilitate and advocate on growers’ behalf for policies and regulatory frameworks that will not only enable better
d Vote ST CHOICE
outcomes but in doing so, keep all the horticulture industry at the forefront of continued success.” Nadine says she is also looking forward to having the opportunity to work collaboratively with the industry bodies, product groups and district associations that make up the horticulture sector. “I have worked well with these teams before. ° ere are some incredibly talented and capable people in our sector, and I can’t wait for us to work together again.” Nadine starts in her position on Monday, June 14, and the current chief executive Mike Chapman will stay at HortNZ until Friday, June 25, to assist with the handover.
“He brought the industry and government together to immediately ÿ nd practical solutions to the challenges that Covid posed. “° is ensured that growers, packhouses and the rest of the industry could continue to operate and get food on New Zealanders’ tables, as well as to export.”
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Page 5
Methyl bromide saga continues ° e Ministry for Primary Industries says New Zealand exported $3.81 billion of logs in 2019. About 22 per cent of these (nearly $840 million) were treated with methyl bromide for export. Fumigation of logs for export constitutes the bulk (92 per cent) of New Zealand’s methyl bromide use.
A long-running saga surrounding use of an environmentally unfriendly gas to fumigate New Zealand’s export logs has taken another slow turn.
In a third waiver, the “recapture” deadline for methyl bromide has been pushed out three months to November 28. Don Hammond, independent chair of Stakeholders in Methyl Bromide Reduction, says New Zealand is ‘potentially the largest trader of logs across borders’. However, he says trade in forestry products to key markets such as China and India will be a˜ ected should the use of methyl bromide be stopped without an acceptable substitute. Don says the matter has been before the Environmental Protection Authority for four years. “° e wheels of bureaucracy turn slowly,” he says. “It’s been far in excess of anything we expected.” Don says his organisation ÿ rst ÿ led an application with the EPA in 2017. A public hearing for the “modiÿ ed reassessment” of methyl bromide was held in August 2020. “As further information continues to be requested by the decision-making committee, the hearing o˝ cially remains open, says EPA general
Finding alternatives
“˜ e wheels of bureaucracy turn slowly.”
manager of hazardous substances and new organisms, Dr Chris Hill.
A separate committee is considering an application for a methyl bromide alternative called ethanedinitrile (EDN).
Don says EDN, made by Draslovka in the Czech Republic, is not an “ozone-depleter” as it breaks down in the logs. Evidence has been provided to New Zealand’s trading partners, he says. “° ey want to know what the rules will be.” Dr Hill says EPA sta˜ are assessing new information received on the EDN application, and an updated report is expected to go to the decision-making committee in coming months.
Steve Edwards
Overdue regulations
He says the methyl bromide recapture requirements due to take e˜ ect in October 2020 will now take e˜ ect in November 2021, after extensions were sought by the applicant, STIMBR. “° e decision-making committee granted the extensions in order to provide export certainty for the timber industry until a decision is reached on the reassessment,” says Dr Hill. Don says de-barking provides a non-chemical alternative, but there is not su˝ cient capacity in New Zealand. At present, India only accepts logs from overseas treated with methyl bromide.
Changes coming to Fish & Game governance “It also provides a template for future results.” Ray says the review panel went to exceptional lengths to canvass the full raft of views from both within Fish & Game and external stakeholders. “What the reviewers identiÿ ed is a huge disparity in views on the future structure. ° e review report provides solutions where consensus was not going to be possible. “It has many positives for the organisation to take into the future.” ° e report was released by Acting Conservation Minister Photo: Richard Cosgrove. Dr Ayesha Verrall.
A government review into Fish & Game has outlined a tranche of recommendations to modernise governance protocols and decision making.
° e report is the result of a ministerial review initiated last year by former Minister Sage in order to ensure Fish & Game’s governance and structure are ‘ÿ t for purpose’ today – the structure has been unaltered since 1990. Recommendations in the report include reducing the number of Fish & Game regions from 12 to six, the number of governors on each council from 12 to eight, and suggests ways to include iwi throughout Fish & Game. New Zealand Fish and Game Council chairperson Ray Grubb says the review provides an overdue and welcome health check of the organisation. While it proposes some signiÿ cant changes, he is encouraged it endorses Fish & Game’s core strengths. “It is encouraging that it is a ringing endorsement of our strong environmental advocacy on behalf of our 150,000 anglers and game bird hunters,” says Ray.
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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS
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‘Role model’ farmer wins Ahuwhenua accolade Quinn Morgan works on a 155ha Otakiri farm near Whakatane.
˜ e Ahuwhenua Trophy’s Young Maori Farmer for 2021 is 26-year-old Quinn Morgan.
Photos: Alphapix.
Quinn is in his ÿ rst season of farming, working as a farm assistant for Sam and Kate Moore on their 155ha farm in Otakiri, near Whakatane. ˜ ey milk 570 cross breed cows through a 36 aside shed and are on system three. Eighty per cent of the farm is irrigated. ˜ e announcement was made by the Maori Trustee and chief executive of Te Tumu Paeroa, Dr Charlotte Severne at the Ahuwhenua Trophy awards dinner last month. Judge Aaron Hunt says Quinn Morgan exempliÿ es all that is good about young Maori who are making successful careers in the primary sector. “Quinn has shown great commitment to his work, excellent leadership and will do a great job as a role model for other young Maori contemplating a career in the agribusiness sector,” says Aaron.
Quinn Morgan at the Ahuwhenua prize-giving.
“I found it hard to get into the dairy industry at the beginning because of my lack of experience. I was about three days away from ˛ ying back A new life to Perth to be with my family when my Quinn moved back to New Zealand from Perth at the beginning of 2020 to set now employers o˝ ered me a job, so I was pretty lucky that I got to stay.” up a new life for him and his family. Quinn says his favourite part about “Covid hit, and my wife, Samantha, and farming is the lifestyle. children became stuck in Perth for six “No matter how busy we are, I’m home months,” says Quinn. every morning to have breakfast with “˜ at was hard for us.” my family. He originally wanted to join the “Samantha is a big part of my police force, but due to having a family career as well – she’s studying a diploma associated with farming, Quinn decided in agribusiness. to head in that direction.
“We have some pretty big goals to try and achieve.”
Award winning farming
Being named Young Maori Farmer of the year was a big surprise for Quinn and Samantha. “When we did get named a ÿ nalist, and then winner, we were pretty surprised,” says Quinn. “My wife was in tears and we couldn’t really put into words the feeling that we made it there. “We entered to try and better our career and to get a good head start, but we came to the liking that it’s not about us; it’s about putting the next young farmer forward and that’s a pretty fulÿ lling role to be in.” Jordan Boyd
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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS
A new way forward for biosecurity A small kiwi company is using new technology to change the face of conservation and pest control throughout the country. Envico Technologies primarily develop drone systems for biosecurity and biodiversity and are helping reach New Zealand’s predator free by 2050 goal. Samuel Vye and Cameron Baker founded the Tauranga based company two years ago after being asked to build a drone to distribute bait aerially for rat eradication on one of the Galapagos Islands.
Automation
After seeing the ease and efficacy o using drones for pest management the pair decided to create a business. The biosecurity wo k the business is doing varies from working with Ospri to eradicate TB to killing rats using a toxin delivery system. This di ectly benefits the prima y industries, says Samuel. “Biosecurity costs money, with new tools and tech, we can improve the efficiency of the tools for biosecurity a well as decreasing the cost.” The pest management pitfi e toxin delivery system they are developing eliminates the need for manual traps that require clearing and resetting and only need servicing once a year. It works by automatically dispensing a lure for the target species, when the
animal eats the lure a toxin is dispersed onto its stomach, killing the animal once it has been ingested. Smart sensors on the device diffe entiate the target species from native animals – Spitfi es have been developed for possums, stoats and rats. Envico have created Cameron Baker and Samuel Vye with the helicopter they converted to a drone. the Spitfi e but they are working with the without refuelling and take up to 70kgs, Department of Conservation and Boffa and the helicopter and SA200 weigh Miskel to conduct trials and get data around 150kg and can carry up to 200kg. ahead of the product’s commercial launch The benefits of using ones is they are next year. fully automated and pre-programmed Spitfi es are a first for pest management based on GPS waypoints making them and Samuel is interested to see how the highly accurate, says Samuel. technology will be received overseas with The craft can be within one met e of the rats being a global problem for primary waypoint and it eliminates any element of industries and conservation. human error that could occur, he says. “We’re big advocates but certainly the Drone management benefits of drone systems far outweigh the The team ha e a developed a benefits of manned for aerial cont ol.” multicopter drone, converted a manned The team ha e just launched a sidearm helicopter to a drone and recently to their business Syos Aerospace to launched their own aircraft called further develop the SA200. the SA200. The next ear will be spent testing the These can be used for aerial bating but drone and Syos plan to raise capital at the also have other commercial uses. end of this year, to enable them to set up The d ones use combustion engines a factory in the Bay of Plenty and employ giving them longer run time and the a larger workforce to start manufacturing ability to take a higher payload. Alisha Evans The multicopter can un for an hour in the second half 2022.
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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS
The Magic touch
Helisika helicopters have helped communities with a wide range of commercial and forestry services since 1995.
Experience and new enthusiasm may be the magic combination that sees the Waikato Bay of Plenty netball team take the ANZ Premiership title.
For the ÿ rst time in her three-year tenure, Splice Construction Waikato Bay of Plenty Magic coach Amigene Metcalfe believes she has put together a team highly capable of winning a ÿ rst ANZ Premiership title. On the back of impressive o° -season signings in the form of proliÿ c Australian shooter Caitlin Bassett, well-performed midcourter Grace Kara and dynamic defender Temalisi Fakahokotau, both former Silver Ferns, there is a conÿ dent feeling the missing ingredients to a more consistent Magic have been found. With three other newcomers in the team, including NZU21 squad member Georgie Edgecombe, midcourter Tori Kolose and shooter Chiara Semple, the Magic have signiÿ cantly changed their line up this season. “I think we haven’t been able to conÿ dently say that we’ve had a team that could win it previously because of the unknowns,” says Metcalfe. “But we’ve now got people who have been in winning championship teams, who know how to win and know how to compete. ˛ en when you add the excitement and enthusiasm of the young ones, we think we can win it.
“We identiÿ ed we were lacking some experience in key areas, so really happy that in each area of court we’ve added some experience with Caitlin, Grace and Temalisi.” ˛ ere’s also experienced campaigners in midcourter and captain Sam Winders and long-limbed defender Erena Mikaere while up-and-comers Khiarna Williams (shooter) and Georgia Tong (defender) continue to prove their skills and will beneÿ t hugely from the personnel around them. ˛ is season the Magic play across Hamilton, Tauranga and Rotorua. To learn more about the Magic or to grab a ticket their games, visit: www.netballmagic.co.nz
Keen to catch the action? Coast & Country News has one double pass to the Magic vs Mystics game on June 14 at Claudelands Arena, Hamilton. To enter, email your name and address to mackenzie@thesun.co.nz with an answer to this question: Who is the Magic coach? Entries must be received by Wednesday, June 10.
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˛ ey specialise in agricultural spraying and fertiliser spreading for farmers and crop growers from North Waikato, Auckland and up to Northland. ˛ e family run business which was started up by Greg Gribble celebrated a milestone achievement of 25 years in 2020 which was a huge achievement for the company. Greg, who was once a builder by trade is now the CEO of Helisika and one of the company’s two pilots, with the other being his son. His daughter also works for the company. As winter approaches, the team at Helisika helicopters adapts to the seasons with a change of common
Page 9
services over the coming months. Administration and accounts manager Natasha Bridgeman says winter jobs consist more of spraying for gorse and fertiliser, and frost control, whereas in the warmer months they end up doing more weed spraying and ÿ re work. ˛ e team at Helisika Helicopters also do a lot of work with the council and track maintenance. “We put in all of the metal for bush walking tracks in the area which is really cool because a lot of people just take it for granted with how it all gets there,” says Natasha. “Most people seem to think that it’s done with wheelbarrows and such.” Helisika LTD is based at Ardmore Airport in Papakura, South Auckland with a large hanger to house all the equipment and aircrafts.
Page 10
FARM VEHICLES, MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT
A piece of post-war Kiwi ingenuity Rural contractor Bill Darbyshire has always had an interest in machinery, and is a motor mechanic by trade.
“I grew up on a Whanganui dairy farm, and the ÿ rst piece I collected was when I rescued the turn of the century stationary engine that my grandfather used for cream separating on that farm,” says Bill. Limited by space, Bill’s collection really took o˛ when he moved to a 10-acre block in the 1990s, and one of his more interesting pieces is a homebuilt tractor. “It was quite common after World War II, when there was a shortage of tractors and parts, that people fashioned their own tractors out of whatever they could make work.”
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Bill Darbyshire with his post World War II homebuilt tractor. All photos: Catherine Fry.
Bill discovered his homebuilt while working in the Orini area, and a friend had pulled it out of a hedge and showed it to him. “It was a bit of a mess with a rusted chassis, a seized engine and a corroded aluminium radiator.” It was interesting identifying where all parts had come from. “˜ e chassis is deÿ nitely from a circa 1920s Guy truck or bus imported from the UK. “It probably came in as part of a bus as there don’t seem to be any records of Guy trucks being imported into New Zealand.” ˜ e Guy Motors engine is a fourcylinder overhead valve, with four gears, and runs on petrol. While reconditioning the engine, Bill discovered that it had alloy connecting rods, which is unusual, and actually part of aircraft technology at that time. “˜ is makes sense because Mr Guy was a design engineer for Sunbeam motors, whose company turned to making aircraft engines during the war, and trucks and buses after the war.” It amuses Bill that Guy Motors decided to apply a little aircraft technology to truck making. ˜ e front wheels are the original pneumatic tyres, but the back wheels are a di˛ erent story. “˜ ey’re a heavy worm drive di˛ erential assembly from a Dennis truck built around 1910.” On the Dennis truck, they would have had solid rubber tyres, but the homebuilt has angled iron welded to the wheels for traction, and Bill has added chunks of rubber tyre between them.
As there was no body work, the driver can now sit on a smart wooden bench, sitting on a wooden base. ˜ e radiator was replaced from “something I had lying around” and the petrol tank is from an old hay baler. Bill has discovered that his homebuilt was well known around the Orini area for rescuing trucks from the deep, clay soil ditches on Ten Foot Road in the 1930s. “For a tractor she’s pretty high geared and performs well in tractor pulling competitions. “Put it this way… she certainly stirred up the little Fergusons!”
Catherine Fry
WELCOME TO THE DISTRICT - EASTERN BOP
Page 11
Get connected with Gisborne Young Farmers
In June, the group invites anyone that is interested to attend a meeting with New Zealand Young Farmer’s chief executive Lynda Coppersmith. More details about this event will be posted on the Gisborne Young Farmers Jordan Boyd Facebook page.
Gisborne Young Farmers is a space for locals to connect with similar people, to improve self-development and to ÿ nd opportunities within the community.
° e club hosts events ranging from National Young Farmers competitions to club meetings on stress management. As a part of the NZ Young Farmers, the non-proÿ t organisation has a strong focus on connecting communities and helping to grow future leaders. With almost 80 clubs around New Zealand, NZYF provide a venue for young people to develop their leadership and personal skills. People don’t need to be a farmer to join – all they need is a passion for the agriculture, food and ÿ bre sectors.
