TheHatwasskinnyasapencil. Rememberpencils?
Peoplewrotefreehandcursivewiththem.Marked fencepostswiththem.Scratchedtheirheadswith them.Veryhandy.
ButIdigress.TheHatwasasleanasagraphite HB.Andifheturnedsideways,youwouldprobably usethatverysamepenciltomarkhimabsent.But heshouldn’thavebeenthatleanbecausethetu heconsumedinadaywouldbeenoughtofeed developingnation.
Differentanimals Younoticethesethingsbecausethe farmerandthecitykidwerevastlydifferent animals.Everythingthismandid,orsaid, orthought,weremomentsofwonderfor thistownie.AndhebecamelegendarywhenI tookstoriesofTheHatcussingandkicking,an eating,backtotheuninitiatedinthesuburbs. Hewasprobablydoingthesame–takingsto ofuselessness,andincompetence,ofcitykidstothe saleyardsandthelocalFederatedFarmersmeetings. Anyhow,about6am,beforeheevenpulledthose thickindustrial-strengthsockson,TheHatwould greetthenewdaywithalargebowlofporridge, swimminginthickunpasteurisedfarmmilk anddrizzledwiththecreamfromthetopofthe can.Disgusting.Icansensetheheartmonitors hemorrhagingatthethought.I’dgrababanana,and hewouldscoffthroughthesoggyendofaParkDrive rollie.“Nowonderyou’rearunt.”Ididn’tknowwhat aruntwas,butIwasgladImadehimlaugh.
Roundtwo andpotsoftea.I’dhavetwolightlyboiledeggs. “Runt,”hewouldsayagain. Twohourslater,hiswifewouldarriveoutinthe paddockswithabasketcoveredinatea-towel.He woulddemolishthreeorfoursconessmearedwith raspberryjamandwhippedcream.“Jeez,”hewould say.“Amanneededthat.”Iwouldfeedoffthesight ofanothermanfeeding.
Byoneo’clockwhatamanneededwasviscera, innards,guts,offal.Abigplateoflamb’sfryinathick gravywithbaconandmashedpotatoes.Whywould youenterthecavityofsheep’scarcassforsomething toeatwhenallIcravedwasaluncheonsausageand tomatosaucesandwich?Sheepguts!Yeck!! Offalprobablytastedokaybutwhenyousee itfreshlysourcedinaslaughterhouse,well that’sdifferent.
Afteranhourandahalfoftaskshewouldbe backatthedinnertabledemolishingbacon, breakfastsausages,mushroomsand/ortomatoesand raweggsonfriedblackpudding.Plus,atoastrack
By6.30pmhalfasheepemergedfromtheoven–thefullmuttonroast.Themealswereoverlapping becauseTheHatstillhadeggresiduefromhis breakfastinhiswhiskers.Ihadasmallselectionof roastvegesawashingravy.“Runt,”saidthefarmer, howlingwithlaughterasifitwasthefirsttimewe’d heardittoday.Ididenjoymakinghimlaugh.
Droneweedcontrolsparkssafetyconcerns gqg arecentdroneweedsprayingoperationat Bethlehem,Tauranga, despitelandownerssayingall protocolswerefollowed.
TheDoingGoodFoundation, formerlyHabitatforHumanity BayofPlenty,ispreparinga3ha blockonTownheadCrescentto makewayforaffordable rent-to-ownhomes.
DirectorDavid Simpkinsaidthe property,ownedbythe charityforthepasttwo years,issteeptherefore drone-sprayingisquick andeffective.
FollowingaBayof PlentyRegionalCouncil recommendation, Simpkin saidan experienceddrone contractorwasengaged to“selectivelytarget”noxious weedsincludingwoollynightshade, gorseandblackberrieswhichwere presentonthelandwhenDoing Goodpurchasedit.
theoperationandBayofPlenty RegionalCouncilwasnotfurther involved.”
Simpkinsaid DoingGood senttwoletters,aweekapart,to residentsofadjoiningproperties advisingofthesprayingoperation.
Concernedresidents Someresidentshaveexpressed “seriousconcerns”abouttheaerial herbicidespraying operationandthe noticeperiodgiven.
Oneneighbour,who didnotwishtobe named,saidfamilies withyoungchildren andvulnerableelderly individualswere particularlyvocal, pointingtotheriskof “off-target”driftthat couldaffectbackyard gardens,household pets,watersources.
Hesaidaneighbourhadreported “theneedtotidyupthesection” andDoingGoodhadresponded byaddressingtheconcern.
BayofPlentyRegionalCouncil complianceteamleader(air, industryandresponse)Trudy Richardssaidthecouncil’s biosecurityteam“requiredthe landownertomanagethepest plantwoollynightshadeon thisproperty”.
Italsorecommendedtheuse ofalocalUAV–an Unmanned AerialVehicle –operatorfor “targetedandcost-effective control”ofthispestonthis property,saidRichards.
“Afterthatpointthelandowner andthecontractorengagedbythe
Affectedresidentswere concernedthatiflargeagricultural dronetechnologyisused nearhomes,thereis“noclear mechanism”to preventchemicaldrift ontoneighbouring properties,local wetlandsandprivate swimmingpools.
Theyhavealso calledonregionaland nationalagenciesto reviewhowrulesapply tonewtechnologies likeheavyagricultural drones,emphasising theneedtoprotect publichealth,privategardens,and sensitiveecosystems.
commonplaceandwhether residentswillhaveanyrecourseto preventitinthenearfuture.”
Whileunderstandingtheneedto manageweedsorpests,residents wereconcernedabout“deploying dronescarryingchemicalsina residentialarea,exposingentire neighborhoodstopotentially harmfulstuff”.
“Ifthisbecomesatrend,weneed toaskourselveswhetherit’struly whatwewantforthefutureof ourcity–afterallwehaveonce proudlybeena‘spray-free’city.”
Droneuse Richardssaid theuseofdrones –UnmannedAerialVehicles;UAVs – isregulatedandmanagedbythe CivilAviationAuthoritybecause theyareconsideredaircraft.
Pilotsarerequiredtoholda 101or102CAAqualificationto operateaUAV.Toapplyherbicide fromaUAVtheyalsoarerequired toholdaCAApilotchemical ratingcertificate.
TheuseofUAVsintheBay ofPlentyfortheapplicationof herbicidesmustalso adheretotheregional council’sRegional NaturalResourcesPlan.
“Withoutaclearandupdated regulatoryframework,the communityisleftwondering thoughifresidentialdrone
Richardssaid no applicationwas requiredforthe TownheadCrescent sprayingoperation becauseitisa “permittedactivity” undertheRNRP”.
“Compliance wasassessed,and nobreachesoftheruleswere substantiated.”
Richardssaid neighbourswithin 50moftheapplicationareawere notifiedwithintherequired timeframes–between12to72
hoursprior.“Theoperatorhadallof therelevantqualificationsrequired andusedtheherbicidesaspertheir intendedandapproveduse,which isregulatedbytheEnvironmental ProtectionAuthority.”
UAVpopularity Anecdotally,Richardssaidtheuse ofUAVsisgainingpopularityin providingasolutionforsaferandmore effectivemanagementoflargeand challengingpestplantissuesinthe region.“Drone-basedapplicationis verytargetedandislow-riskforspray drift.”SpeakingtoSunLivefollowing
thesprayingoperation,Simpkinsaid itwaspostponedbyadaytoensure minimalwindconditions,thespray mixedadjusted,andithadanantidriftadditive.Thenoxiousweeds arestartingtodie,andDoingGood hasnotheardsubsequentlyfromthe neighbours.
Simpkinsaidpartsofthesitewill ultimatelybeclearedanddeveloped forhousing,buthesaysthiscouldbe “yearsaway”.“Itisnotimminent.”
Simpkinsaid thesubdivisionwill host“lowtensratherthanhundreds”of houseswhichareintendedtobesoldto owner-occupiers.
Neighbours are questioning landowner were responsible for spraying will become
TrudyRichards.
DavidSimpkin.
Behindthescenesoficonicfarmingprogramme AsNewZealand’smuch-lovedfarming show,‘HyundaiCountryCalendar’,entered its59thseason,Coast&CountryNewswas privilegedtospendtwodaysonsetseeing firsthandwhatgoesintomakingtheshow. Ahugethankyoutothecrewfilmingthat episode-directorRozMason,directorof photographySteveFisher,soundrecordistDon PaulinandproducerDanHenry,andtotheDuncan familyatMakahiwiArabians.
Onset
Contrarytowhatonemightimagine,therearen’t dozensofpeoplerunningaroundduringfilming,nor amakeuporhairartistinsight.It’slowkeywitha director,DOP,soundrecordistandfamilymembers onlocationforthefive-dayshoot.
OccasionallyDanHenrywillattend,asituation affectionatelydescribedbythecrewsas“duckon thepond”.Danisultimatelyresponsibleforthe40 episodesmadeeachseason,workingcloselywith associateproducerKatherineEdmond.
Afterworkingon‘HyundaiCountryCalendar’ since2008,Dantookovertheroleofproducerthree seasonsagofromJulianO’Brien.Julianhasbeen
associatedwiththeshowfrom1985,andproducer from2005to2022.
Danhasbeentheshow’snarratorforthelastnine yearsandhisrich,melodicvoiceisnowastaplepartof theshowandno,hedoesn’tsoundlikethatinreallife! “Everyoneworkingontheshowisveryhonoured tobethere,andI’mnoexception.There’sabigqueue
ofindustryprofessionalswhowantto workwithus,”saidDan.
“It’ssuchanenduringshow, unashamedlypositiveandinspirational. It’soneofthefewremainingplaceson TVwhereyoucanseerealpeople,inreal settings,livingtheirreallives.It’snot contrivedandit’sagreatprogrammefor aSundaynighttotakesomethinggood andwholesomeintothenewweek.”
Buildingastory
Episodeideascomefromawide rangeofsourcesandresearcher VivienneJeffsisveryexperiencedat lookingdeeperintopromisingleads. Dansaidpeopleareusuallyveryhappy andexcitedtobeapproached.
DirectorRozMasonsaidwhen anepisodeisassigned,theallocated directorgoesinpersontomeetthe farmers.Shehadbeendirecting ‘HyundaiCountryCalendar’episodes since2015andenjoyedmeetingthe inspiringpeoplewhotakepart.
“WhenIvisit,I’mcheckingout locations,logistics,andwhatactivities willbestillustratetheirstory.Welook forworkthey’dgenuinelybedoing
anyway,farmingorotherwise,and fromthisinformationIwritethelistof shots,”saidRoz.
Duringfilming,thedirectorasks questionsoffcameraandtheresponse fromthefarmersisthefootage viewerssee.
“It’sactuallyreallyfun,working outside,bouncingaroundthehill countryonquadbikes,evenmucking inandhelpingoccasionally.
“Theshowissimplestorytelling withnogimmicksortricks.Wetryto representpeopletruthfullyandgettothe heartoftheirrelationshipwiththeland.”
Challengesonlocation
Filmingisatthemercyofthe weather,technicalchallengesand timeframes.Whilepeopleare waterproof,thegearisn’tandRozis oftenseenholdinganumbrellaover thecameraandcameraoperator.
DOPSteveFisherhasworkedwith theshowfor20years,filming10to12 storiesayear.Incollaborationwiththe director,hehasamajorhandinhow anepisodelooksvisually.
DOPSteveFisheranddirectorRozMasonsettingupashot.
DOPSteveFisher,left,producerDanHenry,soundrecordistDonPaulin,directorRozMason.
Photos/CatherineFry
HyundaiCountryCalendarproducerandnarrator DanHenry.
Farminglifeinfocus AformerŌtūmoetaiCollege student’sLevel3photography foliothatshonealightonthe realityoffarminghasreceiveda near-perfectscore–makingitone ofthebestinthecountry.
LucyPenellumscoredan “outstanding”23outof24–puttingher inthetop3%outofmorethan3300 studentsandearningherascholarship.
“Iwasn’texpectingtogetanything,” sheadmits.“Ididn’tthinkitwouldbe goodenough.”
“Lucy’srealinterestandpassion forfarminghasbeenveryevident throughoutherfolioboards,”saidher teacher,SusanBlakemore.
“ItwasimportantforLucytoshow farminginapositivelight.Shewastired offarmersgettingahardtimeinthe mediaandwantedtoshowtheresilience withinthefarmingcommunity.”
