Coast & Country News - January 2024

Eddie Biesiek, pictured, and wife Carol now have more time for their avocado orchard after closing their quilt shop. Read more on pages 23-24. Photo: John Borren.

One Woman’s Journey PG 4-5

Kiwifruit PG 8-9

SUN’S OUT BLADES OUT

Cartage & Earthworks PG 10

NZ Dairy Expo PG 11-13

Country Lifestyle PG 14-19

Fertiliser PG 20-21

Dairy PG 25-27

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 2

The world’s worst job?

Telemarketer maybe? Slaughterman?

Proctologist or gong farmer?

Slightly different to a Kiwi dairy or sheep farmer in that the gong farmer was a bloke in Tudor England who made two shilling a ton for emptying cesspits and privies of human waste – that’s $120 in today’s money so a good but disgusting earner?

I suppose there are modern day gong farmers – they drive big pump trucks rather than walking around with a bucket and ladle emptying dunnies.

‘Slave’

Other worst jobs – the poor abused parking warden, executioner or podiatrist.

Let me throw one in there – although it doesn’t have an official job description. ‘Slave’ should cover it.

The ‘slave’ – me in this case – stands on what’s called a sled, which is attached to a hay bailer which, in turn, is attached to the John Deere. The driver of the JD sits in the air conditioned cab, listening to his favourite tracks and sipping cooled water, while he drives up and down a paddock of freshly tedded lucerne hay.

The baler spits out the bales of hay and the poor slave, me remember, has to stack them. One this

Vote

d ST

CHOICE

way, one that way until there’s a nice tidy stack.

Then he trips it off the sled so another tractor can pick it up and take it off to the hay barn.

All this is in the debilitating 30 degree Celsius plus heat of a mid-Canterbury summer day.

Lucerne hay is damned heavy, the slave is in full meltdown and about to surrender.

“Stop the train, I want off!!”

Hard work

There are blisters forming in the crooks of your hands from grabbing the twine binding the bales.

Your nostrils are bunged with dirt and detritus from the hay. And when you breathe, you inhale just dust.

It’s inhuman.

The only time I ever felt like crying on the job.

For the next three or four days you are disgorging spittle and snot the consistency of mud.

You get to the point you don’t give a damn if the Corriedales have anything to eat next winter. That evening when the farmer sees my hands he dabs them with methylated spirits to harden both my hands and my spirit. Sadist!

Next month in Coast & Country News, the best worst job in horticulture.

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Farmers calling solar farm a waste of soil would prefer projects be built somewhere else, but the country needs well-designed new renewable energy projects in the right places to meet future energy requirements.

“Current forecasts from Transpower show 70 per cent more energy will be required by 2050, which is roughly the equivalent of a new Clyde Dam being built every year for the next 27 years.”

He says the solar farm will be quiet, with largely native planting on boundaries to screen views of the solar panels.

“Over the past three years, Helios has engaged with mana whenua,

Farmers Peter Askey, left, Murray Langdon and Alan and Brendon Law say soil as fertile as that on land around Edgecumbe is rare and hard to come by. Photo: Troy Baker.

Edgecumbe farmers say large scale solar farms on some of the Rangitaiki Plains’ most elite soil is shortsighted.

Six neighbouring landowners, who submitted to a recent resource consent hearing, are opposed to Helios Energy building a 115MW solar farm in the Bay of Plenty.

Whakatāne District Council has granted consent to the solar farm, which is planned on 207 hectares of farmland on McLean Road, leased from Brady Land Company.

Glare from the solar panels, noise from cooling fans, power lines interrupting views and disruption caused by construction were among the farmers’ concerns.

The group also say resource consent will go against the National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land, which protects the country’s most fertile land.

Investment

However, the company says the solar farm will lead to a $150 million investment in the region and help meet the future powers needs of New Zealand.

But engineer and farm owner Peter Askey, whose property neighbours the site, questions why it needs to be built on good soil.

He describes the Paroa silt loam soil found throughout the Rangitaiki Plains, particularly in a zone through Edgecumbe, as among the most elite soil in the country.

The Edgecumbe substation sits in the middle of that land and has spare capacity, he says.

“So that makes it quite attractive for the solar industry.”

He says claims that it is the Whakatāne district’s high sunshine hours that attracted solar power companies are overstated.

“Sunshine is all over New Zealand and there’s nothing exceptional about the sun here.

“For them it’s all about proximity to the substation.

district planners, regional planners, local government officials, neighbours and other stakeholders.

“In response to concerns voiced by neighbours, Helios redesigned the site layout, including adding significant setbacks, screening and relocating facilities.

Helios is progressing on detailed design of the transmission line to connect the site to the substation, says Jonathan. “We are committed to being a good corporate citizen in the Edgecumbe-Whakatāne area.”

Diane McCarthy Local Democracy Reporter

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“If they go more than five, or maybe 10km at the outside, the cost of connecting in starts to get very large.”

The big picture

Neighbouring farmer Alan Law says there needs to be some “big picture” decisions made.

“The Paris Accord specifically states that new initiatives for climate change are not supposed to impact on food production.

“We’re not saying we don’t agree with green energy.

“That’s the future. But it’s got to be done sensibly.”

Peter also recently made a submission to a Ministry for the Environment discussion document against allowing solar farms to be a permitted activity under the National Policy Statement for Highly Productive Land.

“It will be up to the new Government to decide which way to jump… to jump toward solar energy or toward soils.”

Helios Energy spokesperson Jonathan Hill says they are pleased the resource consent has been granted.

It will produce a $150 million investment in the region, generating between 200 to 250 jobs during construction and four or five full-time positions afterward, he says.

“We appreciate there will always be those who

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 4

One woman’s journey The name of the family dairy farm near Matamata is not lost on Tracy Brown.

Tiroroa means “long view”, which Tracy says pretty much sums her ethos for agriculture in this country.

While this has included the long-term sustainability of the 350ha property she part owns with husband Wynn, Tracy’s “view to the future” has extended to a myriad of leadership roles.

A town kid from Northland who moved to a rural community at age 11, she started out studying at Massey University for a veterinary degree.

Specialising in

After a year however, Tracy opted for a four-year degree in ag science majoring in farm management and ag economics.

Tracy completed a Bachelor of Agricultural Science before cutting her teeth in the workforce as an agricultural economist for the Meat & Wool Board’s Economic Service in Wellington for four years in the 1990s.

After a brief stint back in Northland for the Farm Cadet Scheme, she moved to the Waikato to work for the Ag ITO (Industry Training Organisation) and then went rural banking with ASB.

• Removal / chipping of whole trees • On site chipping for stand off pads • Wood chip for sale • Orchard shelter removal • Stump removal • Woodlot marketing of all tree species

Family time

During a 10-year break to raise a family of four with Wynn, she honed her governance skills off the farm on the boards of Matamata Toy Library and Matamata Intermediate School (three years as chairperson).

On the Matamata farm, Tracy says she and Wynn Brown always had a keen awareness of protecting the environment.

“We fenced off streams and bush before we had to.”

In 2010, ironically when New Zealand farmers were getting branded for “dirty dairying”, Tracy and Wynn won the Waikato Ballance Farm Environment Supreme Award.

Seven years later they were winners of the inaugural Fonterra Farm Source Responsible Dairying Award.

Also in 2018, Tracy was named as a “Sustainability Superstar” for the Sustainable Business Network Awards, while the previous year was a finalist in the Westpac Women of Influence Awards. ”Our whole farming career has been about trying to do the right thing for the environment, people, animals and the community,” says Tracy.

Th is hasisin seengherinchair the DairyNZ Dairy cial Spe Environment Leaders Forum, plus serve as a farmer trees rep onoval both/the, Dairy of whole Leadership pingEnvironment chip • Rem Group and Dairy Tomorrow Working Group. s d offtopad was chip also appointed Cabinet the Essential ping forbystan • OnShesite Freshwater Independent Advisory Panel and NAWAC for sale (the National Welfare Advisory Committee) d chip Animal • Woo A current member of the DairyNZ Board of oval Awards Trust and remIndustry terDairy shel ard the • Orch Directors, NZ Chair of Te Rarawa Farming Ltd in the Far North, p rem • Stum other past rolesoval have included Trustee of the Dairy Women’s Network and St of Paul’s School. ies tree spec all Collegiate

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Tracy Brown at home on Tiroroa. Photos: Steve Edwards.

Farming challenges

Tracy sees the biggest challenges facing farming as – climate, labour, profitability and animal welfare.

