Coast & Country Aug2011

Bay of Plenty and Waikato Farm, Orchard and Rural Lifestyle News

August 2011

PH (07) 578 0030

Issue No. 132

Young grower

Hort conference

Open day

Fencing in all farmers Sheep and beef farmers are not the targets when it comes to official policies and regulations around water degradation – the finger is largely pointed at the dairy industry. Forest and Bird say nearly half of New Zealand lakes and 90 per cent of our lowland rivers are polluted. With figures like these, pressure to improve New Zealand water quality will continue to increase – with drystock farmers likely to be asked to take more measures to protect waterways. Read story on Page 2. Photo by Tracy Hardy.

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COAST & COUNTRY

Coast & Country

Stock and dairy, fair’s fair?

Dry stock farmers are busy making decisions on where to spend their extra income thanks to higher wool and meat prices.

Amongst juggling debt, many are budgeting in spreading some fertiliser – an expenditure that hasn’t occurred for the last few years on many dry stock farms, while others are looking at bringing their stocking rates back

up. More fertiliser and increased stocking rates; both blasphemy in the dairy industry because of issues around effluent and water quality.

Yet sheep and beef farmers are not the targets when it comes to official policies and regulations around water degradation such as in the Dairying and Clean Streams Accord, which is purely targeted at dairy farmers.

Yet many drystock farmers on easy hill land graze a lot of dairy cattle – both young stock and winter grazing herds. The dairy stock are often fed supplements while away grazing on the hill country, be it palm kernel or maize

silage, contributing to intensification of pastoral farming.

To top it off – traditionally dry stock farms are up the hills, amongst the creeks and streams running down and forming the main water bodies.

So should drystock farmers have the same expectations on them to fence off waterways?

Should all landowners be required to fence off all significant waterways?

We took the issue to Federated Farmers and Forest and Bird. Read their views in this edition of Coast & Country on Page 3 and 4.

Also, read about eel farming in our new fea-

ture – looking at the potential of aquaculture in New Zealand. Sue Edmonds checks out the progress on organic farming at DairyNZ, while Andrew Campbell attended an open day at Apata Ltd to get an inside look at how the biggest ever crop of avocados in the Bay of Plenty will be handled when harvesting starts this month.

Drystock farmers should prepare for coming water issue Protecting waterways in keeping with environmental regulations is presently targeted at dairy farming, however, drystock farmers need to prepare themselves to be next.

Federated Farmers Meat and Fibre executive member Tim MacKintosh says “it is going to be a big issue”.

“Dairy guys are really copping it at the moment, but there is no doubt it will head our way.

“We’re very keen to front-foot the issue by being proactive.”

Tim says Federated Farmers will be frontfooting this and encouraging farmers to plant shade and try and have an alternative water source – to keep stock out of waterways.

“Because if we bury our heads in the sand, and say it’s only the dairy farmers copping it – before long we may have to fence off all waterways with a nine wire post and batten fence.

“A tens of billions of dollars exercise – the industry won’t be able to sustain it.”

Waterways are the biggest area potentially drystock farmers could cop flack, says Tim. “In terms of fencing off waterways like we’ve seen in the dairy industry, in all honesty, it is not feasible.

“When you look at the waterways on hill country, their nature, they are not straight lines – and we also need nine wire post and batten fences, unlike dairy where they need one hot wire.”

Tim says education is far better than regulation.

“It’s often cheaper if farmers do it off their own backs than having people running around the country making rules.”

He says there are studies which show cattle

come into waterways to cool off and that there are alternative options to fencing, such as a bit of shade planting further up the hill.

“And if you can reticulate water – it does a huge job of keeping stock out of waterways naturally.

“If cattle have other options, they will stay out of waterways as much as they can.”

Tim says it’s the public demanding these changes and should continue to contribute through regional councils.

“They’re demanding clean waterways and they don’t want the hillside falling into rivers and that sort of thing, so there’s really got to be a bit of an expectation for them to pay up to.

“If that’s what their expectations are – really the public has to contribute.”

Tim says the Bay of Plenty Regional Council has been “really good”.

“There has been a good shift in their position of working with farmers. I think they’re starting to go down a more educational route.

“They’ve got some really good people in there who understand the issues, understand where we are coming from and coming up with some pretty good solutions – to allow us to keep farming and hopefully doing it with a less of an impact on the environment.”

The BOPRC runs a riparian management programme with staff working with landowners to implement sustainable land

use and land management practices that reduce erosion, sedimentation and nutrient run-off into waterways. Staff and landowners develop Riparian Management Plans, which the landowners implement. As part of this, the property is assessed to determine if the landowners are eligible for a grant.

If the riparian area is vulnerable to naturally occurring erosion, then a landowner is eligible for a grant of up to 25 per cent of the cost of riparian protection activities, such as providing alternative water supply for stock, fencing, pest management, revegetation, erosion control structures, building a wetland and stream works.

The riparian management programme is open to all private landowners – if they meet the criteria they are eligible for funding.

Tim says drystock farmers had a good year last year, but this is coming off the back of the “worst ever years in dry stock farming in 2005 to 2008”.

“The majority were going backwards at a huge rate of knots,” says Tim. He says while this year is welcome, a lot of farmers still have debt issues.

The stocking rates have gone right back and fertiliser has dropped off and farmers won’t be getting their cheque books out just yet.

“We certainly aren’t seeing dry stock farmers getting too excited yet.

“We are told the next five years look good, but until it happens, I don’t think we’ll see drystock farmers pouring on the fertiliser.

“Hopefully if prices continue we will see farmers’ spending on environmental initiatives.

“We are also conscious of what happened in the dairy industry in 2008 – they had a fantastic payout everything went crazy and the thing crashed the following year.”

By Sheryl Brown

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COAST & COUNTRY

Page 3

Clean water rests on all our shoulders “I know that farmers are guardians and they want to do what’s right for the land – they have relationships with the bush and the hills and in many cases they are doing a good job.” “It’s a minority that is letting down the majority.”

Forest and Bird Central North Island officer Al Fleming believes the responsibility of improving water quality should not sit solely on dairy farmers’ shoulders, but all landowners.

He says dry stock farmers should be equally concerned with water quality and stopping water degradation and notes that they are not included in the Dairying and Clean Streams Accord.

Not only should all landowners be liable for the degraded state of water in New Zealand, but Al says the duty to improve water quality should be shared between the rural and urban communities.

He believes protecting and improving water quality should be a shared responsibility, including the sharing of costs associated with the clean-up.

“The relationship between the rural and the urban community is really an exchange of food and knowledge,” says Al. The urban community includes a higher percentage of people in the agricultural support and knowledge sectors, many of which work in the rural sector, says Al. Any dairy factory in New Zealand for example is made up

of technicians, scientists, workers, who often live in the adjacent town, but all contribute towards the primary production sector.

“So the relationship is very intertwined – it’s not an ‘us and them’ situation.”

One funding issue that is often raised is the subsidies dairy farmers receive for fencing off waterways and riparian planting.

“In the Bay of Plenty, regional and district councils provide subsidies towards the cost of fencing streams. This can range between 25 to 75 per cent of the total cost – dependent on the biodiversity values associated with the area.

“The landowner has to meet the rest of the cost – and then there are maintenance costs, weed control and the loss of pasture land.

“Both urban and rural ratepayers and the farmer are contributing towards the public good – ie cleaning up the waterway.”

In terms of cleaning up waterways, there is already a heavy cost to all tax and ratepayers, the majority of which are responsible rural landowners and urban dwellers.

An example of this significant cost is the recent $300 million allocated to the clean up of the Waikato River and Rotorua Lakes.

“My take on that is the solution is based on an equitable sharing of that cost.”

Another issue is the reason for degradation of harbours and estuaries is found in both rural and urban communities, says Al. “It’s not only about cows crapping in the water. It’s about urban pollutants, about industrial waste, about inadequate sewerage systems – it’s about the legacy of past wrongs. It is encouraging that there are improvements being made over time.”

Yet the reality of water quality in New Zealand needs rural and urban communities alike to pay it some serious attention.

Nearly half of the lakes in New Zealand and 90 per cent of lowland rivers are classed as polluted.

Al says landowners are often the main representatives in community projects – formed to improve the health of forests and waterways and there are many farmers achieving great environmental results – highlighted by the Balance Environment Awards for example.

“I know that farmers are guardians and they want to do what’s right for the land – they have relationships with the bush and the hills and in most cases they are doing a good job.

“It’s a minority that is letting down the majority.”

A snapshot of the Clean Streams Accord for 2009/10 show a number of farmers letting down

the majority of farmers and all New Zealanders, says Al. “In that – only two out of five targets were met. There were significant numbers nationally for non compliance in regards to resource consents and discharge to water ways.

“However, there is a corresponding decrease in prosecution by regional councils – so how does that stack up?”

Only 28 per cent of famers nationally have nutrient management plans and the goal to fence off 90 per cent of significant wetlands hasn’t been achieved.

“Some regional councils haven’t even identified significant wet lands,” says Al. “So nationally what we’re relying on isn’t working and it results in a continual failure and degrading of our waterways.

“The trouble with the present accord – it doesn’t deal with the core issue – this pastoral intensification; more cows

per hectare to maximise productions – and that’s going to get worse.

“You can’t keep loading up stocking rates and believe water quality is going to improve.”

Al says the good thing is the voluntary accord is coming up for review in 2012.

“Forest and Bird want to work collaboratively with primary producers – including forestry and farmers to address water quality issues.”

In the September issue of Coast & Country we will feature some of the key initiatives Forest and Bird is doing to improve water quality in your region.

JORDAAN

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COAST & COUNTRY

Coast & Country

Retiring land for market demands Beef and Lamb NZ Mid Northland councillor Rick Burke has had an environmental plan in place since 1995.

The Katikati drystock farmer has been fencing off sections of his wetlands and waterways ever since – creating decent barriers and planting trees and flaxes.

He says one of Beef and Lamb NZ’s goals in the recent Red Meat Strategy is to farm using best practice; this includes optimising farmers’ profitability through matching land use to land type.

Rick says the organisation is encouraging sustainable farming because it is here to stay.

He says there are “huge opportunities” – particularly for the high country drystock farmers – to take advantage of the Emissions Trading Scheme.

“One of the really positive things is the ETS,” says Rick.

“Farmers really need to embrace it.

“They have huge opportunities to put it back into trees and they’ll make a lot more out if it than farming it.”

He says farmers could be making up to $500/ha through the benefits of the ETS. “You’re never going to make that farming – it’s a no brainer.”

However, Rick says a lot of farmers put up blinkers when it comes to the ETS. “They have an opportunity to look at their land use capabilities and enter into ETS. They can trade carbon on their marginal

land by reverting steep hill country back to manuka.

“When they have to pay for fart tax in 10 years time they’ll be thinking differently.

“Fencing off marginal land actually increases productivity.

“You can up your production by about 20 per cent on good land. Instead of dumping fertiliser on marginal land you put it on your good land.

“If you can intensify the good country you’re not going to lose any production.”

Farmers will see the fantastic results of retiring marginal land, says Rick, and ultimately it will add value to their farm.

“Your aesthetics, your vista – whatever you like to call it – it adds value to your property.”

One of the main reasons for good environmental practice, which should make farmers jump up and pay attention, is the demand from the market, says Rick.

“We go out saying we are clean and green, but we’ve got to demonstrate that.

“Some markets, for example WholeFoods in the United States, want to see the wellbeing of stock.”

It will only be a matter of time before they will want to know if the landowner has an environmental plan as well, says Rick.

Rick Burke says drystock farmers should be retiring land and taking financial advantage of the ETS.

Tomato industry looking cherry Ben Smith from Pukekohe is the 2011 Young Grower of the Year.

The 29-year-old is a grower manager looking after 5.5 hectares of greenhouses for Status Produce in Pukekohe – New Zealand’s leading tomato producer.

He has worked in the tomato industry since he was 17-years-old.

Status Produce was looking towards the future and wanted to train people up to work in the industry and so along with Horticentre, it helped pay for Ben to study a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Horticultural Science.

“I think it was very forward thinking of them to say we need to make an investment in the people coming through – and it’s had a long-term pay off for them – I hope,” says Ben. Ben left Status Produce to work in the UK growing tomatoes for a couple of years, then came back to work for Horticentre before returning to Status Produce last year.

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He says participating in the Young Grower competition made him focus on some of the industry’s major issues.

“One of the key things was the importance of water and how it really is in the balance right now – how the security of something that is just so important to horticulture is under threat.

“Something that came home to me was that horticulture can do more with a litre of water for the New Zealand economy than the next user by somewhere between three to nine times – and it doesn’t seem to be recognised.”

Ben says looking ahead he is happy where he is, but is keen to learn more about the business and marketing aspects of the industry.

“I think I’ve got a reasonable handle on the marketing side of things, but put a balance sheet in front of me and I’m a bit slow.”

He sees the tomato industry is “only going to go up”.

“If you look at how some of our produce has been received in the export market,

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Young Grower of the Year Ben Smith on awards night. which is where the tomato industry in New Zealand expands to, it’s gaining a fantastic reputation on some of those markets.

By Sheryl Brown “So it’s all positive.”

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COAST & COUNTRY

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Salmonella in dairy herds - causes and control • Effective effluent storage for winter months ensures effluent does not have to be applied to saturated paddocks, which the cows are grazing.

Dr. Alison Dewes BVSc Agribusiness Consultant, Headlands Minimal Footprint- Optimal Profit

Salmonella are primarily “gut bugs” of humans and many other animals – including wild birds, domestic pets and rodents.

They are found frequently in sewage, river and other waters and soil –where they can multiply significantly. The presence of salmonella in the natural environment is largely explained by faecal contamination.

When the conditions are right – these bugs may survive for weeks in water and years in soil.

They have been isolated from animal feeds and are mainly in animal protein feed supplements, however, recent studies in New Zealand on sources do not suggest this is a major risk factor here. Outbreaks of disease have been relatively infrequent here in NZ until the last 12-18 months.

In the last year or so, we have experienced a far higher frequency across the Waikato region.

What does a cow with salmonella look like?

• Initial phase of disease • Suddenly off her milk • Tucked up, not eating • Hollow gutted, breathing fast – due to sudden rise in temperature • May or may not be scouring • Will stand at trough for long periods.

More advanced cases • Profuse, smelly, watery scour • Scour sometimes contains blood or gut lining • Sunken eyes, dehydrated • Down or found dead The disease in Victorian dairy herds in Australia is common – and a constant challenge to manage in dairy herds. In Australia, there is a large range of salmonella strains in the environment, along with large bird populations and high use of supplementary feeds on dairy farms. The disease is tricky to control with straight vaccination.

In NZ, however, control is improved with the use of vaccination of herds prior to the risk period. Generally, outbreaks reflect a combination of environmental conditions and management events that culminate in cows that are ‘stressed’ with lower immunity, along with conditions that allow rapid spread within a herd.

Simplistically, control and prevention can be achieved by minimising stress on cows and limiting the way that transmission occurs – that is, via faeces from a cow that is shedding the bug, to other cows and the wider farm environment.

However, in NZ we have a unique set of challenges to complicate things. We calve our herds at times of the year when the weather is challenging and we also spread untreated effluent from the herd, onto our pastures – that is subsequently grazed by the herd.

We calve our herds in the high rainfall months, when there is a lot of ponding in

Dr Alison Dewes. our paddocks, so this adds a complication that our cows may drink from contaminated water sources that are lying in the paddocks.

This is further complicated by the fact that many farms do not have adequate winter storage for their effluent and have to keep applying fresh effluent to their pastures, making it difficult to control the spread in the face of an outbreak.

Control is about managing the risks, along with vaccination of herds prior to the risk period.

• Feed can be a source of salmonella; predominantly protein-based feed sources, but in NZ this appears not to be a major risk.

• The management of feed can be an issue; if cows have sudden changes in diet.

The inclusion of rapidly fermentable feeds such as grains or high starch feeds when cows are not used to it, can result in a change in gut pH and subclinical acidosis, along with an alteration of the profile of rumen bugs.

• Colostrum and milk sources from infected animals can also be a source of contamination to calves and should be discarded from affected cows.

