Coast & Country News - October 2024

TheMoorparkDerbydoesn’tfeatureonthe NewZealandracingscene.

Itdoesn’tinvolvethoroughbredsortraining,or anysortofpreparation.Adegreeofignoranceisa prerequisite,though,asareclenchedbuttocksand copingwithhumiliation.

chuckle,wheezewenttheorchardistknowingly. Andonthatfirstdaywealldid,weallhooked in.Oneapricotfortheorchardist,oneapricotfor me.Scoff,pick,scoffpick,scoffpick!

Untilaboutmid-afternoonwhenabunchedfield intheMoorparkDerbyturnedintothestraight andheadedforhome—amidacacophonyofanal explosionsandcriesofdistressfromatop oneladder.

ThederbyistraditionallyheldinJanuary inCentralOtagowhentheMoorpark apricotsareadeepyellowwithan orangeblush,haveastrong, sweetsmell,andarefirm withabitofgivewhen gentlysqueezed.Gently because,ofcourse,we don’twanttobruise thefruit.

Howisstarts

Thederbyinvolves ascatteredstart,and pimply,smelly,citybredteenagerscoping withsurgesofhormones andbodychangesontheir firstaway-from-Mum-andDadworkadventure,uplong laddersamongstthebranchesof fruittreesintheapricotorchards.And largeholdallsaroundtheirneckstohold thepickings.

Fruitintake

Ofcourseitwasboundtogobad.Anddid. NewbiefruitpickerStobbyLongbottomasked theorchardisttheobviousquestionbefore workstarted,whilewewerestillatthepostand unwittinglywarmingfortheMoorparkDerby. “Areweallowedtoeattheapricots?Repliedthe smirkingorchardisttoStobbyLongbottom:“You eatasmanyapricotsasyoulikeson.”Chortle,

ItwasStobby Longbottom—the apricots,withtheir ampledietaryfibreto assistthedigestive tract,hadruntheir course,andStobby wasunabletoclamp hischeekssufficiently tocheckthecourseof nature.Hewhimpered ashescrambleddown theladder,abandoned hisbagofharvested apricotsandscarperedfor theablutionblock.Evidenceof hiswinningtheMoorparkDerby oozeddownbothlegs.Whatamess, whatashemozzle.

Afteraboutthreedays,StobbyLongbottomhad stoppedsayingsorry,thesadandsoiledimage ofhisaccidenthadfaded,andwehadadjusted ourfruitintake.Saidtheorchardist:“Another MoorparkDerby,anotherwinner,anotherlesson learned.”Andoffheshuffled,chucklinglikePaw RuggfromHillbillyBears.Therewasafullcropof Moorparkstobepicked.Andfewerofthemtobe scoffedonthejob.

Ruralschoolmarksmajormilestone Rural school marks major milestone

Avarietyoffarmyardanimalswilljoinkids, staffandfamiliesforthe125thanniversary celebrationsofŌropiSchool.

Theeventfeaturesadisplayofoldphotosand memorabiliaandisbeingtimedtocoincidewiththe annualCalfClubDayonFriday,October18.

“It’sanopportunityeachyearforkidstohighlight theirachievementinraisingababyanimal,sowe havelambs,goats,calvesandchickens,”saysprincipal AndrewKing.

“Thekidswillcreatedisplaysaroundthetheme ofthespringseasontheybringinproducethey’ve grown.It’snotjustraisinganimalsbutgivingkids opportunitiestoexperiencelifecyclesinawaythat youcan’tinanurbanschool.”

ŌropiSchoolopenedinahousein1899foraround 20childrenfromahandfulofsawmillingfamilies.

“Webelieveitwasaturbulenttimeinthearea becausetheEuropeansettlershadtakenoverand confiscatedlandfromMāori,followingtheBattleof GatePā.Thisland,atthetime,wasconsideredthe mostfertilepartofŌropi.”saysAndrew.

So,studentsatŌropiSchoolaretaughtaboutthe journeytakenbyMāoritravellingfromRotoruato TaurangaMoana,throughŌtanewainuku,down theWaimapuRiver,aswellasthelocallegendand ancientstoriessurroundingthearea.

“ItmeansthatwehavebothEuropeanandMāori threadstopullonwhentalkingtothekidsaboutthe significanceoftheschoolinbothhistoryandlegend,” saysAndrew.

In1902,theschoolwasclosedwhenthehouse

wasreoccupiedandthreeyearslater,asmallschool wasopenedatGluepot,andahallwasalsobuilt acrossthegorgeatŌropi.Theschoolwasheldthree daysatonelocationandtwodaysattheotheruntil thepopulationgrewontheŌropisidetomakethe morelogicallocation.In1934,atwo-roomedschool buildingwasbuiltonthepresentschoolsite.

“Therewereabout50kidsthroughtothe1960s, mostlyfromsurroundingdairyfarmingfamilies,”says Andrew.“Now,there’smorehorticultureandlifestyle blockswithmanyparentsworkinginthecityandwe havearound350students,whichisanicenumber.”

Thatrollhasplateauedoverthelastfewyears.

“There’salotofgrowthinOhauitiwhichmay eventuallypushupnumbers,”saysAndrew.“Westill havetheoriginalbuildingthathasbeenrenovated aboutfivetimesovertheyearsandwe’veadded anothereightbuildingstotheschool.”

Theschoolishopingpaststudentsandmembersof thepublicjointhecelebrationinOctober.“Thisisa thrivingschooldoingcoolthings.Infact,we’reknown ineducationcirclesandheldupasanexampletoother ruralschools.Peoplewanttoseewhatwedo.Wework hardtoretaintheessentialcharacteristicsthatmake thisŌropiSchool.I’mproudofwhatwehaveandthe kidswe’reteaching.”

Cooperand RubyCrispwith their lambs

Photos: John Borren

CheckouttheFirearmsSafetyAuthoritystandattheSikaShow 2nd&3rdofNovember,MysteryCreekEventsCentre,Hamilton

1 Unloaded

Whentravellingbyroad,you mustalwaystravelwithan unloadedfirearm.Socheck yourfirearmsareunloaded beforeyouheadaway.

Storeammunitionseparately andsecurelytoyourfirearms duringthejourney.

firearmssafetyauthority.govt.nz

2 Locked

Alwayscarryyourfirearmin alockedcase,orfitatrigger lock,ormakeitinoperable byremovingavitalpartlike thebolt.

Yourammunition–stored separately-alsoneedsto beinalockedcontainer ifpossible.

3 Outofsight

Keepyourfirearmsand ammunitionoutofview. Thinkaboutpackingthemfirst andthencoveringthemwith otherbagsorbelongings. Anoldblanketmightbe agreatwaytocoveryour guncase.

UnderstandingtheriskofFacialEczema

AspartofabroaderBeef+LambNew Zealand-ledEliminatingFacialEczema Impactsprogramme,anewthree-yearstudy isunderwaytounderstandtheriskof FacialEczemaacrossNewZealand.

PrincipalScientistofAnimalHealth ResearchatB+LNZ,CaraBrosnahan, isleadingthisstudy.

TheEFEIprogrammeisbackedby$20.7million infundingoversevenyears,withcontributions including$9mfromB+LNZ,$8.3mfromthe MinistryofPrimaryIndustries(MPI)through theSustainableFoodandFibreFund,andthe remainderfrom14partnersacrossthesector.

“Thestudyhad202participatingfarmsfromall overNewZealandinthefirstyearandwehope tobuildto350farms.Sixty-sixfarmsareinthe SouthIsland,whichisn’ttraditionallyaFEarea,” saysCara.

PasturesporecountsusuallystartinJanuary,but thisstudydoesn’twanttoassumewhenthespores startappearingorthatallyearswillbethesame. Theywillbecollectingsheeppoosamplesstarting inOctoberthroughtoMay.

Sheeppoocollection

Eachfarmsamplesfromamobofsheepthatwill beonthefarmfromOctobertoMayandfollows themtaking10faecalsampleseverytwoweeks. Bothdairyandmeatsheepareinthestudy.

Methodsforcollectionoffreshsamplesvary betweenmovingthemobintoapaddockcorner andwaitingforthemtopooorarrivingatthe paddockearlyandwakingthemobupand collectingtheirfirstpoooftheday.

“Eachfarmerhasaboxincludingallthekit requiredtocollect10individualsamplesin10 differentpottlessoweknowmultipleanimalsare used.ThesearecourieredtoAwanuiVeterinaryin PalmerstonNorthforanalysis.”

Extensiveotherdatafromeachfarmisalso collected.Thisincludesweatherdatafromthe MetServicevirtualclimatestation,pasture information,paddockaspectandaltitude, irrigation,sheepageandsheepbreed.

“ThesamplesaretestedforfaecalFEspore countsandresultssentbacktothefarmers usuallywithinsevendays.Thisyearwe arrangedawebinarwiththefarmersinthestudy todiscussearlyresultsandansweranyquestions. TheyearlyresultswillbeanalysedbyIngenum, sharedwiththestudyparticipantsandthenmade publiclyavailable.”

Yearonefindings

Afteroneyear,fungalsporeswerefoundinevery regionexceptthewestcoastoftheSouthIsland. CaraexplainsPseudopithomycesspeciesspores lookverysimilarunderthemicroscope,soitis

PrincipalScientistofAnimalHealth ResearchatB+LNZ,CaraBrosnahan, isleadingthisFacialEczemastudy.

Right:Psuedopithomycesspecies sporesunderthemicroscope. Photo:DianaLee,LandcareResearch.

hardtoestablishwhetheritisthe typethatproducessporidesmin, themycotoxinwhichcausesFEwhen ingestedoronethatisharmless.

“Wearedevelopingapolymerasechain reaction(PCR)testwithdnaturediagnostics& researchltdtogeneticallyidentifywhichtypethe sporesare.”

Preventionplanning

Informationfromthestudyprovidesamore accuratepictureofthelocationsofhigh-riskFE areasinNewZealandsofarmerscanbebetter informedaboutFEintheirregion.Ingenum willalsotrytousethedatatobuildapredictive modeltoprovidefarmerswithriskprediction information.

“Establishingthehigherriskareasearlierinthe FEseasonallowsfarmerstoplantheirprevention programmebeforetheirlivestockareexposedto thetoxin.”

Pasturemanagement,includingmovingaway fromryegrass(whichthefungusfavours)inthe FEseasontootherfodderandkeepingstockfrom grazingthehigh-riskpasturesinthefungiseason arephysicalstepsthatcanbetaken.Zincfor preventioniswidelyusedindairycattlebutnotas commonlyusedinsheep.

BreedingFEresistantgeneticsintosheepflocks remainsthemostsustainableoptionforfarmers,

butittakesseveralseasonstoachieveresults.

“Weareverygratefultoseesomanyfarmers physicallyinvolvedinthisstudyandprovidingus withsamplesforthisstudy,”saysCara.

“B+LNZworkstoensurethatourresearch isconductedincollaborationwithfarmers, researchers,andruralprofessionals.Itiscrucial tohaveafarmerperspectivethroughoutthe developmentoffarmstrategiestoFE.”

Onefamily’sboldmovefrom WellingtontoruralKatikatilaunched amulti-generationalorganicmarket gardenbusinessthat’shavinga positiveimpactontheirhealth andtheEarth.

GroMy Goodnessdirector,Georgia Illston,saysitwastheCovidlockdownthat s sparked a desire to get out of the capital to liveinamoremindfulway.

“Iwasworkinginagym,coaching cheerleadingsquads,”shesays.“Itwas dadwhoinitiallysawYouTubevideoson organicgardeningandmyparents,my sisterandourpartnersallagreedtosell thefamilyhomeinSeatounand findalifestyleblockthatwecouldlive ontogether.”

ThefamilylookedinWairarapaand aroundtheBOPbeforefindingthe 1.5-hectarepieceoflandatTuapiroPoint,

10minutes northof Katikati.

“Mypartner (nowhusband) JaredandIwerethe lasttoarrivein October2020,” saysGeorgia. “Withoutevenseeingthe property,wepackedupourcaranddrove up.It’slovely here.Wehavewaterglimpses and d greatviiewsof f thheKKaiimai i ranges. Sometimeswealljuststandoutsideand watchthesunset.”

Startingfromscratch

Georgiastartedcreatingthemarket gardenfromscratch,andinJanuary2021 tookaweekendcoursetokick-starther knowledgeofhorticulture.

“Weusedcardboardtosmotherthelawn andthenaddedlayersofcompost,”she says.“Itwasn’tuntilSeptemberlastyear thatIdecidedtoquitmypart-timejob

andhaveago atrunningthe businessfull time.”

Thegarden isnowaround 600sqm,providing fresh produceto organicstoresin ThamesandWaihias welll asFFalllsRRetreatrestaurantand d local l farmersmarkets.

Protectingtheearth

Georgia’sphilosophyrevolvesaround growinghealthfulsaladgreensthatdon’t striptheearth.

“Asafamily,weknewgoingintoitthat wewantedtodothisonasmallscaleto providefoodthat’shealthyforpeople andgoodfortheplanet,”shesays.“We’re workinginaregenerativeway,with no-dig,spray-freeorganicpractices.”