On the positive side of the equation, she says farmers have made “huge improvements in the environmental space”.

Tracy says it also should not be forgotten that during Covid the sector continued to function and supply food across the country and around the world.

Silver linings are found in such crises.

“You become more efficient…make better use of your time and resources.”

Tracy says the overall equation for farming is simple.

“Good people make the rest of it easier. Other challenges are then easier to deal with.

Tracy sums up the future of farming as “he tāngata, he tāngata, he tāngata” or “it is the people, it is the people it is the people” “The challenge is attracting them and retaining them,” she says. You must make them feel valued.”

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 5

into farming

While it is currently challenging, there are still “plenty of opportunities” for people to come into – and get ahead in – the sector.

Tracy says the pendulum has swung from the farming sector – and its governance – traditionally being male-orientated.

The sector now provides many opportunities, support networks and training for women, she says.

“This work needed to happen.”

Further honours

A Nuffield Scholar, Tracy is one of the Agri-Women’s Development Trust “Escalator” Alumni and Lincoln University Kellogg’s Rural Leadership Scholar.

people in your life).

“And, never stop learning.”

Tracy says she is “deeply driven” to try and make a difference and get better outcomes for farmers.

“It’s about empowering people.”

Tracy says she loves the people in the rural community.

“They are producing food and nurturing people around the world.”

Her vision for the future of farming in New Zealand is for those involved to have a “sense of pride” in operating in a sustainable manner.

“I want dairying to become the career of choice, and for farmers to feel valued.”

At local level, both Tracy and Wynn helped establish the Piako Catchment Forum, which also includes representatives of iwi and constituent local authorities.

In the future, Tracy says she hopes to help provide solutions to farmers’ challenges – whatever they may be.

She believes there has been a change in mindset of farmers relating to environmental awareness and protection.

“It’s not just about ticking the box to comply.”

Even with her experience and expertise, Tracy keeps her advice on farming and life simple.

“Trust your intuition,” she says.

“Know your rocks (the important

Exciting events planned for Te Puke

Tracy Brown.

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Steve Edwards

24

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d kai ies an Activit s id k e for th

Arataki Thunder introducing American Football to Te Puke youth.

Te Puke community have some exciting events happening in January.

Come down to Jubilee Park for the Summer in the Park initiative, says COLAB administrator Beks West.

There will be plenty of free activities and kai for young people.

“These events embrace the community spirit of Te Puke with lots of local groups and organisations being involved.

“We will have activities and games from Youth Encounter, Live for More, Arataki Thunder American Football Club, Nga Kakano, Poutiri Trust, PARAFED, WBOPDC, Graeme Dingle, Fruition, Freedom Church, Te Puke Baptist Church Mainly Music group.

“As well as sausage sizzles, yummy kai from The Daily Charitable trust and plenty more.”

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EDUCATION/TRAINING

Page 6

An on-farm visit to see how the system works.

Dairy Production Systems is a long-established farm consultancy group that has been helping clients achieve their farm goals by providing solutions tailored to each farm, location, and farmer.

Their advisory service focuses on resource efficiency, putting the cow as the centre focus of the dairy operation to ensure she is performing at her optimum level.

Understanding that she is impacted by everything around her, land, farm layout, infrastructure, climate, heard health, staff and accessibility to quality feed and water.

Established in 2000 by veterinarians Bryan Mckay (director), Elizabeth Dillon and Sue Macky. Bryan’s reasoning for going into farm/vet consultancy was he felt that as a clinical vet he wasn’t providing preventative solutions, or seeing his clients’ goals being met, and wanted to make more of a difference.

Based in the Waikato with clients from Whangarei to Invercargill, DPS farms are typically 30 per cent – 40 per cent more efficient than the average NZ dairy farm.

They look at the cow as an athlete and emphasise “milking cow fitness”. Supporting and nourishing her to perform at the best of her ability. Their farmers

understand that if they treat their cows well, keeping them happy, healthy, comfortable and well fed, those cows will perform well and last a longer in the herd, meaning a lower replacement rate is needed again improving efficiency.

DPS trains the farmer to be able to read the cow and look for her signals that indicate what she needs. They’ve hosted many educational workshops and lectures throughout the years to help people in the industry wanting to understand more about how to keep and maintain long-lasting, productive, healthy cows, targeting vets, industry representatives, farm owners and managers.

From gumboot run to Outward Bound Two young dairy farmers hope they have created a domino effect – with farmers funding other farmers to challenge their limits and build resilience at Outward Bound.

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“I love dairy farming and wanted to support another young farmer to attend Outward Bound to unlock their potential and take what they’ve learned back to the farm,” Emma says.

During lockdown, Emma ran a half-marathon around the garden of her flat, wearing gumboots and milking overalls, to fundraise and sponsor another farmer. Farmers, families, friends, businesses and

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people she’d never met donated.

“The run was a lot of fun and tapped into the skills of endurance and perseverance I learned at Outward Bound. You’re challenged mentally and physically, and we help each other out. It inspired me to give back to the farming community.

“I hope I have started a ripple effect, with young farmers supporting each other to attend Outward Bound for many years to come,” she says.

Emma is finishing an environment and society degree at Wageningen University in the Netherlands, aligning with her commitment to sustainable farming. She plans to work on her parents’ Southland farm when she returns to New Zealand in the new year. “I highly recommend other young people consider dairy farming. It’s a great lifestyle, including working outdoors with animals, and the opportunity to work towards owning a farm.”

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Page 7

Grandkids sharing in the tractor passion

Dave wants to leave the tractor as it was and will only restore parts if absolutely necessary.

Semi-retired farmer Dave Forsythe was born to immigrant Irish parents and brought up on various Waikato dairy farms. Dave and his wife Sue sharemilked and then bought their own farm in 1989.

“It started with 50 hectares and a modest 12 ASHB shed but over the years we bought neighbouring land and it ended up at 240 hectares and a 36 ASHB shed,” says Dave.

The farm dairy unit was sold in 2019 and the remaining steeper land is leased by the couple’s daughter Jane and her husband, Richard, to fatten beef.

This left Dave and Sue “semi-retired” and they are keen overseas travellers.

When they are home, Dave spends a lot of his time doing jobs around their land. In the winter of 2023, he planted 5500 natives.

They have a stand of 25 year of mixed trees which includes pines, redwoods, eucalyptus and cypress.

“We joined the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and when we cut them down will depend on which government is in and what their policy is!”

The two person bench seat where Dave sat as a child and his grandkids sit with him now.

In 2016, Dave brought his dad John’s 1949/50 David Brown Cropmaster tractor to the farm. He describes it as “a sentimental move and good to have and look after, because I spent a fair amount of time sitting on it as a child”.

“Dad bought it around 1961 while sharemilking in Matangi and we used it for general farm work such as feeding out and mowing.”

The petrol driven four cylinder engine is 25 HP, with three forward and one reverse gear in a high/ low ration gear box.

“It had always been kept inside but had been sitting for a while,” says Dave.

It needed all new tyres and Ross Cumpstone from Otorohanga managed to get the

The Cropmaster has the vintage charm of a bygone era.

engine running again quite easily.

The rest of the tractor is original and hasn’t been restored as “everything is in good condition and I’ll always leave it as it was”.

The Cropmaster has a bench seat which fits two and Dave sat there when he accompanied his dad out on the farm.

Nowadays, Dave’s grandchildren ride around with him on that same seat.

“I also have my dad’s Massey Ferguson 35 that I do want to paint, and I’ll always keep the first tractor I bought new, my 1994 Fiat 72/93.”

Photos: Catherine Fry.

Dave enjoys his lifestyle and spends time with other Otorohanga Vintage Machinery Club members. They all help each other restore their tractors and machinery, each one offering skills and experience in different areas.

Catherine Fry

Semi-retired farmer, Dave Forsythe, cherishes his dad’s 1949 David Brown Cropmaster.

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KIWIFRUIT

Zespri predicts record forecast for growers Industry focus on improving fruit quality and strong performance in market leads to record forecast for Zespri growers Zespri has released its November forecast for the 2023/24 season, with Green, Organic Green and RubyRed

per tray returns forecast at record levels, and Zespri SunGold varieties well up on last season.

Green is a particular standout, with the latest forecast Green per tray returns at a record level of $9.00. This compares to last season’s final Orchard Gate Return (OGR) of $5.78 per tray. For Zespri

Organic Green, the forecast per tray is at $12.00, up from last season’s final OGR of $8.68.

Forecast

For Zespri RubyRed, the OGR per tray is forecast at $26.10, above last season’s final OGR of $22.27.

