The King Country Hunt’s horses and hounds are bred tough, accustomed to exploring the area’s rugged terrain. With them, a group of keen participants remain loyal to the group, including Huntsman and hound breeder Shane Neill, pictured. Read why the group stays passionate about one of the world’s oldest sports on pages 28-29. Photo: Catherine Fry.
W ater Conference & E x po PG 8-9
Sheep & Beef PG 19-21
Country Lifestyle PG 28-35
Travel PG 23-27
K iwifruit PG 37-41
Cartage & E arthwork s PG 46-47
E ffluent & Irrigation 56-57
Page 2
COAST & COUNTRY NEWS
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Times like these At the time of writing, New Zealand is in lockdown and 107 confirmed cases of the Covid-19 Delta variant are in the community.
Even before Covid’s community return, a feeling of uncertainty was already prevalent among many of the farmers we spoke to for this edition as pressures on the sector – regulations, calving season, public perception etc – continue. This is very much reflected in this month’s paper. Freshwater farm plan regulations are discussed on page 4 ahead of the submission deadline on September 12, and on page 5, Beef + Lamb NZ warns why we need limits on carbon offset plantings. Industry veterans Don Fraser and Bill Webb discuss how to cope with the anxiety these pressures can cause, and the importance of taking care of your mental health, on pages 32 and 11 respectively. Awakeri farmer Viv Barr says a practical approach to improving the public’s perception of farming is to allow people to see what it’s actually like. She runs a farm stay where guests can work alongside her, and she is encouraging other farmers to do the same. “Those who come onto the farm take photos, ask questions, close gates for me and have close contact with the animals,” says Viv. “They witness how they are cared for, valued and respected. “Guests then go away and share this experience with
others – it’s just what the primary industry needs.” Read more on pages 24-25. In environment innovation news, two University of Canterbury professors have found a way to use seafood industry waste to filter pollutants from waterways, read more on page 6. Then, on pages 56-57, third-generation Waikato farmers Tony and Fran Allcock discuss the measures they take to protect their waterways, which includes a composting barn. Horses and hunting is this month’s accidental theme in our Country Lifestyle feature. On pages 30-31, Adrienne Hodgson from Ōhaupō tells of the highs and lows of Quarter horse breeding – from tragic deaths to soaring successes. Hundreds of hunters are helping to reduce feral goat numbers, thanks to a competition set up by the Department of Conservation and the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association. Read more about what could be the greatest goat gathering of all time on page 33. On pages 28-29 we meet the King Country Hunt, and learn what they love about following hounds on horseback. Coast & Country News is permitted to continue production in all Covid-19 Alert Levels, as rural delivery and remote working means we can safely operate. So stay safe, and we will be back in your letterboxes again next month. MacKenzie Dyer
September 2021 Coast & Country News
COAST & COUNTRY NEWS
Page 3
continues to grow and orchard areas increase, kiwifruit will keep naturalising. “People ask me: ‘will you get rid of it completely?’ and the problem is, in-spite of our requirement of orchardists to make sure there’s no fruit unpicked, birds can still get to the fruit, whether one has been missed on the vine or has dropped to the ground,” says John. “It can be literally two pieces of fruit and they’ll then spread the seed. “There is quite a steady recruitment
unfortunately of wild kiwifruit seedlings and so hence the need for a continual robust control programme. “Kiwifruit is just doing what it naturally wants to do,” says John. “The good thing is that we’re on to it and we’ve been on to it for many years. “We have a really good surveillance programme, we are continually destroying vines and making sure it remains under control. “And the native bush – it just comes back beautifully.” Jordan Boyd
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Full Circle Arboriculture abseiler Matt Taute next to wild vines deep within a gully south of Tauranga. Photo: Rachel Farey, Full Circle Arboriculture.
Left uncontrolled, wild kiwifruit can be devastating to New Zealand native bush and forest. Wild kiwifruit can germinate wherever birds deposit kiwifruit seeds or wherever discarded fruit has been thrown or dumped. Birds love to feed on kiwifruit that’s left out on vines, in reject bins, or on paddocks for stock feed. They then spread the seed that grows into wild kiwifruit vines in areas of native bush, forestry blocks and near orchards or farms. In the past year, Kiwifruit Vine Health has worked on 103 properties, destroyed 13,400 vines and cleared 4ha of matted vine covered area in the Bay of Plenty region. KVH operations and compliance officer John Mather has been working in wild kiwifruit control for more than 20 years. “The wild kiwifruit programme is what I describe as a partnership programme and that’s what has made it so successful,” says John. “It’s industry working with landowners and regional councils. “We work with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council and we also work with other councils
throughout New Zealand to make sure wild kiwifruit gets destroyed.” John says wild kiwifruit is a real biosecurity risk to New Zealand’s kiwifruit industry as wild vines can harbour PSA and other kiwifruit pests and diseases. “It is important wild kiwifruit is reported so local regional councils or KVH can take appropriate action,” he says. KVH’s partnership programme with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Zespri and local landowners, has them battling against this potentially rampaging pest plant. This partnership was John’s focus at the Tauranga Moana Biosecurity Capital conference scheduled for the end of August. “It just makes so much sense that we work together,” says John. “We’ve got common goals to make sure we’re looking after the environment and managing the risks associated with pests. “The help of the industry funding is really important, as well as the support from regional councils. Landowners also contribute 25 per cent to control costs. John says that as more and more kiwifruit
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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS
Page 4
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Deadline looms for freshwater submissions
Farmers and growers have until September 12 to make a submission on the government’s freshwater farm plan regulations. Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor and Environment Minister David Parker have released consultation documents for freshwater farm plans, as well as stock exclusion low slope maps. Comment is being sought on a new, more accurate, mapping approach for stock exclusion that better reflects what farmers see on the ground. These are part of the government’s Essential Freshwater package. The public consultation with farmers, agricultural sector groups, iwi, councils, and environmental groups has run since July 26, and will
Vote
d ST
CHOICE
continue to September 12. “I want to thank industry organisations for their input so far, which has improved on original proposals,” says O’Connor. “There are many farmers and growers already committed to practices to improve water quality and it’s vital they have their say and contribute to this consultation.” O’Connor says feedback is being sought on the content of freshwater farm plans, what outcomes could be achieved, and how plans could be certified, audited and amended. “The government is listening to, and helping farmers and growers as shown already by our work with the sector on He Waka Eke Noa, integrated farm planning and ensuring farmers are using the best practices for intensive
reported that they or someone on their farm had experienced a mental health issue in the past 12 months. The leading cause identified was changing regulation (60 per cent). Industry’s stance Beef + Lamb New Zealand is welcoming the Horticulture New Zealand says government proposed changes to Essential Freshwater policy must support the horticulture programme, but says there is a industry and not add unnecessary concern among farmers about the cost and compliance, if the government’s proposed Certified industry is to deliver for New Freshwater Farm Plan, the extent Zealand, both environmentally it will prescribe what farmers Damien O’Connor. and economically. can do, the costs associated with The organisation says fruit and vegetable growers certification and auditing, and the extent to which should be able to meet all requirements through farmers’ personal or business information will Good Agricultural Practice schemes. become publicly discoverable. “We would like to see existing industry Privacy concerns programmes – like GAP – built on, so that growers “The devil will be in the detail about the can meet all the government’s freshwater and climate government’s approach to farm planning,” says change requirements in the most efficient way B+LNZ chief executive Sam McIvor. possible,” says a HortNZ spokesperson. “We have been clear from the outset that farm GAP schemes are recognised by some local planning should be farmer-owned, effects-based government councils, including Environment in relation to environmental outcomes, enable Canterbury and Gisborne District Council. DairyNZ wants to see the framework already done innovation, adaptation and be flexible enough to by farmers acknowledged and assurance that any respond to different farms, not one size fits all. new proposed regulations don’t add time pressures “There are indications in the document that the on-farm or complication within regional plans. government has responded to that. “Dairy farmers are committed to improving water “The only information that should be made quality and have a lot of work already underway on available to the public about an individual Certified farms, including 3400 existing Farm Environment Freshwater Farm plan is its most recent audit Plans,” says DairyNZ strategy and investment outcome – basically whether it passed, similar to leader Dr David Burger. public-facing food safety grade certificates at a “But doubling up on work and compounding restaurant or café, or a WoF sticker on a car.” that with short timeframes will put too much Online submission forms are available at: pressure on farmers. www.environment.govt.nz/what-you-can-do/have“Recognising existing planning is crucial because your-say/ farmers are already overwhelmed with too many Read about the proposed freshwater farm plan regulations, coming in too hard and fast.” and stock exclusion regulations at: In a DairyNZ survey, 62 per cent of farmers www.environment.govt.nz/publications/ winter grazing. This approach and these initiatives are fundamental to our Fit For A Better World roadmap.”
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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS
Page 5
Call for carbon offsetting limits New research shows a significant amount of sheep and beef farmland has been converted to forestry, which Beef + Lamb New Zealand says underlines the need for limits on carbon offsetting.
the carbon price increases, and fossil fuel emitters will continue to receive a ‘get out of jail’ free card and not change their behaviour,” says Sam. “This is a critical issue for The study by BakerAg, commissioned by our sector – as evidenced B+LNZ, shows a significant increase in the amount by its inclusion as one of of farmland sold into forestry, driven in large by an the seven key concerns increase in the carbon price. in the recent The report was unable to identify exactly how Groundswellmuch of the sheep and beef farmland sold into organised protests.” B+LNZ chief executive forestry was intended for pure carbon farming The research also Sam McIvor. but based on examination of the land titles, it’s analysed the land estimated about 26,550ha of the 77,800ha of types of the farms sold into forestry. whole farms sold into forestry since 2017 were to It found that more than 90 per cent of the land carbon-only entities. This is about 34 per cent of within whole farms sold into forestry was of Land whole farm sales. Use Capability classes six and above. B+LNZ chief executive Sam McIvor says the The Labour Party indicated before the 2020 report shows that in 2017, 3965ha of whole election that it would make changes to the sheep and beef farms were sold into forestry; National Environmental Standard for Plantation this increased to 20,227ha in 2018; 36,824ha Forestry to require resource consents to be issued in 2019. for plantation of carbon forests on LUC classes one to five. Cause for concern “We said at the time we weren’t convinced It declined to 16,764ha in 2020, most likely as a by this approach and the research validates our result of Covid-19, but rural intelligence suggests concerns,” says Sam. it has regathered momentum this year and moved “Such proposals would be completely ineffective into new regions, threatening rural communities, in resolving the problem.” says Sam. “While B+LNZ does see a role for forestry in Downstream effects addressing climate change, we are calling for urgent A common narrative is that planting is happening discussions and government action on mechanisms on non-productive farmland, however, the research to ensure that too much does not happen.” found that 64 per cent of the planting is on lowOn average between 2018 and 2020, the report erosion or moderate erosion land, which is often identified more than 29,500ha each year intended highly productive hill country. to change into exotic forestry, which exceeds the 25,000ha per annum of exotic pines identified by the Climate Change Commission. The 29,500ha was from a combination of the plantable area of whole farm sales into forestry and funding to plant exotic trees within farms, under two government schemes. With the Climate Change Commission suggesting the carbon price will rapidly increase, the sector is calling on the government to work with it, and the forestry sector, on how forestry offsetting can be managed. “Without urgent action, the sale of sheep and beef farms into forestry will only accelerate as
“This idea that wholesale land conversion is happening on hills that aren’t productive, that are prone to slipping away, isn’t borne out by the evidence.” Sam stresses that B+LNZ is not against forestry and strongly supports the integration of trees on farms. The study found that between 2018 and 2020, more than 47,000ha of
land within sheep and beef farms was approved under two government schemes to be converted into exotic and native trees. B+LNZ estimate that transitioning productive land to exotic forestry in the last three years has resulted in a reduction of up to 700,000 stock units with downstream implications for processing companies and supply services.
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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Filtering waterways with seafood waste Waste mussel shells could become a low-tech, natural tool to filter pollutants from New Zealand waterways if field testing by University of Canterbury engineers proves successful.
Associate Professor Aisling O’Sullivan and Professor Tom Cochrane, from the University of Canterbury Department of Civil and Natural Resources Engineering, are exploring the use of waste seashells as a solution to reduce contaminants, such as nitrate and phosphorus, from New Zealand streams. Tom says green-lipped mussels are a huge industry in New Zealand, producing more than 90,000 tonnes of shells every year. “When the meat is taken out, the shell becomes waste material. Approximately half of these shells go to landfill,” says Tom. “We started looking at using those shells as an active substrate that we could put into something like a filter and treat the water as it passes through.”
Meeting regulations
Tom says shells are made of calcium carbonate, which helps to remove pollutants, but they also have other properties that enhance the removal
of contaminants and are more effective than an alternative such as mined limestone. Aisling has used shells to treat mine drainage and remove metals since 2006, and the pair thought they could apply them to target nutrients in waterways. Aisling and Tom say the technology would help enable farmers to meet new regulations by reducing the number of nitrates leaching from their land, while providing a natural lime fertiliser and soil enhancer from the waste seashells. They will also work with shellfish and fertiliser industries, councils, and iwi to meet regulation requirements. Tom says the solution could work in several ways, one being through the use of drainage pipes. “A lot of the agricultural area has drains, and we could implement a treatment system at the end of those drains before it goes into a stream.”
The next step
The pair previously worked together on an award-winning and patented invention called ‘Storminator’ that removes heavy metals, such as zinc, from roof stormwater in urban areas. “With the Storminator we were trying to remove contaminants that end up in urban streams, focusing on metals and zinc and copper, and so one of the solutions we were exploring was using shells,” says Tom.
Professor Tom Cochrane and Associate Professor Aisling O’Sullivan from the University of Canterbury.
Aisling says they have demonstrated using waste shells to remove acidity and metals very successfully, but the team hasn’t yet explored using them to remove nutrients.
“The next step is to see how we can optimise waste seashells to remove nitrate and phosphate and then design and develop modular systems we could deploy in the field specifically for nutrients.”
September 2021 Coast & Country News
COAST & COUNTRY NEWS
Page 7
Concerning lack of rural midwives in Coromandel “Without local options these women would have to travel long distances to access maternity care, often resulting in inequitable health outcomes.” Some women plan or need to birth at Waikato Hospital, otherwise Sheryl travels with them to the birthing unit at Thames, but it’s a real concern that due to recent staffing shortages it is not always open. Many have planned or unplanned home births as “faced with a long, winding drive when a baby is coming faster than
expected, if things are going well, it’s often safer to stay put”. Despite the Ministry of Health recommending two midwives at a home birth, Sheryl often finds that her busy Coromandel colleagues are unavailable or simply too far away. Any emergencies mean an air ambulance transfer to Waikato Hospital. Sheryl accompanies the women, hands over to the hospital staff, and is then stranded until her husband can do a six-hour drive to get her. Sheryl continues with her
difficult role because she is passionate about her profession, and cares deeply about her work and supporting her clients. “But it really concerns me that remote rural midwifery is underfunded and poorly resourced so is not a sustainable or financially viable profession.” Recently she presented a ‘hard facts’ submission to the Primary Maternity Services Notice Review, hoping her voice can improve the support for remote rural maternity care. Catherine Fry
Rural midwife Sheryl Wright with one of the babies she delivered.
In her job, experienced rural community midwife Sheryl Wright sees a very different side of the Coromandel to the idyllic summer holiday spot that the rest of us envisage. After moving to the area, instead of her planned semi-retirement, she was persuaded to continue working as she is the only midwife based on the north western side of the peninsula. “Currently my nearest colleagues are at least one and a half hours away, four in Thames who cover the town and the Hauraki Plains,
and three based on the eastern coast covering the large population around Whitianga,” says Sheryl. Without a nearby midwife to provide backup cover, Sheryl looks after around 30 to 40 women a year on her own and, needing to be on-call 24/7, struggles to get regular time off. This combined with poor mobile phone coverage and long travelling distances, often on unsealed roads, makes life very challenging. The local population of child bearing age are likely to be young, Māori and working in low income roles such as tourism, hospitality and primary industries.
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WATER CONFERENCE & EXPO
Page 8
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Water NZ conference to make a splash in Hamilton The Water New Zealand Conference & Expo is set to come back for its fifth year this spring as the biggest conference of its kind in the country.
streams, a major trade exhibition with more than 180 exhibitor stands, as well as pre-conference workshop opportunities.”
