Coast & Country News - June 2024

Photo: Catherine Fry.

The sad tale of ‘Tatters’

Oh dear! is wasn’t how it was meant to be. e lamb chops turned out the most expensive ever. In fact, they never even hit the plate.

You will recall meeting ‘Roast’, ‘Tatters’ and ‘Gravy’ in a recent Coast & Country page 2 column – three cute, woolly lambs arriving on a small hobby farm north of Katikati.

Frolicking and bleating and munching in the ltered light beneath the bay leaf tree.

Idyllic. Perfect.

their sick sheep to the ‘doctors’.

A real farmer, one with callouses and sunspots, sco ed when I told him of ‘Tatters’.

His veterinary advice was prompt and came free. He suggested a much easier and cheaper treatment option for ‘Tatters’.

Wasn’t enough

It involved a blunt, solid object. Or a lead projectile. And no energy water.

Anyhow, ‘Tatters’ was now home and medicated up to her self-shedding furry wee ears.

Self-shedding sheep too – ash sheep that don’t need stylists and haircuts. But city folk dabbling in ruraldom can be fraught.

And it can end in tears, lots of tears.

It started with ‘Tatters’ being lethargic – sitting and moping a lot. Bring her in, suggested the vet. So ‘Tatters’, the sheep, is o to the doctors. Of course he would suggest that.

Ka-ching! “ at will be $360 please.” ere was the consultation, the antibiotics, anti-in ammatories. ere was also some drench.

And the energy water.

Energy water for a sheep?

She was even placed in a nice, warm, dry shelter.

But the full weight of modern medicine and human kindness wasn’t enough. ‘Tatters’ passed during the night. e moment was recorded in a diary.

“I know it’s part of life, of living rurally. But I still cried more than I would like to admit. Does any grown-up cry over a sheep?”

Well, I know of one now.

But I can’t image there are too many cockies who’d crack, weep, and require therapy every time they lost a head of stock. If there were, we would need grief counsellors at the abattoir.

I’m not a pastoral person, but it’s not as though the sheep is an endangered species.

ere’s 25 million of them around the country.

e vet’s bill was just about as much as the original outlay for the ock of three. Bad farm management, bad economics it seems.

‘Tatter’s’ Mum and Dad put it down to a “learning experience”.

Imagine the cost to the nation if all farmers took

Back on the hobby farm there’s been some deep re ection. “Perhaps we shouldn’t be amateur farmers?

“But too late. We are. So there.”

at’s right – kia kaha. And there’s ‘Gravy’ and ‘Roast’ to care for.

“ ey’re ne, but they really miss their wee friend.”

Perhaps some quality time and relationship building might help. Ask the vet.

Hi-Cane decision by EPA brings relief

New Zealand’s kiwifruit industry is breathing a sigh of relief after the Environmental Protection Authority released its decision on May 23 that it has approved a reassessment of hydrogen cyanamide –known as Hi-Cane – which permits continued use of the substance by horticulturalists.

However while the EPA decision keeps the existing approvals, there are now additional rules for the use of hydrogen cyanamide in NZ and updated hazard classi cations.

Extra rules

Additional rules – according to the EPA decision at: www.epa. govt.nz/public-consultations/ decided/hydrogen-cyanamidereassessment – include the following: One application can be made per year. ere are di erent maximum application rates for kiwifruit and all other fruit.

Bu er zones must be put in place to protect bystanders, the aquatic environment and nontarget plants downwind. Application is limited to ground-based methods. Only nozzles and appropriate mixtures of hydrogen cyanamide, water, and/or adjuvants that produce a coarse or larger droplet size can be used. ere’s a speci ed maximum wind speed when applying the substance. Spraying is restricted to July 1-September 10 inclusive. Plus, there are changes to labelling and packaging requirements, and the hazard classi cations.

e application for reassessment of hydrogen cyanamide use in NZ was formally received by the EPA

in September 2021 and set the reassessment process under way.

EPA general manager hazardous substances and new organisms Dr

Chris Hill says the EPA conducted comprehensive risk assessments, considered new research about potential e ects on health and our environment, and weighed the economic bene ts of continuing to use this chemical against potential impacts on people and the environment.

“We also publicly consulted on our proposed changes and held a hearing, which gave individuals and industry a chance to provide valuable information. is input and our own expert assessments and information were considered by an independent decisionmaking committee.”

After receiving a large amount of information from submitters, the committee approved the continued use of hydrogen cyanamide because it found the bene ts outweigh the potential risks.

According to the EPA, the decision-making committee considered “the bene ts from using hydrogen cyanamide were signi cant; the negative impacts if hydrogen cyanamide was

no longer available would be signi cant; the bene ts outweigh the risks and costs associated with adverse e ects from exposure to the use of hydrogen cyanamide; and additional controls on its use should be added to further mitigate risks”.

Critical chemical

Kiwifruit growers advocacy group New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc – which led the industry to advocate strongly for the retention of Hi-Cane since the EPA’s call for information on the chemical in 2019 – says a ban would have had a massive economic impact on NZ’s most valuable horticulture export, closing orchards and hurting communities that rely on the industry’s prosperity.

“Hi-Cane, used once per year on kiwifruit orchards, is a critical chemical for the success of the kiwifruit industry,” says NZKGI chief executive Colin Bond.

“It promotes uniform bud break of owers, ultimately maximising the production of high-quality kiwifruit. It has allowed our industry to remain competitive and pro table in the markets to which we export.”

Colin thanks growers and wider stakeholders who fought for the continued use of Hi-Cane.

“ at the EPA’s Decision-Making Committee has decided for the retention of hydrogen cyanamide speaks for the industry’s collaborative response through many years of hard work.

“Growers and the communities who rely on our industry’s success will be relieved the EPA have made the right decision to retain its use.

“Despite the decision...we will continue to protect our workers and environment and we are committed to

an ongoing programme of continuous improvement and best practice that focuses on safe spraying practices both from a human and environmental health perspective.

“ e industry has adopted a coordinated approach to maintain safe spraying practice over many years, mandating low-drift technologies in relation to bu er zones and going above and beyond the required standards...”

As for the new controls, NZKGI will analyse the impact of the restrictions “and consult with our growers on this in the near future”.

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NZKGI CEO Colin Bond. Photo: supplied.

From the tractor mudguard to top dairy trainee

Only weeks after winning the Waikato title, 20-year-old Kirwyn Ellis is delighted to be named the 2024 NZ Dairy Industry Awards’ Dairy Trainee of the Year. He also took home three national merit awards. e judges described him as a “very good role model for the industry, who stood out clearly amongst a group of excellent nalists”. e fth-generation farmer is in

his second year of the farming career that he’s always aspired to.

“It’s not so much that there was a moment I knew I wanted to be a farmer, I simply don’t have any memory where I didn’t want to. My earliest memories are of sitting on the tractor mudguard as a child and following my parents around the farm,” says Kirwyn.

improve his skills, which contributed to his success in 2024. He places high value on forming connections with industry professionals and having a network of people around him who he can call on for advice and knowledge.

He took home two regional merit awards along with the main regional trophy – the DairyNZ

Variety

When he was 10, Kirwyn’s parents moved o the family farm, and a manager was brought in.

At 12, he started relief milking and helped the family farm manager, and also had the chance to work on the neighbouring farm – rstly for Je and Jasmine Peek then later for Chris and Steph Ferguson.

He also worked for Marcel Korsten and Bianca Raemakers, his girlfriend Jenna’s parents. ese experiences exposed him to a variety of production systems, allowing him to learn from di erent farming styles.

Kirwyn attended St Peter’s School, studying agriculture/horticulture subjects from Year 10 through to Year 13. After leaving school, he worked for an earthworks company for six months to align with the June 1 start of the season.

“Working with heavy machinery was a great experience. I learned how to drive and maintain di erent types and gained knowledge about preventing sediment from reaching waterways.”

Pirongia

Currently, Kirwyn works for Hamish and Sheree Germann on their 130-hectare Pirongia property, milking 475 cows in two herds. He works alongside fellow herd manager Loyd Navarro.

e regional judges’ comments from the practical Skills Days competition were: “Kirwyn demonstrated an impressive breadth of knowledge across various subjects, displaying his expertise throughout the event. He approached tasks with con dence, completing them e ectively and e ciently. Notably, Kirwyn actively engaged with the judges during the feedback round, asking insightful questions to enhance his understanding further.”

“I liked the location of Hamish and Sheree’s farm and their focus on grass as the primary feed, with supplements as secondary.

“My family farm operated on a system 1 to 2, so it has been interesting learning the ropes on a system 2 to 3 farm.”

Kirwyn was encouraged to enter the Dairy Industry Awards by Andrew Macky, the 2022 Waikato DIA Manager of the Year, with whom he plays rugby. In 2023, Kirwyn entered the competition and came third.

“Andrew thought I would bene t from the experience. ere’s so much to learn, and the awards are a great way to identify your strengths and weaknesses.”

He used the feedback he received in 2023 to

e regional interview judges say Kirwyn demonstrated a high level of knowledge across all areas of the general farming section of the interview and exhibited real strength in calving and mating management, speci cally when it came to identifying the needs of newborn calves.

Ultimate goal

Kirwyn’s ultimate goal is farm ownership, and he’s taking a step-by-step approach to achieve it.

He’s focused on gaining experience and forming connections with industry professionals and he is planning further study and saving towards buying his own herd for a sharemilking position.

“I’m learning as much as I can and building a network of people I can turn to for advice and guidance.”

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Practical Skills Award and the Shoof New Zealand Farming Knowledge Award.

Kirwyn Ellis is herd manager on a 130-hectare Pirongia property. Photo: Catherine Fry.

Young farmer beats tough competition

Following two days of tough competition at the Kerepehi Domain on the rst weekend in April, Dennis Main, 30, of the Piarere Young Farmers Club, was announced as the Waikato Bay of Plenty FMG Young Farmer of the Year for season 56.

Hamilton City Young Farmers member Stephen Brunskill, 29, was second, and Morrinsville Ngarua Young Farmers member Cam Clayton, 28, was third.

Competition co-ordinator Caitlin Logan is responsible for all seven senior regional nals, and the nal in Hamilton in July.

