Coast & Country News - January 2025

Tweed,shrimpcocktails andsteamynights

AttheveryleastIneedastreetlight.Doesthat soundwhacko?Feelswhacko!

single breasted, double breasted, notched lapels. The works. All in muted earthy tones, all worn over Viyella shirts a That was the official dress code for this city ninny’s big country night out I point in a pongy – hadn’t been

Therehadneverbeensomanytweedsports coatsinoneplaceatonetime. Obviously,they’dbeenprocreatingunchecked –nopunintended–allovermid-Canterbury andthendecidedtoholdareunion.Shoulder-toshoulder,houndstooth,herringbone,classicplaid, singlebreasted,doublebreasted,notchedlapels. Theworks.Allinmutedearthytones,all wornoverViyellashirtsandties. Thatwastheofficialdress codeforthiscityninny’sbig countrynightoutIpointed tolastmonth.Idressed inapongy–hadn’tbeen washedinafewdays–Otagorugbyjersey. Andmybestjeans,my onlyjeans.

Countryride

Anyhow,Iwaspickingthistriponthecityninny’s bigcountrynightoutwouldenduptheroadata pubbistrowhereshrimphadswappedswimming intheseaforwallowinginghastlyradioactivepink dressinginMrsHat’sseafoodcocktail.

TheHatandhis ‘missus’onthefront benchseatofthe Holdenstationwagon chuggingonacoupleof rollies.Thatwonderfulblend ofChanelNo.5andParkDrive cigarettesmoke,Isuspect,heldalmost aphrodisiacalqualitiesfor theHat.

chugging on a couple of rollies That wonderful blend of Chanel No.5 and Park Drive cigarette smoke, I suspect, held almost

Andmeinthebackwrestlingwithmy nyctophobia–whyisthecountrynightsoinky black,soimpenetrable,soenveloping.Youcan’tsee orsenseanythingaroundyou.Verydisconcerting.

A night out

TheHatwouldhumandhawlike somecelebrityruralepicurean beforeorderingtheroast–like hedideverynightathome. Whyallthetheatrics?

and haw like some celebrity rural epicurean g the roast – like he did every night at home. Why all the theatrics? tonight’s hogget was different because Mrs Hat hadn’t cooked it

Well,tonight’shogget wasdifferentbecause MrsHathadn’t cookedit.

Thenthe highbrowchat wouldkickin.

Then the highbrow chat would kick in.

“Seafoodcocktail okayPhyllis?”“Perfect thankyouRon.How’s theroast?”

“Seafood cocktail Phyllis?” “Perfect thank you Ron. How’s the roast?”

“Ipreferyourgravy, Phyllis.”“Thankyou,Ron.” Theendorphinsareflowing.This nightisbuildingtolove.

“I prefer your gravy, Phyllis.” “Thank you, Ron.” The endorphins are flowing. This night is building to love.

Unfortunately,thisNinny’sbigcountrynight outwillhavetowait.Likemanyfarmers,Ihave rambledofftopicandgobbledupmyallotted wordcount.

Unfortunately, this Ninny’s big country night

Theclimaxtothissaganextmonth.

Sunnysideupforpoultryprocessor

InghamstourLodestone’sWaiotahesolarfarm,TeHerengaoTeRā,withSarahMcHardy,LodestoneEnergy GMcustomer;MatthewEaston,InghamsGMoperationsNZ;BoramKeamInghamsheadofenvironment, sustainability&externalRelations;NickMurray,LodestoneEnergyprojectmanager. Photo:Supplied.

ChickengiantInghamswillusesolarenergy alonetopoweritsNewZealandoperations.

Along-termagreementwithsolargeneration companyLodestoneEnergywillseeallofInghams’ electricityrequirementsmetbythesunfromnextApril. InghamschiefexecutiveEdAlexandersaid thecompanyisdelightedtobeworkingonthis innovativesolaragreement.

“Sustainabilityisatthecoreofouroperations,and thisagreementisanimportantstepindeliveringon oursustainabilitytargetsbysourcing100%ofour electricityrequirementsfromrenewablesources.

“Wehaveambitioussustainabilitygoals,andthe long-termagreementallowsustobothoffsetour electricitycarbonfootprintandsecureastableand cost-competitiveenergysourceforthefuture,” saidAlexander.

“Weareobtainingthesameoutcomeasifwe builtourownrenewableenergyinfrastructure, butwithouttheup-frontcapitalcostandongoing maintenancerequirements.”

LodestonemanagingdirectorGaryHoldensaidthe twoarelike-mindedorganisations.

“Inghamshadastrongdesiretomovetoa fullydecarbonisedelectricitysupplyinatimely manner,andwiththisagreement,Lodestone’srapid developmentprogrammewilldeliverpremium certifiedcredentialsastheircurrentcontractsexpire.”

Sustainability

GregBannon,headofstrategyandprocurement atInghams,saidthecompanyisalwayslookingfor improvementsinsustainability.

BannonsaidsolarpowerwillfeedallofInghams’ sites,rangingfromafeedmilltoadistribution centre,whichintotalemploysaround1400people. Thisincludestheprimaryprocessingplantat WaitoaintheWaikatoandtherecentlyacquired BostockBrothers’operation.

Bannonsaidapropositiontoadoptasolarstrategy isalsobeingputtothecompany’s36chicken growers.Andthe10-yearagreementbetweenInghams andLodestoneis“probablyafirst”forNewZealand.

“Itticksalotofboxesforus,”saidBannon. “Peoplewanttoknowthattheirfoodcomesfroma goodplace.”

Bannonsaidthispastwinterhasremindedall commercialoperationstohedgetheirelectricity usage.“Itisnowthetimetoextendthatthinkingto longertermsthatavoidtheongoingriskofcarbon costsandnaturalgas.

“Asolar-basedhedgecreatedwithLodestone’snew renewablegenerationwasseenbyInghamsasan attractivesolution.”

Importantstep

ForLodestone,Holdensaidthispartnershipis anotherimportantstepindeliveringonacapital programmethatplanstoaddmorethan800GWhto marketby2028.

Asapartofthisagreement,Lodestonewillsupply InghamswithRenewableEnergyCertificates(RECs).

“RECsarebecomingrecognisedasthemost tangiblewayforelectricityconsumerstocontribute tothegreenenergytransition,”saidBannon.

“Byoffsetting100%oftheirconsumptionwith newsources,Inghamsdirectlyplaytheirpartina decarbonisedfuture.”

Theagreementalsoreducesthenumberofcarbon creditspurchasedeveryyearfromthevoluntary marketforInghams’twoToitūnetcarbon-zero certifiedbrands(WaitoaFreeRangeChickenand Let’sEatplant-based).

Signingthefirstpileat Lodestone’srecentgroundbreakingceremonyin Whitianga:GregBannon, Inghamsheadofstrategy andprocurementand GaryHolden,Lodestone Energy’smanaging director. Photo:Supplied.

WestockacomprehensiverangeofPoultry Feed&Treats,HealthSupplements, Pest&Parasitecontrols,Feeders &Drinkers,HeatingPlates,Incubators, Coops,PineShavings&more!

53 Reid Road, Glenbrook, Franklin. Ph: (021) 049-0138

OpenTues-Fri12pm-6pm&Sat10am-5pm. thechookyardnz@gmail.com

BOPshelterbeltfireleavesorchard

Itwasbea“blackChristmas”forthe devastatedownersofacitrustreenursery afterfirerippedthroughtheirorchard, causingmorethan$300,000indamage.

Theblazeextensivelydamagedlargeshelter belts,andburntorseverelydamagedrootstockson GrantandSharonTennet’s5haBayof Plentyproperty.

FireandEmergencyNewZealandsaidanonsuspiciousfirethatgotoutofcontrolonSnodgrass Rd,TePuna,onNovember20,2024,quickly

spreadtootherpropertiesbecause of“veryunique”westerlywinds.

Upto10propertieswere evacuated,andbetween40 and60firefightersfrom acrossTauranga,thewiderBayof PlentyandMatamataresponded.

TheTennetsownoneofthe affectedpropertieswherethey growabout60,000citrustrees ayeartosupplythenational retailmarket.

Charredremains

GrantTennetsaidalargeshelter beltwentthroughtheirorchard andthebottomofonesidewas “burntthrough”.

Tennetwithsomeofthecitrustreesleftdamaged

About300mofabarberry hedgeshelterbeltsharedwitha neighbouringorchardwas“entirely burnt”ontheirproperty’ssouthernside.

Internalshelterbeltsrunningnorthto southwereburnedandupto100mof Japanesecedarhedgewasalsoseverely burntandwillhavetobecutout.

“Theseshelterbelthedgescouldbe 25-30feet(7.6-9.1m)highandreplacing theburntsectionswillcostalotof money,”hesaid.

“Iwastalkingtomyneighbourabout costingsandwemightbetalkingaboutin excessof$300,000.”

Tennetsaidtheorchardalsolostalotof rootstocks,whichwouldhavebeenready forgraftinginDecember.Alltheplants atthetopendbythebarberryhedge gotseverelyburntandotherswerebadly scorchedorsinged.

Thefireaffectedthreetofourblocks ofrootstockcitrustreeplants,and heestimatedtheylostatleastseveral hundredofthose.

“Iestimatethataboutaquarterofour sourceofrootstockshadbeenseverely burntandIdon’tthinktheyaregoing torecover.”

Theaftermathwasdauntingbecause theyhadtoassesstheextentofthe damageandlossesbutalsohada“massive clean-up”ahead.

“Someoftherootstocksweresmothered ingolfball-sizedfruit,andweweredueto harvestthefruitinMarchorApril.This iswhenwealsoextractallourseeds.

“Duetosomeofthoseparenttrees beingseverelyburnt,wemaybeshorton seedfornextseason,”saidTennet “Thoseseedsarethemainsourceofour

business.Ifyouhaven’tgotthe seed,youhaven’tgotabusiness. “Ifwedon’thaveenoughseed nextseasonandhavetoimport somefromAustraliaorAmerica, it’ssoexpensive,it’slike importinggold.”

Thiswouldaffectthebusiness laterasthecitrustreescomeonat differentstages.

“Withtherootstocks,youare lookingatharvestingthemin about18months,that’swhenwe aregoingtobeshortonrootstock andpossiblyalsoseeds.”

Quicklyspread

TheTennetswereinMount Maunganuiwhentheirdaughtercalled themaboutthefire.

“Whenwerushedhomeweonlygot asfarasthepolicecordononthetopof ArmstrongRdandSnodgrassRdand spentthenextfewhourssittinginour car,watchingthefiretrucksandwater tankersgoinginandoutofthearea.“ Their27-year-oldsonWilliam,who helpsrunthebusiness,hisbestfriendand theirstaffstayedatthepropertytohelp protectit.

“Williamtoldushenoticedlotsof smokeatfirst,thenrealisedthewhole backofthehedgeborderingour neighbour’sorchardwasburning.Because itwasverywindy,emberswerejumping fromtheshelterbeltsandheading towardsourhome,thefirequicklyspread toaneighbour’sorchard.”

CopperfieldNurseriesownersGrantandSharon

bytheshelterbeltfire. Photo:SandraConchie

ownersdevastated

SharonTennetsaidWilliamrefusedto leavetheproperty.

He,hisfriendandtheirstaffrushed aroundwithbucketsofwaterand scrambledtogetahoseconnectedto dampendownembersthatreachedtheir frontdoor.

“Williamwasdeterminedtosavethe familyhomeandasmuchofthenursery propertyaspossibleandhedidnotsleep thewholenight,andalmostsuccumbedto thesmoketwice.Heismyhero.”

Devastatingdamage

GrantTennetsaidwhenheandhiswife returnedtothepropertythenextdaythey weredevastatedtoseethedamage.

“Oneofourneighbours,whosawthe fireunfolding,tolduswhenoneofthe shelterbeltsignitedtheflameswereabout fourtimeshigherthanthebeltandripped throughthepropertyveryfast.”

TheTennetswanttothankeveryone whoworkedhardtominimisethedamage andlosses.

“It’sgoingtobeablackChristmas.But attheendoftheday,wewerereallylucky, itcouldhavebeensomuchworse.

“Noneofouroutbuildingsand implementshedscontainingfertiliser,

forklifts,tractorsandsprayers,andour homewereaffected.Andnoonewashurt, whichisgreat.”

SharonTennetsaidtheyhaveworked hardplantingthetreesandrunningthe place,and“it’sbeendevastatingforme”.

Fireinvestigation

TaupōVolunteerFireBrigademember RogerNelson,whoisalsoaFireand EmergencyNZriskreductionadviser andvegetationfireinvestigator,sayshe’s stillgatheringevidenceandpolicearealso investigatingthefire.

Hesaidwindgustswerebetween 35km/hrand60km/hrontheday.

Shelterbeltsusedinmanyruralproperties acrossTaurangaweremadeupofJapanese cedarandthesecontainedvolatilefractions knownasterpenesintheirsap.

Thismeantthesapwas“extremely flammable”iftheshelterbeltcaughtfire.

”Orchardists...tendtoburnpilesof vegetationfromtimetotimeandtherisks offiresspreadingtonearbytrees,plantsand structureswassomethingpeopleneededto considerbeforelightinganyfire.”

