Coast & Country News June 2016

Page 1

June 2016 Issue No.190

Avocados PAGE 14-15

WHAKATANE

Calving PAGE 20-21

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Welcome to the District PAGE 26-36

Rural Driver PAGE 40-41

Sheep & Beef PAGE 43

Fieldays PAGE 47-61

Country Funnies PAGE 49

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COAST & COUNTRY

June 2016 Coast & Country News

Fast-food danger for bears lina as cities move into their domain. It’s easy access to food which is bringing them in. They aren’t raiding vegetable gardens – instead they are feasting on fast-food left overs and, just like humans, getting fat on the foods which have little Just how good almost any whole fruit or vegetable, nutritional value. Will they go on to develop diaor grass-raised beef and lamb really are betes and heart disease just like humans? is often announced with an apparIf they can live long enough in amidst ent degree of surprise – sort of the other dangers of cities, they “how can it be that something probably will. nature produces is so good for This month’s Mystery Creek us?” But why should we be Fieldays once again celebrates surprised? what New Zealand does best After-all humans have – producing high quality evolved over millennia foods for international with nothing to eat consumption – I just wish except plants, animals, our farmers were better fish and birds, and if rewarded for all their hard they weren’t good for work – see the feature on us, as a species we’d be pages 47 to 61. gone. June is also the month The problem today is when “gypsies” (well actuthat we don’t value our ally dairy farming families), natural foods enough. their household goods and We buy and often pay livestock, move to new locamore for packaged, protions. It can be both an exciting cessed or fast foods, or even and stressful time especially for medicines, than for fresh fruit children – see what schools have to and vegetables, fish, milk and say about helping student settle in our meat. Welcome to the District feature pages 26 It’s becoming increasingly clear that so many of our “Western” illness like Beware the urban fare. to 36. The New Zealand Dairy Industry obesity, diabetes and heart disease Awards have once again announced the best of the are linked to what we eat and drink and now we’re best – including naming Whakatane’s Thomas Chatpassing on our bad habits not only the third world field as the New Zealand Dairy Manager of the year countries, but also animals. for 2016 – see pages 4-5. Bears are moving into urban areas in North CaroElaine Fisher

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Planning ahead reaffirms farming future Estate and succession planning may not be a priority for dairy farmers right now but these tight financial times may in fact provide the ideal opportunity to formulate a long term plan for a family’s farming future. That’s the view of specialist rural legal adviser and author Ian Blackman of Rotorua. “Sitting down and talking about succession and estate planning can be a very valuable exercise, especially in the current economic climate, because it is about looking ahead and re-affirming that there is a future for the farm and the family. “Even if farmers can’t afford the costs of setting up a succession plan right now, just having the discussion is saying to the succeeding child “you will have a future on this farm; now let’s go milk today’s cows” which can help immensely in raising morale,” says Ian, founding partner of BlackmanSpargo Rural Law of Rotorua and author of the now out or print book “Keeping Farming in the Family”. “The book’s popularity has taken me a little by surprise, The printed 4000 copies have run out, it’s time to update it,” says Ian, who plans to do just that while he recovers from upcoming hip surgery.

plan in place which sees their child working on the farm, and earning some off-farm income, while the parents remain on the land too, reducing their living costs thanks to a huge vegetable garden. “I am continually impressed at how little income rural people need to live on and how innovative they can be.” Ian says the most successful farmers are generally those who involve rural professionals including lawyers, accountants and bank managers as part of their management team, meeting regularly to discuss the farming business.

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Ian and lawyer colleague Chris Spargo formed BlackmanSpargo in 2003, committed solely to the rural sector and to farming families. “We really enjoy working with farming families, being part of their team and taking a long term view of their businesses. The best people to make the plans for the future are the farm owners, generally the parents. “The parents’ financial and emotional security should always be the starting point. They are the ones who should decide who is to take over the farm and how the other children will be fairly treated. “Once that’s decided, then it is time to outline the plan to the family.” Ian says doing so can be difficult, which is why independent professional advice is vital. Capital gains tax “The family members have to “The basic messages are still realise that the plan must protect the same – there is a way to the farming business because it is keep families farming – but in effect the goose which lays the some of the legal issues have golden egg. Starving the goose Specialist rural legal adviser and changed so this is a good would not benefit anyone.” author Ian Blackman of Rotorua opportunity to revise the An ideal plan allows parents to says families must be at the book.” retire in comfort and enjoy travel forefront of any succession planning. Capital gains tax is one of the or whatever lifestyle they desire – changes Ian predicts is coming. and deserve. It should allow for the “Most commentators say it’s not ‘if ’ but ‘when’ a succeeding offspring to take over the farm, and for capital gains tax will be introduced, so farming famisiblings to also receive a share in whatever form. lies making succession plans need to be aware of that future danger.” Young farmers’ futures Another reason now is a good time to form an “The succeeding child doesn’t have it easy. They are estate and succession plan is that there may be tax seldom handed the farm on a plate, but must manage advantages to be had due to current low asset values. the business to satisfy the needs of all of the members However, for many families, how to transition a of the family.” valuable farming operation to the next generation Ian says estate and succession planning, and a will, can seem just too hard. are vital even for younger farmers because their assets Ian, who has helped many achieve that goal says and future must also be protected as much as possible with careful planning, the right advice and the against the risk of death or permanent disability. tenacity of rural people, it is indeed possible to keep His commitment to helping farmers plan and families farming and on their land. prepare for the future is partly due to the suffering he witnessed 30 years ago when he worked for the Rural Equity plans Bank during the Rogernomic years. “As an example, owners of a 3000 stock unit drys“The most important thing then, and now, is that tock farm couldn’t see how their succeeding adult families survive, because families are more important child earning $50,000 a year could ever hope to own than anything else.” Elaine Fisher the farm. We were able to help them put an equity

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COAST & COUNTRY

June 2016 Coast & Country News

Whakatane farmer NZ’s top dairy manager Westpac Agribusiness Manager Hamish Taylor. “Thomas showed and expressed opinions about the farming system he manages and is passionate about what he is doing. He is making a tangible difference to the business he is involved with and was engaged with the owner. He has a capable team working with him and was working with the team on a succession The judges in the prestigious plan, should he move on. He can New Zealand Dairy Industry see massive opportunities in the awards also endorse his decidairy industry.” sion, naming Thomas the 2016 Thomas’s win was announced New Zealand Dairy Manager in front of 530 people at Welof the Year. lington’s TSB Bank Arena where The 30-year-old former Mark and Jaime Arnold of Danphysiotherapist is managing Thomas Chatfield is the New Zealand nevirke were named the 2016 a 500-cow Whakatane farm New Zealand Share Farmers of Dairy Manager of the Year for 2016. owned by Bruce and Judy the Year, and Nicholas Bailey Woods and won $27,000 in prizes. In 2013 he won of Greytown was announced the 2016 New Zealand the Bay of Plenty Dairy Trainee of the Year title in his Dairy Trainee of the Year. They shared prizes worth first season in the dairy industry. nearly $170,000. Judges are confident Thomas will go a long way in the industry. “He enjoys what he is doing and has Fascinated by farming the attitude and personality that will take him where After studying in Dunedin and Wellington, and he wants to go,” says dairy manager head judge and working as a physio at Tauranga Hospital, Thomas travelled overseas. But on his return he became fascinated with farming and took a job as farm assistant for Rhys Watkins, milking 510 cows. “I love the lifestyle and working with the animals.” Four years on that hasn’t changed. Thomas now, working for Bruce and Judy Woods on Dreamfields farm, took on bigger responsibilities first as second in charge and for the last two years as manager. Dreamfields Ltd’s farm is 142 hectares effective with eight hectares of run-off. Seventy acres is irrigated and the System 3 property milks 500 Jersey cows. Calving is in spring and all cows are wintered on-farm. Imported feed of 700kgDM per cow is brought in and fed out in the 450-cow barn, which is used to prevent feed waste and protect stock from the elements.

When Thomas Chatfield made a dramatic career change four years ago, he took a drop in income, farmed through one of the worst droughts in decades and put years of university study on the back-burner – but never seriously doubted he’d made the right choice.

The Seriously Good

...continued

COAST & COUNTRY

Coast & Country News June 2016

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Physio to farmer – the right choice continued...

As well as Thomas, the farm has two other full-time employees. Thomas impressed the Bay of Plenty judges with his level of understanding of pasture and farm management and his willingness to challenge his boss on how to reduce costs.

Working costs

In fact, judges were so impressed, they awarded him the Westpac Financial Management and Planning Award; saying: “Thomas not only had a clear understanding of the farm’s working costs, he had also completed cost beneďŹ t scenarios to challenge his employer on how to reduce farm working expensesâ€?. Thomas says he enjoys robust and open discussions with Bruce, who he says is progressive, open to new ideas and willing to provide opportunities for him to progress in the industry. Among the biggest challenges the farm faces is that only half of it is irrigated. “If there is dry weather this creates a feed deďŹ cit. The challenge is to get the balance right between pasture management, feeding crops and imported supplements.â€?

says: “He understood the nutritional values and use of different types of feed, and explained the three leaf principle well in relation to feeding. Thomas understood the use of both nitrogen and maintenance fertiliser well on his farmâ€?. Thomas also won the Primary ITO Power Play Award, choosing ďŹ nancial management as his topic. “He has a clear understanding of this subject and presented with clarity and passion. Thomas has gone above and beyond what would be expected of a farm manager in this area, and he demonstrated to the judges how this area of the business would help with his future career development.â€?

When Thomas ChatďŹ eld won the 2013 Bay of Plenty Bay of Plenty Dairy Trainee of the Year title in his ďŹ rst season, the region had experienced one of the worst droughts in decades.

Farm ownership

He may have left university but Thomas hadn’t given up formal study, completing farming courses and training on a regular basis. His medium term goal is to be sharemilking, contract milking or in an equity partnership within the next two years. And his long-term goal – with a 20 year framework is – to “own

Bruce Woods is owner of the 500-cow Whakatane farm where New Zealand Dairy Manager of the Year for 2016, Thomas ChatďŹ eld is manager. a farm of a size that allows lifestyle This is achieved through weekly choices – whether it be hands-on every pasture measuring to help create a feed day or have more time to pursue other plan for cows and managing cow intake interestsâ€?. by what they leave behind in the padThomas says the biggest problem he dock and the barn. Pasture quality has faces now is progression and ďŹ nding been maintained this year due to good “the right job in the right locationâ€?. summer growth and a low stocking rate. “I love this area and would not want It was Thomas’ feed management and to move away to increase my chances of ability to match pasture growth with success but if the right job came up, I demand that also impressed the BOP could take it up for consideration.â€? judges. Their citation for the Fonterra Elaine Fisher Farm Source Feed Management award

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June 2016 Coast & Country News

Career U-turns prove award winning decisions Growing an extra 1.4 tonne of pasture per hectare in six months, resulting in an additional $45,000 in earnings from 8000 more kilograms of milk solids is signiďŹ cant for any farm, and especially valuable in a low payout year.

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- Brad Markham from suit to overalls. The fact it’s been achieved by industry newcomers, former journalist Brad Markham and political advisor Matthew Herbert, both with less than two years’ dairy farming experience, is even more remarkable. While journalism and politics might not appear to provide the ideal skillsets for a dairying career, in Brad and Matt’s case they probably have. To be successful in their previous jobs took hard work, long hours, a focus on deadlines, and a willingness to question, research and learn – which is pretty much what the pair has done since ditching suits for overalls on a farm west of Huntly in June 2014. Brad says they came into farming with an open mind. “We have set out to learn from the best, ďŹ nding out what it is the top 10 per cent successful farmers do and trying to apply that to our farming business.â€? Matt grew up in suburbia in Australia, while Brad grew up at Pukekawa, then trained as a journalist and moved to New South Wales in 2006. He met Matt in 2008 and before moving to New Zealand they were living in Hobart Tasmania, where Matt was working as an advisor to Labour Minister Julie Collins and Brad reported on state politics in Tasmania for ABC News. Seeking a complete change of focus and lifestyle,

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Taranaki farm

They’ve enjoyed the experience so much they have stepped up to contract milk 380 cows through a 54-bail rotary for Andrew and Vanessa Dwyer in Taranaki this season and aim to have enough equity

SelďŹ e- Matt Herbert and calf. to secure a 300 cow 50/50 sharemilking position by the 2018/2019 season. The couple’s farming achievements and commitment to the dairying industry impressed judges in the 2016 Auckland/Hauraki Dairy Industry Awards so much so they won the Share Farmers of the Year title. They also won the Fonterra Farm Source Interview Award at the 2016 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards in May. In the regional awars they won the Ravensdown Pasture Performance Merit Award. “With a challenging farm, which oods frequently throughout the year, they demonstrated excellent pasture management skills; and a number of the contingency plans they have in place to maximise pasture performance under such challenging conditions,â€? the judges say. Being awarded the Federated Farmers of NZ Leadership Merit Award was a pleasant surprise because it’s one Matt and Brad didn’t expect to win, but they did so thanks to skills learned in their previous lives. “Brad and Matthew have been in the industry for only two seasons and in that time have made a positive impact on the industry. ...continued

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Coast & Country News June 2016

Page 7

continued...

“When the industry came under scrutiny regarding bobby calf welfare, Brad and Matthew took to social media to spread positive messages about the industry and the treatment of stock. “They also volunteered their own time to help the neighbouring farm out when they needed it,” the judges say.

Somatic Cell Counts in two seasons. The 92ha effective, flat, gently rolling and steep farm is fenced into 39 paddocks and the Friesian/Friesian-cross/ Ayrshire cows are milked through a 27-aside herringbone with in-shed feeding. The near-new covered feed pad proved a bonus for Matt and Brad’s Social media farming operation, providing the “When the dairy industry was getting opportunity to give the cows supplehammered after TVNZ’s programme ments, without the waste which occurs on the treatment of bobby calves, when its fed in the paddocks. we posted videos of our happy calves While officially classed as a System getting scratches and pats in the pad5 farm, Matt and Brad lowered the dock,” says Matt. amount of brought-in feed, with much made on-farm or the run-off, making it more of a System 4 farm and saving money. Achieving extra grass production came via a formal pasture monitoring programme with regular farm walks and “pasture first thinking” as a key principal. The aim was for a residual of 1500. Temporary fencing was used where there was too Matt Herbet’s on-line photos are popular. much grass in a paddock. The pair have a combined total of Matt and Brad’s new job in the 4200 followers on Twitter and consistTaranaki and their commitment to ently use social media to connect with gaining further formal farming qualiother farmers and share knowledge. fications sees them well on the way “It’s like an online discussion group,” to achieving their vision: “To opersays Brad. ate a financially and environmentally Accurate recording and treating cows sustainable dairying business, which is as individuals regarding their health in the top 10 per cent of dairy farms in status, plus strict in-shed hygiene, have our region”. Elaine Fisher resulted in a 38 per cent reduction in

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COAST & COUNTRY

June 2016 Coast & Country News

Coast & Country News June 2016

COAST & COUNTRY

Record-breaker kiwifruit shipment to Asia The Ice Glacier, the largest vessel Zespri has The previous record shipment to Asia was made in June 2007 when 5144 pallets and 46 containers of ever chartered for Asia, left the Port of kiwifruit were shipped from the port. Tauranga carrying more than 7000 Bruce Nisbet, director of Oceanic Charting Specialists, which arranges Zespri charters, says the Ice pallets of kiwifruit last month.

(Above) Ice Glacier loading at the Port of Tauranga. Shipping company Fresh Carriers invited guests, including Zespri, shipping agents and ISO Ltd representatives aboard the Ice Glacier to celebrate the vessel’s record kiwifruit shipment.

Glacier should have made her first recording-breaking trip to Asia in April, but had to off-load 1.7 million trays of fruit after small deposits of grease were discovered on China-supplied Plix pocket packs into which the fruit was packed. “When we told Captain Valentin Polyuluarh that we had to unload his vessel, his only comment was ‘quality is everything’ which was remarkable,” says Bruce. That approach to quality, says Bruce, is reflected in the excellent condition of the Ice Glacier, which was built in Demark in 1988. The vessel was loaded by port logistics company ISO Ltd, and every pallet of fruit was electronically scanned and recorded in real time by staff from Kiwifruit Logistics before being hoisted into the holds. The Ice Glacier discharged the kiwifruit in Japan and China at the ports of Tokyo, Osaka, Shanghai and Tianjin. To celebrate the record-breaking shipment, shipping company Fresh Carriers invited Zespri chairman Peter McBride, CEO Lain Jager, representatives from shipping agents, the stevedoring company and other guests on-board to watch the loading. Zespri International shipping manager Mike Knowles says the use of a ship the size of Ice Glazier to take fruit to Asia reflects the huge growth in crop volumes this season. Traditionally, vessels this size have carried fruit to European markets. The late start to this season’s harvest means being able to load more fruit onto larger vessels will ensure Zespri meets market demand, says Mike. He says other more modern vessels than Ice Glacier are able to make the trip to Asia up to two days quicker, giving Zespri an extra two days to load fruit in New Zealand, which is a significant advantage in a late season such as this one. Elaine Fisher

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KIWIFRUIT

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Succession plan that nearly didn’t happen Howard and Lois Strahan didn’t have a succession plan in place for their kiwifruit orchards, and in fact were on the verge of selling up when son Braden said he’d like to join them in the business. “Braden was working as a mechanic in the Manawatu and we thought he was happy with his career choice,” says Howard, who after nearly 15 years of orcharding in the Bay of Plenty had decided it was time to retire. However, he and Lois were delighted when Braden and wife Toni said they wanted to move north and buy into the orchard. The timing was both fortuitous and fraught. The good fortune was if Braden and Toni had left their move any later the orchards would have been sold. The bad luck was the year was 2010 and the destructive vine disease Psa-V was shortly to be discovered in Te Puke kiwifruit orchards, including one owned by the family. In 2012 the family harvested the last of the gold kiwifruit Hort16A from their 4.6 ha Te Puke orchard, and Howard and Braden began the daunting task of cutting out the canes and re-grafting with the new gold variety G3.

Re-grafting

“Although it was an uncertain time, I actually enjoyed the re-grafting process,” says Howard, who admits he likes hands-on structural work and working with people.

Howard Strahan enjoys working in the orchard.

“Matthew, our eldest son, began work with PPG Wrightson and came to Ballance Agri-Nutrients in Tauranga after the Christchurch earthquakes. He has recently gone to Etec Crop Solutions based in Pakuranga as business development manager for horticulture and cropping,” says Howard.

Organic green

It was 1997 when Lois and Howard sold the farm and moved north, initially buying a kiwifruit orchard in Tuapiro Rd and living in Katikati, where Howard became involved in Lions and Lois with a number of community and charity groups. Later they moved to Te Puna and the orchard where Toni, Braden and son Mac ...continued now live.

Braden and Howard Strahan and Apata’s Stuart Western (centre). Braden says it was hard having to cut out vines on what had been a productive orchard but now he and his father take satisfaction in the results of their work – an orchard which has returned to a full canopy and increasing production. “When Psa-V hit it was hard to know what the industry would be like in future but we came out the other side okay, thank goodness.” Horticulture wasn’t “in the blood” for Howard or Braden or his older brother Matthew, but they’ve all ended up involved in the industry in one way or another. The family were sheep and beef and cropping farmers in the Manawatu. GENUINE KUBOTA LOADERS

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KIWIFRUIT

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June 2016 Coast & Country News

Organic green helps diversify orchard income continued...

