Coast & Country News - September 2022 by Sun Media

PG 16-17 Avocados PG 18-25 Hauraki Focus PG 30-31 Maize PG 50-53 | www.powerfarming.co.nzPower Farming NZ With the recent addition of Power Farming Whakatane, it’s never been easier to ﬁnd your local dealership. Now in seven locations throughout Waikato, Bay of Plenty and the East Cape! Peter Watson isn’t deterred by the smoking, spitting personality of the German-made LANZ Bulldog - he’s got four of them in the shed. Read all about Peter’s passion for Bulldogs on pages 48-49. Photo: Catherine Fry.

Spring has arrived and if you’re reading this then I’m going to take a wild stab in the dark and say your September edition of Coast & Country News has arrived in the RD mailbox too. And that’s good news because our contributors have had their ears to the ground – or the mud as it may be with all this rain – and have come up with the goods once again. On pages 4-5 we look at the exciting work of AgriSea. is Paeroa company has been getting the goodies out of seaweed for the wholepotentiallywholenowyearsindustryagriculturalformanynow.eyaretakingittoanewlevelandcreatinganewindustry.On pages 6-7 we wander into the world of an ambitious young dairy farming couple Rachel Bunnik and Brian Basi. Before meeting, these two were already well on their way to individual success. Now, by joining forces, they are showing what hard work and planning can achieve. e enthusiasm of youth continues on pages 26-27 where 18-year-old science student Nina Juby juggles study with the wonders of Wagyu beef. e teenager has a very active role in planning and caring for the 150-strong Wagyu herd – a Japanese breed renowned for its marbled muscle. Our regional focus this week, on pages 38-39, moves to Hauraki and the farm of Brian and Julie Pirie atItNgatea.isagood sized operation comprising 430ha and 880 crossbred and Jersey cows. is couple has opened their dairy farm up over the years to school groups and exchange students to promote

skyrocketedFertiliseragriculturalandduringsomecolumnists,offromenthusiasmfarminginthenextgeneration.JuliealsohasapassionfortheJerseybreedandstartedNgateaJerseysaboutsixyearsago,soit’swellwortharead.Elsewhereinthepaperwehavethelatestcommentaryourwideselectionknowledgeabletohelpgivecontextandadvicesomeprettyhecticchallengingtimesfortheindustry.andchemicalcostshaveinthepastyearandjust about every other farm input cost has risen too. Working smarter is about the only way to counter this and we hope that we can play some small role and provide motivation by highlighting the creativity and enthusiasm that underpins the rural sector. Dan Hutchinson

Page 2 COAST & COUNTRY NEWS September 2022 Coast & Country News

Enthusiasm and creativity

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If subsequent research is successful it is hoped that by 2026, all arti cial breeding bulls from LIC and CRV can have a methane breeding value, allowing farmers to select bulls that will produce low methane-emitting cows.

LIC chief scientist Richard Spelman says these results are a big step forward for the research. “ e amount of methane a bull or cow produces directly relates to the amount of food it eatsgenerally speaking the more an animal eats, the more methane it will emit. “But after accounting for di erences in the bulls’ feed intake, we’re still seeing genetic variation in their methane emissions, proving genetics do play a role.”

New research has con rmed bull genetics play a role in how much methane they emit, highlighting the potential for farmers to breed low methane-emitting cows in the future.

e work by Waikato Regional Council and Bay of Plenty Regional Council is part of the national wallaby programme, Tipu Mātoro Wallaby-free Aotearoa, led by Biosecurity New Zealand. e programme is a partnership that includes iwi, regional councils, the Department of Conservation, Forest & Bird, Federated Farmers, LINZ, farmers, and other landowners.Anyonewho sees a wallaby in the wild anywhere in New Zealand should report it to: www.reportwallabies.nz or call Dave on: 0800 800 401.

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wallaby is still there.” e scat is being DNA tested for gender, and the dog surveillance team will be widening its search area. Camera surveillance Trail camera surveillance may be done on the pasture-bush margin. “We’ve been talking to landowners, of course, but as wallabies are both shy and nocturnal, they are not seen very often, particularly when the numbers are low.”

It is highly likely that a female wallaby found in Mōkau got there with human assistance. A landowner found the wallaby with a badly broken hind leg and a large joey in her pouch in late July.

Waikato Regional Council senior biosecurity o cer Dave Byers leads the council’s progressive managementcontainmentprogramme for wallabies near the boundary with Bay of Plenty. “Being on the west coast, Mōkau is so far outside the containment area for dama wallaby in the North Island that we can only suspect it was assisted by a human to get there.”

Bull burps reveal gas genetics

e news comes after the rst year of a research programme run by major New Zealand arti cial breeding companies LIC and CRV. e research, funded by the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre, measures methane emissions from the burps of young bulls set to father the next generation of New Zealand’s dairy cows. Results from year one, where the feed intake and methane emissions from 281 bulls were measured, found there is genetic variation in the amount of methane emitted after accounting for the feed eaten by the bulls, with the lowest bulls emitting about 15-20 per cent less methane than the average.

Hopping mad over wayward wallaby

People are being asked to keep an eye out for wallabies after one was thought to have been deliberately released on the Waikato West Coast.

A hop from the BOP Wallabies are classi ed as an Unwanted Organism under the Biosecurity Act. It is illegal to have, hold, move or transport wallabies without a permit. ose who do face a ne of up to $100,000 and/or up to ve years in prison. Dave says the wallaby nd was incredibly disappointing as the council was working hard with Bay of Plenty Regional Council to stop wallabies spreading from a de ned containment area in the Bay. Wallabies have been pushing their way into the region from the Bay and left unchecked, it has been conservatively estimated that one-third of the North Island could be subjected to the impacts of wallabies in less than 50 years. Wallabies are a signi cant pest. ey eat seedlings, grass and crops, causing costly losses to forestry and farming by competing for pasture with stock and damaging forestry seedlings. ey target the same native plants as deer, so the impact of both animals on long-term health and structure of native forests and biodiversity can be dramatic. e council is working with a dog surveillance team to look for a further presence of wallabies in the Mōkau area. Scat was located by a dog on August 2, and a footprint from a wallaby was also found. “ e footprint is fresh and has not been eroded by rain. It was found one week after the female was located so it’s likely another

A research programme run by arti cial breeding companies LIC and CRV is one step closer to giving farmers the ability to breed low methane-emitting cows.

Although the research is in the early stages, Spelman says the results show promise to help farmers meet environmental challenges. “ is methane research is a long-term project but it has the potential to make a real di erence to farmers in the future by providing another tool to reduce their farm emissions.”

...continued

e collaboration between AgriSea and Scion started in 2017 when Clare and Tane Bradley met Scion researchers Dr Marie-Joo Le Guen and Dr Stefan Hill at Matariki X, a symposium that brings Māori innovators and entrepreneurs, and researchers together. A casual conversation about nanocellulose from seaweed waste led to a productive partnership now spanning ve years.

A successful partnership: Dr Stefan Hill and Dr Melodie Lindsay (AgriSea) in the front with Sean Taylor, Dr Marie-Joo Le Guen, Dr Yi Chen and Tane Bradley (AgriSea).

A Paeroa company is leading the way in developing high tech products from seaweed and received a double boost last month. AgriSea New Zealand won the coveted NZ Hi-Tech Kamupene Māori o te Tau – Māori Company of the Year Award for 2022. e award, sponsored by Callaghan Innovation, highlights the company’s collaborative work with Scion scientists in developing novel seaweed hydrogels as part of its mission to create a high-value and sustainable seaweed industry inAgriSeaAotearoa.chief executive Clare Bradley says the award is proof

“Not only does this award show that indigenous knowledge and science anchored in natural, renewable resources can compete and win against other technology industries, it also highlights the strength that comes from weaving together and respecting di erent knowledge sets.”

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Joining forces to source

Lots of uses Nanocellulose can be used in a range of products, including batteries, adhesives, biomedical supplies and cosmetics. e bulk of the world’s supply of nanocellulose is produced using wood pulp treated with harsh chemicals. Drawing on Scion’s wood pulping expertise, they explored a way to create the versatile polymer from seaweed and kelps, resulting in an environmentally superior product.

“Its strong commitment and investment in research and development of this new product, in partnership with Crown Research Institute Scion, is shining a light on the exciting potential of the Marine“Investingeconomy.inAgriSea not only supports local job creation, but will help grow our regional economies and allow regional businesses to continue to innovate.

Jelly-like seaweed-based nanocellulose hydrogel.

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“ is is an exciting development for the company and New Zealand. AgriSea has been operating successfully for 26 years and is already a recognised leader in seaweed and agricultural products.

“Driving us forward has been our aligned values and vision. “Scion was clear that they wanted to do the best science they could, and we were clear that we wanted to commercialise the science and develop new products.”

Replacing petrochemicals

A world first Shortly after the award win Minister of Economic and Regional Development Stuart Nash announced a $750,000 loan for AgriSea from the Government’s Regional Strategic Partnership Fund. e funds will help pay the $1.5 million cost to create the world’s rst commercial seaweed-based nanocellulose manufacturing plant. Nine jobs will be created. “ e investment will allow Māoriowned AgriSea New Zealand, a well-established family company producing biostimulants from native seaweed for horticulture and agriculture industries, to expand and diversify its current plant and produce commercial volumes of nanocellulose hydrogel,” Nash says. e product can be used in bio-composites, cosmetics, wound care and tissue engineering. e seaweed nanocellulose di ers from tree-based sources and will supply a growing market both in New Zealand and o shore.

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“ e project aligns with the Government’s Aquaculture Strategy and its goal to reach $3 billion in annual sales by 2035.”

Equally important for AgriSea is the desire to be good kaitiaki (guardians) of the whenua (land) and of the natural resources that are at the heart of their family-owned, Paeroa-based seaweed company. e company has provided biostimulants to farmers and growers for more than 25 years. “If we want to grow a seaweed sector in Aotearoa, we need highvalue, unique products from our natural resources. At the same time, we want to be good ancestors for our grandchildren. Designing these products from our current waste stream processes meets both these objectives,” Clare says.

continued... Clare says collaborating with Scion as an industry partner during the early research phase required AgriSea to take a leap of faith, but one they were keen to explore for the market opportunity to turn seaweed waste from their core business into additional high-value products.

Page 5COAST & COUNTRY NEWSSeptember 2022 Coast & Country News

cellulose from the sea

Dr Stefan Hill, Scion’s portfolio lead for High Value Biore neries, says research with AgriSea is an exciting example of developing renewable biobased products to replace traditional petrochemicalbased“Clareproducts.andTane have been a pleasure to partner with from day one, buying into our vision for what could be achieved by mechanically processing their seaweed to extract nanocellulose, which is then used to make hydrogels for a range of products and industries.” “ eir indigenous knowledge, combined with our science excellence, has resulted in a very authentic and world-leading collaboration.”

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Gaining in-depth advice

Exceeding requirements In winning the Ecolab Farm Dairy Hygiene Merit Award, Brian and Rachel were commended for their pride in the presentation and management of the farm dairy. Judges were impressed that their milk cooling system actually exceeded milk cooling requirements.

When it comes to the reasons behind winning the Honda Farm Safety, Health and Biosecurity Merit Award, the couple innovatively used boards for visitors and contractors to easily see and interact with, rather than a folder-based system. eir idea was picked up by the judges as an example of how to implement health and safety on a farm.

In regard to the LIC Animal Wellbeing, Recording and Productivity Merit Award, Brian and Rachel demonstrated an excellent understanding of the goals of the past two years for the herd they were milking on the Johnson farm. ey also had clear reasons for choosing their own herd and the breeding goals they wanted to achieve. e couple helped the Johnsons prepare their Putaruru farm for sale while looking for another position for themselves.

Rachel and Brian work long hours running their farm.

Brian observes that it was a “bit of an e ort” to see each other at that time but Rachel was able to join him in Putaruru from June 2021. Brian had entered the 2021 Dairy Industry Awards and Rachel helped him prepare.

ey entered again as a couple in 2022 and this time won the Share Farmer of the Year Waikato title, and “were blown away by the incredible people they met”. “When else do you get three highly accomplished people in the industry coming to your farm to analyse what you are doing and give you in depth advice?” Rachel says. “ e competition takes a deep dive into all areasnance, livestock, pasture and environment, so you have to have excellent evidence and understanding for everything,” Brian says. “You are forced to talk about all areas and although you put a lot in, you get so much out of it as well.”

All Photos: Catherine Fry. Rachel Bunnik carries out the farm chores. wanted to achieve.

Waikato dairy farmers, Brian Basi and Rachel Bunnik took home the New Zealand Dairy Industry Award for Waikato Share Farmer of the Year 2022, along with four merit awards. e couple, aged 25 and 24 respectively, have a huge passion for dairy farming, a love of learning and sharing industry knowledge, and a desire to promote it as a rewarding career. Both were brought up and worked on their family dairy farms, Brian in Eureka and Rachel in Tauwhare. ey met while Rachel was doing an LIC AB run, which she did for three years and still does today. In 2020, Rachel was joint contract milking with her brother on their parents’ 750-cow dairy farm and Brian was contract milking for Dick and Liz Johnson in Putaruru.

...continued

Ambitious DIA award join him in Putaruru from June 2021.

Brian Basi prepares the calf shed.

“It put us out there and we got honest feedback, learned so much and were able to benchmark ourselves against other farmers, so it was a really good and constructive experience,” Brian says.

“We found what we were looking for in December 2021. A sharemilking position on a at 76-hectare farm with a 20 ASHB shed in Roto-O-Rangi outside Cambridge, where our goals aligned with the farm owner’s goals,” Brian says. “We bought our ideal herd of 280 Kiwi cross cows in January 2022,” Rachel says.

Page 7COAST & COUNTRY NEWSSeptember 2022 Coast & Country News continued... winners buy their first herd

Brian is studying for his Level 5 in Production Management this year. “ e Dairy Industry Awards were never about winning, but about growing. You can only grow when you’re outside your comfort zone and all the small deposits that you put in lead to bigger results,” Brian says. Both are looking forward to being mentors for the 2023 awards. Pasture management is of the highest importanceto Rachel and Brian.Catherine Fry

Rachel and Brian

Outside the comfort zone “We are very motivated and want to be self-su cient, with just the two of us working with a relief milker, and being there for mating and calving,” Rachel says. ey live well below their means, buy everything second hand, and work long hours together but thoroughly enjoy it. “We don’t have an expectation to work a 45-hour week and achieve our goals. We want to improve production and pro tability and our goal is to be farm owners by the time we are 30,” BrianExcellentsays. pasture management is critical to their success, and they run a System 4 farm, feeding maize, PK and DDG, but have Plan B’s in place for di cult times.

Joining forces When it came to the ANZ Business Performance category, the judges found the couple’s wealth creation at such a young age very inspiring. eir business plan was well thought out and articulated, with speci c goals, and plans in place to achieve them. ey had a detailed understanding of how to run a business. “ is was always the big one as we had put our previous feedback into practice.

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“We want to prove that it is possible to climb the dairy farming ladder to ownership,” Brian says. e pair built a fair amount of equity during their time working apart on di erent farms as contract milkers, and when they did move in together, they had time to plan and work with the bank.

Page 8 COAST & COUNTRY NEWS September 2022 Coast & Country News

With spring just around the corner, Waikato Regional Council is asking landowners to report rook sightings for targeted pest control to prevent them from becoming a problem on farms.

“It’s a good time of the year to start seeing rooks as it’s breeding season, which is when they congregate together. It’s important that landowners don’t try to get rid of them themselves, because we don’t want to scare them and make them y away and nest somewhere else.”

Rook numbers are likely on the rise after escaping control last year due to Covid-19 restrictions.

Page 9COAST & COUNTRY NEWSSeptember 2022 Coast & Country News

Destroying crops and pasture Once rookery sightings have been called in, a drone is used to survey for the presence of eggs and/or chicks in nests to ensure only active nests are treated.

A new recruitment campaign called ‘Find Your Fit In Forestry’ aims to draw attention to the varied career opportunities available in the growing forestry industry.

Reuter-Rosewood at Waikato Regional Council on: 0800 246 732 or Fishingandrooksighting@waikatoregion.govt.nzemail:beintowina$200Hunting&voucher.

Biosecurity pest animals team leader Brett Bailey says two nesting sites were con rmed near Hinuera and Paeroa last year. However, control was unable to take place due to being in lockdown during the nesting season.

Campaign aims to find future foresters

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“Usually our hotspots are Paeroa, from Te Poi to Matamata, Mangakino to Taupō, and in Hamilton. We’ve had reports of rooks around Whakamaru and Mangakino that we’ve not been able to locate either.”

Before the 2021 breeding season, it was believed that rook numbers in the Waikato region were below 40. Brett says the council relies on landowners to let them know where rooks are nesting because otherwise it was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

A sector-wide initiative, the campaign has just launched and hopes to attract more young people into the industry and ll people shortages being felt throughout the sector. Designed to demonstrate the huge range of roles and opportunities available in forestry, the mostly digital ‘Find Your Fit In Forestry’ campaign is primarily targeted at school leavers and young people.

“We’ve had new sightings reported from north Waikato and south Auckland areas, which suggests rooks are heading north.

Rooks generally build nests in pine or eucalyptus trees. e largest colony ever found in New Zealand was nearly 1000 nests but, thanks to control, such groupings are a thing of the past.

Showcasing everything from machine operation, silviculture and harvest management to science-based roles and wood processing, the campaign attempts to match a candidate’s areas of interest with suitable jobs. Head to: www.forestrycareers.nz for more information.

Rooks rally after Covid curbs control e regional council has been controlling rooks since 2002, when their numbers were around 200. Rooks were introduced to New Zealand in the 1860s to control insect pests. However, in large numbers, rooks can destroy newly sown crops and pasture by tearing them up in search for grubs.

Hotspots from Paeroa to Taupō

Contact biosecurity o cer Imre

Land owners are being asked to report rook sightings so they can be targeted for control.

Agriculture and Rural Communities Minister Damien O’Connor says the advisory team will provide support to agricultural and horticultural science teachers, create resources, and provide links to local food and bre sector partners. Funding comes from MPI’s Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund.

