19 January 2022 - Rural News by Waimea Weekly Archives

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Wednesday 19 January 2022

Tweaking tree planting to help bees Murray Elwood with trays used in one of his hives. Photo: Jenny Nicholson. Jenny Nicholson Farmers are being encouraged to make small tweaks to their tree planting schedules to benefit bees. A new booklet looks at which plants farmers could incorporate

into their tree-planting plans to also support bees. Trees for Bees, with significant funding from the Ministry for Primary Industries, is offering the downloadable Handbook for Planting Trees for Bees on Farms free of charge. The booklet of-

fers practical guidance including which trees would be most beneficial for bees. Nelson Beekeepers Club president Ian Henbrey says not all farmers are aware what the best trees to plant are. “Farmers can make a huge impact

because they can plant big trees,” Ian says. “They are the one of the predominant sources of nectar.” Mountain Valley Honey beekeeper Murray Elwood says that when farmers plant willows or poplars for flood protection, that indirectly works for the beekeeper

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too. Trees for Bees farm planting adviser Dr Angus McPherson agrees, saying, “The beauty of our approach is that farmers don’t need to set aside land specially for this planting.” Continued on Page 3...

Rural News

WedNeSdAY 19 January 2022

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Berry harvest rebounds after disastrous prior season

Jenny Nicholson jennifer@waimeaweekly.co.nz

Edens Road Fruit’s Jono Sutton is pleased last year’s poor boysenberry harvest did not repeat itself this season. Photo: Max Frethey.

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While it wasn’t the bumper harvest that every orchardist hopes for, Jono Sutton from Edens Road Fruit is just glad that this season’s boysenberry harvest was not as poor as last year’s. “Last year’s [harvest] was quite a bad one,” he says. “ It was the worst harvest the boysenberry industry’s had in a long, long, long time.” This season has resulted in just “an average harvest” for the Hope-based company, but a repeat of last year’s crop would have been very detrimental to

the company. “We supply a lot of really, really good customers that we have a good relationship with… so when you have two years of not enough production to satisfy your customers, it’s frustrating for everyone.” Jono says that colder temperatures during the plant’s developmental period would have hampered their harvest last year. “Boysenberries need quite a lot of heat, and we have actually had a lot of heat this year, but it’s been balanced off with a lot of rain,” Jono says. This could explain this season’s

average crop. Glen Holland from Tasman Bay Berries echoed Jono’s statements. He says this season’s harvest was “considerably better” than last year’s, with boysenberry numbers “up 40 to 50 per cent.” He agrees that a repeat of last year’s crop, which Glen said was a “half harvest” for Tasman Bay Berries, would have meant that the business would be “difficult to sustain”. “You’re barely covering costs at that point.” Despite the struggles of last season, Glen said that boysenberry

farmers were a “passionate” bunch and were in the industry for a reason. Many berry companies in the region, including Jono’s Edens Road Fruit, are multigenerational family enterprises run by people who love what they do. “It’s fun, we enjoy it,” Jono says, even though the industry can be “very challenging”. Both Edens Road Fruit and Tasman Bay Berries largely employ locals and so they haven’t felt the lack of seasonal workers from overseas which has complicated the harvests of other businesses around the country.

Rural News

WedNeSdAY 19 January 2022

$900,000 in funding lost for stoat eradication in Marlborough Staff Reporter Lack of access to private land has resulted in the withdrawal of $900,000 in funding to the D’Urville Island stoat eradication project. The Rangitoto Birdsong Project, run by the D’Urville Island Stoat Eradication Charitable Trust (DISECT), was initially paused in late 2020 due to it being unable to secure access to all of the private land on the island. Brett Butland, acting chief executive of Predator Free 2050 Limited, which would have provided the funding to the trust, said that one of the challenges of eradication projects is they typically cover both private and public land. “Eradicating stoats on D’Urville Island is an important objective, but without guaranteed access to the entire target area on the island eradication isn’t possible.” Because the access issues on the island had not been resolved, the Rangitoto Birdsong Project has been put into hibernation. The funds would be redirected to other projects that could get off the ground in 2022. “We’re disappointed for the trust as we know how much effort has

Tweaking tree planting to help bees FRoM pagE 1

The D’Urville Island Stoat Eradication Charitable Trust said it had run out of avenues to try to gain land access and had no option but to put the project into hibernation. Photo supplied: Tamzin Hendersom Driftwood Ecotours. gone into planning this project to date,” says Brett. He says that, importantly, it was not the end of the project. “We hope land access issues will be resolved in time and we can look to support eradication projects on the island in the future.” Rupert Wilson, chair for DISECT, echoed Brett’s sentiments, saying that while they made every practical attempt to keep the project viable, no further avenues were available to progress the trust’s vision. “Our hope is that a project aimed

at eradicating the island’s stoats will be launched sometime in the future when access to the whole of the island is available.” D’Urville Island, located in the Marlborough Sounds, is New Zealand’s eighth-largest island. Known for its diverse geology and plant life, the island is home to a high number of threatened, rare, or unusual species. DISECT was established in 2004 and has worked with Ngāti Koata on the Rangitoto Birdsong Project, aiming to clear the 16,800-hectare island of stoats.