The18-year-oldrecentlymovedto PalmerstonNorthtobeginherdegree inhorticulturalscienceatMassey University.The$500prizemoneywill helpcoverherrent.
Farmingchoice
Itwasherfamily’sWhakamāramafarm thatdecidedthethemeofherfolio.
“Itjustseemedeasiertotakephotosat home.Forthelastsixyears,I’velivedon a12-acrelifestyleblock.We’vealways hadbeefies,chickensandgoats.
“Bothmyparentsgrewuprurally
–mydadinCambridgeandmum inAshurst–butdairyfarmingin Manawatūiswherebothsidesof myfamilyarefromoriginally.The Claussenswerethefirstdairyfarmersin PalmerstonNorth.Ilovedfarmingtoo muchtonotgointoit.”
Creativeshots
Asherprojecttook shape,Lucygotcreative withPhotoshoptoadd thecutsofmeatonto photographsofcowsand didn’tshyawayfromthe grittiersideoffarming.
Alongwiththephoto showingacalfbeingborn, andthemarkswhereacowisstunned todeath,isanimageofacarcassbeing butchered.“Herimageryisstunning andreallycapturestheessenceofbeing onafarm,”Susansaid.
I wanttodo,”shesaid.“Iwanttodomymaster’s inagronomy,sothatIcandomanagementofcrop farmingonalargewheat,barleyormaizestation.” They’realsoamongherfavouriteimages. “Theharvester goingthroughthe maizeissucha satisfyingphotofor me,”saidLucy.
“Whenshementionedahomekill wouldbetakingplace,weknewsheonly hadoneshotatgettingitrecorded,solots ofplanningbeforehandwentintothat.”
“Iwasalwaysgoingtogoforshock factorandoneofmyfirstphotoshoots wasahomekillbecauseIneededabig finale,”saidLucy.
“IalsocontactedaguyinTePuke whowasdoingmaizeproductionwith combineharvesters,soIusedtheschool dronetotakephotosofthat.”
Itwasthatdaythatshedecidedonher futurecareer.
“Iknewstraightawaythat’swhat
Thescheduleofstorytelling “It’ssomuchfunworkingonsuch aniconicprogrammeandthefive-day filmingschedulehelpsusreallygetto knowthepeopleandworkoutthebest waytotelltheirstory,”saidSteve.
“Theshootsarementallydemanding asI’mconstantlyreviewinglighting, backgroundsandcameraangles.It’s alsoveryphysicallugging20kgof equipmentaroundbigterrainoverbig distances,butIabsolutelyloveit.”
SoundrecordistDonPaulinhas workedintermittentlyfor‘Hyundai CountryCalendar’since1981and nowrecordsabout25episodesayear.
“It’saveryphysicaljobbutit’sareal honourtooandIlovebeingoutside andactivewhilewefilmsomethingso rawandreal,”saidDon.
“Windnoiseisahugechallenge alongwithbadly-timedanimalnoises
“Seeingallthelinesthathe’s makingthroughtheperfectrows ofcrops.Ilovetheshapesand thatitshowstheisolationof farming.Youhearfromsomany peoplewhosay:‘Oh,farmingis soeasy’,soIwantedtoshowthatfarmingisimportantto oureconomy,buttherealityisthatit’shard.”
Lucyhashadseveralofherphotospublishedinthe ‘NZHerald’,‘TheCountry’and‘FarmersWeekly’ magazine,andnowregretssellinghercamera. “IthoughtIwasn’tgoingtoneedit,butI’mjoining theYoungFamersdownhereatMasseyandtheyhave photographycompetitions.”
andincidentalsoundslikeplanes, traffic,cicadasandbackground talking.Theadventofradiomics makesmylifeeasierasIdon’thaveto usetheboommicandconstantlytry tostayoutofshot.”
Indowntime,DonandStevecould beseenwanderingaroundfilmingand recordingfootageandsoundsnippets thatmightbeusefulduringthefinal edittoenhancetheepisode.
Rozalwaysmakesaverydetailededit ofthefootage,ensuringthestoryis beingportrayedauthentically.Afterthe editorworkstheirmagic,DanHenry hasfinalsignoffforeachepisode.
TheepisodefilmedwhileCoast &CountryNewswereonsetwill beaironTVNZ1at7pmon Sunday,April13.
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LucyPenellumwithherhighscoring photographyboard. Photo/SusanBlakemore
Thehiddenthreattotheregion’sfloodprotection Whentheweatherisgood,it canbeeasytoforgetaboutthe criticalroleBayofPlentyRegional Council’sRiversandDrainage floodprotectionassetsplay. Theseassets,suchasstopbanks, floodgates,culvertsandpumpstations, helpreducetheriskoffloodingto people,propertyandlivelihoods.
Acrossourfivemajorrivers anddrainageschemes,ourteam managesandmaintainsmorethan $400millionofflooddefence infrastructureasapartofour responsibilitytoreducingtheimpacts offlooding.Everyweek,ourrivers anddrainageteamischeckingflood protectionassetsandcompleting importantmaintenancetasks,such asrepairingfloodgates,maintaining pumpstationsanddesiltingdrains–tasksrequiredmorefrequentlysince theweathereventsof2023.
Leftovermaterials
Butoftenit’sthethingstheteam doesn’tmanage,bothinandoutof scheme,thatcausethemostdamage –forexample,unwanted,storedor leftovermaterialsthatareinornear floodplains,riversordrains.
Whileitmayseemharmlessat
thetime,thesematerialscancause realdamageshouldtheymobilise andbecomedebrisduringflood events.Thisincludesimpactingour floodprotectionassets–andifthese assetscannotperformtheirtasks duringfloodevents,itputslivesand livelihoodsatrisk.
Whilemostpeopleplaytheirpart instoringmaterialsanddisposingof unwantedwasteresponsibly,theyare alsosubsidisingtheclean-upcostsof aminoritywhoaren’tpreparedtodo theirbitwhenitcomestolooking aftertheregion’sfloodprotection assetsandtheenvironment.
Reportit
Ifyouseeanyonedumping unwantedorleftovermaterialneara waterwayorinafloodplain,please contactregionalcouncil’sPollution Hotlineon0800884883.Allcalls aretreatedinconfidence.
Ifyou’replanningondoingwork inandaroundafloodprotection asset,pleaseletusknowasyou mayneedaBylawAuthority. Theseauthoritiesarealmostalways freeofcharge.
Findoutmoreat:boprc.govt.nz/ flood-protection-bylaws
Thanksfordoingtherightthing
whenstoringmmaterialsand d dispposing g of unwantedwasteon yourproperty.You’renotjust helpingyourcommunity;you’re
playingakeyroleinkeeping peopleacrosstheBayofPlenty safe.Formoreinformation aboutregionalcouncil’s
Workingwith landownersinthe BayofPlentyfor abetterfuture Acrosstheregion,BayofPlentyRegionalCouncilmanagesand maintainsmorethan$400Mworthoffloodprotectionassets acrossfivemajorriversanddrainageschemesthatservemore than54,500targetedratepayers.Together,wecanlookafter theseflooddefencestohelpreducetheimpactsoffloodingon livesandlivelihoods.
floodprotectionwork,visit: boprc.govt.nz/flood-defences
Debris in floodplains.
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Hazelnutsprovetobeagoodcashcrop In2018,Waikatofarmer RaewynScottandherfamily enjoyedthefirsthazelnutsafter apatientfive-yearwaitforthe treestheyplantedin2013to startproducing.
Furtherplantingin2015,2019, and2024hasenabledRaewyn toexpandtherangeofhazelnut productsmadeinhercommercial kitchen.Raewynandherhusband Allanbought25hectaresofher familyfarmin2008andraised theirtwochildreninthesame houseRaewynlivedinasachild.
Raewynranasmallbeef operationbutfelttheyneededto diversify.Followingsomeresearch, hazelnutsseemedtofitthebill.
“Theycanhandlewetfeetand frosts,andwe’venoticedthey handlethedrierconditions aroundharvesttime.”
WhileRaewyndoesthedayto-dayfarmwork,shesaidshe couldn’tdoanyofitwithouthelp fromthefamilywhoallmuckin whenit’sbusyonthefarm.
Afive-yearwait
Thefirst1400treeswere planted in2013.Duringthefirstfiveyears,
thehazelnuttreeswerefedseaweed, andtheorchardwasconstantly mowedusingamulchingmower.
“Whenthefirstnutscame,we wereallreallyexcited,somoretrees wereplanted.”
Therearenow2500treesplanted overfourhectares.
The2020Covid-19lockdown coincidedwithharvesttime,so thefamilyallstayedhomeand pitchedin.
Adecisionwasmadein2019 tostarttheprocessofcertifying theorganicorchard.Theorchard becamefullycertifiedorganicwith BioGroinFebruary2022along withfoodsafetycertification.
Workingwithintheorganicguidelines, weedmatwaslaidundersometreesas atrialtohelpcontrolgrassandweed growth.Thishasreducedtheamountof mowingrequiredandhashelpedwith harvesting.Prolificsuckergrowthisstill controlledwithregulartrimming.
Thehazelnutcalendar
Seaweedisfedingranularformin springalongthedriplinesofthetrees. Summerisspentkeepingontopofthe mowingandkeepingtheorchardfloor cleanandreadyforharvest.
varietiesofhazelnutintheorchard whichreleaseatdifferenttimestoensure therewillbeaharvest.Themainvariety, WhiteHeart,isanattractivetablenut. Pestcontrolisyear-roundwith DoCtrapssetforrats,stoatsand mice.Rabbitsdamageyoungtrees andRaewynisquitehappytoseethe neighbour’scatpatrollingherorchard. “IkeepaneyeoutforGreenShield VeggieBugs[greenstinkbugs]andIkill themmanually.”
Raewynsorts,cracksandroaststhe nutswhentheyareneeded,sothatsheis alwaysabletousefreshnutstoselland makeproducts.
“Wesellwholeroastednuts,rawnut pieces,nutbutterandmorerecently, coldpressedhazelnutoil,whichcanbe usedonsalads,andwe’vefoundislovely forskinandhair.”
Intheautumn,March-April,thenuts startfallingtothegroundandarepicked upusingasmallcommercialvacuum. Severalpassesarerequiredoverdifferent daystocaptureallthenuts. Winterisimportantbecausethatis whenthetreesarepollinated,which isnaturallycarriedoutbythewind. Raewynhassixdifferentpollinator
FarmhouseNutsattendtheweekly CambridgeFarmer’sMarket.
HazelnutgrowerRaewynScott,left, andherdaughterNicole. Photos/CatherineFry
LincolnUniversitystudentJonathan Jamiesonhasbeenannouncedasthelatest recipientofRavensdown’sHughWilliams MemorialScholarship.
GrowinguponafarmnearBulls,Jonathanhas alwayshadastrongpassionforagriculturewhich ledhimtopursueaBachelorofCommercein AgricultureatLincolnUniversity.
“I’vealwaysknownIwantedtoworkinthe sector.Ilovegettingoutdoors,workingwiththe animals,andlearninghowtomanagetheland.”
“Duringlastyear’sharvestIwokeupat5.30am togoasparaguspickingtohelpfundmystudies. “Thisscholarshipwillallowmetofocusevenmore onmyacademicandcareergoals,”saidJonathan.
Thescience
Nowinhissecondyearofstudy,Jonathan’s focusisonagribusinessandthesciencebehind theindustry.
“I’vegrownupworkingonfarmswiththegoalof onedayowningmyownfarm.Butdeepeningmy understandingandlearningthesciencebehindit hasbeenfascinating.
“MystudiesrelatedirectlytowhatI’mdoing now,”Jonathansaid,callingduringabreakfrom thetractor.“WhenI’matwork,Icannowidentify differentplantsandknowhowtocareforthem.”
“Ialsolearntthatfarmingisaboutlookingafter thesoil,itsustainseverythingintheagricultural sector.Wehavearesponsibilitytocareforitfor futuregenerations.”
Internationaltravel
In2024JonathanwasawardedthePrime Minister’sScholarship,whichallowedhimtotravel toVietnamforsixweeks.Therehecompleted anagribusinesspaperandlearntaboutthe Vietnameseagriculturalsector.