“Waikato Bay of Plenty Young Farmers are one of the most engaged regions and we had 26 entrants for their regional nal,” says Caitlin. Module spaces are o ered to the contest sponsors rst, and then remaining ones are lled by the committee using its regional contacts. ere were two machinery modules that o ered the competitors a chance to show o their mechanical skills –a safety pre-start check on a quad bike and changing a tyre, and a safety pre-start check on a tractor and relocating a large round using a bale grab.

An apiculture module was a challenge for many entrants, but having beehives on farms is becoming more popular.

Competitors had to build a beehive from parts provided.

Caitlin describes one of two seed modules as a “gut buster” where competitors had to safely lift three seed sacks and then identify fertilisers. e other seed module involved identifying and categorising seeds and plants.

e fencing challenge provided a chance for competitors to show o their skills.

With TB in possums and deer an ever-increasing threat to farm herds,

the nalists were asked to identify TB signs on cattle and possums from photos, and then set up two di erent possum traps.

e top eight

e top eight from day one went through to day two and had to complete a three-hour farmlet.

“It was designed to mimic tasks required in daily farm life and encouraged a bit of Kiwi ingenuity as they all had the same raw material to work with and had to make do with that,” says Caitlin.

the committee. “Last year I was vice-chair and this year I am in charge of our fundraising activities including the club’s major annual fundraiser of covering silage stacks and picking up hay,” says Dennis.

e club has about 50 members from the wider agri-community and Dennis enjoys the social side of the club.

Tasks included constructing a three-wire electric fence, tank and trough reticulated water system and mailbox, hanging a gate and planning riparian planting.

During the farmlet, contestants completed another three modules, including a technical module to programme a tractor ready for spraying, and each contestant being interviewed by FMG about their goals and passions, and demonstrating knowledge about disease management and stock tracing with MPI.

“ ere was a high calibre of entrants in this nal, but the winner, Dennis Main, was almost 100 points ahead of the next place-getter,” says Caitlin.

Dennis

Dennis grew up on his family dairy farm and studied engineering after leaving school. He spent four years back on the family farm and has now turned his hand to building.

He is an active member of the Piarere Young Farmers Club and on

“I entered the FMG Young Farmer of the Year competition because several of my mates from the club did.”

He was surprised to get through to the regional WaiBOP nal and even more surprised to win the nal.

Dennis says the regional nal modules were well run and contained a good variety of tasks. He wasn’t so keen on the exam and having to go up on stage to do the quiz.

“I grew up learning the practical side of things and that’s de nitely my comfort zone.”

Before representing the WaiBOP area in the nal in July, Dennis will update himself on regulations and compliance and brush up on the theory side of things.

See you at Site G56, G58

WaiBOP Region FMG Young Farmer of the Year winner for 2024, Dennis Main.

Photo: supplied.

Encouraging responsible nitrogen use

Nitrogen may be a tasteless, odourless and colourless gas – but as 78 per cent of the earth’s atmosphere, it’s mostly what we inhale with every breath we take.

ere are also vast amounts of nitrogen in the earth’s crust and in soil organic matter.

Nitrogen compounds are found everywhere, and we use them in so many ways.

We use them to extend the shelf life of our foods; to manufacture acid, nylon, dyes, and explosives; and to freeze blood and destroy diseased tissues for example.

And of course, we make fertiliser from them to grow our food.

Why we need N

All living organisms contain nitrogen. It forms the amino acids that make proteins, and it’s even in our DNA. Plants also need nitrogen to make the chlorophyll they use for photosynthesis. So, it’s not surprising that nitrogen is the nutrient in most demand by plants – especially in the early stages of their growth.

Deficiencies and excesses

A plant de cient in nitrogen will be badly stunted and su er from chlorosis, or yellowing of the leaves. Examples of de ciency can be seen in pasture where there is strong growth in the urine patches only.

A plant su ering an excess of nitrogen will have lush growth and stem weakness.

Nitrogen excess can be a problem for animals and humans, and we are well versed in the negative consequences of too much nitrogen fertiliser in the environment.

legume roots to create nodules where they ‘ x’ N2 gas from the atmosphere into plant available nitrogen. In return, the legume provides carbohydrates as energy for the bacteria. Other plants get the nitrogen that the legumes x when the legume roots and nodules are naturally sloughed o or when the legumes are broken up during cultivation.

e best source of N e very best source of nitrogen for your pasture and crops then, is that which you grow yourself by planting legumes like clover. Unfortunately, biology and microbial action can’t always provide enough nitrogen to meet food production demands. at’s where nitrogen fertiliser comes to the rescue.

e next best option

A 2009 study estimates nitrogen fertiliser is responsible for 40-60 per cent of the world’s food production. So, there is no denying that it is necessary.

However, it’s also clear that responsible use is important.

e 4R Nutrient Stewardship Framework developed by the fertiliser industry worldwide suggests how this can be achieved.

e framework is simple: apply the right product, at the right rate, at the right time, in the right place.

Following these principles, a nitrogen fertiliser that supports plant growth throughout the growing season with reduced wastage is a good start.

So although nitrogen is vital for life, and a shortage is detrimental, we need to be responsible about how we apply it.

How plants get N

While nitrogen is plentiful in the atmosphere (as N2) and the soil, it’s not always available in the forms like ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3-) that plants need.

So how do plants get their nitrogen? It’s all down to biology and microbial activity in the soil.

A major source of plant-available nitrogen is produced by legumes like clover, which form symbiotic relationships with Rhizobium trifolii bacteria. e bacteria invade the

Polymer-coated granular nitrogen products like Fertco’s 44Magnum and N-durance are two such products. e coating imbibes water and swells. e nitrogen moves slowly through the semi-permeable membrane by osmosis, so the nutrients are available at a more controlled rate for longer.

Being granular, the products can be applied more accurately, and because they don’t get converted to plant-available nitrogen as soon as they hit the soil like urea does, there is no sudden excess.

Wastage to the environment – and to your pocket – is greatly reduced. But perhaps the best advantage for time-poor farmers in spring is these products can be applied in the late-autumn/early-winter period. So, they’re a ‘one and done’ product.

Cow health vital in winter

Wintering cows are often regarded as out of sight out of mind.

Whether they are o -farm or on, they need to be provided with the essential minerals that may have been depleted during milk production.

Starting the next season in a mineral de cit has large implications for the cow’s health and production as well as the development of the calf.

Winter crops are notoriously low in micro minerals such as copper, cobalt, iodine and selenium.

e cow depletes any body reserves of these minerals if there is no supplementation or supply in the forages she is eating. Micro minerals are especially important for the day-to-day physiological function of the animal, including foetal development.

To stay on top of mineral de ciencies, it is a good idea to rectify any de ciencies ahead of time. Blood or liver tests prewinter will help assess mineral status to understand how to rectify this de ciency.

– “ ere is one product I’d like you to use – Calf Xtreme”.

SealesWinslow’s Winter Crop Block is a convenient speci c mineral delivery system designed to overcome cattle’s nutritional challenges in winter.

Your mineral supplementation for winter crops should therefore include copper, which is essential for foetal development. Zinc is a prerequisite for maintaining healthy hooves and ensuring the cow is not compromised in their ability to walk.

Iodine is essential during winter months, as it is low in the soil during wet periods. Brassica crops contain goitrogens, which can limit the uptake of iodine. An iodine de ciency can lead to still births and poor viability of newborn stock.

Selenium is valuable to boost the immune system at this critical time. It speci cally counteracts Red

Water, a health issue that can a ect cows that feed on brassicas. Following this, supplementing the diet with a winter-crop speci c mineral molasses block, such as the SealesWinslow Winter Crop Block is one solution. By providing this block in 25kg tubs, or as 500kg blocks, to cattle 24/7 while they are grazing winter crops there can be con dence they are receiving the maintenance trace element levels they require. Speak to your SealesWinlsow representative or contact us by visiting: www.sealeswinlsow.co.nz

Xtreme boon for enhancing calf health and growth

Torey Williams, accustomed to managing 150 calves in autumn, expected signi cant challenges when following up with 400 more in the spring. However, upon facing this prospect at Mark and Leanne Mier’s property in Reporoa seven years ago, a crucial recommendation from Mark altered Torey’s approach entirely

feed of six litres, streamlining her routine and witnessing further enhancements in calf health.

“ ey are reaching weaning weights 10 days earlier and when they calve as two-year-olds they match the size of mature cows, dominating them by coming into the shed rst – a testament to the early development of rumen and subsequent growth set up by the probiotic regimen.”

In addition to Calf Xtreme, Torey integrated another Probiotic Revolution

"They were into hay and meal much quicker and smashed back their pasture. We were weaning them 10 days earlier and their rumens are obviously better developed. As twoyear-old's they are so big they dominate mature cows” - Torey, Reporoa

Avocado grower calls for action amid tough climate

A Coromandel orchardist is calling for changes in the avocado industry.

Allan Dickinson has around 600 Hass trees on seven hectares of his Angus breeding farm at Matarangi.

“Returns have never been worse,” says Allan. “Basically, there’s an oversupply.

“ e New Zealand avocado industry has traditionally relied on the Australian market as its main export partner.”

He says, in his opinion, the industry has done little to market its produce to the rest of the world.

Allan describes the current situation as a “perfect storm”, with domestic retail prices down 50 per cent on last year. He’s urging anyone considering planting avocados to think again.

“Last year in March, avocados cost

$3.82 in the supermarket and this year’s price is $1.95. e returns are pathetic and hardly even worth picking the fruit.”

Extremely tough

NZ Avocado Growers Association chief executive Brad Siebert agrees.

“Yes, it’s been an extremely tough season. Extreme weather events have resulted in a lack of export fruit being available to supply signi cant volumes to some of our Asian markets, this also meant that some months experienced an oversupply to the domestic market.

“However, this season we have sent to a greater number of export markets than ever before including the US and Canada.”

Allan says oversupply is driving domestic prices down and export

2024 TOURS

markets aren’t picking up the slack. He says what used to be a modest industry in Australia is now overproducing so that it’s not only supplying its own consumers, but also moving into India and the Asian markets. Allan says our industry’s governing body should have been cultivating those markets many years ago.

Brad says Australia has recently gained phytosanitary (plant health) market access to ailand and India.

“Our exporters are therefore seeing increased competition in our export markets from a number

of di erent origins.” During the past decade NZ Avocado’s Primary Growth Partnership programme has focused on market diversi cation, with the development of a wider range of markets being a dedicated focus in the new industry strategy, says Brad. He says NZ is fortunate to have a natural advantage of a relatively low pest status supported by strong biosecurity measures, which ensures exporters continue to have access to more than 70 countries. “Historically, 85 per cent of our fruit has gone to Australia for two reasons; because it is close and they pay well. But a huge amount of work has gone into diversifying and nding a premium window for our exports so this has dropped to 50 per cent in more recent years.

