CountryLife | 20 October 2017

CountryLife Friday October 20, 2017

A Cambridge News special publication

CountryLife – 1

OCTOBER 2017

Photo by Emma Troughton

2 – CountryLife

Friday October 20, 2017

Equidays done and dusted

By Claire Castle

Once again the night shows attracted bumper crowds.

Photo by Emma Troughton

Artist has prize-winning stand

Cambridge artist Nicola Lewis took out the award for best large indoor stand at Equidays, taking the chance to showcase both her sculptures and paintings at the three-day event. Nicola was demonstrating her sculpting over the course of the event, and said that attracted a lot of interest.

Equidays is all over for another year, with just over 22,200 horse enthusiasts through the gates at Mystery Creek over the course of three days, the second-highest gate numbers in the event’s seven-year history. The weather mostly held out, and visitors had the chance to enjoy a variety of events and shopping.

Equidays has a strong focus on education, and expert clinicians conducted workshops on a variety of subjects. One such expert was Ben Longwell, a regular presenter at the event. Ben had some sad news for the assembled crowd, telling them that they were “looking for love in all the wrong places”.

“I know you guys think your horses love you, and maybe I shouldn’t say this but they don’t love you. They might like you a lot, they might appreciate you feeding them, they might enjoy you riding them…but our human idea of love, you can’t put that on a horse,” he said, amid cries of protest.

He urged horse owners to protect their personal space and to use the horse’s body language in training,

“because a horse moves in rhythm,” he said.

There were 800 horses at Equidays, with 550 staying at onsite accommodation – housed in the 445 yards and 111 stables set up especially for the event. Many of these horses competed over the course of three days, with show jumping and dressage on the timetable along with Cavaletti and Derby demonstrations.

Cambridge rider Amanda Berridge on Woodygoodwin was crowned supreme champion of the showing divisions, while Andrea Kewish won the Show Jumping Amateur Rider series on Sunday.

With 13 columns of different events each day on the timetable for Equidays, patrons had a dazzling array of events to choose from.

At the conclusion of Equidays, it was time to pack up and head on the road to Christchurch, for the first ever show down there. Five clinicians and 59 exhibitors will give Christchurch crowds a chance to experience a taste of the show for the first time this weekend.

More than 1400 tickets have already been sold for this, making this year’s Equidays the most successful to date.

Ben Longwell advised on the importance of personal space with your horse

CountryLife – 3

Friday October 20, 2017

Young workers over-represented in suicide stats Worrying rates of depression and suicide among young farm workers have become a cause for concern over the past few years.

By Viv Posselt Recent findings show that suicide rates are higher in rural areas than in urban areas. New Zealand’s first study of farm suicides revealed recently that issues around poor relationships, alcohol or drug use and ready access to firearms create a “fatal combination” linked to many farm suicides, particularly among young men.

The study, which scrutinised coroners’ records from 2007-2015, was conducted by Canterbury University researcher and suicide prevention specialist, Annette Beautrais. It was reported as having found that neither financial stress nor severe weather conditions were significant factors in farmer suicide, but revealed existing mental illness was prevalent in 28 percent of cases.

Ms Beautrais said while there was no spike in suicides linked to the downturn

in dairy prices that started in late 2014, the study would continue to at least 2020 to cover any lagging impact.

In November last year, it was reported that one-third of farmers who took their lives over the previous year were from Waikato (six of out a total of 18).

Neil Bateup, chairman of the Rural Support Trust, which has 14 Trusts around the country, said younger farmers were over-represented in rural suicide statistics and that tough working hours and fluctuating milk prices were making the problem particularly apparent in the dairy industry.

“There is far greater awareness of the risk now than even three years ago,” he said, “and while that helps, it is much more than just an individual problem. People need to look out for one another, spot the signs that may signify depression and ask for help.

Rural Support Trust chairman Neil Bateup says those working the land need to keep an eye out for changes in those they work with.

TIPS FOR STAYING HEALTHY

• Eat well • Get enough sleep • Keep fit – get sufficient nonwork related physical activity • Get enough off-farm time with family and friends • Remain socially connected • Have regular medical checkups • Create and take opportunities to de-stress • Share concerns and problems with others • Keep an eye on the wellbeing of others • Know where to get help when you need it “Our organisation is operational 24/7 and we have people able to walk alongside anyone feeling stressed.”

Neil’s view was echoed by National Fieldays CEO Peter Nation, who was instrumental in getting the Fieldays Health Hub up and running this year.

The interactive space proved successful in getting farmers in front of a range of medical services – something many farmers are reluctant to do without a nudge.

“They tend to be of the “she’ll be right” mindset, but we know that 10 people were identified as having a potential melanoma, and a couple of prostate issues were picked up through the hub. You can’t put a price on that.”

Peter said it was easier for people to keep a check on their mental health if they looked after their general health Jenni Vernon has many links to the farming industry, and says farming concerns. can be particularly isolating for younger workers.