Rural-related
The conference welcomes the rural The conference and expo will be community with many topics held at Claudelands Events and speakers to provide Centre in Hamilton from information on a variety of September 21 to 23. subjects, including new Water New Zealand water regulations. chief executive WATER On September Gillian Blythe says 20, there will be registrations this a pre-conference year are at workshop where record levels. the new water “The three service regulator, waters sector is Taumata Arowai, a truly dynamic will present industry to their approach be in and to regulation, that’s why this and the changes conference is that will be taking such an important place between the event on the Ministry of Health water calendar,” and themselves. says Gillian. Water New Zealand chief Gillian says some “By the time we meet executive Gillian Blythe. of these rules will be of in September, Taumata relevance to small rural water Arowai – the new drinking suppliers such as farmers. water regulator –should be up and “I think this will be a really positive way running, and with it, the requirement to give for the rural sector to be able to come along to effect to Te Mana o Te Wai. the pre-conference workshop and be able to talk “Water reform and meeting the challenges directly to Taumata Arowai chief executive Bill ahead will be a big part of this year’s conference. Bayfi eld and his team. “As such, it will again be very diverse. “Developments in drinking, waste and storm Reform information water are closely linked to issues around climate “There are also a number of papers throughout change, resilience and innovation, to name just the conference where we have topics that will be a few. of interest to rural communities. “We will also be covering all aspects of water “We have the Minister of Local Government, from technology to management. There’ll be Honorable Nanaia Mahuta as our opening two and a half days of keynote and invited keynote speaker who will talk about the reforms, WATER speakers, throughout leadership and technical ...continued
WATER CONFERENCE & EXPO
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Page 9
Energy efficient wastewater treatment system With more than 30 years’ experience in designing wastewater treatment systems, Biorock has released the first fully automatic modular wastewater treatment system, the Biorotor, in response to requests for larger low energy systems. The Biorotor is a modular rotating biological contactor (RBC). Each module is powered by an innovative gear drive system utilising small independent drive motors allowing separate module operation. This increases energy efficiency by at least 50 per cent compared with other high-capacity sewage systems, says Biorock NZ managing director Geoff Jones-Prichard. “Each module contains two metre diameter polypropylene discs which can provide a surface area up to 816m2,” says Geoff. “The modules are installed in series to provide the necessary
surface area for the influent hydraulic and organic loading as well as the required effluent quality. “The system can be designed to provide an economic solution for hydraulic loadings greater than 12m3/day. “The Biorotor modules The Biorotor. are preceded by a primary tank and followed by a lamella separator module for clarification. “Sludge from the lamella is returned to the primary tank for consolidation and storage. “The Biorotor can be designed for BOD reduction, nitrification and with recirculation of the mixed liquor, denitrification. “TN less than 15 mg/L can be achieved.” Developed for both domestic and biodegradable industrial wastewater from subdivisions and commercial facilities, which are not connected to
Engaging with the water sector
continued...
the rationale and the impetuous for those reforms. “The other person farmers will want to hear from is Bill Bayfield, another keynote speaker at the conference. “I think the opportunity to be able to hear from such people face to face will be of much
value to farmers. “There will be more than 100 people presenting so there are a lot of opportunities,” says Gillian. Gillian is looking forward to discussing and developing a better understanding of the journey the water sector will be
on when they give effect to Te Mana o Te Wai. “I think it’s a really important piece for the water sector to engage with mana whenua and to understand some of the elements the sector will need to grapple with as we give effect to Te Mana o Te Wai.” Jordan Boyd
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MAIZE, CROPPING & SPRING PLANTING
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Improved nutrient loss tools on the way
The government will help develop improved tools to manage and estimate on-farm nutrient loss, after an independent Science Advisory Panel identified shortcomings with the current version of nutrient modelling software, Overseer.
The report concluded that the panel did not have confidence in its ability to estimate total nitrogen lost from farms in its current form. “Despite its shortcomings Overseer has been a useful tool to build awareness and influence practices to manage nutrient loss at the farm and catchment level,” says Environment Minister David Parker. “There is a robust body of independently peerreviewed knowledge on nitrogen mitigation options that sits alongside Overseer. “Farmers have used Overseer, alongside advice, to improve practices and freshwater outcomes. “We encourage farmers to continue their vital efforts to reduce nutrient losses.” Minister Parker and Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor say they recognise the urgency of the work, given the 2024 deadline for Regional
Councils to develop RMA plans under the Essential Freshwater reform package. “Our farmers and growers have put in a significant amount of work and investment over many years to boost environmental outcomes on-farm,” says Minister O’Connor. “The government will seek to ensure improved tools for estimating nutrient loss are transparent, accurate and effective. “Options to be considered include developing a risk-based index, developing a next-generation Overseer to address the panel’s concerns, greater use of controls on practices to manage nitrogen leaching, and potentially longer-term developing a new approach altogether.” David Parker says it is vital farmers and councils had some certainty over the next year. Councils will continue to implement their plans and the freshwater reforms. Regional councils will continue to administer consents to manage freshwater at farm-level, although there may need to be adjustments in the approach in some cases. Over the coming months, officials will develop best practice guidance for models used in environmental regulation and these will feed into approaches and tools in the longer term.
September 2021 Coast & Country News
MAIZE, CROPPING & SPRING PLANTING
Page 11
Dealing with costs, regulations and the Covid cliff The weather has been a mixed bag. Last year in July we had 102mm, and this year only 89mm. We’re down 13mm, but it seemed like it was wetter, so we must have had more days with rain rather than quantity. Rainfall to August 23, 2020, was 80mm, this year only 22mm – another reason why grass growth is down this year on hill country farms. The low land farmers will be enjoying the dry spring. Then of course we’ve had these couple of cold snaps in between. This has certainly put a halt on grass growth. Last week, the average soil temperature has been about eight degrees, down from about 12 to 13 degrees at this time last year, another reason we’re seeing slow growth at present. There’s not a lot of surplus feed around the place. Some years you can grow more grass in August than you can in September but that doesn’t appear to be the case this year. But it’s been a milder winter than average, so we’ve done all right up until now. It’s just started turning cold again recently – a late sting in the tail maybe. We’ve still got plenty of good quality, high energy 12ME milking grass silage. We’ll have some bulk grass this month, but at the moment it’s in bales. All of our dairy grazers have gone home apart from one mob, so farmers’ milking herds will all be on the platform. They can’t get rid of mouths, so they have to import feed to make up for the shortfall.
Maize time
Everybody will be focused on getting their maze in. We’ll be spraying out in about four weeks’ time, so it rolls around quickly. The Covid fallout is really starting to hit us about now – I call it the “Covid cliff”. Being in Level 4 lockdown due to Covid Delta being in the community, is not making things any easier. There has been big cost increases – and I mean big. At the time of writing this, the cost of fertiliser is up 30 per cent from last year, and
The majority of farmers do plant their waterways and do the right thing, but a few let the team down – and those are the ones presented to the public by the media to try and make all farmers look bad. And of course, who owns a lot of farms with pumice-y, welldraining soil around the lakes? The Shipping costs have increased significantly.
glyphosate is up about 85 per cent. Post emergence sprays and fuel is up, too. Farmers need to be aware that there will be some big increases in maize prices this year because of the amount it will cost to grow. Unfortunately we have to pass those prices on – the margins are so tight, we can’t soak up the cost. Even if farmers are growing their own maize, they’ll have to increase their crop establishment budgets and general cropping costs across the board, including fertiliser, chemicals and contracting services. Anything we have to import is hitting the country hard with costs and delays. About a year ago it cost $1400 to $2000 to get a container in, and now it costs $14,000. If you need any sort of products for the next 12 months, order them now. Sit on them in the shed because you never know when you might need them.
Mental health
The other thing we need to consider is mental health. We recently heard about the death of Kiwi Olympic cyclist Olivia Podmore at just age 24, which has started a conversation about the pressure of the games on athletes. It applies to farmers, too. There are a lot of uncertainties and incoming pressures on them, and when the weather is bad and the grass isn’t growing and costs are up and products aren’t unavailable, it all starts to snowball. Not to mention the amount of regulations that are coming through.
government. So I hope they are reducing their stock numbers and aren’t throwing stones from glass houses. They are, of course, the biggest farmers there is. There’s a lot coming our way, so look after yourselves and prioritise taking breaks, even in the busy times.
Page 12
MAIZE, CROPPING & SPRING PLANTING
Maize gains momentum September 2021 Coast & Country News
VP Maxx say the benefits from maize usage cannot be overstated.
As seasons come and seasons go, the interest in maize silage as an alternative feed option tends to follow suit. However, with the introduction of a fat evaluation index test targeting excessive use of PKE along with a significant upward movement in the price of PKE (which I’m told is not nearly the quality of years previous), it is fair to say there is increased interest in maize silage. Benefits from maize usage cannot be overstated – better spring feeding results in more milk and improved conception rates. Maize silage helps maintain cow condition through the autumn. Research results show that when maize silage is used to increase lactation length, responses of upwards of 150 grams of milk solids per kilogram maize silage dry matter fed can be achieved. One of the more significant reasons to feed maize is its ability to reduce urinary
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nitrogen and therefore nitrogen leaching. Maize quality is often overlooked in the pursuit of quantity. Maize growers see the opportunity to grow more than 20 tonne of DM/ha in 150 days, when grass production can be a fraction of this amount over the same period. Often the focus on quality (or more to the point energy) and its financial impact is not appreciated. When comparing maize on a DM basis, if stack A has an energy content of 10.6 MJME/kgDM and stack B an energy content of 11.6 MJME this equates to a difference of 1 MJME/kgDM or 1000 MJME per tonne of DM. Assuming it takes 80 MJME to produce 1 kgMS (Dairy NZ figures), an extra 1000 MJME gives you an additional 12.5 kgMS. A higher energy maize stack of 150 tonne DM is worth more than $15,000 at a $8/kgMS payout. For assistance in achieving higher quality maize silage contact your seed representative or VPMaxx account manager. Barry Smallridge, VPMaxx
September 2021 Coast & Country News
MAIZE, CROPPING & SPRING PLANTING
Page 13
Kabocha buttercup squashes become milk
Shane Newman.
A unique plant milk made from New Zealand-grown kabocha buttercup squash has hit supermarket shelves in Asia, thanks to a partnership between a Hawke’s Bay company and the Ministry for Primary Industries. MPI contributed more than $95,000 through its Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund (SFF Futures) to help boost Kabocha Milk Co’s efforts to formulate, manufacture, and market a shelf-stable kabocha milk recipe that would appeal to consumers in Japan, Korea, China, and beyond. This has been branded under the name ‘Kabochamilk’. Kabochamilk is a collaboration between Shane Newman, one of New Zealand’s largest buttercup
squash growers from the Hawke’s Bay, and Sachie Nomura, a Japanese celebrity chef and the brains behind the world-first avocado milk. “Our Kabochamilk uses the un-exported tag-3 fruit, creating a high-value, sustainable and exportable product from produce that would otherwise go to waste,” says Shane. Shane says kabocha is a staple in the Japanese and East Asian diet. “There are no other comparable kabocha milks in any of those markets, and it became a really exciting opportunity to fill that gap.” New Zealand is one of the largest exporters of kabocha to Japan and Korea. By tapping into the strong distribution and retail channels Shane and his family have established from more than 40 years of fresh
horticultural and export business, Kabochamilk is able to gain access to a large distribution network of around 5000 Asian retailers, supermarkets, and convenience store chains. “We’ve made agreements with powerhouse distributors in Japan and Korea that have access to thousands of retail stores,” says Shane. “Our products are already available in high-end chain stores in Japan, which is a major coup. “While all our product will go offshore, we’re using local farmers, local R&D, and local manufacturers, packaging, and domestic logistics companies – so the benefits to the New Zealand economy are considerable.” The story of the kabocha being grown and produced in New Zealand is an important part of the branding. MPI investment programmes director Steve Penno says Kabocha Milk Co is providing valuable employment opportunities in New Zealand’s food sector. “These opportunities will only continue to grow as the company expands,” he says. Currently, 10 to 15 per cent of kabocha grown in New Zealand is used for stock food. A IN &
SEED DRESSI
ID G E CRSEEDS
GR
NG
QUA LITY PASTURE SEED
Good buggers, great machinery ‘Good buggers’ is how Gisborne mixed cropping farmer Henry Dods describes Jacks Machinery. The comment was one outcome of several discussions between Henry and Jacks Machinery boss, Steve Jacks, along with Jacks Machinery Gisborne sales representative, Beau Kirk. The other outcome was the purchase of a new CaseIH Magnum 340 Tractor. “The purchase of the tractor might be an end goal, but it’s not the primary goal,” says Beau. “Jacks Machinery’s guiding philosophy is to understand and solve peoples’ problems; if the answer is a piece of equipment, sure we can supply that, but our objective is to build long term relationships with our clients.” Henry is, according to Beau, an astute person running an extensive and very successful cropping
business in Gisborne. “I called to let him know that we were opening a service centre and parts depot in Gisborne, and we got talking about the challenges he was facing. The end result was the ‘good buggers’ comment and the purchase of the tractor. “Jacks Machinery’s new Gisborne service centre will provide advice, service and sales to a region defined by Wairoa and right up the East Coast.” Jacks Machinery has branches in Katikati, Gisborne and Whakatāne, providing such things as diagnostic workshop and field services for multiple bands of agricultural vehicles and machinery. They also sell and service ATVs, farm bikes, ride-on mowers, push mowers, chainsaws and other small machines. The company operates mobile hydraulic hose and transporter services and hire and parts divisions. CaseIH Magnum 340 Tractor.
MAXXUM 150
DAIRY
Page 14
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Is a change in land use possible? Deterring birds Every day there are new reports proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that the world is warming at a faster rate than ever before and, although reversible, we are getting close to the point of no return.
The only way we’re told that the warming process can be reversed is to sequester carbon by planting more and more trees. One issue is that rapidly growing trees, such as pinus radiata, have an establishment phase of six years. Until then growth is relatively slow, so there will be little if any immediate impact on atmospheric CO2 levels.
Sheep solution
Native bush is much slower so can largely be ignored if we are to head off the day of armageddon when temperatures soar at an ever-increasing rate with coastal flooding, forest fires, and droughts dominating the headlines. If this is in fact the case, the world as we currently know it is beyond repair and the sanest option is to spend and party like there is genuinely no tomorrow.
However, there might just be a solution, which some folk have identified and are working to capitalise on. It’s a humble grazing ruminant and, when fed on rapidly growing permanent pastures, the speed at which carbon can be sequestered is rapid. Dung is evenly distributed and quickly reabsorbed into the ground. Methane and nitrous oxide emissions, as I understand, are markedly less than those of dairy cows. The milk is more readily digested by humans and being more nutrient dense, less volume is required to satisfy needs. There is already a fledgling milking industry, which could be rapidly expanded without the requirement for the super-sized infrastructure of the dairy industry. Existing dairy properties could be readily converted to sheep milking, making large and expensive effluent storage and disposal systems largely redundant. Sheep do not produce the mud that their heavier footed relation, the dairy cow, creates therefore largely eliminating the heavy machinery used for pasture re-establishment. Small bales of hay are more easily managed than big heavy rounds and squares, reducing the requirement for farmers to own tractors of more than 65hp. Capital machinery and
operating costs could be slashed and although increased labour would be required for the making of hay, there would be income available for willing and able university students.
Industry excitement
Coarse wool, after years of being a cost, is now increasing in price and wool unsuitable for clothing could be used in the manufacture of once-in-a-lifetime carpets with remnants turned into home insulation. The financial return from rapidly fattening lambs remains higher than any other livestock farming enterprise, and with projected returns of $9.00/kg this season, genuine excitement is building in the industry. Lamb meat is prized for its flavour and tenderness and the size of the cuts are far better suited to the smaller portions required by today’s families. On farm, lambs are more easily handled by folk that find 500kg cows and 50kg calves something of a battle. Dairy farmers were, for many years, the poor cousin of the sheep farmer, with dairy units confined to small areas of highly fertile flat land serviced by numerous dairy factories making specialist products. There are good reasons to once again consider the merits of intensive sheep farming on our best land, with just a smattering of family operated dairy enterprises. Due to the cyclical nature of industry and the demand for a reduction in environmental pressure that time might be closer than many have imagined. Peter Burton: 0800 843 809.
Guano is dried droppings from, among other things, birds and it is the bane of life for people working in industries that attract them – like dairy farming. But there is a solution – an eco-friendly, human and animal safe bird deterrent proven through extensive trials on New Zealand farms. Guano-Be-Gone was released after extensive testing in late 2020. The owner of developer company X-Clean, John Whyte, says demand outstripped supply in days. “X-Clean is best known for producing a range of eco-friendly cleaning products and our foray into bird deterrents was a response to demand from clients,” says John. John Whyte. “Simply sprayed onto surfaces in calf pens, dairy and implement sheds, Guano-Be-Gone will deter birds for up to 10 weeks per application. Air circulation in the area does affect the length of effectiveness and this is why we sell direct, so we get to talk to the client and are able to understand and resolve the problem. “Guano-Be-Gone has AsureQuality approval for use in industrial and dairy processing areas and is harmless to humans, pets and farm animals.” John says the optimum time for ‘bird proofing’ farm buildings is September “before the nesting season”. “Once birds have built their nests their parental urges see them challenge the deterrent so we advise clients that, for optimum effect, they spray all areas before birds begin building nests.” Guano-Be-Gone is proven to deter most species of indigenous birds, as well as miners, pigeons, sparrows and starlings. For more information, check out: www.xclean.co.nz
DAIRY
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Page 15
Hit the sowing sweet spot with chicory Young 501 Chicory.