That meansnoheavy machinerytotill thesoil;everythingisdonebyhand.

“There’sabeliefthatconventional methods usingtractorsaredamaging tothesoil,”saysGeorgia.“Wehavea toolcalledatiltherandaforksothat we’reneverdiggingtoodeepinthose garden bedswhichhelpspreservethe biology ofthesoil.Therearemillionsof microorganismssowhenyoudig,you’re d destroyiingthhem.WWework k hard d totakke careofthem.”

Georgiasaysthepracticealsohelpsto keepweedstoaminimum.

“Bynotdisturbingweedseedsthey’re notneeded,soweedsdon’tgrow,” shesays.“They’rethereforapurpose: toprovidestructureandfoodfor microorganisms,soifyouleavethem alone,it’sbestforthesoil.”

Georgiapracticescovercropping whichmakesfulluseofthegardenbeds allyearround.

TheLanerotrR1,designedwithinputfromdairy professionals,clearslanewayedgesefficiently, improvingdrainageandreducingherdlameness. BuilttoughinHawke’sBay,itoperatesat1.5km/h, clearingupto5kmperdaywithaquick5-minute setup.TheR1easilymountstoanytractorwitha standardEurohitchandrequiresa50L/mhydraulicflow.Itsdurable,all-weldedconstructionand Americanhydraulicmotor,withbuilt-inprotection, ensurelong-lastingperformance. Availablenow-sales@landquip.co.nz

Gro My Goodness director Georgia Illston with some of the veges they’ve grown in Katikai Photos: John Borren

“Wegrowaroundtentofifteendifferentcrops –mostlysaladgreensandbabyrootvegetables –andwetrytorotateplantsstraightaftereach harvestsothey’reabsorbingdifferentnutrients. OursoilalsohasalowpHlevel,soweaddlime andorganicfertilisers.”

Whatanaveragedaylookslike

Anaveragedayseesthe28-year-oldupearly toharvest,thenwashandpackintimetomake deliveriesintheafternoons.

“IfI’mnotharvesting,I’llbeflippingbedsand gettingthempreppedtobeplantedagain,”says Georgia.“Alotofwhatweproduceisveryfast growing.Ifthere’salargeordertofill,I’llgetdad tocomehelpmewithit.Heintendstobemore involvedafterheretire.”

Whenshereflectsonhowdifferentlifeisin ruralKatikaticomparedtolivinginthecity, Georgiacouldn’tbehappier.

“IdefinitelyeatdifferentlytohowIusedto,” shesays.“IlovedayswhenI’mworkingand listeningtomusicandifthere’sawholebedof l lettuce to plant, it takes a while but it’s s satisfying

Talkingtocustomersandgettingtoknowpeople whocometoourstallatthemarketsisnice. Ilovetheconversationsitcreates;frompeople talkingabouthoweatingorganichashelped themhealth-wisetohowtheyuseourproduce inrecipes.”

Family

HersisterGabiMatherisheadflowergrower; selectingthevarietiestoplantasseedsallthe waythroughtoharvestingandarrangingthem intobouquetsformarket.

Shethenworksthestallsalongwith her16-month-old,Arabella. “Gabi’sbeenbringingmynieceto marketssinceshewasafewweeks old,soourregularcustomersand otherstallholdersarewatchingher growup,”laughsGeorgia.“She’sjust startingtowalkandalreadyloves eatingavocadosandwaving atcustomers.”

So,fouryearsafterherfatherwas firstinspiredbyaninstructional video,Georgianowsharesher knowledgeandsustainable

practicesonlinewithmorethan 3000followers.

“HavingtheYouTubechannel addsanotherlayerofdiversity tothebusiness,”shesays.

“Makingvideoshelpsmeto tellmystoryandconnectwith peopleallovertheworld.My generationisveryawareofissues we’refacingwhenitcomesto climatechangesohavingapositive impactontheEarthistheleastwe cando.”

RicharddeGroen showingArabella M Matherwheretoput theirharvest.

GeorgiaIllstonworkingtheland.

estern Ba couple’’spassionforfruit

BayofPlenty y orchard owners,Simmoneand WayneFenton,movedinto horticultureafteertheirthree childrenhadgroownup,but bothcamefromagricultural beginninngs.

Simonegrewupoonadairyfarm inPutaruruandWWayneisfrom Tokoroaandhasdairyfarmed andworkedatKinleithMill.

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TheymovedtotheBOPin thelate1990sinsearchofa betterlifestylefortheirfamily andbroughtthechildrenupin Tauranga.Simonewasaclerical workerandWayneworkedfor FirestoneinTaurangaandhas beenashiftworkerforaresin manufacturingcompanyforthe past19years.

“Weboughtourfirstorchard inTePukein2015,andwe hadn’tdoneanythinglikethat before,”saysWayne.

“Weapproachedpeoplewe thoughtcouldhelpandwewere blownawaybyhowhelpful peoplehavebeen,andwegotso muchgoodadviceover theyears.”

Simonesaysthatthepractices arethesamebutaspeopleget toknowtheirlandtheyadapt theirownwaystosuittheland.

WBOPfruitbowl

TheFentonsboughttheir current2.6haWhakamarama propertyinApril2021.

“Wecalleditafruitbowlas ithasabitofeverythingasthe

lastownerswentaroundthe farmer’smarketssellingtheir fruit.Wegrowfruitforexport, sowedecidedtosimplifythings andpicktwoorthreefruitsand dothemwell,”saysWayne. Simonecarriesouttheorchard workandWaynejoinsheron hisdaysoff.

“It’sjustthetwoofusdoing theday-to-dayworkbut seasonallyweusecontractors toprune,pick,andtakethe binsofharvestedavocadosto thepackhouseforexport,” saysSimone.

Whenthecouplebought thepropertyitcoincidedwith thebottomdroppingoutof theavocadomarketwiththe expectationthatthissituation wouldlastforthenextfiveyears.

Passingonthelegacy

ThereinsofoneoftheBayofPlenty’soldest agriculturalcontractingcompanies,Neville MarshContracting,hasbeenhandedto anewgeneration.

AuthorisedGrundfosdealer

TammyBrownless–Neville andJill’sdaughter,and herhusbandBenarenow operatingtherenamedMarsh Contracting.

Tammyisquicktoexplainthat thisisreallytheonlychange.

“BenandIareverygrateful totakeoverthefamily businessandarecommittedto continuingandexpandingthe serviceMarshContractingis renownedfor.”

“Ireturnedhomeandhavebeeninvolved inthebusinessforaround17yearsbefore meetingandmarryingBenwhohadbeenan agriculturalcontractor.

TammyandBenbothgrew upondairyfarms–Tammy recallingduringtheearlydaysof MarshContractingshe“helped whereIcouldwiththebusiness”beforeleavingfor studyintoaninternationalcertificateinbeauty therapyandraisingafamily.

BenandTammyBrownlesshave takenovertherecentlyrenamed MarshContracting.

“BenandIareexcitedabout thefuture,continuingtobuild andsupportourexistinglong standingclientrelationships, welcomenewclientsandcement MarshContractingLtdinthe areaforsomeyearstocome.We lookforwardtothe2024/25 seasonandworkingwithyouall andpleaseknowwevalueyour continuedsupport,”saysTammy. BasedinTePukeMarsh Contracting,specialisesinall areasofAgriculturalContracting. Thecompanyisknownfor qualitystaff,workmanship, servicesandproducts,owning andrunningafleetofmodern tractorsandmachineryandcurrentlyservices theBayofPlenty,includingTePuke,Tauranga, RotoruaandWhakatāne.

TheWhakamaramaorchardhasstunningviewsacrosstoTheMount.

“We’vegot200avocadotreesontheproperty, andsomeare35yearsold.Wewillstayin avocadogrowingbutwe’llensurethetreesare keptlowsotheyareeasiertomanage,reducing labouroutgoings,” saysSimone.

Theyhavealsoremoved trees,suchasplums andcitrusasthey“can’t competewiththebulk buyers”.Tamarillosgrow wellontheproperty, andtheyareconsidering expandingthem.

Therewere150 passionfruitvinesgrowing underplasticcanopies, wheretheyaren’texposed tofrost,andthey flourishedduringSimone andWayne’sfirstseason ontheorchard.

outacropandPhytophthorawhichformsinthe vine’sroots.Thevinesaresprayedforpestssuch asmitesandpassionvinehopper.

“Weplantedanother150 orsopassionfruitvinesinMarch2024andexpect themtofruitforthefirsttimeinJanuary2025.”

Someofthevinesweregrownfromseedsfrom theirexistingplantsandsomewerefromcuttings fromparentplantsthatwerethrivingontheland. Learningtogrowpassionfruit

“Onceagainwehavetaughtourselveshow togrowthemandonceagainpeoplehavebeen veryhelpfulwithinformationandadvice,” saysWayne.

Mulchfromouravocadosisusedaroundthe passionfruitvinesandagroundsprinklersystem isusedaboutonceaweekinwinterandoften dailyinthesummer,but,Waynesays,“theydon’t likewetfeet”.

Foliarfungicidespraysareusedtocontrol fungaldiseasessuchFusariumwhichcantake

Eachplantwillproduceforaboutsevenyears althoughtheyslow downintheirlastthree orfouryears.They aretreatedlikeavine andprunedtokeep thecanopyopenand healthy.

Fruitfallswhenitis readyandneedstobe pickedup,gradedand packedeverymorning.

“WegrowPassiflora edulis,whichisthe mostpopularone.They needtobeplanted inrowsfromnorth tosouthandthey likewarmthwhen

“Weapproachedpeoplewethoughtcould helpandwewereblownawaybyhow helpfulpeoplehavebeen,andwegotso muchgoodadviceovertheyears.”

flowering.Wewereveryfortunate thatCycloneGabriellewentstraight overourpropertyaswearenestled intoaneast-facinghillside,”says Wayne.

Dependingontheweather,Wayne andSimonecansometimesbe pickingpassionfruitfromJanuary toMay.ThiscoincideswiththeoffseasonforpassionfruitintheUnited Statesandthereisagoodmarketfor NewZealandpassionfruitoverthere.

“Withveryfewpassionfruit growerscurrentlyinNewZealand,

wecanbarelymeetthelocal demand,andtheexportmarketwill takewhateverwehaveavailableafter that.There’sdefinitelyroomfor growthinthisindustry.”

TheFentonsaremembersofthe NewZealandPassionfruitGrowers AssociationInc.wherethegrowers worktogethertoimprovetheir knowledgewithexpertadvice andencourageanyonewishingto entertheindustrytocontactthe organisationforinformation.

Orchard owners Wayne and Simone Fenton planted 150 new passionfruit vines last season. P Photos: Catherine Fry

passionfruit vines growing

canopiesinWhakamarama.

AlittleFergy called Eric A little Fergy called Eric

n early love

beautifulhomesteadonthe Matamatadairyfarmthathis grandfatherboughtin1930.

Ross’parentsfarmedthe propertyfrom1949.Rosswas raisedthereandboughtitfrom thefamilyin1980.

“VickyandIraisedourthree childrenhereandwe’vejustleased ittoourdaughterandson-inlaw.Istillmanageourother 120-hectaredrystockfarmin TePoi,”saysRoss.

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Rosshaslovedtractorsfrom anearlyage,especially“little greyFergies”.

“IhadawoodenFergywitha woodentrailerwhichwasmygo-to toyinthesandpitformanyyears.”

Hisfirstpaidjobawayfromhis parent’sfarmwasforlocalfarmers EricandKathWaldonwhowere reallygoodtohim.TheWaldons hada1960MasseyFerguson35 whenEricpassedawayin1978. Theirfarmwasmanagedfor severalyears.

RosshasadegreefromMasseyUniversity andmovedintofarm consultancy.

“Whenthingswere griminthe1980s,I ranthedairyfarm, arun-off,andwas alsofarmconsulting. Vickyworkedfulltime asateacher,andwe broughtupourthree kids.Istilldon’tquite knowhowwedidit!”

“TheFergy35blewupandwas abandonedinashedwhicheventuallyfelldown aroundit.EricandKath’sdaughterskindly offeredmethetractorandwedraggeditover toourhomefarm.AcoupleofSouthAfricans whowereworkingformeatthetimegotitup andrunning.Itcameback,withthename‘Eric’ paintedonit.”

OwningthattractorisveryspecialforRoss.It remindshimofthetimehespentwithEric.

“It’sdefinitelymyfavouritetractorinanostalgic sortofway.”

TheFerguson35sweregeneral-purposefarm tractorswith35hp,four-cylinderpetrolengines. “Iuseitaroundmyfarmwitharear-mounted sicklebarmower, graderblade,backend loader,earthscoop orCordwoodsaw.I deliberatelyfindjobs thatIcanuseEricfor.”

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

Clubwork

AttheWaikato VintageTractorand MachineryClub,Eric hasparticipatedin ploughing,cultivation workandtrekking. Oncetheytestedit withadynamometer anditreached28.8hp. Rossisn’tsurewhat happenedtothe other6hp.