“Dad converted the 2.9ha green orchard to organics, a process which took three years to gain certification and we’ve had four good years averaging more 10,000 trays a hectare. The costs of production are about the same as conventional orcharding and the Orchard Gate Returns per tray are above that for conventional fruit.” Liquid fish fertiliser and compost is applied to the vines and instead of spraying. Weeds are controlled by mowing when necessary by Braden, who admits to preferring to have a tidylooking orchard. The environment, he says, is a pleasant one for him and Toni and two-and-a-half-year-old son Mac to live in. Before Braden became involved in the orchards, Howard employed wellknown orchard consultant Mike Muller to manage his orchards; and today he and Braden employ the services of Shane McNeil of McNeil & Associates as a valued member of the team.

Poster family

Toni and Bevan Strahan with son Mac in the family orchard. Photos - Tracy Hardy

The Strahan family are long-time clients of Apata Group Limited, where both their organic and conventional fruit is packed. It’s a relationship the post-harvest company and the family value. In fact they are the ‘poster family’ for Apata, with a photo of Howard, Braden and Toni proudly displayed on the wall in the company’s office. “The Strahan family epitomises what it is that Apata is all about and that is family and community,” says Apata Grow general manager Sonia Whiteman. “Howard and Lois are long-time suppliers of Apata and now the next generation, Braden

and Toni, are clients. This kind of family succession is also part of the Apata story, which began with our founders, our patriarchs and matriarchs who recognised the advantages of working together to harvest and pack their fruit; and now we are seeing the next generations involved in Apata as growers and at board-level.”

Soft-ride trailers

Sonia says not only has the Strahan family set up an equity partnership, they have also diversified by growing conventional gold kiwifruit and organic green Hayward. “Braden has further diversified by investing in soft-ride bin trailers and contracting out his services during harvest.”

Learning young - Mac Strahan gets to grips with kiwifruit.

This season’s harvest on the Strahan orchards has been a little later than normal. Usually the Te Puna orchard is part of the early start harvest but fruit was still on the vines in mid-May. “It’s been an unusual season all-round. We were expecting an El Nino weather pattern with a hot dry summer, and that didn’t happen,” says Braden. Howard says even though it wasn’t in the long-term plan, he’s more than happy Braden and Toni have decided to take up orcharding. “I enjoy working with Braden. He’s the boss, but he does ask my advice about management decisions, not that he always takes it,” says Howard, who admires how Braden has adapted to his new career.

Attention to detail

“Braden had an excellent tutor when he did his mechanic’s apprenticeship and the good habits he learnt, including attention to detail and thoroughness, are really paying off in orcharding.” The fact his retirement has been put on hold is also not of concern to Howard. “I’m not one to sit around doing nothing.” In turn Braden enjoys working with his father and values the fact his parents have made it possible for he and Toni, who is an administrator for Health Care New Zealand in Tauranga, to transition towards orchard ownership. Lois and Howard now live at Bethlehem, where they are both very much part of their local community and happy to see the next two generations of Strahan family involved in kiwifruit. Elaine Fisher

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. 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.

KIWIFRUIT

Coast & Country News June 2016

New crop varieties, good consumer demand and sound marketing have put kiwifruit back on the map for prospective investors and orchard owners wanting to participate in the sector’s success. Bayleys national country manager Simon Anderson, who is based in Tauranga, says his team is fielding daily calls from interested parties prospecting for opportunities to invest in a sector that has fully recovered from the devastating impact of the vine disease Psa-V in 2010, and looking to a bright future. “The impact of Psa was like a bomb going off for the industry and for the Bay of Plenty region. However, I think few people outside the region, or even the industry, appreciate just how quickly and comprehensively the industry dealt with the impact and turned itself around.” Instrumental to that turnaround was the changing out of gold kiwifruit hybrids, from the Psa-devastated Hort16a variety to the more Psa-tolerant SunGold fruit.

Volume surge While Psa is still present in orchards, better management and plant tolerance are helping keep its worst early effects at bay. This has meant SunGold volumes have surged to 30 million trays last year, and likely to surpass 50 million this season.

Meanwhile, the industry’s stalwart green crop continues to benefit from improved orchard husbandry and skills in Psa’s wake, and is anticipated to generate more than 70 million trays this year. Simon says the healthy outlook for crop volumes is being matched by strong consumer demand across both fruit types, with SunGold proving popular with both European and Asian buyers. In March Zespri announced it would be releasing a further 400ha each year of SunGold licences during the next four years, boosting potential fruit volumes by an additional 24 million trays on top of the 4800ha already planted and producing.

Double value

The overall goal of the industry is to double its export value to $3 billion by 2025. Even before the 400ha additional area for SunGold is accounted for, that variety is on track to earn $1 billion in sales by next year. Tauranga registered valuer Dylan Barrett, of Preston Rowe Paterson, says the positivity of growers and sound market returns are keeping prices firm for both SunGold and Green orchards. “We are seeing sale prices exceeding $350,000 a canopy hectare for high-producing Hayward Green canopies, while sales of SunGold orchards are generally exceeding $550,000 per canopy hectare. Some sales of high quality established SunGold orchards have more recently fetched prices of up to $700,000 per

canopy hectare near Te Puke.” Dylan says these prices generally reflected net returns before tax of eight to 10 per cent dependant on forecasted production and running costs. Comparative returns are difficult to achieve elsewhere within the current low interest rate environment. “But of course there is a level of risk purchasers need to be prepared to accept, given the horticultural nature and the associated risk aligned with horticultural investment. “Some of the attraction around kiwifruit investment is the flexibility it offers growers who have options to continue on with their ‘day’ jobs with various management options available to growers.” Dylan cautions buyers not to be too overly optimistic when forecasting production for budgeting purposes given the varying nature of weather patterns between growing seasons. “A top-producing green orchard is capable of yielding crop volumes of 12,000-15,000 trays per canopy hectare, but a more conservative approach to budgeting would be to work on 11,000 trays, and treat anything over and above that as a bonus.”

Investment syndicates

There is increased interest from investment syndicates in the industry, something that could provide younger orchardists the opportunity to begin building their investment, rather than taking on significant levels of debt required to purchase an entire orchard. Long-time Bayleys Te Puke agent Mark

Page 13

‘Snow’ Williams is quietly proud of how the sector has recovered from the Psa bombshell in Tauranga-based national 2010. country manager for “It is a sector Bayleys, Simon Anderson. that has many innovative, optimistic people in it and that shone through over that crisis. The ability to change out the old Hort16a so quickly for SunGold was a remarkable show of co-operation and unity which helped us get back up quickly.” Mark is enjoying brisk business in orchard sales, and can claim the top sale of a SunGold orchard at $700,000 a canopy hectare recently signed up. “But typically we are seeing SunGold commercial orchards selling at $600,000-$700,000 per canopy hectare, and green at $300,000$450,000 per hectare, depending very much on orchard location and quality.” He predicts a significant portion of new SunGold area will be allocated to existing green growers wanting to convert over. Zespri chief executive Lain Jager says the confidence in SunGold comes from its excellent performance across the company’s 65 country markets during the last two years. “SunGold has generated tremendous excitement across our markets. This year SunGold was voted by fruit consumers in Spain and Germany as the best new fruit product on the market.”

AVOCADO

Page 14

June 2016 Coast & Country News

Fruit-quality-centric approach core value Gaining access to higher value export and local markets and at the same time taking the hassle out of growing avocados is an opportunity Aongatete Avocados offers its growers through its leased and management services.

“We have flexible options for avocado orchard leasing and management which are simple to use and most importantly, food safe,” says Aongatete Avocados Ltd managing director Tony Bradley. “Growers who want or need to free up more time, and make life easier for themselves, are finding our cost effective management options work well. Our services are of high quality and food safe, giving growers access to all available markets so bringing better returns.

Consistent service delivery

“Documenting our systems has helped us quantify the service standards we want to operate at. This helps AAL deliver a consistent service delivery to our orchardists. It has also grown our businesses confidence in ensuring we have capability to deliver safe food products to our markets. Consumers want to buy avocados they know are safe to eat and our systems give us the confidence to meet that consumer standard. “Our staff and operations reflect our brand standards - high quality at all levels in our business. Our staffs are highly trained, our equipment and machines are well maintained and our fruit handling systems are all geared to protect our fruit quality. “A focus on managing the timeframe of the fruit to the market has been a major priority over the years. At the end of the day we want to treat the fruit with the utmost care to protect the consumer experience and therefore our growers’ returns.”

Better orchard returns

AAL has identified this fruit-quality-centric approach as a core value driving their orchard management systems. “Through a modelled and planned orchard management system AAL been able to develop its on-orchard efficiency. A focus on fruit packouts and size enables better net orchard returns while operating a food safety system gives owners more fruit selling options,” says Brien James operations manager for AAL. AAL has developed simple systems which give owners more time to enjoy the good things of owning the land and to have comfort in knowing they are producing good quality fruit into the marketplace. Owners who want to do tasks on orchard are able to under their flexible orchard management contract. Such flexibility give owners peace of mind that jobs are being completed on time and within a plan.

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AVOQUIP

AVOCADO

Coast & Country News June 2016

Page 15

Exporters predict five-million tray season Avocado growers across the Bay of Plenty will be among hundreds of people toasting a successful third season under AVOCO at the company’s conference later this month. The event at the Waipuna Hotel and Conference Centre in Auckland on June 25 is an opportunity for growers to come together under one roof, enjoy each other’s company and hear from the industry’s leading technical experts from New Zealand and overseas. They’ll also hear AVOCO’s marketing team outline their export plan for 2016-2017 – a season that’s shaping up to be a record-breaker for New Zealand growers. It’s estimated the national export avocado crop will be five millionplus trays, exceeding the record 4.5 million trays that went offshore in 2014-2015, with conference attendees set to hear how AVOCO will handle its share of the massive projected volume. The full-day programme will culminate with dinner, entertainment and the presentation of the AVOCO Grower Awards. These are awards of excellence and public recognition for growers who operate at the top of their game.

Dr David Pattemore (above), Dr Marisa Til (left) and Professor Carol Lovatt (below).

work to maximise the value of New Zealand avocados sent to Australia at key times. “For us to extract the strongest Orchard Gate Return values for growers, flow planning will be critical. The main message for our growers is to consider the real financial benefits to harvesting later in the season and especially after Christmas, which is the time we know generates the highest values.”

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Careful planning AVOCO director John Carroll says Saturday’s conference will be an opportunity for growers to learn from experts in their field as well as celebrate with their peers in an industry that’s going from strength to strength. “Growers are feeling excited about their future but, like AVOCO, they’re aware success only comes from a lot of hard work and careful planning,” says John. “The conference will arm growers with the technical information they need to make sound decisions in their own orchards as well as hear our latest plans for market development. “At the same time, it’s also important to recognise our very best growers and congratulate them for an outstanding season.” This month’s conference features three avocado industry leaders from Australia as well as the United States. Simon Newett has been honoured for his technical contribution to Australia’s industry and he’ll be sharing with AVOCO growers results from an observational study of the 2015 flowering season in Australia and lead a discussion on irrigation. Biotechnologist Professor Neena Mitter will share her latest avocado research from the University of Queensland while Professor Carol Lovatt from the US will draw on her considerable knowledge of Hass avocado crops to discuss alternate bearing and foliar fertilisation to increase both yield and fruit size. Other guest technical speakers include Dr David Pattemore, who leads Plant and Food Research’s Pollination and Apiculture team, and Dr Marisa Till, who was appointed the Avocado Industry Council’s new research and development manager in February.

Biotechnologist Professor Neena Mitter (left) and Simon Newett are among the speakers.

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“It’s really since Team Avocado and Primor joined forces that attitudes toward the industry changed. We’re now seeing demand for plants and decent returns for growers.”

AVOCO, a collaborative partnership between Bay of Plenty-based Southern Produce and Aucklandbased Primor Produce, has enjoyed enormous success in its first three years. Last season was a low volume year nationally, with AVOCO exporting more than 61 per cent of the 2.5 million trays exported. A little more than 80 per cent of shipments went to Australia while the remainder was sent to mostly Asian markets and marketed through AVANZA. AVOCO director Alistair Young says health-driven consumers across Asia will be targeted as exporters

BRIAN GOLDSTONE, PRIMOR GROWER OF THE YEAR 2014-15

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Health-driven

Page 16

AVOCADO

June 2016 Coast & Country News

APPLY GYPSUM NOW

IMPROVE SOIL STRUCTURE, DRAINAGE & REDUCE COMPACTION OF IN ROW TRAFFIC “I have observed the benefits of annual Gypsum applications over many years in a range of soil types and I will continue to recommend Gypsum in fertiliser programmes for Avocados” Lindsay Heard, Brenmark Horticultural Consultants Gypsum improves Soil Structure by adding calcium which is needed to flocculate clays in acid and alkaline soil.

Gypsum Suppresses Soil Borne Disease which are often present in anaerobic soil conditions.

Gypsum Helps Reclaim Sodic Soils by decreasing exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) for soil improvement and better crop growth. The calcium replaces the sodium in clay-binding sites which can then be leached from the soil as sodium sulphate. Without Gypsum, the soil would not be leachable.

Gypsum Decreases Swelling Clays and the cracking associated with levels of exchangeable sodium on the montmorillonite-type clays. Less swelling means less clogging of the pore spaces through which air, water and roots move.

Gypsum Prevents Crusting of Soil & Aids Seed Emergence resulting from raindrops or from sprinkler irrigation on unstable soil. Gypsum and lime can prevent crusting that forms in acid soils. Gypsum Improves Low-Solute Irrigation Water from rivers that no longer contain leachable salts which can inhibit penetration into soil or causes soil particles to degrade. The problem can be corrected with surface applied gypsum or application to the irrigation water. Gypsum Multiplies the Value of Other Inputs including fertilizers.

Gypsum Prevents Waterlogging of Soil where a combination of high sodium, swelling clay and excess water result in drainage issues. Gypsum Increases Water-Use Efficiency of crops with improved water infiltration rates, hydraulic conductivity of soil and better water storage in the soil all leading to deeper rooting and better water-use efficiency. 25% –100% more water is available in gypsum treated soils than in non-treated soils, important in areas and times of drought. Gypsum as a Fertiliser CaSO4-2H2O is a pH neutral source of readily available calcium and sulphur.

For further information call 0800 100 442 or visit www.gypsum.co.nz

DAIRY

Coast & Country News June 2016

Page 17

Where would you rather be? Looking on the bright side – even in these current tough times – there are a lot of positives to being a dairy farmer. One is you don’t have to sit in traffic for hours trying to get to and from work like those in Auckland do. Predictions are that the traffic snarl-ups at 7.30am right now will be that bad all day in 20 years’ time. It’s not just office workers caught up in it but tradespeople too, trying to get to jobs which need doing, costing the country millions in revenue. Living on the land also means you can enjoy fresh air and plenty of space and can raise or grow some of your own food, so you don’t have to pay extravagant prices for a kilogram of meat. All this may seem like trivial stuff, but when times are tough it’s easy to forget others don’t have it easy either – and that perhaps you’re in not too bad a place. Fieldays are coming up and it’s worth going along with an open mind, looking for new innovations and technology which can help make life easier and more efficient for you and be the way of the future – it might be as simple as a phone app or a small piece of equipment, but don’t discount the advantages new machinery offers too.

Time and money

I learnt in my own contracting business that operating old machinery, which was continually breaking down and needing maintenance, was costing us dearly in time and money. My contracting business didn’t really turn around financially until we took the big step of buying new tractors and machinery. The cost of servicing the loans was in fact less than the cost of repairs, maintenance and downtime. For farmers already under stress, the last thing they need is to have a feedout wagon pack up when they are

trying to feed stock in wet muddy winter conditions. You can bet it will happen on a weekend when no one is available to come and repair it, adding to the stress of the situation. Winter isn’t quite here yet and in fact the early start to autumn has been so mild, it didn’t kill off the army caterpillars which have been munching their way through lucerne, new grass and clover crops.

High nitrates

Another concern is some new grass and annual pastures are high in nitrates also with this unseasonal weather and stock losses have occurred. So before putting stock into those paddocks I strongly suggest you get a nitrate test done. You can either buy your own test kit, which gives an indication only, or take a sample at around 8am and take it to your local vet. They will have the results late that day, saving valuable stock losses. The silver lining for Bay of Plenty farmers is the mild weather means more grass than normal at this time of year. However, other regions including North Canterbury and the East Coast are drying out fast and facing a possible winter drought. If feed supplies here dry up we will be unable to get further feed from the East Coast and Hawke’s Bay that we’ve sourced in previous years.

Velvetleaf concern

Another issue of concern is the invasive weed velvet leaf, which has been found in the South Island and Waikato. It was first found in fodder beet crops but has recently been found in some maize crops. So far it hasn’t been identified in the Bay of Plenty, but farmers are advised to keep an eye out for it and make sure any equipment coming on farm is cleaned first. It’s a nasty weed and there are several ways it is believed to have infested properties in the Waikato. These include fodder beet seeds imported from overseas and machinery movements. The Waikato Regional x &RPPHUFLDO Council and Ministry for Primary Industries is x ,QGXVWULDO advising landowners and x 5XUDO farm contractors to be vigilant about ensuring x 5HVLGHQWLDO machinery is clean when entering and leaving a x 0DLQWHQDQFH 6HUYLFLQJ property, and checking any suspect maize silage and crops. www.morrinsville.laserelectrical.co.nz

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DAIRY

Page 18

June 2016 Coast & Country News

What are you doing to deal with the current payout drop? There is plenty of advice and opinion out there about what farmers can do to cut back on costs, simplify their operations, and hang tight for when things improve.

Saying that though, even the wise and seasoned have their personal limit too – we all experience stressful events in a different way. Do you recognise what stress looks like in you? And when your normal stress levels are out of whack?

Thankfully, there is also an increased awareness of the toll this takes on the human beings amongst all of this – the people who have put their hearts and souls into their businesses – and have to make some tough calls to ride through. The baby boomers will have seen it all before, and perhaps be better able to manage the volatility it creates financially of course, and emotionally too. The younger farmers may not have experienced such a change in their dairying careers; and for them, the ride is rougher.

Stress levels

If you’re not sure, consider the following: Do you react to things more quickly than before, like you have a short fuse? Do you struggle to make decisions where you previously didn’t have trouble? Are your personal relationships with family, friends, staff feeling strained and more challenging? Have you lost interest in what you used to enjoy doing? Do you struggle to think positively about the future?

Are you catastrophizing about a lot of things – even small matters? Do you feel on edge, like you’re having an adrenaline rush for no reason? Is it hard to find the energy to get out of bed or bother with basic day-to-day tasks? This isn’t an exhaustive list, and if you say ‘Yes’ to one – it doesn’t mean you’re not okay. But if you recognise a change in your behaviour or of someone close to you that is outside of the norm, and prolonged – for example, not just have a bad day or two – then perhaps you need to think twice. Regardless of the particular situation it’s important to remember that strong reactions to a stressful environment – for example, the dairy payout – are normal. And in order to look after the farm, the stock and the future of the farm, your own health and balanced mind is the most important in the end.