Rather than asking farmers to set aside productive land for planting bee forage, the book encourages farmers to look at their current planting programmes and incorporate bee forage plants. “The farmer simply chooses to use plant species that are multipurpose so the plants will function for the farmer’s primary

goals as well as feeding the bees.” Murray says we are fortunate in Tasman, having a lot of native bush. Farms that back the bush are ideal for bee-keepers’ use, with different species flowering at different times of the year. “We are fortunate to have so much native bush,” he says. “We are spoilt for choice. Where farms don’t back onto the bush it is crucial to have different plants.”

Murray Elwood with trays used in one of his hives. Photo: Jenny Nicholson.

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Rural News

WedNeSdAY 19 January 2022

Fonterra reduces milk solids collection forecast RNZ Fonterra has downsized its milk solids collection forecast following challenging growing conditions and varied weather. Its opening forecast for the 202122 milk collections was 1525 mil-

lion kilograms of milk solids. Fonterra confirmed it has revised that forecast to 1500 million kilograms, down 1.6 per cent from the initial prediction. Chief executive Miles Hurrell says actual milk collections were down on the same time last year

following differing conditions across many parts of the country. “We were expecting conditions to improve over the ChristmasNew Year period, but this has not eventuated.” At this stage, there was no change needed to the volume of product

the co-op was offering the Global Dairy Trade platform, Miles says. “Due to the high demand for offGlobal Dairy Trade sales, we had already reduced the volume we were offering on the Global Dairy Trade platform earlier in the season.”

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Rural News

WedNeSdAY 19 January 2022

Hunters make donation of venison to those in need

Kai Rescue received a large donation of venison on Friday which will help many in the area. The almost 40kg donation was provided by the Nelson branch of the New Zealand Deerstalkers Association. “It’s huge for us,” Kai Rescue coordinator Karen Brewer says. ease “Meat’s check not yoursomething proof carefully we get a and approve it or submit corrections by the Final Proof Alterations deadline. lot of… so when we get someve or submit changes to your ad within the ATOL system at a time that suits you. Just follow the link thing like this in, it’s really appreview your ciated.ad, ” then click the APPROVE or CORRECTIONS button right from there - no new emails required! The venison, the second such LTD (RMD) publishing 06/24/21 booked size CSQ QUART VE donation given by the Nelson 100%)branch, was distributed publication Adv Supp NEM dimensions 12.3X12.4, cms width by height to about proofed 9/06/2021 12:22:08 PM 30 different recipientsection groups. CUSTOM SQUARE “Our members are showing quite an interest in what we’re doing,” says David Haynes, a committee member of the Deerstalker’s Nelson branch. “We’re going to try and see if we can make this a Kai Rescue’s Karen Brewer receives a large donation of venison from David Haynes and greg Couper, Nelson members of the New Zealand Deerstalkers association. Photo: Max Frethey. regular thing. “WePlease can feed people who would costs ithave been covered of good meat. between 40 and 60 people.” Environment Centre, aims to check your proof carefullyfar, andthe approve or submit correctionswastage by the Final Proof Alterations deadline. otherwise go hungry.” by their own members. Jackie Galland of Giving Aroha Every Sunday they put on a pic- reduce food waste in the comn now approve or submit changes to your ad within the ATOL system at a time that suits you. Just follow the link Because the Nelson Deerstalkers David says they have been in in Anzac Park was one of Kai nic in the park for them, Jackie munity. The volunteer-run group roof email to view your ad, then click the APPROVE or CORRECTIONS button right from there - no new emails required! are “a small organisation,” Da- talks with Nelson City Council Rescue’s recipients and left with says. So, the impact of this dona- is partnered with over 60 food OLSEN vid & CO LTDthat (RMD) sizeof CSQ says they were publishing seeking a 06/24/21 about potentially hunting a fewbooked some the QUART venison.VE“We pro- tion is already being felt for locals recipient organisations in the 8994297AA (100%) publication Adv Supp NEM dimensions 12.3X12.4, cms width by height grant to help fund the processing deer on public land before their vide a meal in Anzac Park for… in need. region who then distribute food section CUSTOM SQUARE proofed 9/06/2021 12:22:08 PM of future venison donations. So annual culling to prevent the people struggling, we usually get Kai Rescue, run by the Nelson among those who need it most.

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Rural News

Lemons scarce on shop shelves Does your vehicle need some attention?