Forecast SunGold Kiwifruit returns are at $12.35, well above last season’s final OGR of $9.97, and forecast returns for Organic SunGold are also up at $14.15.

The November forecast returns are up across all categories on the August forecast mainly due to improved fruit quality this season.

Zespri CEO Dan Mathieson says the results reflect the strong and growing demand for Zespri Kiwifruit, as well as the huge effort the industry has put into improving fruit quality this year.

“It’s really pleasing to be able

and see this demand.

“Our job on quality isn’t done yet though and we now have a huge focus on next season – we need to maintain this focus as we look to 2024 when we are expecting to have a much larger crop and likely our biggest year on year growth in volume.

“As we have this year, it’s going to need everyone across the industry doing their part so we build on the positive changes we’ve made – as that’s crucial to returning more value back to growers.

“One thing our growers can have confidence is whatever fruit we can get to market in the right condition will sell and sell well.”

Full details of the November 2023/24 forecast per tray and per hectare returns for all categories are outlined in the table below.

to deliver this positive news and to show growers that their hard work and focus on quality is being rewarded in market. It’s particularly great following such a tough couple of years when growers have been under so much pressure while dealing with the likes of ongoing cost increases, the labour shortage, regulatory changes and the changing climate.

Feedback

“We’ve received positive feedback from our customers throughout the season on the improvement in fruit quality – our efforts have been really appreciated by them – and they also keep telling us how they want even more of our Zespri Kiwifruit next season.

“It’s great to have this confidence in our product

Pools 2023/24 (Fruit November Categories) Forecast Per Tray

2023/24 August Forecast Per Tray

2023/24 November Forecast Indicative Range Per Tray

2023/24 August Forecast Indicative Range Per Tray

2023/24 November Forecast Per Hectare

2023/24 August Forecast Per Hectare

2023/24 November Forecast Indicative Range Per Hectare

2023/24 August Indicative Range Forecast Per Hectare

Zespri Green

$9.00

$8.10

$8.75-$9.25

$7.80 $8.60

$61,916

$55,683

$60,000$64,000

$54,000 $60,000

Zespri Organic Green

$12.00

$11.20

$11.75-$12.25

$10.70 $11.70

$53,708

$49,956

$53,000 $55,000

$48,000 $52,000

Zespri SunGold Kiwifruit

$12.35

$11.50

$12.10-$12.60

$11.00 $12.00

$140,451

$130,908 $138,000 - $125,000 $143,000 $137,000

Zespri Organic SunGold Kiwifruit

$14.15

$13.10

$13.90-$14.40

$12.60 $13.60

$109,154

$101,076 $107,000 - $97,000 $111,000 $105,000

Zespri Green14

$10.25

$9.80

$10.00-$10.50

$9.30 $10.30

$48,057

$45,947

$47,000 $49,000

$44,000 $48,000

Zespri RubyRed Kiwifruit*

$26.10

$23.30

$25.60-$26.60

$22.80 $24.80

$40,371

$36,044

$40,000 $41,000

$35,000 $38,000

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KIWIFRUIT

Page 9

BOP orchard fined A kiwifruit orchard has been convicted and fined $35,000 in the Tauranga District Court for unlawfully taking more than 18 million litres of water for irrigation.

Terahu Orchard Limited pleaded guilty to the charge of unlawfully taking water for use at a kiwifruit orchard between November 2021 and February 2023.

Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council regulatory compliance manger Matthew Harrex says across the year, the defendant took almost double the amount they were allowed to as a permitted activity.

“Regional Council has been working with the kiwifruit industry for the past 10 years to identify and address unconsented water takes. This result sends a strong message that Regional Council is actively assessing compliance on unconsented water takes and will take enforcement action where required.

Water volumes

“Kiwifruit orchards require large volumes of water for irrigation purposes in the summer and frost protection in the winter. The fact that it was a dry summer, and the defendant needed to take more than was permitted, is no excuse.”

Terahu Orchard Limited purchased the maize farm on the outskirts of Whakatāne in May 2021, converting it to gold kiwifruit later that year.

With no irrigation infrastructure in place, the defendant intended to water the vines by drawing up to the permitted 35 cubic metres of groundwater a day. The defendant then applied for the necessary resource consent to drill a groundwater bore, but did not apply for a water take consent.

In November 2022, a Regional Council enforcement officer carried out a routine site inspection to assess compliance. The water meter showed excess water had been taken and the officer issued Terahu Orchard Limited an abatement notice to cease taking more than the daily permitted take.

Judge’s decision

A further inspection in February 2023 showed that, again, excess water had been taken.

Regional Council calculated that there were seven days where the use volume exceeded 500 cubic meters per day, which is up to 14 times the permitted volume.

In sentencing Terahu Orchard Limited, Judge Smith said a strong deterrent message needs to be given that it is not cost-effective to avoid obtaining a resource consent for a water take.

“The cost of a licence for gold kiwifruit is Gold kiwifruit vines at Terahu Orchard Limited with irrigation sprinklers.

Bore pump and water meter.

significant. They have become a significant capital expenditure which requires significant investment to get a significant return. The possibility of not being able to have adequate water to feed these plants defies any commercial sense of reality,” says Judge Smith.

In the sentencing decision, Judge Smith referred to the interests tangata whenua have in the aquifer that Terahu Orchard Limited extracted from, and the strong views they have in the preservation of the resource.

“The illegal taking of water is an anathema to the tikanga and kawa of how such extractions should be properly undertaken.”

Judge Smith’s starting point was a $50,000 My Name is Neil Woodward. fine, but he allowed I am a director of Z-Contracting- we are family run discounts for guilty business, our team consists of three, being myself, my plea, lack of prior son and my brother. convictions and Our organisation has been established for over 18 remorse, which resulted years. I have been involved in applying crop protection in the final sentence of a programmes within the horticultal industry since 1966. $35,000 fine.

We specialise within the kiwi fruit industry, We Terahu Orchard have the equipment to spray orchards with our two Limited has since Atom sprayers and one recently purchased Tracatom obtained a consent for Formula tractor which is also available for mulching the water take. and mowing.

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Page 10

Residents claim stopbank is flooding properties Colleen and Mike O’Hagan say stormwater flows off a Whakatāne stopbank “like a river” during heavy rain.

The couple face paying up to $10,000 to have water pumped from their home

at Riverside Drive to the road.

The Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s refusal to control stormwater coming off its stopbank is a “dereliction of responsibility”, the couple say.

However, the council says the residents need to set up an alternative

Mike and Colleen O’Hagan say stormwater flows off the stopbank “like a river” during heavy rain, which they now must pay to have pumped to the road. Photo: Troy Baker. system to remove stormwater from their land as their current pump is unconsented.

The O’Hagans say they are one of many property owners adjoining the stopbank who have had to install pumps to cope with stormwater flowing from the stopbank.

These either pump the water to the road, or, as in the O’Hagans case, back over the stopbank.

The O’Hagans’ stormwater pipe, buried just below the surface of the stopbank, will be removed as part of the regional council’s Safeguard Our Stopbanks project, removing structures and vegetation that risk the integrity of the stopbanks protecting Whakatāne.

The project is in the third of four

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stages with work taking place on Riverside Drive properties between Awatapu Drive and to the west of James Street.

For the past three decades, responsibility for the stopbanks, such as mowing up to the riverside crest of the bank, has been left to residents of adjoining properties.

The O’Hagans say pumping the water through the stopbank has been a better option than pumping to the road because, in past floods, the Whakatāne District Council stormwater drains had been overwhelmed, making pumping to the road pointless.

“The regional council are saying it is our responsibility to pump water from our property but they won’t take responsibility for the

water coming onto our property from the stopbank,” says Colleen.

The couple say they’ve asked the regional council on numerous occasions to include a discharge drain on the landward toe of the stopbank as part of their Safeguard Our Stopbanks project, rather than expect residents to pump stormwater to the road.

Regional council rivers and drainage asset manager Kirsty Brown says the O’Hagans’ current pump system is unconsented and uncontrolled.

It will need to be removed as it poses a risk to the integrity of the stopbank during a significant flood, she says.

“They will then need to set up an alternative system to remove stormwater from their land. To support them through this process, we have connected them with Whakatāne District Council to provide further information and advice about landowner responsibilities.Every stopbank is different and may not require all of these components in order to maintain structural integrity.”

The council has been communicating with residents in the area for several years in the lead-up to the work, she says.

“We’ve also made sure that staff have been made available should residents require more information.”