Jenni Vernon, who is linked to the in a heat pump for farm workers, so National Fieldays Society, Waikato River it a real shock to the system. Many of them are hard-working and loyal, and they don’t have to make a fire after a Authority and the Waikato District just keep on going even when they long day. There are lots of checks and Council, said it while it was essential should be making a point of getting off- balances now, but it is up to everybody farmers looked out for their younger farm and socialising with their peers. to make sure rural workers stay healthy staff members, it was also important “It’s the little things that can make – physically and mentally.” for farm workers to familiarise a different. Something like putting themselves with the risks and selfmanage.

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4 – CountryLife

Friday October 20, 2017

A country affair of the heart

By Steph Bell-Jenkins

Follow Kaipaki Road from Cambridge as it meanders through lush green farmland, and you will find The Olde Creamery nestled in a paddock of daisies, surrounded by grand old English trees.

It was love at first sight for the cafe’s co-owner Chris Edmeades when she first laid eyes on the picturesque property 17 years ago.

Originally built as a creamery for local farmers in 1892, was being used as a rose nursery and had fallen into a state of disrepair – but the history aficionado, who has been collecting old things since she was 16, saw its potential.

“And I saw it at sunset, looked toward Pirongia and the sun was setting, it was like, oh my God,”

said Chris, who had just ended a 25-year teaching career to take up floristry.

“My dream was to have a little country cafe, keep some of the roses, have my florist shop through there and bob’s your nana.”

Chris and partner Geoff bought the property in 2000, continuing to operate it as a nursery until September 2001, when they closed for three months and built The Olde Creamery cafe.

“We worked our little fingers to the bone,” Chris said. “This was just dirt floors, no ceiling. It was a pure labour of love but I could just see in my head what it was going to be like.”

Using recycled materials wherever possible, they clad the interior walls with marine ply and corrugated iron to create a rustic feel, and

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decorated the cafe with collections of “old things”.

“We were 115 years old,” Chris said. “We didn’t want to pretend to be new. I just wanted it to be cute and old fashioned and vintage.

“All the tables are set with flowers and we use leaf tea served in china with sugar cubes. We want to create an experience people won’t forget.”

The biggest challenge initially was getting people through the door.

“I really had to promote it because, as my mother said, ‘Christine, no one will come out to you, you’re in a paddock’. I said ‘okay, I’ll take the risk mum’. She said ‘you’re 50, you shouldn’t be doing it’. I said, ‘I’ll still be 50 if I don’t do it mum’.”

That was 16 years ago and there have been a few challenges along the way, including a devastating fire in 2014, but the community and local business networking groups have been “incredibly supportive”.

“To me you get one shot at life so you go for it. Just do what makes you happy and hopefully make other people happy along the way,” Chris said.

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CountryLife – 5

Friday October 20, 2017

Fencing waterways to combat pollution Fencing of waterways has proven very effective where it has been used to combat the risks of contamination from agriculture, AgResearch says.

AgResearch’s Professor Rich McDowell, the chief scientist for the Our Land and Water National Science Challenge, was speaking after the publication of a study looking at policies for fencing waterways on contamination loads in New Zealand waterways.

His paper was published in the American Journal of Environmental Quality.

The Ministry for the Environment’s Our Freshwater 2017 report indicates that urban waterways have the worst overall water quality in New Zealand, but much of the public focus in recent years has been on the impact of agriculture - particularly dairy farming - on waterways in rural areas.

“Fencing is very effective at reducing contaminant loads to waterways - by 10 to 90 per cent depending on the nature of the contaminants and local issues,” Prof McDowell says.

“Fencing works especially well for the likes of E. coli or phosphorus contamination that can result from animal waste or stream bank destabilisation. However, fencing all waterways in New Zealand is impractical and in some places other good management practices may be more cost-effective.”

“A combination of better awareness of the issues and the use of good management practices (including fencing) in the right place is starting to reverse degrading trends in the likes of phosphorus and sediment in the water over the

last decade,” Prof McDowell says.

Dairy farmers had invested in a major programme of fencing waterways to the equivalent of nearly 27,000km. They should continue to do so as it is effective at reducing waterway contamination, Prof McDowell says.

“The fact that most of the contaminant load comes from areas not requiring fencing reflects the much greater number and areas occupied by small streams – potentially from steeper country where dairy farming is unlikely to be present.

Other work also indicates that a substantial proportion of contaminant concentrations may be from natural sources.”

AgResearch Research Director Greg Murison says there is a big focus by his own organisation and others, including DairyNZ, to support farmers in developing management practices that reduce the risk of water contamination.

“The number of science programmes looking at these issues demonstrates how scientists are being responsive to what is important to New Zealanders.”

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6 – CountryLife

Friday October 20, 2017

Laser solution to invasive weeds

Drone-mounted lasers could be used to zap weeds that are posing a billion-dollar problem for New Zealand agriculture, AgResearch scientists say.

Gorse would be an obvious target for zapping by drone.

AgResearch – with partners the Universities of Auckland and Michigan and NZ-based technology firm Redfern Solutions Limited - has been awarded just under $1 million from the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment’s Endeavour Fund to investigate how to “map and zap” the many weeds plaguing productive land.