If you haven’t caught spring fever yet, chances are it won’t be far away.
than turnips or maize, allowing these to be re-distributed evenly around the farm. 2. Sow AGRICOTE treated 501 Chicory seed at For many farmers, this is the best time of the 10 kg/ha. AGRICOTE will protect the small year. Days are longer and sunnier, grass grows germinating seedlings from insect pests. faster, soils warm up and there are lambs and calves 3. Sow shallow – no deeper than 1cm. Chicory everywhere you look. seed is very small. It’s exciting, and busy, and one job on the 4. Regardless of whether you direct drill or horizon is getting spring crops like 501 Chicory cultivate, protect seed with slug bait this spring. into the ground. Slug pressure is high. Picking the right sowing date for chicory is 5. Roll the paddock before and after sowing. always a critical decision. Good seed to soil contact will speed If we sow too early, when conditions are too up germination. cold, the crop is slow to establish. Competition 6. Fertilise according to advice from your soil and from weeds can also be more of a problem, plant nutrient supplier. because they can germinate and start growing 7. Control broadleaf and grass weeds with before the chicory does. appropriate herbicides. Another risk with sowing too early is that a heavy late frost can kill chicory seedlings as they’re 8. Graze at Red Band gumboot height, when plants germinating. This doesn’t happen very often, but have seven or eight leaves. Becky Reith, Barenbrug upper we did see it on a few occasions last year.
Between cold and dry
North Island agronomist
However, there are also downsides to sowing too late. The first is that late sowing delays your first and subsequent grazings. More importantly, if we sow too late, and conditions turn dry sooner than expected, your crop will not have enough moisture to yield to its potential, so you won’t get as much feed as you planned. So how can you minimise the risk of your chicory being affected by either of these scenarios? The key is to focus on finding the sweet spot between too cold, and too dry – late enough that the highest risk of spring frost has passed, but early enough to get 501 Chicory seedlings well established before summer. As a general rule, chicory is best sown in our part of New Zealand after October 1 up until Labour Day, which this year is October 25. You want to be confident the soil is consistently above 12 degrees C and rising before drilling. As altitude increases these dates move back. So every region is different; as is every farm, and every season.
GRUNDFOS ®
Tips for top chicory
Once you feel the time is right for sowing on your farm, here are some other tips that may be useful. 1. Choose an effluent paddock, if you haven’t already. 501 Chicory soaks up high levels of soil nitrogen and potassium more efficiently
Extra value $350/ha* 501 Chicory is very fast establishing and out-yields some other varieties. This could mean an extra 50kg MS/ha worth $350/ha*. *Based on 550kg DM/ha extra yield and $7/kg MS milk price. Yield data based on yield info from combined trial analysis of Cambridge 11-12, and Canterbury 12-13.
Make more green this summer with 501 Chicory. barenbrug.co.nz 0800 449 955
facebook.com/BarenbrugNZ
@BarenbrugNZ
DAIRY
Page 16
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Trusting the process, and the mentor The cost of fertiliser is rising rapidly, and with it, concern about the future of sustainable farming. Farmers are looking for answers. Taranaki dairy farmers Grant and Amanda Hanson are just one of the 22 farmers getting those answers and experiencing consistently good results since embarking on the Total Replacement
NZ DISTRIBUTOR
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.
effluent that separate the effluent fibres and send them
Using Chlorine will kill these good bugs! We to the surface. have the solution! DX50 is an eco-friendly How do you counter these bad bugs? With good bugs. That’s what 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 Alkali nutrients into organic formsand thatAcid are easily used by plants. In other words, completethey theliquefy cleaning system. your pond and turn it into an effective, spreadable fertiliser.
Therapy Programme. Milking 260 cows on 120ha at Matapu, the couple, alongside Amanda’s father/farm owner Geoff Carter, had become sceptical of the way farm businesses were treated by corporate fertiliser companies. “We felt the industry had just become a machine,” says Amanda. “We got into this cycle of doing the same things we’d always done, and it didn’t feel right anymore.” While researching soil testing, Forward Farming Ltd was the first website that appeared. “I had never heard of David Law before, but we went ahead and rung him,” says Amanda. “He came out to see us and the rest is history.” Listening to the soil biology and the natural processes that help a farm thrive excited Amanda and Grant. “We are now in our fourth year working with David. It has taken three years to understand the biological process, and it’s still ongoing,” says Amanda. The farm has had three applications of Terragen
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 good Slurry 8-stepthe method leading farmers from a Therapy Total Bugs alone. A chlorine-freechemical Alkali andfertiliser Acid system using synthetic Replacement complete the cleaning system.
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.
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AUCKLAND - TAURANGA - WELLINGTON - CHRISTCHURCH
Farmers Grant Hanson, Amanda Carter-Hanson and Geoff Carter. Great Land, a biological soil conditioner: in May 2020, November 2020, and June 2021. Amanda says they have observed significant changes in the pasture. “Grass has thickened up throughout the paddock – it’s dense, and the clover is everywhere,” says Amanda. “When putting cows into a paddock, you hope they will be happy. In the paddocks treated with Terragen they are very content and eat so much more grass. “They also graze the paddock evenly; even when the pasture on the paddock is short, it’s still thick like a mat, while the untreated paddocks are patchy and weaker. “We are now treating the whole farm in the same way as a result of seeing the difference, including another 20ha for calves.” Amanda and Grant have always been low synthetic nitrogen users, having previously used urea, but I guided them to switch to ammonium sulphate. Total Replacement Therapy has contributed to an incredible nitrogen level of -14. Amanda says the Forward Farming, Total Replacement Therapy and Kiwi Fertiliser teams have been fantastic.
“During the first application of Terragen they not only showed us what to do, but hung around to ensure it all went smoothly,” says Amanda. “Our trust in David was a massive contributing factor to making the decision to head down this road; you have to be comfortable with your adviser and what they are saying. “I’m an inquisitive person and like to know why we are doing what we are doing; David encourages our questions.” Amanda says a recent experience reinforced her belief that many farmers just don’t know how to farm without using large amounts of synthetic nitrogen. “If they are seeing results with nitrogen, they feel they can’t afford to try something new that may not work,” she says. “They need guaranteed results, for animal welfare and financial reasons. “It is scary to try something a bit different, but three and a half years in it is going really well for us... we wouldn’t want to go back to the way we used to farm. “We’re looking forward to seeing how Terragen performs over the next 12 months.” The Total Replacement Therapy team is planning on-farm field days, starting in November. Stay updated at: www. facebook.com/totalreplacementtherapy
DAIRY
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Page 17
Lifestyle subdivisions moving further out With the pressure of subdivision now limiting development opportunities nearer to Hamilton and Tauranga, South Waikato and Matamata-Piako are seeing increased development. Sandwiched between Waikato and the Western Bay of Plenty and bordered by the Kaimai-Mamaku range in the east, they are effectively the next stop. In recent years, many councils in the Waikato/Bay of Plenty have moved to severely restrict smaller rural and lifestyle blocks. Most now have a minimum rural block size of 40ha, although Waikato still allows one lifestyle block to be subdivided off some older titles more than 20ha in size. That size could well increase very soon. Further south in South Waikato District we are seeing significant development as the demand from lifestylers moves further out. Richard Leach from Countrywide Real Estate Putāraru says, “things are going exceptionally well in this area”. “People seem to have woken up to the fact that we are centrally located, have good employment prospects and land and housing are value for money”. The region is experiencing unprecedented demand at present. The Rural Subdivision Rules here in the south allow a two-lot subdivision of many existing
sections that are over 4ha in size, with the flexibility to make one of those to be a small residential size section of around 2500 square metres. And if you start with over 30ha you may be able to subdivide into three lots. Bordering South Waikato and stretching north to Hauraki District, Matamata-Piako have taken a ‘land quality’ approach, allowing properties with ‘general quality’ land to subdivide down to a 20ha size, whereas ‘high quality’ land requires 40ha. In addition to this, each title that existed on December 4, 2013, will qualify for an application to subdivide off one block of 8ha or more, provided a balance lot can be left at least 20ha in size. This provides farmers an opportunity to sever a small rural lot from their farm, providing an opportunity for diversification or family settlement. Another rule that is commonly used in this district provides the ability to apply to cut a ‘lifestyle’ block off the farm. This block is limited in size to either one or two hectares, depending on the quality of land and title date. The balance area must be either 20 or 40ha, depending on the land quality. Councils are bound to regularly review their rules, so you can’t count on all or any of these rules remaining in the long term. In addition to these size restrictions there are a host of other rules affecting subdivision so, if you
Quality and fit of unique calf covers fuel demand
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Brent Trail, Managing Director of Surveying Services, specialises in resource consent applications for subdivisions across the Waikato, Hauraki, Coromandel and Bay of Plenty. For further information call 021 035 7226 or email btrail@surveyingservices.co.nz
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“Demand for the covers comes from a variety of sources. Dairy farmers love them because they provide the warmth essential for survival, feed utilisation and growth once calves leave the rearing barns, and lifestylers who need a cover which will last for multiple calves and calf club years.” The BagEm Collection Calf Covers are available in three sizes – small, medium and extra-large – suitable for the smallest newborn Jersey calf up to large dairy/beef calves. “A unique design feature is the front fastening toggle which can easily be adjusted to allow for growth,” says Kirsty. The BagEm Collection will be exhibiting at the Waikato Home and Garden Show from October 7 to 10 and Bay of Plenty Home Show in Mount Maunganui from October 29 to 31.
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Page 18
DAIRY
September 2021 Coast & Country News
September 2021 Coast & Country News
SHEEP & BEEF
Page 19
New Zealand wool enters new era
New Zealand’s wool industry is entering an exciting new era of collaboration, innovation and consumer-focus to deliver game changing profitability to farmers, says Federated Farmers. Fed Farmers’ meat and wool chairperson, William Beetham, says they’re really pleased to see industry players working together to end fragmentation and concentrate on driving extra value from the superior attributes we all know that strong wool entails. “I believe it’s all adding up to a new dawn for New Zealand strong wool.” A number of new initiatives have William excited. One is a proposed merger of two main farmer owned co-operatives (Wools of NZ - 730 farmers; Primary Wool Co-operative 1400 farmers), with the aim of an integrated supply chain. Farmers will vote on the idea
in November but prior to then the Primary Wool Co-operative will become owner of CP Wool brokers by buying Carrfields’ 50 per cent holding. Another initiative is the announcement from The Wool Research Organisation of NZ about a world-class research initiative with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, and development of unique wool particles, powders and pigments with global export potential for applications as diverse as cosmetics, printing, luxury goods and personal care. There is also a joined-up farm assurance programme that is underway, and is backed by 23 wool companies.
Tail length requirements in place this spring Changes in animal regulations means farmers will need to be aware of how much tail they are leaving on their lambs at docking this spring. Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s senior advisor on biosecurity and animal welfare, Will Halliday, says the new regulations, that came into force in May, require tails be docked to a length no shorter than the distal end of the caudal fold. This should ensure that the docked tail will be long enough to cover the vulva in an ewe lamb and the equivalent length in a male. He says these changes have been flagged for a couple of years, but they are now in place and farmers need to comply. “Before docking gets underway, I recommend farmers familiarise themselves with the required tail length and importantly, make sure everyone working in the docking gang knows that the sufficient tail must be left to cover the vulva or the male equivalent.” For more information go to: www.legislation. govt.nz/regulation/ public/2018/0050/ latest/whole. html#LMS493017
The aim is to build systems to ensure a standard of supply and traceability that meets market expectations. “We’re moving beyond selling our clip as a raw product as we look for high-value, branded consumer products that capitalise on strong wool’s natural, sustainable, super-warm, fireretardant, non-leaching, moisture and mouldresistant credentials,” says William. The initiatives already mentioned come on the back of companies such as Cavalier-Bremworth, Big Save Furniture and Merino NZ championing strong wool, and the push into USA markets with branded wool product
opportunities by the Strong Wool Action Group. “This progress is a culmination of advocacy by my predecessors, Federated Farmers Meat & Wool leaders such as Miles Anderson and Rick Powdrell, and also many other individuals, agencies and companies throughout the supply chain. “I also acknowledge government investment and Minister Damien O’Connor, who has pretty much made this one of his key missions. “I’m really buoyed by this determination to lift our game, tell the exceptional story of our wool’s provenance, and get better returns for New Zealand farmers.” There’s a long road ahead to get to where everyone wants the strong wool industry to be, and part of that is a commitment by farmers to meet assurance standards, says William. He says there also maybe a requirement for farmers to further invest in their industry. “But when we get there the potential rewards are huge.”
Page 20
SHEEP & BEEF
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Meadow Ward with Kairaumati’s Polled Herefords.
Breeding Polled Herefords is a family affair for the Ward family of Colville. Roy and Kaye Ward formed Kairaumati Polled Hereford in the 1990s, their experience as dairy farmers confirming demand for quality, low birthweight calves which would grow and produce for dairy and beef farmers. Son James, his wife Nicole and daughter Meadow, are now actively involved in the stud and busily preparing for the Stud’s 22nd Bull Sale which will be held at Turua, near Thames, on September 16. “Fifty bulls will come forward at Turua,” says Nicole. “Twenty six 20’month bulls and 24 oneyear-old bulls. They are all well grown and hardy having been raised on hill country so farmers can
be sure they will move well and perform. “Kairaumati bulls have earned a reputation as productive, low input bulls which have been bred for performance and profit. “Short gestation, low birth weight, easy calving calm placid cattle are the attributes dairy and beef farmers want. Kaye selects the best genetics to provide the attributes needed by Kiwi farmers.” The Stud’s reputation for quality, high performance cattle is drawing attention from farmers around the country who, for the second year, can opt to bid either ringside or online via BIDR. “We always enjoy meeting the farmers who buy our bulls but the online option is a way for farmers from further afield, or too busy to attend the sale, to acquire bulls that will perform.”
Stud’s best line-up of Hereford bulls yet “This year’s offering are some of the best bulls we’ve bred” is how John Allen sums up the offering at Mahuta Hereford’s 37th Annual Bull Sale on September 17 at Glen Murray, Waikato. John and Mary Allen have been breeding Hereford bulls for the past 37 years, careful genetic selection and farming practice generating a line-up of bulls that are superior year on year. “That is the goal of breeding – to constantly improve and provide the traits required by progressive farmers. Our bulls are bred to
Mahuta Herefords.
perform better than ‘the average’ in dairy and beef operations and this quality tends to see farmers keep them for multiple seasons,” says John. “Our bulls are easy calving with average gestation length below breed average; they have been examined by a vet and semen tested and are free from BVD and EBL. They are handled regularly and are very quiet with excellent temperaments. “Some of our bulls are in the top one per cent for breed indexes and many in the top 10 per cent.” For the last decade, John and Mary bred Angus but John says they have decided to concentrate on Herefords, so this year’s sale will feature the last Mahuta Angus bulls – four yearlings, along with two two-year-old Hereford bulls and 55 yearling Hereford bulls. The 37th Annual Sale of Mahuta Herefords will take place on the farm at 335 Maurice Road, Glen Murray on September 17. Inspection is from 10.30am, a light lunch is at 12pm and the sale begins at 1pm. The sale will be live-streamed on: www.bidr.co.nz
www.coastandcountrynews.co.nz
SHEEP & BEEF
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Page 21
Elite Angus bulls head to the sale yard Rotorua Angus breeders, Mark and Sherrie Stokman, look over their farm at geothermal Lake Ohakuri, and can’t help but feel they have the best view in the world. The 360 registered cows in the Stokman herd seem to enjoy the view too, and keep Mark and Sherrie and their son, Jake, busy, with calving starting the first week of August, and preparation for the Stokman Annual Bull sale. On Wednesday, September 15, Stokmans will have 100 registered yearling Angus bulls and 40 Angus heifers for sale at their Waikite Valley farm. “We look at a broad range of traits to bring a balance to our cowherd, sourcing the best AI and natural sires we can find, with calving
ease and above average growth and carcass,” says Mark. “To ensure longevity, we select genetics that have proven themselves in the long run.” Sherrie’s family in Montana has been breeding Angus for 98 years, “and they thrive in Montana like they do in New Zealand, though the weather is much kinder here,” says Sherrie. “In the US they can have -30 F degrees, where here we calve on green grass.” Sherrie and Mark welcome farmers to look over the bulls ahead of the sale as 100 is a large number to look through on the day. If customers can’t make it on sale day, Mark says they can buy online with BIDR. “We love to show our cattle and the coffee pot is always on at Stokman Angus!”
Rotorua Angus breeders Sherrie and Mark Stockman.
Strongwool lamb shearing has a new champion A glamour shearing record once the domain of New Zealand’s best has been broken in the UK for the second time in five years by a shearer averaging one lamb every 37.16 seconds over nine hours.
