Nelson Marlborough Farming June 2020

16,500 copies distributed monthly – to every rural delivery & P.O. mailbox in Nelson, Marlborough & The West Coast. June 2020

INSIDE Primary sector a Covid-19 star in economy Article supplied by Richard Rennie, Laurich Comm

Buildings under exemptions may still need resource consent pg 5 Federated Farmers pg 6-7 Annual Bull Sales Feature pg 15-17 Soil Matters pg 18 Mycoplasma Bovis Update pg 19 Country Motoring pg 21 Hunting pg 22

The primary sector’s response to the Covid-19 crisis over the past weeks has set it up well for the uncertain future ahead, and offers some opportunities that will be welcome by many in those sectors that have been hit hard by the global pandemic.

When New Zealand went into lockdown on March 25 the government’s practical acknowledgement of the need for the farming sector to continue operating as normally as possible was welcome. Now, as the country hopes to emerge to something closer to ‘normal’ the sector can quietly celebrate some wins over a particularly trying time.

Latest export figures covering part of the lockdown period from February 1 to late April highlight that primary exports pulled in nearly $8.2billion over that time, a whopping $800 million more than the same period two years ago.

That figure included a healthy $6.2 billion of dairy exports and $890 million in fruit.

The figures had agriculture minister Damien O’Connor supporting the sector’s potential for pulling the economy out of a dire position. “The latest provisional trade statistics show our apples and kiwifruit continue to be star performers, with $890 million of fruit exported between February 1 and April 22,” he said. Investor attention is turning to the primary sector and the starring role it is likely to play in coming months and years in the recovery. While always regarded as a key plank in New Zealand’s export earnings, that has been accentuated with the loss of tourism, a sector earning about $12 billion a year.

Bayleys lifestyle and country sales manager Matt Clutterbuck says he is getting

strong enquiry from investors and orchard operators wanting to expand their kiwifruit holdings. This season’s performance has the sector viewed as well positioned with a strong brand, good marketing and distribution and appealing returns.

“The sector recovered well from Psa and has responded well to the Covid-19 crisis, continuing to process fruit and ship to market.

Zespri’s latest update on the sector is looking positive after nervousness early in the lockdown about how it would be able to harvest a bumper crop with the social distancing constraints laid down.

However, by early May packhouse processing was running well ahead of previous years. Zespri reported it had shipped 32 million trays by the end of April, up more than 4 million trays on last year and almost 12 million trays ahead of 2018. This is coming with a crop that is estimated to be 5% ahead of last year’s.

Meantime the forestry sector which took an early hit from Covid-19’s effect on China has had a healthy recovery as work gets going again under level 3 lockdown.

Wharf space and stockpiles that were constraining shipments to China have been dealt with, ports in New Zealand are into full processing mode and prices are again looking buoyant in the log market.

Dairying prospects are also looking healthy heading into the start of a new season. Food service sales were hit hard by the Covid lockdown in China’s big cities, but provinces are on the road to recovery as those restrictions ease, with Fonterra anticipating sales tonnages will return close

Primary sector ‘stars’ - pic from Karen Bingham to normal over May and June.

Underscoring the positive prospects is the need to get more people engaged in the primary sector. Dairying, horticulture and forestry are all seeking more workers for seasonal and longer-term jobs in the sector. Covid has further sharpened that need, with many migrant workers unable to make it to New Zealand for their seasonal jobs.

Damien O’Connor said there was no shortage of demand over the coming year for more workers and that New Zealand needed a skilled workforce to help the country seize the opportunities before it. Estimates were

the primary sector needed about 50,000 more people in a post Covid-19 world.

Bayleys national rural director Duncan Ross says the enduring value of primary sector investment is more appealing than ever in a global environment where interest rates are historically low, and stock markets are wracked with volatility and uncertainty.

“There is a recognition there that investment in solid primary sector assets that generate definitive yearly returns are a good place to be, and New Zealand with its high standards of production and biosecurity has suddenly become more appealing.”

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“Get NZ working”

Progress on ‘clean water’

Hon Nick Smith

National’s new leadership team of Todd Muller and Nikki Kaye gives the top of the south and New Zealand a real and serious choice about how we recover from the economic fallout from Covid-19.

The hundreds of local job losses already has our regions topping the wrong charts. The Ministry of Social Development has unemployment benefits up 500% on last year and growing faster than other regions. Nelson’s Economic Development Agency says the fallout has just begun forecasting a loss of 4,000 local jobs in the next year.

Forecasts also predict hundreds of businesses to go broke.

Todd Muller’s first statement as National’s leader shows he gets the scale of the economic challenge facing the regions saying, “the election will be about the economy, but not the economy the bureaucracy talks about. It will be about the economy you live in – your job, your main street, your marae, your tourism businesses, your football club, your local butcher, your kura, your netball courts, your farms, your shops and your families.”

Actions speak louder than

words. Senior politicians like to take on glamorous portfolios like the Arts (Jacinda Ardern) Sports (Grant Robertson) and Tourism (John Key). That Todd Muller has chosen the Small Business portfolio shows grit. His commitment is to support the recovery of New Zealand’s 500,000 small businesses, including 8,000 in our region.

Todd’s background from a kiwifruit orcharding family also includes leadership roles in Fonterra, Zespri and the avocado industry.

He gets horticulture and exporting that are so important to Nelson. His time on the Waikato University Council and as a Director of Plant and Food Research shows he is future focussed and values science. His statement that “I’m not interested in opposition for opposition’s sake” is consistent with his leadership in persuading National to support the Government’s Climate Change Commission legislation.

New Deputy Leader Nikki Kaye is a talented woman who will be a powerful voice for young people and our urban communities. She comfortably beat Jacinda Ardern in 2011 and 2014 for the Auckland Central Electorate. She is a genetic scientist, lawyer, accomplished athlete and recently recovered from breast cancer. She has had ministerial experience in Education, Civil Defence

and ACC. National is best placed to lead our economic recovery.

We did it in the 1990s when unemployment soared to 10% post the 1987 crash and again in 2013s post the Global Financial Crisis, restoring jobs, growth and prosperity. The problem for the current Government is they don’t understand business and believe big spending is the answer to every woe. They are great at bold announcements like the 100,000 Kiwibuild homes, Auckland Light Rail or a Billion Trees Programme but have proved unable to deliver.

National will be outlining our clear plans to save jobs and rebuild the economy in the coming weeks. My new role in Todd Muller’s line up is working with Amy Adams on these Covid-19 recovery policies. Our focus is on how we stem job losses, restore business confidence and get the top of the south and New Zealand working again.

Minister of Agriculture Hon Damien O’Connor

At the end of May I was proud to stand alongside Ministers Parker and Shaw to deliver on a promise that we made when we came into Government, to protect our most valuable resource – our fresh water.

We introduced a package of water reforms that will create jobs and benefit the value of New Zealand’s agriculture export and tourism offerings.

Primary sector and other groups will be financially assisted with the implementation of the new clean water standards through a $700 million fund that will create jobs in riparian and wetland planting, removing sediments and other initiatives to prevent farm run off entering waterways.

Many of our rivers, lakes and wetlands are under serious threat after years of decline and political inaction. If we don’t start cleaning up our water now, they will get worse, become more expensive to fix and we risk serious damage to our international clean green reputation.

Our environmental reputation is the thing that underpins one of our biggest export earners - agriculture.

Our high-value overseas consumers want greater assurances that the food and fibre they buy is produced in a sustainable way – and they’re willing to pay a premium for it.

Cleaning our waterways will secure the future of our meat, dairy and other primary exports and ensure they continue to earn higher prices overseas. It makes

both economic and environmental sense.

All farmers in New Zealand appreciate the value of high-quality water and many have done a huge amount of work to improve their practices over the last 20 years or more. Many are leading the way in restoring our waterways. Work undertaken to date estimates 80% of dairy farmers won’t be affected by the cap on synthetic nitrogen fertiliser.

We intend to deliver this through already established and proven catchment management groups.

Catchment groups provide wonderful opportunities for famers to support and learn from each other. They also provide an avenue for collaborative, grass-roots action to resolve local issues, including improving sustainability and improv-

ing water quality In addition to the $700 million fund, $229 million was announced in Budget 2019 to support productive and sustainable land use.

So far, through this package, we have supported a group of 1,000 Southland farmers and 300 King Country farmers. More are in the pipeline; we’re looking to support a further six catchment and community groups through extension projects in the coming weeks.

