Coast & Country News - September 2024

WhyIlovesheepfarts

ItwasAugustandthecloudceilingwas down,hoveringjustabovethepompom onmybeanie.

Sothatpungent,pervasivestenchhadnowhere togo.Thegreencloudsofpongweretrapped,they justhungaround.

Asheapproacheshis30thyearinreal estate,KevinDeaneis“beyondproud” tobeawardedthetitleoftheHarcourts TopNationalLifestyleandRuralSales Consultantfor2023/24.Heviewsthe accoladeasahighpointinhiscareer, andattributesalotofthecredittohis wifeandbusinesspartnerfromdayone, AndreaDeane.

KevinDeanelivesandbreathesruralrealestate. Hecomesfromanextensivebackgroundin thefarmingindustry.Asachild,hisfamily rearedpoultryandownedsheepstudsinthe Whanganuiarea.Afterschool,heattended FlockHousefarmtrainingcollegeinBulls, Manawatu.

“ImadelifelongfriendsfromtheFlockHouse classof’84andwe’replanningour40-year reunionthisyear,”saysKevin.

Attheageof17,Kevinmovedintodairyfarm managementrolesupongraduationandworked ondairyfarmsforeightyears.

“IlovedwhatIwasdoingbutIreallywanted toworkwithpeople,soImovedintoselling tractorsandfarmmachineryforJohnDeere.” By1994,Kevinhadmethisfuturewife AndreaandwasinvitedtojoinHarcourts inNgaruawahiawhichwasheadedbyStan Hickford,Andrea’sfather.Kevinobtainedhis RealEstateSalespersonCertificatein1995and becameanAREINZin1997.

Youbreatheditin,suckeditup,livedwithit. “What’sthatstink?”askedthenaive11-year-old cityboyhavingaruralexperience.Thefarmerjust harrumphed,thefarmer’swifesmirkedandsaid nothing,and11-year-oold was none the wiser

ThewhackythingwasIgottoquitelikethe smell–thick,sweet,ricch,likemother’s legendaryvegetablesouupwhich hasbeenruminated,fermented, andthenregurgitated.AAllwith bodilyfunctionovertonnesand strangelynotunpleasannt.

Realisation

Ittookmeacoupleof farmhousedinnerstoddraw theconnection.Thatorrange mashedblob,adjacentto themashedpotato,and d contiguouswiththesoggy, khakicabbage,onmyddinner platetastedandsmelled d exactly likemynewfavouritesstinkdown innumberthreepaddoock.Ihookedinto thatorangeblob.Loved d it.

“Fartsandburps”confifirmed d thheffarmernext dayasIdrewinmyfirstheavybreathsdownby numberthreepaddock.Hebrokethenewsjustas thesheepstartedbreakingwindfrombothends andtheozonelayerstartedheavingandmoaning. “Sheeponthebrassicanapus–theyloveswedes

“Andreamovedfromhercareerinbanking tojoinmeinrealestateandwemanaged HarcourtsMorrinsvillefrom2000.”

ThepurchaseoftheMorrinsvilleHarcourts franchisein2002markedthestartoftheKevin DeaneRealEstateLimitedbrand.Itwasabusy timewiththeirsonJackbornin2001and daughterElliebornin2003.

“Morrinsvilleisthehubofthedairyingworld andgoingtherewasthebestthingweeverdid. Itreallykickstartedourcareerandwebuilt ateamtheremanyofwhomarestillwithus andsomeareapproaching20yearswithour company.”

TheCambridgefranchisewasaddedtothe businessin2006,Matamatain2007andan officeopenedinPutaruruin2021. Harcourtswasstartedin1888bylandandstock agentJohnBatemanHarcourtinLambton Quay,WellingtonandKevinhighlyvaluesbeing partofthebrandwhichcontinuestoendurein NewZealandandaroundtheworld.

Today,KDREisawell-knownandrespected brand,firmlyestablishingHarcourtsinfourkey farmingcommunitieswithinthesoughtafter Waikato‘goldentriangle’.Thecompanyservices Cambridge,Morrinsville,Matamata,Putaruru andtheGreaterWaikatoareaforresidential, lifestyle,rural,commercialandruraleconomic properties.

“Wehaveasignificantpropertymanagement portfolioacrossourfouroffices,including farmhouses.Withregularcompliancerule changes,likeotherlandlords,farmersare

andtheturnips.Butseemsliketheswedesand turnipsdon’tlove‘emback.” Oh,Idon’tknow.Thatsweetearthystench andflavourhasacertainappeal.Infact,itis addictive.Oncethoseyellowy-orangesheep fartshavebeenbittenbythefrostthey’reinthe soup,inthecasserole,they’recreamed,they’re roasted,they’reseasonedwiththyme,rosemary andnutmeg.Adozenwaystodisguiseandenjoy asheepfart.Everywhichway.Iameternally gratefultotheCorriedalesofmid-Canterburyfor theolfactory y expperiencethatledmeintoa lifelongloveofswede.

Thebenefittsofswede Andthey’rregoodforyou.Ask thesheep.Swedeimproves digestive e health–the highfibrefeedsthegood bacterriainthegutand helpswithconstipation. Sheeepneverget bunggedup.The vitamminCinswedecan stimulatetheimmune system m toproducewhite bloodcells.Sheepnever needchhemotherapy. Swedesaarebusy–they’re fightingfreeradicalswhich helpspreventpreematureagingand improveseyesight.Theyhhelpbuildstrong b bones–youneverseeaCorriedalewithaleg insplints.Andtheyhelpbloodpressureand cardiovascularhealth.SouthIslandCorriedales neverstressandhaveheartattacks. It’salldowntoswedesandsmellyfartsand burps.“Fraaap!”“Buurp!”

findingitonelessthingtoworryabout byhavingtheirfarmhousesprofessionally managed.”

KevinandAndrearunthebusinessbetween them,andKevinisahighlyexperienced specialistineconomicunitsalesandthe company’sauctioneer.

KDREisheavilyinvolvedinthecommunities itispartofwithbothKevinandAndrea supportinglocalevents.Theysponsorgroups andclubsthroughouttheregion,includingthe ChiefsrugbyclubaspartofalocalHarcourts syndicate.

Kevinisfrequentlyengagedasauctioneeror speakeratcommunityeventsandisanactive RotarianandaJusticeofthePeace.

Thirtyyearsonfromwhereitallstarted,Kevin stillgenuinelyloveswhatheisdoingand sitscomfortablyinhisnichesellinglifestyle propertiesandalltypesoffarms.

“KDREwasbehindthe2021saleofaTatua dairyfarmandanotherin2023withvalues reachingupto$135,000perhectare.”

Kevinbringstothetablehandsonpractical knowledge,astrongnetworkofrural professionals,thirtyyearsofruralsales experienceandthewiderresourcesavailable undertheHarcourtsbrand.

“I’veseenmostsituations,andItreatallmy clientswithdignity.”

In2015,KevinandAndreaboughteight hectaresinEureka.Kevinstartedhisdreamof breedingHerefordsandboughtasmallherd. Heleasesanother14hectaresnearbyandhas

30breedingcows.DunmanwayStudisnamed afterthevillageinCork,Irelandwherehis grandfatherlivedbeforeimmigratingtoNew Zealandin1924.

“Iusealotofdairypracticessuchasrotational grazingandIfocusonbuying goodbulls.I’mgetting phenomenalresultsbreeding bulls,andhadthetoppriced penofheifersatthe2024 Franktonweanersales.

It’sahobbybutit’sgood togetmyhandsdirty againanditkeepsme uptospeedwithissues thatmyclientsalso experience.”

Kevin’sgregarious personalityand infectioussenseof humourreflecthis continuedinterestand passionforthebusiness heandAndreahave created,andtheirlong-term relationshipwithHarcourts.

kevin.deane@harcourts.co.nz 021970902 www.kdre.co.nz

KevinDeaneRealEstate

KevinDeane-HarcourtsTopNationalLifestyleandRuralSalesConsultantfor2023/24

Hopeforunder-pressurehoneyindustry

Thehoneyindustryis underpressurewithrising inputcostsandfalling demand,butindustrygroup ApicultureNewZealand saystherearegreenshoots startingtoappear.

seasons-sheestimatedthere couldbebetween30,000and 50,000tonnessittinginsheds aroundthecountry.

likethingsarelookingprettygood.”

Karinsaysthemoodintheindustry issombrebecauseithasbeenatough fewyears.However,shesaysthereare somegreenshoots.

says there are green shoots starting to appear.

Lastmonth,largehoney companyComvitaannounceda reshuffleofmanagementamid consultationsabout jobcutsandreduced productiondueto fallingsalesinChina.

Last month, la h company Comvita announced a reshuffle of man d consultations about job cuts and reduced production due to falling sales in Ch .

Apiculture NewZealand chiefexecutive KarinKossayslike allprimaryindustries,honey producersaredoingittough.

“Costshavegoneup,you’ve gotfuel,treatmentsthecostof compliancebutthenwe’realso seeingtheeffectsof slowergrowthinsomeofour keymarketswhereconsumers

havebeenhitwiththerising costoflivingwhichhasstunted salesgrowth.”

Karinsaysit’snotjustChina, saleshavealsofalleninthe UnitedStates,EuropeanUnion andUnitedKingdom.

“Wesawexportssittingaround $550millionaroundCovidbut

nowthey’resittingataround $410millionsowe’veseen marketsandrevenuedropover thatperiod.

“There’snodoubtthere hasbeenaconsolidationof businessesifIlookatbeekeeper businesses,thosewith500or morehiveshavefallenby34per centfrom2022totoday-so therehasbeencontraction.”

Karinsayscompaniesarestill workingthroughabacklogof honeyfrompreviousbumper

QuadbikedeathssparkNZwarning

WorkSafeisreinforcingquadbikesafety messagesafterfourfarmershavebeenkilled inquadbikeaccidentsrecently.

WorkSafeisinvestigatingallfourfatalities,thefirst ofwhichoccurredonJuly18inWairarapa.Itwas followedbyanotheronJuly22inCanterbury, oneonJuly26inSouthland,andmost recentlyinNorthlandonJuly30.

Allfourincidentscoincidedwiththe startoflambingandcalvingseason.

AndonJuly15,twopeoplein theTasmanDistrictwere injuredafteraquadbikerolledon afarminMahana.

Whilemostoftheincidents happenedintheSouthIsland,they poseasatimelyreminderfortherest thecountry.

WorkSafeprincipalinspectorGraham Batessaystheirsympathyiswitheveryfamily andcommunitymourningthesesuddendeaths.

Grahamsaysdoingariskassessmentofterrain andtasksmustbethetoppriorityforfarmworkers beforegettingonaquadbike-especiallyatthistime oftheyear.

“Farmvehicleincidentsareoneofthetoptwo causesofworkplacedeathsinAotearoa,whichiswhy agricultureisaprioritysectorunderWorkSafe’s newstrategy.

“Althoughourinvestigationsareintheirearly stages,thetrendisworryingenoughforustosound thealarmalready.

“Slopedsurfacesandsteepterraincanbeespecially problematicandhave,sadly,beenafactorinsome oftherecentcases.”

“Wearetargetingthebiggestrisks andworkingwiththesectorto improvehealthandsafetyin agriculture.”

WorkSafe’smessagestoreduce harmonfarm: -installacrushorrollover protectiondeviceonquadbikes -choosetherightvehicleforthe jobandensurethatthedriveris competent -alwaysuseaseatbeltandhelmet -considerquadbiketraining -prioritisemaintenance,includingattachments,tyres andbrakes -remembertiredpeoplemakemistakes -ensurethevehicleissafelystoppedandbrakes engagedbeforegettingoff -seekhelpwhenneeded-neighbouringfarmersare alwaysmorethanwillingtolendahand.

Butshesayshivenumbershave dropped.Fiveyearsago,there wereamillion,todaythereare about526,000.So,production shouldbelowernextseason,which startsinSeptember.

“Giventhelowernumberofhives Ithinkwecanexpectproductionto belower,butitalldependsonthe weather,mosthivesseemtohave comeoutofwinterwell,soitsounds

“TheUShasbeenabitofstand outandwearestartingtoseesales grow,there’sabitofrecoveryinthat marketwhichisreallygoodtosee.

“Exportsofmonofloralhoneyto theUSwereup34percentforthe JulytoMarchperiodandanother positiveisthefree-tradeagreements withtheEUandUKwhichremoved tariffsforhoneyexporters.”

Karin Kos says like have been hit with the rising

Photo: RNZ/Carol Stiles

$30Kforpestfight

ARotoruaiwigrouphasbeengiven $30,000tocontinueitswallaby eradicationwork.

Wallabiesfeedonnativefloraimportanttonative wildlife,competewithstockonfarmlandforpasture andalsodamagepineandeucalyptusseedlingson plantations.TheBiosecurityNewZealand-led TipuMātoroNationalWallabyEradication Programmeaimstolimitwallabies toacontainmentzonebutiwi areconcernedforestscouldbe devastatedbythetimethe programmeplannedtoswitch focustoreducingpestnumbers withinthezonein2025.

Localcouncils,iwi,landowners andothergroupsareinvolvedin theprogramme.Some,however, believedthereweregapsintheplan, andtheTeArawaWallabyControl Kāhuiwassetuplastyeartofillthem.

Co-ordinatedapproach

Themoneygrantedisforoperationalcosts.Itwill gotowardswagesandequipmentpurchases.

Cyrussaysithelpsitbuythingssuchastraps,bait, trailcameras,firearmsandGPSlocators.

“Anyfundingweget,wearemostgratefulfor.The amountofwork,effortandcommunitysupportwe havereceivedtogettheteamtraineduptowhere theyarenowinsuchashorttimehasbeenamazing. “Wewilldowhateverittakestofindways tocontinuethisimportantwork.”

NgātiTarāwhaiIwiTrustchairmanCyrusHingston lastAugusttoldLocalDemocracyReportingabout anewiwi-ledprojectthataimed,intheirview,to focusonthingstheexistingprogrammewasnotyet doing,anditreceived$228,000fromtheMinistry forPrimaryIndustriestotrain13TeArawamenand womeninpestcontrol.

Atotalof$400,000wasallocatedfromthe eradicationprogrammeforTeArawaWallaby ControlKāhuiworklastyear.

Cyrussayshe’sseenfirst-handthedamagewallabies causetotheenvironment,whichhesayshasboth culturalandeconomicimpacts.

Hebelievesbringingiwitogetheraimsfor aco-ordinatedapproachandinhisviewthe Governmentapproachwillresultin“unfettered destruction”overthenexttwoyears.

BayTrustannouncedlastmonththatithadfunded thegroupwith$30,000.

Cyrussayswallaby“groundzero”isaroundlakes Ōkāreka,Ōkataina,Tarawera,Rotoiti,andthe WhakarewarewaForest.

“Wallabiesbasicallymowdowneverythingthat’s rejuvenating.So,there’snorejuvenationinthe forestandinsomeplacesitisclosetoenvironmental collapse.We’velostalotofthebirdlife,andwhen youwalkthroughthoseareasyoucanseethroughthe forestbecausethere’slittleunderstoryleft.”

Wagingwar

Cyrussaysastheforestiseatenaway,increased rainfallmeansslipshappenmorefrequently,which hesaysimpactswaterquality.

“We’rewagingthewarandtryingtokeepcontrol ofthesepestnumberstoprotectourforests.We can’tjustthrowourhandsintheairandsayit’sall toohard.You’vejustgottogetoutthereanddo somethingbeforeit’stoolate.”

Guardianship

BayTrustchiefexecutiveAlastair Rhodessayskaitiakitanga (guardianship)oftheBayof Plenty’snaturalresourcesisa keyfundingpriorityandthe commitmentfromlocaliwito stepinandtrytocontrolthe wallabypopulationisadmirable.

BayofPlentyRegionalCouncil ToiMoanawallabyprogrammeleader DavorBejakovichsaysthelong-termgoal oferadicatingwallabiesisbasedonaprogressive containmentstrategy.

“Progressivecontainmentislikemanagingand controllingabushfire:containandstopthefire fromspreadingfurther;bealertanddealwith‘hot spots’;beforeworkingmethodicallyfromtheoutside towardsthecentretosuppressthefire,stillbeingalert tohotspotsandflare-ups.

“Whilecontrollingwallabieswilltakealonger thancontrollingabushfire,thedynamicsand strategyaresimilar.”

Davorsaysthe2023-24yearwasbusyforthe wallabyprogrammeandthefocusfortheshortto mediumtermremainedonfourkeypriorities.

Priority1:Controlofknownwallabypopulations outsideofthecorepopulation(containmentarea).

Priority2:Surveillancetoidentifyadditional wallabypopulationsoutsideofthe containmentarea.

Priority3:Preventoutwarddispersal ofwallabiesfromthecontainmentarea.

Priority4:Minimiseriskofwallabies reinfestingareasthatarecurrently wallaby-free.

Thisgroupofpest-controltraineeshopetoseenumbersofintroduced speciesdecrease,includingwallaby. Photo:LauraSmith.

WallabynearRotorua.

Photo:AndrewWarner.

Restoring g wetlandsforourfuture

AsspringarrivesintheBayofPlenty, now’stheperfecttimetofindoutifthat wet,soggy,orspongypieceoflandon yourpropertyisawetland–andwhat youcandowithit.

Wetlandsareincrediblyimportantecosystems formanydifferentenvironmental,economic andculturalreasons.Theyhelpmaintainwater qualitybyfilteringoutcontaminantsandsupport biodiversity,includingmanysacred(taonga)and threatenednativespeciesofplantsandanimals. Onfarms,theycanhelpslowrun-offand reduceerosion.

Theyalsoplayakeyroleinsupportingresilience againsttheeffectsofachangingclimate,suchasby

Workingwith landownersinthe BayofPlentyfor abetterfuture

Overthepast150years,NewZealandandtheBayofPlentyhaslost approximately90%ofourwetlands.That’swhywe’reworkingwiththe communityandotherlikemindedorganisationstosupporttheprotection andenhancementoftheserareanduniqueecosystems.It’suptoallofus toprotectwetlandsforourselvesandfuturegenerationstocome.

reducingtheimpactsoffloodingand heavyrainfall,storingcarbon,and stabilisingshorelinesandriverbanks.

Wetlands

IntheBayofPlentyalone,lessthan 10percentofouroriginalwetlands remain,andthoseremaining wetlandsareunderpressurefromthe impactsoflanduse,andpestplants andanimals.