Clear thinking

If you can keep things in perspective, manage the stress and keep your relationships in tact – then making the tough calls is easier. Easier because you still have your mental faculties working with you, so clear thinking and wise decision making prevails. It’s often the people close to us that

suffer the most when we are struggling; they bear the brunt of our internal battles. Not only will they see what is happening for us, and perhaps not know how to respond, we may relieve our pressure by blowing steam in their direction. If we can keep these relationships intact – be it family, friends or people on the farm, they will be the best people to help bring us through the other side. It’s sometimes tough to see the impact we are having on others, particularly when we can barely see the wood for the trees – hindsight is a grand thing. These people can really help keep things in perspective, take some of the load, and keep the normal day-to-day things running.

Just human

Sometimes simply telling them how we are doing can really make the difference. Admitting a bit of vulnerability doesn’t mean admitting we are weak – we are just human. If you want to learn more, take a look at the following websites: www.farmstrong.co.nz and www.depression.org.nz If you need to talk to someone, contact the Rural Support Trust for confidential, free support by phoning 0800 787 254 or visit www.rural-support.org.nz

www

.coastandcountrynews .co.nz

DAIRY

Coast & Country News June 2016

Page 19

Time to test copper levels in stock With the end of the ‘zinc season’ close at hand it’s important to check your herd’s copper reserves. Zinc competes with copper for absorption at the gut level, which may lead to very low copper levels when zinc supplementation finishes. Variation in supplementary feed offered

further complicates the situation. Many farms adopt quite different supplement feed plans to ensure stock are fed adequately. For instance, in recent years large amounts of Palm Kernel Extract in the diet have tended to lead to high copper levels in some herds. However, this is not always the case – especially when the level of PKE fed is fit for daily maintenance energy requirements, as opposed to being an additional energy source for weight gain.

To optimise productivity cattle should have some trace element testing done pre-calving. Liver biopsies provide the most accurate information, as it is a direct measure of the amount of copper stored in the liver. Samples from five to six cows are usually sufficient to give an indication of the herd’s copper levels. Alternatively, blood tests can be taken from eight to 10 animals, providing a ‘snapshot’ of copper levels in the blood on the day of sampling.

Deficient animals can be easily identified this way. However, the results do not provide any information on the amount of copper stored in the liver, so herds close to deficiency may appear normal on blood tests, and hence the need for increased copper supplementation will not be detectable. Remember the young stock too, as these animals have high copper requirements for growth and development.

Dairy cow and sheep numbers decrease After nine years of consecutive increases, the number of dairy cattle in New Zealand fell to 6.5 million in 2015, says Statistics New Zealand. “The dairy cattle number is now similar to the level back in 2013,” says Statistics NZ business indicators senior manager Neil Kelly. “This reduction was caused by an increase in the number of cows slaughtered and was against a backdrop of declining milk solid payouts.” The 2015 Agricultural Production Survey final result shows for the year ending June 2015, there were 213,000 fewer dairy cattle. This follows a record high of 6.7 million dairy cattle in 2014. In the Waikato region, a traditional dairy farming area, there were 153,000 fewer dairy

cattle than in 2014. The results also show New Zealand had 29.1 million sheep, 3.5 million beef cattle and 900,000 deer at June 30, 2015. “Sheep numbers have continued to decline. There are now just over six sheep for every New Zealander, down from 13 sheep per person 20 years ago,” says Neil. The 2015 Agricultural Production Survey involves farmers and foresters in New Zealand. It covers land use, animal livestock farming, arable crop growing, forestry, and farming practices in New Zealand, including fertiliser and cultivation, for the year to June 2015. The survey was run in partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries.

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CALVING

Page 20

June 2016 Coast & Country News

Sodium Bentonite vs Opticell Plus UF – what’s the difference for calf rearing? Many calf-rearing operations utilise claytype products which can largely be grouped as sodium bentonite as an aid in preventing or curing nutritional scours.

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Seven day peak season processing service in dairy regions nationwide An incentive premium for supplying cows and calves through the season An extended bobby calf season Competitive schedule with no hidden costs Free tags and cartage No MPI inspection fees. Queries in respect to booking, collection or transportation of bobby calves can be made to the Silver Fern Farms’ bobby team: freephone. 0800 356 357 freefax. email.

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Now there are alternatives and in this article the BEC Feed Solutions team compare modes of action. Sodium Bentonite-based products are widely incorporated in calf-rearing regimes throughout NZ. Sodium bentonite is a high swelling/binding natural clay used for its ability to absorb fluid, toxins, and slow the passage of food through the gut of the calf. It is routinely offered in a separate trough. Opticell plus UF is a naturally-derived lignocellulose product. ‘Eubiosis’ is the concept of a healthy balance of micro flora in the digestive tract, and recently-developed lignocellulose products for calves help to achieve this. Opticell UF, when included into whole milk or calf milk replacer, promotes eubiosis by supporting natural water absorption in the hind gut and helps to mitigate the incidence of nutritional scours by aiding transitions from milk types – colostrum to vat milk, or calf milk

replacers – during feeding regime changes. For example, twice-daily to once-daily. Although the water holding capacity of Opticell UF is less than bentonite, Opticell UF is an excellent source of fermentable fibre. The prebiotic nature of lignocellulose means it feeds selective, beneficial microorganisms in the hind gut which produce volatile fatty acids. Butyric acid – a Volatile Fatty Acid – plays a key role in supporting water absorption in the hind gut as well as regeneration of gut mucosa, which positively influences faecal quality and helps to mitigate nutritional scours. Opticell UF holds in suspension, enabling the calf-rearer to guarantee its uptake by adding it to milk rather than relying on ad lib intakes via a trough. Lignocellulose regulates the passage of milk through the digestive tract, supports early intake of feed and improves faecal quality without a ‘bunging up’ effect. Follow the calf-rearing blog at www.opticellnz.co.nz

Young calves on twice-a-day feeding with 125g of Opticell Plus UF mixed in with milk. Photo: Trina Parker BEC Feed Solutions.

Ensuring welfare of bobby calves farmers’ responsibility Bobby calf suppliers have a responsibility for ensuring all bobby calves meet specific quality and welfare criteria. This season the Ministry for Primary Industries is undertaking a wide audit of on-farm calf facilities and animal welfare. To assist farmers Silver Fern Farms supply all of their suppliers with an easy-to-reference checklist to help determine which calves are fit for transport and to ensure the pens they are held in are up to standard. The checklist outlines that calves must be a minimum of four days old and have no visible signs of disease, such as scours prior to transporting. They must also be free of any deformity, industry blindness or disability. Eyes must be bright, not dull or shrunken, and ears upright. Farmers need to check calves are strong and able to bear weight on all four limbs, able to rise from a lying

position and move freely around the pen. Hooves must be firm and worn, not rounded or soft. The navel must be dry and withered, not pink/red, raw or fleshy. Colostrum bobby calves must be fed colostrum at a rate for two to four litres per calf within the first 24 hours of life. To aid local immunity, colostrum should also be fed to them daily for the first four days of life. Each animal’s weight must be a minimum of 20kg and a maximum of 60kg live weight. Additional criteria include calves being clean and free of dirt, be ear tagged and free of any chemical residue.

Flags up

The collection and transportation of calves is arranged by Silver Fern Farms directly with a nominated transporter in each area. Farmers are required to assist their carrier by placing their Silver Fern Farms flags in the up’ position if they have calves for collection as well as having the

correct supply number on their pen and erase any other numbers. Calf pens should be kept clean, dry, draught-free, face away or be protected from rain, snow and the prevailing wind, safe and easily accessible for collection.

Raised pens The floor is ideally raised 120cm above the ground and constructed from slatted wood or woven steel mesh to allow drainage and easy removal of faeces. All internal surfaces of the pen need to be free of sharp edges or projections likely to cause injury to calves or those collecting them. Pens should provide sufficient floor space for calves to stand or lie down. Ideally, calf pens need to be positioned away from the roadside and easily accessible for stock trucks and trailers. which are higher than a milk tanker by about one metre. The pen should be raised or someone should be available to help load calves.

CALVING

Coast & Country News June 2016

Page 21

Return to ‘pasture-first’ message for dairy Two full days, 800 people, and a huge amount to absorb – this year the DairyNZ biannual forum was obviously a ‘must do’ for dairy farmers, and every session and workshop was given to packed houses. There were no magic bullets or false hopes handed out, but a wealth of practical advice on how our products get sold, what our overseas markets expect of us, and how to cope with our third bounce in volatility since 2007 at farm levels.

Bargaining chips

While there was some comfort in remarks indicating the recent burst of increased production overseas was already slowing in some countries, those attending were reminded a 93 per cent export level, on three per cent of world production, made us need to be very aware of our bargaining chips and overall credibility of product, production methods, and sustainability. With tourism creeping ahead of dairy in value, there can be no easy claims on any of our overseas markets.

The strong emphasis on ‘pasture-first’ is going to be something of a re-learning curve for many farmers, young and older. The easy days of the last few years, when supplements appeared cheap and made less work, are over. The DNZ Spring Rotation Planner will be dug out, pored over, and residuals and long pasture breaks were emphasised by a number of speakers.

Our credence

People in the various countries we export to may value quite different aspects of what Dr Caroline Saunders called ‘our credence’. How much do we know about these preferences, and how collected are our efforts to promote The New Zealand Story? Not enough by the sound of it. Fonterra is trying a whole range of new ideas, aimed at the younger market, but a session with all of the milk companies produced some very varied and individualised approaches to adding value to our milk. There were many references to ‘Origin Green’, Ireland’s new collective approach which is working well for their producers. But we were also reminded EU and UK subsidies can make such efforts much easier,

rather than farmer cash having to fund most of our story. There was much interest in a session where Zespri demonstrated the width and depth of their support structure to growers during the Psa-V vine disease outbreak. But there were smiles at the news exports were growing and booming now from the changes made. Industry members looking after each other is what got them through, and for some it took four years. A low-cost farmer session, where

four farmers revealed their methods and costings, emphasised the different scenarios being faced by those new to the game and those whose businesses had reached maturity and lower debt levels. The depth and breadth of what was covered in two days should have been a comfort to those looking for information. And no doubt the time spent with others in the same boat took away some of the immediate strain. There seemed to be more smiles by the end. Sue Edmonds

TM

Page 22

COUNTRY LIVING

June 2016 Coast & Country News

Home preferred option for many elderly “The new ‘norm’ is changing as people opt to stay at home instead of entering care institutions. “Sometimes it is simply a bit of extra help that people need to help them remain independent; tasks like meal preparation, housekeeping and medication reminders.

In line with the Government strategy of Aging in Place, increasing numbers of rural Kiwis are choosing to stay at home as they age. Our nation’s Positive Aging Vision is a society where people can age positively, where they are valued and recognised as an integral part of families and communities. The benefits of this approach are well documented with research showing people who are able to stay in their own environment within their own community enhances wellbeing, happiness and positivity.

Not uncommon “However, what I have noticed is a real increase in 24-hour or live-in care, particularly for people living in rural and isolated communities. This type of care is very common in other parts of the world, particularly the United Kingdom and Kiwis are realising it is now a very sensible option when someone wants to stay at home but they need the peace of mind that someone is there to assist them 24/7 should they need help.” Miranda believes the Government positive aging strategy, and the funding it is channelling into enabling people to remain safely at home where possible, is a positive one.

Mindset change

Miranda Smith, owner of New Zealand’s longest running and largest private in-home care provider, says she has noticed this shift in mindset.

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COUNTRY LIVING

Coast & Country News June 2016

Page 23

Ankle sprains common and painful injury Ankle sprains are extremely common. However, this doesn’t make them easy to cope with when they happen to you. If you’ve ever spent two weeks hobbling around on crutches after an unfortunate twist, you’ll understand just how painful and difďŹ cult they can be. Ankle sprains refer to a tear to the ligament ďŹ bres of the ankle. Commonly, a person will roll their ankle inwards and tear the ligament on the outside. Occasionally, the ankle will twist outwards and the ligaments on the inside of the ankle are torn; and even less commonly, the ďŹ bres of the ligament that hold the two bones of the lower leg together tear, which is called a high ankle sprain. A sprained ankle will usually be painful, swollen, bruised, difďŹ cult to walk on, and in some cases unstable.

Is x-ray required?

Ankle sprains can occur from something as simple as putting weight onto your leg when you think your foot is at even though it’s not. The most typical pattern is of a person jumping and landing on the outside of their foot or simply slipping and twisting their ankle.

A sprained or twisted ankle is one of the most common injuries presented to emergency departments around the world. This is important as a severely sprained ankle can actually have very similar symptoms to a broken ankle and will need an x-ray. A medical professional should assess any severe sprain. However, there are some guidelines to help decide if a sprained ankle needs x-ray. You are unable to put weight on the ankle immediately after the injury. You are unable to take more than four steps immediately after the injury. Pain on the bony edges of the outer foot and ankle.

Time to heal Depending on the severity of the tear, it can take from one to six weeks to heal. Your physiotherapist is able to help with recovery and ensure nothing slows down the healing. Following any injury of the body, joints may remain a little stiff and lose strength and control. Even though the injured tissues have healed, the ankle doesn’t move quite the way it used to. This means your risk of twisting it again is higher than before the injury.

Physiotherapy help

Correct rehabilitation can help to prevent recurring injuries. As well as providing support to the unstable ankle, your physiotherapist will help you to strengthen any weak muscles and restore balance and control through exercise. They are also able to correct any abnormal movement of the joint following swelling.

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Page 24

COUNTRY LIVING

June 2016 Coast & Country News

Warming homes and water for generations Wagener Stoves is a family business and has been manufacturing solid fuel stoves and wetbacks for more than 35 years. “You can buy with confidence from the team who proudly design and produce quality and affordable New Zealand-made power-savers,” says Ngaire McClure of Far North-based Wagener Stoves.

Sustainable fuel

“Dependable wood fires are the cheapest form of heating, deliver the nicest kind of heat; and when the power stops the wood fire just keeps on going. “Wood fires provide warm, cosy, healthy homes year-after-year – no dehumidifier is necessary and they are designed to heat your home using the world’s number one sustainable fuel – which of course is carbon neutral wood.” The Wagener Fairburn Cooker is the ulti-

mate lifestyle appliance not only for heating your home, but providing for home cooking and all your household hot water for brilliant power savings and self-sufficiency. The Wagener Sparky is a compact wee fire that has won hearts all over the country in situations as diverse as high country huts, boats, mobile homes, holiday homes, cottages and modern new builds.

“Leon is named in memory of our company’s founder, designed by his son and daughter-in-law, and will be manufactured and dispatched with assistance from our team by the grandsons. Leon the man was hardworking, entrepreneurial and very popular – and that is also our expectation for this new stove.”

Sparky’s big brother

Wagener Stoves is also home of the CookTop Wagener Stove, a proven performer in homes throughout the country for more than three decades and the Butler Multi hot water heater which is a perfect partner for solar systems and for those living off the grid. Coming soon, says Ngaire, is Sparky’s big brother the new Wagener Leon. “Everyone loves Sparky but for some he’s a little too small so we have answered your calls for a bigger model and hope to have him ready late-July.

Wagener stoves have been warming Kiwi homes for more than three decades.

COUNTRY LIVING

Coast & Country News June 2016

Dogs ‘must-have’ new blue accessory It’s time to register your dog for 2016/2017 and make sure they’re wearing a blue tag by July – because on June 30 all dog registrations for the 2015/2016 year will expire. Western Bay of Plenty District Council animal team leader Alison Curtis says dog owners should look out for a reminder arriving in their letterboxes soon. This will contain everything they need to know about the registration process. This year there is a new online payment option. Currently, there are almost 8500 dogs registered within the Western Bay district.

WBOPDC’s animal services team has a big job keeping the community safe around dogs and ensuring dogs are well looked after. Their work includes responding to complaints about dogs and stock, monitoring the behaviour of dogs in the community, educating dog owners and the wider public, and much more. “You can do your bit by making sure your dog is wearing blue this July,� says Alison. The team has also been working to organise awesome dog events, such as the recent Big Dog Walk and the Doggy Day Out. Alison says to keep an eye out for changes to the district’s dog rules that will come into effect this August, when the draft dog control policy and bylaw is formally adopted.

Page 25

,/, s " ss "5 ,-

Frugal Smokey invokes divine intervention There was a Scottish painter named Smokey MacGregor who was very interested in making a penny where he could. So he often thinned down his paint to make it go a wee bit further. As it happened, he got away with this for some time, but eventually the local church decided to do a big restoration job on the outside of one of their biggest buildings. Smokey put in a bid and, because his price was so low, he got the job. So he set about erecting the scaffolding and setting up the planks, and buying the paint and yes, sorry to

say, thinning it down with turpentine. Well, Smokey was up on the scaffolding, painting away, the job nearly completed, when suddenly there was a horrendous clap of thunder, the sky opened and the rain poured down washing the thinned paint from all over the church and knocking Smokey clear off the scaffold to land on the lawn among the gravestones, surrounded by tell-tale puddles of the thinned and useless paint. Smokey was no fool. He knew this was a judgment from the Almighty, so he got down on his knees and cried: “Oh God, Oh God, forgive me; what should I do?� And from the thunder, a mighty voice spoke: “Repaint! Repaint! And thin no more!�

Check it out online today...

Page 26

WELCOME TO THE DISTRICT

STH AUCKLAND

June 2016 Coast & Country News

School is well prepared to help farming children settle in child is, how often they have already moved schools, and how many students have changed that particular year. “In the past I’ve taught classes where you can have a large influx, perhaps eight-10 students, this is obviously very different to just one or two and from time to time I’ve also come across students who have changed schools almost every year. “This is extremely unsettling for the child and usually causes a multitude of issues. “This season Matatoki has one family – with two students – leaving and we expect to gain several new families. Last year, the school

Matatoki School is a typical country school situated on the outskirts of Thames, serving the strong dairy farming community of the Thames Valley. Principal Tom Cochrane says the school caters for the start of school life through to Year 12 when the pupils go on to college. This school also has students coming and going every year when the dairy season ends. Tom says the impact varies from year-to-year and child-to-child, depending on how sociable the

lost three families and gained one.” The school works hard to settle children. “Due to our small size, our school works much like a large family. Our students are very welcoming and treat new students almost like celebrities everyone wants to be friends with. “Our school is also very active with sports and games during lunch times so new students quickly make friends and settle in.” Tom acknowledges it can take a little longer when particularly shy students change schools. Then it is usually a matter of “buddying” them up with the right friend to help them get started.

Most students quickly adapt to the change or school, class and teacher. But the most common issue is schools don’t all cover the same things at the same time of the year. Often in maths, for example, a student may have already studied geometry and then changed schools only to find they are studying geometry at the new school. This means double-ups in some areas and missing out on others, for example measurement. Usually though there are only minimal issues. Tom says parents can help make the transition easier for their children by visiting the school prior to moving, find out about the school,

taking the child in for a visit before they start if possible, and enrolling them into sports teams so they can quickly make new friendships. “Best of all when they come on their first day [encourage them to] be positive and excited about the change, rather than sad and apprehensive due to losing friends,” says Tom. “Involvement in sports also helps the children settle and make new friends.” The changes brought about by the end and beginning of a new dairy season does not have a significant impact on the school because it is often only one or two families changing.

Fritha Tagg

South Auckland Federated Farmers Auckland Province: Wendy Clark 09 236 3082 021 155 1094

Young Farmers Franklin Chairman: Chris Campbell 027 705 0063

wclark@ps.gen.nz

chris_campbell118@me.com

Hauraki-Coromandel Kevin Robinson 027 286 1636

Auckland City Chairperson: Kimberley Mayhead 027 447 1525

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Coast & Country News June 2016

WELCOME TO THE DISTRICT

WAIKATO

Page 27

Dairying won out over military career Chris Ferguson’s early experience of dairying was spraying cows’ teats with a bottle in his grandparent’s 12-aside shed.

