RhiannonMorrell winsGisborne’sYoung GroweroftheYear
ByGarethKnox,HorticentreGisborne
TheGisbornehorticultureworldiscelebratingRhiannon MorrellofCraigmoreSustainables,whowonthe prestigiousTairawhitiYoungGrowerofTheYearfor 2025,impressingjudgeswithhertechnicalexpertise, leadershipandpassionfortheindustry.
CraigmoreSustainablesreceived doublepodiumsuccess,with LarissaWooding-Ngatasecuringa commendablethirdplace.
Startingherhorticulturecareeratjust 19harvestingvegetables,Rhiannon quicklyprovedherselfinthefield. Fromsupervisingcrewsandmastering machinerylikeorchardsprayersto movingintothetechnicalsideofpipfruit production,hercareerhasbeendefined bycuriosity,driveandacommitmentto excellence.
Herabilitytomentorandtrainstaffto meetqualityexpectations,whilecollecting andanalysingdatatoinfluencefuture orcharddecisions,stoodoutstronglyin thecompetition.Judgespraisedherkeen eyefordetailanddesiretoexplorethe sciencebehindorchardmanagement.
Rhiannoncreditsmuchofhergrowth tothesupportandguidanceofmentors JoshuaRoweandShaynaWard,both ofwhomencouragedhertostepinto technicalrolesandexpandherknowledge base.“Joshuahaspushedmetogrow andofferedcountlessopportunities, whileShaynahasshownmehowto
alignpassionandvaluesintechnical horticulture,”shesaid.
Lookingahead,Rhiannonisdetermined todeepenherorchardmanagement expertiseandworktowardsapipfruit technicalmanagementrole,allwhile continuingherstudiesinLevel4Fruit Production.
“Iloveworkingwithpeoplefromall walksoflifeandseeingtheendresultof ourhardwork,”shesaid.“Horticultureis anincrediblyrewardingindustrytobein.”
Whenshe’snotoutamongthetrees, Rhiannonenjoysreading,soakingupthe sunorheadingoutforawalkoraskate— awell-earnedbalancetothededication shebringstohercraft.
Adayofskills,smartsandcelebration
Thecompetitionbroughttogethersome ofthemostpromisingup-and-coming horticulturistsfromacrosstheregion. Contestantsfacedaseriesofpracticaland theory-basedchallengesdesignedtotest theirknowledgeofcropmanagement, machinery,pestanddiseaseidentification, healthandsafety,andbusinessdecisionmaking.
Fromoperatingequipmentunder pressuretopresentinginnovative solutionsfororchardproblems,the competitorsimpressedjudgesand spectatorsalikewiththeirprofessionalism andenthusiasm.
Thedaywasnotwithoutitslighter moments—thespeechcompetitionin theeveningprovidedachanceforeach contestanttosharetheirviewsonthe futureofhorticulture,oftenwithadashof humour.
WhileRhiannonultimatelyclaimedthe tophonour,theeventhighlightedthe depthofyoungtalentintheindustry. Organiserspraisedallparticipantsfor theirdedicationandthepositiveexample theyaresettingforthenextgenerationof growers.
The2025competitionbrought togethersevendedicatedregional talents.AlongsideRhiannon,theother competitorswere:
•MattDavies(runner-up)
•LarissaWooding-Ngata
•MadisonBarsdell
•WharekauriKaimoana
•CelesteJohnson
•QuadeMitchell
•ChevaughnDavoren
Nationalstageahead:YoungGrowerof theYearfinal
Withthiswin,Rhiannonwillrepresent GisborneatthenationalYoungGrower oftheYearfinal,heldinChristchurchthis September.Shewillcompetealongsidesix otherregionalwinners:
•LydiaGoodman(CentralOtago)
•JackHaddon(Pukekohe)
•SamCarter(Hawke’sBay)
•AmeliaMarsden(Nelson)
•PhoebeScherer(BayofPlenty)
•StevenRink(Canterbury)
OrganisedbyHorticultureNewZealand (HortNZ),thenationalcompetition rotateslocationseachyearandplaysa vitalroleinspotlightingthebreadthof opportunitiesinthesector.HortNZCEO KateScottpraisedtheseriesofregional competitions,callingthemessentialfor celebratingskilledyounggrowersand encouragingmoretoconsiderhorticulture asacareerpath.
PipTerekia(2024winner),RhiannonMorrell(2025winner), TimTietjen(Chair,TairawhitiGrowersAssociation).
GisborneYoungGroweroftheyeargroup. MadisonBarsdell.
WharekauriKaimoana,MadisonBarsdelland MattDaviescompeteintheHortiSportsevent.
ChallengeandResponse
Farmstrongambassador
SamWhitelockdiscusses theimportanceofprioritising yourwellbeingduringalonghaulrecovery.