The changes farmers and growers will make in the coming years will put New Zealand on a path to achieving a once in a generation opportunity to transform the way we grow our food and fibre for ourselves and for the world.

Agriculture a huge priority for a National Government

By Stuart Smith MP

We had a major announcement with the election of Todd Muller as the new Leader of the National Party. I want to start out by

congratulating Todd Muller on being elected as the new Leader of the New Zealand National Party. Todd and I were both elected for the first time in 2014 and I look forward to seeing what he can do. It’s promising to have a Leader that has experience in running a business.

A Leader who can read and understand a balance sheet and who understands that the world doesn’t owe us a living. This is what the current Government lacks.

I think it’s also really positive that Todd has an extensive background in agriculture. Agriculture has always been a major contributor to New Zealand’s economy and will continue to be long into the future.

The current and previous Labour Governments have

been too quick to dismiss the opportunity and value that agriculture brings to the country. Their belief that agriculture is going to be surpassed by other sectors that are just around the corner just isn’t realistic.

We have made it clear that agriculture will be a huge priority for a National Government. Having a Leader that will help farmers to be more resilient and provide a clear pathway to economic recovery is how we can build farming into an even more important powerhouse of our economy. Agriculture must continue to provide valuable jobs and growth, and provide great wealth for our country.

I’d like to finish by saying a huge thankyou to all our farmers out there who kept

working during lockdown restrictions while most New Zealanders were required to stay at home.

Many people are quick to attack the farming sector, but I hope people think twice before they do so in the future.

Because of our world leading farmers, supermarkets were able to keep stocked up with high-quality supplies. Because of you, we always had food on the tables for our families during those tough times.

Our primary sector has been essential to providing stability to our economy in this trying time. But they will need support to continue producing our valuable food and exports and we should be ensuring as few roadblocks as possible.

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Buildings under exemptions may still need resource consent From Joe Blakiston - PGGWrightson Tasman Real Estate Manager - Blenheim Well who saw that coming! I was a sceptic about what was going on in March and am pleased we had the positive leadership to be able to stamp out the spread of Covid 19 and put us in a position where we can manage our own destiny – but I am also aware that we are one kilometre into a Covid marathon and we have to remain vigilant. Many reading this will be essential workers and farming related industry members of which I am so proud to be associated with and despite all the negative press over recent years now is our time to shine. PGGWrightson and Fruitfed have played a major part in the business continuity for Rural New Zealand with our field team all reporting very busy Autumn with plenty of challenges – but we are pleased to be again at the forefront of New Zealand Agriculture. Drought aside we have plenty to be positive about and hopefully some political, bureaucratic and financial obstacles will be removed to allow primary produce to become more efficient.

My sage advice for this month is no different to what I have been saying for ever – be kind, talk to your neighbours, family and friends and be understanding of how different people have been affected by the last 6 weeks .

From a PGGWrightson Real Estate perspective there has been renewed interest in listings since we entered Level 2 however a general reluctance to list properties given the tumultuous few months we have had. I can honestly say that there are buyers out there and I would recommend talking to us for an obligation free appraisal and marketing advice.

Have a great month and take care, Joe Blakiston

Anna Bensemann, Senior Planner, Baseline Group Marlborough, Ph 027 946 0445 or email anna@blg.nz Recently Government announced exemptions to the Building Act which mean building consents may no longer be required for small builds. Before you rush out to buy building materials be aware that the devil is in the detail.

Planning provisions and local district plans still apply to any new buildings on your property. Currently planning rules are triggered at the time you apply for building consents with a notice issued that you cannot build until you have obtained the necessary resource consents. Under the new exemptions coming into effect from late August, that trigger will not automatically happen, but the responsibility to obtain any necessary resource consents will still apply.

You may think that because council are not checking if you need a resource consent, then you will get away without the required paperwork under the RMA. However, the legal obligation as the landowner and the potential effect on the resale value of your property of not having the legal requirements in place, may come back to get you when selling. And don’t forget it only takes a phone call to council from an aggrieved neighbour or passer-by and you’re in trouble.

So, if you are thinking of building a new pole shed, an additional 30 m² sleepout with a sneaky kitchen included, or a new 40 m² car port, be aware you cannot simply slap it up and “she’ll be right mate”. Along with the planning rules there are requirements for construction supervision by a Licenced Building Practitioner (LBP) to meet the exemptions.

In many cases there are building setbacks from boundaries with other neighbours to ensure you do not create shade or reduce privacy for your neighbours, and often the resource consents process seeks that you get written approval from these neighbours for such breaches.

In many rural areas you are only allowed one residential dwelling per property or within set areas (e.g. every 20 ha). A second dwelling, usually defined as having kitchen facilities, can increase the number of vehicles and people using the rural area that might not be in keeping with amenity values anticipated. While it might not be a problem for you, your neighbourhood may find issue with the way the next owners use that second dwelling.

The size of a septic tank systems is derived from the number of bedrooms a dwelling has, so a new sleepout may increase the pressure on a septic system beyond its designed capacity. This often triggers a resource consent

requirement for the discharge of wastewater via the disposal field. This process allows council to understand you have sufficient capacity in the system to accommodate the potential load on your septic system and avoid a bad smell.

If the new Building Act exemptions have you itching to get to the hardware store, take a deep breath and double check with Council or a planning consultant if a resource consent is needed and if you meet the criteria of the Building Act exemptions. It’s usually a 5-minute call. A she’ll be right approach will not do you any favours in the long term.

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Nelson Federated Farmers – April report It was not surprising that road maintenance was one agenda item for the early March meeting as roading and associated use, rates and costs are a major farmer concern, especially in a

district with narrow winding valley roads. Issues of lack of roadside vegetation control, culvert and drain and gravel surfaces maintenance contribute dangers for all users and especially school buses.

Although remedial action can respond to danger, with two local authorities and NZTA involved, the Province needs to develop a coordinated approach to resolution. An associated topic noted approval of realistic FF submissions on TDC river gravel extraction resource consents.

The meeting was fortunate to be addressed

by Mark Woods, MPI M.bovis information representative (0275320276).

He dealt with concerns about traceability, the consequences of legislation creating community negatives, and general unease about various MPI operations resulting in marketing disruptions affecting both cattle and people. That included

(relevant extracts)

NAIT issues, conflicts between MINSDA and NAIT, improved traceability timing intervals that still did not fully respond to problems, privacy and Biosecurity Act issues.

He noted completion of basically all legacy compensation cases, and that experience was identifying infection points to calf birth and raising origins

rather than later transfer.

Although major testing should be completed this year it could wind down over the next ten. Bulk milk tank screening was the basis for current beef surveillance testing that will be more practically difficult.

Recent Southland floods reminded of the dangers of storing farm

waste near rivers, costs of remedial actions and needed increased DINZ and B&LNZ education, although Nelson is the fastest-growing region for balewrap recovery.

Fencing waterways and wetlands subject to flooding and consequent fence destruction and recovery were also discussed under Biodiversity proposals.

Nelson Federated Farmers – May report Most discussion at the late March zoom meeting was about drought conditions affecting the district. It was all moisture deprived with lowest rainfall for 30 years, everyone seriously affected apart from Murchison, but some areas worse than others. The weekly MPI Covid-19 drought committee meetings with TDC, MDC, RST, RWNZ and FF were hampered by the lockdown making visual assessment of farmers and farms difficult, although FF had undertaken member telephone polling as there was also an impression of over-confidence from farmers concealing their true picture, and that small block holders

in particular could be unaware of consequences to their stock.

Delegates reported difficulty shifting slaughter stock, as well as offloading surplus stock for grazing or sale and falling store prices. Even weaning beef calves was hampered by lack of suitable feed, plus low buyer demand from traditional sources still carrying last year’s finished stock.

Covid-19 constraints on shearers plus inadequate post-clip feed are a concern for autumn shearing plans. Similar travel/work constraints on overseas scanning staff are also of concern in future planning.

There are animal welfare as well as produc-

tion and financial aspects all involved in drought management.

Consensus was the government’s Farm Relief package was no help to grow grass or shift stock, and while RST input can help it does not achieve the real needs, especially with Covid-19 complications.

With dry subsoils despite occasional rain sprinkles and low soil temperatures, the winter feed prospects are not encouraging, and there

was discussion about difficulty and costs of bringing in supplementary feed from south with very limited local supplies available now.

At the same time lack of sale yard access, processing and stock shifting will affect finances.

