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Are the dairy awards for you?

ELOISE MARTYN

Del Bruce says, “Winning Trainee of the Year was an experience I’ll never forget, and I love the positivity it brings to our industry.” Photo: Supplied.

Keen to benchmark against others in the dairy industry and be rewarded for your hard work?

Then now’s the time to test yourself at the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards (NZDIA) which recognise a range of achievements and innovations in the dairy industry. By entering, you’ll accelerate your learning and development opportunities, you’ll challenge yourself, and raise the bar. There will be opportunities to stand out and showcase your skills while being rewarded for your hard work.

The Awards include New Zealand Share Farmer of the Year, New Zealand Dairy Manager of the Year, New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year, and Fonterra Responsible Dairying of the Year categories.

NZDIA General Manager Robin Congdon says the Awards are not only a prestigious programme with hundreds of thousands of dollars in prizes, but they are also a learning platform where people can secure

their future, learn, connect, and grow, both personally and professionally.

“In addition to these benefits, entrants also have an opportunity to experience National Final week and Gala dinner in Queenstown,” Robin says.

“The Awards promote best practices in the dairy industry and give entrants the chance to challenge themselves, connect with others, earn a regional or national title, and to share in substantial regional and national prize pools.”

Rainy River dairy farmers and previous Share Farmer of the Year winners Kyla and Kevin Freeman say: “We entered the Awards programme to look at every aspect of our business, with others to critique it.

“It was a chance to analyse, learn and improve areas of weakness and identify areas of opportunities to grow.”

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Editor’s Note

Winemaking gamble bears golden fruit

BARBARA STUART

ELISE VOLLWEILER

What a relief it is to have the pre-election drama behind us and what a exciting result the All Blacks win against Ireland was, followed on by the win against Argentina. Plus, as I write this there’s been the England versus South Africa match, and we are off to the big dance against South Africa. By the time you read this, we will all know the outcome of that. We’ve done a lot of celebrating in our family this month due to the number of birthdays. This necessitated Nana Stuart working through the challenge of constructing a couple of specialty birthday cakes for the smaller family members who I could not let down.

Thankfully my amateurish efforts met with their approval.

In this month’s edition there’s an article about the change ahead for the various food and fibre sectors and those who are working through those challenges. Even though we have a change of government there are still challenges to work through over the coming years to keep our place as top producers on the world stage. Then there is the need to diversifying our market base. With all that ahead it will take a spirit of positivity and can-do attitude which I know most will muster over time.

Finally, a big thank you to Damien O’Connor our outgoing Minister of Agriculture. He has represented our region well, especially during the Pigeon Valley, fires, Cyclone Gita, Mycoplasma Bovis, and other big Westcoast events during his time in office. Plus, he has been involved in important trade deals internationally.

Wishing everyone well for the coming season I know your best efforts will beat the headwinds ahead because you are true professionals growing amazing produce in a world that truly needs it.

Three years ago, Motueka Winemakers and Growers made the huge gamble to halve their output so that they could instead focus on perfecting their product.

That gamble has born fruit this year, translating to a cluster of gold and silver awards in national wine competitions. This includes the champion award for their Anchorage sauvignon blanc at the New World Wine Awards, a national competition with hundreds of entries – and in a category that is usually dominated by Marlborough wineries.

“It’s pretty exciting to think that our wine jumps out at the judges that much that they give it a gold,” general manager Chris Drummond says.

Motueka Winemakers and Growers was formerly known as Anchorage Wines, and its wines are still produced under the Anchorage and Torrent Bay labels that its customers have seen on shelves for many years.

As well as the champion award for the single best wine in its class, Anchorage’s sauvignon blanc also received a gold medal at the New Zealand International Wine Show, as did the Torrent Bay

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General manager Chris Drummond and winemaker Tony Southgate share in the winery’s host of recent medals.

Photo: Supplied. pinot gris.

The New Zealand International Wine Show also recognised the winery’s quality, with the Torrent Bay sauvignon blanc receiving a double gold medal and the Anchorage gewürztraminer and pinot rose both winning a silver.

The Anchorage pinot gris received gold at the New World Wine Awards, and a gold medal as well as a “best in class” award in the Aotearoa Regional Wine Competition.

Chris explains that more than 20 years ago, the family business was actually orcharding, and grapes were a contract project on the side.

In the early 2000s, wine

started to boom. The apples, pears and kiwifruit were ripped out and the packing shed was converted into a contract winery. The business expanded and the workload increased.

“We thought that bigger was better,” Chris says, a little ruefully.

It worked, just.

“For the first ten years, it was all just scramble scramble because we were under pressure.”

Then the 2008 global financial crisis hit, and the country suddenly had a glut of wine that its producers simply could not shift.

Chris says that by then, the business had 70 hectares

of grapes, and the winery, “and that’s a lot of wine to do something with, when the economy isn’t going that great”.

“We could see that it wasn’t really working…. Financially, it wasn’t that viable. It relied on big volumes, small margins, and you needed big production in the vineyard.”

It was far too tenuous, leaving no margin for a bad flowering or unfortunate weather, and “the whole thing just doesn’t work”.

In 2020, some of the business’s 20-year leases expired.

After discussions with their new winemaker, Tony Southgate, they decided not to renew the leases, hitting the reset button on their previous “bigger is better” model.

“We just simply halved the volume of the winery, we stopped making wine for everyone… and we just 100 per cent focused on our grapes, our business.”

Although production reduced from 800 tonnes to 400 tonnes, the business kept the same staff levels.

Chris says it was a risk, removing the buffer of sheer quantity, but their team had the time and space to do real justice to their vineyard work.

“It’s simply paying off,” Chris says. “You can just see it.”

Are the dairy awards for you?

FROM PAGE 1 Tasman’s NZDIA Trainee Team Leader Del Bruce, who was born and bred on a dairy farm in Maruia and works as a Large Animal Vet Technician, says

she’s been a part of the awards previously as an entrant in both the Trainee and Managers section and as a team leader.

“I love how the awards grew my confidence, both in my career and for me as a person. Win-

ning Trainee of the Year was an experience I’ll never forget, and I love the positivity it brings to our industry,” she says.

The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards attracts farmers from across the country, work-

ing at all levels of the dairy sector.

For more on categories or entries head online to www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz, entries close at midnight on December 5th.

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Community roundup Farmers release mite to battle old man’s beard

The Northern rātā, Metrosideros robusta, was one lucky tree to not be felled when Karamea’s settlers cleared the land. Photo: Ally Gibbs.

Karamea’s walking giant ELOISE MARTYN Rātā giants used to be common, alongside tall strong Rimu they formed a high forest canopy over much of our country. Karamea’s walking giant is an example of the wonder that used to be.

The age of Karamea’s walking tree is unknown. The Northern rātā, Metrosideros Robusta, can live up to 1,000 years, considering settlement in Karamea took place 148 years ago, on the 26th Nov 1874, many locals believe the tree to be older than the settlement.

We do know that the Northern rātā is one of New Zealand’s tallest flowering trees (flowering every few years). It begins as a seed landing on a

host tree, such as a Rimu, becoming an epiphyte (or plant perched on a host tree) high in the forest canopy.

Its roots grow down to the ground, finally enclosing the host tree which then becomes compost for the growing rātā to feed on and finally ends up as a huge tree up to 40 metres high with a trunk up to three metres in diameter.

It was one lucky tree to not be felled when the settlers cleared the land for farming.

When settlers came from the United Kingdom to Karamea the whole district was heavily forested. It took days of chopping the trees down to see any surrounding countryside.

Perhaps the tree was already well established and too big of a task to fell, perhaps eth-

ically they didn’t remove it, or maybe quite simply it wasn’t in the way, so the land was cleared around it.

This amazing walking tree has somehow evaded the possums, who find rātā one of their favourite foods. This is rather mind-blowing considering that North Island possums have eaten the Northern rātās to extinction up there.

Over centuries this rātā has survived floods, and fires and adapted to changing surroundings as Karamea developed with roads, dairy farming, and timber milling.

This friendly walking giant is now protected. All rātā species are currently listed as threatened, partly due to the potential threat from myrtle rust.

The Marlborough farmer-led Avon Valley Catchment Group has become the first private group to fund and release old man’s beard bud mite in their bid to restore the riparian margins of the Avon, Teme and Tummil rivers. The Aceria vitalbae (Gall Mite) is less than 1mm long and disperses passively with the help of the wind to find new old man’s beard plants. The bud mite works by feeding inside buds, which in turn reduces the host’s growth rate and can even cause shoots to die back when numbers of mites are high enough.

Old man’s beard is one of New Zealand’s worst and most widespread invasive plants. It’s a deciduous, climbing, layering vine that can grow up to 20 metres and rapidly dominates, smothers, and eventually kills all types of vegetation. If successful, this will enhance the restoration of native vegetation.

Westcoast Dairy Discussion Group

Phil and Jackie O’Connor hosted the DairyNZ discussion group at their Waimangaroa farm, near Westport recently. There was a good turnout with two new farmers attending

and the farmers were in good spirits. Topics discussed covered how spring calving has gone, preparation for mating and the coming season.

The event was supported by the Rural Support Trust, Buller accountants, the local Vet clinic, Westport Dairy Company and Ravensdown.

Frazer Avery resigns as famer council chair

Beef+Lamb (B+L), Northern, South Island Farmer Council Chair, Fraser Avery attended his last meeting at the end of October. Fraser has served on the B+L Council for eight and a half years the last three Frazer Avery as Chair. He says stepping down was “a very tough decision” as he has enjoyed his time on the board. “Especially meeting and working with other people. It’s been the people contact, appreciating their skills and finding opportunities that I’ve loved. It’s been a privilege working alongside such positive

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From the top WAYNE LANGFORD

National President – Federated Farmers

Between the election result on Saturday night and the All Blacks winning their Rugby World Cup semi-final on Sunday morning, it’s been a massive week for Kiwi farmers.

Speaking with a number of you this week I’ve noticed that the mood of rural New Zealand has changed, and no doubt a lot of farmers will have been walking around the farm with a little more pep in your step.

To say the last six years have been challenging for farmers would be an understatement. Just like the rest of you I’ve been feeling completely overwhelmed by the pace, scale and impracticality of change that’s been pushed down on us from politicians in Wellington.

At times that frustration has boiled over, but the tragedy of it all is that a lot of the regulatory mess we’ve found ourselves in could have been avoided entirely if the Government had listened to grassroots farmers to begin with.

For Federated Farmers this election was all about restoring farmer confidence, putting the fun back into farming, and getting our communi-

ties humming again. That’s why we released a rural roadmap that included for the next Government to pick up and run with. Those policies are to support better use of technologies.

Unlock potential through water storage, allow young farmers to access their KiwiSaver, urgently review our methane targets, rethink our ETS Forestry Rules and net-zero target, scrap the Ute tax and fix our infrastructure, give back control to local communities, fix our unworkable freshwater rules, get the RMA reform right, simplify Significant Natural Areas, build the farmer workforce.

The good news for farmers is that National, ACT, and New Zealand First have all adopted a number of those policies – in fact, National picked up all 12 of them at a high level.

If you were ever wondering what the value of a Federated Farmers membership is – this is it.

Our team know all too well that these were just campaign promises. The job is only half done, and the real work starts now.

It’s now up to us to hold the new Government to account and make sure those campaign promises translate into real change – and we plan to do just that.

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“Weekly we get inquiries from these luxury fashion houses requesting tonnes upon tonnes of New Zealand-sourced fibre, and at this stage, we can’t provide it.”

Says Olivia Sanders, Business Development Manager at New Zealand Cashmere.

Photo: Supplied.

Opportunity to turn a pest into profit ELOISE MARTYN The demand for New Zealand cashmere is “almost overwhelming” according to Olivia Sanders, a third-generation merino farmer in Central Otago and business development manager at New Zealand Cashmere.

“The global cashmere market is worth over $3.2 billion (USD) and is forecast to continue to rise so the demand for cashmere is very high.