• Environmental sources; a feature of large intensive dairy farms is the close proximity of cows to large volumes of effluent – especially in the NZ situation. Effluent represents the largest reservoir of salmonella on dairy farms. Under the right conditions, the environmental load of bugs can increase quite significantly.

• Water borne sources; where there is pooled water, with it has had the potential for effluent contamination, this can also provide a source.

• Acutely infected stock; clinical outbreaks of disease in livestock amplify the environmental contamination. During an outbreak and where the disease is endemic in a herd, the prevalence of salmonella shed via the faeces may approach 90 per cent. Clinically affected animals should be isolated as soon as possible and milked

separately with their milk discarded. Suitable and specific antibiotic therapy needs to be administered rapidly, with a full course given to each animal affected.

Control will be achieved by the following • Vaccination of the herd one month apart and well in advance of the risk period – high stress times such as calving.

• Ensuring stress on cows is minimised – such as changes in feeding, long periods standing on yards, protection in extreme weather events, provision of fresh water at all times.

• Monitor and manage indicator disease that reflect stress within the herd, such as acidosis, lameness, retained membranes or subclinical metabolic problems.

• Effective farm system and feed planning so that transition to new or more cerealbased diets is done gradually.

• Try to keep regular feeding to herd, if standing cows off for long periods without feed, consider 2-3 feeds per day.

• Introduce new feeds gradually and ensure rumen health is a priority.

• Feeding of supplements away from areas they can have contact with faeces.

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COAST & COUNTRY

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Coast & Country

Ultimate wheels for pest control The target: Pests, rabbit, pheasant The weapon: Escort 20g semi auto shotgun The sidekick: German shorthaired pointer The vehicle: Mitsubishi Triton GLS 4WD ute The Wild Side team responded to an SOS call this week; a landowner overrun with pests.

What else can keen shootin’ huntin’ fishin’ lads do in the face of a pest crisis of a fellow man?

Load up the truck, the weapons and lay waste to the vermin, of course!

Also on the list, a forestry block with reportedly a good quota of pheasants and quail. A two-

pronged plan and a mighty good one.

The truck in this case happened to be a handy Triton ute from the good folk at Bay Mitsubishi. We’d been looking for an outing to test drive the latest 4WD, four-door diesel manual – so the Triton fitted neatly into our line up of kit.

The first property, partly in orchard, some grazing and an impression vegetable growing area, was being ravaged by rabbits and the occasional possum and rat from the ground; airborne assault from above by magpie and rosella ruining crops and giving the native birds a hiding; and a plague of pukeko wrecking the well-tended garden crops.

Even an electric fence at ankle

height had failed to deter the wily pukes.

Some serious dissuasion was required, so The Wild Side team primed the pooch and packed their belts with light load ammo.

One of the lads was also keen to try the pukeko cooking ideas he’d picked up from a night out at Fantail Lodge, with gamebird guru Harrie Geraerts.

Now we need to point out that not all of the Wild Side team were in favour of the concept of eating pukeko, but our keen man insisted that ‘anything shot would make the pot.’ So the pukes were on the menu, complying with the Wild Side philosophy of only taking what you can eat.

There was full agreement, however, that any rats or possums would not make the dinner list.

PRE-CAST CONCRETE & STEEL CONSTRUCTION SPECIALISTS

the wild side

By Brian Rogers The Triton GLS was just the ticket for our day in the outdoors.

With a hardtop over the tray, all the gear including boots and gun cases were safely locked away and kept dry to boot.

The 2.5 litre intercooled, turbo diesel had a load of grunt – among the best of the utes we’ve driven lately. I settled quickly and easily into the feel of the drive and enjoyed the power on tap.

The gear change was smooth and easy, the ride not too truckish and certainly a lot better over rougher roads than the utes of old.

This felt like a real bloke’s ute; a workhorse and plenty of power to pull loads up hills and would be a mean trailering machine. It’s a hot looking customer, decked out with the extras such as back bar, big mags and wide tyres. The little touches also impressed; bonnet guard and window shields.

The hard top cover, with gas struts to lift clear was a winner for me. Aaron at Bay Mitsubishi says most opt for the full canopy. And that’s probably a better option for dogs too. But I was visualising kayak racks on the roll bar and a T bar off the front bumper –

HiFLO PUMPS HiFLO PUMPS & IRRIGATION LTD Ady was quick to retreat to the comfort of the Mitsubishi Triton with the prize pheasant.

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HiFLO PUMPS HiFLO PUMPS & IRRIGATION LTD

leaving the nifty hard top cover for guns and gear.

The lock was good for a 4WD and, around town in was smooth and easy driving. Once out in the rough stuff, it was a slick and easy transition with the separate stick shift into four wheel mode, then into low ratio.

The four wheel drive experience was sure-footed and easily controlled, even with the amount of rain we’ve had lately, leaving the tracks greasy.

On the orchard, the lads gave the vermin a good hurry up, issued the rabbits a good seeing to, sent the Airborne Division packing, then reminded a few of the pukes that they had strayed on the wrong side of the fence. A lot were dispatched back to the swamp. Some were just dispatched.

Our keen culinary wannabe gathered up the terminated purple chickens and promised us delicacies beyond our wildest dreams – we’re not sure what he’s smokin’, but I doubt that Kronic improves the taste of pukeko.

Watch this space.

The pointer did a great job on the flushing, but headed back to the Continued...

COAST & COUNTRY

PH 07 578 0030

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Quick draw needed for a fine pheasant Continued...

Triton after a few laps of the orchard – clearly impressed with the ride in the back and keen to get onto phase two of the mission.

We followed soon after, declared it “half time” and after a quick refreshment break headed off down the highway to the forestry block.

The Triton shook the mud off it tyres and, back in 2WD mode, we belted down the highway and into the back blocks. Again into 4WD at the flick of a lever and off into the bush. A glorious afternoon with the sun dropping amongst the pines and best of all – the cackle of a few cock pheasants echoing up the valley.

Ady the pointer went to work, in classic

pointer style and quickly had a few birds in the air. The lads were onto it and after quite a lot of traipsing over difficult terrain and tactical ridge walking, the lead started flying and the birds dropping.

The Turkish made Escorts performed flawlessly, just as they have done through the duck season. As a budget gun, we use them in the maimai, duck punt and kayak. There’s not much point in taking an expensive gun into those dodgy conditions with a lot of saltwater and mud. The 20g are ideal weight for pheasants, being easy to carry over long distances and quick to point.

A shooter needs to be “onto it” in pheasant country because those suckers can come from anywhere, anytime. The guys with the 12s had a bit more stopping power and

probably range, but they weren’t as quick to get a bead on the prey as the guys using the lighter, shorter 20s.

Ady was delighted – and just like her first duck retrieval a few weeks earlier – you could see the cogs turning in that little doggy brain. “This is what I do,” written all over her whiskered face.

Men and dog met back at the Triton and enjoyed a smooth run back to town, while Ady kept guard over the quarry, just in case it needed sorting out again.

Another great day out on an amazing mid winter Bay afternoon.

Our thanks to Bay Mitsubishi for supplying the Triton, the landowners for permission to hunt and Forestry officials for the permit.

Taste the pukeko from the rocks We all know the story of boiling pukekos for two days, then disposing of them and eating the rocks which were holding them down or any similar version on that.

There is an element of truth in that, however, making a pukeko ballotine is a more sophisticated option.

The birds have small, but beautiful dark coloured meat – similar to venison. The breast meat is very lean and relatively small for the size of bird, somewhere between pheasant and quail.

Use birds in good condition and not damaged by pellets. Once skinned, remove the breasts and take the wings off as they are muscular and tough. Brush with olive or avocado oil and let the meat age for some days in the refrigerator.

For the filling, scrape meat from the thigh and drums, try to leave it intact as much as possible as smaller pieces will make it only more difficult taking out tendons and muscle. With some small pliers, pull out the muscles and tendons, holding on to the meat firmly, leaving about 250 grams of meat.

Glace the shalottes, add the streaky bacon and cook until the shalottes are softened and the bacon fat is extracted. Add the ground herb and spices, add brandy and burn off the alcohol, set aside to cool.

While cooling this mixture, mince the pukeko thigh and drum meat and thereafter the sjalotte/bacon mixture, first a course plate, flowed with a finer plate.

I tend to use a commercial mixer myself which is faster, but end result is about the same.

Add the egg yolks, cream and mix all together.

Cut from the top – where the wing was attached – horizontal towards the bottom part of the breast and create a pocket. Fill this with the mixture about 75 per cent of the cut and ‘secure’ the cut with two toothpicks across to prevent mixture coming out while cooking.

Alternatively – and a better option to keep moisture in – is to wrap tight in glad wrap and poach in a hot stock for about 12 minutes. This will bond the breast meat and filling. This ensures all flavour and maximum moisture is being contained within the breast. Cool and remove the glad wrap. This poaching can be done in advance, all needed for cooking is colouring in clarified butter and about 10 minutes in a hot oven at 180 degrees. Minimum time spent cooking while having guests as all preparation is done in advance.

As for a jus, the same base recipe can be used as with the venison pot pie filling, but using pukeko carcass instead – published in June Coast & Country; www. sunlive.co.nz/coast-and-country Ingredients 2 cleaned pukekos 4 pieces of streaky bacon 2 shalottes 2 egg yolks8 cl cream 2 cloves; 6 pepper corns; 4 juniper berries; Small piece cinnamon size of a teaspoon – all ground with mortar and pestle Clarified butter Supplied by Harrie Geraerts, Fantail Lodge

A day of pest control duties rewarded.

Any landowners with animal pest issues, or a particular hunting/fishing mission you’d like the Wild Side team to cover, give us a shout. brian@thesun.co.nz

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CALF REARING

Page 8

Coast & Country

Calf health – investment in the future Looking after the health of calves is one of the best investments a dairy farmer can make says DairyNZ senior scientist Dr Gwyneth Verkerk.

Gwyneth says the most important factor in having healthy calves is having a high quality of care by those responsible for looking after them.

“Calves should be checked twice a day during the first few weeks,” she says.

“Are they feeding well, are their eyes bright and noses wet, are their ears erect? These are tell-tale signs whether the calf is feeling well.”

Gwyneth says the best protection farmers can give newborn calves is to feed them high quality –“gold” – colostrum from the first or second milking.

“This should be given as soon as possible after they are born and for their first four days of life. The antibodies in the colos-

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trum will rapidly build up their immunity.”

It is also vitally important to provide the calves with an environment where they are protected from pathogens which can cause illness.

“That means spraying surfaces in the calf pen as well as troughs, gates and feeding areas with an

antiseptic at least weekly, as long as there are calves in the pen.”

A clean, comfortable, warm environment for housing the calves is the best way to give them a good start, but no matter how careful you are – some calves will get sick.

“One of the best pieces of advice I give farmers is to have

a sick-bay for isolating sick calves from healthy ones,” says Gwyneth.

“Calves are susceptible to infection and simply by removing a sick calf from the proximity of others is one of the best ways to keep calves healthy.”

Scours is one of the common ailments which affect calves.

It can be fatal, so needs to be constantly checked for.

“There are usually clear signs of scours – not feeding, messy bum and hocks and dull eyes – and, in advanced cases, flaccid skin as the calf gets dehydrated.

“Treatment with electrolytes is usually sufficient, but if the calf does not respond veterinary assistance is required.

“In general – good calf health is a result of having good management systems on the farm and good people implementing them.”

For more information visit www.dairynz.co.nz and click on the Farming Resource Centre tab.

Calf debudding a delicate task With calving season in full swing, DairyNZ says farmers should take great care to ensure they – and their staff – know the pros and cons of debudding options.

DairyNZ animal husbandry extension specialist Murray Holt says calf debudding is a task that should be done carefully.

“Debudding is a process which cauterises the horn buds to stop them developing into horns,” says Murray.

“It is done to protect the animals from each other in later life and is best done while they are calves, while the horn bud is still within

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the skin and before it fixes to the skull.”

Often, debudding is done by external contractors, however, farmers have a choice over the method that is used.

It is usually done by applying a hot iron to the bud of the horn and leaves a wound that takes a few days to fully heal.

Pain relief

Murray says good practice when debudding includes providing pain relief. By using a local anaesthetic the pain experienced during the cautery is reduced. Some farmers also have their veterinarians carry out the procedure with the calves under strong sedation.

Increasingly farmers also recognise the value of NSAID products to

manage pain as the wounds heal.

“There is a bit more time and investment required, but clearly it is easier for the calf if an anaesthetic is used during the procedure,” says Murray.

Regular checks

Once it has been completed, those looking after the calves should check regularly – at least twice a day – to make sure that dry scabs form over the wounds.

“It is best to keep them inside where they are dry and the scab can form readily.”

Usually the scab is fully formed in two to three days after the procedure.

Once it has fully formed the risk of any infection is considerably reduced.

DAIRY

PH 07 578 0030

Page 9

On the lookout for nitrate poisoning

Supplying quality feed Bill Webb says after selling the contracting side of his business it now gives him the opportunity to concentrate on supplying quality feed to farmers.

“Bill Webb Feed Solutions is a name which best suits what we are doing.

“We’re there to provide solutions to farmers who are short in feed; hay, silage, ryegrass, clover, lucerne, straw, maize silage.”

Bill says they will be concentrating on planting the maize and growing and selling it for all their usual clients.

“We’re supplying feed all over the top half of the North Island, from Taupo north – we cover a big area.

“We’re concentrating on what we enjoy doing – which is growing the maize and grass silage, and supplying quality supplementary feeds.”

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put a price on it.

“Early indications are it will be slightly up on last year because of an increase

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Bill Webb

He says the demand for hay and silage because of the wet weather has been up and he has been struggling to get his hands on some.

“There is a shortage of hay around,” says Bill.

“We managed to secure a little bit of hay and some straw, but it’s been hard to get a hold of.”

Bill Webb Feed Solutions still has some annual silage, lucerne silage and a small amount of meadow silage available for farmers to purchase.

Having plenty of hay and silage on the farm at this time is particularly important in managing nitrate poisoning, says Bill.

“Farmers need to be aware of nitrate poisoning – it can happen so quickly.”

The risk of nitrate poisoning can rise with the rapid growing conditions and with the frosty weather that has been around.

Plants are affected by cold frosty weather and take up more nitrogen than they can use.

Bill says short-term rye grasses that may have been planted in the autumn can be particularly of concern along with oats, brassicas and occasionally new pastures.

“It can be managed by feeding the cows some hay or silage before they go on the pasture so they’re not as hungry.

“The nitrate levels are greater in the base of the plant so careful monitoring is a must.”

It’s one example of why farmers shouldn’t be caught short – and should always try to have a good supply of supplement in the shed.

Bill is starting to plan ahead to silage season. He will begin cutting silage in early-mid September.

He will be making about 250-300 hectares of silage on his lease blocks and already has contracts for bale and bulk loads.

He is starting to look at organising contracts for the maize crops as well for this coming season.

“When we finalise what our input costs are we can

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The wet weather continues to be a thorn in the side of farmers who are battling with pugging pastures, says Bill Webb.

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Page 10

Coast & Country

Enhancing the natural soil systems A genuine question by a dairy farmer client was recently asked: Dr Graham Sparling, in his 2004 lecture ‘Broader Shoulders, Smaller Feet’, made a number of points: Soil is only soil if it has biological activity, otherwise it’s dead like moon dust and despite the way we use, abuse and take it for granted, most terrestrial life depends on a thin, 10cm to 20cm surface skin.

He also said he found it depressing that we have trodden a well-worn path.

Like a brother, we have raced to catch up in the degradation stakes with our older American and European siblings.

In just 150 years of intensive agriculture, New Zealand has done a good job of matching the problems being reaped from thousands of years of Northern Hemisphere settlement.

“If hundreds of kilograms of nitrogen per hectare are required to grow our pasture each year and we are only applying 20kg/ha as fertiliser – where does the rest come from?”

The following diagram from Fertilisers and Soils in New Zealand Farming by C. During printed in 1984 helps answer that question.

Soil is as much a living breathing organism as is a plant, animal and person. To maximise its potential, it needs as much careful nurturing as is required to grow and sustain a healthy plant, animal or person.