The Rural Advisory Group had not met but there was concern expressed at potential duplication of activities and responsibilities of different groups, and benefits of Top of the

South coordination.

Covid-19 has also affected meeting plans with AGM now scheduled for zoom format on 26 May from 2.30pm.

The Executive plans 7pm zoom meetings on 9 June and 14 July where the format should facilitate more member involvement. Plans for the 75th Jubilee while well advanced for a mid- winter physical activity, are dictated by Covid-19 future level lockdown crowd numbers.

Shane Jones’ musings on log export restrictions appear to have died a natural death. However, everyone agrees on his sentiment that we need stronger debate on the industry’s future. We need to tackle head on the industry’s reliance on a narrow selection of markets.

Could we please stop talking about adding value to our logs and start getting specific about what processing has a chance of actually achieving better margins? More to the point unless there is even woodflow out into the future in each of our forest regions, how do we expect anyone to invest in any form of processing?

What is it about the industry that has it at the bottom of local investors’ list of targets? Finally, let’s get down to some of the harder issues, like the biosecurity risk in having all our eggs in the Pinus Radiata basket. It is surely time for a serious industry forum so that a full debate can be had.

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COVID19: When things don’t quite fit the bill Kim Reilly – Federated Farmers South Island Regional Policy Manager

“This is not the time for increasing uncertainty or risking trade complications.”

A number of matters have been rushed through the parliamentary process following COVID19. Some of these are sensible, and necessary. However, a couple of recent Bills have raised more than the odd eyebrow.

Quite simply, they don’t fit the bill.

At the top of our radar, and rapidly racing through the parliamentary process, are the latest version of the Resource Management Act Amendment Bill (RMA Bill), and the newly proposed Forests (Regulation of Log Traders and Forestry Advisers) Amendment Bill Neither are urgent. Neither are quite what they seem. In fact, one has quite

rightly earned the nickname ‘The Trojan Horse Bill’.

Firstly though, the RMA Bill. It was initially proposed to address some “narrow, simple, straightforward matters” that could precede the full review of the RMA, without getting in its way.

At every opportunity, however, the government has tacked on other things high on its wish list, none of which match the Bill’s original purpose.

These include the fasttracked freshwater planning process, and proposals giving the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) the power to completely take over a local council’s compliance, monitoring and enforcement processes, even if the council objected.

Federated Farmers opposed both these matters.

They were far from being simple or straight-forward and didn’t come with the appropriate cost-benefit analysis.

Remarkably though, final recommendations on the Bill added even more changes, raising concerns within primary sector, legal, business, property and other industry entities across New Zealand.

The Bill now gives local councils far reaching powers around climate change mitigation, which had never previously been proposed or duly considered. It means local councils, when drafting plans, or considering resource consent applications, would have the ability to proactively prevent what they consider to be inappropriate develop-

Can my joints improve?

I have been working with someone who has had problems with his knees. He had damaged one knee some time ago. In more recent times his ‘good’ knee had started to deteriorate from osteoarthritis. Eventually his ‘good’ knee became worse than the knee damaged in an accident.

I contacted him this month and in his own words he thought the results were amazing.

He has much less pain and is more mobile.

He has come from a position where working was becoming increasingly difficult to now being more confident about the future.

There are several lessons we can learn from this. The first is that our bodies have an extraordinary ability to heal. However, this healing is dependent on the smooth operation of the healing systems. In many cases healing is restricted because the body system that is designed to heal the damage is somehow faulty or has just stopped functioning. The outcome of this is always disease.

In this case we made a number of changes.

The first is to try and identify foods that either cause inflammation or in some way

ment occurring, where they think it’ll contribute to the impact of climate change, either locally or nationally. These proposals will have significant impacts on many resource users, most of whom will not even know that yet.

Climate change mitigation is a matter that should be addressed at a national level, and it should be, and is, being considered and addressed as part of other legislation, including the comprehensive, wider review of the RMA currently underway. The RMA Bill has well outgrown its intent and purpose. It is no longer fit for purpose and should be shelved. Let’s await the RMA Panel’s recommendations and properly consider the big picture of New Zealand’s resource management system, not add to

(Part 1)

restrict healing. Two of the most important groups of nutrients are fats, because they govern the inflammatory pathways and antioxidants because they protect our cells from damage.

We can also cheat a bit. Actually, we can cheat a lot. I see effective Joint health supplements as the ultimate cheat. We can target very specific compounds that have a direct therapeutic function in the body.

For example, with joints, we can add therapeutic levels of Chondroitin Sulphate to greatly impact the health and stability of cartilage. Adding significant amounts of Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric can reduce inflammation and swelling in the joint capsule. Next edition we continue this discussion and look at the second lesson we can learn.

John Arts (B.Soc.Sci, Dip Tch, Adv.Dip. Nut.Med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health Ltd. For questions or advice contact John on 0800 423559 or email john@abundant. co.nz. Join his all new newsletter at www. abundant.co.nz.

the piecemeal, knee-jerk changes that have made the Act so unwieldy and complex over the years.

The other Bill causing dissent is the Log Brokers Bill, which both Federated Farmers and the Forest Owners Association have strongly condemned.

In our view, it is a Trojan horse that could force farmers and foresters to subsidise local processing industries from reduced export earnings, at a time the government is trying to encourage the planting of trees. Worryingly, the mad rush to get this through risks quite serious unintended consequences, including retaliatory action by the nations we trade with, not to mention added costs and more red tape to pass through.

This is not the time for

increasing uncertainty or risking trade complications.

Neither of these Bills are urgent, and neither should be rushed through.

Let’s have a plan for New Zealand’s future; one that doesn’t include making knee-jerk decisions now that jeopardise the opportunities and gains before us.

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The growing fleet of Deutz Fahr tractors

Contractor expands range of services Russell Lawrence is well known in the region, his business: ‘RLT Contacting’ has been operating for a number of years, they do the ‘big jobs’. Russell gets called in to do land-forming and roading for new subdivisions for developers and councils and contouring and land clearing for rural landowners.

With 3 TS14 scrapers, diggers up to 30 tonne and a fleet of modern Deutz Fahr tractors there wasn’t too many jobs that RTL couldn’t tackle. But things change and Russell says he has been getting calls from customers to do more ag groundwork. “I’ve already got the tractors with the hp” says Russell, “so the decision was made to invest in some groundwork implements.” “I’ve been in the industry for over 30 years doing groundwork here and in Australia, so it wasn’t a difficult decision to make” Following a discussion with Terry Thompson at BMTT around the best implements for the Tasman region Russell decided that a set of 4.5m wide Kverneland discs would make a great addition to the range of services that he can offer. “I’ve been dealing with Terry for a few years now,” says Russell, “he’s always put me right, the Deutz Tractors have been great and the 7250 that we have recently bought is a fantastic tractor, huge pulling power and remarkably fuel efficient.”

“The BMTT workshop has a reputation as being the best in the district and that’s very reassuring for a commercial operation where breakdowns can cost the whole job.”

If you need any groundwork, discing or deep ripping done give Russell a call on 027 543 2016

BMTT Main Road Appleby Ph 544 5723 Russell Lawrence of RTL Contractors “We’re expanding to meet the market demand”

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Wool Procurement Manager, PGG Wrightson Wool

Lack of Demand Forces Wool Pipeline Slowing Working from home for a period of approximately eight weeks allows awareness of how life can be changed by something completely beyond our control.

Whilst the Lake Grassmere centered earthquake of August 2013 and the Waiau centered earthquake of August 2016, both of which caused severe damage to land and buildings across much of Marlborough literally tipping everyone’s world upside down in an instant, definitely developed a respect and understanding of how to cope with adversity, who would have imagined that a disease festering in a faraway place, would create extreme havoc across the entire planet resulting in not only significant loss of

human life, but also severe financial distress for so many in such a short time?

From a global wool perspective, the spread of disease quickly impacted Asia and Europe forcing partial closure of mills due to illness, but also to protect the healthy. As global demand ceased for unessential goods, such as many apparel items, carpets and furnishing textiles, more complete closure followed.

Obviously, a lack of demand for finished woollen goods forced the wool pipeline to slow significantly as export shipping preference moved towards food stuffs and perishables. With hotels and shipping cruise liners accounting for major consumption growth of woollen carpets and interior textiles in the past, and New Zealand a huge contributor to those manufacturing

industries, it should come as no surprise that the entire wool pipeline from farm to export would suddenly find itself between a rock and a hard place.