It’s who you know
Gisborne Young Farmers chairperson Sandra Graham says because Gisborne is such a large area and is very sparse, it makes it tricky for people to reach out. “In Gisborne, it’s who you know, not what you know,” says Sandra. “Gisborne Young Farmers is a good network if you’re needing help or just wanting to meet new people. “A lot of people don’t know we exist. “We aren’t a big group.” ° e age requirement for joining Gisborne Young Farmers is 18, and the cut o˛ is 31.
Crutching lambs with members Jeremy Hudson, left, Samantha Wallace right, Daniel Wilson and Alexis Wallace, far back.
However, due to the small numbers, Sandra chooses to treat the club as more of a social group. “° e age limit it normally 31, but we let people stay on. If you’re over 18, you’re welcome to join.”
Reaching out
Gisborne has some of the highest suicide stats in the country, which is why Sandra is adamant that people get connected within the community. “It’s a good support network if you’re needing some help,” says Sandra.
Gisborne Young Farmers Daniel Wilson, Troy Hudepohl and Alexis Wallace.
“Personally, if I think that someone is struggling I’ll just ˝ ick them a message and ask around to check that they’re okay. “Come along and have a yarn and some tea and we’ll ÿ gure out a plan – whether that’s moving to a new house, training a dog, needing a new job or wanting to get into any activity such as rugby or clay bird shooting; we can all work together.” Gisborne Young Farmers is on a mission to further include the community in what they do and bring in more members and businesses to support the establishment.
Page 12
WELCOME TO THE DISTRICT - CENTRAL PLATEAU
Dairying made easy with ABC ABC Milking Solutions at 19 White St, Rotorua.
˜ ey may be called ABC Milking Solutions Ltd, but really they are the A to Z when it comes to the business of dairying.
Based in Rotorua, the company is locally owned by Alan Van Den Heuvel and Claire Marshall who, along with four technicians, provide a wealth of dairy knowledge and more than 50 years of combined experience. ˜ ey provide innovative dairy solutions for farms of all sizes – from lifestyle blocks through to large professional operations. Services include machine testing, service work, trenching, e° uent systems, water pumps, rubberware, herd management, and dairy detergents. ˜ ey are also licensed dealers of DeLaval Milking Systems and are NZMPTA accredited service technicians. ˜ e company also has a sales rep who services Reporoa, Rerewhaakitu, Waitike, Ngakuru, Atiamuri, Mamaku and Hamurana.
“Our rep takes orders, delivers products and has a well-stocked van with spare parts for the milking shed and water ÿ ttings, saving you time and a trip to town,” says Claire. ˜ ere is also a Hiab for bore lifts, removing and ÿ tting e° uent pumps,
and other jobs that are hard to reach. In the o˝ ce, Claire and Michelle can help with queries and there is a shop, on site at 19 White St in Fenton Park, Rotorua fully stocked with spare parts. For more information, see the advertisement on this page.
Farming fallout from an eruption Farmers will soon be able to get advanced warning of where ash might fall following a volcanic eruption.
Cattle graze near Taupo with the dormant Mt Tauhara in the background. Photo: Daniel Hutchinson.
GRUNDFOS ®
GNS Science, MetService and the Earthquake Commission have joined forces to enhance real-time forecasting models for volcanic ash-fall from the country’s 10 most active volcanoes. Apart from the obvious physical danger posed by proximity to large eruptions, ash is the most signiÿ cant e˙ ect on agriculture. ˜ e new project combines existing eruption scenarios with weather forecasting to predict the likelihood of an area being a˙ ected by volcanic ashfall. “New Zealand is dotted with active volcanoes and an eruption could impact communities far beyond the regions closest to the volcano,” says Taupo based GNS Science volcanologist Dr Yannik Behr. “Power companies need to know the risk of ˆ ashovers due to ash, NZTA needs to know if the markings on the roads will become invisible and dairy farmers will be interested in how much ash their cows may be ingesting from the grass.” ˜ e project team is developing models that will be able to provide more accurate estimates of how much ash will land, but also when it is likely to arrive. Dr Behr says in previous eruptions GNS Science would traditionally focus on ash deposits, while MetService would focus on aviation impacts, as was the case when eruptions at Ruapehu in 1995 and Tongariro in 2012 signiÿ cantly a˙ ected air travel over New Zealand. MetService scientist Dr Rosa Trancoso says that Metservice has been working with GNS Science since 2014 to combine modelling forecasts with GNS Science data for New Zealand’s 10 most active volcanoes. ˜ e new project will advance this work by providing the chance of ash being present in a particular area, following an eruption. A Beef and Lamb fact sheet to farmers lists ash as the biggest threat to agriculture from a volcanic eruption and warns e˙ ects can be long lasting with reduced animal weight gain and pasture growth.
Daniel Hutchinson
WELCOME TO THE DISTRICT - WAIKATO
Page 13
A busy year ahead for Pratt Milking Limited
˜ e team at Pratt Milking Limited.
Pratt Milking Limited is a locally owned company that specialises in milking machine systems and stainless steel fabrication.
INSIST ON GENUINE PARTS & LUBRICANTS INSIST ON GENUINE
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We take pride knowing that the parts and lubricants we supply are tointhe manufacturer’s specification, We takewe pride in knowing thatmanufacturer’s the parts and specification, lubricants supply are to the
ensuring the perfect fit and longevity of your precious
we supply arethe to perfect the manufacturer’s specification, ensuring fit and longevity of your precious
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Onlyavailable availablefrom from your authorised AGCO dealer Only your authorised AGCO dealer Only available from your authorised AGCO dealer Only available from your authorised AGCO dealer
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CONTACT Rotorua I 490 Te Ngae Rd 07 345 8560 CONTACT CONTACT CONTACT Dealer Name Morrinsville II Thames St 07 889 7055 Rotorua II 490 Ngae Rd 345 8560 Morrinsville I Thames St 07 889 7055 Rotorua I 490Te Ngae 8560 US TODAY Morrinsville Thames St 07 889 7055 Rotorua 490 TeTe Ngae RdRd07 07 07 345345 8560 Dealer Address CONTACT Address Dealer Address PARTS SUPPORT Dealer PARTS SUPPORT Dealer Name Dealer Name Dealer Phone/Email/Website Dealer Address Dealer Name US TODAY US TODAY CONTACT US TODAY Glen Autridge / Corey Williams Matiu Weko / Jess Willis CONTACT PARTS SUPPORT PARTS PARTS SUPPORT PARTSSUPPORT SUPPORT Morrinsville I Thames St 07 889 7055 Rotorua I 490 Te Ngae Rd 07 345 8560 Dealer Name Dealer Morrinsville I Thames St Name 07Address 889 7055 Dealer Name Dealer
PARTS SUPPORT PARTSPhone/Email/Website SUPPORT Dealer Dealer Phone/Email/Website CONTACT Dealer Phone/Email/Website Address Dealer Phone/Email/Website Dealer Address Morrinsville I/ Thames St 07 889 7055 Rotorua I 490 Te Ngae Rd 07 345 8560 Dealer Address /Autridge Annemarie Barnhill Autridge Williams Matiu Weko Willis GlenGlen / Corey Williams Matiu Weko// Jess / Jess Willis US TODAY US TODAY SERVICE SUPPORT Glen Autridge / Corey Corey Williams Matiu Weko Jess Willis US TODAY Dealer Phone/Email/Website PARTS SUPPORT PARTS SUPPORT / Annemarie Barnhill Dealer Phone/Email/Website / Annemarie Barnhill PARTS SUPPORT PARTS SUPPORT SERVICE SUPPORT SERVICE SUPPORT Mark Koopal Dealer Phone/Email/Website /Glen Annemarie Barnhill SERVICE SUPPORT Autridge // Corey Williams Matiu Weko // Jess SERVICE SUPPORT Glen Autridge Corey Williams Matiu Weko Jess Willis Willis SERVICE SUPPORT Mark Simon Levings / Brendon Manning SERVICE SUPPORT MarkKoopal Koopal //SERVICE Annemarie Barnhill Dealer Address SUPPORT Mark Koopal SERVICE SUPPORT Annemarie Barnhill Simon Levings / Brendon Manning SERVICE SUPPORT Simon Levings / Brendon Manning Dealer Address SERVICE SUPPORT Mark Simon Levings / Brendon Manning www.piakotractors.co.nz Dealer Address SERVICE SUPPORT Mark Koopal Koopal Dealer Name Simon Levings // Brendon Manning Dealer Address www.piakotractors.co.nz Dealer Phone/Email/Website CONTACT Simon Levings Brendon Manning
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four big new rotary cowsheds, a brand-new honey processing plant and a handful of sheep milking machines to name a few. “With sheep milking being the big mover at the moment it keeps our stainless steel fabrication team busy with building the stalling alone ˜ e team of qualiÿ ed technicians, with milk lines and receiving cans, giving “With sheep welders, engineers and farming us total control on quality and delivery. specialists have been serving the milking being the “Here at PML, we pride ourselves Waikato and greater North Island for big mover at the on the quality of the products that more than 25 years. moment it keeps we produce and our knowledge of ˜ e company are authorised the dairy industry,” says Zakk. our stainless dealers for DeLaval and Grundfos – “We o˛ er expert stainless steel two of the most popular and reliable steel fabrication fabrication services, sound advice on brands world-wide in their team busy.” what you really need, as well as catering respective industries. to your service needs on all milking systems, PML director Zakk Pratt says PML’s team water reticulation systems, e˝ uent systems and has a wealth of knowledge with more than 200 much more.” years of experience in the milking machine water PML has recently moved premises to a and stainless fabrication industry. purpose built building to accommodate loyal “We have a number of exciting new projects booked in over the next 12 months, including and new clients.
Broadway, Matamata III / SERVICE 07 6292 PARTSSUPPORT SUPPORT Roger McKeown 0212 376 /573 SUPPORT Don Kay 0275 Broadway, Matamata 07 888 6292 PARTS Roger McKeown 0212 376 573 SERVICE SUPPORT Don Kay 0275 795 090 795 090 Broadway, Matamata 07 888 888 6292
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Page 14
WELCOME TO THE DISTRICT - WAIKATO
Pure quality comes from experience ˜ ere is nothing more important than quality when it comes to drinking water. Purewater Products has been helping its rural and urban customers get the most out of their drinking water since 1989. Company owner Derek Fleet says their point of di° erence is their years of experience in the water ÿ ltration business. ˜ ey are committed to quality and most of their products are sourced from the United States. Purewater Products is based in Hamilton and provides a technical and installation service in the Waikato region. ˜ e company also o° ers a rural and farm ÿ lter service to customers in the Waikato, across a wide range of rural and farm ÿ ltration systems. ˜ at includes iron removal systems, water softeners and neutralisers, nitrate removal ÿ lters, reverse osmosis units and Ultraviolet Sterilisation puriÿ ers. Purewater Products also services ÿ lters for both single tap and whole house ÿ ltration. ˜ is servicing includes trouble shooting and repair of systems not operating correctly, as well as ÿ lter replacement and the servicing of high ˝ ow tanks. All sta° are highly qualiÿ ed in their individual areas of expertise and receive extensive training to produce high quality workmanship. “We’re committed to providing excellent service to our customers and constantly work to be the best at what we do,” says Derek. “We provide free quotes and advice based on potential customers’ individual situations and needs.” Purewater Products has a wide range of water puriÿ cation products and provide these to customers all over New Zealand, in residential, rural, commercial and specialist settings. Find out more at: www.purewater.co.nz
Purewater Products has been helping its rural and urban customers get the most out of their drinking water since 1989.
WELCOME TO THE DISTRICT - WAIKATO
Page 15
˜ e new SAM orchard spreader.
Easy-switch orchard spreader New Zealand manufacturer Coombridge & Alexander has just marked its 75th year. ˜ eir range traditionally includes SAM Spreaders, SAM Feed Wagons, SAM Hydraulic trailers and Quick Hitches. Last year they extended into horticulture with their innovative new SAM Orchard Spreader. Kiwifruit, avocado, apple, wine grape and other orchard crop growers can choose between spreading and banding from their tractor at the touch of a button. ˜ e belt reverses – forward for banding/piling, and backwards for spreading. SAM Machinery design engineer Toby Stone says this versatility means a whole range of products can be spread. From the back it can spread the likes of superphosphate, lime, urea and chicken manure, or band/pile compost, vermicast, or mulch from the front – all with no change-over time. ˜ e single-axle spreader has a standard capacity of two cubic metres with a top hat available for extra capacity.
“Customers had needs that were not being met with existing products that were out there – they wanted lower admin,” says Toby. “It just takes a ° ick of the switch in the cab to instantly start or stop the application. “Conveyors turn o˛ together, meaning the material is instantly preloaded ready for the next run. “When spreading, simply enter the spreading rate, density and row width, and away you go. “˜ e SAM controller has a very high water rating (IP67).” Options are combined spinner RPM control and individual spinner RPM control, full touch screen, custom widths and axle risers. Tractor grip and wide low compaction tires. Hydraulic oil coolers and temperature monitoring are also available. Spinner attachment options include one for RHS discharge only and one for blocking centre discharge. For more information, chat to your local farm machinery dealer or see the advertisement on this page.
SAM ORCHARD SPREADERS
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Contact your local dealer or visit www.sammachinery.co.nz
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dly u o Pr ade . r M NZ foreve ce Sin
WELCOME TO THE DISTRICT - WESTERN BOP
Page 16
Connecting young Te Puke farmers To join the Te Puke Young Farmers club you do have to be fairly young – well, no more than 30 – but you don’t have to be an actual farmer and you don’t have to live in Te Puke.
The clu , which is one of 80 found across the country that come under the umbrella of the NZ Young Farmers organisation, is all about
providing professional and personal support for young people working on the land, with plenty of chances to have fun too. Chair Lindsay Williams explains that the TPYF is a great place for young people working rurally to get to know and become a part of the farming community. “Th ough the TPYF you know someone is always just a phone call or message away to help you out when
you have an issue,” says Lindsay. Events coordinator Aliesha agrees. “The YF forum is always a great place to share your frustrations and hear that someone else is going through the same thing as you are. It is nice to know that you are not alone.”
Network for life
TPYF also makes extensive use of social media. “We had 54 people involved in a recent group chat, and even more during Lockdown,” says vice chair Daniel Armstrong. TheTPYF are constantly holding both educational and social events ranging from a cow conditioning scoring workshop run by Te Puke Vets to an inter-club tenpin bowling competition in Rotorua.