“Past work by the industry as a whole has created market opportunities and this concerted e ort to create trade opportunities is coming to fruition now.”

Regulation

Allan is also frustrated that regulation and legislation wipe out grower returns. He says the supply chain is unwieldy and costly. “With an average retail price for avocados being around $2.16 this year and the grower receiving approximately .42c of that, there is a lot of margin going elsewhere.” And he believes the immediate future for the avocado industry is bleak. Yield for the 2023/2024 season was a total of 4.7 million trays, compared to the previous year’s 7.2 million trays. “ e forecast is that yields will be back up to close that for the 2024/25 season, so the oversupply situation is only going to get worse. We need to do more to account for the increase in production and warn the wider public and potential growers of what’s going on.”

NZ Avocado con rms the early estimates of a higher crop volume for the season ahead, which will mean we have greater supply for increasingly diverse market opportunities, Brad says. To ensure growers can make the most of this, the industry is looking at all the levers that can be utilised to reduce compliance burden and create faster and easier trade, he says.

For the love...

“ ere aren’t many high points when you’re a farmer,” says Allan. “At the moment, there’s not enough support or understanding for those of us who risk millions of dollars to do their best to feed people.

“We’d be better o leaving our money in the bank and collecting the interest. I, like most farmers, do it for the love of the land and the love of providing topquality food for people who appreciate it.”

Allan’s wife Andrea, with their daughter Georgia, son-in-law Cam and grandson Archer.

Fine-tuning for the future

I nd myself repeating the same sentiment from my editorials of the last few months: it’s been a tough season.

For avocado growers, the struggle to make ends meet persists long after the harvest is over. Yet, amidst the challenges, there’s a prevailing spirit of resilience among those in the industry. Passionate individuals are determined to play on and seek ways to emerge stronger from this downturn. In conversations with growers, one question we are hearing a lot is: What will it take to succeed in the seasons to come?

At Darling Group and Just Avocados we believe at the heart of success lies a relentless pursuit of improvement, from the orchard to the marketplace. Growers must focus on ne-tuning the things that are within their control such as re ning their growing methods, exploring new techniques, and optimising every aspect of production. Likewise, partnering with

packers and marketers they trust who are moving the needle on e ciency in the supply chain and who will sell their crops for the best outcome.

Drivers of profitability

It’s also important that growers assess their nancial situation and take time to understand the drivers of pro tability on their orchard so they can plan where improvements could be made.

In measuring pro tability, we must look beyond per tray returns and consider the broader economic factors. Return per hectare is what really matters. is nuanced approach challenges conventional wisdom, but it’s essential for truly understanding the orchard’s nancial health and potential. During recent years, the Just Avocados team have produced some helpful resources for growers on pro tability, reducing costs, and budgeting –please ask our team to take you through these.

NZ Avocado unveils new strategy

However, NZ Avocado is reassuring growers that its groundwork as well as the renewed focus is about to pay o . “As an industry contributing only two per cent of world supply, we need to look at how we nd value and di erentiate ourselves; our sustainability credentials, our food safety systems and our pest status

hinges on us having strong biosecurity and recognised assurance programmes right across the supply chain,” says Brad. “We’ve unveiled a new strategy just in the last month that shows how we’re doubling down on nding mechanisms to meet those challenges and create an increased demand for avocados from NZ.”

So, growers need cash, yes, but they also need return crops in order to be sustainable.

Money made in one season contributes little to success if you make nothing the next season.

In 2019, Just Avocados reviewed what they were trying to achieve for their growers and how they were going to set themselves apart. Out of that came their focus on long-term pro tability and business sustainability. Central to this is the overarching philosophy that harvesting 70 per cent of crop prior to owering is critical to tree health and return crop.

Leaving fruit to hang late reduces pack outs, increases the chance of quality issues, and in many situations reduces the tree’s ability to produce consistent crops year-on-year.

For Just Avocados, this orchard management philosophy for long-term success is more than rhetoric – it’s a guiding principle that is

demonstrated across our end-to-end service from production advice, orchard services, and harvesting, to logistics, packing, and market selection.

Multiple markets

At the marketing end, for growers, it is critical their post-harvest logistics and sales channel has access to multiple markets, domestically and overseas, and that they have the responsiveness to adapt to changing dynamics. Looking ahead for 2024, Canada and the Asian markets are queued up for Darling Group and Australia may get a spin. However, success in this arena requires strategic assessment throughout the year, the ability to be nimble, and transparent communication back to growers. Ultimately, Just Avocados’ mission for success is clear: to ensure that grower outcomes remain paramount in all our endeavors today while building a sustainable future for tomorrow for the industry we proudly serve.

NZ Avocado Growers Association CEO Brad Siebert.

Leo Mangos – change

Two things of signi cance came out of the tiny Buller Gorge outpost of Lyell – gold and Leo Patrick Mangos. e gold eventually ran out, and by 1963 Lyell’s last hotel had burned down and it was a ghost town. Population today – zero.

But Leo Patrick Mangos ourished. e man who left school at 16 with no formal education, and left town, became a carpet layer in Cromwell then went on to be a decorated, driving force in the kiwifruit industry. He was the one who always stood up.

‘ ey’

“People would often say: ‘Oh, ‘they’ should do something about that’. Well, I’m the ‘they’,” says the 89-year-old whose eyes are as steely as his determination. And not one grey on that full head of hair. “I do something about it. “I’m not going to stand for this.” What Leo wouldn’t stand for were some serious anomalies in the marketing of kiwifruit. “ ere were seven exporters selling kiwifruit to the same marketplace. e only way they could compete was by undercutting each other. And

they drove prices down to the point growers weren’t making any money.” e industry was further decimated by the 1987 stock market crash – returns in Europe plummeted, investors turned o and the industry hit rock bottom. e industry was seriously divided over how to recover from the slump. It took a couple of industry visionaries – Leo Mangos and Paul Heywood. ey saw a way forward – the establishment of one co-operative,

services to NZ – Leo Patrick Mangos

MyNameisNeilWoodward.

a single desk exporter, to sell the crop. “With a grower co-operative, the grower owns the business, they export the product themselves, so all the money comes back to the growers,” says Leo. No one at the time thought it possible.

Four pillars

But 35 years ago – Leo and Paul as senior leaders of the powerful Fruitgrower’s Federation – lobbied, manoeuvred and manipulated to get “four pillars” of legislation enacted which would dramatically overhaul the way kiwifruit was marketed. About 84 per cent of growers, and the Labour Government, backed their call for the Kiwifruit Marketing Regulations and a Kiwifruit Marketing Authority which would be the precursor to the Zespri of today. “It meant growers couldn’t be screwed on price and at the same time guarantee both supply and quality.” No small victory because they had to get the regulations past Roger Douglas, a free marketer who was totally opposed to marketing boards.

In 2014 Leo and Paul were named joint winners of the Hayward Medal which honours

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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

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.

merchant

“dedication, knowledge, excellence and passion of NZ kiwifruit industry leaders”. Leo also received the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal from then Prime Minister Geo rey Palmer in recognition of his services to Aotearoa.

He’d also receive the Queen’s Service Medal, in part for his achievement in the kiwifruit industry.

“ e Kiwifruit Marketing Regulations stabilised an industry which is going to hit $5 billion,” says Leo.

“It would not have been there without those regulations, it would not have survived.”

ere was also the PSA fungal disease crisis that threatened to decimate the industry. “But the grower co-operative had enough money to put into research and development and showed people they could grow kiwifruit and live with the fungal disease.”

Leo says without the legislation and the investment, kiwifruit would have shrivelled to a minor industry. If he felt a responsibility to the kiwifruit industry, he also felt a responsibility to the long history of Mangos family in NZ.

e man of Greek stock has put that right too with the self-published book called ‘Pioneer Stock’ – a rollicking personal account of hardship, and the resilience and resolve of “NZ’s rst Greek family”.

No-nonsense

“It’s so my family now, and in future, can assess the person that is and was Leo Patrick Mangos.”

And he’ll probably be assessed as a shrewd, farsighted, no-nonsense entrepreneur and adventurer who pursued what he believed to be good, fair and right.

After Lyell, Leo grew up in Cromwell and would run a thriving carpet-laying business, and serve on the local borough council and volunteer re board. at’s where he pulled o one of his two “most satisfying achievements”. He helped convince Norman Kirk to drive through the Lake Wānaka Preservation Act 1973 which would safeguard the lake against the ravages of ‘ ink Big’ and the

hydro-electricity development of the Clutha Valley. en he’d came north to grow oranges in Ōmokoroa, then bought 20 acres on Mo at Rd and added kiwifruit to avocados. He dabbled in politics – stood for Labour in the Kaimai Electorate in 1981, simply because no one would. He even locked horns with Tim Shadbolt on the back of a truck during a Springbok Tour rally. e only chink in this strongman’s armour comes when discussing Margaret – his lifelong love, his wife. He is teary as he talks of being by her side when she died at home in Linley Terrace in July 2019. It was one of Margaret’s friends who perhaps most accurately captured the man: “If Leo gets involved, there will be change”.

Ayla Yeoman and Hunter Wells

A kiwifruit spray range like no other

For more than 50 years, Croplands has been proudly helping New Zealand kiwifruit growers protect their valuable crops.

“Our spray range comprises of two low pro le models speci cally designed for the kiwifruit grower,” says Croplands territory manager Ashley Robinson.

“Whether you prefer a self-propelled or trailed model, Croplands has the right spray equipment to help you save time, and maximise your productivity while achieving industryleading crop protection.”

e Cropliner Rover is the lowest pro le and most agile self-propelled sprayer on the market, says Ashley.

e highly e cient Fieni 820 front-entry fan has been designed to generate the right amount of air for under-canopy vines, providing excellent coverage and reducing o target drift.

e Cropliner Rover self-propelled sprayer is small and agile enough to get into and spray where a tractor and sprayer combination simply can’t.

“Our Rover can get under canopies where traditional tractor and sprayer combinations are not suited.

“Being small and agile it can manoeuvre around tight headlands where other equipment can struggle.”

e trailed Kiwiliner was designed speci cally for spraying kiwifruit where a shorter, and lower pro le sprayer is required. e Kiwiliner is Croplands’ most compact 2000L trailed sprayer and boasts a wider axle for excellent stability and safety, says Ashley.

