Coast & Country News - July 2022

Craig and Sophie Vanner enjoy working with neighbours, staff and suppliers to get the best results for their farm Vannerlands. See our Central Plateau feature on page 28-29 for the story. Photo: Catherine Fry.

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Shining a light on rural life Craig Winters and John Doull check out an FE loader belonging to Richard Steele at Blue Duck Station.

Read their ‘tractor trek’ story on pages 30-31.

The shortest day is behind us and it’s time to head for the light.

Hopefully the outlook for inflation and availability of farm inputs will get brighter too as the days get longer but it’s pretty tricky operating conditions for many people on the land at present.

The need to plan so far in advance and also to get the head around a seemingly never-ending series of regulatory changes is clearly adding a lot of pressure to already-busy schedules.

Our columnists are providing their usual insights and expertise on a range of subjects throughout this edition, so we hope we can be of some use and perhaps shed a different perspective on some of these issues.

Despite the challenges, the primary sector continues to break records when it comes to export earnings and production and is providing a solid foundation for the national economy amidst uncertain times.

The July edition of Coast & Country News includes all the news, views and industry updates

you have come to expect along with a bunch of features to pique readers’ interest.

This week we delve into the world of free range chickens with the incredible forest-farm operation that is springing up in South Waikato. We scratch the surface on pages 4-5 to reveal all the good stuff on this topic.

On pages 8-9 we look at the work going on up in the hills and catchment areas of the Waihi Estuary to discover there’s a real passion for planting and restoration and a growing bundle of knowledge to boot.

Our district focus this month is the Central Plateau and we catch up with Craig and Sophie Vanner and find out how good relationships with neighbours and suppliers is proving to be a winning way of doing things.

And the paper wouldn’t be the same without a good tractor yarn so check out the report in our Tractor Attraction feature – page 30-31 to find out how the Tauranga Vintage Machinery Club got on with tractor trek into Blue Duck Station.

Dan Hutchinson Enjoy!

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 3

Dabbling in the alchemy of distillation The dark, mysterious plague doctor on Holland Road Distillery’s bottle labels hints at the ethos behind Terry Rillstone’s gin.

still, then steeped, boiled and vapour infused in one shot over a six to eight hour period. Under the international rules for London Dry you can only add ethanol or water to the final product to get the ABV% you desire.

Blending is the art of gin making and Terry admits to having hundreds of recipe ideas going around in his head, sometimes even keeping him awake at night. He experiments on one-litre amounts to see what ingredients work before scaling up on the big still.

“However, distilling isn’t a numbers game so you can’t just multiply a recipe up from one litre to 100 litres. You may use 10 grams of an ingredient in your one-litre recipe but when you go to 100 litres, 1kg of the same ingredient is likely to be way too overpowering!”

For his next range of gins and vodka, Terry is going to focus on approaching some of the local growers in Eureka and Newstead for some completely different products that will really localise them.

Catherine Fry

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Terry Rillstone is brewing up a storm Terry has been experimenting at his Holland Road Distillery. with distilling and blending All Photos: Catherine Fry. gin for the last six years at his Family have been very supportive Eureka distillery. as the business grows, with Terry’s Despite having no background wife Kristin helping with the in spirits making, and being bottle labelling and accounting a resin craftsman by trade, he side of things. must be doing something right “Once I decided to make the big Holland Road Distillery’s three as all three of his commercially leap into commercial production, I award winning gins. produced gins took home medals knew I had to have a bigger still that at this year’s NZ Spirits Awards also had multiple uses. I spent months researching - a double gold medal, a gold medal and a silver. and ended up sourcing parts from China and the

The ancient art of medicinal tonics

Although not a big drinker himself, Terry has always liked gin because of the wide variety of flavour profiles and the use of botanicals.

“Plague doctors used the innate power of botanicals as both protective talismans and as a source of natural healing.

“Their knowledge was passed down through the centuries and is still important to those who practice the alchemy of distillation, the ancient art of creating medicinal tonics from plant based ingredients.”

Terry’s ingredient shelves resemble an apothecary shop from centuries gone by, with glass jars containing dried fruits, leaves, herbs and spices to name but a few.

His journey into gin started when he borrowed a mini still from a friend and started experimenting.

“There are so many flavour combinations and I loved playing with different ingredients that don’t traditionally work together.

“Distilling is a balance between science and art.”

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Not everything went according to plan, but using the old number 8 wire mentality, Terry eventually got the still working and running how he wanted it to.

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Page 4

The hills are alive with the It’s 10am on a forest block in the depths of the South Waikato and a sight to behold when the doors of a free range chicken shed open - 40,000 hens eagerly rush outside for another day roaming and scratching around in the sunshine.

Specialising in

• • • • • •

The forest farm concept is an agroforestry venture combining poultry with forestry and is the brainchild of Better Eggs chief executive Gareth Alice and Gareth van der Heyden at their South Waikato forest poultry farm. van der Heyden.

The van der Heydens, in conjunction with Henergy Cage-Free Limited and Rasmusen’s Poultry Farm Limited, are behind the Better Eggs business.

“There is growing demand for sustainable, free range egg production where the chooks are in a suitable environment,” Gareth says.

He and his wife Alice were both raised on dairy in working in corporate finance. cialandisin Spe farms metgwhile “We joined the family business in 2016. s le tree of who ping egg oval / chip • Rem “We are a different generation and felt we had s to pad something to off er the wanted off we standand forindustry ping site chip • On make a difference.

“A recently for saleforest block (since replanted) d chipharvested • Woo

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was a perfect solution for free range chicken farming. Chickens originate from jungle habitats and this environment is close to that.”

Bringing the concept to life

The first of eight barns opened on the 140ha property in 2021, with the second to open in late 2022, despite Covid related material supply issues.

Gareth has seen an eye-watering 23 per cent increase between the cost of building the first and the second barn. Over the next five years another six laying sheds will be built, each with a fenced, free range area of 16ha.

The land is being planted with 90,000 exotic and native trees. Pine, poplar, oak and eucalyptus will be ready for milling in 30 years. In the meantime they sequester carbon, and offer shade, shelter and security for the hens.

“The site will eventually house 320,000 laying hens, which will free range in the forest during daylight hours.”

Gareth travelled to Australia to research and view other free range set ups and sought advice from European farms. They talked to farmers, vets, poultry experts and equipment manufacturers.

...continued

The chickens take a quick drink at the pond before heading into the bush. All Photos: Catherine Fry.

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sound of chickens continued...

The atrium style sheds are built using fire retardant polypanel. They have abundant natural light and excellent natural ventilation. Enviro fans and misters assist in the heat of the summer.

The positioning of the perches mimic a tree-like structure, and the nesting boxes offer privacy.

Water is constantly available and there are set feeding times throughout the day.

“Our point of difference is that we have continuous pop doors to the outdoors along the length of the sheds, which is approximately four times more than the regulatory standards. There is nothing restricting the hens from easily getting outside and coming and going as they please.”

The 147m by 25m sheds provide ample space for the hens. As darkness falls the sheds are lit up and the hens instinctively take themselves inside and put themselves to bed before the pop doors close.

The sheds are fully automated, with temperature, humidity and light monitored and controlled.

A conveyor belt under the perches collects droppings and they are sent to a local landscaper.

Eggs roll from the nesting boxes onto a conveyor Eggs arrive in the packing room via a conveyor belt.

Hens can freely move in and out of the shed but a human visitor causes them to congregate out of curiosity.

to a dedicated and spotlessly clean packing room.

A machine stacks the egg trays, and they are trucked to another site for grading and dispatch.

These free range hens are calm and very curious.

They rush over to investigate when people enter their domain and are Hen health and welfare a priority interested in human contact.

“The automation of the systems is really important There’s a continual background as it allows staff to spend their time conducting noise of gentle clucking. That’s the welfare checks. Ironically, free range birds are more sound of 40,000 happy chickens. at risk to disease through free-ranging outside and from the elements they are exposed to.

“Our bio-security measures are high, with vehicle tyre washing, disposable PPE, footbaths outside the sheds, and gumboot changes between the sheds.

“We have bait traps around all the external fence perimeters and a robust pest management plan so pests don’t enter the sheds.”

Better Eggs has its own feed mill so they can control the nutritional requirements of the hens depending on their age. The forest farm hens are fed with a domestically grown maize, plus soya bean, broll, and meat and bone meal. They forage for grass, grubs and bugs when outside.

Mite issues are non-existent and worm burdens are kept at a minimum by having healthy diseasefree hens. When required, vaccinations are given through their water. Gareth notes the high feather scores the birds have at their end of lay period.

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Page 6

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

The fiscal responsibility of Government “If you simply print lots of money at a time when you are producing less, you have got a classic case of too much money chasing too few goods and the result is inflation,” Merv says.

I appreciate that it was done by many central banks around the world, including the UK. Now, after rapid inflation caused by too much money printing, New Zealand has a serious problem.

No farms, no food

With about $90 billion floating around, trying to find a home, it comes as no surprise that house prices and everything else has jumped by about 30 per cent. The government refuses to accept that their money printing has caused all the rises as well.

I was startled to meet a young Indian man, an attendant at the local service station, regaling how he has been working here on a visitor Visa for eight years and has been trying to get residency to no avail.

He then spotted my “no farms no food” slogan on the back of my truck and went on to say the same sentiment was recently used in India.

Their government was trying to get more control of the infrastructure for all farming. The people rose up and protested and the Indian government backed down. Maybe we need to stand up for what we believe in better So back home the money has been created and we have overheated every part of our economy with house and land prices rapidly escalating on the back of all-time-low interest rates and hey presto, you have a perfect storm. More than that, New Zealand is not producing anything

more. In fact, our production is static.

Yet our amazing agriculture sector continues to underwrite our economy.

Tourism has basically vanished as well!

Now the Reserve Bank, to its credit - excuse the pun - is raising interest rates to try and stem rampant inflation. It has also asked the Government to be more

out of the economy causing inflation to slowly fall. What an incredibly blunt instrument and the Government refuses to stop spending!

If there is a problem in the economy, they just throw more money at it rather than looking for a better system, making people more accountable or changing the law!

I make some suggestions to help, so here we go.

A realistic view

responsible with the last $6 billion-odd of spending tagged in the last budget, only to be told by the government to butt-out and that they know what they are doing.

A blunt instrument

That may sound simplistic, but it is true, and the message is there.

In every part of every sector, we see too much money chasing too few goods and services and the result is price rises or inflation.

Given that the government refuses to work with them, the Reserve Bank has no other option than to raise the OCR, the cost of debt rises and this sucks money

Central Government must work together with the Reserve Bank to slow inflation.

If you have a lot of debt and are thinking of paying down debt, maybe you should salt the money away. You may need it later as things get tighter.

Cut back on unnecessary spending to keep more money in your business so you have a buffer. If things get really tough or you need to find some extra cash quickly, you will have it.

Sell down nonproducing assets, they cost money.

Ensure you spend less than you earn!

Watch out for the cost of hire purchases.

A $30,000 HP costs you about $700 every month for 60 months, and the smell of a new vehicle quickly vanishes, that’s for sure.

Get a realistic view of yourself and your business and consider what is happening and the effect on your financial position.

In summary, the die is cast. It would be great if the government would stop spending to aid the Reserve Bank in its efforts to curb rampant inflation.

It is a bit like fishing, should the Government let the economy run or should they work with the Reserve bank to apply the drag together? Failure to do so may see the line break.

Disclaimer, these are the opinions of Don Fraser (an old fart).

Any decisions made should not be based on this article alone and appropriate professional assistance should be sought.

Don Fraser is the retired Principal of Fraser Farm Finance and was a consultant to the farming industry for many decades. You can still contact him on 021 777 675.

www.coastandcountrynews.co.nz

There was an interesting story widely reported last month where Merv King, a former Bank of England Governor, signalled that printing of money was the wrong response to Covid-19 and this I would agree with.

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Some of these mares received a contraceptive injection before being released. All Photos: Kimber Brown.

A successful muster of Kaimanawa horses has seen 88 moved to approved homes and another group of mares put into a contraception programme to limit herd growth and reduce environmental impacts.

The muster, held annually following the advice of the Kaimanawa Wild Horse Advisory Group to manage the herd at sustainable levels within the Waiouru Military Training Area, allows the horses in the wild to maintain best condition and protects the fragile ecosystems unique to the Moawhango Ecological zone.

Searching for sustainability

Department of Conservation Central Plateau operations manager Dave Lumley says rehoming is fundamental to the success of the programme, but other tools are being implemented to increase sustainability.

“Over the next few years, we will continue to administer contraception to some horses and monitor the success of the programme. Keeping the horses healthy and at sustainable levels is what everyone wants.”

Kaimanawa Heritage Horses Welfare Society is responsible for the rehoming effort.

Spokesperson Sue Rivers says rehoming and its associated limitations are frustrating and not sustainable as the only long-term management option.

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Enduring partnerships

“More than a decade of extensive research and drive has gone into seeing the contraceptive option implemented so we are incredibly proud to see our efforts have meant this alternative has become a tool to help reduce both population growth and the need for rehoming musters.”

The contraceptive is injected by qualified veterinarians and will suppress fertility in adult mares for up to four years.

Dave says DOC is grateful to the society for its significant contribution to the process of managing the herd.

“We’re fortunate to have enduring partnerships with groups like the KHH, the military, SPCA and others to ensure we have a robust and sustainable management plan.”

“Working together means we will see healthy Kaimanawa horses in the wild into the future.”

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Profit from change

Chris Meban’s plantation, two to three years on.

When Alison Dewes asks farmers to reassess their environmental plan, she knows she’s asking a lot but can back it up with her own actions.

As project manager of Wai Kōkopu, she’s passionate about restoring the health of the Waihi Estuary.

“A lot of farmers are feeling overwhelmed, but we’re here with a good, skilled team and have funding in place for the next three years which could save farmers up to $8000 each to plan a journey to lower their footprint.”