TheTPYF currently have 25 members and their partners but we also have an alumni with past Promoting the industry members still involved, often acting The organisation is always keen to as mentors. “Once you have help other young people find been a member,” says opportunities in the area Lindsay, “you kind of of employment that keep that network they love. for life.” “Most townies don’t TheTe Puke realise you can step from group meet at the city to the farm,” 6.30pm on the last says Lindsay. Tuesday of every month “They seem to think that ou at the Jellicoe St Bar and have to be born into a farming Eatery, but the catchment Te Puke YF chair Lindsay Williams, family to work on the land. But for the club is not restricted vice chair Daniel Armstrong, getting into the business can be as to the Te Puke area, with secretary Dayna Rowe and events easy as turning up on a farm and members from as far a field as coordinator Aliesha Malcolm. asking for work experience.” Edgecumbe and the Kaimais. Events coordinator Aliesha Malcolm is in the It is open to any young person wanting to join. midst of organising an open day for young people A significant number of the TPYF are involved wanting to get involved in the primary industries. in dairy farming but other members of the “Each year we have local schools reach out to group come from all areas of rural life, including us to help students decide on a career path in the dry stock farming, contractors, horticulturists, agriculture students and support service managers. agri-food sector,” says Aliesha. TPYF can be contacted through their Facebook Club treasurer, Pippa Woods, is a teacher at ACG page: www.facebook.com/TePukeYoungFarmers and the youthful wife of the local vet who is too or by emailing: tepuke@youngfarmers.co.nz old to officially belong at the ripe old age of 3
Alex Eagles-Tully
Since 1976
We Wire It All - Dairy Sheds - Workshops - Implement Sheds - Water Pumps - Houses - New/Alterations Lig - Lighting
Contact Shayne on: 027 210 4118 / (07) 573 8065 shayne@withefordelectrical.co.nz
ADDLINE TRANSPORT LTD
WELCOME TO THE DISTRICT - WESTERN BOP
Page 17
Carting the essentials for farms and orchards
˜ e Te Puke Carrying Company in action.
For all of your transport needs for the farm and orchard, Te Puke Carrying Company Ltd can help.
bunker systems for the farming community and can carry posts and poles, kiwifruit and avocados, post peeling and mulch – among many other things,” says Kevin Crawford, who runs the business with his wife, Glenda. ˜ e general carrier business pride themselves on “We also work with a helicopter company catering for both the agriculture and horticulture assisting with aerial application of farming needs.” industries in the wider Bay of Plenty area. ˜ e Te Puke Carrying Company have a long “We can transport concrete panels for e° uent/ history in the Te Puke area. “The ÿfirst Goods Service “˜ License for Te Puke Carrying Company was dated 1919 that we know of, which the Guy Family used to deliver cream from Number 3 Road in Te Puke.” Kevin and Glenda took over the company in 1990, after Kevin was an owner driver for four years with the previous owners, the Andersons. For more information about how Te Puke Carrying can cater to your transport needs, see the advertisement on this page. An original Te Puke Carrying Co truck from around 1920.
MASADA
YEA
25
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SHEEP & BEEF
New wool national standard A New Zealand National Standard for Wool has been established under the New Zealand Farm Assurance Programme with 15 new wool companies signing up to the programme. ˜ e NZFAP provides assurances to customers and consumers about the integrity, traceability, biosecurity, food safety, environmental sustainability and animal health and welfare of New Zealand’s primary sector products. ˜ e 15 wool companies join 17 red meat processors, one other wool company, a sheep milk company, Beef + Lamb and Deer Industry New Zealand, which are already in the programme. ˜ e collaboration enables the wool industry members to adopt the NZFAP as a national standard for wool. ˜ ere are currently around 8000 NZFAPcertiÿ ed sheep, beef, and deer farmers, with about 6500 farming sheep. Membership of the NZFAP means that all wool companies that sign up will immediately have access to Farm Assured wool from these 6500 properties. For farmers, there is no change as the wool standards are already included in the NZFAP audits. New Zealand Farm Assurance Incorporated, which owns the NZFAP, and the National Council of New Zealand Wool Interests, have signed a memorandum of understanding which has paved the way for membership. NZFAI chairman Nick Beeby says extending the NZFAP certiÿ cation to wool companies galvanises the primary industry collaborative power into a single and robust New Zealand assurance story. “We’re all telling the same origin and assurance story, which the wool exporters can now share with their discerning manufacturers and retail brand owners,” says Nick.
“˜ is initiative creates a single multi-sector assurance standard, eliminates duplication, and further reduces cost, which have been NZFAI priorities from the beginning. “˜ is will help drive consistency in grower standards and provide a platform for the standardisation of New Zealand wool, which can command a price premium.” Nick says the standard aligns with the New Zealand wool industry’s goal of meeting customers’ changing demands and generating long-term sustainable returns for all New Zealand wool types, both domestically and internationally. “It represents an opportunity for greater penetration and recognition internationally, not only for our red meat sector but also for the New Zealand wool industry.” NCNZWI chairman Craig Smith says the development of a uniÿ ed assurance standard will support increased di˛ erentiation and demand for New Zealand wool globally – more important than ever as the sector has been under-performing. “˜ is provides the value-chain assurances we need around land management, origin, traceability, animal health and welfare and gives us the ability to work with the red meat sector to make this happen. “Initially, we have 15 of the largest wool companies signed up to the programme with the expectation that more will follow.”
Smartrace proves to be a great option Giving ewes a slow-release dose of important trace elements makes sense to Jeremy Pitts. So, he switched to dosing ewes with a Smartrace capsule of selenium, cobalt and iodine. “I’ll definitely do it again this season.” “We’ve had the best ewe survival rate over winter and lambing for several years.” The extensive nature of Jeremy and Hayley Pitt’s 5500-hectare high country property, Mt Gladstone Station, means limited trips through the yards for ewes. “I really like that we can give the ewes what they need with two capsule doses – prior to tupping and then at shearing in late pregnancy,” said Jeremy. The property runs mediummicron Merino ewes, hoggets and wethers. Smartrace really fits the animal health plan for the ewes, and has potential for wether flocks who require long term supplementation. The capsule is two pills of trace elements, held together with a biodegradable paper. The paper dissolves and the pills rub together. As they scratch together the elements are released. “I like the fact that there is no plastic going into the sheep.” The Awatere property in Marlborough has a proven issue with low selenium soils. Cattle showed up with selenium
SMARTRACE ADULT SHEEP Smartrace Adult Sheep is available in the following formulation (based on 48g bolus on sheep weighing over 40kg): • Selenium (Sodium Selenate) 66mg • Iodine (Calcium Iodate) 762mg • Cobalt (Cobalt Carbonate) 146mg Available from vetpak.co.nz
Jeremy Pitts on his high country property. Photo: Hayley Pitts
“We’ve had the best ewe survival rate over winter and lambing for several years.” deficiency 15 years ago and resolving it made a huge difference to fertility. Ewes have always had selenium, iodine and cobalt supplementation, but Jeremy was
keen to try a product that gave a longer-acting dose. “Selenised drenches are more short-term and we don’t drench often enough.” “I decided against the injection as it’s another needle for ewes, when they are already getting two or three vaccinations.” Jeremy read about Smartrace in the Vet Marlborough newsletter and grabbed a sample pack of capsules from the vets when in town. The capsules were given to ewes in
the race using an adapted capsule gun, and Jeremy estimates only 12 or so capsules were immediately coughed up out of 3200 ewes. Any ewes seen doing this in the race were given another. Smartrace has released a new applicator that will make the dose process even faster. Research by Agrimin (the manufacturer) shows the capsules deliver all three ingredients for up to at least four months, but potentially beyond. Jeremy noticed that a ram killed for dog
tucker still had the capsule inside after four months. “It was still breaking down.” “It was really interesting to see.” Like many treatments, proving the benefits of a supplement is hard to do, Jeremy said. “But I feel that they are going better.” “The lambing percentage in the ewes was the same but the ewe survival rate was much improved.” “We only lost three ewes from ram joining in June to September.” “Our wool clip was also up but that could also be the season too.” Iodine regulates ewe body temperature and helps foetal development. Jeremy said iodine is really important pre-lamb so this is probably the key time to give a capsule, if farmers just wanted to give one. His ewes typically graze high country oversown-top dressed pastures, which are of moderate quality for much of the year. Giving long-acting selenium means the Pitts have to make sure they give only unselenised drench to the ewes. “It takes a bit of planning to make sure staff know not to drench ewes with selenised drench, but we write it all on a whiteboard in the shed.” Jeremy’s advice to other farmers is to give Smartrace a go, as it’s a great option.
KIWIFRUIT
Page 19
Industry thrives ˜ e kiwifruit industry is in the middle of the biggest ever harvest of kiwifruit. For the third year running, the volumes of Gold3 kiwifruit harvested exceeded that of the traditional green fruit. While not producing volumes of commercial fruit, the recently released Red kiwifruit also became a part of the o° ering of fruit from the marketer of New Zealand kiwifruit, Zespri International.
Looking at the numbers
˜ e below graph presents the production from the New Zealand kiwifruit industry. ˜ e industry is booming. Orchard prices are the highest they have ever been and wages paid over the harvest have typically been the living wage of $22.10 per hour as a minimum for any worker with many roles, including pickers, being paid handsome premiums.
DIPLOMA
You may never have thought about a career in horticulture, but now is a great time to consider it. ˜ e industry is crying out for talented, reliable sta° . More information on potential roles in the industry is available on websites such as Opportunity Grows Here. Seasonal work is advertised on alternative websites such as Work the Seasons. Have a look at these sites, talk to those you know working in the industry to determine if there is a particular role for someone with your skills.
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Fruition Horticulture o° ers a range of courses for those who may wish to enter the industry and feel a need for upskilling. Our entry level programme, Tu Te Wana, is aimed at youth who need some additional support to help them on the road to a career in the industry. Our Fruition Diploma, or the
My Name is Neil Woodward. I am a director of Z-Contracting- we are family run business, our team consists of three, being myself, my son and my brother. Our organisation has been established for over 18 years. I have been involved in applying crop protection programmes within the horticultal industry since 1966. We specialise within the kiwi fruit industry, We have the equipment to spray orchards with our two Atom sprayers and one recently purchased Tracatom Formula tractor which is also available for mulching and mowing.
My Name is Neil Woodward. I am a director of Z-Contracting- we are family run business, our team consists of three, being myself, my son and my brother. Our organisation has been established for over 18 years. I have been involved in applying crop protection programmes within the horticultal industry since 1966.
˜ e increase in production cannot occur without an input of more sta° . Sta° are needed not just for the pruning, picking and packing of the fruit. ˜ ere are a raft of full time roles on orchard and within the post harvest sector – jobs, that most of those reading this article would have no idea existed in the industry. ˜ e previous year, with the challenges of Covid have lead many people to either think about, or be forced to think about, career alternatives.
We specialise within the kiwi fruit industry, We have the equipment to spray orchards with our two Atom sprayers and one recently purchased Tracatom Formula tractor which is also available for mulching and mowing.
Diploma we are contracted to tutor for Lincoln University, provides opportunities for a variety of entry points or upskilling for those who are in the industry and want to improve their career prospects. Our training packages are tailored to meet your needs and provide you an opportunity to earn while you learn. For more information on any of the training o° ered by Fruition go to their websites: www.fruition.net.nz or: www.fruition.ac.nz.
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Page 20
Simon Rollinson from Water Solutions.
KIWIFRUIT
Protect your investment With winter fast approaching Simon Rollinson from Water Solutions recommends to plan ahead and protect your investment. ˜ ere will always be operational faults that need to be sorted, but with the kiwifruit harvest and the milking season ÿ nishing up, there is plenty to be thinking about to ensure everything is ready for next season, says Simon.
Plan ahead
“A bit of preparation can go a long way to ensure you have a system set to go when you need it – saving both time
and money,” he says. “For the dairy farmers, now’s the perfect time to carry out rubberware replacement and book in for a compulsory Milking Machine Testing. Vacuum pumps can also be winterised so they don’t seize or rust internally after sitting idle for a period of time.”
Frost protection
“For the orchards, frost protection is becoming the next priority and re˛ ecting on the extremely dry summer we’ve had, many are ensuring they have adequate irrigation in place before it is needed again. Customers who added irrigation to existing orchards for the last season have seen gains in yield on their latest crops,
and we are ÿ elding even more enquiries this year.” Simon says monitoring and automation are becoming popular, especially with the systems that are currently available allowing you to keep tabs on what is happening remotely. From weather stations to milk temp monitoring, there is a solution for almost all situations. Minimising production losses is paramount in maximising proÿ ts regardless of the industry you are in, says Simon. “Installing and servicing systems before they are needed goes a long way to protecting your investment. “And if you’re looking for employment in the ÿ eld, Water Solutions are on the search for another outstanding team member.”
Pollinating SunGold under cover In a Te Puke case study, Kiwi Pollen tried pollinating SunGold kiwifruit under a cover with no bees. Not a typical cover, the cloth only sat 1.2m above the canopy. It was installed post Psa in early 2012, with little knowledge and even less funds. Some of the cover was irretrievably damaged in the big October 2015 wind. Left under the cover was 1.5ha, and despite attempts with standard high population hives, nucleus hives and advice and trials by external experts, Kiwi Pollen hasn’t been able to achieve optimal bee pollination. “˜ e cover is just too low,” says Kiwi Pollen general manager Monica Roach. “Pollination has been achieved by hand spraying every ˛ ower with PollenAid wet spray and every season we have achieved the same yield metrics as the rest of the orchard with no covers.
“Hand spraying is the most e˝ ective method of achieving full pollination. Practically, though, it is extremely resource intense, taking a team of eight people, working six to eight hours per day for 10 days, applying 1000g of pollen per ha.” In 2020, Kiwi Pollen sprayed part of this area with a pollen boom sprayer, applying 500g of pollen per ha every second day – total per ha: ÿ ve applications, ÿ ve person/machine hours and 2500g pollen per ha. ˜ e yield metrics for wet boom sprayed were the same as the hand sprayed – orchard gate return (OGR): 220,000 per ha. ˜ is study shows that SunGold can be fully pollinated inside crop covers with a PollenAid boom sprayer. “˜ e future will see us pollinating this covered area with the boom sprayer with scarce sta˝ deployed elsewhere.” Monica notes these results are for full pollination and no bees.
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KIWIFRUIT
Page 21
A uniquely Kiwi way to power your performance Trimax Mowing Systems is a family-owned New Zealand company that designs, manufactures and distributes tractor-powered commercial mowing e quipment. Founded in the Bay of Plenty in 1981, Trimax has grown into an international success story with facilities in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. However, the heart of Trimax (and its global headquarters) still resides where it all started in Tauranga, New Zealand. ˜ is year Trimax is proud to celebrate 40 years of business – a business which began during the Bay of Plenty kiwifruit boom of the 1980s. Trimax mowers became popular with growers due to the super-e° cient Gamma Flail, developed by founder Bob Sievwright. ˜ ese mowers e˛ ortlessly mulched prunings and mowed grass to a superior ÿ nish, says Trimax business development manager for horticulture, Sam Warren. “Today, Trimax ˙ ail and rotary mowers remain popular for their unsurpassed reliability, performance, usability, and versatility. “Trimax mowers are designed
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Page 22
EDUCATION/BOARDING SCHOOLS
Te Awamutu students keen on farming When 70 per cent of your school roll arrive by bus from rural areas, it’s hardly a surprise that there’s demand for a Young Farmers Club at Te Awamutu College.
In 2017 the college’s agricultural science teacher, James Saunders, started this TeenAg group within the college. ˜ e college o° ers agricultural science at NCEA Level 1, 2 and 3, and it is a popular class, with more and more girls taking that career path. “TeenAg is the name for the high school age Young Farmers, but we call ourselves Te Awamutu College Young Farmers for ease,” says James. Using the social media handle @TeenAgTAC, the club has around 32 members and falls under the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Region Young Farmers.