Wool auction sales ceased in New Zealand after 19th March and during April a tentative plan was drafted, after agreement between wool brokers and exporters, signaling that a limited and orderly flow of wool to market should recommence. The original wool auction sales roster drawn up for the 2020/21 season had allowed for more than 80,000 bales to be offered after 19th March and before 28th May, with a further 45,000 bales offered by 30th June, therefore a resumption of auctions was going to be a challenge with agreed maximum offerings of 7000 bales for each of the first two auctions, Napier and

Grass grows Grass Our most valuable export is processed grass. Casual district observations suggest there is an incomplete understanding of how to grow and use it for grazing animals. That possibly reflects the

Christchurch.

North Island wool brokers resumed auctions on 21st May in Napier with 7000 bales catalogued resulting in a 60% clearance, and on May 28th South Island brokers offered a further 7000 bales, clearing approximately 65% of that offering. Prices in the North were generally between 15% and 30% cheaper than March 19th, and similar levels continued in the South, although crossbred lamb’s wool could be quoted as between 25% and 40% cheaper than March 19th.

A few mid-micron wools offered in Christchurch received reasonable support and followed the recent easing in prices for similar types offered in Australia.

Due to very little, if any, interest from European or Indian mills’ representatives in the NZ auction rooms,

most of the wool sold from the rostrum was destined for Chinese mills.

On a brighter note, congratulations goes to the winner of the 2019/20 PGG Wrightson Wool National Shearing circuit, Seddon shearer Angus Moore.

The competition involves shearing different breeds at various events throughout the country, sponsored

by PGG Wrightson Wool, culminating with the multibreed final held during the Golden Shears. Angus was recently handed the keys to a Hyundai Sante Fe for him to use for a year, courtesy of Hyundai New Zealand.

Due to the COVID-19 lockdown the hand-over was a much more subdued event than usual however we’re sure that Angus will enjoy driving the vehicle.

That’s my view.

Angus Moore and his daughter, Kowhai

By Garrick Batten

over 300 small farms in the region categorised as lifestyle blocks owned by people not relying on its income but enjoying space, relative quietness, views and rural ambience and community. Nelson

is also characterised by small commercial farms from historical settlement when various crops rather than pasture were the basis of production and permanence.

Plants need food just like all living things, and any limits need providing; despite claims, we do not have naturally fertile soils. Even earliest Maori knew this with their soil fertility building activities on the Waimea Plains, and Cawthron

Institute research starting 100 years ago identifying many soil nutrient deficiencies throughout the region. Nitrogen is a prime need and if not supplied artificially it must be created from the remains of plants or generated by legumes. Those green pasture patches showed nitrogen deficiency, perhaps magnified by winter rainfall leaching or underfed clover growth. Phosphate, potash, molybdenum, sulphur and

other minerals cannot be created by hope as some so-called regenerative systems suggest. Mining available soil reserves can be too slow or insufficient for needed growth.

Grass leaves have equally important unseen roots. Leaves trap free sun energy, influenced by leaf area, position of sun’s angle to them and hours of sunshine.

The plant grows as rapidly as it can to get sufficient leaf area for optimum growth before slowing down. To grow, it draws down on root reserves being fed by adequate nutrients and water and starts to rebuild those roots once leaf area slows. So leaf area increases and root mass decreases, followed by leaf area growth slowing and root mass increasing.

Initial leaf area growth is slow because root mass is low, so if you could graph the growth rate it would show as an S curve.

Animals eat grass leaves, so the plant wants to replace them and needs adequate leaf area fed by adequate roots. Constant grazing before the plant has enough leaf area to rebuild roots continues to drain those reserves that slowly reduce their ability to produce more leaf. Pulling itself up by its bootstraps but the boots are shrinking. Constant grazing also reduces clover area over time.

Plant species need to suit soils, climate and projected use. Understanding the differences and different needs is the key to farming them. Rough stalked meadow grass, sweet vernal and ryegrass may look similar but are not. Different grass species have different critical grazing heights and annual flowering patterns, so animal grazing should be adjusted to pasture species, their feeding and eating.

Complicated by different animal needs.

Garrick Batten, Brightwater, writes on rural topics from a lifetime professional and practical career locally, nationally and internationally. www.ruralscribe. wordpress.com

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Contractor hands over the controls After nearly 4 decades of contracting in the Tasman region Keith Lindup is going to put his feet up and watch the young fellas take over.

Spreading fertiliser in the Tasman region has been a way of life for Keith for nearly 40 years - from his start up in the mid 80’s with a four wheel drive Ford

County and SAM spreader for hill country agricultural work and a two wheel drive Ford 3910 orchard tractor and SAM spreader for horticulture - operating

as Lindup Groundspread Ltd through to the more recent business of Motueka Spreading Ltd. Keith has been a member of his local Nelson Marlborough Branch of the New Zealand Groundspread Fertilisers’ Association (NZGFA) since it was formed in 1993. He was elected to represent the Branch on the National Council in 1997 and has been the Nelson Marlborough Branch Chairman from 1997 until recently. He has served the national association as President of NZGFA from 2002 to 2006 and was Past President from 2007 to

2010. During his time on the national association he also served on the Fertiliser Quality Council working to promote Spreadmark alongside the Fertmark scheme.

Keith Lindup’s many years of service to NZGFA were recognised at the 60th Annual NZGFA Conference where he was presented with a Life Membership to the Association.

Keith is leaving the business and his clients in good hands with Darryl Francios, Groundworks Motueka and Nick Berkett, Kahurangi Contracting stepping up to take over where he left off.

Keith Lindup - “about time I put my feet up”

Groundworks Motueka Darryl Francois “Having been born and bred in Motueka, and growing up on a hop and tobacco farm, it was inevitable that trucks and machinery were going to play a big part in my life.

By 18, I had probably done more hours on a tractor than kms in a car,” says Darryl.

“These hours taught me that good ground preparation leads to a good start for the crop you’re planting.”

When the ground spread agricultural division came up

for sale, there was an opportunity to keep the gear here and still provide the services to locals that have supported it in the past.

With the purchase of the tractor, hoe, chisel plough and deep rippers, all services can be provided for pre planting and other groundwork. Knowing good ground preparation is vital for whatever is planted.

The big discs are also available, as Darryl is working along-side Nick Berkett at Kahurangi Spreading. They have the big spreader available for bigger blocks.

We would like to take this opportunity to wish Keith well with his retirement, and look forward to being able to continue on this side of the business he worked hard to build.

Phone Darryl - 0274844989

Kahurangi Spreading

Nick Berkett

Brought up on farms in Canterbury I spent much of my school holidays on tractors, discing and stacking bales; a love for machinery and grease came about.

I’ve been working alongside Keith for some years now and enjoying the work and learning the ‘ins and outs’ of the operation so when the opportunity to take over the spreading business came up it was too good an opportunity to turn down Taking over the horticulture and agricultural ground spreaders, we can spread all types of products on all varieties of crops, apples to hops and everything in between.

As I’ve been working with Keith and know the operation, existing clients won’t really notice much difference, apart from the new phone number. Always on the lookout for new business though and working closely with Darryl at Groundworks Motueka means between us there isn’t much we can’t handle Many thanks to Keith for all his help and knowledge he has passed on over the years. All the best Keith!

So if you want to get hold of me to discuss your spreading needs call me on 0221 696 558 Cheers – Nick Berkett

KAHURANGI SPREADING • AG • HORT • VIT • HOPS All fertiliser types - call for a price

Nick 0221 696 558

Bull Sales

June 2020

15

LSD – the reason why it was developed In the prescanning days in the late 1980’s no one really knew what the true lamb loss was between mating and tailing/docking, but judging by the size of slink skin piles picked up on a daily basis from rural gateways this was, while assumed to be very significant, a fact of life and not much could be done about it.

However we at Vet Marlborough (was The Vet Centre Marlborough and prior to that Anderson and Jerram) were not happy to accept that new born lamb deaths were an ‘act of God’.

There had to be several reasons other than the weather and if some could be identified we could then implement management changes to reduce these deaths.

Many hours were spent doing autopsies on these dead lambs. Besides frequently finding the two main causes of abortions – Toxoplasmosis and Campylobacteriosis, and lots of dystocia cases, we also determined that many of these deaths were of healthy looking lambs showing all the symptoms of being weak at birth. These had often breathed but had not usually got up and walked nor fed. Some of the findings suggested Selenium deficiency but in all cases Se tissue levels when tested were adequate.