Co-funding for important projects

The 34,000ha catchment runs from the mountains just below the Rotorua Lakes to the Bay of Plenty coast at Pukehina and is one of the five most degraded estuaries in New Zealand.

It’s suffering from high nitrogen and phosphorus loads, and E. coli levels in shellfish that are 430 per cent higher than what is safe to eat.

“We help farmers know their numbers – what their

nutrient loss is, what their greenhouse gas emissions are, what their risk of E. coli and sediment loss is and support them to make farm system changes like voluntarily retiring marginal land,” Alison says.

She estimates there is 790ha of steep land in the catchment that is highly erodible.

“It’s better to retire it and turn it into carbon credits.

“I’ve already done it on half of our farm at Hamurana in the Rotorua Lakes catchment. Twenty of our 40 acres have been retired and 20,000 plants added. We tried to do it in the most cost-effective way. Now, Wai Kōkopu will co-fund these kinds of projects.”

Restoration adds value

Alison also worked with her former neighbour, Chris Meban, to retire land.

“Of my 54 hectares, I retired 13,” Chris says.

“A lot was too steep for cattle. I had thought about planting it, but I needed a bit of reassurance. I was also a rural real estate agent at the time and I could see restoring it to wetlands would be adding value.”

Chris sold the property in 2021.

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Chris Meban’s pre-planted land on the left shows critical source areas and erosion, compared with the retired land on the right that reduces sediment and phosphorus runoff.

Alison Dewes with some of the inter-planted totara amongst the manuka nursery crop at Hamu rana. continued...

“The work we did beautified the land and didn’t affect the production value as I didn’t de-stock. We all try to leave the land in a better position to when we found it and I am immensely proud of what I’ve achieved.”

“Clovers put nitrogen back into the soil and chicory have deep taproots that break up soil and are drought resistant.

“For the cattle, it’s like fruit salad and they’re so healthy. I move them once a day so that they’re eating 60 per cent to maintain a thatch layer. It keeps more moisture in the soil and in summer keeps soil temperature down.”

James encourages other farmers to explore diversity in their systems to create more resilience.

Diverse pasture species

Alison says Wai Kōkopu has a team of experts including agri science professionals, business analysts, and specialists in nutrient management, animal health, forestry, land use planning and restoration.

“We can provide advice, support and funding for carbon farming and land use changes.”

She says James Burke, who is farming beef stock at Roydon Downs Mystery Valley, is doing an amazing job in mid catchment, working his farm to go without synthetic nitrogen and has also planted the vulnerable slopes.

“Creating a Farm Environmental Plan gives you an opportunity to take a look at your land use capability and you end up with a more profitable property when the land is used more efficiently,” James says.

He has a diverse pasture sward of clover, chicory and plantain to graze his stock.

“Synthetic fertilisers can be detrimental to soil health, so I focus on diverse pasture species and biostimulants to feed my soils and encourage soil fungal and bacterial populations.

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Lighthouse farmers

There are about 220 orchards and 69 dairy farms upstream from Waihi Estuary, so the initiative is enlisting the help of “lighthouse farmers”.

“We need those guys who have the courage to stand up and doStore things differently Details here to spread the word about the value Store of theDetails work we’re doing,” Alison says. here One of them is Brad Strange who farms 116ha in Store herecatchment sheep and beef at the Details top of the at Paengaroa. Store Details here “Wai Kōkopu co-funded computer programmes that take all your animal health and stock data and run scenarios to show supply and demand through the year.

“It’s a neat working tool so if your pasture covers are getting low it will come up on a graph that shows you two or three months out.

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“You’ve got to be open to the idea that there are different ways of doing things. We’re one of the most efficient food producers in the world so we want to be environmentally sustainable.”

For farmers in the Waihi Estuary catchment who want advice and support, Wai Kōkopu is the place to begin.

“Our funding is available for a limited time,” Alison says.

“While the focus is working with pastoral farmers as they’re the biggest emitters per hectare, we’re also working with orchardists and other growers.”

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Page 10

DAIRY

The weather has certainly changed since we spoke last.

Soil temperature has dropped to 10.2 degC at Paengaroa and 9.4 degC at the farm, which is 440m above sea level - only a 0.2degC difference which is interesting.

From May 15 until June 14 we had 473.7mm up at the farm at Ohauiti and 325.5mm at Paengaroa so we certainly copped it up in the hills.

It has been wet in the Bay and lots of people have had enough rain for now.

A need for feed

There has been a bit of rain over in the Waikato but not as much as us.

Farmers need to be careful of pugging and use stand-off areas when it’s wet if they can.

There is not as much grass as this time last year and we have had some damage from insect pests.

Combined with the low rainfall in the Waikato, it means we are still getting reasonable levels of inquiry for supplementary feed, but it is still in short supply. It is getting harder and harder to get hold of so I’m not sure what is going to happen when calving comes around.

I’ve heard of some farmers who haven’t had a day off since last spring.

With Covid, the pressure has been on and everyone is busier. I can vouch for that as, for a while here, there was just myself and one other guy doing everything so we were running around like ragged bulls. Everyone is working harder to cover things when people are crook.

If you can, take some time while your cows are off the farm to recharge your batteries.

Farmers need to be aware of the new Emissions Trading Scheme proposals, what is being phased in, how it is going to affect them and the costs associated with it.

Fertiliser has gone up in price considerably and I’m not sure where growers are going to recover this from. It looks like it is going to be a bit of a vicious circle and we will be in the same position with maize next year. We are lining it up at the moment and trying to get what we can put aside for next season.

Muriate potash is also expected to be in short supply because of Ukraine. Ballance is saying they will have it but we don’t know the cost and it takes a lot of potash to grow maize.

Advanced planning

We all need to plan well in advance and give companies plenty of lead time and an idea of what they are in for.

Three Waters legislation is into its second and third readings. They are pushing ahead despite the protests. It’s typical of a Government in power, rolling over everybody.

Council and communities will lose ownership and the committees controlling it are a bit unbalanced. People need to be aware of it and make their voices heard.

There is still demand for feed and we don’t have much. We will make it again in September but that is a long way away and there is a lot of water to go under the bridge before then.

We are pulling a bit out of Canterbury but with the ferry issues we are only able to get one load a week so there are challenges ahead.

TALK TO THE EXPERTS FOR DAIRY TALK TO THE TALK TO THE FARMING SUPPORT EXPERTS FOR EXPERTS FOR summer cropFARMING forTALK all it’s worth SUPPORT TALK TO TO TO THE THE THE FARMINGTALK SUPPORT Page 11

Milk your

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The herd keeps busy on 501 Chicory.

Sow the right chicory this spring and even if the season turns dry later, you’ll still be able give your cows leafy, delicious summer grazing.

Plus you’ll save thousands on palm kernel, with less worry about volatile prices. It’s all to do with fast establishment, high yield and a deep tap root that keeps 501 Chicory lush and green when ryegrass turns brown.

Your cows will thank you and you’ll sleep better at night, knowing homegrown feed is much cheaper than truckloads of supplement.

Irresistible eating

Cows love 501 Chicory – it’s tasty and easy to eat, and good for them too. Energy-rich, full of protein and packed with macro and micronutrients, it can be digested quickly, so they spend more time ruminating.

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chicories, or as much as 550kg of extra dry matter per ha.

At a payout of $9/kg milksolids, that equates to a potential gain of $450 per hectare, and unlike supplement you don’t need any machinery to feed it out or rely on suppliers to deliver it, either.

Mineral miner

That big tap root doesn’t just help 501 Chicory keep growing in dry weather, it also mines the soil for excess minerals like nitrogen and potassium.

Sow it on your effluent blocks and after grazing your cows will happily help redistribute those essential nutrients more evenly back around the rest of the farm.

We hear a lot about plantain’s potential to mitigate nitrogen loss, but science has shown us chicory can be equally helpful.

In research trials, cows grazing chicory excreted significantly less nitrogen every time they urinated, reducing the nitrogen load in the urine patch compared to ryegrass clover pasture.

With urine patches being a major contributor of nitrogen loss from

grazed systems averaging 700 kg/ha nitrogen per urination in traditional pastoral farming - this is a key benefit for 501 Chicory.

Rest your grass

Hot, dry summers can be hard on your existing pastures, especially if you aren’t able to protect them from over-grazing.

Paddocks of 501 Chicory are the ideal antidote. When you graze these, you’re not only looking after your cows, you’re also giving stressed ryegrass a 4233 break, 07 858 so it can bounce back faster after rain. Contact your seed repfarmservices.nz today.

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Short courses for ‘time poor’ farmers A project is underway to establish a Scarlatti and project manager, says that before micro-credentials started framework for short courses being approved, the sector’s focus – or micro-credentials - in the had been on qualifications that took Anton Meier | | | M 021 289 5999 | P 07 829 5940 | E anton@ßexitanksnz.com Food and Fibre sector. Anton Meierlonger to get. She says there are a

The project is being led by Dairy Training, the Food and Fibre Centre for Vocational Excellence and Scarlatti, a research and analytics company, in conjunction with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.

Mel Escott, research manager for

number of reasons why there is a need for short courses, one of them being that people are time-poor.”

NZQA defines a micro-credential as anything below 40 credits. One of the aims is to enable microcredentials to be stacked so that they can add up to a bigger qualification.

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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*.

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*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.

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DAIRY

Page 12

The importance of Golden Bay dolomite There’s no ifs and buts, our own health is only as good as the soil from which our food is grown.

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A carbon-rich soil alive with beneficial life will always produce more food of higher quality than that from a low carbon compacted one.

Soil is a living, breathing organism, and its ideal state contains 25 per cent air and 25 per cent moisture.

Due to the vagaries of ever-changing weather and farming practises the ideal is seldom achieved, however it remains the perfect scenario.

Over time soils weather, with the parent material initially rock, slowly broken down to release nutrient that allows plant life to emerge. Organic matter develops and plant growth steadily increases.

However, some nutrient is lost via leaching and the mineral content of ground water is influenced by the soil through which rainwater steadily percolates.

Over time that lost from soil due to natural weathering must be replaced if the quality of the feed grown is to retain its value.

Large dolomite deposit

Agricultural practises of cultivation, intensive grazing, and the addition primarily of nitrogen has increased the rate at which the soil mineral content has been lost.

Numerous studies show a marked decline in the mineral content of vegetables over the past 50 years linking that to some human health issues today.

One solution is to remineralise soil through the addition of agricultural lime or when soil lacks magnesium, an annual application of dolomite.

There is only one dolomite deposit in the country, at Golden Bay. It’s a large deposit and the amount required to meet the country’s magnesium requirements is largely inconsequential.

Dairy farming has a high requirement for magnesium as all lactating animals have increased demand for calcium which must be balanced with magnesium to attain health and performance.

Animal health improves with the addition of Golden Bay dolomite.

Because it was originally a seabed deposit laid down over millions of years GB dolomite contains a wide range of trace elements, and over time where soil magnesium levels are maintained with its addition, the status of other essential elements is enhanced.

The benefit of this is a marked improvement in animal health and performance particularly over late winter and spring. Grasses to which dolomite is applied annually usually contain between 0.22 and 0.25 per cent magnesium.

Any time is the right time

Animals that are well-fed on pasture with that magnesium content receive sufficient magnesium for the maintenance of high levels of milk production, whether they be lactating ewes, beef or dairy cows.

The recurring message from dolomite clients over the last 30 years has been, “no cows down behind the hedge at 5.30 this morning” and that in itself changes the complexion of cold, wet, spring days.

Any time is an appropriate time to apply 250kg/ ha of dolomite. Due to the fineness of grinding there is sufficient magnesium available for plant levels to change, often within a fortnight of it being spread.

Because dolomite is sometimes referred to as dolomite lime there are those that mistakenly believe it should not be applied during winter and spring.

Animal metabolic disorders in spring are seldom a straight magnesium or calcium deficiency. It is nearly always an imbalance of the two and dolomite lifts plant magnesium levels but not those of calcium.

If there is a concern about low levels of magnesium in the diet due to a lack of direct sunlight a bin of dolomite available to animals in the paddock, or at least as they enter or leave the shed provides further insurance.

Made available in this way, without molasses or any other feed, allows animals to self-medicate.

By also having a bin of lime flour available the calcium and magnesium requirements of individual animals can be met.

DAIRY

Page 13

It’s full steam ahead for the dairy industry The latest primary sector report shows New Zealand dairy farmers have “overcome the odds”, despite rising input costs, labour shortages, fewer cows and less production, says Dairy NZ. DairyNZ chief executive Dr Tim Mackle says MPI’s Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries report projecting the dairy sector will be worth $21.6b this year – trending toward $24b by 2026 – is a significant milestone for farmers.

“Farmers really are being challenged right now. Input costs and staff shortages are testing our farmers as we head into the busiest part of the year,

when the impacts of stress will be felt the most. Farmers are also delivering on environmental work and implementing policy changes on farms too.

“So to hear that their work is truly delivering for New Zealand – and there’s a bright future for our food products – will buoy farmers as they refine their farm systems to continue delivering product that’s in demand.”

The report says farm management and advancing technology will help deliver increased on-farm productivity.

“Cow numbers are falling but the work being done by farmers to improve dairy cow genetics and adopt new technologies is expected to pay dividends.

“It’s a signal that our on-farm productivity can continue to thrive, thanks to advances in

farm management practices.

“Importantly, this bodes well for work to be done for climate change solutions. We are actively exploring technology solutions and this report sends a positive message just how well our sector does that.”

Tim says the report is a reminder of the value of New Zealand’s primary industries to the national economy.

“The work our farmers do daily to deliver a world-class product that is low carbon footprint continues to be sought-after.

“We know the primary sector is important to New Zealand communities and as a nation for our quality of living. Our food and fibre products are in demand – and today’s report suggests this will only increase.”

The dairy industry continues to provide the backbone of the country’s export industries says the latest primary sector report.