Weekly we get inquiries from these luxury fashion houses requesting tonnes upon tonnes of New Zealand-sourced fibre, and at this stage, we can’t provide it,” Olivia says.

Cashmere is one of the rarest fibres in the world, renowned for its softness, lightness, and warmth.

Traditionally cashmere has been grown in Mongolia, Iran, and China.

However, luxury fashion brands and informed consumers concerned about the origins of their products regarding environmental and ethical issues are turning to countries like ours that can produce good cashmere ethically.

“Our cashmere ends up in high-end brands that we don’t typically see here in New Zealand, one brand house we work with owns Gucci, Balenciaga, and other high-end brands,” Olivia adds.

“The cashmere market is

really well established; we are only trying to provide a tiny slither of the entire world market. Because of the products NZ can offer we’re in the premium end of the cashmere industry, which is already a luxury industry. We are looking at that top 1%, for luxurious, sustainable, traceable fibre, that’s where New Zealand Cashmere sits.”

Therefore, New Zealand Cashmere is looking for farmers who would consider diversifying and turning their feral goats into cash-producing animals, from pest to profit.

“The fibre is worth between $110/kg and $150/ kg and there’s a market for meat too,” Olivia explains “Farmers need to start seeing goats as a farm tool and get a return at the same time.”

Goats can control weeds, removing the cost of sprays and time spent in the weed control space.

There is also a strong market for kids and wethers – a buck (known as a billy goat) that has been castrated.

Building up a decent flock of goats doesn’t take long as they are quick breeders. Currently, in the South Island, we have 15 cashmere growers whose flocks range from 50 2,000 and, Olivia adds, “A lot started out with 50ish animals to get a feel for them and built up over a year or so to a bigger flock.”

Don’t let the 80’s cashmere crash put you off as a lot has changed since then.

“The 80’s was a bit of the perfect storm with a lot of reasons why it didn’t work out. From that we have done a lot of work and research, in terms of breed and market things are really solid,” Olivia explains.

“Starting with feral goats is great, we know they have survivability and resilience in our country conditions, and these are the traits we want to bring forward into our cashmere flocks. It’s a great opportunity to turn a pest into profit and utilize the resources we have at hand.”

Something else different from the 80’s is our country’s dedicated wool yarn scouring plant in Lower Hutt.

“We are not reliant on any other country, we don’t have to worry about export or import rules changing, or tariffs. It’s all produced here within New Zealand which is really exciting and a strong selling point for our overseas buyers, having a complete supply chain like this doesn’t happen in any other country,” Olivia says.

“Goats are so versatile; they are a neat animal and easy to farm.”

Anyone interested in investigating further can head to nzcashmere.com

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Fire and Emergency are asking those living semi-rural and rural to be prepared for the upcoming dry season by: • Ensure fine fuels, grass and scrub, are reduced from high-risk margins -roadsides, forest boundaries, reserves, rural and lifestyle blocks.

• Inspect and maintain formed firebreaks to ensure they are clear of vegetation.

• Clear driveways and ensure rapid address numbers are visible • Have an action plan if there is a fire • Never store damp hay as there is a strong likelihood of spontaneous combustion occurring • Before lighting a fire or doing anything that emits heat or sparks check the local fire danger level at checkitsalright.nz • During high fire risk periods, ensure if undertaking operations in or around dry vegetation that a pressurised water supply is readily accessible and schedule any possible spark hazardous work, welding, grinding, or ploughing outside of the peak heat of the day, mornings and evening cooler temperatures reduce the risk.

Emergency responders, Pigeon Valley fire 2019. Photo: Supplied.

• Look ahead to the driest months, is it feasible to forward plan and schedule harvesting/silvicultural operations to compartments that are on the cooler damper southern and eastern aspects of your forests and estates.

You don’t have to look far to see warnings of a hot dry summer looming. Headlines everywhere are screaming drought and wildfire warning.

Farmers, growers and rural businesses need to be alert to the risk of fire on their land.

We have been lucky with three consecutive summers of La Niña bringing cooler than average temps and more moist conditions.

This summer is going to be different. We are already in El Niño conditions, with predictions of being in a strong El Niño by summer.

El Niño has been associated with some of our most severe, long lasting and costly droughts.

To put things into perspective, the summer of 2018/19 when we experienced extended hot and dry conditions, leading up to the

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High risk of fire this summer

ELOISE MARTYN

Pigeon Valley fire in early February of 2019, was considered a weak El Niño.

How the district will fare from strong El Niño conditions is yet to be seen.

Wildfire can be a traumatic, stressful and costly time.

“The 2019 fire affected everybody differently, it was a tense time and for us afterwards it was a matter of evaluating what needed to be done and getting into it,” says local sheep, beef and apple farmer Phil Kempthorne.

Phil explains that it took over eight weeks for healthy pasture suitable for animals to graze on restored to his paddocks.

“It was a drought there just wasn’t enough rain to get things growing it took time.”

For months following the fire his house had an acrid smoky and unpleasant smell. Then there were fences to mend, some of which had been burnt, others had

been flattened by a bulldozer coming through to put in a fire break.

“We were badly affected.

All our pine tree blocks, and pasture were burnt,” Phil says. “We were locked out for 17 days which made things quite awkward. I remember we would rush in at the small, allocated feeding times, feed out as fast as we could before we had to leave.”

Fire and Emergency New Zealand Senior Readiness and Recovery Advisor for Te Tau Ihu, Nelson/Marlborough, Darren Crawford says: “With a forecast for windy high temperatures and re-

duced rain fall we all need to start planning. There’s a lot of people can do now to protect their properties and themselves.”

Darren explains that there are some simple and easy things people can do to be prepared.

“Our trucks are high and have beacons and equipment on them, we need a minimum 4 metres by 4 metres clearance to get up your driveway or we just can’t get there. Low hanging branches will knock our gear off, it would be great for people to be prepared so if the time comes, we can help them in a timely manner.”

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Local trout season off to a flyer JACOB LUCAS

Nelson Marlborough Fish & Game

The 2023-24 trout fishing season has got off to a flyer, with great catches reported by anglers.

In Nelson Marlborough, the opening day of the new season saw challenging conditions for anglers, with grey skies and gusty winds making things difficult at times, however those in headwater beech-clad fisheries had better visibility and enjoyed some spectacular fishing.

Elsewhere in other rivers, anglers made the most of willow edges, which help to reduce glare in order to find fish, and when occasional patches of sun broke out it was evident there were plenty of fish around, and nearly all anglers spoken with had enjoyed some great fishing.

Some of the fish pictures seen

from the day were superb indicating in most rivers trout had enjoyed a stable winter with plenty of food on offer throughout. Fish condition in most cases was fantastic, indicating that post-spawning recovery of the mostly brown trout was swift, making for some great fighting fish followed by some memorable grip ‘n’ grin photos.

Spin/soft baits anglers are more immune to these conditions, and staff had some excellent feedback from anglers who were quickly into the fish on opening day, the fish being absolute suckers for well-placed soft baits after five months of not seeing anglers.

Staff were out and about during the first week of the season and were impressed with the efforts of local anglers who were making the most of the sun and stable flows.

Some of the rivers were receiving

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7

Shannon Aram with a small stream brown trout from the Tasman area. Photo: Supplied. plenty of attention more akin to peak tourist times, though most of the effort was by local Kiwi anglers who were clearly excited about the start of the new season.

Similarly, reports from the West Coast have been positive with some fantastic catches. Some of these are from the lower reaches of rivers, which have abundant baitfish resources and have seen fish up to 3kg taken.

Slightly elevated river flows experienced over opening day proved beneficial for fish catchability

for spin anglers, and rangers encountered some successful family groups making the most of the school holidays to reel in some fish.

Early-season lake fishing has also resulted in some hefty specimens being caught. Spring is arguably the best time for lake fishing on the West Coast, and during periods of wet weather and high river flows, anglers are urged to fish the abundant lake resource on the Coast, where fish can be found cruising the lake edges

and making the most of the food source pouring into lakes via swollen rivers and streams.

The West Coast is undoubtedly famous for its headwater fisheries rising out of beech-clad forests, and as river flows stabilise and sunshine increases, these rivers come into their own. After several years under the influence of La Nina weather patterns where low flows and warm water temperatures prevailed, anglers can expect better river flows and ideal water temperatures this season.

8

November 2023

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Confused by environmental legislation? You are not alone ANNA BENSEMANN

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Environmental planning legislation in New Zealand has witnessed substantial changes since 2020, with the introduction of multiple new components aimed at supporting and improving the Resource Management Act (RMA). Recently introduced National Policy Statements and National Environmental Standards have been designed to pave the way for new National and Built Environment legislation that will replace the RMA. However, with the change in government following the conclusion of the election process, it appears that some, if not all, of the recent legislation may be subject to revision, creating an air of uncertainty for both planners and landowners. The National Party has explicitly indicated their intention to overhaul the RMA reforms as part of their 100-day plan to realign New Zealand’s environmental direction.

Among the recent legislative changes, a notable inclusion is the Essential Freshwater Package, which encompasses an updated National Policy Statement (NPS) and standards for freshwater, in addition to supplementary regulations. These provisions have been carefully crafted to enhance water quality and the sustainable management of water resources.

This includes the implementation of farm environmental plans for properties spanning over five hectares, as well as specific requirements for the fencing of waterways and the responsible management of land within, or in, proximity to wetlands.

Further changes include the NPS on Urban Development, which mandates larger councils to expedite provisions for urban intensification, aiming to foster urban growth and address housing supply deficiencies. Many councils are currently engaged in parallel efforts to ensure the necessary infrastructure is in place to accommodate three dwellings per property.

Repealing this work would essentially require a return to the drawing board...

In 2022, the adoption of the NPS for Highly Productive Land was a pivotal moment in preventing the fragmentation of rural land with high agricultural value. It serves as a strong deterrent against urban development encroaching on the peripheries of towns and cities, particularly areas boasting high-quality soils.

The most recent development is the adoption of the NPS for Indigenous Biodiversity. This

mandates that all councils identify Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) within their jurisdictions. Verification by an ecologist is only required if a landowner disputes the mapping. SNAs have typically been excluded from many planning frameworks due to concerns over the potential burdens placed on property owners. However, as with many mapped areas, every additional layer of regulation typically results in restrictions on land use, necessitating expert input for resolution when contemplating development.

The added complexity of the legislation, coupled with the responsibility and costs associated with demonstrating the environmental impact of any development, rests on the shoulders of the resource consent applicant. This increases the costs associated with preparing an application and navigating the regulatory landscape.

The Natural and Built Environment Legislation has recently come into effect, and planners are just beginning to grapple with the intricacies of these new provisions and how they will shape the planning landscape. Repealing this work would essentially require a return to the drawing board for environmental legislation, presenting both challenges and opportunities. In the interim, planners and landowners must contend with the ongoing uncertainty in the regulatory environment.

Anna Bensemann, Senior Planner Baseline Group Marlborough, Ph 03 578 7299 E:info@blg.nz

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Hamish Hill: “Family reliant on this being a success.”

Photo: Barbara Stuart.

Kitchen table chat leads to Solar Energy Farming BARBARA STUART Tucked discreetly away on a wet Pakahi terrace not suited to dairy cows, is 2.5 ha paddock in Upper Takaka housing one of New Zealand’s first farmer-owned Solar Farms. The area has just under 3000 solar panels, now generat-

ing enough energy for 310 households - and it’s connected to the national grid.

What attracted the Hills family to solar energy was the fact that it is a renewable. It is low impact and good for the planet. But what they didn’t expect was the number of fishhooks to resolve before

they were up and running. One of the big ones was covid. That made things a lot harder, from cost increases in materials, shipping costs and delays, and rising interest rates along the way.

The idea of starting a solar farm came out of a family conversation around the kitchen table. The up-

per Takaka family have a history of diversification and giving new things a go. Founders John and Betsy took on the property in 1980.

Son Hamish has memories of a happy childhood while his parents worked very hard to get the family business established tak-

ing on motels, planting forestry, amongst other things while still milking cows.