Firstup,Farmstrong’sbestwishes goouttoeveryonewhoselives continuetobeimpactedbythe cyclonesof2023.Weknowthoseevents boughtalotofextrastressandwork formanypeopleandthatthehardwork goeson.Herearesometipsfarmers andgrowershavesharedwithusabout gettingthroughmajorsetbacks.
AskForHelpIfYouNeedIt
“Whenyou’redealingwithexceptional circumstances,it’shardlysurprising ifyoustartfeeling‘underthepump’ atdifferentpointsalongtheroadto recovery.Themainthingis-don’tbottle itup.Gettingthingsoffyourchestwitha familymember,friendorsomeonefrom theRuralSupportTrustwillhelprelieve thatstressandgiveyouaboost.When youcatchuplikethatwithpeople,you soonrealisethateveryone’sexperiencing thesameemotions,you’renotaloneand yourcommunityistheretohelp.”
FocusOnWhatYouCanControl
“Worryingaboutthingsyouhave noinfluenceoveronlyaddstoyour stresslevels.Focusonwhatyoucan control.Listoutwhatneedstobedone eachweekandprioritisesoyou’renot overwhelmed.Asonefarmertoldus, puttingpentopaperlikethistakesthe ‘negativespinoutofyourheadand
makesyoujustdealinfacts.’Italsogives youasenseofpurpose-thatyou’re movingyourlifeforwards,ratherthan justlettingithappentoyou.”
BeRealisticAboutWorkload
“Don’texpecttoomuchoutofany oneday.Makearealisticlistoftasksto achieve,soyoufinishthedayfeelinglike you’veaccomplishedsomething.That’s thesortofdailymotivationrequired duringalengthyrecovery.Asonefarmer summedup,‘Don’ttryandeatthe elephantallatonce.’”
ScheduleRecoveryTime
“OnethingIlearntduringmysporting careeristhatnoonecango‘hammerdown’thewholetime.Sometimesit’s importanttostepawayforabreatherso wecan‘reset’physicallyandmentally. Oneflood-hitfarmerinHawkesBay mentionedhowhelpfulasimplechange ofscenecanbeduringabusyweek.It couldbeaseasyasgettingofffarmto pickupafewgroceriesorcoachkids’ sport.”
Don’tNeglect‘TheBasics’
“Whenyou’refacingabigtask,it’s temptingtojustgetstuckinandforget thebasicslikesleep,eatingwell,staying hydratedandregularexercise.Butthese arethethingsthataregoingtogiveyou theenergytomakeitthroughalonghaulrecovery.Asonefarmerputit,‘no onecanrunamarathononadrenalin alone.’”
PrioritiseYourWellbeing
“Remember,youarethebiggestasset toyourfarmandfamily.Ifyou’regoing well,everythingelsearoundyouwillgo bettertoo.That’swhyyourownphysical andmentalfitnesshastobeanabsolute priorityevenduringchallengingtimes.”
SuppliedbyFarmStrong
Farmstrongisanationwide,ruralwellbeing programmeforfarmersandgrowers. Forfreementalfitnesstoolsandresources onrecoveringfromextremeweathervisit gettingthrough.farmstrong.co.nz
FarmstrongambassadorSamWhitelock: “Sometimesweneedtostepawayforabreather and‘reset’physicallyandmentally.”
Experienceandcommitment tosupportingcustomers
MovingtoNewZealand toescapethetroubles ofSouthAfricaisa dauntingexperience butseekinggreater opportunitiesforhis familywasthedriverfor GlenAspden.
Sixyearsafterarrivingin2019,followinga yeareachinGreymouthandWellington, theAspdenshavenowfirmly establishedrootsinGisborne.
Withmorethantwodecadesinthe automotiveindustry,Glenbroughthis experiencetoachangeofindustryin2021, takingupthepostofDealerPrincipalat PowerFarmingGisborne–partofthePower FarmingGroup’s21retailoutletsthroughout thecountry.
Earlierintheyear,Glentooktherootsa stagedeeper,whenhebecameaDirector/ Shareholderthroughthecompany’sjoint venturepartnerprogramme,withthe Morrinsville-headquarteredPowerFarming
Group,privatelyownedbytheMaberfamily. Locatedonthewesternapproachto thecity,PowerFarmingGisbornehasan experiencedteamof15,madeupofsix serviceandtwopartstechnicians,two salesmen,adminandgeneralstaff.
Glensays:“AfterarrivinginGisborne,asa familywewerelookingforstability,having experiencedthetroublesofSouthAfrica directly.WequicklyfoundthatKiwisarevery welcomingandfriendly,soweknewright fromthestartitwasaplacetoputdown someroots.AtPowerFarming,working withtheregion’sfarmersalsoshowedus thatagricultureisawonderfulindustrytobe involvedin–notleastbecauseofruralfolks’
open,no-nonsensemanner.”