Nelsonsaidanyonewantingtolight afiremustplanthreetofivedaysby assessingtheweatherforecastand

humiditylevelsandcheckingthefire riskratingontheFireandEmergency NZwebsite.

Measurestominimisetheriskofthe firegettingoutofcontrolwerecrucial. ItisopenfireseasonintheBay ofPlentymeaningpermitstolight afirearenotrequiredbutthatcan quicklychange.Heurgedpeopletobe “extremelycautious”beforelightinga firewithsummerabouttostart.

Anupdatedsunscreendatabaseforsummer

Afree,popular,onlinesunscreen database,offeringNew Zealandersacomprehensive anduser-friendlyresourcefor summer,hasbeenupdated.

Theenhanceddatabase,launchedin partnershipwithTeWhatuOraand ConsumerNZ,allowsuserstofilter sunscreensbyfactorssuchas:price, waterresistance,SPFprotectionand thelasttimeasunscreenwastested. ConsumerNZresearchwriter BelindaCastlessaidthedatabase isdesignedtohelpconsumersmake better-informeddecisionsaboutsun protectionforthemselvesand theirfamilies.

“2023wasthefirstyearwepublished thesunscreendatabase,andthe2024 updateismoreusefulfor NewZealanders.

“Consumerscannowfilterbyseveral keyfactors,likeprice,waterresistance andSPF,makingiteasierthaneverto comparesunscreens.”

Toptipsforchoosingsunscreen Whenselectingsunscreen,keepthe

followingimportantfactorsinmind.

•Broad-spectrumprotection:Choose asunscreenthatprotectsagainst bothUVAandUVBraysasbothcan contributetoskincancer.

•SPF:SPFmeasuresprotection againstUVBrays.Thehigherthe SPFnumber,thegreaterprotection –uptoSPF50+.SPF15blocks 93%ofUVBrays,SPF30blocks 97%,andSPF50blocks98%.No sunscreenblocks100%ofUVBrays.

•Waterresistance:Checkhowlong asunscreeniswater-resistant.

Sunscreenscanclaimtobe40 minutes,80minutes,2hoursor4 hourswater-resistant.

CastlessaidwiththeharshNew Zealandsun,“it’scrucialthatsunscreen manufacturersregularlytesttheir sunscreenstoensuretheyprovidethe protectionconsumersexpect”. SunscreenregulationinNewZealand isviatheSunscreen(ProductSafety Standard)Act,whichcameintoeffect inSeptember2022,setsoutsafetyand efficacystandardsforsunscreens. Whilethislawensuressunscreens

meetcertainrequirements,Consumerbelievesthat ongoingtestingandtransparencyarecrucialto makingsuretheseproductscontinuetodeliverthe protectiontheypromise.

TaupōVolunteerFireBrigadememberRogerNelson,whoisalsoaFireandEmergencyNZ riskreductionadviserandvegetationfireinvestigator. Photo/RogerNelson

Weatherputsa“spring”infarmers’steps

Whilemanytowndwellersmay havegroanedaboutspringrain, farmersacrosstheWaikato seeitasastrokeofluck.

FederatedFarmers’WaikatoDairy SectionchairMatthewZonderopsid theregionhasenjoyednearlyperfect conditionsthisseason,withregular rainandcoolernightsdrivingstrong grassgrowth.

Theboostinmilkproductionhasputa “springinthestep”offarmers,although

Zonderopacknowledgesthatfarming remainsabalancingact.

“Risingcosts,highinterestrates,and carefulpasturemanagementaredaily realitiesforNewZealanddairyfarmers.”

Zonderop,whoalsochairsthe MatamatabranchofFederatedFarmers, sharemilksatTePoiona140haproperty running370cows.

EvenwithFonterra’sforecasted$9 payout,hesaiddairyoperationsacrossthe countryarenavigatingfinancialtightropes. Planningisessentialtokeepcosts manageable.Zonderopsaiddataon

long-termweather,grassgrowthrates, andprecisionfertiliserapplicationguide decisions,ensuringthateverydollarspent supportsproductivity.

Preppingandbalance

“Farmersarelookingahead,prepping winterfeedandbalancingfertiliser applications,knowingthatwellmaintainedpastureswillbevitalthrough summerandintothenextseason.”

Hesaidalongsidethetraditional cycleofhaybalingandsilagemaking, NewZealand’sdairyfarmersareseeing

FederatedFarmers’WaikatoDairy SectionchairMatthewZonderop.

morefeedpadsandherdhomesintegratedinto farmmanagement.

Whilefeedpadsprovidethebenefitsofincreased milkproduction,lowerlabourneeds,andreduced pasturewear,theyaresignificantinvestmentsand requirecarefuloversight.

“Thesenewstructurescomewithbothbenefitsand costs,yettheyrepresentashifttowarddiversifying howfarmsoperatetomeetproductiondemands andweatheruncertainties,”saidZonderop.

Successionchallenge

Healsobelievesthepathtofarmownershipis becomingmoredifficultforthenextgeneration.

“Movingfromafarmassistanttoasharemilker andthentoafarmownerisnoeasyfeat,especially whenlandandstockpricescontinuetorise.”

Zonderopsaidthishasbecomea“generational problem”.

“Youngpeopleenteringtheindustryasfarm assistantsmayonlyachievesharemilkerstatusby their30s,withownershipadistanthopeby50… ifatall.”

HesaiddairylandpricesintheWaikatooften exceed$100,000perhectare,andwithdairycows pricedatupto$3000ahead,thefinancialbarriers toownershiparesteep.

Addintherisingcostsofelectricity,irrigation, compliancewithenvironmentalstandards,and maintenance,andit’snowonderthatmany would-befarmersfaceadauntingfuture.

Forsome,thechallengesaresogreatthatthey considerleavingdairyforothercareers,feelingthat ownershipissimplyoutofreach,saidZonderop.

However,hesaidthereishopefortomorrow’s dairyfarmersifthecurrentgenerationiswillingto playtheirpart.

Establishedfarmershaveanessentialrolein mentoring,supporting,andopeningdoorsfor newentrants.

Zonderopsaidthisisn’tjustabouthandingdown knowledge;it’saboutactively“passingthebaton” toensurethatyoungpeopletodayhaveareal chanceatowningfarmstomorrow.

“Theexperienceandinsightsofseasonedfarmers areinvaluabletonewcomersnavigatingthe complexitiesofmoderndairyfarming.”

Continuingtraditions

Formanyestablishedfarmers,farmingisnot justajobbutawayoflifethattheywanttosee carriedforward.

NewZealand’sdairyindustryhaslongbeen thebackboneofruralcommunitiesandasource ofprideandproductivityonaglobalscale, saidZonderop.

“Ensuringthatthislegacycontinuesmeans investinginpeoplejustasmuchasinpasture.”

Thisisn’tjustaboutthepresent,saidZonderop. “It’saboutpreservingawayoflifeandbuildingan industrywherefuturegenerationsoffarmerscan continuetosucceed.

“Byworkingtogetherandfosteringaspirit ofmentorship,today’sfarmownerscanbe instrumentalinshapingafuturewhereNZ’sdairy legacycontinuestoflourish.”

4X4adventures onofferfor 2026

RobbieandConnieCricketatNZ Adventuresoffermultidayback countrytoursthroughouttheSouth IslandfromNovembertotheendof Aprileveryyear.

Thecouplehaveoperatedthebusiness formorethan12yearsandRobbie’s associationwithNZAdventuresgoes backintothelate1990swhenthe businessbegan.

Thenewseasonsdatesfor2026will besetinmid-January25andinformation packsfortheseasonwillbeavailable fromthenonrequestandpostedout tothecompaniesmailinglist.NZ Adventurescontinuestoofferawide rangeoftoursincluding:

TraxofGold-asix-daycelebrationof thepastoralandminingheritageofthe

SouthCanterburyandOtagoRegions.

HighCountryHeritage-sixdaysdown theeasternalpinefoothillsoftheSouth IslandfromBlenheimtoCardronawith overnightsalongthewayinHanmer Springs,Methven,Fairlie,Omarama, Cromwellwiththelastnightatthe CardronaHotel.“Oneofouroriginal tripsandofferedthreetimesasasix dayandonceasasevendayduringthe season,”saidthecouple.

HighCountryHeritage-seven-day tourwillberunfromMarch26-April1 withovernightsinHanmer,Methven, Geraldine,Twizel,Omarama,Cromwell andthelastnightattheCardronaHotel. FinishingjustintimefortheWarbids overWanakaShow.

WestCoastExplorer-runtwiceina yearinNovemberandApril.Thisfive-

daytourleavesoutofHanmerSprings withtwonightsinMurchison,Onenight inWestportandtwonightsinReefton. 46South-fivedaysrightacrossthe southoftheislandlooselyfollowingan imaginarylinefromtheCatlinsthrough theamazingdiversityofthemountains, gorges,andplainsofCentralSouthland outintolittleknownWesternSouthland andsomeverybigfarmingcountryand onintoFiordlandandtheTeAnauBasin. BigSky-sixdaysinthebackcountry predominantlyinCentralOtago.

CathedralCovewalkingtrackreopenedforsummer

Walkingaccessto CathedralCovehas beenrestoredforthe busysummerperiod afteritwasbadly damagedbyextreme weather.

Atemporarywalking trackhasbeenputin placetoallowvisitorsto accesstheworld-famous beachovertheholiday season.

Sectionsofthe3.8km trackwereblocked byslipscausedby extremeweatherevents, includingCycloneHale andCycloneGabrielle lastyear. ConservationMinister TamaPotakaofficially openedthetrackin December,sayingitwas animportantstepinthe recoveryofthetourism industryintheregion followingthedevastating cyclonesandCovid pandemic. Visitorswereexpected tobringanestimated $12millionintothe regionayear,hesaid. Around250,000people visitedtheareaeachyear. Thewalkingtrackwas repairedthrough$1.4m infundingfromthe

InternationalVisitor Conservationand TourismLevy.Itwas thefirststepina$5m projecttorestore walkingaccess. “Tosupportthe communityandget thetrackopenfor thissummer,we havedeliveredaninitial solutionforwalkers,” saidPotaka.“Thesecond stageofdevelopment isintendedtoprovide

moreresilientaccess tobetterwithstand ongoingchallengesfrom strongweatherandland movementoverthe longterm.”

HIGHCOUNTRYJOURNEYS

Drivefromstationtostationandexperience themajesticSouthIslandHighCountry

ThetrackwasclosedinFebruary2023following CycloneGabrielleandhasonlybeenaccessibleby sea.Therewereupto180slipsalongitslength,some ofthemhistoricandotherscausedbythestorms. TheDepartmentofConservationsaidinJulythat findingawaytotraversetheworstlandslidehadbeen achallenge.Anewboardwalkwasbuilttoreconnect undamagedsectionsofthetrack,andstepstothe beachwerealsorebuilt.

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

RobbieandConnieCrickethaveyearsofexperienceintakingpeopleontoursofNZcountryside.

Optimismgrowsontheback

Aftertwotoughyears,a nationalavocadoindustry bodyisoptimisticabout thecurrentseason.

NewZealandAvocado marketingandcommunications managerMatthewBallsays thisisthankstofavourable weatherconditionsandthe continuedhardworkand dedicationfromgrowers.

Thepasttwo yearscertainly hadsomesignificant challenges,saysMatthew,with CycloneDoviin2022and CycloneGabriellein2023 impactingfruitqualityand reducingexportvolumes.

“Theseweathereventscreated toughconditionsforgrowers,

butresiliencewithinthesector remainsstrong.

“Economicconditionsproved difficultformanypeoplein thepastfewyears,notjust inavocadosbutinwider horticulturalsectorstoo.”

However,hesaysthecurrent seasonlookspromising,with reportsofstrongfloweringand fruitsetacrosskeygrowing regionsthroughspring.

Thisisexpectedtoresultin acropofaroundsevenmillion trays,upfromthefivemillion traysharvestedinthe previousyear.

Withfinancialinstitutions closelymonitoringthesector, Matthewsaysthisseason’s anticipatedstrongyieldisa positivesignalofitsviability

andfuturepotential.

“Astheindustrycontinues toadaptandinnovate, NewZealandavocados remainhighlyregarded bothdomesticallyand internationally,reinforcing theirpositionasapremium, sustainablygrownfruit.”

Matthewsaysabout1600 growerscontributetoavocado productioninNewZealand.

TheBayofPlentyremains theleadingregion,producing around50percentofthe country’savocados,withmany smallerorchards.

ExportMarkets

Northlandaccountsfor 45percentofproduction, featuringlarger-scaleorchards,

whileAuckland,Gisborne,and Taranakialsocontribute.

About50to60percentofthe NewZealandavocadocropis exported,primarilytoAustralia, withthebalancesuppliedtothe domesticmarket,includinglocal supermarkets.

Turning bright ideas into qualityfruit

AVOCADOS

•ExceptionalPackingFacilities

•CompleteOrchardManagement

•AvoGreenService

Contact:

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

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

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

MatthewsayskeyAsianmarkets, includingSouthKorea,Japanand Thailand,arealsointegraltothe industry’sgrowth.“Arevisedexport strategyaimstobetteralignsupply withmarketdemand,ensuring higherreturnsforgrowersand reducingpressureonthedomestic marketduringpeakexportperiods.