Alan’s System 3 farm, where imported supplements, Palm Kernel Extract mix, silage and hay are fed to cows. Eight hectares of maize is grown onfarm and another 8ha on the run-off. Pasture management is Chris’ responsibility and he chooses the paddocks and sets the length of the round.

And as much as the Otorohanga lad enjoyed spending time on his grandparents’ farm, the plan was to join the army. So Chris left school halfway High standards through Year 13 to work on a dairy farm Chris sets high standards for himself, and save money in preparation for his always aiming to do the best he can. military career – which didn’t happen. “The best advice I’ve had was from my “I enjoyed dairying so much I decided previous farm manager, who said if I was to stay on at the farm,” says Chris, who given the chance of more responsibility, is the 2016 Waikato Dairy Trainee of to take it – and I’ve tried to do that. the Year. “Taking on The 20-year-old, more responsibilwho began as a farm ity might mean hand, and progressed more work but to second in charge, you will progress has worked on Alan faster through the Rogers’ 190ha effective industry if you farm at Otorohanga, don’t shy away milking 600 jersey from responsibility cows through a 44 – and that’s not a as-ide herringbone bad thing.” dairy for three seasons Next season now. Chris will manage Chris has a definite the farm he’s on aptitude for dairying, and his aim is to impressing the judges be contract milkwho as well as naming ing within three to him Trainee of the five years. Year, also awarded him “I want to keep the DairyNZ Practical learning as much Skills award. as I can, and do “Chris showed great as well as possible understanding of quad where I am now, bike safety and conChris Ferguson is 2016’s Waikato and progress on trol. His knowledge of Dairy Trainee of the Year. the same farm to chemical handling was contract milker.” quickly apparent to the judges as he flew Chris has completed Primary ITO Level through the second exercise. 3 and is working on Level 4. “Chris also had the initiative to step He’s also done milk quality, tractor out the fenceline to find the third of a safety, effluent and milk smart courses paddock,” the judges say. and enjoys attending DairyNZ discussion groups. When he’s not working, Chris plays Beneficial experience rugby for the Otorohanga club and Chris was encouraged to enter the touch and netball in summer. competition for the first time by his “Entering the dairy industry awards boss Alan, who is a Primary ITO tutor and training advisor. And he appreciates has been an awesome experience. “I’ve met a lot of people and lots of Alan’s support, plus that of his family, in people in the industry know me now. progressing his career. “Winning looks good on the CV, “I thought entering would be a really which will be useful in future.” beneficial experience, that it would Chris has some advice for teenagers be good for networking and good for considering career options. future employment opportunities,” says “Lots of people go to uni or polyChris, who is training to become the technic but don’t limit your thinking farm’s manager. – farming offers real opportunities His goals are to continue progressespecially if you enjoy the outdoors. ing in the industry through contract “Do something which makes you milking and herd ownership to evenhappy – and don’t do drugs.” tual farm ownership. Meanwhile, he continues to gain valuable experience on Elaine Fisher

Ru r a l En g i n e e r i n g L td

Page 28

WELCOME TO THE DISTRICT

WAIKATO

June 2016 Coast & Country News

Fonterra assists dairy training in Indonesia Fonterra is actively contributing to lifting local farmers’ skills in dairy development, but has no current plans to establish dairy farms in Indonesia, says Fonterra’s managing director for Indonesia, Achyut Kasireddy. The Indonesian-focused scholarship programme aims to share Fonterra’s dairy expertise and grow sustainable local dairy development, says Achyut.

Jakarta Post

Achyut is responding to questions from Coast & Country News following an article in the ‘Jakarta Post’ quoting Fonterra chief financial officer Lukas Paravicini. The Jakarta Post’s Khoirul Amin asked: “Does Fonterra have any plan to expand investment in the

country in the near future, for example to develop dairy farms?” Lukas is quoted as saying: “We do. Again, Indonesia’s milk consumption is only 12 litres per capita. “With our focus, with our passion for consumers, there will be growth.”

No farm plans

However, in response to Coast & Country News’ request for clarification of this comment, Achyut says: “Currently there are no plans for Fonterra to build a farm in Indonesia”. “For over 35 years, Fonterra has been making high quality NZ dairy products available for Indonesian consumers. “We have recently invested NZ$35 million in a brand new blending and packing plant in Chikarang, which has been fully operational since September 2015,” says Achyut.

Waikato Federated Farmers Chris Lewis 07 872 4533 027 289 8942

South Waikato Chairman: Eoin O’Mahony 021 247 9077

hi.lewy@xtra.co.nz

Petrolhead21@yahoo.com

Young Farmers North Waikato Chairman: Rachael Foy 027 313 7726

Cambridge Chairman: Caleb Lally 027 878 6301 farm.hack.23@outlook.com

rachaelifoy@gmail.com

Piarere Chairman: Glenn King 027 755 3329

Hamilton City Chairman: Leon Belvert 027 381 6886

Glenn.king@hotmail.com

leon_is_da_man@hotmail.com

Hamilton City Council Garden Place, Hamilton 07 838 6699 www.hamilton.govt.nz

Hamilton i-Site 5 Garden Place, Hamilton 07 958 5960 0800 242 645

Waikato Regional Council 401 Grey St, Hamilton 07 859 0999 0800 800 401 www.waikatoregion.govt.nz

Te Awamutu i-Site 1 Gorst Ave, Te Awamutu 07 871 3259 www.teawamutinfo.com

Waipa District Council 101 Bank St, Te Awamutu 0800 924 723

Cambridge i-Site Cnr Queen and Victoria St, Cambridge 07 823 3456

www.waipadc.govt.nz

Coast & Country News June 2016

WELCOME TO THE DISTRICT

Investing in parlour solutions will pay off Don Chapman has been designing and building milking parlours for more than 40 years – but he and his team also know how to provide short or long-term solutions to existing sheds. help,â€? says Don. He’s been through the highs “It may be that we can and lows of previous payoffer a solution for their outs and knows times are existing dairy for it to tough. work better in the “But if you are in short-term or longthe position of seeing term.â€? your way clear to Don’s team build a new dairy are specialists in this is a great time designing parlours to do it, when and buildings contractors and necessary for suppliers are not high-producing under great pressure dairy farms – and and have adequate they’re experts at resources.â€? adding value to farmBut if you can’t afford ing operations. “We a new build, ďŹ xing a strive to provide you problem in your existing with the best possible parlour can pay off, says Don Chapman is an expert farm facilities, for a Don. “The timing might not when it comes to building cost-competitive investnew dairy parlours. ment.â€? be right to build new Originating in the but those with older Waikato, Chapman Dairy Ltd now has dairies or who’ve bought new propera number of companies throughout ties and need solutions to make their operation efďŹ cient – we may be able to NZ licensed to build their parlours.

WAIKATO

Page 29

Farming Hotlines Federated Farmers - Farming Hotlines: Animal Welfare Hotline: 0800 008 333 Exotic Pest and Disease Hotline: 0800 809 966 MPI Food Safety: 0800 693 721 Rural Support Trust: 0800 787 254 Rural Women NZ National president: Wendy McGowan 07 332 3586, 027 222 7015

Wendy.mcgowan@ruralwomen.org.nz

Vice president: Fiona Gower 09 232 9711, 027 428 3884 Fiona.gower@ruralwomen.org.nz

Bay of Plenty/Coromandel Margaret Scrimgeour 07 533 3681, 027 533 3681 Margaret.scrimgeour@ruralwomen. org.nz

Waikato/Taranaki Shirley Read 06 752 3698, 027 665 9047 Shirley.read@ruralwomen.org.nz

Top North Island Fiona Gower 09 232 9711, 027 428 3884 Fiona.gower@ruralwomen.org.nz

Executive officer:Rural Women NZ Penelope England 04 473 5524 Penelope.england@ruralwomen.org.nz

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Page 30

WELCOME TO THE DISTRICT

WESTERN BAY OF PLENTY

June 2016 Coast & Country News

Vet clubs combine to offer improved service Thirty-nine vets working from nine clinics throughout the Waikato and Central Plateau are part of the animal veterinary team operating under the new Vetora brand, which has evolved to deliver an even better service to clients throughout the two regions. Craig Kusabs, CEO of Vetora Rotorua, and Gavin Shepherd, CEO of Vetora Waikato, say the new partnership between the two former vet club practices is a natural progression which will enable them to provide even more benefits to clients thanks to economies of scale and sharing of expertise. In the Waikato newly-branded Vetora practices are at Hamilton, Te Awamutu, Otorohanga, Putaruru and Cambridge; and in the Rotorua region, at Reporoa, Ngongataha, Rotorua and Taupo. The practices involved are farmer-owned co-operatives with a loyal and longstanding clientele. “Many of our clients have been with the practices for generations. Farmers are very loyal to their vet clinics,” says Craig. The new partnerships and branding have been 18 months in the making and much discussion revolved around the name for the new brand.

wellbeing, both of which are very appropriate to what we do,” says Gavin. A new website has been designed and new signs are going up at the practices involved. The close to 1000 current members of the vet clubs will retain their membership and the privileges which go with that. An annual fee of about $50 entitles farmers to a discount for on-farm visits and reduced costs for veterinary medicines.

Large animals

Only farmers can become members, and new members are welcome, but Vetora also has a number of companion animal vets and offers a range of specialist services for both small and large animals. Craig and Gavin say by combining forces, the practices can offer even more services to customers, including those of veterinarians whose specialities include diagnostic x-ray and ultra sound examinations, surgery and pathology. As Vetora is a not-for profit organisation, profits are re-invested into the practices, including the buildings from which they operate, facilities and technology and especially staff.

Well-being

“We wanted to keep the word ‘vet’ in the name and our branding expert suggested ‘ora’ because in Latin that means land and country; and in Maori it means health and

Vetora Reporoa is among the nine practices in the Vetora group.

Western Bay of Plenty Federated Farmers Bay of Plenty Rick Powdrell 07 573 7481 07 573 7481 027 489 4075 rrpowdrell@fedfarm.org.nz

Western Bay of Plenty District Council Barkes Corner, Greerton, Tauranga 07 571 8008 0800 926 732 www.westernbay.govt.nz

Young Farmers Te Puke Chairman: Luther Siemelink 027 482 8910

Bay of Plenty Regional Council 5 Quay St, Whakatane 0800 884 880 www.boprc.govt.nz

luther.s@xtra.co.nz

Waihi Chairman: Wayne Hofmann 027 310 7513 Wayne.Hofmann@gmail.com

Te Puke Visitor Centre 130 Jellicoe St, Te Puke 07 573 9172

Waihi i-Site 126 Seddon St, Waihi 07 863 6715 Katikati i-Site 36 Main Rd, Katikiati 07 549 1658

Coast & Country News June 2016

WELCOME TO THE DISTRICT

WESTERN BAY OF PLENTY

Page 31

Smart goal-setting paves Michael’s path Winning a dairy trainee award was among the goals Michael Simpson set for himself – and now he can tick that off his ‘to do’ list.

chicory and turnips and maize is also grown on-farm. Milking doesn’t stop in winter but the herd size drops to 150 cows.

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Work/life balance The 20-year-old, currently second-in-charge on “I am always looking for ways that things onEddie and Kath Lambert’s farm at Whakafarm could be done better or easier and am tane, won 2016’s Bay of Plenty Dairy always willing to try new things. I enjoy Trainee of the Year Award. learning and gaining knowledge on all There are still major goals to be things farming related.” achieved, including to become a farm The judges were impressed with manager of a 400-cow property within Michael’s goal setting. “He has smart two years; and to save as much money goals with clearly defined timeframes. as possible in that time. His community involvement and the The aim is to progress to a manvariety of activities he participates in ager’s position within three years and helps him maintain a good work/life then build a herd of his own. “I have balance. already started to acquire animals to “It’s great to see Michael seeking out make this goal a reality.” new opportunities such as the NZ HolMeanwhile, Michael will continue stein Friesian Association. to meet another goal – to build techni“He showed depth of understandcal farming knowledge through ing about breeding worth and its hands-on experience and complete Michael Simpson is 2016’s apparent he has put the theory into qualification through Primary ITO. Bay of Plenty Dairy Trainee practice when purchasing young Building a good reputation to of the Year. stock. attract future positions is also on the “Michael’s strengths were evident list, and winning the Bay of Plenty in the feed budgeting questions. His answers were award has already helped achieve that. well thought-out, with clear reasons, implications and Brought up in Kawerau, Michael attended Whakatane High School before taking up a full-time role on workings clearly laid out,” the judges say. Michael says his boss Eddie has inspired and the Lambert’s farm, first as farm assistant, and in the encouraged him. “I aspire to be like Eddie in the last 10 months as assistant manager. future. He helps me to achieve goals and has given The farm is 170 hectares, with 110 irrigated, runme opportunities to progress.” ning a 450 pedigree Friesian cow herd at a stocking rate of 2.7 cows per hectare. Pasture management Gain confidence is the focus of the System 2-3 farm with pasture Michael enjoyed the experience of taking part in the measured during the growing season and additional feed adjusted accordingly. Cropping includes 20ha of awards. “A big benefit of entering the awards is I can

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list on my CV that I have competed and previously progressed to the finals. “Any future employers would look at this and make the assumption that I am passionate about the industry and my career. Another big benefit is the opportunity to gain confidence in interview and competition situations, as well as networking with other like-

minded people.” Michael’s other interests are hunting and trout fishing. “I like to get away from everything as farming at times can be challenging and tiresome. These activities also allow me to return to the farm refreshed and with a clear and focused mind.”

Elaine Fisher

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WELCOME TO THE DISTRICT

WESTERN BAY OF PLENTY

June 2016 Coast & Country News

Changing schools part of ‘Gypsy day’ too Each year at the end of June hundreds of New Zealand dairy farmers move from one farm to another. This is the way many farmers progress up the sharemilking ladder – moving from lower order to 50-50 sharemilking then on to farm ownership – and often it requires a physical move from one farm to the next.

In their stride

Along with moving farm equipment and often their dairy herds, the family moves as well and this means a change of school for the children. As it is halfway through the school year, the change can be disruptive for some children while others take the change in their stride. Putaruru College has always had children coming and going at the end of the dairy season. The South Waikato is heavily invested in

Alan Lee

dairy farming with many very new conversions from pine forest to dairy farms.

Larger units

Putaruru College principal Mike Yonke says now the number of dairying families moving around is reduced from the time when a farm was a family unit, rather than the economic unit of today where three or four or more family farm units have amalgamated. Most of the local farms are now larger units with fewer families who move about the countryside.

Putaruru College. “New pupils are treated as new students, whether they be farming families or whatever. They go through the induction process of all students. [They are] Introduced to school, to their classes

Parental support

Mike says parents need to support their children during these changes and keep the school informed if there are issues with them settling into the new environment. “We are finding less impact on our roll from farm changeover than people moving out of city to find cheaper accommodation or students who have been in trouble in the city and are being sent to live with a relative in our area to sort out the problems.” Fritha Tagg

Fix it for me Mr Lee.

and attempts made to ‘buddy up’ with another student. Changing schools is a traumatic experience for any student, be it at any time of the year, says Mike. “Students’ friendship groups are very important and changes of school have a huge impact on students’ lives and consequently their learning unless they can be assimilated into their new environment quickly and comfortably.”

Coast & Country News June 2016

WELCOME TO THE DISTRICT

WESTERN BAY OF PLENTY

Vision for environmentally-friendly dairying By 2025 New Zealand could have a dairy industry that’s emitting 25 per cent less greenhouse gases, 40 per cent fewer pathogens and nitrogen, and earning 60-100 per cent more profit.

nitrogen reductions. As the subject of NZ’s first nutrient mitigation scheme, Lake Taupo used ‘grandparenting’ of rights to nitrogen losses. But this is a very defined catchment. “And such an approach tends to reward polluters, and penalise innovators. It is not a fair way to allocate polluter rights, and regional councils are weak at enforcing them.” Alison urges farmers to push harder for greater investment in Overseer, the only tool available at present capable of calculating nutrient losses. “Given our national reliance upon it, the reality is it needs significant investment and increased transparency as to how it works, now.”

This is the hope held by veterinarian and agriecology consultant Dr Alison Dewes, and she gave delegates at a recent seminar sponsored by Sollus NZ an insight to the challenges the industry faces in achieving that. In 10 years’ time dairying could be an industry that prides itself on being the “farmers’ market for the global village,” she believes. Drawing upon her experience as a farmer, veterinarian and consultant acting as an expert witness for regional councils, Alison says the dairy industry has to ask itself how much more it can intensify. Veterinarian and agri-ecology She points to predictions that schemes consultant Dr Alison Dewes. Promising signs Some regions are showing including the Central Plains Water irrigapromising signs in develoption scheme in Canterbury would result in a 29 per ing realistic means of managing nutrient losses. This cent increase in nitrogen in waterways. A proposed includes the Hawke’s Bay region using land use clasgovernment review of water quality standards predicts sification for determining acceptable nutrient losses the “bottom line” level of coliform in water increase within a farm’s boundaries. 400 per cent. Future efficiency measurements are likely to see farm production measured in kilograms of milk solids per New conversions hectare versus kilograms of nitrogen leached. There is also growing conflict between established She has worked with farmers achieving a six to eight long-term farmers in the Waikato, who may have per cent return on investment who are only losing to reduce their nitrogen losses by 30 per cent where 20-25kg nitrogen per hectare, against the Waikato thousands of hectares of new pine to dairy conversions average of 40kg/ha. continue to occur. “We have a lot of farm systems running 20 per cent This is to counter the additional 30,000ha of conor more cows than optimal. This meant the average verted land that’s come on stream in the last few years 350-cow dairy farm could lose 80-100 cows immedi– and that’s in addition to the 29,000ha converted ately.But this will be unique for each farm, so needs between 2003-2012. considered marginal analysis that balances resources, Alison says farmers are receiving mixed messages capability and cows.” from government and councils on how to manage

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WELCOME TO THE DISTRICT

EASTERN BAY OF PLENTY

June 2016 Coast & Country News

Hazelnuts good for health and environment The Whiteheart variety of hazelnut.

Farmers are facing increasing constraints on how they farm as the environmental limits of old farming systems are reached.