“ e Fieni 820 fan features a front-entry air intake which greatly reduces trash build up on the grill, meaning greater e ciency through less downtime and

improved canopy penetration.”

For more information about the Croplands kiwifruit spray range, contact Croplands’ Taranaki and Upper North Island territory manager Ashley Robinson on: 027 726 0330 or visit: croplands.co.nz

Leo Mangos with his book.

Wet supplementary pollination positively impacts kiwifruit

With the 2023/24 kiwifruit harvesting season at an end, Grant Luscombe and Christopher Brown of Bay of Plenty based All Terrain Pollination says it is a good time to look at the production gures and start planning for next season.

“Wet supplementary pollination is an e cient and extremely e ective method of pollinating crops for kiwifruit farmers across the upper North Island producing consistent and excellent results,” says Grant.

A recent Hayward trial run alongside dry supplementary pollination application has

con rmed that wet arti cial pollination positively impacts yield, taste, size and shape of kiwifruit.

“Bearing in mind some of the erratic weather patterns we are now experiencing at critical times in the kiwifruit calendar, in contrast to dry supplementary pollination or bees, wet pollination can be applied in most conditions and will work in instances where bees may not.”

All Terrain Pollination applies wet pollen directly onto the owers using a patented process which was designed and tested in New Zealand, mitigating numerous environmental variables that can come

into play during the crucial pollination period.

Christopher says rm orders should be booked as early in the season as practicable with con rmation of the application date when bees are placed in the orchard.

“On orchard costs have increased signi cantly hence it is important to e ectively pollinate to create the opportunity for maximum pro ts. Wet supplementary pollination as a system can become an invaluable insurance policy for creating quality results year in and year out despite environmental challenges.”

Fix coming for flood-prone BOP road

Drainage work costing up to $200,000 will be carried out on Manawahe Road in the Bay of Plenty to help protect the area against ooding.

Whakatāne District Council’s infrastructure and planning committee approved funding for the resilience work at a recent meeting.

Extremely high rainfall in 2022 and 2023 caused sustained ooding of surrounding properties and closure of the road from May 12 until June 12 in 2023.

Whakatāne District Council undertakes pumping work on Manawahe Road in February last year.

the under slip occurred, we had been onsite for about three days trying to unblock that culvert.

“It appears that culvert had some

damage inside it, so water tried to get around it and that is what caused the slip.”

New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi will cover a large part of that cost, leaving just over $450,000 needing to be retrospectively approved from the council’s roading storm reserves.

Two homes on the road became uninhabitable, and the owners received total loss insurance settlements. More than six hectares of land between 1757 and 1849 Manawahe Road was a ected for several months as the ooded area is a ponding basin with no natural drainage outlet.

Cheapest

e committee adopted the cheapest of several options provided by consultants to relieve future ooding of the road. is option involves installing a culvert across the road connected to a manhole into which suction hoses can be fed, combined with legal agreements with a ected landowners to discharge pumped water onto their land when required.

Other options had costs of between $1 million and $2 million. A report to the committee described the rainfall levels to have an annual exceedance probability of 2.2 per cent – or a recurrence level of once every 46 years.

In another report, the committee heard that repairs to damaged roads caused by storms across the Whakatāne district in 2022 and 2023 had cost more than $1.4 million.

About right

Work on the culvert replacement and under slip on Braemar Road and one of two under slips on Stanley Road continues, while work has nished on other under slips across the district, including the second section of Stanley Road, another on Galatea Road and two on Herepuru Road.

Transport manager Ann-Elise Reynolds says while the repair work will leave a small de cit in the roading storm reserves, as it was close to the end of the nancial year, it’s due to be replenished.

It shows the amount allocated to the reserve fund is “about the right amount”.

Rangitaiki ward councillor Gavin Dennis questioned if whether anything could’ve been done to prevent the culvert damage on Braemar Road in May last year if the council had responded more quickly to residents’ reports that it was blocked.

“I was approached by a number of people concerned that they had warned us a month beforehand that the culvert was blocking up and that they noti ed council a couple of times. In their words, they were ‘ignored and as a result of that there was a massive blow-out’.”

Ann-Elise says in May last year, the council had to attend several events due to the high rainfall, including under slips on Herepuru Road, and sta responded to calls as quickly as possible.

“When resources are stretched that’s not always as quickly as some people may like. At the time that

A truck makes its way through ood waters on Manawahe Road in May last year.

Pete & Marcus

In 1932, Stan Symes, Maramarua farmer and ex-huntsman of the Egmont/Wanganui Hunt had been given four cull hounds from Mr Bullock-Webster of the Pakuranga Hunt.

house was built there in 1962.”

Con Christie was the longest serving Master from 1953 to 1973, but for some of that he was a nonriding Master, and his deputy led the eld.

Current Master

“ e story goes that one day he let them out for a run and a few riders went with them.

“ at single act was the start of the Maramarua Hunt and reverberated down the generations to become the Hunt of today,” says Dave.

e rst kennels were on Stan’s farm and the rst Master was Mr J Fagan. e 1937 membership stood at an impressive 200.

e property was sold in 1940 but the house and kennels were rented to the hunt until 1948.

Dave Compston has been the Master since 2020, and jointly shared the position with Sarah Campbell for three years.

“I hunted from age 11 to about 22. For 40 years the opening hunt was held at the dairy farm of my grandfather, Hugh Ashby Jones (HA Jones). My parents worked on that farm, and I was born there.” Dave drifted away from hunting as

“ e hunt made some wise property investments which have provided for them over the years. Sixteen acres of bare land was bought in 1943 and sold in 1965.

“ e current Hunt property was bought in 1948 and the hounds were moved to new kennels there. e

Dave was joint master with Sarah Campbell for three seasons. Photo: Linda Wood.

Maramarua Hunt in the 1930s.

Photo: supplied.

e Hunts all co-operate, keeping bloodlines good and moving hounds between them, and the NZ Hunt Association bring in hounds from good overseas bloodlines.

“Dave and I make the decisions

about how we breed our future hounds.”

e hounds have a new summer pen with raised platforms and there are plans to refurbish their winter quarters.

he worked and raised a family. He came back to it in 2006 when his horsey daughter, Grace, expressed an interest in going out hunting.

“I just borrowed a horse for the day to hunt with her as I thought it would be cool to have a fth generation family member hunt with Maramarua.”

Needless to say, within three weeks Dave had bought himself a hunter and was back hunting again. “Next thing you’re on the committee, then deputy Master, and before you know it you’re Master!”

Dave says puts the current membership at about 80 with 25 to 30 regulars, mainly women. e sport doesn’t attract the same numbers it used to.

ey hunt over a large area covering North Waikato, Glen Murray, Hauraki, Te Kauwhata, Maramarua and Mangatarata and between.

Current Huntsman

JJ Cross has been with the Hunt since July 2023, taking over as Huntsman from Jamie Bragg who served from 2021 to 2023. He brought with him the experience of two years as Huntsman in Rangitikei, near Marton.

“I was brought up with horses. As kids we spent the holidays at the farm my great uncle managed at Mahanga, Rangitikei. I used to ride in front of him on his horse when I was really young and go out mustering. Apparently I used to fall asleep in the saddle leaning on him,” says JJ.

JJ got his own pony at three years old and spent much of his childhood in the saddle and out on musters. He broke his rst horse in at 11 years old. He left school at 14 and worked in forestry until he was 21.

“I went to work for Bruce and Tony Holden at Ngahiwi Station near Gisborne, breaking in horses for their sports horse business.”

Dave is quick to elaborate on this. “He’s got a pretty good reputation as a horse breaker.”

When he accepted the role at Maramarua, JJ knew he needed a better jumping horse.

He caught a mare from a wild mob that had been seen jumping high fences and was riding her ve days later.

He describes Peanut as “an East Coast Ngāti horse, Gisborne born and bred”.

JJ has moved into the Huntsman’s house with his wife Reigan and their three children, and he loves that his kids grow up with an outdoor lifestyle.

e hounds

JJ has inherited 31 hounds and six pups that are predominantly the traditional black, white and tan colouring.

He has the down season to get to know the hounds and gain leadership over them before hunting starts.

“I feed them pen by pen daily, we drench and weigh each one monthly, so I’m learning names fast.”

Maramarua Huntsman JJ Cross with the hound pack.

Photos: Catherine Fry.

with two of the 2023 puppies.

NZ Post is changing its delivery days for newspapers and parcels in rural areas of New Zealand.

From June 29, 2024, there will no longer be newspaper and parcel deliveries to rural addresses on Saturdays due to commercial viability, but Monday to Friday deliveries will continue as usual.

NZ Post chief operating o cer Brendon Main says Saturday services to rural areas are not commercially viable.

“Today, the items delivered by NZ Post rural delivery partners on Saturday are limited to subscription newspapers, as well as some parcels. We deliver very low volumes of items on these days, and it costs us more to deliver on Saturdays than we earn from the products we deliver.

“From June 29, 2024, NZ Post will no longer deliver newspapers and parcels on Saturdays in the majority of rural New

Zealand, with the exception of 17 rural delivery runs that will be phased out by June 2025. ese 17 delivery runs are in Canterbury and Waikato and are being kept in place to give our business customers more time to put alternative arrangements in place for their customers.

“It is important to note that there will be no changes to rural mail delivery as we do not currently deliver mail on Saturdays to any address. Rural mail delivery will still take place Monday to Friday, and we will still be ful lling our obligations under the Deed of Understanding, which is an agreement we have with government that includes how often we deliver mail.

“We acknowledge the a ect that ceasing Saturday deliveries may have on Kiwis who live at a rural address. is is not a decision that we have made lightly and we empathise with those who could be impacted by this change.”

Impacted rural customers can expect to

receive a written noti cation about the change from NZ Post. Rural customers who currently have newspapers delivered on Saturdays are advised to contact their newspaper subscription service.

is change will also a ect rural customers who are PO Box holders and currently receive deliveries through the NZ Post Box Lobby service on Saturdays. PO Box holders who are impacted by this change will receive a letter from NZ Post.

NZ Post says it has consulted with rural delivery partners and considered the impact to our business customers before con rming this change.

NZ Post is going through a period of transformation, responding to the ongoing decline in mail volumes and future growth in e-commerce, while charting a path towards commercial sustainability without government funding.