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DAIRY

Page 14

Expert subdivision advice is a must The annual migration is over, and you might be settling into your new locality only to find interest rates on the move and progress looking less certain over the next few years.

your existing title may differ from theirs. The title date, its size and restrictions noted on it have a significant effect on subdivision in most districts.

Some councils restrict the number of lots you can create; most restrict the maximum and minimum size and some even require you to purchase subdivision rights from a third party before they will allow you to subdivide.

So, it’s a complex process and whilst you might initially search on the council website for information relating to subdivision, you will need to seek expert advice early on if you are contemplating subdividing.

We are dealing with subdivision inquiries from more than 10 districts daily. Even though we know the current rules intricately we must be continually checking for upcoming rules that might trip us up.

Added to this complexity is the status of the individual title or titles that we are attempting to subdivide.

In the past, subdividing off the odd lifestyle block has been the key for many as a way of trimming down the mortgage to keep the bank manager off your back.

You may see evidence of this happening around you but don’t be fooled into thinking that you can do the same.

Call the experts

In many cases, your friend or neighbour has had experience of subdividing and at the very least they know someone who has done it.

No doubt they think that they can give you ‘good advice’.

Other professionals may also offer an indication, but you shouldn’t rely on this information.

The rules applying to rural subdivision are changing very quickly and, in some areas, you can’t expect to start a subdivision even when landowners around you are finishing the process and still selling their blocks. In some cases, a subdivision can take many years to complete.

Rules do change

In that time the council rules could have changed, and what your neighbours did will now not be approved by your council. Also,

There is no exception to carrying out specific investigation into each property prior to providing advice to individual clients. The job of an experienced surveyor is to balance the allowable subdivision under council rules with the land topography and potential land use to come up with a concept that helps you make the most of your biggest asset. In doing this we must listen to you, as the owner, because you know the land much better than we do.

So, if you are contemplating any subdivision or changes to your boundaries and want to get the best value out of your land, rather than talk to a friend, call a specialist subdivision surveying company for reliable expert advice.

We are happy to give you the time to discuss the full potential of your land so feel free to give us a call and discuss your situation.

New test for Johne’s disease An Auckland-based biotechnology company is developing an “accurate, affordable” test for Johne’s disease.

GRUNDFOS ®

The company – Pictor - says it could save the New Zealand dairy industry more than $80 million a year in lost production.

Pictor director of research and development Dr Natasha Gordon says the PictArray MAP assay will be a positive addition to national control programmes to help in the eradication of Johne’s disease from the dairy industry.

The PictArray multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technology allows multiple biomarkers to be tested in a single well, enabling improved disease management on the farm.

Earlier detection of Johne’s disease would allow infected animals to be removed from herds sooner, minimising transmission.

“Our PictArray MAP assay could facilitate improved biosecurity, and support trade, because tests can be performed quickly and accurately when importing, exporting or moving livestock and associated products between local locations, resulting in safe transportation without the risk of spreading infection.”

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Agritech company Onside has secured a $4 million co-investment from the New Zealand Government to expand and accelerate the development of its biosecurity technology.

Onside’s biosecurity software, Onside Intelligence (OSI), uses data from a range of sources and algorithms to construct an intricate rural network that’s able to map potential disease pathways and predict where incursions are likely to occur.

Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced the four-year partnership through the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund in June.

Onside has also recently partnered with Kiwifruit Vine Health to implement technology that will power the Plant Pathway Plan, a programme designed to protect the $4 billion kiwifruit sector from future incursions.

KVH CEO Leanne Stewart says it is an important project.

Revolutionising biosecurity

“The solution and tool the project will offer is going to add great value to growers, and improve day-to-day best biosecurity practice in a simple, innovative way.”

Onside co-founder and CEO Ryan Higgs says it is great to have the backing of the MPI to deliver on our mission to revolutionise biosecurity and exciting to be working with KVH to put the technology into practice.

Onside is headquartered in Christchurch, but has operations in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, and its data science leadership is based in New York.

“Understanding the risk of a biosecurity incursion is a complex problem in large networks so we have sought out the best scientists in the world to work with us,” Ryan says.

Fundamental to economic security

In addition to its biosecurity technology, Onside provides a comprehensive digital toolkit for farms, orchards, vineyards and contractors to streamline operations and ease the burden of compliance.

Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor says primary sector exports are supporting the growth of the economy, which is bigger than even before Covid-19.

“This is why we are continuously improving our systems to stop incursions from occurring, and ensuring we have the ability to quickly stamp them out if needed.

“As a trading nation and one with an abundance of unique plants and wildlife, biosecurity is fundamental to our economic security.”

Primary sector export revenue is forecast to reach a record $50.8 billion for the year ending June 2022.

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KIWIFRUIT

Page 16

Let the kiwifruit games commence The kiwifruit industry and Parliamentary rugby and netball teams will go head-to-head at Te Puke’s Murray Salt Stadium on July 8 to raise funds for the kiwifruit industry’s Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme workers and their communities.

Starting at 1.30pm, the afternoon will feature rugby and netball games, cultural activities and a charity auction where proceeds will support Pacific communities in the islands where the industry’s RSE workers come from as they continue to grapple with the impacts of Covid-19 and associated travel restrictions.

Zespri head of global public affairs Michael Fox says the event is part of the industry’s ongoing support for RSE communities which have faced challenges from and events like the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha’apai volcanic eruption.

and food and fun family events.

Last year the rugby teams met for the first time to raise funds for the victims and families affected by the devastating events at Whakaari/ White Island on December 9, 2019.

More than $50,000 was raised which is being invested in assistance for local agencies and support providers.

Families lose income

“RSE workers, who come from their homes in the Pacific to help get our kiwifruit packed and exported, are an incredibly important part of the New Zealand kiwifruit industry and our local communities,” Michael says.

“Travel restrictions due to Covid-19 have limited the ability of those workers to travel from the Islands, which has reduced the earnings that are usually sent back to their

Supporting a good cause

Kiwifruit industry and Parliament players face off in last year’s games. Photo: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media Services.

families and communities.

“An estimated 60 per cent of Pacific households either lost jobs, lost income or resorted to

alternative sources of income as a result of the pandemic, and access to healthcare and safe water have decreased.

Show of appreciation

“RSE workers are a critical part of our industry so we’re looking forward to bringing the wider community together to help demonstrate how much we appreciate and support them and as part of Zespri’s purpose of helping people, communities and the environment to thrive.”

The fundraising event will also feature U18 girls’ and boys’ rugby matches between Māori and Pasifika teams, an industry versus Parliamentary netball team clash, fundraising activities, Pacific music

Parliamentary Rugby Team co-captain and Minister for Trade and Agriculture Damien O’Connor says RSE workers are an important part of the New Zealand primary industry, helping support exporters to deliver high quality New Zealand products to market.

“It’s great to be able to bring the Parliamentarians and kiwifruit industry together to support a good cause and of course to battle it out on the sports field. Last year was a fantastic day played in great spirits and I know the kiwifruit team don’t want us to make it two in a row, so it’ll be a tough match that people won’t want to miss,” O’Connor says.

Co-captain, National MP Mark Mitchell says RSE workers made an enormous economic and cultural contribution to the Bay of Plenty and New Zealand.

Funds raised will support projects in the home countries of RSE workers through the Kiwifruit Industry Community Support Fund.

KIWIFRUIT

Zespri has delivered a record crop and record financial result for the 2021/22 season, with total global fruit sales revenue exceeding $4 billion for the first time.

Total global revenue generated by fruit sales reached $4.03 billion, up 12 per cent on the previous year, with total global operating revenue up by 15 per cent to $4.47 billion.

Global sales volumes increased 11 per cent on the previous year to 201.5 million trays.

The results saw direct returns to the New Zealand industry increase to a record $2.47 billion including loyalty payments, despite uncertainty generated by Covid-19 pandemic and cost increases across the supply chain.

Returns per hectare are the second best on record across all varieties:

Returns by type

The average return for Zespri Green per tray was $6.35, and $75,494 per hectare.

Zespri Organic Green reached an average return per tray of $9.74, and $67,752 per hectare.

The average return for Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit was $11.51 per tray, and $176,026 per hectare.

Zespri Organic SunGold Kiwifruit was $12.61 per tray and $143,772 per hectare.

Zespri Sweet Green was $7.82 per tray and $54,609 per hectare.

Zespri’s non-New Zealand-supply sales increased to $536.9 million while Zespri’s net profit after tax

is $361.5 million, a record result and up from the 2020/21 restated profit of $277.1 million.

Zespri chairman Bruce Cameron says the results reflect an incredible effort across the industry to continue to operate safely throughout the challenges presented by the pandemic.

“This was an extraordinary season where the industry faced some considerable headwinds in market, throughout the supply chain and on orchard, yet collectively we found a way to tackle the challenges and to continue to succeed.”

Overcoming challenges

Zespri chief executive officer Dan Mathieson says the results reflect the ongoing focus on investment in the Zespri brand, an ability to build demand ahead of supply to create value and the long-term relationships which have helped the industry overcome challenges and continue to move forward.

“This is a really pleasing result given how significant the challenges we faced in the 2021/22 season were.

“These included the pandemic and ongoing supply chain disruption, shifting weather patterns, tightening regulations, changes to fruit flows, increasing competition in the market, labour shortages, late season fruit quality issues, significant cost increases and international trade challenges.”

He says they have avoided the worst of the global shipping crisis through greater use of charter shipping to ensure fruit can get to market to meet the growing demand.

Dan says the growth wasn’t just in New Zealand, with Zespri’s offshore growing operations continuing to perform strongly.

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AVOCADOS

Page 18

Global focus on NZ avocados World Avocado Congress delegates will be descending onto New Zealand’s shores in early April 2023.

For the first time, New Zealand is hosting the World Avocado Congress (held every four years) which will be held at the Aotea Centre in Auckland.

The days surrounding the

event will include field trips to select locations which highlight various areas of the NZ Avocado Industry.

Darling Group chief operating officer Jacob Darling says the company is proud to be the Kiwi Gold level sponsor, it reflects the importance of international business for the group and the consistent growth they are seeing in the New Zealand avocado industry.

While New Zealand avocados represent just two per cent of the global avocado supply, the NZ industry is in a phase of growth and significant development, including Darling Group’s focus on exporting New Zealand avocados to key Asian markets and beyond.

Jacob says Darling Group is excited to be able to share with the world the initiatives that the New Zealand Avocado industry

Avocados will be the star of the show at the World Avocado Congress in April next year.

has implemented during the time that the Darling family have been in the business.

After a recent trip to South America to visit large-scale orchards and marketing companies, Jacob sees many opportunities for learning and improvisation within the industry.

“This means the World Avocado

Congress will be a great opportunity to learn from countries that are at the top of their game. “ In 2019 the congress was hosted in Columbia, with more than 3000 delegates passing through the doors.

“We hope we can draw similar numbers in 2023 and look forward to seeing many familiar faces from the Bay there.”

The good oil for Taranaki Avocado growing is one of the first cabs off the rank as Venture Taranaki releases “investorready blueprints” to boost its economy.

It’s Branching Out project has been in the planning and development stage for 18 months with 10

key opportunities and 270,000ha of land so far identified.

Avocados, kiwifruit and medicinal herbs are the initial focus because there are already value chains in place in New Zealand, along with seven other key opportunities in various stages of development.

More than 40 growers have expressed an interest in supporting pilot trials.

At its diversification dinner last month, Venture Taranaki general manager regional strategy and sectors Anne Probert says progress will only be possible with community and investor buy-in, and a commitment from existing players.

“We have identified a list of ventures that encompass innovation, growth, and offer market potential, building value and resilience to our regional economy.

“In the coming weeks we’ll be releasing our investor-ready blueprints to encourage people to really consider complementary farmbased activities and the associated value chain enterprises that will be needed to support some

Avocados and kiwifruit are the focus of regional economic development in the Taranaki region.

of these new or adjacent industries, say sheep dairying or medicinal herbs for example.”

Branching Out is a project coordinated

by Venture Taranaki, with input from a wide range of stakeholders, including Massey University, Crown Research Institutes, and Taranaki landowners, farmers, growers, food manufacturers, marketers, advisers, and investors.

It is supported by the region’s three district councils - New Plymouth District Council, South Taranaki District Council and Stratford District Council, and the Ministry of Primary Industries’ Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund.

AVOCADOS

Page 19

and accordingly develop corrective management strategies,” says director of AT New Zealand Charles Hurly.

“The eventual result is increased harvest yields over time.

“The enhanced level of in-field data measurements that the PICKLOGGER collects also creates opportunities for a variety of other insights.”

Technology and innovation is the formula for a successful future, and a new harvesting tool from Agri Technovation embodies this.

PICKLOGGER is the first fruit harvesting tool of its kind that collects accurate location data and incorporates it into yield maps.

It facilitates insight into the performance of orchards on a much deeper level than was possible before. Its datasets and comparisons are made available through the innovative MYFARMWEB platform.

At the end of the harvest, the yield maps produced from the recorded data are collated with other available agricultural information, such as soil

A radio-frequency identification tag marries each fruit-pick to a crate or bin used in the harvesting process, allowing PICKLOGGER to integrate with packhouse systems.

The PICKLOGGER recently won the innovation award at the Biostimulants World Congress. To find out more, see the contact details on the advertisement on this page

classification, soil chemical analysis, leaf data, irrigation data, pest data, and other data to allow well-informed decisionmaking and the formulation of corrective strategies.

“The greatest benefit or valueadd is that it allows the Agri Technovation agriculturist, in cooperation with the producer, to home in on the variance within each of the orchards

A fair go for growers and consumers Horticulture New Zealand has welcomed the Government’s decisions following the Commerce Commission’s supermarket review recommendations.

“New Zealanders need the best access possible to fresh, nutritious fruit and vegetables for the sake of their health and wellbeing,” says HortNZ chief executive Nadine Tunley.

“That is why we support any move to improve the performance and transparency of New Zealand’s supermarket sector.