Acurrentprojectis fittingEricwithan early1950sMörtl mid-mountedsicklebar mowerwhichhasafew partsmissing.

Ross Sainsbury and his wifeVickyliveinthe

RossdrovethisFergy35athisfirstjob. Photos:CatherineFry.

Waikato Vintage Tractor and Machinery Club president, Ross Sainsbury

Back to the future for rurallandmark

CommunityViewat Manawarū.

Abuildingoncepartofthe Waikato’sbustlingmilk processingnetworknowtells itsownhistoricstory.

Theformerdairyfactoryat Manawarū,betweenTeArohaand Matamata,becameCommunityView–includingaheritagecentre–in2020.

Inthemiddleoftheruraltownship, theoriginalManawarūCo-operative ButterFactorywasbuiltin1902and wasoneoftheearliestWaikatoco-ops.

Theoriginalbuildingburntdownin 1929butwasrebuiltbytheformerNew ZealandCo-OperativeDairyCompany inaremarkablesixmonthsandatthe timewasthelargestcheeseprocessing siteinthesouthernhemisphere.

Itlaterchangedtocreamandcasein productionbutclosedforgoodin1981 andsatmostlyidleforthenext40years.

Therebirthwaspioneeredbythelate DavidBay,whowasheavilyinvolved infarmingandchurchactivitiesat Manawarū,andamemberoftheNew ZealandDairyBoard.

StrongsupportfortheHeritage Centreprojectalsocamefrom ManawarūidentitiesGeorgeArmstrong andthelateEricJames.

DavidBaywasafounderofHillview Trust,nowpartofTrinityLands–currentlychairedbyhissonStuart –asignificantfunderofcommunity projectsinruralareas.

Thetrust,whichhasalsohadalong associationwithManawarūBible Chapel,identifiedthecheesefactory

transformationasa projectitcouldfundasa “communitygood”project.

Itpurchasedthesite in2010andManawarū HistoricalSocietywas gifted,atpeppercornrent, anareaoftheformer factory.Therevamped buildingalsoboastsacaféandfunction/ recreationcentre,withclimbingwall.

ManawarūCheeseFactoryin1929.

StuartBay,whodrovetheprojectafter David’sdeathin2015,saysaheritage centrewasalwayspartofhisfather’s visionforCommunityView,operating undertheumbrellaoftheManawarū HistoricalSocietywhichDavidBay foundedin2011.

“Thetrustwantedtoseetheold rundownManawarūdairyfactory restoredasacommunityfacility,tobea vibranthublikeitoncewasinitsday,” saysStuart.

Hesaystheresultwouldseea strongandvibrantcommunityusing CommunityViewasavillagecentre, withasenseofownership.

“Itisahubwhereeveryoneiswelcome andknownandagreatfacilityforthe childrenofourdistricttouse.”

StuartBaysaysitisanothercentreof focusforthedistricttohavepridein.

“Itbenefitsourcommunityand preservesourhistory.”

RobynWade,secretaryofthe ManawarūHistoricalSociety,saysit isthemissionoftheheritagecentreto provideaspaceforthedisplayoflocal interestitems.

Theheritagecentreisa non-profitoperationrun byvolunteers. Itisopenatweekends andbyappointment.

Our10mx3.8m,singlebedroom+bathroomis forsale.Ourhomesarebuiltthroughtraditional constructionmethods,meaningnocornerscut andalong-lastinghomeyouwilllove.

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StuartBayinfr f ontof

TePukecelebrates65years

TheEPICTePukeorganised eventmarkedthe65th anniversaryoftherenaming oftheChinesegooseberry askiwifruit.

Descendantsoftheindustrypioneers, includingJackTurnerwhocameup withthenewname,andkiwifruit growingandexportingpioneerJim

MacLoughlin,werespecialguests. TePukeRepertorySocietystaged are-enactmentofthestoryofthe renaming,fourofthecompetitorsfrom the2024BayofPlentyFruitgrowerof theYearcompetitionanswered questionsputbyMCBenHurleyand therewerespeechesfromMalkitSingh, Zespri’sgrowerandindustryrelations manager,andRotoruaMPand MinisterofAgricultureandofTrade,

ToddMcClay.

SueMatthews,oftheWestern BayHeritageTrust,outlined plansforaHeritageHubin TePuketohouseapermanent historyofkiwifruitdisplay.

TePuke’snewtowncrierwas revealedandthenameofthe LornaTreloarMemorialCitizen oftheYearawardannounced. Kiwifruitcelebration EPICTePukemarketing managerRebeccaLarsen saysitwasveryspecialthatJack Turner’sfamilywasable toattend.

“Theyhavealsogiven usanoldtypewritten accountfromJackofthe renamingofkiwifruit,” shesays.

Whiletheeventwasa celebrationofkiwifruit,itwas alsoawholetowncelebration, saysRebecca.

Above:TePukeRepertorypresented are-imaginingofhowtherenaming mighthavehappened.Picturedare GordonCliffasLes,AlanChapman (JimMcLoughlin),DickBrown (Bob)andElizabethRoseasJean.

Below:Handover:Formertown crierMichaelJoneshandsoverthe trappingsofofficetohissuccessor GlennWard.

“Therewasawholelotof collaborationandinvolvement fromothergroupsanditwas reallyawesometopullinthe citizenofyearawardandhave therepertorysocietysoheavily involvedinit,andtohandoverthetowncrierroleat thesametime.

“Itwaslovelytohavesomeofthepioneering familiescomealongandmaketheefforttobethere andhavesuchagoodresponsefromtheindustryto

supportandattend.”

Shesaystheimpactofthose earlypioneersonthetowncannot beunderestimated.

“Theyhadtobeinventiveand takerisks,toseehowthekiwifruit [lasted]onaship,andwonderif theywouldgorottenornot-all ofthosethingstheyhadtotakea riskon-anditworkedandnow it’ssuchahugeindustry.

“It’simportanttorememberthe rootsandhowitstartedandit’s specialtogobackandlookatwhy wearewherewearetoday.” Itwasalsofittingtohave SueMatthewsshareplansfor somewheretohouseapermanent historyoftheindustry,shesays. Whileitwouldnotbepossible toholdsuchaneventeachyear, somethingonasmallerscale celebratingthetown“would benice”.

CreativeTePukeForum’sLisa Stowellannouncedthelate RichardCrawfordasthe2024 recipientoftheaward. RicharddiedattheendofApril. HewasasittingWesternBay ofPlentyDistrictCouncillor, aformerTePukeCommunity Boardchairman,volunteerfirefighterand communitychampion.

LisasaidRichardwasaremarkableindividualand amanwhosecontributionstoTePukehaveleftan indeliblemarkonthecommunity.

sincekiwifruitgotitsname

ThelateRichardCrawfordwasnamedtheLornaTreloarMemorialCitizenoftheyear.Picturedarehis wifeJuliewithtwooftheirchildren,RachelOhlsonandNathanielCrawford,WesternBaymayorJames Denyer,LisaStowellfromCreativeTePukeForumandMartyRobinsonfromTheDailyCharitableTrust.

“Richardwasamanofaction, someonewhodidn’tjusttalk aboutmakingadifference,but whoactuallymadeithappen. Histrackrecordofserviceto theTePukecommunityis unparalleled.Fromhistireless workwiththefireservice,his leadershipatTheDailyCafe,his rolesontheTePukeCommunity Board,andhiselectedposition withtheWesternBayofPlenty DistrictCouncil—Richard’s dedicationknewnobounds.

“Hisimpactonourtownis profoundandlasting.TheDaily Cafeisjustoneshiningexample ofthelegacyRichardleftbehind —aplacethatbroughtpeople together,fosteredconnections, andbecameacornerstoneof ourcommunity.

“ButRichardwasmorethan justaleader;hewasamotivator, someonewhoknewhowto inspireotherstobringoutthe bestinthemselves.Hisability togalvanisepeople,tounite themaroundacommoncause, issomethingwewillalways rememberandcherish.

“Whenwelookatthecriteria forthisaward-care,governance,

heritage,protection,welfare,and youthdevelopment-Richard Crawfordcheckseverybox.He contributedtoeveryfacetofthe TePukeweknowandlovetoday, andhislegacywillundoubtedly continuetoinfluenceourtown forgenerationstocome,evenwith hispassing.”

TheLornaTreloarCitizenof theYearAward,aninitiativeof theCreativeTePukeForum,was establishedtorecognisesomeone whoembodiesthetruespiritof TePuke,apersonwhoistruly community-minded,whohasa deeploveandrespectforthetown, andwhoquietlygoestheextra milewithoutseekingrecognition.

Newtowncrier

Whenlong-timetowncrier MichaelJonesannouncedhewas steppingdownlatelastyear,EPIC TePukebegantheprocessof findingareplacement.

Michaelhadheldtherole sincethemid-1990swhen,as vice-presidentofthetown’s promotionscommittee,he decidedaceremonialfloatparade leaderwasneeded.

Thebellandrobeswereofficially

hasbeenmodifiedtofit.

Glenn’sfirstassignationislikelyto betheSeekaTePukeChristmasFloat ParadeonNovember30. “Ilovebeingthecentreofattentionif youwill.Sogivemeabellandcostume

andI’lllovetowalkthestreetsandbe theonethateveryone’slookingat.”

“It’sanhonourbecause[Michael] hasdoneitsolong,it’shardtopicture someoneelsedoingit.”

handedtofellowTePuke RepertorySocietymemberGlenn WardonSaturdayevening.

“Heisanamazingactor,” saysRebecca.

“Hejusthasthispresenceabout himlikeMikeandthesameway thatyounoticehim.Hedemands yourattentionbecauseofhis presenceandhecanturnon hischaracter.

“Heisgoingtobeanamazing towncrierandwearesoluckyto havehim.”

Glennsaystherewasalittlebit ofpromptingbeforeheputhis nameforward.

“Ihummedandhawedfora littlebitthensaidIwouldput mynameinthehatafterabitof promptingfromtherepertory societythatIshouldapplyforit.”

Hesaysbeinga“thespianat heart”madetheroleattractive.

GlennmovedtoTePuke12 yearsagoandafterbeinginvolved inmusicaltheatreintheWaikato, wassoonpartofTePuke’s repertoryscene.

Beingasizeortwobiggerthan Michael,thankstotheskills ofMichelleCliffatTePuke RepertorySociety,thecostume

Thesciencebehindtheffruit

Zespri’sRubyRedkiwifruitsprung onthemarketseeminglyfromout ofnowherein2022,butonthe outskirtsofTePuke,scientistswere quietlycelebratingdecadesofwork comingtofruition.

Kiwifruitbreedingbeganin1977, withtheKiwifruitBreedingCentre formallyestablishedasajointventure betweenZespriandPlant&Food Researchin2021.

“Partofourchallengeisthatthe innovationcycleislongandsoitcan

takeus20yearstodevelopa concept,”sayschiefcommercial officerDrBartChallis.“Oneof theuniquethingsaboutthe NewZealandsectoristhe relationshipbetweenZespriand thebreedingprogramme.”

Heexplainsthatgloballyalot ofbreedingprogrammesaren’t eitherstrategicallylinkedor verticallyintegrated.

“Itmeansthatalotofthe kiwifruitbreedingthathappens outsideKBCisn’tdeliberate ortargeted.”

Drivingfactors

KiwifruitBreedingCentrechiefcommercialofficer,DrBartChallis.

“Wegetfantasticmarket researchandinsightsfromZespri. Ourprogrammeisfocusedon theoutcomesdesiredbyZespri whichisdrivenbytheirconsumer research,theirglobalfootprint, theiranalysisoftheglobalfruit bowl,wheretheopportunitiesfor categorygrowthareandwherethe opportunitiesfornewproductsin thefruitbowlare.”

Thosefactorsdrivethe KiwifruitBreedingCentre’s entireprogramme.

“Thechallengeforusisthat oftenZesprimightdefinethe marketopportunitiesinaspecific way,”saysBart.“Thatmightbe thatthefruitneedstohavea certain‘mouthfeel’.Itneedsto feelmoreluxuriousonthepalette, likechocolate,forexample.”

It’sthenuptoresearchers toworkouttheunderlying characteristicsthatafruitneedsto deliverthatconsumertrait.

“Itmightbealowerastringency, itmightbeaparticular carbohydrateorsomethingelse.”

It’satthispointKBC’s relationshipwithPlant&

FoodResearchbecomes incrediblyimportant. “Wehavetothenworkout scientificallynotonlyhowwe measurethat,buthowwemeasure thatatscale,”saysBart.“Our populationistensofthousandsof individuals[kiwifruitseedlings] everyyearsoifyou’retrying todeliveraparticularconcept youneedtobeabletoscreenall ofthoseindividualsinacosteffective,highthroughputmanner toensureyou’reidentifyingthe oneswithinthepopulationthat havethetraitsyou’relookingfor.”

KiwifruitcompanyZespricontinuestocrack downonillegalplantingsofitsSunGold varietyinChinawiththreepeoplebeing sentencedtonearlyfouryearsin jailfortheirinvolvementinthe tradeofthefruit.