“Theongoingeffortstoimprove orchardmanagementandmarket

resiliencedemonstratetheindustry’s determinationtoovercome challenges.” NewZealandAvocado supportsgrowersbyfocusing onresearch,developmentand marketinginitiatives. Whilethe organisationdoesnotsellormarket avocadosdirectly, Matthew saysit playsacrucialroleinoptimising growerreturnsandensuringlevy contributionsarewell-utilised.

Grower’sthoughts

NorthlandgrowerGregRathbun isenjoyingapromisingseasonafter twochallengingyears.

WithpartnerTannDuangprasit, hehas7haofavocadosona11ha propertyinMaungatapere,near Whangarei.

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

Anaerialviewofanavocadoorchard. Photo:CaraDavis/NZAvocado.

ofhardtime

Gregsaysacombinationofrough weatherandlowerreturnsinthelast twoseasonssawanumberofgrowers pulloutofthebusiness.

Thisincludessmalleroperators onlifestyleblocksturningtoother cropssuchasoranges,bananas andpassionfruit,whilesome largerscaleavocadoorchardshave returnedtopasturefordairyand sheeppurposes.

Saleschannels

Gregsaysheisfortunatetonot betotallyreliantonavocados,while alsohavingmultiplechannelstosell hiscrop.

Abulkisexportedthrougha regionalpackhouse,whilehehas hisownlocalcustomersandisalso involvedinagroupoffamily-owned orchardsintheareawhichsells avocadosonlinetorestaurantsand householdsaroundthecountry.

Exportsfaceincreasingcompetition fromotherpartsoftheworld,suchas SouthAmerica,andGregadmitsthe lasttwoavocadoseasonshavebeen “abitpatchy”tosaytheleast.

However,agoodspringand promisingsignsforsummerhave growersinbetterheartgoingforward.

Hispropertyhasthecapacityfor 2500avocadotrees,butGregsaysa movefrom700to1600inrecentyears is“therightscale”fortheoperation.

Theavocadoseasonrunsnearly all-year-roundinNorthland,with Greg’slatestcropmostlypicked byDecember.

“It’sbeenquiteagoodquality year,”hesays.Onhisproperty summersignalsthetimeforpruning and“feeding”withfertiliser,while irrigationisusedasrequired.

Weatherconditions

Primeconditionsincludea combinationofeveningrainand “nottoomuch”wind,withahot humidsummerandtemperatures thendroppingbyabout10°C throughwinter.

Inotherpartsofthecountrythe avocadoseasontypicallyrunsfrom AugusttoFebruary.

Matthewsaysthetreesenjoy warm,frost-freeenvironments,with temperaturesideallybetween12°C and28°C.

Well-drainingsoilsarebest, preventingrootrot,asavocadosare sensitivetowaterloggedconditions.

Fullsunexposurepromoteshealthy growthandfruitproduction,while protectionfromstrongwindsis requiredtopreventdamagetothe treesandfruit.

Matthewsayspruningisessential tomaintaintreesize,health,and productivity.

“It’srecommendedtoconduct majorstructuralpruninginwinter orearlyspringtoavoidexposing branchestosunburn.

“Afterthemainpruning,alight pruneinautumnhelpsthinout newgrowth,ensuringbetterlight penetrationandaircirculation.”

When avocadoismashed,itssmoothcreamy texture andhighcontentofgoodfatsmake it an excellentalternativetobutterinpastry. A well-madequicheisadeliciousoptionfor brunches andlunches,andit’seasytopackup for a picnic.Serves8

Ingredients

Avocado pastry:

200g mashedavocado(about2medium-sized) 400g self-raisingflour, plus extraforflouringthebench Ice cold water,asneeded Pinch ofsalt

Filling:

2 cups bonelessham,chopped

1 courgette,peeledinribbons

1 bunch broccoliniorasparagus,endstrimmed

5 eggs

2/3 cup cream

3 tbsp basil pesto

200g feta, broken in chunks

Salt and pepper

as a ocado quic e recipe

Method

Preheattheovento200°C. Fortheavocadopastry:Addmashedavocado toalargebowlwithflourandsalt.Add cold water,atablespoonatatime,untiladough forms.Turnoutontoaflouredsurface and kneadwell.Wrapinclingfilm,thenrest for 15 minutesinthefreezer.

Greaseandlinea26cmquichetin. Roll out thepastrytothesizeofyourquichetin, then liftinandpressdown.Prickpastrywith a fork allover,thenbakefor10minutes.

Turntheovendownto170°C.Inalarge bowlwhisktogethereggs,creamand a generousamountofsaltandpepper.Stir in pesto.Scatterham,preparedvegetables and fetaoverthepre-bakedquichepastry. Pour overtheeggmixture.

Bake the quiche for 40 minutes or until the quiche pastry is golden and the filling is cooked through Scatter with basil leaves and serve.

Theprovenlowpressuremethodforeffectivephytophthora controlinavocadotrees.TheAvoJect®arehighquality syringeswithasmalltiptominimisetreedamage.

E:info@avoject.co.nz|W:avoject.co.nz

•AerialSurvey

•AerialLifting

•AgriculturalSeeding

•AgriculturalSpraying

•AgriculturalTopdressing

•ChartersandSightseeing

•FireFighting

•FrostControl

•PhotographyandFilming

Raisingthenextgenerationofprimary

Forthepast40years,the HorticultureandAgriculture TeachersAssociationhasbeen dedicatedtopromotingand improvingtheteachingandlearning ofagriculturalandhorticultural scienceinNewZealandschools.

Asuperior,certified organicchitin-based biostimulantfor optimumplant growth&ahealthier rootsystem.

HATAencourages,supports andsharesinformationaboutthe curriculum,teachingandlearning throughtherunningofbiennial conferences,publishingquarterly newsletters,regularcommunication withtheirmembers,andmanaging theirwebsite-www.hata.nz.

Theassociationhasabienniallyelectedpresident foragriculture,presidentforhorticulture,an industryrepresentative,avicechairman,treasurer andsecretary.

CurrentHATAtreasurer/secretaryKerryAllen saidthatthereareabout650teachersontheir database,representing195predominantly secondaryschools.

“Wehaveregionalhubsbasedthroughoutthe countrywhichdeliverworkshops,programmes andresourcestoteachers.Thehubsallhavevery differentneedsdependingontheirlocation,” saidAllen.

InJuly2022,theMinistryofPrimaryIndustries providedfundingforSowtheSeedAgricultural andHorticulturalScienceAdvisoryTeam,which inconjunctionwithHATAsupportstheprimary industriesinschools.

SowtheSeedsubjectadvisor,SuzyNewman saidtheytrytosupportteacherstowhatever leveltheirschoolprovidesforthesubjectand workwiththeMinistryofEducationtoupdate classroomresources.

“It’snotonlyagricultureandhorticulturethat needstobepromotedinschools,butagribusiness, orchardmanagement,forestry,fishing,viticulture andfactoryprocessingemployeesarerequiredby primaryindustryemployers,”saidNewman.

Teachingexperience

Existingteachersaresupportedintheirroles,but experiencedprimaryindustrymembersareasked toconsiderre-trainingtoenablethemtoshare theirknowledgebyteachingthenextgenerationof primaryindustryemployees.

“Partofourroleistomaintainanup-to-date databaseofallprimaryindustrycoursesand qualifications,whethertheyareachievement standardsorunitstandards,therearenumerous pathwaysintotheindustry,”saidAllen,whois curriculumdirectorforSowtheSeed.

HATA,alongwithAgribusinessinSchools, SowtheSeed,theMinistryofEducationand MPImaintainawebsitewhichholdsmorethan 240scholarshipsworth$3.5millionforstudents lookingtoentertheindustry.

industr leaders

Thescholarshipsarefundedbyprivatetrustsand individuals,industryorganisationsandcompanies andcoverallareasofprimaryindustry.

DairyNZandBeef+LambNewZealandhelp provideresourcesthatmeettheneedsofthe intendedyoungeraudiences.

Itisn’tonlysecondaryandtertiaryeducationthat issupportedbyHATA.Whiletherearenospecific agricultureandhorticultureteachersatprimary schoollevelHATAprovideresourcesforprimary teacherstoincludeinthejuniorcurriculum.

“SomeresourcessuchasaPaddocktoPlatecard gameforyearsfivetoeighthelpplayerslearnabout thesupplychaininprimaryindustries.Otherunits canbeworkedintoliteracyandnumeracylessons,” saidNewman.

SowtheSeedsponsorstheHouseofScience kit‘Plants,Pests&Produce/NgāTipu,Ngā KīreareameNgāHua’.Thekitexploressome ofthesciencethatsupportsourprimarysector producersandcanbeaccessedbyNewZealand primaryschoolsnationwide.

HouseofScienceaimstoseeeverychildinNew Zealandbecomescientificallyliteratewithahuge economicandsocialbenefittoNewZealand includingtheprimaryindustries.

WithsponsorshipfromRabobank,setsofthe Australian‘GeorgetheFarmer’bookshavegoneout to100NewZealandprimaryschools.Inthebooks, farminglifeisdepictedusingarelatablecartoon farmercharacter.Teacherresourcestosupportthe bookshavebeenadaptedforNewZealandAgri contexttosupportthecurriculumdelivery.

Aswellasencouragingstudentsintothesector,

bringinghorticulturalandagriculturalawareness intoschoolshelpsreducetherural/urbandivideby enablingurbanstudentstounderstandwheretheir foodcomesfromandhowitgetstotheirtables.

Schoolcurriculum

TheGardentoTableprogrammehasagood followinginprimaryschools.Morethan32,000 primaryandintermediatestudentsgrew,cooked, andatemorethanonemillionvegetable-based mealsthroughGardentoTablein2023.This real-worldlearningisdesignedtoeasilylink backtotheschoolcurriculum.

StatisticsfromSowtheSeed’s2023annual reportshowasteadyincreasefrom2017to 2023inthenumberofstudentsstudying agricultureandhorticulturesubjectsover NCEALevel1,2and3.

“It’sourjobtogetsupportforwhatweare doingandconnectthepeopletomakethings happenascosteffectivelyandseamlesslyas possible,”saidNewman.

WithAgriculturalandHorticulturalScience deemedasasubjectofnationalsignificance inNewZealand’seducationsystem,itis becomingincreasinglyimportantforthe industrytosupplytherightpeoplewiththe depthofknowledgerequiredtoteachthem.

Fundingandsponsorshipfromacrossthe primaryindustries,alongsideteachersteaching thecurriculumandvolunteersassistingwith programmesallplayavitalroleinraisingthe nextgenerationofprimaryindustryleadersin NewZealand.

AllTerrainPollination(2017)Ltduseawetpollenapplication systemforsprayingpollendirectlyontothefloweranddeveloped specificallyfortheNewZealandKiwifruitindustrytoassistgrowers inachievingmaximumresults.

Weareexpertsindesigningandbuilding artificialorchardprotectionstructures andwindbreaksthatallowyourorchard toreachitsfullgrowingpotential.

ArtificialOrchardShelters OverheadCanopies OrchardNetting

Artificialshelters/windbreak Artificialcovers 02102354404 liam@maxcoverage.co.nz www.maxcoverage.co.nz

$23,000+GST

Growersvoteforoffshoreexpansion

NewZealandkiwifruitgrowers haveoverwhelminglysupportedthe expansionofZespriGlobalSupply, approvingtheallocationofupto 420additionalhectaresofZespri SunGoldKiwifruitperyearover sixyearsacrossItaly,France,Japan, SouthKoreaandGreece.

Theproducervoteresultfollows anextensiveperiodofdiscussions betweenZespriandtheindustry todesignaresolutionthatgrowers supported,andthatwouldenable Zespritoliftsupplyinlinewith forecastdemandinthecontextof intensifyingcompetitionandan increasinglydynamiccategory.

“Theprocessthathasbroughtus tothispoint,alongwiththeresult ofthevote,reflectstheabilityof ourindustrytocometogetheron pressingissueswithafocuson deliveringstronggrowerreturns andmaintainingZespri’spositionas leadersinacompetitivecategory,” saidZespriCEOJasonTeBrake.

Positiveoutlook

“TheoutlookforZesprikiwifruit ispositive.I’vespentalotoftimein themarketswithourcustomersin 2024;theywantmoreofourfruit, andtheywantitallyear.Theresult ofthisvoteiscrucialaswecontinue workingtowards12-monthsupply forkeycustomersinkeymarkets, fillingmoredemandandsupporting

NewZealandgrowerreturns intothefuture.”

UndertheKiwifruitExport Regulations,aproducervote mustreceiveatleast75% support(byindividualvotes andbyfruitweight)fromthose whovotetobesuccessful.

Theresolutionwassupported by90.6%ofgrowerswho voted,and93.29%byfruit weightcount.

“Thebenchmarkfora successfulproducervoteis high,sothefinalcountisan encouragingsignofthelevelof

growersupportforZGS. Wehadalmost72%grower turnoutbyentityandalmost 85%byproductionwhich showshowengagedgrowers havebeeninthisprocess.”

