Morepongsfrom thepaddock….
hisolfactorysenseswerejusttunedalittlebit differentlytomine,butIstillthinkofgardenias, roseandlillies,andhigh-endmaletoiletries,when beautifulsmellsarementioned.
EventheCorriedaleslookedmiserable. Becausethemist,thefogwasdowntothetop ofyourRedBands.Itconsumedyou,permeated everyremotecornerofyourcold,dampsoul. Mostunpleasant.
AndthoseCorriedales,smellinglikeaflockof wetsocks,weremunchingChouMoellierlikethey werewillingthemselvestoanearlyslaughter.Why fattenyourselfsoenthusiastically?
“Wetsocks?”remonstratedthe broad-brimmedoilskinhat,under which,livedafarmer.“Wetsocks? Hewasmildlyoffended.“It’sa beautifulsmell.Woolpongs whenitgetswetbecause oflan’lin,anaturaloil producedbysheep.”
“Whenthefleecegetswet itreleasesfattyacidsand otherstuffthatmakethat distinctivesmell.Butlan’linisa beautifulthing.”
Ayoungcitymindstruggledwithallthingsrural. PerhapsIshoulddoacourseinaromatherapy andthenwarnthesheep:“Doyourselfafavour guys,stayscrawnyuntilafterChristmas.Buy sometime”.ThatHatwouldprobablyfind thepungentfunkofroastinghoggetbeautiful too.Orthateversoslightlysweet,acidicwhiff ofpositivefermentationfromasilagepit.One man’sbeautifulisanotherman’sghastly.Isuppose
I’msurehewasjustwaitingtoenlightensome youngignoramusfromthecity.TheHatblathered on:“Lanolin’snature’sgift,protectsthesheep fromtheelements,andinturnithelpsussoothe, moisturiseandheal,dryandcrackedskin”. Ratherthana‘manofthesoil,’likeradio’s fictitiousbuthilarious‘Arthur Fellowfield’,theHatsoundedmore likeamouthpieceforapersonalcare brand.Notthattherehadbeen manysoothing,moisturising andhealingapplications ofGod’sbalmtotheface beneaththathat. Itwasawonderfulfaceofa thousandstoriesandhardenedbya lifetimeofbattlesagainstwind,rain,snow, sleetandsun.Theweatherwaswinning.And littledidthatHatknowit’sinsightsandwisdom wouldberetainedbyatownieandwrittenupina popularruralpublication60yearslater.
Anyhow,fog,mankysmellsandChouMollier aside,theHatannouncedhewastakingthiscity ninnyoutforagreatnight.Shouldaninnyget dressedup,shouldaninnygetdresseddown, shouldaninnygetexcited?
Agreatmid-weekruralnightoutisinnext month’sCoast&CountryNews.
Scholarshipboostfornextgeneration
Scholarshipshavebeenawardedtosix tertiarystudentsaspartofeffortstoboost on-the-groundsupportforfarmers andgrowers.
“Wearereducingtheregulatoryburdenon farmersandgrowersandprovidingsupportto adaptandinnovate,thisincludesfundingthe OnFarmSupportScienceScholarships,”said AgricultureMinisterToddMcClay.
“TheOnFarmSupportScienceScholarships helpbuildaknowledgeableadvisorysectorready toprovidepractical,specializedsupporttoour primaryindustries.”
Thescholarships,each valuedat$5000,have beenawardedtoLincoln Universitystudents GeorgiaHiginbottom, AshtonRobinson,and HenryBartrum;Massey UniversitystudentsMac WilliamsandEllaBryan; andOtagoUniversity studentGeorgieBurdon, whoarestudyingagricultural science,veterinaryscience, science,orcommerce.
economy,withfoodandfibreexportsgenerating $53.3billioninrevenueasofJune2024.
ThisinitiativeispartoftheGovernment’s broaderstrategytodoubleexportvalueoverthe next10years.
WhatisOnFarmSupport?
MPIestablishedOnFarmSupportin2022. Theregionallybasedserviceconnectsfarmersand growerstogovernmentresources,advice,extension services,andlearningandfundingopportunities. Ithasadvisersprovidingon-the-groundsupport andassistancein10regions.
Theteamworkscloselywithindustry
“Theseimpressive scholarshiprecipients representthefutureof primaryindustryadvisoryservices,andthey’ll playakeyroleinhelpingourfoodandfibre sectorthrive,”saidAssociateAgricultureMinister AndrewHoggard.
NZ’sagriculturesectorremainscentraltothe
Below:EllaBryan fromSouthland. Bachelorof Veterinary Science.
Above:Georgia Higinbottom fromCanterbury. Bachelorof AgriculturalScience.
organisations,privateconsultants,regional councils,catchmentgroups,andnationalscience providerstoensurefarmershaveconsistentand evidence-basedinformationtohelpthemnavigate complexchallenges,seizeopportunities,and enhancetheiroverallperformance.
ThevegetableKiwisfinda-peeling
NewZealanderschompedthroughmore than$1billionofpotatoeslastyear–mostly intheformofchipsorfrozenfries.
ThestatisticcomesfromFreshFacts2024,an annualreportfrompansectorgroupUnitedFresh whichoutlineseatingandexportingtrends.
Totalannualpotatoproductiondecreasedby 72,800tonnesbetween2019/2020and2023/2024,a dropof13.75%.
Domesticallyconsumedprocessedchipsandfrozen/ friespotatoesmadeup61.3%ofthetotaldomestic industryvaluein2023/2024.
Thereportalsolookedateatingtrendsofother freshproduce.DatashowedTaiwanconsumed$44 millionworthofNewZealandcherries,andRoyal Galaisstillourmostpopularexportapplevariety, makingup22%ofexports.
Overallin2024,NewZealand’sfreshfruitand vegetableexportswillreach$4.3billion–anincrease of8%from2023.
GeorgieBurdon fromOtago. BachelorofScience (AgriculturalInnovation)
HenryBartrum fromCanterbury. Bachelorof Commerce (Agriculture).
SurpriseyourfamilywiththeultimateChristmas present—aHotSpringSpa.
Above: AshtonRobinson fromWaikato. Bachelorof AgriculturalScience.
Above:
Above: MacWilliams fromtheWestCoast. Bachelorof VeterinaryScience.
UnwraptheGiftofLuxury
Growingconcernsforbeefccattle shows
Whileentriesinbeefcattleclassesat agriculturalandpastoralshowsmaybe waning,thereisstillgreatsatisfactionfor thosewhocontinuetotakepart.
LiamLeask,eight,hadbraggingrightsathome nearMatamataafterwinningthejuniorhandler’s titleattheWaikatoA&PShow.
“Hehasthetrophy,soisoneuponme,”laughs hismotherandfellowentrantJuliaLeask.
ShealsohadaprettygooddayatClaudelands ShowgroundsinHamilton,beingnamed
reservechampioninboththe seniorcowandjuniorbull sectionsaftertakingouther respectiveclasses.
However,Juliaandsome ofherfellowcompetitors,as wellasA&PShowofficials, arebecomingincreasingly concernedaboutfallingentries andtheviabilityofsuchevents.
MorrinsvilleAgricultural& PastoralSocietypresidentBruce McRobbiesaidtherewasjust oneentryinthebeefsectionat thisyear’sshow.
TheMorrinsvilleShow schedulewasoutattheendof Novemberandhe’sadopting a“waitandsee”attitudeasto whetherthebeefclasswillgo aheadin2025.
BrucesaidCovidaffected entriesdramatically.“Old exhibitorshavenotcomeback in,andyoungeronesarenot comingthrough.”
Juliahasbeenshowingbeef cattleforthepasttwoyears andagreedthesituationwas compoundedbyCovid.“Itput abitofastoponit,andit’snot comeback.”
Growinguponafarmbetween MatamataandTeAroha,she startedoutwithcalfclubwhen atprimaryschool.
AfterastintinMorrinsville, shereturnedtotheland withhusbandDaveandthey
runa7halifestyleblockon Morrinsville-WaltonRd. “Ialwayswantedtocomeback tofarming.”
Specklespecialist
Juliastartedoutwitha“couple ofheifers”fromPremierCattle ConearCambridge,which specialisesinSpeckleParkand MurrayGreybreeds.
SpeckleParkbecameherbreed ofchoice.“Theyarebeautifulto lookat.”
Withanamederivedfrom itsspottedorspeckledpattern, thebreedwasdevelopedin theCanadianprovinceof Saskatchewanin1959and originatedfromBritish WhiteParkcrossedwitha Shorthorn/Angus.
JuliasaidSpeckle Parkcattleboastwonderful meatqualityand“dowelljust ongrass”.
Afterconductingsome onlineresearch,shealsofound thatthisbreedhasagood temperamentandconformation forstockshowswhenupagainst allbreeds.
Shetookatwo-year-oldcow (Thunderbird)andyearling bull(Titan)totheWaikato A&PShow,whileLiammade hisdebutinthecalfring withThunderbird’soffspring VinDiesel.
Cattlearejudgedonaspectsincludingconformation, presentation,leadingandbehaviourintheshowring. Juliasaidherentrantsenjoyamixeddietofhay,grainand pasture,whilereceivingawashandclipclosetoshow-day. TheSpeckleParkanimalsare“awesome”tobearound. “Theyareinquisitiveandintelligent.”
DerekHayward,whorunsPremierCattleCowithhiswife Catherine,hasnotshownbeefcattleforabout20years. “IenjoyitbutwhatamIgettingoutofit,”hesaid.
Liam and Julia Leask grooming Vin Diesel and Thunderbird respectiivellybbefforethheWWaiikatoA A & P Show.
WiththeSpecklePark/MurrayGreybreeding operation,plusa400-cowdairyherd,Hayward saidhelackstimetocompeteinshowsthesedays. HecanrememberattendingaRoyalShowin Hawke’sBaywhichsaw105yearlingbullsentered inasingleclass.
Entriesdecreasing
Numbersoverallhavebeendroppingback foranumberofyears,saidDerek.“It’sasignof thetimes.”
“...withelectrostatics,thesprayeddropletsare re-attractedbythevegetationinducingsignificantly higherdeposits”. *Reportavailableonrequest.
Thankstotheir LowVolume technologycombinedwith ElectrostaticCharge, Martignani sprayersaretheonlyones toguaranteeuniformdistributionandtotaleliminationof driftlosses.
ThisisechoedbyLizMaslin,convenorofthe beefsectionatWaikatoA&PShow,andpresident oftheCambridgeA&PSociety.
While20yearsagotheClaudelands’eventwould havehad120entriesinthebeefcattleclasses,the Novembereditionhad35.
“It’sbeengoingdownsteadily,”shesaid. “Showingisnothighonpeople’sagenda.It’s unfortunate,butthat’sthereality.It’snoteasy outthere.”
Maslinattributesthistoavarietyoffactors
Thesystemforthe propermicronisationofelectrostatically chargeddrops isbasedonatechnologythatbringstogether several exclusive,cutting-edge elements:
includingCovidandthecattle diseaseMycoplasmaBovis,while somebreedershaveretired,and youngeronesheadedoverseas. “Itjustsnowballed,”shesaid. WhilethoselikeJuliaLeaskarean exception,Maslinsaidtherewere simplynotenoughyoung,ornew, peoplecomingthrough. Butshesaidgoodnumbersremain incalfclubsectionsandthehopeis theywillcontinuetoseniorranks inthedairyandbeefringsat A&Pshows.
“That’stheonlyplacegrowthwill comefrom,”saidLiz.“Buttheyhave gottohavethebug.”
Shesaidthecattleclassesprovide enjoymentandsatisfactionfor entrantsthroughtakinganimalsout andcompetingagainstothers. Thereisalsoagreatdealof camaraderieinvolvedinattending A&Pshows,saidLiz. “Youmeetpeoplewhohave becomefriendsovertheyears.They helpandencourageoneanother.”
JohnHarrison M: 0212422971 E: john@n-zess.nz www.martignani.com
Julia Leask giving Vin Diesel a wash prior to the Waikato A & P Show. Photos: Steve Edwards
Farmstronglaunchestalesandtoools
Thestoriesoffarmersimpactedby severeweathereventsin2023have beencapturedbyFarmstronginabid togiveothersintheprimarysector moretoolstogetthrough toughtimes.
Morethan30farmers,growersand industryleaderswereinterviewedaspart oftheseriesthathasbeenpulledintoa book,websiteandresourcestosupport thosegoingthroughtherecoveryprocess fromtheweatherevents.Thebookand accompanyingwebsitetitled‘Getting Through’wereofficiallylaunchedin Wellingtonlastmonth.
