IT’S TIME TO TALK ABOUT SOIL STRUCTURE

New Zealand farmers have long been managing traditional inputs of macro nutrients along with regularly liming to maintain soil fertility levels. What Golden Bay Dolomite (GBD) know is that all this hard work and expense is irrelevant if the foundation is missing - the right soil structure.

Universal plant growth

All pasture and crop species have one requirement in common they will all perform when grown in soil with the ideal physical structure. GBD are advocates of the compelling work of soil scientist Dr William Albrecht whose extensive research working with farmers, over 50 years across multiple countries determined a universal ideal soil composition. An approach to soils that performs – for every soil type, all locations, and any management system.

Balance calcium and magnesium

Ideal soil structure is a result of the percentages of calcium and magnesium in the soil. The percentage of calcium needs to be 60-70% and magnesium at 10-20% to create the perfect balance between the opposing effects of both elements on soil aggregates.

The benefits of good soil structure

The composition of GBD with calcium carbonate (59%) and magnesium carbonate (39%) supports the formational good soil structure creating a soil environment where soil biology thrives with adequate water and oxygen. Healthy soil biology keeps nutrients cycling like the critical functions of nitrogen fixation, which in turn increases the availability of core nutrients for growth. The balance of calcium and magnesium results in soil aggregation that allows good root growth laterally in the topsoil and down the soil profile for the maximum uptake of nutrients, water, and oxygen for growth.

A healthy farming system

Albrecht’s guiding principle is “Get the soil foundation right and the rest will follow”. Build a house for soil biology to thrive, supporting healthy pasture, crop, and livestock growth.

To find out how you can switch to the Albrecht soil system talk to GBD today or in this case green and greasy, won’t kill us and we learn to enjoy. We get to love the things we hated as children.

My epiphany came when I arrived in the Bay of Plenty, the country’s avo fruit bowl, and I noticed all these stunning trees with their thick canopies and large, dark green leathery leaves. It looked magical, a new take on Christmas, with their black, pebbled skinned, baubles of goodness.

Avolishious

Soon this ‘unbeliever’ was smothering a chilled fruit with sweet chilli or Siracha and sco ng it before breakfast, with breakfast, or as breakfast. I would often devour one while deciding dinner. And then doing something with an avo for dinner. I’m responding to the national cry for New Zealand to eat more avos. Mexico eats 40 avocados, or 10kgs, per person per year. But, of course, Mexico’s veins ow with guacamole. Other countries average 28, New Zealand just 16. e industry would like for us to try for 40 a year – less than one a week - which shouldn’t be hard.

Remember avos are considered a super food with their nutrients and antioxidants such as folic acid, Omega 3, magnesium, potassium, lutein and bre. So everyone wins here.

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e Court of Appeal upheld an earlier High Court decision which said the Trust’s SunGold kiwifruit licence was intrinsically linked to their land and therefore part of the property’s capital value.

Some kiwifruit growers are starting to receive massive hikes in their rates bills.

is comes as councils follow Gisborne District Council’s lead of including the value of gold kiwifruit licences as part of a property’s rateable value.

ree years ago, Gisborne kiwifruit grower Tim Tietjen’s Bushmere Trust, and supported by the NZ Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated challenged Gisborne District Council’s decision.

Last month, the Court of Appeal upheld an earlier High Court decision which said the Trust’s SunGold kiwifruit licence was intrinsically linked to their land and therefore part of the property’s capital value.

NZKGI chief executive Colin Bond says the impact of GDC’s actions are already being felt across the country.

Growers in the Western Bay of Plenty received their rates notices in July and all had gone up, because the gold licence was included, Bond says.

“In some instances, we’re seeing orchards double in value, in terms of rates value. In one case, I’ve heard of a tripling of their rates bill.”

Bond says NZKGI continues to maintain the high value gold licence - in 2022 the median price was $921,150 (including GST), this year it dropped to $700,000 (including GST) per hectare - is personal property and should not be rateable.

“We’re seeing more instances of growers making a decision about their gold licence independent of their property.

“De nitely, there are instances where an owner would retain their land but convert from gold to red or gold to another variety and sell their (gold) licence to do that.

“So our question remains now, how is that going to be picked up in the changing value of rates in the future o the back of the Court of Appeal’s decision.” e court acknowledges the value of Sungold Kiwifruit orchards may uctuate due to market price and climate change.

It says there is a process for a ratepayer to request a new valuation if that happens.

Bond says the organisation wants councils to have a mechanism where the sale of a gold licence is identi ed and removed from rates demands quicker than the three-year re-valuation cycle.

But he says for now growers who believe their rates do not re ect the property’s market value should get a re-valuation done.

A Te Puke-based rural real estate says kiwifruit orchard prices had plummeted 30 per cent in March this year.

Stan Robb, a consultant of 35 years standing, says sales are stalling as sellers are asking unrealistically high prices, and there’s concern about what will happen in the up-coming gold licence round.

He says any drop in the licence rate will immediately lower an existing orchard’s value.