“It’s my parents’ hard work and reputation that put us in a position to make the investment.

Overall, it has been a great experience and I believe a good investment for our business’ future.”

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Keeping blacksmithing alive ELOISE MARTYN It’s been a long time since each town had a blacksmith’s shop where, amongst wafts of coal smoke, horses were shod, tools, farm implements and wagons or carriages were built and repaired. However, for the past twenty years Patrick Baker and Tatiana von Kastan from Onekaka Golden Bay have been keeping the skill of blacksmithing alive.

The couple say that their workshop started as a bamboo and corrugated iron shack and, over time, has developed into the well-equipped space that they now forge in, under the banner Hell’s Fire Forges.

“It has always been a hobby,” Patrick says, “which over time developed into a business.”

“At one stage we had a forge in our kitchen when our house wasn’t finished and had no windows. It got a bit smokey inside once we got the windows in, so it went back to the workshop, even though it was handy to have it in the kitchen,” laughs Tatiana.

Five years ago, the couple began to share their blacksmithing skills with children. “To start with, someone asked us if we

could do a course for kids, and it just went from there,” says Patrick.

It proved to be well received and since then every school holidays a free blacksmithing course for children is on offer, thanks to Creative Communities NZ. During the forging workshops, children learn basic blacksmithing skills and leave with a self-forged knife, bracelet, chisel, nails, hooks or any other small item of their choice.

“Often kids come and want to make a sword, of course. We advise them to scale it down a bit to start with and after a few hours of banging they agree it was a good idea to start with something smaller.”

Follow-up lessons are available for the real keen up-and-coming swordsmiths.

Children creating knives are taken through the whole process of blade-making, from taking a piece of scrap metal, such as a leaf spring, forging it into shape, grinding, hardening and tempering to create a completely functional knife with a handle.

“The kids always leave really satisfied, often tired and with a few blisters, but with a wonder-

ful sense of accomplishment,” Patrick says.

“We have had a few horsey girls that have come and made artistic horseshoes for their bedroom walls, and hoof picks, they were really neat,” smiles Tatiana.

The couple both enjoy making original creations and it’s satisfying when people look at their work and can really appreciate it.

And their pieces are well appreciated, the pair have won various prizes over the years.

“Last year I entered some jewellery that Patrick had made for me in the Bay Art exhibition and it won a prize. Our creations are beautiful, unique and functional,” says Tatiana.

Recently the hand-forging duo have invested in a pneumatic hammer so that they can create bigger pieces, such as ornate statement gates for driveways.

“We are really excited to get into some larger stuff, we enjoy hearing other people’s visions and creating them and property gates are perfect for this.

We both have our own ideas as well, so we are keen to do some creative exploration and see where this adventure leads,” Patrick says.

Self-taught blacksmith’s Patrick Baker and Tatiana von Kastan who have been offering children the opportunity to try blacksmithing.

Photo: Supplied.

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November 2023

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News

The 54th Parliament… now the work begins

QUALITY SERVICE | COMPETITIVE RATES | PROFESSIONAL RESULTS

MAUREEN PUGH MP Firstly, a huge ‘thank you’ to everyone who supported me in what looks like West Coast-Tasman turning blue. I am honoured to have received such a firm mandate and I’m rearing to go. So now the big question is ‘where to start?’

The final results will be sorted, including Special and Overseas Votes, by Nov 3rd and we can expect the numbers to bounce around a bit after the final count is completed. We will form a Government and Ministers will be appointed.

After that, we can begin to implement the important policies which will improve New Zealander’s lives. Our legislative programme is ready to go, including reversing some very dumb stuff imposed by the previous Government.

It was clear that New Zealanders wanted change and I am really pleased to say that we picked up seats that we weren’t necessarily expecting to win and that’s a clear message that

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New Zealanders responded to National’s offerings. The National team are looking forward to bringing the country together and focussing on delivering outcomes for all New Zealanders.

Whilst there is a strong mandate for us to go off and form a National-led government, we will be respectful of the more than half a million votes still to be counted and checked. The negotiations with coalition partners are for Prime Minister-elect, Christopher Luxon, to lead with the respective parties, rather than through the media.

Our focus will be on the things that matter to New Zealanders. Many families and businesses are hurting badly due to the rapid rise in the cost-ofliving and bringing that down will be a priority for the National team. Rising crime and our failing health and education systems are also areas that are struggling, and these will receive priority.

Of course, I have some prior-

ities which are unique to the West Coast-Tasman electorate, but I will wait until all of the electoral formalities are settled until I discuss those in detail. No one is more aware of the impact of the special votes, so I don’t want to get ahead of myself.

The 2023 General Election was an emphatic vote for change: voters across the country responded to National’s clear messages on rebuilding the economy, reducing the costof-living, restoring law and order and delivering better public services.

So, as we move forward to form a National-led Government of the 54th Parliament, I can only give my sincere thanks to our campaign team, donors, supporters and volunteers on the ground for this victory – from volunteers to voters, we have been very well served. Thank you all.

Your feedback is always welcome: maureen.pughmp@ parliament.govt.nz

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November 2023

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Tasman Report

NEW LISTING

I would have to say that since the election result there has been a positive shift in the attitude and opinion of Tasman people, I have been talking with about optimism for the next 3 years. New Zealand still has a lot of hurdles outside the farm gate to contend with, but I am sure there could not have been a better result on Election night for farmer confidence. By the time you read this, we will know how much say Winston will have in the new parliament but I guess the clear message has been a shift in direction to a government that will be there to assist growth and encourage an export-led recovery for New Zealand - we need that!

TAPAWERA Quality Finishing Property • • • • • •

Quality Finishing Property 200.5325 Hectares, 160 effective hectares in grass Two Homes Quality Farm Improvements 20ha of Pine trees registered in the ETS Contour a mix of flats, easy terraces, and medium hill

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Doug Smith M 027 543 2280 E douglasjcsmith@pggwrightson.co.nz pggwre.co.nz/NEL38510

NEW LISTING

RAI VALLEY Hills Road, Rai Valley Situated on the outskirts of Rai township is a 10.2910ha lifestyle/grazing property. Offering the best of both worlds here with several great building sites, utilise the fertile 10ha as a runoff, supplement block, or develop your own lifestyle. Access is off Hills Road with a race heading into the centre of the property. There is a three-bay shed and cattle yards on site. Stock water is via a well with a solar pump.

Subdivided into five paddocks with electric internal fencing and permanent boundary. The block is currently part of a dairy platform, so pasture and fertility are in good heart. Contour is mostly flat with some elevated terraces rising to medium hill, the elevated terrace offers stunning valley views. pggwre.co.nz/NEL38484 PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

Time will tell - my predictions last month were for this election result and for the All Blacks to make the World Cup Final - I think this is a great achievement and no matter what the result on the final day the conjecture and angst we have all suffered over recent years performance has vindicated the position of the management of the team. I am still expecting an AB victory though...

My unwavering faith in The Tasman Mako has been not quite as on the mark…

The Rural property market is in an interesting place at present, and we are hopeful of a busy Spring with plenty of new listings coming to the market across the South Island. Sales volumes have been low across the area in the last 4 months however that can be put down to the uncertainties around the election plus negative news about the cost of living and interest rates. I think there is a lot of clarity around that and

Joe Blakiston 027 434 4069 I hope the buyers out there take a medium to long-term view that land has always been the best investment and that will continue to be the case, so there is no time like the present.

PGG Wrightson has a good selection of property across all land classes that are available, and we encourage you to give us a call.

As always, I encourage you to take opportunities to get off the farm - local A and P shows and festivals are always great chances to catch up with old acquaintances and remember a problem shared is a problem halved so keep talking to those around you that can make a difference.

Have a great month!

NEW LISTING

$500,000 Plus GST (if any) VIEW By Appointment Only

Doug Smith M 027 543 2280 E douglasjcsmith@pggwrightson.co.nz

MOTUEKA VALLEY 201 Graham Valley Road Bush Retreat / Haven Within a 30-minute' drive of Motueka up the Graham Valley is a 56ha block of native bush that lies to the north allowing for good sunshine hours through the year. The current owner has lived permanently here for over 10 years. A two-bedroom cottage sits in an elevated sunny spot providing stunning views up the valley. There is a solar system providing 240 power, the internet is via a satellite provider and there is mobile coverage at the cottage. There is a second separate two-bedroom Bach as well, this one has no power system but is solid and sits in its own little clearing - a little TLC could transform this. Access to the property is by 4x4 vehicle. Hunting, tramping, exploring - it can all be done on your own property.

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$530,000

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VIEW By Appointment Only

Doug Smith M 027 543 2280 E douglasjcsmith@pggwrightson.co.nz

pggwre.co.nz/NEL38286 Helping grow the country

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RURAL | LIFESTYLE | RESIDENTIAL

EXCLUSIVE

RAI VALLEY 161 Bulford Road Premium Marlborough Dairy Farm 'Raidale Farm' is widely regarded as one of Marlborough's premium dairy properties. After almost 100 years of local ownership, an opportunity presents itself to secure this 321ha (794 acres) dairy operation with a full range of quality dairy infrastructure. This lowinput, self-contained farm comprises a milking platform of 202ha including irrigation and an upgraded 26 ASHB milking shed. A quality substantial main homestead, two farmhouses, and a comprehensive range of sheds plus the recent addition of an adjacent run-off block make this a desirable proposition in the sunny lifestyle region of Marlborough.

Inspection will not disappoint.

DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold Prior) Closes 1.00pm, Thursday 28 November, 20 Westwood Ave

VIEW By Appointment Only

Greg Lyons M 027 579 1233 E greg.lyons@pggwrightson.co.nz Joe Blakiston M 027 434 4069 E jblakiston@pggwrightson.co.nz

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SEDDON Prime Viticulture Development If you’re looking to diversify or expand your existing investment portfolio then this viticulture development opportunity should be top of your list.

Located just 35km from Blenheim, the Awatere Valley is well recognised as a proven viticulture performer in Marlborough and this property is well positioned amongst existing and developed viticulture properties.

This 84.52ha (subject to survey) north-facing property predominantly in flats is ideally suited to viticulture as it includes shares in the Marama Irrigation Limited scheme (M.I.L) with ‘B Class’ water and several water storage sites have been identified.

A unique opportunity not to be missed. Contact Greg or Joe for further information.

DEADLINE PRIVATE TREATY Plus GST (if any) (Unless Sold Prior) Closes 1.00pm, Friday 24 November 20 Westwood Ave, Blenheim

VIEW By Appointment Only

Greg Lyons M 027 579 1233 E greg.lyons@pggwrightson.co.nz Joe Blakiston M 027 434 4069 E jblakiston@pggwrightson.co.nz

pggwre.co.nz/BLE38475 PGG Wrightson Real Estate Limited, licensed under REAA 2008

Helping grow the country

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November 2023

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Accelerating success.

For Sale Production, Fertility, Location 99 Opouri Road, Rai Valley, Marlborough Conveniently located within close proximity of Rai Valley township. Fertile and productive with good fertiliser and regrassing history.

Andy Poswillo 027 420 4202 andy.poswillo@colliers.com

Multiple Purchasing Options 1. Total Property 131ha in six (6) titles. Large three-bedroom dwelling plus self-contained sleepout, 32 bail rotary shed, numerous sheds and outbuildings. Calving 365 cows. $3,900,000 + GST (if any) 2. 66ha includes all the above improvements. An ideal dairy support, beef finishing/intensive calf rearing unit or approx 200 cow dairy farm. $2,600,000 + GST (if any) 3. 64ha in two (2) titles. Ideal run-off or beef finishing unit. $1,400,000 + GST (if any) An additional 52ha run-off also available. $1,200,000 + GST (if any)

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For Sale Irrigated Fertile Platform For Sale by Negotiation 422 Kaiuma Bay Road, Havelock, Marlborough • • • • • •

Andy Poswillo 027 420 4202 andy.poswillo@colliers.com

Located at Canvastown, 56km from Blenheim & 70km from Nelson via State Highway 6 160ha milking platform with 149ha irrigation An ideal intensive dairy support and supplement block Fertile pastures with extensive regrassing and fertiliser history Well supported with infrastructure including two dwellings, 32 ASHB shed, ACR, in-shed feed system, 550 cow feed pad Reliable 1785mm historical annual rainfall

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17

Large-scale high country station available A high country station with significant size and scale in Marlborough that has been faithfully farmed by the same family for three generations is being offered to the market for sale.