Oxfordshire shearer Stu Connor achieved a new ninehour strongwool lamb shearing world record of 872 sheep on July 29, 2021, five more than the previous record of 867 set by Irish shearer Ivan Scott in 2016. Both records were set at Trefrank Farm in Cornwall, managed by Trefrank farmer, ewe-shearing record holder and former Northland and Hawke’s Bay shearer Matt Smith. It was the fourth World record attempted and set on a Romney flock established on the property by Matt and wife Pippa for shearing record purposes. They did so on the recommendation of Matt’s brother, former World champion Hawke’s Bay shearer Rowland Smith, who set an eight-hours eweshearing record on the property in 2017. It was an emotional end to the latest recordbreaking shear, with Stu competing in memory
and the support of families impacted by the disorder. At a pre-record wool-weigh, a shear of 20 lambs from the flock averaged 1.037kg of wool each, comfortably above the World Sheep Shearing Records Society’s minimum requirement of 0.9kg for the record to be allowed to go ahead. The record was overseen by three
Shearing 872 sheep in nine hours earned Stu Connor the nine-hour strongwool lamb shearing world title.
of daughter Grace, who died from mitochondrial disease at age three. He and wife Kira have committed themselves to fundraising for research
judges at the venue, and chief referee Paul Harris linked in via Zoom from his home near Amberley in North Canterbury. The record was last set by in New Zealand by Dion King who shore 866 in 2007, in what was then the third new record in the new millennium. Rodney Sutton shore 839 in 2000, and Justin Bell shore 851 in 2004.
Page 22
EDUCATION/BOARDING
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Supporting rural women into education Teacher trainee Joanne Siebert believes people living in rural areas of Aotearoa deserve an education equal to those living in our cities and so does Rural Women New Zealand.
study for four hours while her husband gets their four children ready for school before she goes to work herself.
One of the ways RWNZ supports this is by offering a range of bursaries and grants to help rural women and children with their education. Joanne, who lives on the edge of National Park, Joanne Siebert, left, says that a RWNZ was a recipient education grant has made life for her and of this year’s her family so much less stressful financially Region 5 Norma as she undertakes a Bachelor of Education. Evans Education Joanne says that the Norma Evans legacy Award, for rural is inspiring and she and her family are women living in hugely grateful to RWNZ for the support, the Bay of Plenty, which has reduced their financial stress. Coromandel, East Cape/Gisborne Boarding assistance and Central Plateau areas. RWNZ also offer four different The newly appointed teacher aid at a low decile primary school in Taumarunui bursaries to financially support students living rurally to board at a secondary is a shining example of what can be school facility for up to four years. achieved with a bit of a helping hand. The Florence Polson Secondary School The 40 year old is in her first year of a Bachelor of Education through distance Boarding Bursary of $1000 is available learning with the University of Waikato to help pay boarding school fees in Year and was delighted to get an A+ amongst 12 or 13. The Nellie Schroder Boarding her first results. School Bursary and Year 12 and 13 The mum of four gets up at 4am to Boarding Bursary involve a payment of
$900 to Year 12 or 13 students. The Secondary School Boarding Bursary offers a grant of up to $900, payable for a maximum of four years, to Year nine or 10 students required to live away from home in order to attend secondary school. Applications for all of these grants close on September 30, 2021. The Audrey Reid Grant is available for rural women over the age of 25 years. RWNZ offer the opportunity for women to extend their education or training focusing on subjects that will benefit rural communities, for example, rural midwifery or agriculture/horticulture. The grant is for $600 and this year applications close on October 30.
More opportunities
RWNZ have other grants available with closing dates starting in February 2022. These include the RWNZ Education Fund, Tertiary Bursary, and Textbook Grant for Tertiary Students. The Agricultural Tertiary Bursary is specifically for applicants studying agricultural subjects. And The Miss Harris Nursing Bursary was created to assist rural nurses undertaking further study in this field. The Vibrac-RWNZ Animal Health Graduate Grant aims to support recently graduated vets or veterinary nurses seeking to work in rural areas. For more information and online application forms, visit: www.ruralwomennz.nz and go to the ‘Our Funds and Grants’ section.
HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Page 23 The bridge at Rainbow Station.
Two of NZ Adventures’ most popular 4x4 tours, the High Country Heritage and West Coast Explorer Tour, have vacancies in November 2022. The High Country Heritage six day tour, which starts from Blenheim, winds its way along a 1250km route down the spine of the South Island through various sheep and cattle stations and conservation reserves and overnights in places such as Hanmer Springs, Methven, Fairlie, Omarama, Cromwell
and the last night at the Cardrona Hotel. “We travel through the Eastern side of Molesworth Station on the afternoon of day one,” says NZ Adventures owner-operator Connie Crickett. A complete contrast to the High Country Heritage Tour is the West Coast Explorer Tour. “This five day tour starts in Hanmer Springs and is more about Beech forests, Rivers and valley floors. The trip has two overnights in Murchison, a night in Westport and Reefton and the final night in Greymouth. Day one will take us through the Western side of
Molesworth Station and St. James.” For any NZ Adventures 4X4 tour, the only stipulation mandatory for all vehicles is all terrain type tyres with at least 70 per cent of new tread – no low profile tyres are permitted. Each vehicle is supplied with a radio so a commentary is available and two way communication is enabled. All accommodation and meals are in motels and associated restaurants. Lunches are either on station properties at the homesteads or a picnic to be enjoyed trackside out on the properties.
Funding for regional tourism organisations brings a boost The Tourism Minister has announced funding details for a new round of investment to promote and coordinate regional tourism. Stuart Nash has confirmed the allocation of funds to 31 regional tourism organisations, from $26 million earmarked in the Tourism Communities Plan in May. “Domestic tourism is experiencing a boom as Kiwis take the opportunity to ‘do something new’ and see more of their own backyard,” says Nash. “Tourism agencies in our regions work hard behind the scenes to ensure they can deliver on their promise to visitors. “We all want tourism to be sustainable, well-managed, and for
everyone with a stake in the visitor economy to collaborate. “The 31 regional tourism organisations have secured government investment ranging from $400,000 to $1.5 million in grants from the Tourism Communities: Support, Recovery and Reset Plan
announced in May.” Hamilton and Waikato Tourism chief executive Jason Dawson says the one-off funding from government of up to $1 million for his organisation will give a significant boost to deliver on the aspirations of the region’s draft destination management plan.
“We want to ensure we co-curate a vibrant sector which gives back to the communities they serve and also creates more active and immersive experiences, contributing to the four well-beings: culturally, environmentally, economically and socially.”
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HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS
Page 24
September 2021 Coast & Country News
DOOR TO DOOR
Awakeri farmer Viv Barr runs a farm stay on her runoff, and is encouraging others to do the same. Viv says her farm stay allows guests to see what life on a New Zealand farm is like, which may help bust public misconceptions about the sector. “So few New Zealanders have a direct link to a farm these days, so have little idea about what actually happens,” says Viv. “Providing accommodation on the farm gives people a taste of something they may not have experienced before, and offers people a different perspective. “There has been a lot of negativity towards the farming industry. The only reprieve we got was during the first Covid-19 lockdown, when people saw us as an essential service – but that seems to have worn off.”
The big topics
The accommodation, called Secret Lake Farm Stay, is a self-contained apartment that is separate from the main part of Viv’s home, and sleeps oneto-three people. As well as running the farm stay, Viv also moves stock every day and teaches part-time at Awakeri School.
Viv Barr with her 9.9/10 Booking.com rating award.
Viv invites her guests into her own home for a wine and a chat, and the opportunity to go onto the farm to work alongside her. “Some are just happy to hang out with the farm dog, but anyone keen enough can be given gumboots and a jacket to come out and help me move stock in the morning. “I’ve found that by having people on the farm with me, they become comfortable enough to ask about some of the more contentious issues covered in the news. I’ve had conversations about live exports, bobby calves, fencing waterways, greenhouse gas emissions and many other topics. “I’m really happy to have those discussions openly and allow people to make up their own minds. ...continued
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HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Page 25
Bridging the urban-rural divide continued...
“Those who come onto the farm take photos, ask questions, close gates for me and have close contact with the animals. “They witness how they are cared for, valued and respected. “Guests then go away and share this experience with others – it’s just what the primary industry needs.”
Fourth generation farmers
The runoff coincides with an 115ha and 400 cow dairy farm, run by Viv’s son, Matthew Barr. “My son and daughter-in-law bought the dairy platform last month and he’s the fourth generation from our family to work on this land. He has a daughter now – we would love to be a fivegeneration farming family. Being in the one family for more than 100 years, it is registered as a Century Farm. “We look after the environment and our stock and we have a long-term plan for it.” Viv was introduced to farming at age 27
when she married her late husband – the land’s third generation farmer. She says she understands how people without a farming background may not see the full picture. “I remember being taken aback by the level of commitment required – it really is something you have to do every day,” says Viv. “My husband was born to be a farmer. “I see that his son is the same. “My family considers themselves really lucky to have grown up on a farm; when the kids moved to Christchurch for university they began reflecting on their unique experiences growing up, compared to their peers. In particular, I remember my son’s surprise that you couldn’t just leave mail in the letterbox and expect it to be picked up and delivered!”
Top rated experience
Viv’s accommodation experience strikes a chord with her guests – her farm stay has been awarded a 9.9 rating from Booking.com this year. The rating comes
Viv Barr’s home, with the farm stay accommodation on the right. All Photos: Viv Barr.
from client feedback, and took Viv five years to achieve. One other accommodation provider in the wider Bay of Plenty shares this rating, and only five other accommodations in New Zealand – motels, hotels, bed and breakfasts and lodges included – are rated higher. “The most important thing to achieve a good rating is to provide exactly what you promise. My farm stay is advertised as ‘peace and tranquillity on the top of a hill overlooking farmland, a lake with a backdrop of geothermal activity and Mount Pūtauaki’, and that’s what they get. “I’m only aware of a few other farm stays in our area. “You don’t need to have a separate apartment – it can be a room in your house, or even a glamping set-up. Once you have an internet presence organised, it’s easy to make a farm stay work with your day-to-day life. “I highly encourage farmers to consider it.” Anyone seeking advice on operating a farm stay can email: viv: barr.aj@xtra.co.nz MacKenzie Dyer
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Views from Secret Lake Farm Stay feature curious cows and Mount Pūtauaki/Edgecumbe.
Page 26
HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Travellers can see New Zealand by rail on Endeavour NZ Itinerary Specialists’ Ride the Rails tour. All Photos: Gordon Duff.
Endeavour NZ Itinerary Specialists started 36 months ago. Managing director, Pete Salvesen, a Scotsman by birth, has always had a fascination for travel.
Pete has enlisted the services of John Anderson and Gordon Duff, a professional photographer over the past two years to assist him. “We have handpicked all our accommodation, activities and attractions from around New Zealand to ensure the clients are well looked after and budget restrictions are met,” says Pete. “All bookings include a meet and greet with one of our team. This is where we introduce ourselves to the clients. “We create the finest holiday itineraries, with the most professional care and dedication. “Stunning landscapes, world renowned Kiwi hospitality all driven with the same passion to deliver the
absolute best to our clients.” Endeavour NZ Itinerary Specialists has designed ‘short stay’ tours from Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown and Dunedin. “Our ‘Ride the Rails’ tour is seeing New Zealand by rail. This is a seven day tour departing from Auckland to Christchurch, travelling on the Northern Explorer, the Cook Strait Ferry, the Coastal Pacific and the TranzAlpine Railway. “Our latest tour is ‘A Taste of The South’, where we explore the Southern Coast of the South Island, starting in Dunedin and culminating in Queenstown.” For more information, see the advertisement on this page.
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HOLIDAY DESTINATIONS
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Page 27
Beautiful views, delicious wine It’s almost 30 years since Lance Benseman and Heather McDonald formed Queenstown Wine Trail, and in that time they’ve attracted hundreds of reviews – all of which have a central theme:
‘Absolutely wonderful afternoon of entertaining commentary, delicious wines, beautifully presented food and stunning scenery.’ “That experience is what we aim to achieve with every tour,” says Heather. “Covid-19 has changed the business – we have fewer overseas tourists, Guests enjoying the fine and while we miss them, wine at Queenstown we welcome a higher Wine Trail. number of Kiwis who tend to have a personal connection with the wineries we visit.” Queenstown Wine Trail offers a range of tours from small through to custom groups. “We are a small, two-family business able to tailor tours to match the interests of our clients,” says Heather.
Create memories in Christchurch
Planning your next getaway? Then why not experience what Christchurch has to offer. The stunning city has plenty happening from dinner on the tramway to a punt on the Avon River, and the central location of the Christchurch Classic Motel and Apartments makes them the perfect place to stay. Christchurch Classic offers 29 contemporary studios and apartments with fully equipped kitchenettes, SkyTV and free WiFi. Facilities include free parking, daily breakfast and guest laundry. Owners Bob and Zeta Pringle will be on hand to help with anything you need during your stay. The pair are Kiwis who like to support local and show all their guests true
Kiwi hospitality. Christchurch offers endless things to see and do, a trip up the picturesque Port Hills in a gondola and a hop on hop off bus tour are a great way to explore the city. The Christchurch Classic Motel and Apartments A trip to the are centrally located. International Antarctic the best rate and room for you. Centre or a visit to Orana “If you ring us, you’ll get the best Wildlife Park will keep the kids busy. There’s plenty of wineries and restaurants price and we can tailor the room to suit your needs.” to enjoy as well. Christchurch Classic Motel and “We’d love to see more people from Apartments also take Bartercard, the central North Island coming to Farmlands, Rural Farm Source, Farmers see what Christchurch has to offer,” and Q Card as forms of payment. says Bob and Zeta. They recommend “We hope to see you soon.” booking directly with them to ensure
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“Winter is a great time to get away to the South Island and we’re finding our Small Group Tours and Wine Hopper Bus are proving very popular.” “The Small Group Tours are half-day, fully hosted visits to boutique wineries where wine is matched with food. Clients are picked up from their hotels and travelling time is kept to a minimum so they are able to sample our cool climate wines, delicious food and local cheeses. “The Wine Hopper Bus provides another level of flexibility where clients decide where they want to go in the Queenstown, Arrowtown and Lake Hayes region. Clients are able to hop on and off where and when they want.” Heather says the over-riding atmosphere of their tours is “friendly and relaxed”. “We know and love the area and all it produces, and are passionate about sharing this with our clients.”
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Page 28
September 2021 Coast & Country News
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Current Master, Joy Hurley, is in her first year in the role, initially as a Joint-Master with Sue Smart. “We are incredibly lucky to have three past Masters still hunting with us, who bring plenty of support and advice to the field,” says Joy. Joy has hunted with the King Country Hunt since it began in 1975. It was a family event for Joy as a child, with both her parents and two of her sisters regularly joining the field. “I have an absolute love of hunting, there’s nothing like it,” says Joy. Huntsman, Shane Neill also has family links with the Hunt since his childhood. His uncle, Bruce Neill, was the Hunt’s second Huntsman. Shane now lives on the Hunt’s 15-acre property near Te Mapara, running the kennels, breeding and caring for the hounds. He gives huge credit to his partner Gemma, who looks after their horses and helps out. “As a Huntsman, you need a good, understanding partner!”
The early days
From as early as 1947, when the Piopio Light Horse Club was founded, members held mock hunts and point-to-point meetings, and hunted with both the Taranaki and Waikato Hunts. It wasn’t until 1975 that the King Country Hunt was established officially, and accepted as members
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King Country Hunt Huntsman Shane Neill with his hound pack at the hunt kennels. All Photos: Catherine Fry.
of the New Zealand Hunts Association. Founders Trevor Benton and Gary Williams had acquired two harrier hounds while selling a hunter in Pakuranga. Taupō, Taranaki, Hawke’s Bay and Waikato also each presented a couple. Trevor became the first Huntsman, and the first hounds were kept on his property in Āria. The first Master was Graeme Nelson, who along with his wife Judy, brought extensive and valuable hunting knowledge to the newly formed group. Every hunt is only as good as its hounds. Early hound breeding programmes were aiming for classic lines. Today, Shane isn’t too worried about hound colour, with his pack showing colour traits of the dogs and bitches he has used for breeding from different New Zealand packs. “I breed for hunting,” says Shane. “Their ability to hunt and give good noise is my priority.” He has 30 hounds ready for hunting, and a number of puppies and new entrants rising through the ranks. Brought up on a sheep and beef farm, Shane evented, show jumped and hunted for many years
...continued
Page 29
September 2021 Coast & Country News
of the King Country continued...