“We need to make some hard decisions about our future and the services we o er as we evolve to meet the needs of New Zealanders. We are continuing to invest in growing an unmatched delivery business, while managing a transition to a commercially sustainable mail delivery service as we move toward a single network for mail and courier delivery as announced on March 26, 2024.

“ ese are not always easy decisions to make, and we again acknowledge the impact on rural communities,” says Brendon.

Protect your home’s gutters this winter!

Birds nesting in eaves and fallen leaves clogging gutters are maintenance headaches for homeowners.

With nesting season approaching, many people want to permanently keep out birds. Keeping leaves out of gutters is also important to avoid problems during winter rain and hail, says NZ Gutter Protection owner Martin Smith.

“Birds nesting in houses make a mess and contaminate tank water,” says Martin.

“When leaves block gutters, it can cause ooding into the house.

“Installing gutter protection will resolve these problems, will keep out rats and possums, and will protect tank water.”

NZ Gutter Protection mesh is a durable, heavyduty polyethylene and with a range of colours to match any roof. Suitable for all roof types, it has a 15-year guarantee on materials and workmanship. Martin does the tting himself, and has been installing gutter protection on homes, farm buildings and commercial properties since 2005, throughout Waikato and Bay of Plenty.

NZ Post is making the changes from June 29.

Gutter protection will prevent any nesting bird and leaf blockage problems. Photo: supplied.

High country heritage tours

Whether you picnic amongst scenery o the beaten track or enjoy lunches on stations with the runholders – the views will be the same.

“Unrivalled,” say owner-operators of NZ Adventures 4x4 Tours, Robbie and Connie Crickett, who operate back country tours throughout the South Island.

e only mandatory stipulation is vehicles on an NZ Adventures 4X4 Tour have all terrain-type tyres in good condition and a ‘low range’ transmission

tted. “Every vehicle is supplied with a radio so a commentary is available and two-way communication is enabled.”

All accommodation is in motels and meals are in restaurants.

e High Country Heritage Tour is run as either a six or seven day tour. Starting in Blenheim and traveling through iconic Molesworth Station.“Highlights are travelling over the hills from Wairau Valley into Awatere Valley, Orari Gorge and the huge stations of the Mackenzie Basin and Lake Benmore.”

Further south travelers enjoy the Oteake Conservation Park, quaint St. Bathans

“and the Dunstan and Pisa Ranges will not disappoint”.

e High Country Heritage six-day tour is run three times in a season –November, February and April. In 2025 the April High Country Heritage Tour dated 11th-16th will nish in Cardrona, after breakfast on the morning of the 17th in time for Easter and Wheels over Wanaka; this will be the nal time the Wheels over Wanaka will be held.

Burn all year round

Made by family-run Northland company Iron Tree Products, the appropriately named ‘Serious Incinerator’ has been manufactured for 20 years and conforms with New Zealand Fire and Emergency regulations.

With winter approaching, owner Milton Brown says that the fully enclosed Serious Incinerator keeps rubbish dry allowing a complete burn of the contents even in wet weather.

“Additional safety features mean it is an approved incinerator without a re permit, even during a Restricted Fire Season, subject to regional variations.”

e Serious Incinerator comes in three sizes o ering diameters of 600mm, 750mm and 900mm. Each features a lid, which safely latches back to the chimney, a heavy-duty grate, and rear access for easy ash removal.

Serious Incinerators are especially popular with farmers, horticulturists and lifestyle block/rural homeowners, with orders received from across New Zealand.

Iron Tree Products focuses on well-engineered and quality manufactured products “that last for decades”.

Dealing with rodents

It’s that time of year – rats and mice are around, trying to nd themselves a warm home for the cooler nights.

If rats and mice are causing a problem in your home, Consumer NZ has a few tricks to keep the pests at bay.

e High Country Heritage seven-day tour will be run in March 2025.

For more information, see NZ Adventures advert on this page.

Traps are a cheap go-to to keep rodents at bay. “Snap traps” can cost as little as $2 and can be reused. Tunnel snap traps can be used outside and protect other creatures from the traps. ese cost $39 from Predator Free NZ.

Live traps can be used if you fancy a “catch and release” method, and cost from $5. ey’ll need to be checked daily to save the animal from distress, dehydration and starvation.

Bait with baitstations is an e ective and relatively cheap way to get to rats and mice where other traps don’t work. Ensure you follow all instructions on the bait package, dispose of any dead mice or rats and watch for secondary poisoning if the dead rodent is nibbled by another critter – such as the family dog.

e Serious Incinerator comes in three sizes. Photo: supplied

Tractor fascination never fades

Bruce Leonard was raised on a dairy farm in Okoroire and is the rst to say that he didn’t like school at all and left at 16 to go hay baling.

He didn’t waste any time investing in his career and at 17 bought his rst wheels, a hay baler, half on nance and half deposit.

“I used our family farm tractor for three years and then I bought my own. As a young man I was working on our dairy farm too as it worked well with contracting, as they had opposite busy times.”

Bruce became a fertiliser spreader driver in 1969 and went out on his own in 1989 and ran a fertiliser spreading business with his wife Gloria for 25 years from their 30 acre home block.

Bruce is now “retired” and runs a 129 hectare dairy grazing block and raises beef on their home block.

Bruce does nd time for his tractor collecting and restoring. Always interested in Ford and Ferguson

tractors, he bought his rst one in 1989 from his family estate.

“Others are always popping up on TradeMe, but they usually need something doing to them.”

Bruce bought a 1986 Ford 6600 in 2017 which he describes as “in poor condition”, but it was a “good price”, and he “hadn’t got a 6600 in his collection yet”.

e 4.4 litre, four cylinder, 75hp, diesel engine tractor was used for general agriculture work. It has 4WD, power steering, and dual power shift transmission with 16 forward and four reverse gears.

“ e cheapest part is always the purchase and then the costs set in.”

is particular 6600 had a rusted original cab, but Bruce managed to replace it with a Kubota cab that

tted perfectly. After replacing the universal joints, Bruce was intending to use the tractor on the farm but the rst time he tried moving a round bale on the bale feeder, it smashed the cab’s back window.

Perplexed at rst, as he’s an experienced tractor driver, Bruce then realised that there was a bearing problem in the gearbox.

“To x that I’ll have to split the tractor in half and take the gear box out and have a look at it, but that’s a big job!”

Bruce is a member of the Rotorua Tractor and Machinery Club and enjoys showing his tractors o at their meet ups in Mamaku and taking his Ferguson TEA on club treks.

Catherine Fry

Bruce Leonard enjoys collecting Ford tractors. Photos: Catherine Fry.

Bruce replaced the rusted Ford cab with a Kubota one.

is Ford 6600 has a 4.4 litre, four cylinder, 75hp, diesel engine.

A King Country company is flying high

Otorohanga-based Heli A1 not only serves across the country but has also gone global with its specialist helicopter operation.

Davin Mudford, who founded the company in 2005, says recent contracts have included a threemonth stint in Tonga building microwave towers, while also providing pilots and expertise on the Gough Island eradication project – mice which were killing seabird chicks – in the South Atlantic.

On the home front, Davin says the Heli A1’s chief focus is on serving agricultural, forestry and commercial entities.

Davin says his company has built a solid reputation for high-quality service, safety and experience within the heli services industry, providing clients with the highest standard of work.

“Our goal is to get the job completed to a point that it exceeds any expectations set by our clients.”

Specialising in power-line stringing and electro-magnetic

surveying, Heli A1’s core business revolves around the agricultural and commercial sectors.

Rural services include aerial spraying, cropping and seeding, fertiliser application and forestry requirements. For commercial clients, Heli A1 undertakes precision lifting, surveying, fire-fighting and concrete/ gravelling work.

It also extends to “human sling” services and sightseeing/charter flights. With 12 staff, Davin says he’s “extremely fortunate” to have a number of experienced pilots and highly trained crew who are proud

of the service they offer to the company’s many clients in NZ and around the world.

He says the Heli A1 team has a combined experience of more than 50 years in the helicopter services industry. Plus, the company has a versatile fleet of helicopters suited to a wide range of operations.

■ Site prep & excavation

■ Tracks & races

■ Farm drainage

■ Entrances / driveways

■ Metalling

■ Carting fill

“All of our helicopters are independently maintained in accordance with the strictest Civil Aviation rules for general aviation aircraft.”

Davin also has access to twinengine and heavy-lift helicopters when required.

■ Transporting 27 tonne

■ Grader, roller &bulldozer

■

Contact: Ross 027 484 8751 Andrew 027 304 2915 • Aidan 027 235 7413 rldrainage@yahoo.co.nz

Steve Edwards

Agricultural contracting business blooms

A King Country-based agricultural contractor is growing in leaps and bounds.

Owner Davin Mudford says MF Agri, which operates out of Otorohanga, has bloomed since he set the business up in 2022 to include more staff and services. “I started out using my own machinery to do jobs for people I knew. However, in the past 18 months it has grown significantly to having four full-time employees plus using contractors.”

Covering the King Country and Waikato, MF Agri provides a full range of agricultural contracting services. This includes maize planting and harvesting, and silage mowing, raking and stacking/baling.

Davin says MF Agri also handles “ground-work” including discing, cultivation, harrowing, planting, drilling and fertiliser spreading.

On top of this, the company offers bulk services including general cartage, plus fertiliser and metal.

Davin says his father was an agricultural contractor “years ago” while he milked cows on the family farm in Otorohanga after leaving school.

“We baled our own stuff and planted our own maize.”

MF Agri became a reality after “a few people asked” and some contractors “backed off” in the area, says Davin.

The business has grown to now include eight tractors and two foragers, plus associated equipment.

Davin says last season saw them plant 600ha of maize around Otorohanga. September to March/April is the company’s busiest time of the year, with cultivation and grass silage at its peak.

Davin says farmers remain “pretty consistent” in their choice of maize, silage and hay. Through winter the cartage side keeps MF Agri ticking over. Davin retains his own farming interests and runs specialist helicopter operation Heli A1 as a separate business.

Steve Edwards

MF Agri provides a full range of agricultural contracting services. Photo: supplied.

A Heli A1 helicopter in action. Photo: supplied.

Don’t

THE DISTRICT - WAIKATO

Building their business from the ground up, Paul and Brenda Smith started Waikato Dairy E uent Services Ltd in Morrinsville in August 2019 servicing e uent equipment, riding on Paul’s expertise and reputation after working for Hi Tech Enviro Solutions.