Chinesegrowershavebeen illegallyplantingSunGold orG3,whichZespriowns therightsto,since2016 whenagrowertookclippings toChina.

Zesprihassincebeenworking withauthoritiestheretocrack downonfraudulentplantingsand theuseofcounterfeitpackaging.

550,000yuan(NZ$125,000). Themanufacturersandvendorsofthecounterfeit trademarklabelssuppliedtotheconvictedtriohave alsobeenchargedandthatcaseisongoing. ZesprispokesmanTimClarkson saysthesentencessendastrong messagethatthefraudulentuse ofintellectualpropertywillnot betolerated.

Thecompanysaysaspartofongoing legalactivitytoprotecttheZespribrand,it recentlycompletedsuccessfulprosecutionsagainst threeindividualsinChinaforonlinesalesoflocally grownfruitwithcounterfeitZesprilabelstothe valueofmorethanNZ$700,000.

Thetriowereeachsentencedtothreeyearsand ninemonthsinjailandorderedtopayafineof

“Ourworkwithlocal authoritiesinChina reflectsZespri’sstrategy totaketargetedactionto keepunauthorisedfruitor counterfeitbrandingoutof ourkeychannels,toprotectthe significantinvestmentthat’sbeen madeinbuildingaleadingglobal brandandbyNewZealandproducersin licensedkiwifruitvarietiesanddemonstratesour commitmenttofoodsafety.

“We’reverythankfulforthestrongsupportof theShanghaiauthoritiesandwewillcontinueour collaborativeapproachtoprotectinggrowerand consumerinterests.”

SallyMurphy,RNZ

Photo:DebbieGriffiths.

Kiwifruit is popular in NZ

Photo: Craig Robertson Zespri

Improvingfruit

Atthesametime,researchersareworkingto improvethefruitforthegrowersinphysicaland technicalwaysthatwillimproveyield,vigour, buddingandhowthefruitstoresandtransports.

“Theattributethatwealwaysfocusonisthe supplychain;wheredoesthisproductoverlapwith ourothersinthemarket,whendoesthishitthe packhouses,thepickingcrewsortheconsumer becauseinthemarketplace,wedon’twanteverything coalescingatthesametime,”saysBart.

Seasonalityandtimingareimportantbutsoisthe fruit’sperformanceintransit.

“Youcan’ttesthowwelltheytravelbyshipping thousandsoffruitfromindividualsaroundtheworld

soyouhavetocomeupwithtechnicalsolutionsthat giveyouanunderstandingofhowtheymayperform ina‘pseudo’supplychain,”saysBart.“There’sa heapofsciencethatgoesonandit’svalidatedover manyyearstobeabletoscreenourpopulationsto understandhowthey’llperforminthatsetting.”

Roomtogrow

ZespriRubyRedmayhaveseenitsthirdseasonthis year,butitremainsaworkinprogress.

“Wecomebacktothemarketinsights,”saysBart. “TheremightbeadditiveattributesthatZesprifeels willenhanceaproduct’spositioninthemarketor createnewopportunitiessothatmightbeadditional healthbenefitsorothercharacteristics.We’re constantlyworkingonthat.There’llbeconceptsthat

Kiwifruitgrowerscelebratetrifectaofmilestones

Thepathtotoday’ssuccessforNew Zealand’skiwifruitindustryhasbeen anythingbutplainsailing.

Thestoryofouriconicpieceof kiwianabeganintheearly1900’s whenasmallnumberoforchards wereformed,howeveritwasn’t untilthe1960’swhenthe commercialkiwifruitindustry reallystartedtotakeoff.

Manyofthegrowersfrom thistimewereinstrumentalin creatingthebackboneofthe industryasweknowittodayand allgrowers,pastandpresent,as wellasfriendsoftheindustry,will becomingtogetheratagaladinnerto reconnectwitheachotherandappreciate howfartheindustryhascome.Thespecial eventwillbeheldonTuesday,October22,at MercuryBayPark.

theindustry’spioneeringgrowerswho appliedtheirleadershipandnegotiatingskills atsomesignificantpersonalcosttolaythe foundationsforthehighlysuccessfulindustry wehavetoday.

Bythe1980’sproductionwas booming.Withanabundance ofkiwifruitanddeclining demandoverseas,theKiwifruit MarketingBoardwassetup withthepowertobuyall kiwifruitforexport. 2024marksthe35th anniversaryoftheSingleDesk structureunderwhichkiwifruit isexported.

“OneoftheuniquethingsabouttheNewZealandsectoristhe relationshipbetweenZespriandthebreedingprogramme.”

willbelookingtoexpandthatentry pointintonewmarketspacesandhave improvedperformanceinthesupply chainorontheorchard.”

Thedinnerwillbeanopportunityfor attendeestonetworkandhearfromsomeof

Later,inSeptember1999,the KiwifruitIndustryRestructuringAct waspassedwhich,fromApril1,2000, establishedtheKiwifruitMarketingBoard’s commercialoperations,Zespri,asacompany withsharestradableamongstproducers. 2024marksthe25thanniversaryofKiwifruit IndustryRestructuringAct.

Bartsaysbecauseofcommercial sensitivityaroundwhatKBCdoes,it’s difficulttotalkaboutitbutgrowers shouldbereassuredthere’salotof workgoingontocontinueimproving.

“It’sapartoftheindustrythat’snot talkedaboutbutnottalkingabout itdoesn’tmeanit’snothappening. There’sareallygoodmodelandagreat commitmentfromtheshareholders todeliverfuturevaluethatIthinkis industryleading.”

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KiwiPollenishonouredtobean officialsponsoroftheupcoming NewZealandKiwifruitGrowers Inc.milestoneevent!Thisexciting celebrationwilltakeplaceon Tuesday22October2024.Join usaswecelebrate120years sincekiwifruitfirstarrivedin NewZealand,reflectingonkey industrymilestones.

Assponsors,weareproudto supportanindustrythatcontinues togrowandinnovate.Let’scome togethertohonourthepeople, progress,andachievementsthat haveshapedthekiwifruitindustry overthepastcentury.

T TePPukke’sKKiwiifruiit BreeddingCCenttre. P Photo:JJamiieTTroughhton//DscriibeMMeddia.

Modernhabitstaketolloneyehealth

AKatikatiresidentworkingasa bugfinderonavocadoorchards isdevastatedthatarapiddecline inhereyesightisaffecting herdreamjob.

KirstenWarbrookeanswereda newspaperadvertisementforapest controlworkerabouteightyearsago.

“WemovedtotheBayofPlenty fromAucklandin2013andI’dbeen workingforNetballWaikato,soit

involvedalotoftravel.WhenIsaw therolecomeup,Irealiseditwas perfectformyrurallifestyle.”

Shewentthroughtheaccreditation processandnowworksonafreelance basischeckingfruittreeleavesfor signsofpestinfestationonproperties intheWesternBay.Inthelastyear, shenoticedadramaticdifferencein hereyesight.

“Ineedtocheckacertainnumber ofrandomleavesandfruit.Onan

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orchardunder4ha,Itakea 10-treesamplegroupandinspect 20leavesand10fruitoneach tree.Iusedtobeabletoseebugs withmynakedeye.Now,Ineed tousealargermagnifyingglasson thejob.”

Eyesight

Infact,the49-year-oldnoticed thedeteriorationhasaffectedall aspectsofherlife.

“Myeyesarebuggered.Ican’t seewritingonmycomputeror phonescreenorreadrecipeson foodlabelswithoutglasses.I realisedthatIwasinspectingtoo manypropertieseachdaywhen Ialmostfaintedtryingtocook dinneroneevening.”

Now,shedoesnomorethanfive orchardsinaday.

“I’mshockedthatmyeyesight hasimpactedmyjob,”says Kirsten.“Ican’tworkwithouta biggermagnifyingglass.Ineedto takemoretimeandinspectthe plantsmoreclosely.”

themostsignificantreasonsfor NewZealand’s6.1percentfallin workplaceproductivitylastyear waspooreyehealth.

Almosthalfofthosesurveyed admittedtheireyesightnegatively impactstheirproductivityatwork and46%ofthepeoplesurveyed reportedthatthey’dhadtoredo ataskatworkatleastonceor spendmoretimeonataskdueto debilitatingsymptomsrelatedto eyestrain.

Lifestyleeffects

Modernlifestyleingeneralis havinganoticeableeffectoneye health.

“PeoplearecomingtoSpecsavers clinicswithcomplaintsofdry, blurryeyes,headachesandnot beingabletoseetheirscreens,” saysTaurangaoptometristSam Sharples.“Whetherthey’reata deskatworkorinfrontofaTV intheevening,Kiwishardlyever haveabreakfromtheirscreens.”

“Remembertoblinktokeepthe surfaceofyoureyesfromdrying outanddrinkplentyofwater,” headvises.“Followthe20-20-20 rulewhichinvolvesshiftingyour eyesawayfromthescreenevery 20minutestolookatanobject atleast20maway,foratleast20 seconds.Also,spendtimeoutside togiveyoureyesabreak–not hardforKirsten!”

Samsaysanycareerthatinvolves attentiontodetailmightcause adeclineineyehealth,andfor peoplewhoworkinmedicine,or onaconstructionsite,ithasthe potentialtoimpactsafety.

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Herexperienceisnosurpriseto optometrists.Researchconducted bySpecsavers,foundthatoneof

•AerialSurvey

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Hesaysthesymptomsareoften causedbyeyestrainfromlooking atadeviceorcertainobject–like smallbugs-fortoolong.

“Gettingyoureyestestedevery twoyearswillallowoptometrists topickupchangesinyoureyes, especiallysincealotofsevere conditionsappearwithlittleto nosymptoms.”

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KirstenWarbrookelookingforbugsonavocados. Photo:JohnBorren.

A posiitiivel l budddingseason

Diversityofplants/covercropsisastrategytoencouragearangeof pollinatorsintoavocadoorchardsatthecriticalfruitsetperiod.

TheNewZealandavocado seasonisprogressing positively,bothinterms ofvolumeandweather, providingamuch-needed recoveryforourgrowers.

Withanupliftinvolume thisseasonofovertwomillion exporttraysacrosstheindustry, wecanworkongainingmore tractioninnewmarkets.

Exporttrail

DarlingGroupiscontinuing toblazetheexporttrailinnew territories,supportedbyour earlyharvest.Asatweek37in mid-SeptemberDarlingGroup represented85percentofthe NewZealandavocadovolume senttoCanadaand70percent ofthevolumesenttoChinaso farthisseason.

Inadditiontolookingafter

thehealthofourtreesthrough ourearlyharveststrategy,anice bonushasbeenthestrength intheAustralianmarketin thepasttwomonthswhere wehaveexportedaslightly higherproportionofourexport cropthanoriginallyforecast. ReducedQueenslandvolumes, unfavourableweather,anda shorterWesternAustraliancrop havecreatedmorespaceinthe marketforNewZealandfruit.

Currentmarket

Currentindicationssuggest thattheAustralianmarketwill remainbuoyantthroughto Christmas,whichalignswell withourstrategyofpulling backfromAsiaasfruitmatures, reducingtherisksassociated withlongervoyages.

Therecentchangesinthe avocadoindustry’sexport regulationshaveopenedup

Emissionplancalls

HortNZisurgingtheGovernmenttoincorporate thehorticulturesectorintoitssecondEmissions ReductionPlan.

Thecurrentplan,outliningactionstoreduce emissionsbetween2026and2030,makesno mentionofhorticulture,fruits,orvegetables.

“ItisconcerningthattheEmissionsReductionPlan (ERP2)overlookshorticultureentirely,”saysMichelle Sands,actingchiefexecutiveofHortNZ.

approachingthemostcriticalphase ofthegrowingcycle:fruitset.Last month,JustAvocadoshosteda timelyseminaronpollinationwith Dr.DavidPattemorefromPlantand FoodResearch.Duringtheseminar, Dr.Pattemoresharedresearch findingsandprovidedthreesimple tipsforimprovingpollination: Reserveareasintheorchard(i.e.

interrow/sides)foradiversityof plants/covercropstoattractdifferent pollinatorssuchasflies,moths,and bumblebees;monitoryourorchard’s currentpollinatorsandtheirhabits tobetterunderstandwhichspecies arecontributingtopollination;and considerintroducingbumblebees, astheywillbeactiveinconditions wherebeesarenot.

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newavenuesforoffshore opportunities,particularlyfor lower-gradefruit.Thisseason, DarlingGrouphaslaunched severalinitiativestargetingthe foodservicesector,exporting Class2fruittoAustralia,Hong Kong,andChina.

Untappedpotential

Thisapproachallowsus toextractvaluefromexport marketsthatwerepreviously untapped.Importantly,this activitydoesnotcompetewith orimpacttheopportunities forClass1fruit—itrepresents entirelynewbusiness. Ontheorchards,weare

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Anenvironmentalrestoration

An environmental restoration

Whakamaramaresidents,Brian RickeyandMelPendergast, havealwaysenjoyedthecountry.