“Our members are from farms, lifestyle and even town, with a 50/50 split of girls and boys,” says club chairman, 15-year-old Sarah Druce. Meetings are held every two weeks. “We’ve done things like riparian planting, observing the butchery process and listening to guest speakers,” says MacKenzie Fitzgerald, 14. ˜ e group were thwarted through 2020 by Covid-19, but are eagerly planning their itinerary for 2021. “We’re hoping to visit a drystock farm and a dairy farm, spend time with a rural contractor and a butcher, and learn about pasture management,” says Boyd Fitzgerald, 15. Justin Kasper, 15, says that they have all learned valuable skills such as motorbike riding, fencing, health and safety, and
general farming knowledge from their Agricultural Science classes and Young Farmers events. “Fieldays is also a big day for us and we will be part of a learning group,” says Sarah. In early 2021, Justin and Boyd signed up for the pairs competition of the Junior Young Farmers Waikato/BOP, and after beating 11 other teams, went through as one of ÿ ve pairs to the ÿ nal. ˜ e college were proud when their boys came third overall. Tasks included putting a chain on a chainsaw, a cheese tasting quiz, identifying diseases and pests, and explaining the dairy process from cow to bottle. Boyd Fitzgerald, 15, MacKenzie Fitzgerald, 14, Sarah Druce, 15, Justin ˜ e majority of the teenagers Kasper, 15, and Te Awamutu College ag. science teacher James Saunders. involved are exploring whether they would like a “Our Young Farmers group is a new students, and the group creates great success in the college,” connections between likeminded career in farming, and many says James. students and their families.” already have part time jobs in “After moving day, we get a lot of the industry. Catherine Fry
Boarding hostel with a sense of belonging At Scotlands Hostel, there’s an emphasis on the community and its voice.
and independence. ˜ e bonus is the long life friendships that are fostered.” What sets Scotlands Hostel apart from any other “We ÿ nd value in partnering school accommodation is with our whanau to protect our the surroundings. heritage and plan a way forward “We are situated at the foot for our rangatahi as boarders of our beautiful maunga here at Te Kura Taitamawahine o – Mount Taranaki, whilst Pukeariki, New Plymouth Girls’ Boarding life at Scotlands Hostel. being able to cast our eyes on High School,” says hostel director Te Tai-o-Rehua, the Tasman Marina Walsh. Sea, and only a short walk to its borders. “A sense of belonging is what we aim for and “We welcome your daughter to come and join hope each young person is able to achieve for our whanau here at Scotlands Hostel.” themselves whilst boarding with us. For more information, see the advertisement “We provide a safe and nurturing environment where each young person can grow in conÿ dence on this page.
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EDUCATION/BOARDING SCHOOLS
Page 23
Applications for boarding at Hamilton Girls' High School Sonninghill Hostel for 2022 are open now. For further information email director@sonninghill.school.nz or phone 07-8390074
Luther Yates, ˜ omas Came, Brad Foster and ˜ omas Matthews.
˜ ere was no shortage of ideas for Year 13 agribusiness students at St Paul’s Collegiate School when it comes to inventing a new agribusiness product. As part of their agribusiness studies, the 17-yearold students must invent a product or service and pitch their concept to a panel of industry experts in a ‘dragon’s den’ style presentation. ˜ e top three inventions get to exhibit their prototype to thousands of attendees at the 2021 NZ National Fieldays. ˜ e winning concept was a product called Tape Cage. It is a roll cage made from alkathene pipe that attaches to ATVs and acts as a time saver for farmers by allowing them to drive safely under electrical tape gates without having to get o° their vehicles. ˜ e product was designed by Luther Yates, Brad Foster, ˜ omas Matthews and ˜ omas Came. “We would like to develop the product further by inserting metal rods into the alkathene to prevent vehicles from rolling. We are aware of the number of accidents on farms using ATVs and this
additional design feature may just help address farm and quad bike related accidents,” says Brad. Second place went to WoolWrap designed by Cole Hood, George Oliver and Nick Healy. WoolWrap is a wool based alternative to plastic silage and hay netting. It is 100 per cent biodegradable, eco-friendly and promotes sustainable farming. Whoof, third-place getter, is a healthy alternative dog treat using the byproduct of horse hoof trimmings turning them into a less processed treat. Maddie Kitchener, Lincoln Winter, Oscar Coxhead, Sam Ward and Toby Robb came up with the concept as the industry looks to improve the quality of pet food products and noticed how farm dogs were attracted to chewing horse hoof trimmings. ˜ e group demonstrated just how popular their treats were by bringing along a dog and feeding her the treats as part of their presentation. All three groups will exhibit their inventions at Fieldays in June, vying for the title of ‘Young Inventor of the Year’.
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Page 24
CARTAGE & EARTHWORKS
Multi-million dollar project construction starts
A conceptual image of Opotiki Harbour. Photo: Tonkin & Taylor.
Construction multi-million dollar Opotiki harbour infrastructure project is underway. ˜ e government is investing more than $112 million in three major infrastructure projects as part of the Opotiki Harbour Development. ˜ e revitalisation project focuses on creating new harbour infrastructure that enables all weather, all tide access in and out of the harbour. ˜ e°existing harbour entrance is limited to smaller boats, which can only cross the bar in good conditions.
Keeping up with demand
Regional development minister Stuart Nash says the project is crucial to°developing the o˛ -shore aquaculture industry in Eastern Bay of Plenty, and to unlock wider potential for other marine industries. “˜ e community can now celebrate progress on a project that has been a priority for this region for 20 years yet failed to win support in the past,” says Nash. “˜ e harbour and aquaculture development will unlock the region’s potential and drive the local economic recovery. “˜ is funding is signiÿ cant. It includes $79.4 million for the Opotiki Harbour development, $24.85 million for aquaculture development and a mussel processing factory, and $8.8 million for new marine and industrial infrastructure. “˜ e combination of community-led
development and government support is building the infrastructure and workforce needed to make sustainable change to the region’s economic fortunes.” World demand for seafood is increasing rapidly, and according to UN statistics, it shows no signs of slowing down. ˜ e World Bank predicts aquaculture will supply more than 60 per cent of the ÿ sh we eat by 2030. Opotiki District Council says its town is poised to contribute, with 160 kilometres of coastline encompassing thousands of hectares of highly productive seawater that has the potential to support a sizable aquaculture industry.
Community cash injection
Opotiki has high levels of deprivation – 44 per cent of people have incomes under $20,000. Nash says in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, additional investment o˛ ered opportunities for Opotiki and for worker redeployment initiatives. “˜ is has resulted in upgrades to important community assets such as ÿ ve marae, a war memorial, roads, footpaths, cycle trails, horse trails, parks, playgrounds, green spaces and seismic strengthening of council buildings.” More than 1225 direct jobs are expected to be created in the Opotiki district through Provincial Development Unit-managed investment alone. “Many of the people working on these projects are now moving on to aquaculture-related construction projects.”
COUNTRY LIVING
Page 25
How does Curcumin help osteoarthritis? dose of two capsules twice daily for around six weeks. ˜ is provides double the above dosages. When combined with good quality ÿ sh oil these results in rapid results. Last week I completed a review for a client I have been helping with very
Without doubt the most important supplement ingredient for osteoarthritis is chondroitin sulphate. ˜ e reasons are simple. Chondroitin is a very important constituent of cartilage matrix. ˜This matrix is secreted by specialised cells called chondrocytes. ˜ ese amazing cells live in tiny cavities (lacunae) in cartilage. ˜ eir role is to maintain cartilage as it is damaged by wear and tear, injury and chemical processes that damage it. ˜ at being said, the health of cartilage is totally dependent on maintaining healthy chondrocytes. Unlike many other cell types, chondrocytes cannot be replaced. ˜ ere are a number of antioxidants and trace minerals that directly a° ect the health of chondrocytes. ˜ e most important is Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric. Curcumin is perhaps the most studied natural health ingredient.
As a potent antioxidant it helps protect chondrocytes from damage from free radicals. Secondly, Curcumin is antiin˛ ammatory which can help calm the joint by preventing unwanted ˛ uid build-up. A two capsule daily dose of my joint formula contains 800mg of both chondroitin and glucosamine and 200mg of Curcumin C3 Complex plus 5mg of BioPerine. In most cases I will start clients on a double
Unlocking myrtle rust’s genetic secrets In a trans-Tasman collaboration, scientists have sequenced the genome of Austropuccinia psidii, the fungus responsible for the disease myrtle rust, and produced the world’s largest assembled fungal genome.
˜ is e° ort marks a ÿ rst step towards revealing key genetic features of the disease threatening Myrtaceae (myrtle) plants in both Australia and New Zealand. “If you’re going to go after a pathogen, it is important to get some understanding of its genome,” says Plant & Food Research principal scientist Grant Smith. Grant is a research leader within the Beyond Myrtle Rust and Nga Rakau Taketake research programmes, which aim to improve understanding of the disease.˙
Collaboration begins
When myrtle rust arrived in New Zealand in 2017, there was limited understanding of the A. psidii genome. Grant went to Australia to present New Zealand’s research intentions,
Food Research worked with which included sequencing researchers across Australia, the genome. While there, he sharing intellectual and was approached by Dr ÿ nancial resources. Peri Tobias from ˜ e genome, the University now the of Sydney who world’s largest shared the assembled challenges her fungal genome, team was facing.˙ took three “Instead of months to us trying to assemble using re-sequence what the University had already been of Sydney’s highstarted, we decided to performance pool all our funding, Dikaryotic A.psidii computing facility. resource and e° ort ‘rust’ spores. Photo: Dr Peri “Other rust fungi together and build Tobias, University of Sydney. have 80 million base on what Peri and pairs,” says Australian National her colleagues had begun,” says University senior lecturer Grant. Benjamin Schwessinger. A genome jigsaw “Austropuccinia psidii is more Grant says genome sequencing than 10 times as big.” is like working on a threeBy comparison, the virus dimensional jigsaw puzzle. causing Covid-19 has around ˜ e output from a sequencing 30,000 bases. It remains instrument is millions of small unclear whether the size of the segments. ˜ ese then have to be Austropuccinia psidii genome assembled and aligned back to contributes to the success of the the chromosomes – the building disease it causes. Now that the genome has been blocks of a genome – from sequenced, it can be used to ÿ nd which they originated. out how A. psidii infects plants Members of multiple myrtle plants. departments within Plant &
sore thumbs from osteoarthritis in his big thumb joint by the wrist. He reported a signiÿ cant improvement over the past three months. Please contact me if you have joint problems and I will put together a personalised joint health programme.
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COUNTRY LIVING
Farming on the promised land ˜ e winner of this year’s Ahuwhenua Trophy ˜ ey milk once a day and their herd produces 129,140 kgMS. for the top Maori Dairy farm has been Chairman of the Ahuwhenua Trophy awarded to Tataiwhetu Trust in Ruatoki management committee, Kingi Smiler, Valley, south of Whakatane. says their farm is very special and is yet
Tataiwhetu Trust is an organic dairy farm on which run 432 Kiwi cross cows and carry 188 replacement stock on their two support blocks.
another example of our people working innovatively and hard and focusing on key strategic objectives. “˜ ey join an illustrious alumnus of past winners,” says Kingi. Tataiwhenua Trust chair Paki Nikora says the Trust are elated to be the 2021 winners. “We’re elated that our ancestors had the foresight to aggregate our lands to give us the launching platform that we have now,”says Paki. “It also makes it easier for us moving forward towards the future of farming. “We made it our business to go to all the discussion groups and conferences trying our best to keep up with the play and where the dairy industry is going. “A hundred years ago a cow was a cow
with four tits but in this day in age it’s an Eftpos machine. “˜ at’s where the di° erences and thinking starts coming in but for us as an organic farm, our priority really is to carry on with our dairy but to minimise the impact on our land Tataiwhetu Trust chairman Paki Nikora with farm and waterways.” managers Des Feakins and Whareauahi Teepa. In 1986 six Ngatirongo Photo: Alphapix. families agreed to combine to organic and is now fully certiÿ ed by their lands to form what is now known as Assure Quality. the Tataiwhetu Trust Farm. In 2019 it received a Fonterra Between 1986 and 2009 the initial Organic certiÿ cate. development of the Tataiwhetu Trust On a trip to Israel in 2017, Paki Farm was led by kaumatua couldn’t understand why God made it the Frank Vercoe. promised land. When Frank Vercoe resigned as “I came home and went up and looked trust chair in 2009, Paki Nikora was at our hills and our valleys and I realised appointed into the position and a new that this is the promised land. way of thinking regarding sustainable and “God gave every indigenous group their organic farming was put into place. promised land and we have to be active In 2015 the Tataiwhetu Trust caretakers of the land we are given.” transitioned from conventional milking Jordan Boyd
Tour the South Island in a four wheel drive Spots are still open for NZ Adventures’s 4x4 tour, the Eastern Explorer, in 2022.
˜ e tour starts in Geraldine and continues through Four Peaks Station, followed by a station lunch
at Ranui Station. “Next is a trip over the Hunter Hills taking us to Otematata for the ÿ rst night – and that’s just day one,” says owner-operator Connie Crickett. “Day two sees us in the Oteake
On the road with NZ adventures.
Conservation area. ˜ e Hawkdun and St. Marys ranges are part of this magniÿ cent area. ˜ is is followed by an overnight stay in Ranfurly.” On day three, tour attendees are treated to the views of the Oceania Gold Mine at Macraes Flat. “˜ ere are also some great 4x4 tracks in the little known Strath Taieri area that we go to, before heading down to Mosgiel for the night.” A trip into the Otago Hinterland shows o° a mixture of forest and farmland on day four. In the afternoon, the tour crosses the Lammermoor range through the Te Papanui Conservation Park to the overnight stop in the historic and quaint Lawrence. Finally, on day ÿ ve, the route follows the Clutha River before turning into the mountains and following old gold mining route through “very isolated and sparsely settled country,” says Connie. “˜ en, we reach our journey’s end in Alexandra.” For more information about NZ Adventure’s action-packed tours, see the advertisement on this page.
COUNTRY LIVING
Best boots for the job FIRST
Lastrite Footwear match old-school craftsmanship with innovation to make their high-quality, durable footwear.
Neville Bunker knows a thing or two about making kick ass footwear that’s perfect for farming and hunting. He is the managing director of Lastrite Footwear, a three-generation family business that has been hand crafting quality shoes for more than 50 years. “Product innovation, along with high quality traditional craftsmanship, has a lot to do with our success,” says Neville. “For example, over the years we have reÿ ned pattern designs, introduced new lightweight materials to meet changing lifestyle trends and altered sizes to cater for changing foot shapes and sizes.” Lastrite Footwear’s Farmer Boot is made to endure any weather, with an insole and midsole that is brass screwed and stitched, and a replaceable cleated rubber sole.
With an upper constructed from thick reverse kip suede and a slip-in cushion insole with shock absorber material, the Farmer Boot provides superior comfort to a run-of-the-mill gumboot. Neville says Lastrite Footwear’s High Leg Hunting Boot is perfect for spending days traipsing through the bush. “It is designed as a specialist medium-weight boot for the hard out hunters – it’s the ideal boot for pig hunting. “° e boots give great ankle support and are made from tough, thick, water repellent leather. “° e riveted down thread line provides protection from vegetation.” Lastrite Footwear’s entire range of recreation and work boots shoes can be purchased online and are 100 per cent New Zealand made. ° is includes the materials used – the business purchase their leather from Tasman Tanning in Whanganui.