It could be argued, soils should be the first priority – as the health of plants, animals and people are dependant on the health of our soil.

Outline of Gains and Losses of Nitrogen in kg/ha/year Grazed Dairy Pasture

Nitrogen in Herbage 450 Gains

Losses Uneaten 70

N fixed from atmosphere a) Symbiotic (clovers)

Eaten 380

70

+ Milk

240

Urine b) Non-symbiotic

10

Retained

20

260

To unproductive sites

50

+

Dung 310

Gaseous Leaching

130 260

“It’s been more rapid and acute here and we’ve carried on when 30 years ago the consequences were obvious in America and Europe. We’ve not learned the lessons.”

Has the reason that we have followed the high fertiliser nitrogen input path been based on the false premise that more fertiliser nitrogen grows more pasture?

In any short-term experiment there will nearly always be a growth response to applied nitrogen, however, the long-term affect can be quite the opposite. The long-term consequence of excessive fertiliser nitrogen use is increasingly degraded soils, with lower growth potential.

Why? Because fertiliser nitrogen used as a driver of growth destroys humus – and as humus levels decline, so too does production and health.

The Eco-Logic Soil Improvement nutrient programmes, based on the use of the soil improvers DoloZest and CalciZest, provide the benefits of increased growth with markedly higher energy levels – available almost immediately after application. When the health of any organism is improved, performance lifts.

“E S I programmes consistently out-perform fertiliser N driven programmes with more total DM grown containing more energy resulting in higher levels of animal production.”

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DAIRY

PH 07 578 0030

Page 11

South Africa feeding formula comes to Waikato Afifarm to manage mastitis.

He also visited several dairy farms with high-intensity feeding.

It is those feeding programmes which Mark is planning to use to integrate with the Afilab and Afifarm systems.

Mark works on his family farm, Aukati Trust, in Pirongia, milking 560 cross-bred cows on 170 effective hectares.

In 2006, in partnership with Waikato Milking Systems, Aukati Trust introduced the first Afifarm herd management software system into New Zealand.

In 2010, Afilab was also added, giving access to daily fat, protein, lactose and somatic cell count levels of individual cows.

Waikato dairy farmer Mark Brown is back from South Africa with a new feeding programme to increase production, while decreasing feed costs.

Waikato dairy farmer Mark Brown is back from a trip to South Africa with a new feeding regime for in-shed feeding.

He spoke at the Large Herds Conference – on invitation from South African Waikato Milking Systems distributor LacTech – on how he uses the Waikato Milking Systems’ Afilab and

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The system also allows for individual feed management – allowing Mark to feed cows an individually-specific diet.

He can target top-producing cows to give them extra feed or put supplements into cows, who may need ‘a little something extra’ to pick them up.

Mark spent time with South African dairy farmer Nigel Lok to assess his feed module.

Nigel is milking 800 Holstein Friesian cross cows. He has been using this unique feeding formula for fours years. His production is 45 per cent above the average for the district and his feeding costs are 20 per cent less.

Mark says seeing the potential of production when feeding cows the right formula is “extremely exciting”.

“Using Waikato’s Frontier System, we can feed our cows the same unique formula that Nigel is and we will be striving to increase production and lower feeding costs.

“The potential of how much we can increase our production with our in-shed feeding system is exciting – it was extremely motivating seeing what results can actually be achieved with this unique feeding formula – increasing production while lowering feed costs.”

By Sheryl Brown

DAIRY

Page 12

Coast & Country

Farming through soil management There’s a rising tide of interest in biological farming of late.

So when Sue Edmonds was invited by Environmental Fertilisers of Kerepehi to a seminar on how it works, she was keen to go along and find out. This is what she learnt: Biological farming is all about soil. Caring for it, managing it and being aware of just what a complex world there is working away in the brown stuff under our feet.

Farmers who have been using aspects of the biological system tend to rave about their green pasture in drought times, a reduction in animal health problems and other good discoveries.

While organic certified farming reaps financial rewards for those who can cope with its rules – for others, the complexities of what is allowed and what not, is just too inhibiting.

So in some ways, biological farming is like ‘having a bob each way’. As long as a farmer takes the time to learn just what comprises the ‘soil food web’ and how it works, then treating it in ways which don’t upset the delicate balances will seem obvious.

So what’s wrong with our current chemical-based agricultural practices?

The soil food web is full of living things. While some of the chemicals we apply appear to make plants grow, under most circumstances, a lot of what gets applied either knocks out one or more vital members of the web or sits in the soil until the rain leaches it out into our waterways.

Everything in the web is there with a job to do. Even the so-called ‘baddies’, such as nematodes, have good guys and less good guys. When the balance gets upset, it’s the ‘baddies’ who take the opportunity to multiply madly.

So the plagues of insect ‘nasties’ which are being fought by farmers every year are there because we have inadvertently killed off the ‘goodies’ and changed the pecking order down below.

How many worms turn up in a spadeful of your pasture? Two if you’re lucky? Apparently, when the soil is

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working properly you can expect to find 30-plus worms; all busily aerating things as they move around and producing rich wormcasts to feed things at the same time.

How much real humus is sitting below decks? Humus isn’t just dead plant material, but a layer of rich compost – created by the bacteria and fungi working away on all the stuff that dies off up top and the animal droppings as well.

Why do paddocks seem to flood more rapidly these days? Well, when the web isn’t working properly, the soil compacts down and the amount of water it can hold reduces enormously. So it dries out quicker in dry times and ponds on the top in heavy rain.

When the soil is compacted, the roots not only can’t grow down deep, but the rate at which roots replace themselves is restricted. It was interesting to find that some roots replace themselves every 20 minutes, some every two hours and others every few weeks – depending on the available energy in the soil.

There’s a lot to learn – and some of the chemistry was beyond me – but the experts are there to work out what’s needed and there’s now a barrage of tests which can work out what is already available and what foliar sprays or ground spread mixtures will start to make it work as it should. As the seminar pointed out; the product costs may seem more expensive than ‘the usual stuff ’, but the savings to be made from using the ‘right stuff ’ will apparently outweigh the difference – many times over.

DAIRY

PH 07 578 0030

Organics pumping at DairyNZ A day spent with a gang of organic farmers is always entertaining – and a day spent looking at farm and pasture research at DairyNZ lived up to expectations.

You don’t become an organic farmer if you’re the shrinking violet type. So they always have a battery of curly questions to ask. The DairyNZ science staff at Scott Farm, who were presenting at the field day, were kept well on their toes answering queries – which were often highly scientific.

The first stop was beside the herd on the 9ha farmlet, which has seen no nitrogen fertiliser for a decade. Despite flooded pasture and an area of deep pugging, where the day’s silage had once been piled, the small herd looked comfortably pregnant, with calving due to start on July 1.

Chris Glassey explained milk production and pasture growth had proven to be remarkably resilient through big wets and dries and they had amassed a huge amount of data on reduced leaching, GHG emissions and animal welfare.

Currently, the funding for further research had dried up, but the organics bunch immediately produced a series of possible future projects which could be carried out on land in many ways similar to an organic farm.

One low producing hectare of the farmlet had been sprayed out and resown in plantain and white clover 18 months previously. This had last been strip grazed in May, but had made a rapid recovery and we stood in leafage to the top of our Red Bands. The clover had struggled somewhat at

first – possibly due to the way it was sown along with the plantain – but was now also making its presence obvious.

The next stop was at a complex patterning of chicory and plantain plots, where harvesting and regrowth experiments were being carried out, with harvesting done at 3cm, 6cm and 9cm heights. Julie Lee explained plant numbers in the chicory patches had diminished during the first few months, but were now producing nearly as much per harvest as plantain, once the remaining plants got bigger. The plants had been sown in October, with the first harvesting done in December. Chicory had produced between 8-11 tonnes of dry matter/ha equivalent, and plantain a bit more.

Just across from this trial were a series of pegs in the ground where a urine patch leaching trial was being carried out. To date, the results seemed to show the nitrogen stayed in the soil during dry weather and then was leached out when heavy rains came, along with fresh patches. All the more reason for using standoff areas in wet weather.

There’s a fascinating three-year trial on composite plantings being carried out on several paddocks. There are high and low diversity pastures, half with ryegrass as a base and half with tall fescue, accompanied by various mixtures of herbs and clover. Results after the first year have shown that different plants become dominant at different times of the year, with more dead matter in ryegrass pastures during summer and early autumn.

DairyNZ appear to be coy about releasing stuff on its huge range of research projects until all the results are analysed and conclusions drawn. But it seemed a shame that all this was going on and hardly anyone knew about it.

They’re a busy lot at DairyNZ for sure.

Page 13

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Page 14

Coast & Country

Contracting south of the Bombays The name has changed, but the contracting experience and dedication to quality service will remain in the Bay of Plenty with a handover of Bill Webb Contracting to Bradstreet Contracting.

Moving south from the Bombay hills, Bradstreet Contracting has purchased some of the contracting fleet from Bill Webb and will be based out of the

same premises on Wilson Road, Paengaroa, Te Puke.

Peter and Lynn Bradstreet have been in the contracting business for nearly 30 years and with the added experience of Ross and Tracy Austin, who joined the company two years ago, the group has a wealth of experience and knowledge of the agricultural contracting business.

Peter says they originally ventured south just to look at a ute amongst Bill Webb’s fleet, which was up for tender.

“It was a wet day so we came for a

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look at the ute – we’ve ended up with a lot more than a ute, but at least we got that too.”

Contracting is what Peter lives for.

“I’ve been contracting all my life. I grew up on a farm and contracting was the next best thing.”

He says they’ve been looking at moving for a while as Auckland city gradually creeps into the Bombay region – replacing farmland with 10 acre blocks.

“We saw an opportunity here so we ripped into it – we’re really excited about moving down and getting into things.”

From August they pick up the contracting side of the former Bill Webb Contracting business; including baling, silage and the ground work; roller seeding, crops and under-sowing new pastures. He has also purchased Bill’s hedge cutter and root saw.

They will work together with Bill, who will continue to plant and cut maize – while Bradstreet Contracting will do the reseeding and ground work for Bill and the contracting for farmers.

From left, contractors Ross and Tracy Austin with daughters Brooke and Paige, with Lynn and Peter Bradstreet who are taking over the contracting business from Bill and Vicki Webb.

Peter and Ross will spend the next few weeks around with Bill to meet clients and get the feel for the lay of the land – although Peter says they are very experienced working with a variety of soil and have done a lot of work with peat.

Ross says they are looking for drivers to join their team. “The criteria is they need a Class 2 licence – minimum.”

While Peter is a traditional New Holland man – Ross is excited about working with Bill’s fleet of John Deere tractors, which he has done a lot of work on in the past.

Peter says everyone in the Bay of Plenty has welcomed them warmly.

“Everybody is so much more friendly down here – everyone has been really good.

“We’ll do our best to keep up the good work that Bill has been doing for the last 35 years.

“Except for a name change – the service will stay the same.”

Bill agrees saying it will be “business as usual”.

“We’d like to welcome Peter and Ross and their families to the area.

“They’ve bought a fair proportion of our tractors and will carry on the work that we’ve been doing.”

Bill and Vicki hope the local community welcomes the new contractors and gives them the same opportunity and great working relationship that they have enjoyed over the years.

“We are looking forward to working with them and to see our work carry on,” says Bill.

“It would have been a shame to see the 35 years of experience to just disintegrate.

“This is an opportunity for Peter and Ross to carry on the work – with our backing,” says Bill.

“They do a great job and have some great equipment and now they’ve added ours and will give a great quality service with back-up.”

By Sheryl Brown

PH 07 578 0030

HORTICULTURE

Page 15

Young growers battle it out After a series of mental and physical challenges tomato grower Ben Smith is both the 2011 Young Vegetable Grower of the Year and the overall Young Grower of the Year.

Bay of Plenty’s Campbell Wood won Young Grower ‘best practical’.

As prize for this achievement he has won $4000 and a trip to Australia to visit other tomato crop growers.

The Young Grower of the Year competition was a day-long event held at Rotorua’s Energy Events Centre as part

of this year’s Horticulture New Zealand Conference.

Run by Horticulture New Zealand, this is the third year the Young Grower of the Year competition has been held.

The competition is supported by platinum sponsor Zespri International and others who recognise and celebrate young leaders in the horticulture industry, who have both excellent technical skills and leadership capabilities.

It tested four regional finalists on a range of essential horticulture business and practical skills, including driving a tractor, employment relations and giving a speech to more than 400 people.

Campbell Wood from the Bay of Plenty won Best Practical.

The practical challenge included tractor driving and implement knowledge, spraying, calibration and growsafe, fertilisers and soil, fencing and planting.

Kevin Withington from Nelson won Best Speech and the Young Fruit Grower of the Year title.

Ben also took the award for the Ballance Leadership Panel as well as the title of Young Vegetable Grower of the Year.

Zespri International chief executive Lain Jager says they are pleased to be the platinum sponsor for the 2011 Young Grower of the Year competition.

“This competition is a wonderful way for young growers to take their horticultural careers to the next level by receiving mentoring from industry experts. Well done Ben.” Read about Ben’s experience in the horticulture industry on Page 20.

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HORTICULTURE

Coast & Country

No apology for high prices High prices of New Zealand grown fruit and vegetables are set to continue, otherwise “we will be a nation of lifestyle gardeners”, left to import produce – and that would be a “disgrace”, says Horticulture New Zealand president Andrew Fenton.

At the annual HortNZ conference in Rotorua, Andrew made no apologies for the spike in prices of homegrown fruit and vegetables.

Most of New Zealand’s fruit and vegetables are put into the export market because the highest bidder is offshore, which means higher domestic prices.

“Something Fonterra is very aware of with the price of milk,” says Andrew.

“The bottom line is that growers need to make a sustainable profit to remain in business as a commercial grower.

“Without profit there won’t be growers in New Zealand for much longer on a commercial scale and

we’ll be forced to import more and more produce from offshore.

“We will become a nation of lifestyle gardeners, supplying to farmers’ markets.

“The outcome of that scenario would be an absolute disgrace for this country,” says Andrew.

“It’s a disgrace for a country that calls itself 100 per cent pure and a country that is clean and green if we can’t supply economically and profitably our own produce for our own consumption.

“We need to explain this to the public so that they can support our growth and the produce that we grow for them.”

Andrew says quite often for growers, higher prices domestically mean they have low volumes to offer the market.

He says the increase in GST and increases in costs of petrol, energy and transport merged with the effects of a shortage of product out of Australia – due to the Queensland floods – and then poor growing conditions in New Zealand, all came together and pushed up normally high winter vegetable prices for

tomatoes, lettuce and capsicum to new heights for Kiwi customers.

“We don’t apologise for high prices,” says Andrew.

“The reality is that high prices, caused by low volumes, does not deliver much more to the bottom line for anyone – often in fact, it is less.

“We take the best price we can get and we make no apology for it. We are not a charity. We are a business.”

Andrew says they will not reach the industry target of $10 billion by 2020 by underselling products.

He says the Labour party’s plan to remove GST on fruit and vegetables would support an increase in consumption.

“It would encourage shoppers to buy more fruit and vegetables.

“The nutritional and health benefits of fruit and vegetables cannot be overstated in a world saturated by fast food offerings and in a county with record levels of obesity amongst all age groups.

“Any way that consumption can be increased must help the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders.”

By Sheryl Brown

Horticulture New Zealand president Andrew Fenton says no GST on fruit and vegetables would be good for increasing Kiwi’s consumption on healthy produce.

Wider berth for potatoes Potatoes New Zealand plans to create a wider industry body which would include members from many points in the supply chain.

Speaking at the HortNZ conference on in Rotorua Chairman Terry Olsen said the potato industry in New Zealand should be “far more vibrant than it is”.

Potatoes New Zealand’s levy expires in 2012 and growers – the constituents of the current association – will get the chance to vote on the plan to include processors, retailers, market people and some science providers into a wider

My Name is Neil Woodward.

I am a director of Z-Contracting- we are family run business, our team consists of three, being myself, my son and my brother.

Our organisation has been established for over 18 years. I have been involved in applying crop protection programmes within the horticultal industry since 1966.

