Coast & Country News - March 2025

Alistair Niven and Carol Palmer flipped their lives from corporate city-dwellers to hands-on orchardists, after an ‘a-ha’ moment duringCovid.Theyare‘branchingout’withcleversolutionstosurvivemarketdownturns.Readmoreonpage17. PhotoDebbieGriffiths

Whistling up some respect

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Editor : editor@coastandcountrynews.co.nz Advertising : ads@thesun.co.nz Coast&CountryNewsispartofNZME-NewZealandMedia&Entertainment.WekeepKiwisintheknow! *Somepagesmaycontainsponsoredcontent.

I really sucked, to start. ButIwasdetermined.Andafterlightsout, andbeneaththeduvet,Iwouldshapemyindex andmiddlefingersintoan“A”,jamtheminmy mouth,drawbackthetongue,andblow. Fordays,weeks,therewasjustpathetichissing. Thenaha!Awhistle,arealwhistle.Thepractice intensified;themethodologyrefined.Andaftera coupleofmonthsmyhissingbecameapiercing whistlethatcouldblowthewaxoutofyourears fromfortypaces.Whatanact?

Brotherlycompetition

Icouldnowcompetewithmyolderbrotherwho wouldmake“fart”soundsbycuppinghishand inhisarmpitandpumping.Hecouldalsotwitch oneearwhileholdingastraightface.Webrothers mighthavebeencityboys,butwecoulddostuff. Ididn’tknowwheremywhistlemighttakemein life.Iwascrapatmathandscience,Ididn’thave apropensityforanythinguseful.Butitimpressed myequallydirectionlessmatesthatIcouldshatter eardrumswithmywhistle.Itpromptedmy teachertotellmyparentsthat“Imightcome rightinthespring”.Thatgavethemforlornhope becausespringscameandwent,andIdidn’tcome

right All I could do was whistle I wasn ’ t Ronnie Ronalde,Iwastuneless,butIwasloud. Thenoneday,payback.Iwasoutinapaddock withTheHat,andhewascussingthedogs. Somethingsimplelike“getinbehind”waslaced witheffingandblinding.Ineverknewtherewere somanyswearwordsinthelexicon,andTheHat couldpackthemallintoonesentence.Eventhe dogslookedmildlyoffended.

Shockandsurprise

ButIthoroughlyenjoyedTheHatwhenhecut loosewithhisprofanitiesandfilth.Itwasvery naughtyandfunnytoakid.Thenhetookthis littleplasticplatethatwasonastringroundhis neckandblew.Itwasawhistle.

Afarmerthatcouldn’twhistle!Surelynot!A farmerwhoneededakid’stoytorarkupthedogs. Surelynot!

So,Ijammedthosefingersinmymouthand gaveTheHatafullblast.Thatfarmer’sgobwas smacked.“#*^*me!”hecursed.“Wheredidyou learntodothatboy?”

Therewasnewruralrespectforthecity.Town hadscoredoverCountry.Allthateducationand practicebeneaththeblanketshadpaidoff.Mylife hadvalueagain.

Farmsystemsspecialistshit theroad for Rural Roadietour

MattDalleyandWadeBell,hostsofthe FeedforThoughtpodcast,arehittingthe roadnextmonthforanationwidetour–

Matt&Wade’sRuralRoadie.

FarmSystemsSpecialistswithPioneerBrand Products,MattandWadewilltravelacrossNew Zealand,offeringfarmers,growers,contractors, consultants,andruralprofessionalsachance togainvaluableinsightsintotheprofitableuse ofmaizesilageandtheefficienciesinfarm feedingsystems.

Thetourwillfeatureindustryexpertsand specialguests,in-depthdiscussions,andthechance togetofffarmandnetworkwithfellowfarmers andruralprofessionals.

Whiletheprospectofspendingthreeweeks incloseproximitytoaworkmateisn’teveryone’s cupoftea,thepairarelookingforwardto theexperience.

“Therearesomeprettycoolfarmsystemsout thereandwewantedtousetheFeedforThought platformtosharethelearningsfromwhatagreat jobNZfarmersaredoing,”saysMatt.

“RuralpodcastingiscontinuingtogrowinNZ andwewantedtocutthroughinadifferentway.

“Aswecomeintoourthirdseasonofthepodcast andPioneercelebrating50-yearsinNewZealand, wethoughtwhatbetterwaythanhittingtheroad duringharvestandconnectingtheaudienceup anddownNewZealand?”

Onestopalongtheway,willseethepairtaken welloutsidetheircomfortzone–theirRaglan eventonMarch19coincideswiththelocalSurfing forFarmersevening.

Despitehavingfriendsthatsurf,Mattand Wadedescribethemselvesas“verymuchlandbasedmammals”.

“Pioneerhasbeeninvolvedwithsupportingthe SurfingforFarmersinitiativeforseveralseasons nowandoneofourcolleaguesMatteKirkis heavilyinvolvedwiththeRaglanchapter,” Wadesays.

“He’sbeenatustocomegetonaboardfora while,andfinallyhiswishjustmightcometrue.”

Ashasbecomecustominanyroadiethrough ruralNewZealand,stopswillfeaturefree merchandisegiveaways,barista-madecoffees,and theever-presentBBQfiredup.

“We’relookingforwardtotheeventsbutit’s theconversationsovercoffee,aBBQorafizzyat theendofthedaythatwetakegreatvaluefrom, wecan’twaittoengagewiththegreatpeoplewe haveintheruralsectoraroundNewZealand,” saysMatt.

FromMonday,March17,throughuntil Thursday,March27,theduowillbetouringthe North,beforecuttingtracksthroughtheSouth fromFriday,March28,andFriday,April4.

Thetourscheduleandmoredetailson wherethey’llbeheadingnext,canbefound onPioneer’swebsite.

www.pioneer.co.nz/matt-and-wades-rural-roadie

DairyNZresearchshowsmore than40percentofCanterbury andOtago-Southlandfarmers havemovedtoflexiblemilkingto allowbetterworklifebalance.

DairyNZhastrackedfarmers adjustingtheirmilkingfrequency dependingonchangingconditions, workplaceenjoymentandbetter staffretention.

SeniorscientistPaulEdwardssays flexiblemilkingdescribedpatterns thatfellbetweenthestandardonce ortwiceadayfrequencies,which hadbeenaroundforalongtime.

“Themostcommononeis probablymilkingthreetimesin twodaysorthreeintwoaswecall it,buttherearevariationsofthat suchasmilking10timesinseven dayswhichsetsaweeklypattern.” Paulsaystheyconductedastudy onasmallrangeoffarmstosee howflexiblemilkingaffected sleepingpatternsandfoundon averagefarmersgotanextra30 minutesofsleeppernight. Hesayswhetherfarmersgive flexiblemilkingagoisdownto personalpreference.

34ChapelSt,Tauranga www.SpaShop.co.nz

LIQUIDJUST GOTSMARTER

FreshWater® IQ, themostintelligentsaltwater systemontheplanet.

MattDalleyandWadeBellarepreparingtohittheroadtosharetheir knowledgeofefficientfarmfeedingsystems.

PotatoesNew Zealand’sCEO: Reviewof2024and LookingForward to2025

Aswelookbackonthepast year,Iamproudtoreflecton theremarkableprogressand achievementsthathavedefined oursuccess.

Throughteamwork,strategic initiatives,andfocusedleadership, wehavereinforcedourposition withintheindustryandsetthestagefor evengreateraccomplishmentsintheyear ahead.

2024inReview

1.UnitedVoiceandWorkingtogether Thisyear,wemadeitaprioritytoamplify thevoiceofourgrowers,effective communicationisthebackboneof anysuccessfulorganisation.Weheld severalmeetingswithgovernment representativesandministersto ensurethattheperspectivesofNew Zealandpotatogrowerswereheardand understood.Inaddition,ourpresenceat theWorldPotatoCongressallowedusto forgevaluableinternationalrelationships thatwillbenefitNewZealand’spotato industryforyearstocome.

2.Leadershipinthefield PotatoesNewZealand’scommitment toadvancingthepotatoandvegetable industrieswashighlightedbythelaunch ofthe$4.7millionSustainableVegetable Systems(SVS)project,whichwasofficially endorsedbyMinisterGrigg.Wealso sharedourknowledgeandexpertise acrossNewZealand,attendingVegetable ResearchRoadshowsandshowcasing keyPotatoesNewZealandprojects.On

theinternationalfront,welaunchedthe InternationalPartnershipforResearch andDevelopmentattheWorldPotato Congress,openingdoorsforglobal collaboration.

3.Workingtogether 2024wasalsodefinedbyvaluable collaborationsacrosstheindustry.By partneringwithothervegetablegroups andkeystakeholders,wewereableto deliverstrongerresultsforourmembers, leveragingsharedresourcesandexpertise todriveprogressandaddressshared challenges.

LookingAheadto2025 Aswelooktowardthecomingyear,weare excitedaboutthemanyopportunitiesthat lieahead.Ourfocuswillcontinuetobeon growth,innovation,andbuildingastrong, sustainablefuturefortheNewZealand potatoindustry.

Wehavesomeexcitinginitiatives launchingsoonthatalignwithour strategicgoalofgrowinggreatpeople. Thankyouforyourongoingsupportofthe PotatoIndustry. Formoreinformation: PotatoesNewZealand www.potatoesnz.co.nz Phone0800399674 Emailinfo@potatoesnz.co.nz

Horses for courses

It’sthehorsesthatdotheteachingat Ōropi’sEquineDynamics.

Inspiredbytheexperienceofherownbattle withanxietyanddepression,LeanneBenjamin launchedEquineAssistedLearningprogrammes inFebruary2022andnowhasthreehorsesthat workwithclientsonherruralproperty. “Ican’timaginethedifferenceitwould’vemade formeifthiskindoftherapeuticsessionhadbeen aroundwhenIneededit,”shesays.“It’sstillvery newinNewZealand.”

Somethingforeveryone

EquineDynamicscatersforchildren,youth, familiesandorganisationsthathavechallenges suchasdisability,mentalillness,neurodiversity,at riskyouth,andthosewhodon’tlearnwellinthe

classroomenvironment.Theprogrammeinvolves horsesTommy,DazzleandTwilightaspartof theteamsfiguringouthowtonavigateaseriesof obstacleswhilelearningessentiallifeskills.

“Iftheydon’tworkasateamusingtheir communicationandleadershipskillsorif theydon’trespectthehorse,theanimalssimply don’trespond,”saysLeanne.“Kidswhohavea positiveattitudeandrespectahorse’sneedsare literallyshadowedbythehorsereflectingtheir responsivenature.”

Leanneexplainsthatthelifeskillsthat neurodiversekidsmaystruggletolearnwhen interactingwithhumans,theycanpickupfrom thegentle,instinctiveresponsesofhorses.

“Peopletalkalotandit’soverwhelmingforthese kids,”shesays.“Horsescommunicatewithout usingwords.Itclicks,andthosebehavioural changesinthekidsduringoursessionstransfer intoimprovementsathome.”

Personalexperience

Leannehasalwaysworkedinmentalhealthand socialservices,gettingthemostsatisfactionfrom workingwithtroubledyouthsandtheirfamilies.

“Inmyteens,Igottoaprettybadpointin mylife,butIhadsomeamazingmentalhealth workerswhosavedme,”shesays.“Asanadult,I wantedtogiveback.”

Shebeganhorseridingwhenshewas13andhas alwaysenjoyeditbutLeannedidn’trealiseuntil herowntraininginmentalhealthasanadultthe impacthorsescanhaveonwellbeing.

“Youreallyhavetowatchorbepartofasession toseethevalueofit,”shesays.

Anecdotalevidencefromfamilieswho’ve beenthroughtheprogrammereportdramatic changesinchildrenwitharangeofchallenges anddiagnoses.

LeanneBenjaminwithtwoofherhorses,Dazzle,left,andTommy. Suppliedphotos

“Oneboyrealisedtheimpacthis outburstswerehavingonthose aroundhim,”saysLeanne.“His parentslatersaidit’stheonlything that’sworkedwhentheygothome. TheskillshelearnedatEquine Dynamicstransferredtohislife.”

Animalintuition

Sheputsitdowntotheintuitive reactionsofanimals.

“Horsesarepreyanimalsthatlivein herds,sotheyarehighlyresponsive tosignalsfromthosearoundthem. Totheneurodiverse,talkingisan overloadofinformationsotheylove horsesbecausetheydon’tspeak.”