“Itwasanunrealopportunity.Ilovedgetting
theVietnameseculture.“InVietnam,theyhave combinedricefarmingandshrimpfarmingto makethemostfromtheland.
“Theshrimphelpenrichthesoilintherice paddies,whilethericeprovidesanatural environmentfortheshrimptothrive.”
RavensdownGarryDiacksaidJonathan’s academicexcellenceandenthusiasmforthescience behindfarmingmadehisentrystandout.
“Ravensdownandthisscholarshipwerebuilton usingsciencetobetteragriculturalpracticeinNew Zealand.Jonathanshowsaclearunderstandingof theimportanceofscienceforallformsoffarming, andapassionforitsabilitytoimprovehowwe farminthefuture.”
Thescholarshipoffers$5000peryearfora studentstudyingagricultureorhorticultureat LincolnorMasseyuniversitiesforthedurationof theirstudies.
Aboutthescholarship TheHughWilliamsMemorialscholarshipwas foundedinmemoryofthelateHughWilliams; aRavensdowndirectorfrom1987to2000.The scholarship,forthechildrenofRavensdown shareholders,aimstoencourageundergraduate studyinanagriculturalorhorticulturaldegree.
Applicationsfornextyear’sscholarshipareopen
ertmar
InthenextyeartheFertiliser QualityCouncil’sFertmarktickwill undergoamodernisationprocess to keepitalignedwiththeevolving needsofthefertiliserindustry. AccordingtoFQC,onekeyareaof focusisdeterminingwhetherthere’s a placeforliquidfertiliserswithinthe Fertmarkframework. “We’llneedtokeepthis conversation broad, as well as
addressthephysicalpropertiesof fertilisers,suchastargetsizeandwhat constitutes‘good’fertiliser.
“Additionally,we’llbeexploring blendsandtheircompatibilityin moredetail,”saidFQC’sFebruary 2025onlinenewsletter.
Findoutmoreat: fertqual.co.nz/newsletters/ newsletter-the-latest-in-fertmark-andspreadmark-news
POWERTARPSARE NEWZEALAND’SLEADING RETRACTABLETARPSUPPLIER Wespecialiseinhighquality,meshand PVCcoverstosuittrucks,trailersand farmbunkers.Allofourcoverscanbe easilyoperatedfromthegroundusinga silkysmoothcablesystem,eliminating
JonathanJamiesonatwork. Photos/Supplied
JonathanJamiesoninVietnam.
Limeandgypsumfordifferentuses Manypeopleaskusiflime andgypsumcanbeused interchangeably.
Thisisnotsurprisingsincetheyare bothlabelledassoilamendmentsand recommendedforimproving soilconditions.
However,whiletheydosharea numberofothersimilarities,theyhave verydifferentuses.
Limeandgypsumareevaporites, formedmillionsofyearsagobythe evaporationofseawaterhighin
calciumintolayersofsedimentary rock.Today,theyarebothmined, althoughgypsumisalsosourced fromcoalburningpowerstationsasa byproductoffluegasdesulphurisation.
Similarforms Limeandgypsumarepowdersin theirnaturalforms,andlimecan begroundveryfinelytoincreaseits effectiveness.Buttheycanbothbe granulated.Thisreducesapplication issuessuchaswind-drift.
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Beingformedfromcalciumrich w waters, limeand gypsumcontaincalciumasseen i in their scientific names and formulae: calcium carbonate(CaCO3)forlimeandcalciumsulphate dihydrate(CaSO4.2H2O)forgypsum.So,theyare ausefulsourceofcalciumwhenaddedtothesoil, althoughthecalciumingypsumisthoughttobe200 timesmoresolublethanthecalciuminlime,and thereforemoreavailabletoplants.
Superiorwaterretention helpskeepmoisture whereit’sneededmost. Easiertospread indry summerconditions. Morecoverageper tonne withdrierproduct forbettervalue.
Gypsumdiffersfromlimeinthatitisalsoasource ofsulphate(SO4);usefulsincethesenutrientsare foundlessofteninphosphatefertilisersnowadays. Limediffersfromgypsumbecauseitcontains carbonate(CO3),whichisnotanutrientassuch, butiskeytothewaythatlimeworksinthesoil.
Limeforsoilacidity Themainuseforlimeistoreducesoilacidity whichincreasesovertimefromnaturalprocesses likeweathering,plantandmicrobialactivity,and nutrientsleachingfromthesoil.Soilaciditycan alsobeincreasedbytheuseofsomefertiliserslike elementalsulphur.
Anacidsoilisaproblemformanyplants becausetheygrowbestwherepHisaround5.86.0.Belowthisandsomenutrientslikephosphates becomelessavailable.
toammonia, the formof nitrogen that plants take u up The traditional way of managing soil acidity is to applylime.Andit’sthecarbonateinthelimethat reducestheacidity–notthecalcium.
Gypsumforsoilaggregates
Gypsumdoesnotcontaincarbonateandhas absolutelynoeffectonsoilpHandsoilacidity;thisis notwhyweuseit.
Themainuseforgypsumistoimprovephysical propertiesinthesoillikebetterdrainage,more aeration,andlesssurfacecrusting.Itdoesthis byflocculation,aprocesswhichcausessmallsoil particlestoclumptogethertoformlargerones.This processloosensuphard,compactedsoilssuchasclay soils,acidsubsoils,andsoilsdamagedfromheavy machineryorlivestocktreading.
Amoreopen,aeratedsoilwhichallowswaterto passthroughimprovesothersoilproperties.For example,earthwormandmicrobeactivitiesare increased,andplantrootscanpenetratedeeperinto thesoiltoaccesswaterandnutrients,soimproving resilienceintimesofdroughtorotherstresses.
Anotherbenefitfromgypsumisthatdueto aggregation,thesoilbecomesmorechemicallystable. Thismeansthatitislesspronetonutrientlosswhich inturnenhancesfertiliserefficiency.
So,insum,limeandgypsumarenot interchangeable.Yes,theyarebothaddedtoamend thesoil,butforverydifferentreasons.
Ontheotherhand,micronutrientssuchasiron, copper,manganese,andzincincreaseinavailability, butthiscanmakethemtoxictoplants.Also,once thepHdipsbelow5.4,thelevelofaluminiumions inthesoilsolutionrises,andplantrootscansuffer deformity.Additionally,clover’sabilitytofixnitrogen canbecompromisedbecauserhizobiacan’tproduce theenzymenitrogenasewhichconvertsnitrogen
Limewithitscarbonateisforreducingacidity, whilegypsumwithitsabilitytoformaggregatesis foropeningupthesoilstructureallowingbetter drainage,aeration,andsurfacestructure.
Fertco’sgranulateddicalcic phosphatesreleasetheirnutrients inacontrolledwaywhilelooking aftersoilpH.Wastageisreduced, seedsandfertilisercanbeapplied atthesametime–andyousave money.Perfectforhillcountry, pastureandcrops.Canbeaerialor groundspread.
KingPhos
Thekingofphosphates! UseregularlytoliftsoilpH.
Seaweedplusphosphates forhealthysoilpH andmicrobialactivity.
E EPA boosts frontline staff to improveagrichemwaittimes TheEnvironmentalProtectionAuthorityis bolsteringitsfrontlineapplicationsteams aspartofasuiteofplannedimprovements toreduceapplicationtimeframes.
EPAGeneralManagerHazardousSubstances andNewOrganisms,DrChrisHill,saidtheEPA appreciatestheindustry’sconcernsaboutdelays foragrichemicalapplications.
“Throughcarefulreprioritisationofour funding,wearenowinapositiontorecruit additionalfrontlinestaffforanewteam.
“Andonceourfullraftofimprovementsare complete,wewillseeanincreaseinapplications beingprocessed.”
Otherplannedimprovementsincludecreating aprioritisationframeworkforthequeue developingnewgroupstandardsforlow-risk hazardoussubstances,workingwiththeMinistry fortheEnvironmentonamendmentstothe HSNOAct,improvingcommunicationand transparencywithapplicantsandstakeholders, includingrecentlycontactingindustryfordetails ofinnovativeorsofterchemicals.
Additionalstaff DrHillsaidchangesmadepreviously,such asthehiringofadditionalapplicationsstaff inrecentyearsandtheintroductionofthe internationalregulatorrapidassessmentpathway,
werenowstartingtohaveanimpact.
“Forthefirsttimeinmorethanfouryears,we aredecidingasimilarnumberofapplicationsto newapplicationsthatarelodged.Intheseven monthsofthisfinancialyeartherehavebeen36 releaseapplicationslodgedand34decided.
“Ofthese,32wererapidorlower-risk assessmentsandtwowerehigher-tierrisk assessments.
“Thisisinadditiontosustainedperformancein processingcontainmentapplications,whichare oftenforagrichemicalfieldtrials,with25lodged and25decidedthisyear.”
Trainingtime Timewillberequiredtotraintheteamand bringnewstaffuptospeed,DrHillsaid.
“Foragrichemicalsthatcontainactive ingredientsnewtoNewZealand,weare requiredtofollowarigorousassessmentprocess, whichincludesidentifyingboththerisksand opportunities,andconsideringourunique environmentandculture.
“Thesearetypicallythemostcomplexand resource-heavyassessmentsweundertakeand theyoftenrequirepublicconsultation.
“Wehopetoseeamaterialimpactonthe hazardoussubstanceapplicationsqueuein about12to18monthsafterthenewstaff arerecruited.”
TheEPAisstandardisingcontrols forproductscontainingclopyralid, soplantssprayedwiththepersistent weedkillerarelesslikelyto contaminatecompost.
Clopyralidisusedtocontrolweeds. Ifplantssprayedwiththesubstance getintocompostitcanharmsome gardenplants,causingthemtobecome stuntedordistorted.
approvalwhichalreadyhasappropriate controls,”saidEPAmanagerhazardous substancesreassessmentsMax a Thoma.
“Thiswillmaketherulesconsistent, easytofollow,andfairforbusinesses importing,sellingorusing clopyralidproducts.”
Allclopyralidproductsnow havethesamerestrictionsonuse relatingtocompost,includinga compostingrestriction.
“Wehavenowalignedallthe compostcontrolsforweedkillers containingclopyralidwithanexisting
Readthefullsetofnewrulesat: www.epa.govt.nz
Byhiring newstaff,the EPAishoping toreduce application times.
25yearsonandstillrocking Therequirementformagnesiumto maximisebothpastureyieldandanimal healthremainspermanent.
Overtimesoilsweatherandtheloss ofmineralstosubsoilandeventually groundwaterisinevitable.
Magnesiumisoneofthefourmajorsoil cations:theothersbeingcalcium,potassium andsodium.
Animalhealthissueswithlactatinganimals inspringalmostinevitablycentrearound calciumandmagnesium,notnecessarilythe amountbutthebalancebetweenthetwo.
Bothelementsareaffectedbyfreely availablepotassium.Urineisrichin potassiumandimmediatelydisplacesboth calciumandmagnesium.
Potassiumfertiliserappliedintheformofboth muriateofpotashandpotassiumsulphatefurther depriveplantsoftheseessentialelements.
Soilmoistureisalsoafactorwithmoisturein springincreasingtheavailabilityofpotassiumatthe expenseoftheothercations.
Dailydemand Magnesiumisnotwellstoredinanimalsandhigh producingdairycowsandeweshaveanongoing demandwhichmustbesatisfieddaily,ifnotpartas oftheirfeed,thenitmustbesupplemented.
Withoutadequatedailyintake,milkproductionis compromisedalongwithmusclefunctionultimately resultinginanimalsunabletowalk.
Muscledamageisimmediateandevenwhenrectified quicklytotalproductionfortheseasonisreduced. Manydairyfarmersfavourin-linedispensersfor supplementation,withmixedresults. Whenproblemspersist,acommonresponseisto
Beatthis:Alargeamountofclover growinginafield.
increasethedosageresultinginalackof calciumandsodiumandmoreanimals sufferingmetabolicdisorders. Frustratinglyitishigherproducing animalsthatareatgreatestriskwitholder animalsbeingthemostvulnerable.Asdairycowsdo notmatureuntilsevenyearsofagethisispotentially amajorandcostlyloss.
Thesensibleandeffectivewaytoincreasethelevels ofbothcalciumandmagnesiumisbyapplying GoldenBaydolomiteonanannualbasis. Thereisanalmostimmediatelesseningof metabolicdisordersandaliftinmilkproductionand liveweightgain.