Diane McCarthy Local Democracy Reporter

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“While we maintain the same commitment to excellence and education, this rebranding signifies our dedication to meeting the everevolving needs of the dairy industry,” says a statement from the organisers.

“It is an event that attracts a highly focused audience of dairy farmers during the workweek, making it an ideal relaxed environment for engagement and networking between milking sessions.”

In the past 18 months, the New Zealand dairy sector has confronted many challenges due to continuous wet weather conditions, leaving a

significant impact on farms.

In response, organiser says they are thrilled to introduce the New Zealand Dairy Expo, an event dedicated to addressing these challenges while The fields of Bedford celebrating the resilience transformed into a hiv Park will be and innovation of the e of rural activity.

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There has been an “The main goal for most obvious trend towards farmers is to enhance the overall the adoption of new on-farm farm system, making it not only infrastructure. This includes more effi cient but also easier innovations in standing to manage. off, feeding out, and efficient “Embracing technology and fit effluent storage. for purpose infrastructure is not This way of farming aligns just about boosting productivity; with a broader transition to it’s also well recognised that it technology, aimed at simplifying contributes to the well-being and streamlining day-to-day farming operations.

Page 11

of those working in the NZ Dairy Sector.

“These initiatives can transform to a complete farm system change and can play a crucial role in safeguarding valuable pastures, reducing feed wastage, benefits to animal health and notable benefits to farm owners and staff.”

At the New Zealand Dairy Expo, people will have the opportunity to engage with a diverse range of exhibitors, including tech innovators, infrastructure providers, earthwork specialists, pond tank and bladder companies, fertiliser suppliers, dairy industry professionals, advisory businesses, engineering firms, regulatory bodies and many more.

“In a nod to our roots and the heart of the New Zealand Dairy industry, we are excited to announce that the New Zealand Dairy Expo will be held at Bedford Park, Matamata, taking us back to the basics where the industry’s grass roots are deeply embedded.”

Mark your calendars for the new dates, Tuesday, February 20, and Wednesday, February 21.

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NZ DAIRY EXPO

Simple solution to effluent management The award-winning Clean Green Effluent System has been successfully installed globally since 2007.

This system can be adapted to any form of effluent disposal, primarily designed for dairy application in high rainfall areas and on any soil type.

The system starts with a unique patented weeping wall that removes solids and nutrients from the effluent, says a spokesperson for the company.

“This filtered liquid is now suitable for cleaning external yarding.

Automated greenwashing of external yarding can reduce fresh water usage by 60 per cent and manpower by 600 hours per year.

“This filtration reduces N P K in the liquid effluent to a level that allows the low rate low depth application system to safely apply liquid effluent to land on a daily basis with no environmental ill effect.

“No nutrients are lost through

emissions, as the weeping wall can retain all the nutrients in an aerobic state until conditions are suitable to spread the solids on pasture or on crop paddocks.

“The automated distribution system allows liquid effluent to be applied to land at a low rated, low depth application (0.75mm) that eliminates odours and nitrate leaching. As the weeping wall solids are dry and aerobic, there are minimal emissions.

“This low rate low depth application allows liquid effluent to be applied safely to land throughout the entire year and therefore reducing storage requirements to a minimum. As the effluent stays aerobic and plant acceptable, this increases nutrient utilisation by pasture.”

The Clean Green systems versatility can be adapted to any situation.

“This allows for an inexpensive system that will remain compliant into the future.”

Visit Clean Green Effluent at site 41 at the Dairy Expo.

An example of the effluent disposal system.

Improving dairy prices expected in 2024 Limited milk supply growth and lacklustre demand led to soft dairy commodity pricing in 2023, however, the global dairy market appears to be transitioning to the next phase in its cycle, with prices expected to move higher through 2024, according to Rabobank’s latest Global Dairy Quarterly report.

While the market remains finely balanced, and uncertainty surrounds underlying demand for 2024, Rabobank says it anticipates some upside for New Zealand milk prices over the remainder of the season and has now lifted its farmgate milk price forecast for 2023/2024 to $7.75/kg/MS. In the report: Shifting to the next phase of the cycle, the bank says the global dairy market

continues to walk a tightrope of limited “new” milk and sluggish demand.

“The year saw soft global dairy commodity pricing due to weaker underlying fundamentals.

Global milk supply growth was underwhelming, with three consecutive quarters of growth (Q4 2022 – Q2 2023) halted by lower milk prices, elevated costs, and weather disruption in the second half of the year,” says the report.

The report also says the bank’s global milk supply outlook for 2024 has weakened, with sluggish growth expected across most export regions.

With the 2024 feed cost outlook looking more favourable, some regional milk prices have recently increased, boosting farmgate margins.

NZ DAIRY EXPO

Page 13

Lactation case a “learning curve” A Waikato farm is being heralded as providing a test case for changing calving patterns in its dairy herd.

Chad and Jan Winke are trialling an extended lactation period – calving three times in four years – on their property near Matamata.

“It’s a new frontier,” DairyNZ extension partner Chris de Wet told the launch of the new East Waikato Jersey Group on the Winke farm at Walton.

“They are doing something that no-one else has done.”

Chad and Jan are no strangers to farm innovation and experimentation.

They originally ran just 40 cows, coupled with cropping, on a small family farm in the mid-west (Iowa) of the United States.

“It was frozen for six months of the year,” says Chad.

Jan worked for farm technology company GEA which led to a “gig” in New Zealand in 2008.

Their first stop was a dairy farm near Matamata, as “2IC” milking 600 cows.

A short shift

Chris de Wet told the jersey group launch that this is a genuine trial of extended lactation in a dairy herd.

“Studies on this have been done around the world, but just modelling. Nothing on-farm.

“This is ground-breaking.”

Chad and Jan Winke admit they like “trying different things” in their farming practices.

The milking shed on the farm they own is an 18-a-side herringbone, but they only use 15 for “cow comfort” during milking.

A summer construction project will see the bails widened so all can be used.

The farm across the road has a 44-a-side herringbone milking shed.

level with each, creating increased interest in Jersey cattle, as well as the ability to discuss any other relevant and topical farming information or systems, such as extended lactation at the Winke’s farm.

The next meeting is planned for

February, but specifics including date, host farmers and topics still need to be confirmed.

Information can be found on the DairyNZ website – dairynz.co.nz – closer to the time.

Steve Edwards

Key handling

Gentle handling of the animals is key, say Chad and Jan. “Talk to your cows like you would talk to a boy or a girl at the pub.”

They also stress the importance of getting feedback from staff regarding farm operations.

“Staff form part of a team, even if they are not on the same farm,” says Chad and Jan. “Allow staff to understand what is required from them and allow the opportunity to build up skills and progress up the ladder.”

Running a mixed herd on the farm they own, with “more jerseys across the road”, they were keen to be part of the new group.

Chris de Wet says Te Awamutu has the closest existing Jersey group, with the new organisation taking in Matamata, Morrinsville and the Hauraki Plains through to Waihi and Thames.

Having a separate organisation in East Waikato will reduce travel times and allow farmers to more easily access other associated groups, he says.

“The purpose is to enable Jersey cattle breeders, as well other interested farmers, to interact on a farm

A year later, Chad and Jan made the short shift to a 1000-cow operation at Tirau, where he ultimately became farm manager.

“It was a good learning curve,” he says.

Their next move was to another Tirau farm, milking 630 cows.

They came to Walton 11 seasons ago, as lower order sharemilkers on a 215ha property milking 650 cows. In their third year, Chad and Jan bought an autumn calving herd, which they ran on the same property.

They acquired the full herd five years ago and purchased a 50ha block directly across the road, milking 150 cows.

Chad says they tested different mating/calving times on the original block, which now runs 700 cows, and have “kept doing things differently” on the smaller holding.

“We want to squeeze as much out of it as we can,” MOOPOO SOLUTIONS he says. “Something outside the square.”

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A July calving date in 2023 is followed by October in 2024, and then March in 2026 and July in 2027.

“We expect some growing pains in the transition,” says Chad and Jan. While any financial benefits are unknown at this early stage, they say there is a degree of “satisfaction” in embarking on the venture. Results will become apparent by calving in the autumn.

“We can get data for more than one season,” says Chad and Jan.

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DairyNZ extension partner Chris de Wet at the launch of the East Waikato Jersey Group. Photo: Steve Edwards.

Page 14

A rare moment with their feet up outside the Airbnb.

Five years ago, Coast & Country News covered the story of Kylie and Eddie Robinson’s market garden on a leased half acre of the 90 hectare Raglan dairy farm where Eddie worked.