Offeringthefullrangeofproductsfromthe PowerFarmingstableseesDeutzFahr,Kioti, Versatiletractors,alongsidetheexpansive rangeofJCBagriculturalandconstruction offerings.Onthemachineryfront,classleadingproductsfromaroundtheworldsees thelikesofKverneland,Maschio,McHaleand Jaylor.Inaddition,thebusinessalsooffersa widecataloguefromindependentsuppliers suchasHustler,FencePro,Rata,McIntosh, FieldmasterandTaege.
Glencomments:“DuetoGisborne’s geographicalconstraints,wetrytobethe one-stopshopforouragriculturaland expandingcivilandconstructioncustomers. Forus,it’saboutofferingsoundadvice onproductchoice,makingsurewehave exceptionalpartssupportandensuring thatourservicetechsareuptospeed, withcontinualup-to-datetrainingviaour suppliers.”
LastyearPowerFarmingGisborne’sdetail toattentionledtothebusinesspickingup thePowerFarmingGroup’sServiceDealerof theYeartitle,alongsidetherunner-uptitlefor DealershipoftheYear.Thebusinesshasalso beennominatedagainforbothtitlesin2025.
“I’mreallyproudofourteamfortakingout theawards,asitrecognisestheirexperience, commitmentandorganisationinsupporting ourcustomerstoincreasinglyhigherlevels. I’malsostokedtohaveenteredintothejointventurepartnershipwithPowerFarming. Havingskininthegameallowsmetodrive thebusinessforwardbygrowingthebranch andourcustomerbase.Moreimportantly,it alsoallowsustoensurestableemployment forourwonderfulteam,rewardthem appropriately,createanenjoyableworkplace andhavealittlefunalongtheway.”
THE REAL DEAL
•Heavyduty6-cylinderrangespanning 145-205HP,withlowdowntorquefor themostdemandingtasks
•Quiet,suspendedcabinswithfrontaxle suspensiononselectmodelsforthe ultimateride
•ExcellentlyengineeredZFandDeutzAgdrivelinebuiltforlongevity
Dockingdrenchtypicallyunnecessary
Inanormalyear,lambs donotrequireadrench atdockingandaroutine drenchatthistimemay becostingfarmersinboth timeandmoney.
WormwiseProgrammeManager GinnyDodunskisaysthe scouring,reducedappetite andpoorgrowthratesassociatedwith wormsarepartlyaresultofan animal’simmuneresponseto internalparasites.
Younglambshave noimmuneresponse towormlarvae,so don’tsufferthe samenegative consequences associatedwitha wormchallengein olderlambs.
Manyofthe wormsthatyoung lambsareingesting cannotcompletetheir lifecyclesocannotbuildup numbersuntilthelambhasa fullyfunctioningrumenataroundfourto fiveweeksofage.
asyouthinkyouare,”saysGinny.
Anotherreasonfornotdrenchingat dockingisthepresenceofStrongyloides. Thissmallwormhasacompletely differentlifecycletootherinternal parasitesinthatlambswillpickthese wormsupthroughtheirskinorfromthe ewe’sudder.
Lambsdosetuparapidimmune responsetoStrongylidesatfourtofive weeksofage.
“Whilelambsmayappeardirty, theywilldryupoftheirownaccord irrespectiveofwhetherornottheyhave beendrenched.”
“So,ifyou’redrenchingatdockingyou maynotbekickingoutasmanyworms
Ginnysaystheonlytimelambsmay benefitfromadrenchattailing iswhereewesareinpoor condition,theyare underfedandnot milking,solambsare forcedtoeatalot moregrassthan wouldbetypical. Pre-weaning Insomepartsof thecountry,itis commonpractice togivelambsa drenchpre-weaning, buton-farmtrial workhasshownthata liveweightresponseisnot alwaysguaranteed.
Ginnysaysthefactorsthat determineresponsestoapre-weaning drenchareprobablysimilartothose thatdriveeweresponsestopre-lamb
Inanormalyear,lambsdonotrequire aroutinedrenchatdocking.
treatments:light,underfedewes lactatingonshortpastureswillhave lowerpeakmilkproductionandashorter lactation.Thismeansewesandlambs willbegincompetingwitheachother forpasturemuchearlierinthespring.In thissituation,lambsaremorelikelytobe impactedbyparasites. Increasingtheavailablefeedtoewes canhavebiggerbenefitsthanapreweaningdrench.Thiscouldinclude runninglambingmobstogetherand startingarotation,creepgrazingof lambsorevensellingeweswithlambs atfoottomakemorefeedavailablefor otherstock.
Inadditiontoacompleterangeoffencing requirements,wecarryawiderangeoffeedforall youranimalneeds.Ifwedon’thaveit,we’llgetit!
Withdrenchresistancebeingso prevalent,Ginnyurgesfarmerswhohave notcompletedadrenchefficacytestto doadrenchcheckafterthefirstlamb drench.