We specialise within the kiwi fruit industry, We have the equipment to spray orchards with our two Atom sprayers and one recently purchased Tracatom Formula tractor which is also available for mulching and mowing.

industry group. “If we can generate success from that, there are other tiers you can bring in at a later stage – who through a variety of reasons may wish to have an association with the potato industry group,” says Terry.

The potato industry has been fraught with psyllid, but the one positive outcome has been the industry partners working together, says Terry.

“The wider industry has a concern of ‘what impact is this psyllid going to have’.

“It’s got a lot of people together talking about solutions and pathways through that.”

By Sheryl Brown

Our Atoms are set up with radar speed sensors, this combined with fully automated sprayer controllers and three nozzle rings enhances application efficiency and accuracy.

We also use a quad bike for strip weed spray applications.

We hold all certificates needed to meet Globalgap compliance.

We look at all challenges to help ensure we protect your crop with excellence.

216 Pongakawa Bush Road Te Puke

To contact us: Phone: 021 907 621 E-mail: zcl@zanadu.co.nz

HORTICULTURE

PH 07 578 0030

Page 17

Specialist hort tractor dealer for Gisborne Located in one of New Zealand’s best fruit growing regions, with its mix of kiwifruit, pip and stone fruits, citrus, vineyard and avocados AP Machinery sales director Mark Lewis in Gisborne, felt there was a definite need to have a range of tractors designed specifically for work in horticulture and viticulture applications.

Mark had tested the market previously, but didn’t feel at that time they and their market were ready, but now the timing is perfect – “we’ve grown and the Goldoni range and brand has really developed”.

“We’re excited about the addition of Goldoni giving us a specialist tractor range to cover the horticultural market applications we have here,” says Mark.

“The Goldoni range now gives us this complete package.”

Mark says Goldoni offers a model suited for all horticultural applications; from narrow models, equal wheel models, super low to specialist cab models.

“They have models available in both cab and non cab, standard cab and specialist cabs; for narrow or low operation needs.

“Basically if you need it Goldoni’s got it.”

Added to this, Agtek, the distributor is totally focussed on horticulture, so “you’re dealing and talking with people who all have the same passion in this growing business” says Mark.

Since taking on Goldoni, it’s been nothing but busy, and Mark says they are very excited not just in the new sales, but also the

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HORTICULTURE

Page 18

Coast & Country

Potassium attacked for all the wrong reasons Potassium deficiencies here in New Zealand have been falling for the last 20-odd years and yet the levels in plants have been increasing – why?

It is the first element that kicks off the whole cycle of feeding by the plant and it is in short supply in most of our soils.

However, due to the misconception of tissue analysis as a means of measuring elements, it has been ostracised and wrongly thought to be in excess.

Potassium is one of the essential elements in plant and animal nutrition and has been used as a whipping boy when it is found in high amounts in pasture.

This has been wrongly interpreted as an excess in the soil. The plant tissue is accumulating this element due to an inverted cation ratio in the soil.

The plant feeds on elements via exchanging hydrogen and hydroxyl for nutrients. Both of these combine to form water, H2O. They are split by the plant with the aid of another element that has been abused, that element is manganese.

Manganese is the lynch pin in the initial scheme of the plants metabolism.

Cells

It is high in cells as it is there due to necessity. The plant requires it to form cells and the amount of cells present is due to the amount of manganese it takes to make them. The amounts of cells are proportional to the amount of manganese required to form them.

When we assume plant cell nutrient concentrations are in excess – as we do with both manganese and potassium – we err in the fact that they have accumulated for a reason and that reason may not be as straight forward as assumed.

Manganese is non toxic, in fact, Underwood points out in his book ‘Trace elements in Human and animal nutrition’ that it is the least toxic of all of the trace elements. Potassium on the other hand is in excess in plants for an entirely different reason.

Potassium

Potassium will accumulate in plants when the concentrations of other cations are out of faze.

When I say out of faze, I am referring to the ratios of potassium with the other essential positively charged elements – cations. Should the ratio of potassium to calcium be imbalanced for example, then the plant will accumulate more of the one element that the other.

The atomic weight of potas-

sium is virtually identical to that of calcium, 39 for potassium and 40 for calcium.

However, potassium has only one positive charge to attract it to the soil surfaces, whereas calcium has two. Therefore, when the plant exchanges hydrogen for an element the atom that will fall off first will be the one held there with the least bonding power, potassium. The more inverse the concentration, the greater will be the accumulation in the plant. It is all to do with atomic weight and valance electron charge, or bonding power.

That is why potassium is accumulating in the plant, not because there is too much in the soil, but because there is not enough of the other

Peter Lester of Quantum Laboratories

from the lab elements. Increase the potassium while reconstructing the soils pH and potassium will fall in the plant. Don’t lime to mover the pH, reconstruct the element ratios and the pH will fall into line itself.

Dominant element

To identify which one is the dominant element, you need to test the soil; the plants stomach, plant tissue will not tell you.

There might be insufficient calcium, too much sodium, the ratios of iron to manganese may be inverted and zinc accumulation may be the culprit. We can identify why; and good advice does not cost, it pays.

Managing feed reserves through fencing Most farms are by now supplementing the scarce feed reserves with hay or other suitable feed.

The feed reserves left have to be properly and adequately managed.

It is therefore of great importance fences are of good quality and can contain animals. The best tool to perform this check is the Fence Doctor.

This is a voltmeter that not only

indicates the voltage on the fence, but also the current in Amps.

If the Amp reading is high, it means that there is a serious fault along the fence line.

The Fence Doctor indicates with a red arrow in which direction to find the fault. Another way of preserving feed is to allocate a certain quantity of grass to a certain number of animals. This is

best done by break-feeding or strip grazing. The Red Snap’r Stripgrazer is the ideal tool to do this. It is a small, solar powered energiser that can sit on a post or on a waratah and will keep stock within a confined area.

There is no necessity to change batteries as the solar panel keeps the internal battery charged at all times.

HORTICULTURE

PH 07 578 0030

Page 19

Big crop, big fruit - happy growers Avocado exporters are planning to share the bounty of the country’s largest ever export crop across a number of markets says Primor Produce director John Carroll.

“It’s a large crop and it’s a large crop of large fruit,” says John.

“The Bay of Plenty in particular has got a very heavy crop.

“Northland’s crop you would call average to maybe slightly more in far north in volume and the fruit size out of northland pretty average. That’s a positive average.”

John thinks the bumper crop in the Bay of Plenty is a result of the local biennial cropping issue, where the trees fully perform every second year. “All the horsepower I guess from the years when they didn’t carry as big a crop goes into when they get one. They get that horsepower going into it so we are expecting this big crop and with an above average fruit size across the nation.”

Average size

As the average fruit size goes up, fewer fruit are needed to fill a tray, which adds to the ultimate export number as reckoned in trays.

In terms of markets it means the Australian market, which has typically been about 90 per cent of the New Zealand avocado export crop in recent years, will this season receive about 75 per cent of the

volume into Australia, it is a pretty big number historically,” says John.

“We have decided as exporters that we need to not kill the golden goose, so with a mixture of different timing and size requirements there will probably be up to ten other markets that will be receiving New Zealand fruit this year.”

They include; Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Korea, Japan, maybe Taiwan, a small amount into the US and some into New Caledonia and Tahiti.

Big markets

John Carroll, Primor Produce director. export volumes, says John.

“The reason for that is Australia is still an ongoing growing market and we see only light Australian fruit in our window,” says John.

“And when we talk about a window in Australia, we will be harvesting into all markets including Australia for pretty well six months, so it’s quite a big window.

“It’s longer than normal. In any given year we would not start as early as this year for Australia.”

New Zealand’s big crop coincides with Australian growers expecting lighter crops on average across the Australian growing regions.

“So that’s a nice thing in a way, being able to put 75 per cent of our

“They are big markets, but they are not that familiar with avocadoes,” says John.

“Japan is a little bit different because we have been working with that market for some time.”

Japan’s at a different stage of development to the others, but not as advanced as the US or Australia, says John.

Japanese consumption has been growing for a few years. Singapore is a bit the same. Most of the other Asian markets are new markets.

Avocadoes are not a big part of the diet or cuisine. In Korea, the biggest hurdle is heavy duties on the product going in.

This year’s large crop comes on the heels of two of the best export years John has seen over the last 20 years – with grower returns in the region of $20 a tray for growers of medium to large fruit.

“We are thinking with a much bigger volume – and factoring where the dollar’s at – we are

thinking returns back to growers might be mid teens for medium to large fruit. For smaller fruit, a little bit less than that,” says John.

“This is all theory of course.

“The last two years have been very good tray returns, but the growers haven’t had the production.

“If a grower got $15 instead of $20 but he’s produced more than double the crop, if they could get these sort of volumes and be making $15 a tray – they are making some pretty decent money out of it.”

By Andrew Campbell

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Page 20

Coast & Country

Potatoes crack a genetic code

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varieties, better characteristics. “It Terry Olsen hails the development as a A recent genetic breakthrough Contact Cosio Industries Ltd ph (09) 820 0272, email : sales@cosio.co.nz. or call Vaughan fantastic breakthrough with far-reaching might be about EPDM selling the same volume Quality plastic products INDUSTRIES 021 280the 7266 for more information on Firestone EPDM and your nearest installation contractor. liner hasongiven potential to potential. of potatoes but extracting better value Cosio Industries Ltd are official Firestone Building Products Australasian distributors designed for growers breed new varieties.

“It’s a great achievement and adds sigout of it.” nificantly to the range of tools we have The potato genome sequence will New Zealand experts were part of an available to us. reduce the 10-12 years traditionally international team of scientists who “Clearly the potential for breeding needed to breed new varieties and by have cracked the genetic code new potatoes is very exciting, but improving yield, help address the preAgbeam Fastner & Strap of the potato, creating the Firestone EPDM Lined Pond advantages there may also be many dicted global food shortage. potential to selectively other benefits we have Terry says it will enable Potatoes New breed new varieties Enable effluent to be stored and applied strategically during not even thought Zealand to identify genome sequences drier periods or in Spring and Autumn when grass growth slows much faster. which have the desired qualities at an of yet.”

New varieEase of daily management from troublesome effluent irrigators Some of those early stage. ties could Pergolock Clip - for cable & This means scientists will be able to benefits Realize the value of your effluent and utilise its real potentialmight offer improved wire structures target the breeding programme and be intellectual nutritional value 20 year Firestone Factory warranty - best in the business reduce the number of plants screened to property, says and yields as well Insist on your Firestone issued Warranty Certificate around 5000, achieving the end goal a as increased resistance Terry. lot faster. to drought, extreme temperature and “It may be that the New Zealand Contact Cosio Industries Ltd ph (09) 820 0272, email : sales@cosio.co.nz. or call Vaughan diseases and pests such as psyllid.

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Dash to Europe for Psa treatment The breakthrough in successfully making kiwifruit pollen Psa-safe was confirmed with a mad dash to Italy to test the heat-treatment process at the end of the European flowering season.

After the outbreak of Psa in 2010, Kiwi Pollen NZ Ltd approached Zespri and Plant & Food Research with promising initial research on the heat treatment of pollen.

Kiwi Pollen offered to provide their findings to a wider research programme into cleaning pollen of Psa; working closely with Zespri, Plant & Food Research and Kiwifruit Vine Health.

In May, the research showed certain tempera-

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crop and plants. the desired size, skin consistency, disease natural watering resistance, flavour and so on would usuAvailable in 2 m ally take many generations of crosses to FROSTGUARD get the desired result.

FROSTGUARD “The potato genome sequence now cost polypropyle 30gm2. Also air gives us a library of information.

“We can identify genes of interest, natural air and w select potatoes that have that charac- 2 metres wide. O teristic and speed up the breeding of Cosio Industri COSIO 27-33 Lansfor COSIO desired new cultivars.”

INDUSTRIES Ph 09 820 027 Terry says in the past, the potato industry has been taken very much for granted.

The Professionals Choice “The rise of economies in Asia is creating opportunities for the potato industry.

“A wider industry INDUSTRIES body would give us some momentum to look for that outcome – identifying the market, developing the market, making sure it’s a cohesive approach.”

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Kiwi Pollen NZ director Graeme Crawshaw, INDUSTRIES Zespri Europe finance and operation manager Koen Van De Woestyne, Zespri Europe pre-havest technical manager Riccardo Spinelli and orchardist Alessio Priori. picking flowers. Graeme ture treatments could kill spent long days and nights Psa, without affecting the milling and heat-treating viability of the pollen. pollen. The viability of the When the successful pollen was then validated results came to hand, by a locally recognised Kiwi Pollen NZ director Graeme Crawshaw left for scientific lab.

The next stage in the Italy – with a week left of pollen research prothe Hayward flowering gramme is to develop a – to field test the pollen method of applying heat temperature treatment. treatment on a commerWith 18 hours cial scale. For the coming notice, KPNZ engiseason, KPNZ is working neer Ty Hartnett built to develop and implement a portable light-weight a best-practice pollen fully-functioning pollen production system, which mill, complete with viability testing equipment will be audited by an Independent Verification – the last bits of which ULTRA-PRO Agency. he delivered to Tauranga ULTRA-PRO For 2011, no male Airport while Graeme was flowers are being picked checking-in for his flight. from the Te Puke priority Graeme carried out zone and Kiwi Pollen’s the testing in Italy at the pollen milling is likely Zespri lab in Cisterna, with the invaluable help of to be locally situated in a number of specific growthe Zespri staff. Everying regions. one there rolled up their sleeves and got stuck in

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Page 21

An irresistable thing of beauty BMW’s new X5 Performance Edition is one very desirable machine

Expect the usual superior level of interior refinement from this BMW.

In its performance kit, the X5 has a seductive, menacing profile.

Maybe it is just a bloke thing, but every now and then you will lay eyes on something and the endorphins immediately flood the brain. Three words then flash through your mind…“I want one”.

And so it was when the object of desire happened to be a shiny new BMW X5. But not just any X5 – this was the all-new X5 Performance Edition…a ‘tweaked up’ model that is a fully certified stand-out in the rarified air of stylish European SUV’s. With its Jet Black finish, lowprofile “Y” spoke 20 inch alloys and distinctive badges, it grabs you from first glance and brings those imploring three words quickly to mind.

Biggest seller

I have to admit to being somewhat ambivalent about the X5 when it first appeared way back in 1999.

Along with some other Euro brands, it risked the label of “Remuera tractor” and seemed a bit too bulky and intrusive to fit with the brand’s reputation for refinement and performance.

However, plenty of Kiwis have

taken a liking to the X5, with it consistently ranking among the most popular models in the BMW lineup and has been the brands biggest seller in almost all of the past ten years.

The model in 2005 is also a lifetime away from what we have here now. The X5’s profile has been refined, along with the rest of its design and performance – and it is now a distinctive vehicle well worth aspiring to. Not only for its “come and drive me” looks. In this, its performance guise, the profile is enhanced thanks to the distinctive badging, running boards, black kidney grill and of course those magnificent black alloys.

Inside, there is a leather steering wheel that fits like a glove, third row seating that is very easy to deploy and a big screen navigation system. Other techie smarts include the heads-up display – a very subtle, easily acceptable information source that avoids the use of intrusive – and annoying – fold up displays seen on some vehicles. The X5’s cabin space is more than ample and the entire look is understated, classy and finished in

Technical specifications BMW X5 Performance Edition Engine: 3.0 litre 6 cylinder turbo diesel Power: 180Kw Torque: 540nM Transmission: 8 speed auto with Steptronic

The all-new BMW X5 Performance is a thing of rare beauty and power. luxurious ebony-black leather with piano trim.

Power for the X5 comes from a six cylinder common rail three litre diesel engine with an impressive

torque figure of 540Nm. This makes it a class leader for power among a line-up of European SUVs. That power is delivered through a super-slick eight speed transmission, smartly operated with a joystickstyle lever. Grip it and snick it up to get moving, then engage park with a simple push of the top button. It takes a little to get used to and is

so delightfully simple you’ll miss it in any other vehicle. The iDrive navigator dial next to it also proved equally easy to adapt to. Scrolling swiftly through the options, it helps compress the X5’s multiple functions into one simple easy-dial action.