Fast forward to 2023 and the couple and their children Kalani, seven, and Havana, four, have moved to their own piece of land and diversified into their dream lifestyle.

Soul Food Farm is now located outside Raglan on 8.4 acres bought in June 2019 and includes the

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organic market garden, Airbnb accommodation and a Christmas tree farm.

“We immediately started building a 100sqm, three bedroom home for us, and a 70sqm, two bedroom home for the Airbnb, plus the shedding and garaging,” says Eddie.

The market garden was upscaled to an acre and garden beds were started straight away.

The polytunnels and other infrastructure were gradually moved over.

The couple grow produce under organic principles and experience has taught them what to grow and what not to. The high turnover of microgreens and brassicas doesn’t give pests much time to establish.

Another acre was set aside for a sustainable Christmas tree venture. Kylie’s uncle grows Christmas trees in Thames, so under his guidance, the Robinsons planted their first 330 pinus radiata in June 2019.

“It takes three and a half years for the trees to mature, so we started the first succession quickly and then planted yearly afterwards,” says Kylie.

The first succession got hit by both thrips and dothistroma needle blight.

Page 15 The dream lifestyle

Another 30sqm unit is being built for accommodation. Four or five beefies are run on the land, with 10 chickens going through and doing their fertilising magic once the cows are in the next break.

There are plans to get “a nice little pet Jersey” to milk using an electric one cow system. The children will be

encouraged to raise the bull calves as a little business.

“It can be a real grind, but we are so happy to have this land and be able to offer our children this lifestyle. It is our dream to live and work from home and have our little slice of paradise sustain us financially. We are living our dream,” says Eddie.

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And then Covid hit

“We moved in about two weeks before the March 2020 lockdown and were told that we weren’t considered an essential service and had to shut down,” says Kylie.

They lost a fair amount of produce before the government decided that they could be included as essential growers.

“During lockdown we provided online ordering for our market garden products and delivered them ourselves.

“My parents stayed in the Airbnb and helped look after the children for us, as Eddie was still milking.”

The silver lining to the “massive days” they were working was that people in the local area became more aware of the business and were very open to supporting local growers and producers, and still are.

In June 2020, Eddie moved to another local dairy farming role, cutting his hours to 30 a week. He works long days from five to five, coming home to work in the market garden from lunchtime.

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for Waikato farmer and his dog Waikato farmer Leo Jecentho and his heading dog Tess are celebrating their victory at the Trans-Tasman Sheep Dog trials.

The pair are part of the victorious New Zealand team at the 2023 TransTasman Sheep Dog Trial Test Series at the Ashburton A&P Show in October.

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for winning the North Island championships in May, the pair had already been down to the South Island once for training.

They joined their South Island team mates Neil Evans (captain) and Tess, Brian Dickison and Jake, Ian Stevenson and Zac, Pat Coogan (team manager and NZ judge), and Lloyd Smith and Ted as reserve.

“Neil Evans had taken part in the test before and he gave us tips and we all went over the rules which are very strict,” says Leo. “We worked out the running order that was best for the team and strategies that work for the team as a whole.”

For the test, Leo and Tess flew down early on the Thursday so the team could get the dogs out for a play with some sheep.

Trans-Tasman Sheep Dog Trial Test Series is alternately hosted

by New Zealand and Australia and has been running since 1985, except for 1989, and 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19.

New Zealand has taken home the hotly contested Wayleggo cup 22 times compared to Australia’s 15.

“Wayleggo” is an abbreviation

Leo Jecentho and his heading dog Tess competing for The Wayleggo Cup. Photo: NZ Sheep Dog Trial Association. for the “come away and let go” command used by musterers and shepherds in New Zealand.

Competitors have 15 minutes to complete a course that includes disciplines from both New Zealand and Australia.

“You get penalty points for failing to complete the course as per the rules.

“It’s better for the team to avoid time penalties and always finish the course and pen the sheep rather than stress over dropping penalty points at obstacles.”

Leo and Tess scored 77.5 points on day one and 91.5 points on day two and they were the individual

test champions. The New Zealand team beat the Australians by 84.25 points to win the test.

Leo started farming really young and always worked hard to train his dogs, believing “the more work you put in the better they are”, and he attributes that to Tess’ success.

“It was a great experience down there. The whole team were on form and the crowd was cheering. It was a moving moment when we were presented with the cup and listened to the New Zealand national anthem playing.”

Native plant nursery benefits environment Sam and Caroline Edmonds are celebrating their one year anniversary as owners of a business formed by Sam’s mother nearly three decades ago to “benefit the environment”.

nursery is in a high altitude, high climate zone which has major benefits for plant conditioning ensuring the plants are hardy at time of delivery.

Caroline Edmonds says she and Sam took over the nursery when Diane and her husband John decided to retire “but while they have stepped back “Diane Coleman was ahead of her time,” daughterfrom running the business, they continue to provide in-law Caroline admits, “forming Treeline Native invaluable mentoring and support”.

Nursery to address a lack of native plants for “The ownership of the business may have changed, revegetation projects around the country”. along with updated “In the first year, Treeline computer technology, Native Nursery produced but from a customer 10,000 trees – 29 years perspective nothing later we produce in has changed. excess of 500,000 trees “We have retained the each year.” same team, and the same Since 1996, Treeline commitment to quality Native Nursery has been and service,” renowned for producing says Caroline. quality native plants “Sam and I are for regional and district Sam Edmonds ready to deliver some native plants. passionate about councils, the Department gardening and, in particular, native plants and are of Conservation, subdivision projects, private landscaping, farm planting, community and landcare privileged to continue the realisation of Diane’s dream – when she formed Treeline Native Nursery – projects and the general public. to improve the environment.”

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Page 17

Make your move to Matamata

A conceptual Highmark Homes design.

Embark on the journey to home ownership with Highmark Homes, a trusted name in the housing industry celebrating its 60th anniversary this year.

Founded by Bob Hunt, a visionary whose commitment to quality endures, Highmark Homes is now steered by managing director Ryan Hunt, who emphasises the company’s unwavering dedication to its clients.

“In our 60 years of crafting dream homes, we’ve learned that it’s not just about bricks and mortar; it’s about creating havens where families flourish,” says Ryan, reflecting on the legacy of his father’s vision.

As Highmark Homes marks this significant milestone, they invite those on the journey to building a brand new home to explore Maea Fields in Matamata – a haven for those seeking a home in the heart of the beautiful Bay of Plenty.

Priced affordably from $719,900, Highmark Homes offers a range of meticulously designed three to four bedroom homes with open-plan living spaces, catering to the needs of modern couples and families.

More than just a residence, Maea Fields promises a community lifestyle, with abundant space for activities and proximity to Matamata’s charms.

With Tauranga Crossing shopping centre just 37 minutes away and Hamilton a convenient 44-minute drive, the location seamlessly blends tranquillity and accessibility.

Highmark Homes invites you to be part of their story – a family business you can trust to put your best interests first.

For site visits and further information, see their advert on this page.

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Page 18

Adventurous 4x4 Tours for 2025 NZ Adventures offers multi day back country tours throughout the South Island under the ownership of Robbie and Connie Crickett who guide all of the tours.

Robbie and Connie have operated the business for more than 11 years now and Robbie’s association with NZ Adventures goes back into the late 1990s, when the business began.

With the 2024 season November to April season fully booked and about to start, Robbie and Connie are already looking to the following season and the tour lineup. The new seasons dates will be set in mid-January and information packs will be available from then and posted out to the companies mailing list.

NZ Adventures continues to offer a wide range of tours including: - Trax of Gold: a six day celebration of the

The tours offer stunning views and can often take you up in the clouds.

(usually March) is offered as a 7 day,” says Robbie and Connie.

- West Coast Explorer: twice each season Robbie and Connie offer this very different tour from Hanmer Springs to Greymouth with overnights in Murchison (two nights) Westport and Reefton.

- 46 South: NZ Adventures most popular tour. Five days right across the south of the island loosely following an imaginary

line from the Catlins through the amazing diversity of the mountains, gorges and plains of Central Southland out into little known Western Southland and some very big farming country and on into Fiordland and the Te Anau Basin.

- Big Sky: Six days in the back country predominantly in Central Otago.

For more information, see their advert on this page.

pastoral and mining heritage of the South Canterbury and Otago regions.

- High Country Heritage: six days down the eastern alpine foothills of the South Island from Blenheim to Cardrona with overnights along the way in Hanmer Springs, Methven, Fairlie, Omarama and Cromwell.