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“New Zealand’s food and bre sector is the backbone of our economy and is how more than 367,000 people earn a living. We’re working hard to build resilience and meet future workforce demand as the sector grows.

O’Connor says the advisory team will survey the professional development needs of agricultural and horticultural science teachers annually.

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“We have a $52 billion food and bre sector we want to grow. is requires employees who can think critically and problem solve.

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e Government wants more young minds focused on food and bre careers.

It is providing $1.6 million over the next ve years to fund a full-time adviser and a support person at St Paul’s Collegiate School in Hamilton, and up to 16 part-time, regionally-based advisers.

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“It will also help young New Zealanders understand the many exciting career options that are available throughout the value chain and provide them with real-life work experience opportunities in their local communities.

“ ere are 126 schools across the country teaching agricultural and horticultural science and we’re aiming to increase this number.

“We expect the support network will be a huge help to teachers who usually have sole charge of their subject and often have to take care of farmlets or orchards as part of their role.”

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“ ey’ll provide workshops to build professional practice, tailored mentoring and support for individual teachers where required, and develop and distribute teaching resources.

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O’Connor says he wants to see the initiative continue beyond the life of the ve-year project.

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“ ey’ll also provide assistance to enhance student achievement, and help raise the pro le and public perception of agricultural and horticultural science.”

“One of the goals of this project is for the model to be self-sustaining so it continues to support teachers and their students long into the future.”

Page 10 KIWIFRUIT September 2022 Coast & Country News

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“Our food and bre sector is nothing if we don’t have good people. Educated and enthusiastic people are our competitive advantage as an exporter, because it’s people that deliver technology and grow value.

A key feature of the wall chart is the KVH Recommended Product List, which sets out the upcoming season’s approved products for protection against Psa, their year-round application rates, re-application timings, and permitted use periods. Any changes or updates made to the chart and product list during the 2022-23 season will be made to the online version and will be noti ed via the KVH Bulletin. For printed copies of the new wall chart, email KVH at: info@kvh.org.nz

Handy chart for orchard protection

Moral

RSE employer have a responsibility to make sure their workers are treated fairly, on and o the orchard. $1649 + GST $1099 + GST

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RSE employers with questions on the topic are encouraged to contact the NZKGI o ce.

A printed A2 poster version was also be included in the August Zespri Kiwi ier. e wall chart outlines how orchardists can use cultural methods and a protective spray programme year-round to reduce risk on the orchard, including regular monitoring, removing infected material, girdling, and seasonal spray plans.

“We are privileged to have access to the RSE scheme’s workforce. To continue our partnership with the Paci c, it requires all of us to protect and uphold that privilege.” He says any breaches of minimum standards is unacceptable.“Ultimately, we not only want to just meet the minimum legal requirements, but surpass them and ensure that RSE teams feel welcomed, comfortable and return next season.”

Page 11KIWIFRUITSeptember 2022 Coast & Country News OWNER | CHIEF PILOT HELIWORXWAIKATOLTD

New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc. CEO Colin Bond says any breaches of standards is unacceptable when it comes to treatment of RSE workers. He was responding to concerns raised in the media in early August about the treatment of RSE workers, which includes several examples of overcrowded accommodation and other issues amongst viticulture workers inColinMarlborough.saysinaweekly update to growers last month that the RSE scheme is world leading, providing labour where businesses cannot nd su cient New Zealanders to ll vacancies. He says the scheme plays a critical role in making the kiwifruit industry a success and supports the New Zealand and Paci c Island economies. As such, RSE employers have an important role to ensure it remains “best in class”. “With that comes the responsibility to be moral, great employers and to set an example for other primary industries.

Psa-V Seasonal Management Wall Chart is out now and available to view or download from the Kiwifruit Vine Health website kvh.org.nz

In an update sent to growers, Zespri chief executive Dan Mathieson says fruit quality remains an ongoing and signi cant issue this season.

Indications are conventional fruit returns will be at the bottom of, and possibly even below, the ranges published in June, he says.

Organic fruit, where quality is closer to last season, is tracking between the mid-point and the lower end of the range published in June. RNZ

“Since publishing our indicative orchard gate return range in June, the costs associated with this season’s fruit quality will be updated and fruit loss is expected to be signi cantly above the levels considered by our earlier forecast, resulting in less fruit available for sale.

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Challenges result in lower returns

Kiwifruit growers have been told to expect lower returns this year due to poorer fruit quality and rising input costs.

Dan says this is likely to be re ected in the next orchard gate returns forecast on August 23.

“While pricing is holding in most markets where we continue to look for opportunities to improve net value, the cost increases we are seeing with freight, labour and quality mean that this season’s returns will be under pressure.”

Demand is steady in overseas markets but shipping, labour and quality issues will hit returns.

“Zespri is continuing to work with our colleagues across the industry and with our partners to address the immediate and longer term issues to ensure we see improvements this year and into the years“Weahead.arenot alone in facing this challenge, with quality issues evident across other global fruit categories this season, and our competitors and colleagues have also battled labour shortages, supply chain congestion and in ationary pressures, all of which impact grower returns.”

‘Best decision of my life’ rough breeding and the research and development of appropriate agrichemicals, “PSA is now under control and our orchard has continued to produce top quality fruit”.

“We were impressed with Sarah’s drive and the commitment she showed to enhancing the “It’s clear that she will be an asset to the industry, and we wish her well with her career.” Animal and Plant Health NZ o ers two scholarships a year to support education and raise awareness of careers in related industries. Safe and sustainable e scholarships are an example of industry initiatives led by Animal and Plant Health NZ to provide safe and sustainable animal health and crop protection technology and educate the community about the industry’s contribution.

Bringing

Adding value When nished, Sarah wants to add value and make a positive di erence to horticulture. e $2500 win will go towards next year’s studyWhencosts.she isn’t studying, Sarah leads the Massey Horticultural Society and works as a social media guru for Grassroots Media. Good insights She also completed a summer internship at Zespri, as part of the quality assurance team, analysing product issue noti cations from world markets. “In this role, I gained great insight into how a world leading company utilises the innovation, research and development of the agrichemicals sector to produce a quality product in a sustainable manner.”

An asset to the industry

“It is important that consumers understand the value of agrichemicals and the e ort that the industry goes to in order to keep consumers safe. “Each product has been thoroughly researched and industry bodies are always looking at how they can use agrichemicals more e ciently”. And she says their value spans far beyond the orchard gate. “If we cannot get our products to market due to pest and disease incursions, we have the potential for economic collapse.”

Our Atoms combined three nozz accuracy. We also useaquadbikeforstripweedspray applications. Weholdallcertiﬁcatesneededtomeet compliance. Welookatallchallengestohelpensureweprotect yourcropwithexcellence.

Animal and Plant Health NZ chief executive Mark Ross says the association is pleased to contribute to the future of someone with so much enthusiasm for the primary industries.

Despite experiencing the PSA outbreak rst-hand growing up, Animal and Plant Health scholarship winner Sarah Wilson says deciding to study horticulture was the best decision of her life.

She loves sport including netball, basketball, and volleyball, although she’s had to “calm down on sport” during her studies.

Community involvement She enjoys helping her local community by volunteering at the Te Puke food bank – something her grandmother helped set up as a community hub. She says it opened her eyes to the extent of the challenges people face. “It was a big part of my world. “Coming from a good home, I realise how blessed I am.”

She says settling on a career in agribusiness and horticulture is the “best decision of my life”, because of the extensive opportunities and career pathways. “My degree is giving me a broad overview of primary industries that very few other degrees can give”.

As president of the Horticultural Society, she organises events that connect industry leaders to the students who might one day work with them. “I believe the events play an important role in encouraging Massey students to work in the industry where there is both a labour and skills de cit.”

Bringing passion to the orchard primary industries. passion to the orchard

Sarah spent a summer as an intern at Zespri to learn more about the industry.

IamadirectorofZ-Contracting-wearefamilyrun business,ourteamconsistsofthree,beingmyself,my sonandmybrother. Ourorganisationhasbeenestablishedforover18 years.Ihavebeeninvolvedin applyingcropprotection programmeswithinthehorticultalindustrysince1966.

Born and raised on a kiwifruit orchard in Te Puke, the 21 year-old attributes her enthusiasm to “an awesome ag school teacher, people working in the sector, and growing up in the heart of horticulture”, where she’s seen people in her part of the world “do cool things”. e outbreak of the bacterial kiwifruit vine disease in 2011 gave her an appreciation of the tools needed to protect crops from harmful pests and diseases. e “sickening hum of chainsaws” echoed in the district as orchardists “chopped down their vines and consequently livelihoods”, Sarah says. She is now in the third year of an agribusiness degree at Massey University.

Wespecialisewithinthekiwifruitindustry, We have theequipmenttosprayorchardswithour two Atomsprayers and one recently purchased Tracatom Formula tractor which is also available for mulching and mowing

MyNameisNeilWoodward. IamadirectorofZ-Contracting-wearefamilyrun business,ourteamconsistsofthree,beingmyself,my sonandmybrother. Ourorganisationhasbeenestablishedforover18 years.Ihavebeeninvolvedin applyingcropprotection programmeswithinthehorticultalindustrysince1966.

Wespecialisewithinthekiwifruitindustry, We have theequipmenttosprayorchardswithour two Atomsprayers and one recently purchased Tracatom Formula tractor which is also available for mulching and mowing

Page 13KIWIFRUITSeptember 2022 Coast & Country News

MyNameisNeilWoodward.

Our Atoms aresetupwithradarspeedsensors,this combined with fullyautomated sprayer controllers and three nozzle ringsenhancesapplicationef ﬁciency and accuracy. We also useaquadbikeforstripweedspray applications. Weholdallcertiﬁcatesneededtomeet Globalgap compliance. Welookatallchallengestohelpensureweprotect yourcropwithexcellence.

Phone:021907621 E-mail:zcl@zanadu.co.nz www.biobees.co.nz (06) 879 5883 www.biobees.co.nz (06) 879 5883 + www.biobees.co.nz= (06) 879 5883 + www.biobees.co.nz= (06) 879 5883 + =

Mark, Sherrie and Jake Stokman feel they have a duty to provide the beef sector with cattle that are improving year on year.

Not all bulls are created equal

Stokman Angus’s annual spring sale is coming up on Wednesday, September 21. One hundred yearling registered Angus bulls and 40 R1 heifers will sell, starting at 1 pm. irty bulls will be carried on to put in the June sale, which are higher birthweight, cow mating bulls. e remaining bulls are generally sold by private treaty to local dairy farmers looking for low birthweight, easy calving genetics.

“One of our main breeding philosophies is that we want farmers to be able to go home at night and wake up in the morning and the cattle have calved down and they don’t have to worry about a heifer that’s had a problem calving,” Jake says. Like his parents, Jake believes that when you purchase a Stokman bull you’re buying an investment for the future.

Photo: Sherrie Stokman.

Page 14 SHEEP & BEEF September 2022 Coast & Country News

Every technological tool is used to ensure everything there is to know about Stokman Angus isEveryavailable.registered calf born is HD50k DNA tested at birth which increases the EBV accuracy and veri es parentage. Not all breeders verify parents and it is amazing the cows that switch calves, Jake says. “We even had twins out of two di erent sires, DNA takes away the guess work.”

Mark and Jake Stokman look over the yearling sale bulls.

Wed Sept 21st 1PM START Fertility & Semen Tested Carcass Scanned HD50K DNA’d for higher EBV accuracy Super Quiet disposition Well grown to breed heifers & C10TBcows Status BUD tested Mark, Sherrie and Jake Stokman Phone 07 333 2446 Mark 027 640 4028, Jake 027 787 4008 Email: Facebook:mtkiwi@farmside.co.nzStokmanAngusFarm Check us out on www.stokmanangus.com 2022 STOKMAN ANGUS SALE THE STOKMAN BULL . . . 100 YEARLING BULLS 40 R1 COMM HEIFERS (same sires as bulls) Sale Location: 1708 Te Kopia Road, Waikite Valley Rotorua Average EBV’s on our Sale Bulls NZ AverageBreed Calv Ease +6.1+1.9 Gestation Lgth -6.3-4.3 Birth Weight +2.8+4.1 600 Day +116+101 Angus Pro+164+112

Sale bulls are carcass scanned and fertility tested by Totally Vets, ensuring the bulls are 100 per cent ready to go when leaving the farm.

NZ Grazing Waikato North and Bay of Plenty service manager Aaron Leppard, Waikato South and King Country service manager Bryan Aldridge and grazing farmer Jarrod Hawkins from Otorohanga.

Lanaco lters made from New Zealand sheep’s wool were to be ying with the Shaun the Sheep mascot in NASA’s unmanned mission to the moon at the end of August. e rst ight of Orion a human carrying-capable spacecraft was scheduled to take o on August 30. is momentous occasion is the rst and only, unmanned, dry run before the scheduled manned missions to the moon and beyond as the programme commences. e Orion spacecraft will be taking a few characters along for the ride, one of whom is none other than Shaun the Sheep. It is a double event for our fourlegged friends, as Kiwi technology company Lanaco, known for its respirator masks that protected our Olympians, will also have some of its high performance sheep wool-based EcoStatic lters on board. Not only that but Lanaco’s head of technology and driver of the Kiwi NASA lter project, Dr Shaun Tan will be celebrating as that is the cheeky moniker he shares with the animated sheep mascot. Shaun Tan’s Lanaco lters and Shaun the Sheep were scheduled to blast o from Launch Pad 39b at Cape Canaveral in Florida at 4pm NZ time.

is demand is o set by cash ow often a rare commodity on sheep and beef farms whose income originates from the sale of stock. Sheep and beef – and an increasing number of lifestyle block owners – are opting to become growers of dairy heifers. But more are needed – particularly in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty areas, says NZ Grazing. Sheep and beef farmer Jarrod Hawkins became a grower with NZ Grazing in 2013 and says the company is “super easy to work with”. ey do everything from sourcing the heifers to regular weighing and monitoring of growth, freeing the grower to focus on what they do best – growing grass and managing stock. “ e monthly weighing has made us better farmers, enabling us to react quicker. e reports are great, and payment is regular and we get paid every time.” Jarrod says.

Farmers or lifestyle block owners in the greater Waikato and Bay of Plenty who want to inject regular cash ow into their business can contact NZ Grazing’s service manager Aaron Leppard 027 388 3881 or Bryan Aldridge 027 415 4122.

Shaun the Sheep is over the Moon

Page 15SHEEP & BEEFSeptember 2022 Coast & Country News

e demand from farmers to graze and grow dairy heifers has never been higher according to one of New Zealand’s oldest grazing companies - NZ Grazing Company Limited. e increase in demand is driven by the fact that well-grown heifers are more pro table than poorly grown heifers with more dairy farmers opting to leave the growth of their future herd in the hands of the heifer grazing experts.

Call for farmers to graze dairy heifers

e next day we continued, cutting back inland at Hawera and up State Highway 3 to Stratford. e maunga had disappeared and the weather was grey but if any signs caught our eye, we took our time and stopped.

Summer 2022 was the rst time I’d visited Taranaki, and now I just want to go back and explore more. Travelling from Hamilton in a motorhome, we took State Highway 3 all the way south to New Plymouth and the drive down to Mokau was through beautiful scenery with that West Coast jewel-coloured sea. I also got my rst glimpses of the great maunga itself, Mount Taranaki. Stunning sunset

Gateway

Peace, relaxation

Page 16 EXPLORING NZ September 2022 Coast & Country News

Sunset at ree Sisters, Tongapōrutu. Mount Taranaki from Cape Egmont. Wild and desolate Ohawe beach. Finance Brokers Limited

...continued

We took State Highway 45 to Cape Egmont which has camping at the boat club for NZ Motorhome and Caravan Association members. e evening delivered a stunning sunset, and the area has nice walks along the coast road and a lighthouse to explore.