Hazelnut Growers Association chairman Murray Redpath says growing hazelnuts may be a viable alternative to conventional farming and orcharding; and to give an insight into hazelnut growing, a workshop will be held in Rotorua on Monday, June 13. It is one of three workshops in the North Island to offer landowners, land use planners and food industry businesses that may be looking for local nut supplies a chance to meet, update themselves on the latest information on this new crop, and decide whether or not hazelnuts offer an opportunity for their business. As well as the workshops, the Hazelnut Growers Association of NZ, supported by the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Sustainable Farming Fund and the NZ Tree Crops Association, are producing a series of information bulletins on key aspects of growing hazelnuts in New Zealand.

droughts that have hit the Waikato during recent years actually produced ideal climatic conditions for high quality hazelnut production. Murray says the environmental issues facing New Zealand farmers are not new. They were faced by European and American farmers long before they emerged in New Zealand and warnings were raised more than 10 years ago by Dr Morgan Williams, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment at the time. “Not only are we facing increased scrutiny over the off-farm effects of our land use systems; we are also having to wrestle with adapting to a changing climate and the regulations that will inevitably follow as governments respond to political and market pressure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Diversify products

“When a catchment reaches the point at which it cannot increase livestock numbers without breaching “Medical research has shown nuts are an important the environmental limits, what options do landowners part of a healthy diet. As the Nuts for Life website – at have to increase returns from their land? nutsforlife.com.au – states: “The health story for tree “Do we continue to produce more of the same – nuts continues to gain momentum following new apples, kiwifruit, wine – or should we try to diversify research. Nuts every day can reduce your risk of develour product mix to fit to new, emerging food trends? oping heart disease and diabetes, but also help manage “We are warned that our commodity-based markets cholesterol and body weight”. face increased volatility in a rapidly changing global “Temperate nuts were identified as a product group marketplace. We are told we need to focus on supplywith significant potential for export to Asia in a 2014 ing the world’s most affluent five per cent. So what’s Food and Beverage Taskforce report named ‘What Asia the focus of these top end markets? It seems to be wants for Dinner Part 1’,” says Murray. healthy, convenient food produced on farms using “That report suggested the opportunity existed for sound environmental practices.” exports of temperate nuts worth between $30-100 Nuts, and hazelnuts in particular, may be a new envimillion per annum,” says Murray, who has grown and ronmentally-friendly land use option that can feed into researched hazelnuts for more than 30 years. this affluent, health-conscious market, says Murray. “We have grown and researched To register for the Rotorua workshop hazelnuts since 1982, with more on Monday, June 13, from 10am-3pm than 30 selections in our variety at Rotorua Lakes Council Civic Centre, area. Hazelnuts are suited to 1061 Haupapa St, Rotorua, email: moister, temperate climates typical wairataforestfarm@farmside.co.nz to book of most of New Zealand. your seat. Hazelnut trees in a “While the New Zealand hazelCanterbury orchard. nut industry has been dominated by orchards in Canterbury, research during the last 10 years has shown higher yields have been achieved in warmer areas such as Nelson.” Murray Redpath is chairman of the Hazelnut Growers Waikato climate Association. It is likely the best hazelnutgrowing areas have climates similar to the best apple-growing areas. The late summer

Nuts for life

“ hazelnuts could potentially deliver returns exceeding those from dairy farming if growers could achieve the yields and orchard management cost efficiencies seen in places like Chile and Oregon - which have similar environments to New Zealand... ”

ROTORUA WORKSHOP MONDAY, 13 JUNE 2016 For more info, search “Hazelnut” on:

www.eventfinda.co.nz

Coast & Country News June 2016

WELCOME TO THE DISTRICT

Top spray service or the appropriate resources such as manufacturers. “We take pride also in having experienced, enthusiastic and efďŹ cient staff who are qualiďŹ ed for the job,â€? says Paul. Services range from boom spraying, With a base in Whakatane and Te hand-gun spraying, kerb and channel Puke, Eastern Bay Sprayers can cover roadside spraying to maintenance of all aspects of dairy farm spaying from parks and reserves. “We take our job seriously with the knowledge of risk it entails, and the public and environment are of our utmost concern at all times,â€? says Paul. Eastern Bay Sprayers take pride in retaining the economic beneďŹ ts to both areas by hiring local staff, using local business for goods and purchasing their Eastern Bay Sprayers’ team in action. chemicals locally as well. “Our eet includes four boom weed control, crop maintenance to spraying trucks that are computerised liquid fertilisers and pasture rejuvenawith GPS mapping and 12m booms,â€? tion. says Paul. Business owner Paul McDowell is “We have two hand-gunning trucks a registered chemical applicator with with two remote-controlled automore than 15 years of experience in the retracting hoses, on each vehicle, that industry. have a reach of 200m. He also keeps himself up-to-date “We can target gorse, blackberry, with any new products and can offer thistle, pampus grass and the like.â€? technical support, either from himself

If you’re property needs spraying and you want the job done by a professional and qualiďŹ ed team then give Eastern Bay Sprayers a call.

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EASTERN BAY OF PLENTY

Page 35

Eastern Bay of Plenty Federated Farmers Bay of Plenty Rick Powdrell 07 573 7481 027 489 4075 rrpow@xtra.co.nz

Young Farmers Eastern Bays Kelly Gibson 027 622 2120 bkgibson@xtra.co.nz

Opotiki District Council 108 St John St, Opotiki 07 315 3030 www.odc.govt.nz Bay of Plenty Regional Council 5 Quay St, Whakatane 0800 884 880 www.boprc.govt.nz

Whakatane District Council Civic Centre, 14 Commerce St, Whakatane 07 306 0500 www.whakatane.govt.nz Whakatane i-Site Cnr Kakahoroa Drive and Quay St, Whakatane 0800 942 528 whakataneinfo@ whakatane.govt.nz

Opotiki i-Site 70 Bridge St 07 315 3031

Refrigeration & Electrical 13 Pohutu Street, Whakatane 3K ‡ 0RE

infocentre@odc.govt.nz

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Page 36

WELCOME TO THE DISTRICT

Phone: 07 362 8433

CENTRAL PLATEAU

June 2016 Coast & Country News

Camco Dairy Services in Reporoa provides parts and services for farmers in the Reporoa, Rotorua and wider Central Plateau areas.

Farmers moving to the Central Plateau this dairy season are invited to visit Camco Dairy Services in Reporoa to say “hi” and find out about the services and parts the business provides. “We welcome new farmers to the district to call in and have a chat, to see what parts we have in stock and talk about the services we provide for milking plants and water and effluent systems,” says Dave Goddard, who with wife Diane founded Camco Dairy Services 12 years ago. The company’s expertise is in dairy systems for any farming type - from small family-based farming to intensive 24 hour milking operations. Camco, authorised Waikato Milking systems dealer for the area, provides parts and services for milking machines, water pumps and effluent systems, as well as trenching and light engineering work, for the

Reporoa, Rotorua and wider Central Plateau areas. The Reporoa premises feature a well-stocked showroom with water pumps, rubber wear, galve, pvc, Hansen and metric pipe fittings as well as a fully equipped workshop staffed by milking machine and water pump technicians who offer a 24 hour seven days a week on-site breakdown service. However, says Dave, to avoid last minute emergency situations, it makes sense for farmers to have Camco’s technicians visit the dairy shed and carry out accredited NZMPTA machine testing, maintenance and repairs before the milking season really cranks up. The company’s staff can also give advice and provide the equipment and installation to improve water systems both on farm and in the dairy. “There’s increasing emphasis on saving water and on efficient effluent systems, all of which we can help with,” says Dave who works closely with certified effluent design companies in the installation of new and up-graded systems.

Central Plateau Federated Farmers Rotorua Taupo Provincial President: Alan Wills 07 333 8528 027 281 8626 awills22@xtra.co.nz

Young Farmers Reporoa Chairman: Matthew Fitzgerald 027 432 9945 matt_fitz@windowslive.com

Taupo District Council Story Place, Taupo 07 376 0070 www.taupodc.govt.nz Taupo i-Site 30 Tongariro St, Taupo 0800 525 382 07 376 0027 Turangi i-Site Ngawaka Place, Turangi 07 386 8999 0800 288 726

Authorised Dealers

s Dairy Shed installations and upgrades s Service and parts for all types of milking machines s Drench pumps, teat spray systems, hoses and supplies s Machine Testing s Effluent and Irrigation Supplies s Pumps & Water fittings – Galvanised, PVC and Alkathene s Rubberware s Stainless Steel manufacture and repair s Trenching

Quality dairy yard fabrication Herringbone and Rotary Steel work General Engineering and repairs General alloy and stainless Repairs Certified Welding Truck deck liners Plastic Fabrication MOBILE: 027 4971020

arcengineering@xtra.co.nz

AUTUMN FERTILISER

Coast & Country News June 2016

There is a way up for pastoral farmers Do you realise the amount of carbon in your soils affects how much they produce? A very readable and informative paper on soil carbon produced by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council in 2011 contains the following passage: “Most pastoral soils in New Zealand are generally considered to be rich in organic carbon so large increases in productivity are not expected by adding more organic matter. “However recent research has shown in intensive lowland livestock systems, for example dairying, soils have lost organic carbon by an average of 1.0 tonne carbon/ha/year during the last 20-30 years while in hilly land soils, organic carbon levels have increased.” While 1.0 tonne/ha is a very small percentage of total soil-held carbon each year the loss of each tonne is a greater proportion of the remainder. Think of it as compounding interest in reverse. Soil carbon largely dictates pasture and total farm production, and less carbon ultimately leads to lower output. And why the difference between hilly and lowland livestock systems? There’s a school of thought that it can be directly linked to the steady increase in fertiliser nitrogen applications to flatter country, since urea from Kapuni came on stream about 1990.

Emissions doubled

Graham Shepherd, the owner of Bioagrinomics, the producer of the widely used and highly respected Visual Soil Assessment wrote recently: “…our GHG emissions have doubled since 1990. Our groundwater, lakes and rivers are becoming increasingly contaminated with nitrogen and phosphorus, and soil C levels are decreasing, particularly under high-N dairying and conventional cropping regimes”. However, not all intensive pastoral operations are suffering from a loss in soil carbon, and a correspondingly lower pasture production. The soil on a long-term Functional Fertiliser client’s property, measured in 2012, contained 22 per cent more total carbon in the top 30cm than a neighbouring property, where in excess of 200kgN/ha was regularly

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applied. The client applies less than 25kgN/ha annually and, based on independent Overseer modelling, grew 19,300kgDM/ha in the 2011/2012 season, which is 1800kg more per hectare than the neighbouring high-N property. The small amount of N applied in autumn reduces the vigour of lower value summer grasses by stimulating rye and other cooler temperature growing species prior to winter. Although one season provides only a snapshot in time, the 23 per cent increase in pasture production on this farm from 15,600 kgDM/ha to 19,300 kgDM/ha since 2008, indicates soil carbon is steadily lifting. Pasture production to the end of April this year will be close to 21,000kgDM/ha.

Store nutrients

The importance of soil organic matter, measured as soil carbon, is in its ability to store both nutrient and moisture. Increased nutrient storage means stronger growth throughout spring, particularly during the often troublesome November period. Extra growth in November means better fed cows and higher in-calf rates, along with a wedge of feed allowing greater intervals between grazings to be achieved, and more feed available during the summer period. Increased moisture holding capacity improves summer pasture growth, lessening the impact of dry weather. Not only is more moisture available for plant uptake, organic substances can hold up to five times their own weight in water; and higher amounts of organic matter result in improved physical soil structures. Better physical structures mean plant roots are able to penetrate further, allowing them access to moisture and nutrient

from a lower depth. Which means plants grow longer into dry periods, and recover more quickly. Soils with more organic matter are darker, absorbing solar radiation, resulting in earlier warming. Full nutrient programmes based on DoloZest and CalciZest, unique soil improvers developed by Functional Fertiliser have, during 15 years of use, provided intensive dairy farmers with more total pasture of higher quality, over 12-months without using fertiliser nitrogen. For more information, call Peter on 0800 843 809.

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LIFESTYLE FARMING

June 2016 Coast & Country News

TCDC releases new subdivision rules The Thames Coromandel District Council submissions from more than 1500 people and spent a total of 34 days hearing evirecently announced the decisions dence from submitters. version of its new District Plan. As far as subdivision is concerned, the

This followed a period of five months receiving and processing submissions and another eight months of hearings by the district plan hearings panel. Since advertising the intended changes, council has received

submission process has seen little change to the rules originally proposed. Practically, all rural subdivision – apart from boundary adjustments – is now either discretionary or restricted discretionary. This will see council having more discretion throughout the process. In general, the more ‘discretionary’ the rule, the more ‘control’ council can exercise in vetting your application. Up until now, we have been able to lodge subdivision applications under the old rules. However, now we will have to abide by the new District Plan. Any submitters that are unhappy with council’s decision can now appeal to the Environment Court during coming months.

Half hectare

Council has retained the ability to subdivide rural land down to a minimum 20 hectare average lot size as a discretionary

application – therefore some lifestyle lots can be created as small as half a hectare. This rule is effectively the only complying way to subdivide land in the rural zone unless it already has two existing fully consented dwellings on it, or contains a significant ecological feature – usually bush or wetland – worthy of protection. Other provisions allow more compact rural residential subdivision closer to the towns. Protecting an ecological feature has been a common means of justifying a subdivision for some time now and this has resulted in many areas being protected. The new plan will restrict this type of subdivision in many areas that council does not consider the ecological feature to be either of sufficient quality or to be threatened significantly. Council has set up priority areas for protection by covenants. Subject to the classification of the ecosystem on this priority map, certain minimum areas are required to be protected in order to qualify for a subdi-

vision. The threshold ranges from 2ha up to 14ha depending on the significance of the feature.

Ecosystems

If your property lies outside of these priority areas any subdivision proposed by you will be full discretionary and likely require either much larger areas or contain unique ecosystems. As such, more detailed supporting evidence from specialists will be required with the application. With a discretionary application there will always be more hoops you have to jump through to get consent and it generally puts more of the cost up front. If you have any plans for subdivision in the future I am happy to discuss the opportunities, so don’t hesitate to give me a call. Brent Trail, Managing Director of Surveying Services, specialises in resource consent applications for subdivisions across the Coromandel, Waikato, and Bay of Plenty. For further information call 0800 268 632 or email btrail@surveyingservices.co.nz

Tourist numbers increase in the Bay of Plenty Guest nights for the Bay of Plenty in March 2016 were up 17.5 per cent on the same time last year. “The figures for guest nights in the Bay show an upward trend this year when compared to the previous year and the 17.5 per cent increase goes to show how popular our region is for visitors,” says Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller. “Tourism is extremely important for our country and our region and it is good to see that we are gaining numbers of visitors and guest nights. “Nationally, we had we are seeing record numbers of tourists arriving with 3.2 million in the last year, so it is great that we are seeing the flow-on effect in our area. “Mount Maunganui has been described as a rival

for the Caribbean, which I endorse wholeheartedly and am sure will continue to bring the visitors flooding in.” Todd says Mount Maunganui beach has been voted New Zealand’s best beach for three years running by Tripadvisor “and the drawcards for our region are numerous with not only the beach and the Mount but lots to do and great places to stay”. “A significant amount of work has been done to get our region on the map for tourism and I would like to acknowledge Rhys Arrowsmith, who recently stepped down after four years as CEO of Tourism Bay of Plenty for his great achievements in this regard. “Kristin Dunne-Powell, as the new CEO, will continue the efforts fantastically, and I look forward to working closely with her as I did Rhys.”

Coast & Country News June 2016

LIFESTYLE FARMING

Page 39

Fresh produce from local backyard to your door growing of vegetables on their existing orchards or farms, if they know there will be a reliable local buyer.” Peter and a group of colleagues founded Ooooby after becoming aware that the world is facing a food crisis and small-scale farmers are struggling to survive financially.

they are enthusiastic about the response they are receiving from both customers and suppliers. “We are keen to hear from more growers who want to be our suppliers, and also people who are prepared to be drop-off points for our boxes, as we can’t deliver to every door in rural areas,” says Gill.

Food customers can trust

“The mega-scale, industrial type of food production worldwide is forcing the small-scale farmer out of production. Through Ooooby we want to revive local food production and supply consumers with food they can trust, tell them who grew it, where it has come from and how it has been treated.” Peter says under conventional supply chain systems producers are paid around one-third or as little as one-fifth of the market value of their produce. “With Ooooby producers are paid about half the retail value, and consumers are paying no more than they would in supermarkets with the added saving of deliveries to their door.” Gill says the concept appeals to her and David; and

Fresh produce fans – Ooooby founder Peter Russell with David King and Gill Ellis of Oooby Tauranga, and Ooooby’s chief operating officer Daphne Gehrels.

Such is the popularity of an innovative online market delivering boxes of fresh, locally grown fruit and vegetables to Tauranga homes each week, there’s a need for more growers to meet the demand. “We already have a number of suppliers and a growing list of customers but want more growers so we can offer not only more produce, but more variety too,” says Gill Ellis of Oooby Tauranga. Ooooby, which is an acronym for Out Of Our Own Back Yards, was founded by Peter Russell of Waiheke, and in Tauranga is operated by Gill along with David King. “Ideally, the new suppliers we want to attract will already have avocados, kiwifruit, olives or citrus, for example, that they sell commercially, which means they are an existing registered food business,” says Gill. Peter Russell has described Ooooby as a little like a farmers’ market online, and Gill says that’s a good analogy, but the system is not a threat to farmers’ markets. “Many of our suppliers also attend farmers’ markets but produce more than they can sell on a Saturday so are able to supplement their income thorough Ooooby.”

Most of the fruit and vegetables Ooooby sells are grown organically, or without the use of sprays. Much comes from relatively small gardens and orchards, although some is from larger suppliers.

Seasonal food

“Each week growers let us know what’s in season, and how much they have available for the coming week,” says Gill. “On that basis we put together the list of what will be in the boxes and send it to customers, who get a ‘sneak peek’ preview email. “Based on customer requests, we have a 100 per cent accurate list of exactly how much of every product we will need. “Confirmed orders go out to all suppliers so they know how much to deliver to the warehouse. That means no waste and they will be paid for exactly what they deliver, within a week of their invoice coming in.” David and Gill say the potential for growers is they can receive a guaranteed order on a regular basis for quality, spray-free or organic produce, and they get paid quickly and fairly. “We are hoping some people might be encouraged to again take up commercial

In St o NOWre !

PLA SY

TIC T E M S LIMITED

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RURAL DRIVER

June 2016 Coast & Country News

Te Puke’s Michael Scott is heading to the US in December for an international ‘shoot-out’ which could potentially fast-track his career in motorsport. Photos: Geoff Ridder. and 2012, because this time he was simultaneously Michael Scott grew up on farm bikes in racing in the Toyota Finance 86 sports car championTe Puke and already had a taste for speed ship. With some meetings clashing, Michael would when he began karting at 11, quickly jump, from his Mygale SJ08 car with a Ford 1.6L engine and Avon tyres in the Formula Ford race, to pushing himself to compete at national a Toyota TR 86 car with Michelin tyres for the 86 level before turning to motorsport. championship, which he entered via a scholarship. “Three of the rounds we raced the Formula Ford and Now the former Toyota Racing Series driver is gearthe then Toyota 86 – we’d jump out of one car and ing himself up for his biggest chance yet to secure a usually there’d be one race in between so we’d run over career in motorsport. to the other garage and team and off we’d go again,” And it all came from winning the 2015/2016 Forsays Michael. mula Ford Championship at Pukekohe Raceway in “It was massive. And we were fortunate to win the April. majority of the races in Formula Ford and three races in the 86.” United States drive The 21-year-old’s win gives him opportunity to attend an international ‘shoot-out’ in the United States Engineering degree And the Formula Ford championship was neck and this December to determine who wins a US$200,000 neck all season between Michael and fellow competitor fully supported drive in the Cooper Tires USF2000 Aaron Marr. But Michael won 13 of 17 races. Championship Powered by Mazda in 2017. So what lays ahead now? Apart from his main focus So phone calls and emails are about to start flying – his mechanical engineering degree – Michael and back and forwards from Te Puke to Christchurch in his father are researching the efforts needed to attend the next seven months as Michael and his father Neil the shoot-out this December. Thankfully, a car is fully research their next big race. supplied. Speaking to Rural Driver from Christchurch, where “We’re just sort of preparing ourselves to do our absohe’s completing his final year of a mechanical engineerlute best at the shoot-out. If we were fortunate enough ing degree, Michael says it’s a “very exciting time” and to win – and grab the fully supported drive in the he’s looking forward to December. Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship – it would be a He says clinching the Formula Ford Champ title is huge kick-start to a professional career over there.” big, after placing second in the championship in 2015 ...continued

Coast & Country News June 2016

The Government has increased its commitment to Nga Haerenga, the New Zealand Cycle Trail with an additional $25 million in funding during the next four years. The funding boost represents more than half of a $45 million tourism package provided in the Government’s Budget this year to support the sector’s contribution to economic and job growth in regions throughout New Zealand. AA traveller tourism publishing general manager Moira Penman

RURAL DRIVER

says the cycle trails network is continuing to grow in popularity and is a proven attraction in its own right. “Our own experience with the cycle trails network has demonstrated they’ve become a hugely popular with Kiwis and international visitors alike. “When we launched the first edition of the ‘New Zealand Cycle Trail Guide’ in conjunction with the New Zealand Cycle Trail organisation, we had a good idea there would be a lot of interest. “What we didn’t anticipate was exactly how popular the guides

they actually were. In less than two years, we’re about to publish a third edition of the guide to meet growing demand for the information and maps on about 30 routes, including the current Great Rides, throughout the country.” Every year more Kiwis are getting mobile on bikes. Nga Haerenga, the New Zealand Cycle Trail, provides a huge range of options for cyclists – both new to the game and experienced – to get out and explore significant parts of our country that are often unseen by most.