“One of our original trips and one we offer 4 times each season. One of these tours

Preventing measles in sheep Sheep measles is caused by a dog tapeworm, Taenia ovis.

An infected dog defecates up to 250,000 eggs each day on to pasture, these eggs are then ingested by grazing sheep or goats. The tapeworms then migrate through the bloodstream of the ruminant where they eventually die, causing calcified lesions in the muscle, which stay for the remainder of the sheep or goats’ life.

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Prior to death, the cysts are infectious to dogs for four to eight weeks.

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settle in their dream location without the typical constraints of traditional building processes.

Comprehensive vision

ADH’s vision extends beyond just home building. They provide comprehensive support in financing, ensuring a seamless process for customers. Their partnership with

Westpac opens doors to tailored financial solutions, making the dream of owning a transportable home more accessible than ever.

As ADH continues to innovate and expand its range, they stand as a beacon of progress in New Zealand’s housing industry, offering a unique blend of quality, convenience, and eco-conscious living.

ADH is crafting “lifestyles” in the heart of Horotiu.

In the landscape of New Zealand’s housing market, Advantage Designer Homes is making waves with its innovative approach to modern living through its range of transportable homes.

ADH is revolutionising the concept of home ownership, blending quality, convenience, and affordability.

Nestled in the heart of Horotiu, just a stone’s throw from Hamilton, ADH is not just building homes; they’re crafting lifestyles. Their latest offerings, including the “Sutherland 85sqm” and the “Bowen 118sqm,” exemplify their commitment to providing spacious, stylish, and sustainable living solutions.

Meticulous detail

What sets ADH apart is their meticulous attention to detail and their commitment to quality. Each home is designed with the modern New Zealander in mind – from busy professionals seeking a comfortable retreat to families needing space and functionality. These homes are not just structures; they are fully equipped living spaces,

boasting features like open-plan layouts, designer kitchens with premium Bosch appliances, and energy-efficient LED lighting.

The transportable nature of ADH homes offers unparalleled flexibility, allowing homeowners to

Page 20

FERTILISER

Tackling a nitrogen loss problem It’s a wee issue but with a big environmental impact; and a new award-winning technology developed by AgResearch may help farmers to address it.

Scientists at the research institute have developed what they call acoustic urine sensors to tackle the problem of nitrogen loss from the urine of cattle, which affects water quality and leads to emissions of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas.

The device attaches to the rear leg of dairy cattle to enable recording and identification of distinct sound patterns in “urination events”, including timing and volume. Data from the recordings is analysed using technologies that include machine learning.

UNEARTHING YOUR NEXT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT R NEXT PIECE OF EQUIPMENT Urination volumes

Dairy cows typically urinate 10-12 times per day with an average urination volume of two litres per event and an average equivalent urinary nitrogen application rate estimated to be approximately 600kg of nitrogen per hectare.

“Our research has shown that the nitrogen load of an individual urination event is closely connected with daily urination frequency, the time PICK YOUR of day and the volume of the urination event,” says POWER AgResearch senior scientist Brendon Welten.

Phone: 0279 100 500 | Email: info@diggersales.co.nz “This means that urination frequency and volume www.diggersales.co.nz per event directly affects the amount of nitrogen deposited in urine patches on the pasture.

00 | Email: info@diggersales.co.nz “Therefore, cows that urinate more frequently ggersales.co.nz per day coupled with a lower volume per urination event tend to excrete lower amounts of nitrogen per urination event and so represent a lower risk to the environment.”

This knowledge has led to AgResearch developing the concept of an environmental nitrogen herd test to identify and manage cows based on urinaryPhone: 0279 100 500 | Email: info@diggersales.co.nz nitrogen loss potential.

The concept is similar to routine herd testing for milk quality and production; with a service

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Brendon Welten with urine sensor.

provider deploying the urine sensor technology on a dairy farm to provide an accurate estimate of an individual cow’s urination frequency and volume per event. This informs the urinary nitrogen loss potential of individual cows in the dairy herd.

Immediate benefits

“Once farmers have this farmspecific urinary nitrogen loss information of their dairy herd, this could be used in a decision support tool like Overseer to allow potential immediate benefits in reducing farm nitrogen loss relative to using a default model value. Furthermore, farmers can then use it to make farm management decisions, such as breeding and culling, to move their dairy herd towards lower nitrogen loss potential and thereby provides the opportunity to achieve sustained reductions (year on year) in farm nitrogen leaching loss.”

Last week, the research behind the

sensor development was recognised when AgResearch’s Cattle Urine Sensor team won the Science and Technology Award at the 2023 Kudos Awards in Hamilton.

“It’s fantastic to have that recognition given over five years of development,” Dr Welten says.

“The benefits of these sensors are that they are lightweight, simple to use and low-cost. Their use can be easily scaled up and requires no capital investment in farm infrastructure, with minimal effect on daily farm management practices.

“Our current research is assessing farm-level benefits of this concept on farm nitrogen loss using casestudy dairy farms linked with modelling funded by the Ministry for Primary Industries. We are looking forward to the potential large scale adoption of this concept in the future by New Zealand dairy farmers as a new tool to mitigate farm nitrogen loss.”

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Page 21

A story of innovation and Kiwi ingenuity When you do something new, there is no blueprint to follow.

You’ve got to make it up, and make it work, often without a lot of money. And you need the right people with a can-do attitude, and belief in what they are doing.

This has been the Fertco way for 24 years now.

developed to target the mineral deficiencies identified by local vets in their client’s stock.

Another recent addition is ‘Protamin’, a natural nitrogen product, which has extended Fertco’s organic range to make it the largest complete offering in NZ. Dical is now entering its third generation at Fertco as a granulated product which improves product placement, and aligns with increasing efforts to improve health and safety.

Many of Fertco’s products carry

‘Frank King in 2006 with a pile of dicalcic phosphate hot off the press.’

Fertco origins

It all began in 1999, when dairy farmers Ross Karl, Ken Titchener and Rob Phillips decided to establish a fertiliser company to make dicalcic phosphate, a fertiliser that they believed would improve soil, plant, and animal health.

They employed chemical engineer Frank King as a consultant to help. Ross and Frank recall the small piles of fertiliser spread around the shed floor, and the garden sprayer, used to work out how much water to add to get the recipe right.

After much trial and error, the result was a new, high-analysis dicalcic phosphate that was made by reverting monocalcium phosphate to dicalcium phosphate. This dicalcic was lower in acidity, so better for soil health and clover growth.

It also released its phosphate more slowly which reduced runoff into waterways so was kinder to the environment.

To manufacture the new dicalcic, they leased a small part of a building at Mt Maunganui,

and built a plant by upcycling old pieces of equipment. Dical, as it’s currently referred to by the Fertco team, was the first of many experiments making fertiliser products by either improving what was already available, or trying to make something new.

More new products

Granulating lime was an example of this. Frank remembers using an old domestic tumble dryer and a blow torch to determine the best process for drying the lime so that it could be granulated.

Coated urea was another example, developed for Fertco by Frank on his return from the USA after designing and building a plant to coat urea there.

These are just two examples that illustrate the kiwi ingenuity and innovation which seems to have been “stitched into the

the Fertmark label of quality assurance, and all are lab tested for contaminants. “We are increasingly searching for better quality ingredients,” says business commercial manager Chris Lees.

“And better ways of making fertiliser that won’t end up where it shouldn’t,” says national sales manager Arthur Payze.

Fertco has pushed the boundaries of conventional and organic fertiliser manufacturing and survived to tell the story.

DNA of Fertco from day one,” as CEO Warwick Voyce says.

“We do things that larger companies don’t do, and we often get copied a lot.”

Today

Fast forward to today, and Fertco have factories at Mount Maunganui and Te Awamutu, a recent addition when Fertco amalgamated with TerraCare, which shared many of Fertco’s enviro-friendly philosophies.

Fertco customers are farmers and growers of many different kinds, with different requirements. They are looked after by a team of sales representatives who visit.

Every order is customised to suit the client. The product offering now includes a full range of conventional fertilisers, but the innovative thinking is still in evidence.

Several years ago, a suite of granulated animal health products under the ‘MineralBoost’ banner was

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AVOCADOS

Page 22

Avocado industry working together through hard times DMS Progrowers Limited are creating a positive working culture and promoting a happy work environment with six core values that employees strive for on any given day.