Mount Taranaki from ree Sisters, Tongapōrutu. All Photos: Catherine Fry. Sunset at Cape Egmont boat ramp.

and simply stunning sunsets

Page 17EXPLORING NZSeptember 2022 Coast & Country News

Taranaki Pioneer Village e signage lured us into the Taranaki Pioneer Village in Stratford, and it was a real treasure with beautiful old buildings set up as a life-like museums. A quick stop at Lake Mangamahoe for lunch added another place to our “next visit list”, the walking and bike tracks around this huge scenic lake lookAfteramazing.anight at a NZMCA property we headed north, up towards Awakino, and I was happy

that I’d seen Mount Taranaki from all sides by then! e next stop turned out to be the icing on the cake. We just happened to pull into Tongapōrutu freedom camping ground and secure a waterfront spot on a hot sunny day when absolute low tide was about 10 minutes before sundown. e stars align e signi cance of the stars aligning like this is I got to walk around the cli s at low tide to Elephant Rock and the ree Sisters, one of New Zealand’s most iconic spots. It was completely idyllic as the sun set behind these incredible rock formations and even the maunga was on display again in the distance. It’s an absolute must-do. e last night was spent at the freedom camp at Lake Whakamaru, another gem of a spot for some peace, relaxation, and swimming, amidst breathtaking scenery. Taranaki we will be back!

continued... Check us out on Facebook! Cost of tour based on twin share. For an itinerary please ring MARGARET www.margaretsgoldentours.com TOLL FREE 0800 77 00 70anyEnquiriestime:Phone: 06 357 3619 Mob: 027 269 4277 Email: shouldInsurancemargaretjjones13@yahoo.comWorriedaboutCOVID?coverisavailableatanadditionalcostwhileontouryouneedtoisolate/quarantine.2023 SOUTH ISLAND TOUR 2023 BAY OF ISLANDS TOUR 20 DAYS – 12 March 2023 COST $4,450 14 DAYS – 27 April 2023 COST $3,750 ALL TOURS INCLUDE BREAKFASTS & DINNERS Endeavour New Zealand Itinerary Specialists has created a selection of ne holiday weekendwinetomind,interestswithyouralongsideworkrestrictionsafterclientsZealandfromactivitiesallNewforhasScotsmanPeteManagingitineraries.directorSalvesenisabybirthandalwayshadapassiontravelandaloveforZealand.“Wehavehandpickedouraccommodation,andattractionsaroundNewtoensurethearewelllookedandbudgetaremet.“Wedoallthehardfromstarttonishwhilstworkingyoutobringholidaytogether.”Allholidaysarecreatedtheindividualoftheclientsinfromrailholidaysnatureorfoodandexcursionsorescapes.eyhaveshortTakeyour time to see the country the Cook Strait Ferry, the Coastal Paci c and the South,isRailway.TranzAlpineelatesttourATasteofeexploring the southern coast of the South Island, starting in Dunedin and culminating in Queenstown.Checkoutthe ad below for more details. e Coastal Paci c KaikouradowntravelstheCoast. FOUR DEPARTURES ONLY EXPLORE THE SOUTHERN COAST OF NEW ZEALAND WITH ENDEAVOUR NZ ITINERARY SPECIALISTS Fully escorted for the duration of the trip. Small group tour of 8 guests maximum. Departing March 20 & 28, May 16 & 23 Travel in a private 15 seat van. The tour package includes • Flights to Dunedin to start and from Queenstown afterwards • Drink and nibbles at our meet and greet • Doubtful Sound Wilderness Lake Te Anau cruise and guided walk • Entry to the Bill Richardson Transport • Riverton and Catlin s Museum • Accommodation in Dunedin (1 night), Bluff (1) Te Anau (2) and Kinross (1) • All breakfasts, 2 dinners and 1 lunch • Full commentary en route Wine tasting A 6 day southern adventure from Dunedin Catlins Bluff Invercargill Riverton Te Anau Doubtful Sound Arrowtown Kinross COUPLES PACKAGE ONLY $ 4999 (GST inc)SINGLE PACKAGE ONLY $ 3899 (GST inc) www.endeavournzitineraryspecialists.co.nzContactPeteon0211227357oremailpete@endeavournzis.co.nzContactjohnon0272350576oremailjohn@endeavournzis.co.nz FOUR DEPARTURES ONLY EXPLORE THE SOUTHERN COAST OF NEW ZEALAND WITH ENDEAVOUR NZ ITINERARY SPECIALISTS Fully escorted for the duration of the trip. Small group tour of 8 guests maximum. Departing March 20 & 28, May 16 & 23 Travel in a private 15 seat van. The tour package includes • Flights to Dunedin to start and from Queenstown afterwards • Drink and nibbles at our meet and greet function Doubtful Sound Wilderness cruise Lake Te Anau cruise and guided walk • Entry to the Bill Richardson Transport World • Riverton and Catlin s Museum Entry Accommodation in Dunedin (1 night), Bluff (1) Te Anau (2) and Kinross (1) All breakfasts, 2 dinners and 1 lunch bottle of wine • Full commentary en route • Wine tasting A 6 day southern adventure from Dunedin Catlins Bluff Invercargill Riverton Te Anau Doubtful Sound Arrowtown Kinross COUPLES PACKAGE ONLY $ 4999 (GST inc)SINGLE PACKAGE ONLY $ 3899 (GST inc) www.endeavournzitineraryspecialists.co.nzContactPeteon0211227357oremailpete@endeavournzis.co.nzContactjohnon0272350576oremailjohn@endeavournzis.co.nz stay tours ordoneDunedinQueenstownChristchurch,Auckland,fromWellington,andthatcanbeasself-drivetoursprivatetours,making use of Pete’s knowledge and information along the way.eRide the Rails 7-day tour departs Auckland, travelling on the Northern Explorer,

Catherine Fry at’s how we found Ohawe, the epitome of a wild, west coast beach, and enjoyed walking the dog on the windswept beach. We checked out the Ohawe NZ Wars Memorial.

Too reliant on Australia

Pia says the New Zealand avocado industry has made signi cant progress in growing sales to other markets in 2021, despite lower exports overall.

Page 18 AVOCADOS September 2022 Coast & Country News

e report says New Zealand is highly reliant on Australia as an export market for avocados with our trans-Tasman neighbours accounting for 79 per cent of total New Zealand exports over the last ve years.

“New Zealand’s total avocado exports by volume were back by 11 per cent in 2021, in large part due to an oversupply of avocados in Australia and the resulting drop in sales into this market.

“We expect the majority of this production growth will come from the Northland and Bay of Plenty regions,” says the report’s author, Rabobank associate analyst Pia Piggott.

“And while the general production trend will be in an upwards direction, we also anticipate this growth will be highly variable on an annual basis due to alternate bearing which results in irregular crop loads from one season to the next.”

e report says New Zealand’s avocado production is forecast to grow by an average six per cent annually for the next ve years reaching 57,000 tonnes by 2026 — up from 44,000 tonnes in 2021.

“New Zealand is well placed to supply the Australian market as it has a price competitive production base and is able to supply product during the periods in the season when Australian production“However,drops.Australian supply has ramped up considerably of late – particularly in Western Australia – leading to a national oversupply, and it’s essential that the New Zealand industry continues to grow its sales into other export markets that can pick up the slack when Australian import demand is lower.”

“While exports to Australia fell, strong growth was recorded in other export markets with avocado sales to the rest of the world, excluding Australia, up by 154 per cent. “ is included improved export sales into Singapore, Hong Kong and South Korea with NZ exports making up nine per cent, four per cent and 12 per cent of total imports into those markets respectively – as well as strong export growth in markets like China, ailand, Taiwan and India.” ...continued

Export market diversification is the Pia Piggott.

In the report, Australian & New Zealand Avocado Outlook 2022, Rabobank says the majority of New Zealand’s avocado exports currently head to Australia and development of other export markets will be essential to ensure sustainable growth opportunities for the country’s producers as production climbs.

Diversifying export markets will be critical for New Zealand’s avocado industry, with the country’s avocado production set to strongly increase over the coming ve years, according to a new report by agricultural banking specialist Rabobank.

“Many importing countries in Asia have very low supply of avocado per capita, with imported supply per capita signi cantly below 1kg per annum for most markets.

The perfect solution to sustainable pest control in all orchards New Zealand needs to diversify into more markets to keep the avocado industry in good health.

Opportunity for growth

“While the global reputation for quality avocado produce still remains high, current production and high growth prospects are a ecting the pro tability of the industry around the world. “ e risk in volatile revenue is increasing, and so producers need agile businesses with good equity bu ers to ride through the changing supply and consumption dynamics.”

Still reliant on Australia

“While New Zealand was less reliant on Australia in 2021, Australia still accounted for two-thirds of New Zealand avocado exports by volume. “And with Australian avocado production forecast to grow rapidly over the coming years, it’s essential that the New Zealand industry continues to add new overseas markets and to expand the share of its avocado exports that are heading to other countries around the world.” She says further export expansion into the Asian market presents the best opportunity for New Zealand as growth of the Asian middle class is expected to continue increasing consumer demand for avocados.

continued...

“Over the past 10 years, Japan has consistently imported the greatest volume of avocados of any Asian country, and during this period we’ve also seen strong import growth for avocados in countries like China, Hong Kong and South Korea.” Pia says New Zealand producers are strongly placed to grow exports into Asia, but competition to supply this market is increasing.

key for avocado industry expansion

Pia says that while recent sales growth into these markets was promising, further market diversi cation would be required by the New Zealand avocado industry over the years ahead.

AVOCADOS Page 19September 2022 Coast & Country News

“New Zealand’s premium avocado quality and proximity to market mean it is well-positioned to increase exports into Asian economies. “But Australia is similarly well-placed, and over recent years we’ve also seen Mexican and South American avocado exporters increasing exports into Asia to improve their own market diversi cation. “And with so much competition, maintaining consumers’ high-quality perceptions of New Zealand avocados will be critical to competing against other global suppliers.”

Volatility to remain While increased Asian demand was creating a strong platform for export growth, Pia warns that local producers should be prepared for a continuation of volatile industry conditions. “ is past year has seen signi cant disruptions for both producers and consumers, and export markets remain volatile from lockdowns, supply chain challenges and geopolitical events.

Research conducted by Nielson, in which 2500 people were surveyed, found the number of households buying avocados has gone up – from 68 per cent to 73 per cent “ e interesting thing is, though, Ten per cent of avocado buyers account for 60 per cent of sales.

Page 20 AVOCADOS September 2022 Coast & Country News 70 Maleme Street, 3112 Tauranga P +64 07 543 1892 // info@trimaxmowers.co.nz INCREASED ROBUSTNESS. Heavy-duty body with 50% thicker endplates for ultimate durability. expanded VERSATILITY. Perfectly customise your mower with our widest range of available options yet. LOWER MAINTENANCE. Reduce time spent servicing with easy access points and maintenance-free features ABOUTSERIOUSSAFETY. The Trimax Force meets international safety standards for thrown object testing and finger and limb access in every configuration.  REPLACEABLE INTERNAL LINER Steel liner in cutting chamber high-impact zone for 3x durability.  MAINTENANCE-FREE ROLLER BEARINGS Eliminate greasing requirements.  FRONT OR REAR MOUNT With reversible head stock.  HEAVY-DUTY SKIDS & ROBUST ROLLER Thick high-wear steel, independently adjustable for easy removal or replacement.  AUTO BELT TENSIONING Improves drive to rotor without manual belt adjustments.  LEFT- OR RIGHT-HAND OFFSET Also available as centre-mount.  NEW ROTOR BEARING ASSEMBLY 35% and 50% increase in static and dynamic load capacity (respectively).  QUICK ACCESS GREASE POINTS No need to remove guards or covers.  HYDRAULIC SIDE SHIFT Available on select models.  WRAP PROTECTION Prevent damage from wire or netting.  WIDE TRACTOR COMPATIBILITY Meets CAT1, CAT2, and CAT2n ISO standards.  SMOOTH EXTERNAL PROFILE Avoid catching on vines and branches.  MOW CLOSER TO OBSTACLES 27% less distance between edge of cut and edge of mower.  IMPROVED PRUNING GUIDE Reduces debris collection and guides material into cutting chamber. BUY DIRECT FROM TRIMAX TODAY. We’re not just your mower manufacturer – we’re your partner for success. Work with us directly to supply your mowers, parts, and service. Mowers and parts are in stock now. Contact us or visit us online for more information. that 10 per cent of those who buy avocados are considered to be ‘avocado lovers’. ose are people who are buying more than ve each month. “ ey buy 60 per cent of the stock that’s purchased. at means they’re purchasing six times the number of avos as ‘nonelovers’.”research shows there is room to increase the number of avocados sold in New“WeZealand.needlots more avocado lovers buying even more. We’re not yet at the ‘always put an avo in your shopping basket or two in your trolley’ stage. “We’ve got a bit of work to do.” e message from NZ Avocado: if you have an avocado in your fruit bowl, you’ve got something for breakfast, lunch, dinner or a “So,snack.it’strying to get that recognition of the fact that there’s very little that doesn’t get better with an avocado added. “We had a really great campaign just before Christmas where we were suggesting ways to use avocado – not just on the turkey sandwich, salad or guacamole but also as a cheesecake, chocolate mousse, smoothies or avocado balls. ey’re amazingly versatile.”

NZ Avocado Growers Association chief executive Jen Scoular says last year about 80 million avocados were sold in New Zealand. “ at’s a big volume. Consumers enjoyed lower prices but that resulted in very low returns for growers. “One of the positives is that the market handled it really well and the price stayed around $1 - $1.20 for most of the year.”

Government is taking steps through the revitalised and streamlined immigration system to help relieve workforce shortages facing New Zealand businesses in a suite of measures announced by Immigration Minister Michael Wood. e measures include providing median wage exemptions to crucial sectors through sector agreements, temporarily doubling numbers under the Working Holiday Scheme, and extending visas to retain labour already in the country. “As the world recovers from Covid-19, labour shortages continue to be a persistent, ongoing global“Oursymptom.immigration rebalance was designed during the pandemic and included the exibility to respond to scenarios, such as the global labour shortage we now face. ese measures are about providing immediate relief to those businesses hardest hit by the global worker shortage.

Fresh research into who is buying avocados is providing vital data on which to focus the industry’s marketing plans.

“We have listened to the concerns of these sectors, and worked with them to take practicable steps to unlock additional labour. We know these measures will help ll skills gaps, as businesses work towards more productive and resilient ways of operating.”

Government relaxes immigration rules

Avocado ‘lovers’ boost sales

Hope and optimism Michael says the quality of avocados this season is excellent but yields were looking like they would be down by about 20 per cent - a normal uctuation in the industry.

Produce company Seeka is working to export more avocados to Asia this season to minimise its reliance on Australia. Australia is New Zealand’s biggest export market for avocados. Last season it had an oversupply of the fruit so bought less from New Zealand, pushing down prices for growers. Seeka produces between 750,000 and a million trays of the fruitCompanyannually.chief executive Michael Franks says the domestic season started at the end of July with exports getting started a couple of weeks later. “We’ve already had air freight go up to ailand and we’ve got China starting this week (August 15) and we will also export to South Korea and Japan.

RNZ

“Last year was a poor year for returns for growers after four or ve good years. Returns last year were at or below the cost of growing so we’re looking into the current year with a bit more hope and optimism because volumes in Australia look down.”

Michael says Seeka’s trials of a new avocado variety which would see the fruit on supermarket shelves for longer were going well. It is licensed to grow GEM avocados which was developed at the University of California.

Michael says 2500 trays of GEM will be produced this year but Seeka has 40,000 plants in the ground which will increase the volume to about 50,000 trays next year. He says all going well the GEM variety will be widely available in 2024.

“So if we can get this new variety GEM to mature in that January, February, March window, well then there’s a market opportunity for us in those months when there’s a natural shortage of supply.”

potentiallytopushAsianblendedareAvocadostypicallyintosmoothiesinmarketssothereisatomarketmoreusesofitexpandthoselargemarkets.

“So for us pushing into Asia is an important bu er against increasing volumes in Australia. “We have good relationships with fruit handlers in Asia. In China we work with Halls which has 135 years in the country so they distribute a lot of our fruit.”

Seeking more markets

Trials going well

“It’s a smaller, more compact tree so the fruit hides inside the tree a little bit more so it’s protected from the elements. We think it’s naturally a later maturing piece of fruit.

“We have a lot of demand in New Zealand and Australia after Christmas and that’s a long time for the traditional Hass to actually be holding onto fruit. It gets a lot of fruit drop.

Exporting more avocados to Asia will give Seeka more exibility in its exports, he says. “We need to decrease our dependency on Australia.

“Avocados are still a very new category to the Chinese market and to many markets in Asia so we have to build the category and build consumer understanding of the product because in Asia they are normally blended in smoothies and drinks. So it’s about consumers getting used to the idea of eating a fresh avocado as well.”

Page 21AVOCADOSSeptember 2022 Coast & Country News www.implementsdirect.co.nz IN STOCK NOW ! PH 09 414 2593 IRIS KS530P FERTILISER SPREADER 530 litre hopper capacity , pvc hopper cover, Cat 1&2 linkage Adjustable 90° L&R + 180 °broadcast spread settings, Stainless spinner with adjustable vanes, Heavy duty uv resistant Polly hopper, which you can see the fert level through. Options available : Stainless steel side dresser for applying fert under rows. Electric remote control for ow adjustment from in the cab. Priced from $2495 INC GST MADE IN SOUTH KOREA

“However, the HortNZ Board felt it was important to celebrate growers’ success in what has been another challenging year. “As a result, we have been presenting this year’s awards at various grower events, and will conclude the presentations at the HortNZ AGM in Nelson on September 21.”

A champion of fruit andBledisloehorticultureinvolvementveginhorticulturethroughthewineindustry.eCupisawardedannuallyinrecognitionofanoutstanding contribution to commercial growing in New Zealand over decades.

avocado thought-leaders across the globe.isisalso a great opportunity to come together to share thoughts on how we can increase both supply and demand of avocados, worldwide.DarlingGroup managing director Andrew Darling says with borders opening and the opportunity to attend large conferences becoming a reality, they are looking forward to showing the rest of the world what the New Zealand Avocado industry has to o er. If you would like to attend the World Avocado Congress, tickets are available at: www.wacnz2023.com Danny Bearsley.

Danny’s horticulture career spans more than four decades. While he diversi ed into growing apples and kiwifruit, and fresh broccoli in the 1990s, Danny has always maintained a healthy interest the processindustry.vegetableToday,hemaintainshis

HortNZ vice president Bernadine Balle-Guilleux says the quality of nominations re ects the high calibre and long-term commitment of commercial fruit and vegetable growers. HortNZ usually gives out its awards at the annual Horticulture Conference, but the conference had to be cancelled this year due to the uncertainty created by Covid.

Page 22 AVOCADOS September 2022 Coast & Country News

Gold sponsor of World Avocado Congress

Darling Group is proud to be the Kiwi Gold Sponsor for the 10th World Avocado Congress being held in Auckland on April 2-5, 2023. With a strong focus on being present in the international market and a drive to provide all of our markets with the best quality New Zealand avocados available, Darling Group is excited to welcome delegates from around the world to enjoy our little slice of paradise. Darling Group’s purpose is to help the world eat healthier every day. We do this by growing, packing and exporting a year-round supply of premium, fresh produce from international origins including New Zealand, Australia, North and South America. Using an integrated supply system, and by taking care of growing, packing, and exporting, they pride themselves in delivering a seamless and cost-e ective service across the entire chain. is integrated supply allows them to respond quickly to changing market dynamics and better understand both customer and supplier needs. For Darling Group, being present at the conference gives them the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge from Danny Bearsley has won the horticulture Bledisloe Cup for 2022. Danny is credited with saving the Hawke’s Bay process vegetable industry in the 1990s. is industry now processes more than 5500 hectares of produce sourced from the Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne Manawatuandregions.