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FERTILISER
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Food and Fibre Youth Council named Nine young people from across the country have been selected as the Council for the newly established Food and Fibre Youth Network - He Tatai Rangahua.
˜ e founding Council members are Sarah Crofoot, Amy Moore, Lincoln Roper, Emma Subtil, Anthony Taueki, Alex Tomkins, Cheyenne Wilson, Callum Woodhouse and Memphis Wright. ˜ is initiative provides an opportunity for young representatives across the food and ÿ bre sector to raise industry issues and provide input into critical decisions about the sector’s future. ˜ e Network will explore and consider
issues; connect to Sector Action Plans and any other initiatives that are current in the industry; provide advice to Ministers, MPI and other stakeholders on issues relating to young people in the food and ÿ bre sector; and act as young ambassadors for the sector.
Young voices
New council member Memphis Wright says this network will enable young people in the food and ÿ bre sector to add their voice to shaping the future of the sector. “As kaitiaki, we have a responsibility to balance sustainability with productivity, while creating safe and high quality agri-products that meet consumer needs,” says Memphis. “It’s a very exciting opportunity for me as a young rural professional to be part of, and I
˜ e Food and Fibre Youth Council from left: Memphis Wright, Cheyenne Wilson, Amy Moore, Callum Woodhouse, Emma Subtil, Alex Tomkins, Anthony Taueki and Sarah Crofoot. Absent: Lincoln Roper.
Solid and Liquid Fertilisers Solid and Liquid Liquid BioChar/Humus Builder Fertilisers /Cal-Phos
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saw great potential for both personal and professional development by taking on the role of councillor. “I’m excited to be a part of the solution to the sector issues we are currently facing and to have a constructive platform to bring forward both issues and solutions, knowing there are resources available to make a real di˛ erence.” ˜ e steering committee received 61 applications for the council. Steering committee member and policy analyst Hiraina Tangiora says getting so many applications made the shortlisting process extremely di˝ cult. “Initially we aimed to select just seven members, but the quality of applications meant selecting an extra two, which speaks volumes to the calibre of our rangatahi in the food and ÿ bres sector.”
Where it started
Late last year MPI contracted New Zealand Young Farmers to establish and implement a food and ÿ bre youth network to provide a formalised pan-sector voice to raise industry issues and provide input into critical decisions related to the future of the sector. NZYF then pulled together a group to kick o˛ discussions and planning to establish the formal pan-sector network. Membership of the network will be extended to all young people in New Zealand’s food and ÿ bres sector. “˜ is is where the gathering of the ideas will genuinely take place,” says Te Taumata member Trevor McIntyre. More information can be found on the Food and Fibre Youth Network website: www.˛ youthnetwork.co.nz
Pukekohe’s best young grower
Heather Feetham, a 25-year-old production manager at T&G Fresh, has won the 2021 Pukekohe Young Grower competition.
˜ e competition tested the four contestant’s vegetable and fruit growing knowledge as well as skills needed to be a successful grower. Contestants completed modules in a range of areas, including marketing, compliance, pests soil and fertilisers.
“When they called my name saying that I had won, I was really shocked and proud,” says Heather. “˜ e fact that I’m the ÿ rst woman to have won the Pukekohe competition is an added bonus.” Heather will represent the Pukekohe growing community at the national Young Grower of the Year competition in September, where six other ÿ nalists will compete for a share in $30,000 worth of prizes.
FERTILISER
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High Court throws out ‘blood phosphate’ appeal
Heli Hire can assist farmers with their aerial needs.
If you’re needing aerial assistance, Heli Hire are the team for the job. Specialising in aerial agricultural operations, heli hunting and ÿ shing, commercial operations, scenic helicopter ° ights and more, the Heli Hire team are experienced and ready to help. For farmers, they can help with aerial agriculture including aerial fertiliser, aerial weed spraying, aerial lifting, aerial pest control, passenger transport, scenic ° ights, frost protection, mustering, ° ight training and more. “We o˛ er fast, easy, e˝ cient application saving farmers time,” says Heli Hire’s David Lealand. “Less damage to paddocks in wet and muddy weather.”
˙ e Polisario Front, Western Sahara’s liberation movement, failed in its High Court appeal for a judicial review into the New Zealand superannuation fund’s investment into assets connected with so-called ‘blood phosphate’. New Zealand fertiliser companies Ballance Agri-Nutrients and Ravensdown source phosphate rock from Western Sahara to make superphosphate fertiliser. ˙ e application was submitted against Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation, with the Fertiliser Association of New Zealand acting as an intervener. Ballance and Ravensdown’s interests were represented by FANZ.
˙ e phosphate rock from Western Sahara has a low cadmium rate, making it ideal for New Zealand soil. ˙ e Polisario Front argued that investment in the sourcing of phosphate rock directly contravened the Guardian’s own mandate to ensure they manage and administer the fund in a way that avoids prejudicing New Zealand’s reputation. ˙ e High Court concluded that whilst ‘ultimately, a reputational risk to wider New Zealand interests remains’, there is no suggestion this risk is due to the management or administration of the fund. ˙ e application was, therefore, dismissed.
˙ ey service the Bay of Plenty area, including the Western and Eastern bays, and the Waikato, including South Waikato and the Hauraki/Coromandel. “We keep up to date with the latest technologies, we have a high standard of workmanship and maintenance on helicopters. We’re fast, e˛ ective, e˝ cient and professional.” With 18 years’ experience in the industry, the team at Heli Hire are highly skilled and have their own trucks for bulk fertiliser cartage and water cartage. “We also have highly skilled pilots and ground crew and a variety of helicopters to undertake jobs of all di˛ erent sizes,” says David.
a Req uest le ! p m a s f re e
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FERTILISER
Fert facts (part one) Over the coming months, Brett will share 40 facts about fertiliser that will help optimise your soil. Here are the first 10.
Kiwi Fertiliser can show you how increase proÿ tability while growing your soils. Human and humus are the same root word, “of and from the soil”. 1 A comprehensive soil test should be completed annually to determine what nutrients needs to be applied to the soil to maintain fertility balance. Kiwi Fertiliser recommend soil analyses by Perry Agricultural laboratories. 2 ° e soil is the plants stomach; please respect it. Human health re˛ ects soil health. 3 Some chemical fertilisers kill microbes causing imbalances. Superphosphate and urea are deadly to beneÿ cial soil fungi. Nitrogen is the only major plant nutrient that you can grow yourself. Watch salt and ammonia levels, insist on applying only fertilisers which do the least damage to soil life and plant roots – nitrogen input can be reduced over time by promoting soil biology. 4 Ninety ÿ ve per cent of plant yield comes from
the atmosphere, only ÿ ve per cent comes from the soil. 5 Fertiliser programmes must be based around the calcium content of your soil. If calcium base saturation is below 60 per cent, you will virtually have to purchase fertiliser ad inÿ nitum. 6 ° e correct base saturation ÿ gures from PAL tests for soils are: calcium 65-70 per cent, magnesium 10-12 per cent, potassium three to ÿ ve per cent for pastures, seven to 7.5 per cent for trees, sodium 0.5-1.5 per cent. Many New Zealand soils are well below these ÿ gures. Once these conditions have been met, fertiliser requirements will drop substantially. Do not expect to address trace elements until those conditions are met. Soil pH will auto-correct to about 6.3 or 6.4 when the above conditions are fulÿ lled. 7 It is extremely important to get calcium levels up. Calcium is responsible for carrying other
All Dolomite in NZ comes from this Golden Bay mine.
minerals into the plant but too much calcium can tie up other nutrients and cause deÿ ciencies. Soil testing with a reputable lab is the only way to e˝ ectively measure base saturation and calcium levels. 8 Calcium and boron are synergists, so lime is more e˝ ective with boron added. Boron, along with copper, selenium, and cobalt, is commonly deÿ cient in New Zealand soils. 9 Lime to correct calcium, not to ‘correct’ pH, calcium: improves root development, enhances microbial activity, increases the
transport of minerals, is the vehicle that moves minerals into plants, improves soil structure, acts as a secondary messenger, improves plant health and disease resistance, is required for cell walls (pectin), enhances the rate of protein synthesis, serves as a weed indicator. 10 Dolomite is highly rated for its calcium and magnesium content; magnesium is found at the centre of the chlorophyll molecule, the plants light-harvesting, energyproducing centre. Magnesium also plays an important role in the production of oils and proteins, and energy metabolism.
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An arborist’s life for me
to ‘go for gold’. “The e are easier ways to make money,” says Steve. “But, the satisfaction that comes after a hard day’s work is worth it. “The e are phenomenal places everywhere, all over the countryside.” Jordan Boyd
An early morning start in Hastings.
For Pete Johnson, the long days and hard work is what makes being an arborist all worth it. Pete has been working as an arborist for 20 years, and has the stories to prove it. He says he first got into the indust y because he enjoys the outdoors and working with trees. “I enjoy the hard work aspect of it, and the satisfaction that comes with doing a hard day’s work,” he says. However, with all outdoor work it comes with a couple of downfalls. “When it’s freezing cold and wet, you’re freezing cold and wet, and when it’s hot, you’re hot,” says Pete.
Getting into the job
Although Pete once attended teachers college, the opportunities that were presented to his younger self set the path for him and he hasn’t looked back. He has since established a tree removal business working throughout the greater Waikato and Bay of Plenty region. BAX contractors is a small owner-operated business made up of four guys that takes pride in forming lasting working relationships. The ad antage over competitors, Steve says, is that he prices the job himself and then does the work, ensuring a quality result for client. Over the years, according to Pete, not much has changed within arborist work. “In the big scheme of things, nothing has really changed. “As long as you diversify and keep matching to what’s going on, it’s all about evolving.”
Tree clearing as part of the safety improvements on the Waihi to Omokoroa stretch of State Highway 2.
What to expect
Pete has experienced many close calls while working in the field “I’ve had a few close calls; I’ve had a few trees go wrong and had a few good knocks,” he says. “I was pinned about three years ago, but I was fine so just got straight back into it.” A typical days work for Steve starts
Below: Steve completing a logging job on the outskirts of Tauranga.
at around 6am. “Today for instance, we’ve been loading logging trucks,and cutting trees down. “We’ll probably shift in a few hours and do a development for a new house site,” says Steve. The wo k is diverse, and no day is the same. For anyone considering becoming an arborist, Steve says
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WHY FARMERS NEED TO CONSIDER FORESTRY
New Zealand’s farmers are among the most efficient and productive in the world – and they need to be. Our world is demanding high-quality, environmentallyfriendly food. At the same time, regulatory costs continue to build; our weather is increasingly challenging to bank on and farm balance sheets can be under pressure. As a result, farmers are increasingly looking more closely at the economic contribution of each part of their farms. It’s the steep, rough hill country out the back that farmers are taking a second look at. Not only could this land be economically marginal, but it’s often difficult and dangerous to farm. This land is typically erosion-prone and topsoil run-off is undermining farmers’ broader environmental efforts. There’s been a lot of criticism in the press and within the farming community around forestry operations over the last couple of years, and in some quarters this is quite rightly so. Rural communities are justified in their concern around wholesale blanket planting of productive pastoral farmland in forestry. This practice is occurring in parts of New Zealand and it is short-changing rural communities. However, it’s important that this doesn’t shut farmers off from opportunities to diversify their operations and realise significant income from areas of their farm that are suitable for forestry. Forestry can create stable, long-term cashflow from economically marginal land and enable investment in more efficient, productive and profitable parts of farms.
AT TRACTIVE RETURNS FOR YOUR FARM, FAMILY AND FUTURE.
The recent Climate Change Commission has noted that New Zealand needs 25,000 hectares of new exotic carbon forestry every year for the next decade. The time is right for a number of kiwi farms to take an impartial look at whether forestry can support their broader farming operations. Yes, we need to ensure the right tree is planted in the right place but a lot of New Zealand’s steeper farmland – land generally graded at five to eight – is ideally suited to rotation forestry, offering farmers income from both carbon credits and timber harvest. For example, with forestry, a farmer can begin to realise an immediate and ongoing revenue stream, while also holding options to profit from harvesting the forest at the end of its rotation.
Drylandcarbon is increasingly engaging with farmers across New Zealand who are realising that the steep, challenging sections of their farms are unproductive for pastoral farming, but ideally suited to much more profitable carbon farming and forestry. Farmers are turning to forestry on parts of their farms to pay down debt, free up funds to invest in their more productive pastoral land and to support succession planning. This is a sensible land use choice which, done responsibly and in real partnership, can support farming families and benefit rural communities. As risk to farming operations continues to increase as a result of climate change and regulatory uncertainty, banks are also increasingly interested in the potential for sensible forestry as a sustainable risk management tool. Through the Drylandcarbon model, a farmer can realise additional income streams while retaining
outright ownership of their land through a forestry land lease or joint venture. There are several ways that these agreements can be structured to match individual farm circumstances and minimise risk to farmers. Depending on the nature of the agreement, the farmer can receive a regular passive income from previously low productivity land without investing any capital or being burdened by operational responsibility. It’s typical now for farmers to lease the steep and unprofitable sections of their properties for forestry and to choose to share in the proceeds of timber at the end of the rotation with their forestry partner. We know that farmers are increasingly intergenerational in their growing environmental concerns. Pine is ideally suited to kiwi conditions, but not everywhere. The right forestry plan, built in partnership with a farmer, will likely see areas of steep country not suitable for planting pines left to naturally regenerate into native species. Wide riparian buffers around waterways will be maintained to enable native regeneration in creeks and gullies. Consistent pest control will deliver broader benefits to native bush and wildlife across a broader farming catchment. New Zealand needs forestry in order to meet its climate change goals and the world needs our timber. Farmers need to protect their land while diversifying their operations and using the right land for the right purpose. It’s no longer a one-size-fits-all model across a whole farm and forestry with the right partner has never been a more attractive choice. Farmers are increasingly recognising the benefits of planting the right tree in the right place for their farms, their families and for future generations. If you’re interested in a conversation around how responsible forestry could help on your farm, please get in touch: land@drylandcarbon.co.nz.
Do you have over 100 hectares of marginal hill country? A partnership with Drylandcarbon could give you the opportunity to increase overall farm profitability and diversify your income with no upfront capital investment. There may also be wider benefits for your farm environment plan.
LEWIS TUCKER & CO ENTERPRISE
Forestry on marginal hill country could provide you an immediate and ongoing revenue stream to help you and your family invest in more productive parts of the farm, repay debt and support succession planning. If you have more than 100 hectares of marginal land on your farm, get in touch. Email Land@drylandcarbon.co.nz or visit Drylandcarbon.co.nz to find out more. TRACTA_DLC63716_NZ_AC_CCN
Drylandcarbon’s Colin Jacobs says responsible forestry partnerships can boost income and long-term farm profitability from land that might currently be costing farmers money.
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Supporting Women in Forestry Two Te Awamutu based women, Sarah Davis and Kim Godfrey, are breaking new ground in the forestry industry with their support group, Women in Forestry.
Kim is experienced in marketing and event management, and Sarah grew up in a logging contractor family, and now manages her family’s machine leasing business. “I have seen ÿ rst-hand the struggles faced by many of these women with partners working as contractors,” says Kim. “Many of them are in the o° ce side of the business, juggling children, sta˛ , accounts, expensive machinery and the day to day tasks, often alone if their partners are away logging in the bush.” ˝ e group’s ÿ rst event in 2017 was well received and their May 2021 conference had around 30 attendees. “It doesn’t sound like many, but those 30 women represent around 1000 sta˛ employed in New Zealand’s logging industry, so it is important they are conÿ dent, informed and supported.”