“Consumers and fruit and vegetable growers need to know they are getting a fair deal from the supermarket sector, particularly when competition is limited due to the small size of the New Zealand market.

“Greater transparency and competition in the supermarket sector will improve the functioning of the wholesale fruit and vegetable market, which will increase consumer understanding of the very real relationship between supply and demand.”

Nadine says another factor to consider is that commercial fruit and vegetable growing in New Zealand needs to be sustainable, from a business as well as environmental perspective.

“Supermarkets, which play a critical role in the supply chain, need to

be responsible and transparent, and give growers consistently fair treatment.

“If growers serving the domestic market find it impossible to stay in business due to rising costs and falling returns, New Zealanders will have reduced access to a range of fruit and vegetables, which will have a negative impact on health and food security.

“That is why HortNZ is advocating for the Government to develop and implement a food security policy.”

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Page 20

PlantTech plots a new way forward Independent research institute PlantTech has changed its status to a not-for-profit incorporated society.

PlantTech is set up to leverage artificial intelligence and data science for competitive advantage.

PlantTech chief executive officer Mark Begbie says it’s the start of a new chapter.

The collaborative partnership was founded in 2019 by horticultural companies in the Bay of Plenty that have strengths in plant-based technology and innovation.

A new board will now be formed.

“As we enter a new phase, our focus will be on cementing the capabilities we have established, scaling our capacity to deliver from these, and delivering substantial value, whilst serving a wider and somewhat more diverse demographic.

“PlantTech has grown beyond the Bay of Plenty, moved into new crops, and is working with significant corporates and CRIs, complementing their strengths with ours and accelerating the transition of technology into commercialisation.”

July is all about cleaning up in the orchard and preparing fertiliser plans.

We are well into winter and on the way to spring and summer.

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It’s almost actions stations for spring.

That’s one of our busiest times of the year so we want to be organised. We want to have a plan and a job list ordered in priority.

After a very wet June we’ve ended up behind our planned work schedule.

It’s funny that we’ve been concerned about staff availability and not getting through the work, when, in fact, that’s not the issue. It’s an issue of just getting enough fine days to get through the work. Bring on some sunshine.

As normal, it’s a mad scramble to get jobs done before the new season starts.

The work for July is around pruning and clearing up the mess, preparing fert’ plans, checking tree nutrient levels and generally getting the early season plan going.

It’s these plant nutrient levels that I turn my attention too. I aim to get the plant/tree into its best possible environment to optimally enter the main growing window - spring to summer.

That means having nutrients available in quantities and a state that the tree and roots need and can handle.

One such nutrient I want to talk about is silicon which is available in a number of forms.

While silicon is a naturally-occurring mineral, in

various formats, its use in the plant is believed to help tree health and welfare.

“Silicon has been shown in studies to improve cell wall strength and structural integrity, improve drought and frost resistance, decrease lodging potential and boost the plant’s natural pest and disease fighting systems. Silicon has also been shown to improve plant vigour and physiology by improving root mass and density, and increasing above ground plant biomass and crop yields” – Ben Faber Aug 12, 2015.

It was believed that this nutrient/mineral could help with phytophthora control. It is now felt that this mineral has an overall impact on tree health and vigour and therefore is beneficial to avocado trees.

In another article it describes silicon as having a stress management role in avocado trees and helps maintain tree condition in increased Phytophthora pressure environments.

Watch this space for more developments with HiPK and tree injection tonics. You may want to read up a bit more about this and I reference you to check out this article: https://ecogrowth.com.au/home/technical-articles/ silicon-and-its-role-as-a-stress-mitigant-nutrient That’s as technical as I’m going to get. Anything that helps keep our trees healthy, growing big fruit and cropping every season is what I want more of.

Page 21 EIT wine researcher Dr Rory Hill.

An Eastern Institute of Technology EIT wine lecturer’s research into wines from New Zealand and Burgundy, France, has been included as a chapter in an influential British book on wine and culture.

Dr Rory Hill, is coordinator of the EIT School of Viticulture and Wine Science’s Postgraduate Programmes.

He was invited to contribute to the book The Routledge Handbook of Wine and Culture along with a former colleague of his, Associate Professor Joanna Fountain from the Department of Tourism, Sport and Society at Lincoln University.

The history of wine

The book, which has been released by UK publishers Routledge Taylor & Francis Group, is a major compendium of research on wine and culture going back in history. Royalties from the book are being donated to the UK-based charity WaterAid, which works to provide access to clean drinking water and sanitation for vulnerable communities worldwide.

The book is aimed at researchers and students in the wine industry and across those academic disciplines where wine is taken as an object of study, including history, geography, tourism, sociology and business.

Rory says the book’s editor Steve Charters was aware of the research he and Joanna had done in New Zealand and Burgundy and invited them to

submit a chapter based on that research. There are also chapters on matters as diverse as the economics of wine, the Chinese wine market, wine in the media, and the religious aspects of wine.

“There are more than 40 contributors from universities and research institutes around the world, including many leading lights from business, social science and natural science areas.”

That sense of place

Rory says their chapter examines how a sense of place is built by producers, and understood by consumers, in the antipodal wine regions of North Canterbury and Burgundy.

“If North Canterbury is an emergent region of the New World, Burgundy is a self-consciously old part of the Old World. The concept of terroir (a sense of place) is mobilised in both regions, but with different inflections, and in North Canterbury, it is just one of several terms employed to promote local distinctiveness.

“The release of the documentary film A Seat at the Table in 2019 brought the concept of terroir and the idea of provenance-driven quality in New Zealand wine to the fore, in direct comparison with the Burgundian winemaking experience and tradition.”

Rory says the film reflects wider conversations about the comparability of Old and New World wine regions competing and influencing each other at the global scale.

“In our chapter, we reveal some of the cultural rooting of expressions of sense of place in two

very different contexts, as well as the cultural conditioning of wine tourism as an activity.”

EIT’s head of the School of Viticulture and Wine Science Sue Blackmore says they are fortunate to have Rory on the staff as both research lead and coordinator for

the Postgraduate Wine Business and Innovation programmes.

“The School wants to congratulate him on the book contribution, as well as achieving the milestone of one year of coordinating our postgraduate suite, that will see Josh Young become the first graduate in July.”

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Carpet contributes to the circle of life A New Zealand carpet manufacturer says it is close to mass production of fully compostable carpets.

Dr Kirstine Hulse, sustainability lead at Bremworth, says the new rug is hand woven from natural materials including sheep wool and alpaca fibres, created as part of a research initiative designed to test sustainability concepts in textile design.

“By preserving the natural integrity of the fibre we can increase the number of opportunities for product circularity, increase the number of secondary uses for used carpet and significantly reduce volumes of textiles entering the landfill.”

‘Transformational’

She says crossbred sheep and alpaca fibres are used in the first prototype, to provide a broad range of colours but more trials are underway to find alternatives to the use of alpaca yarn, which is in limited supply in New Zealand.

Bremworth CEO Greg Smith says the development of fully compostable carpet that can be mass-produced in a financially viable way would be transformational for New Zealand’s wool exports.

He says the three-year research initiative was launched in response to demand from consumers for an environmentally sound, end-of-life

solution for carpet.

“We know there has been a post-pandemic shift in the way our international customers are seeing New Zealand wool, with a growing number looking to integrate natural fibre products into their home environment.

“While design and quality remain key drivers for most segments, what happens at the end of a product’s useful life is becoming an increasingly important factor in the purchase decision.”

Adding value

Textiles make up about five per cent of New Zealand landfill volumes with more than 186,000 tonnes entering the waste stream each year.

Wool is a natural fibre that breaks down due to its organic composition, but most wool carpets use a polypropylene backing and latex which contain synthetic materials, preventing the product from being composted.

Greg says New Zealand wool products carry a price premium in key export markets like North America, but there is a need to invest in value-added products.

“Our latest research initiative is designed to help us build a product range which can be meaningfully reused or naturally returned to the earth in a way that resonates with our customer base - without compromising the design and performance that they care about.”

Page 23

Communities should decide water future Federated Farmers sees positives in a report released in June by the Rural Supplies Technical Working Group on water services, in particular rejection of inflexible ‘one size fits all’ approaches to rural supplies.

that recognises their uniqueness, offers options to not chlorinate in certain drinking water supply situations, and closely involves rural stakeholders in designing and implementing regulatory requirements, are “spot on,” Andrew says.

Federated Farmers continues to analyse and submit on the vast array of other regulatory changes proposed in the water management area.

“Sadly this is just a small piece in the much larger puzzle we are trying to put together properly for our members right now.”

“Many of the findings raised by the group look sound,” president Andrew Hoggard says.

“The report appears to be a tiny sliver of common sense in amongst a pile of water policy decision-making we are struggling to explain to our members.”

Capacity and capability

The technical working group chaired by Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan has recommended all council-owned, mixed-use rural supplies should transfer to the new water services entities because they will have the people, resources and expertise to operate these schemes into the future.

Andrew says Federated Farmers still has major concerns about the set-up of the four entities themselves.

“But we like the recommendation that there should be the option for rural communities to take back water assets with shared ownership or maintenance agreements.

“It would depend on capacity, finances and capability, the predominant use of the scheme and other factors. But the community should decide.”

He says they agree with the report’s recommendation rural service users should generally not be subsidising urban service users.

Also that consultation with rural users on the water entities’ funding should start before the new entities go live and before domestic volumetric pricing is introduced to new areas.

Recognising uniqueness

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Page 24

Are you not feeling your best? (Part two) I have a younger client whose mother has been using our supplements for some time.

He suffered with low immunity with regular colds, low energy and generally feeling unwell for no medical reason.

Our priority was to improve his

immune system.

Despite what you read, you cannot ‘boost’ your immune system. Our immune system is a complex, interconnected group of cells and tissue types.

Our immune system is highly dependent on nutrients. Of these, the most important is Vitamin D which acts like a master controller of our immune responses.

Then, there is a long list of trace minerals and some vitamins. I often talk to people who take vitamin C and Zinc for their immunity. These are important but just two of many.

This is where a well formulated, comprehensive, multi-mineral, multi-vitamin and multiantioxidant can be very helpful as it provides all the important

nutrients, not just some of them.

Having regular colds, especially in winter, can be the first sign of poor immune responses. You may actually have a good immune system, but it may be half asleep or just disorganised. I put my client on an initial higher dose of my multi-nutritional formula to rapidly lift critical nutrients.

We also included Vitamin D. He has been delighted with the response. He has been through

last winter without a cold and with much more energy. The bonus has been that the niggling low grade depression has gone, probably from lifting vitamin D. Our bodies have a huge capacity to heal and restore but only if we give it the nutrients it needs. Give yourself a threemonth challenge; you may well be surprised.

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

Farm and work boots that last Abundant Health

For more than 75 years, Northland’s Lastrite Footwear has been supplying handmade boots to farmers, hunters, builders, fencers, alpine terrain and forestry workers across New Zealand.

They have been sent as far afield as the US, Canada and Australia.

In contrast with mass-produced boots, managing director Neville Bunker, says the 100 per cent New Zealand made boots are made to last in the toughest work environments.

“The quality, comfort and long life of our full grain leather boots generates repeat business. The boots are made to measure, often customised to such things as extra width, high arches, bunions and build up for one foot shorter than the other.”

Aspects which differentiate Lastrite boots from “the rest” include upper leather sourced from the Tasman Tannery in Whanganui, commando soles from Field Rubber Auckland, leather insole and mid-soles which are brass screwed and stitched, full bellow tongues, cleated rubber and heel counters for better ankle support.

All boots are long life and fully repairable.

The unique design aspects of each boot speaks volumes for an understanding of the environment they are made for.

Neville Bunker says while the range provides function, it also caters to fashion with a range of men’s and women’s leather dress boots with a

Neville Brunker crafts another pair of his unique boots.

choice of colours.

Customers can either call at the Pataua North workshop to be measured or supply measurements online. From order to receipt is around six weeks.

For more information see the advertisement on this page.

Page 25

nursery plays role in regeneration Plants originating from what David Bellamy described as “one of the best Mesozoic plant communities remaining on earth” are available to the public.

Surrounded by the pre-historic Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tane Conservation Park, Minginui Nursery was formed in 2016 through a partnership between Ngāti Whare Holdings and Scion to regenerate 640 hectares of pine plantation back to its former native state.

Nursery manager Matt Jackman says the uniqueness of the nursery’s offering appeals to groups and individuals wanting to regenerate or conduct riparian plantings. The nursery now sells a wide range of native plants to clients across New Zealand.

“Our plants have been grown in an environment which has dry, hot summers and very cold winters so they are strong, hardy, vibrant plants which will thrive wherever they are grown.”

Matt says the nursery annually produces more than one million plants “so we usually have enough stock on hand, at any time, to satisfy most requirements – with our trucks delivering across the North Island.

“We are becoming known as one of the best sources for a wide range of well-priced, hardy, native plants,

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The research has led to the discovery that wool sourced from sheep in NZ contain higher levels of a scleroprotein called keratin, a key structural material which protects epithelial cells from damage.

The development has also seen the establishment of a new cosmeceutical export industry formulating dietary supplements which contain keratin extracted

from sustainably farmed sheep’s wool.

Managing director of keratin supplement brand Kiri10 Natalie Harrison says the concept of consuming wool to provide a health benefit for humans is still in its infancy but showing significant promise.

She says New Zealand keratin is used in dermatological treatments in dozens of countries around the world for the clinical management of wounds and severe burns including those injured during the White Island eruption.

“Keratin extracted from NZ wool has been used in topical wound

ideal for riparian, revegetation, and wetland plantings, as well as some amenity projects.”

Those requiring thousands, or simply one or two native plants, can either visit the nursery at Mill Road, Minginui (by prior arrangement), or contact the helpful sales team via the contact details on their advertisement on this page.

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Page 26

The road less travelled One of the seven different tours that NZ Adventures offers is the five-day Eastern Explorer.