ThelaunchwasattendedbyMinisterfor MentalHealthandACC,MattDoocey, and‘GettingThrough’contributor Hawke’sBaydeerfarmerHarryGaddum. Farmstrongprogrammedirector
GerardVaughansaidthereisawealthof knowledgethatfarmersandgrowerscan tapintoanduseasaroadmaptomove forwardfollowingtoughtimes.
“Themaintakeoutfromtheseresources isahopefulone.Asawfulastheseevents are,farmersandgrowersdofindaway through.Along-haulrecovery,however, isamarathonnotasprint.That’swhy people’smentalandphysicalwellbeing hastobeapriority,despitetheupheaval.”
Gerardsaidthetoolsandinsightsfrom ‘GettingThrough’arerelevantforanyone facingtoughtimes.
“Therearepracticalmentalskills thatpeoplecandrawontohelpthem managethe‘emotionalrollercoaster’ofa recovery.Weknowthatdifferentthings workfordifferentpeople.That’swhy Farmstrong’scalltoactionisalways‘Find outwhatworksforyouand‘lockitin’,” saidGerard.
‘GettingThrough’wasmadeppossible withthesupportofMinistryfoorPrimary Industries,HealthNewZealanndTe WhatuOraandRuralSupport t Trust.
“TheGettingThroughprojecct demonstratestheabilityofthe organisationsintheruralwellbbeing spacetoworktogethereffectiveely.Ilook forwardtohearingmorefeedbackabout theseresourcesandhopethatoourrural andevennotsoruralcommunnitiesfind themreallyuseful.”
Copiesofthebookcanbereqquested viaemailinginfo@farmstrong.cco.nzand onthewebsitehttps://gettingthhrough. farmstrong.co.nz
Farmstrongisanationwide,rrural wellbeingprogrammethathelppsfarmers andgrowersmanagetheupsannd downs offarming.Lastyear,15,500farmersand growersattributedanincreaseintheir wellbeingtotheprogramme.Farmstrong
wasfoundedbyruralinsurerFMGandtheMental HealthFoundationandlaunchedin2015.ACCis animportantstrategicpartnerofFarmstrong.
Essentialelementsforruralcommunity
RobinBoomsayshehasbeenproviding independentsoilfertilityadviceformore than35yearstofarmersintheupper NorthIsland.
Duringthattime,hehaslookedatthe16 essentialelementsforplantsand17elements requiredbylivestockusing14elementsoil
testsperformedbyBrooksideLaboratoriesand 17elementherbagetestsdonethroughHill Laboratories.“Mostfertiliserindustrypeopleonly dosixelementsoiltestsandonlyrecommend productstheirparticularcompanysell,”said Robin.“Myrecommendationsaregenerally productssoldbyBallanceorRavensdownbutI alsolookatprivateimporterssuchasMarnco, DickieDirect,MarsdenAgriandFertWholesale Directwhosellsomeproductsconsiderably cheaperthanwhatthetwoco-opsoffer.
“ThebestwaytodescribemeislikeafertiliserbrokerinthatIconsiderallproductsinthe marketplacetoensurethefarmer/growerisgetting bestvalueformoneyforcorrectingspecific deficienciesidentifiedontheirproperty.”Formore information,seeRobin’sadvertonthispage.
Deer farmer Harry Gaddum.
Robin Boom at the sheep yard sale.
Getting readyfor birdflu
BiosecurityMinisterAndrewHoggard isencouragingNewZealanderstotake stepstobereadyforthepossible arrivalofbirdflu.
“Whilehighpathogenicityavianinfluenzais stillsomedistancefromNewZealandandwe’ve neverhadacasehere,it’simportantthatwetakea cautiousapproach.
“Ifyou’reoneofthethousandsofKiwiswho keepbirdsaspets,therearethingsyoucandonow tobereadyandprotectyourbirdsfrom thisdisease.”
TheMinistryforPrimaryIndustriesandthe DepartmentofConservationareraisingawareness ofHPAI–alsoknownasbirdflu–targeting peopleonlifestyleblocks,city-dwellerswith backyardpoultry,birdfanciers,rarebreedkeepers andpeoplewithpetbirds.
“Wecanallreducethepotentialimpactsof H5N1bybeingprepared.Everyonehasapart toplay.”
TheH5N1strainofthediseasehasbeen spreadingaroundtheworldsinceitemergedin 2020,andearlierthisyearitwasdetectedonthe AntarcticPeninsula.
Asbestosfoundinconcrete earmarkedforrecyclingin Taupōhasraisedquestions abouttheviabilityofconcrete recyclingacrossthecountry.
TaupōDistrictCouncilsaiditis testingitsstockpiledwasteconcrete afterasbestoswasdiscoveredinconcrete atitsBroadlandsRoadLandfill. Thecouncilwouldnormallycrushthe concrete,sellingtherecycledmaterial ontocustomerswhouseitinthe constructionofroadsanddriveways. Butaftercrushedconcretebeingused
onacouncilprojectwassuspectedof containingasbestosbackinAugust, samplesweretakenfromtheconcrete stockpilesatthelandfill. Twoofthosefoundalow-level presenceofasbestos. About50%ofwastecomesfromthe buildinganddemolitionindustry,90% ofwhich – likeconcrete.Severallaws regulateasbestosuseandremoval. WorkSafeadvisedthatconstruction contractorshavealegislated requirementtoensureasbestosis identifiedandremovedbeforeany demolitionorrenovationworkbegins.
UnliketraditionalformsofHPAI,thisstrainhas adaptedtowildlifeandhasinfectedmorethan 500birdspeciesand60speciesofmammals.
HPAIH5N1isspreadbywildbirds,meaning it’sunlikelyitcanbekeptoutofNewZealand, andit’sunlikelytobeeradicatedonceitestablishes inthewildbirdpopulation.IfitarrivesinNew Zealand,itcouldquicklyspreadtootherwildlife includingtaongaspecies,orpoultrybydirect contactbetweeninfectedandhealthybirds,or throughcontaminatedequipmentandmaterials, includingwaterandfeed.
“Ourgeographicalisolationhasprotectedus fromHPAIinthepast,butwecan’trelyonit forever,”saidMinisterHoggard.
“Ifyouownorkeepbirds,takestepsnowto protectthemandiftheyshowanysignsofdisease, contactyourvetforadvice.
MinisterofConservationTamaPotakasaid DOCisundertakingvaccinationtrialsona targetednumberofendangeredbirdsincaptivity.
“It’simportantthateveryonekeepsaneyeoutso wecandetectbirdfluearly.
“Ifyou’reintheoutdoorsandyouseeseveralsick ordeadwildbirdsinagroup,reportthemtothe exoticpestanddiseasehotline0800809966.”
Innovationthrough collaboration
Itallbeganonacold, dankNationalFieldays morningatMysteryCreek. Acrosstheaislefromeachother intheMainArena,theFertcoand Agriseateamsarepreparingforthe day’saction.Thereisjustenough timetoshareahotcoffeeandsome friendlybanterbeforethingsbegin. Inevitably,thetalkcentresaround
seaweedandfertiliser.Butthings begintogetmoreinterestingwhen thetwocompaniesdiscoverthey sharekeyvaluesandgoals.They alsofindoutthattheyshare somecustomers.
Itdoesn’ttakelongafterthat beforethepossibilityofcombining seaweedandfertiliserinthesame productbeginstotakeshape. Thefirstthingtodoistowork outhowthiscanbedone.
MadeinNewZealand •Granulatedproductsforprecisionfarming •Targetedsoilnutrition •Easyapplicationwithstarter fertilizerand/orseed •Trustedqualityforoptimalresults
IanCampbell Mobile:0212715963ian.campbell@omya.com TalaSaxonAliifaalogo Mobile:021935379tala.saxonaliifaalogo@omya.com
Wespecialiseinhighquality,meshand PVCcoverstosuittrucks,trailersand farmbunkers.Allofourcoverscanbe easilyoperatedfromthegroundusinga silkysmoothcablesystem,eliminating
0210417052
AgriseaCEOClareBaileyandFertcoCEO WarwickVoycehavecreatednewproduct‘SeaPhos’.
Combinedinnovation
Drawingonmorethan25yearsofinnovation ineachoftheirrespectivefieldswastheanswer.
AsFertcoCEOWarwickVoycesaid:“We providedthegranulationtechnologydeveloped tomakedicalcicphosphate,acontrolled-release fertiliser”.
“Andwecontributedourseaweedbrewing technology,”saidAgriseaCEOClareBailey. “It’sspecificallydesignedtopreservethe‘life’in theseaweed,andretainasmanyofthenutrients aspossible.”
Sotheycombinedthesetechnologiesto create‘SeaPhos’–agranulatedseaweed–phosphatefertiliserthatreleasesitsnutrientsand biostimulantsinacontrolledwayavoidingwastage oftime,moneyandnutrients.
Collaboration
Combininginnovativetechnologyfrom twoindependentcompaniesisnotalways astraightforwardthing.Itrequiresalotof collaboration.
For‘SeaPhos’tobecomeareality,bothcompanies neededtothinkabouthowtheirproductwould workwhencombinedwiththeother’s.
Forexample,Warwicksaidtheyhadtocheck thataddingseaweedtothedicalcicfertiliserwould notinterferewiththegranulationprocessor compromisethestructureofthegranule.
AndClaresaidthattheyneededtomakesurethe granulationprocesswouldmaintaintheintegrity oftheseaweedandthatnonutrientswouldbe damagedorlost.
“Wealsohadtoworkoutanaccuratemethod ofmeteringtheseaweedthroughtheentire productionruntoensureconsistencyinevery granule,”saidClare.
Andofcourse,calculationswerenecessary toensurethecorrectproportionofseaweed biostimulants,phosphates,andlimewouldendup
Fortunately,thankstoalotofhead-scratching andtrialanderror,theteamswereableto overcomealloftheseissuesinarelatively shorttime.
Sharedvaluesandgoals
AlthoughtherealstarhereisSeaPhos,the storyisreallyaboutthepeople,saidbothClare andWarwick.
Thefactthatthecollaborativeprocessdid actuallygoverysmoothly,andthatthisunique productexistsatallislargelyduetothevaluesand goalssharedbythetwocompanies.
ApartfrominnovationandKiwiingenuity, caringfortheenvironmentandhelpingfarmers growmoreforlesshavealwaysbeengoalsfor bothcompanies.
“AtFertco,wefocusonmanufacturing fertiliserproductsthatreduceharmful environmentalimpactwhilemaintaining productivity,”saidWarwick.
“AndatAgrisea,we’recommittedtodeveloping productsthatbuildandgrowhealthiersoils, plants,andanimalswithlesscosttothefarmer,” saidClare.
Withsharedvaluesandgoalslikethese,it’sno wonderthatbothcompanieshaveideasabout collaboratingonotherproducts.
Sometimes,thecatalystforgreatideasneedonly
SeaPhosgranulescombineseaweed biostimulantsandessentialplantnutrients.
Traceelementsforoptimumnutrition
Traceelementsareessentialfor maintaininglifeinplants,animals andhumans.
Soashortageofanyoneofthem cancauseadeficiency,compromising health,growth,andevensurvival insomecases.
Sowhenitcomestomaximising productionofpastureandcropsin NZ,thepresenceoftraceelementsin thesoilisofextremeimportance.
Whataretraceelements?
Traceelementsaremicronutrients. Inplants,wemeasurethemin microgramspergram(µgg-1)of drymatterastheyareonlyrequired intinyamounts.Thisisincontrast tomacronutrientslikenitrogen, phosphorus,andpotassium,andthe secondarynutrientssulphur,calcium, andmagnesium,allofwhichare requiredinmuchlargerquantities.
AsfarmersinNZ,thetrace elementswearemostfamiliarwith includethoseneededbyplantssuch asboron,copper,iron,manganese, molybdenum,andzinc.
Othertraceelementswe’reusedto dealingwithareiodineandselenium, requiredbylivestockinadditionto allthosejustmentionedaboveapart fromboron.
Cobaltcanbeaddedtobothof theselistsbecauseweknowthat it’sneededbycloverfornitrogen
fixation,andruminantsforthe productionofvitaminB12.
Theimportanceoftraceelements forplantgrowthwasdiscovered inthelate-1800s,althoughit wasn’tuntilthesecondhalfoflast centurythatscientificmethodswere sufficientlydevelopedtolinkdiseases observedinplantswithdeficiencies ofvarioustraceelements.
Italsotooksometimeforscientists toworkoutwhichtraceelements wereessentialandwhatrolethey playinplantgrowth.Itturnsout thatalthoughpresentinsuch minisculeamounts,traceelements areinvolvedinaverydiversenumber ofplantfunctions.
Forexample,manyparticipate inbasicplantprocesseslike photosynthesisandrespiration, andinproducingenzymesfor plantmetabolism.Othersarekey forsupportingplantsundergoing stressfromdroughtorextreme temperatures,andattacksfrom bacteria,fungi,orviruses.