Carefulmanagementisrequired toensurethesesitesarehealthyand continuetoprovidesuitablehabitat forournativefloraandfauna. Somewetlandsareeasiertoidentify thanothersbecauseofwhatis growingthereandhowtheyhave beenimpactedbylandusechanges anddrainage.

Inmostcaseswetlandslooklike boggyareasthatdon’tdrainwell. However,everywetlandisdifferent–andsomearenotalwayswet. Here’safewexamplesofdifferent typesofwetlandsSwamps: Formedbygroundwaterseepageor surfacerun-off(e.g.fromstreams), theyareusuallypermanentlywet.

Seepage:

Aslopingareawithasteadyflow ofgroundwaterand/orsurface water,butwithlessvolumethana streamorspring.Lowplants,such

asmosses,cushionplantsorsedges aretypical. Estuarinehabitats: Intidalzones,suchassaltmarshes andmudflats,withherbfields, rushlands,scrublandsand mangroves. Othertypesincludemarshes, ephemeralwetlands,fens,mires andbogs.

AtRegionalCouncil,wehavea teamoflandmanagementofficers whoworkwithlandownerstomake positiveenvironmentalchangeson theirproperties.

Partnership

Bypartneringwithus,landowners canaccessspecialisedplanning adviceandguidance,technical expertise,resources(suchasplants ortraps)andfundingthrough eitherRegionalCouncilorCentral Governmentagencies(suchas MinistryfortheEnvironment). Ifyouthinkyoumighthavea wetlandonyourproperty,wewantto workwithyoutoprotectthisvaluable ecosystemtype.Together,wecan supportandguideyoutoensuringthe workyoudowillhelpprotectyour wetland,whileensuringyoustillget themostoutofyourland.

BayofPlentyRegionalCouncillandmanagementoff f icerteachingstudentshowtoplantataKaitunaWetlandplantingday.

Grazing crop effects on soilcarbonlevels

Universityof Waikatosenior researchofficer

AaronWall.

Photo:CatherineFry.

UniversityofWaikatoseniorresearchofficer

AaronWallisheadingaprojecttomonitor soilcarbonlevelsatOwlFarm,StPeter’s SchoolinCambridge.

Thisinitiative,fundedbytheNewZealand AgriculturalGreenhouseGasResearchCentre,is partofanationalefforttofindwaystoreduce greenhousegasemissions,withtheresearchexpected tospanseveralyears.

“WeapproachedOwlFarmforourtestsitebecause asademonstrationfarmthatembracesinnovation andresearch,italreadymaintainsexcellentrecords, sowedon’tneedtoimposeonthemforadditional informationrequiredforourstudy.

“Thefarmalsoallowsustobringstudentsonsite, creatingabeneficialsynergy,”saysAaron.

Studyparameters

Theresearchprojectrequiredaflatdairyfarm withouttrees,wherepasturerenewalandgrazingcrop cultivationcouldbemonitoredtostudytheimpact onsoilcarbonstorage.

“Ourdatafromstudiesoverthepastdecade indicatesthattraditionaldairyfarmmanagement practicesresultinstablesoilcarbonlevels.However, dairyfarmsthatcultivatesupplementalcrops,like maizeorturnips,canloseconsiderablesoilcarbon, wheretheCO2takenupbytheplantsismainly storedinthebiomassratherthaninputtothesoil.”

Totesttheimpactofdifferentpracticesonsoil carbon,turnipswerecultivatedaspartofrenewing thepastureintheexperimentalpaddocks.

Muchcarbonstoredinbiomass,whetherpasture orcrop,islostonceeatenbythecowsthrough CO2respirationofthegrazingcows,exportofmilk andemittedasmethane.Onlythecarbonreturned throughdungandurine,alongwithcropremnants, contributestosoilcarbon.

Comprehensiveanalysis

“Ourhypothesiswasthatgrowinggrazedcropsmay helpretainmorecarboninsoilthanharvestedcrops.”

Theresearchemploysasolar-powerededdycovariance system.Thiscontinuouslymeasureswindspeed,wind direction,andCO2concentration20timespersecond withina150-metreradiusinalldirections.

“Thesemeasurementsarelikesnapshotsintimeand maynotalwaysbeusable-forinstance,whenwind speedsaretooloworwhenrespiringcowsaregrazing inthepaddocks.”

TheCO2dataisjustonepartofacomprehensive analysisthatalsoemploysamassbalanceapproach,

trackingallinputsandoutputstothe paddocks,includinggrassgrowth, pasturegrazedbythecows,silagefed, andeffluentandfertiliserapplied.

“WhenweanalysetheCO2data alongwiththesecarboninputsand outputs,andphysicalsoilsamplesfrom coresto60centimetresdeep,wegeta morein-depthunderstandingofthe carbondynamicsinthesesystems.”

Initialfindingsindicatedthat paddocksunderpasture,then cultivatedwithturnips,before

returningtopasture,lostsixtonnesof carbonperhectare.Muchoftheloss occurredduringtheperiodwhenthe paddockwasdevoidofplantcover wduetoreducedcarboninputsfrom photosynthesiscoupledtothesoil microbesremainingactivebelowthe surfacereleasingCO2.

“Ourgoalistouseourresearch todevelopsoilcarbonmanagement practicesthathelpfarmersgrowcrops withminimalsoilcarbonloss.”

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C Changing directiontofightfordream

Athird-generationfarmerhad tofightforhislifequiteliterally tofulfilhisdreamof becomingafarmer.

MatthewMcDonald,the2024 DairyIndustryAwardsWaikatoDairy Manageroftheyear,shareshisstory.

The25-year-old’spassionforfarming beganearlyinlife,growinguponhis parents’dairyfarminHamilton.

Hewasinvolvedinfarmactivities fromayoungage.

“Iwasteatsprayingonmyparents’ farmassoonasIwastallenoughto reachtheudders,probablyaround fourorfiveyearsold,andIalways helpedwithcalffeedingandmilking.”

Changingdirection

Matthewwasplanningtoleave inYear12tostartfarmingbuta diagnosisofHodgkinLymphoma duringhisfirstyearofhighschool alteredthiscourse.Thisbloodcancer inhischestandneckrequiredastem celltransplantandradiationtreatment leavinghimwithsignificantfatigue andneedingrecoverytime.

Despitethesesetbacks,Matthew completedhighschoolandwenton toachieveaBachelorofAgriscience atMasseyUniversity,majoringin AgricultureandsupportedbyathreeyearDairyNZscholarship.

“Ifiguredthatthedegreeprovideda safetynetincaseIcouldn’tcontinue withfarming.”

Aftercompletinghisdegree, Matthewregainedthestrengthand energyforfarmwork.Hespent twoseasonsatDairyNZ’sScott Farm,wherehewaspartoftheteam managingcowsinvolvedinthe DairyNZForageValueIndexTrial. Whentheopportunityaroseto returntothefamilyfarmasmanager, Matthewtookit.Heworksforhis parents,DavidandJennyMacdonald ontheir74-hectarefarmnorth ofHamilton,milking255cows, operatingaproductionsystem4.

Theymilktwiceadayfromcalving toDecember,thenreducetoa10-in-7 schedule,thenonce-a-daymilking. Heworkscloselywithhisfather, whoassistswithsomefarmwork.

“IliaisewithDadoverallthe decisionssuchaspasture,cullingand feeding.Ialwayshavelotsofideas andhe’sreallygoodatlettingmetry newthings.”

DairyIndustryAwards

Encouragedbypeers,Matthew enteredthe2024DairyIndustry Awardsandwasa“bitsurprised”to wintheWaikatotitle,alongwith threemeritawards:theDeLaval LivestockManagementAward, theTrinityLandsEnvironmental SustainabilityAward,andthe CowManagerPersonalPlanningand FinancialManagementAward.

Thejudgespraisedhisattentionto detailandcomprehensiveapproachto farmmanagementincludingsomeof thefollowingcomments:

Livestock:“Theextensivereporting documentationyouprovidedforyour herdclearlydemonstratedsuperior managementpractices.”

Peopleandpersonal:“Youclearly havewellthoughtout(SMART) goalsforyourfuture.Thiswasan impressivepresentationofclearly definedstrengthsandopportunities andbudgetstosupportyourgoalsand futureaspirations.”

Environmentandsustainability:“Well thoughtopinionsofclimatechange werewellarticulatedtojudges,once againyourresponsewasimpressive.”

Matthewfoundanalysingevery aspectofthefarmanditsmanagement forhispresentationaveryworthwhile exercise.Hethoroughlyenjoysboth thephysicalaspectofworkingoutside withanimalsandthesciencebehind pastureandgettingmilkintothevat. “BeingpartofthebackboneofNew Zealandandprovidingfoodandfibre totheworldisawesome.”

Healsovaluesworkingwith knowledgeablepeopleintheindustry

andlearningfromthem.

Heseestechnologyasan importantpartofthefuture ofdairyfarmingbutbelieves thatitssuccessdependsonits affordabilityandkeepingpast andfuturefarmersupskilled.

Thefuture

Whilethereislimitedroomfor personalexpansiononthefamily farm,Matthewaimstobringin afarmmanagerandoverseeits

operationswhilehepursuesa sharemilkingopportunitywith 400cowsonanotherfarm. Eventually,hehopestoemploy staffandoverseebothoperations, reducingthephysicaldemands onhimselfwhilemaintaining profitablebusinesses.

Passion

Inadditiontohisdairyfarming success,Matthewhasdevelopeda passionforbeekeeping.

Whatbeganasahobbyduring auniversitysemesterbreakhas evolvedintoa30-hiveoperation, withhivesplacedaroundthe localarea. Hedevisedandsupervised abeekeepingmoduleforthe 2024WaiBOPYoungFarmerof theYearfinalsandsellshoney locallyundertheFarmermac brand,withambitionstomake thisaviablebusiness.

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singlegate-callnowforaprice Availableas1to4gatesystems (2or4channelbasestations)

OnthefarmwithdogsCruiseandMist. Photo:CatherineFry.

www.southernhumates.co.nz ForQualityHumatesSourcedfromtheDeepSouthinNewZealand

Humateisapureformoforganicmatter.Itisanaccumulationofpartiallydecayedforestandothercarbon-richplantresidues thathavebeencompressedandpreservedovertheages.

Thesehumatedepositsarehighincarbon,naturalmineralsandtraceelements,andarereferredtoashumicsubstances.They alsocontaintwoverypowerfulbioactiveacids:humicacidandfulvicacid. �����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������

•Stimulatesplantenzymesandincreasestheirproduction

•Stimulatesgrowthandproliferationofdesirablemicro-organismsinsoil

•Enhancesplant’snaturalresistanceagainstdiseasesandpesticides

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•Increasesgerminationandviabilityoftheseeds

•Stimulatesplantgrowth

•Increasesqualityofyields:improvestheirphysicalappearanceandnutritionalvalue

“Everyonecanagree,good cowsproducegoodbulls,”so saysSherrieStokmanwho, alongwithhusbandMark StokmanandsonJake, operateStokmanAngus.

“Webelieveinthepower ofourcowbasesowhenwe selectourAIandherdsires,we lookinthepedigreesforbulls thatarenotedforproducing outstandingfemales.

“Alongwiththe120yearling bullswesellinSeptember annually,weselect40yearling heifersforsale.Ifanyonewants tohaveagoodstartingbasefor

theirAngusherd,theseheifers candothejob.

“Thoughtheyarefromour registeredherd,weofferthem withoutpapersbuteachpen asaverageEBVssobuyerscan selectthetraitstheyprefer,”

JakeStokmansays.

“TheStokmannameis synonymouswithcalvingease –currentlyStokmanbredbulls aresellingfortheDairy/Beef semenwithLIC,STGenetics andSamen.Thebullshave calvingeaseandmoderatebirth weightsforheifermatingbut arewellgrownenoughtobe usedoncows.”

ThebullsStokmanhasfor

saleinSeptemberthisyear,are, asJakesays,“themostuniform andoverall,thebestwehave everyoffered”.“Thebullsare thecompletepackage-from calvingeaseandmoderate birthweighttoaboveaverage growthandcarcassmerit. TheywillbeParentVerified, HD50kgenomicenhanced EBV’s,fertilitytested,carcass scannedandwellgrownso suitableforeitherheiferor cowmating.Theinvestment costofayearlingbullwillgive youfargreaterreturnthan purchasingatwo-year-old bull,duetothelowercostand longermatingyears.”

UrgentRMAchangeswelcomed

Urgentupdatestoregulationsrelatingto dischargeintheResourceManagementAct willbewelcomedbycouncils,industry,and primaryproducersaroundthecountry.

DairyNZ,B+LNZandFederatedFarmersjointly wrotetotheGovernmentinApriltooutlinethe severeconsequencesofHighCourtdecisions relatingtosections70and107oftheRMAand includedtheseconcernsinaformalsubmission inJune.

“Afewstompingfeetwereabouttosetoffan avalancheofredtapethatwouldhaveeffectively prohibitedagricultureandhorticultureinNew Zealand,”saysDairyNZdirectorandfarmer CameronHenderson.

“Thechangeininterpretationofthelaw threatenedtocreateregulatoryroadblocksthatno farmorfarmercouldpassthrough.

“Westronglybelievethiswasnevertheintent ofthelaw,givenpermittedactivitiesandconsents comewithrequirementstomanagerisksto theenvironment.

“Thisisn’tafreepass.Farmersstillneedtomeet nationalandregionalregulations.

“Theseamendmentssimplyprovideclaritythat theregulatorypathwaysregionalcouncilshave spentyearsandmillionsofdollarsdeveloping willprevail.

“Withouttheseamendments,pastoralfarmingin Southland,horticulturalproductioninPukekohe andHorowhenua,anddischargesofwastewater andstormwaterbyacouncilwouldhavefaced impossibleregulatorybarriers.

“Thisiswhyweworkedwithmultipleindustry organisationstofindasolution,includingB+LNZ, FederatedFarmers,HorticultureNZand IrrigationNZ.

“Thisissuehasbeensparkedbythe implementationofnationalfreshwaterregulations, whichwereimpracticalduetoalackof considerationofregionalvariations,unrealistic nationalbottomlines,andafocusonnumerical limitsratherthanenvironmentaloutcomes.

“Forexample,B+LNZ’sindependentreview recentlyshowedthatcurrentminimumsediment andEcoliwaterqualitystandardswouldbe impossibletomeetformanycatchments,evenif

allagriculturewereremoved.

“Thisissuehadbecomeurgentandwarranted immediateattention,andweappreciatethe Governmentmovingswiftlytoensurediffuse dischargesaremanagedinapracticalway.

“WewillcontinueworkingwiththeGovernment toadviseonpracticalandenduringpolicy,while makingprogressonhealthywaterwayswith 80percentoffarmersnowmanaginga FreshwaterFarmPlan.”

Farmersdoingalambingbeatthis seasonareencouragedtoputtogether alambingkittoensuretheyhave everythingtheyneedon-handwhen they’reoutinthepaddock.

WillHalliday,Beef+LambNew Zealand’ssenioradvisorbiosecurity andanimalwelfare,saysawaterproof backpackorcontainercontaining lambcovers,iodinespray,bearing equipment,dextrosesolution,gloves, veterinarylube,atowelandathermos ofwarmwaterwillhelpgivelambsthe bestpossiblechanceofsurvival.

Hesaysa20percentdextrosemix canbeusedasalastresorttorevive weakorhypothermiclambsduringa coldsnap.

Injectingthewarmed(where possible)dextrosestraightintothe lamb’sabdomenwillgiveittheenergy boostitneedstosurvive.

“Itisimportantthatthisisdone beforewarmingthelambup.

“Ifyouwarmthelambupbefore administratingthedextrose,itcan hastenitsdeath.”

Themixcanbeboughtatanyvet.

LendingSpecialistsforallwholesaleborrowers •Commercial •BusinessPurchase

•Subdivisions •NewHomeBuild •WorkingCapital

•Highrise

September2023,12noon ONFARM-LUNCHEONPROVIDED 660NgaromaRd,26kmoffSH3,SthEastofTeAwamutu.

32TOPYEARLINGBULLS &702-YEAROLDBULLS

FullEBVdetailsincatalogue. BullsidealforBeef&Dairy. Soundbullswithexceptionaltemperament. SelectionofShortGestation&LowBirthWeights. Freelocaldeliveryorgrazingtill1st November.

KELVIN&CYNTHIAPORT P:078722628•M:0226482417 E:kelvin@bushydowns.co.nz Web:www.bushydowns.co.nz

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SomeofthebullsontheStokmanfarm.

U-turn:Mortgagereliefforhomeowners

Majorbanksmovedtoslashinterestrates immediatelyaftertheReserveBankcut theofficialcashrateinamovewelcomed byhomeownersbattlinghighmortgage repaymentsandacost-of-livingcrisis.

Punditsarenowpickingfurthercutstohome loanratesincomingmonthswhichwillbring reliefforstrugglingKiwisandlikelybreathe newlifeintothepropertymarketaheadofthe traditionalspringsurge.

MinutesaftertheReserveBankcuttheOCRto 5.25percentinAugust–thefirstcutsinceMarch 2020–homeownerswereabletosecureanew 6.59percentone-yearfixedratedealfromASB, downfrom6.85percent.

ASBalsoannouncedithaddroppeditsother fixedandvariablerates,whileANZ,Westpacand Kiwibankalsocutvariablerates.

Mortgagebrokersandeconomistspraisethe ReserveBank’sdecisionasthe“rightmove”,saying it’sunlikelytodriveuphousepricesbutwould givehomeownersmoreroomtobreatheonhome loanrepayments.

forecastjustthreemonthslatermakesithard totrustitsjudgment,saysInfometricschief economistBradOlsen.

“Theyshouldbesayingtheywerecompletelyand utterlywrong,”hesays.

“Theirforecastsareprettyclearcutthatthey didn’thaveanyideawhattheeconomywasdoing.” NewZealandeconomy

TheReserveBankrespondedinitspress conferencebysuggestingforecastsarenotsetin stoneandthatithastoactonthelatestdata. Itmadethecutbecauseannualinflationis headingbacktothetargetrangeof1-3percent andappearstobecomingundercontrolin economiesaroundtheworld,itsays.