AfterspendingtheCovid-19 lockdownintown,theyweremore thanreadytomovetothecountry.

“I’mtownraisedbutI’vebeenan

Cer

arboristallmyworkinglifeandhavealwayslived theoutdoorlifeandenjoyhunting.Melwas raisedonaKingCountryfarmandhasaloveof animals.Sheworksintown,”saysBrian. In2020thecouplefoundtheperfectproperty forthemandtheirfamily.

A19.4hablockofbarelandwitharolling tosteepcontour,alargepondandwaterways feedingtheWaipapaRiver.

“Welovetheinterestthatamorerecreational blockoffers.Thisblockwasoncepartofa largerdairyfarmandhasalsobeenadeerfarm. It’sanadventureplaygroundforthekidsthatare athome.”

Thelandofferedroomforasustainablecountry lifewithbeefies,sheepandchickens.Thefirst prioritywasbuildingthehouse,astrikingbox stylehomewhichtakesinthefarreachingviews onallsides.

“Webuiltalargebarn,installedrainwater collectionfromthebuildings,hookedupto power,anddevelopedthecattleyards.”

Environmentalrestoration

Experiencedarborist,Brianhas hisowncompany,FullCircle Arboriculture,deliveringtree managementservices,general landmanagement,and recreationaldevelopments forcouncilsandprivate organisations.

Brianhasapassionfor environmentalrestorationand couldseehugepotentialfor theirpineblock.BothMeland Brianbelievethatitisimportantto addvaluetolandandleavealegacy totheproperty.

wasstillstandingapartfromsixtreesthathad succumbedduringCycloneGabrielle.

“Thepinestandwasamessbuttherewerestill somegoodtreesinthere.Wedecidedtostrike whiletheironwashotandtherewerestillsome treesofvaluetoharvest.”

Toachievetheproject,themammothjob ofclearingthepinesandexistingvegetation, includingnoxiousweeds.

“IttookBaxContractingaroundsixweeks toextractandharvestthepine.Thesitelooks supertidy,andtheyspentextratimeinorder toleaveourpropertylookinggood.Idefinitely recommendthem.”

Theareahasaround1kmofnewfencing.It lookslikethesiteofanaturaldisasteratthe moment,buttothetrainedeye,everylastarea hasbeencarefullyplannedwithaviewtothe future.Brianwantstomaximisetheclearground forplanting. Accesstracksforfuturemaintenanceandfor thefamilytouseasabridlewaywereincludedin thenewinfrastructure.

Waterwaysandplanting

Insteadofremovingthe pineslash,ithasbeen thoughtfullypiledupinchosen areasandlefttodecompose. Briansayspineslash decomposeswithinfourtofive years,leavinganenrichedarea perfectforplantingthenext stageoftrees.

Thepropertyhada3hapineblockwhich

“Beingatthetopofa catchmentandhavingapond andtwospringsmergingintoa waterwaywhichfeedstheWaipapa River,it’simportantthatwemanagethat waterthoughtfully.”

River, it’s important that we manage that

Brianshowingthescaleofthepineslashpilesthatwilldecomposeinfourtofiveyears. Photo:CatherineFry.

forthelong-term

Minor adjustments were made to enhance the natural flow of the springs.Theexistingsedgesandreeds or“waterpolishing”plantsthatwere naturallyoccurring,haveimmediately startedtospreadasaresultin changestothehydrologyresultingin thousandsoffreeplants!Thewater marginhasbeenplantedwithjuncus, cyperus,eleocharisandcarex.

Thewaterwayshaveclean,clear waterwithverylittlesediment.The largepondalreadyhasahealthy populationofeels,frogsandbirdlife.

Flaxandcabbagetreesareplanted alongthewaterlines.Furtherback, largergrowingnativetreeshave beenplanted.

“We’vepredominantlyused mānukawhichisagreatpioneer plantandpromotesbiodiversity, suchasbees.Therestincludeakeake, māhoe,putaputawētā,lacebark,and afewtōtara,kahikateaandtītoki”

Theplantingwasahugeeffort byfamily,friendsandBrian’sFull Circleteam,planting8000treesin threedays.

control is now important with pūkeko,rrabbits and hares a risk to thesmallplants.

“Haresbrowseandtwoeatthe equivalentofwhatafullygrown sheepeatsinaday.Pūkekoare worseastheypulltheplantsout lookingforbugsanddon’teatthe plant,leavingittodie.

“Ioftentakemyshotgunon eveningwalksastheyareareal threattothesuccessof theplanting.”

Funding BrianandMelputthemoney fromthesaleoftheusablepineinto therestorationproject.

Fundingwasalsosecured throughapartnershipwithToi MoanaBayofPlentyRegional Council.Togetherwiththeirland managementofficer,theyare implementinganenvironmental programmetohelpprotectand restorebiodiversity,conservesoil andimprovewaterquality.

Makesomemoneyathomewhile youdosomethingyouenjoy. Earn$60-$200pergarment. Wepaypostageeachway. MUSTBEVERYEXPERIENCED withPICTUREKNITTING

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Pleasesendusa samplewith30stsx 20rowswithacolour changepatchinthe middle.Alongwith yourphonenumber andemailaddress.

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FullCircleArboricultureisanenvironmentalbusinesswithover15yearsexperienceworkinginthe arboricultureandenvironmentalsectors.WithworkrangingacrosstheBayofPlentywehavemanaged avarietyofhabitatsfromthedunesatWaihiBeachtoplantingandpruningtreesaroundTaurangaCBD. Servicesthatweprovide: EnvironmentalRestoration–Lookingtorestoreanareaofyourpropertybacktonativehabitat.Wecan helpyouplan,prepare,plantandmaintainthesitetoensurethedevelopmentofathrivingecosystem. Wecurrentlyworkalongsidepublicbodiesandprivatelandownerstorestoreareasofreserve,farmland andlifestyleproperties.

TreeServices–needhelpwithanytreemaintenancefrompruningtofellingandchipping?Wehave qualifiedarboristswhoareheretohelp.FullCirclearboristsarerecommendedbyTaurangaCity CouncilandhavedoneworkacrossthecityandBayofPlentyregion. PestPlantControl–Gotanissuewithaninvasiveweedspecies?Needhelptidyingupyourpaddocks? Withgrowsafeandchainsawqualifiedtechnicians,FullCirclearesettotackleyourproblem.

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Two springs and a large pond on the property flow through the Waipapa River Photo: Catherine Fry

Landownerswitha passionforenvironmental restoration, MelPendergast and Brian Rickey. Photo: Supplied.

Anancientdrinkmadeinmoderntimes

Thewordmeadconjuresupthescene ofadrunkenfriarrollingonthefloorof SherwoodForestoragroupofraucous medievalknightsclankingmetal tankards.

It’ssomethingfromanother erabutthereareseveralplaces makingmeadinNew Zealand,includingThe BrewedNestintheBayof Plenty.

BeekeepersCraigLovell andMareePaynterlive withtheirtwosonson a2.75hectareblockin Whakamarama.

forfermentationisalreadyinthehoney. Maree’sfirstattemptwasnotthefinishshewas after.Shedescribesitas“veryalcoholicandsyrupy whichtastedlikeaqualitydegreaserwithasideof paintremover”.

“Wearebothinterested inbees,andI’vebeen beekeepingforawhile.Weset upourowncompany,BeeFirst Apiaries,2010,”saysCraig.

Duringlockdown,Mareewas messagedbyrenownedNew ZealandwinemakerMichael Sweetlove,whoseinterestwas spikedinaWelshmeadery, andhewasdelightedto helpthemperfecttheir mead.

Atthetimetherewasmoneyinhoney productionandthecouplebothworkedfulltime producinghoneyandpollinatinglocalorchards. Craigoftenworksasaboatbuilderduringthe wintermonths.

Theapiarywinters450hiveswhicharesplitoutto 1200hivesforthesummer.

TheintroductionofstrictDNAtestingonhoney bythegovernment,losingtheoverseasmarkets andtheCovid-19lockdownssoonmadehoney aloneasaproductnotfinanciallyviable.

“Wecouldn’tsellthehoney,sowehadtostore it.I’vealwaysbeenfascinatedbyhoneymeadasa product.I’dpreviouslyapproachedameadmaker atamarketanddiscussedhowmeadwasmade, andthelockdownsweretheperfectopportunityto try,”saysMaree.

Makingmead

Meadisafermentationofrawhoneyandwater. Asbeesgathernectartheyarealso gatheringpollenwhichcontains yeast,soeverythingrequired

“Imixrawhoneythat hasalowwatercontent andhighlyfilteredwater tomakethe‘must’or‘wort’ whichisthebaseproduct forthemead.Thisisadded to1000litrefoodgradeIBC containersweuseasfermentation chambers.

“Theproportionsofhoneyandwater dependsonalcoholcontentrequiredfromtheend product.A50/50mixwouldresultinaverystrong alcoholicmead.”

The‘must’sitsinthefermentationchamberand thetemperaturerisesinthemustasyeastreacts withtheglucoseandfructoseinthehoneyto makealcohol.

“Youcanseethecarbondioxidebubblesbeing producedandourcapshaveanoutwardairbleed.”

Aseveryhoneyisdifferentandthereforetheyeast inthathoney’spollenisdifferent,eachbatchis monitoredcarefullybuttheminimumtimefor fermentationwouldbefourmonths.

“ItakeregularBrixreadingswhichtellsme theamountofsugarisleftavailableforfurther fermentation.Itneedstobekeptwarmbutas temperaturesvaryalittle,differentyeastskickin.”

Craig Lovell and Maree Paynter with the empty hives waiting to be used in the summer. Photos: Catherine Fry CraigLovellandMareePaynter

Mareeusesahydrometertocheckalcohollevels. Shealsotastesitdailyandadmitstosometimes wonderingwhatshe’sdoingasintheearlystagesit tastesawful.

“Mypalatehasadjusted,andIcanidentify whichhoneyisinthemead.Wecantweak flavoursbyaddingdifferenthoneysduringthe process.Wearetraditionalmeadmakersanddon’t addanythingafterfermentationhasended.”

TheBrewedNestmead

WhenMareeishappywiththetaste,they“rack off”themead.Thisinvolvespumpingoutthe middlelayerofthefermentationchambertaking carenottopickuptoomuchofthe“lees”(spent pollenandyeastatthebottom)orthebeeswax piecesfloatingonthetop.

“Wealwaysendupwithabitofleesinthebottom ofthebottlebutit’snotabadthing,itholds flavour.Theleesissoughtafterbychefstomake meatmarinadesanddesserts,”saysMaree.

Thecoupledoblindtrialswiththeirmeadsand asktheopinionsoffriendsandneighboursbefore decidingontheirrecipeforbottling.Toavoid contamination,thisallhappenswithin12hoursof openingthefermentationchamber.

“It’sallgoforthefamilyasoursonsjoinusto bottleandlabel.”

Mareedescribesmeadassimilartodessertwine withregardtobody.“It’sdefinitelynotsyrupyor liqueur-like.Ithas13.5%alcohol,similartowine andanatural,sweet,botanicalflavourfromthe flowersthebeesmadethehoneyfrom.”

Thecouplenowhaveapurpose-builtmeaderyon

Varietyofsculptorsatgardenandartfestival

AtBloomintheBaynextmonth,sculptor anddesignerPatrickBarrywillbedisplaying asimilarstonepiecetohisfernsculpture ‘DicksoniaAntarctica’that’sinstalledatthe BotanicGardensinDublin,Ireland.

Primarilyacarver,heworkswithclay,stone, metaldesignandfabrication,andaftertravelling theworld,thesculptorfromIrelandhasmade Wellingtonhishome.He’slookingforwardto meetingpeopleattheBayofPlentyGarden& ArtFestival.

“Ilovethediversityofpeople’sideas,”says Patrick.“Itreallyisauniqueexperiencewhen peopleapproachme.”

“Eachregionhasaveryspecifictakeonwhat theyconsidertobefineartorsculpture.”

Sculpturesandsculptorsareasignificantpartof thisyear’sBayofPlentyGarden&ArtFestival, runningfromNovember14-17.

Sculptorsalsodisplayingworkatthefestival includeCliveArmstrong,ChrisPointon,Isaac Weston,KevinMcCardell,HeatherWratt,Dave Roy,JoTricker,LyndaSoutar,CooperPoppa,Greg andSueStowellandAlison’sArtandSculptures. Festivalgoerscanexpecttoseeartworkscrafted

siteandofferseasonalvarieties ofhoneyandagedtraditional honeymeads. “Weoffermeaderytourswith tasting,andaBeeExperienceTour

wherepeoplecanlearnaboutbeesand beekeeping,”saysMaree. Thenextstepisobtaininganexport licencetotaketheirmeadoverseas.