“Unfortunately, there is no hiding the fact that the avocado industry is going through tough times. The more growers, packers, exporters and

contractors I talk to every day it has been made apparent that there is a huge importance to work together because, ‘Together we Achieve,’” says DMS Progrowers avocado general manager Hamish McKain.

“Growers are working together more than ever! A great memory I have as a kid is friends, family and neighbours would come and help pick the fruit, with the favour being reciprocated.

While this assists with reducing

orchard costs, it also allows for team work, comradery, building a community along with a real sense of pride and accomplishment. During these tougher times, this is a really good driver to help us all.

“Collaboration with fellow packing partners to help create efficiencies and greater working relationships is in motion.

We are working together with our packing partners in order help the common goal. That

DMS staff, Family and friends helping harvest ‘Together we achieve’.

common goal being better quality fruit to market and a higher OGR to our growers.”

Hamish says they are supporting their contractors.

“Knowing we are expecting to have a much bigger crop next season, by giving them what work we can so they can support their staff. Knowing that on a high-volume year (next year all going well) it will be all hands-on deck. Thanks to all our contractors who have stepped up at short notice to help out; transporting bins, working extra hours to complete short time frame market orders so we get fruit on the water to minimise fruit age.

“I also would like to formally welcome all of our new growers to DMS. In the spirit of working together DMS Progrowers Limited

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has offered a home for all of the growers from the recently closed Kauri Pack packhouse. Welcome to the DMS whanau, it has been great meeting you all and we look forward to working with over the many seasons to come.

“This is also a great time to introduce our two new team members to the DMS Avocado Team; Toni Morrison and Matt Royackers. Collectively they add 30+ of avocado knowledge and experience to the team. Welcome to you both, thank you for all of your hard work already!

“I encourage you all to talk to fellow growers, neighbours, contractors and packhouse reps to check in, have those conversations as together it will make the avocado ride a little smoother.”

AVOCADOS

Page 23

Quilting, gardening and avocados!

It’s a property that’s attracted visitors from overseas. And once her beloved patchwork quilt business is sold, Carol Biesiek is eager to immerse herself in the garden that’s brought so much joy to the Katikati community.

Katipatch Garden Party was an annual event for 10 years, with craft stalls, art displays, live music a morning tea fundraiser and patchwork quilts displayed around the garden.

The last was held just before the first Covid lockdown.

“The first year, around 100 people came along, the second year it grew and by the tenth year 400 people visited on the

day. It became a community event with people coming from Auckland, Taupo and Hamilton.

“We even had people with visitors coming overseas who would plan their travel dates around the party so they could come along,” says Carol.

“Friends would come over and help me hang around 100 quilts on the lawn and they were surrounded by garden so people could stroll around.

“We found, though, that my husband Eddie and I would spend all of January tidying up the garden.

“We couldn’t go anywhere so we decided the 2020 event was it for us.

People have asked me since and it’s a flat ‘No’. I don’t even have to think about it.

“They were highlights for us but that was enough.”

Katipatch

Carol opened Katipatch in 2006, selling patchwork products, accessories and fabrics.

With 30 years’ quilting experience, Carol’s store and classes have been popular – but now she’s passing the baton.

“I’ve had a lot of pleasure and met a lot of lovely people through those classes. Quilters are lovely giving people. It’s been a great journey, that’s for sure. My other pleasure is

my garden, so when I’m not working in the shop if the weather is fine, I’m outside!”

It means Eddie and Carol’s avocado orchard will get more of her attention too. They have about 5.5 hectares planted with 80 35-year-old trees and 440 three and five-year-old trees.

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Page 24

AVOCADOS

Eddie Biesiek working in the orchard. Photos: John Borren.

“We planted the young trees on lower ground on our property that’s near the Uretara Stream inlet. They’re in front of the house so we’re keeping them low so as not to lose the view. They’re pruned at 4m height, which means we don’t need ladders to harvest the fruit.”

Because they’re planted closer to the waterway, the trees are mounded up.

“When we bought this piece of land, there were 850 feijoas. They cope with the wet in the winter but they’re intense.

“In season, they need to be picked every two days and the only packhouse is in Te Puke so Eddie would have to drive down straight away. It didn’t pay well so we decided to take them out but didn’t want empty land.

Special root stock

“We found a special root stock variety of Hass avocado that doesn’t mind the wet and they’re mounded up about a metre in rows about four metres apart because they’re going to be kept small.

It’s worked out really well. They’re all fruiting already and we’ve picked from five-year-old trees.”

Carol says they’ve always enjoyed gardening and have attended a lot of Fieldays and sought advice to make good decisions on how to run the orchard.

“We’ve tried to keep as organic as possible without going completely organic. Monitoring is important because we only spray when pests are found, and we use natural compost around the trees. Over the years, we’ve brought in both bumble bees and honeybees and we felt that they made a difference. We have high production compared with the average.”

The couple also figured out the smartest way to even out their annual income.

“We believe in feeding the tree even if doesn’t have a crop on. They use up their nutrients producing fruit so if we didn’t feed them so well, they would take a year off producing.

“We now have half the trees cropping each year, which means we’re manipulating them to produce for the market. We don’t believe in accepting the philosophy that you have to keep

doing things the same way. There’s a lot of science and information available so we use it.”

Simple things

So when she closes the door on her Katipatch store for the final time, Carol is looking forward to the simple things.

“I want to just sit in the garden with a coffee and listen to the birds. We’ve really turned the property around since we’ve been here. We’ve renovated the house and changed garden a lot.

“Eddie does the heavy lifting and manages the orchard and I’m the ideas person. We get a lot of pleasure out of what we’ve achieved. And, yes, I’ll still be sewing with my lovely group of friends.

I’ll keep up with the patchwork. I really do love living where we live.

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High subdivision interest It’s not surprising that confidence is recovering post-election. But what is surprising, is the speed of resurgence in the small-scale subdivision market.

Term mortgage rates have now peaked and look to settle over the next year or so – perhaps not at the level that we saw before Covid, but certainly at a level that we have all been relatively comfortable with in the past.

This is setting the scene for a lift in subdivision activity along with a demand for new sections to build on.

We are now seeing that overall housing prices have started to rise, following the post Covid correction that was expected.

Savvy property owners with subdivision potential, and keen to make the most of the coming demand for lifestyle blocks and residential sections, are now keen to engage in the process again.

Starting early when the specialists in the subdivision process are all available is the key to success, rather than suffering the inevitable delays later in the property cycle when everyone is busy and overcommitted. Over the past few years there has been unprecedented demand for the professional services, contractors and council staff required to assist in the subdivision process.

In recent months we have seen the availability of these people pick up, but suspect that won’t last long at all with the current uplift in

confidence and enquiry.

With demand picking up and still an historical shortage of homes for ordinary New Zealanders, this imbalance will quickly lead to greatly increased purchaser demand again.

So, if you have the cash resource and land available to cut off a residential section or lifestyle block, now is a good time to start investigating the ability to subdivide your land.

Stable interest rates, albeit not at historical lows, and the demand for land are key to the next uptick in the property cycle. Coupled with the banks’ willingness to lend again, flowing from a growing confidence that land is not overpriced, there is every chance that demand will return real soon. Those who have started the process early enough will be the winners in the next cycle because it takes time to create new titles. The time frame to complete a straightforward subdivision can easily be over a year, even without undue delays in obtaining expert reports, resource consents and construction.

Whether you have been eying the possibility of subdividing your farm or residential section for a while, or have recently wondered about it, there may not be a better time to act.

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Page 26

Break through time for pastoral farming The new administration appears to be lightening up on farming’s environmental constraints already in place and those planned.

In our view that’s welcome and essential, not because farming is squeaky clean but because the models on which regulation is developed have at their base a falsehood.

Current models are based on the

AJ's Engineering

premise that pastoral farming is both a net carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emitter with farmers being unfairly penalised.

Pastoral farming by nature is carbon positive, i.e: carbon is being continuously sequestered.

It is only through the excessive use of synthetic nitrogen that pastoral soils lose carbon. With the restrictions already in place along with many farmers implementing systems that are non-reliant on it, carbon levels will steadily increase.

The argument that our soils at around five per cent carbon are carbon rich and there’s no room to store more ignores the fact that soils steadily build over time, it’s a natural and largely unstoppable process.

A simple example is the path to clotheslines.

If the edges are not regularly trimmed the path becomes covered.

It’s often argued that farming emissions will decline as fewer animals are able to be carried due to the less nitrogen being applied.

It does not follow that lowering fertiliser nitrogen inputs leads to less total growth, with those implementing soil fertility programmes that are non-reliant on fertiliser nitrogen discovering that annual pasture production steadily lifts, and when well managed so too does total farm output.