ForLeanne,it’safeelingof‘ajob welldone’toseeclientsbenefitting fromEquineAssistedLearning.

“ “WhenI I getasessionthhatresonates w with someone, it lifts me and I’m over the moon The results have

beenamazing.”

Andit’snotjustforkids;sessions canbetailoredtoimprovelifeskills betweencouples,withparents,and amongstcolleagues.

“Thehorsesexpectclear communicationfromtheirhumans, soit’sgreattoseepeoplestarting toworktogether,makingplans, laughingandtalkingtoeachother. Tommy(thehorse)likesittoo.One couplereportedbackthatthesession withTommyhadmadesucha differenceintheirrelationship.”

ThenexthurdleforLeanneisto securesponsorshiptoputmore at-riskyouthandfamiliesthrough theprogrammes.

“Tobeabletohelpmorepeoplein ourcommuniity bybbriingiingbbusiinesses on board would beamazing ”

Trainingbyfarmers,forfarmers

In2017,TamandDanJex-Blakeandagroupof like-mindedfarmersexpressedtheirconcernat thedecreasingnumberofskilledyoung peopleenteringtheindustry.

ThisresultedinGrowingFutureFarmers, withtheprivatesponsorshipoftwo studentsandhasgrownfromthere.

GFFisaboardoverseen,charitable trust(ofwhichTamJex-Blakeisa director)andisrundaytodaybyCEO WendyPaul,supportedbyateamwho arepassionateaboutfarming.

GFFStudentSuccessAdvisorforthe Waikato/KingCountryarea,Morgan Lilleyisoneofseveraladvisorswhoprovides pastoralcareforGFFstudentsplaced.Her husbandTomisco-manageratWaimai RomneyStudinTeAkau,andthecoupleandtheir threechildrenlovetherural,farminglife.

Practicallearning

pastorallyandacademically.Anylearningdifficulties areidentifiedearlywhichallowsstudentssuccessin passingtheprogramme.”

Expectations

Morgansaysasmallpercentagechoose toleavetypicallywithinthefirsttwo months,oftenbecausefarmingturnsout tobedifferentfromwhattheyexpected.

Thefees-freecourseissubsidisedby thegovernmentandprivatefunding. Assessmentsaremanagedthroughthe EasternInstituteofTechnologyand thestudentsgraduatewithNZQA recognisedqualifications.

“Initiallymorestudentswerefromnonfarmingbackgroundswhoneededapathway intotheindustry,butnowfarmchildren andsiblingsofpaststudentsarejoiningthe programme,whichisamazing.”

Theprogrammecurrentlyfocusesonsheep,beef, anddeerfarming,butthereareplanstoexpandinto otherareasastheGFFmodelprovestobesuccessful.

“GFFisatwo-yearprogrammewherestudents learnpracticalworkplaceskillsonthefarm.Weare reallyluckytohavefarmtrainerswhoarewillingto supportastudentthroughtheprogramme,” saysMorgan.

“Thefarmtrainersareusuallysuccessfulfarmers whowanttogivebacktotheindustry,andare carefullymatchedwithastudent.”

Studentshaveaccesstosubsidedequipmentand clothingandareprovidedwithaheadingand huntawaypup.Afteraninitialorientationcourse, studentsactivelyworkontheirfarmandcomplete coursesthatcoverthewholerangeofskillsrequired forfarming.

“Typicallythestudentsare16-21yearsoldand theyliveon-farm,withmeatsuppliedandaliving allowancepayment.Itcanbeabigmoveandthe SSAaretherefromdayonetosupportthemboth

“Employerfeedbackisreallyfavourableandthe programmedefinitelycatapultsthestudentsinto moreseniorjobsintheindustry,”saysMorgan.

MembersofImagine,Believe,Achieveduringa sessionwithhorsesTwilight,left,andTommy.

Tommy the horse works with members of the BOP Youth Development Team,Imaggine,Believe,Achieve.

Goldoni drives orchard success

Youguessedit,2025bringsthe returnsofthehighlyanticipated AngusNZNoBullWeekender. Itisduetorunlaterthisyearinthe AkaroafromOctober30 toNovember2.

AngusNZwanttocontinually buildontheamazingsuccessofthe inaugural2023NoBullWeekender

No bull weekender

withafocusondevelopingand expandingtheknowledgeandexpertise ofthefemaleforcesbehindAngusNZ AngusNZiscurrentlylookingfor anysponsorswhowouldliketobe involvedinthisamazingevent. Ifyouareinterestedorcansuggest anypotentialsponsorsAngusNew Zealandviatheirwebsite.

Agricultrual Storage

TheTasmanTankCodesigns,fabricatesandconstructsheavyduty,longlifestoragetanks.Ourrangeofboltedsteeltanksareindustryleaders in“aggressiveenvironmentstoragesolutions’.Storageoptionsinclude: OnFarmDairyEffluent,Horticulture,IrrigationandPiggeryEffluent. ThisproductismarketedthroughoutNewZealandandAustralia. “FORTHEFUTUREOFOURENVIRONMENT”

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DanielleHovmandwithpartnerHarryPhipps.

Fantasticfundraisingforcommunitycauses hasseenaWaikatowomanreceiveacoveted honourfromNewZealandYoungFarmers.

DanielleHovmand,amemberofMorrinsvilleNgaruaYoungFarmersClub,wonthe2024 ContikiLocalLegendAward.

Thisprestigiousaccoladecelebratesmembers ofNZYoungFarmerswhodemonstrate extraordinarydedicationtotheircommunities, theprimaryindustry,andtheYoungFarmers’ network.

NewZealandYoungFarmerschiefexecutive LyndaCoppersmithsaystheawardrecognises Danielle’soutstandingeffortsasaleaderand advocateforhercommunityandthe agriculturalsector.

Winningachievements

Headingthelistwasacommunityquiznight andauctionin2023whichraisedanincredible $30,000fortheRuralSupportTrust.

“Itstartedasalittleeventthatjustkeptgrowing,” shesays.

Daniellewasalsoinvolvedwiththeclub’snaked calendarfundraiserin2022whichbroughtin $10,000.

Shehelpedpromotetheclubattheannual MorrinsvilleFireworksExtravaganzaandtown Christmasparade,whileorganisingPinkRibbon Breakfaststosupportbreastcancerawareness. Foodbankfundraiser

“RepresentingtheMorrinsville-NgaruaYoung FarmersClub,Daniellehasbecomeabeacon ofcommunityspirit,spearheadinginitiatives thathaveraisedtensofthousandsofdollarsfor charities,strengthenedruralconnections,and inspiredthenextgenerationofprimary industryleaders.”

Mostrecently,DaniellecoordinatedaChristmas FoodbankFundraiserinMorrinsvillewhichsaw $3600godirectlytofamiliesinneed.

ShehasalsoflowntheflagforMorrinsvilleNgaruaYoungFarmersClubattheannual MorrinsvilleA&PShowandvariousschools. AlongwiththeRuralSupportTrust,Danielle workedwithorgansationsincludingFederated FarmersandMorrinsvilleLionsClub.

Aclubmembersince2020,DanielleHovmand hasbeeninvolvedinawidecross-sectionof communityeventsandinitiativesinand aroundMorrinsville.

“Ienjoybeinginvolvedinthecommunity,and it’sgreatforpeopletoseewhatourYFCisgetting upto,”shesays.

MovingfromKatikatiin2020tocontract milkingjobsatPatetongaandSpringdale,Danielle saysjoinedMorrinsville-NgaruaYoungFarmers Clubtogettoknowpeopleinthearea.

LastseasonsawherandpartnerHarryPhipps embarkontheirfirstsharemilkingjob,ona80ha propertynearMorrinsville.

Harryworksforabuildingcompany,with Daniellecoveringtheday-to-dayoperationof thefarm.

Daniellemilks250cowsonherownina24-asideherringboneshed,whileHarryhelpsouton thefarmbeforeworkandatweekendsduringthe busycalvingandmatingseasons.

Longterm,shesaystheir“biggoal”is farmownership.

InherworkwithMorrinsville-Ngarua YoungFarmersClub,Daniellehadseen theContikiawardadvertised.

However,shehadnoideaofher nominationbyaclubmemberlastyear.

“Itwasallatotalsurprise,”shesays, withagroupoffriends(alsoclub members)presentingacertificateand Contikitravelvoucherworth$5000to herbeforeChristmas.

Perfecttiming

Daniellesaysthetimingwasperfectas sheandHarrywerealreadybookedto headtotheUnitedKingdomandEurope foramonthinMay.

“Wedon’thavetoomanyplans,socan tieintheContikitour,”shesays.“It’s alignedreallywell.“We’vedonealittle bitoftravel,butthisisanopportunityto turnourtripintosomethingbigger.”

Daniellesaystheydefinitelywantto experienceLondon“andwhateverelse wecan”.

From2020-2021sheservedonthe Morrinsville-NgaruaYoungFarmersClub committee,witharoleinnewmember liaisonwhichsawnumbersrisetomore than60.

Daniellesteppeduptovice-chair in2022.

In2023shewastheAuckland-Hauraki regionalmanagerfortheDairyIndustry Awards.

ThisseasonhasseenDaniellestepback somewhatfromYFC.

“It’sgreattobeabletostepback

fromtheclubandcontinuetowatchit flourish,”shesays.“BeingapartofYoung Farmershasbeensuchabigpartofmy lifeoverthepastfewyears,andI’mso gratefulfortheincrediblepeopleI’vemet, thelastingfriendshipsformed,andthe chancetogivebacktomycommunity.”

YoungFarmersClubsaroundthecountry cannominateamemberwhomakesa “significantimpact”intheircommunity fortheContikiLocalLegendAward.

Awardselection

Aftersubmissionsclose,allnominations arethoroughlyreviewedandthetop 10nomineesshortlistedbasedon theircontributions.

AContikirepresentativethenevaluates

thetop10nomineesandselectsthe winnerbasedontheiroutstanding volunteerefforts.

LyndaCoppersmithsaysDanielle representswhattheContikiLocalLegend Awardisallabout–makingarealimpact inhercommunitythroughhardwork anddedication.

“Hereffortshighlighttheimportant roleYoungFarmersplayinsupporting ruralNewZealand,”shesays.

“TheContikiLocalLegendAward highlightstheincredibleeffortsof individualslikeDanielle,whosework makesatangibledifferenceintheir communitieswhilechampioningthe primaryindustry’sfuture.

Akauriprotectionprogrammehaswon theEagleTechnologyLocalandCentral GovernmentAward.

“WRChasasmallteamfundedbyTiakina Kauri,thekauriprotectionprogrammebased withinBiosecurityNewZealand,Ministryof PrimaryIndustries,”saysWaikatoRegional Council’sPestPlantteamleaderDarion Embling.

TheKauriisanancienttreewith antecedentsfromtheJurassicperiod.They areacornerstoneoftheupperNorthIsland indigenousforestsandtheirsurvivalisvitalfor thesurvivalofotherspeciesthathaveevolved toliveonoraroundthem.

In2006afterinvestigationintodying kauriintheWaitakereRanges,anew plant-damagingwatermoldPhytophthora agathidicidawasdiscovered.

Itdamagesthetree’srootsystem,reducing thetree’sabilitytotakewaterandnutrients fromthesoilandtransportitthroughoutthe plant,causingeventualdieback.

“TheWaikatohas94,000hectaresof kaurilandsofwhich20,000hectaresisold growthkauri,includingsomeover1500years old.KauriareanimportantpartofMāori philosophyandtheirancestralspiritualworld.” Therearefourknownareasofkauridisease intheregion,inWhangapoua,Hukarahi, TairuaandKennedyBay.Darionsaysthat disease-freesouthernkauripopulationsare vitaltoafutureofkauri.

“EducationaroundtheimportanceofKauri andprecautionarymeasuresaretheway forward.

“Nopersonorstockshouldbeallowed withinthreetimesthedripcanopyofakauri.”

Danielle Hovmand with family pet Milly

SteveEdwards

Fromwinnertoawardorganiser

ApastDairyIndustryAwards’ winnerisheavilyinvolvedin theorganisationofthis year’sedition.

JessiePope,fromRerewhakaaitu nearRotorua,wasthe2024Central PlateauDairyTraineeoftheYear.