Regularapplication However,regularapplicationsoffertiliser (synthetic)nitrogenworkagainsttheuptake, particularlyofcalcium.
Itisestimatedthatatbestonly50%ofapplied nitrogenistakenupbyplantswiththeremainder findingitswayintogroundwater,takingwithit calciumwithasubsequentdropinsoilpH.
ToovercomethisDoloZestwasdeveloped.Basedon GBdolomiteitcontainssoftcarbonsinoculatedwith awiderangeofselectedbeneficialfungiandbacteria. Thesemicrobesspeedtherateatwhichlitteron
thesoilsurface,oldroot,dung,and othersemi-digestedorganicmatter isdigested.
Thisrapidbreakdownprovides nitrogenforplantgrowthwiththeloss ofnitrogentogroundwaterminimised.
Autumngrowth Autumnpasturegrowthisaccelerated withpasturehighinfullproteinrather thannitrates.Thisensuresanimalsgain weightmorerapidlypriortowinter.
Milkproductionisenhancedwhich allowsanimalstobedriedoffearlier withmorepasturepushedaheadbefore thecoldersoiltemperaturesandfewer sunlighthourslimitgrowth. Appliedat350-400kg/haasingle dressingensurescalcium/magnesium relatedmetabolicdisordersaremarkedly reducedoverwinterandthroughoutthe busyanddemandingspringperiod.
FormoreinformationcallPeteron 0274950041or0800843809.
AsIwritethisinmidMarch,wearefinallygetting somedesperatelyneeded autumnrain.
However,Iamnotsurethatit isgoingtobeadroughtbreaker justyet.Thefollowuprainis important,andIcan’tseemuch onthelong-rangeforecast.
normallywouldbeplantedfor grainhavebeentakenforsilage, andtheamountofPKEused hasjumpedwithcontractstaken outattheFieldaysbeingfully utilised.SpotpricesforPKEare nowmorethan$400/t.
Feedoptions IntheBayofPlentywehave beenfortunatetohavereceived alotmorerainthantheWaikato andTaupoareas.Ihaveheard somefarmersfromMangakino saytheyhaveonlyhad30ml ofrainsinceNovember!Forus intheBayofPlentytheperiod JanuarytoMarchlastyearwasa dryperiodwithonly249mlof rain,butthisyearforthesame periodwehaveonlyhad161ml.
Recordamounts Asastockfeedsupplier, Icantrulysayitisacompletely differentyearcomparedtolast. Itwashardtogivethestuffaway 12monthsago,butthisyear thephonekeepsringing,andwe havesoldrecordamounts ofsupplement.
Ingeneral,farmerscarried alargeamountoffeedover fromlastyear,butthishasnow beenusedup.Throughoutthe NorthIslandmaizecropsthat
On-farmfeedbudgetsare prettytightasmanyfarmers havealreadyfedoutmuchof theirwinterfeedstocksothe questionbecomeshowwillthey fillapotentialfeedholeinthe July-Septemberperiod?There arestilloptions–frombuyingin moresupplement,towintering cowsandreplacementstockoff farmpriortothisperiod.We havesomelatemaizesilagestill availabletothosewhomayneed it,sogetintouch.Thereare alsohay,strawandsilagebales availablebutthesearebeing snappedupquickly. Ifyouneedsupplementary feed,Istronglyrecommend buyingsoontoensurehigh qualityfeedandtoavoidsupply anddemandpriceincreases. Itisalsotimetobegin planningtodryoffcows–and thiscanbeadifficultdecision whenyoutrytobalance producingmoremilkina highpayoutseason,against
maintainingcowcondition andensuringnextseasonisset upwell.Maizesilageisagreat sourceoffeedtoextendlactation andputweightoncows.When feedingoutfrommaizestacks, remembertomanagetheface ofthestack,keepingitniceand cleantolimitspoilage.
Prices
Farmgatepricesforproduce arestillholdingatrecordlevels. ThemostrecentGlobalDairy Tradeeventwas,onaverage, unchanged.Beefpricesarestill elevatedandarelikelytoremain soforsometime.Thereis potentialforanothercutortwo totheOfficialCashRatewhich hopefullywilltranslateinto retailinterestratescomingdown atouchmore.Sofinancially thingsarelookingreallygood forfarmers. Intermsofmoreinteresting things,Ihavereportsthatthe deerarestartingroar,andthe countdownisontotheopening weekendoftheduckshooting seasonwhichisthefirstweekend inMay.Ifyouareouthunting, staysafeandenjoysomegood timeofffarmwithmates.
Creating a ne section for famil Subdividingyourpropertytocreatea separatesectionforsaletoafamilymember isarewardingyetintricateprocess. Navigatingthroughlegalframeworkssuchasthe ResourceManagementActandspecificlocalcouncil regulationscanbedaunting.Thejourneyinvolves engagingprofessionalslikesurveyorsandlegaladvisors whilealsoconsideringpotentialtaximplications. Thisguideprovidesacomprehensiveroadmap toensureyoursubdivisionprocessisas smoothaspossible.
Setrules Everysubdivisionmustadhere totherulessetforthinthelocal DistrictPlan.Theprocessinvolves severalcriticalstages,beginningwith aresourceconsentapplicationtothe council.Uponapproval,Section223 and224(c)certificationsmustbe obtained,ensuringcompliancewith allconsentconditions.Finally,the approvedsurveyplanislodgedwith LandInformationNewZealandto issuenewpropertytitles.
Allsubdivisionsrequirecouncil approvaltoensure compliancewithzoningandland-useregulations. Somecouncilsimposedevelopmentcontributions tofundnecessaryinfrastructureupgrades.If yoursubdivisionislikelytoimpactneighbouring propertiessignificantly,thecouncilmayrequire publicnotification,whichcouldinfluencethe approvalprocess.
Multifacetedprocess Beforeembarkingonthesubdivisionprocess,it iscrucialtoassesswhetheryourpropertymeetsthe necessarycouncilrequirements.Thisinvolveschecking theDistrictPlantoconfirmzoningregulations andensurethatessentialinfrastructuresuchas water,sewage,power,androadaccessisavailable. Environmentalandculturalconsiderations,such asfloodzonesandprotectedheritagesites,may alsoinfluencethefeasibilityofyoursubdivision.A subdivisionspecialistatthisstageisamust.Asuccessful subdivisionreliesonexpertguidance.Surveyors playapivotalroleinpreparingplansandensuring regulatorycompliance,withsomeofferingfullproject managementservices.Alawyerisessentialforhandling legaldocumentationandoverseeingtitletransfers. Formorecomplexprojectsinvolvingsignificant infrastructuredevelopmentorenvironmental considerations,anengineermayalsobenecessary.
Onceresourceconsentisgranted,allstipulated conditionsmustbefulfilled.Thismayinclude installingorupgradingessentialutilitiessuchas water,sewage,power,andstormwatersystems. Additionally,theconstructionofdriveways orroadsandanyrequiredlandscapingor environmentalrestorationworkmustbe completedbeforeproceedingtothenextstage. Alicensedsurveyorwillsubmitthefinal surveyplantothecouncilforapproval.Once certified,thisplanislodgedwithLINZ, pavingthewayfortheissuanceofnew propertytitles.Atthisstage,alawyerdrafts asaleandpurchaseagreementtofacilitate thelegaltransferofownership.Thefinalstep involvesregisteringthetransactionwithLINZto officiallytransferthetitletothefamilymember. Subdivisioninvolvesvariousfinancialandtax implicationsthatshouldbecarefullyevaluated. Consultingataxadvisorcanclarifypotentialliabilities, includingtheBright-LineTest,whichmayimpose taxesonsalesmadewithintwoyears.Additionally, GSTimplicationsshouldbeconsidered,particularlyif thesubdivisionisclassifiedasataxableactivity.While someminorsubdivisionsmaybeexempt,budgeting forprofessionalfees,councilcharges,andconstruction expensesremainsessential.
Subdividingyourlandtosellasectiontoafamily memberisamultifacetedprocessthatdemands carefulplanningandexpertadvice.Byfollowingthe outlinedstepsandbestpractices,youcantransform yourpropertyintoalastingfamilyasset.Ifyou areconsideringasubdivisionandrequirefurther guidance,ourexperiencedteamisreadytoassistyou.
Pleasephone 032188569 Mobile 0275506727 or 0274354267
Email:info@nzadventures.co.nz Orvisitourwebsite www.nzadventures.co.nz Lookforwardtohearingfromyou
Touring g theSouthIslandin4X4s Thelongestrunningandoneofthe mostpopularof theNZAdventures toursistheHighCountryHeritage multi-daytripof1200kmfrom BlenheimtoCardrona,sayowneroperatorsofNZAdventures4x4 Tours, Robbie and Connie Crickett
Highlights of these trips are many and varied and include many large sheep and cattle stations along the route and DOC Conservation Parks, the couple say Stations visited include the iconic Molesworth in Southern Marlborough
andtheprivatelyheldpropertiesacross Canterbury and Otago “NZAdventuresofferstheHighCountry Heritagefor2026inFebruary,Apriland Decemberasasix-daytripandinMarchas aseven-daytrip,”sayRobbieandConnie, retiredSouthlandfarmers.
“Accommodation each nightisin motels in towns along the route and lunches are either catered picnic or station homestead Evening meals and breakfasts are restaurant type generally on site or close to the accommodation
“No special vehicle preparations are required but the vehicles must be genuine
four-wheeldrivewithalowrange transmission fitted Tyres should be closertonewthanwornoutandof AllTerraintype.”
RobbieandConniesayonalmostevery triptherearerentalvehicleswhicharea goodoptionforsome.
“NZAdventuresprovideparticipants with a two-way radio for each vehicle and maintain a commentary throughout the tour describing the properties and history of the area being travelled through and as the radios are two way there is ample opportunity for questions ” For further information, see their advert on this page
BruceScottintroducedMeanGreenElectric MowerstotheNewZealandmarket nineyearsago.
“Mostcouncilsandmajorcontractorsincludeelectric mowersintheirfleet,andit’snicetoseethemachines beingusedbymajorhorticulturalcompaniesand kiwifruitorchardists,”saidthedirectorofElectric MowerMarket.
ElectricMowerMarketwaslaunched lastyearaimedatofferingmore competitiveoptionstoawideruserbase.
“Worldlawnisatopelectricmower brand,andwealsoofferarangeof second-handmachines.Overthe five-yearwarrantyperiodonanew machine,clientswilllikelyrecovertheir investment,intotal,thankstosavings infuelandmaintenance,”saidBruce. Plus,electricmowermarket.comisalsoa referencetoolforpeopleconsidering thepurchaseofanelectricmowerwith lotsofanswerstothemostcommonly askedquestions.
ElectricMowerMarketdirector BruceScott.
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
“Likeanything,youneedtogetthe righttoolforthejob,”stressedBruce. “SomethingliketheWorldlawn52or 60-inchmachinewith,onaverage,four hoursofruntimeisampleformost smallorchardsorlife-styleproperties.” AllinquiriesintheBayofPlentycan nowbeansweredbyMatthewGray
ofUnearthAg.“There’snothingthat thismandoesn’tknowaboutelectric mowers,andhisfarmingbackground isagreatasset,”saidBruce.“Wecan’t recommendMatthewhighlyenough –he’llbeabletoputanyreservations youhaveaboutelectricmowerstorest; it’snicetohavesomeoneofhisquality representingElectricMowerMarket inthearea.”
FarmingLikeGrandad, aneventrunbythe WaterwheelHistoricTrust, willtakeplacethefirst Saturdayoftheschool holidaysonApril12from 10amto4pm.
“Wearehopingthatallthis willbeagreatstarttothe EasterBreakforthewhole family,”saeventorganiser StephanieJohnson.
Thiswillbethethirdyearthe eventhasbeenhostedatTeTeko RaceparkintheBayofPlenty. Stephaniesaiditjustgetsbetter andbetter,withastandwhere youcanwatchtheAxemen,who forthefirsttimewillbehavinga fullcompetition.
Closebyisthepavillion, whichwillhousetheproduce competition,aswellasline dancing,acraftcornerwith spinningandanopportunityto useatreadlesewingmachine,
knittingandfelting.