HoldingtheOCRhighercouldthereforeactas ahandbrakeonNewZealand’sstrainedeconomy, itsays.

“It’sthedarkestrightnow...it’sdarkestbeforedawn andit’sdawnnowaccordingtoourprojections,”says ReserveBankGovernorAdrianOrr.

Homeowners,businessesandpoliticianshope therecentdecisionmarksaturningpointinthe nation’seconomicfortunes.

Complete u-turn

But many also criticised the Reser ve Bank for its “complete and utter 180 degree u-turn ”

In May, the central bank forecast there was a 60 per cent chance of an OCR rise being needed, saying it might not start cutting the rate until the second half of next year

From March 2020 until September 2021, the Reser ve Bank kept the OCR at a record low 0 25 per cent as it and the Government tried to stimulate the economy amid fears the Covid pandemic would bring about recession

The group ’ s chief executive Carolyn Young says the cut is welcome news for the wider economy and hopefully we will see an uptick

Who'syourlocal?

PGG Wrights onReal Estateare your national teamof trusted propertyexperts.

Intheheartofourcommunity,adedicatedteamoftrustedrealestateagentsstandsout.Wearenot justlocalexperts;wearepartofanationwidenetwork,offeringunparalleledaccesstopropertiesacross thecountry.Ourreputationforintegrityandreliabilitymakesusthego-toprofessionalsforbuyingor sellingproperty.Whetherit'sacosysuburbanhouse,up-sizingordownsizingtoalifestylepropertyora financialruralinvestment,youcantrustustogetthejobdone,better.WELIVEHERETOO,andwelook forwardtoassistingyou.

Ifyouarelookingtomakeyournextmove,contactyourlocalexperttoday.

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TheEnvironmentalProtection Authorityhasissuedanurgent alertforpeopletostopusing weedkillerbecauseof significantconcernsaboutits effectsonunbornchildren.

TheEPAbeganinvestigatingDacthal orDCPAherbicidesaftertheywere pulledoffshelvesintheUnitedStates.

It’snowurgingpeopletoavoidthe herbicide,whichisusedtocontrol annualgrassesandbroadleafweedsin vegetablegrowingglobally.

Hazardoussubstancesreassessments managerDrShaunPresowsaysit issuedthealertbecauseithasserious

concernsaboutthepotentialrisksto people’shealth.

“Weurgeanyonecurrentlyusinga productcontainingchlorthal-dimethyl tostopandtoconsideralternatives.

“Ifpeoplecan’tavoidusingthese products,theEPAadvisesthey takeallprecautionstoavoid exposureforpeoplewhoare pregnantorcouldbepregnant.”

Thisincludesrestrictingaccessto sprayedareasandmakingsurenobody elseisaroundduringspraying.

TheEPAhassetupaworkinggroup tolookathowthisherbicideisbeing usedhere,andtotakerapidactionto ensureitcontinuedprotectingpeople’s healthandsafety.

REVITALISEYOUR SOILANDOPTIMISE GROWTH

Preparing for maize planting season

Farmersandcontractors arewaitingfortheground temperaturetoriseinpreparation forthemaizeplantingseason.

Wearenowinthepeakofthe season-calvingisalmostdoneand thereareplentyoflambsatfoot. Sofar,it’sbeenprettygoodweather thisseason,withjusttherightamount ofrain.GrassgrowthhasbeenOK,but thefrostshavedefinitelyputadamper ongrowthrates.Assuch,thenormal Septembersqueezeisonwhereanimal feeddemandisgreaterthangrowth, althoughbalancedateformostdairy farmersisnotfaraway.

Themaizeplantingseasonisjust aroundthecorner.

Farmersandcontractors,suchasourselves,are justwaitingforthegroundtemperaturetobe around12-14degreesandrisingbeforewestart workingaroundtheclocktogetasmuchplanted intheshortesttime.

Oneofthekeystogrowingagoodhigh metabolisableenergy(ME)maizesilagecropis plantingalongmaturityhybridwithahighgrain yieldandgettingthemaizeinthegroundby mid-October.ThedifferencethatMEhasonmilk productionandtheresultingfinancialbottom lineishuge.Wedon’tjustwanttoproduceabulk product,butaqualityone.

OnethingthatFeedCoisdoingmoreofis addingkiwifruittomaizesilage.Trialswehave conductedshowthatthiscanaddasmuchas1 pointofMEperkgDMtotheresultingfeed.

Therearethreekeyaspectstogettingthisrighttimingthearrivalofkiwifruittomatchtheperfect maizeharvestconditions,usingagoodinoculant andensuringthestackiswellmade.

Lastseasonwasabumperonefor maizeyieldsacrosstheNorthIsland witharound3-4tDM/haextrafor maizesilage.Additionally,thetotal hectaresplantedwereuponprevious years.Thesetwothingsculminated inpricesofmaizetumblingtothe pointwhereitwasbeinggivenaway ataloss.Whoknowswhatthisyear holds.WithaLaNinapredictedwill wegetgoodrainsagain,orwillitturn dry?Itisanyone’sguess.Ifyoubuyin maize,contractingwhatyouneedis important.Theyearyoudon’tcontract itwillprobablybetheyearthatit turnsdry,andsupplywillbeshortmeaningyou can’tgetitormustpaymoreforit.

Lookingatthemarkets.Well,Wednesday, August14,reallywasa‘humpday’withacutto theOfficialCashRatetomarkthetruestartofthe downwardtrendininterestrates.

TheReserveBankofNewZealandmadethe changeearlierthanmosteconomistsexpected, andwhentheydidalltheheavilyindebtedacross thecountryjumpedforjoy!Nowwatchfor assetpricessuchaspropertyandsharestoslowly increasegoingforward.

Recentlydairypriceshavestabilisedata reasonablelevelbutthebeefschedulehas significantlyralliedinthelastcoupleofmonthsas demandfromtheUSandJapanhassurged.

Iknowanumberofpeoplewhohavedecidedto selltheiranimalsearlyastheydon’texpecttomake muchmoreoutofthem.

Ifyouwantnewseason’shighMEgrasssilage,or youwanttodiscussyourmaizesilagerequirements thengivemeacall.

AGRICULTURAL CONTRACTINGSERVICES

MAIZESERVICES

• StripTill

• SideDressing

• DirectDrilling

• ForageHarvester-with tractors/trucksandtrailers

*Baleage/Maizeavailableforsale

BULKSERVICES

• BulkTruckCartage

• Fertiliser

• Lime

• Metal

• TractorandTrailerCartage

HARVESTINGSERVICES

• Bailing(silageandhay)

• Stacking

• LoaderWagon

• Mowing(Singlesandtriples)

• Raking

PLANTING&GROUND WORKSERVICES

• Discing/RipperCultivator

• PowerHarrow/RollerTill

• Planting

• DiscDrilling/RollerDrilling

• FertiliserSpreading

In 2014 the opportunity for maize hybrids toentertheNZmarketcametopass. VentureProducts,establishedin1983isalready asubstantialplayerintheUSmarketwitha portfolioofsome50plushybrids.Aspartof CortevaAgriscience,thelargestagricultural companyintheworld,VPMaxxcanaccessboth theindustry’smostdiverseinbredcombinations andelitegermplasmpools,providingmaize growerswithaccesstooutstandingyieldpotential. Withgrowthandimprovedoptions,VPMaxx willmarketninedifferenthybridsthisseason. AccountmanagerBarrySmallridgesays theproductrangeonoffertoNewZealand growersin2024includes“bothprovenover time,othersnew”addingthatthevarietiesare generatingexcitementthatcomewithincreased

i improvement in genetic traits

BarrysaystheNZteamofthreebrings “adifferencetohowmaizegrowerscanrealise yieldpotential”.

Hesaystheretailerofseedtakesownershipof therelationshipbetweengrowerandsupplier andVPMaxx,asasupportmechanism,strives tosupportbothretailerandgrowerbyensuring maizehybridsmatchgeographic,contour,andsoil typetogeneratethebestprofitoutcome.

“Overthe10yearsofgrowthinsalesour focushasbeenondevelopinggeneticsuperiority withqualityproducts.Enhancementstothe seedensuresahighgermtestalongwiththe highestlevelofdisease,insect,andpathogen control.Thisphilosophyhascreatedaplatform wheregrowersarelisteningtogrowershencea successstory.”

Strong,completelymobile andinarangeofsizesto suityourfarm’sneeds.

Ouruniquerangeofwheeled andhangingfeedersprotect feedfrombadweatherand ensureyourstockhavefeed whentheyneedit.

Enjoyyourfavouritepaper deliveredtoyourletterbox... w w w c o astandcountrynews.co.nz-subscribenow

Award d winning arable farminginOnewhero

TherehasbeenamemberofthePellow familyatthehelmofthehomefarmin Onewherosince1900andeachonehas contributedtothefarm’sevolution overthelast124years.

ThecurrentguardianofthelandisChrisPellow. Chris’sgreatgrandfather,WilliamTranePellowbroke inthelandanddevelopeditintoadairyfarm.

HisfatherDougconverteditintoasheepandbeef farmin1952.

“IalwayswantedtofarmbutIpreferredusing machinerytogrowproduce.Icompletedathreeyear horticulturalcadetshipandworkedonseveraldifferent vegetablefarms,”saysChris.

Hereturnedtothehomefarmin1989toworkwith hisfather.Atthatpointitwasstillsheepandbeef,but Chriswaskeentoexercisehisfascinationwitharable grainfarming.

“Dadgrewcropsforsummerlivestockfeed,which wasn’tcommonpracticeinthosedays,”saysChris. Hestartedasidebusinessgrowinggreens,sweetcorn, andpumpkins.Inthemid-90stheydroppedthe greens,andcontinuedwiththesweetcornwhilethe Japaneseexportmarketwasgoingstrongbutinthe early2000sthemarketbecamenon-profitable.

“Westarteddiversifyingintomaizeonalargescalein 1995,untilitbecameourmaincrop.”

Theattentionturnstomaize

“I’vealwaystakennoteofwhattheyaredoinginthe USA,who’vebeenusingnotillcultivationsincethe 1960sandhad40yearsofresultsanddataavailable intheearly2000s.Iwasinterestedifitwouldworkin NewZealand.”

Therewerealsofuelcostsandtime/labourconstraints toconsidercarryingoutfullcultivationwhenthey werereallyonlyusingittoburyresidue.Chrislooked atstriptillcultivationbutdecidedtotrytheultimate, notill,startingsmallwith ahalffieldandbuilding fromthere.

“I’malwayslookingfor waystoimproveefficiency andreducecosts.”

Theintroductionof precisiontechnology around2005allowed guidedapplicationof fertiliserandchemicals, coupledwithnotilling, Chrisisfarmingashehas alwayswanted,andusing machineryhecouldn’t evenhaveimaginedasa smallboy.

ThecurrentPellow farmconsistsofthree propertiesover146 hectares,with122hain continuouscropping, 7hainpineforestryand around17haunsuitable forcroppingisleasedout forbeefandsheep.

Chrisacknowledgesthatthesoilsarechallenging,with clayandclayloamsonthehomefarm,andsiltand sandyloamontheothertwoproperties.Heisalways evaluatingnewcropsandtailoringfarmingtechniques basedonthepreviousseason’sproduction.

Usingprecisiontechnologyandsoiltesting,the systemhasbeentweakeddowntoonehectaregrids ensuringthatfertiliserapplicationandplantingare exactlyrightforthatarea.

Currentpractices

Withadeepunderstandingofhisland,Chrishas workedoutasuitablewintercovercropmixoffava beansandlupins.Theyaredirectdrilledintoun-tilled soilandtheremainsofthemaizearelefttodecompose backintothesoil.

“Thecovercropispurelytolookafterthesoil, keepinglivingrootsofvaryinglengthsintheground andkeepingthesoilbiologygoing.

“Theyprovidenitrogenbacktothesoilafterthe nitrogenhungrymaizecrop.”

Inspringthebeansandlupinsarerolleddownbefore

themaizeisdirectdrilled.Beforeit decomposescompletely,thebean andlupinresidueactsasamulchfor theyoungmaizeplants,reducing weedcompetition.

Marketdemands

Chrissaysit’sagoodsystemfor hisfarm.Theremainsofboth cropscontributetothesoilcarbon content.Lessherbicideisused becausethewintercovercropmulch reducestheweedburden,andthe nitrogenfertiliserrequirementhas steadilydeclined. Combinedwiththeno-till cultivation,soildisturbanceis minimal.Chrishasextendedtheirsoil testingto20cmdeep.Thefarmsreveal animpressivesoilstructureto20cm, butthecultivationmethodsarealso

influencingthesoildeeperthanthat. Withpaddocksoiltestingona threeyearrotation,thefarmhas excellentdataonwheretoplant whichcrops. Chrischangeshismaizehybrids dependingonwhatthemarket demands,switchingbetweensilage andgrainforanimalconsumption orfoodgrain.

Mostyearsitwouldbe90percent grainand10percentsilage.

ThefarmismanagedbyChris andapart-timeworker.Heis alwayslearningaboutnewideas andtechniques.Hehasheldfield dayswiththeFoundationforArable Researchandbelievesit’salways goodforfarmerstoshareknowledge witheachother.

Thelasthomefarmmaizepaddock waitingtobeharvested.

ChrisPellowinthelastmaizepaddocktobe harvestedthisseason. Photos:CatherineFry.

SEEDS QUALITY PASTURE SEED

GRAIN & SEED DRESSING

OnahillypropertyinLowerKaimai,wheredeerwatchasyou

Whenthesidehustleisreal

SaraPattersonisbringingupher5-year-oldson Roccoonthestunning100-acrefarmthatshegrew upon.ThefloristreturnedhomefromtheGold Coasttwoyearsagoandhassetupasidehustleselling handmadegreetingcards adornedwithpreservedpetals s “I’vebeenafloristfor20 yearsandhadmyownshop ontheGoldCoastforeight years,”shesays.“Iwanted somethingrelatedtoflowers tokeepmebusythroughthe winterthatcouldpotentially kickoffanewbusiness.”

Shedecidedtotry creatingunique,handmade greetingcardsusinglocally grownflowers.

naturallyaveryactive‘go,go,go’kindofperson.” Saradriesandpressestheflowers,sothey’lllastforever. Aswellasbeingasolomum,Sarahasapart-timejob sothesidehustledoublesasawaytostaybusyaswell a as awaytoboostincome.

“Inamatterofdays,I’dmadeafewandthought they’reactuallyreallycoolsoIexpandedtocanvas picturesandalsomirrorsandclocksdecoratedwith driedflowers.”

Shelaunchedsocialmediaunderthename“Thistle andThorn”;anodtothethistlesonherlatefather’s farmandherlatemother’sloveofroses.

“I’vesoldcardsandacanvasandpickedupa fewcustomordersfrompostingontheKaimai CommunityFacebookpage,sothat’sprettygood,” saysSara.“I’vegotalltheseideasthatIwanttotrybut Ijustneedtorememberthatit’salsoasupposedtobe somethingtohelpmerelaxthroughthewinter.I’m

“Theideaisthatit’ssettingme upforwhenIeventuallyhave myownshop,”shesays.

Thesidehustleisalso p providingagoodlifelesson f forRocco.

“MostofthetimeI’vegotstuff s spreadoutalloverthelounge fl floorsoitmakesitalittlebitof a challengewitha5-year-old, buthesitshereandmakeshis owncardsforhisfriends.Itell himhowifwesithereandwork hardtomakethecardsthensomepeoplewillwantto buythemandthatcangrowintoabusiness.”

Sometimesherworkspaceisoutonthedeck,on atablethatsherestored,enjoyingtheviewoverthe Kaimairangesallthewaydowntothecityandacross toPapamoa.

“I’vealwaysbeenacountryperson.It’sthepeace andtranquillity,”shesays.“It’sarealcommunity whereI’msurroundedbybeautifulpeoplewhoalways offerahelpinghand.I’vetriedlivingintownandin Surfer’sParadiseIlivedbythebeachsoI’vehadthe bestofbothworlds,butIknowthatthisiswhere Iwanttobe.”

Sara Patterson is bringing up her 5-year-old son Rocco on the stunning 100-acre farm that she grew up on. The florist returned home from the Gold

C Cards made by Sara Patterson

AsachildofFraser’sgardencentreowners andwholesalegrowers,PeterandCarol Fraser,CamFraser’schildhoodwasspent outdoors,alwaysaroundplantsand machinerywhichhedescribesas“goodfun”.

Nowherunshisownwholesalenursery,Advanced TreesLtd,whichisinits20thyearofgrowingawide rangeoftreesandshrubsfortheirclients.

CamstudiedforaDiplomainHorticultural ManagementatLincolnUniversityfollowedby AboricultureatWINTEC.

“Iworkedinmyparents’nurseryandthenspent fiveyearsclimbingtrees,butmydreamwastohave myownblockofland.”

Anurseryofhisown Camstartedsmallin2004,growing10,000 Buxusforhisparents,butnamedhiscompany AdvancedTreesLtdwiththeintentiontospecialise inspecimentreeslateron.

Heexpandedovertimetohiscurrent60-acre blocknearPirongiawhichherunswithfivekey staffmembers.

“ThesoilisMairoaashonasandbasewhich couldn’tbemoreperfectforgrowingtrees.Oneday youcouldget20mmofrainbutcancultivatetwo dayslater.It’sveryforgivingandfertile.”

Settingthelanduprequiredgettingconsent fordrawingwaterfromaboreontheproperty andhedescribesthatasastressfulbutcritical process,involvingfirstlyacquiringtheconsent, thendrillingtheboreandsettinguptheautomated wateringsystem.

Currentlyaroundhalfofthelandisgrazedorused togrowcropsandtherestisforthenursery.

“Werestblocksandputthemintogreen cropssuchaslupins,cloverandmustard.

“Beforeusingthemagainwesoiltestandfertilise asneededbeforeplanting.”

Themajorityofthenurseryisopengroundwhere youngplantsareplantedintorowsofpolythene whichCamsaysisveryeffectiveforsavingwaterand reducingweedpressure.

Focusingonadvancedtrees

RecentlyCamhasmovedmoretowardsgrowing largerspecimentreesinlargebags.Thesestartlife inthenurseryeitherascollectedseed,boughtin seedlingsorcuttings.

Dependingonthetypeoftreerequired,established seedlingsorcuttingsareusedasrootstockand expertlygraftedwithscions(ayoungstemofa plant).Thescionscomefromanextensiverangeof “mother”treesthataremaintainedontheproperty.