The Mazda Road to Indy is first of three steps continued...

“This is starting to take me down the road to emulating what Scott Dixon did,” says Michael. Now in its sixth year, the Mazda Road to Indy offers three key steps for drivers. Drivers begin the Mazda Road to Indy in the Cooper Tires USF2000 Championship Powered by Mazda.

Even playing field

From there, drivers move on to the Pro Mazda Championship Presented by Cooper Tires, formerly known as the Star Mazda Championship. The third step is the Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires. Indy Lights is regarded as a step below the Verizon IndyCar Series. Michael says the above shows the US has a very good ladder to climb into a motorsport career. “And it’s a bit more tricky in Europe.” For the shootout cars will be provided – and Michaels heads to the US on December 8. “We all have the same equipment and it should be an even playing field.”

Asked how he’ll prepare back here, Michael says that’s what he is looking at now. “We are trying to see if we can go over prior to the shoot-out and test the track.”

EastPack sponsorship

“But with these kind of shoot-out it’s not just about the quickest drivers; they’re are also looking for someone who can promote their brand and be a good ambassador so we’re sort of trying to tick all of these boxes of the whole package I guess.” And getting this far towards his dream, Michael pays tribute to his father Neil, who has been his right-hand man. “It’s absolutely huge from dad; what he puts in to preparing the car and getting us all over the country from Invercargill to Auckland for six rounds of the season – it’s a big effort.” And Michael thanks kiwifruit packhouse and coolstore EastPack, which was one of his majors sponsors of the season. Merle Foster

Page 41

Page 42

FARM MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

June 2016 Coast & Country News

Orchardist is making the most of a ‘bonus’ 48 years It could be said that 86-year-old Bevan Bodmin has enjoyed almost half his life “on borrowed time” – because at aged 38 he was given just three month’s to live.

Bevan Bodmin with his new 9095 Landini equal wheel tractor which he says is ideal for orchard work.

“I was told I would probably not last long but I’ve lived to prove cancer is not always the end,” says Bevan, who with wife Jean, owns a kiwifruit orchard

near Katikati. “My cancer was in the pituitary gland so I had an immediate operation and then eight weeks of radiotherapy. This knocked me about quite a bit. I still had to milk cows twice a day but rested in between times.” The surgery and cancer affected Bevan’s hearing but apart from that he has continued to live life to the full, including well past the age when many people retire; and despite having a pacemaker fitted in 2007 to regulate his heart beat. Jean and Bevan married in 1955, moving into the old house on the Bodmin family

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farm near Morrinsville, going on to purchase the farm. In 1984 the couple planted two acres of kiwifruit and despite problems with pollination, the orchard’s 1986-87 fruit returned $8 a tray, not that there was a lot of them. “In 1994 we decided dairy farming was not paying for the money invested and put the farm up for tender, not without a lot of misgiving, because of the family connections,” says Bevan. The following year Jean and Bevan bought an orchard in Matahui Road, Katikati and called it Hangawera in memory of the former Bodmin dairy farm.

Orchard improvement

Since then they have not only built a home positioned to enjoy the land’s stunning views, and planted an extensive garden, they’ve also made significant orchard improvements. It’s true to form that Bevan hasn’t let old age stop him working – after all cancer treatment didn’t. Bevan and Jean’s son Ian carries out the orchard management but it’s Bevan who does most of the day to day jobs.

For 13 years he done these with the use of a Landini orchard tractor, until he decided this year to upgrade to the latest model – a 9095 Landini equal wheel tractor from Bay of Plenty Tractors. “It’s ideal for orchard work as I can select a speed and the tractor will maintain it no matter what the contour, which is what I need for orchard spraying or mowing.”

Rotating station Bevan has a range of implements he fits to the tractor, including a grader blade so the Landini’s rotating operating station is a bonus. “It means I can turn the station around and in effect face backward, to see exactly what I’m doing with the grader blade,” says Bevan, who has praise for the service and support he receives from the team at Bay of Plenty Tractors. Shaun Hurst, sales manager for Bay of Plenty Tractors says the 90 hp, 16 gear Landini 9095 orchard tractor has the power and the low profile Bevan and other orchardist need for working under kiwifruit canopies. The ability to fit a range of implements and turn the operating station around adds flexibility to the tractor’s operations. For more information, see Bay of Plenty Tractor’s Landini advertisement on page 7 of this edition of Coast & Country News. Elaine Fisher

Coast & Country News June 2016

SHEEP & BEEF

Page 43

Zinc – a friend and a foe? As ‘the friend’ zinc is an essential mineral required by stock for their health and wellbeing.

Reproduction team leader Dr Sara Edwards. degree of fertilisation very close shepherding failure or embryo loss. at lambing, to record They had more embryo exactly what happened loss by Day 35 but from to every lamb, then followed the lambs through then on we found no differences in pregnancy to weaning. loss or lamb survival “What we found was that hoggets have a lower between the hoggets and the two-tooths.â€? ovulation rate than twoIn terms of next steps, tooths. This affects the the team has some early maximum number of Reproduction team data which suggests lambs they can produce, leader Dr Sara Edwards increasing the ovulation so the reproductive says a lot of work has rate using genetics could performance is low to been done to try to lead to more lambs being begin with. improve efďŹ ciency of born. “In addition, we had hogget lambing using They are also testa reasonable number of management practice. ing other methods of But the underlying ques- animals that, although increasing the ovulation they were ovulating, tions remain – what is rate, and are looking were not being mated. going wrong and why at ways to increase the They were either not the reproductive perfornumber of animals that seeking the ram or not mance of hoggets is so get mated. These include showing the characterisvariable? studying ram behaviour tics of oestrus. The trial was con“They also had a higher and mob mating. ducted during two years at the Invermay farm, and followed industry best practice recommendations for hogget management. “We ran two groups of animals over two years, which were mated as • Cost effective trace hoggets then as twoelement supplements tooths,â€? says Sara. for dairy cows “These included whether they had • Available in DCM Gold, attained puberty, what Dairy Cow Minerals their ovulation rate was DCM Zero and custom and how many embryos blends survived to around Day 35. As two-tooths the same things were measured, apart from Call your Agri Manager or puberty, so they could be the Customer Centre on 0800 100 123 compared.â€? Sara says they then did ravensdown.co.nz Driven. For your success.

How to get better reproductive performance from hoggets is the question AgResearch animal reproduction scientists at Invermay in Otago are seeking to answer.

Optimise cow health, production and fertility

It plays important roles in a number of processes that affect growth, production, reproduction, immunity, hoof, skin and udder health of stock. Generally, New Zealand pastures will contain adequate amounts of zinc meaning clinical deďŹ ciencies are unlikely to be seen. However, there may be times where reduced zinc intakes could result in subclinical effects including reduced appetite, growth and production, deterioration of hair and skin, and hoof health. Testing pasture and other feed sources will determine whether or not stock require zinc supplementation. Rather than testing, many dairy farmers simply elect to regularly provide their stock with small amounts of zinc in a trace element supplement. Additionally, zinc has a range of important nonnutritional beneďŹ ts in animals including Facial Eczema prevention, foot rot control and der-

matopholosis (lumpy wool) control in sheep. Facial eczema prevention would be the most recognisable of these uses, where large doses of zinc are given in order to neutralise the FE toxin before it can damage the liver. Like most things in life, too much of a good thing can end up being a bad thing. Nowhere is this more so than in the use of zinc for the prevention of FE. While zinc is very good at neutralising the FE toxin, the high rates required are getting close to being toxic for stock. Animals being treated with high rates of zinc for long periods of time will be at increased risk of milk fever, weight loss, reduced production and copper deďŹ ciency. Preventing a copper deďŹ ciency by supplementing with copper at the same time as high rates of zinc is not encouraged. Why? Copper can interfere with the zinc’s ability to neutralise the FE toxin, and may even amplify the toxins effect. At the end of a long hard FE season, farmers are advised to check the copper status of their stock and where necessary consider some form of copper supplementation.

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Page 44

FORESTRY

June 2016 Coast & Country News

Doubling of forest areas welcomed A report that proposes a near-doubling of the area of planted forest in New Zealand has been welcomed by the Forest Owners Association. “The independent report by Dr David John Hall raises many issues that forest owners have been emphasising with politicians for decades,” says Forest Owners Association technical manager Glen Mackie. “If this gets some cut-through, we will be thrilled. Forests offer so many benefits to our society and with the right incentives, they could offer so much more. “Our members are businesses which need to make a profit from growing

trees, either from the sale of logs or through the storage of carbon. “But there are many other reasons to plant trees, such as erosion control, reduced flooding, improved biodiversity and cleaner waterways, as we are currently promoting through the NZ Wood campaign.” Glen says it would be very helpful for the Government, ideally with support from other political parties, to have a national forestry strategy. “Forestry is an intergenerational commitment, so landowners need to know future governments will weigh the effect of any proposed new policies on forests and forest owners.”

Farmers wanting logging done that yields the maximum return possible, for the least cost, should give Cam Negus a call. Cam Negus and Mike Cornwell’s business – Farmers Forestry – are woodlot logging specialists in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato with 70 years’ combined experience between Cam, Mike and sub contractor Chris. Plus fellow staff Aaron and Lana are qualified in everything from tree felling to forest management. “We aim to maximise the return for the tree owner,” says Cam. “We specialise in pine, Douglas fir, gum, poplar and shelterbelts. We’ve got excellent equipment and it is well maintained. We are very efficient in what we do – part of our all-round work ethic.”

Farmers Forestry staff Mike and Lana with business owner Cam Negus.

Cam has direct access to local and export markets – and keeps costs down. “We find the best market to maximise the return on each individual woodlot for the owner,” says Cam. And Farmers Forestry doesn’t charge management fees. “We manage the job as we go.” Farmers Forestry also works with weather to save costs too. “If it’s pouring with rain we might have that day off so we won’t jeopardise access for trucks. That way we keep down roading costs.” And sites with powerlines are no trouble – Cam is in constant contact with energy suppliers. “Plus, if the woodlot is next to a road we organise traffic management via the local council – we are qualified in traffic management.” And they’re clean-up skills are guaranteed. “We have specialised tools to clean up without disturbing the soil. “We work with the landowner to leave the cut-over in the state they require – whether it be for replanting or to put back into pasture.”

Coast & Country News June 2016

HORTICULTURE

Significance of predatory wasp and agreement signing In recent weeks there have been two significant biosecurity events. The first was the horticulture industry’s submission to the Environmental Protection Agency to allow a small predatory wasp called Tamarixia into NZ to control psyllid. And the second was the signing of the first operational agreement under the biosecurity Government Industry Agreements. Tamarixia is the wasp that will help control psyllid which is a pest that found its way through our borders more than seven years ago. Psyllid is a plant louse that transmits liberibacter bacteria, which causes plant deaths in potatoes, tomatoes, capsicum and tamarillos. It also causes “zebra chipping” in potatoes. At present, growers are forced to spray these crops to control psyllid, costing in one case about $500 per hectare for potato control per annum. To date, about $7 million has been spent on research and development to find a control for psyllid. This wasp is a stand out solution. Its intruction will reduce chemical spraying and in Tamarixia is the wasp that will help control psyllid, a plant louse that transmits bacteria and causes plant deaths in potatoes, tomatoes, capsicum and tamarillos some cases result in no spraying whatsoever; a wholly sustainable option that HortNZ fully supports. This brilliant sustainable possibility has been supported by the EPA staff in their report. The EPA considered the minimum requirements in the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act have been met. The last step is to get the EPA Decision Committee to support their staff ’s recommendation. If EPA approve the release of the wasp, it will be released through a three-year control programme to ensure it is controlling psyllid and not causing any untoward consequences.

DOC concerns

The only objection came from the Department of Conservation, which was concerned about the impact on native psyllid species. The EPA Decision Making Committee, which heard the application, will therefore have to weigh up DOC’s concerns against the sustainable benefits to the horticulture industry. History has been made with the signing of the first

Operational Agreement under biosecurity Government Industry Agreements. This first agreement is for the four most common fruit fly that affect our ability to export fresh fruit. None of these fruit fly are found in New Zealand. This operational agreement establishes the processes for managing finds of fruit fly, preparing to deal with fruit flies and the border controls. The signatories were the kiwifruit, pipfruit, avocado and citrus industries and the Government. Before an operational agreement can be signed the signatories had to first commit to the biosecurity Government Industry Agreements Deed. Once the deed is signed then operational agreements can be made dealing with the management of specific pests and diseases. It is a two-step process.

Number one priority

Biosecurity is the number one issue that concerns growers. It is the Minister for Primary Industries’ number one priority as well. The idea with the biosecurity GIAs is to strengthen the partnership between industry and government so growers, the Government and New Zealand get a much better biosecurity system. The entire biosecurity system benefits from this active partnership: pre-border, at the border, monitoring for pests being found in NZ, preparing to deal with any pests and finally responding to hopefully eradicate the pest. The cost of entering into the operational agreement means growers end up contributing resources and money to improve the biosecurity system. In return they, through their industry associations, get a say in how biosecurity is managed. Even before this agreement was signed, there has been increased co-operation between the horticulture industry and government working to achieve better outcomes. Horticulture New Zealand welcomes the signing of this agreement as a positive step forward for managing biosecurity threats; and in result protecting our valuable exports of fresh fruit and vegetables now worth nearly $3 billion a year to New Zealand. Collectively the horticulture industries are making progress working with government to improve our biosecurity and find sustainable solutions. If you want to get up-to-date with what HortNZ is doing in these areas and developments in horticulture, follow us on Twitter @HorticultureNZ and @ MikeChapmanHort

Page 45

EFFLUENT

Page 46

June 2016 Coast & Country News

At $9.20 kg - fortune does indeed favour the brave What are we to make of the latest pay promise of $9.20/kg ms for organic What does that mean? It means, for milk? $9.20 is a 60% per cent rise from the current organic payout and a one thing, that there has been a massive worldwide shift in the mindset of staggering 235 per cent higher than the payout for conventional milk!

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Fair enough. I think that’s a critical part of Fonterra’s job. But what if some of the onus is on us to supply Fonterra with a better value-added product to begin with? Products like organic milk. Wouldn’t that put Fonterra in a stronger position to maximise our payout in a global market that clearly wants chemical-free products? A small group of farmers are discovering that it does. These farmers (either certified organic or close to going organic) were brave enough to significantly alter their management practices some time ago. $9.20/kg ms will be the reward for their foresight. Good for them. But where does that leave conventional farmers? What changes are we going to have to make in the way we run our dairy farms?

More for less

At some point, however, I focused on proving that good production was not determined by a high usage of nitrogen. At that time, the farm was growing 14 ton of dry matter per hectare while using 150 units of nitrogen per hectare. After adjusting my management, the farm grew 19 ton dm/ha from applying only 30 units of nitrogen per hectare. A 35 per cent increase in production with 80 per cent less artifical nitrogen. Over 10 years, I challenged and succesfully changed a lot of conventional practices. Others went even further than I did. They’re the ones that will collect $9.20/kg ms next year. If you’re thinking of joining the trend to move away

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dairy product consumers. The fact that they’re willing to pay a lot more for organic milk is a sure sign they’re no longer comfortable ingesting the chemicals found in typical milk products. They’re saying ”No” to our penicillins and weed sprays and parasite pour-ons and saying ”Yes” to clean organic milk. Here’s what else it means. Farmers will need to take greater responsibility for adding value to the products coming off their farms. With recent low commodity prices, we’ve been critical towards dairy companies for not producing and marketing value-added products from the milk sent to them. We’ve expected the factory to add the value and increase our return.

synthetic practices seemed ludicrous! Like cutting off the branch I was sitting on. But I made a start and discovered some crucial things. First, I learned that I’d become brainwashed over the years. Where did the belief come from that all these chemicals were necessary for high production and good payouts? Answer: From the companies that made the chemicals. These corporate giants with their big marketing budgets were constantly promoting a version of science that lead to one inevitable conclusion: I needed the chemicals they were selling. So I bought from them.

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The most important change has nothing to do with milk solids, but everything to do with grey matter. We need a shift in our thinking. When you read ”changes in the way we run our dairy farms”, what was your reaction? Running my farm organically will mean a drastic drop in production. It’s impossible to run a farm without penicillin and weed sprays and pour-ons and urea? If that was your response, I completely understand. I thought exactly that when I first contemplated the idea 14 years ago. I was so used to managing my farm with chemicals, the idea of dropping these

from a heavy dependance on chemicals, can I suggest you take this first step: sack your conventional thinking consultant. He can’t possibly think outside the chemical square because it’s the chemical system itself that gives him an income. Second, talk to a biological adviser who has “been there and done that”. They understand from experience how hard it is to think and act in new ways. They also know what to do and how to do it. Third, be bold. Someone once said that fortune favours the brave. At $9.20/kg ms for organic milk, they’re absolutely right.

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Coast & Country News June 2016

FIELDAYS

Steam clean is healthier option on exteriors and create more issues and that is when your asset will start to break down. “We take pride in being able to clean all types of exterior and interior surfaces with a steam cleaning process that is safe,” says Graeme. Lynne was a nurse for many years. “I saw very horrific health issues from people who “Graeme and I decided that worked around or used there was a need for a chemichemicals. Nine out of cal-free solution to cleaning every 10 incidents could because we both see and have been prevented if understand how chemipeople had been made cals can cause damage aware what chemicals and build to dangerous were being used or the levels,” says Lynne. ingredients the chemical “We see the damage contained.” that’s done to your main Graeme has worked in assets; your home, your industrial sandblasting and health and your business painting for 20 years where on a daily basis, so we chemicals were used on a daily pride ourselves on the basis, so his knowledge of the fact that through Enviro downfalls of chemical use is Steam Clean, we can immense. and will keep you free of “Together with our experience cleaning chemicals.” and care, we believe we have the Graeme and Lynne solution. We are also both fully believe that today, too trained in all aspects of many chemicals are used. health and safety includ“Very few chemicals breakdown and disperse; Lynne Allison and Graeme Martin of Enviro Steam ing working at heights instead they build up Cleaning offer a chemical-free alternative to cleaning. in confined spaces.”