“Our horses are definitely tougher, and the hounds and horses are very fit from hunting the King Country,” says Joy. “Some of the country is quite challenging and we notice when we hunt with other Hunts on their land, our horses are still pulling at the end!” Shane also enjoys their country and says it’s a The Hunt today pretty fast pace. The King Country is known for its ruggedly “There’s not much sitting on hills watching for beautiful land. our field, they have to keep up!” Most properties are prepared for hunting and Around 40 to 45 stalwart members turn out Joy says the local landowners are very supportive, regularly for Wednesday and Saturday meets. with many being Hunt members. “Most members are from farm backgrounds, The Hunt covers most of the King Country, with a few lifestylers,” says Joy. across to Marokopa on the west coast, and from “Us men are significantly outnumbered by the Te Kawa cross roads in the north to the women, and they hold the majority of our harsher conditions at Tongariro in the south. leadership roles,” says Shane. Each season the Hunt enjoys joint fixtures with The close knit group are good friends, who all the Taupō, Waikato, Taranaki and Maramarua share a love of hunting. Hunts, plus the Pakuranga and Rotorua Hunts The Hunt’s 45th affiliated season was celebrated with whom they have a long, supportive history. with the opening hunt in Piopio with a champagne breakfast and hound auction. After a “brilliant season with only one cancellation” the closing hunt took place on Saturday, July 10, 2021, and Joy is already looking forward to the next season. “The thrill of following hounds on horseback keeps me going back for more King Country Hunt Master Joy Hurley and the field every time.” waiting for the action to start. before the Huntsman job came up. In the hunt off-season he does machinery and blacksmith work, while preparing the hounds for the next season. “I thought I’d give the role a go. It’s the passion for the hounds and providing a good day for the Hunt members that drives me.”
King Country Hunt field following Huntsman Shane Neill and the hounds.
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September 2021 Coast & Country News
The
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of quarter horse Breeding Quarter horses has been a rollercoaster ride for Adrienne Hodgson from Ōhaupō. Raised on a drystock farm in the far north, Adrienne rode as a child, doing stock work, Pony Club and eventing. Adulthood brought her to Auckland city life, and a business with her husband Robert. “When we moved away from the business, I seized the opportunity to get a lifestyle block and a horse,” says Adrienne. She saw her first quarter horses near their new Kumeū home. “Four women were riding, doing all sorts of cool stuff, and the horses were so calm and controlled.” The American Quarter horse is named for its ability to outrun other horse breeds in races of a quarter mile or less. Its distinguishing features include great speed over short distances, a short, refined head, muscular body, broad chest, and powerful rounded hindquarters.
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After being invited to a club day, Adrienne really wanted to compete in the American western style riding sports scene, which includes classes such as reining, trail and pleasure riding. Realising her Clydesdale cross wasn’t the right horse for this sport, she bought her first trained Quarter horse in 2002 and Robert also starting riding. “You need horses with a great temperament for this sport,” says Adrienne. “We wanted to breed our own, importing quality semen, and improving the New Zealand bloodstock.” The couple imported a mare and a weanling from Coronation Park Stud in Australia, and Argent
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Adrienne in action in Australia, riding QXH Stylish Jazz, a very successful reining and breeding stallion. Photo: Ken Anderson.
After going to the 2012 American Quarter Horse Youth Association games in Germany, and seeing the “magnificent, versatile” horses competing there, they decided to try again. “I’d been studying bloodlines and could see what needed to be introduced into New Zealand.” Coronation Park had been importing semen from RL Best of Sudden, a top stallion at Masterton Farms in Tennessee, USA. Using artificial insemination and embryo transfers, they were breeding with some of the top USA imported mares. ...continued
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September 2021 Coast & Country News
breeding
CP Surely the Best, known as Diesel, who sadly passed away young.
Adrienne Hodgson with one of her promising young horses, Gona be a Kiwi, and Lani Eccles, 17, with AF Today’s the Day, one of the farm’s first offspring from the famous CP Surely the Best. Photo: Catherine Fry.
continued...
“I wanted a foal by RL Best of Sudden, from their top mare, Sure a Pretty Blaze. CP Surely the Best, known as Diesel, was born on October 31, 2012.” As a rising two-year-old, Diesel won everything in New Zealand, and was sent to TNT Training Stables Australia, where he won everything as a rising three and rising four-year-old. The Hodgsons moved Argent Farm Quarter Horse Stud to the Waikato in 2013. “We decided to bring him back to New Zealand to give him a break and collect semen.” Masterton Farms approached the Hodgsons to buy Diesel for their own breeding programme. He went to one show on the 2018 Arizona Sun Circuit and won many classes.
Another blow
Only four months after his arrival in the USA, tragedy hit once again, and Diesel passed away after a complication during colic. “It was such a loss to us personally, but also to the Quarter Horse industry.” Both Masterton Farms and the Hodgsons had collected semen prior to his passing, and both now have foals on the ground from him. Argent Farm also have two outstanding stallions to add to their own breeding programme.
QXH Stylish Jazz, from Xtreme Quarter Horses in Australia, joined the stud in 2014 as a yearling. “He is a very successful reining stallion, and excellent amateur horse, and spent time competing in Australia.” Adrienne has had semen collected from him, and he has now been gelded, so he can continue competing around mares. “We bought HF Somethin Hot, from Australia in 2018. A mild temperament pleasure breed with a great reputation, including eight years in a row as the Leading Quarter Horse Sire in Australasia. “He’s known as the “great improver” as whatever mare he covers, results in a good horse.” At 20 years old, Sam as he is known on the farm, is still used for breeding, and ridden occasionally by Adrienne. All breeding is carried out using artificial insemination or embryo transfer at Equibreed. “We never live serve with a stallion as they are too valuable to risk them getting injured by a mare during mating.” Adrienne is starting to train her first offspring from the semen collected from their beloved Diesel. She has six good breeding mares, which have world-class bloodlines. In March 2021, the Hodgsons moved to a 33-acre property at
An ornate and beautifully tooled leather and silver saddle used for competing. Photo: Catherine Fry.
Mystery Creek, Ōhaupō, outside Cambridge. The ex-racing stables has a substantial stable barn, and within two months the Hodgsons have added an arena and a covered round pen. Adrienne and Robert can now concentrate on their breeding programme and training their horses. Their facilities also allow for others to come and ride there, and experts to put on workshops and clinics, strengthening the New Zealand Quarter horse industry that has been such a huge part of their lives. Catherine Fry
Page 32
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Talking about agricultural anxiety Ruminations of an Old Fart. I was recently chairing a meeting of senior people who were listening to a prominent doctor talking about heart health. The underlying feeling, I got from the group was that of anxiety. When you look at agriculture, as it
is now, there is so much pressure on farmers it is mind blowing. They are being lambasted by the government, the media and even their dairy factories are judging them now to comply. Then there is Health and Safety and their requirements, and the list goes on, too long to detail here.
My last blog in this paper was ‘farmers, please stop apologising for being farmers’, and really epitomised how they feel. The real things that make farmers anxious also include: - Shortage of feed - Skinny livestock - Unhealthy livestock (cow down, dead cows, poor quality replacements) - Failed/poor crops - Mud and slush - Lack of working capital - Lack of workers/staffing issues - Large debt (very common) - Relationship issues - What do the neighbours think? And this list goes on and on. Put on top of that the uncertainty of Covid, inflation, sky rocketing costs and land values, and you can see why ‘agricultural anxiety’ is at a high level.
Finding solutions
Yes, I could go on and on about cause and effect and all the issues farmers face, but I am more interested in support and solutions for anxious farmers. I was given a book about 25 years ago and it was life changing for me. It helped me review how I saw life and the world. ‘The Magic of Thinking Big’ by David J Schwartz PhD. I have used this book extensively in presentations to farmers and professional people alike throughout New Zealand. It was a ‘game changer’ as they say. It is probably more about thinking clearer and better than thinking big, so here we go… And I quote: “Believe you can succeed, and you will. Every human being wants success. When you believe I can do it, the ‘how’ to do it develops.”
Learn how successful people approach problems and make good decisions.
Pushing back
Belief is the thermostat that regulates what we accomplish in life. The following points may help you: 1. Think success, don’t think failure. 2. Believe big. The size of your success is determined by the size of your belief. 3. Remind yourself regularly that you are better than you think, or than your teacher told you you were. 4. Add your own training programme so you can focus on what you need to do to succeed with an action plan to follow. Nothing, absolutely nothing in this life gives you more satisfaction than knowing you are on the road to success and achievement. We need to push back on all the noise and fear and anxiety that is pervading our lives and agriculture today. We need to build confidence and destroy fear. Fear and anxiety are why millions of people accomplish nothing and enjoy very little. We can make mental monsters out of almost anything and we do! In summary, you can see where I am going with this. We are surrounded by difficult and fearful stuff that makes us anxious. We need to reprogramme what we are telling ourselves and only talk about positive stuff. So, there are some ruminations of an Old Fart around agricultural anxiety. Disclaimer – these are the opinions of Don Fraser (an Old Fart). Any decisions made should not be based on this article along and appropriate professional assistance should be sought. Don Fraser is the retired Principal of Fraser Farm Finance and was a consultant to the farming industry for many decades. You can still contact him on: 021 777 675
Page 33
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Greatest
gathering of all time enjoy their sport – while also helping to reduce one of our most problematic pest species – is a win-win situation.” Competitors were urged to focus on the area spanning Hamilton to Taumarunui, and from the western boundaries of Lake Taupō through Pureora and Waitomo to the west coast of the North Island. However, entries are accepted from beyond the general area because the goal is to reduce the feral goat population.
Shifting focus
NZDA national past president Trevor Chappell says winter sees less opportunities for deer hunting in the central and northern North Island – with the animals usually disappearing into denser forest after the roar – so turning hunters’ attention to goats gives them a new challenge. Goats are not nimble and quick compared to deer. “NZDA has made commitment to work alongside DOC to reduce deer numbers but shifting the focus to feral goats is a new initiative
based on recent discussions. “Ultimately this is about encouraging hunters to reduce the feral goat numbers – the goats are eating their way through native bush. If we want a healthy environment for deer hunting, we need to reduce the goat population.” He says there are mutual gains for hunters and landowners through the competition.
Competitive spirit
Hunting for the competition was able to occur on private property with owner’s permission, or public land with authority or a permit from the relevant organisation. The competition has a similar format to the annual Pureora hunting event, with two age categories – open and junior (hunters less than 17 years old). There are five categories: most tails open, most tails junior, biggest set of horns open, biggest set of horns junior, and a random prize draw for all participating hunters.
Jack Mace from the Department of Conservation deals with the problem of wild goats in Aorangi Forest Park. Photo: Department of Conservation.
Hundreds of hunters are helping eradicate feral goats in the central North Island. A competition arranged by the Department of Conservation and New Zealand Deerstalkers Association has seen hunters take to the hills and high-country farms over the past few weeks. Feral goats are a pest on both private and public land in many parts of the country. They browse on a range of plants – including many native species and farming pasture. They breed prolifically and are shrewd animals, adept at avoiding capture. Hunting is seen as the most reliable control method.
The competition has been underway since August 14 and finishes on September 4, with a prize giving event at DOC’s Te Kuiti workshop.
Duel purpose
Kina Tweeddale, DOC’s community ranger for the Maniapoto district, says they have enjoyed good success with the annual Pureora Forest Park Hunting Competition, and because of a positive relationship with NZDA they were able to add the new event to the North Island hunting calendar. “Feral goats are an issue for DOC, and for many private landowners, and working with the hunting community to give them another competitive opportunity to
flDairy shed solutions
Dan Hutchinson
Page 34
September 2021 Coast & Country News
with Clostridial vaccinations
Given how much valuable time and effort is spent on raising young calves; their primary vaccination course is a particularly important part of your stock’s health plan. The main (‘core’) diseases that are controlled by vaccination of calves are a range of Clostridial diseases and some Leptospirosis serovars. Other disease such as salmonella and BVD can also be vaccinated against at an early age as required. At present there are several Clostridial formulations available on the market, offering immunity for up to 10 different types of Clostridial bacteria. This article will focus on the five most
common types encountered here in New Zealand. Clostridium species are a type of bacteria that live in soil and intestinal tracts of animals and humans, which can cause tetanus, pulpy kidney, blackleg, malignant oedema and black disease. Once affected by Clostridial bacteria, animals are very difficult to treat. The typical presentation is sudden death and with understandable frustration these deaths are often in the best grown animals! Affected cattle are usually found dead with little sign of struggling prior to death. There may be gas under the skin and the animal will usually be bloated. There is usually a blood stained discharge from the nose or mouth. Post mortem decomposition is very rapid (even in cold weather). The main alternative to consider is death from stomach and/or ruminal bloat due to a sudden change in diet. Excess gas production would occur and the huge physical pressure on breathing ultimately
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causes respiratory and heart failure. An autopsy can help clarify if this is the case. The specific disease syndromes caused by the main harmful Clostridia bacteria are noted below.
it inevitably affects the best grown and well-fed cattle. Typically they are being fed highly nutritious pasture or the allowance of high energy grain supplements has been increased suddenly.
Blackleg
Tetanus
This sporadic disease is caused by infection of the muscles by Clostridium chauvoei. It can occur after wound contamination, grazing muddy winter feed crops, after calving, using dirty vaccination needles or ear markers.
Malignant oedema
This disease is caused by Clostridium septicum and progress’ much like blackleg.
Black disease
This causes rapid death due to infection of the liver by Clostridium novyii. It can be associated with liver fluke infection particularly during the autumn/ early winter period when fluke activity is most prevalent.
Pulpy kidney
This causes convulsions and sudden death by Clostridium perfringens. It can cause diarrhoea by a rapid build-up of toxins in the intestine. Much like sheep,
This is seen when Clostridium tetani spores enter deep wounds and dead and damaged tissue. Tetanus is most commonly seen after castration and usually appears 10 to 14 days after the injury. Affected animals appear to be stiff and go into a rigid spasm if stimulated. There face may appear strained due to contraction of the facial muscles, but otherwise look normal. Vaccination is very effective and young stock should be vaccinated for the first time by four to six weeks of age. Full protection is not achieved until around 10 days after the booster shot, which is given four weeks after the initial shot. An annual booster shot is required for longer term protection. If you would like further advice on a suitable vaccination programme for your calves or young stock then feel free to give your local vet clinic a call.
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Multi-nutritional supplements, part two
If you take a multi type supplement you should carefully read the mineral contents on the label. Minerals are essential for the health and development of every cell in our body. Insufficient trace minerals can weaken immune response and leave people feeling tired and run down. This is my go to for those who are tired with no medical reasons. The major minerals are calcium, magnesium and potassium. Of these, it is usually magnesium that is insufficient in many diets. Low magnesium can cause many health problems including cramp, restless legs and heart rhythm problems. This should be included in meaningful amounts. Our focus here though is on the
trace minerals especially zinc, copper, boron, selenium and manganese. These minerals are absolutely critical. If they are missing or deficient in our diet then our health will suffer. We use these to make a group of antioxidant enzymes. The two most important are superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). We make SOD from zinc, copper, iron and manganese. We make GPx from selenium. While these may sound like obscure chemicals they are the front line of our cell defences against free radical damage and are important for immune defences among others. Farmers know that New Zealand soils are deficient in selenium and other trace minerals and are aware of the benefits of adding these for animal health and productivity.
September’s veggie garden guide Spring is here so it’s time to get out in the garden and freshen up the veggie patch to ensure a plentiful supply for summer. Start by prepping your garden beds with plenty of compost and sheep pellets and aerating the soil. Your favourite veggie seeds like carrots, beetroot, silverbeet, beans and peas can be sown directly into the soil. Ensure you have a support for the peas and beans to climb once they mature. Sow lettuces, leeks, cabbage, tomato, capsicum, courgette, cucumber and eggplant seeds into trays of seed raising mix ready for transplanting later, or if you’ve bought seedlings these can go
Abundant Health
straight in the garden. It’s also time to plant strawberries, blueberries, brambles and rhubarb for delicious crumbles and pies. A good rule of thumb is to plant five strawberry plants for each member of the household. Refresh your herb garden with new plants in your garden or pots. Basil, coriander, and parsley seeds can also be sown for summer harvest. Purchase seed potatoes and place them in a tray in a sunny position for at least a month before planting. Plant in the garden, a large plastic pot or in a planter in a warm and sheltered position when the sprouts on the seed potatoes are two to four centimetres long. With some work now you’ll enjoy a summer full of homegrown goodness.
It is a pity that the human health system essentially ignores trace elements leading to many health problems. While people often respond quickly to antioxidants and vitamins, the benefits of these minerals can be significant over time. This is why any good multi-nutritional will have these minerals at the right levels and in a
form our body can absorb. Over the years I have seen profound health improvements by adding a multi that is a true multi-mineral. John Arts (B.Soc.Sci, Dip Tch, Adv.Dip.Nut.Med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health Ltd. For questions or advice contact John on 0800 423 559 or email john@abundant.co.nz Join his all new newsletter at www.abundant.co.nz
Page 35
Page 36
FORESTRY
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Catch ‘em all Eco-land’s automated bait station, enviroMate100TM, can supply continuous pest control at an average cost of $43-$50 per forested hectare per year.
The Eco-land team at Fieldays 2021.