“Paul was the workshop and production manager for HiTech Enviro Solutions and moved onto a consulting role for Waikato Milking Systems, helping the NZ dealer network with their e uent queries when they brought out Hi-tech Enviro Solutions,” says Brenda.

“On November 1 we moved our servicing business from our small workshop to 11 Anderson St, Morrinsville, and we became the new owners of the Waikato Milking/HiTech Enviro Solutions E uent business.

“We have a host of parts –including hydrants, e uent parts, Doda pumps, stirrers etc

– complementing our servicing business. We are also the sole supplier/importer of Doda products in New Zealand.”

Brenda says Waikato Dairy E uent Services’ workshop services all makes and models of e uent pumps, stirrers and irrigators, and o ers on-farm accredited e uent systems and installations.

“Paul has more than 20 years’ experience in the industry, specialising in Doda and the Cobra irrigator.

“It has been very exciting for us expanding our business.

“Farmers have access to all of Paul’s excellent servicing work and experience – and we provide a quality service with our large range of e uent parts on hand for servicing and installation jobs.

“Our NZ dealer network has direct access to Paul’s knowledge of the Doda brand – and it’s exciting to have it back in Morrinsville where it all began with Hi Tech Enviro Solutions.”

Proposed change to Waihou constituency boundary

Waikato Regional Council will continue to have 14 elected members, but the boundary for one of the constituencies is proposed to extend to ensure balanced representation. e council is required to review its representation arrangements every six years, with the last review conducted in 2018 for the subsequent 2019 and 2022 elections. Pou tūhono Mali Ahipene told councillors at their April meeting that electoral population statistics indicated non-compliance with fair representation guidelines for the Waihou general constituency, which has two elected members. “ e current arrangements have served the council and its communities well for

the past decade. However, based on the latest electoral population statistics, the Waihou general constituency is over-represented when the +/-10 per cent rule is applied. To address this, we must explore options to achieve balanced representation, considering factors like community interests, demographic trends and e ective representation.”

e Waihou constituency comprises of South Waikato and Matamata-Piako districts, Arahiwi (a small area within the Rotorua Lakes district) and part of Hauraki district.

Councillors voted 11-1 to modify the Waihou constituency boundary to include Waihī and Paeroa rural areas – at present in ames-Coromandel constituency – to meet requirements for fair representation. Public consultation began in May. is will be followed by hearings and then a nal determination within two months of submissions closing. During the discussion, some councillors expressed frustration that their decision-making would be based on electoral population data derived from the 2018 Census.

WRC chair Pamela Storey says:“While detailed 2023 Census data won’t be available until after the current representation review, we will revisit arrangements in 2027, which is earlier than the mandated timeframe. is will allow better alignment with insights from the Census data”.

e council meeting was livestreamed and can be viewed on YouTube.

Paul and Brenda Smith started Waikato Dairy E uent Services Ltd in Morrinsville in August 2019. Photo: supplied.

The future of housing in New Zealand

As New Zealand’s housing landscape evolves, so too does Advantage Designer Homes’ approach to creating homes.

“Anticipating signi cant shifts driven by technological advancements, environmental considerations and societal changes, we are at the forefront of designing sustainable, adaptable and technology-integrated homes that enhance Kiwis’ quality of life,” says ADH spokesperson Candice Barnes.

“With urban expansion and population growth, modular and prefabricated homes are becoming increasingly popular.”

Advantage Designer Homes specialise in these innovative construction methods that o er speed, e ciency and exibility, which signi cantly reduces construction waste and environmental impact, says Candice.

“ ese practices are critical in meeting NZ’s pressing housing needs while achieving sustainability goals.

“Moreover, the integration of smart home technology is transitioning from a luxury to

a standard expectation. Our future homes are set to be equipped with systems that manage energy consumption, security, and daily tasks e ortlessly, all controllable

via smartphones. is shift is designed to enhance convenience and signi cantly reduce each home's ecological footprint.”

Adaptability is another cornerstone of

Collective voice needed as Te Waka ends

Waikato Regional Council has responded to news that Te Waka, the regional economic development agency, will cease operations on June 30, 2024.

Chair Pamela Storey says Te Waka has worked to champion and lead the

region’s collective voice for economic and business needs “and I’ve long expressed my view that the fourth largest region in NZ needs a strong, collective voice on regional economic development opportunities and implementation”.

“ rough the mayoral forum, I’m already working to rekindle regional

collaboration and coordination focused on opportunities to create jobs, fund infrastructure, lift educational attainment, and so on.

“A collective approach will ensure our region’s unique needs and opportunities are not only represented but are addressed to ensure we drive the economic prosperity of the Waikato.”

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Advantage Designer Homes specialise in innovative construction methods that o er speed, e ciency and exibility. Photo: supplied.

A noble gift from farmer

More than 100ha of farmland and native bush has been gifted to Bay of Plenty Regional Council by community stalwart and farmer Ian Noble and his family — a gesture that marks the legacy of a man heavily involved in the past, present and future of the region’s environmental wellbeing.

Located at the end of Katikati’s Hot Springs Rd, the land is adjacent to and includes a section of the Te Rereatukahia Forest at the base of the KaimāīMamaku Forest. It is home to several mature and endangered native bush species, and includes streams and creeks that feed into the Te Mania Stream.

Collectively, they make it a unique and ecologically signi cant piece of land in the Western BOP district.

Regional council chairman Doug Leeder says the council is grateful to the Noble family for entrusting it with the future of this land and the family legacy.

“Land of this size and scale, that contains numerous signi cant ecological attributes, is a rarity.

“We sincerely thank Mr Noble for this generous opportunity...”

Ian and his farming

So who is Ian Noble? Born in Morrinsville, Ian was the third of four sons. His journey into farming began at a young age, when the family moved to the BOP and father Bert built the family homestead — which included two dairy herds and a market garden – in Kauri Point Rd, Katikati.

Working on, then running, part of the family farm after he left school, Ian owned and operated several of his own properties – including at Hot Springs Rd.

e land was

When they never returned, the paddocks became overgrown.

As a proud owner, Ian invested time and e ort into ensuring the paddocks were clear while leaving remaining native bush untouched. In recent years the land has been used to graze cattle and the Noble family have lent portions to local community groups. Ian has been heavily involved in the farming industry with in uential roles such as Federated Farmers’ Katikati branch chairman, dairy section chairman, and later BOP provincial president. He was a BOP regional councillor for 24 years, and Western BOP district councillor for three years. He’s played an instrumental role in progressing an array of environmental and infrastructure initiatives that will endure for generations to come. He’s also a founding member of the BOP agricultural advisory committee. Ian believes caring for the environment is “common sense” – an approach that has motivated many decisions throughout his life.

While ensuring the donated Hot Springs Rd land is preserved and respected is a priority, long-term the Noble family would like to see the property turned into a regional park for continued public enjoyment.

A way to give back

For Ian, who received a Queen’s Service Medal in 2015 for his services to farming and the community, it’s a way to give back to the people and place that have supported him. “It’s been a privilege to farm in the Western BOP over the past 60 years. As a family, we’ve seen signi cant changes, and it’s been an honour to be part of a number of them. Community is what supports you to make things happen.

“You can’t do it alone.” One of Ian’s biggest supporters was his late wife Joyce, without whom, he says, none of this could have happened.

originally cleared by two brothers who leased it from the Government before the war.

An aerial view of the farmland and native bush gifted to BOPRC by the Noble family. Photo: supplied.

Whatever your electrical, refrigeration and airconditioning needs are, the team at Dobsons are the right people for the job.

ey have been providing their expert services throughout the Bay of Plenty to both domestic and commercial customers for more than 40 years. Brian and Amanda Tucker took over the business 25 years ago and have been instilling a high standard of work into their employees ever since.

Dobsons has a wealth of experience within their team of electricians and refrigeration

of

engineers who are committed to providing expert solutions no matter what challenges the job throws at them. Farms are specialist areas for Dobsons – so they understand the importance of ensuring failed equipment is up-and-running as soon as possible, o ering a fast and responsive service for those urgent jobs.

e Tuckers say services provided include ice banks, cowsheds – new t-outs and maintenance and alterations – plus dairy vat refrigeration, generators, new irrigation and repairs, thermal imaging, water pumps, wiring, solar, plus

monitoring and control with a 24-hour breakdown service.

“Dobsons’ experts are dedicated to nding solutions that mean your equipment is running e ectively and less prone to breakdowns saving you money long-term.

“We are accustomed to working on multiple projects with tight deadlines – so time restraints are never an issue,” say the couple.

“With an ethos to make the entire process as seamless as possible, you can be reassured that Dobsons can take care of your job from start to nish!”

For more information, visit: www.dobsons.net.nz

Aerial surveillance to detect wild kiwifruit

Residents are being that advised routine aerial surveillance to locate wild kiwifruit vines will take place in Te Puke this month.

Kiwifruit Vine Health chief executive Leanne Stewart says early winter, when leaves turn yellow, is the best time to detect wild kiwifruit vines from the air. “When a ne weather window presents itself in early June KVH is planning to undertake aerial surveillance of the Te Puke gullies from No 4 Rd to Maungarangi Rd. e last time a similar survey was

undertaken was three years ago and this is a prime opportunity to collect information about what successes and changes we can see as a result of our long-term management of wild vines.”

Information from the ight will be collated for analysis as part of the kiwifruit industry’s ongoing surveillance research project aimed at identifying wild kiwifruit vines through satellite imagery. “ e data will also be of huge help to KVH’s contractors and aid in them quickly nding infestations.”

e Dobsons team boasts a wealth

experience, and provides expert solutions – no matter what challenges the job throws at them! Photo: supplied.

A welcome and a season recap!

Marsh Contracting Ltd – a long-standing ag contractor servicing the wider Bay of Plenty for nearly 40 years – would like to warmly welcome all of the new farmers and their families to the sunny Bay.

“We hope the move has gone well and that you are settling in,” say siblings Daniel and Tammy Marsh, who share a small breakdown on the season that was.

“We nally saw more sun and got to enjoy a good summer. Good weather conditions here in the Bay has given us reasonably good steady grass growth this season, securing farms with a good supplement supply – whether it be in bulk stack, bales, hay or a mix of all three. [It] Was good to have a decent hay season this year too.”