Strongseason

Theresultcomestowards theendofastrongseason forZespri,witharecord 190-milliontraycropvolume delivered,andNovember forecastOrchardGateReturns upacrossalmostallcategories comparedtotheAugustforecast.

Forecastperhectarereturns areatrecordlevelsforGreen andOrganicGreenonthe backofimprovedyieldswhile maintainingstrongvaluein themarket.

Theallocationandplantingof theadditionalSunGoldhectares willbegininearly2025.

Thatgrowerssupporttheallocationofupto420 additionalhectaresofSunGoldKiwifruitperyearover sixyearsacrossItaly,France,Japan,SouthKoreaand Greece,subjecttoannualreviewbytheZespriBoardto confirmforecastdemandremainsaheadofsupplyand theprovisionofannualreportingtogrowers.

ZespriSunGoldkiwifruitbeingpicked.

ZespriCEOJasonTeBrake.

The team provides round-the-clock support for farmers when they need it the most

When it comes to the smooth running of a dairy farm, the e ciency of its milking system is integral both for business andthehealthofitsherd.

That’swhereDairyShedHubandtheirtrusted partnerscomein.

WithaphysicalstoreinMatamataandeasy accesstothegreaterWaikatoregion,thebusiness launchedinApriltodeliverapremierdairyshed servicetofarmers.

“Asnewtechnologyhasadvanced,werecognised agapinthemarketthatcalledforspecialists indairyautomation,”saidgeneralmanager CodyLamb.“We’vepartneredwithbrandsthat providenewlevelsofefficiencyonadairyfarm;

MilktechNZ, SenseHub Dairy (previously Allflex and Protrack) and Teatwand These brands enable a comprehensive service that we tailor to suit farmers indiviidual needs.”

DairyShedHubwillbeatNZDairyExpoon February11and12atBedfordParkinMatamata withspecialoffersanddisplays.

DairyShedHubissetapartfromtherestwithan energeticteamthatreallybelievesintheproducts theyworkwith,saysCody.

“Weknowfarmershaveenoughontheirplateas itis,soDairyShedHubseekstohelptakesome loadoff,notaddmoreon.

We’reheretohelpeveryoneontothenextlevelof dairyfarming.”Formoreinformation,seeDairy ShedHub’sadvertonthispage.

ThehighlyanticipatedNew ZealandDairyExpoisreturning toMatamatainFebruary.

Theevent,previouslyknownasthe NZEffluent&EnvironmentExpo, aimstoaddressindustrychallenges whilecelebratingtheresilienceand innovationoftheNZdairyindustry. AttheNewZealandDairy Expo,you’llhavetheopportunity toengagewithadiverserange ofexhibitors,includingtech innovators,infrastructureproviders, earthworkspecialists,pond

tankandbladdercompanies, fertilisersuppliers,dairyindustry professionals,advisorybusinesses, engineeringfirms,regulatorybodies andmanymore. Inanodtoourrootsandtheheart oftheNewZealandDairyindustry, weareexcitedtoannouncethatthe NewZealandDairyExpowillbe heldatBedfordPark,Matamata, takingusbacktothebasicswhere theindustry’sgrassrootsaredeeply embedded.Markyourcalendarsfor thenewdates,Tuesday,February11, andWednesday,February12.

Revolutionisingdairyeffluentmanagement

Effluentmanagementisacritical concernformoderndairyfarming, balancingagriculturalproductivity withenvironmentalsustainability.

TheCleanGreenEffluentsystem representsagroundbreakingsolution, combiningadvancedtechnologywith eco-friendlypracticestomeetthese challengeseffectively.

ThepatentedCleanGreenweeping w walls are innovative solutions designed to manage wastewater while promoting

environmentalsustainability.These structuresutiliseaseriesofpermeable barriersthatallowtreatedeffluent toseepthrough,facilitatingnatural filtrationprocesses.

Weepingwalls

Theconceptofaweepingwallis rootedintheprinciplesofbiofiltration. Aseffluentpassesthroughthewall,it encountersvariouslayerswhichworkto b break down pollutants

Implementing Clean Green weeping

wallscanleadtosignificantbenefits, includingimprovedwaterquality,reduced runoff,enhancedaestheticappeal.

OneofthekeyfeaturesoftheClean GreenEffluentsystemisitsfully automatedoperation.Thisinnovation significantlyreducestheneedformanual labour,offeringfarmersahassle-free experience.Byautomatingtaskssuch asdistributionandmonitoring,the systemsavestimeandensuresconsistent, e efficient performance

approachisfurtherenhancedbyitsintegration ofaerobiceffluentprocessing,amethodthat promotesthebreakdownoforganicmaterial throughoxygenation.Unliketraditionalanaerobic systemsthatoftenproduceharmfulmethane emissions,aerobicsystemsgeneratecleaner outputs,reducingtheenvironmentalfootprintof effluentmanagement.Thiscontributestohealthier soils,improvedwaterquality,andareducedimpact onclimatechange.

Sustainabledairyfarming

The system ’ s environmentally friendly

TheCleanGreenEffluentSystemalsoexcels withitsinnovativelow-rate,low-depthapplication technique.Byapplyingeffluentatultra-lowrates –justaquarterofamillimeterover24hours–itpreventssoilsaturation,runoff,andnutrient waste.Thismethodoptimisesnutrientabsorption bycrops,fosteringbettergrowthwhileavoiding waterwaycontamination.

Auniqueadvantageofthissystemisitsability toeliminatenitrogenloss,leachingandemissions. Thepreciseapplicationensuresthatnitrogen remainsinthesoil.Combinedwithitsaerobic processing,thesystemoffersasustainable,closedloopsolutionforeffluentmanagement.

TheCleanGreenEffluentsystemsetsanew standardinsustainabledairyfarming.By combiningautomation,aerobicprocessing,and innovativeapplicationtechniques,itoffersan eco-friendlysolutionthatenhancesproductivity andenvironmentalstewardship.Fordairyfarmers seekingacuttingedgesystemthatdelivers efficiencyandsustainability,aCleanGreen Effluentsystemistheultimatechoice. Farmersthatadoptthistechnologycontribute toamoresustainablefuturebyminimisingtheir environmentalfootprintandsupportingthe naturalwatercycle.

Automated pump control system

Patented weeping wall.

Beefproducedfromcattle fromNewZealand’sdairy sectorcouldprovidereductions ingreenhousegasemissionsof upto48percent,comparedto theaverageforbeefcattle, anewstudybyAgResearch hasfound.

TheLifeCycleAssessment analysisbyAgResearchscientists, supportedbytheBioresource ProcessingAllianceandin partnershipwithorganisations suchasFonterraandAlps2 OceanFoods,showsusingfastfinishingsystemswithdairy-beef animalsresultsinacarbon footprintthatis32-48 percentlowerthantheaverage fortraditionalbeefsystemsin NewZealand.

Farmdatafromthebeefand dairyindustrieswasusedinthe analysis,whichwasbasedon kilogramsofcarbondioxide

equivalentemissionsperkilogram offinishedliveweightofthe animals.Scenarioswereanalysed fordairy-beefsteersprocessed between10and18months ofageandincludeemissions fromanimalproduction,input generation,transportation,and backgroundprocesses.

“Therearemanyissuesatplay indeterminingthoseemissions andthedifferencesbetweenthe dairyandbeefanimals,”said AgResearchseniorscientist AndreMazzetto.

“Theseincludehowemissions areallocatedbetweenmilkand liveweight,andissuessuchas growthrates,feedefficiencyand thefinishingperiod/timeto slaughteroftheanimals.

“Thisworkpointstotangible waysthatfarmerscanreducethe carbonfootprintoftheirbeef herds.Emissionsreductionscan beachievedsimplybyintegrating

dairy-beefanimalsintotheherd, butthescopeofthisreduction canbesignificantlyincreased withfast-finishingbeefsystems. “Therewouldbefewtoolsor managementstrategiesavailable whichcanhavesuchsignificant climateimpact.

“Sourcingcalvesfromthedairy industrypresentsanopportunity forthebeefindustryto significantlyreduceitsemissions, aswellasaprovidingan alternativeuseforcalvesfromthe dairyindustry.Thereareefforts underwaytofindnewavenues foruseoftheseyoungdairy-beef animals,suchasAlps2Ocean Food’sMītiproductmadefrom themeat.

“However,werecognise therearealsomanagement andlogisticalchallengesfor theindustriestoovercome, includingthefinishingand processingoftheseanimals.”

More than 30 years ’ building experience has combinedwiththedesignandproduction ofprecastconcreteproductsinPaeroa PrecastConcrete.

effluent tank systems up to 400,000 litres, stone trapsand solids bins.

“AllourproductsaremanufacturedinPaeroa anddeliveredandinstalledacrossthegreater Waikato,SouthAuckland,BayofPlentyand Coromandelareas.

Thecompanyistheresultofthesuccessful a amalgamation of Vaughan Cook Builders and BowersBrothersConcretesixyearsago.

VaughanCookhasbeenjoinedinthebusiness byhistwosonswhoarealsoqualifiedbuilders “bringingauniquelevelofknowledgetoevery buildandinstallation”.

“Weproduceawiderangeofagricultural products–fromfeedandwatertroughs,to barrierblocks,bunkerwalls,modularpanel

“Ourfocusisondesigningandmanufacturing systemswhichareeconomicandextremely efficiente.g.oureffluenttanksdifferfrom‘the norm’havingcurvedcornerswhichmakethetank easytostirandavoidsolidsbuild-up.

“Wespecialiseinprovidingfarmerswith solutionssowhetheryou’rewantinganewfeed oreffluentsystem,oranupgradetoanexisting structure,neworreplacementtroughs,giveusa call.Noprojectistoobigortoosmall.”

More than 30 years’

AgResearchseniorscientistAndreMazzetto.

Adecadeofhoofcarepassion

Withmorethan10yearsofexperience, TheHoofmanisproudtobeatrusted lamecowexpert.

“Ourpassionanddedicationtohoofcarehave drivenustodowhatweloveeveryday,”saida spokespersonforthecompany.

“Specialisinginlamenesstreatmentand preventativehooftrimming,wewitnessand understandthecriticalrolehoofhealthplaysinthe overallwell-beingandproductivityofyourherd.

“Additionaltoourhooftrimmingservices,we

alsoprovide‘Pro’sChoice’hoofhealthproductsdevelopedfromadecadeofhands-onexperience.

“Theseproductsarenotonlytrustedbyfarmers andvets,butalsothesameproductsandsolutions weusedaily.

“Tested,proven,andperfectedforNZcows’, conditionsandfarmingmethods,they’resimply thebestonthemarket.”

TheHoofmanisonamissiontosupportfarmers withexpertcareandtopqualityproducts,making adifferenceonecowatatime.

“Let’skeepyourherdmovingforward.”

Under Pressure campaign launched

On average, FMG receives one claim foraquad d bikkerolll overfforeveryddayof f thhe year.Theholidaysseesanincreasedincidence intheseclaimsaspeopleworklongerhours andnavigatethepressuresofthe summerseason.

FarmerMichaelWoodwardsharedthestoryofhis quadbikeaccidentonhisŌtorohangadairyfarm twosummersagoandiskeentogetbehindtherural adviceandsharingsafetymessages.

Asweenterthesummermonths,farmersand growersarebeingremindedtotakeextracarewith anewcampaign.

ClientadvicemanagerAbbyFrancesaidseeing morepeoplearoundthediningtableorbarbecue thisChristmaswasthedriverbehindthecampaign.

“Weknowthatthelongerhoursofthesummer monthsleadtoariseinthingsgoingwrongon farm,toooftenwithfatalconsequences.This campaignisabouthavinggoodconversationswith clientsandcolleaguesbothonandofffarmabout theinherentrisksassociatedwithfarmvehicles, especiallyquadbikes.”

“Thepressureonpeopletogetthingsdoneatthis

time of year is immense Whether it’s mowing and baling paddocks before the weather turns,rrushing to getoutthedoorforsometimeofffarmorworking fatiguedtomakethemostofthelongerdays,nobit ofworkisworthyounotmakingithomeatnight”.

ACCdatashowstheaveragenumberofdaysoff workforaquadbikeaccidentin2024ismorethan threemonths.

“Whenaccidentshappen,theimpactgoesfar beyondpayingaclaimortimeoffwork.So,while quadbikesareagreattoolforgettingthejobdone, weneedtobeaskingourfarmersandgrowersto makesuretheirsafetyremainsparamount.”

FMGruralmanagersacrosstheMutual’s32offices havebeensuppliedwithtyrepressuregaugepacksto helpclientsandotherquadbikeuserstesttheirown tyrepressure.

“It’ssimple–propertyrepressureisessentialfor maintainingcontrolandstabilitywhileriding. Over-inflatedtyrescanresultinabumpyrideand increasetheriskofblowouts,whileunder-inflated tyrescancompromisetractionandhandling.By usingatyrepressuregauge,weaimtoconvey criticalinsightsabouttheclaimsourclientshave facedandprovidelosspreventionadvicewhile enhancingquadsafety.”