ÿ nance options, and health and safety. 2020 was a year for the Women in Forestry group to shine. Logs were already backed up at New Zealand’s ports by early February as China battled their Covid-19 outbreak and exporting had ground to a halt. “It was frustrating – forestry is our country’s third largest export earner after dairy and meat, but we weren’t classed as Sarah Davis and Kim Godfrey, co-founders of the essential work,” says Sarah. Women in Forestry support group. Women in Forestry group Sarah and Kim often hear the members members weathered the storm describing themselves as ‘just the wife’ or by sharing information online. ‘just doing the admin’. “Standing down insurance on idle “˝ is is so not the case; these women machinery and changing debt repayments are equal business partners and face to interest only were vital to the survival the same risk and stress as their of some businesses,” says Kim. contractor partners. Women in Forestry produced free visual “˝ ey need empowering, and health and safety workplace protocols for acknowledgement of their input and skill each level. with ongoing training and information As the industry has now stabilised, sharing,” says Sarah. Sarah and Kim hope to get funding for the Women in Forestry, formalise the Speakers and mentoring occurs in areas board, o˛ er more services and expand. such as employment law, accounting,
Catherine Fry
Planting days celebrate the environment ˝ e constant negative news about our changing climate, polluted water and declining wildlife can sometimes feel overwhelming and people who want to make a positive di˛ erence are often left feeling powerless and undirected.
However, Western Bay of Plenty Rural Women NZ is o˛ ering an opportunity for anyone interested to help the environment. World Environment Day is observed globally on June 5 and this year’s theme is ecosystem restoration. To celebrate we are starting up a Waimapu River catchment care group (an area which extends from Pyes Pa to Ohauiti) as one way towards restoring our local ecosystem. As a ÿ rst step, the group are
joining forces with the Lions Tree Grove project, which has been restoring the natural ecosystem by planting in Pyes Pa at TECT Park since 2011. If you would like to join in, planting days for this month will be held on June 9 and 26. ˝ ose interested can meet from 10am at the Lions’ shed beside Adrenalin Forest. Of course RWNZ has been concerned with protecting our environment since the charitable organisation started in 1925. Numerous members around the country continue to take the lead in helping to restore natural ecosystems. For example, her own interest in the environment led former RWNZ president, Fiona Gower, to represent RWNZ on the NZ Landcare Trust including being chair for two years. She explains that the aim of NZLT
“is to facilitate environmental issues between the community, the landowners, local bodies and government organisations”. Fiona, who lives on a sheep and beef farm in the Waikato, says, “in my experience people who farm usually do so because they have an a° nity with the natural environment”. Fiona says she is proud of the plans NZLT has helped put into place and how “these are making a signiÿ cant impact on environmental issues”. Contact: rwnztauranga@gmail.com for more information, or follow @rwnztauranga on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
P ROFESSIONAL H ARVESTING S YSTEMS
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LIFESTYLE FARMING
Is subdivision an option to reduce debt?
adopted as a If you are moving on to a new farm and looking at subdividing to reduce debt levels, standard for more intense farming. you may have a lot to learn. As farming changes,
Don’t assume that the rules are the same as in the district that you have come from. Although subdivision of land is ultimately controlled nationally by the Resource Management Act (for the time being anyway), all district councils have a di˜ erent take on what they will allow. It may be a surprise to some, but many subdivision rules vary considerably between neighbouring districts. ° ese rules have evolved over time and are often shaped by political in˛ uence as much as environmental or sustainability issues. As they evolve there is one common thread though – subdivision of rural land is becoming harder by the year. And if you are sitting back waiting for the new and improved legislation promised, to make the land development and subdivision process easier, then I wish you the very best of luck. Every time there has been new legislation or amendments in my lifetime the process has got harder.
Knowing the rules
° e general principles governing the development and subdivision of rural land include sustainability, productivity and rural character. To simplify the process, district councils set rules which are often based on past land use and re˛ ect a ‘one size ÿ ts all’ approach. ° is is where the 40ha minimum rural land block, adopted by many councils relative to dairy blocks at the time, evolved from in recent years – earlier there was a 4ha size (the old 10 acre block) commonly
due to technology and demand for di˜ erent produce, these sizes can become meaningless, but they live on in the rules for eternity it seems. ° ere are sometimes opportunities to apply for subdivisions outside the prescriptive rules of a district plan, however the application costs are signiÿ cantly higher, and success is very uncertain. Once rules are introduced, a council will often ÿ ght hard against any alternative approach in an e˜ ort to defend their district plan. ° is can have the e˜ ect of sti˛ ing innovation and limiting individual choice when it comes to subdivision and availability of rural land. Some subdivision opportunities unrelated to minimum sizes include the subdivision of sections in return for environmental protection, limited lifestyle blocks in some regions and boundary adjustments between existing titles.
No assumptions
If you manage to purchase a farm that has multiple titles, then you are often on to a winner. If you don’t, you might consider getting the farm subdivided into additional titles within the current rules to give you options in the future. So don’t make any assumptions around subdivision rules, particularly if you are new to an area. ° ey will be di˜ erent to where you came from for sure, and the fact that the neighbour has subdivided doesn’t mean that you will be able to also. So, you will need to do your homework before you bank on any subdivision to keep the accountant happy. If you have any desire to create additional titles from your land to provide your family with ÿ nancial ˛ exibility, please feel free to give me a call to discuss your options before it’s too late. We’ll see how we can ‘help you make the most of your land’. Brent Trail, Managing Director of Surveying Services, specialises in resource consent applications for subdivisions across the Waikato, Coromandel and Bay of Plenty. For further information call 0800 268 632 or email btrail@surveyingservices.co.nz
LIFESTYLE FARMING
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Copper testing of livestock however the results do not provide any information on the amount of copper stored in the liver, so herds close to deficiency may appear normal on blood tests, and hence the need for increased copper supplementation will not be detectable.
With the end of the facial eczema challenge close at hand, and with it the need for ‘zinc supplementing season’, it is important to check your stock’s copper reserves. Zinc competes with copper for absorption at the gut level, which may lead to very low copper levels leading into winter, when zinc supplementation finishes. Variation in supplementary feed o° ered further complicates the situation. As well as those expecting to give birth, young stock also have high copper requirements for growth and development. Many farms adopt quite di° erent supplement feed plans to ensure stock are fed adequately. For instance, signiÿ cant amounts of palm kernel can be added to the diet and markedly increase copper levels in some herds. However this is not always the case, especially when the level of palm kernel fed is ÿ t for daily
maintenance energy requirements, as opposed to being an additional energy source for weight gain. To optimise productivity cattle trace element is recommended. Testing should be done precalving for pregnant stock and late autumn/early winter for growing stock. Liver biopsies provide the most accurate information, as it is a direct measure of the amount of copper stored in the liver. Samples from ÿ ve animals from the group are usually su˝ cient to give an indication of the herd copper levels. Alternatively blood tests can be taken from 8 animals, can provide a ‘snapshot’ of copper levels in the blood on the day of sampling. Deficient animals can be easily identiÿ ed this way
Dairy NZ says budget misses the mark ˙ e government’s budget has missed the opportunity to give farmers the on-the-ground backing they need to continue innovating and enhancing sustainability, says DairyNZ.
“If we want to attract and keep people in our sectors, then we need to support our rural communities with infrastructure, health, education and sports facilities.”
˙ e budget, released last month, allocates more than $50 million towards lowering agricultural emissions and developing a national farm planning system. ˙ is includes initiatives to signiÿ cantly broaden the uptake of integrated farm planning. “˙ is is a business-as-usual Budget with nothing new or transformational for farmers or rural communities,” says DairyNZ GM for responsible dairy Jenny Cameron. “Although funding has continued for existing programmes, which is a positive, there is very little new funding to help farmers accelerate the pace or scale of the great work they are doing behind the farm gate to improve environmental outcomes.” DairyNZ is also disappointed there wasn’t more investment in initiatives to help build resilience in rural communities – particularly when it comes to digital connectivity, biosecurity and rural mental health.
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AVOCADOS
Page 36
Go-to avo man’s next project As Jonathan Cutting and his partner Joy head towards their retirement, for the past ÿ ve years they have been nurturing a new project that is close to their hearts.
° eir plans for their 75-acre block just outside Raglan are already well underway and don’t equate to the word retirement. “We can’t retire at 65 and sit around and do nothing for 35 years!” says Jonathan. South African-born Jonathan has been in New Zealand since 1993, and is widely considered as the country’s ‘go to’ man for technical advice around growing avocados. Currently the avocado technical manager for Trevelyan’s Pack and Cool Limited in Te Puke, previous roles include a senior research fellowship at Massey, and 11 years as the technical manager/CEO of the New Zealand Avocado Industry Council. “Over the years I’ve developed a wider philosophical view of agricultural practice in New Zealand. We pollute to produce and I want to try and work away from that practice.”
Cows to avos
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Freshmax provides: - On Orchard Technical advice - Direct to Retail Marketing Specialists - Flexible Harvesting and Packing Options Freshmax provides:
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° e Raglan property was purchased in 2016 after an extensive search of the North Island. “It’s an undulating property with beautiful, deep red ash clay soil like Pukekohe, and lovely organic matter on the top.” ° e property has bore water that is pumped for irrigation, plus several streams with quality water. It’s o˛ -grid using solar power, has a barn and several retirement house sites to choose from. ° e couple’s intention is to move completely away from current avocado orchard practices and trial growing avocados using regenerative farming principles. ° ey are viewing the whole 75 acres holistically, with only 10 acres actually planted with avocados. “To farm regeneratively on 10 acres, you need much more land available than that.” ° ey have already planted 800 avocado trees with the oldest approaching two years old, and they intend to plant 1200 in total. Currently in frames and swathed in wind cloth, the
Jonathan Cutting and his partner Joy at their Raglan avocado farm. Photo: Catherine Fry.
trees are trimmed about four times a year, so they remain four metres apart, no more than 2.5 metres wide or 3.5 metres tall. ° e cloth can be removed at three years and the frames at ÿ ve years. Once mature, the trees will resemble a hedgerow between the eight-metre wide mowed rows, providing easy access picking. “° is type of high density pruned orchard is not too labour intensive, around three man days per hectare a year.” ° e elevated position and the resulting wind is a big issue for the young clonal root stock avocado trees. With no tap root, they blow over easily until the roots establish. ° e two-year-old Japanese cedar shelter belt trees are already pushing three metres. ° ousands of manuka trees have been planted to overshadow gorse on the property. ° e ex-dairy farm land was overgrazed and degraded, with woolly nightshade, gorse and Californian thistle, and herbicide was required initially, with the intention to move away from that going forward. ° e avocado trees are Hass, on the new clonal root stocks like SR1 and Latas that are available, and about 12 per cent are pollinator trees. Jonathan and Joy have had their own beehives since 2014. “We started our ÿ rst hive in the yard of a town house in Mount Maunganui and now we have 300 hives out each season,” says Jonathan. ° eir own hives are dotted around the Raglan avocado trees, as bees remain a crucial part of the avocado life cycle. ° e ground under the trees is manually kept ...continued weed free and has a topping of alfalfa,
AVOCADOS
Page 37
Season of strong returns Just Avocados reported strong returns and quality for the 2020-21 season despite the challenges of Covid-19 and a higher than usual percentage of small fruit.
Highlights of the season were shared with growers mid-May at events in Omokoroa and Whangarei. General manager of investor relations and supply Andrew Cutÿ eld began by thanking Just Avocados growers saying they adjusted very well to the shift in plans caused by Covid-19 disruptions and the necessary strategy to hold and size small fruit. “We want to thank our growers for their patience and accommodation of shifting timelines and plans last season,” says Andrew. “Multiple lockdowns in Auckland added some di˛ culty for harvest, transport,and audits. We also saw at the start of the season that fruit was coming o˝ quite small and we were concerned about the impact on returns, so we really appreciate growers reacting well when we asked you to size pick and restrict that volume of small fruit.”
Picking patience
Andrew says that size picking required patience, changes to plans and multiple picks but the upside of this strategy was an increase to returns by upwards of $0.85 OGR per tray over the total volume harvested. Good quality was a signiÿ cant highlight of the 2020-21 season for Just Avocados. “We are really happy with the ÿ gure for total marketable fruit that came out of our Katikati packhouse. ˜ e best orchard saw 99.1 per cent of its fruit marketed across export and local markets. “Across all orchards through the packhouse, we averaged 97 per cent across the season – a three per cent reject rate versus an industry rate of around eight per cent is something we are really proud of for our growers and contributes greatly to our growers’ total orchard proÿ tability.” Presenting good quality fruit in market amid signiÿ cant shipping delays and resource challenges at port was something that Jacob Darling, general manager of sales and marketing, says his team managed very well. “We did a lot of work in the past season on quality control and measuring temperature within the containers. We worked on minimising the pick to load timeframe to get the fruit into containers as quickly as possible. ˜ is was to try and save as many days as we could on shore so that if we did lose a couple of days in transit due to delays, we still had time up our sleeves.”
Your Solution for all things Irrigation Call Our Experts on 0800 130 905 www.irrigationexpress.co.nz Just Avocados averaged 97 per cent total marketable fruit for fruit packed at their Katikati packhouse across the 2020-21 season.
Positive results
Jacob says that the team is really pleased with the results achieved for last season. “Pool one was ÿ nalised and fully paid out in February 2021 and averaged an OGR of $24 across all sizes 16 to 42. Our premium sizes were paid out at $27.30 OGR for key sizes. Pool two will be fully paid out in June; however, our premium sizes are forecast to be upwards of $30 OGR.” For the season ahead, Just Avocados will continue to o˝ er a range of marketing options for growers to choose from. Andrew says Just Avocados provides options that put growers’ needs at the centre of their operation. “˜ is season there is no change in what we are talking about in terms of our focus – it’s on increasing your proÿ tability and that’s all around your orchard gate return. “I think everyone is becoming comfortable with our pool one and pool two scenario and the option of consignment. It is interesting to see how di˝ erent growers are playing those options. “Of our top performing orchards from an OGR per hectare perspective, in the top ÿ ve, four of the orchards were in both pools. ˜ e harvest strategy is a blend of what you want as a grower.”
continued...
woodchip and horse manure. Species including squash and chicory grow between the plants. “˜ ey add to the biodiversity of the soil, add nitrogen, reduce compaction and encourage fungi, while providing a safe environment for predator insects that prey on pests that target the avocados.”
All about soil
A cage of young guinea fowl will be released onto the land to breed and assist with pest control. Other plans for the land include breeding their own small scale Hereford herd and planting the rest of the farm with hardwood trees. ˜ e wetland areas will be planted with two to three thousand kahikatea and kauri. ˜ e couple are moving forward with an open mind. While wanting to explore and experiment with regenerative methods, Jonathan says they’d spray or use traditional fertiliser if the crop was economically at risk. True to regenerative farming practice, the soil will remain the focus. “˜ is is a journey and the most rewarding destination I can hope for would be tried and proven methods for growing avocados with less pollution, less environmental impact, and less extractive methods,” says Jonathan. “I would like my research to contribute to a future that means all New Zealand avocados are successfully grown this way.” Catherine Fry
ARE YOU GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR CROP? Just Avocados growers averaged 97% total marketable fruit across the 2020-21 season.* And our focus on superior orchard health and harvest flexibility helped our growers achieve up to 99.1%.*
*For fruit packed through Just Avocados’ Woodland Road facility.