Some struggles

Maize has had an exceptional season with above average yields across all major maize seed company varieties, resulting in farmers increasing their maize orders as it worked to be more feasible than palm kernel. “Some crops have been put to grain.  is however has caused a negative e ect here with oversupply, resulting in increased pressure at the grain silos and re ecting in low grain prices.”

e region has also seen an increase again with direct drilling. “With climate conditions changing farmers are choosing more short-term seed varieties which give more emphasis on controlling better grass quality and better milk production.

“Alternative cropping has also been in the mix as well, o ering farmers more options cost-wise on

what works and what doesn’t.” Sta ng issues are still a continuous battle not only in this sector but across the board in all industries, sat the siblings. “Immigration laws constantly changing for accredited employers are making it harder to get quali ed sta here on time, let alone nding local employees with basic knowledge/skills to join this industry.

“Compliance and rising living costs is adding extra pressure on current budgets with banks wanting debts to be reduced and borrowing becoming harder.”

And some positives

Milk prices have stayed steady between $7.50-$8 for the last couple of months “which is a positive but as we all know everything else is either staying the same or going up as well, so this doesn’t change to much for the break-even line in budgets”.

“Climate conditions have been good, giving us a good grass growing conditions at the start of the season. We are now just starting to see some colder nights and some mild frosts which could see grass growth slow down earlier than expected.

“ is season has been a mix of negatives and positives, but you – the farmers and the farming industry – are such a vital part to our country and to us as ag contractors.

“Stay positive, continue to talk openly about the good and the bad – and most of all we all need to support each other during this unsettled time.

“We look forward to working with you all again and hope to meet some new clients along the way.

“Let’s hope the 2024/2025 season brings a bit more to the table.”

Workshops to prep for earthquake/tsunami

Whakatāne needs to prepare for a megathrust earthquake and resulting tsunami similar in size and strength to the 2011 Japan event, says local GNS researcher Mawera Karetai.

She has planned a series of workshops with GNS seismologists for this month as she feels most people in town are “woefully illprepared” for an earthquake.

Scientists studying the Hikurangi Subduction Zone, just off the east coast of the North Island, are predicting a major quake occurring in the next 50 years, with a onein-four chance it could be as big as magnitude 9.1.

Completely isolated

“When we have a magnitude 9 earthquake the roading network will fail completely. We have to prepare for infrastructure damage, liquefaction, fountaining fresh water from broken pipes and raw sewage,” says Mawera. “This district will be completely isolated. All the resources will go to the cities.”

She referenced a 4.5 magnitude earthquake off Te Araroa on April 17, which, she says, “blew up on social media”. “What we are predicted to have is 36,000 times stronger than that. We’re looking

at, potentially, severe shaking for three to four minutes.

“There’s not much left standing at the end of that.”

Marewa says people should not rely on the roading network to escape the resulting tsunami of up to 10 metres that could arrive within 25 minutes. “Also, be very mindful that our escarpment is rotten rock. It falls down if we get a rainstorm. So, we need to find multiple ways to get up the hill, not just relying on the road.”

As such Dr Karetai has arranged a series of four workshops in Whakatāne in the last week of June.

Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi will host the events, in collaboration with GNS Science and Whakatāne High School,

across three days. The first of these, Earthquake Day, is intended for community leaders from organisations such as councils, schools, police and healthcare agencies.

“That’s going to be talking about all the different faults that are at risk for us at the moment, including the subduction zone we are sitting on,” says Marewa.

Action plan

“Everybody who comes to the Earthquake Day should leave with an action plan on how they’re going to support their staff and their community to keep themselves safe.” Dr Karetai

spoke at Whakatāne District Council's Long-term Plan hearings in April about how alarmed she was that council did not have an action plan for evacuating Whakatāne township after the 2021 tsunami alert in which so many people jumped in their cars, creating a traffic jam.

She says that after conversations with some councillors, she felt they did not take the risk seriously.

A council spokesperson told Local Democracy Reporting [The Beacon] that Dr Karetai’s concerns had been noted and the council was committed to working with the community and key partner agencies to enhance community awareness and understanding of disaster education.

Last October it updated public tsunami evacuation information, delivering 7000 flyers to properties in coastal inundation zones. Initial work has commenced on a multi-agency

project focused on developing new evacuation processes and procedures for tsunami and flood risks. It is also developing Civil Defence Centres across the district to provide emergency resources to support the community after a natural hazard event.

The Earthquake Day event was born out of Dr Karetai’s work with GNS scientists during the past year on research project, Our Changing Coast, funded through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Endeavour Fund.

Earthquake Day is June 25, with Our Changing Coast workshop for youth on June 26, and for adults on June 27.

A talk by GNS principal scientist Richard Levy and earth scientist Tim Naish on June 26 will discuss sea level rise and their trip to Antarctica. They hope to roll it out to all coastal New Zealand.

4.99% P.A.

FINANCE

Mawera Karetai and her son Jack Karetai-Barrett have everything they need to survive a natural disaster. Photo: LDR/Diane McCarthy.

Save extra costs and precious time

Fiber Fresh, based in Reporoa, has been manufacturing calf feed with its innovative forage feed product, Fiber Fresh GAIN for several decades.

Field trials comparing traditional meal and grain-based systems with Fiber Fresh GAIN yielded impressive results.

Shannon Galloway, general manager of sales and marketing at Fiber Fresh, explains the importance of diet in calf development. “At birth, the calf

is reliant on milk; when mature, it is reliant on pasture. e rumen expands from 25 to 80 per cent of the stomach capacity. Important bacteria, protozoa, and fungi form in partnership with the diet; all developmental stages can be a ected by the diet of the calf.”

Fiber Fresh GAIN has proven to be exceptionally e ective in training the rumen to digest bre.

Shannon says research shows calves reared on Fiber Fresh GAIN developed rumens 18 per cent heavier than

those on traditional feeds. “A larger rumen is more ready for the transition to grass,” says Shannon. “Given Fiber GAIN is made from natural ingredients, it is a healthy solution to progress calves through the transition onto grass.”

e trials revealed that calves on Fiber Fresh GAIN reached the same weight, 78kg, as those on traditional diets but with

signi cantly larger rumen capacity and papillae development. is enhanced development allows for earlier weaning, saving farmers both time and feed costs.

“Fiber Fresh GAIN is so e ective at growing young rumens that farmers can fully wean their calves at seven weeks,” says Shannon.

Beyond its developmental bene ts, Fiber Fresh GAIN

supports sustainability goals with recyclable packaging and allnatural New Zealand ingredients.

“Fiber Fresh GAIN provides an e ective and a ordable option for calf rearing, combining scienti c research with practical and environmental bene ts for farmers rearing calves this season.”

Call 0800 545 545 to nd out more.

A time of huge biosecurity risk

Leave the nasties behind – that’s the biosecurity message to farmers from Waikato Regional Council now June is upon us and sta , stock and equipment move around the countryside.

Moving Day occurs in the week leading up to and following June 1 each year. It involves the mass transporting of cows and machinery around the country as farm contractors relocate themselves and their stock in time for the new season. “It’s a time of huge biosecurity risk,” says WRC biosecurity pest plants team leader Darion Embling. “While there are many really dedicated farmers and contractors who

rigorously clean their gear to protect the next property they’re moving to, not everyone is as committed.

“Any form of plant or soil contamination has a real potential of harbouring pests or weeds. Machinery movements in particular pose a persistent high risk in pest spread, with at least 80 pest species known to be typically moved by unclean machinery.”

Darion says recent discovery of the highly invasive velvetleaf on two new properties in the region is a wake-up call for the sector. “It spreads easily through unclean machinery and we are really keen to stop it in its tracks.” Information on pest plants and machinery hygiene is at: waikatoregion.govt.nz/biosecurity.

BIGGER GAINS LOWER COSTS

facebook.com/FiberFreshFeedsForCalves

A Fiber Fresh rumen. Photo: supplied.

Owners given chance to microchip horses

A programme is underway to get microchips implanted in pet horses following the chaotic weather events of 2023 that left many owners scrambling to nd their displaced animals.

After Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023, Companion Animals NZ organised the inaugural EQuiChip event in Hawke’s Bay and Wairarapa, where more than 200 horses were microchipped and registered.

Now Canz has given owners of the horse population in Taupō a chance to microchips their animals.

Canz director and professor Nat Waran says it’s about giving owners peace of mind.

She says animals microchipped and registered on the National Animal Register had three times the chance of being reunited with their families.

Originally from Hawke’s Bay, Nat says she heard a lot of stories about horses being lost during the cyclone. “I know of many heart-breaking stories involving horses being swept away in front of their owners’ eyes, many horses were unable to be identi ed – even when found. So sadly, in many instances, microchipping is also simply to let the owner have peace if the animal has passed. e stark reality is microchipping ensures a far greater chance of reuniting the animals, either alive or deceased.”

Biosecurity risks

Not only could microchipping reunite an owner with their horse, but it could also help reduce biosecurity risks to the horse population.

Nat says biosecurity risks are the reason why many countries around the world are moving towards mandatory microchipping for equine populations.

She says horses moved about, changed homes, and mingled at shows which could present a biosecurity risk if not traceable. “If there is an outbreak of an

infectious disease such as equine u, there is no easy means for horse owners to be noti ed, nor the disease to be contained and managed e ectively.

“Microchipping...provides much better disease control in the event of an outbreak, better health protocols and facilities through the identi cation process, and improved emergency response.

“In natural disasters or accidents, microchips help in quickly identifying and locating horses, facilitating timely medical care and evacuation if needed.”

At the six EQuiChip events, the cost to microchip and register horses is discounted to encourage as many horse owners as possible to get on board.

e rate is $15 or $20 for a second horse for a microchip and registration; and there is a two-horse per person limit at events.

e six events by Canz are from May-November

in Taupō, Cambridge, North Auckland, West Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch –

26. Find future events at: https:// www.companionanimals.nz/2024equichip-events

Malisha Kumar/Waikato Herald

Canz director Nat Waran. Photo: supplied.

Since its inception in 2014, Goodwood has been a pioneer of sustainable solutions by recycling untreated timber wood waste, preventing it from going to land ll and creating valueadded wood products.

Each week, around 50 tonnes of untreated wood waste ends up in local land lls. Goodwood provides businesses with an a ordable collection service for untreated pallets and wood waste, signi cantly reducing land ll and promoting responsible waste management.

e team repurpose this wood waste into an array of products, including Goodfall playground surfacing, commercial and garden mulches,

and various animal bedding options. Sustainability is a key driver behind Goodwood’s daily operations.