Thisisafaecaleggcounton10fresh samplescollectedfromtreatedlambs 7-12daysafterdrenching.Ifthereare significanteggsleakingthrough,itis timetoseekexpertadviceandmakea wormmanagementplanforthesummer andbeyond. Formoreinformationgotowww. wormwise.co.nz SuppliedbyBeef+LambNewZealand
HORSEFEED:HekeaoFeeds(exclusive),NRM,Mitavite, McMillians,OaklaneChaff,FiberFresh,KirkpatrickFeed Supplies,Dunstan,BenchmarkPerfectMash(exclusiv
STOCKFEED:Sharpes,NRM,Kibbled/WholeMaize
DOGFEED:Coprice,Supervite,MightyMix(exclusive),K9Petfoods,Tux
FederatedFarmersis backingmovestoreview healthandsafetyrules forfarmers,sayingit’s unfortunatesomeseem tohavecompletely misunderstoodthe Minister’sannouncement. WayneLangfordsaysifwedon’tgethealth andsafetyrulesright,thetraditionalrural upbringingforfarmers’childrenisunderthreat.
FederatedFarmers backGovernment healthand safetyreview
Takingacloserlookatthese rulesisreallyimportant,soit’s disappointingalotofpeople havegottenthewrongendofthestick,” FederatedFarmerspresidentWayne Langfordsays.
“TheGovernmentaren’ttryingtoadd layersofbureaucracyorwrapfarmkids upincottonwool.They’reactuallytrying todotheexactoppositeofwhat’sbeen portrayedinthemediasofar.
“Thisisallaboutmakingsurehealth andsafetyrulesarepractical,common sense,andeasytounderstand–and FederatedFarmersabsolutelywelcome thatconversation.”
Langfordsaysthecurrenthealthand safetyrulesforfarmershavegoneway toofarandareunnecessarilyconfusing forsmallerfamily-ownedfarming operations.
“We’retalkingaboutsmallmumand dadtypebusinesseswhomightonly employoneortwostaffmembers. They’recertainlynotbigcorporateswith ahealthandsafetymanageronstaff.
“They’rehands-onfarmerswho actuallyspendtheirdaysfarmingrather
thansittinginanoffice.That’swhyit’sso importanttheserulesarepracticaland easytounderstand.”
Hesaysconfusionabouthealthand safetyobligationshasmeantsome farmersnolongerallowchildrenonthe farmliketheywouldhaveinthepast,for fearoffallingfoulofthelaw.
“There’ssomethingveryspecialabout growinguponafarmandhavingthat classicruralchildhoodmanyfarmers enjoyedthemselves,”Langfordsays.
“That’sthechildhoodIhad,andmy ownkidshavehadsomethingsimilar, butIthinkwe’reatriskoflosingthatkind ofupbringingifwedon’tgettheserules right.”
Langfordsayspreservingthat traditionalruralKiwiupbringing,while stillkeepingkidssafe,isexactlywhat MinisterBrookevanVeldenistryingto achieve.
“Ithinkit’sunfortunatetheMinister’s exampleswerethingslikecollectingeggs andwateringplants–becausethat’snot reallywhatwe’retalkingabouthere.
“Thefactthosearethetalkingpoints theMinisterwasprovidedbybureaucrats tellsyoueverythingyouneedtoknow aboutwhyweneedtogetWellingtonout offarming.
“Inreality,we’retalkingaboutthings likefeedingcalves,shiftingstock,or helpingmumanddadhosedownthe shedaftermilking–perfectlysafe everydayfarmingactivities.”
FederatedFarmers100%backswhat theMinisterhasannouncedandlook forwardtoengagingintheconsultation process.
SuppliedbyFederatedFarmers
Opportunitytoinvest inprovengenetics
TurihauaAngusisgearingupfortheir16thSpringSale,settotake placeonTuesday,16September,atthestud’son-farmrostrum.
Thisyear,theywillpresentan impressiveline-upof28strapping yearlingbullsand10well-grown two-year-olds,allcarefullyselectedto meetthehighestbreedingstandards.
Reflectingonthesuccessoftheir AnnualSaleinJune,theteamatTurihaua isbothproudandhumbled.“Wewere blownawaybytheresults,”theysaid. “Butmorethananything,we’regrateful fortheongoingtrustandsupportfrom ourclients.Thatloyaltyspeaksvolumes aboutthelongevity,fertility,and performanceofourbulls—qualitiesthat keepbuyerscomingbackyearafteryear.”
Fortheupcomingsale,everyyearling bullhasbeenhandpickedasaheifer matingspecialist.Paulexplains,“We’re proudofthecombinationofdata, phenotype,andstructureonoffer.The mobaverageEBVof+4.2forCalving EaseDirectand+2.8forBirthWeight putsthesebullsinthetop25%ofthe Angusbreedfortheseessentialcalving traits.Thisgivesusrealconfidencethat they’lldeliverlivecalvesontheground, seasonafterseason.”