Thistimearoundthe31-yearoldisontheDIACentralPlateau organisingcommittee,whilealso traineeteamleaderandskillsday co-ordinator.

“IenjoyeditsomuchIwanted togivesomethingback,saysJessie. “Makeitenjoyablefortheentrants.”

JessieisfarmassistanttotheDIA CentralPlateau2024ShareFarmer winnersPaulandSarahKoopal. Theyruna203hadairyunit

milking540cowsina44-a-side herringboneshed.

Inherthirdseasonontheproperty, JessiePopeheardabouttheDairy IndustryAwardsthroughfriendswho hadentered.

Shesaysenteringin2023wasa prerequisitewhenshewentonthe farm,withsupportfromtheowner. Firstimpressions

“You’refirstbosscanmakeor breakyou.”

Gainingthissupport,Jessiesays forherthecompetitionwasabout growthandlearning.

“Isawtheprogrammeasagreat opportunitytolearnnewskillsand meetlike-mindedpeoplewithin theindustry.”

Sheadmits,particularlyinherfirst

yearoffull-timefarming,this wasoutsidehercomfortzone.

“EveryyearI’veenteredthe awards,I’velearntsomething, notjustabouttheindustrybut alsoaboutwhatkindoffarmer Iwanttobe,”saysJessie.

“There’snogrowthincomfort.”

AwardsLaunch

Inthatfirstyearsheattended alauncheventtofindoutmore abouttheawards,followedbya sponsors’night.

Judgingincludedpractical exercisescoveringatractor pre-startcheck;feedcalculations; useofNAIT(NationalAnimal IdentificationandTracing programme)tags;bobby calves;andputtingtogethera washdownhose. Thesecondpartofjudging involvedamulti-choicequiz. Asimilarformatwasfollowed lastyear,withJessie’sgoalto reachthefinalsixcontestantsin hercategory.

Prepareforanightofelegance,excitement, andrevelationasthe2025NewZealand DairyIndustryAwardsRegionaldinners promisestobeacelebrationofexcellence inthedairyindustry.

Setagainstthethemeofamasquerade,this year’seventswillbedazzlingaffairswhere attendeeswillwitnesstheunveilingofNew Zealand’smostaccomplishedandinnovative dairyfarmersintheirlocalareas.

Justasmasksaddintrigueandalluretoa masqueradeball,theAwardswillcelebratethe unseenhardworkanddedicationofthosewho worktirelesslytodrivesuccessandbestpractice inthedairyindustry.

Astandouteventonthedairyindustry calendar,thewinnersoftheRegionalNew ZealandDairyIndustryAwardswillberevealed duringAwardsDinnersthroughoutNew ZealandduringFebruaryandMarch.

Theeveningswillcelebrateexcellence acrossthreekeycategories:ShareFarmerof theYear,DairyManageroftheYear,andDairy

“Isurprisedmyselfandwon.” HerpartnerLukeFeisst,aherd manageratEdgecombe,won theBayofPlentyDairyTrainee oftheYearinthe2024Dairy IndustryAwards.

Jessiesaysbotharenow applyingforfarmjobs,ideally onthesamepropertyinthe CentralPlateau.

“I’mwantingtoprogressin theindustry,”shesays.“Spread mywings.”

TraineeoftheYear,withregionalnominees fortheprestigiousFonterraResponsible DairyingAward(FRDA)alsorecognized duringthedinner.

Thenightswillendwiththeunmasking ofthewinners,shiningaspotlightontheir achievementsandcontributionstotheindustry.

Thethreeregionalwinnersfromeachcategory, alongwiththeFRDAfinalists,willadvance totheNewZealandDairyIndustryAwards NationalFinal,wheretheultimatewinners willbeannouncedinMtMaunganuion Saturday,May10.

WaikatoRegionalManagerNicolavanDorstn describestheregionalawardsdinnersasatrue celebration—notjustforthewinners,butfor everyoneinvolved.

“Theregionaldinnersaren’tonlyabout recognisingthewinnersandotherfinalists,” saysNicola.“They’realsoafantasticopportunity toconnect,network,andsocializewithlikemindedpeoplewhoshareapassionforthe dairyindustry.”

Sheemphasizestheimportanceoftheeventfor

2024 Central Plateau Dairy Trainee of the Year Jessie Pope

Shewouldliketobea2IC for1-2years,thengraduate tocontractmilkingorshare farming,withfarmownership theultimategoal.

“Dairyingismypassion,” saysJessie.“Youmustfinda balancebetweenfeedingand milkproduction.It’sareal hands-onjob.”

Sheiscurrentlyundertaking PrimaryIndustryTraining Organisation(ITO)training, withmonthlyclasses.

AftercompletingLevel3, Jessieisnowworkingonthe Level4programme.

Jessiegrewuponafarminthe KingCountry,runningsheep,

beefanddeer,whereherfather workedfor22years.

Attendingboardingschoolin Marton,shewas“alwaysput toworkoverthesummers”, helpingoutwithdrenchingand yard-work.

Aftercompletingsecondary school,Jessiehadagapyear in2012whichincluded volunteeringforninemonths atabraininjuryrehabilitation centreinEngland.

OnherreturntoNew Zealand,shebeganahealth sciencesdegreeatOtago University,butafterayear changedtoanimalsciences. Jessiethenshiftedtothe

NorthIsland,livingwithher sisterinPalmerstonNorth, workingforLIC(Livestock ImprovementCorporation) andNZPost.

VetNurse

Stayinginthesamecity, Jessiestudiedfortwoyearsat Polytechandattainedavet nursingdiploma.

Withthisqualificationshe headedtoDannevirkeandtook upapositionasavetnurse.

“Ilovedit,”saysJessie. “Itwasbrilliant.”

However,Covidintervened, andshewasforcedtoleavethe roleafterfiveyears.

celebrateinnovationand achievement

acknowledgingthecontributionsofvolunteers andsponsors.

“Thesedinnersprovideachancetothank theincrediblevolunteersandsponsorswhose invaluablesupporthelpsmaketheAwards possible.Theirdedicationtotheentrantsandthe widerindustryistrulysomethingtocelebrate.”

NewZealandDairyIndustryAwardsGeneral ManagerRobinCongdonbelievesenteringone oftheAwardcategoriesisoneofthebestways forindividualstoenhancetheirprofile,build theirreputation,andgainvaluableinsightsto advancetheircareersinthedairyindustry.

“Thefeedbackwereceivefromentrantsis overwhelminglypositive,”Robinshares.

“Manyexpresshowmuchthey’velearned throughouttheprocessandhowgladtheyareto haveparticipated.”

HeemphasisesthatenteringtheAwardsis alife-changingexperience.“It’sajourneyof discovery—abouttheindustry,yourbusiness, andyourselfasafarmer.”

Visitwww.dairyindustryawards.co.nzformore information.

So,herattentionturnedto dairying.

Jessiesays,whilelivingin Dannevirke,shehadtackledsome reliefmilkingonherbrother-inlaw’sdairyfarminthearea. Herfirstdairyingjobwasat Rerewhakaaitu,whereshe hasremained.

Jessiesaysthisisafamily farm,withtheowner’sson contractmilking.

Sheisoneoftwootherstaff, includinga2IC.

Herroleasfarmassistantincludes lookingaftercalves,grazingyoung stock,andanimalhealth.

Jessiesayssheisexcitedaboutthe

advancesintechnologyinthedairy industry,andalltheinformation availabletofarmers,especiallyin termsofanimalhealth.

“Ihopetobeabletowork withthistechnologyonedaywith myowncows,tobeabletogive themthebestsupportandcarethey canget,sotheycanperformat theirpeak.”

Shethoroughlyrecommendsthe DairyIndustryAwards’programme andwhatithasmeantforhercareer. “I’mreallyproudofhowmuch I’velearnt,asit’sallowedmetotake onmoreresponsibilityon-farmand gainmoreconfidenceinmyself.”

024 Central Plateau winners: Dairy Trainee of the Year Jessie Pope, left, Share Farmers of the Year Sarah and Paul Koopal, and Dairy Manager of the Year Ben Purua

Cancersurvivor’sfarmingjourney

ApastDairy IndustryAwards’ winnerandcancer survivorishelping organisethis year’sevent.

MattMacdonald,the 2024WaikatoDairy ManageroftheYear, hasbeenbusyas“team leader”inthesame categoryforthe2025 edition.

Thishasinvolved gettingentrants“on board”andhelping themwiththeirrequired presentations.

“It’sjourneyingwith them,”saysMatt.

Heisalsoservingonthe WaikatoDairyIndustryAwards organisingcommitteewhichhas runeventsforentrantsincludinga recentquiznightinCambridge.

The26-year-oldmanages hisparents’74hadairyfarm running255cowsatGordonton, nearHamilton.

Farmanalysis

MattsaystheDairy IndustryAwards’programme sawhimthoroughlyanalyse hisfarmmanagementand financialpractises.

“Iwasabletodelvedeeperinto informationonproductionand pasturefigures.”

Thisresultedinchangesto aspectsofhisrolerelatingto springpasturemanagement andsupplements,whilealso identifyingasoilproblemsolved viaafertiliserplanandresulting inincreasedpasturegrowth.

Mattalsopursuedagreateruse oftechnologyonthefarm,using datamarsmartcollarstomonitor heatandhealtheventswhich helpedhimachievebettermating performanceandconceptionrates.

Hands-on

ontocompleteaBachelorof AgriculturalSciencedegreeat MasseyUniversity,majoringin agriculture,supportedbyathreeyearDairyNZscholarship.

“Ifiguredthatthedegreeprovided asafetynetincaseIcouldn’t continuewithfarming,”saysMatt. Afterfinishinghisdegree,he regainedthestrengthandenergy forfarmwork.

Hespenttwoseasonsat DairyNZ’sScottFarm,near Hamilton,beforereturningto managethefamilyfarmowned byhisparentsDavidandJenny Macdonald.

pastachievements,farmhistory, keyfarmfactsaboutthebusiness, andbothfarmandpersonalgoals. Nextcameatourofthe cowshed,theherd,apaddockand theeffluentsystem.

“Eachtopichadtobediscussed indepthwiththejudgeson howIwasmanagingeachaspect ofthefarmsystemandhow mydecisionswereinfluencing outcomes,”saysMatt.

Hewasalsoquestionedaboutany environmentalandtechnological innovationsonthefarm.

Meritawards

“Iliaisewithdadoverall thedecisionssuchaspasture, breeding,feedingandother daytodayactivities,”hesays.

Mattsayshethoroughlyenjoys boththephysicalaspectof workingoutsidewithanimalsand thesciencebehindpastureand gettingmilkintothevat.

Growinguponthefamilyfarm, hewashands-onfromtheoutset. Planstostartfarmingwere initiallyhaltedafterhewas diagnosedwithHodgkin lymphomawhilestillat secondaryschool.

“Ialwayshavelotsofideasand he’sreallygoodatlettingmetry newthings.”

Mattsayshe“didn’tknowmuch” abouttheDairyIndustryAwards butwasencouragedtoenterby aformerWaikatowinner AndrewMacky.

Mattsaysthebloodcancerin hischestandneckrequireda stemcelltransplantandradiation treatment,leavinghimwith significantfatigueandneeding recoverytime.

Despitethesesetbacks,hewent

ForhisentryMatthadto prepareapresentationtothe judgesonfarmincludingpasture andfeed;livestock;peopleand personal;environmental;and innovation.Healsohadtocover

“Beingpartofthebackboneof NewZealandandprovidingfood andfibretotheworldisawesome.” Mattalsovaluesworkingwith knowledgeablepeopleinthe industryandlearningfromthem. Heseestechnologyasan importantpartofthefutureof dairyfarmingbutbelievesthatthe successoftheindustrydependson itsaffordabilityandkeepingpast andfuturefarmersupskilled.

Onecouple’swinningchoice

WinningaDairyIndustryAward vindicatedadecisiontochangefarming practisesforaKingCountrycouple.

SophiaClarkandAaronMills,whoclaimed the2024BayofPlentyShareFarmerofthe Yeartitle,havetakentheironce-a-daymilking programmetoaKingCountryproperty.

FromJune1lastyeartheyhavebeenina 50/50contractona250hapropertynear Taumarunuimilking760cows.

Thisfollowedfouryearsinasimilar50/50 arrangementona160ha,540-cowdairyfarm atPaengaroa,nearTePuke.