Upton Fells Station, located in Awatere Valley, only 55km from Blenheim’s CBD, encompasses 7,857ha of freehold land and is known for its fine merino wool production and beef breeding operation.

With such an expansive landholding, there are multiple options to expand the current revenue streams, including unrivalled hunting, tourism opportunities, and further development.

The well-balanced property ranges from irrigated workable downs to strong clean productive limestone tussock country and elevated peaks rising to 1,250 metres above sea level (MASL), with the majority of the property being under 850 MASL. Year-round running natural water, several stands of native matai, totara, and beech trees,

coupled with the surrounding landscapes, including the majestic Mt Tapuae-o-Uenuku, add to the natural beauty, solitude, and ambience of the property.

An area spanning approximately 1,500ha of regenerating indigenous natives has been identified as being potentially eligible for the Emissions Trading Scheme and is awaiting MPI approval, possibly adding another major income stream to the property.

From a livestock perspective, the beef herd is based on Rissington bloodlines with calves sold to annual buyers, a true testament to the genetics and performance of the sta-

tion-bred cattle and part of the merino wool clip supplied to a high-end Italian fashion company.

Andy Poswillo, Director at Colliers Marlborough, has been exclusively appointed to market the property for sale via tender with the deadline for offers closing at 2pm on Friday 1 December.

“This large high country station has been carefully maintained and farmed across multiple generations with an extensive level of care taken,” Poswillo says.

“Now is the time for a new owner to take over stewardship of this significant piece of land that forms a considerable part

of the tightly held rural Marlborough landscape.

“We expect a property of this nature to attract a good level of interest due to its sizeable freehold tenure, location, and the fact it is one of the few high country stations offered to the market for some time. Properties of this calibre are seldom available.”

The well-established farming infrastructure includes a six-bedroom homestead with tennis court, inground pool, and separate staff accommodation. There is also a six-stand woolshed with 1800-night pen capacity, workshop, implement sheds, and sheep and cattle yards.

There are multiple huts and sheep and cattle facilities strategically located on the station with well-formed 4WD tracks throughout providing good access and ease of stock movement.

Poswillo says the long-term prospects for the property are incredibly exciting due to the development opportunities that can be explored in a range of sectors that will complement the existing income streams.

“There are extensive hunting opportunities on the property and given the popularity of the South Island and New Zealand’s international reputation for offering picturesque landscapes, there is potential to explore tourism opportunities through a boutique accommodation offering.

“The Marlborough region, which is known to experience high levels of sunshine hours, is home to more than 150 wineries and the area has year-round tourist attractions that draw people to this popular location.”

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November 2023

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OPINION

Facing changes to meet international markets BARBARA STUART New Zealand farmers are facing unprecedented levels of change, both domestically and internationally, and need to adapt to survive and thrive.

That’s the harsh reality call from Lain Jager, chair of the NZ Institute of Primary Industry Management who says, change is needed in our food and fibre sectors, as unprecedented levels of change are happening globally, not just in New Zealand.

“The food and fibre sectors’ fear of change is mistaken; adaptability is the pathway to growth. It’s not how slow, but how fast we grow through the value chain which will keep us ahead of our competitors.”

Lain says that the food and fibre sectors are comprised of very different value chains; meat, dairy, production forestry, arable, plus horticulture including apples, pears, kiwi, and grapes and they have very different risk profiles and distinctive environmental footprints. But when there is talk of change, the food and fibre sectors “become grumpy and object”, as they compare themselves

to the playing field of our offshore competitors.

Lain acknowledges the deep-rooted concerns of producers and the current downturns, but he says, “despite all that, the sector has grown.”

The challenges now are how do we grow food and fibre in the face of complications over water, chemical use, farm plans and ute taxes amongst other change. He says change is coming from every direction and the global impact of climate and policies has begun to hit too. Lain says: “it’s not just happening in New Zealand. The grumpiness about change has been directed at the government when in fact this is a world-wide phenomenon.”

A key driver of change is climate which Lane says is very complex to understand and hopelessly complex to model. Another example is the global pressure on world-wide grains, the big rice crop, wheat, maize and corn plus fruit and vegetable crops. Ironically this is a benefit for NZ. It is likely in the medium-term demand will be strong for these products. We don’t know how climate will influence in the long

Lain Jager acknowledges the deep-rooted concerns of producers.

Photo: Supplied. term but its looking like it will be on the severe end from the current modelling.

What is exciting is the growth in technology and the partnerships between Industry players to seriously look at knocking back the methane argument for our Dairy sector. Finally, there is geo-politics, China has a policy to reduce its reliance on imported food.

They want more independence.

Singapore is another where there is massive investment to be more self-sufficient. This will obviously have a negative impact on food producing nations like New Zealand.

Locally, we see changes through freshwater management, He Waka Eke Noa, value chains like bobby calf rules and Farm Plans within Catchment groups. When it comes to levels of change, the big players like Fonterra, Silver Fern Farms and Turners and Growers are well placed to re-calibrate the required change. They are aware of customer, import requirements and how value chains are positioned. Lain believes, farmers lost an opportunity on He Waka Eke Noa. And says, a potential solution across the whole of the food and fibre sector is at value chain level and at

regional level where there is the ability to make change when it fails at a national level.”

Internationally, drivers for change turn into international agreements such as the Paris Accord. Lain says, “we need to de-carbonise our economy in New Zealand.” This happens through government, trade and import restrictions. From a technical perspective there are a whole range of challenges from capacity, range, and types of farm businesses to the age of farmers. Often, it’s the business case for change that creates concern.

Therefore, exploring deeper into issues is better for outcomes.

Lain’s opinion is: “more focus on growing our value chain and taking the politics out of it.”

The context should be about growth.

He says other countries are tackling decarbonisation and huge advances are being made in artificial intelligence. Their attitude is what can we do as a country to maintain our place. Major economies around the world are focusing on their competitive advantage. Not on what they want to stop.

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Time to hand on the Brightwater baton ELOISE MARTYN Thirty years ago, Valley and Gary Neale purchased a 9-hectare deer farm with a half-finished house and no driveway along the main road of Hope, in Tasman.

The couple had been living abroad for nine years and moved home to share their baby daughter with family in the area.

“We were ready to settle down and have more family time,” Valley says.

After long careers in banking and land surveying, Valley says they were also ready for a lifestyle change.

“We thought we could do something with our new land, so we started to investigate apples however we both left a meeting, where the conversation had been around how the bad years in apples can be mentally draining, thinking we both like wine,” laughs Valley.

So, in 1993, with no horticulture background, they planted a vineyard as well as welcomed their second child.

Over years of hard work, the couple, and their Brightwater Vineyard label, became well-recognised nationally and internationally. They have an avalanche of awards, trophies, gold medals,

Valley and Gary Neale say it’s time to hand the baton over on their distinguished Brightwater Vineyards operation and are hoping someone will come along and continue what they have started and enjoyed.

Photo: Supplied and 5-star ratings, which are continually being awarded.

“Back then I was told by a friend that it takes ten years to establish a wine label, five years in I thought oh my gosh she’s right it really was ten years of very hard work,” Valley says.

Expansion happened at various times with the couple leasing an

additional 5 hectares, building an on-site winery and tasting room, and expanding varieties to include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot noir, Rose, Pinot Gris, Merlot, and Riesling.

Covid threw them a curve ball and Valley says the chance to diversify during the pandemic into more mail-order business turned very

popular with countries that had extended lockdowns, and it is still serving them well today.

“When we could get the wine on the ships it was good, unfortunately, it was a bit hit and miss as often there were no ships due to the reduced workforce at ports worldwide,” Valley adds. However, it is now back to almost normal.

Valley says wine tastes have changed over the past decade and dining at home and learning to cook have both increased dramatically.

“Social media is affecting the new markets these days and people are not so caught up on the old wine writers, they listen more to what their friends and colleagues recommend,” Valley says.

The duo say that the whole experience has been wonderful, however, they are ready for a change and to spend more time with their granddaughter as well as climb some high mountains such as Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain.

For this reason, they have decided now is the time to hand the baton onto the next owners to continue making the most of the opportunity, exploring new avenues, and growing the business.

The vineyard and winery are being marketed by Team Toby Randall at Harcourts Rural Tel: 0272339170 Valley explains “We still love wine and really love seeing the new season growth from the vines, so Gary and I are really hoping someone will come along and continue what we have started and enjoyed.”

Travis Fisher enjoys forestry NETW ING

BARBARA STUART

LIS

Brightwater Winery – Harvest of Dreams 546 Main Road Hope, Hope

In the picturesque region of Nelson/Tasman, a rare opportunity awaits at this distinguished boutique vineyard and winery. With an illustrious reputation, exceptional wines, and an inviting family-friendly lifestyle, this property embodies a dream come true for wine enthusiasts.

Spread across approximately 8.8 Ha of pristine vineyard, boasting a modern and wellequipped winery, charming tasting room, established local and international markets for all its wine offerings, and a sun-drenched, spacious residence. It’s a turnkey opportunity with the esteemed winemaker and viticulturist open to continue their journey alongside you if required.

Tender

Toby Randall

Elisha Shefford

toby.randall@harcourts.co.nz

elisha.shefford@harcourts.co.nz

M 027 233 9170 Licensed Agent REAA 2008

M 021 354 742

Travis Fisher enjoys forestry; he completed highschool and went straight into forestry, working for local companies.

The work in those days included a full range of harvesting related tasks up on the hills.

“The work’s much safer [these days] with a lot of mechanisations out there.

Hauler grapple carriages for instance have cameras which are used to extract individual logs without the manual breaking out component on the hill. Technology and machinery have come a long way for the better.”

Travis has moved through the ranks within the industry over time and has also become a qualified arborist, but it wasn’t long before he was back into forestry. Just recently he transitioned to a harvest supervisor role for IFS Growth “Which meant a lot of fresh learning but I wouldn’t do anything else. I love the job

Safety a priority for harvest supervisor, Travis Fisher.

Photo: Barbara Stuart. and company culture. Safety is a top priority, touch wood I have never experienced a serious incident or fatality.”

These days the father of two, (ten-year-old Izzy and seven-year-old Lacie,) is especially aware of how important it is to get home at the end of every day.

Being aware of hazards and maintaining a good safety culture is part of the job.

Visitors can’t come on site without appointments or being made aware of hazards and site inductions.

Helmets and high-visibility gear, as well as radio communication of where people are on-site are in constant

use.

“We are conscious of public safety, particularly in communities such as Glenduan (at the end of the Nelson boulder bank) where our heavy logging trucks are moving through urban areas daily. One of the tools we and our haulage company use to monitor speeds is a ‘geofence’. In Airlie Street, where prescribed trucks can only go 15kph, they are being constantly tracked by GPS.” “It’s exciting to be part of the harvesting operations and we have a great crew committed to a good allround result.

Farming TOP SOUTH

November 2023

Advert

MONTHLY

NETW ING

NETW ING

LIS

LIS

Enchanting block with tri of passive income

Timeless Elegance

Snake Creek Road, Golden Bay

223 Redwood Valley Road, Redwood Valley

Driving into this block alone will take your breath away as you wind your way down the coastline you know straight away you’re heading to a pretty special spot, and arguably one of the most beautiful places in NZ. This 618 HA block at Snake Creek has something for everyone, so whether you’re a seasoned farmer and want to farm or add this to your farming portfolio, or someone wanting to own a slice of paradise that will more that help pay its way with 3 income streams currently in place.

Sitting proudly elevated on a secluded hill, overlooking the rolling productive land is this yesteryear inspired yet modern villa. Built early 2000’s it’s immediately clear just the level of thought that has gone into this grand design capturing the panoramic views.