“Wefocusongrowingtreesthatperformwellin NewZealand’sclimateandconditions.

“Ourtreesspendaroundthreeyearsintheground beforebeingdugupandputintobags.

“Onlythebesttreesareselectedtobagintoa pottingmixcustomizedforus.”

Camsaystheyhavesometreesthatareseven yearsold.

“Wecertainlylookafterthemwell,theyarea premiumproductwhichIbelieveestablishseamlessly intheirchosenlandscape.

“Weprideourselvesonwhatwethinkaresomeof thebestqualityspecimentreesavailable.”

Clientsinterestedinspecimentreesincludethe public,landscapers,developersandcouncils.

Treeavailabilityupdatescanbereceivedregularly byjoiningtheirmailinglist.

Thesetoiletsarethegoodlooking,sensibleanswerto humanorganicwastemanagement.Environmentally friendly,theyareeconomical, easytoinstallandrequirelittle maintenance. Toiletsareventedsothereareno unpleasantodours,noneedfor toiletcleanersorroomdeodorisers.Theymeetall requiredNZStandardsandbuildingcodes&are inusebyDOCandregionalcouncils.Rightfrom thestartBioLooiscosteffectivetopurchaseand easytoinstallcomparedtoothersystems.Youcan leavethesystemtoworkforyouandintheend willhavesafe,compostedmaterial. Greatforyou-Betterfortheplanet!

9.0mx12.0mFunctionalShed Coastal-gradecolouredsteelcladding&roofing. 2x3200mmx3200mmrollerdoorsandPAdoor. Builtonsite$45,000+GST (T’s&C’sapply)

CamgrowsspecimentreesathisPirongianursery. Photos:CatherineFry.

Cam Fraser with recently planted cuttings.

Honeyshakeup

HoneyexporterComvitaisshakingupits management,justweeksafterannouncinga heavyloss.

ThecompanysaysDavidBanfieldwillresign fromthetopjobsofchiefexecutiveandmanaging directorandwillbecomeanadvisortotheboard. BoardchairBrettHewlettwilltakeupthe actingchiefexecutiverole,whileresigningas directorandchair.IndependentdirectorBridget Coateswasappointedaschairoftheboard.

ThemovearrivedjusttwoweeksafterComvita announceda$16.8millionloss.

Formoreinformation pleasecontact NZAdventures

Pleasephone 032188569 Mobile 0275506727 or 0274354267

Email:info@nzadventures.co.nz Orvisitourwebsite www.nzadventures.co.nz Lookforwardtohearingfromyou

Whetheryoupicnicamongst sceneryoffthebeatentrackor enjoylunchesonstationswith therunholders–theviews willbethesame.“Unrivalled,” sayowner-operatorsofNZ Adventures4x4Tours,Robbie andConnieCrickett,who operatebackcountrytours throughouttheSouthIsland.

Theonlymandatorystipulation isvehiclesonanNZAdventures 4X4Tourhaveallterrain-type tyresingoodconditionanda‘low

range’transmissionfitted.“Every vehicleissuppliedwitharadiosoa commentaryisavailableandtwowaycommunicationisenabled.” Allaccommodationisinmotels andmealsareinrestaurants.

TheTraxof Gold Tour,which is sixdays,startsinFairlieand followstheoldtracksofSouth Canterbury,North,Coastaland CentralOtagotoexplorethe pastoralandminingheritageofa beautifulpartofNewZealand.

TheHighCountryHeritage Tourisrunaseitherasixorseven daytour.StartinginBlenheim andtravelingthroughiconic

MolesworthStation.“Highlightsaretravelling overthehillsfromWairauValleyintoAwatere Valley,OrariGorgeandthehugestationsofthe MackenzieBasinandLakeBenmore.”

FurthersouthtravelersenjoytheOteake ConservationPark,quaintSt.Bathansandthe Dunstanand Pisa Ranges “will not disappoint” “TheBigSkyisourmostchallengingtour andstartinginFairlieweheadstraightoutover theHunterHills.Thissix-daytourseesmany highlightsofCentralOtagoandatripinto Macetownalwaysverypopular.

OvernightsareinOmarama,Cromwell, CardronaandthreenightsinAlexandra.”

46Southalsoextremelypopular,thisfivedaytourfollowsanimaginarylineacrossthe farSouthfromtheCatlinstoFiordlandbefore turningNorthtoendinCromwell.

-SparkArrestor&AshGuard -CharcoalMaker

TheWestCoastTourisafive-daytourwhich willbeheldinAprilandNovember.Thistour iscompletelydifferentfromtheotherNZ AdventurestoursasthistriptakesintheBeech ForesttracksandmininghistoryoftheTasman, BullerandGreydistrictsasitwindsfrom HanmerSpringstoGreymouth.

TherearestillvacanciesontheHighCountry HeritagesixdaytourinNovember2025andin January2025dateswillbesetfor2026.

Formoreinformation,visittheiradverton thispage.

Since1996,wehavespecialisedingrowingbulkquantities forrevegetationandrestorationprojects,landscapingand farmplantings.Whetheryouareafterafewplantsforyour garden,orextensiveplantingforasubdivision,weoffer qualityplantsatcompetitiveprices.

Dunstan Range-it’s alongway down.

N Nutritional medicine for osteoarthritis (Part1)

Almosteveryoneover60willhavejoint tissuedegenerationcausedby osteoarthritis(OA).

Unfortunately,therearefew medicaloptionsoutsideofsurgery andpainrelief.Thisisonehealth problemwherenutritionaltherapy canbeveryhelpful.

Mydisciplineofnutritional medicineidentifiescompounds infoodandsupplementsthat canstimulatethebodiesjoint repairprocesses.Theresultscan besignificantandinmanycases lifechanging.

Keepsoutleaves,birds, pests&hail

Preventswaterdamage

Suitableforanytypeofroof

Theimmunesystemthentriestohealthe problemwithinflammation,makingtheproblem worse.Extrafluidaccumulatesinthejointcapsule causingstiffness,painandswellinginsomecases.

Asanexample,Ihaveoneclient thatcontactedmylastyearwith painfromhipandkneeOA.This restrictedhimbylimitingthe exercisehereallyenjoyed.Nowsix monthslaterhesaidthatthepain hadalmostgone.Heisnowexercisingandhas muchimprovedqualityoflife.

InflammationisamajorpartofOAandcan causemorediscomfortthanactualcartilageloss. OAisadiseaseofcartilagelossandassociated reductioninjointspacebetweenthebonesofthe joint.Themainprocessisthedeathofspecialised cellscalledchondrocytesthatmaintaincartilage. Freeradicaldamageandcertainenzymescan damagechondrocyteseventuallycausingthemto die.Unfortunately,chondrocytescannotreplicate sowhentheydie,thetinypatchofcartilageit maintainedstartstodegenerate.

Expandedscholarship programme

TheMinistryforPrimaryIndustriesisexpanding ascholarshipprogrammefortertiarystudents aspartofitseffortstobooston-the-ground supportforfarmersandgrowers.

MPI’sdirectorofOnFarmSupportDrJohnRoche saysthey’vedecidedtoofferourOnFarmSupport ScienceScholarshipsforasecondyearandtowiden eligibilityfortheprogramme.

“Sixscholarships,worthatotalof$30,000,areon offerforthe2025academicyeartotertiarystudents enrolledinrelevantagriculture,horticulture,science, orviticulturedegrees.

“Weareseekingapplicationsfromstudentswho haveagenuineinterestinjoiningtheagriculturaland horticulturaladvisorysector.

“ApplicantsmustbestudyingatMassey,Lincoln, Otago,orWaikatouniversities,ortheEastern InstituteofTechnologyorNelsonMarlborough InstituteofTechnologyandhavecompletedtheir firstyearofstudy.” ApplicationsfortheMPIOnFarmSupportScience Scholarshipscloseat5pmonSeptember16.

Furtherinformation,includinghowtoapply,is availableonMPI’swebsite.

Ananti-inflammatorydietcombined withtherapeuticlevelsofchondroitin sulphate,glucosaminesulphateand curcuminfromturmericcanhelp.Of these,chondroitinisbyfarthemost important.Tobeeffective,chondroitin needstobeat800mgormore.There areonlyafewjointsupplementsthat havethisamount.Mosthaveeither noneorverylittle.Iguessthatthis isbecauseofthehighcostofquality chondroitin.Feelfreetocontactmefor acopyofmyOAprogramme.

JohnArts(Adv.Dip.Nut.Med)isanutritionalmedicine practitionerandfounderofAbundantHealthLtd.For questionsoradvicecontactJohnon0800423559or emailjohn@abundant.co.nz.Joinhisnewsletterat www.abundant.co.nz

$99.95for3bottles freefreightor 1bottlefor$36.95 plus$5.99postage 60CapsulesperBottle

A Cambridge man loves shhariinghhispassiionffortractors nomatterhowbigorsmall.

WaikatoVintageTractorand MachineryClubmemberRon Totmanwasraisedondairyand drystockfarms,beforegraduating fromtheFlockHousein1958.

smallest Nuffield you can get and I didn’t t have one yet”.

TheBMCMinitractor introducedin1965was originallyfittedwithaBMC 948ccdieselenginedelivering 15hp.ItwasNuffield’sanswerto producingasmalltractor.

Hedairyfarmedwithhis fatherbeforebranchingoutinto contractingandfencing,which providedtheperfectfixforhislove oftractors.

RonandhiswifeJoyboughttheir firstfarmin1973inKairangi, Cambridge,anddairyfarmedfor12yearswith Roncontinuingcontracting.

“Wemovedto11acresin1992andIcontracted andfencedseasonally.I’vegotanicebigshedand havearound13workingtractorsandanunknown numberforparts,”saysRon.

30HPKubota3-CylinderDieselEngine CuttingHeight25-127mm,reardelivery ShaftDriveDeck&HydraulicDeckLift

BX2380

FittedwithLA344Loaderand RCK60Mid-mountmower 23HPKubotadieselengine

Deluxereclininghighbackseat,spacious operatorarea,cruisecontrolandeasyto reachcontrols *Imagewithoutmowerdeck.Price includesmowerdeck. ZD1221

Switchingbetweenmowinglawns& frontendloaderworkhasneverbeen easier.TheBXloadercanbeattached withoutleavingthedriver’sseat

Themajorityofhis tractorsareNuffield orLeylandandhe describesthelatteras “blueNuffields”.

Thesmallest Oneofhistractorsis a1967Nuffield BMC Minitractor,which heboughtintheearly 90sbecause“it’sthe

“Itwassomewhatsmallof statureshallwesayandsoon gotareputationforbeing underpoweredandnotsuitable forheavierfarmwork.”

Withitsfourcylinderdiesel engineandeightforwardgears andonereverse,theMiniwas perfectforsmallholdings,marketgardensandgolf courses.“Later,fittedwiththeBMC1500cc petrolengine,itbecametheNuffield4/25 delivering25hpandaimedatcompetingwith theFerguson28.”

Self-taught

Ronisacompetentself-taughtmechanicand canalsoputhishandtobodyworkandpainting. Withnewtyresandsomeenginework,theMini wentwell.

“Theoldermachinesdon’thavehightensilesteel bodyworkoftodayandpanelbeatersaroundwho canroughpanelbeatarerare.

“Oneworkaroundismakingfibreglasspanels usingtheoldpanelsastemplates.”

RonstillusestheMiniincircumstanceswhere usingaquadbikeissuitable.

“Iziparoundthe propertywiththe quadbiketrailer attacheddoingabit oftopdressingor weedspraying.”

Horsepower

Hestilluseshisother oldertractorswith morehorsepower, anduseshis1950’s InternationalB45baler tomake100bales annually.

Ronenjoys participatinginthe WaikatoClubactivities andhasmademany likemindedfriendsover theyears. Heenjoysthepassing ofknowledgebetween membersandtheway theyhelpeachother.

Waikato Vintage Tractor and Machiner y Club member Ron Totman with his Nuff ield BMC Mini tractor. Photo: Catherine Fry

Aneye-popping,heart-stoppingsafari

Ifyou’veneverbeenonawildlifesafariyou probablycan’timaginewhata ‘game-drive’islike.

It’swhatpeoplegotoAfricafor,writesJohn CooneyfromMidlifeMadnessTours.

Comeearlymorningormid-afternoon,youpile intoyourwaiting4WDandbounceoffacrossthe ruggedwildlifepark,saysJohn.

“Theroofisup,soyoucangetbetterphotos. “AndyourAfricandriver’salreadyscanningthe landscape,lookingforclues.

“Wordscan’treallydescribethesights,sounds, smells,andsilencesthatawaityou.Sunburnt savannasstretchingtothehorizon,lushwoodlands swarmingwithbirdlife...andthesheerabundance offree-to-roamwildlife.”

Johnsayssometimes you’resurroundedby wildebeests,zebrasand gazelles.Butbigcats prefertheirprivacy. Oftenthefirsthint that“something’sout there”isatinyupright shapeonafar-off anthill(awatchful cheetah?)oratail hangingdownoutofa tree(anelusiveleopard?)oracamouflagedshadow inthelonggrass(ahungrylionstalkinghisprey?) Andyouneverknowwhatelseiswaiting,just aroundthecorner!

Formoreinformationseetheiradvertonthispage.

A ‘game-drive’ is something most people need to experience, says John

Giraffesarejustsome ofthewildlifepeople canseeontour.

Highlights&Inclusions

Australiaisalandofendlessadventure.Wecanallexperienceit.Butto trulycherishwhat’sthere,touncoverthemagicofourmostprofound places,youneedatravelpartnerthatgoesfurthertotakeyoudeeper. Wherethedestinationdoesn’tdefinethejourney,it’sjustastarting pointforallthespecialmomentstocome.

SettleintoTheGhan’sgentlerhythmasyoutravelthroughthecountry andimmerseyourselfintheNorthernTerritory’sbreathtakingnatural wondersonthisspectacular11-dayjourney.FromexploringtheWest MacDonnellRangestotakingyourplacebesidespiritualUluruandKata Tjuta,you’llunderstandwhypeopletravelgreatdistancestoseethe Territory’sremarkablelandscapesandicons.

•3nightsaboardTheGhanExpedition,DarwintoAdelaideincluding allmeals,beverages,andOffTrainExperiencesinKatherine, AliceSpringsandCooberPedy

•7nightsofintimatesmall-groupRedCentretouringwithOutback Spirit,includingaccommodation,meals,beveragesandguidedtouring •VisitKingsCanyon,andjourneythroughtheWestMacDonnell Ranges,visitingStandleyChasmandOrmistonGorge

•VisitWorldHeritage-listedUluruandenjoyaguidedbasetour

•Dineunderthestarsatthe‘SoundsofSilence’diningexperience

•Admiretheinternationallyacclaimed‘FieldofLight’displayatUluru

Uluru,NT

Whiletherearecountless waystoexploreAustralia’s ever-changinglandscapes, richcultureandvibrant people,there’sonly onewaytodoitwith unparalleledeaseand comfort:TheGhan.

“AnAustralianiconand rightlyso,TheGhan’sboldredlocomotivemirrorsthe

redearthofAustralia’sred centreasshetravelsbetween AdelaideandDarwin–apath shehasbeentraversingfor95 years,”saysaJourneyBeyond spokesperson.

“Onceyoustepaboard,you canrelaxknowingeverything fromworld-classfoodandwine toarangeofcaptivatingOff TrainExperiencesisincluded.

“Thehardestdecisionyou’ll needtomakeiswhattohave

In-flightemergenciescanbedangerous, butflightattendantsalwayshaveourbacks.

Alotofunexpectedthingscanhappenwhile you’reflying-fromturbulencetoissueswith fellowpassengers.Thoughflyerscanrelyonflight attendantstoguidetheminresolvingtheseissues, it’salwaysbesttoknowwhattodoinaserious airemergency.

FlightattendantturnedauthorT.J.Newmanshared withDailyMail.comafewemergencytipsthatyou shouldtakenoteofeverytimeyouboardaplane. Herearehertoptipsforflyingsafely:

Keepyourseatbelton

Newmanemphasisestheimportanceofseatbelts, especiallywiththenumerousturbulence-related accidentsintheairrecently.

furtherexplorationintotherich historyofAliceSprings,whereyou’ll toastthedaysadventuresanddance thenightawayundertheMilkyWay atoursignatureTelegraphStation dinnerexperience.Thefollowing day,anotherexclusiveexperience awaitsyouintheopal-miningtown ofCooberPedy,whereyouwilldine undergroundafterhavingworkedup

anappetite.

“Andafteradayofexploring, enjoyingsumptuouscuisineand savouringpremiumbeverages, youretiretoyourprivatecabinto recharge.Astherhythmofthetracks gentlyswayyoutosleep,you’refilled withanticipationfortheadventures andnewmemoriesthefollowingday andnextdestinationwillbring.”

forlunchandwhichexperience tojoin.

“Withawarmthofservice that’shardtobeat,ourcrew willensureyourjourneyis memorablefrombeginning toend.Alongtheway,you’ll findyourselfimmersedinthe stunningnaturallandscapes ofKatherineandmarvelling ateitheraMarlasunriseor Mangurisunset.

“TheGhanExpeditionoffers

Knowwheretogo

Uponboardingtheplane,Newmanrecommends familiarisingyourselfwiththeemergency equipmentandexits.Alwaysrememberthatevery aircraftisunique,andpassengersshouldtakethetime tofamiliarisethemselveswiththespecificexitsand emergencyequipmentonboard.

Leaveyourbagsbehind

Intheeventofanevacuation,timeisoftheessence. Gettosafetyfirstbeforethinkingof materialbelongings.

Newmanemphasisestheneedforurgencyinthese situations,asthedifferenceofafewsecondsmightsave yourlife.Sheurgespassengersnottowasteprecious secondsretrievingpersonalbelongings,whichcould jeopardisethesafetyofothers.

Somelife-savingtipsforinflightemergencies HIGHCOUNTRYJOURNEYS

2025SKI TOURS

FernieandPanorama 01-16February

AspenSnowmass 22February-05March

Skiwithus SilverStarandSunPeaks 08-22February

• ‘TheSouthIslandGrandSlam’ Self-driveyourown4wdfromBlenheimtoCardrona, includingMolesworth,withthis7day8nighttour.