Better understanding Like many moreweparticipatinggrowersintheproject,haveincreasinglybecomeawareofthecoremessaging about growing with sustainable solutions. Nitrogen is recognised as a core component to plant growth. It could also be considered a pollutant when in the wrong environment and where excessive leaching into the wrong systems occur. In considering this we are also more aware of nutrient budgeting, the nitrogen cycle and the available sources of nitrogen the environment. e increasing trend to be better on our environment comes with a need for better understanding of key measures, plant needs and improvements in monitoring the nitrogen cycle. Recent work being undertaken by NZ Avocados is building a better understanding on sustainability models for growing avocados. is research and analysis also contributes to our ability to build more environmentally friendly nutrient application models. For our own avocado orchards, I did some quick analysis, initially to measure nutrient applied volumes and the costs. What I found surprised me. When I analysed nutrient application costs per unit of nitrogen, the cost of the physical product represented 22 per cent of the total on-orchard applied cost. On-orchard costs include the cost of the product, freight and spreading. We had done some modelling ve years ago that identi ed improved operations with more capital investment. From that spend we have reduced the total on-orchard cost by $50 per unit of nitrogen. is analysis shows savings proportionally, both in fertiliser cost and spread costs. Net benefit to the environment In making the changes we have also reduced our applications and therefore our deliveries and our fertiliser types. We have reduced our carbon footprint, reduced our compactions, saved dollars on expenses and, importantly, improved how we impact ourNotenvironment.allactionshave come at a nancial bene t but the net bene t is our improved environmental impact. What I’ve taken out of this project has surprised me. Regular analysis has bene ted our orchard and, while we went looking for environmental and sustainable bene ts, we gained bene ts from a wider range than anticipated. We are better informed with regular analysis and modelling. We are able to more e ectively grow our fruit and sustain our environment. A wider bene t is our ability to operate more nancially e cient. Applying sustainable systems can produce bene ts wider than just the growing environment. We went after some savings and delivered them, despite rising costs. Happy

A graph shows the decreasing cost per unit of nitrogen over 12 consecutive applications spanning ve years.

Page 23AVOCADOSSeptember 2022 Coast & Country News SUPPLY, DELIVER AND SPREAD SERVICE AVAILABLE.

As land guardians we want to grow good healthy food and do this sustainably. at includes, not only how we treat the land, soil and wider environment, but also what we put into the soil and what we take out. Recently, I’ve been working on cover crops and while to date they have been challenged by the growing method, it was a great project to diversify the sward of our orchards. While not all plants survived, we did increase the biodiversity with limited management impact and therefore we have a better range of plants contributing to the ecosystem. We also had some orchard blocks in the avo-advantage project with the results and ndings already published via Avocado NZ and NZIPIM.

Somethinggrowing. I wasn’t expecting

About 20 years ago it started substituting bark bre and coco bre for peat in some of its compost mixes but that is not suitable for all applications. Because of the acidity levels required for growing some crops it is not currently possible to totally replace peat, but it is possible to immediately, and signi cantly reduce the reliance onDaltonspeat. general manager Colin Parker says they identi ed Dr Jackson as being the leading global expert in wood bre processing and connected with him about three years ago.

Home grown solution Daltons, a family-owned business in Matamata has been supplying growing media (potting mix etc) to both home gardeners and commercial growers of plants and food for 75 years.

Daltons will use wood chips from Pinus radiata trees, many of which will then be replanted using growing media with the processed wood bre as an ingredient, making the process both sustainable and

Sharing a passion for sustainability

Page 24 AVOCADOS September 2022 Coast & Country News +64 9 954 5411 info@agritechnovation.co.nz www.agritechnovation.co.nz MYFARMWEB™ Agri Technovation’s solution to informed agronomic decisions, MyFarmWebTM layered data visualisation platform. An interactive, cloud-based platform, accessed through any browser, for storing, visualizing and comparing all types of maps and geographic farm data. Monitor crop, pest, soil, andconditions.weather Compare layers of data in one platform.consolidated Convert conclusions into plans of action. MAKINGDECISIONSINFORMED Also availble in an off-line capable mobile app EXPERTSWHENSOTHINGSDON'TSEEMIMPOSSIBLE...YOUKNOWANGOTYOURBACK AAL is a large scale independent operator oforchard management, growing, harvesting and packing. We supply a full range of services andequipment as well as a reliable, experienced team with exceptional customer service. AAL is equipped to handle the jobs you can't do...right throughto the jobs you just don't want to do. If you need advice or management of your orchard, find out more by contacting our team on 07 549 1809 or visit www.aaltd.co.nz AAU AONGATETE AVOCADOS LTD. Wood bre could provide a suitable alternative to peat now that the technology to process it has arrived in New SwappingZealand. peat for

“His knowledge, experience and guidance have been invaluable to us over the last few years as we researched numerous options before purchasing the industry’s rst wood bre processing machine.

An estimated 60,000 cubic metres of growing media is used each year in the horticultural and agricultural industries in New Zealand and much of it contains peat. ere is a small amount of peat extracted in New Zealand but peat bogs are regulated in the same way as the likes of coal mines, so their days areMostnumbered.ofthepeat contained in compost and other growing media used by New Zealand growers is imported from Canada or Eastern Europe.

“ is is a really exciting time for New Zealand’s horticultural industry. Because of the high quality of the Pinus radiata wood chips being used in New Zealand, there’s huge potential to export processed wood bre overseas to meet global demand,” says Dr Jackson.

New tech arrives A global expert in horticultural substrates, Dr Brian Jackson from North Carolina State University, has been researching alternatives to peat and educating horticulturalists and others worldwide for close to two decades. He was in New Zealand for a short visit last month to educate and share his environmental passion with growers and talk speci cally about the potential for using processed wood bre products in lieu of peat. Processed wood bre products are not new but up until now there has been no technology in New Zealand to manufacture a product suitable for local horticultural use.

Reducing reliance on imports e chief executive of New Zealand Plant Producers Incorporated NZPPI, Matthew Dolan is hailing 2022 as the start of a new, exciting era of innovation for horticulture. He says Dr Jackson’s visit could not be better timed for the industry as it coincides with the arrival of new wood bre processing technology which Dolan cites as a crucial part of the puzzle towards futureproo ng the industry. Being able to access locally produced wood bre products means New Zealand growers will reduce their reliance on imported material which cuts down freight costs and makes for a gentler environmental footprint.

Dr Brian Jackson

Ireland has recently banned peat extraction because of the high levels of carbon emitted when it is intensively harvested. Add to that, New Zealand’s ambitious goal of having one billion trees planted – triple the current amount – by 2035 and the need to nd a viable, locally sourced alternative to peat becomes urgent.

“We are thrilled that the machine has nally arrived here, and that Dr Jackson has agreed to come to New Zealand to share his knowledge and passion for sustainability with others in our industry.”

woodrenewable. fibre

Gypsum works well when incorporated into a long-term programme as an available source of calcium and sulphur, which can be applied on its own or alongside other fertiliser applications. e overall rate of release from gypsum is controlled by the rate with which the calcium and sulphate are taken up from the soil solution. Speed of action can be hastened by cultivating gypsum in and by adding organic matter to the soil. Talk to your advisor for further information and guidance on applications of gypsum in your orchard. readily available source of calcium and sulphate sulphur to support soil health and plant growth. For more information scan the QR code or go to gypsum.co.nz

Page 25AVOCADOSSeptember 2022 Coast & Country News

Calcium is not a cure-all for avocado problems, but prudent, informed applications can improve the health and productivity of an avocado orchard. Several forms of calcium are commonly used as soilGypsumamendments.isoften used to increase soil permeability, reduce crusting, loosen hard soils, develop soil structure, and remove exchangeable sodium from the soil.

The benefits of using gypsum Available at: Your soil will love you forever. 100% natural, BioGro certified Supplies

Increased permeability

Maintaining calcium essential Calcium carbonate (calcite, limestone) is frequently applied to raise the pH of an acidic soil. For soil with a neutral pH, gypsum works better as a calcium Maintenancesource.ofcalcium supply is essential for plant growth.

In avocado orchards, calcium governs cell wall strength, plant growth, fruit development, fruit quality and storage. Calcium levels a ect avocado fruit yield, size, and post-harvest quality. Fruit ripening is also slowed by high internal levels of calcium and coldinduced disorders are decreased.

In a study of Californian avocado orchards, is has been observed that calcium amendments can reduce avocado root rot by creating a favourable environment for the growth of the tree. Gypsum can increase permeability, allowing water to drain freely through the soil, which allows more oxygen to reach the roots. Vigorous root growth is important in disease resistance. e Californian study also found soils suppressive to avocado root rot in California and Australia were found to have high levels of organic matter, high levels of available calcium, available nitrogen, and high microbial activity. High levels of nutrients available for both plants and microorganisms in a soil may a ect avocado root rot in two ways: by increasing plant growth and root regeneration, and by nourishing microorganisms that are antagonistic to root rot.

Buying the herd

...continued From gumboots Coast & Country News

All Photos: Catherine Fry

Page 26

Eighteen-year-old Nina Juby is spending her late teens studying science at Waikato University and taking the lead with the breeding and care of the Wagyu herd owned by her father Nigel and business partner Daniel Je eries. Wagyu, meaning Japanese cow, originate from Japan and are a small build cow usually with brown coats. eir stature and neutral colouring, which isn’t typically that of a beef cow, belies the fact that their meat is considered to be the best beef in the world.

“Instead of sub-cutaneous fat, they store fat in their muscles, which leads to highly marbled meat and an especially sought after, large eye muscle,” Nina says. In Japan, the Wagyu was considered a draught animal, pulling carts and ploughs, and wintered inside under Japanese houses. ey were bred over 2000 years for their endurance as work animals. ey grow e ciently and don’t eat much grass. Under Buddhism, the Japanese were prohibited from eating esh, especially from four-legged animals. is was lifted during the Meij Restoration which started in 1867, and Wagyu were identi ed as a prime beef producer in Japan.

“Dad was in a syndicate with three others and in 2017 they bought 10 live Wagyu in Australia to bring over and breed with, but M. bovis happened and they weren’t able to bring them into the country.”

Wagyu breeder and university science student Nina Juby.

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Instead they contracted a family friend to embryo ush the cows and they imported the embryos to continue with their plan. e Jubys leased a grazing block to support the recipient cows. About 200 embryos were imported over two to three years and shared between the syndicate members to widen the New Zealand Wagyu gene pool.

Nina is majoring in Molecular Biology at university and is equally at home looking down a microscope or in her gumboots on the farm.

“We are also looking at the Wagyu as a solution to bobby calves in the dairy industry by transferring pure bred Wagyu embryos to a farm’s dairy heifers for their rst calves. Not only will it have a purpose, but the calf will be a pure bred Wagyu and its meat will sell for a premium price.”

She makes most of the decisions about their Wagyu breeding programme and day-to-day care and runs it past Nigel and Dan as “they have the money”, but they usually approve. Australia has more than 250,000 registered full blood Wagyu and the Jubys import semen from there and the United States for their own breeding programme. eir heifers are ushed between two and six times a year for embryos, and then run with the bull to get them in calf. e farm has a small mixed beef herd that is used as recipients for some of the embryos that will be furthering the genetics of the Juby/Je eries Wagyu herd. Other embryos are used in Nigel’s embryo transfer business. e market changes so fast that Nina isn’t sure in what direction her career will take her, but for now she is content with her study and Wagyu breeding. Nina Juby with one of her pure bred Wagyu heifers.

to Nina majoringis sciencebiologymolecularininherdegree.

Page 27September 2022 Coast & Country News continued...

“In 2019 we bought the 30 hectares we have today. e syndicate sold the original cows in Australia and with Dan, we concentrated on going all out on improving our herd.” ey have 150 Wagyu and breed 40 to 50 cows a year and ush about 100 embryos. ere are 200 registered full blood Wagyu in New Zealand and 75 belong to the Jubys and Dan. Nina lists the advantages of the breed - easy calving, easily reared, shorter gestation period, e cient feed converters, lighter animal so less damage to pasture, and of course their quality, marbled meat. “Wagyu characteristics make them the ideal cow to put over dairy heifers for their rst calf which gives bobby calves a purpose as the meat will be of higherInitiallyquality.”theJubys concentrated on embryo ushing their Wagyu and growing breeding bulls for the dairy industry to lease or buy, but have sold semen occasionally. e demand for leasing Wagyu bulls has tripled from the 2021 season as people recognise the value of using them. Farmers often comment on how quiet the bulls are and Nina says they are all handled a lot. ere is no tolerance for unsafe behaviour and any animals displaying it are used for beef not breeding. Wagyu can be quite highly strung but settle well when handled.

Taking the lead Nina has been brought up on Wagyu meat and says that beef from the females arguably tastes better, but the males grow a bit faster. Dan nishes about 40 pure bred steers and heifers and sells Wagyu meat boxes. e Wagyu are mainly fed grass with some chicory and silage. As a last resort if it is really dry over the summer some palm kernel is added to their diet.

A pure bred Wagyu calf delivered by a belted Galloway after a successful embryo transfer.

e NZ Young Farmers Board is a great place and environment to continue to give back to an organisation which has given me so much, whilst continuing to develop my capabilities within our rural sector to bene t our rural communities and for the next generation of farmers.”

Inglewood Young Farmer Jessie Waite is the new Chair of New Zealand Young Farmers. Jessie, 30, replaces Kent Weir. “I’m really looking forward to the next 12 months working with the Board, NZYF national o ce and members who are our key stakeholders. It’s going to be exciting, but also quite challenging which I think is a goodSouthbalance.”Waikato Young Farmer Chloe Bel eld and Mackenzie Young Farmer Nicola Blowey have also taken their seats on the board, after being elected at the NZYF AGM in July. Board members are elected annually on a three-year term. Diverse range of skills Jessie was a board member for two years prior to being elected as Chair and says she is excited to work with Bel eld and Blowey who have hit the ground running.

Nicola, 28, is a former dairy farmer, now working as a Dairy New Zealand extension o cer. Originally from the United Kingdom, she landed in Aotearoa in 2016 and brings membership experience from other Young Farmer organisations across the globe, including the UK, Canada and“MyEurope.experience is in on-farm, grassroots members and my focus is on delivering for the membership to ensure the long-term success of ourSheorganisation.”hasheldexecutive positions at Club and regional level and also sat on the National Committee as the Aorangi Delegate.

Page 28 September 2022 Coast & Country News tr�o�y�e�s9nd9.e� � a rd www.thechookyard.co.nz We stock a comprehensive range of Poultry Feed & Treats, Health Supplements, Pest & Parasite controls, Feeders & Drinkers, Heating Plates, Incubators, Coops, Pine Shavings & much more! Visit our shop or purchase online! We also sell Certified Organic & GE Free Feeds 1L nipple$14.90drinker • •Heat Lamp Couer with Thermostat Expectlng Ag Day Chlclts? - Ch'1c" L.from s9s.1o Planning to incubate hatching eggs? H eatmg ; P lates from s119 IR or Ceramic Bulbs from $49.90 Feeders & Drinkers from $9. We haue euerythin __you need! I\ westo1r V Milling I1111'1//� Chicli Crumbles 1 Brinsea Incubators from $219.90 We raise vaccinated Brown Shavers! .,_ .,_ Guaranteed pullets 1< 1<10 g tO 25 g available (,: � *organic certified auailable from day-old chicks � to Point-of-Lay 53 Reid Road, Glenbrook,Franklin 2681 Ph: (021) 049-0138 or (09)238-71 � b,_u..,_.._._..,_.. cs: Stockists_of• Qmh\�:r DENVER-Tuesday to Friday 12pm- 6pm Saturday 10am- 5pm Sunday, Monday & Public Holidays - CLOSED TOCKPIII!� • • l�A�eli1 bene t us hugely.”

“ e biggest bene t of being an NZYF member is the friends and connections you make right across the country which has been a huge highlight for me.

“ ey both have di erent skill sets and are each bringing something di erent and diverse to the Board table which will

Key projects Jessie says her focus over the next 12 months is to continue the organisation’s growth and keep up the“We’vemomentum.recently launched some key projects to make the future of the organisation sustainable with the NZYF Community, and to bene t our members with the new digital platform.

Chloe, 24, has been a member since she was 17. She works for Fonterra as a business improvement lead and has also started her own business, ‘Jones Agri“YoungFencing’.Farmers has provided me with a lot at a young age, and within an organisation that equally shares my passion for our rural communities and sector.” She has held roles at club, district and regional level, most recently as the Otago Southland Chairwoman which she says has helped build con dence, leadership, and governance capabilities.

“I was super impressed with their ability to get into the board meeting and have a good grasp on the discussions.

Young Farmers elect plenty of experience NZ Young Farmers directors, from left; Nicola Blowey, Sammy Bills, Chair Jessie Waite, Chloe Bel eld and independent director Malcom Nitschke.

“I am really looking forward to hitting those targets and goals and also being part of other projects that are going to see our members thrive.”

An OSPRI Regional Partner in Taranaki, Jessie has been an NZYF member for nine years.

“People are the heart of this organisation and its legacy, our members both former and present have made New Zealand Young Farmers what it is today and I feel beyond privileged to represent them.”

“

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The owner works 6 months of the year throughout the winter period, and in that time is working only 3 ½ days per week. proﬁt to one working owner comes to them – no marketing needed service provider for major landscaping companies established equipment

Most rural residents know by now that foot-and-mouth is a highly contagious viral disease that a ects animals with hooves split in two, such as cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, deer and alpaca. Rural Women New Zealand wants to ensure all cattle and deer owners know they are legally obliged to register with the National Animal Identi cation and TracingRWNZscheme.Region 5 leader Mary McTavish says NAIT is one of the main tools up the sleeve of the Minister for Agriculture and Biosecurity in the event of an FMD outbreak in Aotearoa.

"It does not matter if you have one or 1000 animals, if the cow is a pet or if you are planning on a home kill; the law still requires the animal to have an ear tag and be registered with NAIT," Mary says. e NAIT scheme allows the Ministry for Primary Industries to trace the movement of cattle and deer around Aotearoa and is a vital part of our biosecurity defence in the event of an outbreak of an animal disease such as FMD. NAIT tags are available from most vets for about $5 each and can be registered ananimaltrace.nait.co.nzat:Ifyoudonotregisteranimalthatisborn on your property or report buying or selling animals, then you could be subject to a ne of $800 or more. In addition, if you have any cattle or deer, you must also register the number of other cloven-hooved animals on your land, such as sheep. Some states in Australia require animals such as sheep to be tagged, but there is currently no such requirement in New Zealand.

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Lifestyle block owners need to get familiar with biosecurity too with the threat of diseasefoot-and-mouthlooming.