WEAREYOURFRIENDLY

FARMMACHINERY SPECIALISTS

New&SecondandMachinery

Weofferacomprehensiverangeofboth newandsecondhandfarmmachinery. Weareproudstockistsofleadingagbrands includingImants,KTwo,SekoandMcintosh tonameafew.

HireEquipment

MuckSpreaders SchafferTele-loader DrainSpinner Aerator

SparePartsDepartment

Tractor&Machinery lubricantsandparts Healthandsafetyequipment Essentialfarmtools Weldingsupplies BearingandVbeltstockists Sparex&Bare-co PTOandParts Batteries

Onsite&WorkshopRepairs

TractorServicing MachineryRepairs Mixer,feedandloaderwagon repairs&servicing Mower,rakeortedderrepairs& servicing PTORepairs

Dive&SkiGear

HydraulicHoseRepairs

Susie and Michael Woodward know firsthand what it is like to when someone su ers an accident on the farm.

Regulartrimmingandmaintenancehelpsmaintainahealthyheardallyearround.

“After4successfulseasons,theinvestmenthasalreadypaidforitself. Productionhasrisenby63%withoutaddingasinglecoworchanging farmingsystem,Nitrogenleachingisvirtuallynil,cowsarecoolinthe summerandwarminthewinterwithpasturesabletoperformtotheir maximumpotentialbyremovingexcessivecowimpact.

Everydairyfarmershouldhaveoneofthesebarns.Itisacomplete packagethatworkswellandiseasytomanage.”

AztechShedsaredesignedto yourrequirementsanddelivered nationwide,readytobuild.

Workinginharmonywiththeland Working in harmony with the land

NorthWaikatoorganicbeef farmersHamishBrowne andRobynBuddarenow intheireighthyearoffarm ownershipandbringvery differentskillstotheirnew rolesasfarmers.

Broughtuponadairyfarm, Hamishtookafarmingcourse butcouldn’tseeapathtofarm ownershipandchangedtoa mechanicaldieselapprenticeship. Hemadeasuccessfulcareer fromthatandalsoworkedasa contractor,nevergivinguponhis farmingdream.Hestillrunshis mechanicalengineeringbusiness withhisson,Luke.

Robyn’sgrandparentswere farmersandshehadalwayslonged tofarm.Sheendeduphaving alongandsuccessfulcareerin advertising,livingthecitylifeand jet-settingallovertheworldfor herwork.

Thepasture

EverylastacreofBlackPond Farmisimportant,andthe couplearepassionateabout understandingitsecosystemand howtheycanprovidesupportfor naturetocohabitalongsidetheir farmingactivities.

“Westartedtheorganic conversionprocessstraightaway andafterthestandardthreeyears forland,andseveralmorefor animals,wearenowfullycertified withBioGro,”saidBudd. Organicfarmingpracticesand

adiversepasturemixof15to20 speciesenrichthegrass,andthe cattlearemovedtonewpasture daily.Eachpastureplantshoots itsrootstoadifferentdepth, providingavarietyoftolerancesto differenttemperatureandmoisture levels,aimingforyearroundgrass growthandavailability.

“Weaimforthecowstoeat one-third,trampleone-thirdand leaveone-third,sothepasturehas goodresidualtoregenerateduring the45-60daysweallowbetween grazings,”saidBrowne.

HamishandRobynintroduced dungbeetlestothefarmin2023 andbelievetheconceptofhow theyworkcomplimentsthe couple’sideals.

“Theycleanupthedungand buryitdeeplybackintothesoil. It’sagreatwaytoreplenishcarbon levelsinthesoil”saidBrowne.

Thebeetleshavebeenreleased inthecentreofthefarmandare expectedtospreadinalldirections, slowlybutsurelyworkingtheir magicalloverthefarm.

Bushandwaterways

BlackPondFarmisone ofthefarmsattheheadof theMangatangi-Maramarua CatchmentandRobynisthe catchmentcoordinator.

“Weareveryawarethathow wemanageourwaterwayshasan impactonwaterwaysdownstream fromus,”saidBudd.

Themainbushareaincludesa diversemixtureofmaturenative trees.Robustandsuccessfulpest

controlofpossumandrats,and continuousmanualremovalof noxiousweedsisallowingthe bushtobecomehometoan abundanceofnativebirds,lizards andtheendangeredlong-tailbat.

Around24hectaresofwaterways havebeenfencedoffwiththe majorityplacedunderQEII covenants.25,000treeshavebeen plantedthroughoutthegullies, actingasafilteringsystemto helpimprovethewaterqualityof theirportionoftheRuaotehuia Stream.

HamishandRobynhavebeen workingwithfreshwaterecologist MerrinWhatleytomeasure thebiodiversityoftheirfarm’s waterways.RecenteDNAtesting andsamplenetshaverevealed thepresenceofkōura(freshwater crayfish)andhealthypopulations ofbothshort-finandlong-fin tuna(freshwatereels).

“It’ssorewardingtoseethe healthofthebushandwaterways improving,andthepresenceof thesespeciesistheultimateproof ofeverythingstartingtowork,” saidBudd.

Thebeef

“Werun150mainlyshorthorn cattle.Theyareacalm-natured, heritagebeefbreedthatgrowswell butaresmallerthansomebreeds whichsuitsoursoils,”saidBudd. Thefarmhasaclosedsystemwith itsownbullsandallcalvesare keptontheirmothersuntilthey naturallyweanataroundnineto 10monthsold.

“Wehaveoneherdwherethe cowsleadastress-freelifeeating goodnutritiouspastureandnatural communitydynamicsthrive withfriendshipsandfamilyties maintained,”saidBrowne.

Thecattlearemanagedorganically, promotinghealthfromtheinside out,withanaturalimmunesystem boostedbyanutritious,balanced pasture-baseddiet.

“Thisissupplementedwithfreely hormones,”saidBudd.

Everysooftennewbullsare introducedtothefarmtodiversify thegenetics.

Beastsareregularlyselectedforkilling andsenttoNgateaPrimeMeatsfor processing.Productssuchassausages andsalamiaremadewithglutenfree,nitratefreeandpreservativefree seasonings,inkeepingwiththemeat’s organicstatus.

Frozenmeatcutsandproductsare senttoselectretailersandrestaurants aroundthecountrythatseekorganic, sustainablygrown,andethically sourcedbeef.

EFFLUENTSPREADINGAND AGRICULTURALENGINEERINGSERVICES

•EFFLUENTSPREADING

Ouraimistoprovideahighqualityservicetoensurefarmers achievecomplianceandobtainbestgrassperformance.Toaid thiswecanretrieveeffluentsamplesforlaboratorytestingto analyzenutrientlevelsenablinganappropriateapplicationrate calculationtoeachspecificfarm.

Weknowfarmersarealwayspushedfortimeonadailybasis soweofferslurryandsolidsspreadingserviceswithour10,000 litreslurrytankerand10tonneK2MuckSpreader.Wehighly recommendaconsistentapplicationfrequencybyrotational spreadingfollowinggrazing.Ifyourtankisfull,wecanhelp. Wehavea15000ltrtankeroptionaswellasthe10000ltrtanker. Wealsohaveequipmenttoemptyeffluenttanksandbladders thathavesedimentinthem.

•ENGINEERINGREPAIRS

ClementsAgriServicesprovides promptengineeringservicesfrom ourworkshoporatyourlocation. Ourservicesrangefrom cowshed,equipmentand machinerymaintenance, repairsandrebuilds. Weareavailable24/7 forallbreakdowns.

RobynBuddandHamishBrownehaveanorganic,mainlyShorthornbeefherd.

Photo:CatherineFry

LeadingeffluentsolutionsinWaikato Leading effluent solutions in Waikato

TheteamatPrecisionSlurryare effluentapplicationspecialists whopridethemselvesinleading thewayincleaningoutany system–fullyutilisingthe nutrientsoftenseenasa problemonfarms.

Owner-operatorsGlenandPaula CrafarandRobertCrafarfirmly believeathickpondishundreds oftonnesoffertiliserthatjustneeds tobewellstirredandspreadonto thelandsoitcanstartproducing morefeed.

“Inmostcases,thefertiliservalue

INSTALLATION SERVICE REPAIR

DodaPumps&Stirrers|DallaiFittings|Hydrants|EffluentParts

20yearsexperienceof DairyEffluentSystems andRepairs

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

outweighsthecostofapplyingit,nottomention theoperationalbenefitsofhavingade-sludged effluentsystem,”saysGlen.

11AndersonStreet,Morrinsville•(07)8890933•admin@waikatodes.co.nz

Wehaveafleetof

BasedinReporoaandservicingtheCentral Plateau,BayofPlentyandSouthWaikato, PrecisionSlurrynowhasafullrangeof specialisedequipmenttotackleanyjobwhether itbelinedandunlinedponds,aboveground tanks,bladders,weepingwallsorsumps. Withafarmingbackgroundandyearsof experience,theserviceyougetissecondtonone. Addingtotheirimpressivefleetofslurry equipment,theyrecentlyacquiredanew

Effluentcanbespreadontopaddocksandusedasnutrientforthesoil. Updatedleptospirosisguidancenowavailable

Leptospirosisisthemost commonwork-related infectiousdiseasein

NewZealand.

Peopleusuallycatchleptospirosis fromexposuretotheurineof infectedanimals,includingfarm, domesticandferalanimals, orurine-contaminatedsoil andwater.Infectioncanoccur throughcutsintheskinor throughtheeyes,noseormouth. Sicknessfromleptospirosis usuallystartswithflu-like symptoms,butifnottreated quicklycanbesevereandresultin hospitalisation,long-termillness, orevendeath,saidaposton

933Fendttractorwithreversesteer.This gamechangermakesstirringtanksandpondsa breeze,savingoperatorsfromconstantlylooking overtheirshoulders.It’sjustanotherway PrecisionSlurryiskeepingthingsefficient,upto dateandcosteffective.

Fromeffluentpondmanagement tosolidsspreadingorsolvingissueswitha problemsystem,PrecisionSlurrycombines advancedtechnologywithhands-onexpertiseto helpfarmsruncleanerandgreener. Formoreinformation,seetheiradverton thispage.

WorkSafe e’swebbsite. Thepeooplemostatriskarethose whocomeintoclosecontact withanimmalsandareexposed to theirurinne,bodyfluidsorflesh, especially y inwetenvironments

“Heavyrainandflooding havebeen n identifiedasan increasing g riskinthespreading of leptospiroosis.Lastyear’sextreme weathereeventshavesadlyseen ariseinrreportedcasesinfloodaffectedregions,”saidWorkSafe

“Theguuidanceisforthose workingiinclosecontactwith animalsaandanyonevisiting rural areas.”Uppdatestotheguidance havebeen n madetoreflect the Healthannd Safety at Work Act

TheP&PdPICSystem combines:(1)atrailerunit,connectedbetween thetravellingirrigatorandthedraghose,and(2)aKelcoIPG20controller locatedatthepump,providingafoolproof,cost-effective,thoroughand reliablefailsafeifanyfault,leak,orblockageoccursinthe effluentsupplysystemorwiththetravellingirrigator.

Formoreinformationcontact: providing a foolproof, cost effective, thorough and fault,leak,orblockageoccursinthe m orwiththetravellingirrigator.

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DairyNZ wants a swift decision on revised biogenic methanetargetsgiven tworeviewshavenow beendeliveredto theGovernment.

Lastmonth,DairyNZ welcomedtheIndependent ScientificReviewonBiogenic MethaneScienceandTargets, asthefindingsconfirmearlier workonthewarmingimpactof methaneandsignalawayforward forfarmersandthecountry.

“Bycomparison,theoutcomes oftheseparateClimateChange Commissionreviewofthe

2050 targets are unrealistic and impractical for farmers and woulld makkewhhat t wasallreaddy adifficultstretchevenmore challenging,”saidDairyNZ chairTracyBrown.

“Weneedrealistictargetsso farmershaveconfidencein theinvestmentstheymakefor thefuture,andsowewould appreciateaswiftdecisionby theGovernment.

“DairyNZ’slong-heldposition onclimatetargetsisthat theyshouldreflectthelatest scienceandwarmingimpactof methane,whilealsoconsidering themitigationtoolsand technologiesavailabletofarmers,

Calls are being made for realistic targets for farmers

Callsforswiftdecisionsonbiogenicmethane Calls for swift decisions on biogenic methane

efficiencyandprofitability,build resiliencetoachangingclimate,and reduceemissions,”saidBrown.

“Ourfarmerscontinueto workhardtoimproveon-farm efficiencyandtheirenvironmental footprint.Theseeffortshaveseen agriculturalemissionsstabilise overthepastdecade.

and the economic, social and cultural impacts

“Even n thellower r ennd of f the existingtargetrange,24%, willbechallengingwithout newtechnologies,andweurge arealisticapproachtotarget settinguntilthesetoolsaremore readilyavailabletofarmers.

“DairyNZiscommitted todairyfarmingplayingits partintransitioningtoa low-emissionseconomy alongsidetherestofNew Zealand,andwehavealarge programmeofworkcovering research,economics,farm systemanalysisandextensionto supportfarmerstoimprovefarm

ShowcasingthebestofthebestinNZdairy

TheteamatBusterCoverLimitedare preparingtoheadtotheNZDairyExpo.