Stephaniesaidpeoplecan learnaboutbeesandtheir livesandseeanduseoldstyle typewriters,phonesandjoin inthe“guesswhatthiswas usedfor”.
“Wewillhavearangeof vintagetractorsandfarm machineryandjusttomakeit real,therewillbedisplaysof today’smachineryaswell.
“Thevintagecarsdon’twantto beleftout,sotheyarecoming
DoIneedextramagnesium? (Part1) Magnesiumisoneof mymostfrequently prescribedsupplements.
Thisisbecausemagnesium isusedinmultipleenzymes andeffectsmosttissuetypes. Inparticular,itrelaxesboth nervesandbloodvessels.
Relaxingnervesishelpfulfor sleepandrestlesslegswhile relaxingbloodvesselshelps withloweringbloodpressure andhelpingcirculation.
Differentissues
alongtoo.Wewillhavesheep shearing,buttermaking,alongwith oldstylegames,liketheegg&spoon race.TheClydesdaleswillbewaiting totakeyouonawagonrideandthere
willbesomejusttopetandtalkto, probablyafewmoreanimalstoo.”
Formoreinformation,see WaterwheelHistoricTrust’sadvert onthispage.
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Minimalopera ngcost
formulatedthecapsulestohaveadosagerange. Normallytwocapsulesbeforebedwillsufficebut short-termdosesoffourcapsulescanbeused.Please contactmeforpersonalisedadvice.
JohnArts(B.Soc.Sci,DipTch,Adv.Dip.Nut.Med)isanutritionalmedicine practitionerandfounderofAbundantHealthLtd.Forquestionsoradvice contactJohnon0800423559oremailjohn@abundant.co.nz Joinhisallnewnewsletteratwww.abundant.co.nz
Magnesiumisinvolvedin numerousbodyprocessesandcanhelpproblemsin adifferenttissuetypesandbodysystemsespecially muscles.Irecommenditforcramp,restlesslegs, PMS,hypertensionandheartrhythmproblems.I usuallyrecommendthatmagnesiumbetaken30-60 minutesbedformaximumimpactonmuscles,nerves andtohelpwithsleep.Iftakenforhypertensionand daytimeandeveningdoseisrecommended.
Ihavemanyclientsnowlargelyfreeofnight crampsandrestlesslegs.InstubborncasesIalsoadd amulti-mineral/antioxidantcomplextohelpwith nighttimecirculationandimprovemusclefunction. Itisrarethatwecannotgetimprovementswiththese problemsthatcansignificantlydisruptoursleep.
Doses Unfortunately,manymagnesiumsupplements havejustoneformofmagnesiumandareone-a-day makingdoseexperimentationalmostimpossible. Inmyexperiencetherequireddosagediffersalot betweenpeoplewithsimilarproblems.Additionally, manysupplementsusecheaperlow-gradeingredients whichareharshonthedigestivetract. Iprefertousethreedifferentformsofmagnesium. Whilethismakesmanufacturingmoreexpensive, eachformofmagnesiumisabsorbeddifferently. Icombinebioavailablemarine(seaweed)sourced magnesiumwithaminoacidchelatedmagnesium di-glycinatewithmagnesiumcitrate.Ideliberately
BIOROCK(NZ)Limited Sales&Informa on: Email:dhivesh@biorock.co.nz
POBox46234,Auckland1147
DhiveshKrishna Phone:021645717
WWW.BIOROCK.CO.NZ
$82.95for2bottles post-freeor 1bottle$43.95 plus$5.99postage Eachbottlehas 120capsules, approx2months’ supplyperbottle.
WhatisMagnesiumTriple?
Thisisablendof3highlybioavailableformsof Magnesiumforrapidabsorptionandbetterresults.
•MarineMagnesium121mg
•MagnesiumGlycinate240mg
•MagnesiumCitrate258mg
HowcanMagnesiumTriplehelp?
•ThesehighgradeformsofMagnesiumarequicklyabsorbed
•Itisidealtohelprelaxsoreortightmuscles
•Canhelpwithrestfulsleep
•TohelpwithPMSrelatedtension
•Helpsmusclesrecoverafterexercise
•Supportshealthyheartrhythm
JohnArtscomments:
“AbundantHealthrapidabsorptionMagnesiumTriplecanreally helptightorstressedmusclesandforagoodnight’ssleep.The3 doseis2beforebed.” (JohnArts,Founder,AbundantHealthLtd)
The Axmen will be having a full competition for the first time at this year ’ s event Photo / Supplied
Newbilltogivefarmers‘sovereignty’ NewZealand’smulti-talented farmers,manyofwhomarealso mechanics,maysoonbeable tolegallyfixtheirbrokenor damagedfarmvehiclesifa newbillissuccessful.
TheConsumerGuaranteesRight toRepairAmendmentBillhadits firstreadingintheHouseback inFebruary.
Thebillwouldrequiremanufacturers toprovideinformation,likemanuals andaccesstopartswiththeproducts theysell.
Currently,consumersarebound bywarrantieswhichwouldbecome voidifworkwascarriedoutby independentrepairers.
DraftedbytheGreenParty’s RicardoMenendezMarchandput forwardbypartyco-leaderMarama Davidson,thebillwaspulledfrom thebiscuittinandwouldneed
cross-partysupporttoprogress.
DavidsonsaidNewZealanders likedtofixstuff,andit’s “frustrating”thatconsumersaren’t abletosimplybuysparepartsfor theiritemsandfixtheitem.
Unabletofix
Shesaidaprimeexamplewasthe caseforpeopleinruralorfarming communitieswhohadtosendtractors tothecompany’smoreexpensive certifiedtechniciansforrepair.
“Farmersaresupposedtoownthat equipment,they’veinvestedheavilyin it,butthey’reoftenunabletojustbe abletofixitorfixitlocally,”shesaid.
“Thelargecorporations,thelarge companiescanoftenrestrictfarmers frombeingabletocheckunderthe hood,beingabletoevendiagnose whattheproblemisinthefirst place,andthenberestrictedtothe manufacturerrepairers.
“So,thisiswhatthebillwouldhelp
us to support, farmers having moreofthatsovereigntyover theirfarmequipment.”
Legalloophole S She said manufacturers are utilisingalegalloopholearound providingrepairfacilities,spare partsandinformationbysimply tellingconsumerstheywere notavailable.
“Whatthathasmeantisit’s beenreallydifficultforpeopleto justbeabletofixorgetalocal repairerorworkshoptofixtheir appliances,vacuumcleaners, maybetheirfridgeanddrier, andithasalsobeenoftencostly.
“Sothisbillremovesthat loophole,anditbasically
requires manufacturers to be abletoprovidetheinformation, therepairfacilityorspareparts.”
Davidsonsaidsupporters shouldcontacttheirlocalMPs t to ask them to support the bill andgetittoselectcommittee.
Billsupport Thebillwassupportedby ConsumerNZ,RighttoRepair Coalition,RepairCafeAotearoa NZ,WasteMINZ,lawyersand academicsatAucklandand Waikatouniversitiesandothers. Right-to-repairlawsglobally havebeenamendedtoenable greaterfreedomsforconsumers throughthemanufacturerin recentyears.Newlegislation
in the European Union will enshrinemachineryrightto repairforconsumersfrom2026 –withsimilarapproachesin othermarketsliketheUnited K Kingdom,tthe United States andCanada.
Australia’sNationalFarmers’ Federationhitloggerheads withitsTractor&Machinery Associationlastyear,failingto reachavoluntaryagreementon therighttorepair. Thefarmerlobbygroupwas pushingforlegislationtomake consumerproductdatasharing mandatory,whichwouldrequire amendmentstoitsAustralian CompetitionConsumerAct.
Warningonmachineguardingfailures Ifyou’rerepairingmachineryonthefarmthis autumn,it’sbestyouchecktoensuretheitem’s machineguardingisuptostandard.
AccordingtoWorkSafe’srecentHighHazard February2025newsletter,theorganisationis seeingmachine-guardingfailures,includingthe followingexamples.
“Acorrodedpumpguardthatpeoplehad becomeusedtowalkingpastwhenitclearly neededreplacing(ithadbeenidentifiedona register)asithadcorrodedtothepointthata handcouldfitthrough.
“Agrindingmachinewherethetophadaguard topreventaccess,butthetrayunderthemachine couldberemovedwhilethemachinewasrunning,
allowingaccessfromthebottom.Aninterlock wasnecessarytopreventthatscenario.
“Screwconveyorswheretherewerequickaccessguards.Thesetypesofguardsneedtobe interlockedtopreventthembeingopenedwhile theequipmentismoving.”
Howdoyouknowifyouneedmachine guardsforeverybitofmovingmachinerythat couldbeexposed?
“Ifanylooseclothingorbodypart,including afinger,couldgetinandcaughtupinthe movingmachinerythentheshortanswerisyes,” saidthenewsletter.
Aguidanceonsafeuseofmachineryisavailable at:www.worksafe.govt.nz/topic-and-industry/ manufacturing/safe-use-of-machinery
A new bill could let farmers legally fix their own farm vehicles Photo / Harry Nash
AlittleFordModelAColonialpickupcomesfull-circle Ninety-fiveyearsafterarriving inNewZealand,aniconiclittle FordModelAPickuptruckhas comefullcircle.
Afterspendingits earlydaystaking vegetablestomarket, it’snowusedasa promovehicleforegg producersJamesand KarleneBrownand canoftenbespottedat farmersmarketsand supermarketsaround theWaikatoandBay ofPlenty.“Welove thatweknowher history,”saidJames.
owner,collectorIanLamb,helped withtherestoration.
JamesandKarlenewerelookingfor afunpromovehicleforthefamily businessandtheLambfamilyjust happenedtobefriends ofJames’sdad.Achance conversationendedup withJamesandKarlene buyingthetruckin2022.
“She’sstillverymuchin originalconditionapart fromhavingtoreplace somewornparts,anda metalwellsidedeckhad replacedthewoodenflat deck.Wehadvintage stylebrandingaddedto thebodywork.”
ImportedfromFordintheUnited Statesin1930asarollingchassis, theColonialMotorBodyCompany inWellingtonaddedthecab,deck andtrimmingsandtherewasspace fortwosparetyres.
Ownership Thetruck’sfirstownerwasa Chinesemarketgardenerfrom MurchisonintheSouthIsland. Headdedalargewoodenflatdeck totransporthisvegetablestothe marketintown.
Afterseveralownersandnearing theendofitslife,itwassavedand lovinglyrestoredinthe1970sby thelateJohnBoyd.ItsChristchurch
Jamessaidthatit’s easytogetnewpartsorevenanew enginebecausesomeoneinNew Zealandimportsthemforthis popularvehicle.
Atalkingpoint TheModelAhasathree-speed gearboxandfour-cylinderengine yieldingaround23.3hp.The3.3 litreenginecanmanageabout 60kmphatfullpeltontheflat. Itwasn’tbuiltfortallerpeople likeJamesandhadaverysmall, uncomfortablecab.
“Sheactuallyrunsreallywell,butI tookherovertheKamaisonceand shereallystruggledupthehillsand IwasabitbentoverwhenIgotout.
Thespecial‘Colonial’bodyhas roomonbothsidesforasparetyre.
I’mneverdoingitagainandshenowtravelswith theassistanceofherowntrailer!”
Whetherparkedupinsideasupermarketor atafarmersmarket,thetruckisdefinitelya talkingpoint.
“PeoplesharetheirModelAmemorieswithus. Wethinkit’sreallycoolthatshe’sstill‘working’in marketsandconnectingpeoplewiththelandand wheretheirfoodcomesfrom.”
BX2380 $22,500*+GST FittedwithLA344Loaderand RCK60Mid-mountmower 23HPKubotadieselengine Switchingbetweenmowinglawns& frontendloaderworkhasneverbeen easier.TheBXloadercanbeattached withoutleavingthedriver’sseat
James and Karlene McGirr’s little farm truck is a real talking point.
Photos / Catherine Fry
Ametalwellsidedeckwasaddedduring arestoration.
ExcavationcompetitioncrownsNZ’sbest TePukeisnowhometothe county’ssecond-best excavatoroperator.