Soit’sclearthattraceelementsneed tobepresentinthesoilforoptimum yieldandqualityofourpastureand crops,whichinturn,supportthe healthofourlivestock.
Issues
Amajorissuewithtraceelements inNZisthatoursoilsareinherently deficientinmanyofthem.
Forexample, soilsformedfrom pumicelikethosein theNorthIsland’s CentralPlateau, Hawke’sBayand PovertyBayare naturallylowin cobalt.Brownsoils inSouthlandand thehillcountryof theWairarapacan alsobeshortof cobalt.Podzolsin Northland,theWestCoast, andGoldenBay,tendtohave lowerlevelsoftraceelements ingeneral.
morealkaline), traceelements becomeless availabletoplants. Theoneexception ismolybdenum, whichbecomes moreavailablewith increasesinpH.
Butsoiltypeisnotthe onlycauseofdeficiency.Soil conditionscanalsobeanissue. Ageneralruleofthumbisthat assoilpHincreases(becomes
Infree-draining soils,ironand manganeseoccur informsthatmake themlesssoluble, whileinwaterloggedsoils,the oppositesituationapplies. Andwheresoilmoistureis low,boronandcobaltareless availabletoplants.
Anadditionalcomplexityis thatthepresenceofonetrace elementinthesoilcanaffect thebehaviourofanother.For
Canberetrofittedtoexisting concretewoodorblockbins Uniquespacesavingsectional
example,asironandmanganese becomemoresolubleand availableforplantuptake,they makeothermicronutrientslike copper,cobalt,andzincmore availabletoo.
Maintainingsoillevels
Unfortunately,duetogreater intensityofpastoralfarming, deficienciesarebecomingmore evidentinallsoiltypes.To addressthis,thebeststrategy istoregularlysoilandherbage testfortraceelementstobuild upapictureoftheirstatuson yourproperty.There’snodoubt optimalelementalnutritionwill beofincreasingimportancein thefutureandthatmaintaining traceelementlevelsinthesoil willbeparamounttoachieving thatgoal.
Canvasorsteelcladdingoptions Winchsystemforeasyaccess Keepsfeedorfertiliserdry Kitsetoptionsavailable
Traceelementslikecobalt,boron,copper,selenium,andzincare essentialforhealthypasture,crops,andlivestock.
Althoughweonlyneedminuteamounts,manyofoursoilsinNZare inherentlydeficientinthem.Thatneedn’tbeaproblemthough,since wecaneasilytestforthese.Andit’seasytofixadeficiencybyadding traceelementstoyourregularfertiliser.
Socallusforadviceortobookasoilandherbagetest:
Trace elements are essential for healthy soil, plants, and animals.
Unveilinganewhaulaggeaddition
Abrandnewtruckaddedtoits fleetofruraltransporttruckshas openedupyear-roundoptions forHukaHaulageLtd.
ThecentralNorthIslandcompany hascarvedanicheforitselfbyoffering abroadrangeofcartageservices, cartingbulkstockfeed,fertiliser, grain,compost,vermicast,woodchip/ sawdust,limeandmetalforroading anddriveways.Theyalsohavetruck hire,blowertrucksforsilofills, metalspreadingaswellassuppliesof pumice,lime,sawdust,woodchip, bulklandscapeproductsandroading
aggregate Owner Rhys Adlam grew up in a farming familyandhasmorethanthreedecadesofexperience inruralandbulktransport.Forthesmallfamily-run business,customersbecomelong-termfriends.
due early next year They are a very competent, hardworkingcrew.”
“Wehavealoyalclientbasethat’sbeenwithusfor years.Therearesecondandthirdgenerationfarmers andI’vecartedfortheirfathersandeven,insome cases,theirgrandfathers.”
Fleetexpansion
Thecompanynowownstwospecialisedblower truckscartingwoodpelletsaroundtheNorthIsland fortheircustomerNaturesFlame.Thesealsoperform fertiliserandstockfeedsilodeliveriesfortheir existingclientsaswellasbulkdeliveries.
“Thenewtruckisamultipurposebulkunitthat enablesustoprovidethebestserviceforclients dependingonthetimeofyear.Itmeanswhenpellets easeoff,wecanuseittotransportstockfeedor fertiliser,”saidRhys.
Thecompanyhasexpanded,withtherecentaddition, tooperateafleetoftwoblower/bulktrucksand employtwoadditionalowner-driverswithbulktrucks.
“Wehavefourstaff,includingmyself,withyears ofexperiencebehindthewheel.BenLeslieison theolderblowerunitthatservicesNaturesFlame. DuaneHiltonisanowner-driverandhasbeenwith ussince2011.HisnewScaniawentontheroad lastyear.RonMcLean,whoisapartnerinKiwi Fertiliser,oneofourmajorclients,isoursecond owner-driver.HiscurrenttruckisdrivenbySteve LaneandheisawaitingareplacementMANtruck,
Havingtherighttrucksforthetaskanddrivers skilledatdeliveringanddispatchingloadswithcare andefficiencyiswhatthecompanypridesitselfon. Itsdriversareskilledatnotonlyon-roadbutalso off-roadoperationandprovideafriendlyhelpful serviceforclients.
Familyrun
“Communicationisanimportantpartofthis, fromtheinitialcontacttoarrangedelivery,through tothedriverkeepingintouchwiththecustomer withestimatedarrivaltime.Wehaveasmallfleetof moderntrucksandwe’recommittedtoprovidingthe bestservicepossibleforourclients.MywifeTania isintheofficeandshetakescareoftheday-to-day admin,”saidRhys.
“Ourbusinesshasalwaysbeenafamilyrun businessandthestaffmembersandtheirfamiliesare partofthattoo,”saidTania.
Keepingtheirtrucksintopconditionensures reliabilityforbothclientsanddrivers,allowingHuka Haulagetohandleavarietyofjobsthroughoutthe year.ItsdriverstravelallovertheNorthIsland weeklytocompletejobsandoccasionallytravelto theSouthIslandaswell,tocarryouttheirwork.
“Itisagreatjob,yougettoseelotsofthe countryside,meetsomereallyinterestingpeopleand everydayin‘theoffice’isdifferent,”saidRhys. Formoreinformation,seeHukaHaulage’sadvert onthispage.
Huka Hulage uses a variety of trucks as part of its cartage services
It is nice to see the red flowers of our natiional l Chriistmastree,thhe Pōhutakawa,startingtobloom. Suchabeautifulsightandareminderthat Christmasisnowuponus.Everyyearit rollsaroundsoquickly,andweallfeel thepressureofgettingallourwork done,aswellasfittingintheChristmas shopping,workfunctionsandendof yearschooleventstonameafew.This yearIamdeterminedtobenotso frazzledcomeChristmas.
Weatherupdate
chance of being dry! Wow, really helpful for those of us in the agricultural industry – just forecasters hedgingtheirbets,Iguess!
Ihavepreviouslybeentoldthatifthepayoutis highthattherewillbeadroughtandthose whoagreewiththislineofthinkingmay beconcernedwithFonterra’sforecasted payouttoamid-pointof$9.50/kgMS butIthinkNZ.incwillwelcomethis boosttotheconfidenceandcoffersof dairyingandtheruraleconomy.
ThisspringmostfarmersintheBay ofPlentyandWaikatoshouldbehappy withtheweather.Itdefinitelyhasbeen dry,whichhasmadegettingthecrops ineasier.AtPaengaroafromSeptember1till November15wehaveonlyhad150mmofrain comparedto295.5mmforthesameperiodlast year.However,asIwritethisinmid-November, wearejustgettingareasonabledollopofrain–25.5mlovera48-hourperiod.GoingbywhatI haveheard,theEastCoastisfeelingthedrywith somefarmersalreadystartingtodestock.Pretty hardcomingoffCycloneGabrielle18monthsago tonowfaceadrought!
Predictions
So,isitgoingtobeadroughtthisyear?Irecently readanarticlesayingthattherewasa50%chance ofaLaNinaformingbeforeChristmas.Ifeltit wasthemostuselessweatherprediction.Itgaveno realindicationatall.EffectivelyIfeltitwassaying thatthereisa50%chanceofbeingwetand50%
Prices
At$9.50perkilogramofmilk solids(kgMS),andwithfeed pricesdownonpreviousyears,itis certainlyworthdairyfarmerstaking theopportunitytobuyinmore feed,saymaizesilagetoboosttheir production.As1kilogramofdrymatter(kgDM) ofmaizesilagecangiveamilkresponseofup to137gMS(FoundationforArableResearch September2009).Butlet’ssayitisa100gMS responseperkgDMofmaizesilagefed–ata $9.50perkgMSpayoutthisequatestoa$0.95 return.Dependingonfeedingoutcostsand wastage,butatacostofabout$0.40-$0.45/ kgDMofmaizesilageboughtin,youarearguably doublingyourmoneyoneverykgDMofmaize silagefed.Iappreciatethereisn’ttheunsoldmaize surplusoflastyear,butwedohaveasmallamount sogetintouchifyouareinterested.
FromusatFeedCoIjustwanttosaythanks foryoursupport.Ireallyhopethatallclients andreadersgetachancetoenjoyabreakover Christmaswithfriendsandfamilyandcomeback readyforaprosperousNewYear.
PONDANDDAMLINERS
Such a beautiful sight and a reminder that
that there will be a drought and those who agree with this line of thinking may
Shouldsubdivisionbepartofyourretirementplan?
Someofthemostastute landownerstodayplace subdivisionatthecoreoftheir futurestrategy–oftennotonly forretirement.
Maximisingthenumberoftitles onyourpropertycanbeapowerful asset,whetherit’stosupportyour retirementplan,offerresilience againstfinancialhardships,orserve asaformofself-insurance.Forthose withtheopportunity,itishighly
beneficialtoexploresubdivision optionsnow.
Asruralsubdivisionbecomes increasinglyrestricted,itisessential tomakeitapriorityinyourfinancial planning.Theprocessofsubdivision requiressignificanttimeand expertise,makingitwisetoplanwell inadvance.
Alifeline
Formany,havingtheflexibility tosellatitlehasbeenalifelinein timesofurgentneed.Itcanprovide
afinancialbufferduringmedical emergencies,suddendrops incommodityprices,oreven whenanopportunityarisesto purchaseadjacentland.This flexibilityhashelpednumerous landownersweatherfinancial challengesmoreeffectively.
Subdivisionalsosupports thosewhowishtoretire ontheirproperty, provideahomebase forfamily,orfacilitate thenextgeneration’s involvementinthe land.Planningrules arelessaccommodating forsuchtransitions thantheyoncewere,so exploringalternativeslike subdivisioncanhelpensure thesepossibilitiesremainopen.
minimumlotsizesof40 hectares,althoughexceptions canbemadeincertaincases, suchasonlessproductiveland,
wetlands,orstreammargins. Takingadvantageofsuch incentiveswhilethey’reavailable canprovidebothflexibilityand conservationbenefits.
Essentialapproach
Valuableassets
Thetitlescomprisingyour land–whetherpre-existing, acquiredthroughadditional blockpurchases,orcreatedby subdivision–arevaluableassets. Withresourcemanagement regulationstightening,the abilitytocreateadditionalrural titlesisdiminishingrapidly. Manydistrictsnowenforce
DairyNZisreportingasignificantincrease inthenumberoffarmersimprovingtheir winteringpractices,whichresultsina higherstandardofanimalcareand environmentalprotection.
Thisyear,86%ofwinteringsurveyrespondents implementedatleastfivegoodmanagement practices,tosupporttheircowsandmanagewinter conditions,anincreasefrom74%in2023.
DairyNZseniorenvironmentspecialistJustinKitto saidthisimprovementistheresultofanintense five-yearfocusonoptimisinganimalwellbeingand productivity,whileprotectingtheenvironment.
“It’snotasimpletask,butonethatfarmersare clearlyfocusedonachieving,”saysJustin.
“Theworkinvolvedinimprovingwintering
areasdesignated forlifestylezoning, orsmallerlots intendedfor horticulturaluse. Anemergingopportunity insubdivisioninvolvesthe preservationofecologicalfeatures. Councilsmayallowsubdivisions inexchangeforthelong-term protectionofnativebush,
Onceestablished,these titlesmaypermitboundary adjustmentswithinyour landholding,givingyou addedcontroloveryour property’slayout. However,subdivision canbecomplex, withtechnical detailsbeyond simplymeetingland sizerequirements. Consultingwitha specialistsubdivision companyisessential todeterminethebest approachforyour uniqueproperty. Ifyou’reconsidering subdivisiontosecure financialflexibilityforyourself oryourfamily,don’thesitate toreachout.Together,wecan explorehowbestto‘make themostofyourland’before theseopportunitiesareno longeravailable.
practicesincludesprovidingcomfortablelying surfaces,excludingstockfromwaterways,and protectingcriticalsourceareas.”