This mid-January trip travels through some less well known countryside, well away to the east of the better known Mackenzie Basin and the high

tracks of the Central Otago mountain ranges.

It starts in Geraldine before heading through hill country tracks inland of the Canterbury Plains. In the afternoon the convoy goes over the Hunter Hills into the Hakataramea Valley.

The first night is spent at the Waitaki Valley settlement of Otematata.

Day Two has the tour heading into the high mountain ranges along the border of Canterbury and Central Otago. The tracks go through historic pastoral and mining areas. With warm days and clear skies the views from the mountain tops stretch out seemingly forever.

The overnight on Day Two is in Ranfurly in the Maniatoto region.

On Day Three the route

follows interesting tracks out to the mining area of Macraes Flat where a massive modern gold mining operation exists side by side with the historic mining reserve that we visit.

Sweeping views

In the afternoon we drive farm tracks in the Strath Taieri area. It is amazing to be close to the Pacific Ocean and yet so high up, looking down on the coastal areas and SH1.

Overnight is in Mosgiel.

On Day Four the tour does a big loop inland of Mosgiel, offering a wide variety of tracks and places of interest.

There is the Government Track put in to aid the journey of the early miners to the hinterland and some of the country’s earliest hydro power developments. We visit beautiful farm properties and

Travellers head through the fascinating countryside of South Otago.

support a small rural school which caters to our lunch.

Overnight is in Lawrence.

The mighty Clutha

On Day Five the tour initially comes down to the Clutha River through some spectacular Otago hill country and then follows the mighty river upstream.

Turning north, away from the Clutha again, we head into the hill country, passing

interesting and topical Lake Onslow. The tour then takes the route of an old bullock track west towards our final destination of Alexandra.

The Eastern Explorer has been a popular addition to the NZ Adventures tour lineup. Interesting and diverse the tour goes to places that travellers would not ordinarily get to or indeed even know of.

Connie Crickett/ NZ Adventures

Senior wellness for cats and dogs As your pet’s owner you are in the best position to look out for warning signs of age-related diseases.

While some age-related changes are to be expected, others can indicate a more serious underlying problem, so it’s important to get your older pet into a clinic for regular check-ups.

We consider an annual check-up for older cats or dogs essential. This is because many conditions, if detected and treated early, can lead to much more successful management and see our pets living longer, more comfortable lives.

A yearly, clinical exam can detect problems such as heart disease, dental

disease, thyroid problems, arthritis, cataracts, and cancer to name just a few. Studies have found that up to 80 per cent of senior pets had at least one unrecognised medical condition.

A senior check-up could also include blood tests which will enable screening for early detection of a range of diseases, giving a baseline that can be used for future monitoring. Blood tests are quick, pain free and allow for valuable information about what’s going on inside before outward signs become noticeable.

Senior check-ups and blood tests give your pet the best chance to have disease diagnosed early and for a treatment plan to be implemented.

At Tauranga Veterinary Services we can see you and your beloved pet seven days a week at our Tauranga Clinic and six days a week at Te Puna, Papamoa and Katikati.

See our advertisement on this page for online and phone booking details.

Jess Thompson of Tauranga, Te Puna, Katikati and Papamoa Village Vets.

Page 27

Avoiding inflation The last decade has been a time to make hay for New Zealand investors, with both the property and equity markets basking in the sunshine of a low interest rate environment.

not make for pleasant viewing over the next few years, ultimately we can have a level of confidence that over a much longer timeframe they will rebound, and then some.

Many of us will also want to think of the present as well as the future. Fund managers will Whether you’ve been a stockmarket talk about the importance of defensive investor, property investor or a assets in times like these - sectors or KiwiSaver member, you could companies that are well positioned have been forgiven for thinking to thrive through uncertain it was all too easy, and lost periods and help protect the sight of the fundamentals of value of our money against successful investment: namely inflationary forces while also diversification and a long-term providing regular, reliable investment horizon. cashflow returns.

However, as inflation bites, the Right now, some of the most importance of these fundamentals defensive assets can be found has come sharply back into focus. in the industrial and logistics So what does inflation mean Scott McKenzie. sectors.

As a property fund manager for investors? we have been increasing our exposure to In the long term, the reassuring answer is the sector for some time, as we strive to deliver actually very little. regular, reliable and competitive returns to our We know markets work in cycles, but history investors and protect their hard-earned wealth tells us they ultimately rise.

While our KiwiSaver or investment balances may for the future.

Scott McKenzie, PMG Funds

Peanut trials prove promising The harvest of field trial peanut crops came to an end in June as part of a project looking into the feasibility of commercially growing the nuts in New Zealand.

It’s the first year of a $1 million project funded by Picot Productions - makers of Pic’s Peanut Butter – the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Sustainable

Food and Fibre Futures fund and Northland Inc, following a successful one-year feasibility study in 2021.

It is currently operational in five locations – two farms in Te Kōpuru, two on Māori land near Kai Iwi Lakes and Awanui, and one farm near Kaingaroa.

The coming season will see the number of sites expand to seven across Northland.

A sample harvest during the feasibility study in 2021 saw promising results and this year’s crops have provided further information on the cultivars most suited for potential commercial viability in the Northland climate.

Final results are due to be delivered in the coming months including an all-important taste test.

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PMG, and members of the PMG Investor Relationships Team, do not provide advice. No person may offer, invite any offers or distribute any documents (including a Product Disclosure Statement) to any person outside New Zealand without the approval of PMG. The forecast gross cash return is for the prospective period from 1 September 2022 to 31 March 2024. It is stated before tax, based on forecast gross distributions per annum expressed as a percentage of the expected share price. Details on how the forecast gross cash return is calculated and the risks associated with an investment in Pacific Property Fund Limited will be available in a Product Disclosure Statement, which, if an offer proceeds, will be made available free of charge from our website www.pmgfunds.co.nz/invest.

Page 28

CENTRAL PLATEAU FOCUS

Good neighbours Central Plateau farm Vannerlands is the product of 19 years of hard work from its owners, Craig and Sophie Vanner.

Dairy farmer Craig Vanner appreciates the beautiful location of his farm. All Photos: Catherine Fry.

The couple are both from farming backgrounds. They are prepared to try new things and take some risks, and if it doesn’t work out, they learn from their mistakes.

Forming good relationships with their suppliers, rep’s and neighbours is a huge key to being a successful farm.

Craig describes the 289ha farm as “flat to aggressive rolling”.

Mutually beneficial arrangements

Initially the farm was sheep, but it was converted to dairy in the fourth year after they bought it, and the cows do well despite the contour.

“Now we have a 205 hectare dairy platform, 50 hectares in pine, and the rest is planted as bush or natives. We planted 29,000 trees over the past five years.”

The herd is 500 predominantly Friesian but they are moving to Kiwi cross, looking to improve the BW and PW of the larger animal.

“We used to run a production system 2/3 at the beginning, but because of low pasture growth over the winter and dry summers, we’ve slowly learned to put more into the system.

“We have several mutually beneficial arrangements with different neighbours that allows us to increase our input,” Sophie says.

Standing grass silage and maize are grown next

door and Craig acknowledges that the maize production initially didn’t work as well as hoped, but they are getting better results every season.

“Another neighbour grows 10 hectares of kale, and we do all the shifting of our cows. We are paying 29 cents a kilo for the kale. We also buy 180 round bales of standing grass from them.”

Three hundred cows are wintered on Vannerlands and 200 on a neighbour’s farm.

Trying things out

Most of the farm has been re-grassed with 150AR37 mix which works well on the land.

Because of the droughts, the Vanners have tried different varieties including cocksfoot and prairie grass mixes with “varied success”.

Sixteen hectares of turnips are grown in summer, and three hectares of swedes provides autumn feed for the dry cows.

Sollus mineral group has helped the Vanners on their journey and the cows are fed half PK and half DDG/Soy in the shed. Sollus Lactisol or Tranzsol mineral supplements are given at the appropriate stages of each cow’s pregnancy.

The importance of environment

Effluent is collected in the two million litre lined pond and spread more than 50 hectares using a travelling irrigator and Craig carefully measures the output.

Environmental responsibility is important to Craig. The Waiteti Stream runs through the property and is fenced off and planted in pine.

Craig has started opening up some of the stream, letting in sunlight which brings the brown trout out to bask in the clear water. “We’ve spent five years really concentrating on soil structure, doing our own soil testing to 150 millimetres

...continued

CENTRAL PLATEAU FOCUS

Steve Jansen and farm owner Craig Vanner. continued...

and bringing the pH levels up in the summer is easier on both using fine particle lime to release staff and cows with a breeze coming locked up fertiliser. I have through the shed. The Vanners robust discussions with employ three full-time Ballance and apply staff plus Craig and one some maintenance casual. Sophie works fert’, and off the farm as an nitrogen.” emergency medical technician on the Three years ago they were frontline for St peak milking John Ambulance.

500 cows and “Craig won’t say it, but he’s a really producing 180,000 kg/ good boss and our amazing staff have MS, but after adding the inputs been with us for five Waiteti Stream. and working closer years or more. They’re to a system 4 model, the all locals, and we know their milk solids have been 193,000 families,” Sophie says. kg/MS, 203,000 kg/MS last season, From calving to Christmas it is and they finished this season with all hands on deck and no extra 217,000 kg/MS, still with 500 cows. time off, but in the quieter times, “We’ve been slowly tightening the everyone takes holidays. Moving to calving window. We use AI from three milkings over two days, (6am October 20 and put the bulls in and 6pm on day one, and 12 noon for less time, aiming for calving on day two) from January to May, to start on July 25 and 90 to 100 reduces heat stress on both cows and replacements each season,” Craig says. staff and allows for more time with families. “Our ethos is to make our Keeping it simple system as simple as possible with the Vannerlands’ dairy shed is set in an staff in mind. We’ve set up to be a elevated position, with an enviable farm that I would want to work on view across the farm and its four myself, and I really enjoy it too,” houses to the hills beyond. Milking Craig says.

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Page 29

FARM VEHICLES & MACHINERY

Page 30

To Blue Duck and beyond On May 19, 12 members, two wives and three non-members of the Tauranga Vintage Machinery Club set off to Owhango, 20km south of Taumarunui, with their tractors on trailers.

At Owhango Hotel we unloaded our tractors and parked up our utes and trailers. Two members of the Rotorua club trekked there on their tractors with little caravans behind.

Two ute loads of us went on a drive to Blue Duck Station at

Craig Winters, Oliver Winters, John Doull, Colin Myers and Chris Nicholl on the Steele’s Bridge over the Retaruke River. This bridge replaced the Berryman Bridge which collapsed in 1994.

Whakahoro to check out the route, returning that afternoon.

The trip is 43km of mainly rough, winding, metal roads following the Retaruke River.

Trekking in the rain

Next morning, we awoke to rain on the roof. A group from Auckland had their canoe trip postponed because of the weather, but we were carrying on.

We packed our gear on the back of our tractors in weatherproof boxes. Three later arrivals got there by 9am including Craig and Oliver with a gator.

By 10am the rain had eased, and we set off on our tractors, two side by sides and one SUV.

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Bev decided to ride in the comfort of the SUV rather than on the back of my tractor.

A petrol Fergie refused to go properly, so I ended up towing it most of the way. It did start near the end and made its own way to the finish line, which took about three hours.

We then checked into our accommodation overlooking the Whanganui River and had some lunch.

Later we went and viewed young Richard Steele’s collection of tractors - mostly International - that he had restored and he even started quite a few up.

Richard looks after maintenance of fences and machinery on the 2900ha station.

Next morning, we went on a trek led by Richard on one of his old tractors on slushy metal tracks to The Depot, which is an old, preserved shed that was used by early settlers to exchange their produce and collect supplies.

We were unable to go any further because the track got narrower. Only side by sides were allowed, taking guests to an exclusive restaurant on top of a distant hill with 360-degree views around the countryside.

We stopped to look at some sites on way back to our accommodation. ...continued

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The tractor trekkers arrive at the Blue Duck Café.

Bev Winters and Alma Lutao-Farrelly stay warm ahead at the next leg of the trip.

continued...

Later about 10 of us took a jet boat ride with Richard Steele Senior, firstly up the Retaruke River as far as Steele’s Bridge then down the Whanganui River for about half an hour.

Points of interest

Richard stopped and explained various points of interest on the way. He said the river was up about 1.5 metres because of recent rain.

He is a very interesting speaker and has written several books on his life experiences.

That evening we were treated to dinner at Blue Duck Café and met up with another son Dan Steele who is the livestock manager of Blue Duck Station. Dan featured on Country Calendar last year. Weather conditions stopped us from trekking over farmland on the station.

On Sunday morning we packed up and left, stopping to view the Steele’s Bridge over the Retaruke River.

This bridge replaced the infamous Berryman Bridge which collapsed and killed two beekeepers in 1994.

The Steele’s now own the Berryman farm, hence the name of the new bridge.

On the return journey the little Fergie was trailered and the side by side ridden. Another petrol Fergie ran out of petrol and was trailered as well and a little Holder A20 ran out of diesel but it started again with more fuel. We then loaded up and headed for home.

Overall, an interesting experience.

Tauranga Vintage Machinery Club member George Winters

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Page 32

The pressing issue of heavy machinery The research was done by the Swedish Swedish researchers have shown that increasingly heavy farm University of Agricultural Sciences Department machinery is stressing the deeper layers of soil underneath the surface of Agroecology & Environment, Agroscope, Swiss to the point it’s now exceeding the safe limits for soil ecology.

Federal Institute of Technology and the Desert Research Institute in the United States.

infiltration capacity, plant-available water, aeration and root penetration.

“This, in turn, adversely affects crop yields and the environment, for example, greenhouse gas emissions, soil-borne diseases and runoff losses.”

As heavy as dinosaurs

The knowledge gap

The research also has implications for global food production, with one-fifth of productive land for crops at risk of subsoil compaction.