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Page 29September 2022 Coast & Country News has a role in biosecurity

& machinery provided •Includes Truck Mounted Tree Spade This business would suit landscapers looking to expand their business, or anybody looking for a lifestyle business that makes them a reliable proﬁt year on end. Bay of Plenty $95,000The Perfect Work Life Balance! 0800 109 www.ecoworld.co.nz202 Breakthrough Product Developed for your Septic Tank Also Available at: Before* After* Septi-CureTM is:  Cost Effective  Easy To use  Improves Soakage  Reduces Solids and Scums  Eliminates Nasty Odours  Reduces Costly Pump-outs Like us on Facebook A satisfied customer in Hamilton has been using Septi Cure for over five years. He says this allows them to have an odour free septic tank with low maintenance costs. He also says that his service person is amazed at how well Septi-Cure works, keeping their tank in very good condition. *Results may vary As the threat of foot-and-mouth disease looms like an impending storm, the importance of educating lifestyle block owners in New Zealand about their responsibilities has perhaps been underestimated.

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Lifestyle blockers can also register their property details at: farmsonline.mpi.govt.nz, which will help MPI contact them in case of a biosecurity outbreak or rural emergency. e outbreak of any disease can have far-reaching implications on so many levels. " e economic and emotional impacts of an outbreak of FMD in New Zealand would adversely a ect all of us, whether living in a rural area or city," Mary says. "We all have a role to play in ensuring our country remains FMD free be it as a biosecurity conscious traveller or animal owner.”

Non-lethal pig trap saves lambs

Iron Tree Products, based in Northland, manufacture a wide range of products – from the renowned Serious Incinerator, to animal shelters and pens and decks for utilityCo-ownervehicles.Milton

New enhanced formula

An example of this is the Aging Clinical Experimental Research, 2021 peer reviewed study into the e ectiveness of high-grade Chondroitin Sulphate. It concluded that high grade CS at 800mg was e ective at reducing symptoms of osteoarthritis. is study was so profound that it resulted in the adoption of CS as a prescription medicine in Europe.

A new non-lethal pig trap is nearing release, after on-farm trials, and is expected to be in demand by sheep farmers whose land borders native bush with large wild pig populations.

Abundant Health

approached by farmers who, each year, lose large numbers of lambs to wild“Traditionalpigs. pig traps are heavy and can only be moved into position with tractors, so we have designed and developed a rectangular galvanised steel and mesh trap which is collapsible and easily transported.” e pig trap is non-lethal, merely trapping but not injuring the pig. “ e trap has been tested by a hunter and a farmer who both said it was easy to move around on very steep country, and a very e ective way to trap wild pigs.” e Iron Tree Products Pig Trap is expected to be available for delivery across New Zealand in time for this year’s lambing. “ e traps are another tool in a farmer’s toolbox to protect newly born lambs which are very vulnerable to attack from wild pigs,” Milton says. Iron Tree Products is a family-owned business operating from a workshop in Titoki, Whangarei. Its focus is on producing products that are well engineered and manufactured “so they last for decades”.

I used this study to help me formulate my joint supplement. I included 800mg daily dose of high-grade CS in my formula along with 800mg of Glucosamine sulphate and 200mg of 95 per cent Curcumin, from turmeric. I then evaluated chondroitin suppliers, and most were bovine or marine sourced. I found that avian (chicken) CS has a higher proportion of chosediscussionthereforechondroitin-4-sulfateimportantandisbetterabsorbedsoafterwithabiochemisthighgradeavianCS.Allgood so far!

When I formulate any supplement, I use research and best evidence to build a successful formula.

I have now built up a signi cant record of people using this formula over the past seven years. While real-life results always vary, those who have implemented my recommendations and follow the review process have overwhelmingly had bene ts, some minor, some signi cant with most saying that the supplements have resulted in greater comfort and mobility. As an example, a person I am currently helping has had worsening osteoarthritis in both knees with X-rays showing signi cant deterioration in her right knee. In March, we started her on a programme that included a double dose of my joint supplement and 4000mg of Omega 3 sh oil. She has reported signi cant improvements over the past four months and has noticed a reduction in discomfort and is now able to walk freely again.

Page 30 September 2022 Coast & Country News

Brown says the company is always looking for new ideas that add value, and were e new pig trap designed and tested by Iron Tree Products.

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

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Are you taking a joint supplement? (Part two)

Designer kitchens with Bosch appliances are standard, as are designer LeVivi ttings in the ensuite, bathroom and laundry.

All homes are built to the New Zealand Building Code and come with a Code of Compliance and a 10-year structural warranty.

Quality xtures and fttings

Finding the best options Advantage Designer Homes are constructed on the company’s site at 73 Horotiu Road, Waikato and transported across the North Island. Check out the range of homes on: www.adh.nz or contact the Advantage Designer Homes team on: 0800 333 374 to arrange a tour of their on-site show home or to discuss the best option for your new home.

advantage is easy to

Page 31September 2022 Coast & Country News WWW.PIAKO.CO.NZ ROTORUA I MORRINSVILLE I MATAMATA I WHANGAREI WORK SMARTER, NOT HARDER THIS SPRING! TRACTOR, MOWER DECK & LOADER FROM $24,995ONLY +GST LIMITED STOCK

Each home is designed for its speci c site requirements – earthquake, wind and climate –and arrive on site wired, plumbed, carpet and vinyl laid and fully painted inside and out.

The

e Stirling design by Advantage Designer Homes.

Advantage Designer Homes has a unique advantage over other New Zealand transportable homes building companies – its sister company is one of the country’s most experienced building removalAdvantagespecialists.Designer Homes was formed by Prestige Building Removals to provide a unique in-house service which takes clients from design, through to relocation of their new transportable home. Based at Horotiu in the Waikato, Advantage Designer Homes manufacture and relocate one to ve bedroom homes. Building your home your way When it comes to design, clients have two options – choose from the Primary Range of Homes or they can utilise the Designer Home system and modify the layout and the products used to produce a tailor made home to the client’s exact requirements.

e name says it all.

Waikato Regional Council is looking forward to working with Tiakina Kauri and seeing more funds become available to protect kauri as part of the new National Pest Management Plan. e NPMP is part of a $32 million injection of funding into kauri protection over ve years and Tiakini Kauri will now develop a National Operational Plan.

Fruition Horticulture is o ering the last of six papers towards the Fruition Diploma in Horticulture Production Level 6 and it is the last chance to study completely free. Fruition has developed the NZQA-approved programme that is available for anyone around the country, with opportunities to engage on-line or to attend physical classes at its Tauranga base. e paper can be done as a one-o or combined with another ve papers to gain a Diploma in Horticulture

Page 32 September 2022 Coast & Country News

Waikato has the second largest population of Kauri. undetected for PA and the council intended to keep it that eway.Manaia Forest Sanctuary in the Coromandel Peninsula alone has about 410 of the oldest trees within the kauri distribution area, including the sixth largest kauri tree in New Zealand. “Our kauri can be saved by stopping the spread of PA by limiting the movement of soil by humans, stock and feral animals. “ is council is committed to providing solutions to make it easier for landowners, community groups and industry to do their bit to protect this taonga.”

Last chance for free horticulture study

Greg says the Waikato has the largest population of protectionkauri gets mighty funding boost

e council’s integrated catchment management director Greg Ryan says regional and unitary councils have been advocating for national action for many years and it was good to nally have the NPMP in place, with funding available. “ ere is $8 million of funding available each year for the rst three years and we hope the Waikato will bene t considerably from that as we have the second largest population of kauri in New Zealand. Last year, to help prepare for the NPMP, the council received $1.28 million from the Government.

inandthethehavereallybutimprovement,topictheoryhorticultureimprovementaddresswhichSandyProduction.FruitionHorticulture’sScarrowsaysthepapers,beginonSeptember7,thetopicofcontinuousinacontext.“ereisconsiderablearoundtheofcontinuoushowdoesitwork?Whatimpactcanyouassomeoneworkinginindustryonimprovingeconomic,social,cultural,environmentaloutcomesyourworkplace?“Howcanyoulockthese improvements in? “We are excited to o er this opportunity to anyone working in the industry. Currently the course is completely free to participants. All you need to spend is quality time engaging in class for 12 weeks and preparing your sincehaspicture”“it’scompletely”,“changedsaypastassessments.”Feedbackfromparticipantsthecoursemythinkingacknowledgingthatreallygoodtoseethebiggerand“myworkplacevaluedmyinputalotmorestartingwithFruition”.

Make more green this summer with 501 Chicory. Make more green this summer with 501 Chicory.

e price of all imported high analysis fertiliser has escalated, and in the case of urea (nitrogen) and DAP, a crop starter fertiliser containing nitrogen and soluble phosphorus, the price has doubled within the past 12 months.

Ensuring optimum performance by using inputs more e ciently is the way of the future.

Enjoying the benefits Functional Fertiliser clients have, over the past 30 years, enjoyed the bene ts of lower fertiliser costs and up to a 30 per cent increase in annual pasture production with more even growth throughout the season. An often-voiced concern is that of production loss during the transition from one system to another. ere are a number of strategies that can be tailored to t individual farm situations to ensure no loss does occur. For more information contact Peter on: 0800 843 809.

Extra value $450/ha* 501 Chicory is very fast establishing and out-yields some other varieties. This could mean an extra 50kg MS/ha worth $450/ha*.

Increasedcycled.

Long term trial results show that high levels of plant available phosphorus don’t necessarily increase pasture production although it does limit the likelihood of low production. Replacing what is lost in production is best practise however the key to ensuring su cient plant availability of phosphorus at all times is the speed at which it being

Page 33September 2022 Coast & Country News DAIRY

@BarenbrugNZfacebook.com/BarenbrugNZbarenbrug.co.nz

*Based on 550kg DM/ha extra yield and $9/kg MS milk price. Yield data based on yield info from combined trial analysis of Cambridge 11-12, and Canterbury 12-13.

Replacing what is lost Most New Zealand soils contain around 500kgP/ ha within the growing zone of plants, more than su cient to meet the 20 -25kg P/ha lost from intensive pastoral situations.

Dung, old root, and uneaten herbage all contain signi cant amounts of phosphorus and the speed at which these are decomposed by bene cial soil biology nutrientreleasingforplant uptake is just as important as the size of the pool. Rather than continuing to use the strategies of applying well above maintenance inputs to limit poor performance a shift to using less and ensuring optimum performance by using it more e ciently is the way of the future. To do this it is necessary to recognise the essentiality of bene cial soil biology and work with those that have the resources and experience to provide biologically crumb-rich soil on a large scale.

ere is no substitute for fertiliser nitrogen in cropping which is quite di erent to permanent grazedere’spasture.avariety of reasons for the increases including shipping disruptions, however manufacturing fertiliser is energy intensive and with crude oil still 60 per cent above that of the last 10 years, it would be prudent to expect prices to remain at their present levels, with any reduction an unexpected bonus. ings can change; signi cantly and quickly, however the risk is to the upside rather than the downside at present. at puts increased pressure on farmers’ costs which they are unable to pass on as higher prices to their customers, therefore they must look to ways of greater e ciency at farm level. Pastoral farmers already have the answer to reduced dependence on urea using products and programmes that promote healthy clover throughout the months when it’s too warm for grasses to remain in a vegetative state. Utilising nitrogen xed free of charge by clover is the basis of this country’s unequalled success since the second world war up until the advent of cheap nitrogen from the ammonia urea plant at Kapuni. What is not appreciated by many is that Kapuni supplies only about half of the country’s demand, the other half being imported product, with the price farmers pay subsidised by every tax payer - a somewhat ironic situation given environmental concerns. e use of soluble phosphorus is likewise a somewhat nuanced situation given that the sale of superphosphate to pastoral farmers has been based on its increased solubility compared to genuine soft phosphate rock. For the past 30 years, the superphosphate manufacturing companies have largely dismissed the claims of those selling soft phosphate rock, claiming that only one-third of what is applied is available in the rst year.

Prior to 1990, when the funding model for research changed, there was signi cant work undertaken by scientists at centres throughout the country into soil biological processes and the bene ts of increased pasture yield and carrying capacity well documented.

fertiliser efficiency is essential

GRUNDFOS ®

e key di erence? Bumper crops provide much cheaper feed than disappointing ones. ey’re way more pro table, too, and better for your peace of mind, especially if summer turns dry. Follow a few handy tips when sowing and establishing 501 Chicory this spring, and you’ll be all set for success. If you want to make 501 happy, give it an e uent paddock. ese soils are nutrient-rich, so let nature work her recycling magic. Hungry chicory soaks up excess nitrogen and potassium with deep roots, turning them and other nutrients into delectable summer eating for your cows. Cows then re-distribute some of those nutrients back over the farm. In the process, 501 is transformed into milk, and cowEvencondition.though501 will ultimately send a tap root down as deep as 1.5 metres, it’s a shallow character early in life.

Getting set for success

You’ve probably all heard the saying, ‘it costs as much to grow a high yielding summer crop as it does to grow a poor one’.

to benefit from bull auction

Target the sweet spot in between these two extremes.

Groundswell organisers Bryce MacKenzie and Laurie Paterson and others have volunteered many unpaid hours to stand up for grassroots farmers with sensible, common sense, well-thoughtout options, in contrast to bureaucracy-driven, unworkable Government regulation.

e lot 40 bull in the Stokman Angus Sale is to be auctioned o on Wednesday September 21, with all proceeds going to Groundswell NZ. In addition, PGG Wrightson will auction the bull with no commission taken and Downlands Deer livestock transport will deduct $200 from the delivery cost of the bull to its new owner. With the challenges being thrown at New Zealand farmers, especially beef and sheep farmers, Mark, Sherrie and Jake Stokman decided that Groundswell would be the best recipient for a donation bull in this year’s yearling

Page 34 DAIRY September 2022 Coast & Country News

Lot 40, Stokman Stellar S263, has a standout pedigree, going back to Sitz Stellar, one of the most popular bulls in the USA at the moment, and Edmund and Bando 9074. Both have been used heavily in the Angus breed in NZ and Australia. His EBV’s are outstanding and there was an open day at Stokman Angus on August 24.

A ‘G’ will decorate his rump so he can be identi ed from the other 99 sale bulls that will be presented at the Stokman Angus Farm Sale Barn at 1708 Te Kopia Road, Waikite Valley, Rotorua. Join Groundswell at: www.groundswellnz.co.nz and follow them on Facebook. Stokman Stellar S263 has a standout pedigree and is being sold o later this month, with all proceeds going to Groundswell.

Generally chicory is best sown in our region after October 1, up until Labour Day. You want to be con dent the soil is consistently above 12 degC and rising before AGRICOTEdrilling.seed treatment protects newly germinated seedlings from insect pests when they are most vulnerable. Don’t forget slug bait, either.

Chicory usually germinates quickly, after which young plants then seem to sit and look like they’re not doing much for about four weeks. Don’t worry about this! ey are putting their energy into developing deep tap roots, which help them tolerate dry spells over summer better than ryegrass. Once settled, you’ll see more action.

Sow it no deeper than 1cm, into a rm, even seedbed with no weeds. It will be right at home. Rolling the paddock before and after sowing is an extra step to achieve even better establishment. is encourages uniform germination, not only for 501 but for any weed seeds lurking in the soil, so it will be easier to spray these out later. If we sow 501 too early, before the soil warms up, establishment is slow and competition from weeds can be more of a problem. If we sow too late, your rst and subsequent grazings will be delayed. If conditions turn dry early, lack of moisture may stop the crop growing as much feed as you expect.

Groundswellsale.

501 crops should be ready to graze when the plants have seven leaves. Let your cows into the paddock when chicory plants are 30cm high, and take them o again when they have grazed it down to 3cm. As an annual, 501 Chicory is typically quicker to the rst grazing than more perennial chicories, and can give you up to one more full grazing. Giving 501 chicory the best start.

Hamish and Ella Ferguson are now using the CR-1 electronic cup removers and TS-1 in-bail teat sprayers in the shed at their Bay of Islands dairy farm.

THE

FOR FARMING SUPPORT FARM HOMEOPATHICSERVICES farmservices.nz info@farmservices.nz07 858 4233 @HomeopathicFarmServices Udder Combo Supports sudden

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farmservices.nz info@farmservices.nz07

FARM

“We are strong on innovation and sales and always keep it New Zealand centric.”

Searching for e ciencies

FARMING

TALK TO THE EXPERTS FOR SUPPORT onset of with young TO EXPERTS FOR 858 4233 Combo Supports sudden onset of udder in ammation with heat and swelling Travel Combo the transition for young calves transportingwhile Injury Combo Support for injured cows following calving di culties

ey can be retro tted on any existing milking equipment –herringbone or rotary – and can be easily installed during the milking season.

cup

heat and swelling Travel Combo Easing the transition for

calves transportingwhile Injury Combo Support for injured cows following calving di culties 07 858 @HomeopathicFarmServicesinfo@farmservices.nzfarmservices.nz4233

FARM HOMEOPATHICSERVICES farmservices.nz info@farmservices.nz07 858 4233 @HomeopathicFarmServices Udder Combo Supports sudden

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@HomeopathicFarmServices

clever removers

Easing

udder in ammation with heat and swelling Travel Combo Easing the

in ammation

@HomeopathicFarmServices Udder

udder in ammation with heat and swelling Travel Combo Easing the transition for young calves transportingwhile Injury Combo Support for injured cows following calving di culties TALK TO THE

FOR FARMING SUPPORT FARM HOMEOPATHICSERVICES farmservices.nz info@farmservices.nz07 858 4233 @HomeopathicFarmServices Udder Combo Supports

“Farmers want things that are easy to install, easy to service, modestly priced and robust, and we can design and build what the New Zealand market wants.