Kittosaidthefindingsemphasisetheexpanding rangeoftoolsinthetoolbox.
“DairyNZ’sroleistosupportthatdepthofoptions forfarmerstoruntheirbusinessessustainablyand profitably.Arangeoffarm-specifictacticsisthebest bettoensurethebestoutcomesforbothcowsand environment.”Otherstrategiesusedtominimise mudandimprovelyingconditionsincludeback fencing(temporaryfencestoprotectpreviously grazedareas),portabletroughs,providingextrastraw asadrybeddingmaterialandmovingthebreak fencemultipletimesaday.
“Farmersshouldbeproudoftheworktheyhave donetoimprovewintermanagementpractice.”
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Thefinestmagnesiumfertiliserislocal The finest magnesium fertiliser is local
Acommonthreadindiscussionswithdairy farmersthisspringhasbeentheunusually highnumberofanimalssufferingcalcium/ magnesiumrelatedmetabolicdisorders. That’salargefinancialhitpriortotheseason gettingunderway,becauseforevery animalexhibitingclinicalsignsitis calculatedthatthereareafurther sevenanimalssufferingbutnot requiringtreatment.
Thoseanimals,regardlessofthe effectivenessoftreatment,willproduce fewerkilogramsofmilksolidsthisseason thanhadtheynotsuffered.
Whenthecostofvetvisitsalongwith thetimespentbyownersandoperators arefactoredin,thefinalfigureisoften disturbinglylarge.
Becausetheproblemiswidespreadand inmanycasesgettingworse,formanyit hasbecomenormalised.
significantlyincreasesanimalenergyrequirement atthesametimesolublesugarlevelsinpasture aredropping.
Infoulweatheranimalsmayhuddletogether withareductioninfeedintake.Combinedwith alengthywalktotheshedmoreanimals requiringattentioncanbeexpected. Thereareanumberofstepsthat canbetakenwhichwilllargely eliminatethestressandfrustrations feltbythoseresponsibleforthe well-beingofwhatarevaluable animals.
Itdoesn’thavetobe.Therearefarmerswhotreat veryfewanimals,don’texpectissues,seldomlose ananimal,andwhenthatdoesoccurtherewere alwaysothercontributingfactors.
Differingfactors
Aswithallthingsinfarmingtherearemultiple factorsatplay.Calciumandmagnesiuminteract withintheanimal,andtherequirementofeach elementvarieswithageoftheanimal.
Weatherhasalargeparttoplaywiththe overridingrequirementbeingavailableenergy whichfluctuatesinresponsetodirectsunlightand associatedwarmth.
Consecutivedaysofcoldwetweatherinspring
GoldenBaydolomitehaslongbeen knownasgeneralhealthimprover, whetherappliedthroughstandard groundspreadequipmentand/or madeavailableinabinforanimalsto lickastheyrequire.
Thereasonvetsandfarmadvisors havenotembracedthisapproach isprimarilyduetoitcontainingboth magnesiumandcalcium,sopricecomparisons arehardtomake.
However,itisthemarkedimprovementin overallanimalhealthduringspringthatisits greatestvalue.
Pricing
Rightnow,itisalsothecheapestmagnesium fertiliseravailabletofarmers.Theargumentthatit comesfromGoldenBayandthereforehasahigh freightcomponentignoresthefactthatcommonly usedmagnesiumoxideproductscomefromafar greaterdistance.
Weremagnesiumoxideproductsgenuinely effectivefertiliserstheincidenceofcalcium/
magnesiummetabolicdisorders wouldbedecreasing. Onpropertieswheredolomitehas beenappliedannuallyataround 200kg/hasoiltestmagnesium steadilyincreasesalongwith improvedanimalresilienceand performance. Dolomitemaybe appliedatanytimeduringtheyear withthepositiveeffectslasting atleast12monthsandtheeffect almostimmediateduetothefineness ofgrinding.
Itisaprovensoilconditionerwith landdamagedbehindwiresinwet weathersteadilybecomingmore friablewithoutfurtherintervention. Cloverseedcanbeaddedatthetime ofspreading,ensuringperformance ofthenewestcultivarsisavailable. Itisthemosteffectfirststepin relegatingspringtimemetabolic disorderstotheoccasionaland seldommajorcategory.
FormoreinformationcallPeteron 088436566or0274950041.
SupersilverAngusfr f omlocalsolidgoldrock!
KamalDhillonisasecondgeneration strawberryfarmerwithfarmsin CambridgeandHamilton.
Parentsofthree-yearoldKyra,Kamalandhiswife Daniellewereinterestedinprovidingentertainment forchildrenvisitingtheirberryfields.
“Wereallywantedtoprovideplayareasandalso comeupwithsomethingthatwouldbecomea signatureattractionforus,”saysKamal.
TheysettledonvintagetractorswhichKamal feltwouldshowcaseanimportantpieceofNew Zealandfarminghistory.
“IsearchedonlineforquiteawhileasIwanted somethingoldandmaybealittleunusual.”
Kamal’ssearchledhimtothesaleofacollectionof machinerywherehepickedouttwooldertractors whichwerebothstillrunning.
Hepurchaseda1934McCormick-Deering FarmallF20anda1940sAllis-ChalmersB.
Farmall F20
TheFarmallF20isaheavy vehiclewithacast ironchassis.The29hp p engginehasfourcyylinders andafourgeartransmission.Itisstartedusinga crankhandle.
Originallyitranonapetrolandkerosene mixture,butapetrolmanifoldhasbeen addedtothisvehicle,probablywhenkerosene becameexpensive.
IthasFrenchandHechtcastironhubwheels withsteelspokesandsteelrims.WhilethisF20 hastyres,inthepasttheywerealuxury,and manyfarmersdroveonthesteelrims.
InitiallytheF20hadsteeringactivatedbrakes andmovedtopedalbrakesinthelate-1930s. Thismodelhasnofootbrakeandreliesona manualparkbrake.
MadeinChicago,theF20wasthefirstFarmall producedwithrowcropformationwheelsat thefront.Implementsofthesamebrandwere availableforthissought-aftermachine.
ZD1221
30HPKubota3-CylinderDieselEngine
CuttingHeight25-127mm,reardelivery ShaftDriveDeck&HydraulicDeckLift
BX2380 $22,500*+GST
FittedwithLA344Loaderand RCK60Mid-mountmower 23HPKubotadieselengine
Switchingbetweenmowinglawns& frontendloaderworkhasneverbeen easier.TheBXloadercanbeattached withoutleavingthedriver’sseat
075739107 4TePukeQuarryRoad,TePuke www.rrtractors.co.nz
Deluxereclininghighbackseat,spacious operatorarea,cruisecontrolandeasyto reachcontrols *Imagewithoutmowerdeck.Price includesmowerdeck.
llis-Chalmers B
ThisPersianOrangeAllis-Chalmers Bhasafourcylinder12or13hp engine.ThTherewerehhunddreddsof f thhese versatilelittletractorsimportedfrom t the States and the UK between 1937 and1952.
Fromthelookofthefrontaxleand thetwo-personseat,thisvehicleisan Americanimportfromthelate-1940s. Thisparticularmodel appears to have had its rear wheels substituted at some point in the past and has front tyres
from a different model but is in goodworkingorderthroughout. Thetwomachineswerebriefly r reunited for a photoshoot before theyreturntotheirrespectivefarms andcanbeadmiredby y theppublic fortheirpartinNewZealand’s farminghistory. Manythanksto GeorgeGardiner(Farmall)and NoelYearbury(Allis-Chalmers) fromtheWaikatoVintageTractor and Machinery Club for sharing their knowledge about Kamaland Danielle’s two tractors
Kyra,KamalandDanielleDhillon. Photos:CatherineFry
Left: The Farmall F20 and on the right: The Allis-Chalmers B at their new strawberry field home
Don’t be afraid of the ater pistols! Barcelona is great!
If you are trying to decide where in Europe to visit, please don’t be put off by reports that have appeared in thenewsoflocalsfromBarcelona, sprayingwateratthetourists whobookAirbnb’sinthecentre oftown,leavingalackofrental accommodationforthelocals. Theywantedtogettheirfeelings acrosstothelocalauthorityand decidedthiswasthewaytheywere goingtodoit.Mindyouinthe presentheatwaveitmayhavebeen ratherrefreshing! Havingjustspentafewdays inBarcelonaonanoverseastrip, Ienjoyeditevenmorethanmylast visit,mindyouitwaswarmerfor astart!
Recommendations
IflewfromSingaporetoBarcelona andonceIarrivedattheairport, decideditwasmucheasiertogeta taxistraighttomyhotelwhichwas rightintheheartofBarcelona,just ablockawayfromLasRamblas.A wordofadvice,useataxifromthe officialtaxistand,theyhaveaset rate,anditisapprox.sixtyeuros... soworthit!
Ifthisisyourfirstvisit, thenIwouldrecommend usingoneofthehop-on hop-offbuses.Iactually bookedthisonlinefrom NewZealand.Youget toseethecityfroma differentperspective andtheonestopworth gettingoffatisPoble EspanyolSpanishVillage. Locatedinoneofthe mostemblematicareas ofBarcelona,Poble Espanyolisarchitecture, itisart,itiscrafts,it isopenair,anditis alsoauniquespaceto enjoyfamilyactivities, concerts,andexhibitions. Builtin1929forthe BarcelonaInternational Exhibition,youwillfind yourselfhereforhours. Therearemorethan 20artistsworkshops creatingamazingart,
restaurants, bars, and you will get to see Spanish architecture at its best
As you walk around the town, youwillseetheinfluenceofAntoni Gaudi,aSpanisharchitectand designerwhocertainlystampedhis markonBarcelona,withhisgreatest achievementbeingSagradaFamilia. Jumpingahead Ipurchasedaskip-the-lineticket onlinepriortoleavingonmytrip, whichtookmetoboththeSagrada Familiaandanotherofhisfinest achievements,ParkGuell.This ticketwillgetyoubusedbetween thetwo,itisgreat.Rememberyour comfortableshoesandbypurchasing skip-the-linetickets,thiswilltakeall thefrustrationawayfromhavingto waitinwhatcanbealengthylineas thesearepopularattractions.
TheotherplaceIwouldnotmiss goingtoseeisthefamousBoqueria Marketsituatedinthecentreof Barcelona,LasRamblas.Thismarket hasbeenthebeatingheartofthe citysince1836withmorethan200 traderssellingeverytypeofvegetable, fruit,meat,nuts,spices,eggs,fish... justtonameafewproducts.Ifyou areafoodie,youwillbeinyour elementhere,itisanabsolutefood lover’sdream!
While staying in Barcelona make sure you try out the local restaurants, most cater for tourists and can understand English I walked a lot and whentired,Iusedtaxis.Theyarenotoutrageously expensiveandmadegettingaroundsomuch easier.Ijustaskedthehoteltoorderoneforme whenIwasofftoenjoythesitesandforthereturn tripthereareplentyoftaxistandsandIuseda businesscardfromthehoteltohandtothedriver. ThereissomuchmoretoseeinBarcelona,and Ihaveonlyjusttouchedthesurface,somakesure youdoyourhomeworkbeforeheadingoverand watchoutforthosewaterpistols!
Settingsailonyourfirstbiginternationaltrip ordomesticventurecanbeoverwhelming.There issomuchtonavigate,fromtransportationand accommodationstohealthandsafety.Don’tforget internationaltravelrestrictions,too. Don’tpacktoomuch.Wearyourshoesthatwould takeupthemostspaceandtrytobringalongclothes thatcandodoubleduty.Travel-sizeitemscanhelp yousaveroominyourluggagetoo. Chooseyouraccommodationswisely.Ifyou’reonly goingforashortwhile,whynotsplurge?
Information Packsfor2026 willbeavailable fromJanuary 2025on request.
Formoreinformation pleasecontact NZAdventures
Pleasephone 032188569
Mobile 0275506727 or 0274354267
Email:info@nzadventures.co.nz Orvisitourwebsite www.nzadventures.co.nz
Lookforwardtohearingfromyou
La Monumental bullring in Barcelona, no longer a venue for bullfighting after the sport was banned in Catalonia in 2011 Photo: NZME
AsatisfiedcustomerinHamiltonhas beenusingSepti-Cureforoverfiveyears. Hesaysthisallowsthemtohaveanodour freeseptictankwithlowmaintenance costs.Healsosaysthathisserviceperson isamazedathowwellSepti-Cureworks, keepingtheirtankinverygoodcondition.