Fertilityhasalwaysbeenacornerstone oftheTurihauabreedingprogramme, andthisyear’sofferingisnoexception. Thegroupsitsinthetop15%ofthe
breedforfertility,withanimpressive averageDaystoCalvingfigureof-5.6. Theteamfirmlybelievesthatheifer matingisthefoundationofanyhighperformingherd.Byfocusingongenetics thatexcelinbothfertilityandcalving ease,theyensurethatthesebullswill notonlystartcalveseasilybutalsogrow intowell-balancedanimalswiththeright combinationofbone,muscle,andmeat.
Addingdepthtothisyear’scatalogue are12sonsfromrisingtwo-year-old heifers.SiressuchasMaestroandSherpa haveproventhemselvesexceptional, producingmoderate-framed,sound, easy-fleshingcattlewithexcellent temperamentsandhighfertility.Buyers willalsofindsonsfromtwoofthe stud’sheadline-makingsires—the record-breakingTurihauaNapalmand TurihauaLockdown—bothofwhichhave stampedtheirprogenywithconsistency, style,andstrongperformance.
Thesalewillonceagainbesupported byBIDR,offeringanonlinebidding platformthatrunsinconjunctionwith theliveauction.Thisensuresbuyers fromacrossthecountrycanparticipate withease,whetherinpersonor remotely.
Everybullcataloguedhaspassed
PaulandSarahat theJuneSale.
stringenthealthandperformance checks,includingMatingAbilityand SemenTestsconductedbyVetEast, independentAAinspection,genomic testing,andconfirmationofBVDnegativestatus.Inkeepingwith tradition,Turihauastandsfirmlybehind itsoffering,witheachbullbackedbya comprehensive3-YearGuarantee. Forbuyerslookingtoinvestinproven genetics,the16thSpringSalepromises ateamofbullsreadytodeliveron fertility,calvingease,andlong-termherd performance.
YEARLINGBULLS
SireTurihauaNapalm.
Paulandtheyearlingbullsoutonthehills.
Unexpectedharvest: howtheMacGregors becameaccidental bananafarmers
BySophieRishworth
Fouryearsago,BethandDylanMacGregorbought abeautifulhomeinthecountryfortheirfamily.
Thecouplehadnevergrownavege garden,yettheirnewhomecame with800persimmontreesand hundredsofbananapalms.
WhichishowtheMacGregorsfound themselvesaccidentalorchardists.
2018toseewhichonesdidthebestin Ormond’smicro-climate.
Theyalldid.Bananasthriveinwarm shelteredenvironments,andOrmondis typicallyfivedegreeshigherthanGisborne temperatures.
DylanisaformerNZspeedway championwho’sbuilthisowncarand isstillheavilyinvolvedinthespeedway circuit.HeandBethwerelookingfora changeaftersellinghisbusinessDJMac PanelandPaint.
Butneverdiditoccurtohimhe’d becomeabananafarmer.
“Wearelikeamateurs,”saidBeth,“but bananasaresupersuperforgiving,soyou can’treallygowrongwiththemtheyjust growandgrow.
“Thispropertyisacredittoformer ownersTaniaandKevin,andJackieand Allan.”
OrmondValleyOrganicsfirstbecame atrialbananaplantationin2017,with 15morebananavarietiesplantedin
They’realsoNewZealand’sfavouritefruit sothey’reinhighdemand.Bethsaidevery bananacouldbesoldbeforethey’reeven pickedoffthepalm.
Their3.5-hectarepropertystillhasthree bananavarieties-MisiLuki,whichhas asweetandfruityflavour,Pisang-awak (Ducasse)whichhasacreamyvanilla taste,andthere’salsoatinyplotofdwarf cavendishbananas.Bananasareheavy feedersandcantakealltheirfoodscraps, plusthey’rehardy-onepatchDylan mowedoverbouncedrightback.
However,their3.5hectarepropertyisat thatawkwardinbetweenstage–notbig enoughtogenerateenoughmoneytohire staffbutjustbigenoughforittobeatad overwhelmingforthemtodoontheirown.
VehicleWashingMadeEasy
Nevertheless,thecouplehavethrown themselvesvaliantlyintooperating OrmondValleyOrganicssupplyingtheir certifiedorganicbananasandpersimmon toTheVillageBerryShop,TwistedCitrus andfromtheirroadsidestallonHillRoad inOrmond.
“Weummandahhallthetime, whetherit’stoomuchforusandwhether otherpeoplecoulddomorewiththis property.
“Butthenwewalkaroundandit’sso beautiful,thebirds,thelake,you’dnever getapropertylikethisagain.”
LakeOmanasitsinthemiddleofthe property,coveredinanativeferncalled azolla.Itevenhasaresidentturtlethat cansometimesbespottedsunbathing.
Thereisalsoawalnutgrovewith toweringtreescloseto100yearsold,as wellasmacadamias,apricots,apples, peaches,limes,pears,lemonsandNavel andValenciaoranges.