Vitamin E has a similar anti-oxidant role to Se but until then the assumption was that Vitamin E deficiency was not an issue in NZ’s pasture based farm-

ing systems. However post mortem findings were similar to those seen locally in young piglets and these were caused by a Vitamin E deficiency, the result of spoiled grain. Around this time when goats became very fashionable we were also seeing new born kids dying with even more severe lesions than those seen in the lambs. The Animal Health Lab suggested these might also be Vitamin E deficiency. This encouraged us to start testing for Vitamin E levels in lamb liver samples and in all cases they came back as being exceptionally low. By this stage we had enough evidence to start trialing Vitamin E supplementation to ewes prior to lambing and in a some cases during lambing when

A selection of quality Angus bulls for sale during the June sales

we saw evidence that the deaths could be the result of a Vitamin E deficiency. The feed back was staggering. In almost all cases lamb vigour at birth seemed far better and survival improved. A well known stud farmer actually said after trying it he wouldn’t use it again because he had an awful lot of trouble catching the lambs to tag them. Deaths stopped overnight when ewes were treated during lambing.

Another lamb post mortem finding was Iodine deficiency. Not many cases of actual goitre (grossly enlarged thyroid glands) but many cases of subclinical goitre where the thyroid was only slightly enlarged. This was known to be a significant cause of perinatal lamb

deaths.

Unfortunately at the time treating ewes with Vitamin E supplements was very expensive and usually as a component of a Vitamin ADE injection or as an oral supplement in smal expensive quantities. We also really wanted a supplement that included Iodine.

Approaches to several drug companies to consider producing a product with all the components we felt were important for a product that would be beneficial was unrewarding. We had to find a solution for our farmers and the only one we could think of was to import all the raw ingredients ourselves - Vitamins A, D ,E and C and Selenium and Chromium and make our own product. This we managed

to do and then blended the early brews in a concrete mixer in the surgery in the evenings. The response to our first batch which we called LSD (Lamb survival drench) was really encouraging. We were encouraged by the Clutha vets who were also after such a product, but more for young stock on winter crops.

With time we began to appreciate that a powder type vitamin product is inherently unstable and so worked on getting a more stable product. After 3 years of research by a clever chemist we had the current very stable Liquid LSD. The developement of LSD took place alongside many on farm trials including lamb and calf growth rates, antibody responses,

scanning results, and lamb survival. One of the most compelling results was that from the ‘Optilamb’ analysis. This was the result of analysing the lambing % and lamb survival of over 80 farms for 10 years scanned

by Jeff Sewell comparing the results of all farms that used LSD on their ewes with those that did not.

We knew we were onto something when ‘me toos’ began appearing on the market. However few have done any trial work on their products and they are not the same as LSD if they don’t have exactly the same ingredients. We have always made sure that all the vitamins and minerals are of the very highest quality.

Bull Sales

16

cattle grazing alongside the vines

Adding value through synergy at Leefield Station

Berkshire pigs

Greg holds some of the woollen products produced from the Leefield sheep flock

Leefield shearers quarters destined to hold a museum comprised of articles from the Station collected since its establishement in1840 Synergy; ‘ interaction or cooperation of two or more organisations to produce a combined effort greater than the sum of their separate efforts’. The assignment was to visit the historic Leefield Station and compile an article on the Station’s line up of 20 Angus bulls to be presented at the 57th Annual Blenheim Bull Sale. The complete story is so much more. Diversification; adding value to the end product, and synergy have combined to produce a result exceeding expectations. Wine, wool, meat and honey combine to produce a unique and well-rounded enterprise.

The link between the wine industry and the historic livestock station begins when the founder of the company Brent Marris purchased 268 hectares of mineral rich soil on the banks of the Waihopai River. Brent was the first local lad to become qualified as a winemaker in the early 90s.

He helped Delegates establish the famous brand of Oyster Bay and founded Wither Hills Winery with his pioneering Marlborough viticulturist father John. The company was later sold to Lion Nathan. The Ned brand was launched using fruit from the Waihopai site in 2006. In 2009 work commenced on the aesthetically elegant and extremely functional winery in 2009 and Marisco Vineyards was established. The name was derived from a descendant of Brents, William de Marisco, himself a descendant of Henry the first. Among the additional wines now produced at Leefield Station are The King Series, Leefield Station and The Craft Series.

To manage the livestock side of the business a person who liked a challenge and was able to adjust to change was essential. Such a man was found in Greg Crombie his modus operandi is ‘Step Boldly, Tread Lightly and Never Say Can’t’. Amongst his rich experience in his farming career he managed Landcorp’s Duncraigen Station and Te Whanga Angus Stud. He also managed a sheep milking company milking 9000 sheep. He is an expert in developing high performing studs of cattle and sheep In its previous life Leefield Station’s 600 ha of flats were the engine room of the grazing enterprise. These flats are now planted in grapes with the exception of a few wet gullies so Greg’s focus has turned to the improvement of the hill country, in an attempt to maintain meat and wool production. With these improvements he expects to maintain a level of six stock units to the hectare on the remainder of the grazing on the property’s steep country.

A solar powered water scheme has been installed and fencing is underway to divide up the 100ha blocks. The cow herd is being employed to chew off the rough pasture on the hill tops and a fertiliser consisting of lime, phosphate and sulphur is being applied. Always with an eye on the end product Angus cattle have been selected because of their resilience in tough dry conditions and their ability to produce marbled meat. Similarly Romney ewes producing 29-micron wool for the company’s wool products and the Hampshire breed, also known for its marbled meat make up the sheep flock’s contribution to the end game. A small herd of Berkshire pigs has been established in a walnut grove. Approximately 40 beehives feeding on the Manuka and Kanuka produced in excess of two tonnes of honey this year. A butcher’s shop is planned to add to the established enterprises on the property. Winetasting events now feature all of Leefield Station’s products.

Leefield Station is proud to be a part of Marlborough and Greg would love to sell the 20 bulls on offer at the Blenheim Bull sale to locals. The bulls are in remarkable condition following this year’s drought and are certain to continue to perform wherever his customers choose to take them. If they can grow out in the conditions found at Leefield this year they will make a substantial contribution to any herd anywhere in the region or beyond.

Andrew Ritchie

Bull Sales

June 2020

Bull sellers adapt to changing conditions As the anti-virus regulations change bull sellers have come up with a series of different ways to accommodate the rules. First cab off the ranks is Lake Station Herefords, they are holding an open day on the 8th of June at 10am for people to peruse this year’s crop of bulls. The Bulls may be purchased on the day on a first come first served basis or at a future date by appointment. Malcolm and Ingrid’s

number is 03 521 1843 Martin Farming Angus and Hereford will hold their annual on farm sale on the same day at 385 Church Valley Road Wakefield at 2.30pm. The sale will be held outside with suitably spaced seating to practice social distancing. Thirty Angus bulls will be on offer and three Herefords.

Richard’s contact number is 03 541 8559.

At Clarence Bridge

A strong group of sale bulls on Leefield Station

Riverlands Sale The Riverlands selling centre welcomed back the sound of auctioneers’ voices on Tuesday 26 May. A mixed line up of cattle came forward and met a muted demand most likely due to the dry conditions in Marlborough. Auctioneer Peter Barnes from PGGWrightson said it was good to see the farming community getting back to some normality after the lockdown.

Story and pic from Joe Blakiston

Johnny and James Murray are limiting attendees to their Woodbank Angus and Matariki Hereford sale to 100 people while embracing technology by having live on-line bidding. They are encouraging buyers to self-limit the number of attendees from each property. Having dealt with the problems of holding a sale whilst being isolated by an earthquake the boys are taking the latest challenge

in their stride. They caution that their usual sumptuous refreshments may be limited, in line with regulations. Their sale will take place on Tuesday the 16th of June at 2pm. There are 68 Herefords and 63 Angus cattle catalogued. Contact numbers are Johnny Murray 03 319 4302. James Murray 0274 866 699.

Brackenfield Angus will hold an on-farm sale at 274 Awatere Rd at 3pm on Sunday the 14th of June.

Contact Peter or Angus on 022 428 7906.

Blenheim Bull sale is on Monday the 15th June the sale starts at 10.30 at The Riverlands sale yards.

BlackKnight Angus will sell 11 bulls. Ben and Nadine Maisey can be contacted on 03 571 6271.

Waterfall Angus will present 7 bulls and Charles Waddy can be contacted 0n 03 575 7388.