*Resultsmayvary
Organiccheesemaking i ki
OrganiccheesemakerKelvinHaighmoved fromfarminginthelate-1990stomaking organiccheeseandbuiltasuccessfulcafé businessinMatatoki,betweenThamesand PaeroaandnexttotheHaurakiRailTrail. WhenhemethiswifeCathyin2010,herskills wereaddedtothebusiness,expandingtheir productrange,addingtothecafémenu,gettinga propercoffeemachine,dealingwithpackingand orders,andemployingstaff.Today,Kelvinsticksto thecheesemakingandCathyoverseesprettymuch everythingelseattheCheeseBarn.
Kelvinownedafamilyfarmof40hectares milking100Jerseys.Hewentthroughorganic certificationintheearly-1990safterfeeling concernedattheamountofpesticidesand herbicidesbeingtransferredintothefoodchain. “Myrealinterestisforplantandequipment. AfterIstudiedDairyScienceTechnologyatMassey University,Iworkedindairyfactoriesandother foodindustriescommissioningplant,”saidKelvin.
Thebeginning
Overofficeworkandfascinatedwiththe conceptofmilkbeingmadeintoaclean,healthy product,hebuilthimselfakitsetrusticbarnand
installedhisownfactoryandplantusinghis practicalexperience.
“ThenItoldMAF(nowMPI),whowere pleasantlysurprised,andIonlyneededtomakea fewtweakstogetitupandrunningin1998!” KelvinmilkedhisJerseyherdandthen madecheesewiththemilk.Hecompleteda cheesemakingrefreshercourseatwhatwas formerlytheDairyResearchInstitute.He acknowledgesSkipLiddiardforhishelpon-farm intheearlydaysandSkip’ssonJasonisnow trainingincheesemakingatthefactory.
Organicsourcing
Tenyearslatermostoftheherdwassoldand thefarmleasedout,keepingtheremainingland forthecaféandfactory.KelvinandCathynow sourcetheirorganicmilkfromRaymondRidings’ AyrshireherdinKerepehiduringsummerand JerseyGirlsinMatamataduringwinter.
“Weneedmilkallyearroundtomakeproducts continually.Somecheesesaremadeseasonallyas theyarebetterwithsummermilk,”saidCathy.
“Wepasteurisetheorganicmilkourselvesand sellnon-homogenisedfullcreammilk,sourcream, ghee,yogurt,cottagecheese,icecreamandan extensivecheeserange.”
Aswellasgainingaround80stockistsacrossNew Zealandwantingorganic,handmadecheese,the couple’scheeseshavewonthemmanyawardsover theyears.
NotablytheircuminseedGoudawonthe ChampionofChampionsprizeatthe2018 NewZealandCheeseAwards,andtheirHalloumi wontheGreek/Cypriotstylecheesecategory
KelvinandCathyHaighinfrontofthekitsetbarn Kelvinbuilt. Photo:CatherineFry
Front: Trainee cheesemaker Jason Liddiard. Back: Kelvin Haigh Photo: supplied
TheHHaiighhswon t the Champion of Champions Awardfortheirorganiccumin seedGoudaat 2018’sNZ Cheese Awards. Photo:supplied
JustwhowasNicholAshtonLarney?
AnenquirytotheTeArohaMuseumwas: ‘Whatdoyouknowaboutthatniceold housejustoutoftheWaihouVillage headingnorth’?
Weknewitwascalled‘ComleyGreen’andthe Reidsusedtoownit.AquicksearchinPapersPast websiterevealedthatitwasasubstantial12-room house,builtin1911byMrNALarneywhohad justreturnedfromAucklandandhadpurchased the63acresabout1kmalongtheNgutumanga Rd,wroteGeoffClark,avolunteeratthe TeArohaMuseum.
WhowasNicholAshtonLarney?Thenewspapers hadplentyofreferencestohimandittranspired thathewasamanofconsiderablemeansand intelligence.Heusedtoown4500acreseither sideoftheroadfromWaitoatoMorrinsville.The TeKahiaEstateof1500acresonthenorthsidehad arailwaystationateachend–WaitoaandTatua O’Hawa.TheLauristonEstateonthesouthernside oftheroadstretchedbetweenWaitoaandtheAllen EstatejustEastofMorrinsville.Whenhesoldupin 1907,hemovedtoAucklandbutitdidn’tsuithim sohereturnedtoComleyGreenin1911.
NicholAshtonLarneydiedonJune11,1915, aged73.HiswifeMargaretdiedonJune3,1918, aged76andtheyarebothburiedintheTeAroha Cemeterywithasubstantialheadstone.
Thestorybehindtheman
MrNicholAshtonLarneywasborninEdinburgh in1842andasayouthtookupfarmingwhich inspiredhimtolearnallhecouldaboutthesoil andanimals.
In1861hewenttoAmericaandservedfouryears intheUnitedStatesEngineersArmyCorpsonthe
Federalside.
Afterthewar, hereturned toScotland tofurtherhis education including veterinarian training.
In1875he arrivedinNew Zealandonthe ship‘British Empire’andwas employedby‘RandAMcLean’whowerefamous stockbreeders.
AfterserviceintheBayofPlenty,hetookover managementofafarmpropertyatOhaupoand in1883hemovedtoWaitoaandtookchargeof thestockontheWaitoaEstatethenownedbythe AucklandAgriculturalCompany.
Helaterpurchased300acresatTatua,eventually increasinghisholdingto3000acresandcalledit ‘LauristonEstate’.
MrNALarneywasalsofamousforhis inventionofdrenchesforanimalparasites.His ‘Larney’sAnthelminticCompany’isfirstseenin advertisementsinJuly1886andhisnewdrenchwas extensivelyadvertisedallovertheNorthIslandand asfarsouthasTemukainSouthCanterbury.
Numerous‘testimonials’werewrittenatthetime bysheepfarmerswhoattestedtoitsefficacy.In 1892,itwasmadeinTeArohabeforethecompany movedtoAuckland.
InJanuary1897,hehadformedthe‘Live-stock RemedyCompany’andpatentedhisnewremedy called‘Sonjet’.
Hewassuchaprominentperson inthePiakoDistrictthathisphoto wasincludedinthe‘DiamondJubilee ofthePiakoCounty1877-1937’ alongsideotherprominentpioneersin
15YearGuarantee
Keepsoutleaves,birds, pests&hail
Preventswaterdamage
Suitableforanytypeofroof
thedevelopmentofthePiakoCounty. TheTeArohaMuseumhasadisplay ofMrLarneyinourrevamped FarmingSection.
martin@gutterprotect.co.nz www.gutterprotect.co.nz
Monoblock-3-1000
BIOROCK(NZ)Limited Sales&Informa on: Email:dhivesh@biorock.co.nz
Cer fiedAS/NZS1546.1 2008&EN12566-3+A2 Minimalopera ngcost Supplier of high quality native plants ready for
POBox46234,Auckland1147 DhiveshKrishna Phone:021645717 WWW.BIOROCK.CO.NZ
Minginui Nursery is a purely native tree nursery based in the Bay of Plenty and specialises in revegetation plants. The process is proven. As well as ‘growing to order’ and aiding in project planning, customers all over Aotearoa can obtain native plants for riparian planting, returning disused land to native, or simply planting in the household garden With the capacity to produce over 1,000,000 plants per year the nursery is able to supply pure cold-hardy natives on a commercial scale with orders delivered right to your door.
To discuss your requirements please feel free to make contact Sales: Lance Taurua lance@minginuinursery.co.nz Mobile: 021 742 237 Phone: 07 366 3314
GeoffClark,TeArohaMuseum
Comley Green.
NicholAshtonLarney.
Kidney:$20,000tosupportBOPpatientcare
WhenretiredKatikatiorchardist
BrianThompsonfoundout hehadkidneydiseasefour yearsago,heknewnothingof theconditionorwhatimpact dialysiswouldhaveondailylife.
Discoveringhehadjust8%of normalkidneyfunctionleftcameas ashockashehadnoobvioushealth issues.Heandhiswife,Jean,were mostgratefultohavetheKidney Society’scommunityhealtheducator, BrianMurphy,walkthejourney alongsidethem.
“Whenhefirstwentondialysis,we knewnothing,”Jeanexplained.“You getgivensomuchinformationallat onceanditwasBrianandtheKidney Societywhokeptussane.Theyputon educationtrainingdaysinTauranga wherewecouldlearn,askquestions andmeetotherpeoplegoingthrough asimilarthing.Brianwouldvisitusat homeandwasgentlebutquitehonest abouttherealitiesofoursituation.”
Thatvaluablewrap-aroundcareand emotionalsupportprovidedbythe KidneySocietyhasjustreceiveda $20,000fundingboostfromBayTrust tohelpcoverthecommunityhealth educator’sroleintheBayofPlenty.
Asaformerrenalnurse,Murphy hasdecadesofexperiencein kidneydiseaseandsaidthe fundingwillhelpfillanimportant gapthatexistsbetweenmedical providersandpatients’families. Heregularundertakeshomevisits andsendsemails,textmessages, phonecalls,visitsdialysisunits, liaiseswithmedicalstaffandruns communityeducationsessionsfor kidneypatients.
Differentissues
Patients can spend hours on dialysis
“Everyclient’svalues,goals andhealthissuesaredifferent. Youwanttobepositiveandgive encouragementbutalsoputasilver liningonthegreycloudthat’s sittingoverthem.Soitisquitea challenge.It’sjustaboutproviding resourcesandsupport,andletting themknowthey’renotalone.”
Murphysaidgettingmoney fornot-for-profitscanbequitea challenge.“Kidneydiseaseisavery lowpriorityinalotofpeople’s eyes.It’snotashighprofileoras wellsupportedasotherdiseasesor conditionsthatareoutthere.We arealwayslookingatourservices toseehowwecansavemoney,so thisgrantfromBayTrustwillmake abigdifferencetosupportour clientsinthisarea.”
Onein10NewZealandersare affectedbykidneydisease,with numberscontinuingtoriseevery year.Diabetesanduncontrolled highbloodpressurearetwo leadingcontributors,butnephritis
(inflammationofthekidneys), inheritedconditions,Lupus, kidneystonesandrepeatedkidney infectionscanalsocontributetoa lossofkidneyfunction.
Understanding
“Kidneydiseasecanaffect anyone,ofanybackground,age orethnicity,” Murphy explained. “Ourclientsnormallygetshortof breathandhavelowenergylevels. Becausethey’vegotlowredblood cellcounts,theyoftenhavelow ironcountsandareanemicaswell. Oncethekidneysarenotworking, thewholebodystruggles.
“Myjobistohelppeople deciphertheinformationthey’ve
beengiven.Itellthemwhat questionstheyshouldbeasking theirmedicalteam,becauseyou don’tknowwhatyoudon’tknow. Wewalkbesidethem,giving directiononwhattoexpectand whattheirexpectationsshouldbe.” BayTrustCommunityadvisor LotimaVaioletisaidhavingto goondialysishadlife-changing consequencesandthesupport theKidneySocietyprovidesis essential.“Lastyear348patients intheBayofPlentyreceivedoneon-onesupportfromBriansowe areverypleasedtoprovidethis $20,000granttoenablehimto continuetheimportantworkhe doesthroughoutourregion.”
Inspiredbythe beautyofbirds
ForJennyMoed-Korpela, birdsaremorethanjusta subjectforherpaintings–theyarealifelongpassion.
GrowingupinFinland,Jenny’s loveofbirdsgrewfromtimespent withhergrandmother,whowas alsoanartist.
“Shehadabirdfeederinher garden,soeverytimeIwasthere wewouldspendthefirst10 minutestalkingaboutwhichbirds hadbeenvisitingthatday,”she recalled.“WhenIstartedpainting itwasjustasubjectthatIknewa lotaboutandthatmadeiteasier.”
Iliketoseethatit’sactuallypaint.”
Jenny’sartisinfluencedbyher ruralsurroundingsintheEastern BayofPlenty.Herlifestyleblockin Awakeri,nearWhakatane,ishome tocows,pigs,ducks,chickensand adogkeepherbusywhenshe’snot workingpart-time.Hersparetime isspentimmersedinhercraft. Shepaintswithoils,favouring reds,blues,andbrowns,and preferstomixherowncolours.“I don’tusealotofgreensorpurples.
S So I just create my own blends.”
onlyseethemforamoment,and thenthey’regone.
“Ihopemyworkgivespeoplea glimpseintothosemoments.”
Jenny’sdream
Havinggrownupsurroundedby natureinbothFinlandandnowin NewZealand,Jennyfeltfortunate tohavesuchdiverseinspiration. Shephotographsbirdsherself, believingit’scrucialtohaveseen theminreallifetotrulycapture t them on canvas.HHer dream?
areabehindthehouseshere, andyou’llseeblackswans, kingfishers,pūkeko,andstilts–especiallyatlowtide.I’malways inspiredbywhatIsee.”