The X5 is very much a vehicle to aspire to. It competes admirably in the higher atmosphere of top end Euro machines, while offering an exceptional level of features and therefore value for money in its market range.

The heads-up display, a top view parking camera, in-car internet, Bluetooth, audio streaming and third row seating are all standard features – some of which are either non-existent or expensive extras in some of its key competitors’ vehicles. The 20 inch alloys alone are worth more than $3000 as extras on one competitors’ SUV.

Improved economy

Any perception the X5 is some gas-guzzling monster has been well and truly wiped thanks to BMW’s efforts with its Efficient Dynamics initiative. This has involved incorpo-

Performance: 0-100kph in 7.6 seconds Wheels: “Y” spoke black or silver 20 inch alloys with run flat low profile tyres Performance extras: Aerodynamic Bodykit, Black Kidney Grille, LED Corona Rings for Running Lights, Heads-up Display, Top View Camera, Navigation, M Leather Steering

rating a range of smart technology into the engine design to improve both performance and economy – enhancements that include adjustable turbine blade geometry depending on air flow, multiple processor control of engine fuel demand and more exacting fuel flow delivery.

All this unseen wizardry appears to work well, with BMW claiming a combined consumption of 7.4L/100km for the X5.

This would have been something of a dream only five years ago, when even getting a machine weighing in at almost two tonne under double figure consumption would have seemed impossible.

For the drive experience, there’s a distinct sense of close connection with the road. With a sports suspension still forgiving enough to provide excellent ride quality and good directional control and all-wheeldrive security through corners, the X5 delivers driving enjoyment close to its much smaller sedan sisters. The steering is also pleasantly weighted.

Overall, the comfort and performance enhancements of the new X5 Performance all flow well together and remind you that, while it is an SUV, it is also a BMW – and that makes all the difference.

By Richard Rennie

Wheel, Third Row Seating Fuel consumption: 7.4L/100km combined (claimed) Price: $139,990 Test Drive at: Coombes Johnston BMW, 113 Hewletts Rd, Mount Maunganui. Phone 07 575 5280 Contact: Clive Holmes or Tony Amos

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COAST & COUNTRY

Page 22

Coast & Country

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X5 7.4l/100km 180kW (540 nm) Coombes Johnston BMW X5 7.4l/100km 180kW (540 nm) Coombes Johnston BMW 575 Te Rapa Road, Hamilton, (07) 846 8888.

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Offer expires to BMW Minimum Financial Services lending criteria. Excess mileage charges Coombes Johnston BMW Edition RRPcondition $139,900 (+ORC),may 35 monthly payments, interest of 10.99%, a 20%30/09/11 deposit and and is a fisubject nal Guaranteed Future Value of $69,950. www.coombesjohnstonbmw.co.nz and vehicle condition charges may be payable you return the vehicle. Offer expires 30/09/11 and is subject to BMW Financial Services lending criteria.

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COAST & COUNTRY

Page 24

Coast & Country

New home for Hyundai in the Bay of Plenty One of Tauranga’s largest dealerships, Farmer Autovillage in Hewletts Road, Mount Maunganui, is delighted to announce it has recently added the Hyundai franchise to its already extensive range of vehicles.

After being operated for many years from the Jacobson Hyundai location on Cameron Road, Tauranga – Hyundai is now proudly situated in a brand new facility within the Farmer Autovillage complex. A new showroom with offices, plus a parts and service centre, is nearing completion on the site.

Once finished, it will become a true Elite Dealership for the Hyundai brand and offer a unique sales and service experience to Hyundai customers from throughout the Bay of Plenty and beyond.

Hyundai is currently New Zealand’s fastest growing brand and, since taking over the franchise at the beginning of July, Hyundai brand manager Dave Briscoe reports business has been very brisk.

“Even with our new building still under construction, we have delivered more than 22 new Hyundai vehicles to our customers in the last month alone.

“We would also like to extend a warm welcome to the people who have joined our new Hyundai parts and service team from

Jacobsons” says Dave.

“Their knowledge and experience is invaluable and I’m sure it will be appreciated by all of the local Hyundai owners.”

In addition, Dave is pleased to welcome two new sales consultants to the team; Mark Roy has already started at the dealership, while Jason Hyde-Hill will be joining shortly.

A nice place to be Taking over the Hyundai franchise is part of a long-term vision for the Farmer Motor Group. Increasing the brand choice for customers is a huge advantage, as buyers can see, drive and purchase from any of the nine brands available at the dealership.

They can also easily compare the different features among the brands on site. Whether

Hyundai can now be found at Farmer Autovillage, 116 Hewletts Road, Mount Maunganui.

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they are looking for a small hatchback or large SUV, new or used vehicle, Farmer Autovillage has it all in one fantastic location.

“We acknowledge that buying a car can sometimes be stressful,” says managing director Mike Farmer.

“So we simply take the stress away by offering a comfortable environment for everyone. Actually, a lot of people tell us that Farmer Autovillage is a very pleasant place to spend an hour or two.”

That also applies to having your vehicle serviced at Farmer Autovillage, where all makes and models of cars, SUVs and commercial vehicles are catered for with courtesy and efficiency. There is also an on-site cafe, where people who have travelled long distances for their vehicle service can enjoy a snack, lunch or complimentary coffee while their car is being tended to. They will probably also appreciate the free car wash that comes as part of the service.

Long-term plans “The acquisition of Hyundai has also provided further opportunities for the Farmer Autovillage team,” says Mike.

“We have promoted some of our sales people to managerial roles and welcomed new members too.

“Growing the brand base is in line with our five year plan for the company and we look forward to a continued growth path that will see us achieve our long-term goal of becoming one of New Zealand’s leading destination dealerships.”

Make sure to pay Farmer Autovillage a visit soon to see the new home of Hyundai and to experience the award-winning service for yourself or visit www. farmerautovillage.co.nz to find out more about what they can do for you.

By Gaylene Moore

COAST & COUNTRY

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Page 25

Wet weather a sting in the tail Our long and lush autumn pasture growth turned out to have a sting in the tail – donkey-wise.

The dreaded laminitis (founder) struck poor Tomas, who had obviously eaten more of the green stuff than was good for him. What initially appeared to be a limp, due to the cluster of stones among the mud in his front foot, rapidly showed that the pain was coming from within.

Some friends came round and firmly told me what I should have realised already; that a mostly hay diet was called for until things improved. They also left a hefty dose of some zincbased medicine with instructions to get 40ml down his throat as soon as possible.

Now, Tomas is a fairly big donkey and very strong.

It was obvious

I wasn’t going to be able to do it alone. My neighbour had just returned from an eye-opening trip to Kenya (no rain for three years and its ramifications), but came, as ever, to my rescue.

After a battle royal, which left all of us panting, a goodly dose was administered. Twice a day hay, a daily dose of painkiller and

Tomas is the muddy one!

limited grazing was organised and we watched and waited to see what happened.

I’m happy to report Tomas is fully recovered and both donkeys are having their green-stuff intake carefully monitored. Usually such problems only arise in spring, which goes to show how all that warmer-than-usual autumn weather will have to be watched if it becomes the norm in these climate changing times.

And Tomas wasn’t the only donkey so affected. A friend told me of another donkey which had to be euthanized for the same reason, made worse by advanced age.

The wet weather which followed, produced a prodigious amount of boot-sucking mud, aggravated hugely by the enormous feet on my two cows.

I try to make the sacrifice areas as

Farmers must stop sticking it to townies A load of rubbish is written about an ‘urbanrural’ divide within New Zealand.

Misconceptions exist on; if it exists; its size; its importance; where it comes from and why it exists. So here’s the goss’, from a lad brought up in a town of 15 million people – London – and who now lives on a three-acre block outside a town of 15,000 – Cambridge.

Yes, a divide exists. The divide is not about compassion, however. When the chips are down in farming – floods, drought, snow, putative foot and mouth – the urban community cares and it largely comes through with support. When farmers are in difficulty, it often features on the main TV news, radio and in printed media.

People care.

The divide is more about the far better level of service that the urban community receives compared to the rural – be this in health, education or communications and so on. The big cities fare much better. We have seen a massive retreat from rural support as the country has urbanised; closure of schools and post offices illustrate this. But don’t for one moment believe that this is a conspiracy of city folk. They are as bewildered about it as us rural folk. Community infrastructure has been done to by neo-liberal economics run amok; if all four million of us lived in one gigantic tower block in Auckland

there are some economists who’d die very happy souls.

This massive retreat from community infrastructure has occurred for one and one reason only; this country lacks an economic strategy. If it had one, it would acknowledge the immense importance of the regions as the place where our wealth creation begins.

So if we all, collectively, fail to sufficiently appreciate this country’s true economic strengths, then why is that farmers are sticking it to townies? Simply this – if townies could invest in dairy products or red-meat products they’d be very happy people. But we deny them that opportunity. We deny them that skin-in-the-game. We deny them the chance to invest in New Zealand’s best companies. And that is the real divide; the one that genuinely exists. Give townies the chance to come on board, to join the team.

We’d have many friends. We’d have a populace that understood the real economy once again and we may even win back some of that community infrastructure.

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Grower Advice

Orchard Management

small as possible, as each step they take produces large cavities in the pasture.

The situation is made more difficult by the fact that cows can eat hay about four times as fast as donkeys and goats.

So it is necessary to move them into a separate paddock at hay time and leave them there overnight.

This allows the donks and goats to chew each mouthful thoroughly and the bins are always empty next morning. When the cows are let back in, they immediately go round licking up any stray wisps left on the ground, so everything is left tidy for the day.

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up from Wellington very often and he immediately looks round for things to fix. So my hot water cylinder relief pipe now has three guy wires, my car has a new windscreen wiper installed, a leak in the water system has been fixed and a huge amount of throwing out from overstuffed cupboards has been done.

All this involved me dashing back and forth entertaining Audrey, while fetching, carrying and giving opinions on what could be thrown and what kept. We did manage two lunches out, a trip to a big Pet Expo, the Hamilton Lake and the Gardens. I spent the day after they left putting everything back to rights and getting over my exhaustion.

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ON

RESULTS

SOUTH & EAST WAIKATO

Page 26

Coast & Country

Does your home vs away record stack up?

Are you the type who can recite back the home vs away record of the Chiefs for the last few seasons?

If so, you’re obviously a passionate rugby follower and a keen statistician.

If you’re reading this, then you’re obviously a passionate dairy industry follower too. You may also be interested in some stats on how Waikato farms stack up against those down south.

With only two wins on the road this season, the Chiefs no doubt will be reflecting on how they compete with those around them. Their coaches and strategists will be going through the previous season’s tapes and digging into stats around tackle counts, line breaks, metres made and penalties won and conceded.

This is all done with the aim of identifying areas where they can lift the performance of the team.

In similar vein, you can do this with your farm. Using the metric of operating profit per hectare, most years Waikato farms come in around the national average – $1,968 per

ha in 2009/10. But Waikato is consistently out-performed by farms in the Otago and Southland region.

For some reason, dairy farms in the Otago and Southland region make an operating profit per hectare of about 25 per cent above the national average each year.

Unlike rugby coaches and analysts, you don’t have video tapes to scan – but you can dig down into your performance by using DairyBase data.

This data gives you benchmarks. The importance of a good benchmark is that it gives you a very high level key performance indicator – KPI. Where rugby coaches talk of territory and possession stats; as a strategist for your dairy business you can talk of operating profit per hectare, farm working expenses per kg of milk solids, cow efficiency and pasture eaten.

Using these KPIs – comparing them to how other farmers are performing and reflecting on why things are the same or different – as in the case of how Otago and Southland is 25 per cent more profitable than the Waikato –

dairy nz

By Dr Adam Barker, DairyNZ DairyBase manager

helps you challenge yourself. It’s important to get into the differences and see if anything stands out that lets you reassess your strategies. Perhaps down there they are producing more feed and utilising it better; perhaps despite some higher infrastructure costs they control their costs a bit better; maybe the best of our region’s farmers are the ones who have taught them some tricks to lift their game – a bit like the impact that Tauranga-born lad and former Chief Jared Hoeata made for the Highlanders this season.

So if Otago and Southland is that much more profitable, despite their weather, what can you do to lift your home record and improve your profitability to match them?

If you are into your stats, but you’re not yet on DairyBase, phone the DairyBase bureau 07 858 3890 and they’ll help you crunch your numbers.

Pasture persistence, renewal, hot topics WAIKATO MILKING

SYSTEMS

Pasture persistence is a hot topic at present, bringing around 250 scientists, advisers, seed merchants and farmers to Hamilton recently for a two day symposium organised by the Grasslands Association.

By Sue Edmonds

Seven major sessions looked at the topic every which way, with groups of speakers getting ten minutes each, followed by panel sessions where the audience got to ask some tricky questions: Was renewal worth it in dollar terms? With some farmers now resigned to renewing a proportion of the farm every year, did this method really grow more grass?

There has been heaps of research and some revealing surveys done in the last few years, however, most of the research has been narrowly focused and relatively short term, given the current funding methods.

It’s not possible to measure true persistence in two or three years and many farmers have been decidedly unimpressed with results and costs of late.

Managing new pasture, when you’ve got great big cows, in big numbers, with big appetites, is really a whole new ball game.

Overgrazing, soil compaction, plant recovery times, drought and not using the right species and cultivars can each make pasture renewal an expensive exercise in failure.

Several speakers stressed the need for pasture specialists to go back to being ecologists, looking at the whole situation – rather than just focusing on one problem. A number of speakers also harked back to good research work done 15-30 years ago, which wasn’t

necessarily being taken notice of in modern exercises. This is very sad, because New Zealand’s reputation for grass fed animals was built on such research. One professor says that getting his students to go to the library for research was well-nigh impossible – if it wasn’t on Google, it didn’t exist.

Climate changes in some regions are making single species rye and clover mixes unsuitable for today’s weather. The words ‘fescue’, ‘cocksfoot’, ‘sub-clover’ and even ‘couch’ were mentioned by several speakers as being more suited to regular ‘big dries’ than worrying about getting the right endophytes for ryegrass.

One trial at Winchmore has now been going for 60 years, showing pasture can persist.

Other speakers suggested maybe people are now putting on too much seed, so plants don’t develop properly due to too much competition. Farmers don’t make so much hay any more so the seed banks which hay crops created aren’t getting topped up. Ryegrass and clover, sown together, disadvantages clover as it’s generally too deep for it to get a good start. Only one major session dealt with soils. This was mainly focused on compaction and fertiliser use and leaching. This probably reflects the lack of younger soil scientists and little funding for what’s going on in the brown stuff below.

Ploughing and deep ripping may

put paid to the weeds temporarily, but it destroys all the ‘goodies’ at the same time and takes years to recover from. With both ryegrass and clover generally being shallow rooted, dry soils have a deleterious effect quite rapidly.

It was encouraging, however, that a session on climate change effects pointed out both species have considerable ability to slow down new growth and recover quickly when moisture does arrive. While pasture may look ‘down and out’ after a drought, dormant tillers and stolons can really get cracking when rain comes and the pasture can recover in as little as three months, making renewal unnecessary.

There are lots of pests attacking either tillers or roots or both these days. Grass grubs, black beetle, army worm, slugs, clover root weevil and nematodes were graphically demonstrated in one of the workshops. Seemingly nobody has come up with really effective treatments for most of these yet, apart from Irish wasps for clover bugs.

Overall, the summary workshop felt there needed to be more research, looking at the topic widely and for long periods. Advisers needed to be more educated on the effects of regional climatic differences and farmers need to have more instruction on managing both new and old pastures under current farming methods.

SOUTH & EAST WAIKATO

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Page 27

Forward thinking in agriculture ated Farmers had previously spent three years as head of their Meat and Fibre section. He spoke of the efforts and difficulties experienced in those years, some of which have led to the current higher prices for those commodities.

He emphasised that, unless the proposals in the Red Meat Strategy led to some real changes in attitudes by all parties in the near future, that such prices would not continue. At present, overseas

buyers have the whip hand and will not commit to contracts due to the conflicting price taker approach of our marketers.