Onfarmchallenges

Sophiasaystheyswitchedtoonce-a-day milkinginthe2023-24seasonascostswere getting“outofcontrol”onfarm.

Thisincludedstaffexpenses,electricityand animalhealth.

ThemovetoOADbroughtthembackinline to“normal”intheBayofPlenty.

“Itwasjustgettingoutrageous,”saysSophia.

ThePaengaroapropertyhada37-a-side herringboneand,duetothelayoutofthefarm, thereweresomelongwalkswhichextendedthe milkingtime.

SophiaandAaronalsofounditchallengingto buildagoodteamwhenmilkingtwice-a-day, sofeltthatOADaddedappealandhelpswith staffrecruitmentandretention.

“Wewerecompetingwithjobslikedriving forkliftsinthe(kiwifruit)packhouses,which isaloteasierthanmilkingcows,andtheshifts canbemoreappealing.”

IntheirfirstseasonofOADmilkingthey achievedtheproductiontargetstheyhadset forthemselves.

Ano-brainermove

ShesaysthemovetoTaumarunuiwill hopefullyhelpthemachievetheirgoalof “wantingscale”whilenotincurringthehigh costoffarmlandintheBayofPlentyand Waikato.Milkingina44-a-sideherringbone shed,theyemploytwofull-timeanda part-timestaffmember.Sophiasaysmilk productionthroughtoFebruarywasonly sixpercentbehindwhatwasachievedon thepropertylastseasonwhentheherdwas milkedtwice-a-day.

Anequitypartnershiponthesamefarm isbeinglookedatastheirnextstepindairy farming.ThecouplehadenteredtheDairy IndustryAwardspreviously,butAaronwas sufferingabackinjurysothey“didn’tgiveita fullcrack”.

“Youonlygetoutofitwhatyouputin,” saysSophia.Forthe2024awardsthey“put moreeffortin”.

“Wehadabitmoretimetodevotetothe awards,”saysSophia.

Theytookonboardfeedbackfromthejudges inthefirstroundofthecompetitionand “switchedourpresentationup”.Winning wasa“massivesurprise”,saysSophia.

Enteringtheawardsgavethecouplean opportunitytobenchmarktheirbusiness, notbecomecomplacentaboutcostsand encouragedthemtodoa“deepdive”intothe farmasawhole.

“Weseethefutureofdairyingasvery exciting,”saysSophia.

Thecouple’sbackground

GrowingupnearWhakatāne,shestudied atLincolnUniversity,gainingaBachelor ofCommerceinAgriculturemajoringin plantproductionscienceandagricultural management.

AaronMillsentereduniversitystudyafter finishingsecondaryschool,beginningwith veterinarysciencethenswitchingtoapplied science,majoringinagriculture.

AftertwoyearsheheadedtotheUnited Statestodrivecombineharvestersthroughthe grainseason.HegrewupinSouthTaranaki, withhisgrandparentsowningadairyfarm.

“Idecideddairyfarmingwasagoodoption,” hesays.Securingafarmmanager’srolenear Pātea,Aaronsayshehada“crashcourse”in dairyfarming.

HemovedtoCambridgeaftertwoseasons, intoalow-orderrolewhichexpandedto responsibilityfor800cows.

ItwasduringthistimethatAaronmetSophia ClarkwhowaslivinginŌtorohanga.

Togethertheyembarkedona50/50 sharemilkingrolewitha250-cowherdnear Matamata,wheretheyspentfourseasons beforemovingtoPaengaroa.

Familyandfuture

Sophiasaystheylovedtheopportunityand enjoyedlearningmoreaboutfarmingon rollingcontourandadifferentsoiltype.

AswellastheshifttoKingCountrylastyear,

AaronMillsandSophiaClarkonthefarm.

AaronandSophianowhaveseven-month-old Jane,asisterforfour-year-oldClaire. SophiasayssheandAaronusetheirfamily andcreatingafuturefortheirchildrenas motivators.“Ourvisionis‘enjoyingthe journey’whichmeansenjoyingourcowsand enjoyingwhatwedo.”Thewinningcouple wouldliketoseesomeolderfarmowners changetheirmindsettohelpretainyoung peopleintheindustry.

“Weweregivensomuchmentorshipand assistanceintoourfirstherdfromalarge-scale business,andwewillbeforevergrateful.

“IwishIcouldshowyoungpeoplestudying businessthatdairyisaviableoptionand sharemilkingisaviableframeworkforbuilding anasset,”saysSophia.

Effluent&irrigation Feedsystems Frostprotection Animalhealth Detergent Rubberware&Consumable Trenchingservice

32McAlisterStreet,Whakatāne Phone(07)3070766

Email:admin.whakatane@thinkwater.co.nz www.thinkwater.co.nz/whakatane

ServicingtheBayfor over26years

HowlongdoesittaketosubdividelandinNZ?

SubdividinglandinNew Zealandisadetailedprocess thatrequirescarefulplanning, adherencetolegalrequirements, andcollaborationwith variousprofessionals. Whetheryouareahomeowner lookingtomaximiseyourproperty’s potentialorafarmerkeentocreate additionallots,understanding thetimelineisessential.Whileno subdivisionfollowsanidenticalpath, severalkeystepsdeterminehowlong theprocesswilltake.

Understanding Subdivisioninvolvesdividinga singleparceloflandintoseparate lots,eachwithitsownlegaltitle.The

processisgovernedbytheResource ManagementAct1991(RMA)and localdistrictplans,whichoutline specificrequirementsthatmustbe met.Sinceregulationsvaryacross councils,consultinglocalauthorities andengagingexpertsearlyoncan helpstreamlinetheprocess.

Theprocess

Thefirststepinanysubdivisionis conductingafeasibilityassessment, whichtypicallytakesoneto threemonths.Duringthisphase, professionalsassesszoningregulations, districtplans,andsiteconstraints. Itisessentialtoinvolveaspecialist subdivisioncompanytoevaluate thepotentialfordevelopmentand uncoveranyunforeseenchallenges. Awell-conductedfeasibilitystudycan

helppreventcostlydelays laterintheprocess.

Theresourceconsent applicationphaseisoften themosttime-consuming, takinganywherefrom threemonthstoovera year.Theapplicationmust includedetailedplans, environmentalimpact reports,andassessments ofinfrastructure requirements.Councils reviewthesedocuments inaccordancewith localdistrictplansand theRMA.Ifadditional reportsarerequestedor publicobjectionsarise, delaysarelikely.

planningasubdivision.

Expectedtimelines

Whileasimpletwo-lot subdivisionmaybecompleted within12to18months,larger projectsinvolvingsignificant infrastructureorenvironmental considerationscanextendwell beyondtwoyears.

Onceresourceconsent isgranted,thefocus shiftstocompliance andinfrastructure development.Roads, drainage,andessential utilitiesmustbeinstalled

inaccordancewithcouncil regulations,ensuringthateach newlotmeetsrequiredstandards. Thisstagecanvarysignificantly induration,spanninganywhere fromthreetoeighteenmonths, dependingonthescaleand complexityofthesubdivision.Site inspectionsandfinallandsurveys areconductedtoconfirmadherence totheapprovedplans.

Thefinalstageinvolvesobtaining councilcertificationandregistering thenewtitleswithLandInformation NewZealand(LINZ).Thisstep generallytakesonetosixmonths, markingthecompletionofthe subdivisionprocess.Oncethenew titlesareissued,thenewlycreatedlots canbesoldordeveloped.

Goodthingsdotaketime,andas realestatemarketsfluctuategood timingcanmeanthatyourtitlesare readyinarisingmarket.Planning ahead,engagingexperienced professionals,andmaintaining realisticexpectationscanhelp ensureasmoothprocess.

Ifyouarethinkingofsubdividing, contactustodaytotalktomeabout allthingssubdivision.

Gettingthroughprovesapopularread

Morethan5000copiesofFarmstrong’sGetting Throughbookhavebeendistributedaround thecountrysofar.Withanother5000 printed,Farmstrongishittingsome ofthecountry’sRegionalField Daystodistributetheresource evenfurther.

accompanyingwebsite)includesatoolkitof mentalskillsanddailyhabitsdesignedto helppeoplemanageworkload,stress andpressure.

GettingThrough,was officiallylaunchedin Novemberandfeatures thestoriesofmorethan20 farmers,growersandindustry leaders.Theirstorieswere capturedfollowingthecyclones andfloodsof2023andthe bookdiscusseswhatittakestoget throughsevereweatherevents.

TheGettingThroughbook(and

FarmstrongProgramme DirectorGerardVaughansaid theuptakeofthebookhad beenveryencouragingand demonstratedhowmuchthe ruralcommunityvaluedthe wisdomandexperienceof otherfarmersandgrowers. Freecopiesofthebook canberequestedviaemailing info@farmstrong.co.nz Formoreinformationvisit: https://gettingthrough.farmstrong. co.nz/

Afarmerandsurveyor

Harry Gaddum working on the farm

Farmerconfidencecontinuingtorise

Despitemostfarmersaroundthecountry experiencingadrysummer,itislooking relativelyrosy,andthemoodhasdefinitely changedinthelastyear.

ThisperceptionwasconfirmedwithFederated Farmers’recentfarmerconfidencesurveywhich showsthishasrisentoitshighestlevelin10years. Itisgreattohavepositivityagainwithinthe farmingindustry.Longmayitcontinue! Thisconfidenceisduetomost factorspointingtowardsan improvingpositionforfarmers.Prices fordairyandbeefremainsteadyat elevatedprices.Therewasasmall 0.6%dipintheGlobalDairyTrade (GDT)heldonFebruary18,but thiswasprecededbya3.7%increase on4Februaryanda1.4%increase onJanuary21.Intermsofbeef,at thestartofFebruaryIsoldourlast handfuloftwo-year-oldangusheifers andwaspleasedtoget$7.10perkg carcassweight.

Thereareonlyacoupleofnegatives.One isthatwehaveseenarecentliftinfertiliser prices,althoughthishadtobeexpected withthedropintheNewZealanddollar. Theotheristhatfarmerswilllikelyhaveto payalotmoretaxthisyear!

Changingenvironment

Interestratesareanotherimportantfactor, particularlytotheheavilyindebteddairyindustry.

OCRcut

OnFebruary19,theReserveBankofNew ZealanddroppedtheOfficialCashRateby50bps to3.75%aswidelyexpectedbutnotedthatthey werenowlookingatloweringtheOCRquicker thanpreviouslyprojectedduetoaslowergrowing economyandriskthattheeconomicrecovery willtakelonger.Talkingaboutrecovery,Ithink therecoveryintheNewZealandeconomyis goingtobedrivenbythereturnsgeneratedinthe agriculturalsector.

Inmid-FebruaryIdrovethrough Mangakinotocatchupwithsomeclients andseeformyselftheeffectsof thedryconditionsthere.Aswell asbeingexceptionallydry,what struckmewashow,withinashort distance,theconditionsimproved quickly.HereintheBayofPlenty wehavebeenluckytohave receivedareasonableamount ofrainthroughthesummerto keepthingsgoingwith229mls recordedinPaengaroasince December1.

Withthestartofautumnandrain startingtoreturn,farmersneedtobe watchingoutforincreasingsporecountsandFacial Eczemainanimals.Ensuringanimalsaregetting therightamountofzincisimportant. Fromafeedsupplyperspective,weareinan interestingposition.Comingoutoflastyear mostfarmerswerecarryingalargeamountof supplement.However,duetothedrought-like conditionsexperiencedinmanypartsofthe WaikatoandTaupoareas,combinedwiththehigh dairypayout,manyhavechewedthroughthisand nowthecupboardsarelookingbare.PKEstocks havebeenruntosuchalowlevelthatfarmershave

HIFLOPumpsisthelargestGrundfosPumpdealerin NewZealandandoperatesinAuckland,Rotoruaand Tauranga.Wecarryalargerangeofpumps,spares,and dosingunitsthatwillminimizeyourdowntimeinthe eventofanemergency.Wealsooffera24houron-call servicewhennecessary.Surfacepumps,borehole pumps,dosingpumps,domesticpumps,andfiltration.