Jenny’sdeepconnectionto birds,passeddownfromher grandmother,continuesto inspireherwork,andshehopes thatthroughherpaintings, otherswillfeelasimilarbond withnature.
Jennystandsbesideherartforsale attheOriginalArtExpo.
A
A loveofart
Thatlaidthefoundationfor J Jenny’sdistinctivestyle.From pickingupapaintbrushattheage of15,shewentontocompletea Master’sDegreeinFineArt.
“Ilovebothabstractandrealistic elementsinmyart,so I’mtryingtocombine them,”sheexplained. “Ifeverythingistoo detailed,youmightas w welltakeaphoto.
Jenny’sjourney isasmuchabout capturingamoment innatureasitis abouttechnique. “Birdsare suchfleeting creatures; you
Tobecomeafull-time artistandtraveltothe mostremoteplaces ofNewZealand, photographingand paintingbirdslike thealbatrossand penguinsonourrugged coastlines.
Fornow,Jenny findsinspiration closertohome.
“There’sa wetland
Jenny doing a live art display at the recent Original Art Expo in Tauranga. Photos: Debbie Griffiths
TheNZDairyExpois returningtoMatamatanext yearandpromisestobe biggerandbrighterthanever. OrganiserAmandaHodgsonsaid morethan100exhibitorsarealready
lockedinfortheFebruary11-12, upfrom86forthisyear’sinaugural edition.
Withreturningexhibitorsgiven firstchoicefortheirspotin2025, awaitinglisthadbeendrawnup fornewcomerstoclaimthelimited remainingsites.
Weofferacomprehensiverangeofboth newandsecondhandfarmmachinery. Weareproudstockistsofleadingagbrands includingImants,KTwo,SekoandMcintosh tonameafew. MuckSpreaders
Dairyexporetturns o Ma ama a
Hodgsonstressedthat exhibitorsmustbedairy-related.
“TheNZDairyExpois agenuinegrassrootsevent, focusedonconnectingtheheart ofthedairyindustry-farmers andindustryprofessionalsina relaxedsettingthatencourages meaningfulconversations,with thegoalofturningtheseinto valuablebusinessopportunities.”
farmersattendedtheinaugural eventinFebruaryfromacross thecountry,includinggroups fromVictoriaandTasmania. Hodgsonsaidtheexpois designedwiththefarming communityinmind.
Face-to-face
Theyliketheface-to-face engagement,”Hodgsonsaid“It’s notaboutflashyset-ups,but aboutbeingthere,flyingyour flag,andhavingreal,impactful discussionswiththepeoplewho mattermost…farmers.”
Unlikebigger,more commercialevents,Hodgson saidtheexpoisaboutpresence, genuineengagement,and buildinglastingrelationships. Almostnearly2500dairy
Asco-owner/CEOof TePuke-basedagricultural serviceproviderArchway Group,Hodgsonsaidshewas alsointheuniquepositionof beinganexhibitorandevent organiser.“It’saboutputting yourselfinfrontoffarmers.
Hodgsonsaidtheexpo providesfarmerswiththe platformtomeet“everyone theyneedon-farm”ina practicalsense.Whilefarmers mayhavehadjustachaton thedaywithexhibitors, Hodgsonsaidanumberofsales werecompletedon-farmafter theevent.
NZDairyExpoorganiserAmandaHodgsonandMatamatafarmerPJWilliams.
“Farmers still want to understand who they are buyingfrom.”MatamatafarmerPJWilliamswas oneofthosetomakeasignificantpurchaseafter anitemcaughthiseyeatthisyear’sexpo. Awaterfiltrationsystem,servinghisfarmand home“ispayingdividendsalready”.
PJfoundoutthatcows“hateiron”intheir drinkingwater,withtestingshowinghissupply containedelementsincludingsuspendediron andmanganese.Throughthefiltrationsystem hepickedupatthe2024expo,Williamssaidhis cowsarenowconsumingwaterwhichisupto humanwater-drinkingstandards.“Anddrinking morewatermeansmoremilkisproduced.”
Farmer-friendly
PJagreedthatthe2024expowasfarmer-friendly.
“Wegottotalkone-on-onewithsuppliersand services.Itwascompletelyfarmer-focused.”
Williamssaidtherewasagoodvarietyofsites, withmoreensuredfornextyear’sexpo.
Becausethescaleoftheexpoisnotasgreatas somenationalevents,Williamssaidfarmerscould seewhattheywantedtoseeinacoupleofhours. Withthecurrentpayout,heexpecteddairy farmerstohaveabuoyantupcomingseasonand theexpotobearealdrawcardnextFebruary. “I’dliketothinkitwillbecomearegular fixturehere.”
Williamsalsounderstoodtherewereconsiderable spin-offsforMatamataretailersaftereachof thetwo-days.HeisonthecommitteeofUnited MatamataSportsClubwhichispaidbyexpo organisersforallowingtheeventtobeheldon BedfordPark.
Thisisploughedbackintojuniorrugbybywayof newequipmentincludingballsandtraininggear.
Aportionofexpofundingwouldalsogotowards redevelopmentofchangingroomsunderneaththe grandstandatBedfordPark.
Williamssaidthisprojectisdueforcompletion beforethestartofthenextclubrugbyseason.
Hodgsonsaiditisgreatto“giveback”tothelocal communitywhichhassupportedtheexpo.
Sheadmittedthefirsteditionwaspredictably alearningexperience,butonethathadbeen
built on for 2025 While an extra row of sites had beenaddedattheBedfordParkvenue,Hodgson saidthelayouthadbeen“tightenedupabit”to utilisespacebetter.Awidevarietyofdairying servicesandproductshadalreadybeenconfirmed includingautomation,cowcollars,machinery, engineering,consultants,andriparianplanting advice,pluscowhealth,hygieneandnutrition.
Thetwo-dayexpowouldagainrunonfarmerfriendlytime:8.30amto3pm.
HodgsonsaidFebruarywasarelativelyquiet timeonthefarm,makingitthebesttimeto connectwithdairyfarmers.
“They’renotquitesounderthepump.”
Februaryweatheralsocameintoconsideration forrepeatingthedate.
Hodgsonsaidtheexpowasfreeforfarmers “becausewe’reherefortheindustry,drivenby ourpassionforwhatwedo”.
HYDRAULICDOSINGPUMPS
Competitivelypriced
Simpleinstallation, operation,andservice. Sparesealkitincluded. Nopowerorwatermeter required Highpressureoption upto14bar DesignedandmadeinIsrael Fullywarranted12months
MixRiteTF/SMS-4
4GCellularRemote
ControlOption
Designedforthefarmerwho cannotbeon-siteeveryday,but needstoensuremineralsare beinggivenatthecorrecttimes andlevels.
Pumpandsuctionflow-ratescan bemonitoredbytextmessage. Theunitwillsendanalert notificationtoyourmobileif: Pumpisrunningbutnotsucking Drum is about to run dry Possible leak detected
RecommendedDairyApplications: PumpMax.Flow ratem3/h Line size Usage, maximumherdsize MR25022.5¾”200 MR25082.5¾”Chlorination TF55.01”400 TF1010.01½”800 TF2525.02”2000
NZ Dairy Expo organiser
Amanda Hodgson at Bedford Park
More than 30 years ’ buildingexperiencehave beencombinedwiththe designandproductionof precastconcreteproductsin PaeroaPrecastConcrete. Thecompanyistheresultof thesuccessfulamalgamationof
V Vaughan Cook Builders and BowersBrothersConcretesix yearsago.
VaughanCookhasbeenjoined inthebusinessbyhistwosons whoarealsoqualifiedbuilders “bringingauniquelevelof knowledgetoeverybuildand installation,”saidVaughan. “Weproduceawiderangeof
a agricultural products – from feed andwatertroughs,tobarrier blocks,bunkerwalls,modular paneleffluenttanksystemsupto 400,000litres,stonetrapsand solidsbins.
“Allourproductsare manufacturedinPaeroaand deliveredandinstalledacross thegreaterWaikato,South
Auckland,BayofPlentyand Coromandelareas.
“Ourfocusisondesigningand manufacturingsystemswhich areeconomicandextremelyefficient –forexample,oureffluenttanks differfrom‘thenorm’byhaving curvedcornerswhichmakethe tankseasytostirandavoidsolids build-up.Wespecialiseinproviding farmerswithsolutionssowhether you’rewantinganewfeedoreffluent system,oranupgradetoanexisting structure,neworreplacement troughs,giveusacall.Noprojectis toobigortoosmall.”
Oneman’’srub
bbermatmi
issiion
DeanMalcolmruns s asolooperation.
Rubbermattingisthefutureforanimal welfareformanyreasons!
DeanMalcolmofSureGripMatsNewZealand hasarangeofmatstosuitanypurposeinany operation.Thehighquality50%reclaimedand 50%newrubbercompoundwiththehighUV ratingwilllastforyears,saidDean,whoisa
one-manteamthatinstallsandhasareputation forhislevelofcareandworkmanship,makinghim differenttoanyoneelseinthemarket.
DeanwasalsoafarmerinAustraliafor20years andwasoneofthefirstpeopletoinstallrubber matssohasseenfirst-handthedifferencethat rubbermattingmakes.Formoreinformation, seehisadvertonthispage.
Wehaveafleetof specialisedequipment whichincludesslurry tankers,umbilicalsystems andstirrersplusyearsof experienceandexpertise totackleanyjob. ineverythingeffluent/ wastewaterrelatedin theCentralNorthIsland, SouthWaikatoand SouthernBOPareas.
Almost anything can be made out of concrete.
AherdwearingtheAfiCollar.
Morefarmersusingcowmonitoring technologyisagame-changerthismating season,asdairyfarmersacrossthecountry shifttheirfocustothetailendofmating andachievingoptimalinseminationrates.
HeadlandsbusinessmanagerJonoBuchlysaid forAfiCollarfarms,he’sseenmorecowscycling, lessuseofCIDRsinherds,andnotailpaint.
“AfiCollarshavebecomeanessentialtoolin helpingourfarmersimproveherdfertility,health andreduceemptyrates.
“Ourteamcanhelpanalysethedataprovided throughtheAfiFarmsoftware,whichispartofthe integratedAfiCollarsystem.Thislevelofdataand informationfarsurpassesanyothertoolwe’vehad availableinNewZealandinthepast.”
Therearemanythingsthatimpactacowgetting incalf,includingeating,rumination,weightloss, andoverallhealth.
ThroughAfiCollarandAfiFarmsortandweigh, farmerscanaccessthisdetailinoneplatform.
“Thesystemmakesmatingsosimple.Ifacowis inheat,she’sdraftedautomatically,andfarmers don’thavetospendhoursinthemorningtrying tofigureoutwhichcowstoinseminate.Evenfor
AgPlusisafamily--run businessownedaand operatedbyborn-aandbredTeArohaloccals StanandFiKnight.
Basedinthethriving ruraltownofTeAroha, AgPlusoperates throughoutthegreater Waikato,ThamesValley y andBayofPlenty,providingamultitudeof servicesfromagriculturaltoauto-electricaland everythinginbetween,eitheron-siteorintheir purpose-builtworkshop.
Collarsagame-chaangerthis mating season
themostexperiencedfarmer,itsavesalotoftime andenergy,andthere’snoneedtousetailpaintor scratchiesanymore.”
Usingacustom-designed3Dsensormeasuring themovement,accelerationandmotionofthe cow’shead,thecollarcanaccuratelydistinguish betweenrumination,eatingandheatdetection. Thecollarthensendswirelessdatatothereader, whichtransferstheinformationtotheAfiFarm herdmanagementsoftware.
Alertsandinsightsaboutfertilitywindows, calvingrisks,potentialhealthissuesandother vitalinformationisavailableatthefarmer’s fingertipsthroughanapp,sodecisionscanbe madeonthego.
“AfiCollarandtheAfiFarmsystemmonitorscow weighteveryday,sopost-calvingwe’reableto identifyhigh-riskandpotentiallyemptycowsthat havegreaterthana5%weightlossinthefirst40 daysaftercalving.Farmerscanthenworkthrough amanagementsolution.”
Likewise,theAfiSortscalesmonitorbody conditionscoresthroughouttheyear,providing dailyreportingtomanageat-riskcows.
Formoreinformation,seeHeadland’sadverton thispage.
youneed see their advert on this page.