“On our 2021 Fieldays stand, we used the slogan ‘after the easy ones get the last ones,’” says Ecoland marketing manager, Janet Hyde. “That’s because the enviroMate100 is a tool of decline. The longer it is left to work in the field, the lower the pest populations, until zero is reached. “But, of course, the ad hoc way that pest control operations are being managed all over New Zealand means that when enviroMate100 is removed from a block, reinvasion happens immediately.” Shane Hyde, inventor of enviroMate100 and pest control contractor, says it only takes two visits into the forest over 14 days for the enviroMate to meet DOC pest control targets. “If left in the forest longer, populations continue to decrease in the area being controlled, until zero,” says Shane. “This is why we can confidently say that where man can walk the enviroMate is an excellent alternative to aerial 1080.” One person can manage up to 150 enviroMates per week, usually over two or three sites, says Shane. “Someone working with enviroMates collecting fur can continue working sites economically for much longer after possum populations have
dropped than those using traps and standard poisoning methods. “This is because of the time and travel saved by the enviroMates doing all the lure and/or poison dispensing automatically. “While on site, they are also effectively monitoring for pest presence or absence. “One man working with 150 units can make a living. In community volunteer work, each enviroMate line can allow up to six helpers to be reassigned to other work because of the hours of repetitive human walking involved in luring.” EnviroMates are used to control possums and rats – either both at the same time or separately. “They can also be used to assist the capture of mustelids and wild cats that soon learn that rats are feeding at the enviroMates. “This catch is attained by bringing in appropriate traps and siting near the enviroMate sites. “Toxins can also be loaded with the lure when possums have been regularly taking the lure. “Delivering poison is used only as a last resort or to effect a very rapid knockdown, which certain situations call for. “This is why we describe it as a multitask, multi-pest tool for pest control.” For more information about enviroMate100, see the advertisement on this page.
KIWIFRUIT
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Page 37
Kiwifruit Breeding Centre to begin operating Zespri chief executive Dan Mathieson and Plant & Food Research chief executive David Hughes.
A 50/50 joint venture Kiwifruit Breeding Centre has been formally approved and will begin operating from October 1, Plant & Food Research and Zespri have confirmed.
alongside Zespri Red. “This new venture will carry us further and faster.” Zespri chief executive Dan Mathieson says the new venture underpinned the industry’s commitment to accelerate innovation. “This is an exciting development for our industry and will allow us to extend New Zealand’s position as the world’s leading innovator in kiwifruit,” says Dan. “The centre represents our commitment to broaden our efforts exploring promising new varieties within our research pipeline and bring these to our growers and consumers faster.” Experienced agrifood and innovation sector director, Michael Ahie, has been appointed to chair the Kiwifruit Centre Board. He is chancellor of Massey University and a former chair of Plant & Food Research. Michael says this is another milestone moment for the New Zealand kiwifruit industry. “We are going to take our world-leading new cultivar development programme to the next level through the innovation of our people and increased investment by Zespri and Plant & Food Research,” says Michael. “The Kiwifruit Breeding Centre is fantastic news for the New Zealand kiwifruit industry and everyone who is a part of it. “The board expects to announce the appointment of a CEO for the Kiwifruit Breeding Centre in the coming month.”
The centre will be based in Te Puke, as well as operating out of Kerikeri, Motueka and Mt Albert, and will have a presence offshore in selected kiwifruit regions globally. Its focus will be driving greater innovation within kiwifruit breeding, focusing on creating healthier, better tasting and more sustainabilityfocused varieties. The proposal to create the centre was signposted publicly in December 2020, and follows two years of due diligence. The centre has approval from both the boards of Zespri and Plant & Food Research, as well as the shareholding Ministers of Plant & Food Research, which is a government-owned crown research institute. It will be jointly funded by Plant & Food Research and Zespri, with the organisations sharing royalties from any future commercialised new varieties. Plant & Food Research chief executive David Hughes says the decision is an exciting step for industry and innovation. “It’s a natural evolution of the hugely successful 30-year relationship between Zespri and Plant & Food Research,” says David, “which has delivered the world-leading SunGold kiwifruit variety,
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KIWIFRUIT
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Gypsum delivers Gold for Kiwi Orchardists
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As a fertiliser CaSO4-2H2O is a pH neutral source of readily available calcium and sulphur Suppresses soil borne root disease such as armalleria which are often present in anaerobic soil conditions Prevents waterlogging of soil where high sodium, swelling clay and excess water result in drainage issues
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KIWIFRUIT
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Page 39
Projects pave the way into horticulture The horticulture industry continues to experience strong growth, so it’s important it has clear succession pathways in place.
This unprecedented growth has resulted in a demand for a workforce to meet the needs of horticultural enterprises in the Bay of Plenty and across New Zealand. The total workforce needed within horticulture is predicted to grow with a portion of that workforce requiring specific skillsets, which has been identified as a significant concern for legislators. According to the Ministry for Primary Industries, it’s anticipated that skilled horticultural workers need to represent 62 per cent of the workforce by 2025. Attracting New Zealanders to careers in horticulture has become key to maintaining the industry’s growth and prosperity. Since this statistic was made available in mid-2020, Horticulture New Zealand has been in constant dialogue with the government to work towards possible solutions. In 2020, MPI commissioned a report into financial and business mechanisms that can help people to gain ownership of horticulture businesses or build equity through horticultural careers.
Numerous horticultural projects across New Zealand are seeing exciting and innovative ventures taking shape.
Plenty of projects
In the Waikato, Ngāti Hauā have recognised horticulture as a sustainable opportunity and have invested in a large project mainstreaming indoor blueberry fruit production for its people. This has created a proof-of-concept and narrative that will attract Ngāti Hauā landowners, with a combined land holding of >1600ha distributed across 52 Māori Trust organisations to invest and prosper in horticulture. In the Hawkes Bay, Tātau Tātau o Te Wairoa is converting local land into horticultural production, the utilising of local rangatahi will result in skilled, youthful horticulturalist that can shape further projects for its whenua and cultivate prosperity for its tangata whenua. In the Bay of Plenty, the Katikati Innovative Horticulture Project is a pioneering, innovative and unique approach that will showcase the horticulture industry and focus on growing a skilled horticultural work force. This project will create a centre of horticultural educational excellence catering for school aged students, the
Fruition Horticulture say the opportunity to enter the horticulture industry has never been easier. Photo: Fruition Horticulture.
community and young people not in education, employment, or training (NEETs). Katikati Community Centre youth employment coach, Melody Lamb, has indicated that in the Katikati and Waihi Beach wards, there are an estimated 250 young people aged 16 to 24 years not in education, training, or employment and this number is increasing. “There are many barriers that rangatahi face in their transition from school into employment or further education, such as lack of confidence and skills, poor public transport, and/or a feeling of disconnect from the community that can leave rangatahi feeling unsupported and lost.” The Katikati Innovative Horticulture Project will put education, skills development and training
providers offering pathways into horticulture into one central hub. Based at Katikati College, the hub is in its early stages of design with classes looking to kick off in 2022/2023.
Creating pathways
Fruition Horticulture recognises these opportunities and have created an education pathway that allows people to explore and gain qualifications in the horticultural space. Funding from government including the Targeted Training and Apprenticeship Fund (TTAF; also known as free trades training) will support learners to undertake vocational education and training without fees. The opportunity to enter the horticulture industry has never been easier.
DIPLOMA Earn, Learn, ...no Concern! WWW.FRUITION.AC.NZ 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. 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.
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KIWIFRUIT
Page 40
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Remembering Kihi Ngatai The kiwifruit industry has lost one of its pioneers, following the death of Tauranga kaumātua Dr Kihi Ngatai last month at age 91.
Kihi Ngatai clearing vines on his Te Puna orchard ready for grafting to G3 in July 2018, age 88. Photo: Seeds of Success by Elaine Fisher. Publisher: NZKGI.
Kihi and his late wife Maria Ngatai were the first Māori kiwifruit growers in the Tauranga area, establishing an orchard on their Matapihi land in the mid-1970s. He went on to fill several governance roles for iwi and hapū and worked with the Waitangi tribunal. Kihi was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2014, and he and Maria received Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2006 in recognition of their contribution to Māori and the wider community. Up until his passing, Kihi and his whānau owned, managed and operated three kiwifruit orchards, one in Matapihi and two in Te Puna.
The life of a pioneer
According to Seeds of Success, a 2019 book by Elaine Fisher, Kihi began his career as a train driver before enlisting in New Zealand’s K-force. He served in Korea for two-and-a-half years from 1950, losing his brother, Riki, in the same war. Upon returning home, Kihi met Maria. When they married, Maria’s mother gifted Kihi land so her daughter wouldn’t leave Te Puna, but Kihi had to return home to Matapihi to run his family farm. “I asked my wife if she would move to Matapihi and milk cows,” Kihi said. “She was not keen on moving away but I promised if she did I would bring her home one day.” Forty seven years later Kihi kept his promise – the couple returned to Te Puna to build a new home in 2007.
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Kihi and Maria had five children. Their eldest daughter Puharangi Ngatai, who worked as a nurse, passed away in 2009. Kihi’s kiwifruit career began in the mid-70s, when he converted part of his Matapihi dairy farm into kiwifruit on advice from the Māori Affairs Farmers Board, who said the land would be suitable for it. Their first kiwifruit was picked in the mid to late 70s.
Māori horticulture
Shortly after, the Ngai Tukairangi Trust was formed of Māori-owned Matapihi land blocks. The land was developed with assistance from the Department of Māori Affairs and grew a variety of crops. The first kiwifruit nursery was established in 1981. In 1984 Kihi helped establish, and later directed, the 100 per cent Māori owned Te Awanui Huka Pack Ltd, which still operates today under Seeka. Kihi celebrated his 88th birthday in 2018, and was still working on his Te Puna orchard, taking a chainsaw to 0.8ha of Hayward vines in preparation for grafting to G3. His Matapihi orchard grows both Hayward and G3, and trialled Zespri Red for about five years.
Kihi’s legacy
In Seeds of Success, Kihi said his aspirations were about empowering Māori. He wanted to see Te Reo retained, and more Māori pursuing tertiary education. “I want to see Māori on par with Europeans.”
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KIWIFRUIT
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Page 41
Golden kiwifruit opportunity on the market the prosperous kiwifruit sector, backed by rental income creating a true split risk investment. “For those seeking a ‘hands-off’ rural lifestyle business, the kiwifruit activities can be managed by one of Northland’s packhouse or export businesses,” says Anthony. “Contracted orchard management allows novice orchard owners to learn crop management skills, with the opportunity to take on full operations once they feel confident.” Vinni says the orchard’s activities are supported by a large implement shed, orchard machinery, secure water supply, and a metalled loading bay. The suite of accommodation premises are a
substantial three-bedroom owner’s homestead with a swimming pool and spa pool, extensive decking. It also has a one-bedroom flat, a two-bedroom flat and a private two-bedroom cottage. Vinni says Puriri Park’s established grounds with large specimen and fruit trees bordered by native bush creates a peaceful rural ambience. “Being located in a rural environment yet only a short drive from central Kerikeri, the trio of rentable dwellings have always enjoyed a high occupancy rate,” he says. Viewings are strictly by appointment only. For more information, see the advertisement on this page.
The boundary for 1349B State Highway 10, Whangārei.
A well-managed gold kiwifruit orchard, complete with a character home and three residential rental dwellings, is now on the market. The 6.2466ha property close to Kerikeri, known as Puriri Park, comprises 1.51 canopy hectares of high-value G3 Gold kiwifruit vines planted in fertile volcanic soil with good water supply. Production data for the property at 1349B State Highway 10 show output has grown
from 18,596 trays in the 2017/2018 season to 26,500 trays in the 2020/2021 cropping year. Early bud counts indicate 24-27,000 trays for next season delivering a great return to a new owner. The freehold property is being jointly marketed, for sale at auction on October 6, by Bayleys Kerikeri and Bayleys Whangārei. Salespeople Anthony Van Gessel and Vinni Bhula say the productive orchard will enable an entry-level owner/operator seeking a lifestylefocused business opportunity to enter
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Page 42
AVOCADOS
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Mike Chapman’s commitment to horticulture recognised Mike Chapman, until recently chief executive of Horticulture New Zealand, has won the Bledisloe Cup for significant services to horticulture for more than 20 years. HortNZ president, Barry O’Neil, says Mike’s advocacy for the horticultural industry has been untiring, forceful, and balanced.
“Mike always acts with the aim of achieving the best outcomes for growers and orchardists, and indeed, the New Zealand economy and health of its people through access to nutritious, locally grown food,” says Barry. “Mike has firmly stood for growers on key issues such as protecting elite
Hort NZ president Barry O’Neil, Mike Chapman and Agriculture Minister Damien O’ Connor at the 2021 Horticulture Conference held last month.
soils, ensuring growers maintain their social license to grow and, hand in hand with that, ensuring growers remain economically viable in a fastchanging environment.” Mike’s career in the horticulture industry has spanned more than 20 years. He has been a leader, advocate and lobbyist, but perhaps most of all, an enthusiast for the industry. Swapping his legal-focused work for kiwifruit, Mike took up the role of Kiwifruit New Zealand chief executive in 2002 and then in 2005, he became New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated chief executive. Ten years later in 2015, Mike picked up the reigns as Horticulture New Zealand chief executive, a position he held until June this year.
But after stepping down, Mike has continued to work on the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme. Mike was instrumental in the government’s decision in early August to permit RSE workers from Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu, to enter New Zealand without the need for managed isolation. The Bledisloe Cup for horticulture was first presented in 1931 by the then Governor-General Lord Bledisloe, for a competition between orchardists for the best exhibit of New Zealand apples at the Imperial Fruit Show. It is one of several cups Lord Bledisloe presented to New Zealand and is similar to rugby’s Bledisloe Cup, which was also donated in 1931.
September 2021 Coast & Country News
AVOCADOS
Page 43
Gathering and deciphering information
I’m struggling to find my topic. I usually go to our work environment or to the seasonal activities on the orchard and then to my own orchard practises. However today I will write about finding information that will improve our knowledge. I don’t want to harp on to you, but I use this column to pass some information on to other growers. The difficulty of this is to stay at the sharp end of the information cycle. How do you do that? How do you get the best information? There are a number of consultants in the field. Growers range in their views about consultants. Consultants are like a walking encyclopaedia. They carry a wealth of knowledge and are usually at the leading edge of the information cycle, either because they are experienced growers, have technical training or have built a set of knowledge from mixing and experiencing a range of growing situations. Some are growers, some are technicians, some are experienced, and others are new thinking. Growers often talk with me and suggest there are mixed messages from consultants. In principle good consultants are along the same core lines. Feeding with nutrients improves yield and tree health, spraying for pests gives better quality fruit, etc etc. The other day a grower looking at their soil microbiology and organic activity suggested my approach was not as holistic as they wanted. It got me thinking and reviewing our involvement
in sustainable production methods and techniques. On review I am pleased to say their message was not totally accurate because although we hadn’t discussed soils and their living environment, their view was formed because we haven’t published or talked about our involvement in sustainable soils. On wider reflection, we at AAL are involved in a number of research trials, we utilise sustainable practices across our business and producing activities. I now realise our weakness is our communication. This leads onto our ability to communicate in today’s world. It is full of messages and deciphering the clutter can be challenging. I remember last year at an industry dinner, a speech was made comparing companies using the internet as the source of the information. The speaker had gone to the internet and gathered data to compare companies and their support of the local communities. This speech was using information only available on the internet, a source of first call to find information. I am aware of some of the outcomes of that speech however it quite clearly hits me now that we at AAL are also guilty of not conveying all our involvement and all our support. People won’t know about our involvement in R&D unless they ask us or we in fact open our own encyclopaedia and pass on the knowledge. Therefore, do our growers get the full view and therefore robust information on which to make decisions? At AAL we are focussed in staying at the leading edge. The AvoJect Syringe is a very good example
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of leading new technology for the marketplace. We have many staff degree qualified in their fields of expertise so we have the capacity to be technically very good. We are spending 10 per cent of our net revenues on research and development and have a number of new products currently being developed for avocado growers, coming to the market. New avocado enhancing, sustainability based products. We want to be leading edge and we also want to be sustainable, productive, profitable and a good employer.
Why do we do this? We do it so we can be the best we can be, so we are happy using the best growing methods and so we are living and working as a team and enjoying all we do. That’s part of why we are avocado growers, why we live in a rural community and why we help participate and support our rural community. We do it because we enjoy the lifestyle and despite the wet winters, the rainy days and other challenges, we love growing avocados.
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Page 44
AVOCADOS
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Staying the course for long term benefit As with most horticultural commodities, every season can be different as influenced by a variety of factors, rainfall, temperature at key times, or market returns.
As growers, we have a limited ability to influence these factors, especially market returns. What we can influence though is our orchard’s health, productivity, and crop quality which are vital for long term profitability. Indicatively, 2021-22 is forecast to be a challenging season for market dynamics and returns for the New Zealand avocado industry. It is important to put this into context; Just Avocados is being very conservative at this early point in the season and the marketing team is focussed on maximising the outcome.