HeldinMatamatainFebruary,theexpo showcasessomeofthebestproductsandservices intheNZdairyindustry.

BusterCover,whichisbasedinMatamata,will haveanexhibitattheexpo.

“Wehavebeensupplyingfeedsystemstothe ruralfarmingsectorintheWaikatoandother areasoftheNorthIslandfor30+years,”saida spokespersonforthecompany.

“Weunderstandtheneedsofourcustomersand offergoodqualityservice.

“Wehavespecialisedinsupplying,installing andmaintainingpoultry,dairyandduckfeeding equipmentsince1990.

“Weprideourselvesonprovidingahighqualityfeedingsystem,excellentinstallationand guaranteedbackupservice.

“Weusequalitylocallysourcedequipment, continuousstainless-steeltrough,high-quality installationwitha24/7breakdownservice.”

Forallyouranimalfeedstorageandfeeding equipment,seeBusterCover’sadvertonthispage.

“DairyNZwillengageshortly withtheGovernment’snew PastoralSectorGrouptoadvise furtheronbiogenicmethaneand thepracticalitieswithinthefarm system,”saidBrown.

DairyNZwillfurtherstudythe tworeportsandraiseareasofissue directlywiththeauthors.

Products&Services

Silo’s2T-45T FeedSystemsforHerringbone andRotaryCowSheds MolassesSystemsforHerringbone andRotaryCowSheds In-LineMineralDispensing SiloVibratingKit SparePartsand24/7Breakdown ServiceGuaranteed

BusterCoverisbasedintheheartof ruralWaikatoinMatamata.

commandedapricepremium oversteepercountrywithlower carryingcapacity.

Currentlymostfarmsoperateon smallfinancialmarginsandtheextra freightcostfromportsandmain centresforthoseinremoteareas issignificant.

Thelowestpricedfarmsareinremote regionsonsteepcountryofmodest fertilitywithbasichousing,whichis fineassteppingstoneproperties.

Inshort,thingsarecheapforareason andexperiencehastaughtusthat payingapremiumforhighquality land,products,orservices,nearly alwaysprovidesbestvalueinthe longterm.

Andyetthefertilisermodelsusedby farmconsultantsarebasedonthelowest costperkilogramofnutrient.Inherent inthatisthetheorythatallnutrient performsthesameregardlessofthe forminwhichitisprovided. Phosphorusis anexample.The superphosphate manufacturedhere inNewZealandwas developedtomeetboth essentialphosphorusand sulphurrequirements. Initiallytherockusedwas fromNauruandChristmas Islandsandcheapby today’sstandards.Due tothemarkedincrease inpastureandtotalfarm

production its use wasencouuragged d with subsidiesavailablefor remoterregions.

Essentialinput

Today,phosphorus remainsanessential inputbutthereislittlelandthat isphosphorusresponsiveashigher thanmaintenanceinputshave beenappliedformanyyears.

little if any concern around the relatively high cadmium content inavailablerock.

Italsobringsintofocustheuse ofsteadyreleasedirectapplication rockregardlessofitssolubility astherearecompoundfertilisers availableforsituations,suchasfor cropestablishment,wherethere maybeabenefit.

of Nitrate-N in groundwater alsohigghligghtsenvvironmental considerationsofcommonlyused fertilitymodels.

Clovercananddoesmeetallthe nitrogenrequirementsofpastures growingasmuchas20tonnesof DM/haannuallywithminimal impactonwaterquality.

Maintenanceonlyisrequired andresearchatLincolnUniversity showedthat,“Inawelldesignedsystemtheadditionof phosphoruscanbeminimisedand settomatchthetruelevelofloss ofP.Inatypicalsheepandbeef operationthismaybearound4 to8kgP/haandindairying10–16kgP/ha…”

Werethecurrentsoilfertility modelstoincorporatethis informationtherewouldbe

Aresuperphosphate plantsneeded?

Theargumenttheniswhether superphosphateplantshereare necessarygiventheirageand locationatorclosetoharbours.

Thecost-effectivenessargument mayalsobeusedforthe manufactureofureaastheremay bealong-termsubsidyrequired giventheavailabilityandcostof localgassupply.

Thesteadilyincreasinglevels

Thedriverofthealternative systemsiscalcium,andthis countryiswellendowedwith manyhigh-qualitydeposits. There’sabravenewworldto beexploredwhenthefarming industryispreparedtobreakfree fromdecades-oldnutrientinput modelsbasedonlowestcost. Andthebenefitsfrommaking thechangesnecessaryinatimely fashionbeforetheyareforcedon usbyoffshorepurchasers arenumerous.

FormoreinformationcallPeter on0274950041.

Stabledairyproductioncontinues–NZDairy

ThelatestannualNewZealandDairy StatisticsreportreleasedbyDairyNZand LivestockImprovementCorporationhas emphasisedthedairysector’sresiliencewith productionremainingstabledespitetightand uncertaineconomicconditions.

thatthedairysectorhasundergonesignificant structuralchangeinthelastdecadebutthroughout thisperiodproductionlevelshaveremainedstable bringingmuchneededexportrevenueintothe NewZealandeconomy.

•Resultsguaranteed

•Fullyautomated

•NZdesignedsystemstailoredtosuityourwaterissue

•Latestinelectronictechnology,wirelessalertsystems

•ServicingtheWaikato,BayofPlenty,Taranaki&Gisborne

Inthe2023/2024season,dairycompanies processed20.5billionlitresofmilkcontaining 1.88billionkilogramsofmilksolids,which representeda0.5%increaseinkilograms ofmilksolids.

DairyNZchiefexecutiveCampbellParkersaid

“Wehaveseenourdairyherdnumbers reduceby12%overthelastdecade,anda 5%decreaseintotalnumberofmilkingcows. Despitethis,totalmilksolidsprocessedhave remainedrelativelystable,emphasisingthe resilienceofourfarmers,andtheirfocuson ongoingproductivityimprovement.”

Navigatingfamilylandandsubdividing

NavigatingFamilyLand,Inheritances, andSubdividing:ANewYear ConversationGuide

AstheNewYearunfolds,familiesacrossNewZealand oftenfindthemselvesgatheredtoreflect,reconnect, andplanfortheyearahead.Thesummerseasoncan naturallybringupconversationsaboutfamilyland, inheritances,andthepossibilityofsubdividing.

Thelandatthecentreofthesediscussions couldbeanythingfromaquarter-acre urbansectionorbeachfrontpropertyto asprawlingruralfarm.Here’saguide tohelpyounavigatethesematters thoughtfully,balancingtheimportance offamilyheritagewithplansforthefuture e

1.PreparingfortheConversation

Thefirststepintacklingdiscussions aboutfamilylandandinheritanceis toapproachthetopicwithpreparation andsensitivity.Thesearenoteveryday topics,andbringingthemupwithout forethoughtcanleadtounnecessary tension.

Agreetorespecteachperson’sperspective,avoid interruptions,andstayfocusedonthetopicathand.

7.PlanningforFutureGenerations

Oneofthemostmeaningfulaspectsofdiscussing familylandandinheritanceisconsideringhowthese decisionswillimpactfuturegenerations.Families shouldexplorewaystopreservetheland’svalueand meaningovertime.

ChoosetheRightTime:Discussionsofthisnature requirefocus.It’sbesttosetasidededicatedtime, ratherthantryingtowedgethetopicintoabusy Christmasdinnerorchaoticfamilygathering.

2.UnderstandingOwnershipandLegal Frameworks

Beforedivingintowhatcouldbedonewiththeland, it’scrucialtoclarifyitscurrentlegalandownership status.Misunderstandingsaboutthesedetailscan deraileventhemostwell-meaningdiscussions. WhoOwnstheLand?Isthepropertyownedbyone individual,sharedamongsiblings,orheldinatrust? Understandingtheownershipstructureisessential fordeterminingwhohasdecision-makingauthority. LegalDocuments:Gatheranyrelevantlegal documents,suchaswills,deeds,ortrustagreements.

3.DefiningFamilyGoalsandPriorities

Familylandoftenservesmultiplepurposes:as asentimentaltreasure,apracticalresource,anda financialasset.Openlydiscussingthecollectivegoals forthepropertyhelpsestablishasharedvision.

4.ExploringSubdivisionasanOption

Subdividingfamilylandcanbeaviablesolution whenmultipleheirsareinvolvedorwhenthefamily wantstodistributethepropertyequitably.However, it’sacomplexprocessthatrequirescarefulthought. KeyFactorstoDiscuss:

LocalRegulations:Subdividinglandissubjectto zoninglaws,minimumlotsizes,andotherlocal restrictions.Researchingtheserequirementscansave timeandpreventunrealisticexpectations.

Costs:Subdivisioninvolvesexpensessuchas surveying,legalfees,andinfrastructuredevelopment.

PracticalDivision:Dividinglandequitablydoesn’t alwaysmeandividingitequally.Alakefrontproperty oraparcelwithfertilefarmlandmayholdmorevalue thanothersections.Discussionsshouldaccountfor thesedifferences.Forfarmlanditisoftenpossible

Familieswillgatherfortheholidays.

tosubdivideaportionoflandandstill retaintheworkingfarm.

5.AddressingFinancialImplications

Landandinheritancediscussions inevitablytouchonfinancial considerations.Beingtransparent abouttheseissuescanpreventfuture misunderstandings.

TaxImplications:Passingdownland mayinvolvecertaintaxessoitcouldbea goodideatoconsultanaccountantortaxprofessional toclarifypotentialliabilities.

MaintenanceCosts:Ifthelandistoremainashared asset,whowillhandleongoingexpensessuchasrates andinsurance,upkeep,orimprovements?

BalancingFairness:Insomecases,equaldivisionof landorassetsmaynotfeelequitable.Familiesshould explorewaystobalancedifferingvalues,suchas financialoffsetsoralternativecompensation.

6.ManagingEmotionalDynamics

Familydiscussionsaboutlandandinheritanceare rarelyjustabouttheproperty.They’realsoabout relationships,memories,andexpectations.

ATipforManaging(Emotions): SetGroundRules:

Fromassessingsubdivisionopportunitiestoguiding youthroughthelegalandregulatoryprocess,weaim tomakethisjourneyasstraightforwardandinformed aspossible.Getintouchwithustoday.

As we progress into a New Year, those in the New Zealand dairyindustrywillbevery optimisticwithhowthe seasonisshapingup.

In early-December Fonterra delivered a nice pre-Christmas gift bylliftingtthefforecastted d payout t midpointto$10perkgof milksolids.

Addedtothis,theReserveBank

reduced the Official Cash Rate – a total of 125 basis points (1 25%) siince113 August t –resulltingiin reductionsinlendingrates.

Lowerfertiliserandfuelcosts shouldhelptheaveragecost structuretobemaintainedata reasonablelevel.

Combinethesefactorswith increasedproductioninmostareasof thecountryandsuddenlyyouhave averyprofitableindustryagain.All that’sneedednowisfortheweather toplayball!

Weatherradar

prices below the cost of production, and I am seeing more goat farms for sale Beef f and d Lamb b NewZZealland d has projected7.4%lowerprofitabilityfor sheep-meatfarmerssonoteverythingis rosyoutthereyet.

Talkingabouttheweather,uptoDecember12it hasbeenamuchdryerseasonthan2023.

AttheyardinPaengaroaweonlyhad33mmin Novembercomparedto134.5mminNovember 2023.Onayear-to-datebasiswehavehad 1063.5mmofraincomparedto1508mmforthe sameperiodlastyear.

Wearealsowellbelowtheaverageoverthe last10yearswith1308mmforthesameperiod. Ihavebeentalkingtoseveralclientswhohave feltthatweareinforadrysummerandhave decidedtoincreasethepurchaseofbought-in feeds,particularlymaizesilage.Westillhavesome availablesodocallwhilethereissome.

Farmsforsale

Whilethedairyguysaredoingwell,othersectors arestillstruggling,namelythesheepfarmersand goatmilkingfarmers.

Thereisn’talotoflightattheendofthetunnel yetforthegoatswiththreeyearsrunningofmilk

Onethingthatimpressesme thoughaboutNewZealand’sprimary industriesistheirresilience.Despitethe challenges,whethertheybeeconomic, regulatory,orweatherrelated, farmershaveacapacitytowithstand challengingtimesandrecoverquickly.

Technologyadvancement

Ithasrecentlybeenhighlightedtomethatone ofthekeystothisresiliencemovingforward isourinvestmentintechnology.Thespeedof technologicaladvancementismassive.Idon’tdrive atractorveryoftenbuttriedmyhandatalittle maizeplantingoverthespringonlytocomeaway thinkingthatIneededacomputersciencedegree todoso.

Technologyistransformingthewayprimary industriesoperate.Farmersandorchardistsare leveragingprecisionagriculturetoolssuchas drones,GPS-guidedmachinery,real-time animalhealthmonitoring,anddataanalytics tooptimiseyieldsandreduceenvironmental footprints.Itisamazingtoseehowfarwehave comeinmylifetime.