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frommarine-gradestainlesssteel,copper,glass, concrete,wood,aluminium,stone,woolandfelt, andrecycledsteel.TheMulti-DayFestivalPack, for$80,givesaccesstothefestivalforallfour days,andthe$451-DayFestivalPackgivesaccess tothefestivalforanyoneday.Bothpacksinclude afestivalpass,directory,mapandfreeentryto BloomintheBay.ToattendjustBloominthe Bay,entryis$5,withfreeentryforchildrenunder 14.PassestotheBayofPlentyGarden&Art FestivalfromNovember14-17,areavailablefrom PalmersBethlehem;onlineatEventfinda;orvisit www.gardenandartfestival.co.nz.

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CraigLovellhas1200hivestolookafterintheheightofsummer.

SculptorPatrickBarry’ssculpture ‘DicksoniaAntarctica’. Photo:Supplied.

Nutritionaltheraapyfor joints (Part 2)

Theoddsofwinning LottoandPowerball inNZareabout1 in38million.Ihave amuchbettersetof oddsforyou.

Thechanceofgetting kneeosteoarthritis(OA) isjustunder50%.That isbasicallyacointoss.

OAstartsalongtime, oftendecades,before younoticethatfirst twingeinyourknee, paininyourhiporthatyourfingersare stiffening.OAcanalsoprogressmuch morequicklyafterjointtrauma.Wetend toclassifyOAbysymptomsandscans. Unfortunately,werarelylookattheactual

causestounderstandthediseaase process.

OAisadiseasecharacterised bycartilageloss.Thepurposeof cartilageistoallowforsmooth jointfunctionandtoprotectthe endsofbonesactinglikeashock absorber.Cartilageappearstobe lifelesstissue,butitisnot.Itis livingtissuethatismaintainedby specialcellscalledchondrocytes.

Themainfunctionof chondrocytesistomakeand excretecartilagematrixto repairdamagecartilage.They areamazingcells,buttheyare vulnerabletodamagebyfreeradicals anddestructiveenzymes.Damaged chondrocytesarelessabletomaintain cartilage.OAischaracterisedbythe damageanddeathofchondrocytes.

Th There are several compounds we obtainfromsupplemeents that can help chondrocytesresistdaamage and produce ormaintaincartilage.By far the most importantischondroiitin sulphate This isbecauseaddingchonndroitin stimulates chondrocytestoproduuce cartilage matrix andprotectsthemfrom m free radicals, destructiveenzymesanndinflammation Combininghighgradechondroitin withglucosamineand d 100 per cent water solublecurcuminfrom m turmeric can be verybeneficial,especiaally when combined withananti-inflammaatory diet Emailmeforacopyoofmy Osteoarthritisprogrammme

JohnArts(Adv.Dip.Nut.Medd)isa nutritional medicine practitionerandfounderoof Abundant Health Ltd Forquestionsoradviceconta

Withbirdnestingseasonhere, manyhomeownersareconcerned aboutkeepingbirdsoutoftheroof areaandkeepingtankdrinking waterclean.

Atthesametime,keepingleavesoutof guttersisimportanttoavoidblockage problemsduringrainandhailwhich cancauseflooding,saysNZGutter ProtectionownerMartinSmith.

“Birdsnestinginhousesmakeamess andcontaminateyourtankwater,” Martinsays.

“Installinggutterprotectionwillresolve theseproblems,itwillalsokeepoutrats andpossums,andwillprotecttankwater soit’scleanandsafefordrinking.”

NZGutter Protectionmeshisa durable,heavy-duty polyethyleneandcomes inarangeofcoloursto matchanyroof.

Suitableforallroof types,ithasa15-year guaranteeonmaterials andworkmanship. Martinhasbeen installinggutter protectiononhomes, farmbuildingsand commercialproperties throughoutWaikato andBayofPlenty since2005.

Keepyourlegsrunningright

Torunaprofitablefarming operation,youneedtokeep yourmachineryrunning,and fixlittleproblemsbeforethey becomebigbreakdowns.

TheteamatCosmetic&Veins Clinicoftenheartheirveinspatients say:“IwishI’ddoneitsooner”inthe monthsfollowingtreatment.

They’reoftensleepingalotbetter, andtheirlegsfeellighter,lesscrampy, andlessswollen.

Itchy,heavy,achy,discoloured, orrestlesslegscanbeasignof problemswithlegveins–andthese symptomscanstartevenbefore ropeylegveinsform.

Varicoseveinsareachronic progressivedisorder.Leftuntreated, theconditionwillkeepgettingworse, resultinginvaricoseeczemaand eventuallylegulcersthatdon’theal.

Whywaitforthatsortofmajor breakdownthough?Ifyoursleepand comfortisaffected,youroperation’s vitalmachineryisalreadyslowing yourproductivity.Ifyouhaveany ofthesymptomsmentionedinthis articleyoucanmakeanappointment toseeDrAnuyaDeshpandeandthe teamatCosmetic&VeinsClinicfor aninitialveinsconsultation.

OneofNewZealand’smost qualifiedphlebologists(adoctor specialisingintreatingvaricose veins),DrAnuyacanassessyour veinsusingultrasound,eliminate otherpossiblecausesofsymptoms andgooveroptions. Cosmetic&VeinsClinicis

A client’s leg before starting treatment

A client’s legs after 12 months

recognisedbythemajorhealth insuranceproviders,including SouthernCross,NIB,andPartners Life.Yourconsultationandtreatment maybecoveredbyyourhealthinsurer. Modernveintreatmentsaredone underlocalanaestheticandyoucan getbacktoworkthenextday.

Formoreinformation,seeCosmetic &VeinsClinic’sadvertonthispage.

Ifitseemsweird,reportit,policeurgefarmers

Policeareurgingpeopleinruralareas toremovethewelcomematforthieves. Anumberoftheftsfromaroundthe countryhaspromptedthewarning “We’reaskingruralcommunities,no matterwhereyouare,tokeepaneyeout. Ifsomethingseemsweird,tellus,”says apolicespokesperson.

Suspiciousorillegalactivityshouldbe reportedbycalling111immediatelyif

it’shappeningnow,oron105ifit’safter thefact.

“Whenyoumakeareport,we’reableto seewherecrimeishappening,andwhere ourattentionneedstobe.

Abouttwo-thirdsofruralburglaries andtheftsoccuratpropertieswith little-to-nosecurityinplace,but‘target hardening’canbeassimpleaslocking gatesorsheds.

TheHighCountry Heritagetourisa six-dayformat.

A popular, established tour

NZAdventuresoffersawiderange oftours acrosstheSouthIslandofNewZealand. Andoneofthemostpopularandlongest establishedistheHighCountryHeritageinits six-dayformat.

TheHighCountryHeritageisessentiallythe journeydowntheeasternalpinefoothillsfrom BlenheimtoCardronathatNZAdventures pioneeredinthelate1990sandwhichremains stillsopopulartoday,sayowner-operatorsof NZAdventures4x4Tours,Robbieand Connie Crickett,whooperatebackcountry tours throughouttheSouthIsland.

TheTourincludesawiderangeofhigh-country stationsandconservationestatetracksalonga 1250kmroutethroughovernightsinHanmer Springs,Methven,Fairlie,Omaramaand Cromwellbeforereachingthefinishattheiconic CardronaHotelnearWanaka.

“Accommodationprovidedishotelandforthe mostparteveningmealsandbreakfastsarein restaurantsonsite.Lunchesaremostlypicnic withonefarmlunch.Thefarmlunchallowsthe opportunitytointeractwiththefarmersand learnsomethingoftheirlivesandagribusiness ingenerallyisolatedbutbeautifullocations.In thecontextofafour-wheeldrivetripthetracks areeasilyenoughcoveredbycompetentdrivers insuitablefourwheeldrivevehicles(lowrange transmission)andallterrain(AT)tyresingood

condition Nootherspecialpreparationofthe vehicleisrequired.”

RobbieandConnie sayhighlights ofthe tourwill includeMolesworthStationonthe afternoonofDay Oneandthevasthillcountry ofNorthCanterburythroughmost ofDayTwo. DayThreeseesthetourheadswesttowardsthe highAlpsandthe massivevistasoftheinland valleyswhileDayFourtakesthetouracrossthe highplainsgravelriver valleysoftheMackenzie Countryalongwithsome hillcountrytracks withviews backtoMt.Cook.

“Day y FiveandSixseethetourdrive overinto CentralOtagoandtheopportunitytodrivevery highontotwoofthemountainrangesandareso muchapartofthisregionknownforitshistory ofgoldandpastoralismandforbeingasfarfrom theseaasitspossibletogetinNewZealand.

“TheHighCountryHeritageisagreat introductiontotheSouthIslandandtothe NZAdventuresRangeoftours.Thesheersize oftheislandespeciallycomparedtoexpectations alongwiththefriendlinessofthepeoplealong thewayarethemostoftenvoicedcommentsof tourparticipants.”

Formoreinformation pleasecontact NZAdventures

Pleasephone 032188569 Mobile 0275506727 or 0274354267

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

Twoyearclosureplanned forTaurangaroad

AsectionofStateHighway2/15thAve inTaurangaisexpectedtobeclosed forthenexttwoyears.

NZTransportAgencyWakaKotahisaysone westboundlaneonSH2/15thAvewillbeclosed fromSunday,September15,throughtomid2026forworktobuildanewbridgeconnection.

“TheentrancetoEdgecumbe RoadfromSH2willalsobe closedwhilemajorworkstake place,”saysaspokesperson.

NZTAsaysworks,partof theTakitimuNorthLink project,involvebuildinga 120mlargeretainingwall andearthworks,priorto constructionofanew128m bridgeconnectingtoSH29/ TakitimuDriveTollRoad.

“Peoplepassingthrough thisareawillseethe existingretainingwallnear EdgecumbeRoadremoved, vegetationcleared,service relocationsandearthworks continuewitharound8000 cubicmetresofmaterialto beremoved.

“Theconstructionoftheretainingwall willstartmid-October.Oncethishasbeen completedtheconstructionofthenew 15thAvebridgeconnectionwillstart.This

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areawillbeinconstructionforapproximately twoyears.

“Localpeopleandthosepassingthroughthis areashouldbepreparedfordisruptionoverthe constructionseason,therewillbedelaysaswe completethiswork.”

Detours

- Northbound –CameronRoadtoElizabeth StreetandontoSH2

- Southbound –CameronRoadtoSH29A roundabout

ThenewconnectionfromSH2/15thAve toTakitimuDriveTollRd/SH29willbebuilt aspartoftheTakitimuNorthLinkproject–providingabetter-connectedjourneyforpeople travellingfromTaurangatowardsTePuna, TaurikoandLowerKaimai.

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An artist’s impression of the new highway and bridge connection.

The works will affect people who use SH2/15th Ave.

A$1.9billiongovernmentinvestmentin “vital”BayofPlentyroadsisgreatnewsfor theregion,sayWesternBaymayors.

TheGovernmentwillprogressworkonthree roadsofnationalsignificance,StateHighway29in Taurikowest,TakitimuNorthLinkstageonefrom TaurangatoTePuna,andstagetwofromTePuna toŌmokoroa.

Constructionofstageone,afour-laneexpressway, isalreadyunderwayandisduetoopenin2027. TheŌmanawabridgeonSH29willbereplaced andWelcomeBayRd,TurretRdand15thAvewill beimproved.

OptionstostrengthenconnectionsonSH2 WaioekaGorgebetweentheEastCoastand EasternBayofPlentywillalsobedeveloped.

TaurangaMayorMahéDrysdalesaiditwas greatnewsforthecityandWesternBayofPlenty thattheTNLandSH29projectswereearmarked forprogressionaspartoftheNationalLand TransportProgramme.

“Theinclusionofimprovementstothe15th Ave/TurretRdcorridorisalsokeybecausethis workwilladdressoneofthecity’ssignificant bottlenecks,whichiscurrentlyimpactingnetwork congestioninTauranga,”hesaidinastatement. TaurangaCityCouncilendorsedthe15thAve toWelcomeBaybusinesscaseatameetinglast month.Itisseeking51%ofthe$82.6million costfromNewZealandTransportAgency WakaKotahi.

ThebusinesscasewillgobeforetheNZTAboard inOctober.

WBOPMayorJamesDenyersaidthecouncilwas pleasedTNLstagetwoandSH29wouldbefunded.

“They’revitalforourdistrict,ourregionand thecountry.”

GettingfreighttoandfromthePortofTauranga

AddlineTransporthasaddedanauger trucktoitsfleetenablingthemto deliverffeeddirectintofarmers’silos.

Thenewserviceisavailabletofarmers acrossthegreaterBayofPlentyandWaikato.

AddlineTTransportdirectorKerryAddison says thatuuntiltheacquisitionofthisnew truck,they y deliveredbulkfeedontofarm.

“We stillddothat,butfarmerscannow choosewhhethertohavetheirfeeddelivered into bulkbbinsordirectintofeedsilos.”

Thenewtruckstarteddeliveriesatthestart of thecurrrentdairyseasonandKerrysays wordhassspreadanddemandishigh.

“We’vegootareputationfordoinga goodjob–– acrossallourservices.Wordof mouthistthebestformofadvertising,and that’sworkkingforiswiththenewauger

efficientlyhadahugeeconomicimpact,hesaid.