Thepersimmonmarketisincreasingly popular,althoughthey’reafruityou eitherloveorloathe,saidBeth.
Thepruningofthepersimmontreesis theonejobthecoupleoutsource.
Otherwise,theydoallthepicking
themselves,withhelpfromteenageson Vinzent(whenhe’shomefromboarding school)andtheirlittleoneMaverick, who’sfour,andlikestokeepbusy.
Persimmonsarepickedwhenthey’re therightshadesoitcanbeweeksof goingupanddowntherowsoverand overtogetthemwhenthey’rejustright.
Forthebananaharvest,it’sDylanup alargeorchardladderwithamachete yellingtimbertoBethbelowbeforethe bunchofbananasfall.Agoodhaulwith manyfingersweighsaround20kg.
Bananasgrowinclumps–there’sthe grandmotherpalm,themotherpalmand thenthebabypalm.It’sthegrandmother thatfruits,thendies,andsothecycle continuesasnewpupplantssproutup.
Nopartofthebananapalmiswasted either.Thepurpleblossomisusedin cookingcurries,theleavescanalso beusedforcookingortowrapmeals in,plusthestalkcanevenbejuicedas it’sexcellentforbloodpressure(but apparentlydoesn’ttasteverynice).
Fouryearsinthecouplehavefully embracedtheirnewlifestyleand arealreadyexploringfreshcrops–pineapplescouldbenext.
Thebeautifulorangehueofthepersimmonrowsbeforeharvest
Maverickhelpingwiththebananaharvest
Fresh-squeezed success meets handmade magic at Ormond’s new Farm Shop
By Sophie Rishworth
Just 15 minutes from the city, Matt and Cath Carter of Hill Road Orchard in Ormond have expanded by opening a small on-site shop for gate sales
The Hill Road Farm Shop sells their famous orange juice (arguably the best drop in town) and the shelves are full of Cath’s “ grown-up ” jam range, which blends fruit with booze Flavours include strawberry-Chardonnay, plum-gin and peach-nectarine-Gewürztraminer
The farm shop also boasts a selection of locally made goods Cath describes as “Mummy side-hustles” There are hand-poured beeswax candles, natural cosmetics and bespoke children’s dresses, all crafted locally from natural ingredients There’s also Gisborne’s favourites such as Ocean Eggs, Torere macadamia chocolates, honey, artwork and wood turning
“Our aim is to showcase and promote local products with a focus on getting customers to purchase direct from producers when they purchase next,” said Cath
Most products can also be purchased online via the Hill Road Orchard website and can be delivered within city limits when Cath does the school-run each
weekday for their two boys, 12 and 6
Cath and Matt bought the property in 2010 They got it for a good price because others were scared off by its overgrown state The house was run down, the Valencia trees stood so dense in one block that only moss grew beneath them, and blackberry and ivy were in abundance
Now, 15 years later, they’re still on a long journey of land healing, with cyclones and other weather events thrown in the mix as well Cath reckons it could be another five to ten years before the orchard truly hums
The challenges they have encountered over the last 15 years, from Covid lockdowns to having to stop production in the winter post Cyclone Gabrielle, has created new learnings and the chance to diversify Cath and Matt embrace these challenges taking each hurdle as an opportunity to adapt the business
“You have to take each challenge as a lesson to be learned from – if you give in to the challenges – you ’ re screwed,” said Cath Their 6 7-hectare orchard has blocks of
Cath beside a Blood Orange tree, a fruit that’s notoriously hard to grow. Ninety percent of what a tree does is under the ground, said Cath.
CathbehindthecounteratHillRoadFarmShop servingregularcustomerJonoSamson.
ValenciaandNavelorangesthat’vegained areputationforproducingthefinestfreshsqueezedjuiceintheregion.
Butthere’sonlysomuchorangejuice onecommunitycandrink,soCathand Mattdiversifiedlate2021.Theyplanted seedlesslemons,bloodoranges,finger limesandpink-stripedlemons.Allwill provideadditionalsourcesofincome viapackhouseandretailsalesoncethey areproducinginafewyears’time.With strawberriesandothershortlifecrops providingadditionalgatesalesrevenue whilethepermanentcropsgrow.
LikemanyinourregionCycloneGabrielle andthethunderstormsandraincreated ongoingchallenges;theorchardstillbears scars.They’restilllosingsometrees,some don’tfruitliketheyusedto,newweeds havetakenroot,andthewormseven vanishedfor18monthsafterGabrielle. OneoftheirNavelorangeblocksplunged from50–60binspre-cyclonetojustfive binsinrecentseasons.
This,combinedwithonethirdoftheir
blockbeingindevelopmentandnot producing,hasledtosignificantfinancial challengesoverthelastcoupleofyears.
“Recoveryhasbeenaslowburn,” saidCath,“Itchangedthewaywedid business.”Yeteachsetbacksparkedfresh learningandnewventures.