Hamish and Ella Ferguson are equity partners with Hamish’s parents Allison and erePeter.they milk 580 cows on 195 e ective hectares using a system 4 with spring calving – feeding maize and PK all season. “We are always looking for e ciencies and making sure our sta are happy so MilktechNZ cup removers was an important part of achieving this,” the couple says. “We chose MilktechNZ due to its leading technology and innovation. We use the MaxT philosophy so instead of investing in retention arms we have invested in the MilktechNZ TS-1 in-bail teat spray system. “We are always trying to improve our animal health, and teat spraying immediately after milking was very important to us.” Can be retro tted Gustavo o ered “a big thanks” from MilktechNZ to the Ferguson family. e MilktechNZ CR-1 automatically removes the cluster at the end of the milking

calves transportingwhile Injury Combo Support for injured cows following calving di culties TALK

“You can change milking parameters from your smartphone or any WiFi device in real time making it easy to customise your CR-1 electronic cup removers.”

heat and swelling Travel Combo Easing the

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Udder Combo Supports sudden onset of udder in ammation with heat and swelling Travel Combo transition young EXPERTS onset of EXPERTS sudden onset of transition young EXPERTS sudden onset of udder with transition for young

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ey have just nished another “exciting” MilktechNZ installation of CR-1 electronic cup removers and TS-1 in-bail teat sprayers in the beautiful Bay of Islands.

TALK TO THE EXPERTS FOR FARMING SUPPORT HOMEOPATHICSERVICES 858 4233

calves transportingwhile Injury Combo Support for injured cows following calving di culties TALK TO THE

Page 35DAIRYSeptember 2022 Coast & Country News e pressure on farmers for labour e ciencies has become immense, says MilktechNZ founder and CEO Gustavo Garza.

udder in ammation

FARMING SUPPORT FARM HOMEOPATHICSERVICES farmservices.nz info@farmservices.nz07

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ere are many controlling factors and council rules to comply with when subdividing. e most important to you as the potential seller are the safety aspects such as the entrance onto the road, stable house site and potential contamination. Other issues that the council considers include rural character, drainage for stormwater and wastewater, ecology and electricity supply.

It is almost guaranteed that you won’t be able to do in the future what you can now.

So, where can I subdivide?

Page 36 DAIRY September 2022 Coast & Country News

Good access is one of the key factors ingaining subdivision approval.

Photo: Dan Hutchinson

Recently we have seen Central Government wield the stick in terms of urban subdivision. For the rst time ever, we have seen Government step over local authorities and rule that intensive development of three stories and three units per section are allowed in some cities. Will this Government intervention happen in rural areas? I can’t see it happening for a long time. However, there is new resource management legislation coming. Watch this space! At present, local councils make their own rural subdivision rules considering national policy statements and regional council rules. ere is also a political element, whereby councillors often try and keep historical expectations alive for their constituents. So, when they review the rules they may retain existing provisions for some property. Seek advice In the Waikato, Coromandel and Bay of Plenty Regions, the opportunities for subdivision areHauraki,varied. ames/Coromandel, Matamata/Piako, Whakatane and South Waikato are relatively permissive of subdivision in their rural zones, particularly where they don’t impact highly productive soils. Further west, in both Otorohanga and Waitomo districts, subdivision development is encouraged because they want to encourage development. However, in Waikato, Waipa and Bay of Plenty, your subdivision options are more limited, with most subdivisions being allowed in return for the protection of ecological features on the property being subdivided. Such features include wetland and native bush. Sometimes this extends to historic, cultural or landscape features. If there is demand for lifestyle blocks or smaller farms in your area your rst step might be to contact your local council or look on their website. ey often include a summary of what subdivision is allowed in the area. e main criteria is usually the minimum size of the new sections. If your property ts the bill, or you have seen evidence of subdivision development in your area, the next step would be to contact a subdivision specialist to advise you on the process and potential costs.

It seldom gets easier

So, all in all, subdividing is a complex process that takes experienced people considerable time and e ort to carry out. You need the patience to work through the process and come out with a section that is free of issues for both the seller, purchaser and the wider community. at said, it can be a satisfying experience if done properly and there is demand for the new blocks. Subdividing to create new titles is also an investment. As we have seen over the years, council rules keep tightening and the resource management legislation continues to evolve. I am yet to see it get easier to subdivide. Every time the RMA has been amended under the pretence that it will streamline subdivision, the process has become more complex. So, even if you don’t need the extra titles now, why not start the process and bank them?

Leaders sought for DairyNZ

When it comes to purchasing an additional utility for moving feed around the farm, most farmers consider getting another tractor. Anthony Goodwright of Goodwright farms in Southland was no exception. We dropped off a brand new JCB SERIES III AGRI SUPER to show him how much more efﬁcient, versatile, manoeuvrable and fast the JCB is. With vast amounts of baleage across three family farms to load and stack, Anthony, a proﬁcient operator in any machine, was easily convinced. By the end of the second day with the JCB, he was a committed fan. COULD DO A JCB SERIES III LOADALL? ..was considering purchasing another tractor for moving feed. challenged him to see what he could do in a new JCB SERIES III. what he said... HOW SO MUCH

YOU

Continuing to evolve

“Our farmers are currently the most sustainable milk producers in the world but also know that to maintain that position they will need to continue to evolve.”

Here’s

GOODWRIGHTANTHONY 2517ALAN BAY OF PLENTY 292 Te Ngae Road, Rotorua Craig Macdonald 027 223 3365 Glenn Davidson 027 223 3363 “REALLY SURPRISED

Page 37DAIRYSeptember 2022 Coast & Country News

“With exceptionally strong milk prices, dairy continues to play a critical role in New Zealand’s prosperity and overall wellbeing. “At the same time, farmers are also facing a number of challenges including rising costs, sta shortages and challenging regulations.

“DairyNZ’s Board and sta are passionate about creating a better future for dairy farmers, and we’re looking for farmer candidates who share this focus to join our board.” DairyNZ’s Board oversees the organisation’s strategy, which is to increase farm pro tability while reducing environmental impact, develop future farm systems and solutions, and build the capability of people on-farm. It also focuses on engaging and partnering with farmers and building trust and pride in dairy farming.

Jim says DairyNZ is in a unique position to support dairy farmers with extension and research, and to advocate on behalf of farmers to in uence future policy decisions.

Fonterra is taking another step towards its low carbon transition with plans to install a 30 megawatt wood biomass boiler to replace a coal boiler at its Waitoa site. Work will begin on the new boiler installation later this year, and it is expected to be up and running by November 2023. e new boiler will reduce the site’s annual emissions by 48,000 tonnes of CO2e, the equivalent of taking 20,000 cars o New Zealand’s roads.

Striving for a carbon neutral future

QUICKER THAN A TRACTOR.”

Jim says ideally candidates will have a strong understanding of farm systems, research, policy and advocacy. Strong commercial, governance and nancial skills would also be an advantage, along with good networks in the dairy sector.

Fonterra head of energy and climate Linda Mulvihill says it is the fourth sustainable fuel switching decarbonisation project in as many years for the co-operative. e co-operative wants to be at net zero emissions by 2050 and has an interim target of a 30 per cent absolute reduction in manufacturing emissions by 2030 based on FY18 level.

Dairy NZ is looking for new board members to help shape the future of the industry. Photo: Dan Hutchinson.

Dairy farmers keen to be part of shaping the dairy sector’s future are encouraged to consider joining DairyNZ’s Board of Directors. DairyNZ Board chair Jim van der Poel says it’s a challenging but rewarding and important time to be part of the sector and its leadership.

EFFICIENT IT IS;

Two farmer director positions are open for nomination on DairyNZ’s Board. ree year term DairyNZ’s elected directors hold o ce for three years. is year, directors Elaine Cook and Tracy Brown are retiring by rotation. Both are standing for re-election. DairyNZ is also inviting applications from farmers for one position on the Directors’ Remuneration Committee, which independently sets the directors’ fees. Both the board and the directors’ remuneration roles are open to current levy-paying dairy farmers. Two current levy payers must nominate each candidate. Nominations must be received by the returning o cer by noon on September 5. If an election is required, farmer voting will take place during September and October, with the successful candidates announced at DairyNZ’s Annual General Meeting on October 18 inMoreInvercargill.information is available at: dairynz.co.nz/agm

SEE THE FULL STORY & MORE INFO AT JCBAGRICULTURE.CO.NZ WHAT

e rst farm Brian and Julie married in 1990 and bought their rst farm in 1993, with Brian doing the farm work, and Julie continuing as a farm consultant, but helping at weekends and doing the farm accounts. ey continued to expand until 2004 when they bought the farm they are on today. ...continued

Ngatea dairy farmers, Brian and Julie Pirie, met through New Zealand Young Farmers and have built a successful farming life together from scratch. e hardworking pair now share their knowledge and experience and o er opportunities for younger generations to get into farming.

Brian is a fourth generation dairy farmer, from a Te Awamutu family. By the time he married Julie he already had his rst herd and was sharemilking.“Iwentthrough the Federated Farmers farmer cadet scheme that was started back in the 1970s.

a farm with

e Piries have been breeding towards Jersey cows over the past 10 years. Ngatea dairy farmers Brian and Julie Pirie catch up with the cows before milking.

All Photos: Catherine Fry

Page 38 HAURAKI FOCUS September 2022 Coast & Country News

“I loved the work I was doing and when I met Brian it also made nancial sense for me to keep doing it rather than working on our own farm.”

Julie is a fth generation dairy farmer. She is initially from Morrinsville and studied agricultural science at Massey before embarking on a long and successful career as a farm

"I completed my training during the 1980s, studying for trade certi cates and doing practical training under approved farmers.” He had to move farms every two years under the scheme and learned a lot from it. e scheme came to an end by 1990, which Brian thinks is a real shame.

Sharingconsultant.

With a lifetime of experience designing and building farm dairies, we’re well equipped to create a design that suits your exact needs, no matter what. Our customised design process provides a choice of options in shed styles, yard layout, plant room design and pipe work con guration. High cow ow e ciency Herringbone or rotary design Permanent & low maintenance All surfaces are easy to clean For a more efficient farm dairy Specialising in farm dairy design and construction www.chapmandairy.com Call Don today for an on-site design consultation 027 478 3433 Chapman Dairy Ltd Morrinsville With a lifetime of experience designing and building farm dairies, we’re well equipped to create a design that suits your exact needs, no matter what. Our customised design process provides a choice of options in shed styles, yard layout, plant room design and pipe work con guration. High cow ow e ciency Herringbone or rotary design Permanent & low maintenance All surfaces are easy to clean For a more efficient farm dairy Specialising in farm dairy design and construction www.chapmandairy.com Call Don today for an on-site design consultation 027 478 3433 Chapman Dairy Ltd Morrinsville lifetime of experience designing and building dairies, we’re well equipped to create a design that your exact needs, no matter what. customised design process provides a choice of options in shed styles, yard layout, plant room design pipe work con guration. High cow ow e ciency Herringbone or rotary design Permanent & low maintenance All surfaces are easy to clean For a more efficient farm dairy Specialising in farm dairy design and construction www.chapmandairy.com Call Don today for an on-site design consultation 027 478 3433 Chapman Dairy Ltd Morrinsville All your shed needs, from basic to customised, under one roof. We have a range of buildings to suit every need and budget, and the ability to make it your own both inside and out. From farm and lifestyle sheds to our range of liveable sheds, we’ve got you covered. Contact us today for a free quote. Get in touch today or visit us online sheds4u.co.nz 0800 862 010

Page 39HAURAKI FOCUSSeptember 2022 Coast & Country News continued...

Brian and Julie encourage local school children to raise a calf on their farm and show it at Calf Club.

Covid put a halt to the overseas students and the trips to International Dairy Week and Brian and Julie have missed this part of their farming life.

" ey’re usually doing a degree overseas and we really enjoy this,” Brian says.

Brian and Julie are full-time on the farm, with four full-time sta , a run-o manager, two relievers and maintenance sta . ey run three herds within the farm - mature cross bred, pedigree Jersey and young two-yearolds, but all the milk goes into the same vat.

“We’ve had students from Ireland, France and the UK come here for six to eight months.

“We’ve got 880 cross bred and Jersey cows milked through a 70-bale rotary shed that we built in 2009,” Brian says. ey run the farm as a System 3 and Brian says the consolidated peatover-marine-clay soils are good, but need 1200mm of rain a year.

Julie and her daughters have also been to Australia with groups of kids, sponsored by Jersey NZ, to International Dairy Week. “ e kids get to borrow an animal, clip it, train it and parade it. e second year we went we won.” e couple also encourage town-based kids from the local school to raise a calf on their farm and show it at calf club. When the calf enters the herd, it has the child’s name as part of its name.

e Piries milk 880 cows through their 70-bale rotary shed.

“We really enjoy sharing what we do with others and showing how rewarding dairy farming can be,” says Julie.

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“We used to do split calving but because of the summer drys over the past ve years, we have gone back to July calving so our farm workers get a break,” Brian says. For Brian, “pasture is everything” and it’s his job to have the feed there for the team and the timing is paramount for maize, chicory, and re-grassing to ensure good growth. Giving back to the industry Brian has employed several sons from farms where he himself worked for the parents, giving them that rst leg up into the industry as “it’s so hard to build assets nowadays”.

“During January to May 2022 only 55mm fell making it the worst drought I ever experienced, and the pay-out was the saviour”. Julie started Ngatea Jerseys in 2016, partly as a hobby as her family has a history ofItshowing.isalsoa way of involving their daughters Celine, 24, and Ella, 17, in farm life. Using AI and putting through good bulls Julie is starting to register more of their cows as pedigree Jerseys. “We’ve been slowly breeding out the Friesian over the past 10 years. We see Jerseys as being important for the future. ey are e cient for the environment, e cient feed converters, hardier in the heat, damage the land less, have a lower carbon footprint and produce top end milk.”

Over the years, Brian and Julie have accommodated farming students from all over the world, o ering practical placements on a busy, large farm in a similar way to the cadet scheme Brian was part of.

the world

It is 430 hectares with 270ha used as the dairy platform and a 160ha support unit.

1. Minimising conventional soil disturbance practices. For example, ploughing, discing or mechanical tilling implements that may invert the soil strata are permitted only when necessary.

Many farmers may be wary of reducing N inputs on their farm. Kiwi Fertiliser: www.kiwifertiliser.co.nz is involved with doing just that by employing the Total Replacement erapy Program. See: www.totalreplacementtherapy.com for more details. ere are eight steps to follow. e rst one involves the nancials. Set up a production and nancial comparative monitoring plan. Compare previous production and pro tability to projected outcomes.”

Starting 14 years ago, the writer took dairy farms o N inputs, while increasing their pro ts - without carbon credits. Others in Kiwi Fertiliser have achieved similar results. e lowest N input the writer managed was 3kg/ ha of N, being nine units of N over one-third of the 500ha dairy unit. is was applied as a liquid where close to 100 per cent of the applied N is taken up by the plant with the assistance of humic acid - a carbon source. ese days, we fertilise properties where no nitrogen is applied. ey are increasing their pro tability, not decreasing it.

e government is calling for a reduction of the national dairy herd to reduce nitrogen and phosphate pollution of our water tables and waterways. At the same time, they are denying carbon credits to farmers. ey should be consistent and nancially recognise carbon increases in the soil. ey do that for pine tree owners, but not farmers. at is a disgraceful and indefensible policy.

Ravensdown is reporting a Group pro t of $95million and an underlying pro t of $68m in its core fertiliser business. Chairman Bruce Wills calls it “one of our best ever results”, in a year dominated by volatile pricing and global supply challenges. Total fertiliser sold was slightly up at 1.22 million tonnes, and revenue at $922m was up $210m on last year, re ecting rising prices. “ e rapidly rising international prices makes fertiliser hard to budget for our farmers. To help them, Ravensdown focussed on product margins and yielded a FY22 group margin percentage lower than last year.” Chief executive Garry Diack says they have positioned the balance sheet for another challenging year in 2023 with $347m of stock in store. He says they need to continue investment in technological support to reduce New Zealand’s fertiliser footprint. e need for a capital bu er for the increasing risk a cooperative structure faces, compels a conservative approach to shareholder rebate for 2022, of $25 per tonne.

Ravensdown reports $95m profit

2. Limiting the application of synthetic fertilisers, especially nitrogen. Whenever possible apply synthetic N at levels that minimally impact soil health negatively – fewer than 12.5 units/ha/ application. When practical, apply with a carbon source and apply as a foliar spray.

3. Avoid overgrazing and utilise adaptive grazing management practices that have shown to minimise losses of soil carbon stocks.

4. Increase pasture diversity. When establishing new pastures or reinvigorating old pastures, consider adding a multitude of di erent plant species from di erent plant families. is will increase crop resilience in adverse conditions, limiting carbon loss. Using a 230ha dairy farm as an example, it has sequestered 435 tonnes of carbon per hectare over 10 years. After 10 years the owners may choose to sell some of those carbon credits for the current rate at date of sale. At $30/t, the total value of the carbon for that farm is $3 million. Part of the credits are retained to allow for price and sequestration uctuations. Sure, there are the annual costs of testing to account for, with the cost for the example farm being just over $5000. A property of 600ha will cost twice as much to measure annually. Irrespective of whether you are interested in carbon credits or not, the government is requiring N usage to be curtailed.

Request a free sample! WAIKATO BASE MANAGER GLENN HAORA M: 027 927 3726 E: AERIALwww.farmersair.co.nzglenn@farmersair.co.nzTOPDRESSING

Carbon sequestration versus nitrogen application

Increasing pro tability

Arti cial nitrogen applications decrease soil carbon. Reduction of N inputs must be rewarded with incentives, not punished by demonising farmers. After all, they have been following government policies backed by so-called scienti c ndings for decades. However, farmers can be rewarded by joining up with a New Zealand company called Verdi: www.verdi.nz ey will measure your carbon to 700mm deep and keep measurement data over a minimum of 10 years. Making the most of Verdi Some alteration to management may be required to maximise sequestration.

Page 40 FERTILISER September 2022 Coast & Country News

N-Vision NZ includes two other research projects that aim to reduce the environmental impact of New Zealand’s grazed pasture systems: one that will develop an accurate gauge of the nitrogen already in the soil, therefore enabling farmers to apply more precise quantities of nitrogen fertiliser for optimum plant growth; and another that will research nitri cation inhibitors, which have the potential to signi cantly lower nitrous oxide emissions and nitrogen leaching from grazed pasture systems. N-Vision NZ will apply leading edge science and technology to create tools that farmers can use on farm. Importantly, farmers will have options to maintain pro tability while minimising the environmental impact of their land use.

e Government’s $7.3 million contribution to N-Vision supports Ravensdown’s $11 million cash contribution, plus in-kind funding.

Lincoln University and Plant & Food Research are research partners for N-Vision.