While the issue is not as widespread in New Zealand, parts of the country are classed as at relatively high risk.

The weights of modern farm machines are now almost as heavy as the biggest dinosaurs, the sauropods, and the authors of the research are calling for stricter design of farm machinery to protect deeper soils.

Dr Wei Hu - Plant & Food Research senior scientist Soil Physics and Soil hydrology – says farm machinery use has greatly improved the efficiency of crop production.

However, in the past 60 years, both total weight and tyre size of combine harvesters have increased.

“As a result, surface soil is under almost constant surface contact stress. However, the increase in subsoil stress, and hence subsoil compaction owing to increase in vehicle weight, is usually overlooked.”

Compaction of the subsoil destroys soil structure and has a negative impact on soil functions such as

A global distribution map of subsoil compaction susceptibility shows that 20 per cent of arable land is at risk for subsoil compaction. Meanwhile, risk of subsoil compaction has increased over the past six decades.

“It is advocated that future farm vehicles must be designed to avoid subsoil compaction.

“Of interest is the sauropods paradox story. On one hand, sauropods must have compacted the subsoil due to their almost twice-greater weight per leg than the heaviest farm machinery; on the other hand, high productivity must have been maintained to feed these giants.

“The authors speculate that the patterns of sauropod foraging behaviour were constrained towards minimising subsoil compaction risk to support land productivity and sauropod mobility.

“This study identified a relatively high risk of subsoil compaction in New Zealand. This aligns with other New Zealand case studies. However, the extent of subsoil compaction and its adverse impacts on the crop yield and the environment remain an important knowledge gap.”

Stopbanks at risk from stock, vehicles Bay of Plenty Regional Council is asking farmers and rural landowners to protect the region’s stopbanks from the effects of stock, overgrazing and vehicles.

Over the wetter winter months, stopbanks can be damaged by stock and over grazing and landowners held liable for any damage.

Rivers and Drainage asset manager Kirsty Brown says most farmers and lifestyle block owners know the rules but the

importance of maintaining the region’s flood defences can’t be underestimated.

“Council manages and maintains almost 352km of stopbanks across the region to protect people, property and livelihoods. During winter, it is common sense to keep stock off the stopbanks as much as possible to prevent pugging and damage.

“While light grazing of sheep and cows is allowed on stopbanks in the dryer months, over winter it’s best to keep all stock off them as much as

possible to prevent damage.

“When stopbanks become wet, stock can churn up the ground which can create serious issues. Good grass cover helps to hold together the soil structure underneath – so weakening that top layer can have catastrophic effects on surrounding properties.

“Vehicles can also damage stopbanks, especially when the ground is wet, so please make sure you aren’t driving trucks, tractors or other machinery on them.”

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LAMB & CALVING

Page 33

Calving season prompts jobs campaign Kiwis are being encouraged to join the dairy Bay of Plenty farm manager Dayna Rowe started sector, as one-third of dairy farms seek to as a farm assistant in 2020 and quickly progressed lead a team of four. fill vacancies ahead of a busy calving season to“Inow love the flexibility of life on the farm and beginning this month (July). working with animals but mainly I’m motivated by the ability to problem solve and feel I’ve accomplished lots at the end of every day.

“It has taught me so many practical skills and developed my leadership. I work with fantastic people and every day brings something new – it’s not just milking cows! I am excited to see where my career takes me next.”

The secret to retaining good people

Whakatane based dairy farmer Shannon Munro says a career in dairy farming offers many opportunities and great lifestyle.

Through a new GoDairy campaign, DairyNZ is looking to help recruit young Kiwis into dairy farm roles. Most young people enter the dairy sector in a farm assistant role and the campaign connects job seekers to the latest farm assistant vacancies across New Zealand.

Life on the farm

DairyNZ strategy and investment leader Nick Robinson says the dairy sector offers job security and good career progression opportunities.

“Many existing skills are transferable to dairy farming and we welcome new people to consider a dairy career. The dairy sector currently has around 4000 vacancies,” Nick says.

Nick says farm employers have taken a range of steps to continue lifting the salary package and working conditions for their staff.

“That’s because they want to recruit good people but they also want to retain those who are committed to succeeding in our largest sector.”

The current staff shortage offers plenty of opportunity for young Kiwis to start on a good salary and be promoted into management roles.

Farm managers can earn over $100,000.

Becoming self-employed as a farm owner or sharemilker is another option on the career ladder.

Many farms offer reasonably priced on-farm accommodation, which means no commute to work or daily travel costs, helping them save for future goals.

Farms in Otago, Canterbury and the top of the South Island/West Coast face the highest staff vacancy rates, according to recent DairyNZ data.

Dairy farm teams work closely with animals, help protect the environment, contribute to their local community and are making a difference to the future of New Zealand.

For more information about dairy farm assistant roles, visit: www.godairy.co.nz/gonow

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LAMB & CALVING

Page 34

Early information improves survival In a Beef + Lamb New Zealand Scene + Herd Podcast, Massey University’s Professor Paul Kenyon outlines how pregnancy scanning data can be used to maximise ewe and lamb survival.

He says scanning should be carried out a minimum of 45 days after the ram has been removed. After 100 days it is difficult for the scanner to determine how many lambs each ewe is carrying.

Scanners can identify singles, twins, triplets or just multiples, and early and late lambing ewes. This information enables farmers to strategically feed and manage ewes to maximise both ewe and lamb survival and pre-weaning lamb growth rates.

Scanning is also an ideal time to body condition score each ewe as she is moved

STOP FEED GOING TO WASTE

into the scanning crate.

Professor Kenyon points out that for multiple-bearing ewes, there is only a small window when body condition can be increased. After that, it becomes physically impossible for her to gain condition because of the demands of pregnancy.

Mid-pregnancy feeding

“Grazing herbage, most twin and tripletbearing ewes cannot physically eat enough to meet their theoretical requirements, so the ewe needs to use her fat and she needs to have some fat to use.”

In the last 30–40 days of pregnancy, the foetus grows rapidly, so in a triplet-bearing ewe, the total pregnancy weight (foetus and placenta) at the point of lambing is 20–22kg. A ewe cannot eat enough feed to sustain her metabolic needs in late pregnancy which is why triplet lambs are

Paddocks with higher pasture covers can be used for multiple-bearing ewes in poorer condition.

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He says knowing how many lambs a ewe is carrying can also inform the selection of lambing paddocks based on shelter and topography. Shelter is a critical factor in multiple lamb survivability and a gradient of more than 30 degrees will significantly increase the chance of separation in multiples so should be avoided.

Identifying early lambing ewes will allow these ewes to be set-stocked in paddocks which can then be a focus of attention over their lambing period.

“It allows more intensive management if that’s what you choose.”

Paddocks with higher pasture covers can be used for multiple-bearing ewes in poorer condition.

Stocked at a lower stocking rate, these higher covers will enhance lamb survival and allow ewes to partition feed into their own reserves in late lactation.

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replacement ewe lambs can just be selected from those paddocks, as these are the most fecund ewes.

If individual paddocks are setstocked with ewes that are known to carry only singles, only twins or only triplets, it allows reasonably accurate lamb survival data to be collected from each paddock at tailing.

Combined over a few years, this data will highlight which paddocks have the best lamb survival rates.

This allows informed decisions to be made about which ewes go into which paddocks at lambing.

Strategic management

Professor Kenyon says in high performance flocks, where 80–90 per cent of ewes are carrying multiples, the value of scanning could be questioned.

However, he says there is still benefit in knowing which are the early lambing ewes and which are the late lambing ewes.

Second and third cycle ewes can be maintained on a rotation while the focus goes on the early lambing ewes.

Professor Kenyon stresses that strategic management doesn’t mean having multiple mobs. Rather it’s about using scanning and body condition data to determine which ewes need to be in which mob.

“These are tools that allow informed decision-making.”

LAMB & CALVING

Breeding the best DNA technology used to better predict an animal’s performance is now available to dairy farmers.

parent average is used to predict a calf ’s performance.

“A parent average isn’t the most reliable prediction because it’s based on the offspring inheriting Kiwi farmers can now identify their an average set of genes from superior cows when they are calves. each parent. In reality, they’ll Livestock Improvement Corporation’s have a random mixture of genomic evaluation service screens an genes from both parents animal’s DNA to find out what genes it – some will be better and received from its parents. This provides some will be worse. a more accurate prediction of its “Including a calf ’s DNA expected performance in the milking in its evaluation provides a herd, helping farmers to select their top LIC chief scientist Richard much clearer understanding cows to breed from and increase the Spelman says new technology rate of genetic gain on farm. is another tool to help farmers of which genes it’s acquired produce more milk from less cows. from its Mum and Dad A peek at the future so we can better predict how well it’s going to perform – for a dairy cow, LIC’s chief scientist Richard Spelman says the performance is measured by how efficient it is at cutting-edge technology is another tool to help converting feed into profit.” farmers produce more milk from less cows.

“As New Zealand’s cow population continues to The power of genetic testing reduce, Kiwi farmers are focused on improving the LIC uses the same technology to select elite quality and efficiency of their herd. Breeding the best quality heifer (female) calves from the highest genetic young bulls for its breeding programme. Richard says the co-op’s 30-year investment to develop and merit cows plays a critical role in achieving that.” fine-tune genomic science, along with its recent Richard says the service allows farmers to get purchase of advanced DNA technology, means it’s a look into the future and identify their herds’ now able to offer this service to farmers. superior performers when they’re young calves.

“LIC has made a significant investment into “Traditionally, farmers have to wait a few years genomics because we passionately believe in its until their heifers are milking and have had a couple of herd tests to get a reliable understanding power to enhance herd improvement. We see the value our genomics investment is delivering to of their performance. farmers through our high BW bull teams and we’re “By drawing on information from an animal’s excited to provide shareholders additional value DNA we’re able to fast-track that process and from our investment through this new service.” provide farmers with an early indication of their LIC is able to produce a genomic evaluation highest genetic merit animals so they can make a concerted effort to breed replacements from them.” using the same animal tissue sample farmers provide for DNA parentage testing.

Richard says without genomic evaluation, a

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Page 35

LAMB & CALVING

Page 36

Ewe and calf cradles the ‘Ezy’ way Stock Ezy Ewe and calf cradles have become an essential tool on the farm.

With farmers aiming for higher lambing percentages and bigger-frame sheep, more problems can occur close to and at lambing time.

Stock Ezy manager Sean

Blenkin says the ewe cradle gets cast sheep on their feet and going again with minimal stress on the ewe.

“It can also be used as a great tool for mothering on orphan lambs.

“It has proved its weight in gold is the report of many farmers.

“Being made robust and of

long-life materials it will provide good service for several years.”

Stock Ezy has since received several requests from dairy farmers and those involved in calf rearing, to make a suitable calf cradle.

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The newly developed calf cradle has quickly proved its worth, particularly for calves that go down with scours.

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Sean says Stock Ezy is “flat out” with production for the upcoming season.

They found it hard to keep up with demand for the ewe cradles last lambing season and suggested people should order early, rather than wait for the need to arise and have to wait a week on couriers as happened several times last year.

LAMB & CALVING

Page 37

New approach for a successful transition A cow moves many nutrients to produce milk solids during lactation.

She then needs to rebuild her body and skeleton during the dry and transition period to start the next lactation without any metabolic disorders.

For each lactation, a cow can lose about 500g of calcium from her natural storage, namely her bones.

This means she is mining her skeleton to put calcium and phosphorus into milk. This explains why higher producing, older cows are more susceptible to milk fever. We must put back what we take out.

Under New Zealand conditions,

knowing the dynamics of the minerals in the different stage of the cow’s transition is the key to designing the proper transition program.

Excess potassium affects magnesium absorption. You also need to consider mineral ratios, vitamin levels and understand the difference between farms to devise the most beneficial strategy.

Based on science and an understanding of New Zealand conditions, Sollus’ approach is very different to conventional mineral company recommendations.

Sollus designs and formulates products to be the best transition supplements for the New Zealand dairy cow.

Meat processors on the mend Farmers are being advised to think ahead with the potential for a squeeze at meat processing plants from an expected influx of bobby calves later this month.

DairyNZ reports that processing capacity across New Zealand is returning to normal seasonal levels, following disruptions from Covid-19.

Capacity was ranging from 80–100 per cent in May and labour shortages remain a challenge.

Companies are keeping a close eye on storage capacity with the global supply chain crisis still causing

significant problems for exporters, a spokesperson says.

“It’s important livestock inflows into plants are aligned with companies’ ability to ship products to their markets.”

The rate of lamb processing has improved, but the total number processed remains about 1.5 million head behind last year and the processing season could be extended.

“There may be a potential capacity squeeze resulting from the influx of bobby calves into plants from midJuly in the North Island and late July in the South Island.”

Along with the calcium and magnesium that cows need, Sollus’ product Tranzsol incorporates antioxidants, magnesium and, most importantly, Rovimix Hy-D. This combination allows cows to safely transition, even when consuming pasture and limeflour. This enables less calcium to be lost from her bones.

Calcium is critical for function of the smooth muscles of the uterus, rumen teats, and sphincters. If these muscle groups can’t function effectively, we greatly increase the risk of metabolic disorders, and prevalence of mastitis and reproductive issues.

We no longer need to accept these diseases are A successful transition after lactation relies on putting a natural consequence of milking cows. back what has been lost.

Page 38

CARTAGE & EARTHWORKS

Decades of wetland research bears fruit A new NIWA-DairyNZ resource will help farmers with wetland design and performance.

Waikato Dairy Environment Leaders visit the Baldwin family’s wetland and celebrate the launch of new wetland guidance.

DairyNZ general manager for sustainable dairy, Dr David Burger, says as farmers increasingly look to protect and develop wetlands, advice is often sought on how to design wetlands to maximise their performance.

“With more farmers looking to reduce their environmental impact, there’s growing interest in re-establishing and constructing new wetlands.

“We know wetlands can significantly reduce nutrient and sediment losses on farms. They also provide habitat for birds and fish, improve biodiversity and help create an attractive farm environment.”