A recent study led by AgResearch concluded from available research that the known costs of weeds to New Zealand agriculture was at least $1.685 billion a year, but that the true cost from all weeds was likely to be much higher.

Environmentally friendly tools are being urgently sought for the early control of these weeds.

“The idea is to mount specialist cameras on the drone or UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) that can first identify the weeds based on their unique chemical signatures and how they reflect light, and precisely map their locations using GPS,” says programme leader Dr Kioumars Ghamkhar.

“From there, we think smart spraying (rather than systemic and non-targeted use of chemicals), or the right kind of laser mounted on the drone could hone in and damage the weed. We know there are lasers now available that could be suitable, and that they are extremely accurate, so if lasers are used, it would also avoid damaging the useful plants around the weed.”

Dr Ghamkhar says the current methods for tackling weeds can be very expensive and timeconsuming, and often involve chemicals which can impact on crops, soil quality or water sources.

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Dr Kioumars Ghamkhar, AgResearch programme leader, said the drones could be an efficient way of tackling invasive weeds. efficient option for users such as farmers, regional councils and the Department of Conservation.

We’ve already spoken with our collaborators in the universities about the lasers that are available that might be suitable. The effectiveness of lasers against plants has been tested overseas before but that was in the lab, and we’ll be taking it out in the field to test and see if it works as we have planned.”

“We’ll be starting with testing of different types of laser with plants at three different stages of growth in the lab, and from there we will select the best form of laser to see its impacts on the weeds out on a farm.”

“There are issues we would have to consider such as heat generated by the lasers, and the risk of starting fire, and we’ll be very conscious of this particularly where there are dry days or drought conditions. We’ll also be looking at using a group of small lasers to direct at the weed, as opposed to one large and powerful laser that might generate more heat.”

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CountryLife – 7

Friday October 20, 2017

Sheep dog trials run at Whitehall

By Sophie Iremonger Dozens of dogs from around the North Island gathered at a local farm recently to contest the annual Cambridge Classic sheep dog trials.

Held on Michael Oliver’s farm in Whitehall, 42 heading dogs competed across two days of competition during the first weekend of October, gathering and driving a small group of sheep around a course and into a pen, in a bid to win prizes and titles.

The first day and a half of competition rounded out the top five competitors, who then went on to compete in the grand final on Sunday afternoon.

Cambridge’s Graeme Strawbridge ran his dog Chief in the final round with promising poise, but a failure to fully shed unmarked sheep away from marked sheep is what caused he and several others to miss out on the grand prize.

“It’s really an extra skill that the dog needs to have, if they want to get that top placing,” explained Michael Oliver, who organises the competition each year. “It’s a very useful component of modern shedding.”

Graeme and Chief finished in fifth, behind Graham Wellington and his dog Murphy in fourth, Ian Burling and Jed in third, and Neville Child and Harry in second and Bruce Ireland and Johnny in first.

Graham said he was fairly happy with his dogs’ performance. “They did very well… They’ve got a lot of natural ability… but it’s all done mechanically, then you can’t always tell what’s happening way up on the hill, and if the dog can’t suss it out you’re going to lose it.”

Judge Tony Hargreaves travelled down from Northland to judge the competition for a second

time this year. He said he was pleased with the standard of performance, despite the first lot of dogs initially having a tricky time with the sheep.

“The sheep weren’t very workable at first, they were a bit crappy,” he laughed. “But then the sun came out and they settled down and they were very good.”

“It was a very good standard of work across the two days,” added Michael Oliver. “All of the competitors made the standard during the qualifying rounds, their runs were excellent all day.”

Despite the final day’s rain and cold wind, Michael said, “As it turned out we were lucky considering what was forecast… The rain was a little bit rough! But we made it through fine.”

One important component to the smooth running of the competition was another Cambridge area local, Ian Grey, just short of 93 years old, who helped set up the course and organise the runs. Ian was awarded the special Black Hawk dog food prize for the best quality of work by an unplaced competitor.

Ian resides in Tamahere but originally got

involved in sheep dog trials at his former home in Pokeno. Coincidentally, first-placed competitor Bruce Ireland bought Ian Grey’s Pokeno land when he retired, and then took up sheep dog trialling having previously been an animal trainer at Auckland Zoo, working with seals and even elephants.

Having taken part in the competition before, Michael Oliver said Bruce Ireland’s performance had improved once again. “He has progressed with his ability to run a dog on the hill to succeed with good work there,” said Michael.

Graeme Strawbridge with Chief (black and white) and his other competing dog, Boss (tri colour).

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Friday October 20, 2017

Airfare goes down Equestrian legend David Goodin, 80, made an appearance at the 2017 Equidays at the weekend, riding Our Airfare to Renton owned by Trish McPherson.

It was Airfare’s first time at the three-day event, and one of many for Goodin, who has attended almost every annual Equidays event.

The 10-year old horse, which was thought to be suffering from staggers caused by eating new grass, got spooked in the Derby run on Sunday and threw David off.

He and Airfare both walked away from the incident, but David was later put in a moon-boot with a suspected broken foot.

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