A major new research programme launched in August promises to further reduce the environmental impact of New Zealand agriculture, with naturally occurring soil fungus shaping as a new hero, assisting farmers with more e cient nitrogen use. N-Vision NZ, led by farmer owned nutrient co-operative Ravensdown and co-funded by the Government’s Sustainable Food and Fibres Future initiative, aims to help farmers reduce nitrogen loss. One of the projects in the $22 million, sevenyear initiative will harness the power of humble natural strains of soil fungi to increase the e ciency of nitrogen use by plants, as Ravensdown general manager of innovation and strategy Mike Manning“Lincolnexplains.University researchers have discovered natural strains of fungi that reduce the activity of speci c microbes, which are involved with nitrogen cycling and losses. “ ese nitrogen losses can occur as nitrate leaching through the soil, which has potential detrimental e ect on waterways, and as nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas emission.

Page 41FERTILISERSeptember 2022 Coast & Country News

NationalSalesManager–SteveBrooker Ph:0211506050 www.southernhumates.co.nz Save Money ReplaceUreawith20% SouthernHumates Reduce N Increase Soil Moisture Retention Increase Pasture Growth New research harnesses soil fungus Dr Hossein Alizadeh prepares one of the research sites.

“Although it occurs naturally in pastoral soils at a relatively low level, the fungi can be applied to soil as either a prill or seed coating. Doing so increases the level of the fungi and therefore alters the nitrogen cycle to reduce nitrogen losses. Research to date indicates this has a strong potential to mitigate both greenhouse gas emissions and reduce nitrogen loss to waterways.”

Page 42 FERTILISER September 2022 Coast & Country News cent increase in white clover production, and a 105 per cent increase in red clover production and more than 300 per cent increase in clover seed production from the application of boron. At the

Narrow research focus

The importance of micro nutrients

Such is the demise of production research when the government at the time deemed agriculture a sunset industry and not worth investing in. Interestingly today, most of the government science funding focus is now on the environment, and so here we are in 2022, reliant on research conducted 40 or 50 years ago when it comes to micronutrients. Of course we can look across the Tasman to Australia where research has shown the importance of cobalt, not just for animal health and performance, but also necessary for rhizobia bacteria on clover nodules, and the importance of zinc for various crops.

I have found dairy farms in the South Island to have low zinc levels, since zinc is not given to cows there for facial eczema. As well as being an essential micronutrient for plants, zinc is important for hoof, horn and hair growth, so for antler production, and also for hoof health, zinc is vitally important, and for reproductive performance in sheep it is important. Before rushing out and applying any trace elements, it is important to see whether they are actually needed, and in what quantity. Taking soil and herbage tests to diagnose their status is most important, as too much boron for instance can be toxic to plants, and too much molybdenum can have a negative impact on the copper status and overall production of livestock. Plants need at least 16 elements to grow and animals 17, so micronutrients are a key part of a nutritionally balanced, productive soil.

Consequently it could be a good year to focus on addressing micronutrient de ciencies. Relative to the costs of phosphate and potassium; molybdenum, boron and copper are insigni cant in addressing their de ciencies.

Back in the halcyon days of pastoral and soils research here in New Zealand during the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s under the auspices of the old DSIR (Department of Scienti c and Industrial Research) and MAF Research Division, research into micro-nutrients made signi cant gains for pastoral farmers.

en in the 60s and 70s, selenium de ciency was diagnosed as a common malaise in livestock, and signi cant production responses to selenium injections were achieved, and the advent of applying selenium in slow release prills became common practice.

In 1974, MAF reported pasture increases of 10-30 per cent to boron on the West Coast in its annual report, and closer to home in the early 1980s George Sherrell at Ruakura conducted pot

A blast from the past After I graduated from Lincoln in 1978, I worked as a eld technician in the soil and plant section of Whatawhata Hill Country Research Station for eight years, and in the mid 1980s we had a sta of 45 based atAWhatawhata.decadelater, most of the scientists and technical sta had either left altogether, or had migrated to Ruakura, and ten years after this, my brother was the only technical science person based there, before he too left and went private.

Unfortunately, continued trial work on micronutrients pretty much ceased in the 1990s with the cessation of government organisations DSIR and MAF Research, which morphed into the more commercially driven Crown Research Institute, AgResearch. e soils division of AgResearch was largely left to seek funding from the commercial fertiliser industry itself, and with the big cash earners being nitrogen and phosphorus, most research focussed on these elements, as research became a user pays model, so he who paid the piper, e ectively called the Micronutrientstune. are not big income earners, so further research into their e cacy stopped.

Hungry for knowledge In the 1950s cobalt de ciency was diagnosed as the cause for ‘bush sickness’ in animals and with the advent of top-dressing cobalt onto pastures, farming on the Central Plateau became viable, and livestock farming instead of pine trees changed the landscape in this area.

Robin Boom CPAg MBSPC Independent Agronomy & Soil Fertility Consultant

Although the cost of N, P, K and S nutrients have doubled in the past two years, micronutrients - often called trace elements - have not increased in price anywhere near as much, partly due to the relatively low shipping costs as a percentage of the overall cost of the element itself.

Soil tests are important It is unlikely that any zinc responses will be seen on North Island dairy farms, where cows have been given high rates of zinc for decades to counter facial eczema. Soil tests I do on dairy farms normally have excessive zinc levels, whereas drystock and cropping properties can show de ciencies.

signiwithofmolybdenum,togotMikeOhaupo,Hamilton,ResearchMoanatuatuasitesouthofnearsoilscientistO’Connorcloverresponsesbothcopperandandinotherpartsthecountryinthe1970s,trialsmolybdenumshowedcantliftsincloverproductivity.

Page 43FERTILISERSeptember 2022 Coast & Country News

“When it comes to managing the cost of inputs, I really believe that precision technology will help us to stay viable when looking ahead with rising costs and increasing environmental regulation.

Waimakariri Landcare Trust and Waimakariri Irrigation Limited have partnered with the Ministry for Primary Industries for the project, with support from MPI’s Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund along with Environment Canterbury, Ballance, andRoscoeDairyNZ.saysthe cost savings of applying variable rate nitrogen fertiliser compared to a traditional blanket approach are “astronomical”.

Investing in a handheld nitrogen tester and using variable rate nitrogen fertiliser has enabled Cust farmer Roscoe Taggart to signi cantly reduce the amount of fertiliser he applies to his family’s 730-hectare arable and sheep operation which has resulted in cost savings and environmental bene ts.

“I want to have the two paddocks side by side and do a gross margin on both, so I have real data to show how they compare.

“We have spread triple super for our phosphate and potash for our potassium as our base fertiliser.

“We will get a good idea of where the crops are sitting early in the season and if there is anything missing, we can address that early on.” is season Roscoe will continue with the same crops; however, he is considering trialling a regen paddock and comparing this to a conventional farming paddock to work out if there is a nancial bene t to this type of farming.

“Where in the past we would have gone with a blanket approach, we have been able to save a huge amount on fert’ this season by using variable rate. “I think it’s incredibly worthwhile to invest in variable rate technology and it feels wrong now to put a blanket application across a paddock when I know how much variability there is within a singleRoscoepaddock.”hasgone a step further to hone his precision techniques when applying fertiliser by purchasing a handheld nitrogen tester which he can use to ne tune applications throughout the growing season.

“Hopefully, in combination with the N sensors on the tractor we will be able to be even more precise in how we do things.

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“It is simple to use and allows us to nd out what the N levels are and to see if we need to apply a little bit more or a bit less fertiliser.

“I am a huge fan of on-farm comparisons and giving things a go because until you try something you never truly know if it works.” Roscoe Taggart has achieved huge cost savings using a variable rate nitrogen fertiliser programme.

Roscoe is participating in a farming innovation project, which examines how the next generation of farmers are using innovative approaches to improve their farming practices.

Going a step further He grid-sampled his paddocks and then determined the exact amount of fertiliser required for each block via nitrogen sensors attached to the roof of his tractor.

Within 10 minutes of the test, the nitrogen level of the plant is provided, and Roscoe and his team can then put this gure into the N sensor which then provides a starting point for the variable rate spreading of nitrogen.

“Anything that enables us to do more with less is better for our bottom line and for the environment.”Cropsampling with the hand-held nitrogen tester will start in late August or early September and Roscoe says this will help to determine which elements are required by the plants, while avoiding a blanket application approach.

Precision is the key to lower costs “I have just purchased a Yara N-Tester which we will use to test rye grass, cereals, and brassicas to make sure we have the correct levels of nitrates.

New groundwater research reveals that changes to land use and management may result in more rapid improvements to freshwater quality, says Waikato Regional Council.

e highest levels of groundwater nitrate in the Waikato region occur in the Pukekohe/Pukekawa and Matamata areas, due to market gardening and dairying. Areas of low intensity land use – such as in Coromandel Peninsula, Taupō and the King Country – tend to have lower nitrateOverall,levels.there was a 50:50 mix of degrading and improving trends over the last 20 years in the regional state of environment network of 110 wells. In contrast, a community supply network of 80 wells showed more degrading trends (23 per cent) than improving (6 per cent). Dr Scarsbrook told councillors it is di cult to match trends to causes, but land use intensi cation is likely to be a major factor. When it comes to compliance with national drinking water standards, Dr Scarsbrook says nearly 12 per cent of regional wells exceed the standards (11.3 mg/l) and a further 20 per cent are more than half the (MAV)AllowableMaximumValueof5.65mg/l.Lessthan4percent of wells in the community network exceed MAV and none of these are now used for potable supply.

New research changes thinking

“We had previously considered older, deeper groundwater to be a major pathway in parts of the region. e good news is that our research indicates changes in land use and management will have more rapid responses in surface water than previously thought, and this has implications for upcoming changes in regional policy.”

groundwaterShallow is now thought to be an nitrogenpathwayimportantformovingtowaterways.

Page 44 EFFLUENT IRRIGATION & ENVIRONMENT September 2022 Coast & Country News NATION WIDE Anton Meier | M 021 289 5999 P 07 829 5940 | E anton@ßexitanksnz.com W ßexitanksnz.comAnton Meier | M 021 289 5999 | P 07 829 5940 E anton@ßexitanksnz.com | W ßexitanksnz.com Anton Meier | M 021 289 5999 | P 07 829 5940 | E anton@ßexitanksnz.com | W ßexitanksnz.comAnton Meier | M 021 289 5999 | P 07 829 5940 | E anton@ßexitanksnz.com | W ßexitanksnz.com

e results of the research, funded by Waikato Regional Council, were presented at the August meeting of the council’s Environmental Performance Committee. It was part of a wider report on groundwater nitrate levels and trends across the Waikato region. Council science manager Dr Mike Scarsbrook says the councilfunded research has shown shallow, younger groundwater is an important pathway for nitrogen moving from the land to waterways.

e eight maxi pods cover 2ha a day and only require movement on a fortnightly basis. High levels of NPK are retained and stored in the weeping wall and solids are removed and applied to pasture as a dry humus on a yearly basis. e patented distribution system is fully automated and only requires a few hours work per month to maintain a problem-free, lowrunning-cost, e ective system.

e Clean Green E uent system is fully automated, providing a cost e ective, low-risk solution. 021

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Page 45EFFLUENT IRRIGATION & ENVIRONMENTSeptember 2022 Coast & Country News

A simple, safe effluent system

ere are a multitude of bene ts with the Clean Green E uent system. e system is fully automated, with low storage requirements, green washing the yarding, almost no odour, low man hours to maintain and full utilisation of the fertiliser produced. e secret to the Clean Green E uent system is a unique, low rate, low depth distribution system (0.25mm). is system can apply e uent to any soil type without any risk of leaching or run o . e totally automated system removes the risk of over application when soil conditions are not suitable for standard systems. e low rate, low depth distribution system allows e uent to be applied virtually all year round, therefore reducing storage requirements to a Totalminimum.storage can be as little as two 30,000-litre water tanks. Each system is speci cally designed to exceed the requirements of the Massey University Pond Calculator. Ag Research testing indicates that the low rate, low depth application system will cause no environmental ill e ects, even in winter.eClean Green System distributes the total liquid e uent generated in the cow shed on a daily basis. As the solids dry in the weeping wall the liquids separate and are distributed to pasture. e entire system stays odour free and aerobic. As the NPK levels in the liquid e uent are low, it can be utilised by the pasture immediately. e distribution area for the liquid can be as little as 2ha per 100 cows to meet a 150kg/ha loading.

Page 46 CARTAGE & EARTHWORKS September 2022 Coast & Country News

e University of Waikato Bachelor of Engineering student says she chose to study civil engineering for this reason.

Keara Costar, 19, who has lived in the Waihou Valley area her whole life, including in Te Aroha, says while she has never experienced such devastation in her lifetime due to the ood protection measures put in place, she has seen the Waihou River over ow into the surrounding ood plains many times, cleverly controlled by the ood schemes.

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Honouring the chief e Roger Harris (Waihou Valley Scheme) Scholarship nancially helps civil engineering or resource management students who reside in the Waihou Piako area and who have an interest in river and catchment management.

e scholarship is dedicated to Roger Harris who was the chief engineer of the Hauraki Catchment Board from 1959 to 1983. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Waihou Valley Scheme.

Solving problems

e scholarship pays up to $6000 towards university course fees and has been awarded by Waikato Regional Council each year since 1994.

“I’m interested in seeing to what extent ooding issues can be solved in a way that is bene cial to the community and the environment.

Flood fascination turns into a career e latest recipient of the Roger Harris (Waihou Valley Scheme) Scholarship was taught at school about the ash ood that tore through Te Aroha in 1985 sparking a state of emergency for six days.

Pete & Marcus

Phone: 07 362 8433

“I decided to choose this path because I enjoy problem solving and I want to apply it to an area where I can make a di erence. I do remember going on a school trip in Year 9 where I learnt about the great ood and the land slide down Mt Te Aroha.”

Civil Contractors New Zealand chief executive Alan Pollard says the latest edition of the country’s bellwether survey of civil infrastructure construction companies illustrates the need for changes in government policy settings to improve productivity and cut through red tape.

Waikato Regional Council has recognised the University of Waikato’s top water sciences student, who has a particular interest in climate change, remediation and restoration. Leeza Speranskaya, a environmentalRussian-born sciences master’s student from Wellington, is researching the hydrology and carbon balances of the ofandchangepredictingprojectherpeatrecognisedinternationallyKopuataibognearPaeroa.e21-year-oldsaysyear-longresearchwillbeusefulfortheeectsofclimateonpeatlandcarbonsinksforinformingtherestorationdrainedpeatlands.“Kopuataihasbeenshownto

Page 47CARTAGE & EARTHWORKSSeptember 2022 Coast & Country News

Digging for answers in the peat bog Speranskaya.Leeza

Photo: Dan Hutchinson.

Findings from the sixth annual Construction Industry Survey, a partnership between Teletrac Navman and Civil Contractors New Zealand, shed light on the industry outlook. While 52 per cent of those surveyed predict turnover growth in the next 12 months, the results indicate most businesses are being impacted by signi cant pressures and constraints.

“Businesses are under immense pressure to deliver the civil construction works the country so badly needs. “ e industry is investing wherever it can to relieve some of these pressures, but much is out of our control and needs urgent government action.

Multiple challenges are facing civil contractors at present.

While many businesses remained con dent in their ability to withstand and overcome challenges, con dence in the overall industry outlook and the government’s commitment to infrastructure has fallen since the previous survey in 2021. e country has a critical need for both new and upgraded infrastructure, with a combined infrastructure gap at a whopping $210 billion, so many essential large-scale projects to improve the quality of life for Kiwis on the horizon may be at stake, he says.

New Zealand’s civil construction industry is battling skills and worker shortages, cost escalations, and increasingly complex contract terms to deliver on vital infrastructure works programme.

“While some policy settings have been adjusted, more is needed to improve the outlook for this industry and its important work.”

be a globally unusual peatland ecosystem due to the abundance of the peat-forming plant Empodisma robustum, which is able to conserve water exceptionally well by minimising evaporation rates,” says Leeza, who worked as a policy intern at the Ministry for Primary Industries to help analyse New Zealand greenhouse gases inventory data. “ is enables a high water table and therefore the carbon sink function at Kopuatai to be maintained year-round, even in dry periods.” e water sciences prize of book vouchers worth $500 is awarded annually to the top student enrolled in level three water science papers within the School of Science.

Allan says key actions include more funding and support for industry-speci c training programmes at an entry level, an industry-led approach to attract key skills to the country, e orts to cut through the complex web of red tape for new migrants and their families, a crackdown on unfair contract terms and increased productivity initiatives to balance out a time of high in ation.

Rocky road ahead

Peter Watson’s 1938 LANZ Bulldog Model N is still going strong.

He’s got four and loves tinkering with them and taking them to vintage machinery rallies and shows.

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“We tried to trace its history with a man who was putting together a register of LANZ’s in New Zealand but mine doesn’t have a plate with the serial number on it so it’s hard to nd out.”

Page 48 FARM VEHICLES & MACHINERY

What Peter does know is that his Model N came from a man who bought it o a Mr Cotterell, and his father sold his to a man named Cotterell all those years back, which is a bit of a coincidence. His father’s LANZ was tipped over on a frosty hill one morning, so that might explain the missing serial number plate. While Peter can’t be sure, he likes the fact that it could actually be the tractor he was brought up with. ...continued

All Photos: Catherine Fry ey make a lot of smoke, spit oil, are tricky to start and sound more like a motorbike, but that doesn’t put Peter Watson o owning German made LANZ Bulldog tractors.

“ ey were popular in the 1940s, cheap to run and very reliable for a tractor of that era.” Chances are, it’s part of the family Peter came to the North Island and had a dairy farm in Huntly. He bought a 1938 LANZ Bulldog Model N himself in the early 1990s that had been restored and was in good working condition.

Coast & Country News

Peter was raised on a sheep and cropping farm in Canterbury and his father had a LANZ Bulldog Model N which was sold when Peter left school as he couldn’t start it.

It spits out oil and

Peter Watson enjoys a day out with the 1938 LANZModelBulldogN.