Improving knowledge

The new Wetland Practitioner Guide – Wetland Design and Performance Estimates, was recently launched at a Waikato dairy farm which features as a case study. Waikato Dairy Environment Leaders joined the launch to learn more about the benefits of wetlands.

In 2015, with funding from the Waikato River Authority,

Gray and Marilyn Baldwin developed a wetland on their 713 hectare, 850 cow dairy farm near Putaruru in South Waikato.

The Waikato River Authority, DairyNZ, NIWA, Opus, Hill Laboratories, and Waikato Regional Council worked together with the Baldwin Family Trust on the project.

The aim was to improve knowledge of wetland design and performance and share this with Waikato farmers and the community.

More than 12,000 native plants were planted at the site by local community groups.

“Our farm is located in the Upper Karapiro catchment, which is one of the more sensitive ones in the Waikato region, as it drains into the Karapiro,” says Gray.

“We want to improve local waterways and we see the wetland as being important to the whole catchment. It is a taonga.”

The family are pleased to see biodiversity in the area improving and native birds flourishing.

With funding from DairyNZ,

NIWA scientists monitored water flows and contaminant concentrations to assess the Baldwin’s wetland performance.

Despite its relatively small size - about one per cent of the farm catchment area - good design and extensive planting means the wetland removes about 60 per cent of nitrogen, 70 per cent of sediment and 20 per cent of phosphorus from the water it receives.

Years of research

The new guidelines highlight that as wetlands increase from one to five per cent of a catchment area, sediment removal typically increases from 50 to 90 per cent. Nitrogen removal increases from 25 to 52 per cent in warmer zones of New Zealand and from 18 to 38 percent in cooler zones.

Phosphorus removal increases from 25 to 48 per cent.

The guidance is the result of a four-year project between DairyNZ and NIWA, with input from many other organisations, including regional councils and Fish and Game NZ. NIWA’s principal scientist - aquatic pollution, Dr Chris Tanner says the guidelines are designed for practitioners, but also provide evidence for farmers and councils of wetland effectiveness in removing contaminants.

“The estimates are based on more than 20 years of New Zealand study and international field-scale monitoring and modelling studies.

“Estimates were then refined, tested and endorsed by a technical advisory group supporting the project.”

Dr Burger says farmers who are interested in constructing wetlands can contact an environmental consultant to work through the new guidance. Farmers should also seek regional council advice on consents and any assistance available.

CARTAGE & EARTHWORKS

Page 39

New contractor for Ruapehu roads “For this new contract round, a key focus was to bring in a stronger operating framework to help unlock greater operating efficiencies to compensate for the growing funding and cost pressures.

“The new framework aims to do this through better collection and sharing of critical network information to

inform and trigger routine work and maintenance planning.

“We are looking forward to working with Inframax again to deliver an efficient and effective land transport network that supports the aspirations of Ruapehu’s rural communities.”

Gateway Finance Brokers Limited After a seven-year absence from working for the Ruapehu District Council’s local road network, Inframax Construction Ltd has won an eight-year contract worth about $10 million a year.

The latest review of land transport service delivery arrangements in the Ruapehu District has seen the new contract for district road maintenance and resurfacing going to Inframax Construction Ltd. The council’s land transport manager Andrea Nicol says Inframax’s bid for the work tipped a consortium offer from current suppliers Downer NZ, Jilesen Group and JJ Walters which won the business from Inframax in 2014.

“Legislation requires Council to review our significant supplier arrangements at regular intervals or when any major changes to service levels are being considered.

Contract worth $10m a year

“The exhaustive tender process weighed a range of key criteria including price, supplier skills, support systems, data collection and quality and Council wanted to thank all those who took part.

“Over the past seven years Downer NZ, Jilesen

Group and JJ Walters have made a significant contribution to Ruapehu’s land transport network and Council thanks them for their hard work over this period.”

The new Inframax contract will have a value of about $10 million per annum and a term of eight years which has been set to allow investment in equipment and people development.

“Skill retention is one of the important contract considerations and Inframax has committed to holding a job fair seeking local staff in the near future.”

Changing priorities

Nicol says changing funding priorities within Waka Kotahi NZTA presented challenges to Council in maintaining levels of service on the road network.

“The transport team are forced to adapt their work program accordingly and maintain current standards with less funding in some areas and more in others.

Fully electric heavy trucks imported

New Zealand’s leading heavy truck brand, Scania New Zealand, is introducing its first fully electric truck to the local market.

Scania has brought in two, first generation, 29-tonne battery electric vehicles, each with a range of up to 250 km suitable for either short or medium haul journeys, including optional emission free operation for both hydraulics and refrigeration units.

Scania New Zealand managing director Rafael

ADDLINE TRANSPORT LTD

Alvarenga says bringing in the fully electric trucks is not a one-off.

“They represent a genuine factory-led solution to sustainable transport in Aotearoa by Europe’s premier truck manufacturer.”

The battery electric vehicles are available with the option of either five or nine batteries totalling 165 kWh or 300 kWh installed capacity respectively.

With the combustion engine removed, space for batteries has been freed. Additional

batteries are mounted on the chassis frame.

The new electric motor delivers a continuous power of 230 kW or about 310hp. The motor has two gears to provide high power over a wider speed span, thereby improving comfort.

The two Scania BEVs are being purchased by Reliance Transport. Reliance will talk more about this when they are cleared to be operational later this year as part of the second stage of Reliance’s Project SWITCH.

SHEEP & BEEF

Page 40

Farm inflation hits double figures On-farm inflation is at its highest in almost 40 years, according to Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Economic Service Sheep and Beef On-Farm Inflation Report.

And costs are only expected to increase.

While Consumer Price Index data has the annual inflation rate at 6.9 per cent, the latest

on-farm inflation rate has hit 10.2 per cent - the highest it’s been since 1985-86, when it was 13.2 per cent.

Costly regulations

With added financial pressures, B+LNZ is concerned increasing regulatory requirements from the Government, such as freshwater and biodiversity rules, will stretch farmers even further.

“There’s a lot of costly regulation coming at farmers

at present,” says B+LNZ chief executive Sam McIvor.

“Given the importance of agriculture in driving our economy’s recovery, it’s critical that the Government gets its policy settings right.

“Many of the increased costs due to inflation are outside of the Government’s control, but they can help by ensuring any policy changes are needed, workable and

cost-effective for our farmers.

“Farmers are absolutely committed to the protection of the environment, including biodiversity. They actively manage 1.4 million hectares of native vegetation on thousands of farms across the country, so it’s critical that policies are enabling and supportive, rather than simply putting costly barriers in the way.”

B+LNZ’s Economic Service Sheep and Beef On-Farm Inflation Report identifies annual changes in the prices of goods and services purchased for sheep and beef farms.

The overall on-farm inflation rate is determined by weighting the changes in prices for individual input categories by their proportion of total farm expenditure.

Prices rise everywhere

While on-farm inflation has been comparable with the CPI in recent years, the 2021-22 report shows farmers are now facing significant price increases in all but one of 16 input categories.

“Sheep and beef farm input prices increased by 10.2 per cent in the year to March 2022, and when interest rates are excluded, input prices were

up by 10.7 per cent,” says B+LNZ economic service chief economist Andrew Burtt.

“With a tight labour market and increased import shipping costs, farmers have seen increased prices for contractors, tradespeople, machinery and parts for operating farm infrastructure and vehicles.

“Fuel prices have continued to rise since March 2022, and fertiliser prices are expected to rise this month, too.”

Andrew says the increase in farm input prices is largely due to the rise in cost of three core areas of expenditure: fertiliser, lime and seeds (+23 per cent), interest (+5.9 per cent) and repairs, maintenance and vehicles (+10.4 per cent).

“Fertiliser, lime and seed prices are significant for sheep and beef farmers because this area of expenditure comprises 17.5 per cent of total farm expenditure. The prices of almost one-third of categories of farm expenditure increased by 10 per cent or more.”

The full report is available on the B+LNZ website: www.beeflambnz.com/economicreports/

Clarity given over new rules Following the Government’s recent announcement of amendments to Intensive Winter Grazing regulations, Beef + Lamb New Zealand has produced factsheets explaining what the changes mean for farmers.

B+LNZ’s environment policy manager Heather McKay says from November of this year, some farmers may need to make some changes to their intensive wintering practices if they want to avoid having to apply for a resource consent.

“In the two factsheets we have outlined what is allowed as a permitted activity and detail how farmers can apply for a resource consent if their practices fall outside of the permitted activity standards.”

She says the activities the regulations cover includes the area of crop permitted, the proximity of crops to waterways,

the re-establishment of vegetation after livestock has finished grazing, pugging, the protection of Critical Source Areas and slope.

The slope regulation is one that farmers may need to start thinking about soon, as they consider where they are going to plant next year’s crop.

Winter forage crops can only be established on land that is 10 degrees or less, determined by measuring the slope over 20 metres.

“In the factsheet we have suggested some tools farmers can use to measure slope, but in some instances, where paddocks exceed that 10-degree limit, farmers will need to apply for a resource consent.”

Heather says that the regulations also allow for the use of a certified freshwater farm plan as an alternative to requiring a resource consent.

However, the Government is still developing the freshwater farm plan regulations so this pathway is not currently available.

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SHEEP & BEEF

Page 41

Researchers head to the hills for answers A network of study sites on hill country farms around New Zealand is providing a wealth of information and research findings to help guide farmers around pasture forage decisions.

The 18 study sites scattered around the country, include farms in Bay of Plenty, Ruapehu and Gisborne, and were established through the Hill Country Futures Partnership Programme.

The $8.1m programme is co-funded by Beef + Lamb New Zealand, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, PGG Wrightson Seeds and Seed Force New Zealand.

It is focused on future proofing the profitability, sustainability and wellbeing of New Zealand’s hill country farmers, their farm systems, the environment and rural communities.

It incorporates traditional science research, farmer knowledge, social research and citizen science and has a strong emphasis on forages and providing decision-making tools to help farmers select the best forage option for different land management units.

Dr Suzi Keeling, sector science strategy manager for B+LNZ, provides scientific oversight for the programme and says a key focus has been resilient forages for the future.

“The programme provided an opportunity to test different forage combinations in a number of research and commercial farms around New Zealand.”

The 18 locations include forage trial sites evaluating different combinations of forages, sites capturing soil temperature and moisture data and three sites focused on assessing native plants as potential forage.

“It is capturing real data on farms to make it tangible for farmers to see how forages perform in different locations.”

A further outcome of the programme has been the AgYields national forage database, a central repository for all pasture and crop yield data collected in New Zealand to help farmers and farm consultants with decision-making around pasture planning.

Planned videos will include showing how farmers can set up their own monitoring on the farm and then add their data to AgYields.

The soil temperature and moisture micro-scale indicator projects recognise that hill country farms are diverse landscapes. They are designed to enable farmers to use farm scale mapping to assess which forage mixes are likely to do well in specific areas of their farm.

Research around native shrubs looks at the potential of natives for sheep fodder.

Findings from the trials have been made available as factsheets through the Beef + Lamb New Zealand (B+LNZ) Knowledge Hub.

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Page 42

FORESTRY

Newly published research by Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service into tree planting will provide some welcome solutions to problems foresters and planters are all too familiar with.

“The research has enabled us to come up with strategies to successfully plant trees outside of the normal planting season, and also have a better understanding of how to safely hold back trees in nurseries without impacting the quality,” says programme delivery manager Forest Science at Te Uru Rākau, Emily Telfer.

Right tree in the right place

Tree planting is normally carried out in the middle of the year, with significant work required in nurseries leading up to winter to prepare a crop of trees and by landowners to prepare sites for planting.

“The yearly forestry planting cycle follows a sequential series of steps and

is driven by biology, so the research set out to look at what mitigations can be utilised when the sequence is disrupted.”

Managing disruptions to a planting season, site maintenance when planting is delayed, and ‘right tree, right place’ in an extended planting season were some of the topics covered in the research, which was commissioned in response to the Covid-19 lockdown and the potential disruptions to One Billion Trees’ planting projects and the wider sector.

Emily says while the bulk of the research was undertaken as a response to the disruptions caused by Covid19, the outcome is a package of new understanding which will be invaluable for tree planting in Aotearoa New Zealand.

“Disruptions to a planting season can have major implications, especially when you consider nurseries are carrying 50-60 million seedlings heading into a planting season to meet planting demands.

“If we need to delay plants leaving the nursery, there are a number of techniques

which nurseries can use to keep plants in good health until the time they can be dispatched and planted.”

Increasing site fertility

The research explored innovative approaches to manage sites that are unable to be planted in a season, including ways of increasing site fertility to increase the success and health of trees once they are able to be planted.

Among the options looked at were the potential to apply nutrient rich waste like treated dairy shed effluent and wastewater, and site preparations that made the most of existing slash to protect new trees from drying wind.

The One Billion Trees Science Extension team, in partnership with the Canopy Website team has summarised the key research findings into easy-to-read factsheets. The factsheets are based on work by researchers at Manaaki Whenua, Scion and Tane’s Tree Trust, and are available at: www.canopy.govt.nz

Generous scholarships assist those studying forestry

Scholarship applications are now open for those studying forestry in 2023, from Te Uru Rakau – New

Zealand Forest Service.

The scholarships are designed to give young people a foot in the door

to a career in Forestry.

There are nine scholarships available to those studying the Bachelor of Forestry Science or the Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) in Forest Engineering through University of Canterbury, as well as the Diploma in Forest Management through Toi Ohomai.

Succesful applicants who are doing bachelor degrees receive $8000 a year for four years and those doing the diploma receive $7000 a year for two years.

“Forestry and wood processing is New Zealand’s third largest primary sector by export value and needs more qualified and skilled people joining its workforce,” says Marion Schrama, manager of Skills, Training and Workplace Safety, at Te Uru Rakau.