Landcorp chief executive Chris Kelly defined some of the challenges in moving from small family farms to a big corporate.

The 110 farms are now run as one unit and the use of RFID is enabling single animal monitoring of cows, sheep and deer, leading to more profitability from being able

to identify the high performing animals.

Two overarching topics which concerned all the speakers were the need and method of providing more effective extension of good ideas and technology to farmers and the difficulties in getting sufficient younger people into meat and wool farming, given the average age of existing farmers is now in the late 50s.

By Sue Edmonds

Chris Kelly and Bruce Wills.

There was a full house audience for the recent Winter Forum held by the NZIPIM in Hamilton.

With all five speakers being ‘those in the know’ the members and others were given a round up of thinking on what needs to happen in and around agriculture.

Leading off was Andy Macfarlane, principal of Macfarlane Rural Business based in Ashburton. Andy’s presentation was made by Skype when the snow closed Christchurch airport. Sustainable management of dairy growth, both in the South Island and the Waikato, in Andy’s view, needs to focus on people, strategy, structure and delivery.

He posed some specific questions for Waikato dairying.

Is 100 per cent dairy land use the most sustainable? Is it resilient to climate

change? Are more cropping farms needed? Are we growing enough lucerne these days? Should farms be all grass or include some cropping etcetera? Are we overstocked, too dependent on extra feed such as PKE and are we growing our heifers enough? Are we considering the cumulative effects of nitrogen and phosphate? And does irrigation have a place up here?

Phil Journeaux of MAF policy showed some disturbing graphs relating to farm costs, productivity and profitability for both dairy and sheep and beef farming.

AgResearch chief executive Tom Richardson talked about the new requirements being placed by government on CRI’s and their need to consider their research in both long and short term timeframes, as well as look at how technology transfer of existing research can be got out to farmers.

Bruce Wills, new president of Feder-

Rural builders ready The team at Broomfield Construction specialises in new houses, cowsheds and farm buildings while they also work on alterations to existing structures in both rural and residential areas.

By Sheryl Brown

Based in Morrinsville, Rob Broomfield started working as a self-employed builder more than 20 years ago. His company, Broomfield Construction, has expanded in that time to include a team of skilled and capable builders.

Rob says that the team work on a wide variety of jobs, from building cow sheds to new houses.

“Predominately, our work is based around farms – I really enjoy the rural focus of the job. Building on farms makes for a great office.”

Recently, the team has been working on tidying up farm workers’ houses and in some instances this has led to other work on-site, such as undertaking alterations to existing buildings.

As we move out of the winter season, now is a good time to be identifying other building projects around the farm which need attending – be it alterations to houses or implementing new buildings.

Broomfield Construction is on-hand to give expert building advice and to get the work done quickly and efficiently.

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Page 28

RURAL FINANCE

Coast & Country

Five steps to help financial troubles 3) Find somebody suitably qualified to talk to.

That could be your accountant, consultant, budget advisor or stock firm manager. Show them your position and bare your financial soul, accept that you may have got yourself Money is the life blood of any economy. It can in a jam. Take time to discuss in detail every create its own problems as well, particularly the item, particularly the liabilities. rural sector. The rural economy is subject to ups and 4) Draw up a plan to resolve your problems. downs, high payouts, low payouts, good lamb prices Make it realistic and achievable, and then take and the poor. The costs just keep on rising and it is ownership of that plan. Pin it to your notice difficult to reduce these costs. Once you build a cost board and look at it every time you pass by. of running the business into your business it is very The plan should include a follow-up on the hard to eradicate it. follow-up. Most plans fail if they aren’t folIf you are in trouble financially, consider these five lowed up. Remember, if you don’t have a plan action points – they may just help. you are planning to fail.

1) Accept that you have a problem. Talk about it The plan should be attainable and realistic, with your partner, accountant it is going to be this is very important. It may include a refitough, so don’t procrastinate. Take some action nance package from another financial sector or immediately. consolidating all your debts into one. You need Remember action cures fear. Nothing cures to ensure you and your partner are on the same fear better than beating your fear, stepping over page and both accept the plan as your reality. it and taking action.

You need to take a team approach – it will be a 2) Make up a schedule of assets and liabilities. team problem and it will take a team effort to That means all assets and particularly all liabilifix it. ties. There is no use pretending, you are only 5) Take action. Sustained action will give you denying yourself. So, what can you take from progress and make you feel more in control. your assets and liabilities: Too many people fall to the ground when • You may be at your maximum overdraft with no things go wrong. I see it in my business dealfurther liquidity. ings all the time. Some of my business revolves • Your debt per kg high may be too high. around helping people resolve their problems.

• Do you have a good economy scale?

It will be tough, but you can handle it.

• Winter is here, so how are you going to get Toughen up and make the decisions you need through? to. It’s about being committed to resolve your • If your GST is in arrears that is of serious conown problem. They are your problems, not cern. anybody else’s. No blaming or shaming.

• Is your hire purchase costing you a lot every In summary, financial trouble can be a nightmare month? but setting up a five point plan and taking action • Are you are behind with your accounts? should see you improve your position. You need It may not be a pretty situation. Your bank may amalgamate all your debts into one or they may ask support and you need to feel in control of your business to make progress. Make it your full focus. you to refinance elsewhere.

It is possible for you to turn your business around with correct management and support. Take a team approach with your partner to resolve your problems and remember action cures fear.

If your finances are not managed effectively you can easily get into financial trouble.

These are the opinions of Don Fraser of Fraser Farm Finance. Any decisions made should not be based on this article alone and appropriate professional assistance should be sought. Don Fraser is the Principal of Fraser Farm Finance and a consultant to the Farming Industry. Contact him on 021 777 675.

F QUOREE TES!

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COAST & COUNTRY

Page 29

Page 30

MAIZE

Coast & Country

Using herbicides with care Much of rural New Zealand these days is a chemical-controlled environment. Our tendency when we see weeds is to reach for a spray bottle and douse them in herbicides of various types.

throughout the country making careful Nature has long proved smarter than we are, however and herbicide resistance circles of herbicide (glyphosate mainly) around each one and every other roadis no longer something to be worside pole. ried about in the future, but is quietly Trevor says he is concerned that New increasing right now instead.

Zealand will follow Australia, where herDr Trevor James of AgResearch has bicide resistant weeds are now becoming been warning maize growers for several common on roadsides. From there, it’s years now that the ‘miracle’ pre-emera short hop over the fence into the pasgent herbicide atrazine, which keeps tures and crops; where they quickly run weeds in check while the maize plants rampant. In the Waikato alone, yellow get established, is no longer working bristle grass has already invaded pastures for the expected 35-50 days through after managing to escape roadside sprayresidual activity in the soil. These days, ings – it appears after the pre-summer due to repeated usage in maize plantsprayings. The cows won’t eat it; it ing areas over a number of years, the outgrows the desired species of grasses in residual effect is now 3-5 days. short order; and getting rid of it is provSo what happened? The soil microbes ing to be a whole new ball game. adapted their diets and now happily eat Trevor is now anxious up the expensive atrazine – and the to start working with weeds can continue to grow. those who maintain It’s also happening with other our roads, before herbicides including glyphoendless applications sate – that handy stuff which of glyphosate on you can buy in the supermarket roadsides leads New under various names. Its kill Zealand to catch up rate for green stuff growing in with the Aussies in the wrong places has been herbicide resistance such that we’ve used it and we find ourselves for everything. fighting whole new Now the weeds are fightbattles to getting our ing back. In Australia, they pastures to persist and now have 57 herbicide resistour crops to outgrow ant weeds and in the US they the weeds. have 134 found so far. To date So next time you we’ve only discovered about 10, reach for the spray but that doesn’t mean we’ve got bottle, consider whether the problem sussed. other weed eradication These days, we have those methods might be more handy reflector poles keeping us useful in the long-term. on track on many of our rural roads. In order to keep them visBy Sue Edmonds ible, there are an army of sprayers Dr Trevor James.

MAIZE

PH 07 578 0030

Page 31

Maize numbers to count on

hybrid you can really trust.

“We particularly like the quick dry down that enables growers like us to target yield without sacrificing an early harvest,” says Daniel. “Our crop averaged 16.7 tonnes over 45 hectares at 18.3 per cent and we’ll be back for more this season.”

In addition to PAC 624 and DKC5783, this season’s range from Pacific Seeds includes maize and forage hybrids options to suit every growing requirement.

CRM, is a high yielding full-season grain option that’s also suitable for quality silage.

“This hybrid has excellent agronomic traits, which include good test weights and very good standability,” says Barry.

It also has outstanding husk cover and pendulous cobs, which protect the grain from both the elements and pests during dry down.

Te Puke grower Daniel Dovaston – who grew DKC57-83 last season – is full of praise for it. “DKC57-83 is a

Daniel Dovaston, op of checking cr 3.

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Ross Carter of Shinarro Jersey Ltd says the kernel size has been really impressive in the PAC 624.

This season’s hybrid range from Pacific Seeds includes two excellent options for Waikato and Bay of Plenty maize growers.

“Since their introduction, PAC 624 and DKC 57-83 have both delivered excellent performance,” says Pacific Seeds territory manager Barry Smallridge.

“As a result, they have been really well received by our growers.”

PAC 624 – which is a full season hybrid with a 114 CRM – is a purpose-bred, high yielding silage option, with a high cob to stover ratio and soft, starchy, easily digestible grain.

These attributes and its long harvest window, make it an excellent hybrid for growers looking for high silage quality.

Top Jersey breeder Ross Carter of Shinarro Jersey Limited grew PAC 624 last season and says he was more than satisfied with the end results. “The ME levels we received from PAC 624 are way ahead of those of other hybrid brands that we’ve previously grown. “Size of kernels was also really impressive and we’ll be growing even more this season,” says Ross. DKC57-83, with a 107

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AVOCADOS

Page 32

Coast & Country

Avocados improving the bottom line Bigger avocados improve the bottom line – making for a rather ‘sunny’ disposition for orchardists.

‘Sunny’ is a plant growth regulator – proven in Australia and New Zealand to improve fruit size. New Zealand trials have shown increases in fruit size of usually about 20 per cent.

For growers who want to make big margins, Sunny – distributed by horticultural company Gro-Chem – can produce up to $7000/ha extra in the bank.

Sales manager Hugh Morison says Sunny should be a serious consideration for growers.

He says it gives the extra edge to growers in an industry that is increasingly competitive.

“As growing gets more competitive this is a tool you need to use to get larger fruit and bigger margins – it is all to do with the bottom line.”

Sunny is sprayed during flowering, targeting the start of the spring flush. It inhibits shoot growth, creating an energy change, which reduces competition during fruit set, resulting in production of larger fruit and a reduction in shoot length in the spring flush.

This reduction in shoot length helps to manage the canopy and may lead to more compact trees and a reduced pruning requirement.

Hugh says the Avocado Industry Council is doing ongoing trials with Sunny to see if its use results in ‘smoothing out’ the negative effects of biannual bearing. The product was sold commercially for the first time in New Zealand last year. It has been registered in other avocado

growing countries such as Australia, South Africa, Chile and Israel for a number of years.

Along with increasing the fruit size, Sunny also alters the fruits’ shape – making the avocado more rounded and less ‘necky’. In Whangarei, growers have found it also gave a marked reduction in ridging, which can cause a high reject rate.

A three year trial was carried out

with Sunny on a Matahui Road orchard in Katikati – owned by American Don Rodee.

At 40 hectares, the Matahui Road orchard is one of the biggest avocado orchards in the Bay of Plenty.

After seeing the trial results, orchard manager Phil Merriman, with Matahui Orchards consultant Lindsay Heard, applied Sunny to four hectares of the export crop this year.

Driving around the orchard, Phil has been impressed by the size of the fruit on the four hectares.

At $300 a litre, Phil says it can be hard for some growers to get their head around spending that money on a plant growth regulator.

However, because it doesn’t need a high water rate it only cost him $1500 to spray the four hectares.

Phil says in a year where export supply is expected to be huge, being able to supply trays of big fruit is an advantage.

They are expecting to pick between 2000 and 2500 bins of avocados this harvest.

Hugh says the bigger, rounder fruit are attractive – particularly to the Australian market –and can mean the difference of getting $11 a tray to getting $20 a tray.

“That wasn’t on the bottom line.

You are putting it on there by using Sunny.

“And this year they are talking about $8 for small count fruit and up to $15 a tray. So that is a huge difference.”

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Confidently awaiting bumper crop The Bay of Plenty’s largest avocado post harvest operator Apata Ltd is confidently gearing up for what is anticipated as the country’s largest ever avocado crop.

Apata is expecting about 1.2 million trays – one third of the total crop in the Bay – will be processed at Turntable Road.

Orchardists were invited to an open day and lunch recently to see for themselves how their fruit will be handled and to learn what else the post harvest operator is doing – like the recently installed bin washing and sanitising plant.

The heavily automated bin washing unit will scrub and clean the bins that Apata take out to orchards.

The washing and sanitising plant is a response to the kiwifruit industry’s current struggle with the Psa infection.

It’s a way of ensuring Apata is not seen as part of the problem says chief executive Steve Low. “We are taking that leadership role in how we manage the movement of property.”

While there’s no evidence the bins can spread the vine canker, perception is everything says Steve.

This season, all 24,000 bins will pass through the cleaning station before going out to orchards in the spring.

The main purpose of the open day was to give an opportunity for

Apata executive staff to give growers and people interested in Apata the opportunity to have a look around the site and see what Apata has to offer.

“It’s the first time we’ve really had a dedicated open day over the last two or three years,” says Steve.

Apata’s recent focus has been on ensuring they have got the growers, supporting them in the field and concentrating on nurturing a quality crop.

As a post harvest operator, Steve says Apata’s other focus is on getting the most value for their growers crop.

In that respect, Apata’s recent buy-in to Primor Produce has been welcomed by growers, while giving Apata an end-to-end focus on the avocado supply chain – from grower to market.

“We have been growing market share significantly this year from last year and for any business – that’s good,” says Steve.

“The better we can be for growers, the more growers support us.”

Primor director John Carroll says

the company’s relationship with Apata dates from Primor’s founding in 1988.

Primor has always handled Apata’s exports.

It was the first company to market New Zealand avocados in the USA in 1995. In 2000, Primor – with three other exporters – initiated the first break bulk shipments of avocados to the USA in conjunction with LauritzenCool.

Primor has also led marketing activity in Asia in recent years and was the first company to seafreight containers of avocados to Korea.

In 2001, Primor was part of a joint venture involving three New Zealand exporters in the first seafreight shipments to Japan.

The company was founded by John Long, Michael Kember and John Carroll.

In addition to being a director of Primor, John Carroll is a director of the Avocado Industry Council.

Apata bought one third of the shares in Primor, off some individual shareholders at the end of June.

“A couple of the shareholders were getting older and were prepared to sell,” says John.

“Apata wanted to be more involved with integrated marketing. We have worked together with Apata for a long time.”

Apata possesses modern, state of the art facilities in Katikati and Whangarei. John says Apata and Primor have continued to invest in order to seamlessly manage New Zealand’s ongoing crop increases.

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Page 33

Page 34

FROST PROTECTION

Coast & Country

Frost control for fruit crops The untreated tamarillo tree in the front died in a -2 degree frost.

For the last ten years, conventional and organic commercial fruit producers have been taking advantage of the frost control qualities offered by ThermoMax. This is a Bio Gro registered frost damage reducer, produced by BdMax Ltd of Te Puke.

ThermoMax works by raising the internal temperature of the plant or tree, through stimulating the phosphors activity of the plant. This internal temperature difference is usually between 0.7 and 2.0 degrees when ThermoMax treated plants are compared to untreated, depending on the time after spraying.

The effect of this stimulation is to provide a “warmth” cushion that

the plant can call on for extra protection during frosts, which shows generally as protection against -2 degree frosts.

In some cases, protection to -3 degrees has been achieved. Further protection is possible when ThermoMax is combined with other frost protection techniques, such as fans, copper or seaweed sprays – do not mix with urea though.

Plant warming

The benefits of plant warming are more than helping provide protection during times of frost. Raised internal plant temperatures helps the plants through spring cold spells, which then helps speed up the whole growth cycle.