B&DEL0577

Page 49FARM VEHICLES & MACHINERYSeptember 2022 Coast & Country News

YOURUPGRADEMILKINGSYSTEM?ISITTIMETO

Peter’s collection includes a John Deere LANZ, which was the branding when John Deere boughtInitially the Model N ran on crude oil, but today only diesel is available. ere is no key turn start for this machine. It’s a hit and miss procedure which starts with heating the hot bulb with a blow lamp to vapourise some fuel, and the rest requires skill from the driver. single cylinder cross engine, with the y wheels encased either side of the bonnet. A large vertical exhaust handles the emissions from the engine.

LANZ in 1956. He also collects International tractors and has a rather cool collection of old appliances, tools and memorabilia.

Bulldogs of various models in New Zealand, so we can get parts o each other or strip a wrecked one.”

sounds like a motorbike

Above: e single cylinder, cross engine has the y wheels encased on either side of the bonnet.

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e LANZ community ey were real workhorses and can run for hours, with the driver sitting on a sprung metal seat covered in a sack, or when Peter was a child, a sheepskin.

continued...

Left: Starting the tractor using a blow lamp against the hot bulb can be tricky. e rear of the 1938 LANZ Bulldog Model N. e substantial 10.1 litre engine is a when One side of Peter’s shed houses four LANZ Bulldog tractors including a John Deere LANZ.

Catherine Fry

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It’s been a stormy month in August, both from a weather and an economic perspective. Everyone will be well aware of the weather and the damage it’s caused but to put it into perspective here are some numbers from our yard at Paengaroa and the farm at Ohauiti. In the yard we had 47mm for the month, up until August 19, compared with 21mm last year. We had 272mm fall during July, compared with 123mm for July last year and for the year to date we have hadUp1115mm.atthefarm, it’s been even wetter with 102mm falling in August, up to the 19th, compared with just 23mm for the same period last year. e farm had 570mm in July, compared with 150mm in July last year and 1814mm has fallen in the year to August 19. When you are getting up every day and putting your waterproof leggings on, you know it’s wet. Slow growing ose expecting more grass to grow as a result of the rain will be disappointed though as the rain has kept the soil temperature and the growth in check. e low nitrogen levels from all the rain is also contributing to slow growth rates. When the tip of the ryegrass is dying back, it’s a good indicator of low nitrogen. We know what comes after a long wet spell is usually a long dry spell with a 3rd La Nina event in a row forecast. It is likely we will have another dry summer so prepare early and get your orders in for feed now. We are still getting calls for feed and we are doing what we can. Transport issues ere are still issues with transport, including the interisland ferries which are both incapable of keeping up with the nation’s freight demands. Freight in general is just hard work because of Covid-19 and a lack of workers. It’s not just challenging for us, the meat exporters are estimated to have lost $100 million in earnings as a result of a shortage of labour. ey are short by about 2500 workers. ey have been unable to do the ne cuts, the premier cuts, so the loss is about $60 per animal to the farmer.

ey expect another shortage of sta from November through till June next year so don’t expect it to change any time soon. ere is a bit of a shortage of stock with animals killed in the dry spell and we don’t have a grass market as yet. So there could be good payments for young stock this year. Normally we would not be getting good money for store stock but we are now.

Bulk grass available We still have some bulk grass silage available - with harvest starting mid-September - and are taking orders now for maize silage as well. Like I have always said ‘Proper planning prevents pitiful performance’. Getting meat to market has been a challenge processors.for

Page 51MAIZE, CROPPING & SPRING PLANTINGSeptember 2022 Coast & Country News

e positives Venison prices are a positive at the moment with 60kg North Island stags selling for $8.15/kg in mid-August, compared with $5.90 a year earlier. North Island 300kg steers are also up to $6.40, compared with a $6.10 last year. So, the markets are up but boy do we need it with around 17 per cent increase in costs. Supplements are cheapest straight out of the paddock delivered to your farm, so order now to make this happen.

Crunching numbers

I’ve done the costings on grass and maize for the coming season and farm in ation is well above the national average of 7.3 per cent. e cost of producing a kilogramme of grass is up by at least four cents per kg of dry matter compared with last year. It’s now costing around 20 cents/kgdm to grow to the grazing stage. at’s about a 17 per cent increase on last year and that’s just the cost increase, there is no extra margin on there. ere has just been such a huge increase in chemicals and fertiliser costs, hence the reason farmers are feeling the pinch. Harvesting costs are also going to be up 10-18 per cent and maize is going to be similar so there is going to be at least a 6-7 cent per kgdm increase in delivered maize at this stage, as long as the price of inputs and fuel doesn’t increase any more. We can only hope the schedule and the dairy pay-out hold up.

Page 52 MAIZE, CROPPING & SPRING PLANTING September 2022 Coast & Country News

Getting every

right is the

to a

ese include, but are not limited to: Hybrid selection; Once the maize paddock has been selected, hybrid selection is one of the most critical decisions a grower can make before planting. Also ,consider a hybrid that possesses the best agronomic trait ratings for the conditions around the selected paddocks.

According to economic research consultancy BERL, the arable industry contributes $932million or 0.34 per cent of New Zealand’s gross domestic product. e data reveals the New Zealand arable industry generated $2.1 billion in sales, supported over 7600 full-time equivalent jobs and had an export value in excess of $260m in 2021. e report commissioned by the Arable Food Industry Council presents a timely analysis of the arable sector’s role in the economy says Council chair Ivan“OnceLawrie.again, we see this year that the arable sector is a vital part of the economy, providing jobs, value-add on primary products and generating considerable export earnings.” e arable sector focuses on the production of various cereal grain crops such as wheat, barley and maize for the domestic market, ryegrass seed, specialist small seed and vegetable seed crops, forage brassicas, and seed for multiplication in the international market. e sector also supplies key downstream industries such as the milling and baking industries. About 25 per cent of the wheat used is New Zealand produced. All of the beer brewed in New Zealand is produced using domestically sourced malting barley, and growers also produce a signi cant amount of feed which goes into dairy, beef, sheep and deer sectors and intensive livestock industries.

e secret to growing maize successfully is getting it right at every step, from paddock selection through to harvest. If you overlook any process along the way the yields will not be as good as they could be. For more advice on how to grow the best maize crop this season contact one of the dedicated VPMaxx team. For more information see the advertisement facing this page.

Understanding your conditions will give you the best information to help make this decision. Each hybrid will have a recommended seeding rate depending on the yield environment and its end use.

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Even though weather plays a huge role in determining crop performance, growers should focus on those factors they can in uence.

Page 53MAIZE, CROPPING & SPRING PLANTINGSeptember 2022 Coast & Country News

ere is no single best planting date as this varies from area to area and season to season. e key to choosing an ideal planting date involves determining the right combination of soil moisture and temperature rather than relying on calendar dates. Soil moisture and temperature; Uniform seedling emergence is a pre-requisite to maximising yields. To achieve uniform and optimum emergence rates planting should occur when soil temperature is 10degC and rising and there is adequate moisture at seedingSeedingdepth.rates; Seeding rates largely depend on paddock yield potential, environment, soil fertility, moisture, and hybrid choice.

Copy supplied by VPMaxx step key successful $1

Planting date; Planting date plays an important role for achieving maximum yields.

crop. Arable industry nears

How to get the best outcome for maize

On September 8, thousands of Kiwis are supporting tamariki with cancer and their families by taking part in Wig Wednesday, a nationwide fundraiser for Child Cancer Foundation. Every week in New Zealand, more than three kids are diagnosed with cancer. e treatment these children undergo often means they need to brave the world with no hair. One of these kids is Johnny Raphael, who was diagnosed with cancer in 2021 at eight years old. He bravely shared his experience of losing his hair in a youtube video.

Wig Wednesday is a great time to let down the hair and support the Child Cancer Foundation.

Dr Bert Quin

“Although we received some amazing support from New Zealanders through our digital platforms at the time, cancelling our Street Appeal resulted in a huge loss of funding.” Child Cancer Foundation needs to raise $250,000 from Wig Wednesday. Sign up or donate at: wigwednesday.org.nz

Sept 17-18 ShowBonsai display,$5.Gardens,Hamilton9am-4pm,Bonsaiplants for sale and demonstrations. See: co.nzhamiltonbonsai. Sept 18 Tree Planting Day tinyurl.com/dw5u6dh2Hamilton,Minogue10.30am-12.30pm,Park,free.See: Sept 22 The Protea Family 7.30pm 07$5.Gardens.talk,HorticulturalWaikatoSocietyGate2,HamiltonAllwelcome,PhCarmel:8553404.

“So far, we have had many incredible Kiwi schools, workplaces and community groups sign up to get wiggy all over the country,” says Child Cancer Foundation Chief Executive Monica Briggs. e impact of Covid-19 has been severe for Child Cancer Foundation’s funding. It had to cancel the annual Street Appeal in March due to the ongoing risk of the pandemic.

Dr Bert Quin

Wig Wednesday is a fun day where people can support kids like Johnny by wearing a wig, styling a funky hairdo or shaving their head while raising money for Child Cancer Foundation.

Sept 23-24 OrchidTaurangaShow, Racecourse,Tauranga10am-4pm, $3 (under 12 free). gmail.comtaurangaorchids@Contact: Sept 24 Compost Making & Weed Management 10am-4.30pm, Earth Stewards Organic Farm Shop, Hamilton, $10. See: com/5f3ud3zrtinyurl. Sept 25 Seabirds as Indicators of Oceanic Change 7pm talk by Brendan Dunphy, Pepper Tree freeCoromandelRestaurant,Town,event.

Oct 1 Crop Swap 07Katikati.459.30am-10.30am,BeachRd,Ph:5492337. Plant Lovers Event tinyurl.com/2f4r2hHamilton,Gordonton,Puketaha10am-2pm,Hall,near$2.See: Waikato Daffodil Show Hamilton Gardens. Ph Robin: 06 751 0873. Oct 1-2 & 8-9 Coromandel Open Studios Arts Tour Free. See: tinyurl.com/ yknnr35n Oct 2 Orchid Show Hamilton Gardens, 9am-3.30pm, gold coin. tinyurl.com/4af4juy7See: Oct 4-6 Pioneer Fundays, Woodlands Estate, Taupiri near Hamilton, $2. See woodlands.co.nz Oct 5-8 BookSocietyHistoricalMatamataFair, tinyurl.com/3ja3xk6wHall.MemorialSee:

LK0108681© QuinBertDr 1.Fact2.Fact retentionPtheofthirdathanmorearethatlevelsPOlsenhaveyouOnceenvironment.3.Fact way,environmentally-protectiveaninPsoilyourupbuildtowantyouIf ani4.Fact arefertilisersRPR-basedgain.toeverythingandlosetonothingisThere 5.Factmoney!ofamountshuge6.Fact riparianmitigationsexpensiveinstalltopressuretoingivetononsensicalisIt 7.Factcycling.NandPimprovetoout,fedbetosummerinharvestedbecanstrips8.Fact RPR/Boucraaan(notRPRgenuineanylevelsPofmaintenancefornutshell,aInP.solublehigh-analysisandRPRofblendauserainfall,loworsituations9.Fact immediatelysprayedurea,prilleduseurea,granularthanthersavings.bigwithhalfincut10.FactLeachingurea.prilledyourwithmixtoEasynow.usingareyouamountannual427021phoneorbert.quin@quinfert.co.nz,onQuinBertemailinfo,moreFor andnowtMusoutsFacriliseFertcBasiTenYK NEW FRO M inQurtBeDr DrBertQuin LK0108681© QuinBertDr 1.Fact 2.Fact retentionPtheofthirdathanmorearethatlevelsPOlsenhaveyouOnce environment. 3.Fact way,environmentally-protectiveaninPsoilyourupbuildtowantyouIf ina 4.Fact arefertilisersRPR-basedgain.toeverythingandlosetonothingisThere 5.Fact money!ofamountshuge 6.Fact riparianmitigationsexpensiveinstalltopressuretoingivetononsensicalisIt 7.Fact cycling.NandPimprovetoout,fedbetosummerinharvestedbecanstrips 8.Fact RPR/Boucraaan(notRPRgenuineanylevelsPofmaintenancefornutshell,aIn P.solublehigh-analysisandRPRofblendauserainfall,loworsituations 9.Fact immediatelysprayedurea,prilleduseurea,granularthanther savings.bigwithhalfincut 10.Fact Leachingurea.prilledyourwithmixtoEasynow.usingareyouamountannual 427021phoneorbert.quin@quinfert.co.nz,onQuinBertemailinfo,moreForiliseBasiTencFertrFactsYouMustKnowand NEWFROM Dr Bert QuinQuinBertDr 1.Fact farbyisfertiliserPsolubleofoveruseThe 2.Fact morearethatlevelsPOlsenhaveyouOnceenvironment.3.Fact environmentally-protectiveaninPsoilyourupbuildtowantyouIfplants.forfashionsustainedain4.Fact toeverythingandlosetonothingisTherePreducegreatlywillabove1-4FollowingtopressuretoingivetononsensicalisItmaintenanceandectivenesselong-termtheirofideawide3-metrefenced-osimplecaseanyinanyhavewillNeitherlosses.sedimentandbacterialout,fedbetosummerinharvestedbecanstripslevelsPofmaintenancefornutshell,aInandRPRofblendauserainfall,loworsituationsprilleduseurea,granularthanratherN,Forlikelylessmustandcient,emoreisPotashwithmixtoEasynow.usingareyouamountannualbert.quin@quinfert.co.nz,onQuinBertemailinfo,moreFor YouFactsFertiliserBasicTen Dr Bert QuinDr Bert QuinQuinBertDr thirdathanmorearethatlevelsPOlsenhaveyouOnceenvironmentally-protectiveaninPsoilyourupbuildtowantyouIfRPR-basedgain.toeverythingandlosetonothingisThereexpensiveinstalltopressuretoingivetononsensicalisItgenuineanylevelsPofmaintenancefornutshell,aInhigh-analysisandRPRofblendauserainfall,loworsituations9.Fact sprayedurea,prilleduseurea,granularthantherN,Forrasavings.bigwithhalfincut10.FactprilledyourwithmixtoEasynow.usingareyouamountannualbert.quin@quinfert.co.nz,onQuinBertemailinfo,moreFor NEW FRO M Dr Bert QuinDr Bert QuinQuinBertDr 1.Fact2.Fact thanmorearethatlevelsPOlsenhaveyouOnceenvironment.3.Fact environmentally-protectiveaninPsoilyourupbuildtowantyouIfpforionfadainesustanishlants.4.Fact gain.toeverythingandlosetonothingisThere 5.Factmoney!ofamountshuge6.Fact installtopressuretoingivetononsensicalisIt 7.Factimprovetoout,fedbetosummerinharvestedbecanstrips8.Fact genuineanylevelsPofmaintenancefornutshell,aInhigh-analysisandRPRofblendauserainfall,loworsituations9.Fact urea,prilleduseurea,granularthantherN,Forrasavings.bigwithhalfincut10.FactyourwithmixtoEasynow.usingareyouamountannualbert.quin@quinfert.co.nz,onQuinBertemailinfo,moreFor outsFacriliseFertcBasiTenY NEW FRO M

Oct 15 Okareka Mistletoe Project Work Day Meet 8.45am at Okareka, activities for all ages and abilities. Ph/ txt Paul at least a week before: 027 650 7264. Page 54 COAST & COUNTRY NEWS September 2022 Coast & Country News LIST EVENTCOMMUNITYYOURHERE! email your listing subjectwithmerle@sunmedia.co.nzto:‘RuralEvent’intheline. Sept 1-20 Clandon Daffodil Tours 745 Gordonton Road, Hamilton. Min 5 people, $10 pp. Ph/txt Ian: 027 213 3371. Sept 10 Seed-growing Workshop 10-11am, tinyurl.com/msxjeydcpleaseHamilton,Frankton,kohabutregister.See: Sept 17 Waikato Daffodil Show Hamilton Gardens. Ph Robin: 06 751 0873. curriculum vitae CV’s THAT STAND OUT. Don’t let your C.V. get lost amongst all the others. Get the WOW factor. A C.V. For You can provide you with a personal and professional touch. From scratch or update existing ones. Check out samples on www. facebook.com/acvforyou or Ph/text on 021 27 27 912. for sale PULLETS HY-LINE BROWN, great layers. Phone 07 824 www.eurekapoultryfarm.weebly.com1762 * your listing * DO YOU HAVE something to sell or looking to buy or promote your business? List it here for only $23 for up to 20 words. Email ofﬁce@ thesun.co.nz or call 07 578 0030. classiﬁed professionallistingsservices Download your free App today! YOUR FREE NEWS ONLINE!

Let’s get wiggy with it

Page 55COAST & COUNTRY NEWSSeptember 2022 Coast & Country News CONSTRUCTION We keep you growing Our key reason for being in business is to help you grow. Both in respect to helping you improve the land you farm through technological and innovative techniques, also about helping you improve your bottom line and increasing your work productivity. We believe in providing our customers with the complete package from the start, and ultimately we achieve this with our people. At our dealership you will ﬁnd highly skilled, passionate, parts, service, and sale’s teams working together to do their utmost to keep your business growing. o wnedand operated100%kiwi owneD With the recent addition of Power Farming Whakatane, it’s never been easier to ﬁnd your local dealership. With over 75 years experience, industry leading product ranges, and the backing of our national sales, parts and service support network, you can trust your local Power Farming Dealer to deliver an outstanding service, everytime. Now in seven locations throughout Waikato, Bay of Plenty and the East Cape! PUKEKOHE 0800 570 571 MORRINSVILLE 07 889 5059 TE AWAMUTU 07 870 2411 TAURANGA 07 543 0021 WHAKATANE 0800 77 88 99 ROTORUA 07 349 6528 GISBORNE 06 868 8908 Power Farming NZ

Karma, 12, and River, 5, cook damper with Dad near the river in Lower Kaimai, Tauranga.

Sage, 5, dressed up for the farm in Te Kuiti. Olive, 8, feeds hay to the cows on the farm in Te Kuiti.Ayhla, 8, helps Mum feed the calves in the school holidays in Tirau.

Page 56 COAST & COUNTRY NEWS September 2022 Coast & Country News

Egg collecting with Opa turns into an egg decorating session with Addy van der Poel, 7, and Marlowe van der Poel, 4, in Ohaupo.