Jenny Nicholson

Those who enjoy a squirt of lemon on their fish or in their soda may be out of luck this week. A shortage of lemons is being felt by produce sellers across the region, with many customers asking when lemons will be regularly back on the shelf. Farmshop PYO 185’s Angela Williams says lemons are out of season, with the last season’s lemons all used up. She says they don’t currently have lemons for sale. The Vege Guy owner Karl Hatfield agrees lemons are in very short supply. He has sourced some locally and had two trays available earlier this week. “It happens every year,” Karl says. “There’s a gap between one crop and the next.” He’s hoping the next crop will be starting this or next week but warns they will be quite expensive for while. “I’ve been given the heads up that they will be expensive,” he says. “Maybe $8-10/kg. As with stone fruit, the lemon season is dependent on the area of New Zealand, and fruit from the North

Island should arrive first. Karl says a lot of citrus in New Zealand comes from the Bay of Plenty and Hawkes Bay. There are also delays from transport, with a premium being added for freight which someone has to pay for. Karl sources a variety of produce from local growers which gives them a difference from supermarkets. Of the different varieties of lemons, the most commonly sold is the Yen Ben, which is the jumbo light lemon and is usually grown commercially. Another which is also commercially grown is the Meyer which is smaller and a deeper yellow. Karl is expecting the Yen Ben to be the next available. Alyce Hughes, who works at The Vege Guy, says many of their customers use lemons to make a drink, and they are missing that distinctive lemon and ginger beverage. A Countdown spokesperson says lemons are extremely limited at the moment. However, the good news is they do have some imported lemons due to arrive this week from the United States and they will hopefully be on the shelves later this week.

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Karl Hadfield has sourced local lemons during the shortage of commercially grown ones. Photo: Jenny Nicholson.

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Rural News

WedNeSdAY 19 January 2022

Wasps’ days numbered in Nelson Lakes Jenny Nicholson The Department of Conservation (DOC) is intending to carry out targeted wasp control in the Nelson Lakes region in late January or early February. DOC senior ranger for biodiversity Nelson Lakes office Melissa Griffin says the aim is to suppress wasp numbers. “We are never going to fully eradicate wasps,” she says. “We haven’t got the technology for that.” She says the primary reason is to provide relief for biodiversity. “Wasps eat the honey dew

which reduces the amount available to native insects.” Previous years have been successful. Melissa says they have done pre and post bait tests observing an increase in available honeydew within a week of the bait being placed. They also monitor wasp nests which have been completely inactive after wasp control. Another key reason for wasp control is staff and visitor safety. DOC says wasps pose a significant threat to human health with over 1300 people each year seeking treatment for wasp stings.

Melissa says that DOC will target huts in the region for wasp reduction. She says the wet weather through Spring meant some nests flooded, but the hot weather we have recently experienced makes the wasps more excited. The toxic bait Vespex, which has been used in previous control operations, will be used. It is not toxic to birds or mammals and with a protein base is not attractive to bees. The bait is dyed green to discourage bait taken from non-target species.

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Rural News

WedNeSdAY 19 January 2022

Black is the new white Jo Kent

Upper Moutere husband and wife duo, Noël and Teena Jelsma, have made the humble garlic clove even more versatile with their range of gourmet black garlic condiments, Neudorf Black. Using New Zealand grown garlic from the country’s largest supplier in Blenheim, the couple regularly make the fourhour round trip in their SUV to pick up 400 kilos of fresh garlic. “That roughly amounts to around 40,000 cloves of garlic,” Noël says. Once back in Upper Moutere, the garlic is then slow-cooked on a low temperature for six weeks. It’s the result of slowcooking under controlled conditions of low heat and high humidity which turns the garlic black. Noël says it tastes massively different to fresh garlic as it’s sweeter, has no aftertaste and doesn’t leave you with bad breath. “Our purees have a sweet and salty vibe – the much soughtafter umami taste - so can be used for savoury dishes or sweet creations too. It’s really

versatile.” The garlic is cooked in a walkin oven big enough for the entire truck-load of cloves to go in at once. “We get inside the oven each week to do an inspection and to check on the progress,” Noël says. “When it’s close to the end, we look for the right degree of caramelisation, which we can tell by colour, smell and taste, to make sure it’s all fully cooked.” “It’s then time to transport the garlic to our commercial kitchen at the Moutere Hills Community Centre where we do all our pureeing and bottling.” The process takes a full day and is always a long one. “For our first batch, two years ago, we peeled all the cloves by hand and used handheld kitchen blenders to puree them. It took hours and hours and was a terrible experience.” They’ve since upgraded their equipment and, although they still make the puree by hand, it’s done in bigger batches. They also buy ready-peeled garlic these days as “once was enough”. “We’ve just launched a black garlic Marlborough sea salt product which has a beautiful

rich flavour.” The new product uses another technique of drying and dehydrating the puree to turn into a powder to add to the sea salt. “It’s just another way we can use our product in new ways,” Noël says. “We also strain off the gorgeous black garlic juice from the puree when bottling, and this becomes our black garlic essence which is bottled and sold.” Noël is also chairman for the Moutere Artisans, a collective of talented artisans who live in the local area. The group will be holding their first ever Autumn Artisans Open Day next April, opening their doors to the public, inviting them to learn, enjoy and buy the products available. “It’s only ever been held once a year before so to have one in autumn too will mean the artisans can showcase different products and it gives the public another chance to come and see us.” The event will be held over Anzac weekend, on Sunday, 24 April, and Noël says it’s a great day out for the whole family. For stockists or to make an order, visit neudorfblack.co.nz.

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Noël and Teena Jelsma are the husband and wife team behind Neudorf Black. Photo: Supplied.