Graeme Martin and Lynne Allison know first-hand the impacts on health – and even homes – of the use of harsh cleaning chemicals, which is why they’ve started their business Enviro Steam Cleaning.

Page 47

FIELDAYS

Page 48

June 2016 Coast & Country News

Refurbished museum opens in time for Fieldays The Barn at Mystery Creek has undergone a makeover in time for the 2016 Fieldays in a move by the NZ National Fieldays Society to reflect a new focus of incorporating New Zealand’s rural past into its future.

Used to house the society’s donated collection of heritage artefacts, The Barn has been refurbished to enhance the displays of these important pieces, resulting in new education opportunities to connect school students with their rural roots through the society’s education programmes. NZ National Fieldays Society CEO Peter Nation says this is an exciting

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refocus for The Barn, as well as the entire Heritage Village at Mystery Creek. “This year has seen the start of a process that refocuses and resources effort back on heritage and back on our collection. The collection housed in The Barn has been moved and stored and new viewable collection stores have been created. It is all being cleaned, displayed, refined and catalogued. “We have a huge amount of Waikato’s rural history here on-site and we’re thrilled to be able to dedicate such a great space to such a great endeavour. “We’ve revitalised our education programmes An official celebration was held to mark during the last 12 the opening of the museum in The Barn months, with more than at Mystery Creek. 10,000 school children Council in the 1970s, housed the Clydesdale coming through the vilMuseum collection, made up of heavy horselage, learning about their drawn farming equipment from Matamata. heritage. Queen Elizabeth visited while on a royal “By refurbishing and opening The Barn, this New viewable collection stores have tour in 1977. With more than 100,000 gives us another excellent been created in The Barn museum. people visiting in its opening year, the Clydesdale Museum was extremely popular. space to develop the next Around this, the Heritage Village took shape, with generation by utilising the gifts of previous generathe old Ngatea Church, Kihikihi Jail, Whitehall tions. School and Waikato Hospital being transported on“We also have an aim to integrate this great resource site. A replica garage and blacksmith’s forge were also into our major events – Fieldays, Equidays and The added to the village, the fire station was built and the Expo – by showcasing the backstories of New ZeaNational Dairy Museum opened in 1979. land’s history.” While Farmworld, a multi-media and live animal The Heritage Village at Mystery Creek grew out show, was opened in 1985, by 1991 the emphasis had of Waikato’s historical buildings that no longer had shifted to education, families and school groups under a purpose. The Bledisloe, the old Hamilton Winter the banner of the Agricultural Heritage Museum. Show Building, purchased for $1 from Hamilton City

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FIELDAYS

Coast & Country News June 2016

Page 49

Puppies hanging out for a caption Puppies are known for getting into mischief but it’s a safe bet the three in this month’s Country Funnies photograph didn’t get into this fix on their own.

O U NT R

Send Coast & Country News your caption for this cute photo and be in to win a book prize.

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Five case studies are tracked throughout the book, enabling the reader to see how each individual uses these tool to master depression and harness hope in their lives. To be in to win a copy email captions for the photo (above), along with your name and address, with Country Funnies as the subject, to: elaine@thesun. co.nz Or put these details on the back of an envelope and post to: Country Funnies, PO Box 240, Tauranga 3140. Entries need to arrive by June 26. Winners will be announced in the August issue of Coast & Country News.

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Send us your funny captions for this image and be in to win a copy of the book by South Island clinical psychologist Jan Marsh called ‘Harnessing Hope’, published by Exisle. The book is a simple, practical and effective guide for anyone experiencing depression, and those who care about them. While former All Black and rugby coach Sir John Kirwan has de-stigmatised the topic of depression and created awareness, Jan’s book shows how simple lifestyle changes can make a difference in offering real hope for those suffering from depression. Jan takes a holistic approach, addressing mind, body and spirit through tips on physical wellbeing, insights into the habits and beliefs that shape our minds and ways to keep sight of the bigger picture through mindfulness practices.

‘Udderly lip-smackingly tantalising!’ is the prize-winning caption from Lisa McLean of Hamilton for last month’s photo, winning her a copy of the book ‘New Zealand Backcountry Cooking’.

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June 2016 Coast & Country News

Kiwi arborists top of their game New Zealand tree climbers Chrissy Spence and James Kilpatrick, both representing the Asia-Pacific region, earned World Championship titles at the International Tree Climbing Championship held recently at Brackenridge Park in San Antonio, Texas, US.

The women’s champion, Chrissy Spence of Morrinsville, competed in her 10th international championship. Having won the championship three times previously – in 2005, 2007, and 2011 – she is the first four-time women’s champion. The last time Chrissy had competed at the ITCC was in 2011 when the event was held in Australia. She currently works for Pro Climb as a contract tree climber. The ITCC, an annual event James Kilpatrick, the 2016 managed by the International Men’s Champion, owns his Society of Arboriculture and own company, Kilpatrick Tree presented by the Davey Tree Care. He’s originally from Expert Co, brought together 64 Tauranga and lives in Hamburg, professional tree climbers from 18 Germany. This was his fourth countries to compete for the title international event competof World Champion. ing as the men’s Asia Pacific Competitors from North Champion. He’s earned two America, Europe and countries championship titles in Germany as far away as Hong Kong, New and three in New Zealand. Zealand and Australia attended. James is also the current world “The ITCC demonstrates that record-holder in the ITCC professional arborists have the Men’s Secured Footlock with a James Kilpatrick and Chrissy required knowledge, training, time of 13.65 seconds. Spence won world championship and expertise to perform tree “The arborists who compete titles at the International Tree work safely,” says ISA executive at the ITCC have a high level Climbing Championship. director Jim Skiera. combination of skill and athleticism,” says Jim. “As an organisation, we couldn’t be more proud of this year’s event and of the skills demonstrated by Chrissy and James during the competition.” Plant your Marginal Land ITCC participants and Riparian areas in Manuka competed in five separate preliminary qualifying events. The top overall scorers – five men and three women – then moved on to the Masters’ Challenge Finals sponsored by Husqvarna. World champions receive cash prizes, chainsaw Be sure to plant high-activity prize packages, plaques varieties for increased profits. and prizes donated by Choice of 20 provenances and various pot sizes. event sponsors. To qualify for the Bulk order discounts available. ITCC, regional competiKauri Park, New Zealand’s largest supplier of tions are held around the Manuka plants, is now taking orders for 2015 delivery. world by chapters and associate organisations See us on site M20 at the National Fieldays. of the ISA. Winners of those events earn the opportunity to 0800 125 287 Growing & Greening represent their organizaNew Zealand with you www.kauriparknurseries.co.nz tion and country at the international event.

Own the nectar

“The competition also provides opportunity for us to introduce the public to what professional, competent, and safe tree care should look like.”

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Coast & Country News June 2016

Page 51

Collectivism way to protect biodiversity How many of us are really aware of how much ‘native bush’ was removed by our forebears to create the productive farmland of Waikato today? A measurement, undertaken by the Waikato Regional Council, has shown clearance and drainage has reduced the extent of indigenous habitats in the region by 75 per cent, and 223 species of native plants and animals are threatened with extinction. Further measurements by the council have recently shown, despite various efforts to increase our biodiversity, we’re not making the expected progress. So some months ago a group from the council, working with the ecological advancement firm Groundwork Associates, and individual contractors such as John Leathwick, began a pilot project focused on producing systems and guidance on a Local Indigenous Biodiversity Strategy, and called it Source to the Sea/Te Puna o Waihou ki Tikapa te Moana. The chosen area was the Waihou catchment, as it represented all of the various land uses needing study, and began with the Upper Waihou sub-catchments. The intention is for the strategy to be incorporated into the Regional Policy Statement, using a significant change in approach from past rule-based efforts. It is now recognised that to deal with such issues on a regional scale requires cooperation and integration – both within and across organisations – that is underpinned by a strong values base – economic, social, cultural and environmental. Instead of having two mindsets facing off, the aim is to manage biodiversity and development working together.

Pilot project

The pilot project was carefully designed so its findings, and any ‘how to’ materials produced, could subsequently be confidently rolled out to the various district councils as well as to marae and other groupings within the region. Meeting have been held at Karapiro, where the various groups, including South Waikato and Matamata Piako district councils shared details of their current work strategies on biodiversity, and the pilot project team gave outlines of work so far, which has included computerised mapping, on-ground examination of existing biodiversity, and interviews and meetings with landowners, marae members, and environmental organisations. It appeared both councils are doing a lot of partnership work with individuals and groups, but so far with little coordination of results and on groundwork. This

demonstrates the pilot project thinking based on cooperation and integration is very much needed for real progress to be made on increasing biodiversity along with the other associated benefits in economics, social and cultural areas aspired to.

Management plans One of the initial findings is the need to assist farmers and landowners with property management plans. This ties in with other research carried out by the Healthy Rivers Project teams on freshwater management. The concept was given hearty support by two experienced farmers who had received such assistance. By examining both their farming systems and their on-ground geography, they had been able to not only retain existing areas of bush, but to reorganise their land use into Land Management Units. These had then allowed, in one case, a considerable increase in stocking rate, while simplifying animal movement, but also a marked saving in fertiliser costs, due to some land being retired and planted in trees. In another case a steep face and creek near a patch of bush had been fenced according to contour, excluding cattle without the need for close riparian fencing and significantly reducing erosion potential. In recent years most soil research has involved the creation of Land Use Capability criteria. Used as permission to use land for various purposes, these contained no detailed criteria on natural capital, soil stocks and long-term effects of irrigation and intensification. It is now being realised a slightly different set of criteria, probably known as Land Management Units, also called LMU, would be more effective on individual properties, both short and long term.

Multiple issues

Experience to date had shown one-on-one guidance for individual landowners would probably work best; advice should be consistent, and land and its usage focused. There had been a number of comments, from those interviewed, that advice from different individuals representing the same organisation could be very confusing. As with other issues facing regulator, there are a number of organisations working on similar problems but with little collaboration, including government agencies. And farmers are not going to be impressed with a phalanx of ‘how to’ systems, nor with the prospect that each version would expect payment for its contribution. Collectivisation and cooperation would therefore have to be achieved for projects such as biodiversity enhancement to be fully incorporated into Sue Edmond future efforts and plans.

NZ###

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June 2016 Coast & Country News

Not an FE spore found in pasture sample Colin Campbell of Waikite, Rotorua, sent some of his pasture away to the vets in February to have facial eczema spore counts done. Colin is an ex-dairy farmer, now a grazier of dairy heifers. He’s been with Kiwi Fertiliser for four years and has great pastures. The calves, run at three per hectare, looked very contented in their lush pastures. Well, count as much as the vets could, not a single spore was to be found – now that’s what I call a balanced soil. Colin’s fertiliser consultant Alastair Dagg has been building up the base saturation of the soil with lime

Colin Campbell’s grazers. It is always a very good sign when stock face you.

and Dolomite. Soil test results from Perry Agricultural Laboratories and Kinsey Agricultural Services manuals show us exactly what to aim for. Of course, many other nutrients and trace minerals are also used to complete the picture. We find when the soil is correctly balanced, problems such as facial eczema, army worm, black beetle and whatever else you care to name, just fade away.

No sick animals

I haven’t had a sick animal on my own place for decades – unless it was bought in. I’ve bought them with facial eczema, and they have self-healed. I’ve also bought young stock with tapeworms and goodness knows what else. I don’t drench, but the animals just expel the worms. I find studies claiming soil-applied magnesium deals to Barbers Pole worm to be credible. DairyNZ did some lime-facial eczema ‘trials’ in 2011-2013, but they appear just to put lime on at a preconceived rate whether the soil needed it or not – and expected something magic to happen. Of course, nothing magic happened. Nothing is ever that linear. The point is you have to know where your soil fertility is, and what you are aiming at. It doesn’t mean they were wrong in principle. It was the detail that let them down. I attended a Hawke’s Bay field day at Glenlands in February, farmed by Dean and Antoinette Martin. They’ve been down the biological path for four years and also had a nil spore count. Their neighbours had FE in lambs and a few had to be killed.

Herbal leys

The Martins are also running with diverse pastures, AKA multi-species pastures or herbal leys. They’ve changed their weakest season, summer, into their best time of the year. It is evident biodiverse pastures also mean biodiverse microbes, particularly fungal diversity. Pithomyces chartarum is a parasitic fungus. Like any parasitic or diseasecausing organism, when the conditions favour them, they will flourish. These conditions are primarily created by absence of fungal competition. I believe that absence is created by poor fertiliser choices. When I was running properties during a 20-year period, I aimed at balancing the soil. The pastures in those days were based on ryegrass and white clover. The stock did not get FE, although the properties were prone. That is still the case now on my own property, where neighbours either get it or take measures to prevent it. I do neither.

Coast & Country News June 2016

Quality timber fencing designed and manufactured by Beams & Timber Direct Ltd of Tuakau is being used in new subdivisions nationwide, as well as on farms, lifestyle properties and urban sections. Julie Fox, who with husband Graeme owns Beams & Timber Direct, says increasingly councils and subdivision developers are choosing the company’s fencing and gates because of their quality, durability and to set their development apart from the ordinary. The BTD Interlock fence which Beams & Timbers manufactures, as well as the company’s attractive gates, will be on display at the Mystery Creek Fieldays from June 15-18, making it the 14th time the company has been at the event. “As usual, we will be on Matamata Post & Rails stand at site M42, and this year we showcase our large feature posts and gates on-site so the public can see how our gates are used for attractive and functional entranceways,” says Julie. “See one of our latest fences on the Cambridge/Hamilton Road (opposite the velodrome) being built for a planned new retirement complex.” Fencers, Brent Bennett of Bennett

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Contracting and Grant Scott of Scott Fencing who installed the fence say; “we have had many people stop and admire the large 250mm sq posts used in this impressive fencing. It’s certainly an awesome looking fence”. Beams & Timber Interlock fencing is easy to install as all post rebates and rails are precisely machined to ensure a snug fit when slotted together. Julie and Graeme can also recommend experienced contractors in your area to install the fences and can arrange delivery nationwide. “We make gates to match our fencing, in the same high quality timber, and can build wooden gates to customer’s individual designs.” Graeme says Beams & Timber Direct was the first company in New Zealand to commercially manufacture the square mortise fence. “Over the years we’ve invested heavily in processing equipment and fine-tuned the fence to make it, we believe, the best possible fence it can be,” says Graeme. The fencing can be left to naturally weather or can be painted or stained. Beams & Timber is a small privatelyowned and operated sawmill founded by Julie and Graeme in 2000, drawing on Graeme’s considerable previous experience as a fencing contractor and saw miller.

Beams & Timber Direct Ltd (BTD)

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June 2016 Coast & Country News

Lightweight liner ideal for heavy weight conditions Pondco Ltd has just completed lining herd barns on a dairy farm near Taupo, using Aquaflex VLDPE liner. Each barn has four bays and the Aquaflex VLDPE is the liner of choice says Hamish Forbes of Pondco. “This is because the standard roll width is the perfect fit for each bay which is 12 x 120m long, meaning no seams are required down the length of the barn, only the width. “Once the Aquaflex, geotextile underlay and tri-planer geo-composite are laid, drainage metal is placed over the top with a truck so the liner needs to be strong enough to withstand the weight of a truck load of metal.” As well as the high tensile strength of Aquaflex, the

The Aquaflex VLDPE liner is the perfect width to fit this herd barn.

liner comes with a 20 year material warranty. This liner is new technology and has many features including, high impact resistance, says Hamish. It is flexible and conforming, with high chemical resistance values, environmentally safe and low maintenance. “It’s also a lot lighter than traditional lining materials making transport and installation faster and more economical.” Pondco is an innovative company which as well as providing and installing liners for herd barns, is known for building frost ponds and especially dairy effluent storage ponds and the Pondco Safety Escape System and pond design.

Coast & Country News June 2016

FIELDAYS

Water filtration focus for company’s innovations

Forsi Innovations operations manager, Craig Hawes (left), with Terry Hawes, managing director and Darren Hawes, filtration engineer. to increased profit on the lot of interest both here FORSI Innovations manager Craig Hawes. in New Zealand and farm.” “It has been shown in based in Matamata studies overseas. In 2015 FORSI that if dairy cows is a progressive If you need clean water drink quality water, their launched its latest on your farm, then you product in its arsenal, milk production will company at need to talk to FORSI The Forsi Effluent increase. Dairy cows are the forefront of Recycling System, which Innovations about how extremely sensitive to innovation for the the taste of iron and/or they can help. See them takes dairy shed waste at this year’s National water and filters it to a manganese in the water dairy, industrial Fieldays at Mystery clean, clear state ready supply, more so than and municipal Creek, Site F30, from to reuse how and when humans. industries. June 15-18. the farmer wants. This “Increased water quantechnology is creating a tity and quality equates Its innovations include the Aquafier IM advanced, fullyautomated water filtration system specifically designed for use on dairy farms, water purification and installation of potable water treatment plants and effluent screening solutions for dairy shed and municipal waste. The Aquafier IM water filtration systems are designed to filter out all contaminants to bring the water back to a high standard. “We are market leaders in the innovation of water filtration, not many filtration companies can offer the technology, quality and expertise we can,” says operations and marketing

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June 2016 Coast & Country News

Sustainable thinking for effluent management

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In these challenging times, it is tempting to look to the shorter term and forget about longer term sustainability.

The big increase in the number of Presco’s heavy duty concrete Prosumps being installed this season can be put down to one thing, says Oliver – peace of mind. “With a concrete Prosump, a farmer can put one in the ground and forget about it. It can’t rust, it can’t rip or tear and it can’t leak.�

“It is a timely reminder that, whichever angle you look at it, sustainable thinking on your dairy farm is beneďŹ cial to everyone involved,â€? says Oliver Prestidge No-brainer of Presco Environmental Infrastructure division. Because of its durability, the decision to “This thinking ensures you are constantly install a Prosump is a no-brainer driving towards your long-term for forward thinking farmers. purpose, looking after your most “After researching all the important asset – your people options, they often tell – protecting our beautiful us there is nothing else planet and maximising that compares with and safeguarding your the Prosump’s high proďŹ t streams – even in strength, reinforced hard times.â€? concrete construction. Currently nowhere in “We often get the dairy farming is the need comment: ‘You can’t for sustainable thinking compare 150 millimetres more pertinent than in setting of concrete with just a few milup farm dairy efuent management limetres of plastic’. systems. “When the farmer looks at the bulPresco Group’s heavy duty “With such high stakes: non-comletproof design of a Prosump and our concrete Prosumps are pliance issues, the substantiality of the specialist construction methods, it gives constructed from high investment, the potential cost of somethem the conďŹ dence that it is built to thing major going wrong – for example strength, reinforced concrete. last a lifetime. a liner tearing or a tank leaking or bursting – and the And although the Prosump comes with a 50-year ďŹ nancial returns that can potentially be realised from minimum build-life guarantee, Hamish prefers to let this naturally-derived, nutrient-rich waste, the decision the reputation of concrete durability speak for itself. must be weighed up carefully.â€? “We point clients to the iconic Hawera Water Tower, which can be seen from our premises. This towering Do it once landmark was made from vastly inferior concrete to However short-term, cost-driven thinking can lead the concrete technology we use today, yet it just had its to decisions being made today that will have serious 100th birthday the other day.â€? environmental and ďŹ nancial consequences tomorrow, Any dairy farmer interested in sustainable farming says Oliver, who is noticing an increase in the number and who is serious about getting their efuent storage of farmers this year who want to ‘do it once and do it right the ďŹ rst time, should give Oliver a call. You can right’ when it comes to farm dairy efuent managebe sure that you’ll both be speaking the same language. Presco Environmental Infrastructure is a NZ leading ment. supplier of farm dairy efuent management infra“This is an encouraging trend, as we have heard so structure and the sole NZ manufacturer and installer many horror stories from farmers that have ended up of Prosump efuent sumps. Visit Presco at the NZ in the ‘proverbial brown stuff ’ over issues with their National Agri-Fieldays, Site: PD42. efuent ponds.â€?