BothCathandMattcomefrom horticulturalbackgrounds.Mattworks full-timeatFirstFresh,thencomeshome toworkontheorchard.“Therealityinour industryisthatthedaysarelong.”
Together,they’velearnedyoumust diversifyinordertosurvivethesignificant weathereventsaswellastheeconomic upsanddowns.
Cath’sownhorticulturecareersawher changetherolessheworkedinmany timesastheindustrychanged,buteach newopportunitytaughthersomething newthatshe’sbeenabletobringtothe tabletoday.
“We’lljustkeepevolving,”saidCath.
“Theindustrychangesconstantly,sowe alwayshavetostayonestepahead.”
Theirsustainableorcharduseswool andbreathablelonglifeweedmatfor coverontheirstrawberryfields.
•GeneralEngineering
•WroughtIronWork
•Mig,Tig,Aluminium&StainlessWelding
•Gatesmadetoorder
•Towbars/Bullbars
•PipeBending
•PlasmaCutting
•FireGuards
•ExhaustsNew&Repairs
•TrailerRepairs&Modifications
•EarmarkerRepairs
•OffalCookers
•Reinforcing-Cut&Bend
•SteelSupplier
TheHillRoadFarmShopisfullofbeautiful handmadegoods,allmadelocally.
Changeisthe onlyconstantat EastsinMakaraka
Nestledatthecrossroadsoftwo majorhighwaysinMakaraka,Easts hasstoodasaniconicdestination forover35years.Itslongevityisa testamenttoitsabilitytoadaptandserve boththetownandthesurroundingrural communities.Throughoutthesedecades, thestorehasevolved—broadeningits rangeofproductsandservicestomeetthe changingneedsofitscustomers.
Attheheartofthisenduringsuccessare DeanandTeresaCook,whoseunwavering dedicationandvisionhavekeptEastsa trustedname.Dean,asaddlerwithover 40yearsofexperience,remainsoneof thelastinthedistrictstillcraftinghisown lineofEast-brandedsaddles,leather, andcanvasproducts.Theseitems,now soughtafternationwide,areavailableboth onlineateastsonline.co.nzandin-store, embodyingqualityandcraftsmanship.
Teresahasbeenavitalpartner,curating aretailspacethatnowfeatureswell-known brandssuchasRMWilliams,Thomas Cook,andWrangler—perfectlysuitedfor ourruralandurbancommunitiesalike. Theircombinedeffortshavecreateda storethatisbothareflectionoftradition andahubforcontemporarystyles.
Deanemphasizesthatwhilethefuture remainsunpredictable,theircommitment
tooutstandingserviceandqualityendures. Alwaysopentonewopportunities,they understandthatchangeisinevitable,but theircorevalueswillcontinuetoguide themforward.
EastsinMakarakaexemplifiesresilience andcommunityspirit—proofthat,with dedication,abusinesscanevolvewithout losingitssenseofidentity.Astheylookto thefuture,onethingremainscertain:the onlyconstantischange,andEastsisready toembraceit.
LocalExpertise: We’vebeenpartoftheGisbornefarming communityforyears,providingtrustedadvice. HelpingYouRecover: Weunderstandthechallenges you’refacing—fromCycloneGabrielle’saftermathtouncertain commodityprices.We’reheretohelpyourebuildandgrow.
TailoredFertiliserSolutions: Whetherit’ssheepandbeef ormixedcropping,wemixfertiliserstosuityourfarm’sunique requirements,usingnutrientmappingandcarefulplanning. Ensureyourfertilisergoeswhereit’sneededmost,attheright timeandtherightrate,formaximumresults.
SueQuilter 021900311 EllaKaczmar 021906086 DanParsons 021914330
DeanCook
TeresaCook
Applicationsopen for2026OnFarm Supportscience scholarships
Ascholarshipprogramme runbytheMinistryfor PrimaryIndustries(MPI) hasstartedproducingthe nextgenerationofonfarmadviserstosupport farmersandgrowers.
FfionWhitewasoneoftheinaugural recipientsoftheOnFarmSupport sciencescholarshipandisnowan internwithBallanceAgri-Nutrientsinthe Manawatū-Whanganuiregion.
“I’mgettingtoworkon-farmalongside Ballance’snutrientspecialists.Myrole isabouthelpingfarmersimprovetheir soil,growbetterqualitypastureand crops,andbecomemoreproductiveand profitable,”MsWhitesays.
“Thescholarshipwashugelybeneficial. IhadamentorfromMPI’sOnFarm Supportteamwhoinvitedmetoindustry fielddaysandevents.Ithelpedmemeet peopleinthesectorwhichcamein handywhenIstartedlookingforajob.”
MsWhite,whocompletedaBachelor ofAgriculturalScienceatMassey University,isoneof4scholarship recipientswhohavesecuredprimary industryadvisoryroles.Anotheris NerissaEdwards,whonowworksasa farmconsultantwithFeilding-basedKS Agri.