HiFloPumps&IrrigationLtd

• 72OldTaupoRd,Rotorua.Ph073487516

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hadtowaitforshipstoarrivein portbeforebeingallowedtouplift product,andspotpricesarerising. Inthelastcoupleofweekswhat maizesilagewasavailablehasquickly beingsnappedup.Westillhavea supplyonhandthatwillotherwise

betakenforgrain.Maizesilage isgreatforextendinglactationso ifyouareinterestedingettinga quoteforsome,oranyotherquality supplementaryfeed,pleasegetin touch.Ifitcontinuestostaydry priceswillonlyliftfurther.

Isittoogoodtobetrue?

Theoldsayingthat,if somethingsoundstoogood tobetrue,itprobablyis,can onlybevalidwhenthere isanexception.

Backinthe1950’swhenthefirst batchesofsuperphosphatewere producedheretheresultsprovided aquantumshiftinperformance. Thereasonforthatisoursoilsback intheearlydaysofdevelopment containedlowlevelsofboth

phosphorusandsulphur. Superphosphatewas madebyreacting phosphaterockwith sulphuricacidresulting inaproductcontaining 11%sulphurand9% phosphorus.

Lowfertilityhill countrywastransformed withcloverandhigher fertilitygrassesproviding anincreaseinfeedthat allowedmanymore

animalstobefarmed.

Today,withhigherthan maintenanceinputs forover50years,the continuedregular applicationof‘super’ basedproductsarenow largelyjustifiedonwhat couldhappenwhere applicationstobewithheld. There’sgooddata indicatingthatannual pastureproductionis decliningandthereasons forthisarelikelytovaryin differentregions.

Unfortunately,withinsufficient fundstosupportlong-term researchthosereasonsmaytake timetobeidentified,however, therearewaysforwardthatare becomingincreasinglyobvious.

Weatheredsoils

Regular applications over time areessentialforoptimumsoil performanceparticularlywhen accompaniedwithmagnesium.

Magnesiumisanessential growthelementhoweverisbest knownforitspositiveeffecton lactatinganimalsespeciallyhigh performingdairycows.

Calciumandmagnesiumwork togetherwithcalciumbeinga significantcomponentofboth milkandbone.

y years and every farmer I’vve been incontactwithoverthelastthirty yearsappreciatesitseffectiveness. Itcontains11.5%magnesium and24%calciumandthereis onlyonedepositinthecountry. Beingsomewhatdistantfrom intensivedairyregionstherehas beenaconcernregardingthecost ofcartage.

Annualapplication

Soilsweatherovertimewith anongoinglossofminerals. Eventually,theyfindtheir wayintooceansandwithland movement,becomecompacted andavailableformining.

Highqualitylimeinthe Hawke’sBayisoldshelldeposits thatwithgrindingreleasecalcium alongwithamyriadofminor elementswhenappliedtoland.

Calciumistheelement responsibleforstrongandvigorous earthwormactivityaccompaniedby otherbeneficialsoillifeincluding fungiandbacteria.

Theimportanceof magnesium

Magnesiumallowscalciumto bereleasedfrombonebothprior toandafterlambingandcalving markedlyreducingtheincidence ofrelatedmetabolicdisorders inspring.

Havinganaturalproduct availablethatmeetsanimals’ requirementsduringthebusy springperiodgreatlyreducesboth theworkloadofstaffaswellasthe concernsofownersandstaff. GoldenBaydolomitehasbeen appliedtopropertiesformany

However,withanannual applicationrateof220kg/ hathetransportcomponent, whencomparedtowidelyused magnesiumproductsfromthe othersideoftheworld,compares favourably.

Applyingaslightlyheavierrate tolandthathasbeendamaged byheavytreadingreducespasture pullingandthecostofrenewal. Becauseofthesteadyreleaseover twelvemonthsdolomitecanbe appliedatanytimeoftheyear. Autumnisidealasitenhances animalhealthandrobustnessover autumnandwinterintimeforthe demandsofspring.

Unique NZ pasture.

TNLan“earthworks-driven”project

Constructionofthe TakitimuNorthLinkstage oneisatthehalfwaypoint.

Sofar,1,500,000cubicmetres ofdirthavebeenlifted,andfour outof10bridgeshave beencompleted.

Thedevelopmentis“exciting news”fortheregion,Bayof PlentyMPTomRutherfordsays.

“OurGovernment’srenewed focusisondrivingeconomic growthwhereverwecan–and weknowthatthisprojectwill dojustthat,reducingtravel timeandboostingproductivity,” Rutherfordsaid.

Drivingtime

Oncecompleted,theTakitimu NorthLinkstageonewillsave driversanaverageoftwoto threeminutesduringpeakhour trafficperday,saysTauranga MPSamUffindell.

“Weknowthatthosewholive inandtravelthroughourregion willbethrilledwiththeprogress ofthisvitalroadofnational significance.Whencompleted,it willunlockeconomicgrowthand improveproductivity,”saysSam.

Cranepadsarebeing constructedattheintersection ofStateHighway2and15th Avenue,andpilingwillsoon begintobuildthenewbridge connection.

Dividedintotwostages,the firstfocusedontheroadbetween TaurangatoTePunaandsecond fromTePunatoŌmokoroawith 13.8kmofroadconstructed.

NewZealandTransportAgency WakaKotahiactingregional managerofinfrastructuredelivery

forWaikatoandBayofPlenty DarrylCoaltersaysTakitimu NorthLinkstageonewillsupport economicgrowth,improve resilience,accessandsafety,and providegreatertraveloptions.

Theworksincludethe constructionof10bridge structures,3millioncubic metresofearthworks,19 culverts,eight-streamdiversions, andsevenwetlands,hesaid.

“Workcontinuesatseveral otherlocationson-sitewith remainingbridgesunder constructionatSmithsFarm, WairoaAwa(River),and MindenGully.AtSH2Loop Rd,alargeculvertisbeing constructed.”

Earthworksproject Ithasprimarilybeenan earthworks-drivenproject witharound3,000,000m3of earthworksincomplexand variedsoilsshifted,saysDarryl.

“Weatherhasahugeeffecton theprogrammeandsoitisthe earthworksthathasdriventhe constructiontimeline–especially duringtherecord-breakingwet 2022and2023season.”

Theprojectcangenerallyonly countonaround100daysof earthworkseachyeardueto theinabilitytodrythewetfill materialenoughtocompactit, saysDarryl.

TakitimuNorthLinkstageone isestimatedtocost$884million andiscurrentlyestimatedtobe completedin2028.

Thestageoneprojectwill createemploymentforaround 4500peopleoveritsduration, peakingataround250people onthejobatanytime.

Itisbeingbuilttohighsafety standards,ensuringbettersafety fortravellersintheWesternBay ofPlenty.

“Safetyfeaturesthatgreatly reducetheriskofdeathor

seriousinjuryinacrashincludetwo lanesineachdirection,roadsideand themedianbarrierbetweenopposing lanes,agrade-separatedinterchange, andasmoothalignmentthatoffers goodsightdistancefordrivers,” saysDarryl.

Stagetwoisworkingtowardsbeing constructionreadybyend2027. Formoreinformationvisit https://www.nzta.govt.nz/projects/ sh2-waihi-to-tauranga-corridor/ takitimu-north-link/stage-2-te-punato-omokoroa/orStage1:Tauranga toTePuna|NZTransportAgency WakaKotahi

ThenewMindenGullybridge. Photo/supplied

Embracingtechnologyto future-proofavocadogrowing

Wehaavesaiditbefore, and we e willsayitagain–wecann’texpectdifferent outcommesifwekeepdoing the e samethings.

Withthe e risingcostsof productioon,advancements in technollogyanddifferent productioonmethodscanhelp growersstayahead.Technology isakeyleverthatcanenable moreaccuratedecision-making andimprovementsinefficiency, supportingcostreductionand productivity.

Technology

Forlargerorchards, technology-drivensolutions canmakeasignificantimpact. Avoworks,ourKatikati-based avocadoorchardmanagement andservicesbusiness,has adoptednewsoftware-based managementtoolsoverthepast 12to24monthstoimprove efficiencyonorchardsthey manageof20hectaresormore. Dronephotographyandsensing technologyhelpidentifytrees thatexceedthedesiredheight, allowingmanagerstoassess pruningneeds.Thistechnology alsoshowstreehealthand floweringintensity,allowing managerstoseethedataacross theentireorchardonascreen. Thishelpsdeterminewhether treesareinan‘on’or‘off’year, informingcrucialmanagement decisions.Othertechnologies trackfruitsizingovertime, providingforecaststhatenable

timelyinterventions.These innovationsallowforthe efficientcollectionoforchard datatosupportbetterandmore timelydecision-making. Forsmallerorchards, investinginsubscription-based monitoringtechnologymay notbejustifiable,butsimple adjustmentsinorchardpractices canstillleadtocostsavings. Forinstance,improvingthe efficiencyoffertiliserapplication throughtestingandtracking offertiliserprogrammesand actualapplicationorensuring goodspraypenetrationthrough pruningcanenhanceorchard performance.

Harvestandtreehealth

Wehaveledthechargeon earlierharvestfortreehealthand marketdevelopmentreasons.In ourassessmentofotherareasthat couldbenefitfromimprovement, wearetriallingsnappickingto increaseharvestefficiency.Our initialtrialshowedimproved efficiencyinpicking,butthere

arepostharvestimplicationsto manage.Guidelinesonwhenthis methodwillbebeneficialneed toberefinedtoensureoptimal results.Byunderstandingthese factors,weaimtointegratesnap pickingasanotheroptionforcost reduction.

Thegrowingstructureofour orchardsisanotherareawe wanttoexplore.Weregularly seedatafromthepackhouse thathighlightstheefficiency challengesofharvestingfrom tallertrees.Forexample,ground pickingmayresultina70-80% packoutrate,butthisdrops to50-55%whenusinga6m ladder,andfurtherdeclinesto 30%at8mheights.Suchdata reinforcesthepotentialbenefits ofimprovedorchardstructures thatfacilitateeasierharvesting, bettershelter,andenhanced fruitqualitymanagement.One approachbeingtrialledbysome growersis2Dgrowing,more commonlyknownasespalier onwires.DarlingGrouphas initiatedatrialwithinablockin Katikatiandplanstoconverta smallorchardtothissystemto evaluateitseffectiveness.

Innovationisanexcitingspace –onethatDarlingGroupis knownfor–andwewelcome discussionsonnewtechnology. Weencourageallgrowersto remainopentoexploring innovationsthatcould helpmitigaterisingcosts, improvefruitquality,and ultimatelysupportamore sustainablefuture.

Passionmeetsavo–onesmartstrategy

AKatikaticouplewho’veowned anavocadoorchardforjust fiveyearsare‘branchingout’ withcleversolutionstosurvive marketdownturns.

AlistairNivenandCarolPalmer flippedtheirlivesfromcorporate city-dwellerstohands-onorchardists, afteran‘a-ha’momentwhilesitting onthedeckoftheir12thfloor AucklandapartmentduringCovid.

“Wewerethinking,thisreally isn’ttheidealplacetobe,”recalled Alistair.Itwasaconversationabout avocadosthatsparkedanideaand beforetheyknewit,theywere headingsouthtoKatikati,theheart ofavocadocountry,withnoidea whattheyweregettinginto.

“Wedidn’tknowagoodavocado fromabadone.Allweknewwas avocadoontoast.”

Alistair’sbackgroundinagriculture meanthehitthegroundrunning.

Realisation

ForCarol,though,thechange wasprofound.“Ispentmycareer incorporateleadershiproles.This isahugelifestylechange,butIlove it.Thefreshair,thesoundsofthe birdsandcicadas–it’sincredibly grounding.

“Alistairalwaysaskswhatpodcast I’mlisteningto,buthonestly,I’m

justlisteningtonature.”

Thecouplesoonrealisedthe realityofworkinginthehorticulture sectorandrunninganorchard presentedchallenges.

“Whenwefirststartedgrowing avocados,weweregetting$37per exporttray,”saidAlistair.“The followingtwoyears,adverseclimatic eventsmeantwegotdowntosingle figures.Thisyear,we’reexpecting around$20.It’snerve-wracking,not knowingwhatthemarketwillbring.”

Theuncertaintyoftheavocado marketledthemtogetcreative.

“Wehiteverymarketpossible. We’redeterminedourfruitisthe highestqualitysoitcanbeexported.”

Thisyeartheirfruitwasexportedto Australia,SouthKoreaandTaiwan.