The scholarship was established in 2018 to support people into higher-level study, and in particular to provide pathways for women and Māori, who remain under represented in the forestry and wood processing sector.

Applications for the 2023 scholarships close on August 15 for the degree scholarships and December 16 for the diploma scholarship. For details, call: 0800 00 83 33, visit: www.mpi.govt. nz or email: mpiforestryscholarships@mpi.govt.nz

FERTILISER

Page 43

Are you ready to step up? (Part one) and not replaced, it was claimed the soil was being mined.

If animals are grazing multi-species grasses and legume pastures, they are recycling those nutrients back into the soil. But the removal of nutrients from high yielding hay, silage, or grain crops from the field, is slightly different. The theory was those nutrients would need to be replaced with fertiliser applications

to hold the fertility status of the soil. However, a well-balanced mineral and biological active soil using regenerative practises (e.g. organic, no-till, compost, cover-crops, fish, seaweed, natural slow-release fertilisers, biological products, carbon sources and more,) that is not necessarily the case.

Part Two of this column will appear in the August edition of Coast & Country News or the full version can be found at www.CoastandCountryNews.co.nz

Unlocking the potential of soil can reap big rewards.

Are you ready to step up? Are you happy with the regular fertiliser program you have been using? Did it meet your expectations?

Does it build soil fertility year after year, or are the results you get reliant on that annual application, rather than on inherent soil fertility?

Often farmers get complacent with the same old fertiliser program, which is expensive and doesn’t seem to give the resilience and meet the regulations and environmental goals that are now required. Chances are it is a repetition of a national recipe designed to meet the sales targets of the supplier, and not at all tuned for your property or different parts of it.

Doing the same thing year after year and expecting a different result was Einstein’s “definition of insanity”.

Take it to another level

Are you ready to step up, change gears, unlock your soil’s potential, and take it to another level?

Like you, we find fertiliser is expensive too, but when it is part of a structured plan, there comes a time when the soil becomes more self-supporting, and inputs are reduced as the chemical, biological and physical systems synchronise.

Exactly how long that takes to achieve and how “expensive” it is, depends upon the starting point.

Current systems overwhelmingly concentrate on chemicals that are not conducive to microbial health or good soil structure. Each case is different.

There are no set recipes. Inputs must all be tailormade to fit each soil test result.

Over the past several decades, new information and science has been developed around biological

agriculture with changed thinking about management processes and farming practises emphasising nutrient uptake from soils through natural biological cycles.

This ecological-based agriculture approach uses microbes and carbon compounds to produce crops naturally rather than relying on highly soluble nutrient inputs for plant growth.

If the way of thinking expands to include biology as well as chemistry, a whole new world will be discovered.

Microbes interact with plants to provide the plants with nutrients. They work in harmony.

There is much less ability for harmful organisms to cause diseases when soil biology is balanced.

The oxygen and water content of the soil is vital for this process. Management practises that compact soils, and over-reliance on soluble chemical fertilisers lead to a hostile environment for beneficial microbes.

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

Aim for well-balanced soils

In the next decade, the lack of fertiliser efficiency and the percentage of nutrients applied that have not been taken up by the plant will become more evident.

In The United States about 54 per cent of all N fertiliser applied to maize crops is lost to the environment. In New Zealand it is probably higher.

In traditional farming circles if nutrients are removed from the soil by either crops or animals,

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Page 44

FERTILISER

RETRACTING YSTEMS ertiliser dry for easy access cladding options cut waste

z nz

The whole world, especially developing countries, are feeling the pressure of reduced fertiliser and food exports from Ukraine and Russia.

United Nations humanitarian workers have issued a fresh alert about the “enormous need” to push food and fertiliser exports out of war-torn Ukraine.

The UN is concerned about the “rising and alarming levels of food insecurity” being experienced globally.

Amin Awad, UN crisis coordinator for Ukraine, says they are making every effort to secure the release of grain stuck in Ukraine’s Black Sea ports.

Billions of people affected

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He says it is equally important for the world’s farmers to secure supply of fertiliser from Russia, which is a major world producer.

Leading the discussions are top UN officials Martin Griffiths – the organisation’s emergency relief coordinator – and Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General of the UN Trade and Development agency, UNCTAD. Amin says the negotiations are going on but there are a lot of details and shuttling between Moscow and other countries that have concerns.

“But there’s no clear-cut emerging solution right now because it’s a board of puzzles (and) they have to

move it together.”

There are no sanctions on food and fertiliser humanitarian exports from Russia but Rebeca is working with financial institutions and Western officials to see how transactions with the country can resume.

The UN estimates about 1.5 billion people are in need of food and fertilisers from Russia and Ukraine.

Sea freight is essential

Amin hopes negotiations “really go in a smooth manner and be concluded as soon as possible” to remove the blockade of ports and ensure the resumption of fertiliser and food exports takes place, before there is “another crisis in hand.”

Although humanitarian agencies have explored different ways of transporting grain from Ukraine to the wider world, the only viable solution is by sea, given the huge amount of cereals and other essential foodstuffs produced.

Amin says rail transportation or trucking cannot manage the volumes and were fraught with logistical problems.

“So, it really has to be a maritime movement… to export 50 to 60 million tonnes of food out to the world.”

FERTILISER

Only apply what is required On June 1, Ravensdown lifted the bulk of its fertiliser prices significantly.

Superphosphate increased by $120 per tonne, Urea, sulphate of ammonia and muriate of potash increased by $200 per tonne. Triple super, DAP, MAP, sulphate of potash increased by $300 per tonne and Sulphur 90 increased by $400 per tonne.

As I write this, Ballance has yet to lift its prices, but it is expected they will also follow suit shortly.

Locally produced products such as lime, salt and dolomite have remained the same as they are not affected by international markets and freight costs.

Several factors

The price increases are largely the result of increased international competition over a limited supply, especially since China stopped exporting fertiliser products last year.

Other factors include increased shipping and energy costs, complicated by the war in Ukraine, and trade embargos against Belarus and Russia.

For gross-nutrient-feeding horticultural and fodder crops such as maize and lucerne, these increases will have a serious effect on the bottom line.

Most intensive horticultural crops I soil test, like kiwifruit, avocados and vegetables, have good overall fertility levels, so this year growers should look at doing some fine tuning and only apply those nutrients which are limiting production, and forget the maintenance mentality for elements that are already adequate or excessive.

For maize growers this is going to be a more difficult pill to swallow as maize is a gross feeder of elements, particularly nitrogen and potassium,

and cutting back on these is likely to affect yield.

For dairy farmers, if maize is being grown on farm, using effluent paddocks this year could be a wise choice, as these typically have excessive soil nitrogen and potassium levels built up, and good yielding maize crops can be grown without additional fertiliser.

It is important to get soil tests taken early to diagnose what nutrients are deficient and make necessary pH adjustments before planting.

Only those elements which will limit production need to be applied, and in the cheapest available form.

This year there has been a lot more demand for alternative waste nutrient sources such as chicken and goat manures, composts, whey, sludges etc.

Again, demand and supply have meant some price increases.

With big lifts in the NPKS prices, farmers should consider focussing on some of the micronutrients which haven’t gone up in price as much.

For many hill country farms, lime will be an option to consider this season, and farmers will leave phosphate until prices drop back.

Book early

Aerial application of lime does have its challenges, in that some agricultural limes are unsuitable for planes, so with limited supply of suitable aerial lime, farmers should book early.

This autumn there has been the usual last minute rush to get fertiliser on and planes have been very busy.

Unless there is access to an allweather airstrip, plane application is mainly limited to the drier months.

I consider lime to be a priority

fertiliser on many hill country farms, particularly when there is aluminium toxicity. Most soil testing labs do not normally test for aluminium. For me, it is a go-to element, always tested for, along with micronutrients, to determine what the limitations are to pasture and animal performance.

Ryegrass and white clover are quite sensitive to aluminium toxicity.

In a four-year lime trial I conducted on western Waikato hill country which had severe aluminium toxicity, pasture DM production almost doubled with capital lime.

The best lime is generally the cheapest per unit of calcium carbonate.

The small cost of a comprehensive independent soil test can pay huge dividends in targeting only those elements which are limiting production.

Page 45

Robin Boom

CPAg MBSPC

Independent Agronomy & Soil Fertility Consultant

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 46

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July 8-24

Taupō Winter Festival.

See taupowinterfestival. co.nz

8.30pm, 401 Anglesea St, Hamilton, free. See: tinyurl.com/28tk2ps2

July 10

July 7

noon, Masonic Hall, Oxford St, Te Puke.

Cash only.

Ph: 07 573 9710.

Hamilton Gardens Guided Tour, 11am, $20. See:

Winner

1-1.50pm, Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, 99 Tari Road, Te Awamutu, $39 adult. See: tinyurl.com/mrybrpws

tinyurl.com/2p9esatk Rose Pruning Demos, 11am-1pm, Wairere Nurseries, 826 Gordonton Rd, Hamilton, free.

July 7-10

Seasonal Forest Highlights Tour,

Orchid & Plant Auction,

July 14-17

Seasonal Forest Highlights Tour,

1-1.50pm, Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, 99 Tari Road, Te Awamutu, $39 adult. See: tinyurl.com/mrybrpws

July 16-20

NZ Embroiderers’ Guild Conference,

Tauranga Boys’ College, Devonport Rd, Tauranga, $5. See: tinyurl.com/2p89ps4b

July 16-Aug 14

National Embroiderers’ Exhibition, The

Incubator, Historic Village, Tauranga, free. See: tinyurl.com/2p89ps4b

July 18-21

Lantern-making Workshops, various

times, The Arts Junction, Katikati, free.

See: tinyurl.com/d8suhwrb

July 21-24

Seasonal Forest Highlights Tour,

1-1.50pm, Sanctuary Mountain

Maungatautari, 99 Tari Road, Te Awamutu, $39 adult. See: tinyurl.com/mrybrpws

July 22

Lantern Parade,

5pm, Katikati. See: katikatifestivalofarts. org.nz

July 24

Waikato Orchid Show, Hamilton Gardens, 9am-

3pm, gold coin entry.

Ph: 021 306 982.

Tree Planting Day, 10.30am-12.30pm, Minogue Park, Hamilton, free. See: tinyurl.com/dw5u6dh2

July 28

Horticultural Apprenticeships,

7.30pm, a Waikato Horticultural Society talk, Gate 2, Hamilton Gardens. All welcome,

$5 (non-member). Ph: Carmel 07 855 3404.

July 28-31

Seasonal Forest Highlights Tour,

1-1.50pm, Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, 99 Tari Road, Te Awamutu, $39 adult. See: tinyurl.com/mrybrpws

Aug 6

Crop Swap, 9.30am-10.30am, 45 Beach Rd, Katikati.

Ph: 07 549 2337.

Aug 7

Hamilton Gardens Guided Tour, 11am, $20. See:

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Aug 11

Hamilton Gardens Guided Tour, 11am, $20. See:

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Awards celebrate rural business women Rural Women New Zealand is looking for entrepreneurial rural women to enter its 2022 Business Awards.

Regional leader Mary McTavish says the Rural Women NZ Business Awards provide an outstanding opportunity to showcase small, rural enterprises owned and operated by women.

“Our region has not had a category winner for over five years so we would like to encourage local rural women to enter the competition.”

Rotorua-based Amy Cram (Dibley) of Physio Direct won the Innovation category and the Supreme Winner award in 2016. The enterprise started as a ‘physio for farmers’, a mobile health service for Rotorua’s rural residents, and was so successful it became a nationwide franchise.

Amy says the award attracted extensive media coverage and provided “amazing promotional

business opportunity

Awards receives a further $1000 prize money.

The RWNZ Business Awards were first instigated in 2008.

RWNZ president at the time, Margaret Chapman, says rural women are not very good at blowing their own trumpet and tend to just get on with the job.

She says RWNZ established the awards to celebrate the creativity and innovation of rural women entrepreneurs.

Award categories

The awards are composed of seven categories: Emerging Business for an enterprise operating for less than five years; Love of the Land for a Amber Forrest of Beauty Antix (right) business utilising New Zealand’s receives both the Supreme Winner and land or environment to create Rural Health and Wellness Excellence a product or service; Creative awards at last year’s NZI Rural Women Arts for an enterprise using rural NZ Business Awards while Lucinda materials, or working in a rural Mansell won the Love of the Land award environment, in the field of with her Rahui Coastal Loop experience. creative arts; Rural Champion opportunities” for the business. for a rural person or business that Diane Coleman won the Love of goes above and beyond with their the Land category in 2013 with support for the rural sector either Kaharoa company Treeline Native as a champion or by providing a Nursery and also went on to be service; Innovation for an enterprise awarded the Supreme Winner prize. that has challenged the status quo to Treeline provides native plants produce an original product or utilise grown from locally sourced seeds to rural resources in an innovative farmers, lifestyle block owners and way; Bountiful Table for a rural councils for revegetation projects. business that has used New Zealand Diane says the awards are a great resources to deliver exceptional food place “to celebrate the multiple hats or beverage and Rural Health and we all wear as rural women”.

Wellness Excellence for an enterprise that has made an outstanding Rewards on offer contribution to the health and All winners receive a trophy, $1000 wellness of rural communities. prize money, travel costs to the Entries close on Friday, July 29. award ceremony in Wellington in For more information and the November, and free membership entry form visit: to RWNZ-Ngā Wāhine Taiwhenua www.ruralwomennz.nz/nzi-ruralo Aotearoa. The Supreme Winner women-nz-business-awards-2022 of NZ Rural Women NZ Business Alex Eagles-Tully

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 47

FARMERS

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

“Let’s go hunting” – Charlotte, 4, rides TimTam, followed by the hounds in Cambridge.

Braden, 6, and Blake, 3, play in the wood shavings in Morrinsville.

Arlo, 3, cools down while helping Dad on the farm in Waimiha.

Keller Sharpe and Kane Roestenburg help Poppa Andrew fill the freezer in Otamarakau.