With multiple spots that you could build an awesome bach or retreat or perhaps explore some ecotourism options? Lake Otuhie on the boundary maybe build up high with views looking over this, or a cabin amongst the manuka looking out over Paturau Beach and the rugged West Coast.

If you want to find out more about this unique property, get in touch now.

Tender

Licensed Agent REAA 2008

This 22HA property is meticulously enclosed with deer fencing, Redwood Valley reticulated water system and a 3 bay shearing shed that could have a number of other uses. The main house features 4 bedrooms, open plan dining/ lounge and impressive well-equipped kitchen, as well as the fully self -contained farm cottage – this property just keeps on giving.

Words and even the photos can’t do this place justice so if you’re interested you will want to get it touch quickly.

Tender

Toby Randall

Toby Randall

Elisha Shefford

M 027 233 9170 toby.randall@harcourts.co.nz

M 027 233 9170 toby.randall@harcourts.co.nz

M 021 354 742 elisha.shefford@harcourts.co.nz

Licensed Agent REAA 2008

NETW ING LIS

NETW ING

Entry level grazing/support or even lifestyle?

Iconic Farm – Picturesque Port Ligar

Whether you’re a seasoned farmer or looking for a lifestyle opportunity, this property provides the space and versatility you need. This 52 Ha block is a great option for first time landowners, support block, young stock and more…

It’s rare for such a significant and captivating property to come to market in the Marlborough Sounds – but here it is, a total of 467Ha, made up of around 390 Ha effective with the balance being three small stands of pines, and some stunning native bush and scrub, traditionally running sheep and beef.

Improvements on the land include new fencing, as well as a new solar stock water reticulation system, good tracks running over the entire block, great shedding and workshop and a substantial 3 stand shearing shed, cattle yards, sheep yards and airstrip.

Down in Port Ligar Bay itself, you will find a charming homestead offering all you could need for day to day living, holidays or large gathering of friends and family. Boasting breathtaking views over turquoise blue water and the impressive landscape of the outer sounds, with your own private spacious wharf. This is what dreams are made of, and this dream is up for grabs.

There is far more to this property that words can explain, and it’s a property you have to feel to understand.

LIS

1584 Tadmor-Glenhope Road, Tapawera

1777 Te Towaka -Port Ligar Road, Port Ligar

Made up of quality flats and terraces, with the balance being easy to medium hill country. Water supply is via a reticulated water system that could be easily enhanced. Improvements include large stock yards and loading race, a 7 bay implement shed and an enormous 2 stand wool shed that could lend itself to a number of alternative uses.

If you’re in the market for an entry level block – this will be hard to beat and is sure to be snapped up quickly, so get in touch with today.

Price by negotiation over $740,000 + GST (if any)

Toby Randall Licensed Agent REAA 2008

M 027 233 9170 toby.randall@harcourts.co.nz

Tender

Licensed Agent REAA 2008

Toby Randall M 027 233 9170 toby.randall@harcourts.co.nz

21

22

November 2023

Farming TOP SOUTH

News

MONTHLY

OPINION

Farmers are advised to ‘spend wisely to get through tough times’ BEEF+LAMB Beef + Lamb New Zealand chairperson, Kate Acland, says times are tough but being prudent with spending will help farmers get through the hard times. Every farmer in New Zealand is having a tough time right now. When I am out and about talking to farmers across the country. We’ve come off historically strong prices for our beef and lamb in our global markets, on-farm inflation remains high, and the scale and pace of regulatory change is a huge concern.

These weaker prices for beef and lamb directly impact not just the bottom line for farms, but also our wider community’s income. Like any household, we have to be prudent with our spending and ensure the farm business is resilient so we can navigate what looks to be a rocky period.

With the country facing these significant financial pressures, it’s more important than ever that the Government’s policy settings are fair and practical and lead to the right outcomes for farmers, our rural communities, and the environment.

Kate Acland of Beef + Lamb New Zealand. Photo: Supplied.

We will keep working hard on advocating for urgent changes. With the current challenges we are facing, it’s critical that we keep investing in science, innovation, and technology.

Through the 1960s and 1970s, the then government and the agricultural sector had the foresight to invest heavily in these fields to create tools to ensure we could improve our productivity and profitability.

This enabled New Zealand to rise through the period of deregulation and come out stronger and more profitable, due to efficiency and productivity gains – largely driven by good core science. We are going to

need similar levels of investment to see our sector through this current wave of change to ensure we still have a thriving sector and a strong broader economy.

There are some excellent scientists working across the country for the agricultural sector and the environment. They have blazed a trail in innovation, and we are the envy of the world. We should be holding these people up as heroes. They can help us mitigate the impact of changes beyond the farm gate and to prove to our markets that we have amongst the lowest environmental footprints in the world.

New board member for DairyNZ DAIRYNZ At the AGM, Cameron Henderson, a dairy farmer from Oxford in North Canterbury, was elected to the board to replace Colin Glass who did not seek re-election.

Henderson and his wife Sarah milk 750 cows on 240ha and lease a further 250ha for dairy support and arable.

He’s been a farmer representative on the He Waka Eke Noa steering group and is on the board of Ballance Agri-Nutrients. In the past he worked for DairyNZ as a farm systems developer.

He says he’s excited about the future of dairy, but the industry must have practical and science-led solutions, on farm and in policy.

“DairyNZ has a lead role in delivering both but needs to be better connected with its levy payers, listening no lecturing, and being more strategic about when to represent farmers and when to lead farmers,” he says.

At the AGM, Mary-Anne MacLeod was confirmed as an appointed director for another term, while Robbie Byars was also elected unopposed to the directors’ remuneration committee.

In his speech, van der Poel discussed the challenging and busy year farmers have faced, including inflation and regulation issues, while highlighting some of the successes.

“There is no doubt it has been a challenging year but, despite this, our farmers remain committed to delivering for their teams, families, animals and land. We produce world class products and should be incredibly proud of that,” he says.

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Building and Display site: 35 Anchorage Road, Hornby, Christchurch Ph: Pete Sturgeon 021 222 6680 or Gerard Faye 0274 808 217 • Email: pete.hiab@gmail.com

Farming TOP SOUTH

November 2023

News

MONTHLY

23

Book Review Taxpayers forced to bear the cost

OPINION

MARCUS MUSSON Director Forest360

Since the early 2000’s, China has been flat-out in the residential construction sector with an unfettered, mass urbanization plan that has seen a massive expansion in apartments throughout the country.

During the US lead Global Financial Crisis (GFC), China propped up its economy through local government investment in infrastructure which saw Chinese construction companies such as Evergrande, Country Garden, Fantasia, and Modern Land grow quickly. Following their ‘success’, many ‘diversified’ into other investments such as electric cars, energy and higher risk investments fuelled by eye watering levels of domestic and foreign debt. The Bank of America Research team estimate that Chinas outstanding mortgages now amount to 31% of GDP and around 60% of all household assets are in real estate.

Que 2021 and a number of these companies started having a few liquidity issues following Beijing’s introduction of the ‘three red lines’ rule after a realization of over speculation in the residential property market.

Unfortunately, this is too little too late. He Keng, the former deputy head of the statistics bureau has said that, at the extreme, there could now be enough empty homes to house 3 billion people. But more likely, there’s enough to easily house 1.4 billion, which co-incidentally matches the entire population of China.

What does this mean for us?

Exports to China make up around half of our total NZ harvest level and the majority of what we send there goes into single use construction so it’s a reasonably important

market. There is still underlying demand from China at the level of around 60,000m3 per day, which is around 2,000 truck and trailer loads, but it’s an unknown what that will look like going forward.

October at wharf gate prices is down around $5/m3 on September to the $114/m3 level (A grade) which is $12/m3 lower than the 3-year rolling average and $14/m3 under this time last year. With current cost structures for harvesting and cartage, anything under the 3-year average is marginal.

The government obviously thought that recent instability in the NZ carbon market caused by their fiddling wasn’t enough as MPI recently announced its Tranche 2 cost recovery for ETS participants which will see an increase in annual charges of several thousand percent. New charges will see ETS participants now pay $30.25 per hectare for the pleasure of sequestering carbon.

MPI have stated that their annual costs for managing the NZ ETS scheme add up to around $29.8M and are seeking to recover $18.9M of this from participants. This is a massive increase in cost for forest owners and will put a big dent in the collective ability to achieve our 2050 climate change commitments.

This will especially derail the Climate Change Commissions’ target of establishing a further 300,000ha of native forest as native’s have a much lower carbon sequestration and any increase in costs will make investments in native conversion or establishment uneconomic.

In response, a few prominent industry groups have joined forces to fight the good fight and seek a judicial review into the imposition of the new MPI fee structure.

The group includes The Cli-

mate Forestry Association, NZ Institute of Forestry (NZIF), The National Māori Forestry Association, Forest Owners Association (FOA) and a number of other forestry representatives and interest groups representing more than 300,000ha of forests nationwide.

FOA CEO, Dr Elizabeth Heeg summed the situation up well in a media release by stating “The system should be designed so that polluters pay, rather than penalizing the people who are doing the vital work of capturing carbon dioxide. Ultimately all of us as taxpayers will be forced to bear the cost of New Zealand’s failure to meet its climate targets.

We are already projected to fall short of the target and the uncertainty created by measures like this just makes for a bigger bill.” James Treadwell, president of NZIF expects the charges to reduce land values by at least $500/ha.

It’s important to remember that this isn’t just ETS eligible forest value, this also extends to farm values – good if you’re buying, bad if you’re selling.

We’re coming into the traditional Chinese construction season but it’s very unlikely we’ll see a significant increase in demand. NZ supply continues to be higher than it should be at current price levels courtesy of the salvage of the wind damage in Taupo – which has a limited life.

We don’t have any remedy for the Chinese economy at this point and will have to wait and see what eventuates in terms of further stimulus from Beijing.

Hopefully, post-election we will see an improvement in the NZ ratio, softening interest rates and a return to a strong NZ construction industry through government led wood first policies... oh, and a reality check from MPI.

Blue Duck Station - The land, the rivers and the people

by Nicola McCloy, Basteman Books $69.99 TONY ORMAN The publisher’s blurb says of this book - “outstanding, amazing, fantastic and incredible and every other adjective that describes the WOW factor.” And it’s true!

Author Nicola McCloy’s relaxed, engaging writing with often lively, often amusing anecdotes, great photos and an excellent presentation by the publishers makes for a great book. The book delves back into early history, both Maori and early European pioneer times and then moves smoothly through the decades to today.

Blue Duck Station adjoins the Whanganui National Park where the Retaruke River joins the Whanganui River and was created by amalgamating several properties.

Today the station combines tradi-

tional farming with tourism and conservation. Such is the enterprising nature of the Steele family that they’re constantly looking at new innovative ways of diversifying further.

Enhancing the narrative is the philosophy of owner Dan Steele and his family. I found much to agree with Dan’s belief in managing wild game populations (e.g. deer) and the family’s ideals about progress.

“You can have a good economy and a good ecology,” he writes. But judge for yourself. Get a copy. It’s a book to treasure.

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sales@cuddon.co.nz | www.cuddon.co.nz Photo: MarlboroughNZ.

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Legal protection for your farm through the stages of life Make a plan to protect your farming and rural assets now and in the future.

Inheritance/estate planning and wills Protecting assets Enduring powers of attorney Succession planning

Nelson: 78 Selwyn Place Ph: +64 3 548 8349 Richmond: 66 Oxford Street Ph: +64 3 543 9090 www.pittandmoore.co.nz

24

November 2023

Farming TOP SOUTH

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creative and have some fun. Don't forget socials or send us some photos so we ca with what you are doing.

Farming TOP SOUTH

November 2023

Feature

MONTHLY

Bake sale

Quiz night

Fundraising Ideas

5/10km gumboot walk

We have listed some ideas of how you could start your fundraising efforts, but dont be limited to this list! Get creative and have some fun. Don't forget to tag us on socials or send us some photos so we can keep up to date with what you are doing.