JohnRohloffplacedsecondinthe CCNZCablePriceNationalExcavator Operatorcompetitionlastmonth. Dubbed‘MrConsistency’,John
said he’s over the moon “I wasn ’ t expecting anything like this When I saw my name come up across a numberoftheevents[duringtheawardsnight],I thought:‘Jeez,Imightbeinwithashothere...’.
“Ioweittomyemployers,FultonHogan, forsupportingmeindoingthis.AndtoCivil ContractorsNewZealandforputtingthison.I’m justgrateful.”
Johnthoughtthekeytothecompetingwellwas goodtimemanagement,especiallyontheSaturday ofthetwo-dayevent.“Thekeywas,IthinkIhad abitbettertimemanagementtoday.That’swhat helpedonthe13513-tonnechallenge;Isetgood times,andIachievedwhatIwantedto.”
First-placewinner Northland’sStevenGeorgedemonstratedhisgrit toriseaboveahistoricfieldofcompetitorsatthe CivilContractorsNewZealandCablePriceNational ExcavatorOperatorCompetition,outclassing11of thecountry’stopoperatorstoreignsupreme.
TheWhangareiowner-operatorshowcased nervesofsteelandprecisionoperatingtoclinchthe victory.
HetookthetitleoverBayofPlentychampionJohn RohloffofFultonHogan,whilelastyear’srunner-up
14-15atManfeildParkinFeildingduringCentral DistrictsFieldDays,followedpreviousattemptsin 2023,whenhewasrunner-up,and2024whenhe tookthird.Hewassupportedatthecompetitionby JulieFraser.
Victoryspeech Georgesaidwinningthecompetitiontitlewas “bloodyawesome”andthankedeveryoneinvolved fortheireffortsinhisvictoryspeech.
“Thanksverymuchtoeverybodythatputthis on.Alltheorganisers,sponsors,volunteers,it’sjust great.“Thirdnudgeatthis.Iwassecond,dropped tothird,andmanagedtogettheretoday.Iwasn’t tooconfident.Ienjoyedwatchingalltheother competitors.Everybody’sprettyskilled,eh!Idon’t usuallygetnervous,butthiseveningwasabitofthat.”
Thisyear’seventmarkedthe31stanniversaryofthe excavator‘BattleRoyale’andbrokenewgroundwith threefemaleregionalchampions–GeorgiaLyford fromCanterburyWestland,LydiaHillfromNelson MarlboroughandTanyaClaxtonfromHawke’sBay EastCoast–competinginthenationalfinalsforthe firsttimeinthecompetition’shistory.
Michael Brown, of Fulton Hogan, took third place George’s success in the competition, held on March
Runner up John Rohlo navigates the under-thewire challenge. Photo / Supplied
INZ’snewchiefexecutivegetsstuckin IrrigationNZ’snewchief executiveKarenWilliams hashitthegroundrunning inhernewrole,whichshe beganlate-February.
InIrrigationNZ’sNewsSplash February2025newsletter, Williamssaiditwasgreatto finallybeinWellingtonand startingtogetherteethinto therole.
Herfirstweekonthejobhad includedplentyofdiscussion onallthingswaterand irrigation-related,“andI’ve beenconnectingwiththeteam onourupcomingmagazine,a morestructuredapproachto stakeholderengagement,and diggingintoourprioritiesabit more,”shesaid.
Busymonths
ChairKeriJohnstonandnewly appointedvicechairAndrew MockfordjoinedWilliamsfor herfirsttwodaysintheoffice tohelpsettleherinandgoover boardrequirements.
“Whileit’searlydays,I’m movingintoabusycoupleof months–connectingonthe impactsofnewRMAreforms andmeetingwithgovernment officialsandmembersaround whatchangesarecomingand whattheymaymeanforusand
IrrigationNZ’snewchiefexecutiveKarenWilliamswithnewlyappointedvicechairAndrewMockfordandchairKeriJohnstonin herfirsttwodaysonthejob. Photo/IrrigationNewZealand.
thoseassociatedwithirrigation aroundthecountry.
“I’malsoturningattention towhatnewopportunitieswe mightneedtotapintoasthe contextaroundusevolvestoo.
“I’mlookingforwardtoitall –especiallyconnectingacross arangeofdifferentgroups andorganisationstoensure thepathwayforirrigation makessenseforourfarming andgrowingcommunitiesas wellasforoureconomicand environmentalfuture.”
Inthenewsletter,Williamsalso saidthatmostwillnowknow thatwater-storagesolutions areverymuchtopofherlist intermsofherfocus–“we’re makingprogressandwelook
forwardtoseeingevenmore actionin2025”.
WaimeaDam “TheTaiTokerauWaterTrust upnorthandtheWaimeaDam downsoutharegoodexamples ofstepsintherightdirection foranationalwater-storage pathway.
“Bothweretheresultofmany yearsofvision,passionand tenacityatalocallevel.Nowit’s timetolearnfastandreapmore benefitswithmorewater-storage solutionsacrossthecountry.
“Iknowwe’vegotdrought-like conditionsinpartsoftheNorth Islandthataretheworstthey’ve beeninyears,too.Combined withongoingdroughtsituations
Autumnidealtocheckeffluentsystem Autumnisagreattimeon-farm–ifyou’renot calving–totakeacloserlookatyourfarmdairy effluentsystemtoseeifit’suptoscratch. Whencowsdryoff,lookatthesystem’sstructure andequipmentanddecidewhetherupgrades, repairsorreplacementsneedtobemadeaheadof thenextseason.
Taketimetoreviewhowthesystemcopedlast season.Whatwastheweatherlike?Didthisaffect thefarmdairyeffluentsystem,includingstorage? Didthesystemhaveanyissueslastseason?What werethey?Howdidtheyimpactyouroperation? Didthesystemcopewithcownumbersmilked?If herdnumbersareincreasingthiscomingseason, willthesystemcopeordoesitneedtobeenhanced orupgraded?Areyouexpandingthefarmsize?
Ifyou’repurchasinganewfarm,doesitseffluent
systemstackuptoyourherd’sneeds?Doesthe systeminplacesuitthefarmingoperation’sneeds? Shouldyouconsideranothertypeofsystem?Ifso, planningiskey.
DairyNZhasafarmdairyeffluentsystem planningguideat:www.dairynz.co.nz
Onemessagefromtheresourcesaidthatif you’redesigninganeweffluentsystemyou’re besttofutureproofitbymakingsureyourfuture intentionswithyourfarmaretakenintoaccount.
“Becauseyoudon’twantyournewsystemto beinappropriateorunabletocopeinfiveyears’ time.”Choosingtherightsystemalsorequired professionaladvice,andpickingtherightperson forthejob.
DairyNZ’swebsitehasarangeofadviceonFDE designandupgrades.See:www.dairynz.co.nz/ environment/effluent
inpartsoftheSouthIsland,scheduling irrigationisonlygoingtobecome morepressingastimegoeson.” Formoreguidanceonirrigation
duringdroughtperiods,Williams saidtoremembertocheckINZ’srisk adviceresourcesontheirwebsiteat: www.irrigationnz.co.nz
PICSystem TheP&PdPICSystem combines:(1)atrailerunit,connectedbetween thetravellingirrigatorandthedraghose,and(2)aKelcoIPG20controller locatedatthepump,providingafoolproof,cost-effective,thoroughand reliablefailsafeifanyfault,leak,orblockageoccursinthe effluentsupplysystemorwiththetravellingirrigator.
Formoreinformationcontact: fault, leak, or blockage occurs in the m orwiththetravellingirrigator.
kjsmithengineering@xtra.co.nz Mobile: 0275730566 orvisitoursiteat www.papd.co.nz
INSTALLATION SERVICE REPAIR DodaPumps&Stirrers|DallaiFittings|Hydrants|EffluentParts
20yearsexperience of DairyEffluentSystems andRepairs ServicingofallEffluent &Irrigationequipment. Fullsysteminstallations. NZsupplierofDODAproducts, wealsocarryacomprehensive rangeofDairyEffluentparts& equipmentdesignedtoprovide arobustandtroublefree operation,complementingour Servicingbusiness.
s | Effluent Parts
11AndersonStreet,Morrinsville•(07)8890933•admin@waikatodes.co.nz
Aseasonoffirstsandarecordyear Withanotherexportseason underitsbelt,theDMS AvocadoDivisionhas packedarecordnumber ofexporttraysforthe 2024/2025season.
DMSAvocadosbusiness managerHamishMcKainsaid it’sagreatfeelingtofinishthis exportseasononapositiveside.
“Asolidperformanceofthe entireteam,dedicationofall ourharvestcontractors,offshore qualityholdinguprespectively well,andmothernatureholding goodweatherformostofthe season…allofthismadethe perfectcombinationfora positiveoutcome.
“Andofcourse,hittingthe recordnumberof405,000 Class1trayspackedthisseason isabigwin.”
Hamishsaidit’simportantto notethatitwasn’tallsmooth sailing,theaddedimplications ofaLeafRollerdetectionatthe Australianborderaddedmore thanafewextrachallenges. Hesaidwithteamwork,the commitmentofgrowers,and bigsupportfromeverybody involvedintheavocadoharvest operations,includingexporter AVOCO–enabledthemto reducetherisksasmuchasthey couldbeforetheshipmentof theproduct.
Communitysupport “Also,theDMS’snewly installedwaterblastergave usthatextrabitofsecurity controllingthepestsduringthe actualproduction,managingthe risktoaminimumandhelping
tokeeptheindustryandour growerssafe.”
HamishsaidDMSwas incrediblyaproudsupport ofthelocalcommunityby becomingaPlatinumMain StagesponsorfortheKatikati AvocadoFood&WineFestival heldinJanuary2025.
Hesaidthefestivaldrew crowdsfromacrosstheBay ofPlentyandbeyond.The combinationoflivemusic, deliciousfoodanddrinks, summervibesandstunning weathercreatedsuchalively atmosphere.
“Itwasnicetoseeafewofour growersandfansofavocado joiningusontheday,havinga greattimeandalittlecatchup duringourbusyharvesttimes.
“Puttingthatintoreality withinthecommunityand
followingoneofoursixmain company core values that we live by
Theprovenlowpressuremethodforeffectivephytophthora controlinavocadotrees.TheAvoJect®arehighquality syringeswithasmalltiptominimisetreedamage.
E:info@avoject.co.nz|W:avoject.co.nz
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
packingoperationsarestillrunning for a few weeks packing for the
forafewweeks,packingforthe localmarkets,pushingthroughthe remainingbins.
companycorevaluesthatweliveby –‘Ourpeople’swellbeing’–focusing onthewellbeingofyourpeopleand fosteringasenseoftogetherness, reallymakesmebelievethatthiscan makeadifferenceinhowateamor companythrives.
“It’snotjustaboutsupporting eachotherprofessionally,butalso onapersonallevel,creatinga strongerbondandmoreresilient environment,especiallyinthese challengingtimes.”
Demandingseason Hamishsaidit’sbeenanincredibly busyanddemandingseason,andthe finishlineisstillafewweeksaway.
Theavocadoharvestandall
“ForsurethiswillbetheDMS biggestavocadoseasonyet,”said Hamish.
“Abigseasonlikethiscanbring alotofpride,butitalsobringsto thesurfacealotofissuesthatthe avocadoindustryischallengedby.
“Ibelieveit’sallaboutcollaboration andworkingtowardcontinuous improvement,whereeveryonepulls togetherwiththatsharedvisionof makingameaningfulimpactand positivechanges.Eveninthe busiesttimes,keepingthatlong-term visioninmindcanreallydrive everyoneforward.”
Registrationopensfortwoconferences Registrationsareopenfor2025’sRSE andHorticultureconferences.
RunbyHorticultureNewZealand, theconferencesareatwo-dayevent focusedonhorticulture-centricspeakers andcontent.
andsustainableforthenextgeneration?
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
Thisyear’sthemefortheHorticulture ConferenceisCelebratingHorticulture–OurPeople,Produce,andPotential,which isallabouttheheartoftheindustry–the peoplewhogrowfood,produce,and opportunitiestocreateathrivingfuture.
Thisconferencewilldiveintothebig questions–suchas:Howdowegrow valuewithoutsimplygrowingmore?How dowestayaheadinchangingmarkets? Andhowdowekeepourindustrystrong
Aspartoftheevent,HNZishostinga WomeninHorticultureworkshoptoo. Thisyear’sthemeforRSEConferenceis Honotahi–TogetherasOne,to reflectHNZ’scommitmentto strengtheningcollaborationandimproving industryoutcomes.