• ‘TheGreatExplorer’

Self-driveyourown4WDfromLakeOhautoCardrona throughthelowerMackenzieCountryandCentralOtago withthis5day6nighttour.

Forfurtherinformationcheckoutourwebsite: www.highcountryjourneys.co.nz Orcontactuson: Info@highcountryjourneys.co.nz JohnMulholland.Ranfurly.0272288152

TheGhan,dubbedanAustraliaicon,providesarailwayexperiencethroughAustalia

Methane-blockingextraact to be trialled

Anextractfromthehumbledaffodilwillbeputtothetestin NewZealandafterUKresearchdiscovereditspotentialto cutmethaneemissionsfromlivestock.

AgriZeroNZispartnering withWelshresearch companyAgroceutical Products,whichdiscovered anaturallyoccurring compoundfromdaffodils, haemanthamine,may beeffectiveinreducing methaneproductionincattle afterconductinglabtrials.

Thepublic-privatejoint venture(JV)isinvesting uptoNZD$4millionto trialthebotanicalmethaneblockeronanimalsinNew Zealandandifsuccessful, accelerateitsdevelopmentas anewemissions-cuttingtool forKiwifarmers.

AgroceuticalProducts isknownforits

groundbreakingworkextractingnaturallyoccurring compoundsfromdaffodilsgrowninWelshmountains, mostnotablygalanthamine,whichisusedtotreat Alzheimer’sdisease.

AgriZeroNZchiefexecutiveWayneMcNeesays theearly-stageinvestmentpresentsanexciting opportunitytobringthepioneeringresearchto NewZealand,whichhastheidealconditionsfor growingdaffodils.

opportunityforanadditionalincomethroughgrowing daffodilsrequiredtoproducetheadditive.”

Ifsuccessful,WaynesaystheJVwillsupport AgroceuticalProductswithanyregulatoryapproval requiredtoenablethedaffodil-basedinhibitortobe usedon-farm.

“It’sbeenwidelyacknowledgedthatatechnology-led approachisthebestwaytosupportfarmerstoreduce emissionswithoutcompromisingonprofitability.

“We’rescanningtheworldforcutting-edgetoolsthat couldworkonNewZealandfarmsandwe’reexcitedto leveragetheknowledgeandexpertiseofAgroceutical ProductsforthebenefitofKiwifarmers.”

Daffodilpower

Thedaffodil’smethane-reducingabilitieswillbeput tothetestatLincolnUniversitywhereanimaltrialsare plannedtotakeplacefromFebruary2025.

Followinglabtrialsconductedonartificialrumens, it’sestimatedthedaffodilcompoundcouldreduce livestockmethaneemissionsby30percentwhen consumedasafeedadditive.

Waynesaysfurtherdevelopmentcouldseethe compoundbeingadministeredviaaslow-release boluswithintherumen,whichwouldmakethe toolaccessibletoawiderrangeofruminantanimals includingsheep,deerandgoats.

Commitment

AgroceuticalProductsmanagingdirectorandfounder KevinStephenssayshe’slookingforwardtotaking theirresearchtothenextstepinNewZealand.

“ThisinvestmentfromAgriZeroNZsignificantly acceleratesourdevelopmentprogrammewhichwill ensuretheresultantfeedadditiveisavailableinNew Zealandattheearliestavailableopportunity,allthe whileprovidingNewZealandsheepfarmerswithan

AgriZeroNZhascommittedmorethan$33million acrossarangeofemissionsreductiontoolsand technologiesforNewZealandfarmersincluding amethane-inhibitingbolus,novelprobiotics,low methanepastureandmethanevaccines.

“Thereisn’tgoingtobeaone-size-fits-allapproach whenitcomestoreducingemissionsacrossour agriculturalsector,sowe’reinvestinginarangeof differenttoolstogiveusthebestchanceofproviding ourfarmerswithaccesstoaffordable,effective solutions,”Waynesays.

Potentialrevenuestream

Inordertoproducethesecrucialcompounds, daffodilsneedtobegrowninchallenging,highaltitudeenvironments,liketheBlackMountains inWales.

Giventhelimitationsofthedaffodilgrowingseason intheUK,AgroceuticalProductshasinvestigated growinglocationsintheSouthernHemisphereto provideayear-roundsupply.

“NewZealand’sruggedhillcountryprovidesthe primegrowingconditionsneededfordaffodilsto producethecompoundswe’relookingfor,”saysKevin. Mostrecently,Stephenswasinvolvedinatrialwhich founddaffodilsgrownonSouthIslandsheepfarms producedcommercialconcentrationsofgalanthamine. Kevin,himselfasheepandbeeffarmer,initially startedgrowingdaffodilsonhishillcountrylandto diversifythefarm’sincome.Hesayshe’spleasedto bringthatsameopportunitytoNewZealandfarmers.

“Thedaffodilbulbscanbeplanteddirectlyinto pastureandharvestedforextractionwithno significantcapitalexpenditureordamagetopasture.”

Agroceutical Products is known for its groundbreaking work extracting naturalllyoccurriingcompounddsffromddaffffoddilsgrowniinWWellsh h mountaiins.

Tonnesoffertliserreadytobespread

Harnessingwastefromdairy farmsisanundervalued resourceandawin-winfor famers–savingfertiliser costsandincreasingthe productivityofthefarm.

Establishedin2016bybrothers GlenandRobertCrafar,ReporoabasedPrecisionSlurryarespecialists ineverythingeffluentand wastewaterrelatedacrosstheCentral NorthIsland,SouthWaikatoand SouthernBayofPlenty.

“Makingthemostofthe nutrientsalreadyonfarmiswhat wedo.Itsimplymakessense fromfinancialandenvironmental perspectives,”saysRobert.

“Desludgingtheon-farmstorage haslotsofbenefitsandwehave themachineryandexpertiseto safelyandefficientlyemptyevery typeofeffluentcontainment systemwhetheritbeapond,

abovegroundtankorbladder andspreadittoachieveoptimum nutrientuptake.”

Robertsaysit’snotuncommon forfirst-timeclientstounderestimatethedepthandcapacityof theiringroundponds.

“Manyaresurprisedatthe amountofsludgeandsandwhich hasbuiltupinthepond,severely limitingtheamountofstorage.

“Inquiteafewinstances, realisingthepond’struepotential hasdone-awaywiththeneedfor

Bioreactorresearchrecognised

DairyNZandtheInstituteofEnvironmental ScienceandResearchhavewontheresearch andsciencecategoryinthisyear’sPrimary IndustriesNZSummitAwards.

ThewinrecognisestheworkDairyNZ–led byseniorscientistDrLeeBurbery–hasdone inpartnershipwithESRoverthepast10years toresearchanddevelopwoodchipdenitrifying bioreactorsasanedge-of-fieldpracticeformitigating nitrogenloadstoNewZealandwaterways.

DairyNZchiefexecutiveCampbellParkersaysthe awardhighlightstheorganisation’sscientificexpertise, whichlendsitselftoworld-leadingresearch.

“Crediblescienceisourpointofdifference.Wetake acollaborativeapproachtoscienceandresearch,to helpfarmersgetaheadofenvironmentalchallenges. Theevidencewegainfromourscienceandresearch alsounderpinsouradvocacyonbehalfoffarmersto achievefairandpragmaticpolicyoutcomes–and helpsbuildtrustacrossthesector.”

Bioreactorsarepitsfilledwithwoodchipthat actasawaterfilterandsupportdenitrification–

wherebacteria convertreactive nitratenitrogento innocuousnitrogen gasaspartoftheir respirationprocess.

developingnewcapacity.”

Robertsaystheefficiencyoftheir stirrersalsomeansfarmersareable toharnessthetruenutrientvalue ofwhat’sintheirstorage.“Our abilitytostiranysystemensuresall thevaluablenutrientsarespread. Weareabletoshiftthethickest sludgeandcrustsinanysystem.

“PrecisionSlurryareleadersin thefieldofmaximisingeffluent storageandexcellentutilizationof thefreefertiliserwaitingtobeput backonthepaddocks.”

TheP&PdPICSystem combines:(1)atrailerunit, connectedbetweenthetravellingirrigatorandthe draghose,and(2)aKelcoIPG20controllerlocatedat thepump,providingafoolproof,thoroughandreliable failsafeifanyfault,leak,orblockageoccursinthe effluentsupplysystemorwiththetravellingirrigator.

Formoreinformationcontact:

kjsmithengineering@xtra.co.nz Mobile: 0275730566 orvisitoursiteat www.papd.co.nz

DairyNZseniorscientist DrLeeBurbery.

“Awoodchip bioreactor’sroleis primarilytotreat nitrate,yetour researchhasshown theycanalsofilter forcontaminantssuchasphosphorusandE.coli,” Leesays.

“So,therearesecondarybenefits.Thisaligns withDairyNZ’sholisticapproachtofarmsystems managementandwaterwayhealth.”

Byseekingtofosteramoreholisticviewofwaterway health,DairyNZ’sHealthyWaterwaysprogramme aimstoinformsensibleandpragmaticregulationsthat willenablefarmersongoingstewardshipoftheland.

Theawardrecognisesscientistsand/orresearchers basedinNZwhohavedevelopednewprocesses/ initiativesormadediscoveriesthataddvaluetoNZ.

ineverythingeffluent/ wastewaterrelatedin theCentralNorthIsland, SouthWaikatoand SouthernBOPareas.

Wehaveafleetof specialisedequipment whichincludesslurry tankers,umbilicalsystems andstirrersplusyearsof experienceandexpertise totackleanyjob.

Rawhumansewagespilledintostream

INSTALLATION SERVICE REPAIR

DodaPumps&Stirrers|DallaiFittings|Hydrants|EffluentParts

20yearsexperienceof DairyEffluentSystems

andRepairs

ServicingofallEffluent& Irrigationequipment. Fullsysteminstallations. NZsupplierofDODA products,wealsocarrya comprehensiverangeofDairy Effluentparts&equipment designedtoprovidearobust andtroublefreeoperation, complementingour Servicingbusiness.

Matamata-PiakoDistrictCouncilhasbeen fined$67,500forunlawfullydischarging atleast2.8millionlitresofwastewaterand untreatedhumaneffluentintoMangawhero streamoverfivedaysinApril2023.

Thedistrictcouncilwassentencedforthe offendingintheHamiltonDistrictCourtearlier thisyear.

Inhersentencingdecision,JudgeMelinda Dickeysaysthecouncil’soffendingis“highly carelessbutnotdeliberate”.

“Thefactremains,however,thatmultiple alarmswereraised,andtheirbeingignoredhad seriousconsequences.”

Thespillhappenedatthedistrictcouncil’s MatamatatreatmentplantonApril6,2023.

Havingcleanedtheplant’swetwell,aplant employeeresetthesystemaccordingtostandard procedure.Threepumpsinthewellstopped running,allowingsewagetobuildup.

Matamata-PiakoDistrictCouncilhasbeenfined fordischargingmillionsoflitresofuntreated humaneffluentintoMangawherostream.

Thedistrictcouncilwassentencedtoafineof $67,500forbreachingtheResourceManagement Act1991.Themaximumpenaltyfortheoffence wasafineof$600,000.

Councilresponse

Havingjustcleanedthewellandresetthe system,theoperatorthoughtthecritical-level warningshereceivedviatextmessagewerefalse.

Meanwhile,sewagebackedup,flowing throughconduitpipestotheelectricalcontrol panel,thebaseofacontrolboxandstarted flowingoutofvents.

Eventually,theeffluentreachedanearby surfacewaterdrainandflowedabout430m totheMangawherostream,whichflowsinto Waihouriver.

TheproblemwasnotdiscovereduntilApril10. OverthatEasterlongweekend,anestimated 2.8mto5.25mlitresofwastewaterwasillegally dischargedintotheMangawherostream.

Judge’sruling

Matamata-PiakoDistrictCouncilchiefexecutive DonMcLeodsaysthedistrictcouncildoesn’ttake lightly“incidentslikethis”.

“Thecareandprotectionofourenvironmentisa corepartofthecouncil’sbusinessandanincident likethisisourworst-casescenario.

“Wesincerelyapologisetothosewhoare affected,includinglocaliwi.”

Donsaysathoroughinvestigationafterthespill ledtochangesinthetreatmentplant’ssystems withinacoupleofweeksaftertheevent.

“We’vealsorecentlyimplementedanew district-wideSCADAmonitoringsystem,which providesamuchhigherstandardofremote monitoringandalarms.”

Hesayshe’sdisappointedwiththeregional council’sdecisiontoprosecute.

QUALITY WATER ISIMPORRTANT

WaterClarificationsystems

• Carwash recyclingsystems

JudgeDickeysaysit’sessentialthattherebebackupsinplacesotherightpeoplecanbealerted aboutproblemswhentheyhappen.

“Here,reliancewasplacedononeperson,”the judgesays.

“Itwasnotuntilanotherwastewateroperator loggedontothedatabasethataproblem wasidentified.”

JudgeDickeysaysthedistrictcouncilprovided “nomorethanwouldbeexpectedfromanyother defendant”underthecircumstances.

“Inotethecouncilhasnotfolloweduponits suggestedrestorativejusticeprocess.”

“WealwaysalertWaikatoRegionalCouncilof incidentsofthisnature,nomatterhowlargeor smallbecausewewanttodotherightthingand learnfromit.”

Donsaysthedistrictcouncilhasbeen“working hard”toupgradeitswaterandwastewatersystems, withabout$45millionallocatedtoimprovements attheMatamataPlant“overthenextfewyears”.

“Thefirstcontractforthisworkissoontobe awarded.”Hesaysdealingwiththeprosecution tooktimeandmoney.

Thejudgedidn’tawardthedistrictcouncil anysentencingdiscountforimprovementsto itssystems.

ShesaysMangawherostreamis“ofsignificant cultural,spiritual,andenvironmental importance”toiwi.

“Whilethemajorityofthecostsarecoveredby insurance,theprocessimpactssignificantlyonstaff moraleanddetractsfromtheprojectswe’realready workinghardtodeliveracrossourdistrict.

• IrrigationFiltration • SolidsSeparation • Wastewaterrecycling • Effluent RecyclingSystems

• pH Correction

WaikatoRegionalCouncilprosecutedthecase, withMatamata-PiakoDistrictCouncilpleading guiltyatanEnvironmentCourthearingayear laterinMorrinsvilleDistrictCourt.

“Ultimately,weservethesameratepayers,andwe wouldprefertoworkalongsideWaikatoRegional Councilandfocusonprogressingthiscritical work,andmeetingthestandardthatregional councilandthecommunitywanttosee.”

Farmersdriving thedevelopment behindtechnology gy

DTS,aleadingprovideroffarm technologysolutions,hasreleasedthe latestversionofitsdraftingandherd managementapp,Herd-Man. CreatedexclusivelyforusersofDTS’sdrafting solution,AutoDrafter,thisupdatemarksa significantmilestoneforDTS.Overthepast decade,theHerd-Manapphasbeenatrusted companionfordairyfarmersandthisnew releaseincorporatesthefeedbackfromour farmercustomers.

“Thisisjustthebeginningofourreviseddigital roadmap.Ourdedicatedteamofprogrammers willregularlyenhancetheHerd-Manappbased onfarmerfeedback.Wewelcomefarmerinput andaimtocreateaseamlessexperienceforour users,”saysDTSCEOGavinThwaites.

Gavinreveals thatthenextstage ofuppdatesisalready y planned,aligning w withthefeedback fromfarmers,and driven by a desire

to create cost-effective and collaborative solutions

“Farmersshouldnothavetochangetheir gatewhentheyinvestinnewcowmonitoring technology,whynotjusthaveonedrafting solutionthatworkswithallofthem?”

tocreatecost-effectiveandcollaborativesolutions onfarm.

“Westronglybelieveincollaborationwithin thedairyindustry,”saysGavin.“Ratherthan reinventingexistingsolutions,ourphilosophy issimple:let’sworktogethertomaximisevalue forourcustomers.That’swhyourAuto-Drafter integrateswithleadingcowwearablesandherd managementplatforms.Thesesolutionsenhance thecapabilitiesofourcowdraftingtechnology.”

“TakeActiveTag,forexample,”Gavinadded. “We’vestartedsellingActiveTagbecause farmerscanownitoutright,withnopercow subscription.Farmersgetalltheheatandhealth monitoringfeaturesbundledintooneproduct.

“Itrepresentsgoodvalueforfarmersand integratesseamlesslywithAutoDrafter.”

D DTS invites otherfarmtechnology developerstocolllaboratewiththemandis inadvanceddiscuussionswithsomelarger co-ops “but the inkisn’tonthepaperyet”.

Phone(09)6330071www.cooltek.co.nzinfo@machinetech.co.nz

CooltekLtd-adivisionofMachinetechLtd

Manufacturersofmilkprecoolingicebanks

Callusforstraightforwardobligation

•Experiencedengineersoncall24hours,7daysaweek

•Comprehensivemaintenanceplanswithoutobligation

•Commitmenttomakesurethejobisdoneright

The Herd-Man app.

An Auto Drafter, DTS’s drafting solution

PROBIOTICSVS CELLCOUNTAND MASTITIS

"Weusedtoget10%calving mastitisbutbyusingthese probioticswehavenotused antibioticsorteatsealfor5 years.Nowcalvingmastitisis onlyjustover1%"

"Forourfirst4yearsherewehad gradeswhencowswentoutfrom thebarnontospringpasture. Theseprobioticsstoppedthe gradesandhavedramatically reducedcellcounts”

Probioticuseproveseffective instoppinggrades

InrecentyearsProbioticRevolutionhasbeen developingprobioticswithlivebacteriato boostherdimmunityandlowercellcounts throughoutalldairyregionsinNewZealand.

EachyearforthefouryearsChrisWillsstarted farmingatMilton,hewasgettinggradesinthespring whenhiscowscameoutof theirwinteringbarngrazing lushspringpasture.Nothing Chrishadtriedcorrectedthe problemuntilheswitched toaprobioticapproachafter readinganarticleabout ElthamfarmerJohnMcCarty whowasabletogoantibiotic freebyusingprobioticsin hisherd.Chriscontacted ProbioticRevolutionfortheir adviceandwasconvinced aboutthesciencebehindtheir dailyadditive-Rumicell.

changed,-itwasdoingthejobthattheotherproducts weredesignedtodo.”However,whenitcametothe springthespikeincellcountswasgreatlyreducedand therewerenogrades.ThisAugust,inthesecondyear ofusingproductstospringersandmilkersthecell countsinAugustwereafurther34percentdownon thepreviousyear.