Host a gumboot breakfast or lunch

3RD NOVEMBER Sausage sizzle or BBQ

Bake sale Quiz night

Run a (gum)boot camp gym class or

5/10km gumboot walk

to donate txt BOOTS 469 Gift basketto raffle

Host a gumboot breakfast or lunch Sausage sizzle or BBQ Run a (gum)boot camp gym class or challenge Gift basket raffle

What?

25

Have a gumboot donation box on front desk

Have a gumboot donation box on fro

What?

Join us as we raise funds for kids’ counselling Gumboot Friday is a free counselling service for any young person in New Zealand aged 25 and under.

Why?

An overworked, underfunded, and under resourced public mental health service has led to excruciatingly long wait times for young people needing immediate help. Gumboot Friday was designed to meet the needs of young people.

Using fully qualified, licensed practitioners from the private sector, young people are able to book a session at www.gumbootfriday.com and in 3 clicks of a button, they are more often than not, seen within a week. Best of all, we take care of the bill.

Let’s make kids’ mental health a priority in Aotearoa

Wear gumboots to work for a donation Hold a community sports day

Gumboot fashion show

Workplace gumboot decorating competition

Donate a portion of sales for the month of October

Wear gumboots to work for a donatio

Gumboot Friday is a free counselling service for any young person in New Zealand aged 25 and under.

Do a physical challenge for sponsorship Hold a gumboot ball (boots & suits, gummies & gowns)

they are. This allows us to address issues quickly before they escalate and thus unburdens the health An overworked, underfunded, and under resourced public Purchase your offical GBF merch here: The scale of the Gumboot Friday Platform is unprecedented. system while giving long our children In the 2021-2022 financial year, Gumboot Friday offered mental health service has led to excruciatingly wait store.iamhope.org.nz/collections/gumboot-friday counselling sessions for young people in distress. In support when they request it.

We’re on a mission12,121 to ensure the 2022-2023 Financial year, this number was 27,586. times for young people needing immediate help.

Gumboot In just one financial year, demand more than doubled.

Onthe theneeds otherofside of this service, young people aged 25 and unFriday was designed to meet young people.

This is the difference between supporting 7,935 young practitioners can access funding people for $1,515,672 in 2021-2022 to a shocking 17,181 der in New Zealand get free and Using fully qualified, licensed practitioners from the young people at a cost of for $3,625,062 in 2022-2023. hold children commutimely counselling when needed. private sector, young peopletoare able to bookinatheir session at nity enjoyofaahigher can you do?

Join us today, and What let’s rewrite www.gumbootfriday.com and in and 3 clicks button,quality of Without you there is no counselling. We need your passion, work with a lessa acute energy,together. and positivity. We need your drive, dedication and the story of young lives they are more often than not, seen within week.clientele, Best of as fun, but most of all we need your involvement.

This year we are celebrating the real heroes of Gumboot well as a fair wage. all, we take care of the bill.

Scan to Donate Now! Your actions can create a brighter, Friday - you - our communities, who are giving their all to raise funds for free kids counselling .

Gumboot Friday is not a longhealthier future for the next genscale of the Gumboot Friday unprecedented.

The termPlatform solutionisdesigned to take eration.

In the 2021-2022 financial year, Gumboot Friday offered over from government services, Gumboot Friday is an initiative www.gumbootfriday.com 12,121 counselling sessionsrather, for young people inbedistress.

In a it should seen as by the ‘I Am Hope Foundation’ the 2022-2023 Financial year, this number was 27,586. bridge between current services - a fundraising and advocacy orIn just one financial year, demand more thanneeds. doubled. and immediate Everyone ganisation that supports young people who are struggling with help. Our free counselling plat- matic analysis with our counsel- is encouraged to seek governThis is the difference between supporting 7,935 young their mental health. Founded form provides a bridge to ranga- lors. New Zealand’s system forc- ment-funded help while utilising people for $1,515,672 in 2021-2022 to a shocking 17,181 by mental health advocate Mike tahi in need by breaking down the es children to get worse before our service. young people at a cost of for $3,625,062 in 2022-2023.

King and is a free counselling ser- barriers of cost and wait times. they get better and systematically The gumboots represent those vice for any young person in New It is not uncommon for suicid- pushes our mental health practi- people struggling with depression who say it can feel like walkal youth to be discharged from tioners to burnout.

Zealand aged 25 and under.

An overworked, underfund- the public system as “not acute Gumboot Friday flips the script ing through mud every day.

Without you there is no acounselling.

We need your passion, By supporting Gumboot Friday, ed, and under-resourced public enough” or to find themselves on by offering counselling as “just energy, and positivity.

We need your drive, dedication and you’re making a real difference, mental health service has led to a waitlist for the better half of a conversation”.

In our system, chilfun, but most of all we needhelping your involvement. us keep up with the risexcruciatingly long wait times for year. These claims are backed by dren receive free, timely help unThis year we are celebratinging the demand real heroes of Gumboot and ensuring evyoung people needing immediate interviews and subsequent the- conditionally, who Fridayregardless - you - ourofcommunities, who are giving their all to Start a givealittle page

Why?

Make sure you visit our 'gumboot army' facebook group for more ideas and to connect with others in your area. You can also register your fundraiser on gumbootfriday.org.nz/volunteers.

Hold a community sports day

Gumboot fashion show

ery young Kiwi gets the mental com Workplace gumboot decorating health support they deserve.

Donate a portion of sales for the mon The generosity and support of New Zealanders will helpforthe challenge sponsors Do a physical continuation of private care and Hold a gumboot ball (boots & suits, g counselling for young people in distress.

Start a givealittle page

Make sure you visit our 'gumboot army' f The difference more ideas and to connect with others in you’ll make also register your fundraiser on

gumbootfriday.org.nz/volunteers.

The funds you raise for Gumboot Purchase your offical GBF merch Friday will go directly towards funding free counselling sessions store.iamhope.org.nz/collection for young people in Aotea.

What can you do?

Scan to Donate Now!

raise funds for free kids counselling .

NEED AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE? If you require urgent medical attention, please call 111.

www.gumbootf

STRESSED OR OVERWHELMED? Free call or text 1737 anytime to talk with a trained counsellor 24/7.

MURITAI SERVICE CENTRE

NOT URGENT BUT STILL WANT HELP? Pick a counsellor from our database, Sessions are available in-person or online.

Fund

We have l fundraisin creative a socials or with what

Bake sal

Quiz nigh 5/10km

Host a g

Sausage

Run a (g

Gift bask

What?

Gumboot Friday is a free counselling service for any young person in New Zealand aged 25 and under.

Why? An overworked, underfunded, and under resourced public mental health service has led to excruciatingly long wait times for young people needing immediate help. Gumboot Friday was designed to meet the needs of young people.

Using fully qualified, licensed practitioners from the private sector, young people are able to book a session at www.gumbootfriday.com and in 3 clicks of a button, they are more often than not, seen within a week. Best of all, we take care of the bill.

The scale of the Gumboot Friday Platform is unprecedented.

In the 2021-2022 financial year, Gumboot Friday offered 12,121 counselling sessions for young people in distress. In the 2022-2023 Financial year, this number was 27,586.

In just one financial year, demand more than doubled.

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This is the difference between supporting 7,935 young people for $1,515,672 in 2021-2022 to a shocking 17,181 young people at a cost of for $3,625,062 in 2022-2023.

What can you do?

Without you there is no counselling. We need your passion, energy, and positivity. We need your drive, dedication and fun, but most of all we need your involvement.

This year we are celebrating the real heroes of Gumboot Friday - you - our communities, who are giving their all to raise funds for free kids counselling .

Scan t

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November 2023

Nelson-Marlborough conservation board out and about The Nelson Marlborough Conservation Board has recently committed itself to further understand the cultural and historical significance of their region.

Earlier this year the Board travelled to Kaikoura to meet with the Canterbury Aoraki Conservation Board where members got updates on a few local conservation matters. Their meetings included discussions on maintaining strong relationships with Ngāti Kuri, the marine management in Kaikōura, the review of the Rangitahi Molesworth Management Plan, securing funding for a new 16 bunk hut at Mt Fyffe, and ungulate control in the Sounds and South Marlborough.

Additionally, during an open public forum, the Board heard a presentation from the South Marlborough Landscape Resto-

ration Trust, with particular reference to the control of wilding pines. This resulted in the Board writing to MPI identifying that funding for this work needs to be sustained.

Another highlight of their meeting was hearing from two conservation groups – Tasman Environmental Trust and Pest Free Onetahua – about their work.

Board members acknowledged the tremendous amount of work these groups do and the importance of trying different things to halt the decline of biodiversity.

Harvey Ruru (as NMCB liaison) attended the West Coast Tai Poutini Conservation Board meeting and the field visit to the Pike River mine site, meeting with family representatives.

In April, along with the Canterbury Aoraki Conservation Board, members had a fieldtrip

around Kaikoura where they were hosted by Ngāti Kurī. The focus of the fieldtrip was to gain further understanding of the Māori history, occupation, and traditions in the area, and an appreciation of the unique culture, location and history whilst preserving the values and strengthening the development of Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura.

Members also noted several Pou sites along the Kaikōura coast and were briefed on significant sites around the rohe including Hikurangi Marine Reserve and the Kaikoura Whale Sanctuary, as well as the effects of the Kaikoura earthquake 2016.

Get involved - attend a meeting, details of upcoming Nelson Marlborough Conservation Board meetings can be found on www. doc.govt.nz

A & F Bulletin STUART SMITH MP for Kaikoura

For many, the 2023 election campaign couldn’t end soon enough and now we wait for the coalition Government to be formed.

It was obvious a change in Government was coming with the discontent on the street being palpable. It seems that only those in the Wellington bubble didn’t see it coming.

While some will be frustrated that we have to wait for coalition negotiations to take place, that is the price we pay for our MMP system. There is no doubt that an MMP Parliament is more representative than First Past the Post, but that comes at the price of small parties having

Farming TOP SOUTH

News

disproportionate sway. No system is completely fair or representative, as Winston Churchill once said: “democracy is the worst form of government – except for all the others that have been tried.”

The hard work now begins to get New Zealand back on track and the full extent of the task will only become obvious when get to open the books and find the landmines that have been left for us to deal with.

Our priority is to value our farmers whose contributions over the past few years have maintained our standard of living and have proven to be worthy stewards of the land.

Without agricultural exports, our economy would be in deep trouble and our farmers are

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global leaders in the production of high-quality food and fibre.

We have the world’s most innovative and carbon-efficient food producers.

The overregulation has been seen as death by a thousand cuts for our rural sector. We have become a nation ruled by needless bureaucracy. The home of the number 8 wire can do practical approach has been stifled turning our ‘can do’ attitude to ‘might be able to’.

We do have a productivity issue, but that has to be addressed by investment in technology and cutting out the needless red tape.

We are stronger together. And by valuing and supporting our farmers together we can build a thriving community.

MONTHLY

OPINION

Basic education for school students GARRICK BATTEN The School Strike 4 Climate protest by students had four demands including regenerative agriculture (RA) of direct significance to farmers. The protest also demanded a lower voting age of 16 years for a greater say in decision-making such as evaluating crucial and practical decisions about food production and farm businesses.

There is no single or widely accepted definition of RA, although some scientists agree about the main principles and objectives.

They are to promote more holistic food production systems by improving soil health, the wider environment, human health and economic wealth. The most commonly seen RA practices minimise disturbing the soil and keep it covered, maintain living roots in the soil, and promote different aspects of crop, soil and other biodiversity. RA replaces synthetic inputs like fertilisers and crop protection with cover crops, residues, inoculants or green and brown manure.

The food supply chain for local needs or exports differs between regions, and individual farmers also vary widely between countries. While there is a consensus on the main RA principles, it is clear that one size does not fit all, even if the last government used that policy for agriculture. It doesn’t. For example, RA implies that degenerated soils need regeneration to their former state which in our case was young, largely infertile and unproductive.