CongestiononSH2hasbeena“hugefrustration” forresidentswhoarecaughtin“longtailbacks” everyday,sobothstagesoftheTNLwillbea majorhelp,Denyersaid.

Therewouldbesignificantimplicationsforthe low-cost,low-riskprojectsinthedistrictthatthe Governmenthasremovedfundingfor,hesaid.

Theseweresmallerprojectssuchaswidening roadsorimprovingsafetyatintersections,which thecouncilwouldnormallygeta51percent subsidyforfromNZTA.

Ifthecouncilwasn’tgettingthesubsidyitwould onlybeabletodohalfoftheprojectsitnormally completes,Denyersaid.

“TheGovernmenthasmadeitcleartoNZTA thatweexpecteverydollaroftransportfunding tobespentwiselyontheprojectsandservices neededintheBayofPlenty”saidTaurangaMP SamUffindell.

“Theregionneeds significantinvestment intransport infrastructuretoenable economicgrowth.”

truck.Farmersareprettyhappywith theservice.”

AddlineTransporthasaround35 trucksinitsfleetprovidingabroad rangeofservicesacrosstheBayof PlentyandWaikato.Bulktransport

isaspeciality. Inadditiontothenewauger truck,servicesincludetrucks,trailer unitsandtransportationforhire, landscapingproductsandservices, anddeliveryofstockfeed.

The new

part of the Addline Transport fleet

TakitimuNorthLinkstageoneworksonthe MindenGullybridge. Photo:NZTA.

Agricultureindustryhitsoutatproposed‘taxonatax’

Agriculturalaviatorssay aproposedincreaseofits industrylevyisataxonatax thatwilldisproportionately impactagricultureoverother aviationsectors.

NewZealandhasjustover 100certifiedagriculturalaviators -whosprayedagri-chemicalsor fertiliser,workedforconservation purposesortomanagebiosecurity threats,andalsosupportedforestry andhorticulture.

Itsgoverningbody,theCivil AviationAuthoritylaunched consultationonaraftofproposals

aroundchangesandincreasestofees, leviesandcharges.

TheCrownprovidednearlyhalfa-billiondollarsoffundingtothe CAAsince2020,tocoverthelossof revenuefrompassengerleviesduring Covid-19-andthegovernmentis aimingtoreducethatreliance.

Minster’ssay

Theministerwithfinalsay ontheproposalsisTransport MinisterSimeonBrown.Hesays thechangesareaboutensuring CAAisfinanciallystable.

“Theproposedfees,leviesand chargescurrentlybeingconsulted onhavebeensetatanamountCAA

considersnecessarytoensure therewillbenofundingshortfall oncethegovernmentsubsidy endson30June2025,”hesays.

Hesaysduetoinflation, changingsecuritystandardsand othercostpressures,anincrease was“unavoidable”.

Butheaddsnothingisyetset instone.

“Iamnotyetconvincedthat theproposedfeeincreasesare fullyjustifiedandhaveasked forareviewoftheevidenceto supportthesechanges.”

BrucePeterson,chairofthe NewZealandAgricultural AviationAssociation,says passengerandemergingaviation technologyoperatorsfacefewer feesthantheiragricultural counterparts-andfrustration ismounting.

“[Brown]indicatedthatthere wasa$90millionshortfall, whichisreallyconcerninghow that’sgoingtobecollectedand he’stalkedaboutleviesandfees, whicharebecomingincredibly disproportionalhowthey’re spreadacrosstheindustry, particularlyfortheagsector.”

Fees,leviesandcharges

Brownconfirmstheshortfall willbe$88millionfrom2025 to2027.

“Withoutthefundingprovided fromthehigherfees,leviesand charges,therewouldbeshortfalls

of$41millioninFY2025/26 and$47millioninFY2026/27,” Brownsaid.

Commercialagricultural operatorscouldfacean operationssafetylevyincrease ofupto47percentunderthe proposedchanges.

Petersonsaystheruralsectoris alreadypayingtensofthousands ofdollarstocomplywiththe operationssafetylevyestablished in2017withfewactualresults.

“It’sataxonataxandwe’re notgettinganythingforit.Soan examplecouldbe,beforethese increases,afixedwingapplying linecouldbepayingupto$60 anhouraddedontothehourly raterequiredbecauseofthis levy,it’sbasedontonnesversusa helicopteronsprayingthatmight onlypay$4.50anhour.

“Andthenyouaddthe47 percentontopofthat,andit’s

justoutrageous.Sowe’repretty upsetaboutthat.”

Hesaystheindustryisalready “reallystruggling”withthe flow-oneffectsofdropping fertiliseruse.

“Likeallthefarmersare,we’re aservicesectortotheruralsector, sowhenthingsgoliketheyare atthemomentit’sprettyhard foreverybody.

“Fertilisertonnagesarewell, wellback,whichalsoaffectsthe revenuethattheCAAgetbecause theyputitonatonnerate.So thatwillalsoseethatpotentially drivethatupfurther.”

Priorities

HesaystheCAAasawhole needstoreprioritiseitsspending. “Everybodyistrimmingthings andtryingtomakethemas efficientaswecan.”

MoniqueSteele,RNZ

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

TransportMinisterSimeonBrownsaidthechangeswereaboutensuring CAAwasfinanciallystable. Photo:NewZealandAgriculturalAviationAssociation.

Nutrientefficiencywithhumates

Asafarmerorggrower, , youappply y fertiliserbecauseyyoucan’t affordnotto.So,findingwaysofgettingthatfertilisertowork moreefficiently makeseconomicsense.

RecentfieldtrialsinSouthland NZ(2014-2018)foundthatadding humatestoureaapplications increasedpastureproductionby9.8 percentmorethanaddingureaalone. Andsinceit’snotacomplicatedor costlyprocesstoaddthehumates, thiswouldseemtobeaworthwhile strategyifnutrientefficiencyisagoal.

Whatarehumates?

Humatesareatypeoforganic matterformedfromthedead tissuesofplantsandanimals.They arenatural,organiccompounds. Theirmainelementsarecarbon, hydrogen,nitrogen,andoxygen, althoughtheyarecomplexandvary greatlyintheirchemicalstructure. Humatesandhumicsubstancesare widespread,thebestsourcesbeing soil,compost,manure,peatandcoal depositslikelignite.Apartfromtheir useinagriculture,humatesarealso importanttothepharmaceuticaland biomedicalindustries.

AccordingtoMPI’scriteria, humatesarefertiliseradditives ratherthanactualfertilisersince

Afertilisercompanyhasbeen convictedafteraworkerdiedafter beingcrushedinaconveyorbelt accidentinMountMaunganui. Thecompanyhadconflictingsafety informationandhadearlierbeentold about“non-compliantguarding”and “entanglement”risksaroundthebelt system,courtdocumentsshow.

BallanceAgri-NutrientsLimited haspleadedguiltyintheTauranga DistrictCourtofachargeoffailing toensure,sofarasreasonably practicable,thehealthandsafetyof workers,exposingthemtotheriskof deathorseriousinjuryfrommoving conveyorbelts.

WorkSafeNewZealandlaidthe chargeundertheHealthandSafety atWorkAct2015afteraworker, whocannotbenamed,diedatthe company’sMountMaunganuifactory onJuly27lastyear.

Thecompanymakessuperphosphate fertiliser–themostcommonlyused infarminginNewZealand–from itsHewlettsRdplantadjacenttothe PortofTauranga.

Ballanceadmittedfailuresin

HavingahighCECapparentlyallowshumates tobindwithtoxicmetalslikealuminium,which canbeatroublesomeelementinNZsoils.And somescientistsstatethathumatesarecapableof bindingwithpesticidesandherbicidestoo.

mostnutrientuptakeoccurs.

TheSouthlandstudysuggestedthatnutrient uptakeincreasedwhenhumatewasaddedtourea becauseplantroothairsweremoredevelopedand abletoabsorbmorenutrients.

Increasedmicrobes

theydon’t directlyprovide plantswith specificnutrients likenitrogen, phosphorus,andpotassium.

However,humatecompounds aregenerallycategorisedinto3 groups:fulvicacid,humicacid,and humin.Thereisnowalargebody ofresearchdescribinghowhumates benefitsoilhealth,soilstructure, andplantgrowth.

Benefitstosoilstructure

Asfarbackas1965,scientistswere claimingthathumateswere“nature’s soilconditionersparexcellence”. Morerecentstudiesshowthat improvementsinwaterholding capacity,soilpororsity,andaeration doindeedoccur,especiallywhere humatesareaddedtolessfertilesoils orsoilstiredfromconstantcropping. Humicsubstancesandhumates typicallyhaveahighCEC(cation exchangecapacity)value.Inother words,theyhavetheabilitytostore orretainplantnutrients.

trainingandcompliancemonitoring forcleaningandmaintenanceofthe conveyorsystem,andinensuringthat itwasfittedwitheffectiveguarding andemergencystopservices.

Themaximumpenaltyforthe chargeisa$1.5millionfine.

Incourtlastmonth,BrettHarris, lawyerforBallanceAgri-Nurients, toldJudgeBillLawsonthecompany andthevictim’sfamilywerewilling toparticipateinarestorative justicemeeting.

JudgeLawsonconvictedthe companyandremandedthematter forarestorativejusticemeetingreport andsentencingonDecember17.

LawyerGenevieveDenize, representingthevictim’sfamily, successfullysoughtinterim suppressionofhisnameandwhere helivedonhardshipgrounds, unopposedbyWorkSafe. WorkSafe’ssummaryoffacts releasedtotheBayofPlenty Timesshowedthefatalaccident involvedahorizontalconveyorbelt systemusedtotransportthefertiliser productdowntheproductionline.

Inearlierstudies,microbialpopulationswere believedtoincreasewiththeadditionofhumates, bothinsizeanddiversity.NewDNAtechnology isenablingscientiststoverifythatthisisso. Forexample,therecenttrialsinSouthland NZmentionedabovefoundthatawider varietyoffungiwerepresentafterthe applicationofhumates.Theresearchers alsofoundthatthisdiversitycorrelatedto anincreaseinpastureproduction.

Increasednutrientuptake

Manyotherstudieshavefoundthat humicacidincreasesplantgrowthand inparticular,plantrootformationwhere

Therewasalsotheideathatduetothe humicacid,theplantsincreasedtheirroot secretionstostimulatetheirrhizobialfungi. Thefungiinturnincreasedtheavailabilityof plantnutrients,allowingtheplantstotakethem upingreaterquantities.

Humatesareworthwhile

Whilewe’veknownabouthumatesforalong time,andknownthatthesecompoundsaregreat forsoilandplanthealth,theresearchhasn’t alwaysbeenconclusiveinregardstotheirbenefits asafertiliseradditive.However,withmilestone projectsliketherecentfieldtrialsinSouthland, wecannowbemoreconfidentthatadding humatestofertiliserlikeureaisaworthwhile thingtodo.

Anequallystressfulseason

It’sOctoberandonthedairy farmthestressofcalvingis behindusandwe’removing intothematingseasonwhich canbeequallystressful forsomefarmers.

Forsheepfarmersalotofthe dockingwillbedone,andthey willbeaimingtopiletheweight onthelambsasfastastheycanso theycansellasmanyaspossible beforeChristmas.Farmersshouldbe happywiththemildwinterwhich

hasminimisedpasturedamage,and agreatspring(sofar)whichhave enabledanabundanceoffeedon mostfarms.

Weatherreminder

However,asIwritethisin September,wehadacoldsnap overnightandIgotquiteasurprise thismorningtohavetopourwater overmywindscreentogettheiceoff. Ithoughtthebiteofwinterhadgone, butIwaswrong.Itisareminderthat theweathercanchangeandthatalot infarmingcanchangequickly.

It is interesting to note that soil moisturelevels,asmeasuredby NIWA,arehigherthanthesame timelastyear;thisislargelydue toAugust2024beingwetter thanAugust2023with89.5mls recordedhereinPaengaroa, comparedwithonly11mlslast year.Overall,though,calendar yeartodatewearemuchlower thanthepasttwoyearsat 870mls.Theprevioustwoyears havebeenbetween1100mlsand 1200mls.Groundtemperatures arecreepingupnowwiththe averagefortheweekstarting 16Septemberbeing12.1°C, althoughthesameperiodlast yearwas14.2°C.

Thetractorsarenowallout

roaring around the paddocks makinggrasssilageandhave startedpreparingmaizeground. Afairbitshouldbeplantedby thetimeyoureadthisarticle.

Maizecomparison

Notablythetalkaroundis howmuchlessmaizewillbe grownthisyearduetothe increasedfeedonhandand theoversupplyfromlastyear.I haveheardofplentyofpeople cancellingseedordersand reducingcropareas.Whatwill thisdotothemarketthisyear? Itseemstobeboomandbustfor themaizemarketeachyear. Farmerconfidenceand businessconfidenceingeneral seemstobeimproving,whichis great.Buttheeconomyremains abitgrimformany.