Helpful guidelines
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For most people, orchard ownership is a longterm game. Decisions made today do not just influence this season, but two to three seasons out as well. At Just Avocados, a key component of our philosophy is that orchard management should not change significantly because of what is happening in the market. Skimping on orchard management might be tempting this season but can have a negative impact in the future. The Just Avocados Grower Services Team has put together some guidelines for discussion that can help you keep a focus on the longer-term plan and manage your way through 2021-22.
Financial management
Prepare your own budgets and have full ownership of them. Monthly cashflow budgets should be monitored closely. Look out to winter next season as the overdraft typically peaks then. Generally, having a good understanding of the financial aspects of the business, will give growers a much better sense of being in control.
Contractors and pruning strategy
Where possible, can you complete some of the repairs and maintenance yourself? Review your proposed capital expenditure budget for this season. Can any significant investments be differed? Review the costs of the services you contract out. The primary focus would be on periodic contractors such as shelter topping or removal (note trimming every 12-18 months is recommended). Pruning is a key tool we have for mitigating biennial bearing. Indicatively, bud development is strong for this coming spring across most regions.
A decision to defer pruning could impact on the 2023-24 crop, not next season. Re-prioritising some of the pruning activities may be considered to focus on higher tree health areas, post picking. Poorer health trees may be pruned more aggressively now (or post a select pick), especially if they have smaller or lower quality fruit (generally linked). Indicatively, smaller fruit sizes and class three fruit may show a marginal return this season. Picking this fruit may be uneconomical and pruning to waste could be considered to encourage good tree recovery for fruit set in 2022-23.
Fertiliser programme
Achieving target tree condition at pollination is a critical focus and maximising the utilisation of inputs is a key to success. However, the fertiliser programme can be tweaked, not wholesale reduced, following analysis of soil and leaf tests.
Harvest strategy
Just Avocados advocates 60 per cent to 70 per cent of crop off by flowering. Where you have higher tree health you may look to reduce this percentage to circa 60 per cent, allowing more fruit to size. Alternately, if strip picking, potentially look to defer this marginally if fruit size is smaller. So far, this season, we are seeing some great pack-out reports, good fruit size profile and strong volume growth again. When we put this in the context of orchard financial performance, we may see this mask some of the downside effects of the indicative market pricing. Each orchard and orchardists’ situation are unique, specifically in tree heath and fruit size. Close consultation with your grower rep. is recommended to discuss what orchard management aspects are needed to maximise the return from your orchard and what the key nutritional targets are that need to be met. They will also be able to share with you some of the decisions other growers are making to maximise long-term productivity and profitability. Just Avocados has developed a performance planning template and a guide to the top 10 practices for success to assist in the long-term planning of your orchard. Please contact us to discuss: www.justavocados.co.nz
AVOCADOS
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Page 45
Scholarship opportunity up for grabs For the fourth year, Avoco is excited to announce a scholarship opportunity for tertiary students in 2022.
in research to ensure New Zealand avocados reach the premium quality standards that consumers expect from us in all our export markets. “We look forward to supporting new graduates to develop a robust understanding of the science needed to not only grow the best fruit but also to pack, ship and ripen the fruit as it moves through the supply chain.”
Solving challenges
The areas Avoco would like the avocado industry to further explore include issues related to alternative or irregular crop bearing, crop estimation techniques, post-harvest quality issues, pest and disease control (with a focus on consumer and environmentally friendly options) and shipping technologies that
preserve the premium quality of export fruit and extend their shelf life. Avoco’s team, led by quality and export systems manager Danni van der Heijden, is investigating these issues along with industry body NZ Avocado. Steve says Avoco has enjoyed terrific support from avocado grower communities, with its scholarship scheme a way of sharing its success with people interested in a career in horticulture.
How to apply
To be eligible for the scholarship, students must be entering their final year of study for a Bachelor degree (or similar) at any New Zealand university in 2022. They must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident whose studies relate to any of the following:
fruit production, entomology or plant protection, biosecurity, biochemistry or biological science, post-harvest technology and treatment, or new technologies relevant to horticulture. To apply, students must send their resume, a summary of tertiary studies and results to date, along with a letter of application by email to Danni van der Heijden at: danni@avoco.co.nz no later than Friday, October 22. Applications should cover how an individual’s studies will benefit Avoco and the avocado industry, examples of leadership skills, any community service roles, and/or sporting and cultural activities and achievements to date, along with a vision for what the applicant wants to achieve in their career.
Tough test ahead. Danni van der Heijden.
Growing industry
The latest data published by Plant & Food Research and Horticulture NZ shows the value of New Zealand’s horticulture industry was worth more than $10 billion to our economy during the year to June 30, 2020, with exports $450 million higher than in 2019 at $6.6 billion. Exports of New Zealand avocados made up $148 million. In a world still affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, Steve says demand for high-quality produce, especially avocados, remains strong, which only reinforces the need for more people to enter the industry and contribute to its growth through science and research. “Avoco is prioritising efforts to improve the quality and post-arrival performance of avocados exported to Australia and Asia under our Avanza brand. As part of that, we’re continuing to invest
www. coastandcountrynews. co. nz
Experience Game plan Teamwork
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To help promote understanding of New Zealand’s avocado industry, Avoco is offering final-year Bachelor degree students in key subjects a $5000 scholarship towards their study costs. The successful scholarship recipient will also have the opportunity to explore summer holiday work in a related field of study and receive mentoring and professional support from the Avoco community. Avoco’s marketing and communications manager, Steve Trickett, says research and development will drive the industry’s growth so it is vital to support young people studying subjects that can extend their own capabilities whilst providing the industry with future talent. “Over the past three years we have been delighted to support three fantastic scholars with their academic study and look forward to selecting another student after reviewing applications for next year’s scholarship,” says Steve.
We're all in this together. avoco.co.nz
Page 46
CARTAGE & EARTHWORKS
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Emma’s king of the road Truckie Emma Hall is encouraging people not to give up on their employment search, after nearly loosing her right arm in a crushing accident a few years ago. Ten operations, two years on ACC and endless job application declines later, Emma decided she was worth more than the rejection she was getting from employers who felt anxious about taking a chance on her. “After running my own cleaning business, I knew how capable I was, but after the accident, it was hard to prove it physically – I had to relearn how to write and feed myself,” says Emma. “Eventually I realised the one thing I could still do and loved doing was driving my ute. I sat my Class Two driving licence so I could have a go at driving trucks.”
Pathway to work
With this new skill under her belt, she felt sure her new career would soon be trucking along, but doors stayed firmly shut. Determined not to give up, she posted her plight on Facebook. It caught the eye of Gr8 Job Hauraki’s community employment liaison, Julie Stephenson. Together they were able to offer employers the reassurance that Emma had the skills and attitude to be successful and she now drives for a local bin collection company. Gr8 Job Hauraki smashed its target to place 25 people into meaningful, sustainable employment through Hauraki District Council’s Mayors Taskforce for Jobs community recovery programme. Thirty-two people are now in new jobs thanks to essential collaboration and funding from the Ministry of Social Development and the combined efforts of Gr8 Job Hauraki; local employers/businesses and social organisations
Emma Hall.
operating in the district. Mayor Toby Adams says the 25-plus employment outcomes have been one of the highlights of the year for Council. “We’re behind this employment initiative 100 per cent and our initial success means we’ve successfully secured another round of funding from the MSD, tasking us to place a further 50 people in jobs by June 2022,” says Toby. “This new funding also enables us to extend our mandate to work with job seekers returning from ill-health or living with a disability and help them along the way in their staircase back to work.”
Fresh start
For Emma, Gr8 Job Hauraki’s support was just the boost she needed to steer herself into a whole new career. “After my accident, I really had think about what I could do,” says Emma. “One thing I definitely didn’t want to do was sit on the couch for the rest of my life. Now I feel like there’s no stopping me.” Hauraki District Council encourages local employers and job seekers to contact Julie Stephenson on: 021 536 715 or email: Julie.Stephenson@hauraki-dc.govt.nz to find out how Gr8 Job Hauraki can help more businesses and people find their fit. Support available from Gr8 Job Hauraki includes entry-level training, wage-based incentives, and other support for job seekers and businesses looking to take on staff.
CARTAGE & EARTHWORKS
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Page 47
Council says “good job farmers” Monitoring by Waikato Regional Council has found the number of significantly non-compliant dairy farms in the region has halved on the previous year. It’s a result that has been applauded by the council who says it reflects the industry’s commitment to stepping up to address environmental issues. “We call it as we see it, and we are very happy to say that our farm inspections over the last year show a significant drop in noncompliance relating to dairy effluent management in the Waikato,” says council regional compliance manager Patrick Lynch. “Over the 2020/21 financial year our Rural Compliance Team monitored a total of 1172 farms – of these, 81 or
just seven per cent were found to be significantly non-compliant. “In the previous year, our monitoring was impacted by Covid-19, but we still managed to inspect 820 farms and found 102, or 12 per cent, had significant compliance issues. “This year’s results clearly indicate a real improvement, and we would like to acknowledge all of the hard work being carried out across the dairy sector to achieve this,” says Patrick. “The risk to the environment has undoubtedly been greatly reduced on individual farms by the investment in effluent infrastructure.” Waikato Regional Council chair, Russ Rimmington, acknowledged the pleasing result. “This is a good news story and reflects what can be achieved when the council and industry work closely together on important environmental issues.”
Making geospatial information accessible Waikato OneView is a new platform that makes regional geospatial data easily accessible. The public platform merges data from seven different councils to provide a unified and more comprehensive view of spatial information. Waikato Local Authority Shared Services chief executive Kelvin French says over the past year, councils have worked together to deliver a
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product that is customer-centric and good for the community. “Before OneView, geospatial information was limited to within the boundary of a territorial authority. In some instances, data across the different councils was inconsistent or unavailable. “OneView provides a one-stop shop for councils’ open GIS datasets,” says Kelvin. Waikato OneView: oneview.waikatolass.co.nz
A Waikato Regional Council officer and farmer inspect a herd home.
Page 48
FARM VEHICLES & MACHINERY
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Fulfilling an American Dream
Bruce Wallis with his imported John Deere 4455. All Photos: Catherine Fry..
Fourth generation Waikato dairy farmer and quarry owner, Bruce Wallis, has a shed full of John Deere tractors, machinery, gators, and branded paraphernalia, dating from the 1940s to today. 1992 John Deere 4455. I’d always admired them,” says Bruce. When he contacted the farmer, he wasn’t taken seriously, and the farmer had never heard of a place called New Zealand! Bruce persevered and the two got talking. “This guy actually farmed about 10 minutes down the road from where that ‘Field of Dreams’ movie was made, and I told him about my recreation of it.” After convincing the Iowan farmer that he really was a potential buyer, Bruce talked to his son Jack. ...continued
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One tractor in his collection stands out for him, as he went to substantial lengths and expense to acquire it from the States. Bruce has always loved the Kevin Costner movie ‘Field of Dreams’, which is set in Iowa, USA. In 2011 he recreated the scene where the players walk out of the corn to play softball, in his own maize paddock, and it is still talked about today. While recuperating from a double hip replacement in 2015, Bruce discovered the internet and began surfing. “I found an American website with a 1992 John Deere 4455 for sale and
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September 2021 Coast & Country News
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The combination of a favourable exchange rate at the time, and that Jack absolutely agreed that the fact it was from the ‘Field of Dreams’ state of Iowa was indeed a “sign they should have it”, led to Bruce buying it sight unseen. “I had no idea what a complex process it was to ship a big machine like that!” Luckily Bruce has a longstanding relationship with a local machinery dealer who included the 4455 with a shipment of theirs. The John Deere 4455 has a six cylinder, 150 HP, diesel engine. It is rear wheel drive, with an American, bar axle, dual wheel system. “The American rubber, 42 inch
FARM VEHICLES & MACHINERY
tyres have cleats at a 45 degree angle, rather than the 23 degree New Zealand standard, and it gives the 4455 much more pulling power on the farm.” Bruce’s 4455 had only done 3500 hours work, and he uses it regularly for discing, power harrowing, and drilling. It’s still in excellent, original condition, including the paintwork and cab. “The SG2 cab is really something. “It was streets ahead of its time, with rounded glass, panoramic views, and easy to reach controls.” A fitting end to the story is that Bruce and the Iowan farmer became good friends and have remained in Catherine Fry touch to this day.
Page 49
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Page 50
September 2021 Coast & Country News
More service to more people Te Aroha Tractors and Garden Machinery was formed around 2000, servicing agricultural and garden equipment in the greater Te Aroha area.
However, in 2015, when Stan and Fiona Knight bought the business, Stan’s background as a heavy diesel mechanic saw the business respond to demand and extend its range of products and services to the point where, today, their client base extends across the greater Waikato, South Auckland, Coromandel and Thames Valley region. “We will always be based in Te
Aroha,” Stan explains, “but the name didn’t clearly define what we do, hence the change to AgPlus.” AgPlus is an apt description for a business whose range includes agricultural machinery sales and service, heavy diesel (including pre-COF), airconditioning, auto electrical, automotive (including WOF), EWP/crane rebuilds and five year surveys, Ryco hydraulic hoses, Landini McCormick tractor sales and service and Husqvarna lawn and garden equipment. “When we took over the business we had four
staff members – now we have a team of 23. Our specialised technicians are able to provide either workshop or field service,” says Stan. Demand from the South Waikato area will see AgPlus open a service centre in Putāruru in coming weeks. “The only thing which is changing is the name,” says Stan. “Everything else remains the same. “We remain absolutely committed to providing a high standard of service. It’s what has enabled the business to grow and we’re looking forward to more happy customers in the future as AgPlus.”
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September 2021 Coast & Country News
FARM VEHICLES & MACHINERY
Page 51
WorkSafe warns of spring fatalities spike
WorkSafe is asking farmers to be mindful of the risks on farm this spring.
In spring 2020, fatalities spiked to five during the months of August and September. Vehicles continue to be the primary source of harm in on farm fatalities. Just last month, a person was tragically killed in an incident involving a tractor on a farm outside of Oamaru. It is understood the victim was trimming hedges at the time. WorkSafe manager for regulatory practice Brent Austin strongly urges farmers to consider four key things to avoid a repeat of 2020 as they head into the busier months on farm. “Look at how you are managing fatigue on farm – tired people make mistakes. “If your vehicle has a seatbelt, you should be wearing it – almost half of
“Lastly, but vitally important, vehicle-related deaths on farm could safety responsibility sits with be avoided if seatbelts were used. everyone. Make sure everyone “Install crush protection on your quad – in many incidents, someone is crushed or unable to escape due to the weight of the bike, contributing to fatal or life-changing injuries. “Don’t make assumptions that new staff or those new to the sector know what they are doing around large animals – provide necessary training until you are satisfied that they are competent.” Brent says workplace incidents don’t discriminate between those with experience and those without. “Mistakes can be made by even the most experienced operators. We know the pressure is on farmers, particularly considering labour shortages and the need to employ inexperienced, younger or older people to fill the gap, but now is not the time to cut corners where safety may be compromised.
gets involved in sharing their concerns and ideas for making the farm a safer place”.
Five people have died on New Zealand farms in workplace incidents so far this year.
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FERTILISER
Page 52
Robin Boom
CPAg MBSPC
Independent Agronomy & Soil Fertility Consultant
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Fine-tuning nutrient requirements With the recent escalation of fertiliser prices, it would be a good idea to fine tune nutrient requirements to exactly what the soil test results indicate is required and not waste money on elements that tests indicate there are adequate levels of.
I have always advocated for a much broader soil audit than those done by most fertiliser reps who normally only test for six elements, yet plants need 16 elements and animals need 17 elements to grow and function properly. Micronutrients play important enzymatic roles in plant nutrition, assist with defences against diseases, and act as catalysts for the absorption and uptake of macro-elements. In livestock the importance of iron, manganese, zinc, copper, cobalt, selenium and iodine are well known and when these are insufficient then health and performance are compromised. The huge increase in shipping costs in recent
months particularly affects the macro-elements nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur and magnesium, and the delays in the arrival of some of these, particularly magnesium in relation to cow health around calving this spring, is cause for concern. Although the importation of trace elements has also become more expensive, being high value products, the shipping costs are only a small percentage of the overall costs, so relative to the macroelements it may only be marginally more expensive. The exception is trace elements for which there is extra demand worldwide such as cobalt which is being used in the manufacture of car batteries for electric cars. Zinc and manganese prices are also sky-rocketing on the world market.