These farms also sequester more carbon, and carbon in the form of organic matter is the filter that ensures groundwater is not contaminated with excess nitrates or anything else harmful.

Another argument that requires dispelling is that nitrogen leaches regardless of source.

Nitrogen is an essential growth element and if not provided artificially must be provided naturally, primarily by clover.

During winter clovers are largely inactive. As soil conditions warm and sunlight hours increase in spring grasses respond in kind, until the pool

of plant available nitrogen depletes.

This happens at the same time soil temperature promotes seed head development, providing the ideal conditions for strong clover growth.

In a well-managed sward clovers fix sufficient nitrogen to replace that used by grasses.

It’s a highly efficient system that ensures very little is lost in the form of nitrate to groundwater.

Cow urine is often cited as a problem as the nitrogen contained in it is in the form of urea and large amounts are deposited in small areas.

But not all urine is equal. Short leafy grass-dominant pasture to which synthetic nitrogen is regularly applied is high in nitrogen and animals rapidly excrete it to reduce undue pressure on kidney and liver.

Contrast this to the urine of animals grazing mature clover dominant swards.

This feed contains less nitrogen and more full protein, and the urine of these animals is significantly different.

Our requirement for protein is the primary reason people eat meat and consume dairy products. Pastoral farming is an energy conversion process whereby energy in the form of sunlight is, through the process of photosynthesis, converted to food.

Plants in the rapid growth phase are high in nitrate which is steadily converted to full protein as the plant reaches maturity.

Understanding when best to graze pasture comes with knowledge learned over time through observation.

The understanding required to make the changes is readily learned and the transition to a more rewarding system can be comfortably made within twelve months with autumn the best time to implement the changes.

For more information talk to Peter on 0800 843 809.

DAIRY

Page 27

Rain, army worm, prices and Christmas As I write this article in early December it is raining (yet again), with another 15ml overnight and it is hard to see a lot of evidence for the much talked about El Nino producing drought.

In fact, the rain that recently battered the Hawke’s Bay again has been quite beneficial for grass growth in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato.

There have been sufficient dry spells to enable a reasonable amount of grass silage to be made and farmers in general will be pretty happy as the season has been set-up well. However, the persistent rain has caused some challenges for those with low lying cropping areas who have struggled to get the ground to dry up from last season’s rain events. In many cases what maize did get planted in these areas has ended up rotting. As an agricultural contractor we know this too well as we have a large area of replanting to complete.

Total rainfall for Paengaroa from January 1 to December 2, 2023, is 1508ml in comparison to 1816ml in 2022.

Fall Army Worm.

Army Moth

Talking cropping, there have been a number of cases of Fall Army Worm in the Waikato. Army moths are thought to have flown across the Tasman from Australia.

The caterpillars tend to thrive in long grass areas and silage but they also like brassica; infestations are easy to spot with leaves stripped. They are a real concern, however MPI does not appear to be bothered about them.

The Foundation for Arable Research has stepped up the monitoring of it with traps and the like. Eradication isn’t an option and we (the industry) are just going to have to manage.

With only one insecticide certified for its control it is a little concerning if it takes off as it could have devastating effects.

Prices

Staying with the positive, it seems milk prices are holding and possibly lifting with a chance of an +$8/kgMS payout on the cards following the most recent GDT auction. Inflation is being tamed, and the financial markets are pricing in some cuts to the Official Cash Rate, ignoring what the RBNZ has recently had to say about the need for another possible hike.

There still doesn’t seem to be many positives for sheep farmers given lamb and wool prices.

Spare a thought for them when selecting your meat for the barbecue this summer and get some lamb chops or sausages.

Christmas holidays

During the Christmas holiday it is important to get away from the farm and have a break with family and loved ones.

Too often the vast list of farm tasks gets put ahead of investment in oneself.

I personally am trying to make a change by spending more time this summer with my family at the beach and switching the brain off from all the business challenges in order to maintain some good mental health. I hope you do too and set yourself up for a great 2024.

Conviction and fine for Waikato dairy farmer A Waikato farmer has been convicted on three charges and fined $45,500 in the Hamilton District Court for unlawful discharges of farm animal effluent between May and November 2021.

the Waikato River.

“Five months later, council officers conducted a follow up inspection at the property and found the effluent pond at capacity and overflowing into the environment.”

Innovative InnD oveastiigvne ImD preosvig esn EIm ffip crieonvceys Efficiency

Brett Ian Dyson was sentenced

by Chief Environment Court Judge David Kirkpatrick on three charges under the Resource Management Act as a result of a prosecution taken Ezi-flo pit gates completely

by Waikato Regional clear exit ways and cannot Council. be touched by cows leaving Ezi-flo pit the gates completely milking area.

In July 2021, council clear exit ways and cannot officers conducted a be touched by cows leaving compliance inspection the milkinggates area.

The fully galvanised at Dyson’s Ngāruawāhia are available in kitset for speedy installation property and found effluent The fully galvanised gates compliance issues on the farm, are available in kitset for says a statement from the Waikato speedy installation Regional Council.

“The effluent pond was at capacity, and there was 2 C OW S H E D evidence there had been overflows from the pond in recent months.

Ph Jim 07-850 5971 Mob. 0274 936 693 2 C OW H E936 D 692 Mob. S 0274 “Council staff also located a stormwater diversion Ph Chris 07-849 3630 P.O. Box 10 188, Te Rapa, Hamilton from the cowshed in the open position, allowing Ph Jim 07-850 5971 Mob. 0274 936 693 PITGATES www.dairybuilders.co.nz animal effluent to discharge directly into a tributary of Ph Chris 07-849 3630 Mob. 0274 936 692

0800 226974 0800 226974

P.O. Box 10 188, Te Rapa, Hamilton www.dairybuilders.co.nz

ezi-flo ezi-flo PITGATES

Formerly known as

Page 28

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

The Rotorua Settlers and Steam Museum has fascinating collections of artefacts and objects from the district’s rural past.

“We have a display of Māori artefacts at the museum,” says board member Raif Hocart-Saunders.

“The Māori lived in the Rotorua region because of the hot springs, vast food supplies and other resources. Our collection shows implements, weapons and carved pieces of that era.”

The early Europeans to the area were missionaries and tourists to the Pink and White Terraces and arrived in the early/mid-1800s.

The bulk of the Owhata block was purchased in 1923 by Rotorua businessman, Duncan William Steele, who quickly on sold it to Horace Balfour Douslin in 1924. He drained the swampy land, running a dairy farm and Ayrshire stud called “Willowmere”. Horace built the iconic ‘Dutch colonial style house’, designed by his architect father, William Douslin. Douslin House still stands today.

“The estate was broken into smaller blocks and sold in the 1940s and 1950s. Major Robert William Hannah of Wellington, whose father Robert senior started the Hannahs retail shoe company, bought the area where the house stands in 1940.”

Preserving Rotorua’s rural past

These include items from people’s everyday work and home lives, vintage machinery and historic buildings from a bygone era, all set in beautiful gardens.

The museum has been operated by the Te Amorangi Trust since 1969. The Board, two paid part-time staff, Silke Hackbarth and Raif Hocart-Saunders, and a small group of volunteers of all ages and from many different backgrounds, run the museum.

Although known as the Rotorua Settlers and Steam Museum, it is officially called the Te Amorangi Trust Museum Inc.

Historic land The museum land today is in the Holdens Bay area which was once held by Ngāti Whakaue.

East of the property flows the Waingaehe Stream which provided the pre-European Māori with flax, koura and small fish.

Machinery collection.

The estate passed to the Holden family and in 1952 they sold three subdivided sections including Douslin House to Arthur Sheward and his mother, May Sheward.

“Arthur started the museum with his private collection, which promoted Māori and Bay of Plenty history. Once the Te Amorangi Trust was formed the collections grew and a number of buildings were added.

“By 1999 Douslin House was in a bad state and major restoration work was carried Volunteers keeping all the machinery going. Photos: Catherine Fry. out over the next three years with large funding from population. Our museum has examples of Lottery Heritage, Rotorua Trust and the machinery and tools that were used in BOP Community Trust. agriculture and forestry,” says Raif.

Historic collections

“Early European settlers moved to the area as tourism and forestry developed and farms were established to support the growing

Horse drawn baler.

Grandparents love visiting with their grandchildren, as they can explain what all the implements were used for. The museum is open Thursdays and Sundays.

Early horse drawn plough.