Ihavelostcountofthenumber ofbusinessesthathavebeen reportedtohaveeitherclosed theirdoors,areinliquidation orreceivership.People’slives dependonthesebusinessesfor employment. Wearecurrentlyopenfor maizesilageordersandhave somegrasssilagebalestoo. Wealsohavearangeofother feedsavailablefromhaytostraw andcalfmealtoosoifyoustill needsomepleasegetholdofme foraquote.

REVITALISEYOUR SOILANDOPTIMISE GROWTH

Anunnecessaryloss?

Anothertwolargescaleintensivedairy farmsinNorthOtagohavebeensold recentlyafterreceiverswerecalledin.

Itwasnosecretlocallythatthere hadbeenbothfinancialandstaffing problemsforsometime.

Theirfailureprovidesfuelfor thoseopposedtodairyinginany form,andthat’sashamebecause theindustryprovidesfood, employment,significantincome,and whendonewellitisthequickestway t to sequester carbon

To those new to the district the contour of the land appears ideal

supplyundermostofthecountry.

Landlocallyremainsrelativelycheapcompared tootherintensivedairyareassowhydidthese enterprisesrunintodifficulties?

Thereareseveralissuesthatmayhave contributedandareworthdiscussing astheyhaveimplicationsforsimilar operationselsewhere.

Theopportunityfordairy farmerstohaveasayinthe futureoftheDairyNZBoardhas arrived,withvotingnowopen fortwodirectorships.

Thisyear,threecandidatesare vyingfortwovacantpositions ontheDairyNZBoard.The successfulcandidateswillhelp ensuredairyfarmersandthe dairysectorhaveapositive futureaheadofthem.Farmers haveuntil12noonThursday, October17,tocasttheirvotes.

forintensivedairy.Thewind-blownsoilshave aseeminglyidealgentlerollingcontour.Dairy cowswalkalongwayeachdayandgradualslopes requirelessenergycomparedtosteeperland.

Thelownaturalrainfallhasplayedan importantroleintheretentionofnutrientand soiltestsshowthebestofthecountrytohave naturallyhighphosphorus,calcium,potassium, andmagnesiumlevelsreducingtherequirement forexpensiveinputs.

Supplydemand

Thedemandforacontinuoussupplyofpasture meansirrigationisessentialandthere’saplentiful

Thetwofarmsarelocatedonsoils thatarequitestickylimitingthe speedatwhichwatercanpercolate downwards,andpuggingiscommon underthedownwardpressureoflarge numbersofanimalsconfinedto smallareas.

Soilstructure

Soilcompressesunderfeetandwhen itdoesn’tquicklyregainastructurewith closetotheideal25percentairspace,pasture productiondeclines.

It’stheorganicmatterinsoilthatlargely determinestheamountofnutrientandmoisture soilscanretainandwhensyntheticnitrogen isregularlyappliedthespeedatwhichorganic matterissequesterediscompromised.

Surfacerun-offincreasesandtheconditions foraliftinbothnitrateandphosphoruslevels inwaterwaysarecreatedalthoughthereis noevidencethatthisdidoccuronthe propertiesmentioned.

Nitrogenstudies

Studieshaveshownthatwhennitrogenisfixed naturallybyclover,ratherthansuppliedinthe syntheticform,thelossofnitratetogroundwater isminimised.

FunctionalFertiliserhasproductsthat whenincorporatedintototalnutrient programmesincreaseclovergrowthandtotal annualpastureproduction.

Tomaximisethebenefitscarefuldaily managementofpastureisessentialandthereare techsheetsavailablethatprovidetheinformation andtechniquesnecessaryforbestresults.

It’snotnewinformationandwaspartofwhat farmerslearntpriorto1990whentherewasstilla relianceoncloverforthesupplyofnitrogen.

Achangedoesn’tmeanareductioninannual pastureproductionasdatafromRuakura ResearchStationshowedpermanentpasture productionintheWaikatoareahigherinthe 1980’sthanitistoday.

Theshifttonitrogenfixedfreeofchargeby clovercanbeseamlesswithaspringapplication ofCalciZestresultinginanincreaseinboth pastureandmilksolidproductionoverthenext sixmonths.

FormoreinfotalktoPeteron0800843809.

INSTALLATION SERVICE REPAIR

20yearsexperienceof DairyEffluentSystems andRepairs

ServicingofallEffluent& Irrigationequipment.

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

Beautifulspringpasture.

Callsformorementalhealthsupport

RuralWomenNewZealandis callingformorementalhealth supportforruralcommunities, followinganimpassionedpleain ParliamentbyACTMP MarkCameron.

“Wewanttoofferourheartfelt supporttoMarkCameronforhaving thecouragetostandinParliament’s debatingchamberandsharehis whanau’sgriefafterrecentlylosinghis sonto,”RuralWomenNewZealand

BoardChairSandraMatthewssays.

“Themoreweacknowledgeandtalk abouttheseissuesthebetter,aswe knowourruralcommunitiesaredoing itreallytough.

“There’sawiderangeofissuesat playinruralcommunitiesatthe momentrangingfromcommunities experiencingsignificantjoblossesfrom theclosureorscalingbackofmajor localemployers,topublicsectorjob lossesintheregions,”shesays.

“Wealsohavecommunitiesgrappling withtheongoingimpactsandslow

Wheretogethelp... RuralSupportTrust Helpline:0800787254 Needtotalk? Freecallortext1737anytime forsupportfromatrained counsellor.

journeytorecoveryfollowing CycloneGabrielleandtheNorth Islandextremeweatherevents; variouscommunitiesfacing ongoingdrought;aswellas farmersaffectedbylowmarket pricesatthesametimeasrising inputandlivingcosts.

affectedcommunitiesand increasefundingforRural SupportTrusts.

“Ruralcommunitiesrelyon volunteersandweknowpeople areoverwhelmedandattherisk ofburnoutfromtheplethoraof issuestheyarehavingtoface.

“WewelcometheGovernment continuingtorolloutmental healthsupporttoprimaryand intermediatestudentsinHawke’s BayandTairāwhiti.

“Wealsoapplaudtherecent Governmentannouncementsto increasesupportfordrought-

“WithMentalHealth AwarenessWeekjustaroundthe corner,weurgetheGovernment tocontinuetoinvestinproviding increasedresourcesandaccess toruralmentalhealthservices, includingcounsellingand medicalassessments.”

Lifeline: 0800543354(0800LIFELINE) Youthline: 0800376633, freetext234oremail talk@youthline.o.nztochat Samaritans: 0800726666

SuicideCrisisHelpline: 0508828865(24/7)

Serviceforpeoplewhomaybe thinkingaboutsuicide,orthose whoareconcernedaboutfamily orfriends.

DepressionHelpline: 0800111757(24/7)ortext4202

Farmsarenearlybackinblack

Theoutlookfordairyfarmsthisseasonis betterthananticipated,asemphasisedinthe latestDairyNZEconTrackerupdate.

whileonly10percentfeellessconfident.

DairyNZ’sheadofeconomics,Mark Storey,explainsthatintheprevious June2024EconTrackerforecast update,DairyNZpredictedarelatively challengingseasonaheadduetohigh expenses,however,conditionsseemto beimproving.

“Inthepastfewweeks,wehaveseen thecombinationofdeclininginterest rates,andimprovedfarmgatemilk prices,whichcreatesamorefavourable outlookforNewZealanddairyfarmers.

“Thesechangesarelikelytoprovidedairyfarmers withgreaterfinancialflexibilitythaninitially projectedforthe2024/25season.”

Priortotheseannouncements,DairyNZ’slatest FarmerPerceptionssurveyalreadyshowedmost farmersfeelconfidentinthefinancialsustainability oftheirbusiness,with60%feelingveryconfident,

“Manyfarmerswillcontinuetofeelrelieffollowing theserecentannouncementsonthefarmgatemilk priceandinterestrates,havingexperiencedseveral seasonswithtightprofitmargins. Although,thereisstillaslightcash deficitonaveragefordairyfarmswhich reflectsthatinterestcostsarestillhigh.” Whenconsideringthesechanges, DairyNZ’slatestfarmfinancialforecast ontheEconTrackershowsthenational breakevenforecastsittingat$8.09 perkg/MS,whiletheforecastaverage payoutreceivedhasincreasedto $8.84perkg/MS.

“Wehaveseenfarmworkingexpensesincrease slightly,drivenbyincreasesinkeyoperationalareas suchaselectricity,irrigation,wages,andrepair andmaintenancecosts.Althoughthereduction ininterestandincreaseinfarmgatemilkprice significantlyoutweightheseminorincreases, improvingtheoverallfinancialpositionofmost farmers,”saysMark.

TheEconTrackercanbeaccessedatdairynz.co.nz

DairyNZ’sheadof economicsMarkStorey.

Manyfarmershaveturned toprobioticstoimprove herdhealthandproduction afterseeingpositiveresults incalves.

JoeMcDonald,oneofthefirst touseCalfXtremeinWaikato, beganusingtheprobioticin 2018.Heimmediatelynoticed improvements,withhiscalves consumingupto8litresof milkwithoutexperiencing nutritionalscours.Health issuesdecreased,andfroma youngage,thecalves’intake ofhayandroughageimproved dramatically.Asaresult,they wereweanedabout10days earlierthaninpreviousyears.

Benefits

However,theseinitialbenefits seemedminorcomparedto thesubstantialweightgains McDonaldobservedwhenhis heifersreturnedfromgrazing. Hisgrazierevenasked,“Why doyourcalvesgrowbetterthan anyothergrouponmyfarm?”

ChrisCollierfromProbiotic Revolutionattributedthisto

improvedrumendevelopment fromfeedingCalfXtreme.It laterbecameevidentthatthese calves,bolsteredbyprobiotics, alsohadstrongerimmunity againstwormburdens,even longaftertheprobioticswere initiallyintroduced.

Year-roundfeed

Motivatedbytheseresults, McDonaldexploredtheuseof probioticsforhisherd.Dueto ashoulderinjury,administering aprobioticdrenchtomastitis cowswasn’tfeasible,even thoughotherfarmerswere achieving90%curerates,soin 2023,heoptedforprobiotic feedyear-roundtomanage mastitiscasesandsomaticcell counts.Beinganequitypartner Joemadethedecisiontotake thecheaperoptionofalow dailydoseratethatwasjust targetingherdhealth.Froma startingpointinJulywiththe samecellcountsastheprevious year,cellcountswerelower everymonthuntiltheywere29 percentlowerinMay.

InJulythisyear,McDonald beganincorporatingintohis

feedanewpotentyeastextract sourcedbyProbioticRevolution foracombinedtotalofjust 6centspercowperday.Cell countsbymid-Septemberare abouthalfofthepreviousyear’s levels,with84%ofdaysin excellence.

Earlyspringresults

Whilecullinghighcellcount cowsandusingblanketdry cowtherapyalsocontributed totheseresults,McDonald noticedanotherchangethis spring:“Wecalvedcowsin betterconditionandnormally withbetterconditionthereis moreweightlossaftercalving. Thisyearhowevertheyare holdingcondition–thereis noticeablylessweightloss.”

Havingseentheseresultsso earlyinthespringMcDonald isconvincedthathisprobiotic supplementationforhisherdis goingtopaybigdividendsin thelongrun,andisenthusiastic forwhatliesaheadforhis animals.

Formoreinformation,see ProbioticRevolution’sadverton thispage.

Nationstandsdownafter30years

PeterNationhasannouncedheistostepasideafter nearly30yearsinvolvementwiththeNewZealand NationalFieldaysSociety.

Nation,whoholdsthepositionofCEO,announced lastmonthheissteppingdownfromthehelmofthe NewZealandNationalFieldaysSociety,ownerand operatorofthe114hectaresofMysteryCreekEvents CentreandtheIconicFieldaysevent,finishingupon the20thDecemberthisyear.

“IhavemadethedecisiontostepasidesoIcan

pursuemorepersonalinterestsandtimewithfamily,I feelthatIamleavingSocietyinaverystableposition withabrightfutureahead.”

Nationisquicktooutlinethathehasbeen“in andaroundSocietyfornearly30years,sothetime isright”,firstasthemajorsponsorrepresentativeas theANZRegionalManagerRural,andtheBank’s sponsorrepresentative,wherehesupportedmajor capitalinvestmentssuchastheMysteryCreekPavilion, followedbyabeingappointedasCEOinMarch2016.

PROBIOTICSVS CELLCOUNTAND MASTITIS

ControlSCCand effectivelytreatclinical mastitis.

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

withhold

Unmatched-strength, combinationprobiotic

"Fromthesamecellcountsatthe startoftheseasonwewere29% downinMayandcowshave beenholdingtheircondition muchbetterthisspring.I’m convincedthissupplementis goingtopaydividends”

www.probioticrevolution.co.nz

JoeMcDonaldnoticingbettercowconditionwithprobiotics.

Matt

Chris

Nilmilk

JohnMcCarty-Eltham

JoeMcDonald-Cambridge

MasonMilne,14monthsoldoutinthesunonthefarminPutaruru.

Below:Hazze Lowe, 5,inCorommandel Townn. Lefft:Tyyler Lowe,9,in n Whitianga a

Left:Jaxson Lowe,11,in Whenuakite.