Strauttmannrangeofmixer wagonns,feedingequipment andasssociatedparts.Madein Germmany,Strautmannisworld renowwnedforitsqualityand reliabiility.Formoreinformation, seetheiradvertonthispage. Ateamr
AgPlusisalsotheexclusivedealerforall StrautmannproductswithintheWaikatoandBay ofPlentyregions,andadirectimporterforthe
Manufacturingnutritiousformulas
FoodWaikatoisasmallspraydrying facilitybasedatWaikatoInnovationPark, manufacturingsheep,goatand bovinecolostrum.
PurchasedinDecember2023byNewImage Group,theplantcontinuestomanufactureinfant formulabasepowders,adultnutritionformulas andhasstartedmanufacturingbovinecolostrum. Specialisinginthemanufacturingofhigh-quality bovinecolostrum,anutrient-densesubstance producedbycowsinthefirst36hoursafter calving.Knownforitsrichcontentofantibodies, andimmune-boostingproperties,colostrumis increasinglysoughtafterforitshealthbenefits.
“AtFoodWaikato,animalhealthisattheheart ofeverythingwedo.Wearededicatedtoensuring thateverycalfreceivestheessentialnutrientsit needs,whichiswhyweonlycollectmilkafterthe critical6-12hourwindow,”saidaspokespersonfor thecompany.
“WehavesupplycontractsavailableforNZfarms acrossthecountryalongwitheverythinga farmerneedstogetstarted.Withourshared knowledgeandexperience,we’llwalkyouthrough theprocess,payouts,bestpracticesandprovide youwiththeinfrastructureneedstosupply.
“Ourpartnershipswithfarmsarebuiltona foundationofbestpractices,whereanimalwelfare isprioritisedateverystage.”
Formoreinformation,seeFoodWaikato’sadvert onthispage.
Switchingtoaroboticdairyshed
LelyAstronautmilkingrobot -soundslikesomethingoutof thisworld,butforAndré DeLeeuwitsaneverydaypart offarminglife.
Beforeswitchingtorobots, Andréandhisfamilymilkedina 22-asideherringbone.However, thechallengesofconventional milking,suchastheneedfor constantmanuallabourand reliablestaff,promptedAndréto considerrobots.“Wesawrobots atfielddays,”saidAndré.“After discussingitwiththe localdealer,werealisedthat withournumbers,the costdifferencebetweena conventionalshedandarobotic onewasn’tthatsignificant.”
Thedecisiontoswitchto roboticswasdrivenbymultiple factors.“Wewantedto futureproofourfarm,manage labourmoreeasily,andreduce thephysicalstrainonour bodies,”saidAndré.
“Plus,withroboticmilking, yougetmilkinformationfrom
everyindividualcow,every milking.Thelevelofquality controlandtheabilityto feedcowsaccordingtotheir productionwassomething wecouldn’tachievewitha conventionalsystem.”
Formoreinformation,see Lely’sadvertonthispage.
INSTALLATION SERVICE REPAIR
DodaPumps&Stirrers|DallaiFittings|Hydrants|EffluentParts
20yearsexperienceof DairyEffluentSystems andRepairs
ServicingofallEffluent& Irrigationequipment. Fullsysteminstallations. NZsupplierofDODA products,wealsocarrya comprehensiverangeofDairy Effluentparts&equipment designedtoprovidearobust andtroublefreeoperation, complementingour Servicingbusiness.
AndréDeLeeuwinhis roboticshed.
Colostrum supplier Patrick Hart discusses operations with Food Waikato colostrum supply managerEEmmaVVoorend d
Abetterwaytobeatmaastitis
TonyHollinshead,afarmer fromMatamata,wasfacinga severemastitisissueonhis 294-cowfarm. Fromaseasonaverageof85in the2018/2019season,hisSomatic
CellCounthadsteadilyclimbed toanalarming250,withmastitis casesspikingto27inJanuary2023. Despiteseekingtraditionalguidance, hesawnoimprovement.However, whenFarmMedixproposedan alternativestrategy,focusedon
understandingandaddressingthe rootcausesofhisissues,things begantoturnaround.
Theprocessstartedwitha Snapshotbulktanktest,analysing Tony’sherdandoverallfarm conditions.Theevaluation uncoveredseveralunderlying problems:teat-enddamage, inadequateteatdisinfection coverage,andasignificant presenceofStaph.aureus. Totackletheseissues,Farm Medixrecommendedadjusting themilkingtimetoprevent overmilkingandimproving post-milkingteatdisinfection practices,withsupportfrom FarmMedix’spartner,FILGEA.Additionally,eachcow wastestedindividuallyusing Herdscreen,revealing37Staph. aureuscarriers,whichweremajor contributorstotheelevatedbulk tankSCC.
TonyfollowedFarmMedix’s recommendations,segregating theStaph.aureus-positivecows andmilkingthemlasttoprevent contaminationofthehealthy cows.Withintwomonths,his mastitiscasesplummetedfrom 27totwo,allwithintheinfected
group.Antibioticusealsodroppeddramatically, from128dosesinJanuarytoseveninApril. WhileSCCdidn’tdeclineimmediately,milking theStaph.cowslastpreventedcow-to-cow transmission,allowingTonytokeepallcowsin supplywithoutcompromisingthehealthyherd. Onhisvet’sadvice,Tonychosetoblanketdry cowtheherd,usingalong-actingantibioticforthe 17Staph.aureuscowshekept.
However,eightstilltestedpositivethefollowing season,underscoringtheimportanceofre-testing Staph.aureuscowsaftertreatmenttoprevent contaminationandnewinfections.
WithhisStaph.aureusissueundercontrol andothermastitisfactorsaddressed,Tony implementedtheFarmMedixcontinuous mastitismanagementprogram,incorporating SnapshotSurveillanceandFreshCowDry Cowon-farmmastitistestingtopreventand addressissuesastheyarise.Seeingsignificant improvementsacrosstheboardandranking amongthebestinMatamata,hismessage tofarmersisclear:“Farmersneedtohear aboutthis!”
Tony Hollinshead
Dataon agraph.
PremierdairyshedservicecentreforWaikatofarmers
DairyShedHub,basedcentrally inMatamatatoservicethegreater Waikato,wassetuptodelivera premierdairyshedservice tofarmers.
GeneralmanagerCodyLamb saidabackgroundinengineering anddairyservicingconfirmedthe needforfarmerstoaccessa‘hub’ whichspecialisesintechnologyand automation.
acomprehensiveservice,which includesautomaticcupremovers, monitoringcollars,automated drafting,individualmilkmonitoring andautomatedteatspray.Our premiumdesign,installationand serviceensuresthesystemsweinstall canoperateattheirverybestand continuetodosoforyearstocome.
“Westockbrandswhichareforging newlevelsofefficiencyandease -MilktechNZ,SenseHubDairy (previouslyAllflexandProtrack) andTeatwand.“Thesebrandsenable
Homeopathicremediesforhumansandanimals
HomeopathicFarmServicessellawide rangeofhomeopathicandherbalproducts aimedatthehealthandwellbeing ofallanimals.
“Wehavetworegisteredhomeopathswhoworkwith bothanimalsandhumans,providingconsultations andoperateafreehelpdeskforourproducts,”saysa spokespersonforthecompany.
HFSproductsareBiogrocertifiedinputfororganics andofferanaturalalternativethatcanworkwell alongsideconventionaltreatments.
“Homeopathyisanothertoolinyourkittobeable toutiliseforanimalhealthpurposes.Itsmainprinciple is‘likecureslike’.It’sbeenaroundsincethe1800s andisanenergybasedtherapeuticsystemofhealth.
Homeopathylookstosupportanimalsaroundcalving, kidding,lambing,lactation,dryingoff,transportation, mental/emotional,behaviouraloranyotherhealth
aspectcanbesupportedwithhomeopathy.“Our homeopathicproductsaremadeonsiteatourbase inTirau,theyhaveanilwithholdingandoffereasy administration,eventolargerherds.”
Visitthematsite28attheNewZealandDairyExpo todiscussyourindividualrequirements.
“Basically,ifyouarelookingfor optimumefficiencyandeasefrom yourexistingdairy,orcontemplating anewbuild,wewillworkwithyou tounderstandyourgoalsandthen
delivertherightsystem,”Lambsaid. “We’vesetouttocreateaservice wheredairyfarmersfeelcaredfor andsupported.Aplacetocomefor genuineadviceandservice. “AtDairyShedHubweprovide 24/7break-downassistance,ensuring youhaveround-the-clocksupport whenyouneeditmost.Don’t hesitatetogiveusacalltoday andexperiencetheDairyShed Hubdifference.” Formoreinformation,seetheir advertonthispage.
The Dairy Shed Hub crew make sure dairy sheds are in top working order.
Astrongavocadoharvestseason
Theavocadoseasonhasbeena successsofar,thankstomostly favourableharvestweatherfor growersandawell-executed marketingplan.
Acrossallregions,atDarlingGroup we’velostonly18%ofavailable harvestdaysduetorainfall–a markedimprovementonthe20222023season,wherewelost28%of ourharvestdays.
Alongwithgoodharvesting weather,ourpick-to-shiptimeshave improvedbytwodaysonlastseason (2023-2024)andbythreedayson 2022-2023.
Thisefficiency,coupledwith thestableweather,hasresulted inhigh-qualityfruitreaching ourmarkets.
Exportoperations
Weareontracktobe95% throughourexportharvestby Christmasandtobefinishedfor theseasonbythesecondweekof January.Exportoperationsto NorthAmericaarecomplete,and ourfocusforthebalanceofthe seasonwillbeinfulfillingdemand inAsiaandAustralia.
Thegroupisnow75%throughour exportharvest.
Soliddemand Inthedomesticmarket,we areseeingpositivechangewith agoodbalanceofvolumeand demandandreasonablereturns forourgrowers.Overalldemand issolid,andfruitismoving throughretailchannelsquickly. Asweapproachtheseason’s end,growersareconcentrating ongettingcropoffwhilealso shiftingattentiontotherecently set2025-2026crop. Helpingfruitsetstick isthenextimportant taskintheorchard withattentionto soilmoistureand irrigationforthe nextthreemonths beingcriticalfor managingfruitdrop. TheJustAvocados GrowerServices teamwillthenbe lookingatcrop loadmanagement tohelpwiththe considerationoffruitthinning, ifrequired,intheearlypart of2025.
Thefuture Lookingahead,2025 bringstheimplementation ofGLOBALG.A.P.version6 compliance.Theteamhasbeen preparinggrowerssinceOctober lastyear,runningworkshopsin Katikati,Whangarei,Houhora, andPapamoa,alongwith providingonlineresources. Thisupdateemphasises continuousimprovementand sustainability,and
Goodharvestingweatheracrossallregionshas allowedavocadogrowerstomaximiseoutput leadinguptoChristmas. Photo:Supplied.
we’recommitted tohelpingour growersmeettheseupcoming newstandards.
Challenges
Thisseasonhasbrought improvementsoverlastyear, butchallengesremainonthe horizon.WithalargeAustralian cropforecastfor2025-2026, theindustryfacesacontinuum ofchangingdynamicsaround theinternationalsupplyand demandrequirements. Growersandexportersalike willneedtoadapt;weneedto findwaystobemoreflexible inourmarketingapproach
tomovewiththechanging dynamic.Growersontheir partneedtostayfocusedon reducingcostsandbecome moreefficientintheirorchard managementwhilecontinuing toexplorenewgrowingsystems withgreateroutput. Thepathforwardwill requireresilienceand innovationasweadjusttoan ever-evolvinginternational avocadoindustrylandscape, givingourselvestheability tomovewiththeshifting dynamicsofourenvironment andallowingourselvesthebest possibleopportunityofsuccess acrosstheindustry.
Thebalancebetweenlifeandwork
Weareconstantlyreminded oftheimportanceofwork-life balanceinthemediaandhowa goodbalanceenhances ourhealthandwellbeing.
TaurangaGPDrAndrewCorinhas foundhisownwork-lifebalanceinthe hands-onprocessofestablishingand maintaininganavocadoorchard,and increativeandscientificwriting.
Andrewmethiswife,Kathy,at NorthShoreHospitalwhilehewas studyingmedicineandshewas studyingphysiotherapy.
“We’dbothgrownupinnon-city environmentsandfoundourselves livinginthecitytostudy.
Weacceptedcitylifeassomethingwe hadtodoatthetime,butitcertainly wasn’tmyhappyplace,”saysAndrew.
ThecoupleworkedatvariousAuckland hospitalsandthenworkopportunities atTaurangahospitalofferedthemore regionallifetheydesired.
Findingwork-lifebalance
“Despiteextensivestudentdebtwe managedtobuyourfirsthousein Maungatapu.Itwasontheedgeofthe bushlookinguptheinnerharbourand justwhatwewanted.