Most NZ farmland is not cultivated and is covered in permanent pastures. They include clover fixing nitrogen from the air reducing the need for nitrogen fertiliser and

less manufacturing, transporting and application emissions, and nitrous oxide emissions. Mobile, food-producing composting machines graze those non-edible pastures, depositing brown manure that also adds nutrients replacing those lost in the food they produce.

NZ is a long skinny country with many different soils and climates as well as different farm sizes and farm businesses; land management reflects how those physical factors can be adapted and adopted. Any ambitious changes need regulation or sustained, clear market signals. While values play an increasing role in what consumers buy to eat, it remains to be seen whether RA is of value to them, creates a premium niche, or is only a student’s climate focus.

Do they understand this? It seems this is another example of farmers failing to tell their prime messages about food production. We now hope teachers will change and use Rabobank’s “George the Farmer” books. Although RA is a current buzzword, practices and outcomes are poorly defined. It is not a magic bullet, and there are questions about how to implement it and its efficacy. There is a risk of greenwashing, and losing the confidence of farmers and consumers if the RA term is tossed around without elaborating what known real outcomes will be achieved.

We may be at the beginning of a global transition to reduce the effect of food production on the environment, but farmers are doing their best despite bureaucrats, politicians, and now students telling them how to ensure there is enough food after taking social sustainability and farm profitability into account.

Farming TOP SOUTH

November 2023

Advert

MONTHLY

Early preparation underway for Freshwater Farm Plan rollout The rollout of Freshwater Farm Plans (FWFP) in Tasman is still more than a year away – January 2025 to be exact.

For many in the rural sector, meeting the requirements of the FWFP might seem a distant thought with all the other responsibilities associated with looking after your land and livelihood. But it is worth putting some thought toward what is coming up.

The development of FWFP will help identify the environmental risks on

our farms and make plans to manage and mitigate those risks. It will also identify practical on-farm actions to help improve local waterways.

Our Soil and Land use Team, through the Catchment Facilitators, are working hard behind the scenes to ensure not only the Council is ready for the rollout, but also the many rural landowners who will be affected by the new legislation are too.

Our team will be visiting a number of different farms - covering different

land uses and locations - to test tools and interpretation of legislation to ensure that our implementation of the program is targeted and well supported.

We hope landowners find this a great way to take stock of their farming set-up and receive some useful guidance around developing my plan.

It’s extremely important to us that we take a proactive role in helping our farming community prepare for the farm planning process.

What should new land and freshwater rules and regulations look like?

The last few decades have seen a decline in the health and quality of some of the streams, rivers, groundwater, and wetlands around our region.

As part of an effort to improve and maintain the health of our waterbodies, we are developing new rules and regulations for land and freshwater management. At each stage of this process, we check that what we are doing lines up with what people and communities want.

First, we set the Freshwater

About to sow winter grazing crops? – read on Paddock selection for your winter grazing crops is important, please consider the following points and ensure your contractor is also aware of them: · A total winter grazing area no larger than 50ha or 10% of total area (whichever is greater) and no larger than the area used in the period 2014 -2019. · Paddock slope less than 10 degrees measured over any 20m distance. · 5m grass buffers from rivers, lakes, wetlands or drains, this is to be left in pasture. · Critical source areas identified and left in pasture.

Please get in touch with any questions or check out the winter grazing flowchart on our Rural Hub area on the Tasman District Council wesbsite.

Management Unit (FMU) areas in the Tasman Region where the new rules will apply. Then we developed draft Long-term Visions and Values for each FMU based on your feedback.

We’ve taken those revised Visions and Values and created a draft Environmental Outcome for each of the Values. We now need your feedback on those Outcomes.

Feedback opens 20 October 2023 and closes 30 November 2023.

The draft Environmental Outcomes will set the direction for the new

plan change and will inform the targets and limits for land and freshwater use in the region, and the rules that we need to achieve them. As the Outcomes define our end goal, it’s important we get them right, and that they reflect what the people of the Tasman want the region’s land and freshwater to look like in the future.

We understand that any changes to land and freshwater rules and regulation will mean some changes for many in the rural sector, and that is why we need your feedback.

Find out more, and give us your feedback at shape.tasman.govt.nz/ mountains-to-the-sea or attend one of our webinars: · Tuesday 7th November Midday · Wednesday 8th November 6:30pm · Wednesday 22nd November 6.30pm See Shape Tasman for more details

Testing new waters with Tasman Fish Passage Project With the support of landowners across the District, our Tasman Jobs for Nature Fish Passage Project is on track.

This five-year project is all about making Tasman waterways passable for our native fish.

A field team assesses any in-stream structures (like culverts) to see if fish can pass through. If they can’t, or are unlikely to, we try and fix that with the use of materials such as rubber aprons, mussel spat rope and baffles.

As of August 2023, 2,705 of 4,350 assessments have been completed.

This project is primarily focused on privately owned land and has had strong support from landowners as 95% of those approached in years one and two provided access.

This mapping of privately owned structures will be valuable data

for the fish passage action plans required from every region.

In year three of this five-year project, the field team will be focusing on assessing and remediating efforts in two new areas: Appleby/Wakefield and the south and east of Tākaka.

Landowners with potential instream structures will receive a notice in the mail to help them better understand what is involved.

And that it is free.

Monitoring is underway at six sites with a significant amount of work planned for this spring to help evaluate the effectiveness of remediations or “fixes” used by the project.

Both the fish passage and wetland projects continue to work in partnership with iwi on monitoring, mātauranga Māori reports and wānanga for rangatahi.

Keep up to date with all things rural – go to the Tasman Rural Hub

www.tasman.govt.nz/tasman-rural-hub-2

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November 2023

Farming TOP SOUTH

Tasman

MONTHLY

TASMAN Updates from Golden Bay Federated Farmers ANN THOMPSON Out on the farm About 20 farmers from across Golden Bay, plus a few rural professionals, turned up at the woolshed of Jock and Joyce Wyllie, who farm out at Kaihoka.

The farm lies between the Tasman Sea and the Wanganui inlet, near Cape Farewell. It proved to be a very interesting field day, supported by a barbeque generously supplied and cooked by the Rural Service Centre.

The farm is 1,000 hectares, mainly rolling, with about 800 effective hectares. There are about 3,000 ewes and with these yet to lamb, the full number of sheep that will be fed on this land is

just around the corner – lambing doesn’t start until early September. There are also roughly 400 head of cattle.

With some foresight, the barbecue was ready as people arrived, and while they ate, Jock talked about how the winter had been on Kaihoka farm and their ewe scanning figures. “On the whole,” he said “the season has been kind up to now but feed has tightened up recently. The government, on the other hand, has not been so kind and I am totally sick of the regulations overwhelming us.”

Talk then moved on to discussion on the merits of using sheep breeds that shed their wool, given the state (and cost) of the wool industry.

Some in the shed shared their experience using Wiltshire sheep, which shed their wool.

Sending stock off to the works was discussed too, with farmers commenting that transport was not reliable and that the works occasionally cancelled, leaving farmers having to juggle their paddocks.

Farmers also expressed concern at

A sheep postmortem at Kaihoka. Photo: Supplied. the schedule, which is dropping weekly. Pax Leetch, Federated Farmers Golden Bay’s Meat & Wool Chairperson, told farmers that the answer appears to be to plan well in advance so that space can be made on the trucks as well as at the works.

Docking The usual discussion on politics, the state of the sector, budgeting and costs of compliance followed before one of the local veterinarians, Carl Finnigan, took the floor. He spoke on what may possibly be just around the corner for sheep farmers – pain relief during lamb docking, as is required in Australia. Currently lambs in New Zealand under 6 months of age must be docked using a rubber ring or a hot iron.

No pain relief is required. Those six months or over must be given pain relief at the time of the procedure and the procedure must be carried out by a veterinarian or a student veterinarian under the direct supervision of a vet.

Carl passed around a docking tool (this one was aptly called ‘Numb-Nuts’), which is used in

Australia and on older lambs in New Zealand. After applying the ring to the tail, an attached syringe charged with an anaesthetic solution would be depressed, delivering a set amount of pain relief, before removing the tool from the tail.

As expected, discussion on this ran hot, with farmers talking about cost, time factors and how it might work in their system.

Sheep postmortem Carl then brought out another tool – the captive bolt firearm, used to stun an animal before rendering it dead by the cutting of the carotid and jugular arteries. After discussion on how to effectively euthanase stock, Carl demonstrated it on two of Jock’s ewes and proceeded to carry out postmortems on them both.

A dead animal can give a lot of information to a farmer, and Carl showed everyone what to look for inside a sheep. While these two ewes were due to be culled due to their condition, in one no actual cause for her ill thrift was found. The other showed evidence of liver dam-

age from facial eczema and liver fluke. All this meat will eventually be used to feed the farm dogs. While it must be frozen for at least 10 days before feeding to dogs, on Jock’s farm this meat will be cooked to minimize transmission of diseases. This rule (to freeze or cook sheep meat and offal) is in place for the whole of New Zealand to prevent the spread of such diseases as hydatids and sheep measles.

Farm tour The day wrapped up with a short drive up to Oyster Point, where the Wyllies have their cattle.

This only emphasized what a beautiful place Kaihoka is – the inlet on one side and the imposing Lunar Rock on the other.

Luckily the weather played ball too, as Joyce says, “It can blow like nobody’s business out here” These farm days play an important part in the rural calendar across the country. They help farmers share ideas and issues and allow discussion on things that are so important to the rural sector.

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Farming TOP SOUTH

November 2023

Tasman

MONTHLY

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TASMAN Big increase in whio numbers in Kahurangi A Department of Conservation (DOC) survey shows a big increase in whio numbers in Kahurangi National Park over the past 23 years thanks to predator control and management measures to grow the native blue duck’s numbers.

The current survey, started in 2020 and still underway, has found to date a 340% increase in whio/blue duck numbers in Kahurangi since a DOC whio survey in 1998-2000.

In the latest survey, 846 adult whio, with 335 breeding pairs among them, have been observed.

In the 1998-2000 survey, 191 adults whio, including 58 pairs, were counted.

DOC Science Technician Jason Malham says the combined endeavours of DOC, the community, business, and a captive breeding facility have greatly improved the fortunes of whio in Kahurangi

Whio with ducklings. Photo: DOC. National Park since the 2000 survey.

“We started two DOC whio security sites in the early 2000s to protect whio with stoat trapping and boosting breeding with techniques that have enabled more rapid growth in their numbers. The Ōpārara-Ugly

and Wangapeka-Fyfe Whio Security Sites have both surpassed the goal of 50 breeding pairs.

“Support from Genesis through the Whio Forever programme, The Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust in raising whio ducklings, and contractor and communi-

Nelson Federated Farmers update Regulation Update In 2022 Nelson and Golden Bay Federated Farmers worked hard as a team to influence real change to the Tasman District Council Stock Control and Droving Bylaw. Both provinces were surprised and impressed with how the council responded, with council staff spending time on local farms to witness how road droving is managed first-hand. Meetings involving local Federated Farmer members and the Council led to more workable regulations being implemented.

With this positive experience in mind, Nelson Federated Farmers recently met with the Tasman District Council, and their planning team, to go over what is coming up that we farmers need to be aware of, such as Outstanding Natural Landscapes (ONLs) which is on the horizon. Provincial President Stephen Todd commented that he found the Tasman District Council was open and willing to meet with local farmers and accept farmer input.

Spring and Fire A recent meeting held in St Arnaud saw all agree that it had been a decent spring. It was reported that the Tutaki and Murchison areas had received good rainfall and were looking good. However, forecasts and warnings of an upcoming dry season were not forgotten.

A discussion was had around FENZ’s (Fire and Emergency New Zealand) recent announcement that they will be closely monitoring those lighting fires without a permit, or not complying with fire permit rules, and may prosecute. Provincial President Stephen encouraged farmers unsure to head to the www. checkitsalright.nz website to check if it is right to light your permitted fire. Fire permits may

be suspended at short notice if ‘spike days’ (hot and windy conditions are forecast) occur or a change in the fire season from Restricted to Prohibited.

ty volunteer help in maintaining traps have been instrumental to the security sites protecting whio and increasing their numbers. The community volunteers include Tapawera Area School students and other locals.