Leefield Station will sell 10 bulls at the Blenheim sale the contact is Greg Crombie on 0275 511 011.

Paul Hickman will sell 74 Angus bulls at Taimate

17

Andrew Ritchie

from 1.30pm on June 15th.

Live online bidding will be a feature of the sale. He can be contacted on 03 575 6878 or 021 575 155.

Richard Van Asch will also sell 10 South Devons at the Taimate sale, the stud

has recently relocated to 554 Old West Coast Road West Melton. Paul described the dry weather during the season as horrible. Since midDecember they had received only 53 mm of rain. Last week 55mm fell but it is late

in the year to expect a great deal of growth. However, they are grateful for the moisture that has fallen.

The resilience of the breeds of cattle for sale will be on display for all to see after this challenging season.

18

Women critical to primary sector change

Linda Cooper Since 2010, the AgriWomen’s Development Trust has helped more than 4,000 women lead change in their farms, communities, careers and businesses. And that focus has only accelerated during the COVID-19 challenges for New Zealand and globally.

Chair, Linda Cooper, said the Trust’s work in empowering women to accelerate progress and change in the primary sector and

rural communities “has never been more critical than now as we face a new world post the emergence of COVID-19.

“All of our unique development programmes have a face-to-face component and the lockdown called for a review of every course so we could continue to connect with, support and empower women through a challenging time.”

“We knew there would

be an increased need for our programmes within the sector and also from new people who will be attracted to enter agribusiness as a result of the enhanced recognition of its importance to New Zealand’s health and prosperity.”

Linda Cooper said all programmes either continued to run, were postponed until a later date or set up for online delivery. “The response of participants has been amazing, reaffirming the demand for what we do and the impact our programmes have for women on farm and in the value chain. All participants have been supportive and want to continue their development.

“Based on Government advice and health guidelines we will look to revert to face-to-face delivery when it is considered safe and when our participants feel safe to do this as the connection and networking elements of our programmes are vital. Many of our programmes have online content already and this will continue after Alert Levels are over.

“Like most people-facing organisations our priority, over the past six weeks and as we move into the future, is the personal safety of our

staff, course facilitators and participants.

“Throughout the lockdown, we’ve been in fortnightly contact with our partners, participants, facilitators and suppliers to ensure they are aware of our plans.

“We have a group of 25 amazing facilitators situated all around New Zealand and it has been important to gauge how they, and our participants, feel about face to face contact as we move through the Alert Levels.”

Linda Cooper said the Trust had developed and supported the growth of national and regional networks across the primary sector.

“Quite often, our women live and work in relative isolation and a valued outcome of participation in our programmes has been friendships and networks which extend into normal daily life. This supports high-impact, diverse networks of women across the primary sector and it’s fair to say those networks are probably stronger now than they’ve ever been.”

In closing, Linda Cooper said the profile and role of New Zealand’s primary producers has never been more important.

“Our team is in daily con-

tact with women who work in all facets of this country’s agribusiness sector and we’re constantly struck by the resilience, determination and focus of our food producers to maintain and

increase its contribution to New Zealand’s health and economy.”

Registrations are open for upcoming Agri-Women’s Development Trust programmes and full details

can be found at www.awdt. org.nz.

For further information contact Linda Cooper, Chair Agri-Women’s Development Trust, 027 432 0496.

Digestion always comes before growth Many areas have received insufficient rain for strong growth before the middle of May, which means there’s little time left before the winter slow growth period sets in.

The question often asked is whether compensatory growth is likely during winter.

While soil temperatures are less than 10 degrees, and that is easily measured, pasture growth will be modest.

There are likely to be brief periods during June and July when a little extra growth occurs. Warm wet conditions will provide some encouragement, however it’s not until early September that sustained growth will occur.

People have talked of a green drought this autumn. Pastures have looked as though they ought to be growing and sufficient plants have recovered yet there’s not a lot happening.

The reason is that full breakdown, or digestion, of the dung, old root matter, and litter on the soil surface has not occurred.

That work is done by beneficial soil life, fungi, bacteria, earthworms and a myriad of others. There has been insufficient moisture and time for that to take place.

Over winter that digestion process will continue, and when soil temperatures reach 10 degrees plus, accompanied by bright sunny days there will be a release of nitrogen from soil organic matter and strong spring growth will rapidly follow.

The strongest growth will be evident on properties that have applied little or no fertiliser nitrogen. Although applied nitrogen may provide a burst of growth now it is at the expense of growth later.

The growth lost is in early spring when the feed deficit is greatest which will have to be covered by more expensive bought in feed, and the benefit already gained is largely if not totally negated.

Nature always wins in the long term, and nitrogen for permanent grazed pastures is always best when provided via clover.

There’s a school of thought gaining popularity at present that nutrient provided by fertiliser is unnecessary and with the right mix of pasture species and grazing manage-

ment applied nutrient, particularly phosphorus and sulphur, will become obsolete.

That flies in the face of the decades of work by dedicated scientists at research institutes throughout the country prior to fertiliser practises being dominated by information and products provided by superphosphate manufacturers.

Taking the view that all of the work carried out by DSIR , much of it on different species and soil biology, is no longer relevant suggests either supreme arrogance, or more likely a lack of a basic understanding of soil, plant, or animal requirements.

Nitrogen, an essential plant requirement, is provided by either bacteria in conjunction with clover, or fertiliser. It is nitrogen provided by urea that is the recent experiment, one that is rapidly drawing to a close as the consequences become increasingly apparent.

The late Professor Tom Walker of Lincoln University was often quoted as stating that any farmer could grow grass, it took a special farmer to grow clover.

Prior to urea largely replacing nitrogen fixed by clover, permanent grazed pastures regularly grew 18 tonne of dry matter per hectare annually.

Data from DairyNZ and others indicates that 14 tonne in an excellent growing season is now the norm, as much as a 22% decrease, with a loss of both energy and protein as a natural consequence.

However, there is a resurgence of interest in both the soil fertility and pasture management practises required to return to profitable low-cost permanent grazed pastures.

Fortunately, there’s a group of highly skilled farmers for whom these practises are second nature, ready to share their insight and expertise.

Winter is the time to research and find out more about products and practises that will increase total production, markedly reduce costs, as well as meet the soon to be mandated environmental standards.

For more information talk to Peter Burton, 0800 843 809

June 2020

19

Mycoplasma bovis eradication reaches two-year milestone “New Zealand’s world-first plan to eradicate the cattle disease Mycoplasma bovis is on track the latest technical data shows,” says Agriculture and Biosecurity Minister Damien O’Connor. Two years ago the Government, DairyNZ and Beef + Lamb New Zealand and industry partners made a bold decision to go hard and commit to a 10-year, $880 million programme to eradicate M. bovis to protect our most important sector and the economy.

Recent events have shown what an important moment this decision was for our economy.

Had we thrown up our hands and said, ‘it’s too hard’ and left this disease to run rampant, I’m not sure our dairy and beef sectors would have been able to weather the economic storm of COVID-19 and the challenges of drought conditions as well as they have.

Beef and dairy export prices have held up. In fact, there was record demand for our meat. In March total red meat monthly exports topped $1 billion for the first time. This shows that these sectors are well-placed to lead us out of this economic crisis.

As we have with our response to COVID-19, this Government showed leadership, made a tough decision and have managed this eradication effort

with discipline and focus, because we knew we were doing it for the economic and social good of the country.

We’ve also shown, again, that we’re able to do what other countries have not in terms of disease eradication efforts. That’s something our farming community should be really proud of. I’m certainly very proud of them.

One key measure of success, the Estimated Dissemination Rate (EDR), shows strongly that we have M. bovis firmly in our sights. If the EDR is greater than one, then the disease is growing. If it’s below one, we’re shrinking the disease.

The EDR is now at 0.4, which is down from over two at the start of the outbreak, so we are looking harder to find fewer infected animals. This tells us that M. bovis is not endemic in our national herd.

We currently have 17 active properties and 232 that have been cleared of the disease. We’ve culled 154,788 cattle.

Mr O’Connor also said other key measures showed the programme was working: Genetic testing shows only one strain has been identified, which links all infected farms.

Bulk milk testing is timelier and research is under

Across my desk John Hollis Rural Agribusiness Broker Colliers International Limited Nelson.

way to improve testing further.

A beef surveillance programme is up and running.

Compensation processes have improved for affected farmers.

Use of NAIT, the national animal tracing system, is improving.