Embracingtechnologyisnotalwayseasyand therecanbehighupfrontcosts,skillgapsand infrastructurechallengessuchascellphonecoverage. ButforNewZealandtomaintainitsposition asaprofitableandleadingfoodproducerinthe worldweneedtocontinueinvestingintechnology andadoptingasmuchaspracticallypossible.Ican onlyimaginewhatwillNewZealand’sprimary industrieslooklikeinanother40years’time. Here’shoping2025willbeahappy,healthyand prosperousyearforallreaders.

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Atimeforpasturerenewal

IntheNorthIslandhillcountry, earlyautumnistypicallythe timeforpasturerenewaland seedsowing.

Thereisadequatesoilmoistureand temperaturesarenottoocold.For manyofthesamereasons,itisalsothe timewhensoilfertilityisboostedby applyingphosphates.

Sincethesetwoeventsoccurat similartimes,whyaretheseedsand fertilisernotmixedtogetherand appliedatthesametime?Onereason thatthispracticeisnotfollowedisthe riskof‘seedburn’.

Whatisseedburn?

Theterm‘seedburn’,orfertiliser burnasitissometimescalled,is actuallyamisnomer.Itsuggeststhat theseedsareburnedbythefertiliser, butthisisnotwhatreallyhappens. Instead,itisnottheseeditself,but thenewlygerminatedseedlingwhich suffers,andratherthanbeingburned, itbecomesdesiccated.

Thisoccurswhenhighconcentrations ofdissolvedfertilisersaltsaretooclose totherootsofthenewplant.Thehigh concentrationofsaltscauseswaterto bedrawnfromtherootsofthenewly germinatedseedlingintothesoilby osmosis,anaturalprocesswherebywater movesfromanareaofhighconcentration toanareaoflowerconcentration. Unfortunately,oncetherootsare shortofwater,theentireplantbecomes desiccated.Theleaves,whichcanno longerphotosynthesisewithoutwater,

collapse.Theybecomebrownand crusty,takingontheburnedlookwith whichwearefamiliar.Often,theentire plantwilldie.

Cloverseedmostatrisk

its nitrogen-fixing abilities

It’simportanttonotethatsmallseeds areparticularlysensitivetoseedburn. So,clover,whichisfrequentlysown onhillcountrypasturesbecauseof itsnitrogen-fixingabilities andhighnutritional value,ismoreatrisk thanpastoralgrasses. Brassicaseeds,which arealsosmall,come intothiscategory.

Seedburncanalso beaproblemforsome soiltypes.Sandysoils, withlowerorganic mattercontentlike thosefoundinparts oftheManawatuand Northlandareexampleswherethiscan occur.Dryconditionsexacerbatethe riskofseedburntoo,sincethefertiliser saltsinthesoilaremoreconcentrated duetolackofmoisture.

nutrientsinaninitialburst,dicalcicphosphateslike Fertco’sKingPhos,SeaPhos,andReplenish,release theminamuchmorecontrolledway.

Soevenifthedicalcicphosphategranuleisclose totherootsoftheseedling,theplantwillnotsuffer desiccationbecauseabuild-upofhighlyconcentrated nutrientinthesoildoesnotoccur.

Abuild-upofhighlyconcentratednutrientisalso avoidedindryweathersincethedicalcicphosphate granuleretainsmostofitsnutrientsuntilsufficient m moisturebecomesavailable.

Application costsare reduced becauseit’ssafe tomixdicalcic phosphates withseed.

Phosphatesarenotverymobilenutrients. Theydon’ttendtotravelmorethanafew centimetersthroughthesoil.Sodirect drillinginseparatefurrowsdoesn’twork well.It’sfarbettertobeabletodeliverthe fertiliserdownthespoutwiththeseed. Whereveroversowingispreferredor necessaryduetosteepterrain,accurate placementofseedandfertiliserisobviously notpossible.Dicalcicphosphatesareagreat choiceinthesesituationsbecausebothcanbe appliedtogetherwithouttheriskofseedburn.

So,seedburnisaproblemtobe avoidedanditseemslikethesafest optionistosowseeds,thenapply fertiliseratadifferenttime,incurring theextraapplicationcostsofdoingthat. However,thereisasimplesolution: useadicalcicphosphatefertiliser insteadofsuperphosphate.

Dicalcicphosphatesarenotsoluble likeotherphosphates.Whileother phosphatesreleasemostoftheir

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

inaslow,controlledway.Soseedburnisn’t aproblem,nutrientsaren’twasted,andyoucansafely applyseedsandphosphatesatthesametime.

SH2barriersadangertostaff,truckingbosssays

Atruckingcompanybosssays heisworriedabouthisdrivers’ safetyasmedianbarriersonState Highway2nearTaurangaforce themintodifficultmanoeuvres. ItcomesasWrightRdresidents continuetheirbattleagainstthe barriers,whichpreventright

turnsonandoffthehighwayto theruralroad.

ThebarrierswereinstalledonSH2 betweenKatikatiandŌmokoroa in2020.Residentshavecontinued toprotestthembutNZTransport AgencyWakaKotahisaysthey remainforthesafetyofthe15,000 vehiclestravellingtherouteeachday.

Topping7m-12m

Largedifficulttrees

Chipping/mulching

Stumpgrinding

Landclearing

Loggingsmallwoodlots (allspecies)

BrucePorteroftruckingcompanyBRand SLPorterLtd-TransportandStoragesaidthe medianbarriersstoppedrightturnsinandoutof AongatetebusinessesalongSH2.

Safetyconcerns

HisdriversoftentravelledtoandfromSH2 wineryTheWinePortfolioand,withoutbeing abletoturnright,truckshadtoperformseveral manoeuvrestogetontotheroad.Hewas concernedabouttheirsafety.

“WecangointothewineryfromtheTauranga side,however,thereisnowaywecanexitthissite

withlargevehiclesgoingtowardstheKatikatiway duetotheArmcorailing.”

Aftergettingbackontothehighway,theyhad todriveafurthercoupleofkilometresbeforethey couldmakeaU-turnatthenextroundabout.

Portersaidtheroundaboutsweretight, “especiallywhentheunitsare23mlongandthe wheelsareupsittingaroundthecentreofthe roundabout,whichisnotgoodforthevehicleand it’snotgoodfortheroad”.

Portersaiditwasalsochallengingtostaywithin thelane,whichmadeitdangerous.

Heoncewitnessedacarleavingadrivewayand travellingdownthewrongsideoftheroad.

Thedriverwouldhavehadtodriveafurther6km iftheyhadgonetherightway,Portersaid.

“Ifeelsorryforthosepeople.”

NZTA’sresponse

“AsakeycorridorforthePortofTauranga, allroundaboutsandsafetyimprovements betweenWaihīandŌmokoroaweredesignedto accommodatelargetrucks.Theroundaboutshave a36metreoutsidediameterwhichenablesthe turningofahighproductivitymotorvehicle25m truck-trailerunit,”saidanNZTAspokesperson.

“SH2isalimitedaccesshighway,soanyonewith adrivewayontothehighwayneedstoprovidean accessthatisfitforpurposeforthevehiclesthat willuseitandmustensuretheirdrivewaycan accommodatethemovementsofdeliveryvehicles.”

Othersafetyimprovements,suchasthe installationoftworoundaboutsandwidening centrelines,continued.

Theboarddecidedallotherimprovements shouldremainasthesafetyofthe15,000vehicles travellingthisroaddailywas“paramount”. Roadusersweregrowingabout2%to3%each year.

“Throughoutthelifetimeofthisproject,there havebeenmultipleroundsofengagementand consultationwiththecommunity.”

Theboard’sdecisionwasbasedonexaminingthe evidencepresentedforarangeofoptions.

ThespokespersonsaidNZTAwasawareof therangeofviewsinthecommunityaboutthe changesandthatnoteveryonewassatisfiedwith thedecision.

ThespokespersonconfirmedNZTAwould continuetoassessthesafetyoftheroadcorridoras partoftheimprovementproject.

ThemedianbarriersonStateHighway2inAongatete. Photo/DavidHall

Buildingproductivityfromthegroundup

Havemancoversawiderangeofservicesthatare

Whenitcomestomaximisingfarm productivity,HavemanEarthworks isthego-tospecialistforruralproperty developmentandmaintenanceacrossthe Waikatoregion.

OwnedandoperatedbyChrisHaveman,the companyhasbeenprovidinginnovative,practical solutionsformorethansevenyears,drawingon Chris’14yearsofpriorexperienceinagricultural contracting.

Tailoredsolutions

“Ilikehelpingfarmersgetthemostoutof theirland,”saysChris.“Whetherit’sdrainage, contouring,orfarmtrackmaintenance,ourgoalis toimproveusabilityandefficiencywhiletailoring solutionstoeachproperty’sneeds.”

HavemanEarthworkscoversawiderangeof servicesthatareessentialtofarmproductivity.

“Fromcontouringhillstocreateusablepaddocks orbuildingsitesforcowshedsorfeedpads,todrain cleaningandtrenchingeffluentlines,Iworkhardto makeeverypartofafarmasproductiveaspossible.”

Haveman’sexpertiseextendstoconstructing effluentponds,installingNovaflowdrainage systems,creatingmotocrosstrailsandreshaping farmtrackscompletewithmetalsurfaceto ensuredurabilityandaccessibilityforboth vehiclesandfarmanimals.

Efficientadvice

“Oneofourmostrecentprojectswascreating alargepadreadyfortheconcreteforsilage bunkersandpriortothat,wecompletedanother effluentpond,”saysChris.“We’renotjust

aboutdoingthework;Icanhelpwithadviceon placementtomakesureitfitsefficientlyintothe farm’soperations.”

Essentialmainenance

Inadditiontoheavy-dutytaskslike bulldozinghillsanddiggingoutspacefor silagebunkers,effluentbladderorcliptank sites,HavemanEarthworkstacklesessential maintenancelikedraincleaning,mulching,farm racemaintenance,treeandstumpremoval.Their servicesensureasmuchlandisusableaspossible, eveninchallengingterrainorwetconditions.

HavemanEarthworkscoverstheentire Waikatoregiontoprovidesolutionsthat enhanceproductivityandmakeeverycorner ofapropertyworkharder.

“Weworkinwithsomeotherawesome companies,fromcartagecontractorstoconcrete supplierstomakeeverythingaseasyaspossible,” saidHaveman.

Todiscussyourfarm’sneeds,seeHaveman Earthworks’advertonthispage.

Clearing vegetation in a difficultterrain

FARMVEHICLES&MACHINERY

Readytoroll:Tractormakesplaygrounddebut

It’sbeenfouryearssinceapopular tractorandbulldozerwere controversiallyremovedfroma children’splaygroundduetosafetyfears.

Thevintagefarmmachinerydidnotmeet modernplaygroundstandardsandcouncillors weretolditwouldcost$60,000tosafeguard theduo.

DespitebeingmainstaysofQueenElizabeth Park’sKidsOwnPlaygroundinMastertonfor morethan60years,itwasremovedwithlittle notificationintheearlyhoursofDecember2020.

Butthankstogoodwill,hoursuponhours ofvoluntarywork,and“lessthan$5000in materials”,theplaygroundwillonceagainbe hometoashinybluetractor.

Thebulldozerwasstillaworkinprogress.

MayorGaryCaffellsaysthecounciland communityare“indebted”toPaulFoster,an engineerwhoworkedtirelesslythroughacancer diagnosisoverthepastfewyearstogetatractor backon-siteforgenerationstoenjoy.

Despitecriticismsthatanysafetractorwould nolongerresembleone,thiswasacaseofthe

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

BX2380

FittedwithLA344Loaderand RCK60Mid-mountmower 23HPKubotadieselengine

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

Switchingbetweenmowinglawns& frontendloaderworkhasneverbeen easier.TheBXloadercanbeattached withoutleavingthedriver’sseat

PaulFoster,withMasterton’sDeputyMayorBexJohnsonandMayorGary Caffell,workedtirelesslyonatractorforaMastertonplayground.

littletractorthatcould.Withitsbright blueeyes,thetractorhelpedmotivate Fosterthroughsomeofthehardestdays ofhislifeashebattledwithfatigueand illnessfromcancerandchemotherapy.

Fortwoyears,Fosterwasbedridden, savedonlybyanAmericandrug trialwhichhesaidhadgiven himhislifeback.

vehiclesuptostandardwasacceptedby MastertonDistrictCouncil,andthey assumedpossessioninJulythatyear. PaulsaystheblueFordsontractorwas “prettybuggered”andconcededitwas dangerousforkids.

Similarmodel

Paul,whobelongsto theFriendsofthePark group,saysitwasa pleasureto“getitdone”. Hesaysthegroup’s planswereoriginallyto restorethemachinery“in situ”,buttheequipment washastilyremoved, resultinginanuproaron localsocialmedia,with accusationscouncilstaff wereignoringthewishesofresidents andcouncillors.