“Lastyear,Costcocametoinspect theorchard,”saidAlistair.“Now, we’resupplyingthemwithavocados. Wealsosupplythelocalmarkets throughApata.It’sgreattoknow we’repartofsomethingbiggerand thatourfruitisgoingeverywhere.”

Incomeanddiversity

Tosupplementtheirorchardincome, theydecidedtoplant100passionfruit vinesalongsidetheavocados.

“Passionfruitloveahumid, shelteredarea,sotheavocadotrees areprotectingthem,”saidAlistair. “Whenwespray,thebugsare different,butthesamechemicalskill

them,andthefertilisersworktogether.Weusea lotofseaweedwhichworksreallywellforthem andcopper,sothefruittreesarecomplimentary. Thepassionfruitprovideasecondaryincome,but theavocadosarehelpingthepassionfruittogrow.”

“It’satestandwe’restilllearningbutsofarit’s workingwell,”saidCarol.“Thevinescanturnvery quickly,though,soI’malwayscheckingthebacks oftheleavestoseeifthereareanybugsonthem.”

Adaptability

Thecouplehadlearnedtorollwiththepunches, especiallywhentheweatherdoesn’tcooperate.

“WehadabrutalwindstorminDecember 2023,anditdevastatedalotoforchardsinthe region,”saidAlistair.“Theresultwasthisyear, ourbestexportpackoutacrosstheBayofPlenty was60%,andsomeorchardswereaslowas20%. It’stough,especiallywhenthatdirectlyimpacts exportsandtheexportreturn.Theweathermaybe unpredictable,butthat’shorticultureforyou,”said Carol.“Youcan’tcontroleverything.”

Beingactivemembersofdiscussiongroups, workshopsandfielddaysrunbyApataandNZ

CarolPalmerinher passionfruitvines.

Avocadoensurethecoupleareconstantlysoaking upthelatestresearchandbestpractices.

“We’veevenhostedfielddaysonourorchard,” saidAlistair.“Wehadanumberofpeopleshowup toourfieldday,andit’samazinghowmuchyou canlearnfromfresheyes.”

Now,whenthey’renotintheorchard,Alistair worksatApataGrowerServicesandCarolwas electedtotheboardofNZAvocadoin2023. “You’vegottolookoutsideyoursquareandbe adaptable,”saidAlistair.

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

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

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

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

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

CarolPalmerandAlistairNivenontheiravocado orchardnearKatikati. Photos:DebbieGriffiths

RubyRedvolumesexpectedtodouble

Morethanthreemilliontrays, or10,800tonnesofZespri RubyRedkiwifruitwillbe availablethisseason,withits berry-liketasteavailableforthe firsttimeinanumberof excitingnewmarkets.

TheRubyRedharvestinNew Zealandhasbegun,withaforecasted largeincreaseinvolumetoMainland Chinatomorethanonemilliontrays, or3500tonnes,andafurtherone milliontraystoJapan.

Itwillalsobeavailableforthefirst timethisseasoninthePhilippines,

Indonesia,Thailandandthe PacificIslands.

popularfruitwillalsobeback inNewZealand,HongKong, SingaporeandMalaysia,aswell asourexcitingnewmarkets.”

helpingtoattractnewand youngerconsumerstothe kiwifruitcategory.

Unique

CEOJasonTeBrakesaidit’s anexcitingtimewithvolume doublingcomparedwithlast seasonwhichisgreatnewsfor consumerswholoveitssweet berrytaste,vibrantredflesh colourandthehealthbenefits deliveredbyitshighcontent ofantioxidants.

Morevolume

“Withharvestunderway,Zespri RubyRedKiwifruitwillsoonbe availableinmostsupermarkets andfruitandvegetablesstores acrossAsiaPacific.

“ThThere’lll be more RubyRed volumeinourcoremarkets ofMainlandChina,Taiwan, Japan and South Korea and the

ZespriRubyRedKiwifruit isthelatestvarietytocome throughZespri’skiwifruit breedingprogramme,in partnershipwithPlant&Food Research,with2025marking thefourthyearofcommercial production.

ItisnaturallyhighinVitamin Candcontainsanthocyanins thatarenaturallyoccurring pigmentswithinthefruitgiving thefruititsredcolour.

JasonsaidZespriRubyRed K Kiwifruit has been a popular additionwiththevariety complementingZespri’sGreen and SunGold Kiwifruit and

“We’reseeingstrongdemandfor ZespriRubyRedwhichisunique asit’smoreseasonalthanGreen andSunGold.It’sthefirstvariety toarriveinmarketfromNew Zealandeachseasonandonly availableforuptoeightweeks onceithitssupermarketandfruit andvegetablestoreshelves.

“It’sfantastictoseevolumes rampingupandwecontinueto buildourknowledgeon thevariety.

“ThThe increasing volumes also give ustheopportunity togrowdemand furtherandmax a imisethevaluewe can return for our growers ”

MoreRubyRedkiwifruitissettohitthemarketthisseason.

Investigationsafterfruitflyfind

Abiosecurityoperation isunderwayandextra fieldteamsaretodayin thesuburbofBirkdale,on Auckland’sNorthShore, afterthediscovery y ofa singlemaleOOriental fruit flyinasurveilllance trap in asuburbanbaackyard, says

BiosecurityNNew Zealand Commissioner North MikeIInglis

“Thisisthesamme species of fruitflythatwerespondedto inPapatoetoerecently,butitis tooearlytosaywwhetherthetwo findsarelinked.OOurlabwilldo furtherDNAanaalysisofthefly overthecomingddays.”

Withthislatestdetection, BiosecurityNewZealand ismovingquickly y to lookforanyotheersand eradicatethem.

“Wewillberammpingup trappingandinsppection,with dailychecksina200-metre zonefromtheoriginalfindand checkseverythreedaysina secondzoneoutto1500m.

ourchecksforany otherfruitflies,weneed communityhelptoprevent anypossiblespread.

“Asaprecautionarymeasure, we’llbeputtinglegalrestrictions inplaceonthemovementof f fruit and vegetables out of the area where the fruit fly was found.

“Instructions about these controls and the exact area

willbeouttomorrowproviding peoplewithinformation.

“Youmaynoticeincreased activityintheneighbourhood aswegoaboutinspectionsand trapping.Ourfieldofficersmay asktolookatfruittreeson your property They willalways show you a form of official identification and willonly enter your property withyour permission.”

affectedwillbeissuedtomorrow (Friday)oncewehavecompleted aninitialinvestigation.

“Thecaptureofasingle maledoesnotmeanwehavean outbreak.However,whilewedo

Inthemeantime,weaskthat peoplewholiveandworkin thesuburbnottakeanywhole freshfruitandvegetablesoutof yourproperty.”

Mikesaysbiosecuritystaff

In additionto the field work, BiosecurityNew Zealand is working closelywithinnternational tradingpaartners andGovvernment Industry y Agreement partnersiinthe horticulturalinndustry tominimisetheriiskto NewZealandgroowers andexporters.“ThThere havebeen13incuursionsof differentfruitflyinAAuckland andNorthlandsince1996 andallhavebeensucccessfully eraddicated d thhankkstotheworkof BiosecurityNewZealand,our horticulturepartners,andlocal communitieswhohavestepped uptohelp.

“Backin2019,weresponded tothedetectionoffruitfliesin

threeseparatesuburbsoveraperiod ofseveralmonths,sothisisnot unusual.Wetracedandtrackedin allthreesuburbsandcontinueduntil wewereconfidentwehadeliminated thepest.”

Mikesaysthelatestfind demonstratesthebenefitand effectivenessofMPI’slure-basedfruit flysurveillancetrappingnetworkand thebiosecuritysystem.

“Ourtrappingnetworkinvolves nearly8000trapssetnationwide, andthesearecheckedregularly.

“Bysettingtrapsforthesepest insects,weareabletofindthem early,knowexactlywherethe problemis,andrespondquickly andeffectively.”

Thefruitflyposesnohumanhealth risk,buttherewouldbeaneconomic costtothehorticultureindustryifit wereallowedtoestablishhere.

MikesaysBiosecurityNewZealand hasamongthestrictestcontrolsin theworldfortheimportationoffruit andchecksattheborder.Themost likelywaythatfruitfliescanarrivein NewZealandisonfreshfruit andvegetables.

BiosecurityNewZealandwill provideafurtherupdatetomedia whenneeded.

Toreportsuspectedfindsoffruit fly,callMPI’sPestandDiseases Hotlineon0800809966.

Oriental fruit fly.

NZwildkiwifruit

Wildkiwifruit,nativetoSouthChina,isavigoroushairyclimber. BroughttoNewZealandtobecultivatedforitsfruit,kiwifruitis nowanimportantcommercialcrop.

Theterm‘wild’,inrelationtokiwifruit,meansanykiwifruitvine thathasestablishedbynaturalmeans,oranykiwifruitvinethatis notmanaged:i.e.fruitisnotpickedbyJuly1yearlyandvinesarenot prunedandtieddownby1Octoberyearly.

Wildkiwifruitvinesthathaveestablishedoutsideofcultivationcan formmoundsoftangledstemsupto3metreshighorgrowupand overhosttrees(toover20metresinforestcanopiesinnaturalareas).

Thestarsarealigningforthe kiwifruitindustryinthe BayofPlenty.

“Ifweexecutewell,thereisa solid,reliable,decadeahead,” saysAndrewDunstan,director ofTauranga-basedorchard developmentbusinessSouthern CrossHorticulture.

“Thereisagrowingdemand forkiwifruitatgoodprices,and weneedtofulfilthatdemand,” hesays.

While2022and2023were toughyears,Dunstansaysthe

industrypickedupin2024,and 2025islookingpromising.

Thismeansdemandfor propertiesintheareacovered bythebusinessAucklandto Whakatāne,isstartingtopickup.

Dunstansaysineachofthe peakyearsof2021and2022an averageof100haofneworchards wasdevelopedbySCH.

Thisdroppedto50hain2023 and2024,but80-100hais predictedthisyear.

Dunstansaysthekiwifruit industryneedstogrowatapace whereitcansustainexcellence.

“It’snotaboutpeoplejust throwingmoneyatit,”hesays. “It’saboutbeingthebest,not thebiggest.”

Hesaysfoodisbeing increasinglyseenasmedicine, withkiwifruitoneofthemost nutritiousfruitsontheplanet. Thebusinessandagroupof investmentpartnersboughta 45hadairyfarmatPukehina in2020whichisreadyforits firstpick.

AndrewWilks,regional managerwithSCH,says16ha

Southern Cross Horticulture regional manager Andrew Wilks checking out the first pick at Pukehina

Photos: David Hall

havebeenplantedandthe firstcropwillproduceabout 9000trays.

Asthebalanceofpropertyis convertedtokiwifruit,andthis year’svinesmature,hesaysnext season’syieldismorelikelyto reach17,500trays.

Wonderfulweather Wilkssaysspringwas“almost textbook”forpollination,while summerweatherconditionshave been“veryforgiving”.

SCHisalsodeveloping a40hadairyfarminto akiwifruitorchardat Paengaroa,nearTePuke, foragroupofgrowers.

Buildingof infrastructurewillbegin inApril,whilethefirst plantingwindowwillbe June/July,saysWilks.

NewZealandKiwifruit GrowersIncreports thatthefirstfruitofthe newseasonwaspicked justoutsideEdgecumbe inmid-February,markingthe earliesteverharvest.

“modestincrease”fromlastyear’s record-breakingseasonofmore than190milliontrays.

“Whilemythoughtsarewith thoseTasmanandWhakatāne growerswhoreceivedsignificant haildamageattheendof December,overall,growershave experiencedagreatleadupto theharvestwithidealsunand littlewindtoproduceexcellent kiwifruit,”saysBond.

“Overthelastfewyearsour

intotheBayofPlenty. NewZealand’skiwifruit industryishorticulture’slargest export,withmorethan2800 growerslocatedfromKerikeri toMotueka.

Zesprihasreleaseditsfinal forecastforthe2024/25season, predictingthatstrongdemand andthelargest-evercropwillput thekiwifruitmarketerontrack toexceeditslongstandingtarget of$4.5binglobalrevenue.

ChiefexecutiveColinBond saystheexcitementofthis season’skiwifruitisbeingshared bymostofNewZealand’s growerswhoareexperiencing idealgrowingconditionsto produceplentyofhigh-quality fruit.

Currentanalysisforecastsan “industrymilestone”couldbe reachedthisyear,witharecord cropofjustover200million traysofkiwifruittobeharvested overthecomingmonths.