Chriswasalreadyusinga coupleofproductstohelpdigestion–includinga liveyeast,butwithRumicellitwasthecombination ofaliveyeastwithfivestrainsofbacteriathatgave Christhebeliefthatitwoulddomorethantheother productshewasusing.

AstartwasmadewithRumicellinMay2023on autumncalvedcowsandafewcarryovers.Chrishasa wintermilkcontract,butthebulkofcowsstillcalve inthespringwithtotalnumbersrisingto480.The changewaseasybecausebyswitchingproductsthere washardlyanyincreaseincosts.

“Wewerealreadygettinggoodrumination,good digestionoffibres,andnocrustingontopofthe effluentpond–sointhatregardnothingapparently

ProbioticRevolutionhadmadeChrisawareofthe effectsoftheirbacteriain boostingimmunity,sothat withdailysupplementation mastitisandcellcountscan besuppressed.AUniversity ofOtagostudyshowedthat cowswithanextremely lowcellcounthaveahigh populationofmastitis inhibitingbacteriaintheir uddersandoralfeedingcan supportthis.

ThedailyuseofRumicell producedanothervery pleasingresultduringspring matingtime.“Cyclingprematingwasphenomenal.Halterwasshowingusthere wasnoneedforMetricheckingorCIDR’sandthe three-weeksubmissionratewasupfivepercentto93 percent,indicatingthatRumicellwasdoingmore thanjustaliveyeastimprovingdigestion.”

DryweatheroverthesummerforcedChristoreduce cownumbersandbuyinsilage,loweringoverallfeed qualityavailabletomilkers.

Despitethis,Chrisknowsthattheswitchto Rumicellhashadapositiveimpactinhavingadual roleofhelpingdigestionandmakingasignificant improvementinherdhealthandfertility–resultsthat otherfarmerscouldbenefitfrom.

ChrisWillsat Fieldaysearlier thisyear.

In the late 1980’s after the abrupt removal ofalldirectandindirectsubsidiestothe farmingsectorNewZealandhada d decision to make Pastoralfarmingwasbeingcalleda“sunset industry”andwiththefarmersstrappedforcash thefocuswasshorttermsurvivalandlonger-term considerationswereeffectivelybinned.

nitrogen is a powerful development tool,howeverlong-termdependency hashadtheoppositeeffectwitha steadydecreaseinannualdry mattergrown.

Thereareintensivepastoral,including dairy,operationsthatuselittleifany syntheticnitrogenandbenefitina numberofways.

means less feed is required for animalmaintenance.

Therehadbeenmanyyearsofresearchintolowcostsustainableproductionbasedontheabilityof clovertoprovidethenitrogennecessaryforannual pastureproductionmorethan18tonneofdry matterperhectare.

However,withasurplusofnaturalgasfromthe Kapunifieldtheammoniaureaplantwasbuiltand whatstartedasastrategicusephilosophyquickly developedintoadependencyone.

It’sfascinatingworkingwithfarmersnowthat genuinelybelievethattheonlynitrogenavailable forpasturegrowthissynthetic,spreadregularly throughouttheseason.

Thislackofawarenessofthenaturalnitrogen cycleisastonishing,asitappliestoallplant growthnotjustpasture,withtheairwebreathe78 percentnitrogen.

Hadaresearchunitjustannouncedthattherewas awayoftakingnitrogenfromtheatmosphereand atnocostmakeitavailableforpasturegrowthit woulddoubtlessbeheraldedasprovidingthelongsoughtbreakthroughnecessaryfortheprosperityof thedairyandsheepandbeefindustries.

Thecost

Itcouldbeworthmorethan$10billionannually ifweacceptareportwrittenmorethan20yearsago thatstatedthatcloverwasinthiscountry’stop20 survivalitems,worthatthattime$3billion.

Thatdoesn’tfactorinthesteadilyaccelerating lossoflabilesoilcarbonorthecostoftreatingour drinkingwaterforexcessnitrates.

Thesamereportcontainedthefollowing,“without whitecloverlivestockproductioninNewZealand wouldhavetodependsolelyonfertilisernitrogen. “Thishasobviousenvironmentalconsequences”. Thecounterargumentisthatthepastoralfarming industryhasbenefittedgreatlyduetoanincreasein pastureproduction.

Thereisnoquestionthatsynthetic(fertiliser)

Peranimalproductionishigher duetocloverbeingmoredigestiblethangrasses particularlyfromearlyNovemberuntillateMarch.

Animalmaintenance

Animalseatmoreduringtheirnaturallyallotted grazingtimewithacorrespondingliftinmilk productionandweightgained.

Solubleenergyofcloverisnearlyalwayshigher, asmeasuredbyahandheldrefractometer,which

Clovercontainstypically threetimesthecalciumof grasses.Calciumisanessential componentforbonegrowth andlambfattenersknowthat lambsperformbestonclover densepasture.

Creating the conditions thatfavourcloverinpasture isaremarkablysimple and low-costpprocessthatclients ofFunctionalFertiliserhave implementedandenjoyedfor morethantwentyyears.

FormoreinformationtalktoPeter on0274950041or0800843809.

Therightto farm

Withthealmostcertain introductionofGE/GMOby theendof2025,weasprimary producersmustgivesome seriousthoughttowhat itmightlooklike.

Also,tohowitmightaffectusinour ownbusinesses,writesBillQuinnof OrganicAg.

Thisissueisforallisnotjustthose thatwantitornot.

Itisabouttherighttofarmwiththe rangeoftoolsyouwishtohaveinyour toolbox.Thisvariesgreatlydepending onyourownbusinesschoicesand productionmodel. Itismorethan20yearssincewelast hadaseriousdiscussiononthistopic.

Lookingback

Reflecting,IpulledouttheAugust 2000‘Grower’magazine,the CommercialVegetablesandPotato GrowersFederationpublication.

Thefollowingquotefrom RussellJordan,thenchairman oftheFreshVegetableSector (speakingtotheannual conference).

“Wecannolongerjustsell aproduct.Wemustalsosell theproductionsystem,sell theexperience,andwemust guaranteesafety.NewZealandhas whatitperceivesasamarketing opportunityintoday’sworld,a cleangreenimage.Thatimage needstobepartofeveryfood exportthatleavestheseshores.

thegrassandcropsgrow.

“Andfromaerialtopdressing thatputfertiliserwhereitwas wanted.Itcamefromyesterday’s technologies.

“Andwhilesomeofthese technologiesarefrownedupon today,theyweretheleadingedge intheirtime-theknowledge economyofyesterday.

Finishingaddress

basehassuffered?

Butthoseissuesaside,asNZ isnowmakingthisascience question/discussion,notaprimary producerquestion,itisthe MinisterofScience,Innovation andTechnologythatisthelead, notheMinisterforPrimary Production.

Questions

This combination of products can assist calves gut health to better deal with the inconsistencies in

Thiscombinationof productscanassist calvesguthealthto betterdealwiththe inconsistenciesinthe pooledmilk.

“Theclearstreamsandrolling greenhillsthataretheenvyofthe worldandcreatedourcleangreen imagedidn’thappenbyaccident.

“Theycamefromourabilityto controlourenvironment.

“From2-45,Tandourabilityto controlweedssuchasblackberry andgorse.FromDDTthat keptgrassgrubatbay.Fromthe manufacturedfertiliserthatmade

“Theworldhasnotyet realisedtheimpactthatGenetic Engineeringwillhaveinthenext fewyears.Weareabouttoenter themostamazingtimetheworld haseverseen,theabilitytocontrol environmenthasonlyjustbegun”.

So,some24yearsonweare intheveryfortunateposition ofhindsight,evaluatingif thepredictionsofGE/GMO technologieshavedelivered.Take timetolookbackandconsider whethertheNZfoodproduction

So,whatarethequestionsasa grower/farmerIneedtoask. IfIgrowaGEcrop/animal, amIresponsibleforitaffecting myneighbour?CanIortheyget insuranceforthelossesfromany incursiontotheirbusiness? Whatbufferorseparationzones willberequired,whosesideofthe boundary? Whatimpactwill“Climate SmartAgriculture”haveonyoung thinking? Whateverthedecisionitwill affectusall!

What food production system do I want to be in?

NZ produces food and fibre to the highest standards supplying the commodity ($) to elite ($)

CertifiedOrganic Ag

PertainingtoCarbon ThroughtheLiving>>Biotic<<

•Mustmeetallstandardfoodproduction &safetylaw.

•Internationalthird-partyvalidationand principles.

•80+yearssinceneedidentified.

•Regulationsbasedonbiological/natural systems.

•Regulations/productionstandardsalways available.

•Practisebasedoncarboncycleviathe living.

•Diverseplantssupportbroadeco-system.

•Validationofinputs..ifitdidn’tgo in>>>>>>

•Nobroadacreherbicide.

•Natural,targetspecificbiocides.

•Establishedunder-suppliedmarkets.

IntegrityThrough Transparency

Re-GenAg

>Organics< withChemicals

•Mustmeetallstandardfoodproduction& safetylaw.

•Arangeofmarketingcodesofwithvarying productionpractise.

•Guidelinesbasedonbiologicalsystemswith chemicalmanagement.

•Guidelines/productionstandardsnotalways available.

•Diverseplants(treatedseeds)support eco-system,inpart.

•Practisebasedonloweringcarbon footprint.

•Validationofresiduelevels-ifwecannot detectit>>>>great!

•Broadacreherbicideisused.

•Allbiocidescanbeused.

•AllAginputscanbeused.

•Developingmarketswithbigpartners… Syngenta,Bayer,&more.

DisclosureofPractiseNon-Consistent

ConventionalAg

AppliedChemistry

•Mustmeetallstandardfoodproduction &safetylaw.

•Openmethodsadopted.

•Canusechemicalripening/topping.

•Treatedseeds,widerangeofinputs.

•Generalknowledgeofsystemsby market.

•Greatforbulkcheapfoodproduction.

•Marketing:increasinglyrebranding, grassfed,NZFAP,animalwelfarecodes.

•Urea,super-phosphate,highinputs.

•AllAginputscanbeused.

•Allbiocidescanbeused.

Farmers -themostfarmedanimalinNZ

GE-GMO is a hot topic among many sectors as the Government looks at legislation.

Subdivisionoflandfor housingissettobecome easieronthebackofthe Government’snew‘Going forHousingGrowthPolicy’.

InJuly,the Government announcedPillar1ofthispolicy, requiringcouncilstofreeupland forhousing.

Thismeansourlargercityand adjoiningdistrictcouncilssoon mustallowfor30yearsofhigh housinggrowthintheirdistrict plans,asopposedtothecurrent threeyears!

Theywillnotbeabletoenforce strictrural-urbanboundariesand theywillbeforcedtoremove unnecessaryplanningbarriers.

Looseningtheplanningrules currentlyrestrictingsubdivision willundoubtedlyleadtoadropin landvalues,butonlyoncethenew rulesareinplace.

Allowingmoregreenfield subdivisionsontheedgesofcities andmoreintensivesubdivision anddevelopmentincentralurban areaswillprovideopportunities formanylandowners. Councilsmustvoteon

isiionsonthheeddgesof f ciitiieswiill proviideopportuniitiiesfformany landowners,saysSurveyingServices.

whetherornottostickwith currentmedium-density intensificationrules establishedunder theprevious Government. However,if dumpingthose rules,theymust demonstratehow theycancomplywith theirHousingGrowth Targetimposedbythe Government.

Thismovewilllevel outlandandhousing costsbymakingsubdivision easier.Allowingmoreplanned subdivisionsadjoiningthecity boundarieswillprovidepeople withlandforagenerousfamily homeandlowerhousingcostsin themediumterm.Thisinturn shouldleadtofewersubdivisions forseparatehousesintheinner city,enablingthosesectionsto bemoreefficientlydeveloped forapartments,including servicessuchascafes,dairies andretailbusinesses.

Youmightbewonderinghow thiswillaffectyou,sittingona quarter-acresectionwithroom

foranotherdwelling.Asthe u urbanlimitsarerelaxed andmorelandis available,peoplewill havethechoiceof buildinginanew areawithanice roadfrontagerather thanabacksection inanolderareaof town.Subdividing nowandselling, whilstthedemand exists,couldbeagood optionforyou. Itmightbehard toenvisagecentralcityland droppinginvaluewithits proximitytoservices.However, overtimevaluesshouldlevelout ascitylimitsexpand,andmore optionsareavailableforhousing alongwithassociatedsuburban shoppingcentres.Combinethis withincreaseddensityandthe figuresmightstackupbetter formoreaffordableinner-city apartmentlivingalso. Ifyouhavealargesectionthat couldperhapsaccommodatean additionalhouseortwo,feelfree tocallusforanappraisalofyour currentoptions.

Sireschemeidentifies‘underdog’bulls

NewZealand’slargestcattlebreedsociety, HolsteinFriesianNZ,andherdimprovement co-operativeLIChavelaunchedajointsire provingschemethataimstoselectand proveHolsteinFriesianbullsforNewZealand dairyfarmers.

Thejointsireprovingschemewillusegenomic screeningtoprovidefarmerswitheliteHolstein Friesianbullsforartificialbreeding,whilstgiving

LICanopportunitytotapintodiversecow familiesinHolsteinFriesianNZmemberherds foritsbreedingprogramme.

WhiletheDiscoveryProject–anotherHFNZ/ LICjointventure–requireshigh-BWheifer calvestopopulatetheprogramme,thenew HolsteinInnovationprojectfocusesondiversity: whilebullswillstillneedtobeofsuitablegenetic merit(BW),somecompromisecanbemade.

A Allowiingmoregreenfifielld subbdivi

Companiesfinedaftercontamination

contaminatingafarmlandstreamwithsediment-laden “dirtywater”whiledevelopingakiwifruitorchard.

Topping7m-12m

Largedifficulttrees

Chipping/mulching

Stumpgrinding

Landclearing

Loggingsmallwoodlots

BaygoldLimitedandP3EarthworksLimited pleadedguiltyintheEnvironmentCourtat Taurangatoajointchargeofcarryingout earthworksinbreachoftheResourceManagement ActandofaresourceconsentgrantedtoBadala OrchardsLimited.

BadalaadmittedabreachoftheActwhichresulted insediment-ladenstormwaterbeingdischargedonto landandenteringwater.

Judge’sdecision

TheBayofPlentyRegionalCouncilprosecution relatedtothefailureofasedimentretentionpond duringearthworkstocreateakiwifruitorchardat 584ŌtamarākauValleyRd,inthecoastalsettlement ofŌtamarākaubetweenJuly12andAugust2,2022.

Dischargeshadtocomplywithcouncil-approved erosionandsedimentcontrolplansandonlyfive hectaresofearthshouldbeexposedonthesite, amongotherconsentconditions.

BadalaengagedBaygoldtodeveloptheorchard andP3Earthworkswasthesubcontractorforthe earthworksandconstructingasedimentretention pond.Nosoiltestingorcompactiontestsweredone beforehand,acouncilsummaryreferredtointhe judgementsaid.

OnMarch31,2022,aregionalcouncil enforcementofficerinspectedthenewlybuilt retentionpondandthecouncilapprovedawinter earthworksmanagementplan.

Themaximumpenaltyfortheoffencesisafine of$600,000.

JudgeMelindaDwyer’swrittenjudgement wasrecentlyreleasedtotheBayofPlentyTimes followingsentencingsubmissionsfromlawyersinthe caseinMarch.

Thejudgementsaidthedischargeadverselyaffected theWaitahanuiStream,whichmeandersthrough farmlandintheŌtamarākauValley.

Aregionalcouncilscientistwhovisitedthesite fiveweeksaftertheJuly2022dischargesaidithad a“hightoveryhigh”magnitudeofimpactonthe immediatearea,andamoderateecologicalimpact, thejudgementsaid.

Accordingtothesummaryoffactsaroundtheend ofApril2022,Baygoldraisedconcernstoomuch groundhadbeenopenedupandattemptsweremade tostabilisetheearthworkswithmulchingandseedings beforetheworkswereceased.

Councilsubmission

InJuly2022,Baygoldtoldthecouncilstormwater wasreleasedfromtheretentionpondbutallwater wasretainedonsiteandrepairsdone.

Fourdayslater,Baygoldreportedthepondhad failedinthesameplaceand“dirtywater”wasleaving thesite.

Thescientistgaveevidencethistypeofsediment wasa“majorstressor”offreshwaterecosystemsand wasbadforwaterquality,fish,invertebratesand algae.Thelargeamountofsedimentfoundwas expectedtoresultin“ongoingperiodsofraised suspendedsediment”downstream.

Badala’sresourceconsentgrantedonMarch22, 2022,allowedittoundertakelanddisturbanceto establishakiwifruitorchardanddischargetreated sediment-contaminatedstormwater.

Avisitingenforcementofficerfoundalargehole inacornerofaretentionpond.Thewallwas crumblingandasignificantamountofwaterwas comingintothepondfromthecatchmentarea,the summarysaid.

“Brownturbid,sediment-ladenwater”wasseen flowingintoaduckpond.

BaygoldandP3Earthworksrepresentativestried installingasiltfencetocapturethesediment,the judgementsaid.

Councilofficersalsoobservedsignificanterosionin theearthworksandabatementnoticeswereissuedon July28,2022.

Sediment-laden water discharging from a hole in a sediment retention pond and flowing over land atakiwifruitdevelopmentpropertyin2022. Photo:BayofPlentyRegionalCouncil.

MedianbarriersonState Highway2nearKatikatiare “severelylimiting”accessand have“farreachingimpacts” forhorticulturaland agriculturalcontractors.

Theflexiblewireropebarrier wasinstalledonStateHighway2 southofKatikatiinJulybyNZ TransportAgencyWakaKotahias partofroadsafetyimprovements. RickBurkhasfarmedonLund Roadfor40yearsandsaysthe economicimpactofthebarriers willbesignificant.

“Withvehicleshavingto unnecessarilytravelaconsiderable

d disttanceffurttherttoget t back k to theirroads,thevehiclerunning costandextramanhourcostwill besignificantandhasn’tbeen consideredbyNZTA.”