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Coast & Country News June 2016

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Relationship building Ready for action – Capital Tractor’s sales team: James Schofield, owner Reg Hedges and Tony Johnston are prepared for a busy June. business philosophy with him from his June is an exceptionally busy month for the Capital Tractors team, who will days with PlaceMakers. be at three high-profile events. Capital Tractors advertising manager The team will be taking part in all four Michelle Hedges says the company is days of Fieldays, from June 15-18, on proud to be involved with BOP Young three different sites. Fruit Grower Competition, on WednesAt the Powerfarming site C29 they day, June 22, at the Mills Reef Winery. will answer all and any questions about “This is a highly anticipated annual orchard tractors, Kioti Lifestyle Tractors event and recognises some of the horand Deutz-Fahr Agriculture tractors. ticulture industry’s finest young future On the ForestQuip site G105 the leaders from the Bay of Plenty. team will discuss the merits of the Giant “We have the opportunity to showcase Wheeloaders and their application in our business through a trade exhibit your business. stand with our associated products, You’ll find Capital Tractors staff also which is significant brand exposure for on the Hustler site J7 where they will us as a Bronze sponsor,” says Michelle. talk to both commercial and residential Capital Tractors is an event partner for customers about which Hustler Zero the Kiwifruit Cup Rural Race Day at turn mower is right for them the Tauranga Racecourse on June 25. “We had a great Fieldays last year,” “We will have a variety of stock to says Capital Tractors owner Reg view, and it should be a valuable and Hedges. enjoyable day for all involved,” says Reg. “With our new salesman, James Capital Tractors staff have also been Schofield on-board as well as myself and busy on the IT front with the launch of Tony Johnston, we expect to meet even the company’s brand new website. more people and be able to exceed our “This has been a huge labour of love,” customer expectations. says Michelle. “It’s been a collabora“For us it’s not just about making a tive effort and taken several months to sale; it’s about selling someone the right achieve but we are so pleased with the piece of equipment for the job and how results.” can we look after them long-term. Check out Capital Tractors’ new web“For us it’s about relationship buildsite: www.capitaltractors.co.nz ing,” says Reg, who has bought this

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June 2016 Coast & Country News

Forestry accident spurred resolve to help others As he lay on the forest floor for almost an hour after a forestry accident, a lot went through Danny McBride’s mind. “I pretty much knew straight away it was a spinal cord injury and not a lot I could do about it,” he says. “I thought about my two young kids and my partner at home and made a vow to myself then that I wanted to carry on and move forward. “There was fear and pain because you still haven’t been found yet but in that hour of waiting there was also basically time to grieve and come to grips with the situation.” The day was January 27, 1999, and although it had started the same as many others had done during his six years in a commercial logging crew, it unfortunately ended on a very different note when

Danny McBride has represented New Zealand in wheelchair basketball and rowing.

he was struck from behind by a random rotten spar while falling trees and fracturing his T12 vertebrae. Ironically, since the accident Danny hasn’t had time to slow down much. He’s represented New Zealand in wheelchair basketball and at the 2012 Paralympics as a single sculler in adaptive rowing. He’s also become one of the country’s leading innovators in the field of health and safety. “After the accident I really wanted to make a difference and do everything I could to ensure what happened to me didn’t happen to anyone else. “I’ve been involved in investigating too many serious harm accidents and fatalities over the years and have seen the damage that it does to families and the toll it takes on those involved.”

Grassroots

Danny established his business Linksafe to meet the needs of contractors and small business owners throughout the country in their quest to get simple practical health and safety management solutions from both a knowledge and experience point of view. With the recent introduction of the new Health and Safety at Work Act, it’s a great opportunity to get started. “Although we are qualified and formally registered we approach it from grassroots level and make it understandable and reasonably enjoyable. “Myself and the other owner of Linksafe both come from a working background in the primary sectors and being involved with staff and clients on that same level is what drives us,” says Danny. “If we can help keep people safe and get them home to their families each day, then we can ask for nothing more than that.”

Onions returns up 50 per cent Onions are well on their way to returning to their previous position of this country’s third-largest horticultural export earner now 75 per cent of this season’s crop has been shipped, according to Onions New Zealand Inc. “Returns are expected to be up 50 per cent on last year,” says Onions NZ Inc chief executive Michael Ahern. “This means an increase from $81 million to $125 million Free On Board. This forecasted result will reassert onions’ posi-

tion as the third-largest fresh horticulture export item after kiwifruit and pipfruit.” For many years the onion industry has been New Zealand’s largest fresh vegetable export earner but has held a lower profile compared to its high-flying fresh fruit export cousins. “With these types of returns the onion industry is lifting its profile when it comes to capturing government agency attention and assisting policy decisions.”

Coast & Country News June 2016

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Stop rust naturally with NZ-made lanolin products A range of environmentally-friendly, highperformance, protective industrial lanolin lubricants, corrosion inhibitors and antiseize greases will be on show at Prolan’s Fieldays site from June 15-18 at Mystery Creek. The Tauranga-based company has harnessed the unique product of lanolin to offer products with multiple uses and proven successes in engineering,

agricultural and marine industries both here in NZ and overseas. Prolan is exported to Scandinavia and the UK – these markets are growing steadily as companies are looking for more greener and user-friendly products. Prolan products help to preserve, lubricate and protect, giving equipment longer life. “The main ingredient of Prolan is lanolin, natural wool grease, one of the most versatile natural substances on the planet,” says Prolan’s Murray Shaw “Its unique properties surpass petrochemical products in performance, versatility, longevity, protection, safety and asset maintenance.” Prolan’s natural products Prolan NZ reduce maintenance costs, director protect plant and machinMurray Shaw. ery for longer, increase re-sale value and are safe to use. Murray says it’s often a losing battle trying to fight corrosion on valuable farming equipment, from manure, dirt, sand or longterm storage. “In NZ’s agricultural market Prolan is sprayed on tractors, quadbike and 4WD chassis, harvesters, feeders, chains, conveyors, irrigation spraying

equipment, fertiliser spreaders, loaders, trucks and electrical hardware.” One of the extensive uses for Prolan’s corrosion inhibitors is it’s use for chassis protection from fertiliser loaders to quadbikes. “Once Prolan is sprayed on the underside of quad bikes it slows down deterioration and provides long-term protection.”

Prolan is safe on rubbers, wiring and electrics – it will not break these down. Bikes can be waterblasted after use and the Prolan stays on. Visit Prolan site at National Fieldays Mystery Creek Site: H24. Cut out the attached advert and receive a free Prolan Sheep n a Can with any purchase. Or phone 0800 PROLAN or visit www.prolan.co.nz

PROFESSIONAL HARVESTING SYSTEMS

Office: 07 347 8344 s Fax: 07 347 8345 Unit 6, 1318 Pukuatua St, PO Box 525, Rotorua

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June 2016 Coast & Country News

‘Fortress NZ’ would fail our country splay site e working di Come and se

#F28

Visit our website for more on how the

It was great to be able to support the introduction of the TransPacific Partnership Agreement in Parliament. I’m convinced that it will be fantastic for our region. It will provide genuine gains for our local industries including kiwifruit, avocados, dairy, beef and forestry through tariff relief and growth resulting from more competitive pricing. Listening to the many submissions on the deal itself, through the select committee, I was struck by the outspoken anti-corporate, antiAmerican and often anti-farming attitudes expressed. It was clear that those dissenting views discounted specialist trade evidence and the actual export sector evidence was seen as self-interested. In most submitters’ eyes we should fear the connection with America and 40 per cent of the world’s GDP for their imagined, future restraints on our way of life. This experience has made me more focused on

ensuring our educational institutions find ways to connect our children to our country’s reality. Globalisation and the increasing connectivity of our communities is the future. We have a clear choice as a country. It is now our job to embrace it and give ourselves the best chance to succeed. We must use a foundation of good underpinning infrastructure with our roading, rail, ultrafast broadband and ports, plus a skilled workforce supported by a significant increase on innovation spending. We must constantly drive hard against non-tariff barriers for trade, and look to sector investment in market to augment our New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Ministry for Primary Industries resources, because long-standing technical and strategic relationships count in this game. The alternative, which is our political opponents’ view, of ‘Fortress New Zealand’, will fail our companies, our communities and our country.

85 new animal welfare regulations proposed Director of biosecurity and animal welfare Julie Collins has been pleased with the amount of feedback MPI had received. Given the large number of proposals out for consultation, the discussions at public meetings covered a wide range of animals and topics. However, some common subject themes were noted. “Some of the more predominate conversations were in relation to

Close to 500 people attended six public meetings across the country, to express views on animal welfare. The Ministry for Primary Industry is seeking feedback on 85 proposed animal welfare regulations and took to the road as part of the five-week consultation. The proposals set out tougher rules around animal management and would put new fines and infringements in place.

regulations for bobby calf welfare, the tail docking of dogs, sheep and cattle, stock transport, the consultation process, and clarity around the infringements and offences. “None of the proposals are final and after submissions close, MPI will be considering all the feedback received at public meetings and as written submissions to ensure we have the best rules possible for the welfare of animals.”

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www.kinghitter.com 0800 476 868 sales@fairbrother.co.nz

Coast & Country News June 2016

FIELDAYS

Page 61

Soil fertility vital to turning around rundown farm After a chequered past, a Hawke’s Bay dairy farm is back in the green in more ways than one.

farm’s productivity have now basically been eliminated. “We used to have paddocks of yellow and you could see stripes where the choppers had missed, it was pretty bad, but after applying 1000 litres of pasture guard 24D yearly for the first two years we’re only spot spraying now, which is a welcome relief.” With these two issues in check the ultimate goal is now to re-grass the whole farm at 10 per cent per year. Ron says the cropping plan currently uses a summer crop of Marco turnips for the milking herd, which also helped with weed control, and in the autumn a high performance dairy mix is planted in the turnip paddocks.

Ken and Karen McLanachan, who bought the Te Pohue Dairy at a mortgagee sale four years ago, say the farm was rundown to the bone. “The farm had been overstocked, sapping it to the point where there was only old pasture, heaps of weeds, low soil fertility and bad animal health issues.” The couple and their sharemilker Craig Davey have spent the last four years working on improving the property, which is now up 100,000kg of milk solids since they arrived. Something they say they couldn’t have done without the help of Ron Burt, their Ravensdown senior agri manager. “Ron’s the most helpful guy I know. He can’t do enough for me and is always on the end of the phone if I need advice or help with anything,” says Craig. From the beginning the team set out to get the soil fertility back to optimum levels, get rid of the ragwort Ken and Karen McLanachan of Te Pohue Dairy with Ron Burt, their Ravensdown senior agri manager and thistles and re-grass the and sharemilker Craig Davey. farm.

Soil test guide

Using soil test results as their guide, they started out with a capital application of two tonnes of Aglime and one tonne of Superphosphate. Three years on they’re now only applying small amounts of Potash Super to the Non-Effluent areas with pH levels up from 5.3-6 to 5.7-6.2, Olsen P levels up from 8-31 to 18-41 and potash levels up from 2-6 to 7. The ragwort and thistles that were reducing the

Pasture colour

“We’ve replaced 30 per cent of the pasture so far,” says Ken. “We’ve still got a way to go but it just looks heaps better than it did. “The colour of the pasture looks like we could be in the Waikato. It is what makes all the difference between high producing cows and low producing cows.” Ron adds: “It was about three years ago I recommended putting together a cropping plan and wintering on-farm. Back then all the cows were wintered off-farm and it was costing them about $25 per head a week and they were losing condition. “Now all the cows are wintered on-farm, on silage and Proteor Kale and in those three years they’ve gone up 100,000kg/ms per year, with cows coming back with the same if not better condition score.”

TOUGH. CAPABLE. CLEVER.

COAST & COUNTRY

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June 2016 Coast & Country News

trades & services

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

Every Friday to June 24

Kiwi Night Walk for Families From 7pm-9.30pm, Ohope Scenic Reserve, entry charge. Details at tinyurl.com/hkztrkq

runon listings curriculum vitae NEED A C.V.? A C.V. For You can provide you with the professional touch. From scratch or alterations. “Get the interview….Land the job” Contact via www.facebook.com/ acvforyou or 0204 037 6034

for sale PULLETS HY-LINE BROWN, great layers. Phone 07 824 1762 www.eurekapoultryfarm.weebly.com

personal BAY OF PLENTY GENTLEMAN 1944 model 5’6” 70kgs. Lives on lifestyle farmlet. Widowed Christian. Looking to meet nice Christian lady to share life with view to marriage. Single or widowed lady. Code Henry 036670262 or 027 879 7008

Wednesday 1 June Sunday 5 June Free Home Composting & Friday 3 June June 1: Successfully Grow Great Calves. Tokoroa Events Centre, 25 Mossop Rd, Tokoroa. June 3 at Waikare Golf Club, 66 Waerenga Rd, Te Kauwhata. Registrations 9.30am. At 10am Part 1: Sealeswinslow. Lunch is 12 noon. At: 12.30pm: Part 2: MSD Animal Health with a 2pm finish. www.dwn.co.nz

Saturday 4 June

Free Home Composting Workshop 3-4.30pm, Taupo Community Gardens. Spaces limited so please register: tinyurl.com/ gqseptb Plant Sale 10am-4pm, outside the information centre, Hamilton Gardens.

%(5 75 7,0 ( 6

17 0( $7

3 (33( 5

advertise ADVERTISE YOUR PRODUCT or service in the listing every month. Phone Julie on 07 578 0030 or email julie@thesun.co.nz

trades & services

Workshop Noon-1pm, Gisborne (take home a free compost bin). Limited spaces. Register with Tairawhiti Environment Centre, ph: 06 867 4708.

Tuesday 7 June

Noxious Weeds: The growing threat From 7pm at Moon Hair Salon (behind Chai Tea House), Coromandel township, koha. A talk by Benson Lockhart from Waikato Regional Council.

Homeopathic Farm Support Seminar – Whakatane Free one-day seminar. Topics covering: What is homeopathy? History of homeopathy. What is ‘Like Cures Like?’ Animal health. Held at Reap Building, 21 Pine St, Whakatane 9am3.30pm. To register ph: 07 858 4233.

Wednesday 15 June – Saturday 18 June

Fieldays 2016 June 15-18 At Mystery Creek Events Centre, 125 Mystery Creek Road, Hamilton. Gates open daily 8am-5pm.

Wednesday June 8 Saturday 18 June Flight of the Butterflies 6.30pm, Bay City Cinemas, Tauranga, $16. Monarch Butterfly NZ Trust special screening of 3D documentary. To book tickets phone Mary, 07 576 4752.

Thursday 9 June

Bobby Calf Focus Galatea Set up your farm for a risk-free, successful calving season, with the best possible care for your calves. An essential interactive 1.5 hour session for on-farm decisionmakers, developed by DairyNZ and delivered by a vet. See: www.dairynz.co.nz/ animal/calves/bobbycalf-focus-events/

real estate

cars wanted

Digital Photography With a focus on fungi, with Shirley Kerr, 10am3pm, Katikati area. See: tinyurl.com/hy9gr8l

Sunday 19 June

Rose pruning demonstration 2pm, Palmers Bethlehem, Tauranga, free. Laurie Jeyes shares 50-plus years’ experience in pruning, tools and sprays.

Monday 20 June

CalvingSmart Workshop Whakatane Get set for calving, upskill your farm staff, find out the latest research and hear from industry experts on hot calving topics. For details and to register: www.dairynz. co.nz/animal/calves/calvingsmart-2016/

Thursday 23 June

Waikato Horticultural Society Talk on bumblebees, 7.30pm, Wintec classroom, Hamilton Gardens (Gate 2), $5 for non-members. Donna Hall from Zonda Beneficials will also have hives for sale. Ph: Carmel 07 859 0158.

Friday 24 June

Beef & Lamb NZ Wormwise Workshop At Waitomo Golf Club, 68 Golf Rd, Otorohanga 10am-3pm. The workshop aims to help farmers and their advisors manage internal parasites in sheep and beef. Covering: Drenches and drench resistance; principles for managing internal parasites; tools and techniques. Places limited, registration essential. Email: Rachel. Jukes@beeflambnz.com

Saturday 25 June Propagation Workshop 9am-4pm, Koanga Institute, Wairoa, $250 (includes a starter kit worth $150). See: tinyurl.com/z64bl4t

Saturday 25 June

Waikato Botanical Society field trip 10am-4pm, Whewells Bush and Tamahere Gully. See: waikatobotsoc. org.nz

Saturday June 25Sunday July 3 Garden Bird Survey New Zealand-wide. Participants watch for birds in the garden for one hour only between the survey dates and complete a form. See: tinyurl.com/q4odkm3

home kill

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Coast & Country News June 2016

COAST & COUNTRY

Morse Code and party-lines now a distant memory Many readers will recognise this month’s “mystery item” from the Opotiki Museum as a small manual telephone exchange from the days of party lines. Today’s cellphone savvy youngsters find it hard to believe there was a time when people did not have phones in their pockets, and instead had to share a phone line with neighbours. Phone numbers back then where one or two digits followed by a letter from the alphabet – and each household learnt to recognise their own Morse-Code ring, ignoring those for others on the line. That was the reality for many years and we’d love to receive stories from Coast & Country readers about their memories of using, or maybe even operating, an exchange like the one in the photo. The team at the Opotiki Museum believe this telephone exchange is from a country town, possibly Waimana, in Eastern Bay of Plenty. To be in to win admission for two to the Opotiki Museum, write down your memories and send them to: elaine@thesun.co.nz with ‘Mystery item’ in the subject line, or post to Mystery Item, Coast & Country, PO Box 240, Tauranga 3110. The Opotiki Museum is a three storied building situated in the main street of Opotiki. It is open Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm and Saturday 10am to 2pm. Entry: Adults $10 Children $5 Family $25. To find out more visit the website https://opotikimuseum.org.nz/

(Above) If it could talk, this telephone exchange, possibly from Waimana, could tell some tales – Coast & Country News wants to learn of readers’ stories from the days of party-lines and manual exchanges. This ornate lamp holder once stood outside a doctor’s surgery in Morrinsville and was featured as last months’ mystery item.

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COAST & COUNTRY

June 2016 Coast & Country News

Got photos of children, grandchildren or nieces and nephews enjoying our great Kiwi country lifestyle? Send them in!

Charlie O lphert 19m

ths old, Te

Sophie Wallis, 14mths old, enjoying the food instead of feeding the deer at McLaren Falls park, Tauranga.

Kauwhata

.

Send your high resolution jpeg photographs to: kathy@sunmedia. co.nz with ‘Country Camera’ in the subject line or post to Coast & Country News, PO Box 240, Tauranga. Each valid entry requires the child’s first name, surname, age, plus their postal address and phone number.

“No, not triplets... but twin girls”.Charlotte & Maddison Powell, and Max Amy, Aged 7, Poukawa.

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