Plants experience a warm spring effect. ThermoMax users report more compact flowering and a shorter growing season. This has obvious benefits, such as earlier market access as well as the ability to miss later heavy rains or cold snaps. This earlier harvest has, in some cases, been by as much as three weeks when compared with the previous year.

All ThermoMax’s effects have been seen on most fruit trees and berries, in particular, kiwifruit, avocados, tamarillos, grapes and stone fruit.

Spring control of Psa

ThermoMax may well be able to help with the spring control of Psa. This potential was mentioned in the ‘Agrizest’ company report on Psa. “Pseudomonas syringae infections are often linked with cold and wet damage factors in the orchard.

Psa produce Ina proteins, which cause water to freeze at fairly high temperatures resulting in injury to plants. In winter and spring, consider the use of ThemoMax, agrizest and Humates.”

For the full report visit www. agrizest.com Talking with kiwifruit growers who used ThermoMax last season and who subsequently found Psa, all say that it did not appear until the second wave of infection, which was after the ThermoMax season.

ThermoMax is applied every three weeks – from budburst till the end of the frost period. This means either three or four applications are enough. Cost wise, frost protection to -2 degrees can be achieved for between $240 and $320/ha. Applications can be included with any other spray application, other than urea, that is planned during the spring.

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Frost-beating technology sent worldwide cases. Improvements can therefore be made to the level of frost protection by upgrading to C49 blades.

It is proving to be more fuel efficient than its competitors’ products – at less than 20 litres per hour, the C49 blades are being retro fitted to other machines in Turkey in order to nearly halve fuel consumption there.

The C49 is a Kiwi design – designed and manufactured in New Zealand.

NZ Frost Fans is the only 100 per cent frost fan company worldwide. It has full-time staff based in the Bay of Plenty, Hastings and Marlborough to service any frost fan in the market.

The team at NZ Frost Fans welcomes any query and visitors are always welcomed.

The C49 is the only blade not to attract comply with Western Bay of Plenty District The team at NZ Frost Fans is cutting through frosts with less noise ‘noise penalties’ from special audible charac- Council noise rules either. teristics. All current 2-blade machines have After three seasons of success, the Frostand better efficiency. these characteristics and attract these ‘penal- Boss C49 blade technology is now available Manufacturers of the FrostBoss, NZ Frost Fans has started supplying C49 blades and upgrade kits for 2-blade as well as 4-blade machines in the Bay of Plenty and Marlborough, as well as to their major export markets of Australia, Canada and Turkey.

ties’ in several regions in New Zealand. The FrostBoss C49 is the only frost fan able to operate at full operating speed and comply with noise regulations at 300 metres in noise sensitive Marlborough. The C49 frost fan does not have to be ‘turned down’ to

for retro fit on nearly all other competing models of frost fans.

The C49 blade technology is not only quieter – it also covers more area than the preceding models of blades – pushing the protected area up by 40 per cent in some

An enduring horticultural hurdle Frost protection in orchards is an enduring annual risk and prone to fashion. A discerning horticulturalist can date orchard photos over recent decades by the frost protection being used.

Fire, smudge pots, diesel heaters and air movement are favourites and have been tried in various forms and combinations to battle frosts, with helicopters being added in recent years.

Frost is the icing of water vapour from saturated air. It forms when solid surfaces are cooled to below the dew point of the adjacent air, as well as below the freezing point of water.

Water within the plant cells expands as it turns to ice, rupturing the cell walls.

Young spring shoots and blossoms are more vulnerable than the older limbs because the cells have thinner walls and higher water contents. One good frost can wipe out a crop.

There are two types of frost – radiation and advection frost. The radiation frost is the most common. It begins at ground level and gradually rises. These frosts happen when there is little wind, temperature inversions, clear skies and low humidity.

The day’s heat is radiated out at night, particularly when there is no cloud barrier to prevent it.

Advection frosts occur when a cold air mass moves into the area displacing warm air. When this type of frost occurs, some characteristics of radiation frost are also seen as factors causing radiation frosts to still be present. Advection frosts can occur earlier in the night and while the freezing process is the same as for radiation frosts, the effects are usually seen on the upper part of the plants.

The tail end of a depression, which is associated with a clearing of cloudy and possibly rainy condi-

tions during the day to give a clear still night, favours frosts.

A cloudy day followed by a cloudless night produces the greatest frost risk.

The cloudy day reduces the sun’s ability to heat the soil surface. When followed by a clear night, what little heat is stored quickly dissipates. Only a small amount

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Page 36

Coast & Country

Lifestyle subdivision for Minden zone After a long process involving many submissions and several council hearings, the Minden Lifestyle Zone in the Western Bay is nearing fruition.

The next step is for council to announce the final structure plan, which dictates the pattern of new roading, walkways and services. That announcement is imminent.

From the time Western Bay District

Council first notified the structure plan, there have been some major changes proposed. Many of these will be incorporated into the final layout. The network of walkways and bridle paths has been rationalised somewhat and it has been clarified that council will fund most of the new road connections from development impact fees.

Of note, is the relaxation of the number of new building sites allowed in ‘Stage 1’ of the zone. Some areas around the Ainsworth Road area and the Munro/Te Puna Quarry/I'Anson Road areas look set to be allowed to progress to full development,

whilst the Minden Road catchment will have significantly more sites available. The full development of this area will not happen until improvements to State Highway access are implemented.

We are unlikely to see more than a small number of subdivisions take place in the ‘Stage 2’ area – accessed from Wairoa Road – until these highway improvements are completed. This may not happen until the Tauranga Northern Link is built and who knows when that will be.

In the mean time, there may be less than 20 subdivisions approved.

At the last hearing, council were suggesting only 30 lots be allowed in this area – which includes all of Oliver, Hakao and Vernon Roads and significant portions of Wairoa, Crawford and Junction Roads.

Subdivisions throughout the Minden zone are required to be carried out in conjunction with either the protection of an ecological feature, the amalgamation of two existing lots or by transferring a sub-

division right that existed under the previous district plan. The ecological feature could be on site, but in most cases the landowner will need to purchase a right from someone else that has protected a feature on their property, which could be located anywhere at all in the district.

Several properties have structure plan walkways or bridleways shown on their properties. The rules will provide ‘subdivision credits’ to those properties, meaning that owners don’t have to buy as many development rights in order to carry out their subdivision. Also, lots will be allowed down to 2500 square metres in some cases.

If you are interested and wish to call me, I am happy to share my experience and insight into these developing rules to see how you may benefit from them.

Brent Trail, managing director of Surveying Services, specialises in resource consent applications for subdivisions across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty.

For further information phone 07 578 2500 or email btrail@surveyingservices.co.nz

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A man owned a small farm in Ireland. The Irish Internal Revenue determined he was not paying proper wages to his staff and sent an investigator out to interview him..

"I need a list of your employees and how much you pay them!," demanded the investigator.

"Well," replied the farmer, "there's my farm hand who's been with me for three years. I pay him $200 a week plus free room and board.

"The cook has been here for 18 months, and I pay her $150 per week plus free room and board."

"Then there's the halfwit. He works about 18 hours every day and does about 90% of all the work

around here. He makes about $10 a week. He pays his own room and board, and I buy him a bottle of whiskey every Saturday night. He also sleeps with my wife occasionally."

"That's the guy I want to talk to...the halfwit!" said the agent.

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Introduced in 2009, is the Mackenzie Explorer Safari – which is mainly centered on the Mackenzie Basin.

Or choose from our well established favorites; the six day High Country Heritage; five day West Coast Heritage; and the five day Southern Lakes Explorer tour.

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NZ Adventures probably has by far the largest offroad vehicle access resource

Workplace has no room for conflict Conflict in the workplace is on the increase. It is unpleasant, affects productivity and thus profitability – it should be avoided.

to talk about their differences.

• Provide an appropriate meeting space where people can meet to talk. Such a place should be private and safe.

• Provide a mediator to assist any meetings between conflicting parties.

• Manage the process, such as arranging meetings, implementing codes Further, conflict in the workplace of behaviour, assisting with finding may result in good staff resigning from solutions, ensuring actions are carried your organisation. Who wants to stay out. working in a workplace that is miserable • Assist people to communicate when there are other options available? constructively, accurately and There are some simple steps you can comprehensively. You may consider take to avoid conflict in the workplace. paying for communication training These include: for your staff.

• Lead by example. Ensure your own • Ensure your own behaviour reflects behaviour reflects what you want the values you wish to have in your modelled in your workplace. workplace.

• Address problems when they arise.

• Support any employees who are • Communicate effectively with your struggling emotionally, through staff. assisted counselling and ensuring • Consult with staff when implementappropriate medical attention is ing changes that may affect them. forthcoming.

• Have transparent disciplinary proc• Do not tolerate threatening behavesses in place to address inappropriate iour. behaviour.

• Ensure you have a transparent code of • Do not expect miracles over night.

The process may take some time. conduct that everyone must comply If you have any employment queries with. you would like assistance with, please Here are some steps you can take when email wendy@employmentlawservices. conflict arises in the workplace: co.nz • Provide people with an opportunity

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in New Zealand, travelling through many private and conservation areas often restricted to vehicles. They are continually expanding its horizons.

This is no bush bash – the routes are chosen for their scenic, cultural and historic values. The Heritage Safaris are suitable for those without off-road experience and our qualified guides are all enthusiastic about New Zealand’s back country, its people and heritage.

They genuinely enjoy taking you further into this remote and secret world than you ever imagined possible and will give advice and tips on off-road driving as you wish.

For those who choose, we also have a chauffeur option available which allows you to just sit back and enjoy the experience while someone else does the driving for you.

Page 38

COUNTRY LIVING

Coast & Country

Complementary approaches to Polymyalgia People with various health problems can benefit from adopting a nutritional support plan alongside normal medical treatment.

Abundant Health

Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) is a disease that seems to be increasing among our 60 plus populations.

I have written several articles on PMR, so feel free to request copies of these. In the last few years, I have had more people contact me about PMR than any other problem.

PMR is characterised by inflammation in the tissues surrounding joints – especially around the shoulders and hips.

The result is pain referred into the muscles with significant stiffness, especially in the mornings. While PMR and associated tiredness is a real nuisance, the greatest concern is it may develop into Giant Cell Arteritis. This is an inflammatory disease affecting the elastic linings of arteries. This can result in serious problems, including blindness. If you have experienced rapid onset of muscle pain you should immediately see your GP. Most medical researchers agree PMR starts with a genetic predisposition. There is a certain combination of genes that increases your risk of developing the disease. The trigger for PMR may be a virus, but the main culprit is the immune system gener-

ating a major increase in inflammatory chemicals called cytokines, especially the interleukins IL2 and IL6. This inflammation is shown in blood tests such as ESR and CRP. Medical treatment is based on a course of steroid (prednisone) medication starting at higher doses. This usually provides very rapid relief. The doses are then slowly lowered as symptoms reduce and blood tests show declining inflammation.

PMR is one example where nutritional therapy works very well with medical treatment.

The steroids work like a dam restricting the flow of a flooding river by blocking inflammation while the nutrients work to normalise immune responses. The key is to add a cocktail of natural compounds including fatty acids, trace minerals and various antioxidants and co-factors that help reduce the immune system output of inflammatory cytokines. One of the real benefits of this approach is that we can also target the processes in PMR that cause the fatigue usually part of PMR. In my observation, the first benefit people notice is improvements in their energy, often within a couple of months.

John Arts is the founder of Abundant Health.

For product information visit www.abundant.co.nz If you have questions or would like a free health plan you can contact John at john@johnarts.co.nz or phone 07 578 9051 or 0800 423 559.

You can join his newsletter at www.johnarts.co.nz Read more from John at www.sunlive.co.nz

PH 07 578 0030

RURAL EDUCATION

Page 39

Rural dreams not just for farmers Hayley Parker was a city girl living in Auckland with dreams of farming and one day working on a sheep muster on horseback.

When she told her parents she wanted to do the Future Farming training programme through Agricultural New Zealand, they were a bit taken aback.

“I had no farming background,” says Hayley.

“It was one of those dreams you have when you’re a kid, but it never seemed possible.

“But I got more interested in it and found out what sort of courses there were out there.”

Hayley did a Gateway programme in Year 13 and then found out about the Future Farming training programme.

“When I left school, I didn’t want to be stuck in a classroom all day – I wanted to do the practical work.”

Hayley spent the next year working four out of five days on Aratiatia Station in Taupo, which is jointly run by Agriculture New Zealand and Landcorp Farming Ltd. The programme is a one year introduction to

drystock farm skills, designed for school leavers and for those looking for a career in agriculture.

Students from a diverse range of backgrounds and ages are trained in a wide range of on-farm skills. Up to 14 students are selected each year and they will spend one-two days a week in class and up to four days a week on-farm engaged in practical, hands-on learning.

Students gain skills such as how to use equipment safely, feed budgeting, pasture analysis and stock health.

“We got all sorts of experience from tractor work, chainsaw skills, stock work; vaccinating, crutching, drenching and fencing – everything really.”

Hayley, now 20 years old, is working on Landcorp’s Goudies Station – a sheep, beef and deer genetics farm, which borders the Kiangaroa forest on Goudies Road accessed from Reporoa.

“I am really happy – what I’m doing is what I love.

“A dream of mine is to do a big muster on horseback with a good team of dogs.”

Agriculture New Zealand’s qualified tutors provide theory and practical tuition while Landcorp’s staff provide on-going supervision and

guidance as students develop their farming skills.

“You get thrown in the deep end,” says Hayley.

“You’re not eased into it – in a good way.

It’s good experience and there are always plenty of people you can ask for help.”

Programme coordinator Mark Goss says the Future Farmer programme is a catalyst to step up, take on a challenge and get into learning.

“Our reputation as a high quality training programme means we interview a wide range of students from all over New Zealand, but what we are looking for is the desire to succeed in farming.”

At the end of the year, the students who meet Lancorp’s criteria are given the opportunity to apply for farm trainee positions with Landcorp.

Given Landcorp’s scale and geographical spread, the opportunities for successful graduates of the Future Farmer programme are endless.

Hayley Parker is in her element working on Landcorp’s Goudies Station.

By Sheryl Brown

Introductory

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COAST & COUNTRY

Page 40

Coast & Country

Less water – more efficient irrigation Irrigation NZ sees the new water metering regulations as an opportunity.

“New Zealand has a lot of water, but it’s about smarter management,” says chief executive Andrew Curtis.

The new government’s water metering regulations require all significant water takes to be metered as part of a wider programme to improve fresh water management.

One of the main components of irrigation is water-use efficiency – minimising irrigation losses, says Andrew.

At an Irrigation NZ workshop in Whakatane, he pointed out there is much potential in the Bay of Plenty to work smarter on water use.

He says what is happening in the South Island is many

Orchard tractOrs

ORCHARDISED TRACTORS

aG tractOrs

USED MACHINERY

Grass carE

stay up here – if you’re an orchardist and farmers are working together rather than you want to get good cell division and individually. good fruit, you want to stay here.”

“They work it out between the The stress point is when only users on how the catchment water “if it the finest pores retain water and gets used,” says Andrew. the plant roots take up water He saw that could be applied doesn’t have with increasing difficulty and across other areas.

The major message at the water in it, your plants may wilt during the day – this is ideal if “you irrigation workshop was plants don’t grow are trying to manipulate farmers understanding of grape juice their soils to ensure better and you’re going orthethequality dry matter content irrigation efficiency, which effectively makes irrigation backwards.” of kiwifruit or the vegetative growth on stone fruit – you more economical. might deliberately stay in the stress Irrigation NZ board member point to stress the tree because it will Dan Bloomer says it’s the soil that drives change the physiology of the fruit or the it all – “if it doesn’t have water in it, juice”. your plants don’t grow and you’re going But if you’re trying to maximise the backwards.” growth, you always aim for field capacity, When it comes to soil, Dan says it is says Dan. important to know how much water can He says understanding this and then be put on without it running away; how quickly to put it on; and how often – and working out what sort of soil you have is the key to optimum irrigation. to know that people need to know about Work out the soil texture – the ration of soil. sand, silt and clay – and the soil structure Soil is 50 per cent solid, 50 per cent – how well it’s joined together – and you holes. It has macro pores – large holes can calculate how much water the soil which act as the drain pipes – and micro will hold. pores – which store the water.