RicksaysKatikatitownshipwill beimpactedbylocalsmaking achoicetogotoŌmokoroaor Taurangaforsuppliesbecauseof addeddistanceintotheirtravel.

Extracharges

RexD’Ath,ownsasmall avocadoorchardonWrightRoad, sayshewilllikelybechargedextra bythepackhousesbecausetrucks havefurthertotravelnow.

Healsohasconcernsabouttruck movementsattheroundabouts thathavebeeninstalledat intersectionsbetweenthebarriers.

“Theroundaboutstheyputin, they’veputthemintoosmalland thebigtruckswon’tbeableto

Thecouncil’slawyerHayleySheridansubmitted Badala’sconductwascarelessandithadadopted a“hands-off”roleincomplyingwiththeconsent conditions,despitehavingapersonwithexperience developinglandintokiwifruitorchards.

ShearguedBaladamusttakeoverallresponsibility asitownedthesiteandauthorisedtheearthworks andultimatelywouldderive“significantbenefits” fromthisdevelopment.

HayleysubmittedtheBaygoldandP3Earthworks offendingwascarelessnessto“ahighdegree”asboth wereexperiencedoperators.

Badala’slawyerHansvanderWalsaidheaccepted hisclient“couldhavedonebetter”butdidnot accepttheamountofexposedearthwasrelevantto thedischarge.

P3Earthworks’lawyerLanaBurkhardtsubmitted herclient’soffendingwascarelessbut“nottoahigh degree”andsaidhighrainfallinJuly2022madeit difficulttoaccessthelandwithmachinery.

Baygold’slawyerEllieHarrisonsubmittedthatthe gravityofherclient’soffendingwaslowandargued itsmorethan$136,000inremedialworkwent “aboveandbeyond”damagescaused.

SheaskedthejudgetodischargeBaygoldwithout convictiongiventheriskitwouldbeviewedasan

get t around d them,pllusalll the extradistancethatthey’rehaving totravel.”

NZTAresponds

Rexnowtravelsanextra5kms toleaveorenterhisroadandsays therearearound1000residents onWrightRoad.

NZTAsaysbetween2009and 2018therewere25fataland66 seriousinjurycrashesontheroad betweenWaihīandŌmokoroa.

InastatementtoCoast& CountryNews,anNZTA spokespersonsaysmedianbarriers willnolongerbeinstalled onSH2betweenMatahui/ Lockingtonroundaboutand WharawharaRoad,orbetween MortonRoadandPahoia/Esdaile Road.

NZTAboardchiefexecutive, NicoleRosiesaystwomore

irresponsiblekiwifruitdeveloper.

JudgeDwyersaiditwasclearacombinationof factorsledtotheoffendingandacceptedBadalahad been“careless”.

ThejudgesaidBaygoldasheadcontractorbore “moreresponsibility”forwhatoccurredthanP3 Earthworks.

JudgeDwyerconvictedandfinedBadala$24,500, Baygold$22,750andP3Earthworks$14,000.

Ninetypercentofthesefinesmustbepaidto thecouncil.

rounddabbouttsand d wiidecenttrellineswiill bebuiltwhilemaintainingallrightturningmovementsonremaining intersectionsalongthehighway.

“Thisdecisionaddressestheconcerns wehaveheardaboutlocaltravelimpacts andturningaccessandrecognisesthe uniquecircumstancesofthissection ofSH2–specificallythatlocalroads connecttothestatehighwaywithno

allternatterouttesand d siigniificant t disttances beforeturningopportunities.

“Weareawaretherearearangeof viewsinthecommunityaboutthis issueandthatnoteveryonewillbe satisfiedwiththeboard’sdecision.”

Thisapproachappropriatelybalances travelimpactsforlocaljourneysand safetyforallroadusers,shesays.

Asmarterwaytoggrowmaize

Maizecropsneedalotof nutrientsintheearlypartofthe growingseason.

Typically,threefertiliserdressingsare madetomeetthisdemand.

However,adverseweatherand environmentallosses,damagefrom machineryandcontractoravailability canallchallengeeffortstodeliverthe nutrientswhentheplantsneedthem, especiallywhenitcomestoapplying thethird(side)dressing.

Maize(Zeamays)hasbeenaround alongtime.Itisthemostabundantly growncerealintheworld,andone

ofthemostefficientcropsat convertingthesun’senergy intobiomass.

Ofcourse,inNZwegrow maizepredominantlyfor animalfood,andit’san importantsupplementto ourpasture-basedsystem.

Nutrientsupply

Maizeisanutrient ‘hungry’crop,requiring largeamountsofnitrogen andpotassiumaswellasphosphorus, calcium,magnesium,sulphur,andtrace elementslikezincandcopper.Every

c croppingsiteisdifferent,soit’simportant tosoiltestbeforeplantingtimetowork outhowmuchofthesenutrientsare actuallyneeded.

Inordertosupporttheir phenomenalgrowthrate,maizeplants needasteadyreleaseofnutrient.If sufficientnutrientisnotavailable duringthe6thweekofgrowthwhen plantsreachthe5thleafstage(V5), theywillbestunted,andyieldwillbe significantlyreduced.

Tomeettheseneeds,fertiliseris typicallyappliedinthreedressings:abasedressing atcultivation,afurtherstarterdressingatplanting time,andaside-dressingwhenthecropisatV5stage (red-bandheight).

Intheory,thisprogrammesoundsideal.Andthe firsttwodressingsareoftenstraightforwardenough. However,adverseweatherconditionsandnutrient loss,alongwithdamagefrommachineryand/or contractor(un)availability,cancreateproblemswith theapplicationoftheside-dressing.

Weatherconditions

Farmersandgrowersarealwaysatthemercyof theweather.Formaizegrowers,verywetweatherin earlyspringcanmeanthatcroppingsitesbecome inaccessible,delayingtheapplicationofthesidedressing,andtherebymissingthecriticalV5growth stageoftheyoungmaizeplants.

Adverseweatherconditionscanalsoreducethe effectivenessoftraditionalnitrogenfertiliserssuch asureaandDAPwhicharepronetoloss.Ifitistoo dryandtheureasitsonthesoilsurface,thenitrogen intheureacanvolatilise.Ifontheotherhanditis toowet,thenitrogenwillbewashedthroughthe soilandmayleachintowaterways.Eitherway,costly nutrientsarelostandendupwheretheyshouldn’t, whiletheplantsdon’tgetthenutrientstheyneedat crucialgrowthpoints.

Machinerydamage

Plantscanalsosuffermachineryandtyredamage duringtheapplicationoftheside-dressing.Incases wherethefertiliserisburied,knifingoftheroots canbeaproblem.Wherefertiliserissurfacespread, theleafwhorlscanendupscorchedfromfertiliser

ColinMclean(Mac)checkingoutamaizecrop grownusingFertco’s2-StepMaizeProgramme.

sittingontheleaves.

Insum,itwouldbegreatifwecouldforgothe side-dressingaltogetherbutstillgetthenecessary nutrientstothemaizeplantsattherighttime.Happily, thereisaproductwhichallowsustodojustthat.

Therightproduct

Theproductforthejobisapolymercoatedurea,or PCUasit’sknown.

Thisfertiliserchangesthewaythatplantsgettheir nitrogenbecausethecoatingcontrolsthewaythe nutrientisreleased.Whenitisdry,thecoating preventstheureafrombeingvolatilised.Whenitis wet,watermovesinthroughthecoatinganddissolves theurea.Thedissolvednitrogenisthenabletomove outthroughthecoatingatacontrolledrate,closely matchingthegrowthdemandsofthemaize. SowithPCU,wenolongerneedtoside-dress. Wecanforgetaboutadverseweatherconditions andnutrientloss,machinerydamageandcontractor availability.Instead,wecanswapathree-stepmaize programmeforatwo-steponelikethatofferedby Fertco.Withreportsofmaizesilageyieldsaround 25-30t/hafromgrowersfollowingthisprogramme, it’ssimplyasmarterwaytogrow.

IMPROVES

•OrganicMatterPercentage

•WaterHoldingCapacity

•MacroandMicroNutrient Availability

•AerationByProviding Habitat(Carbon) ForMicrobialBreeding

•RootingDepthCapability

•SoilFoodWebPopulations

CreatingFoodForWorms

•TextureByReducing Compaction

•FoodChainandAnimal ForageSafety

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•Compliantwiththe NewZealandComposting StandardNZ4454:2005

•Compliancewith ISO9001:2015 QualityStandard

RobinBoomCPAgMBSPC–IndependentAgronomyandSoilConsultant Ihaveasanindependentagronomistbeenevaluatingfertiliser materialsandindustrialby-productssoldtofarmersand growerstohelpthemgrowpasturesandcrops.Analysesof WaitoaComposttakenthisyearhaveshownextremelygood Carbon:Nitrogen(C:N)ratios,below20:1whichissuperbfor anycompost.Thereisalsonoissueofdangerousheavymetal amountscontainedinthese.IrateWaitoaCompostasthe goldstandardforcompostmaterialsandhaveyettoseea betterqualityproduct.

WaitoaCompostSales -COMMERCIALSALESONLY-

Contractbreach:Courtawards$835K

Thecompanythat operatedTauranga’sgreen wastecompostingfacility formorethanadecadehas beenawardeddamagesof $835,000forabreach ofcontract.

RevitalFertiliserswasawarded thedamagesbytheHigh Courtafterallegingabreachof contractbywasteandrecycling managementcompanyEnviro NZamidthatfirm’ssuccessful bidfortheTauranga

CityandWesternBayofPlenty Districtkerbsidecollectionservices.

Revitaloriginallysought damagesexceeding$24million afternegotiationswithEnviro brokedownin2021butreduced itsclaimto$3.57mfollowing expertadvice.

Allegedbreach

Revitalalsoallegedabreach offiduciaryduty,andmisleading anddeceptiveconductfrom Envirobuttheseallegationsdid notsucceed.

JusticeIanGaultissuedhis judgmentinMayaftermultiple daysofhearingsinMayandJuly 2023attheHighCourt atAuckland.

Accordingtothejudgment, Revitalpurchasedanorganics processingoperationatTeMaunga in2008whereitoperatedagreen wastefacilityforBayofPlenty residentsandsoldthecomposted productformorethanadecade.

WhenTaurangaandWestern Baycouncilsannouncedthey wereseekingproposalsfor kerbsidecollectionservicesin 2019,Revital’smanagingdirector approachedEnviroWasteServices proposingtheymeet“regarding theTaurangatenderstosee iftherearethingswecando togetheronthis”.

ThepartiesmetinNovember 2019todiscusscollaboratingon thecouncils’foodandgreenwaste processingcontracts.

InFebruary2020,thecompanies signedaLetterofIntentfor theacceptanceandprocessing offoodwasteandgreenwaste servicesand,inMarch,Enviro submitteditstendersubmission

RevitalFertiliserswasawardeddamagesbytheHighCourtafter allegingabreachofcontractbywasteandrecyclingmanagement companyEnviroNZ. Photo:GeorgeNovak.

tothecouncilswithitselfas headcontractorandRevitalasa subcontractor,thejudgmentsaid.

Envirowonthetenderandon November16enteredintoan agreementwithTaurangaCity Counciltotakeoverthe TeMaungasite’sleasefrom March1,2021.OnNovember 23,thecouncilnotifiedRevital itsleasewouldterminateon February28,2021.

InJanuaryandFebruary, thetwocompaniesnegotiated towardsaproposedsublease andsubcontracts.Revitalfound partsofthecontractswere not asexpectedandcontained “significantgaps”suchasno mentionoffoodwaste.Enviro notifiedRevitalitwantedto conductenvironmentaland safetyauditsbeforecommitting toanyformalsubcontracts orsubleases.Noagreement wasreachedbeforethelease terminatedandEnvirobecame theheadlesseeonMarch1.

HealthandSafety

Thatday,Enviro’shealthand safetyconsultantvisitedthe TeMaungasite.Revital’ssite managerwasnotexpectingthe visitbutallowedit.

Theconsultant’sreport,sentto EnviroonMarch3,identified issuessuchasanoutdatedhealth andsafetymanagementsystem anda“reactive”approachto

riskmanagement.

Thereportwasemailedto Revital,andEnviro’sin-house legalcounselalsowroterequesting thecompanyceasealloperations atTeMaungabycloseofbusiness thatday,citingthe“serious breachesofthehealthandsafety lawsandrequirements”detailed inthereport.Theletteralsostated Revitalhaduntil5pmonMarch 5tosatisfyEnvirothatallhealth andsafetyrequirementsweremet, orelse“EnviroNZreservesallits rightstopermanentlyprevent [Revital]accesstothesite”.

Response

Revitalrespondedthesameday sayingitdidnotacceptEnviro’s positionandwouldcontinue operatingasnormal.OnMarch 4,Revitalsentanotheremail, statingitsviewthat“EnviroNZ hasadoptedthisposition toundermineourposition” concerningnegotiations.

“Weconsideryourapproach tobeaclearbreachofyour obligationtobenegotiating ingoodfaith,”theemailread, accordingtothejudgment.Revital alsosaiditwouldbeengaging itsownindependenthealthand safetyreview,whichwaslater undertakenonMarch9.

Thenextday,Enviroasked Revitaltocompleteahealthand safetyself-auditformthenEnviro wouldengageanindependent

consultant.RevitalremindedEnviro anindependentauditwasalready underway,butEnvirorespondedit hadnotagreedtothat.TheRevitalcommissionedreportstatedRevital’s healthandsafetysystemswere “robust”.Revitalsuggesteditsauditor meetEnviro’sauditoron-sitetodiscuss theirrespectivefindings. Furthercommunicationcontinued betweenthecompanies,withEnviro insistingoncompletionoftheselfauditformandRevitalcontinuing torecommendajointsitevisit.On March29,Envirowithdrewfrom allnegotiationswithRevital,citing thehealthandsafetybreachesinthe March1reportandRevital’s“failure

todemonstrate”ithadtakennecessary stepstorectifythoseissues. JusticeGaultinvestigatedwhether Envirohadundertakenallreasonable stepstoenterintoanagreement. Decision

HefoundEnvirokeptRevitalata “considerabledistance”innegotiating withthecouncilsanddelayed negotiationswithRevital.

“Thelackofinformationprovided toRevitalinthatperiodwas problematic,”Gaultsaidinhis judgment.GaultsaidRevitalhad succeededinitsactionforbreachof contractandawardedRevitaldamages of$835,000.

AG LIME • CHICKENMANURE

Wespecialiseinhighquality,meshand PVCcoverstosuittrucks,trailersand farmbunkers.Allofourcoverscanbe easilyoperatedfromthegroundusinga silkysmoothcablesystem,eliminating

Aimingtobefirstfemaleggrowerdirector

SallyGardinerislookingtobe thefirstwomanelectedtothe Zespriboardasagrowerdirector.

Sally,whoispartofapartnership owningkiwifruitorchardsinTe PukeandKatikati,isstandingfor oneoftwogrowerdirectorseatson theboard.

Theboardincludesthreegrower directorsandthreeindependent directors,andwhilethereis currentlyafemaleindependent director,therehasneverbeena femalegrowerdirector.

Sally’sbackground

Sallyisstandingagainstincumbent TonyHawkenofWhakatāne.Voting tookplaceafterCoast&Country Newswenttoprint.

“IusedtoworkatZespriandwhen Ilefttherenineyearsagoakeything wastobecomeagrower.

“Ididn’thaveenoughmoneyso togetherwithfriends,webought theseorchardsinpartnerships.”

Forthelastsixyearsofher15at Zespri,Sallywasthesupplychain generalmanager.

“I’veworkedinpost-harvestaswell, IworkedatZespriandIhaveagood understandingofthemarket.”

In2015,withabusinesspartner, shecreatedahorticulturalinnovation company,StartAfresh,which aimstoaddressgapsinscientific understandingandofferpractical applicationintheproduction andpost-harvesthorticultural sectors.Ithasthreemainactivities, horticulturalinvestment,applied

researchandinsightandtraining andeducation.

SheisalsoontheNew ZealandKiwifruitGrowersInc executivecommittee.

Industry

“I’vegotaverybroad understandingoftheindustry thatIthinkisunique,”shesays.

Shebelievesitisnecessaryto takealong-termperspectiveof wherethekiwifruitindustry isgoing.

“Wemustbe,longterm, sustainableandprosperous bothfinanciallyand environmentallyandwithour people,soit’sabouttaking thatlongtermviewandthen thinking‘what’sbestforall growerswithinthatcontext?’.”

Shesaysa20-yearperspective isrequired.

“Thisindustry’sacornerstone oftheBayofPlenty.It’svery successfulandveryprosperous andit’sbeenverygoodfor myselfandmyfamily.

bethewayweshouldbedoing thingsforthenext20years.”

Shesaysshebelievesit’s necessarytohaveafreshlook attheindustryand,being capableoftherequiredstrategic thinking,isastrengthshehas.

Onthebackofsome challengingyears,thegood2024 seasonmakesitagoodtimeto “liftoureyesuptothefuture andthinkaboutthelongterm”.

Shesaysshebelievesshecan bringadiversityofthinkingto therole.

“Ireallyenjoylisteningand talkingtogrowers,consulting withgrowers,findingoutwhat theirstoryis,butbringingmy ownindependentview.Ithink wearebettertogetherwhenwe havearobustdebate-decisions arebetterbecauseofthat.

“IwillpputinthemahiandI haveplentyofenergyonthe busineesssideofitandpractical sideof f it.”

“Wearereallylucky...buton otherboardsit’sapparentthat that’snotthecaseandIthink thiswouldhaveanexcellent flow-oneffect.”

Standingdecision

Sallysaysshedecidedlastyear shewouldstandintheelection, andpreparedbymakingspace tocampaignand,aswellasmeet thecandidatesevents,hasbeen proactiveincontactinggrowers.

“I’vebeentouchingbasewith asmanygrowersasIcanget holdoftoheartheirviewson wheretheindustryisheading. “I’velearnedawholelotmore thanIexpected,evenjust bystanding.”

Shesaysshethinksshehasa goodchanceofsuccess.

“ButIhavetoputinthe mahiandbereally y resppectfulof growers’viewsandambitions.”