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Page 38
AVOCADOS
Time to make a plan June: it’s six months into the year – half way through – and it’s a time of the year where there’s not a lot happening on orchard.
fossil fuels like electric hand tools and electric cars, pest management system AvoGreen and carbon reducing products, just to name a few.
It’s a time for us to review, plan and look forward before we a start our new growing season. June is also when there is time to consider stepping outside our normal operating practices and see how we are can improve our impact on the environment. ˜ ere are a range of tools to help our environmental impact – including alternatives to
At AAL we’re consciously making our operational practises more environmentally friendly – but it’s tough. Our biggest challenge is actually making some meaningful steps forward. It’s about small progress rather than giant steps. We’ve decided to take small steps. We are spending and investing in environmentally
Looking out for Mother Earth
friendly equipment. We want to push electric tools and vehicles; they’re big-ticket items and progress is slow, but we hope to have some breakthroughs soon. Watch this space.
Proud to be associated with
Looking ahead
Importantly, we’re using June to review, plan and see where across our businesses we can make a positive green impact. ˜ is will come at a cost to our business, however it will provide us with a roadmap that puts the environment at the forefront of what we do. I support the argument that moving fast can be a risk, as not all actions result in net environmental gain. However, I also believe that doing
nothing is not good enough. For instance, growing organically may not actually help our environment because to do so requires more trips with fossil-fuelled tractors spraying nutrients’ and organic pest control products. I do however support the concept of having a plan and building the plan to embrace your whole business – and I optimistically recommend we all take the time this month to do so.
Bubbles for recovery People in the Cook Islands can already travel to New Zealand without having to quarantine.
˜ is is because it is a Covid-free country. Tonga, Samoa and Niue are also Paciÿ c countries that are Covid
free. ˜ e Prime Minister has announced that twoway quarantine travel will now be permitted with the Cook Islands.
Bigger bubble
What we need now is for that Paciÿ c bubble to expand to include the other Covid-free Paciÿ c countries. With the arrival of vaccines, this should become possible for not only the Covid-free countries, but also for those countries who are on top of their Covid situations. ˜ is is a rapidly changing situation that is based on our fast vaccines roll out. More is at risk than the health of the people in the Paciÿ c and New Zealand. Our economic well-being is also at risk.
˜ e change we need
˜ e Paciÿ c relies on tourism to earn valuable foreign exchange to keep their countries ÿ nancially viable, and provides seasonal workers for New Zealand’s primary industries. In 2019, before Covid, some $40 million went back to the Paciÿ c from workers’ earnings from seasonal work in horticulture and wine grapes. ˜ ese workers enable our New Zealand industries to perform, grow and employ more permanent New Zealanders. New Zealand should now be looking to other countries that have vaccinated a large portion of their population, and have Covid under control. It is time for global travel to re-commence; not only for each country’s tourism industries, but also for our exporters and the movement of skilled workers, such as wine makers and tractor drivers. New Zealand’s part in this is to get our vaccination programme on track, and to open travel bubbles where this is appropriate. Opening the travel bubble with the Cook Islands is the start of the real change we need to see.
AVOCADOS
Page 39
Boosting technical support to growers A new technical manager has joins the Avoco team this month, bolstering the company’s effo ts to support New Zealand avocado growers supply premium quality fruit to export markets.
New Zealand’s share of the avocado market, particularly in Asia. “The 2021-22 season is our ninth season as Avoco but our 21st as stewards of the AVANZA brand. “Australia remains our most valuable market, but this year we’re anticipating tougher market
Richard Kok is working alongside Danni van der Heijden, Jerome Hardy and Colin Partridge to further improve fruit quality and grower best practices. Richard will lead Avoco’s technical transfer to growers with a focus on key production matters such as fertiliser recommendations, spray programs, tree manipulation, and has additional responsibility for quality in Asian markets served by AVANZA. Danni heads up Quality & Export Systems for Avoco and takes responsibility for quality performance in Australia. Fresh out of quarantine, Richard is settling in the Bay of Plenty with his young family and, in the coming months, will be meeting with growers in their orchards to understand the nuances of New Zealand avocado production. For the past nine years, Richard has worked at Westfalia Marketing Africa, which is part of the multinational Westfalia Fruit Group that supplies fresh and processed produce, including avocados, mangoes and lychees, to international markets through its vertically-integrated supply chain. He has held various technical roles and, for the past 18 months, Richard was Westfalia’s Commercial Manager, based in Tzaneen. In joining Avoco, Richard says he’s enjoying getting to know New Zealand growers whose priorities are very similar to those of their peers in South Africa. “While most of South Africa’s production is under hot, summer rainfall and grown for the European market, Kiwi growers are ultimately looking to achieve the same consistent production goals as other growers around the world. “New Zealand’s cooler, winter rain presents diffe ent climatic challenges but all the main issues are the same: nutrition and tree health, tree manipulation, disease control, quality management and picking strategies. “Managing the nutrition correctly to be in line with the yield estimates as well as implementing good pruning techniques will allow for a less pronounced ‘on’ and ‘off’ ear bearing cycle. Water management through modern irrigation systems and monitoring of soil moisture also play a huge role in tree health, yield, and fruit quality.”
Avoco technical manager Richard Kok, his wife Suzanne and daughter Mikaela are looking forward to embracing New Zealand’s outdoors.
Tackling the big issues
Richard’s international experience has taught him that people involved in horticulture are passionate about what they do the world over. Many growers have made long-term investments and every season there’s new challenges and experiences to navigate. With the New Zealand industry facing a fruit quality crisis two years ago, he believes Avoco’s technical team was instrumental in turning that around by reminding growers of all the benefits tha come from adhering to best practice principles. “The fact that ew Zealand is supplying some of the highest quality-stringent markets reinforces the importance of Avoco having a well-defined Quality Business Plan and the significant eff t required to reclaim New Zealand’s reputation as a supplier of premium fruit.” Richard adds that while he understands significan progress had been made in the past year or two, there is still room for improvement on orchards. With climate change, his wish is that every grower understands the importance of water management. “Water is a limited and valuable resource which we need to utilise to the best of our ability. Managing the water status of your soil and trees has a huge influence on our tree health, yield and quality.”
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Avoco marketing and communications manager Steve Trickett says Richard’s appointment comes at an important stage in Avoco’s strategy to grow
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conditions across the Tasman due to a bumper crop coming out of Western Australia. “This season e are looking to stimulate demand for our avocados in Asian markets as part of Avoco’s fi e-year export strategy to raise the profile of the VANZA brand.”
Managing your orchard to ensure all-market suitability gives us the flexibility to serve more markets beyond Australia and optimise pool returns.
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CALVING
Page 40
Waikato Share Farmers of the Year prepare for calving ˜ e 2021 NZDIA Waikato Share Farmers of the Year, Reuben and Deb Connolly, are preparing for the start of their ninth calving season.˛
Laura Connolly with 2IC Leah’s pet calf Kiwi.
˜ e couple are sharemilking 280 predominantly “Leah is a big part of our calving success,” Friesian cows with some Jersey and Kiwi cross, on says Reuben.˛ a 110ha e° ective, production system three farm in “She loves the calves, can tell you each one’s Otorohanga. ˜ e heifers will start calving mid-July, ancestry and is very observant, noticing quickly if a with the rest of the herd starting 10 days later.˛ calf is unwell or struggling,” says Deb.˛ “Preparation in the areas that we can control is the key,” says Deb.˛ ˜ e Connolly’s have a custom-built, ÿ ve bay calf shed, with a race system, making it easier to manage feeding for the di° erent age groups. Daily cleaning of the feeding gear and pens, fresh water, hay and meal available at all times, and isolation of any sick calves, are essential for healthy, thriving calves. Calving is managed by the farm’s 2IC, Leah Connolly. ˜ e 20-year-old is Reuben’s cousin, and the Waikato NZDIA Dairy Trainee of the Year runner up in 2020.
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˜ e Connolly’s custom built ÿ ve-bay calf shed. ˜ e welfare of new born calves is extremely important, and the calving cows are checked regularly throughout the day and night. Once in the shed, the calves are fed fresh gold colostrum. All the cows have been vaccinated for rotavirus three to nine weeks before calving, giving the calves immunity through the colostrum.˛ “In that ÿ rst week, they are fed as much milk as they can drink twice a day,” says Reuben.˛ ˜ is sets the calves up with a strong start to help ensure they meet all their live weight targets. “It’s very exciting for us knowing that these calves will grow into our future herd,” says Deb. Deb and Reuben say it is essential to take time o° during calving season as it is a time that can be both richly rewarding, but sometimes quite disheartening.˛ “It’s a time of year when you can potentially lose cows or calves and there’s nothing you can do about it and bad days do happen,” says Reuben.˛ “˜ en another day one of our favourite cows will have a live heifer, which when so much e° ort has been put into our breeding programme, is an amazing feeling,” says Deb.
CALVING
Page 41
Getting the best out of heifers A major goal of calf rearing is to achieve target calving liveweights, but it is probably equally important to also have a three week target liveweight.
Research shows that calves grown faster in the ÿ rst few weeks of their life lay down better tissue in the developing udder and milk better as heifers. In a University of Illinois study, by initially growing calves faster, heifer protein production increased by 10 per cent. Chris Collier and the team at Probiotic Revolution often encourage farmers to lift the volume of milk being fed to young calves. “° e speciÿ c probiotics we use helps avoid nutritional scours and other health issues at the high rates of milk,” explains Chris. “Consequently calves just grow faster and with Calf Xtreme spilling into the rumen of calves, farmers are amazed at how much meal, hay or grass they eat after a couple of weeks.”
Chris also advocates using a once a day system from an early age so that Jersey calves can be getting close to ÿ ve litres by day 10, and Friesians can be on seven litres by then. “Sick calves are a nightmare, but we just double or quadruple the dose rate in times of stress or a challenge
of rotavirus or crypto. If there are only a few crook calves they can respond very quickly to a shot of our BioRescue paste.” Around 70,000 calves were reared on Probiotic Revolution’s products last year and demand is expected to increase this year.
Big wins for central North Island farmers It’s been a successful year for central North Island farmers at the 2021 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards.
° e Dairy Trainee of the Year was Waikato’s Ruth Connolly, and BOP’s Dayna Rowe came second. In addition to their success on the podium, Central Plateau, Waikato and BOP farmers won a Morrinsville farmer Je˛ Bolstad received a sweep of merit awards at NZDIA 2021. Lifetime Contribution Award in recognition for Reuben and Deb Connolly won the LIC his long service and contribution to the Dairy Recording and Productivity Award, and Andrea Industry Awards and wider and Blair Muggeridge won the agriculture sector. DairyNZ HR Award. Waikato farmers Pete Morgan Christopher Vila won and Ann Bouma were the 2021 the DeLaval Livestock Fonterra Responsible Dairying Management Award, and Award winners. Hayden Goodall earned ° e runners-up in the Share the DairyNZ Employee Farmer of the Year competition Engagement Award and the were Waikato’s Reuben and Deb NZDIA Power Play Award. Connolly, followed by Central Ruth Connolly won the Plateau’s Andrea and Blair Federated Farmers Farming Muggeridge in third. Knowledge Award, and Waikato’s Christopher Vila was Dayna Rowe earned the the Dairy Manager of the Year, DeLaval Communication and followed by runner-up Hayden Morrinsville farmer Je˜ Bolstad with Engagement Award and Best his Contribution to NZDIA Award. Video Award. Goodall from BOP.
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DAIRY
Page 42
NZ DISTRIBUTOR
Unlocking soil’s full potential For the past 18 months, we have regularly reported the physical changes occurring on our Whakatane Total Replacement ˜ erapy demonstration farm, Wyndlea.
Pond crust is caused by pathogenic bacteria in the effluent that separate the effluent fibres and send them to the surface.
How do you counter these bad bugs? With good bugs. That’s what NZ DISTRIBUTOR Slurry Bugs are – helpful bacteria that eat the pond crust. Literally. Not only do Slurry Bugs remove the crust, they transform the effluent nutrients into organic forms that are easily used by plants. In other words, Pond crust is caused by pathogenic bacteria in the they liquefy your pond and turn it into an effective, spreadable fertiliser.
Clover has multiplied, pasture is lush and even, and synthetic nitrogen use has been reduced from 180 units/N to 35 units/N per ha. effluent that separate the effluent fibres and send them No mean feat there, but when you start to see Using Chlorine will kill these good bugs! We to the surface. those changes re° ected on the balance sheet you have the solution! DX50 is an eco-friendly How do you counter these bad bugs? With good bugs. That’s what know you’re really picking up steam. chlorine-free sanitiser that kills pathogens 2.46x Slurry Bugs are – helpful bacteria that eat the pond crust. Literally.
better than chlorine but leaves the good Slurry Not only do Slurry Bugs remove the crust, they transform the effluent Bugs alone. A chlorine-free nutrients into organicAlkali formsand thatAcid are easily used by plants. In other words, completethey theliquefy cleaning system. your pond and turn it into an effective, spreadable fertiliser. Using Chlorine will kill these good bugs! We have the solution! DX50 isOur an eco-friendly environmental initiative to reduce Total chlorine-free sanitiser that kills pathogens water pollution2.46x is by implementing an Replacement better than chlorine but leaves the good Slurry 8-step method leading farmers from a Therapy Total Bugs alone. A chlorine-freechemical Alkali andfertiliser Acid system using synthetic Replacement complete the cleaning system.
‘Free’ fert
In our work, we see thousands of dollars of nutrients such as potassium and phosphate locked up in the soil. Farmers are recommended to add
nitrogen applications, to a Total quick and profitable clover-based biological Therapy system that enhances feedReplacement quality, animal health and effluent.
Therapy Our environmental initiative to reduce NEED TO KNOWwater MORE? pollution is by implementing an
Go to www.forwardfarming.co.nz and www.totalreplacementtherapy.com 8-step method leading farmers from a to read more or call David Law on 027fertiliser 490 9896. chemical system using synthetic nitrogen applications, to a quick and profitable clover-based biological system that enhances feed quality, animal health and effluent.
NEED TO KNOW MORE? Go to www.forwardfarming.co.nz and www.totalreplacementtherapy.com to read more or call David Law on 027 490 9896.
more and more, at great cost, when soil tests re° ect inadequate levels of these nutrients. However, a balanced soil – with the addition of calcium, magnesium and boron, where required – has the power to unlock these nutrients in the soil, e˛ ectively getting these valuable fertilisers for ‘free’. At Wyndlea, three areas of the farm are soil tested annually. A recent analysis has shown that from 2019 to 2021, potassium levels have risen from 3.28 per cent to 8.45 per cent on the e˝ uent block (nutrient BS); 3.65 per cent to 6.65 per cent on the front block; and 2.73 per cent to 4.49 per cent on the back block. ˜ e only potassium added to the farm in that period was nine tonnes in 2019. ˜ at equates to a massive 52 tonnes of potassium unlocked from Wyndlea’s soil, which, at $1040/ tonne, is the equivalent of $54,000 of potassium sulphate. Similarly, phosphate levels in the
soil have increased, and at an extra 52.46kg/ha, or 4.73 tonnes, equates to $9,450 of phosphate.