Considering options
As well as the higher shipping costs, high analysis phosphate fertilisers triple super and DAP and compound fertilisers such as 12-10-10 have gone up in price by 60 per cent since last year, so farmers and growers would be wise to consider alternatives to these for which there are a number, and also ask whether P is actually required based on soil and herbage test data. Using locally manufactured single superphosphates or imported RPR products, or considering waste products such as chicken manure and other animal manures (pig, goat, horse, cowshed/feedpad), composts, whey, sludges etc can be good economic options. There are also some imported products which can be sourced a lot cheaper than what the two big fertiliser co-ops sell them for, and as I write I know of two importers selling triple super for around $400/tonne less. When both co-ops are selling single super for under $350/tonne and when their triple super is around $1000/tonne it makes little sense to use their triple super unless cartage and spreading costs are very high. In the past I have been dismissive of all paddock testing as I considered the many thousands of dollars spent on lab costs is better spent on
products, but with the current high cost of fertiliser inputs, doing a lot more testing can mean targeting individual paddocks with specific elements, which may not be required on other paddocks. Some farmers who have done all paddock testing claim that the extra lab costs is more than compensated by not needing to apply certain elements to parts of their farms. This is likely to be of more benefit on farms with good fertiliser histories, whereas for hill country farmers with known low fertility levels everywhere who are still in the process of getting levels up to biological optimum, a blanket approach of the same fertiliser applied everywhere would be better. Some farmers who have had all paddock testing done have found it all too difficult to put different special mixes on different paddocks, and have gone back to a broad brush approach.
To test, or not to test
However with fertiliser price increases, a more targeted fine tuning approach is likely to pay dividends. After all paddock testing, when the differences have been addressed, returning to a monitoring programme of only testing several paddocks should suffice. A dairy conversion I visited a number of years ago had had all paddocks tested prior to me being asked to look at their fertiliser needs. It had cost them $7000 in lab costs and the farm had four blocks of different management histories, yet the paddocks within each of these blocks tested almost identical, but the four blocks were quite different to each other, even though they were the same soil type. I gave four recommendations, one for each block, which would have been the same result if only a single paddock had been sampled from each block. All paddock testing can have value, but not always. Robin Boom, member of the Institute of Professional Soil Scientists. Phone: 027 444 8764.
September 2021 Coast & Country News
FERTILISER
Page 53
Brett Petersen’s fertiliser facts, part four
zinc, that may indicate a potassium deficiency, regardless of the reported potassium level. 35. In general, the more NPK applied, the higher the yield, but the lower the mineral content, health, and quality of that product. A balance of all nutrients is required and must also include minerals that are required by animals, not just plants. When that balance is attained, yields and quality of produce are much higher than with NPK. 36. NPK grows crops, but does not build fertility or humus; carbon, calcium and microbes do. The higher the humus content the greater the ability of the soil to hold nutrients and moisture. NPK has Brett Petersen amongst 18t/ha of kale, grown pasture and is growing pasture, grown without sprays. but the decline of organic matter and transfer of carbon to the atmosphere, is Over the past several months, not sustainable or acceptable and must be Brett has shared his top facts about addressed if farming is to be sustainable in fertiliser to help optimise soil. the long term. 37. The label primary, secondary, major, trace, or This is the last instalment. minor signifies quantities of nutrients required, 31. Soluble phosphorus products kill vesicularnot their importance. All the minerals need to be arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (VAM). included in a balanced crop fertiliser as they are Mycorrhizal fungi can increase the roots all important. A shortage of trace minerals will effectiveness by 10 to 1000 times or more, and cause crop problems the same way missing major plants grown with VAM have superior nutrition. minerals do. Lack of VAM leads to soil erosion and leaching. 38. Copper and sulphur improve flavour and New Zealand’s rates of soil erosion and leaching nutrition, along with potassium sulphate. are very high. Adequate sulphur increases stem girth and 32. Soil scientists claim 16 elements are required to leaf size. Stone fruit with uneven halves are support life. However, geneticists maintain that lacking boron. Cracked stones and shrivelled at least 64 nutrients are required for healthy kernels signify lack life. If one or more minor element is missing, of manganese, another can substitute, but it cannot carry out manganese the same function as the missing nutrients, so deficiency may lead disease will follow. to an excess of bull 33. Potassium chloride kills microbes; just 2ppm calves. Potassium, (4kg/ha) of chloride is enough to cause harm and manganese and the net effect of this is rock-hard soil. Potassium copper all contribute chloride also encourages certain weed growth. to timber and Potassium chloride has a salt index of 116 – branch strength. potassium sulphate has a salt index of 46. Insist Silicon strengthens on applying only potassium sulphate. Use of plants’ ability to potassium chloride increases the leaching/erosion withstand pest and of nitrogen and phosphorus. Plants grown with disease attack, and Potassium chloride taste awful to both humans much more. and animals. The chloride partly overwhelms 39. When base saturation the plant, reducing potassium uptake, making comes into balance, potassium sulphate a far more economical and foliar applications healthy option. work more effectively 34. If nitrogen is high in the soil, potassium should and will have a also be at high levels. If both of these elements positive effect on are at luxury levels, then all elementsinfo@slidingroofs.co.nz need to be quality and yield. 40. Use pesticides, lifted to luxury levels for maximum production. fungicides, If tissue tests show high manganese www.slidingroofs.co.nz and low
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herbicides, and nitrogen in minimum amounts and only when necessary. Always add a carbon (humic and fulvic acids) to those substances. Sprays are only a quick fix and are a sure sign that soil and
plant health is not optimum. Kiwi Fertiliser can show you how increase profitability while growing your soils. Human and humus are the same root word, “of and from the soil”.
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Page 54
FERTILISER
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Biochar provides multiple benefits for soil health Miles and Jenny Pope formed Soil Conditioner Products to focus on soil structure, the quality of soils and to help the environment. Biochar, which is charcoal made by pyrolysing woody material and other biomass, offers benefits for soil health when used as a soil amendment. Miles says it is rich in carbon that is stable and enduring in soils for years. It also has the potential to help climate change and increase soil fertility particularly of acidic soils (low PH soils) and helps increase agricultural productivity. “Biochar also facilitates protection against some soil-borne and foliar disease,” says Miles. “Biochar improves water quality and retains water soluble nutrients.
“It is a habitat for many beneficial soil micro-organisms and reduces the need for fertilisers and irrigation. “Biochar is used in soil conditioning mixes, rain garden mix and for filter ponds. “The effects of climate change on the environment is seeing more growers focus on natural products to increase the health and vitality of their soils and crops.” Soil Conditioner Products is based at Mangatāwhiri. For more information, see: www.biochar-inernational.org/ sustainability-climate-change and: www.biochar-journal.org/en/ct2 and How Biochar works in soil: www.biochar-journal.org/en/ctL32. For enquiries, contact Miles Pope on: 027 935659 or: admin@soilpro.co.nz
Onsite with Soil Conditioner Products, which collects and processes biochar for soil conditioning.
Soil Conditioner Products Ltd. admin@soilpro.co.nz
September 2021 Coast & Country News
FERTILISER
Page 55
Stimulating pasture growth
activities of micro-organisms, which encourages the following benefits: • Stimulates plant enzymes and increases their production • Stimulates growth and proliferation of desirable micro-organisms in soil • Enhances plant’s natural resistance against diseases and pesticides • Stimulates root growth, especially vertically and enables better nutrient uptake • Increases vitamin and Southern Humates owner Malcolm Sinclair at the humate site. mineral content of the plants We’ve been hearing a lot about the benefits • Thickens cell walls in fruit and prolongs their storage and shelf time of adding humates to fertiliser applications • Increases germination and viability of the seeds as we read the many articles on • Stimulates plant growth regenerative farming. • Increases quality of yields: improves their physical appearance and nutritional value There is a mood afoot to embrace regenerative By just using fertilisers, we can’t reach maximum farming practices, so what are humates and why are they being promoted as an essential addition to crop yields. Maximum yields require organic matter humic acid, high cation exchange capacity fertiliser plans? and biological activity. Humate is a pure form of organic matter. It is Soil pH affects many chemical and biological an accumulation of partially decayed forest and reactions. It is an important parameter for plant other carbon-rich plant residues that have been nutrition – in high acidity, absorption of nutrients compressed and preserved over the ages. such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, These humate deposits are high in carbon, calcium diminishes; in high alkaline conditions, natural minerals and trace elements, and are absorption of iron, manganese, boron, copper and referred to as humic substances. zinc decreases. They also contain two very powerful bioactive Humic acid buffers soil pH to 5.5 to 7.5 levels, acids: humic acid and fulvic acid. which is ideal for plant development and nutrients Humic acids biologically stimulate plants and
absorption. Thus acting as a natural chelator, they help plant roots to absorb nutrients more efficiently to create long term positive effect on soil quality and productivity. In comparison, conventional chemical fertilisers only show short term effects without any plus benefits on soil structure and soil productivity. Extensive field trials have proven the addition of Southern Humates
increases pasture growth by 23 per cent. These results being published in Nature Science Journal. Not all humates are equal and we find that Southern Humates is high in humic acid, 46 per cent, which contributes to the positive results when Southern Humates are applied as a solid or in a liquid form. Janet Brooker, Southern Humates business development manager
Page 56
EFFLUENT & IRRIGATION
September 2021 Coast & Country News
A composting barn in action For more than 100 years, there has been an Allcock family member dairy farming on their 450-acre block of land in Ngāhinapōuri, Waikato.
Initially one of the original soldier settlement blocks after the Māori wars, the farm is now owned by third-generation farmers Tony and Fran Allcock. The farm was split three ways after Tony’s grandfather’s death. Tony inherited his father’s block, and after buying one of his uncle’s blocks, now farms around 125ha of the original land. The farm is run by their son Lucas, the fourthgeneration Allcock farmer, and one worker. Tony fills in as required.
The land has a good kilometre of boundary with the Waipā River, and is flanked on two other sides by tributary streams, making it an environmental risk if mismanaged.
Protecting waterways
The Allcocks have taken steps to mitigate this, implementing a series of well-planned and executed actions to protect their waterways and contain their effluent. “All the waterways are fenced and no stock can get to them,” says Tony. They milk 275 pure bred Friesians and their dairy platform sits at 97ha, reducing to 70ha in the summer, when 27ha of maize supplement is grown, yielding 750t of dry matter, which is all used. The farm’s effluent scheme ensures Third-generation dairy farmers, Fran and Tony Allcock.
Controlled risers wash down the concrete apron recycling green water from the effluent pond.
nothing reaches the waterways. A composting barn built in 2014, and the 25-aside herringbone dairy shed share a fully encapsulated concrete area, where all wash down is channelled through a weeping wall into two 30m by 6m tanks. The solid matter is stored here, while the green water continues into the four million litre in-ground effluent pond. This water is recycled to wash down the cow yard and emerges through risers to wash down the barn apron. “We have reticulation for 75 per cent of our 97ha and irrigate with the green water from around August onwards,” says Tony. “The solid matter is spread on the maize paddocks twice a year.” Initially, the barn was to offer the Friesian herd shade in the summer, and shelter from the winter weather. It would stop them from churning up the sticky clay in paddocks near the river, while
providing a place to feed them. “We learned about the composting barn concept from a farm consultant, and we did a lot of research on how they work.” The 60m by 43m barn has a lowered, rolled and compacted clay and sand floor, and a 600mm layer of untreated sawdust added on top. This is changed once a year before spring calving starts. The cows come in twice a day, self-navigating to the barn and food when the auto-timed paddock gates spring open, eating half of their daily supplement ration each time and lying around before milking. “In summer they stay in the shade of the barn during the heat of the day, returning to the paddock for the night. “In winter they often contentedly stay in the barn overnight, which means the majority of our calves are born undercover.” ...continued
EFFLUENT & IRRIGATION
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Page 57
Tony Allcock by the farm’s four million litre in-ground effluent pond. continued...
The process fascinates Tony. Although drainage was put into the barn floor, he has never seen any liquid come out. “The temperature under the surface remains at 50 degrees centigrade most of the year, dropping to 30 degrees as it near the end of its cycle. “The bacteria from the stock’s solid and liquid waste reacts with oxygen, breaking down the sawdust over the year and producing no unpleasant odours.”
Happy cows
The barn sawdust has to be turned daily between milkings using a soil renovator, and that is all that’s needed for it to dry between use. Each year the cleared compost is heaped on the barn’s concrete apron, so if there was any liquid run off, it would be contained and safely washed through the weeping wall to the green water pond. Being pampered and kept out of extreme weather definitely works for the herd.
“Before the barn we averaged 380 kgMS per cow and now we average 570 to 600 kgMS per cow. “We also had 30 sets of twin calves last season.” The barn provides 1000m3 of compost a year, which is spread over the dairy platform at the rate of 12m3/ha and a rate of 20m3/ha on the maize paddocks. “The maize yielded 26t of dry matter per ha last season.” Another bonus of the barn is when it rains. Only 90mL of rain on the roof fills eight 30,000L water tanks to full capacity, giving 240,000L of water that is reticulated to all the farm troughs. “The dairy shed uses filtered bore water, and on the rare occasions that the tanks are dry, we can direct bore water to the troughs instead.” The Allcocks are proud of their effluent management system, and have met their healthy river legislation requirements ahead of schedule.
Tony and Fran Allcock in their 25-aside herringbone dairy shed.
Catherine Fry
Winter feeding in the composting barn.
All Photos: Catherine Fry.
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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS
Page 58
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Sept 5
Bringing Indigenous Nature Back into
Towns & Cities, 7pm, Pepper Tree restaurant, Coromandel town, koha. See: meg.org.nz
Sept 11-12
National Daffodil Show (North Island),
1.30-4pm (Sat), 10am-3.30pm (Sun), Hamilton Gardens. Ph: 0274 906 258.
Sept 19
Orchid Show,
Hamilton Gardens. Ph: 07 829 3047.
Sept 23
The Protea Family,
7.30pm, Wintec
classroom, Gate 2, Hamilton Gardens, $5 non-members. Ph: 07 855 3404.
Sept 24-25
Tauranga Orchid Show, 10am-4pm,
Tauranga Racecourse, $3 (under 12 free). See: taurangaorchids. wordpress.com
Sept 25
Plant Lovers Group Sale,
10am-2pm, Puketaha
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Hall (near Gordonton), Waikato, $2.
Sept 25-26
Bonsai Show,
9am-4pm, Hamilton Gardens, $5 (under 12 free). See: hamiltonbonsai.co.nz
Oct 2
Crop Swap,
10am-11am, 14 Jocelyn St, Katikati. Veges, fruit, seeds, baking, books, eggs, etc all welcome. Ph: 07 549 4522.
Daffodil Show,
Hamilton Gardens.
Oct 5-7
Pioneer Fundays, Woodlands
Estate, Taupiri near Hamilton, $2. See: www.woodlands.co.nz
Oct 10
Plant Sale, 10am-
1pm, Te Puna Quarry Park, near Tauranga, cash only.
Country gold at Tauranga Arts Festival Some of the best – and funniest – country music around is on offer at this year’s Tauranga Arts Festival, thanks to top-selling singer Tami Neilson and comedy sensation Wilson Dixon. A sell-out at the 2019 festival, Wilson has spent the past year dealing with his QAnon-believing alt-right family and has plenty of new stories and songs to share in ‘Put the Gun Down, Jethro! (and other happy memories from recent family gatherings)’ on October 21, the festival’s opening night. Award-winning singer Tami Neilson turns the spotlight on the long-standing lack of equality in Country music with ‘The F Word’ on October 24. Described as “the must-see of the year”, the show explores a rich songbook of Country classics. Country music of a different sort takes place the next day in ‘Silver. Stone. Wood. Bone’ with Bridget Douglas (flute) and Alistair Fraser (taonga pūoro) performing music by New Zealand composers against a specially commissioned video backdrop illustrating our unique landscapes. The festival also features two writing workshops: romance writing with best-selling author Bronwen Evans on October 23, and turning memories into memoir with Jo Morris on October 24,
while the speaker programme includes personal finance expert Mary Holm on October 31, and natural history writer Andrew Crowe, October 30. Among those on a panel discussing how we might ‘reset’ New Zealand are previous Horticulture NZ chief executive Mike Chapman, previous
chief executive of Waikato Regional Council Vaughan Payne and Tauranga Commissioners chair Anne Tolley. Tickets are available at: www.ticketek.co.nz with earlybird prices for most shows until September 5. See the full Tauranga Arts Festival programme: www.taurangafestival.co.nz
Tami Neilson.
September 2021 Coast & Country News
COAST & COUNTRY NEWS
Page 59
Page 60
COAST & COUNTRY NEWS
September 2021 Coast & Country News
Wes Cooper, 11, forging a standard to better roast marshmallows over the bonfire in Te Awamutu.
Archor, 4, loves his new dirt bike to match the big boys, in Tāpapa.
Cayson, 6, and his favorite yellow getting some cuddles in Tāpapa.
Rebecca Turner, 10, with a new born calf in Te Awamutu.
Alaska, 2.5 months, swinging in her beer crate swing her big brother and dad made for her, in Te Awamutu.
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07 889 6314 or 021 775 310 info@oneillengineering.co.nz www.oneillengineering.co.nz 73 Thames St, Morrinsville
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