“Everydayisdifferent.Ifindithugely rewardingworkingwithfarmerstocreate individualplanstodriveimprovements inon-farmefficiency,profitability,and
sustainability,”MsEdwardssays.
“Thescholarshipenabledmeto buildconnectionswithintheadvisory sector.Thatledtoa6-monthinternship withKSAgriandeventuallyaroleasa consultant.”
MPIlaunchedtheOnFarmSupport sciencescholarshipsin2023.MPI’s directorofOnFarmSupport,Vanessa Winning,saysapplicationsarenowopen fornextyear’sscholarships.
“Sixscholarships,worthatotalof $30,000,areonofferforthe2026 academicyeartotertiarystudents enrolledinrelevantagriculture, horticulture,science,orviticulture degrees,”MsWinningsays.
“We’reseekingapplicationsfrom studentswhohaveagenuineinterest inpursuingacareerineitherthe agriculture,horticulture,orviticulture advisorysector.Applicantsmusthave completedtheirfirstyearofstudy.”
MsWinningsaysthere’sstrong demandforon-farmadvicebackedby scienceandanalysisthatcansupport producerstoadaptandimprovebusiness performance.
“MPIisbackinginitiativesthatsupport farmersandgrowerstosustainablyboost productivityandprofitability,helping toachievetheGovernment’sgoalof doublingthevalueofexportsby2034,” MsWinningsays.
Applicationsforthescholarshipsclose on15September2025.
Forfurtherinformationandgeneral enquiries,callMPIon0800008333or mailinfo@mpi.govt.nz
PGGWRIGHTSONEAST COASTLIVESTOCKTEAM
Foryouron-farmlivestockinspection,paddocksale/ purchases,primestockdraftingoranylivestockbusiness requirementyourmayhave,pleasedonothesitateto contactoneofourexperienceteams.
Whenalliswell,the microorganismswillthrive andmultiplybreaking downfibrousmaterial,convertingit intodigestiblenutrientsforthecow, withgasasaby-product.Typically, cowsreleasethisgasbybelching approximatelytwiceeveryfive minutes.However,certainconditions candisruptthisprocess,leadingto potentiallyseriousconsequences.
Cattleonahigh-fiberdietproduce largeamountsofsaliva,whichaids digestionandhelpsmaintainastable rumenpH.Duringspring,pasturesare oftenrichincarbohydratesandprotein butlowinfiber.Afteracoldnightand heavydew,thelowfibregrasseaten mixedwithverylittlesaliva(thecow’s
ownanti-bloatagent)cansetthestage fordevelopingfrothybloat.When thishappens,airbubblesaretrapped betweenlayerscausingtherumento swelldramaticallyandalargebulge intheabdomenwilldeveloprapidly, showingintheleftflank.
Acowwithfrothybloatwillstop eating,becomerestless,andwilltry frequentlytourinateordefecate.As thedistensionbecomesworse,the animalwillshowseverebreathing difficultiesandmaygroanandgrindher teethbecauseofpainanddiscomfort. Withouttimelyintervention,the pressurefromthebloatedrumencan leadtoheartorlungfailure,resultingin death.
Sowhatcanwedotominimisethe
Frothybloat incattle
WrittenbyBasVanLuijk,HeadVeterinarianatEastCoastFarmVets
Bloatisacommonconditionincattle,particularly duringspringwhenpasturesarelush.Itpredominantly affectscattleduetotheuniquestructureoftheir stomach,specificallytherumen,whichishometoa thrivingpopulationofmicroorganisms.
riskofdevelopingfrothybloat?
•Controlgrazingonhigh-risk pastures. Hungrycowsaremore likelytogorgethemselvesonhigh-risk springpastures,especiallyduringquick rotationwhenfeedislimited.
•Ensureadequatefiberintake. Supplementingthedietwithhayor silageprovidesadditionalfiber,which notonlyreducesbloatriskbutalso enhancesrumenfunction.
•Avoidhigh-riskpaddocksasthe firstfeedinthemorning. .Waituntil pasturehasdriedupbeforeputting cowson(afternoon);alternativelygraze high-riskpastureswithpoorer-quality pastures.
•Userumenmodifiers. Products likeRumensincapsuleshelpalterthe
rumen’smicrobialbalance,promoting efficientenergy-producingbacteria whilereducinggas-producingtypes.
•Administerbloatdetergents. ModernproductssuchasBloatenzhelp breakdownthefoamthattrapsgasin therumen.
Ifyounoticeacowshowingearly signsofbloat,drenchitwithbloat oilor,ifunavailable,250-500mlof vegetableoil(dependingonthesize ofthecow).Quicklyremovetheherd fromtheproblematicpastureandoffer hayormaturegrass/silage.Severely affectedanimalsrequireurgent veterinaryattention.
Discussbloatmanagementwithyour vetinadvancetoensureyou’refamiliar withthesignsandwell-prepared.