Thisconferencewillexploreworkforce development,recruitmentchallengesand bestpractices,RSEworkerexperiences andculturalintegration,policyupdates, advocacy,andsustainableworkforce solutions.TheconferencesareonAugust 25-27atTākinaWellingtonConvention &ExhibitionCentre.Registerat: www.hortnzevents.co.nz
Keepingit local,proudlysupportingtheKatikati AvocadoFood & WineFestival.
Navigating2025-2026’savocadoseason Asthe2025-2026avocadoexport seasonapproaches,industry commentarysuggeststhat marketconditionsmaybemore challengingintermsofvalue, primarilyduetoalargerWestern Australiancrop.
ForNewZealandexporters, understandingglobalsupplydynamics andoptimisingmarketentrytiming willbecrucialtonavigatingthese challengeseffectively.
Inthe2024-2025season,Darling Group’sClass1avocadovolumewas distributedacrossthreekeyregions: NorthAmerica(17%),Asia(38%), andAustralia(45%).Thisequatedto marketshareofNewZealandvolume suppliedof70%inNorthAmerica, 19%inAsia,and16%inAustralia.
Lookingahead,severalinternational factorswillinfluenceourexport strategyanddecision-makingregarding shipmenttimingandmarketallocation for2025-2026.
Exportmarket Themarketingteam,leadbyJacob Darling,hassignalledthatasignificant factorisPeru’sincreasedcropvolume thisseason,whichalsostartedearlier thanusual.Thisdevelopmentis particularlyrelevantforNewZealand, becauseitmeansPeru’ssupplyinto AsiaandNorthAmericawilllikely concludesooner–August-September. Thisshiftpresentedanopportunity forNewZealandavocadostoenter themarketasexportmaturitiesstart tobereachedandPeruvianvolumes taperoff.Throughthegroup’s
12-monthsupplystrategy,which includesexportsfromPeru,the DGMteammaintainastrong connectiontomarketinsights andcanmakeinformeddecisions aboutwhento commenceNew Zealandexports. InAustralia,alarge WesternAustralian cropin2023-2024 ledtoDarlingGroup notshippinganyfruit tothemarket.With indicationspointing toasimilar-sized Australiancropthis season,earlymarket entryelsewhere willbeincreasinglyimportant. Operationally,thisemphasises theneedforgrowerstobefully preparedintheircrop’sexport complianceandallmarketaccess
status.Growersshouldcarefully managechemicalapplications usingoursprayguide,puttheir AvoGreenmonitoringdatato work,andplantotheirforecast harvesttiming. We haveconsistentlyled thewayinearlyseason harvestandmarket developmentinAsia, andmorerecently NorthAmerica.The DGMteamhasset thetargetmarkets for2025-2026as China,HongKong, Korea,Canada,and theUSA.Anotable shiftinrecentyears hadbeentheresurgenceofNorth Americaasakeydestination. Retailersinthisregion,seeking alternativestoMexicanand Peruvianfruit,wereincreasingly
includingNewZealandavocados intheconversation.Thistrend alignsedwellwithsignificant investmentwehavemadeinthe AsiaandtheUSAtodate.
Innovation ExpandingourfootprintinAsia andNorthAmericaisnotanew strategyforDarlingGroup–it’s anareawherewe’vealreadymade significantprogress.Thekeyto maximisinggrowervaluethis seasonwillbereinforcingthese effortswhileminimisingexposure toAustralia,wherereturnsare expectedtobeweaker.
Innovationacrossthesupply chainremainsacorefocus.We strivetobuildabusinessmodel that’ssuitableforthechallenging timeswe’vehadbutnimble enoughtotakeadvantageof opportunitiesweseegoingforward.
Turning bright ideas intoquality fruit Growers are urged to carefully manage chemical
ensure readiness for harvestand flexibility
MaleKiwifruitPollen rtpollen@xtra.co.nz
www.rtpollen.co.nz
Abee-autifulblendof AKatikatihoneyproducersaidthey’veseen astrong2024/2025honeyseason,with the weather on their side and a
theweatherontheirsideanda particularlyfavourablespring.
Thelocaleconomyhasalsobenefited,with orchardistsandotheragriculturalbusinesses enjoyingthefruitsofthebee’slabourdueto increasedpollination.
“Thisseasonthehivesarelookingstrongand healthy,”saidBeeNZownerandgeneralmanager JulieHayes,whorunsthefamily-ownedand operatedbusinessbasedinKatikatialongside husbandDavid.
“The2025honeyharvestingseasonstartedalittle earlierforusduetothewarmerweatherwe’ve seenhereinNorthernBayofPlenty.Thehealth ofourhivesandthewarmspringforflowering helpedbuildconfidencethatwewouldproducea goodamountofourprizedmānukahoneyinthe 2024/2025season.”
Juliesaidthepredictedgoodhoneyharvest seasonmeantabountifulsupplyofhoneywith goodmānukamarkersandhealthierandstronger b l i
beecolonies.
Bountifulsupply “Beingabletomeetmarketdemandisalways positive,whichinturnhelpsstrengthenhoney businessesfinanciallyandthisflowsontosupport theregionaleconomy.
“Localfarmersandorchardistsalsobenefit,as beesplayavitalroleinpollination,boostingcrop yieldsandqualityacrosstheboard.”
BuzzApiariesLtdhas1000hives,andis verticallyintegratedwithBeeNZLtd,producing andmarketingitsownbrandandsupplying privatelabelinternationally.
Singapore,MalaysiaandSaudicountasits topthreemarkets.Completingthecircle,they rentouthivesforpollinatingavocadoand kiwifruitorchards.
Beehives surroundedby plantingsof nativeflora.
Photo/NZME
kiwifruitandhoney TheHayesfamilyoriginallyenteredthehoney industrybecausetheyneededhivestopollinate theirkiwifruitorchards.BuzzApiarywas establishedin2008whentheybuiltanextraction facilityfortheirhivesandforotherbeekeepersin theareaasbeekeepingwasgainingpopularity.
Processinganddistributinghoneythemselveswas thenextstep,andin2015theyremovedablockof kiwifruittobuildaprocessingandpackingfacility andBeeNZLtdwaslaunched.
Tospreadthesupplyrisk,BeeNZLtdisalso a50%shareholderinabulkhoneytradingand distributioncompanybasedinTimaru.
Workingtogether Thecoupleemploy12peoplewhogeton-the-job training.It’salsoafamilyaffair,withtwoofJulie andDavid’ssonsbeekeepers,andtheirdaughterin-lawlookingafterthecommunicationsand marketingsideofBeeNZLtd.
“Ourkiwifruitandthehoneyharvesting businessesworkperfectlytogether,astheon/off seasonsforeachcoordinatewelltoallowforyearroundemploymentforourteam,”saidJulie.
“Wehavetheabilitytotransitionstaffin fromourotherbusinesswhenthebusyseason isuponus.”Commitmenttosustainability andenvironmentalcareisabigfocus,withthe businessachievingB-Corpstatusin2022.Itholds anumberofotheraccreditationsincludingthe Fernmark,whichisusedtopromoteproducts thatareauthenticallymadeinNZ,andToitu EnviromarkGoldcertification,whichrecognises theirenvironmentalefforts.
Careandrespect “Itisimportanttousasbusinessowners andoperatorstodo‘businessforgood’and showcareandrespecttoourpeople,planet
andcommunities.Wealsoliketoshareour knowledgeandexperience.“Ourbeekeepershave participatedinworkshopsandindustryeventsto spreadawarenessabouttheroleofbeesinfruit pollinationandhowkiwifruitorchardistscan contributetoprotectingbeestoo.”
Whilethebusinesshashadtomanagethe onggoing g challenggesaroundincreasing g costs, , Julie saidthatoverall, the mental healthofbeekeepersis betterthanprevious seasons
BeeNZhive manager Corban Hayes. Photo/Supplied
AllTerrainPollination(2017)Ltduseawetpollenapplication systemforsprayingpollendirectlyontothefloweranddeveloped specificallyfortheNewZealandKiwifruitindustrytoassistgrowers inachievingmaximumresults.
Usingadvancedtechnologyto minimiseenvironmentalimpacthas helpedTePukekiwifruitgrowers
BlairDyerandSteveAtkinson clinchtheregionalsupremetitle attheBayofPlentyBallanceFarm EnvironmentAwards.
TheBallanceFarmEnvironment AwardslastmonthinTauranga arerunbytheNewZealandFarm EnvironmentTrust,achampionof sustainablefarmingandgrowing.
TheAtkinsonfamilyhaveownedthe propertyformorethan50years,with kiwifruitvinesplantedin2006.
Since2020,third-generation farmerBlairDyerhadmanaged thekiwifruitcropatKiwiHeights, workingcloselywiththeAtkinsonsto
graduallytransformmorelandinto thrivingorchardswhilepreservingits naturalecology.
The190.6ha(145haeffective) TePukepropertyfeatures27.2ha ofkiwifruitorchards.
Grazingstock Youngstockaregrazedon167ha, withthislandinterspersedwith 5.5haofmatureforestryand7.83ha ofnativeplantstooffsetgreenhouse gasemissions.
Asmallnumberoflivestockarealso raisedfordairyunitsintheWaikato.
Oneofthemostsignificantinitiatives hadbeenthecontinualdevelopmentof kiwifruitorchardswhileleavingmuch ofthenaturalenvironmentuntouched.
Thishadbeendonebydevelopingthe topsofhillsandkeepingmarginalland
fornativeplantingsorlow-impact drystockgrazing.
Thejudgesnotedthatcareful planningandsiteselectionhelped minimisenutrientrun-off,soil biologydisturbanceandloss oftopsoil.
Judgescomments Thestrategicplantingofnative treesstabilisedsteepslopesand offsetgreenhousegasemissions, furtherenhancingthefarm’s ecologicalfootprint.
Byleveragingadvanced technology,Blairprecisely targetedwaterandfertiliserto wheretheyareneededmost, reducingwasteandminimising environmentalimpact.
Heistriallingtheuseofdrones tospot-sprayweeds–rather thanblanketspraying–further reducingtheuseofchemicalsand protectingthesensitiveecosystem.
ThejudgesobservedthatBlair andSteveconstantlyplannedfor thefuture,makingthoughtful
TePukekiwifruit t gro ers in top gong decisionsaroundtheimpactson peopleandtheenvironment.
Thejudgeswereimpressedby theteam’sholisticapproachthat combinedrobustmanagement practiceswithadeep commitmenttoenvironmental stewardship.“KiwiHeights exemplifiesasuccessfulbusiness thatgenuinelycaresforthe environment,thewellbeingof theirpeople,andlong-term sustainability,”theysaid.
Notafraid “Theyarenotafraidtoadopt technologyearly,leveraging ittoenhanceefficiencyand driveinnovation.”
BlairandStevejointhesupreme winnersfrom10fellowregionsin theBallanceFarmEnvironment Awardstobeconsideredforthe GordonStephensonTrophyat thetrust’sNationalShowcasein WellingtoninJune.
RecipientsoftheGordon StephensonTrophythenbecome
2025’sNationalAmbassadors forSustainableFarmingand Growing. DyerandAtkinsonalsowonthe followingawards: -BallanceAgri-NutrientsSoil ManagementAward -HillLaboratoriesAgri-Science Award -NorwoodFarmingEfficiency Award -RabobankAgri-Business ManagementAward -FMGRiskManagementAward -ZespriKiwifruitOrchardAward
Bay of Plenty Ballance Farm Environment Awards supreme title winnersBlairDyer,left f ,andSteveAtkinson.
Photos/NZFarmEnvironmentTrust
BlairDyer,left,andSteve Atkinsonreceivingtheirawards.
Themajorwinnersinthe2025 WaikatoDairyIndustryAwards leftthecorporatelifeandhave embraceddairyfarmingandthe opportunitiesitprovides.
FionaandThomasLangfordwere announcedwinnersoftheregion’s ShareFarmeroftheYearcategory attheWaikatoDairyIndustry Awardsannualawardsdinnerheldat ClaudelandsEventCentreonMarch 20.TheotherbigwinnerswereZac vanDorsten,whobecamethe2025 WaikatoDairyManageroftheYear, andAlexDiprose,the2025Waikato DairyTraineeoftheYear.