DairyNZ chair Jim van der Poel said there’s no question M. bovis has had a huge impact on the sector, particularly those affected farmers and their families.

“While there’s still work to do, farmer feedback has been heard and processes improved. We are seeing more farmer-focused processes and shorter turnaround times for farms under movement restrictions,” said Mr van der Poel.

“From here, we want to continue speeding up the process so farmers are moving through the programme as quickly as possible. M. bovis has been one of our biggest biosecurity incursions and it has highlighted how crucial biosecurity is for New Zealand.”

Andrew Morrison, chairman of Beef + Lamb New Zealand, said, “farmers deserve a lot of credit for their efforts in helping to free New Zealand of this disease.”

Immediately prior to the “Lock Down” I was down South visiting the “Catlins” region. To say I was impressed would be an understatement. Not far from Kaitangata, there is a beautiful beach that is home to what I consider a priceless Kiwiana Gem. The Measeley Beach Fishing club. So named from early settlement days when the Europeans introduced measles with devastating effect on the local native population. A collection of well cared for family baches make up the settlement, with the unpretentious club house nestled in the dunes. Made of corrugated iron with an outdoor bar, bar-b-que and a feature wall of the single meeting room, covered with photos of summers, fishing adventures and shared family holidays of days gone by.

“Although there is still a long way to go, the sector can be proud of its contribution. We are encouraged by the increasing number of farmers meeting their NAIT obligations but we are still short of where we need to be.

“It is vital we continue to lift this compliance, otherwise we will remain vulnerable to diseases.

As the response to Mycoplasma bovis has found, there is a significant cost to the sector if farmers do not comply with NAIT. It’s also vital farmers maintain complete and accurate NAIT records for the speedy tracing of animals and ultimately to protect the industry.”

Mr O’Connor said the priority over the next 12-18 months continues to be finding and eliminating the disease. This ‘delimiting’ phase is expected to end in 2021. After that, background surveillance testing will continue for around seven years. We will get another technical advisory group report in the coming months, but two years into a 10-year effort, I’m pleased by the progress made.”

To view the most recent M. bovis facts and figures visit https://www.mbovis.govt.nz

Several, now retired farm tractors, patiently wait in line for the day when they will be called upon to launch the boats once again.

The photos tell it all, for this is a place where people gather and share in a common interest that benefits all. A place where there are no pretensions, a place of fun that grows memories that will survive through the years and remain cornerstones of values. We are so fortunate to still have places like this in New Zealand. They are truly icons that will, and must survive, as their importance can never be underestimated. Priceless.

Have a great month and work safely.

John Hollis

20

Govt backing horticulture to succeed The Government is backing a new $27 million project aimed at boosting sustainable horticulture production and New Zealand’s COVID-19 recovery efforts, says Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor.

“Our horticulture sector has long been one of New Zealand’s export star performers, contributing around $6 billion a year to our economy. During and post lockdown they’ve become a lifeline for a number of redeployed workers from industries such as tourism, forestry and hospitality,” he said.

“Our growers and producers will play a critical role in our economic recovery.

The Government knows this which is why in Budget 2020 we committed $38.5 million to help the sector seize further opportunities for future growth. This adds to that investment.

Mr O’Connor said A Lighter Touch is a collaboration between government

and industry. The aim is to create new growing methods and crop protection measures that reduce chemical use, and spur greater production. “Our high-value overseas consumers want to know the story behind their food. They want greater assurances that the food and fibre they buy is produced in a sustainable way – and they’re willing to pay a premium for it.

“We have a great story to tell because our growers are among the most efficient and sustainable in the world.

There is an opportunity for New Zealand to become the world’s preferred supplier of plant-based food products. This project will help us seize that opportunity, create more demand, generate higher export returns, and grow rural communities with new jobs.”

Horticulture New Zealand Chief Executive Mike Chapman said the importance of biological methods and increasing production

was reflected in the investment from the different sectors.

“Our growers want to take greater care of the environment but there are only a few viable options for pest and disease control currently.

“This is why this project is so critical. It will speed up development of agroecological crop protection techniques that are both environmentally sound and effective. We are excited by what this project will be able to deliver for the different sectors involved and New Zealand’s economy.”

Foundation for Arable Research chief executive Alison Stewart said finding new effective, efficient and sustainable weed, pest, and disease management options was a priority for the arable industry.

“We’re very pleased to be part of this programme.

We will be focusing on the development of new agro-ecological crop protection systems for key arable crops, with development of a fully integrated crop protection programme for wheat being the first cab off the rank.”

Bragato Research Institute Chief Executive MJ Loza said A Lighter Touch was in-line with the wine in-

Kiwi fruit - ‘gold’ Pic by Laura Bingham dustry’s focus on operating more sustainably.

“The pan-industry New Zealand Inc approach taken with this new project is important, given the national and global importance of reducing our environmental footprints.”

Zespri’s Chief Innovation and Sustainability Officer Carol Ward said developing more sustainable crop protection practices was a key focus for Zespri.

“Zespri has invested significantly in the research and the development of

biopesticides and cultural control practices, and we are delighted to be involved in the new project and to work collaboratively with other industries on a mutual goal.”

Mr O’Connor said the project will see the horticulture, arable and wine industries

work together in a way they never have before. “This project will enable these sectors to achieve much more, and in much a shorter time, than if each worked alone. This is exactly the sort of collaboration I hope other sectors will embrace.”

Tools to help ensure you have Spring feed Article supplied by OsGro Seed Services For many farmers the past summer/autumn has been extremely difficult, due to the prolong dry plus chuck in Covid-19 to reduce selling options and reduce killing capacity. Although we have had significant rain now pasture covers on most properties are still lower than normal.

Winter feed crops are only average at best due to the lack of rainfall. Up until now we have been extremely lucky the temperature has been very mild with a limited number of frosts.

There will be limited growth over the winter months, and normal winter management is the best option of feeding supplement and break feeding pasture or crop. What you can influence is your spring feed situation, and there are some tools in the toolbox.

Things you can do to ensure a reasonable spring:Spray your Lucerne – There is NZ research

that shows by not spraying your Lucerne you can reduce your yield by up to 3000kg of dry matter. Spray your Lucerne earlier in the month of June, by spraying your Lucerne later in the season (August) it effect the early spring growth of your Lucerne stand, which could be vital feed in a season like this.

Use of Catch crops – Once you have finished feeding off your winter feed crops, get straight in there with the drill and plant a cereal (Oats/ Triticale). Cereals grow down to zero degrees soil temperature, they can produce you up to 5000kg crop by spring, this can be then feed off to dry stock in the spring, freeing up more of the farm for lambing/calving livestock.

Strategic use of fertiliser – Applying nitrogen based on the calving/lambing platform. Options are applying UAN with gibberellic acid or applying AMMO. Nitrogen is the cheapest form

of supplement, and use in a strategic manner is very sustainable.

Late Winter/early Spring - Good pasture responses can be achieved from late winter/early spring applications of 30-50 kg N/ha to pastures with a cover of 1200-2200 kg DM/ha where there is a genuine feed deficit (applied 70-30 days before balance date i.e. when feed demand = feed supply).

Good responses in late winter/early spring are due to plants being N deficient as: Nitrate has been leached from the soil over the late autumn/winter The rate of N fixation by the clover is low because of low soil temperatures (at 5-10°C nitrogen fixation is very slow) The rate of N mineralisation from soil organic matter is slow because of low soil temperatures

June 2020

21

X Marks the Subaru Spot Just last week, over Queens Birthday I had from Subaru their Outback Model X to drive. I’d been suffering withdrawal symptoms due to the Lockdown. Since 1997 I’ve been writing about new cars, utes and SUVs. In that time the longest gap between vehicles was 27 days while overseas. Suddenly after handing back the last new Holden I’ll ever drive, the up-market Arcadia LTZ-V, in March, I was faced with an indeterminate period of oblivion, as all car companies cancelled press drives of their latest models.

Starved of my very lifeblood, I had to resort to driving my wife’s car, when allowed to by two women, Jacinda and my wife. She replaced her 10-year-old Hyundai Getz, last year with a Subaru XV. Actually it is a very nice vehicle and one I really did enjoy. Subaru were fast out of the blocks once L2 was announced, their Press Officer had one of the four new models in their range, including Hybrids, for me to pedal, Outback Model X. Outback was previously available in two spec levels, Sport and Premium, with two engine choices the 2.5 litre boxer 4 cylinder and the 3.6 litre 6-cylinder Boxer.