As calving season approaches, Bonnies Animal Bedding, manufactured by Goodwood, provides a warm, dry surface crafted from kiln-dried timber logs and pallets to enhance calf comfort and wellbeing.

Bonnies herd shelter bedding and stand-o pad products are robust and durable, suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.

For composting barns, Goodwood o ers custom wood chip tailored to farmers’ speci c requirements. Once utilised, this product can be returned to the land, supporting a circular economy.

Responding to last year’s wood

waste shortages, Goodwood has implemented measures to meet customer demands across the Bay of Plenty, Waikato, and Central Plateau regions, ensuring a steady supply of high-quality products.

Goodwood sort your animal bedding this season

Bonnie the Cow Animal Bedding and Herd Shelter Stand-Off Pad readily available, as well as Animal Bedding for Compost Barns

Let Goodwood sort your animal bedding this season

Product available across Waikato, BOP and Central Plateau

Delivered direct to you, when you need it

Bonnie the Cow Animal Bedding and Herd Shelter Stand-Off Pad readily available, as well as Animal Bedding for Compost Barns

Made using 100% recycled untreated timber for the health and comfort of your herd.

Product available across Waikato, BOP and Central Plateau

Goodwood exempli es how innovation and commitment can turn waste into valuable resources, fostering a sustainable future. With their motto, ‘Doing good feels great’, they invite everyone to join their mission towards sustainability.

For further details, visit: www. goodwoodnz.co.nz

Generations enjoy success

Generational success was on display at the Ahuwhenua Award dinner this year with the nalists spanning an age range of 70 years, showing how pride and hard work spans many generations.

DairyNZ chief executive Campbell Parker congratulates Wairarapa Moana ki Pouakani Incorporation as this year’s winner of the Ahuwhenua Trophy, and farm manager Ben Purua from Waimakariri Lands who took out the Young Māori Farmer Award.

“It is fantastic to have an event dedicated to celebrating excellence in

Māori dairy farming, and the awards evening really showcased the passion, innovation and adaption of Māori farmers,” says Campbell after the awards night on May 17.

“ ese young farmers are focused on improving the outcomes for their people and land, with a deep understanding of intergenerational responsibility as they look to the future.

“I wish all the best to the winners, and other Ahuwhenua nalists, for their future endeavours in our proud industry, as they continue to play a key role in the success of dairy farming in the long term.”

Goodwood’s repurposed wood waste makes warm, dry animal bedding.

Digestion before growth

Another two large dairy enterprises in North Otago are listed as mortgagee sales.

We understand the lack of pro tability of both dates back some time, and it seems unlikely that they will be the last.

e best and quickest way of lifting income and reducing costs is by smartening up pasture management, which in many instances is barely understood. It has been fascinating working with new clients coming from shorter than optimum grazing interval systems.

head developing. is will vary throughout the year from as short as 20 days in spring to 90 days plus in winter.

e use of synthetic nitrogen works against this natural process in two ways.

Lack of awareness

Almost always there’s a lack of awareness of the amount of extra pasture than can be grown when correct grazing intervals are implemented. Too often they’ve used a day-based system with no ability to extend the time between grazings that allow pastures to come close to the end of their rapid growth phase.

e ideal grazing interval is the time required for pastures to fully recover from the previous grazing and get to the point when growth is naturally starting to slow just prior to a stalk with seed

Regular and careful observation is required and those that have committed to this process have experienced increases of 30 per cent, and more. is often translates to a similar amount of extra milk production, sometimes even higher, at no extra cost. It takes e ort and a willingness to learn; and those that are prepared to do so grow immeasurably in their con dence to manage di cult periods, which inevitably arise each season.

Winter is a critical time as it is during the slow growth period dictated by both soil temperatures and sunshine hours that dung, old root and litter left on the soil surface are broken down, increasing soil organic matter, laying the platform for spring growth.

Spring growth in the Deep South is stronger than in the Far North where soil temperatures seldom get below 10 degrees Celsius. Regardless, a long interval between grazings during this time is bene cial.

Firstly it ‘burns’ soil organic matter, reducing both nutrient and moisture holding capacity.

Secondly it stimulates leaf growth during a time when root development is prioritised by the plant, and root mass is an important factor in total growth during the coming season.

Essential concept

An essential concept is management factors during winter impact on growth in six months’ time; the best operators are well aware of this and manage accordingly.

Encouraging the breakdown of accumulated organic matter is essential because soil always has rst draw on energy, with plant demand being secondary.

Functional Fertiliser has two unique products containing selected bene cial fungi and bacteria formulated to speed the digestion of organic matter and the formation of humus.

DoloZest contains dolomite, providing the added bene ts of markedly reducing calcium/ magnesium-related metabolic disorders.

CalciZest contains the same suite of selected bene cial biology and is usually used in spring to

encourage clover growth, signi cantly removing the demand for applied nitrogen during the growing season.

For more information call Peter on 0800 843 809 or 027 495 0041.

e best and quickest way of lifting income and reducing costs is by smartening up pasture management. Photo: supplied.

Farmer resilience is being tested

By the time this goes to print, the rst of June will have been and gone and we will be well into the winter months with shorts days and cold temperatures upon us.

However, this comes with some upsides such as time o milking for spring calving dairy farmers and snow skiing for the enthusiasts among us.

I’m concerned about the current position farmers nd themselves

in, particularly in the sheep and beef industry. I recently looked at some nancial analysis that shows some depressing insight into the sheep and beef farmer plight. Even without any debt, the average sheep and beef farm is making very little money. Add a chunk of debt in there and they will likely be going backwards nancially. e returns have been marginal for years but nowadays it makes for sorry reading. How can drystock farmers continue?

Ceasing supply

now ooded given a great growing season.

( is would change if we didn’t import PKE).

All types of farming are, as we know, cyclical and farmers the most resilient group of people –and that resilience is being tested now around the country.

Let’s hope payments return to viable levels so New Zealand can retain its position as the premium producer of quality food and bre in the world.

life, on-farm situations. ere is no way you can nd a short in a fence by sitting in a room reading about it!

Grass growth

For the agricultural industry in New Zealand to continue to prosper we need young, talented, hardworking individuals who are committed to agriculture to continue to come through the ranks and we, as a company and as individuals committed to agriculture, will do all that we can to support them.

Who will buy the farms in the future if there is no money to be made?

In my opinion, while it isn’t easygoing for dairy farmers, they are in a signi cantly better position. However, the number of dairy farms that are ceasing supply concerns me. I was told 40 farms in the Waikato ceased being dairy farms in 2023 –whether this is true is up for debate. But if they don’t milk cows on these properties what are they going to do?

e market for growing maize and other supplements in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty is

Recently my business partner and I decided that our company FeedCo would become a gold sponsor of the Te Puke Young Farmers organisation. We want to support them because we want to continue to build on the great heritance that Young Farmers has, and invest in the next generation of farmers who are going to continue to produce food for the world.

Outdoor classroom

Along with this, we are also working closely with Te Ohomai Te Pukenga this year, providing an outdoor classroom which enables the Level 3 Farming Systems & Primary Industry Operational Skills cohort to gain experience in real

Well, they are saying that El Nino is out and La Nina is now taking hold – basically meaning we should expect a wet winter. All that extra supplementary feed made during the summer makes me think it will come in handy very quickly. Grass growth is dropping as soil temperatures are now as low as 11 degrees Celsius in early-May, and grass growth has de nitely slowed down. April 2024 rainfall was exactly the same as April 2023 at 53ml, but rainfall since January is considerably less at 322ml compared to 601ml for the same period last year. FeedCo has a good supply of milking quality silage bales, hay and straw. Get yourself ready for a wet winter and give us a call to talk about price before supply becomes limited.

The ultimate defender of the pasture

Before you contemplate adjusting the boundary with your neighbour it would pay to nd out where the boundary lies in the rst place.

On more than one occasion surveyors have been called in to relocate a boundary, only to nd it was already near where they wanted it moved to.

A common example of this is where there’s been a handshake agreement between earlier owners to fence a more practical line. is may have allowed better access to a neighbour by sharing a safer entrance and cutting across your land to their house, or it might have been a give-andtake agreement over an entire boundary line. A give-and-take fence was often established where it was impractical to fence the boundary, due to a shelterbelt located near the boundary or the true boundary traversing some di cult country.

Council’s GIS

Sometimes you can check your boundaries online on a council’s Geographic Information System. But beware, some of these systems can be out by a ‘country mile’. Generally, if the boundaries line up around your entire property and match your fences, they can be relied upon.

However, there are cases where there will be some major anomalies in this data.

is is common in remote rural areas where there has been little recent surveying work, but can also be the case in some smaller urban areas.

If your fences don’t t with your understanding of the boundaries, a browse of council’s GIS Maps

might be your rst port of call. en, with some idea, you could have a good search for the pegs. Remember that if they are very old, they are often below the ground surface and the only resemblance of a wooden peg might be the straight vertical remains of its centre.

If you can’t find the pegs

If you can’t nd your pegs and you want to re-fence the boundary or indeed relocate the legal boundary you will need to call a local surveying company and have the boundaries pegged by a licensed cadastral surveyor. ese surveyors are experienced in all things boundary and are licensed by the Government to place legal survey pegs on existing and proposed new boundaries.

In all but extraordinary circumstances, boundaries between adjacent titles can be moved, and the size and shape of the sections can be changed within prescribed limits, according to the respective council rules and regulations. In the rural area, titles can often be relocated to a completely di erent place on your farm.

is gives you the ability to develop your property in a di erent way from previous owners –perhaps moving existing titles to a position where their sale and occupation might result in fewer e ects on your farming operation.

If you are keen to nd exactly where your legal boundaries are located or change your boundaries between titles, feel free to give us a call and discuss the options – we can even supply data to correct your boundaries on a council’s GIS system.

Our team of specialists are ready to hear from you today!

Boundaries can be pegged by a licensed cadastral surveyor.

Haylee Ruygrok, aged 2, loves getting out and about on the farm at Waiuku.

Sophia Child, 4, at her Nana’s farm in ames.

Skyla, aged 2, on her pony ‘Eden’ at her rst horse show, Whakamarama.

Leo, 12, giving his pet bull ‘Oscar’ a hug on the farm at Kawhia Harbour.