Bondsaysthiswouldbea

industryhasbeenworking collaborativelytoensureour supplychainisrobustto exportincreasedvolumesand deliverourhigh-qualityfruitto consumersaroundtheworld.”

Nationalimportance

BondsaysthesuccessofNew Zealand’skiwifruitharvestisnot onlyimportantfortheindustry, butthewiderregionsinwhichit isgrown.

Inthe2023/24season, kiwifruitgrowerscontributed some$2.2btothenational economy,with$1.8bcoming

ChiefexecutiveJasonTe Brakesaysforecastpertray returnshavestrengthened fromthelastforecastin Novemberforallfruit categoriesotherthan Green,whichremains inlinewithNovember’s forecast.

Growingconditions havebeen“largely positive”whichhesays whencombinedwith strongdemandhas allowedZespritosella recordcropofmorethan 190milliontraysatstrongvalue forgrowers.

“It’sbeenaverypositive season,”saysTeBrake.“With ourcropvolumesignificantly uponthepreviousyear,the industry’seffortstodelivergood qualityfruithavesupported strongsalesinourkeymarkets.

“Thestrongvaluewe’vesecured onabigcropmeanswewill exceedthetargetsetin2015of reaching$4.5binglobalrevenue by2025.

“Thisisatremendouseffort fromtheindustryandreflects ourcommitmenttobuilding

brand-leddemand,delivering outstandingqualitykiwifruittoour marketsandinnovatingtocreate valueforgrowers.

“There’sastrongsenseofconfidence withintheindustry,andit’sgreatto seegrowerspositiveandtheindustry

movingforwardsostrongly.

“Withapositiveoutlookand strongdemandforourfruit,we’re lookingforwardtothe2025harvest, aswelooktobuildonthestrong momentumtheindustryhas.”

Weareexpertsindesigningandbuilding artificialorchardprotectionstructures andwindbreaksthatallowyourorchard toreachitsfullgrowingpotential.

ArtificialOrchardShelters OverheadCanopies OrchardNetting

SteveEdwards

Growthona kiwifruitvine.

Thefertiliserloadisstoredinfrontandreleased automaticallyusingGPStechnology.

M Majormilestoneforaerialtopdresser

AerialtopdresserJohnBarghgoes the extramiletodothejob,even takinghisFergietractoroutto smoothouthillcountryfarm landingstripstogivehisplane asmootherride.

He hadbeenspreadingfertiliser from theairfornearlyhalfacentury, recentlynotchingupamajor il stone–30,000hoursofflying.

At71,BarghisoneofNew Zealand’sfewremainingowneroperators,andhethinkshe’s probablytheoldeststillflying.

Hepointedoutthehillshe’s topdressedovertheyearstoRNZ’s CountryLifefromhishome overlookingtheSouth Wairarapavalley.

Hisfarmercontactshelpedseehim through,though.

Otherjobs

“Iusedtodoanythingfromrelief milkingcows,tractordriving,truck driving,pruningpinetrees,working inthebackofwoolsheds.”

“Everyfarmyoucan seearoundhere,I’ve topdressedit.”

NewZealand hasbeenatthe forefrontof thetopdressing industry,which tookoffafter theWorldWarII whenex-AirForce pilotsandplaneswere pressedintoserviceto enrichpreviouslymarginal landforfarming.

COSTEFFECTIVERETRACTINGROOFSYSTEM

Canberetrofittedtoexisting concretewoodorblockbins

Uniquespacesavingsectional design

Canvasorsteelcladdingoptions Winchsystemforeasyaccess Keepsfeedorfertiliserdry Kitsetoptionsavailable

Limestone/AgLime

Childhooddream

Johnhadwantedtobecomea topdressingpilotsincehewasa smallboy.

“Myfatherwasalwayskeenon aviation,andhedidn’tdoit.

“SoIgotencouragedfromhim. Iguessit’schallengingtoflyaplane. It’sfreedom.”

Hestartedhiscareerinthe1970s whenNewZealandfarmerswere heavilysubsidised.

“Thefarmershadasubsidytobuy thefertiliser,theyhadasubsidyto helpforthecartage,andasubsidy topayforthespreading,andthey usedtogetSMPs,supplementary minimumprices,fortheirsheep, theirwoolandthelambs.

“Andcashflowforafarmerwasn’t suchaproblemthen,andsoweused tojustgoflatoutallyearround.

“Itwasjusthardoutgoingforit.”

Butthingschangeddrasticallywhen subsidieswereremoved,andJohn andhiswifePennyhadtotakeup otherjobstomakeendsmeet.

“Ihadonefarmersaytomeyears agointhe80s,youwanttotry makingalivingbeingafarmer.

“AndIsaidtohim,youwanttotry makingalivingoutofwhatfarmers havegotleftover.”

Tougheconomictimes recentlyhaveseena similardownturn inthedemandfor John’sservices.

“We’regoing throughthesame kindofthingthat wedidinthe80s. “Thefarmers justhaven’tgotthe money.

“Theytellmethat theywanttoputfertiliser on,butthey’vegotnomoney todoit.”

Despitepricesliftingandinterest ratesdropping,costshavegoneup. Itcostsfarmers$140ahectareto aerialtopdressnowcomparedto $100twoyearsago,saysJohn. “They’restillstruggling,andwe strugglealongwiththem.”

Economicpressures

Incomefromthebusinesshas droppedby65%inthepastyearand he’shadtolethisloaderdrivergo. “Wecouldn’tkeephimonfulltime.Andwearepensioners,sowe’re livingmostlyonthepension.”

Aerialagriculturalworkis notoriouslydangerous,andNew Zealandsawaspikeinaccidentsat theendoflastyear.

Twoyearsago,John’swifePenny, theotherhalfofBarghandGardner Aviation,tookontheroleofsafety managerforthebusiness.

“Thehouseisessentiallyouroffice,” shesaid.“Icanseehimtakingoff, landing.Imean,Ievenwatchsome oftheairstripsfromherewiththe binoculars,andIknowalotofthem becauseI’vebeenthere...allthe quirkinessandallthegoodpointsof things,allthebadpoints.”

“He’saverysafepilot.Hedoesn’t takerisks.”

JohnBarghwithhis

Photo:RNZ/SallyRound

Whhengllobbal l giantsllikke

SyngentaandBayer,and large-scaleNZbusinessessuch asFonterraandSilverFern Farms,startpayingattention toRegenAgriculture,it’sa signthatweatthegrassroots levelmustdolikewise.

Andweare.ButinNZ,perhaps anti-degeneration istheway forward,ratherthan regeneration Letmeexplain.

RegenAgorigins

Academicsourcesstatethat RegenAgoriginatedinthe USAwiththeestablishmentof the‘RegenerativeAgricultural Association’inthe1980sby RobertD.Rodale.Thegoalwas toreversetheharmtothesoil causedbyintensiveagricultural practices.Thedevastatingsoil erosionresultingfromlargescale croppingintheUSMid-West overthelast160yearsisan exampleofthis.

However,forthemostparthere inNZ,oursoilshavenotbeen degeneratedtoanywherenearthe sameextent.

Regenstrategiestoregenerate soilsincludecroprotation, plantingcovercrops,livestock integration,reducingsoil tillage,growingdiversepasture species,andremovingpesticides, herbicidesandnutrientinputs. Thesearemostlyallgood agriculturalpractices,andalotof ourpastoralfarmersalreadyapply severalofthem.

However,whatourNZ farmersseemtobeparticularly interestedinisgrowingdiverse

pasturespecies andchangingthe inputstheyuse. Itisthelatter thatIwantto addresshere.

Nutrients

Oneofthe claimsmade bysomeRegen commentators isthatapplying fertiliserisabadthingandthat farmingdoesn’tneedit!

Thisisclearlyfalse,andscience andexperiencetellsusso.You can’tremoveplantandanimal productsfromthelandwithout returningthenutrientsusedto growthem.It’sasimplesum, really.Ifyoutakesomethingand don’tgiveback,yourunout. However,it’scompletely unnecessarytoharmthe environmentanddegradethe physicalandbiologicalstateof thesoilbyoverusingfertiliseror applyingthewrongproduct.

Anti-degensolutions

Fortunately,solutionsareat hand.Wealreadyhavefertiliser productsthatdeliveressential nutrientstomaintainproduction withoutdegeneratingthesoil orwaterways. Agreatexampleisdicalcic phosphatewhichhastwomajor advantagesovertraditional Superphosphate.Firstly,ithas alimingeffect.Soit’skinder onsoilbiology.Secondly, dicalcicphosphateislesswater soluble.Nutrientlosstothe environmentisreduced.Lesslost meanslessneedbeapplied,and

SeaPhos

Adicalcicphosphatewithsulphur,lime, andnaturally-brewedseaweedbiostimulants, allwrappedupineachgranule.

SeaPhosticksalltheboxes...

Environmentprotected Nutrientsarereleasedslowlysolossesarereduced.

Soilbiologyboosted Naturally-brewedbiostimulantsincreasemicrobial activity.

Soilacidityreduced

Near-neutralpH(6.5-6.7)hasalimingaffect. Efficiencyincreased Addedseaweedimprovesnutrientuptake. Applicationeasier

Granulatedforsafeandaccurateapplication.

Moneysaved Lessislost,solesscanbeapplied.

Analysis:

moneyissavedd.But mostimportantly, productionisnot compromised. Granulateddicalcic phosphateslike Fertco’sReplenish andKingPhossolve evenmoreproblems: productplacement ismoreaccurateand nutrientsdon’tendup wheretheyshouldn’t. Anotherexampleispolymercoatedurea(PCU).While traditionalnitrogenproductsare notoriouslypronetoleaching, PCUisnot.Thisisbecausethe polymer-coatingaroundtheurea granulereleasesthenutrients slowlyoverathreemonth period.Resultsshowthat 50%morepastureperKgof nitrogenappliedisgrown,so productivityisretainedwhile lossesarereduced.

Morenaturalfertilisersare anothersolution.‘SeaPhos’isa primeexample.Acollaboration betweenAgriseaandFertco, SeaPhosisadicalcicphosphate withsulphur,lime,andnaturallybrewedseaweedbiostimulants,all wrappedupineachgranule. Ofcourse,toavoidwaste andsoildegradation,aregular soiltestisamust.Butdon’t justtestforbasicnutrients. Testforsoilbiology,organic matterlevel,carbonlevel,and C:Nratio,andgetavisualsoil assessment(VSA)done.These arealleffectiveindicatorsofsoil health,andwhytheyarepartof Fertco’sCloverZoneprogramme, designedtoincreasesoilhealth andclovergrowth.

RegenorAnti-ddegen?

NZfarmersdon’tneed totakethedrasticstepof ‘goingwithout’fertiliser altogether. Withtheproductsand practiceswealreadyhave,and theinnovativethinkingwe Kiwisareknownfor,wecan solveourproblems.

So,Iwouldsuggestthat farmersandfarminginNZ wouldbebetterservedby anAnti-Degenapproach (avoidingdegeneration) ratherthanaRegenone (completeregeneration).

PREPARE FOR SPRING!

Boostnutrient uptakeandroot growthwith liquidHuMates

MorenaturalfertiliserslikeSeaPhos areanoptionforKiwifarmers.

NorthernIrreland to the NorthIssland

WhenWaikatoVintageTractorand MachineryClubmemberStanleyWilson, andhisfamily,werelookingatemigrating fromDungiven,CountyLondonderry, NorthernIrelandtoNewZealand,they cameoverin2001toinformationgather beforemakingthebigmovein2002.

“OneofthethingsIwaspricingupwastractors andIrealisedIwouldhavetopaybetween $50,000and$60,000foratractorliketheMassey Ferguson3080thatIalreadyhadinNorthern Ireland,”saysStanley.

Atthetime,ifhehadsoldtheMasseyFerguson 3080inNorthernIrelandhewouldhavegot around$15,000.

StanleyWilson’sMassey Ferguson3080was shippedoverfr f om NorthernIrelandin2002.

Photos:CatherineFry

“Bringingovera40-foot containerin2002was$9000 soitmadeperfectsenseto bringourbelongingsand theMF3080,plustherewas roomformyMasseyFerguson 30Eindustrialloader.”

Twenty-twoyearslater,the familyareequitypartnersin adairygoatoperationnear TauheiintheWaikatoand boththewell-travelledtractorsarestillgoingstrong.