Offeraccepted

Councillorshadpreviouslyrejecteda recommendationfromstafftoremove theplaygroundequipment.Theyhad alsoquestionedestimatedcostsof $60,000tosafeguardtheequipment. InMay,2021,theFriendsofthe Park’soffertogetthetwoantiquefarm

“Ofcourse,onceitis removed,togobackin, itmustfulfilallofthe safetyrequirements,”he said. Ultimately,itwas decidedtoreplacethe tractorwithasimilar vintagemodelwhichstill neededtoberetrofitted tocomplywithmodern playgroundstandards. Garysayscouncilhas neverhadacomplaintaboutthe tractor’ssafety.

“Weonlyhadcomplaintswhen itwent,”saysDeputyMayorBex Johnson.She’spleasedtheprojectwas finishedintimeforChristmas.

“OurgratitudegoestoPaul,Friends ofthePark,andthecommunityfor lettingusknowhowimportantitwas tothem.

Photo:EmilyIreland

Ka ika i’s 100th A&P sho is ea

Reportssuggestalmosttheentirepopulation ofKatikatigatheredattheUretaraDomain backin1913forthefledglingtown’s fi first-eever agricultural and pastoral show.

Forthe100thKatikatiA&PShowpresidentLouellen Davieshopesthewiderdistrictwilldothesame.“The showismorethan‘justanevent’,”saysLouellen.“Itis, andhasalwaysbeen,acelebrationofourcommunity.”

AccordingtoWesternBayofPlentyArchives,thefirst showwasopenedbyGeorgeVeseyStewartonMarch 13,1913,attheshowgroundsand“wasagreatdayof rejoicingforthewholedistrict”.

Thisyear’sevent–onSunday,February2–has becomethe100thshowafterafewno-showyears.

The1925showwascancelledduetotheinfantile paralysisepidemic;1926and1927showsdidn’thappen becausetheshowgroundswererentedtorailway constructionworkers.The‘nonassembly’lawsofWorld WarIIand,morerecently,Covidpandemiclockdowns andadverseweather,havecausedfurthercancellations. Sofor2025,anumberofspecialeventsareplanned tomarkthecentenaryshow,saidDavies.

TheEquestrianCompetitionwillincludeShow HunterJumpingwithatopprizeof$1200.Therewill beanInternationalWrestlingCompetitionthanksto KatikatiWrestlingClub,aWoodChoppingDisplay, HomeIndustriesandPhotographyCompetitionswill alsonodtothecentenary–aswillaTimeWarpcalled

‘AMomentinTime’.Katikati’sDonWallisis organising thetimewarpdisplayofvehicles,which'travel'through previousyearsoftheshow,”saidDavies.

Asectionfocusesontheshow's1913beginningswith c cars and machinery from that era,wwhich will tie withWesternBayMuseumofferingearly-dayactivities.

Withtheshowstoppedinthe1940sduetoWWII, therewillbeadisplayofmilitaryvehiclesandjeeps thankstoNickFlegg.Atimewarparound1964will showhay-balingmachineryandcarsfromthisera,and therewillbemoderndisplaystoo."

Aspecialopening,presentation,andcentennial luncheonforlifeandmembers,isalsoplanned.

Forthosewhowanttoenjoytheusualruralfun, Daviessaidtherewillbeaplethoraofactivities, entertainment,stallsandfoodtrucksonofferfrom9am.

ThisincludesKatikatiConcertBand,Waihi GoldmineCountryMusic,Club,WaihiHighland PipeBand,theDancingDivas,aHighlandDancing CompetitionandaYesteryear-StyleFashionParade–so getdressedupfortheday!

Fortheyoung–andyoungatheart–reptiles fromReptileWorld,aPetSheepShow,aPuppet ShowbyKatikatiTheatreGroup,trainrides,arock climbingwall,donkeyrides,tractorrides,aScarecrow Competitionandmuchmore!“Socomealongto UretaraDomainfrom9amSunday,February2,to celebrateour100thA&PshowinKatikati–and enjoyallthefunofthefair!”

TheSecrettoYourDreamOutdoorSpace?

AnAffordableLouvreRoofPergola

WhenLisaR.fromHamiltonfirstcame acrossLivingCulture,shewasdreaming ofaspacethatwouldextendherhome intotheoutdoorsseamlessly,blending style,functionality,andyear-round comfort.Herdreambecameareality withtheadditionofafreestandingTasmanlouvre rooftoherspace,completewithtwoelegantglass doorsandthreepracticalshutterwalls.Lisa’soutdoor transformationshowsthatcreatingastunningoutdoor oasisdoesn’thavetocomewithaluxurypricetag.At LivingCulture,we’reproudtoofferhigh-qualitylouvre roofpergolasthatmakeexceptionaloutdoorliving accessibletoeveryone.

Ourlouvreroofsaredesignedtoadapttotheweather andtheneedsofyourlifestyle.Whetheryouwantto relaxinthesummersun,enjoyacoolbreeze,orshield yourselffromrain,ouradjustablelouvresgiveyou completecontrol.Engineeredfordurabilityandweather resistance,ourpergolasensurethatyouroutdoorliving arearemainsperfectlyprotected, regardlessoftheweather.

“Withalouvrerooffrom LivingCulture,achieving yourdreamoutdoorliving spaceiscloserthanever. Don’twaitanotherminute, startyourjourneytowards theperfecthometoday!”

LivingCulture’sphilosophywhen comestoourproductisproviding gh-qualitycraftsmanshipthatdoesn’t eakthebank.Ourlouvreroofsare madefromdurable,weather-resistant aluminium,knownforitslongevity,andensuringthat everypergolawecreatemeetsthehigheststandardsof quality.Despitethepremiummaterialsandinnovative features,ourpricingisaccessibletoall.Whenyouinvest inaLivingCulturelouvreroofpergola,youknowyou’re gettingatopoftherangeproductatafractionofthe costoftraditionalluxurypergolas.

LivingCultureisonamissiontomakeoutdoorluxury accessible.Ourlouvreroofpergolashelpyoutocreate outdoorspacesthatareperfectforbothrelaxationand celebration—allwithouttheheftypricetag.Whether you’rehostingasummerbarbecue,enjoyingaquiet eveningunderthestars,orsimplyseekingshelterfrom themiddaysun,aLivingCulturepergolaoffersthe perfectblendofstyleandfunctionalitythatseamlessly meetsyourneeds.

TakealeafoutofLisa’sbookandtransformyour backyardintothepracticaloasisyou’vealwaysdreamt of.InvestinaLivingCulturelouvreroofpergola.Withus, affordable,premiumoutdoorlivingisfinallywithinreach. Visitusonlineoratourshowroomtoexploreourrange oflouvreroofpergolasandtakethefirststeptoward elevatingyouroutdoorlifestyle.

LivingCulture:Liveoutdoorsforless. Don’tMissOuton10%Off

Tohelpyougetstarted,we’reofferingyou10%offour louvreroofs.UsethecodeCOASTPERGO10atcheckout toredeem.Thisofferisvaliduntil8thFebruary2025,so don’tmissout!(T&Csapply.Discountexcludespergola accessories.)

AsLisa’sstoryshowsus,abackyardismorethan justaspaceforthekidstokickaballaround;it’san extensionofyourhomeandthebackdroptoallthe importantmomentsspentwithyourfamilyandfriends. WithaLivingCulturelouvreroofpergola,you’llbe framingthesespecialmemoriesinyouroutdoorspace whileenjoyingtheseamlessfunctionalityofastructure madetomoderatetheweather.

Weknowthateverybackyardisunique.That’swhy ourlouvreroofpergolasareavailableinarangeof sizes,colours,andoperationstylestosuityourspecific needs.Fromwallmountedtofreestanding,manualto motorised,wehaveanoptiontosuiteveryspace.Plus, ourpergolascanbecustomisedtocomplementyour homeandmeetyourpersonalneeds.Theaffordabilityof ourproductsensuresthatyoudon’thavetocompromise onsizeordesigntostaywithinyourbudget.

Committee members Christine Wallis, Sheryl Smith, Kimi Johnson, Louellen Davies, Kathryn Jo

Advertorial

Photo:AngelaMurray

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Followinga17-yearcareerinfurnitureretail managementthattookheralloverNew Zealand,workingfromhomeasaflower growerwasnotonTalaDraper’sagenda. HoweverthebirthofherfirstsonandtheCovid19lockdowncompletelychangedeverything.

“Myfirstsonwasbornthreedaysbeforethe March2020Covid-19lockdownandwecame hometospendmuchofhisfirstyearinlockdown inourhouseinHamilton,”saysTala.

“Afterspendingsomuchtimewithmysonat home,Ijustwantedtoleavethecorporateworld behindmeandspendhisfirstfiveyearswithhim.”

Profitablecrops

them.Tala’ssecondsonwasbornin2023. TaladiscoveredflowergrowingbyGoogling “whatisthemostprofitablecropper squaremetre”.

“Iwasonlyallowedtouseabout2000square metresforanewventurebecauseweneededthe resttorunsomebeefies.”

Sheorderedabookondahliasnotevenknowing whatadahliawasatthetime,enrolledonan onlinecourseinflowerfarmingandDraper’sField becameareality.

Talaandherbricky,housemoverandgeneralall roundhandymanhusbandhadpreviouslybought around9000squaremetresontheoutskirtsof TeAwamutuandmovedanolder,characterful weatherboardhomeontothepropertytorenovate. Aftermakingpartofthehouselivable,thefamily movedinwiththebiggerrenovationjobaheadof

Priortoherfirstseasonin2022,Talacoveredher allocatedareainblacktarptokillthegrassbefore cultivatingitandcarryingoutsoiltesting.Mostof hersoilisasandyloamanditneededsomelime tomaintainthesoilpHof5.5to6.5suitablefor flowercrops.Shespentalotoftimeweedingand clearingthatfirstseason.

“NowI’mmorechopanddropasit’slesswork formeandismorenaturalandsustainable.I’mno gardenersomygardenisnottidyorattractive,it’s aworkinggarden!”

Taladescribesherflowersasmixed,wildEnglish

Tala uses around 2000 square metres for her flower growing

Photo: Catherine Fry

gardenspecieswhichcanbeeasilydriedsuchas snapdragons,nigella,SweetWilliam,honeywort, anemones,statusandstrawflowers.

Sheusesabigbarnfordryingflowersand initiallystarteddryingtomakeuseofexcess flowersoronesthathadpassedtheirfreshsell-by date,buttheyarepopularespeciallyduringwinter.

Experimenting

Withtwo20metreby5metrepolytunnels,a20 squaremetregreenhouseandacoldstoreather disposal,Talaisn’tafraidtoexperimentwithher growing.Shetriesgrowingdifferentflowersoutof season,playingwiththegrowingconditionstosee howfarshecanpushthem.

“IwanttogrowflowersallyearroundandIstart themallfromseed.Somerequirewarmconditions togerminate,andsomerequirecoolerconditions. Othersrequireheattogrowaftertheygerminate.”

CurrentlyTalabuysincutflowersfromother growersatdifferenttimesoftheyear.Shesaysshe can’tgroweverythingshemightwant.

Flowercare

Around300cypresstreesandotherevergreens havebeenplantedaroundthepropertyperimeter,

providingacontinual,yearroundsupplyof greeneryforherbouquets.

“ThemainpestsI’mupagainstareslugsand aphids.ItrytobeasorganicasIcan,butIhave toresorttoslugbaitwiththesmallerplants,orI wouldloseeverything.”

Talaspraysminimallyforaphidsandfindsthat growingawidemixofvarietiesensuresaconstant supplyofflowersevenifacoupleofspeciesare targetedbypests.

Herflowerbedshaveweedmatandareirrigated withdriptapeusingwaterfromtherainwatertank fedfromthehouseroof.

Mulchandhomemadecompostareusedon thebedsandthesoilisfedwithcomposttea, microorganismsandfishfertiliser.

“Mygoalistoproducebloomswithalongvase life.Iwantmycustomerstohaveflowersthatlast sevento10days.”

Waratahsandwireareusedtosupportthelarger flowerheads.

Childhoodartistry

Talaisn’tatrainedflorist,buthermumhada craftshopwhenTalawasgrowingupandshe remembersmakingupflowerbasketsfortheshop.

“Theexperienceoftheshoptaught metheartistryofmakingthingsand Ilovebeingcreative.Mumhelpsme withtheflowerdrying.”

Talawantstobuildacountry homesteadlifeforherfamilyandis lookingforwardtohomeschooling theboys.

“Isupplytwolocalsupermarkets

andsellfromourfarmgateduring thepeakflowergrowingseason.

“ThelevelofworkI’mcurrently doingoffersmegoodquality familytimeandI’mconstantly buildingefficiencieswithinthe businesssoIcandothemajorityof theworkwithoutcompromisingmy familyvalues.”

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‘Natives’onyourmind?Ifso,thenthink…. info@top-upturtle.com

Supplier of high quality native plants ready for delivery anywhere in otearoa

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

L Late summer and flowers make the perfect photo opportunity for Tala Photo: Angela Murray

Above: Curtis, age 7, with his lamb Snowy in Longburn

Right: Maeve, aged 13 months, in Coroglen

Right: Hudsy, age 11, with ‘Groenbaek’ our Danish white red deer stag in Inglewood.

Reiko, age 2, in Te Aroha

Sam Edward, age 8, with his lamb ‘Ted’ in Te Puna.

Reiko, age 2,