“Kathyhadsaidshewasonly preparedtoliveinTaurangafora yearbecauseherfamilywereupin Auckland.We’restillhere30yearslater andhavea20-year-olddaughterand 17-year-oldson,andKathy’sfamily movedhere.
“Taurangameans‘restingplace’or‘safe anchorage’inMāoriandthatisexactly whattheplacehasbecomeforus.”
In2002,theCorinswereoneofthe firsttobuildona1.4harural-residential sectioninBethlehem,partofa developmentofanoldkiwifruitorchard.
“Whilewewantedspacearoundus, wedidn’twantthelandtoconsume alloursparetime.Myprofessioncan beverymentallyandemotionally demandingandthereneededtobea balancewhereIwasfillingmytankin anotherway.”
Andrewspeakswithprideandhumility abouthisworkasaGPandrunninga primarycare-basedclinicalresearchunit.
“IlovemyjobandI’manadvocate ofthevalueandjoysofgeneral practice.Thevarietyisverystimulating andIfeelprivilegedtobeallowed intopeople’slivesduringtheirmost vulnerableandintimatemoments.”
Theavocadoorchard
Thecoupledecidedtogrowavocados, notonlyforfinancialgain,butas “somethinggoodforthespirit”.They planted72avocadotrees.
Andrewsaysthephysicalwork andconnectingwiththelandwas verygroundingandspendingtimein theorchardsoonbecamehis“happy place”togoanddisconnectfromwork.
Thehappyplacewas significantlydamagedin 2017whenrun-offfrom anearbydevelopment afteramediumweather eventfloodedthe avocadoorchard.Andrew wasdevastated.
“Ilosthalfofmytrees anditputtheorchard backmanyyears. Avocadosareajungletree withashallowrootsystem
andbeingunderwatersuffocatedthe roots.
“Allthefruitshrivelledupandthe treesdied.Thesiltleftbehindafter thewaterrenderedtheaffectedareas unusable.Itwasupsettingtowatchit happening.
“Igotcontractorsintorehabilitate thelandandimplementafertiliser programme,preparingforreplanting withHassonBountyrootstock avocados,whicharemoreresilientto wetconditions.”
Andrewwasstrugglingwithaserious handinjuryatthetimeandhadbeen througheightoperationsovertwo yearstoreconstructhishand.
Whenreplantingstarted,hewasable toparticipate.Adifferentplanting systemwasusedwherethetrees wereclosertogetherandtheygrew vigorouslyandwerehealthy.
“TheninJanuary2023,Cyclone Gabriellecamealongandwipedout halfofthe55newtreeswe’dplanted.I acceptthatchallengesalwayscomealong withlandownership,whateverthesize, butit’snoteasytoworkthrough.”
Afterinvestinginanupgraded drainagesystemintheorchard, Andrewisnowwaitingforreplacement trees.He’sreplantingwithReed avocadosinthehopethatvariety acrosstheorchardwillprovidesome resiliencetofutureadversity.
Acreativemind
Andrewhasbeensupportingpatients usingaPositiveMedicinemodelunder thefourpillarsofTeWhareTapa Whā,whichaddressesthementaland emotional,familyandsocial,spiritual, andphysicalaspectsofwellbeing.
“Allowingpeopletohavecontrol oftheirlife,theirjourney,allowsfor betteroutcomes.Havingsomeoneto walkalongsidemakesthisachievable. Thismodelprovidesthat.”
Afterwritinginvariousformats throughouthislife,Andrewsayshe
“gotmuchmoreseriousaboutitin2019”, resultinginthepublicationofhisfirstbook,a collectionofshortfiction,‘ThisOldStick’.This yearhereleasedhissecondbook,ahistorical fictionnovel,‘TodayinParadise’.Healsohasa
GP,writerand avocadogrower AndrewCorinat McLarenFalls.
collectionofblogsandpodcastsonhiswebsite coveringcreativeandscientifictopics. “I’msogratefulthatmyfamilyhasgenerously allowedmethespaceandtimetowrite.”
Turning bright ideas into litfitquality fruit.
•ExceptionalPackingFacilities
•CompleteOrchardManagement
•AvoGreenService
Contact: AVOCADOS
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
•HarvestFlexibility
•Newwaterblasterfacility
•TechnicalAdviceandSupport
WarrenSargent -AvoGreenManager 0279000292•warren.sargent@dms4kiwi.co.nz
MattRoyackers -AvocadoGrowerServices 0272000788•matt.royackers@dms4kiwi.co.nz
ToniMorrison -AvocadoGrowerServices 0272654469•toni.morrison@dms4kiwi.co.nz
Photo:MarkMcKeown.
DrAndrewCorininhisavocadoorchard.
Photo:Supplied.
Pollinationkeeping
AWaikatobeekeeperhascomefullcircle inwhathasbecominganincreasingly unpredictablebusiness.
demandoverthepastfiveyears.A300kgdrumof manukahoneywhichoncefetched$120would nowreturnjust$20“ifyou’relucky”.
Mattsaysdemandhasincreasedfor“table honey”,whichfetches$7/kgcomparedto$3/kg threeyearsago.
MattCrawfordsayslimitedreturnsforhoney meansthebulkofhisincomeisbeinggenerated onceagainfrompollination.
BasedatOkauia,nearMatamata,Mattandhis wifeMaxinerunGoldenFlowApiarieswhichhas about1600hivesnowchieflypollinatingkiwifruit orchardsintheWesternBayofPlentyratherthan producinghoneyintheWaikato.
Hehasbeeninvolvedinthebeebusinessfor 17years,startingoutworkingforGoldenFlow’s originalownerBryceHooton.
Afamilybusiness
However,hesaysmostbeekeepersinthehoney tradeareseeingtheircostsrisewhiletheirincomes have“gonebackwards”.
Mattsaysheknowsofseveralwhohavesimply “shutupshop”altogether.
Mattprogressivelybooughtagreatershareholding intheOkauiaoperationandtookoverfull ownershipsevenyearsaago.
Hesaysbeekeepingwwasboomingatthat time,withGoldenFlow w Apiariesgrowing from1400to2500hivvesatitspeak.
Pollinationwasamajorpartofthe businessoriginally,but t Mattsaysthis “tookatoll”onthehivvesanda movewasmadetoprodducing manukahoney.
But,withreturnsfalliing amidstanongoinghonney glutacrossthecountryy, hehasgonebackto pollinationwhichnow w makesupmorethan 70percentofthe company’sincome.
“Fiveyearsago,we wereahundredpercennt honey,”saysMatt.
Hesaysitissimplya questionofcashflow.
Happybalance
“Wehadtofindahapppy balance,orwewould’vvebeen outofbusinesstwoyeaarsago.”
Likemanyofhisfelloow beekeepersaroundthecountry, Matthasjustbeenselliing surplushoney“sittingiinthe shed”forthelastthree--four years.Hesaystherehas s beenanationalover-suupply, particularlyofmanuka a honey, whichhasexceededmaarket
“Thehobbyistsaregone,”hesays.“Thewhole industryhaschanged.Youhavetoadapttosurvive.” Mattdoesbelievethoughthatthe honeytradeis“on theup”andgettting backtosimilarlevelstowhenhefirst started.
“Wearejustmakingaliving,”he says.“It’smore a lifestyle.”
GoldenFlow Apiarieshasthree full-timeemployees,plusMatt’swwife Maxineandhis fatherMauriceoon apart-timebasis.
Theoperation,on.5haat Okauia,hasanextracting planttohelpwithhoney harvesting.
Fullframesarecollectted from hivesand24ata timeareputthrough h aspinnerwhich separateshoney frombeeswax. Thehoneyis s thenfiltered andputintto vats,prior
fully handlingoneofhishives s at GoldenFlowApiarries.
MattCrawfordcaref
Photo:SteveEdwwards.
beekeepersafloat
togoingintosealeddrums readyfortruckingtoHamiltonbasedHoneyNewZealand.
Safestorage
Mattsayshoneyforthetable isbeststoredinacool,dark cupboardorpantry.
Beeswaxcanbeusedtomake productsincludingcandlesand lipbalm.
Registeredhivenumbersin NewZealandhavereportedly fallenfromahighof918,000 in2019to601,000atlast report.NorthIslandnumbers havegonefrom694,000to 418,000inthattime.
Mattsaystheexisting stockpileofhoney,coupled withincreasedcompetitionin globalmarkets,hashowever continuedtocreatechallenges forprocessingcompanies.
TePuke-basedComvita recentlyreportedafullyear
lossof$77.4million,citinga downturninsalestoChinaand NorthAmerica.
Kiwifruitorchards
Ontheothersideofthe equation,Mattsayskiwifruit orchardsareontheincreaseand withtheirrelianceonbeesto produceacrop,BayofPlenty growersarehavingtogofurther andfurtherafieldtofindhives.
Heknewofsomebeekeepers evenmakingthetripdownfrom NorthlandtotheBayofPlenty lastseasontohelpmeetdemand.
Kiwifruitorchardshave reportedlyincreased12.5per centfrom12,905producing hectaresin2019/2020to 14,512hain2022/2023.
Mattsaysthismeans1607ha ofneworchardsthatrequire beehives,atanaverageof10-12 hivesperha.
BayofPlentyishometoby
NewZealandkiwifruitgrowersarebeingasked tosupporttheallocationofupto420additional hectaresofSunGoldKiwifruitperyearoversix yearsacrossItaly,France,Japan,SouthKorea, andGreece,subjecttoannualreviewbytheZespri Boardtoconfirmforecastdemandremainsahead ofsupplyandtheprovisionofannualreporting togrowers.Theproposalhasbeenco-developed withtheindustryfollowinganextensive engagementprocess.
Zespri’srecentlyreleasedFive-YearOutlook documentconfirmedthatdemandforkiwifruit remainsstrong,althoughcompetitioncontinues tointensify.
ZespriCEO,JasonTeBrake,commentedonthe importanceoftheProducerVoteinthecontextof thispositiveoutlook.
“StrongdemandcontinuestosupportNew Zealandgrowerreturnsandhasdriventhe increasedexpansionofSunGoldlicenceavailable toNewZealandgrowersin2025andbeyond.But withourcompetitorsstrengthening,weneedtofill
far the largest area of kiwifruit
farthelargestareaofkiwifruit orchards,with11,429ha.
Spring
The pollination schedule sees Matt drop off hives at orchar
Thepollinationschedulesees Mattdropoffhivesatorchards inlateOctober.
There are eight-10 hives per canopy hectare, with his bees
Thereareeight-10hivesper canopyhectare,withhisbees servingboththeGoldand Greenvarietiesofkiwifruit.
Mattsayshives,whichreturn between$190and$250each, areusuallyleftattheorchards foracoupleofweeksbefore collection.
Matt says hives, which return between $190 and $250 each, are usually left at the orchards
Kiwifruit is particularly reliant on insect pollinators as its male and female flowers are located
Kiwifruitisparticularlyreliant oninsectpollinatorsasitsmale andfemaleflowersarelocated onseparateplants,hesays.
Duringspring,whenthe flowersbegintoopen,Mattsays thebeesandorchardmanagers areworkinghardtoensurea successfulpollinationinthe orchards.
Zespriplansexpansionofsupply
moreofthesupply-demandgapinthenon-New Zealandseasontobeabletoprovide12-month supplytoourkeycustomersandconsumers, buildingourbrandwhileholdingourshelfspace andvalueuntilNewZealandkiwifruitreturnsto marketeachyear.
“PlantingmoreSunGoldhectaresinthe NorthernHemisphereisacrucialpartofourplans todeliverthisandtomaintainourpositioninthe category.Havingspentalotoftimeontheground withourcustomersinthelastfewmonths,it’svery cleartheywantmoreofourkiwifruit,butifthey can’tbuyfromus,they’lllookelsewhere.
“Thiscouldputourpremiumandultimately NewZealandgrowerreturnsatriskovertime.
There’sbeenahugeamountofengagementwith theindustryontheissueandtheproposalwhich veryclearlyreflectsgrowerviews.Thereisstrong supportandwe’reencouraginggrowerstovoteto ensuretheyhavetheirsay.”
Eligibleproducerscancasttheirvotesat www.electionz.com/zespri24
AllTerrainPollination(2017)Ltduseawetpollenapplication systemforsprayingpollendirectlyontothefloweranddeveloped specificallyfortheNewZealandKiwifruitindustrytoassistgrowers inachievingmaximumresults.
Kidsdressedupwiththeir lambsforAgDayparadeand onfarminWalton.
Tessa Edward, aged 5, feeding her lamb ‘Coconut’ in Te Puna.
KingstynCharlton-Robinson, aged 6.
Piper Edwards, aged2.
Tayne CharltonRobinson.
Laylah Robinson, aged6.