Irrigation is like managing the fuel tank “If you plough up or plug the soil – you in a car, says Dan. muck up the pore structure,” says Dan. “You need to know how much gas is in Between the two soil extremes of saturathe tank and what rate it’s going to use it tion and oven-dry – is field capacity and up at.” the stress point.

You can’t store more than a tank full – The field capacity is when the macro saturating the soil fills all the pores with pores provide air spaces and oxygen and water and the plant roots are short of air the micro-pores are filled with water – for oxygen and gas exchange. making it easy for plant roots to take up “People irrigating do that all the time,” water. This is the ideal growing situation says Dan. if you want to maximise biomass, says For more information and irrigation calDan. “So if you’re into dairy farming and you culators visit www.irrigationefficiency.co.nz want to get the most grass, you always

By Sheryl Brown

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FORESTRY

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Passionate about trees The Woodmetrics team was at Mystery Creek in June, as we are every year, catching up with old clients and talking to people about their forest harvesting needs.

The Mystery Creek Fieldays are a great opportunity to see a lot of farmers in one place at one time.

This year, we again hosted the New Zealand Farm Forestry Association on our site. We are happy to do this because they are a dedicated bunch of volunteers committed to the furthering of tree planting in the agricultural context.

The passion of farm foresters, about all mat-

ters to do with appropriate land use, is always infectious.

The focus this year at the NZFFA site was mainly about the ETS and giving advice to tree owners about how best to take advantage of it. They were certainly able to shed a lot of light on this complex subject for people who had a range of questions.

Unfortunately, farm forestry is going through a low ebb at the moment and this is reflected in membership of the association. I see a couple of reasons for this; one is the changing face of land use and ownership – there certainly seems to be less enthusiasm for tree planting on corporate-owned large dairy farms which are run more on a financial model then the traditional family farm; the other reason is that forestry performance has not been impressive in recent years prior to the current upturn in log markets. Let’s hope the current

upturn and the opportunities presented by the ETS will encourage more planting of trees on our landscape. I can attest personally from sales Woodmetrics has made, especially in the last year, that forestry can still be an incredibly good investment – especially for the steep unproductive areas which most farms have.

My personal hope is membership of the NZFFA grows – reflecting a new-found enthusiasm for planting trees for both anaesthetics and economic reasons. As a passionate tree man myself, who has been lucky enough to travel all over the central North Island, I would like nothing better than to see more trees enhancing our landscape and stabilising our catchments.

And the best place to start is with membership to the NZFFA.

Farmers looking on the bright side Farmers are perhaps not famous for their optimism, but quite a bit of it has come through in the latest Federated Farmers farm confidence survey.

The survey results suggest more farmers are looking on the upside of conditions generally, with the most positive returns related to future farm profitability.

In these very uncertain times it is heartening to see farmers looking on the brighter side of tough weather, a currency floating on air – and a political environment that seems intent on contriving new ways to tax. The Feds Farm confidence survey is biannual with survey periods at the commencement of the new season – July – and mid-season – January. Farmers are asked for their views on the big issues, such as

general economic conditions, profitability and production – and also to choose the single biggest issue of concern to them.

This year’s July survey shows a little more than 30 per cent of farmers across all sectors are expecting the economy to improve, with 50 per cent thinking things will stay pretty much the same.

The real optimism is to be found down on the farm, however, with 54 per cent of farmers feeling optimistic about improvement in the profitability of their own businesses.

These numbers are up on the January 2011 survey and say a lot about the self belief of farmers – perhaps the most vital attribute for anyone trying to turn a dollar on the land. On top of this, there are also strong returns for the likelihood of increased farm production and spending on the farm business.

One could be forgiven for expect-

Page 41

ing a dour outlook with commodity prices coming off recent peaks and the dollar incredibly strong. Farmers aren’t looking to the government to tackle the Kiwi dollar head-on either. If anything, the desire is for government to do less, spend less and borrow less as a means to a prosperous future.

That’s sound thinking at a time when government is almost as big as the rest of the economy, with the opposition proposing new taxes and a fast-track for agriculture into the ETS as key policy planks.

And it is the ETS that remains uppermost in farmers’ minds as the biggest issue of concern. Seen by many as expensive and pointless, involving far too many people in suits gathered in meeting rooms, the ETS will always struggle in the minds of farmers. If there was a bright side to it, I’m sure we would have found it by now.

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For further information,visit www.woodmetrics.co.nz

Be prepared — call 0800 96 63 63 now to talk about your trees with Peter Harington, your Regional Manager.

COAST & COUNTRY

Page 42

Coast & Country

2618 State Highway 26, Morrinsville For more information contact: Dave Swney, Consulting Officer Matamata/Kereone, Phone: 027 474 3258 Email: david. swney@dairynz.co.nz

Whenuakite Discussion Group

DairyNZ events and field days for August

Patetonga Discussion Group

Date: 9/08/2011, 11:00am-12:30pm, Peter and Charlotte Giddy's 2002 SH 27, Patetonga. SN 75080 Hikutaia Discussion Group Date: 10/08/2011, 11:30am-1:00pm, Puriri Pub, State Highway 26, Puriri This is the first meeting for the Hikutaia Discussion Group. It's open to all local dairy farmers and staff. This session will be a brief mid-calving catch-up to provide an opportunity to get off the farm, discuss

Correction of Fieldays numbers

In the July issue of Coast & Country, we reported that the 43rd Fieldays at

TRANSPORTABLE

KITSET

Muddy Waters Discussion Group

Date: 9/08/2011, 10:45am -1:30pm, Warren Adams, 1054 Koheroa Road. SN 70421.

Waiau Pa/Karaka Discussion Group Date: 18/08/2011, 11:00am -1:30pm, Patumahoe Bar & Grill, Patumahoe.

For more information contact Sarah Payne, Consulting Officer South Auckland, Phone: 027 486 4344 Email: sarah.payne@dairynz.co.nz

Te Kawa/Pokuru Discussion Group

Date: 30/08/2011, 11:00am - 1:30pm, Phil & Deb Swney's farm, 495 State Highway 3, Te Awamutu SN74253 Contact: Sarah Dirks, Consulting Officer, Otorohanga Phone: 021 770859 Email: sarah.dirks@dairynz.co.nz

Mystery Creek attracted some 17,495 visitors in 2011. The correct figure is 117,495. We regret the error.

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Richmond Downs Farm System Group Date: 4/08/2011 11:30-1pm, Walton Golf Course, RD1 Morrinsville Walton Rd, Walton 3475 Te Poi Discussion Group Date: 5/08/2011, 11:30-1pm, Okororie Tavern, 18 Somerville Rd, Okororie Kereone Discussion Group Date: 10/08/2011, 11:30-1:00, Top Pub Morrinsville,

24/08/2011, 12pm to 1.30pm, Coroglen Hotel, SH 25, Coroglen.

For more information contact: DairyNZ North Waikato Regional Leader Duncan Smeaton Phone: 021 245 8055 Email: duncan.smeaton@dairynz.co.nz

how things are going and/or if there are any issues. The bar will be open and cheap meals are available.

For more information contact Murray Perks Consulting Officer, Phone: 021 242 2127 Email: murray.perks@dairynz.co.nz

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Page 43

Kereone Discussion Group

Top Pub Morrinsville, 2618 State Highway 26 Morrinsville 3372 11.30am – 1pm. The Kereone discussion group discusses and investigates the farm system on the host farm.

Discussion members within the group. Come along for a feed and discuss spring so far. Dave Swney 027 474 3258 or email: david.swney@dairynz.co.nz

Thursday 18 August

Waiau Pa/Karaka Discussion Group

Tuesday 9 August

Muddy Waters Discussion Group

At Warren Adams, 1054 Koheroa Rd, North Waikato SN 70421 10.45am – 1.30pm. The group discusses and investigates the farm system and farm related issues on the host farm, including current topics and upcoming seasonal matters. It is an open forum that utilises the experiences of all members in the group. Come along and discuss seasonal challenges and setting the farm up for the coming months.

Ph Sarah 027 486 4344 or email: sarah.payne@dairynz. co.nz

At Patumahoe Bar & Grill, Patumahoe 11am – 1.30pm.

This group discusses and investigate the farm system and farm related issues on the host farm, including current topics and upcoming seasonal matters. It is an open forum that utilises the experiences of all members in the group.

Spring catchup at the pub- a chance to get off the farm, recharge your batteries and have a chat with fellow farmers and rural professionals. Ph Sarah 027 486 4344 or email: sarah.payne@dairynz.co.nz

Wednesday 24 August Whenuakite Discussion Group

Patetonga Discussion Group

At Peter and Charlotte Giddy’s, 2002 SH 27, Patetonga SN75 080 11am – 12.30pm. The discussion group has a focus on pasture and business management with a view to increase profitability. This session will be a brief mid-calving catch-up, with barbeque lunch provided. Ph Murray 021 242 2127 or email: murray.perks@dairynz.co.nz

Coroglen Hotel, SH25, Coroglen 12-1.30pm. Use the power of the group to collectively solve on-farm issues and seasonal queries. Duncan 021 245 8055 or email: duncan. smeaton@dairynz.co.nz

Thursday 8 September

To list your rural event please email: julie@thesun. co.nz with Rural Event in the subject heading.

house for sale

A FANTASTIC 3 bedroom home, warm and cosy with a fireplace and full insulation. Fenced on a 716m2 section, situated within easy walking distance to Brookfield shops, schools, parks.

Separate single garage with power. Located in a quiet cul-de

LIFESTYLE BLOCK for sale at Pikowai within easy commuting to Tauranga, Te Puke & Whakatane. This four bdrm brick home is in paradise. Beautiful sea and rural views. Six acres grazing land, horse pens, heaps of shedding, butchery and chiller for own use. Single garage with sleepout/office.

Big games

house for sale

room or can be converted to extra double garage, chook house, drenching race for the cattle. 11.5x4.5 metre in ground swimming pool which is fully decked and fenced. This is a beautiful home and comes with a share in the community woolshed, tennis courts and cattle yards. Own water scheme.

Fantastic community to belong to.

Price of house has been slashed! to $550,000. URGENT SALE. Ph 027 281 74279

trades & services

GORSE SPRAYING do you have a gorse problem on your Farm or lifestyle block?

Ph today for a FREE quote for all gorse control. Scott 0274 624 769 TREE FELLING, PRUNING & Removal/chipping. No job to big or small. Phone Scott 0274 624 769 To place an advertisement in Coast & Counrty please phone (07) 578 0030

N T. E X E C EARCH U T I V E L E A S I N G. E X E C U T I V E S

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C O N S U LT

PULLETS Brown Shaver. Point of lay, good layers. Ph 07 824 1762

the horse stumbled for the third time my wife quietly removed a revolver from her purse and shot the horse dead.

I SHOUTED at her, 'What's wrong with you, Woman! > Why did you shoot the poor animal like that, are you freaking crazy?'

She looked at ME, and quietly said, 'That's once.'

And from that moment ... we have lived happily every after.'

URCE

explained the man. 'We visited the Grand Canyon, in Arizona , and took a trip down to the bottom of the canyon, by horse.

We hadn't gone too far when my wife's horse stumbled and she almost fell off.

My wife looked down at the horse and quietly said, 'That's once.'

'We proceeded a little further and her horse stumbled again. Again my wife quietly said, 'That's twice.'

We hadn't gone a half-mile when

MANAGER BAY OF PLENTY .

Golden wedding celebrations

RUN ON LISTINGS

The Horticentre Group has supplied horticultural products and services to New Zealand growers for over 30 years.

They have a long-standing reputation for quality, technical expertise, and a strong customer service ethos. Focused on growth they seek the following Tauranga based roles:

ESO AN R

At Puriri Pub, State Highway 26, Puriri 11.30am – 1pm.

This is the first meeting for the Hikutaia Discussion Group. Open to all dairy farmers and staff. This session will be a brief mid-calving catch-up to provide an opportunity to get off the farm, discuss how things are going and if there are any issues. The bar will be open, with cheap meals available. Ph Murray 021 242 2127 or email: murray. perks@dairynz.co.nz

At James Barron’s, 83 Rangitanuku Rd, SN 77354 11am – 1pm. The group discusses and investigates the farm system on the host farm. Discussion on current issues and upcoming seasonal topics. An open forum that utilises the experiences of all members within the group. We will be discussing mating management and the host farm. Ph Dave Swney 027 474 3258 or email: david.swney@dairynz.co.nz

HUM

Hikutaia Discussion Group

for sale

growth is choice

the strongest principle of

Te Poi Discussion Group

Wednesday 10 August

A couple was celebrating their golden wedding anniversary on the beaches in Montego Bay, Jamaica .

Their domestic tranquility had long been the talk of the town.

People would say, 'What a peaceful & loving couple'. The local newspaper reporter was inquiring as to the secret of their long and happy marriage.

The Husband replied: 'Well, it dates back to our honeymoon in America ,'

SITUATION VACANT

You will manage a small team of technical field representatives, customer services and warehouse staff. Your proven competencies in selling technically based products and solutions will drive the local team to set new standards in customer service and account management. From a horticultural or related background, you have great leadership skills, and can demonstrate an ability to bring about change and improved sales. Loads of initiative, an ability to innovate, and a positive mentoring style are important as you lead by example, to achieve targets and operational efficiencies. You understand sales budgeting, and margins, but your real strength is your ability to proactively and enthusiastically build a strong technically based sales culture to manage delivery of business objectives within a Horticultural sector role.

TECHNICAL SALES REPRESENTATIVE

Use your horticultural knowledge, ability, and passion, to provide quality solutions and develop strong loyal business relationships with this key sector of the local economy. Tertiary qualified in horticulture, or with sound experience and knowledge to offer, ideally in the Kiwifruit sector, you have strong sales skills, are capable in front of customers, and enthusiastic about meeting sales targets and responsibilities.

You are up for new challenges, and the opportunity to be innovative and forward thinking in further developing your region’s potential. A self-starter, you are driven, have the ability to work independently, and possess excellent verbal and written communication ability. You present well with a good base of PC skills.

Remuneration for both roles includes MV, and will recognise the skills and experience of the individual. If you are attracted to a business that has unlimited growth potential and a friendly informal culture, phone Allen Lowyim or Karen White, of LOW YIM PARTNERS on (09) 631 5700, or email your details to the address below.

t: 09 631 5700 e: exec@lowyim.co.nz w: www.lowyim.co.nz

Lifestyle & Rural Specialists

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Page 44

COAST & COUNTRY

up Prize Pack ! s b ra for G d (high

ails can be emaile Pictures and det un.co.nz to contest@thes resolution jpgs) Coast & ra” or posted to “Country Came ga. , Tauran Please 240 x Bo PO Country, one address and ph include a name, ry entry. numberwith eve

Coast & Country Isabella McPherson is three and a half. She loves to spend time on her Nan and Poppa’s farm with Axle the dog and with Bart the horse. From Monica Mourits of Morrinsville.

Rose Smith, 19 months, helping daddy on the farm.

From Aimee Smith of Paeroa.

Below: Our son David turning over the top soil, should have seen my husband’s face (not happy). From Carla McKnight of Karapiro.

Jayden Crowley, 13 months, feeding his pet chicken Perky and Cheese the duck. Jayden decided to make it into a game of ‘catch me if you can’, which as you see he had a blast. From Rowena Crowley of Te Puke.

Three-week-old Paige Horner “as snug as a bug.... in a calf feeder” while mum and big sisters feed the calves. From Hannah Massey of Waimana.

Above: Jack, 3, and his 9.1hh pony Summer also three - it was love at first sight for these two.

From Kim Ellis of Reporoa.

Lorelie, 4, loves to come to the farm and help get the The family (horses) and our grandpets city dogs cows in for milking. First time she came to see the that come to the country for visits are always cows, Lorelie brought her own bucket to milk them. reluctant to leave. From Carla McKnight, Karapiro.

From Judith Polkinghorne.