“Someofourchallenges arepotentiallyaboutbeing complacent-thinkingthat whatwe’vegottodaywillkeep onrolling.Buttheworld’s changingquiterapidly.Thereare allsortsofchallenges-climate, biosecurity,thebroaderpolitical aspect-sothewaywedidthings forthepast20yearsmaynot

Fellow w NZKGIexecutive committeememberTammy HillsaaysSally’ssuccesswould haveaknock-oneffectfor women n inthekiwifruitindustr y, encourragingthemtotake upgovvernanceand leadersshiproles.

TheNNZKGI executivecommittee is madeuupofthreemen andthhree women

SallyGardinerislookingtobethefirstwomanelectedtotheZespriboardasagrowerdirector.

ThefullNelsonHardieair-blastsprayerrangeconsistsofself-propelledandtrailedsprayers andisexclusivelydistributedbyCroplandsinAustraliaandNewZealand.

Anewpartnershipbetween twocompaniesissetto benefitgrowers.

Croplands,Nufarm’semerging solutionssprayequipment platform,andNelsonMfg.Co., Inc.,apremiummanufacturerof air-blastsprayersbasedinYuba City,California,announcedthe newdistributionpartnership todeliverarangeofhigh quality,robustandreliable highperformancetrailedand self-propelledorchardsprayer NelsonHardieunitstothe rapidlygrowingAustralianand NewZealandnutandtalltree cropmarkets.

Extensiverange

TheAustralian&NewZealand nut&talltreecropmarkets haveseensignificantexpansion inrecenttimes.TheNelson Hardierangeofhighperformanceorchardsprayers areideallysuitedtodensely plantedcrops(almondand citrus)andexcelinchallenging maturetalltreecrops (macadamiasandavocados).

TheNelsonHardierangeis extensiveandhasamodelto suitallrequirementswithheavy dutychassisandstainless-steel tanksstandard.PTOfandriven modelsarefittedwithsingle34” or40”fanordual34”fanare availableupto4000L.Engine drivemodelsarepoweredby JohnDeeredieselengines rangingfrom125–325HP, fittedwithasingle40”,dual 34”,dual40”anddual46”fan, fittedtotheindustryleading Super92.ThenewSP40selfpropelledsprayerwith4WD driveandsteer,ispoweredbya 174HPJohnDeeredieselengine withasingle40”fanin2000L4000Ltanksizes.

Partnership

Thisdistributionagreement leveragesCroplandsextensive commercialfootprintand decadesofhorticultureexpertise whichwillgreatlybenefitthe AustralianandNewZealandnut andtreecropmarkets.

“Croplandsaresuperexcited topartnerwithanothericonic brandtocomplementourown

range,tonowofferacomplete lineofair-blastsprayerstothe rapidlyexpandingAustralian nutandtreecropmarket,” saysCroplandsgeneralmanager SeanMulvaney.

Seamlesstransition

“BothCroplandsandNelson Mfg.Co.Inc.,usecommon componentryandshareadual focusonoptimisingtechnology throughset-up,calibration andaftersalessupport.We arecommittedtoaseamless transitionforcurrentowners andlookforwardtofurther embeddingtheNelsonHardie rangeintoourlocalmarkets.”

MikeEstes,presidentofNelson Mfg.Co.,Inc.,saysCroplands isanobviouschoiceforusto partnerwithinAustraliagiven theirstrongconnectiontothe industry,nationalfootprintand proventrackrecord.

“Weareexcitedtopartnerwith theteamtosupportourfullairblastproductrangedownunder.

“Croplandstrulyvaluesstrong customersupport,whichaligns perfectlywithourvalues.”

Afteroneofthestrongest-everstarts tothe2024season,Zespriisnowinthe midstofthesummerfruitseasonwhere ittraditionallyseesmorecompetition. Around75percentofthisseason’s largestevercropofmorethan190 milliontraysofkiwifruitfromNew Zealandhavenowbeenshippedto Zespri’scustomersaroundtheworld. CEOJasonTeBrakesaysaftera positivestarttotheseason,Zespri’steams inmarketarefocusedondrivingsales andpreservingvalueforgrowersthrough

thecompetitivesummerfruitseason.

“Therehasbeensignificant effortfromtheindustrytodelivera fantasticcropofhigh-qualityfruit whichallowedustocapitaliseonearly seasonsalesopportunities.

“We’renowinaperiodthatis traditionallymorechallengingonthe backofthearrivalofsummerfruit, whichissomethingweseeeveryyear. “Zespriandourpartnersremain focusedondeliveringarecordcrop,and campaignstodrivesalesrates.”

Artificialshelters/windbreak � Artificialcovers

Weareexpertsindesigningandbuilding artificialorchardprotectionstructures andwindbreaksthatallowyourorchard toreachitsfullgrowingpotential.

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KiwifruitPollination

Getintouchtofindoutmore: 0278201315 kowan@eyersapiaries.co.nz

Varyingviewsontech

Thereareawidevarietyof viewsinthehorticulture sectorabouttheuseof genetictechnologiesin areassuchasprecision plantbreeding.

TheGovernmenthas announcedlegislationending theeffectivebanongene technologyoutsidethelab and,implementingadedicated regulatortooverseeapplications tousegenetechnologywillbe introducedtoParliamentbythe endoftheyear.

“Thisisamajormilestonein modernisinggenetechnology lawstoenableustoimprove healthoutcomes,adaptto climatechange,delivermassive economicgainsandimprove thelivesofNewZealanders,” Science,Innovationand TechnologyMinisterJudith Collinssays.

“NewZealandhaslagged behindcountries,including Australia,England,Canada andmanyEuropeannations

inallowingtheuseofthis technologyforthebenefit oftheirpeople,andtheir economies.”

AswithAustralia’s,thenew lawswilltakea“hybrid” approach-meaningsome specificgenetechnologies couldbeexemptedfrom regulations.

Thatincludedactivitythat eitherinvolvedminimal risks,orcouldn’t“be distinguishedfromthose achievablebyconventional breedingtechniques”,the Governmentsays.

“Weacknowledgethata reviewofthelegislationis necessary,andourfocus isongaugingtheviewsof growers,”saysHorticultureNew Zealandstrategyandpolicy generalmanagerMichelleSands.

HortNZstrategyandpolicy generalmanagerMichelleSands.

“Ourindustryisdiverseand thatiswhatmakesthisissueso important.Wearecommittedto understandingthefullspectrum ofviewsofourgrowers.

“ThiswillenableHortNZto cometoaconsideredposition.”

HortNZwillmakea submissiononbehalfofthe horticultureindustrywhenthe governmentcallsforpublic submissions.

“Weencourageallgrowersto stayengagedandcontributetheir perspectivesasthereviewunfolds. Everyviewpointisvitalinshaping thefutureofoursector.”

Ensuringquality pollination withservices

AllTerrainPollinationoffersaninnovative solutiontooptimiseyourkiwifruit production–wetpollination. Thismethod,wherepollenissuspendedin aliquidandevenlydistributedacrossyour orchardensuresqualitypollinationdespite challengingvariablesthatcanoccurduringthis timesensitivewindow.

Yearonyearpresentsuniquechallenges forgrowers,saysaspokespersonforthe pollinationcompany.

“UUnppreedicctable e weatheeraand d envviroonmeenttal

stressorsthreatentheconsistencyandqualityof traditionalpollinationmethods,synchronisation issuesaswellasavailabilityofhives.

“Wetpollination,inconjunctionwithhives, however,providesareliablesolution,delivering consistentresultsregardlessofexternalconditions.

“Thismethodnotonlyimprovesfruitquality butalsoenhancescropuniformity,criticalfor maximisingmarketvalue.”

Whychoosewetpollination?Duringthetimecrucialpollinationwindow,everymomentcounts. Wetpollinationoffersprecisionandefficiency, ensuringyourkiwifruitcropispollinated thoroughlyandeffectively.Thisapproach maximisesthepotentialofeachbloom,translating directlytoamoreprofitableharvest.

“AllTerrainPollinationisequippedwithafleet ofspecialisedvehiclesandateamwhoarereadyto serviceyourwetpollinationrequirements.

“Weunderstandtheurgencyofthepollination period,andourcommitmenttoclear,effective communicationensuresthatyourneedsaremet promptlyandefficiently.

“Don’tletthechallengesoftheupcoming seasonimpactyourharvest.PartnerwithAll TerrainPollinationandleveragethebenefitsof wetpollination.”

Quality kiwifruit production is a top priority for growers.

“Weareverypleasedwiththeofficial commissioningresults...theseresultsareindustry leadingandexceedsexportqualitystandards.”

AssureQuality,theseresultsare industryleadingandexceedsexport qualitystandards.”

Timingwasalsocriticaltobeready forthe2024season,aslastmonth theysawthefirstofDMS2024/24 exportcroptobepackedthrough thenewline.

whichcertainlyhelpswithreducing thelenticelskindamageoften associatedwithhighpressurewater blasting.Wearepleasedwiththis result.Thisisimportantandprovides confidencetoourGrowersthat DMSislookingaftertheirAvocados throughthepackingprocess.”

DMSProgrowersLimitedisawell-known BayofPlentyOrchardManagementand Post-harvestcompanywithkiwifruitand avocado,packhousefacilitiesin TePunaandTePuke.

Thecompanyhasinvestedsignificantlyover recentyearswithitskiwifruitpackingfacilitiesand nowit’savocados’turn.

DMSisoneofthelargestavocadopacking companiesintheBay ofPlenty.Ithasmore than375growersin itsavocadoportfolio, supportedbyadedicated ClientServicesteam,led byHamishMcKain.

CEODerekMasters saystheyareproudto announcethatattheir TePunaPackhouse, theynowhaveabrand newpurposebuilt avocadosoftbintipping systemfromMAFRoda connectedinlinetoa custombuiltwaterblastermachinefeedingthe large10lanecameragradingandpackingline. Thiswasrecentlycommissionedandreadyfor the2024AvocadoExportseason.

Afterthe2023season,itbecameevidentthat theoldavocadoprocessinglinewasnotfitfor futurepurpose.Existingofftheshelfoptionswere consideredandafteranextendedplanningperiod itwasdeterminedthatapurpose-builtbintip fromMAFRoda,ex-France,wasthebestoption goingforwardforsoftbintipping.Awaterblaster machineinmarketthatsuitedtheirneedswas hardtofindanditrevealedthat,togetwhatDMS needed,theywouldhavetobuildtheirownand forittobefitforpurpose,forfutureyears.

Avocadobusinessmanager HamishMcKainsaysthisdedicated infeedlineincreasespackingcapacity by40percent,whilstachieving exportqualitystandardswithout theneedforhighpressure waterblasting.

“ExportcertificationbyAssure Qualitywasachievedatalowerwater pressurethanindustrystandard

Hesaysthiswillalsoprovide assurancetoexporterAVOCO thatDMSisreadytomeetthe everchangingexportmarket qualitystandards.

TheAvocadoGrowershavehad atoughfewyearsandarelooking forapositivefuture.ThisisDMS contributionandcommitmentto thatfuture.

Engineerswere engagedwiththe ambitiousprojectof ‘let’sbuildourown’.

“Ihavetoacknowledge thatthenewavocado linewasonlyachieved bythecombined effortsoftheDMS Engineeringteamled byChaseJarrettand MarkThomasfrom KiwiTechwhohave doneanoutstandingjob collaborating,designing andbuildinganinhouse custombuiltwaterblaster,”saysDerek.

“Initialin-housetestingproducedpromising results.Weareverypleasedwiththeofficial commissioningresultslastweekfrom

Contact:

HamishMcKain -GeneralManager/AvocadoGrowerServices 0272202005•hamish.mckain@dms4kiwi.co.nz

WillieHerder -AvocadoGrowerServices 0276673849•willie.herder@dms4kiwi.co.nz

IvonaKopecka -AvocadoGrowerServices 0272664901•ivona.kopecka@dms4kiwi.co.nz

Proudtobeassociatedwith

WarrenSargent -AvoGreenManager 0279000292•warren.sargent@dms4kiwi.co.nz

MattRoyackers -AvocadoGrowerServices 0272000788•matt.royackers@dms4kiwi.co.nz

ToniMorrison -AvocadoGrowerServices 0272654469•toni.morrison@dms4kiwi.co.nz

DMS Progrowers Limited is a well-known

After the 2023 season, it became evident that

Photos: David Hall

DarlingGroup’sexportofNewZealand avocadosiswellunderway.With30per centofourexportharvestcompleted,we areontracktobe90percentthroughby theendofDecember.

Sofar,ouravocadoshavebeenmarketedin Australia,Canada,China,HongKong,South Korea,andThailand,withpotentialtoexpandinto acouplemoremarketsbeforetheseasonends. Withavocadomaturitytrackinghighearlyin theseason,ourstrategytogetthemajorityof

cropsoffpriortofloweringhasbecomeevenmore important.Byweek32,ourvolumeaccounted for50percentofwhatwaspackedforexportthat week,demonstratingourcommitmenttothis harvestapproach.

Toreiteratethecoreofourharvestphilosophy andwhywegetfruitoffearlier:leavingfruit onthetreelateintheseasonreducespack-out rates,increasestheriskofqualityissuesinexport markets,andhampersourabilitytoproduce consistentcropsyearafteryear.

Thesefactorscannegativelyimpactgrower profitabilityandcustomerperceptionsofourfruit.

•Buy10,receive12. Firstorderof10receiveafreeservicekit.

•3modelsavailable-alltheoneprice

•Nearlyindestructible

•Proudly100%NZmanufactured

Providingalifetimeguaranteeonthe bodyoftheballcock

Acrossallexport marketsquality outturnshave beenpositive, withcustomers commentingonthe improvedqualityof thisyear’sproduct.

Pleasingly,marketsarebuoyant,asPerucomes toarapidfinishinAsia,andAustraliansupply shortensupsoonerthanexpected.

Onthedomesticfront,marketvolumeshave remainedrelativelystable,contributingtoalevelof marketandpricingstabilitythathasbeenelusive inrecentyears.Whilewehaven’tseenasignificant breakoutfromthe$10to$12OGRrange,the combinationofhigherexportpackouts,more class2andclass3avocadosbeingshippedoffshore, andbettereatingexperiencesforconsumersdue

tohighermaturities,hasledtoincreasedrepeat purchasingandstrongerretailpull-through.

Onadifferentnote,Irecentlycameacross anarticlefromaNewZealandsourcethat, unfortunately,seemedtodiscredittheHass varietyofavocadowhilepromotingan alternative.Thearticlesuggestedthatthe challengeswe’vefacedinrecentseasonsweredue tothevarietyitself.

Whetherthiswasduetopoorreportingornot, it’simportanttoclarifythatnoavocadovarietyis immunetotheeffectsoftheglobaleconomicshifts post-Covid-19,ortherecentchallengesposedby MotherNature.

InNewZealand,around1800growersdepend ontheHassvarietyfortheiravocadobusinesses. WhileIfullysupportthecontinuous improvementofavocadovarietiestoenhance diseaseresistance,fruitquality,andtheharvest window,it’sessentialtorecognisethesignificant investmentinHassanditsprovensuccessthathas madeittheworld’smosttradedavocado.

•AerialSurvey

•AerialLifting

•AgriculturalSeeding

•AgriculturalSpraying

Asasmallproducingnation,it’scrucialthatwe worktogethertostrengthenandupliftallaspects ofourindustryforcollectivesuccess.

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Callstosupportlocalgrowers

HorticultureNewZealandhas launchedanawarenesscampaign urgingNewZealanderstoshow theirsupportforfruit andvegetablegrowers.

The TastetheYakka campaign highlightsthededication,passionand innovationthatgoesintogrowing fruitandvegetablesinregional communitiesacrossthecountry.

Campaign

Aspartofthedigital campaign,ashortvideo takesKiwisonasensory journeyofNew Zealand’shorticulture sector,capturingthe ultimatetasteoflocally grownfood.

“Wewanttohelpall NewZealanders,in townsandcitiesacross thecountry,connectwithwhere theirfruitandvegetablescome from,”saysNadineTunley,chief executiveofHortNZ.

thatourfoodgoesthroughtoget fromourgrowerstoyourtable,the surprisesofweather,theresearch, planning,science,soil,teams, dedicationandthepassion.

“WewantNewZealandersfrom allwalksoflifetosupportour horticulturesectorandstand withusindeliveringfresh,highqualityproduce.

“Dedicatedgrowersarefacing arangeofchallengesincluding extremeweatherevents, challenginggovernment regulations,andrising productioncosts.

“Thisisespeciallyimportant whenfoodplayssuchakeyrole inpeople’slives,bringingtogether familiesandfriends.

“WeknowKiwisbelieveinan honestday’sworkandgettingon withit.That’sexactlywhatgrowers aredoingeveryday,rain,hailor shine.Thisresultsinsomeofthebest foodonearth.

“Thevideoshowstheprocess

“Everyday,Isee growersdisplaying resilienceandresolve toovercomethese obstaclessotheycan continuetoproduce nutritiousfruitand vegetablesforKiwi dinnertables.WewantNew Zealandtojoinusonthisjourney.”

Supplychain

Themaingrowingregionfor avocadoinNewZealandistheBay ofPlentysituatedintheNorth Island.Thisareaisknownforits warmclimateandfertilesoil.

WhangareiandtheFarNorthare alsofavourablegrowingregions.

Theindustryconsistsof1350 growerswhocollectivelymanage morethan4000hectaresofmainly theHassvarietyofavocados. Anumberofpackhouses,fruit

marketingcompanieesandexportersare involvedintheindusstrytomarketandsell NewZealandavocaddosbothinNewZealand andoverseas.

Growingsuppoort

Kiwisarebeingencoouragedtosignupto thecampaignandpleedgetheirsupportwith a year’sworthofWonkkyBoxfruitandvegetables upforgrabs.

ThevalueoftheNew w Zealandhorticulture industryisaround$77.48billion(2023/24).

HortNZadvocatesfforandrepresentsthe interestsofNewZealaand’s4500-pluscommercial fruitandvegetablegroowers.Moreinformation canbefoundontheHHortNZwebsite.

HortNZchiefexecutive NadineTunley.

Anaerialviewofan avocadoorchard.

Evaliah,2, collectingeggsat Kaiauaandvery happytobeableto taketwohome.

Carter, 5,with his firstcalf for calfclub this year,and his little sisterLayla,3,in Paengaroa

Indie, left,andReed Sharpe helping with calving onafarm in Pongakawa.

Theo on a pony.

Left: Charlotte, 10, in Karaka, taking care of her first Ag Day animal ‘Cluck’ and training her ready for the day