Major savings
But we’re not ÿ nished yet. In that same period, synthetic nitrogen was reduced from 180 units/N to 35 units/N per hectare per year at Wyndlea, equating to 135 units or 26.4 tonnes less urea applied per season – or 57.8 tonnes less ammonium sulphate. With a reduction in fertiliser cost of $9000 in that period ($100/ha), total nutrient and fertiliser savings for Wyndlea since 2019 is $72,450. Not bad for 18 months into a full farm system overhaul. Instead of paying for potassium sulphate, phosphate and urea, Wyndlea is paying down debt. It is evident here that Total Replacement ˜ erapy is unlocking the nutrients in the soil, increasing potassium and phosphate availability without adding any. Calcium, sulphur and boron are the most frequently used minerals at Wyndlea – the cheapest fertiliser you can buy.
A watchful eye
But we continue to do annual soil testing at Wyndlea, because if you aren’t keeping an eye on nutrient levels, you run the risk of milking your farm dry of minerals. We now have 22 farmers on the Total Replacement ˜ erapy programme and we are seeing consistent changes occurring when Ezi-flo pit gates completely Ezi-flo pit gates completely farmers follow the eightclear exit ways and cannot clear exit ways be touched byand cowscannot leaving step procedure. be touched bythe cows leaving milking area. the milking area. We also understand the importance of The fully galvanised gates are available in kitset for The fully galvanised gates supporting farmers speedy are available in installation kitset for through a transition speedy installation period, so our team is right alongside the 0800 226974 farmer to ensure they 2 C OW S H E D are getting the most out Ph Jim 07-850 Mob. 0274 936 693 2 C5971 OW SH ED Ph Chris 07-849 3630 Mob. 0274 936 692 ezi-flo of their programme. Ph JimP.O. 07-850 5971 0274Hamilton 936 693 Box 10 188,Mob. Te Rapa, Follow us on Facebook PITGATES www.dairybuilders.co.nz Ph Chris 07-849 3630 Mob. 0274 936 692 at: www.facebook.com/ P.O. Box 10 188, Te Rapa, Hamilton PITGATES totalreplacementtherapy www.dairybuilders.co.nz
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DAIRY
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Take a break and head to Fieldays We’ll be in a neutral phase this winter, which will bring similar weather patterns to what we had last year, it is likely to be milder and below average rainfall than normal.
We had 57mm of rain from May 1 to May 17 this year, compared to 18.5mm for the same period last year, so it looks like the numbers will remain up from last year. So this means we have more feed this year, which is a re˜ ection of that rain. I have estimated the yields of grass on my blocks are approximately 30 per cent up compared to this time last year, and high ground paddocks have produced closer to 50 per cent more than this time last year. ° at’s because last autumn was very dry, so it took a really long time to get going. Last year I was putting o˛ my dairy grazers coming until June, and now I’m saying: ‘where are ya, I could do with some now.’ It’s a good position to be in. We should be going into winter with a reasonable amount of feed – but we don’t know yet what will happen after that. ° e payout will deÿ nitely be good this year, and is even looking even more promising for next year because the GDT auctions have been up. Next year’s payout may have an eight in front of it according to some analysts and economists predictions, which is really good news for the dairy farmers and associated businesses.
Timber trouble
° e timber guys are saying there’s a shortage in New Zealand because we’re exporting it all overseas and not keeping enough in the country, which will
see the housing industry struggle. ° ere’s also a shortage of posts. I went to one business who said there’s a four to six week wait, and another has about a three month wait – if anyone is thinking of doing some fencing this winter, they better get their timber posts and railings ordered now. It’s funny, because as I look around me I’m almost surrounded by pine trees. It shouldn’t be like this, and changes certainly need to be made where supplying locally is the priority. Given that there is no political will to tackle this problem, the supply issues most likely won’t adjust until local prices rise to meet the overseas market. Fieldays is back at Mystery Creek this year which is great news for the industry as a whole, because it means businesses unable to participate in Fieldays Online will be able to exhibit. It sounds like some of the Aussie guys will be coming over for it, too, now that the bubble allows for it. While you’re at Fieldays, look at the innovative products – it’s a great time to do some cost analysis.
Take a break
An ACC-funded study for Farmstrong shows 58 per cent of recently injured farmers linked their accident to stress, with 25 per cent saying stress was a major factor. ACC are getting 60 farm related claims per day and these accidents cost ACC $84 million in injury claims last year. ° ose are really appalling numbers, but it won’t change unless there is an industry wide attitude change to acknowledge that your health is your
most important asset. So as soon as the cows are dry, that’s the time to go on holiday. If you put it o˛ , the ÿ rst calf will be on the ground and you’ll be in the swamp with the
alligators biting at your feet before you know it. Time o˛ the farm helps us refresh and refocus for the busy times ahead. It’s also a good time to do budgets and set new goals.
Page 44
DAIRY
DAIRY
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Out-running the time thief Procrastination – the thief of time. It’s not original, having been used in a long-running television ad some years back, however it seems appropriate given many farmers’ attitude to required changes in practice soon to be mandated.
Environmental policy developed by central government, is coming and will, in some instances, bite deeply.
areas to be resown each year. Proÿ tability steadily declines with farmers becoming increasingly disillusioned with their industry and leaders. Yet there are farmers bucking the trend and taking control of their own destiny. ˜ ey have made or are in the process of making fundamental changes to their farming practices. Removing animal numbers as the priority is step one. Stock units, calculated using animal numbers, liveweight, and production used to be the measure of stocking rate. Restoring that highlights the fact that farm production per hectare has been on a steady decline in many instances, for the last thirty years.
Lifting performance
Checking progress. Fonterra are planning for decreased milk intake with the thinking that cow numbers will reduce, and more land retired for tree planting to balance carbon losses from the milking platform. ˜ ere are many good news stories of farmers reducing animal numbers, with often a lift in production, and planting natural wetlands, drains and waterways. As positive as that is, the fact that it is under permanent grazed pasture that carbon is most rapidly sequestered is not yet widely accepted. Many farmers are confused and simply waiting for legislation to be enacted and enforced by council. ˜ ere are many excuses made for their inaction with the latest I’ve heard being that it’s not possible for all farmers to be prosecuted and incarcerated.
By eliminating the reliance on synthetic N applications as well as creating the conditions that favour clover growth, a steady lift in animal performance takes place. Soil on properties with a long history of permanent pasture contain kilograms of clover seed per hectare that when encouraged to grow is almost unstoppable. Clover ÿ xes the nitrogen necessary for 18 tonne of dry matter per hectare with the additional features of higher energy and more rapid digestibility. Farmers fattening lambs appreciate that clover dense pastures provide the most rapid weight gains, and dairy farmers can measure the increase in both fat and protein production each day. As well as eliminating synthetic N a lift in plant available calcium is required and this is provided by the addition of ag.lime, the cheapest major nutrient available. Where magnesium is necessary Golden Bay dolomite also provides calcium and a lift in soil pH. Clovers contain up to four times the calcium of grasses and calcium is the base of milk production and bone formation. ˜ e research by Stockdill and others showed that earthworms were more numerous and industrious following lime applications. Where earthworms thrive other beneÿ cial
Making changes
Inherent in this thinking is that current farm policy primarily determined by animal numbers with frequent applications of synthetic N being applied to ÿ ll the feed gaps remains the best. Where animals remain underfed, palm kernel extract is often the next addition as it is the lowest cost feed option based on cost per kilogram of dry matter. Animal health costs rise as pasture production dwindles with the inevitable increase in pest and disease pressure and the requirement for greater Authorised Dealers Authorised Dealers
• Dairy Shed installations and upgrades • Service and parts for all types of milking machines • Drench pumps, teat spray systems, hoses and supplies • Machine Testing • Effluent and Irrigation Supplies • Pumps & Water fittings – Galvanised, PVC and Alkathene • Rubberware • Stainless Steel manufacture and repair • Trenching
macrobes and microbes also proliferate with a steady improvement in physical soil structures. Plants root more deeply accessing both nutrient and moisture from further down with strong root often found as far down as 500mm.
Find support
Changing the intervals between grazing to allow for total recovery of pastures after grazing provides another step forward For more information call Peter on: 0800 843 809.
COAST & COUNTRY NEWS
Page 46
LIST YOUR COMMUNITY EVENT HERE! email your listing to: merle@sunmedia.co.nz with ‘Rural Event’ in the subject line.
June 10
Heritage Seed Gardening, 10am, Kukutaaruhe community garden, Frankton, Hamilton. Ph/txt 0204 070 7511.
June 12
Maramataka: How to
June 5
Crop Swap, 10am-11am,
14 Jocelyn St, Katikati. Veges, fruit, seeds, baking, books, eggs, etc. All welcome. Ph 07 549 4522. Plant Sales, Hamilton Gardens.
June 5-6 NZ Bird Conference,
War Memorial Civic Centre, ˜ ames. See www.birdsnz.org.nz
Save Seeds, 11am1pm, ˜ e Jam Factory, Historic Village, 17th Ave, Tauranga, free.
June 13
Rotorua Botanical Society, Whakarewarewa
wetlands including 5 Mile Gate, meet 8am, Rotorua. See tinyurl. com/h4zph2x Rose Pruning Demo, 2pm, Palmers Garden Centre, Bethlehem (Tauranga), free.
classified listings curriculum vitae
CV’s THAT STAND OUT. Don’t let your C.V. get lost amongst all the others. Get the WOW factor. A C.V. For You can provide you with a personal and professional touch. From scratch or update existing ones. Check out samples on www. facebook.com/acvforyou or Ph/text on 021 27 27 912.
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PULLETS HY-LINE BROWN, great layers. Phone 07 824 1762 www.eurekapoultryfarm.weebly.com
* your listing *
DO YOU HAVE something to sell or looking to buy or promote your business? List it here for only $23 for up to 20 words. Email taylor@ thesun.co.nz or call 07 578 0030.
Hamilton Bonsai Group AGM & Garage Sale, 2-5pm, St Francis Church Hall, Hillcrest, Hamilton. hamiltonbonsai.co.nz
Horticultural Society, 7.30pm, Wintec classroom, Gate 2, Hamilton Gardens, $5 non-members. Ph Carmel 07 855 3404.
June 14
June 26-July 4
Rotorua Botanical Society
AGM, 6pm, DOC, 99 Sala St, Rotorua. Guest speaker on Costa Rica ° ora and fauna. Ph/txt Paul 027 650 7264.
June 17
Heritage Seed Gardening,
10am, Kukutaaruhe community garden, Frankton, Hamilton. Ph/txt 0204 070 7511.
June 20
Otanewainuku Forest
Guided Walk, 10.30am, meet at Mountain Road, between Te Puke and Tauranga. See tinyurl. com/4nxpsckv Solstice Tree Day, 10am3pm, Koanga Institute, near Wairoa, $40. See tinyurl.com/yxgee36s
June 24
Bringing a Garden Centre
Back to Life, Waikato
Cooper, 3, with his boy Buck in Ohaupo.
NZ Garden Bird Survey.
One hour of your time for citizen science. See tinyurl.com/5hxbtnu9
July 2
Forest Garden Tour,
2-5pm, Koanga Institute, near Wairoa, $25. See tinyurl. com/3uwh3jsr
July 3
Crop Swap, 10am-1am, 14 Jocelyn St, Katikati. Veges, fruit, seeds, baking, books, eggs, etc. Ph 07 549 4522. Fruit Tree Sale,
8am-noon, Hamilton Gardens, Gate 2. Ph Beryl 027 695 6229.
Balms with Aotearoa
Rongoa (native plants), 1-3pm, ˜ e Artery, Historic Village, 17th Ave, Tauranga, free.
Cooper and Buck are obsessed with each other and you will never see them without each other nearby. Buck watches Cooper climb trees and runs next to him when Cooper is riding his bike. When he was a lamb, Cooper would sit and read books and play in the sand pit alongside Buck. Buck goes for walks with Cooper and walks next to him freely. ˜ eir relationship is described by Cooper’s family as ‘unbreakable’ – like siblings ÿ lled with love for each other.
Cooper tells Buck everything about his life, both good and bad – like when he wasn’t allowed to get a toy. Cooper got Buck when Buck was only a couple of days old and Cooper was only one and a half, so they grew up together. Buck was the ÿ rst lamb Cooper ever entered in a local calf day/pet day at the school, and together they came away with two ribbons. Cooper now takes Buck treats out of the cupboard, and they eat their snacks together. Cooper says Buck is his true love.
professional services
PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY KEEP YOUR SPOUTING CLEAR
0800 333 101 info@guttersolutionz.co.nz
www. guttersolutionz.co.nz
COAST & COUNTRY NEWS
Page 47
We keep you growing
Drop in for a chat & a catch-up, a drink and a bite to eat. We’ve got plenty to discuss with what’s happening in the industry.
100%
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This is done by our people, without the experience, training and skill of our nationwide team we would be nothing. Our biggest investment in our organisation is in ensuring our people are operating at the best they can be.
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Our key reason for being in business is to help you grow. Both in respect to helping you improve the land you farm through technological and innovative techniques, also about helping you improve your bottom line and growing your business.
at
d a neD r nd ope
See you at site C31, overlooking the tractor-pull area
Whether it is the specialists that back up our retail teams with technical product knowledge or our training for our service technicians, we believe our team makes us different from anyone else in the country. We pride ourselves on our service and we’re passionate about what we do. We have the benefit of local knowledge combined with a group knowledge that is second to none in New Zealand. We are a fully independent family owned group of companies with a three-generation 75-year history of serving the agricultural, construction, municipal and civil sector. Now with over 308 staff across 17 dealerships and affiliated with another three independent dealers we’re proud to provide a full range of services for all your tractor, telehander, feed mixer, grass and cultivation machinery requirements.
Power Farming NZ PUKEKOHE
0800 570 571
MORRINSVILLE
07 889 5059
TE AWAMUTU
07 870 2411
TAURANGA
07 543 0021
ROTORUA
07 349 6528
GISBORNE
06 868 8908
COAST & COUNTRY NEWS
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Epsom Girls Grammar School Epsom Girls Grammar School
EPSOM EPSOM HOUSE HOUSE Boarding Positions Boarding Positions 2021/2022 2021/2022
Korban Peach, 5 months, chilling out with their chickens in Onewhero.
For further information please contact: For further information please contact: Epsom House Boarding Administrator - Chris Barnes Epsom House Boarding Administrator - Chris Barnes Phone (09) 970 6808 Email: cbarnes@eggs.school.nz Phone (09) 970 6808 Email: cbarnes@eggs.school.nz Limited places available for 2021 Limited places available for 2021
Caitlyn Turner, 12, with her pet cow in Kihikihi.
Dean Mitchell, 4, with the pig his dog Kody, just caught in Nukuhou.
Rebecca Turner, 10, with her pet cow named Lollie.
www.eggs.school.nz www.eggs.school.nz
FARM BUILDING SPECIALISTS.
CONTACT US
07 889 6314 or 021 775 310 info@oneillengineering.co.nz www.oneillengineering.co.nz 73 Thames St, Morrinsville
c1902kwO’neill
GABLE & CIRCULAR BUILDINGS.