“Iranacontractingbusinesswithmyfather inNorthernIrelandandweboughtthe1991 MasseyFerguson3080in1998tocarryout de-stoningforpotatocrops,anditalsodida lotofmowingforsilage.”

Technicalaspects

The3080hasasix-cylinder,105hpPerkinsdiesel enginewith32speedgears.

Althoughverydifferentfromthescreensand digitaltechnologyweseeincabstoday,themodest arrayofbuttonsanddialsinthe3080cabisanearly exampleofanelectronicallycontrolledhydrauliclift system,offeringdraftcontrolwhileploughing.

ZD1221

30HPKubota3-CylinderDieselEngine

CuttingHeight25-127mm,reardelivery ShaftDriveDeck&HydraulicDeckLift

BX2380 $22,500*+GST

FittedwithLA344Loaderand RCK60Mid-mountmower 23HPKubotadieselengine

Switchingbetweenmowinglawns& frontendloaderworkhasneverbeen easier.TheBXloadercanbeattached withoutleavingthedriver’sseat

075739107 4TePukeQuarryRoad,TePuke www.rrtractors.co.nz

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

Thetractorhasthreedouble leveractivatedhydraulic valvesforcouplingwith externalimplements.

“MasseyFergusonwere forerunnersinthistypeof technology,eventhoughthe othermanufacturerssoon caughtup.”

Stillonthejob

The33-year-old3080isstill inregularuse,performing taskssuchassowingfertiliser, rakinggrassforsilageand wrappingbales.

TheMF3080isanearllyexamplleof f an electronicallycontrolledhydraulicliftsystem.

It’sinoriginalcondition andStanleyhasonlyhadtoredothe brakesasaprecaution.Hesaidhe’s moreinterestedinhavinghistractors runningwellmechanicallythan lookinglike“showponies”.

Hedoes,however,admitthathe’s beginningtofeelalittleprecious aboutthe3080anditmayendup

havingaspruceupandbeinggivena spaceintheshed. StanleyandhissonDeanshare aloveofmachineryandbetween themhaveacollectionof11tractors frombetweenthe1950sto1995. TheseincludeeightFerguson/Massey FergusonsandthreeDavidBrowns.

Dairy goat farmer and farm machinery collector Stanley Wilson

AbignewfacilityinHamiltonwillput premiumgrassseedonfarmfasterthis autumn,andinpeakconditionforsowing.

Thinkofitlikethefridgeyouuseforanimal vaccines,onlyinthiscaseit’stoprotect somethingjustasimportant–theliveendophyte inryegrassseed.

Vaccinesloseviabilityifthey’renotstored correctly,andendophyteisthesame.

Heatandhumiditycankillthistinyorganism fasterthanmostpeoplerealise,soseedcontaining endophyteshouldstaycoolanddryforaslongas possiblebeforeitgoesintheground.

That’seasiersaidthandoneatthistimeof year,especiallywhentruckloadsofSouthIsland seedhavetotravelhalfthecountrytobeinthe rightplaceattherighttimeforNorthIsland autumnsowing.

Thesolutionforoneleadingsupplier?

Investinfivetimesmorecoolstoragespacein theheartoftheWaikatoandholdautumnseed ordersthereatperfecttemperatureandhumidity untilthey’rerequired.

SalesmanagerJakeGardnersaidBarenbrug’s

new400tonnecoolstoreatTeRapaisthought tobeafirstfortheindustryintheupperNorth Island,de-riskingautumnpasturerenewalforall whorelyontheNorthIslandseedsupplychain.

“Thisisamassivemilestoneforourfarmers,our resellersandus,intermsofbothseedquality, andlogistics.

“Farmersgettheextraconfidenceofknowing alltheirBarenbrugseed–withendophyteand without–arrivesattheirgatestraightfrom optimalstorageinthebestpossiblecondition.

“Andwecanfillthecoolstoreearly,sowehave alotmorestockonhandatthestartofautumn.

“Thatmeanseveryone,includingus,can resteasierknowingrepeatCookStraitferry cancellationsandotherfreightdisruptionsaren’t goingtocauseasmuchhavocastheyhavesome yearswithsuchatime-sensitivemarket.”

Seedstewardshipandlogisticsarenottheonly biggains,however.

“Wehavesignificantlyincreasedthepermanent numberofstaffatTeRapa,whichallowsus toputonextrashiftsasneeded.Wehavealso re-configuredourtwoexistingseedmixingplants forhigherthroughput.”

Regeneratingsoilhealth

Regenerativefarmingtrialsin Gisborne,inpartnershipwith Woolworths,LeaderBrand,andPlant &FoodResearch,areuncovering promisingopportunitiesforsustainable vegetablefarminginNewZealand.

Atarecentfielddayon-site,partners, growers,officials,andlocalcommunity representativesgatheredtohearabout thelatestresults,highlighting howlifebeneaththesoilcouldbe

thekeytorejuvenatingintensively farmedland.

Thesetrials,launchedinJune2022 withsupportfromtheMinistryfor PrimaryIndustriesfocusonusing compostandcovercropstorevitalise soilsinintensivevegetablefarming. Theearlyfindingsarealreadydelivering valuableinsightsthatcouldtransform soilhealthandsustainabilitypractices acrossthecountry.

Pickaproven performer thisautumn.

Whenitcomestoinvestinginpasture, cheaperisn’tbetter.Taketheriskout ofyourpasturerenewalandgetthe bestreturnbysowingaproven, qualityproductfromBarenbrug.

Askyourreseller,orlearnmoreat barenbrug.co.nz/pick-a-provenperformer ,

SuperchargedwithNEA12, Shogunisthepace-setter in1-3yearpasture.

Thephenomenal3-5year pasture,delivering performanceyour neighbourswillenvy.

The cool store was full by late January

Farmingcanbehardoon joints (Part 2)

Someoccupationsseemtoincreasetherisk ofosteoarthritis.Ihavespokentomany farmerswhoseosteoarthritisstartedwhen theycameoffsecondbestinan incidentwithlivestock.

Builders,mechanics,nursesandsimilarroles areveryphysical.Weknowforcertainthat repetitivejointstrainandtraumaisacontributor toosteoarthritis.

Therearealsomaypeoplewhodevelop osteoarthritiswhohavehadmoresedentary occupations.Thisindicatesthat‘wearand tear’isnotnecessarilythereasonforcartilage loss.AnX-rayoffarmerorteacherwithknee

osteoarthritislook muchthesamedespite significantdifferences inoccupation.

deestructiveenzymes

Thekeydiagnostic featuresonX-raysare anarrowinginthe spacesbetweenjoints andthegrowthofbony spursontheendsof thebonesofthejoint. X-raysdonotshow cartilage.Alltheyshow isthespacebetween thebones.Cartilageis calculatedonthesizeof thejointspace.Ifwide,thismeans cartilageexists.Iflittleornone, thismeansthecartilagehaslargely disintegrated.

Itmightsurprisethatcartilageis notlostbywear.Itislostbydisease processes.Cartilageismaintainedby amazingcellscalledchondrocytes. Eachchondrocyteisresponsiblefor maintainingapatchofcartilage. Chondrocytesaredamagedbya combinationoffreeradicalsand

Addding800mg+ of Chhondroitinsulphate caanbeveryeffective asthisstimulates chhondrocytesto secrete caartilage. N Nutritionaltherapy forosteoarthritiscan be e veryeffective. Last yeearIhadacall from soomeonewith pain from ossteoarthritisin both hishipsandknee.I staartedhimon intensive doosesofChondroitin sulphate(16000mg)Glucosamine Sulphate(16000mg)and100% water solublecurcumminextract(400mg) Henoticedaddifferencewithin afewmonthsaandnowreports significantbenefits.Please email meifyouwoulldlikeacopy of my Osteoarthritisprogramme.

JohnArts(Adv.Diip.Nut.Med)is a nutritional medicinepractitionnerandfounder of Abundant HealthLtd.Forquuestionsoradvice contact John on0800423559or r emailjohn@abundant co nz Joinhisnewslettteratwww.abundant co nz

Ifyou’veownedafewdifferentbrandsof rideonmowersovertheyearsandhave beendisappointedwiththeproductor after-salesservice,thenitmightbetimeto consideraGrasshoppermower.

Grasshoppersareoneoftheiil turnmowers.

Tauranga-basedZTRMow importingzeroturnmowers theGrasshopperbrandsince managerAndrewPeacockesa peopleonaGrasshopperinit robustbuild,exceptionalcut operatorcomfort.

widerangeofmowersforallsituations,butthey don’tmanufactureanythingelsebutmowers. Thislaserfocusandarefusaltocutcornerswhen itcomestotestingandproductionensurethat qualityandcustomersareretained.”

Formoreinformation,seetheiradverton thispage.

e original zero wershasbeen since1987and 2010.Sales aidwhatsells tiallyisthe t and p g

“Butwhatkeepsthem usingaGrasshopperis theproductreliability, responsiveafter-sales serviceandspare partsavailability.

“Assoonasyoumow withaGrasshopper youcantellitwas designedbysomeone thatknowsathingor twoaboutcuttinggrass. Grasshopperoffersa

A325D D Grasshopper r mowerr.

UnrivalledtoursofNewZealand

Whetheryoupicnicamongstscenery offthebeatentrackorenjoylunches onstationswiththerunholders–the viewswillbethesame.

“Unrivalled,”saidowner-operatorsofNZ Adventures4x4Tours,RobbieandConnie Crickett,whooperatebackcountrytours throughouttheSouthIsland.

Theonlymandatorystipulationis vehiclesonanNZAdventures 4X4Tourhaveallterrain-typetyres ingoodconditionanda‘lowrange’ transmissionfitted.

“Everyvehicleissuppliedwitharadio, soacommentaryisavailableandtwowaycommunicationisenabled.”All accommodationisinmotelsandmeals areinrestaurants.

TheTraxofGoldTour,whichissix days,startsinFairlieandfollowsthe oldtracksofSouthCanterbury,North, CoastalandCentralOtagotoexplore thepastoralandminingheritageofa beautifulpartofNewZealand.

“TheBigSkyisourmostchallenging tourandstartinginFairliewehead straightoutovertheHunterHills.This

six-daytourseesmanyhighlightsof CentralOtagoandatripintoMacetown alwaysverypopular.Overnightsarein Omarama,Cromwell,Cardronaandthree nightsinAlexandra.”

The46Southisalsoextremelypopular; thisfive-daytourfollowsanimaginary lineacrossthefarSouthfromtheCatlins toFiordlandbeforeturningNorthtoend inCromwell.NZAdventuresoffersother tourssuchas‘TheWestCoastTour’and ‘TheHigh-CountryHeritageTour’. Formoreinformation,seetheiradvert onthispage.

Calls for opportunities for spouses to attract rural midwives

Ongoingconcernsaboutthelack ofmidwivesinremoteareashasled toacallforspousestobegivenjob opportunitiestoo.

LastyeartheCollegeofMidwives estimateda40%shortfallofpractising midwivesthroughout thecountry.

E Emma Bilous, a rural midwife of thirty

years,saidcountrycouplesarebearing thebruntoftheshortageandchangesare neededfromthetop.

“Ithinkperhapsifweconsidereda slightlydifferenceapproachwherewe builtpolicythatmetruralneedsfirstand thenbuiltitbacktothecentres.

“Whatweseeissomedifference emphasiseandmakesurewedon’thave healthstructuresthatleavegapsfor rural people ”

Emmasaidawaytoattractmidwivesto ruralregionswouldbeensuringthereisa localschoolfortheirchildren,aswellas workfortheirpartner.

“Attractingpeopleintoruralareasis oftenaroundactuallyhavingjobsnotjust forthemidwivesbutforothermembers ofthefamilytoo,”shesaid.

“It’saproblemthathasalotofpartsto it.It’snotalwaysacaseofthrowingabit more money at it ”

Tourdates for2026are nowavailable onrequest.

TouringNZina4x4providesanopportunitytoseethesceniccountry.

Samuel, four, just a boy and his cows, in Coroglen

Mia, 10, and puppy Frankie,aged 10 months old, having fun inthesun at Mystery creek,Ohaupo.

Skyla, three, from Whakamarama is decorating the Christmas tree withkitten Tiny.

Jack,two, onpapa Paul’sold tractor,ready foraction Rotoma.