TheLangfordsareequitypartners andcontractmilkersforMarianand JosvanLoonontheir262ha,1090cowfarm.Theywon$13,294in prizesandfivemeritawards.
Thefirst-timeentrantshavebeen interestedintheawardsprogramme forawhile,andwiththeiryoungest childnowtwoyearsold,itfeltlike therighttimetoenter.
Education
FionaholdsaMastersinDietetics andTomaBachelorofFoodScience (Hons).Theybothbeganworkin theFonterraTechnicalGraduate Programme,withFionamovingto MelbournetoworkintheNutritionals teamandTomworkingwiththe FonterraNutrientManagementteam. BothhaveaMastersinDairyScience andTechnologywhichtheycompleted duringtheirtimeintheFonterra programme.
“Tomhadneverbeenonafarm beforewemet,”saidFiona.
“InJune2017,afterathree-week crashcourseon-farm,Ibegan managingourfamilyfarm,with Tomjoiningmein2019.”
Thecouplesaidtheychosefarming becauseitprovidedgreatflexibilityfor familylifeandprovidesopportunities t togrowequiityquiickklyttomeet t theiir financialgoals.
“We’realsopassionateabouttraining peopleintothedairyindustryand providingacareerpathforthem.”
Brightfuture Thefuturelooksbrightforthe couplewhoarepassionateabout achievingefficienciesandminimising wastageinallaspectsoftheirfarming business.“Webelievewehavean opportunitytoshowcasethatand shareoursuccesses.”
Fiona,34,hascompletedtheFonterra GovernanceDevelopmentcourse, trainedasaDIYABtechnicianand bothsheandTom,33,havecompleted lamenesstraining.
“Wethrewourselvesintothedeep endwhenwestartedon-farmandwe’re veryproudofwhatwe’veachieved since,withourkidsgrowingand developingalongsideus.”
TheLangfordhadbeeninvolved inseveralrolesinthecommunity, includingPutaruruAthleticsClub, PuketuruaHallCommittee,Putaruru
RangersFC,SouthWaikatoEnvironmentInitiative, theirlocalplaycentreandTeWaotuSSG.
Thecoupleacknowledgedtheyarebothvery ambitiousandhaveastrongvisionfortheirfuture farminggoalswhichincludedoperatinganindustryleadingagriculturalbusinessthatdrivessustainable outcomesfortheirpeople,profitandenvironment.
SOLUTIONS AGCOMPLIANCE forself-reflectionandpersonalgrowth.”
Thewinnersofthe2025CentralPlateau ShareFarmeroftheYearcategorybelieve thestrengthoftheirbusinessliesin financialandcapitalimprovementsalong withbeneficialfeedmanagementstrategies. AnthonyandDanelleKiffwereannouncedthe winnersoftheregion’sShareFarmeroftheYear categoryattheCentralPlateauDairyIndustry AwardsannualawardsdinnerheldattheRydges RotoruaonMarch19.Theotherbigwinners wereJasSinghMander,whowasnamedthe2025 CentralPlateauDairyManageroftheYear,and CameronGeorge,the2025CentralPlateauDairy TraineeoftheYear.
Encouragingopportunities
TheKiffsarecontractmilkingontheTauhara North#2Trust’s230haTokoroaproperty, milking580cowsandwon$15,390andfour meritawards.
Thefamilylifestyleandopportunityfor progressioninitiallydrewthecoupletothedairy industry,andtheylovethesenseofcommunity withinit.“Therearemanyaspectsoffarmingto love,includingthenetworking,beingoutdoors andwatchingourstaffprogress.”
Thecoupleidentifyseeingthepersonalgrowth amongstaffandfriendsandtheopportunityto upliftandhelppeoplewithintheircommunityas aspectsoftheindustrythatresonatewiththem.
Anthonyfirmlysupportsthebenefitsofthe Awardsprogrammeandwasnamedthe2017 CentralPlateauDairyManageroftheYear.“The awardsareanexcellentpersonaldevelopmentand networkingexperienceencouragingopportunities
Thedesiretohelpothersisreflectedin theirfuturegoals.“We’dliketostartarelief managementservicetohelpotherstohaveabreak off-farm,mentoring,ortemporarymanagement duringtimesofmentalstress.”
AnthonyandDanellebelievedupskillingand continuoustrainingarestrengthsoftheirbusiness
The2025CentralPlateauDairyManager oftheYearJasSinghMander.
andbothhaveachievedPrimaryITOlevels 1,2and3andLivestockProductionLevel5,andare studyingtowardsthediploma.
Futurefarminggoalsincludecontinuingtogrow equityandfarmownership.
DairyManageroftheYear Thewinnerofthe2025CentralPlateauDairy ManageroftheYearcompetitionisJasSingh ManderwhoisfarmmanagerforPāmuFarmsof NewZealand’s800ha,2000-cowfarmatReporoa. Hewon$8865andtwomeritawards.
Jasbelievedthestrengthsofhisbusinessliesinthe abilitytoembraceinnovationtostayahead,anda goodreturninasustainablebusiness.
GrowingupinIndia,Jaswasafourth-generation farmerandwasproudofthe600-yearfarming heritageinhisfamily.
“Myparentsraisedmeinthecountryside andlookingatgreengrass,hillsandtrees makesmehappy!”
JasidentifiedlearningEnglishasachallengehehad overcome,aswellasracismandbullying.“Adjusting toanewculturewasoneofmybiggestchallenges, andthenImetsomanygoodpeopleintheindustry whichhelpedmegrowmyfarmingstyle.”
The35-year-oldwasproudofhismanagementof alargefarmandliftingproduction.“WhenItook overitwasapoorperformingfarmwithahigh emptyrate.Everyyearproductionhasincreasedand ithasbecomeoneofPāmu’smostprofitablefarms within19dairyunits.”
“Mystaffcomingtoworkwithabigsmileinthe morningmakesmyday.Ilovetodo,whatIdo.”
DairyTraineeoftheYear
The2025CentralPlateauDairyTraineeofthe YearisCameronGeorgewhoisfarmassistant onRichardWebber’s510ha,1000-cowMarotiri property.Hewon$6640inprizesandtwo meritawards.
Thesecond-timeentrantdiscoveredthreemain benefitsfromenteringtheawardsprogramme–
The2025CentralPlateauDairyTrainee oftheYearCameronGeorge.
learningnewskills,networkingandbeingexposed todifferentfarmpractices.
“LastyearIlearnthowtomakeupmilkforcalves frommilkpowder,askillIlearntfromenteringthis yearishowtodriveamanualquadbike,”hesaid. Cameronwasexcitedaboutallthetechnological advancementswithinthedairyindustry,including theuseofcowcollars.“Idon’tthinktechshould everfullyreplacecheckingyourcowsandmaking suretheyarehealthy;theuseoftechnologyis definitelyanaidindoingso.”
Althoughhesawalotofprogressmadeinregard toenvironmentalsustainability,the21-year-old believestherewasstillroomforimprovementin regardstosoftplasticrecycling.
Futurefarminggoalsincludeprogressingto farmownership.
SpecialistFarmAccountants; helpingfarmersmakesense ofthenumbers
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ineverythingeffluent/ wastewaterrelatedin theCentralNorthIsland, SouthWaikatoand SouthernBOPareas.
Wehaveafleetof specialisedequipment whichincludesslurry tankers,umbilicalsystems andstirrersplusyearsof experienceandexpertise totackleanyjob.
Awardspushwinnersoutofcomfortzone Winnersof2025’sBayofPlenty DairyIndustryAwards’Share FarmeroftheYeartitle,Andre andNatalieMeier,havetastedthe awards’successbeforeandsaidit assistedtheircareerprogression.
ThewinwasannouncedattheBOP DairyIndustryAwardsdinnerat AwakerionMarch21.
AndrewasBOPDairyManager oftheYearandnationalwinnerin 2020.Hebelievedtheawardshelped hisself-developmentbypushinghim outsidehiscomfortzoneandmaking industryconnections.
Thecoupleareina20%equity partnershipwithBruceandGill Cameronovertwopropertiesat OtamarakauandOtakiri,totalling
267haand760cows.They won$11,745inprizesandthree meritawards.
TheMeierschosefarmingbecause themixofworkingwithoutsidewith animalsandmachinerywasappealing. “Welovebeingoutdoorsand physicallyactive,it’sagreatlifestyle forayoungfamily.
“Weseetechnologyandinnovation intheindustrygrowinginfuture,” theysaid.“Wealreadyusealot on-farmbutwillcontinuetogrow inthisareaaswe’rereachingour fullpotentialandithelpswith environmentalsustainability.”
Thecouplewanttoseeamore consistentmilkpricewithless fluctuation,tohelpfuturebudgeting. FarmingduringCovidwasone oftheirbiggestchallenges.
NatalieandAndreMeierwereannouncedtheBayofPlenty’s2025 ShareFarmersoftheYearonMarch21.
“Wehadtoimplementsystems tocontinuefarmingandkeepour staffsafe.”
Significantweathereventshad alsothrownchallengestoovercome, whichthey’ddonebysimplifying theirfarmsystemtoensurethey canrideoutfuturestorms.“Wealso changedoursystemtoOnce-A-Day whichhassignificantlyimprovedour reproductionresults.”
Andre,35,andNatalie,33,cited diversification,sizeofbusinessand asolidinfrastructurewithshared machineryandresourcesasstrengths oftheirfarmingbusiness. Futurefarminggoalsincluded increasingtheirequityshareholding andimprovingherdfigurestohave anefficientOADherd.
BOPShareFarmeroftheYear runners-upwereReneeand BenjaminHoward;andAlexand ShaunBoyceplacedthird.
DairyManageroftheYear
The2025BayofPlentyDairy ManageroftheYearisThomas Lundman,whowon$8150andthree meritawards.Thomaswas2022’s BOPDairyTraineeoftheYearand NationalDairyTraineeRunner-up. The27-year-oldisfarmmanageron MichaelandLindaMexted’s135ha Whakatānefarm,milking530cows. “Winningcategorieshasopened doorsformethatIneverwould haveimaginedandhasgivenmethe confidencethatI’mgoodenoughto takethenextstep.” Growinguponadairyfarm,
ThomasworkedatTeAnau Glowwormcavesbeforejumping intodairyingin2020.“Ichose farmingasitwasastablejobina not-so-stabletimeandhasaclear pathofprogression.Ilookforward toNewZealandleadingthewayin environmentalstandards,andalsoin thewearablestechnologysector.” Thomas’goalsincludedcontract milkingnextseasonandcontinuing careerprogression,butnotatthe costofhiswellbeing.“Work/life balanceandmyfamilyarethemost importantthingstome.”
BOPDairyManagerrunner-upis NiamhMark;andLindsayWilliams wasplacedthird.
DairyTraineeoftheYear AlanaFitzpatrickis2025’sBayof PlentyDairyTraineeoftheYear.She won$6120inprizesandthreemerit awards.Shewasrunner-upinthe samecategoryin2024.
The22-year-oldworksonDavid andLesleyJensen’s240ha,700-cow propertyatTauranga.
Alanaembracesnewtechnology andenjoysdiscoveringhowitcan benefiton-farmsystems.
Sheholdsastrongpassionfor theindustryandhadcompleted NZCertificateinAgriculture Level3inFarmingSystems, Vehicles,MachineryandInfrastructure andDairyFarming,andisstudying towardsDairyFarmingLevel4. Runner-upintheDairyTrainee categorywasAdamManners;third placewenttoJulianTambourlas.
AlanaFitzpatrickisBayof Plenty’s2025DairyTrainee oftheYear. Photo/Supplied
Photo/Supplied
BryarAwhimate,age5,wasluckyenoughtocatcha doublerainbowwhilemovingthecowsinOtakiri.
Kiana,10months,helpingmummilk thecowsinPutāruru.
Desmondage5,Esmeage7, Jirehage11,earningpocketmoney pullingragwortinHamurana. MeanderwithusbydaythroughfairytaleEnglishvillages, quainthistoriccottages,cobbledseasidetowns,and gardenssogorgeousthey’llknockyergumbootsoff! Thengotobedeachnightinintimate,boutiquehotels. • GardenTourprice:$23,995ppsharetwin • • AndréRieuConcertextra (seeInfoPack) •