The limited edition X is available priced at the mid point between the two specs at $49,990 for the 4-cylinder 7 speed Lineartronic auto.

Subaru’s Catherine Pattison, a former motoring journo, who has morphed into PR, describes the X as “built for adventure” with features like dual function XMode including settings for mud snow and gravel, I first sampled in November 2018 when driving the new Forester. It enhances the full time AWD, delivering power to the wheels that grip while sidelining slippage. Well that’s true, though I found on a steepish gravel track taking a walking, safe pace, the system could revert to powering just one wheel.

I had both rears stationary along with the front left. The only wheel spinning, the front right just dug a hole. That said attack the track with more speed and therefore propensity for damage and the system does work as advertised. It does so by constantly monitoring the traction available to each wheel and centralising control of the engine, transmission and brakes. Subaru does not offer a manual version, so it is possible for all drive to be delivered to just one wheel. However, it is very capable on deep shingle, through mud and surprisingly deep water. Subaru don’t quote a wadding depth, so I won’t say how deep, except the bow wave was visible from the driver’s seat. I was dismayed that the hill descent control button had been deleted until I realised that it is automatically activated with X Mode.

With the standard 220mm of ground clearance I didn’t hear or feel a scrape while off road, in truth the X was very quiet on all road surfaces. Exterior identification includes black 18” alloy wheels, front grille, wing mirrors and rear badging, the interior features. Subtle green accents on the grille and side badges, plus green stitching on the seats, centre console, steering wheel and gear shift boot are nicely executed, much like Toyota’s orange on the Adventure RAV4. Water repellent seat fabric has replaced leather in the Premium model though they are very comfortable, while the bolters remain leather. The fronts seats are 6 way electrically powered and are heated. I liked the front rear and side cameras allowing a split screen, reverse plus left side view, or forwards plus left side view, very nice!

The Outback X’s excellent 8-inch touch screen also has satellite navigation, Android Auto, Apple Car Play Bluetooth and AM FM radio as well as USB connectivity.

Once the auto selector is slipped into manual mode the instrument panel changes from white to a reddish colour, signifying manual gear choices mode allowing the driver to use the gearbox paddle shifters on the steering wheel.

Steering is now via electric rack and pinion. Clever crash avoidance tech-

KS Subaru X easily identified with its 18-inch black alloy wheels nology as in previous Outbacks has Eyesight as standard. Made up of precollision braking system, pre-collision brake assist, pre-collision throttle management, adaptative cruise control, lane departure warning, lane sway warning, lane keep assist, and lead vehicle start alert. Of course, the ABS ABD ESP EBD and TCS are still offered as standard. Exterior colours available: Crystal White, Crystal Black, Dark Blue, Magnetite Grey and Wilderness Green.

On the road, the Subaru really is in its element. Permanent AWD road holding is brilliant, body role well controlled and as mentioned irrespective of surface is commendably quiet. Four-wheel disc brakes pull the 1639kg wagon up effortlessly and should happily do so with max braked towing at 1500kgs.

Now as in all Subarus, parking brakes are controlled by a neat switch mounted just below the auto selector. Also, in that switch cluster is the Auto vehicle hold used to keep the vehicle stationary in traffic without having to apply

the brakes. Seven airbags including a driver’s knee bag are part of the safety suite. My wife’s pet hate, the auto start stop can at least be deactivated. My personal favourite is the completely handsfree key fob requiring no intervention to open close or start the vehicle so long as the driver has it on them.

Unlike early Subarus whose drinking habits were well documented, the 2.5 litre 129kW 235Nm Boxer sipped its petrol at just 6.7 litre over the 560km’s we drove it in most everyday situations [except towing] bettering Subaru’s 7.3 claim and that should find 750km range from the 60-litre tank Overall, I liked the sub $50k 5-star safety Subie Outback which fits the rural sector well. Subaru’s future looks equally exciting with hybrid versions for the coming green wave. Later in the year I get to drive both the XV and Forester Hybrids released under lockdown with a ‘virtual press launch!’ I think though you should mark the Subaru with a tick not an X!

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Hunting legitimate and not cruel says Outdoor Council Tony Orman A recent public opinion piece by World Animal Protection New Zealand (WAPNZ) condemning duck shooting and hunting has been roundly criticised by the Council of Outdoor Recreation Associations of NZ (CORANZ).

“The slagging of duck hunting by WAPNZ is hypocritical, poorly based and not factual,” said CORANZ chairman, Andi Cockroft.

In the World Animal Protection NZ press release campaign advisor Christine Rose described as “inexplicable that hunting and shooting is among the priorities agreed suitable for level 3 activities”. She described hunting as high in accidents that resulted in an “overloading of the public health system.” “It seems reckless,” she said.

However, Andi Cockroft said WAPNZ’s claims were not borne out by statistics. ACC statistics showed rugby union injuries were by far the highest of the top ten that included soccer, gym/fitness training, netball, rugby league, basketball, mountain biking, skiing, jogging and snowboarding. “Hunting didn’t even feature in the top ten for sports injuries,” he said.

CORANZ termed the concerns of WAPNZ of birds suffering “a lingering, painful death” during duck shooting season as hypocritical.

“If Christine Rose and WAPNZ are rightfully concerned about cruelty, they would be better targeting the government’s reckless, unjustified and widespread use of slow killing poisons such as 1080 and brodifacoum,” he said.

“The taxes Christine Rose and other WAPNZ people pay are financing this cruelty.”

Cruel Poisons The two poisons 1080 and brodifacoum took days to kill a creature be it animal, bird or insect, taking in most cases, over two days and 21 days respectively to inflict a slow, agonising death.

WAPNZ ’s Christine Rose described the “harvesting of food” from wild game as an “unconvincing” argument and said, “most people had ready access to food in the supermarket and did not depend on cruel, wasteful and indiscriminate wild harvest.”

Supermarket food was very expensive for those on low

incomes and many families relied on wild food to augment the dinner table fare - whether they themselves hunted or friends/whanau who did hunt, provided wild game.

Andi Cockroft said WAPNZ’s views were ignorant of game management that was calculated to harvest a crop of birds so as to avoid over-population with the potential for a lack of feed for birds resulting in disease or even death by starvation.

Organic “Besides wild game or fish is totally organic, healthy and without the anti-biotic and chemicals that are in much of supermarket produce, plus the cost of many supermarket foods are excessively high compared with hunting or fishing providing fare for the table at minimum cost.”

Andi Cockroft said removing the right to hunt or fish would be depriving the people of healthy outdoor exercise that was recognised as also having high mental and therapeutic benefits.

“With obesity and mental stress high especially amongst young adolescents, the outdoors is a great classroom,” he added.

Priorities needed WAPNZ seemed unaware that it was hunters advocating against government’s use of cruel poisons and for better wildlife habitat such as wetlands for ducks.

WAPNZ should take the Minister of Conservation and government to task for its extermination policies towards New Zealand’s big game animals where helicopter-borne shooters slaughtered tahr to leave them to rot on mountain sides. Similarly, commercial helicopter venison recovery, often shot female deer, leaving fawns to die a slow, motherless death by starvation.

“Let’s get priorities right on this issue and sort out the criminal cruelty by government,” said Andi Cockroft.

While government had strict laws about cruelty to farm stock, there was no such statutory protection for wild animals.

“It’s double standard stuff and hypocrisy in itself. Worse still it’s condoning cruelty. A deer is a deer whether it’s farmed or wild,” he said.

Wild game is organic meat for the family table

Fertiliser New Zealand

The importance of Magnesium There is a range of magnesium deposits within the South Island. These can be broken down to Magnesium Carbonate (Dolomite) and Magnesium Silicate (Serpentine). Both Calcium and Silica are useful elements for pastoral growth. It will depend on who you talk to, as to the benefits.

Both magnesium deposits have been trialled for over 50 years. Both show magnesium lifts in the soil.

Some favour Serpentine and others Dolomite. There is trial work to show that each magnesium product is as good as the other. The big difference is how much can you get on a truck. Dolomite has 11% magnesium.

Serpentine has 35-45% magnesium.

If any of these deposits are manufactured into magnesium oxide as some are doing now, this will both lift the magnesium level and also increase the availability.

The addition of microbes to ‘break down’ magnesium will also add to the ready availability to both the soil and the plant.

As every district has different soil types and climatic conditions, results will vary. Therefore, the two main concerns would be how much magnesium can you get for dollars spent and how fast will it work?

June 2020

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