“Aerial 1080 predator control over large areas of Kahurangi National Park has also increased protection for whio and other vulnerable native wildlife from high rat and stoat numbers in years when there has been beech seeding, known as a mast.

“More whio pairs generally have been found on security site rivers where stoat trapping is supplemented with aerial 1080 predator control. The average pair density on rivers with both forms of predator control was 0.76 pairs per kilometre compared to 0.58 pairs per kilometre with 1080 alone and 0.12 pairs per kilometre before predator control or any whio management

was carried out.

“Community groups are undertaking trapping which contributes to protecting whio. These include the Friends of Flora, operating in the Flora Stream catchment, the Friends of Cobb, in the Cobb Valley, and the Mokihinui-Lyell Backcountry Trust on the Old Ghost Road.

“An Air New Zealand-supported biodiversity project in Gouland Downs has a trapping network to protect whio, takahē, roroa/great spotted kiwi, and other native species.”

DOC staff have walked more than 700 kilometres of waterway in the current whio survey. Exact counts of whio in the 516,000-hectare national park aren’t possible, but DOC staff are highly encouraged by the substantial increase in the Kahurangi whio population indicated by the numbers being observed.

Spring Lunch at St Arnaud Nelson Rural Women, Federated Farmers and Rural Support Trust held a Spring Lunch for farmers at St Arnaud during October. Around twenty farmers attended some from as far away as Maruia and were able to meet and mingle for an enjoyable catchup. The purpose of the lunch was to give farmers working in isolation a chance to take a break and get off farm for a few hours.

Rural Support Trust (RST) Evan Baigent, a local Rural Support Trustee, reported that the Rural Support Trust (RST) team, had increased their knowledge and experience from the Pigeon Valley fire and more recently the numerous severe flooding events. Evan commented that through these adverse events, many support organisations had connected and were now working collaboratively which strengthened the region’s resilience and response.

With high input costs, lower returns and a dry summer looming the RST team is keen to connect and support anyone feeling pressure or unsure what to do, for free. RST has local, rural people who know from experience that pressures can mount up, their networks and training can help with all kinds of situations to help get anyone through their current challenges. Our local RST can be contacted on: 0800 787 254

Freshwater Passage Team Many commented that the Tasman Jobs for Nature Fish Passage Project, commonly known as the Freshwater Passage Team, has been active in the Murchison area. With around 70% of our native fish threatened or at risk, our waterways need to be carefully managed so native fish can thrive. The team of fish passage experts visit private land to help connect waterways. The work is simple to carry out, effective and is free to landowners.

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November 2023

Farming TOP SOUTH

Marlborough

MONTHLY

marlborough This coast needs protection ANDREW RITCHIE The dedication and commitment of volunteers, working to protect 42 kms of coastline from predators was very much in evidence at a recent Field Day, organised to celebrate the winners of the 2023 Landscape & Habitat Award, presented at the Cawthron Marlborough Environment Awards.

The East Coast Protection Group (ECPG) was formed following the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake, with the aim of protecting and enhancing the biodiversity of the coastal environment. At the same time the group is increasing awareness amongst visitors and the local community of the variety of unique birds, plants and landscape along the coast, hopefully giving the birds and animals time and space to survive and for the coast to recover from the upheaval of the earthquake.

Scientist Shawn Gerrity from the University of Canterbury Marine Ecology Research Group said, the rocks rose up to 6.5 metres

in places causing the demise of many species sheltering in the cool and wet algae habitat, which has now gone. Many of these species are endemic to New Zealand.

The Department holds 30 years of data on the inter-tidal area along the coast, so the changes are easily quantified. Paua use the inter-tidal area to breed and grow and many of these habitats were destroyed, but many new environments have developed naturally. Shawn has witnessed a good recovery, only to see a 75 per cent decline in the population following the reopening of the fishery.

Increasing warm water events and gravel scour of the reefs continue to provide challenges along the 180 kms of coastline monitored by the University.

Sonya Roxburgh of the ECPG says protection of the vulnerable ground nesting birds from predators and from the increasing number of visitors who want to explore the area is a major aim of the ECPG. Variable oyster catchers and

Banded dotterel are among the rare birds nesting along the beach.

In 2021 only 1 Variable oyster catcher fledged, in 2022 there was an improvement with 5 chicks reaching the fledgling stage, neither year produced enough birds to sustain the population. Dotterel nests are particularly difficult to see with quad bikes providing a substantial danger to the breeding birds. Typically, 45 peer cent of eggs are predated by feral cats before hatching and only 8pere cent reaching the fledging stage.

Shannon Mears of the ECPG is responsible for organising the 42kms of trap line with 240 traps currently laid. Of the major predators, hedgehogs and feral cats cause the most damage. In the last two years 946 hedgehogs have been trapped,139 feral cats,66 weasels,10 ferrets,34 stoats, and 70 rabbits. Dogs and vehicles present an additional hazard to wildlife. Migratory birds and unique invertebrates are other inhabitants of the area.

Mike Avis of the Marlborough

The coast looking North from Cape Campbell. Photo: Andrew Ritchie.

District Council has been responsible for the establishment of native plants along the coastline from Marfells Beach to the Ure River. MDC was one of the first councils to be involved in the development and preservation of Significant Natural Areas (SNAs), through the 2000 Resource Management Act. Avis says the coast from Marfells Beach to the mouth of the Ure River is a highly important area of diversity and a virtually uninterrupted SNA. The areas where the land has been uplifted has provided areas of new beach and presented an amazing opportunity to establish indigenous plants.

The Provincial Growth Fund billion tree programme has contributed to the funds for the plantings, which will help protect the shoreline and provide shelter for

the many unique invertebrates, such as the katipo spider, flightless moths, geckos and skinks unique to New Zealand.

Instigators of the project, Rob and Sally Peter, who farm 3300 acres along the coast, say that it’s surprising what has survived during the past 300 to 400 years.

The original totara and natives were burnt, followed by the establishment of tussock, the invasion of rabbits during the 1900s, a huge earthquake in 1855 and the Kaikoura quake of 2016.

He says that there is still much to do and everyone can make a difference by volunteering, funding and lobbying. A $30 annual membership is available. Email e astc o astprote c t i ong roup @ gmail.com or check out their Facebook pages and help protect the coast.

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Farming TOP SOUTH

November 2023

Marlborough

MONTHLY

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marlborough Marlborough Federated Farmers

Wilding Pines funding cuts a backward environmental step TONY ORMAN The Labour-Greens’ government’s slashing of funding for wilding pines control from $100 million over four years to $10 million over the next year represented “a drastic cut will result in economic and environmental setbacks.”

That’s the view of Marlborough Federated Farmers Forestry sector chairperson Chris Dawkins, at the recent monthly meeting of Marlborough Federated Farmers.

“Now in its eighth year, the wilding pines control programme is under serious threat with planned funding cuts before the work is completed,” he said.

“In essence, the control programme is under serious threat with planned funding cuts before the work is complete.”

In the 2020 Budget, the government committed $100 million over four years to the National Wilding Conifer Control programme established in 2016 to ensure a collaborative, co-ordinated and effective approach to national wilding management It is now threatened with a drastic cut, down to just $10 million a year.

The programme is a partnership between central and local government agencies with the farming and forestry industries, landholders, and community stakeholder groups.

Before the establishment of the national control programme, New Zealand’s most vulnerable landscapes and ecosystems were being infested nationally by wilding conifers at about 90,000ha a year nationally.

Control costs were increasing exponentially and the infestations and rapid spread were, and still are in some cases, beyond individual landholders’ ability to maintain control, said Dawkins.

“Potentially it will be another major biosecurity disaster if New Zealand does not take the current national control programme through to a timely and effective completion.”

Hundreds of thousands of hectares of extremely vulnerable high country in Otago, Canterbury and Marlborough have had scattered trees removed and these areas are now effectively protected from further spread and infill.

“Unfortunately, New Zealand’s history is littered with biosecurity mistakes and lost opportunities that have cost the country dearly,” said Dawkins.

“Wilding conifers in the ground will not wait for funding to catch up and without adequate spending there will be a genuine risk that the gains and funding to date will be wasted.”

Agricultural Productivity At the same meeting, Meat and Wool Section chairperson Richard Dawkins commenting on a recent election candidate meeting organised by Marlborough Federated Farmers, said an issue which he noted is a trend towards a general misunderstanding of agricultural productivity.

“Productivity is not a dirty word. It is essential for our industry and for our country to thrive,” he said. “An increased focus and investment in agricultural production is required from industry bodies and central government.”

But in recent discussions he had noted an apparent misconception of agricultural productivity.

“The default association seems to be environmental degradation, as opposed to a productive, prosperous industry that drives the New Zealand economy and sees us thriving as a first-world country,” he said.

Comparing New Zealand with other countries, New Zealand’s agriculture is unsubsidised.

“At least New Zealand’s agriculture is the least subsidised nation in the OECD. This means our farming model is driven by innovation and economies of scale instead of working for the government.”

The removal of subsidies drove this productivity, with a similar amount of meat being exported now, even with a reduction of 50 million sheep since 1984.

“Let’s be clear, government investment in research and development should not be considered subsiding of private industry,” he added.

New Zealand has limited options to pull itself out of the economic tailspin we have been forced into. Fiscal responsibility is required, and it is necessary to cut wasteful government spending. Another solution is to increase the tax take. With most of the primary sector in a price downturn, the return to profitability and paying more tax can be driven through increased productivity, said Richard Dawkins.

and investment leading to productive outcomes is Australia’s Sheep Co-op Research Centre (CRC).

“Countrywide” reported that the sheep CRC is a “shining example of research effectively delivering game-changing technologies for farmers.”

Also mentioned was the fact that three CRC terms have transformed the Australian sheep industry to greater productivity and profit under the mantra “concept to impact”.

The Sheep CRC is funded by co-operation between four state departments of primary industries, producer organisations, universities, commercial companies, and farming groups. More than 25 partners worked together, with financial and in-kind contributions matched dollar for dollar by the Australian federal government’s multi-million dollar investment.

“This is one example of other countries investing effectively in the primary sector. Hopefully, attitudes in our sector will change and priority will begin to be given to investing and improving our productivity in New Zealand agriculture. A more productive industry employs more people, pays more tax and is more eco-efficient”, said Richard Dawkins.

Talk Needed Discussion is vital to seek answers to today’s critical farming questions.

“How should farmers’ levy and tax money be prioritised to increase the productivity of our sector? What is the return on investment of industry advocacy spending? How much duplication and inefficiencies between industry bodies is occurring?”

Richard Dawkins pointed out that New Zealand’s sheep lambing percentages had been 130 percent for 10 years but how can it be raised to 150 percent.

An example of effective collaboration

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32

November 2023

Farming TOP SOUTH

Fertilizer

MONTHLY

fertilizer Twenty years of spreading in Tasman ELOISE MARTYN Twenty years on and Brooks Spreading owners and operators Dean and Sarah Brooks say they still enjoy being part of feeding the world and have no plans to stop spreading any time soon.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re talking about meat or plants you have to feed it. Without fert nature struggles to replenish the nutrients in the soil, we provide good value fert spreading to with the least amount of environmental impact possible.” Sarah says.

Brooks Spreading specializes in agriculture and horticulture spreading and the close-knit team has earned themselves a reputation as quality spreaders capable of working the tough terrain of the Top of The South Island.

In the early 2000s, a spreading business sold up creating a demand for spreading services.

Dean was working at the truck weighbridge in Belgrove and saw the demand as an opportunity to branch out and do something for himself.

Dean, and brother Jason, had a lot of trucking experience through their parent’s contract-

Some of the Brooks Spreading team – Tasman based Toby Evans and Dean Brooks with Murchison based Ben Smith. Photo: Steve Hussey Photography. ing business carting coal, gravel crushing, and hay bailing in the Tasman area, so truck work felt like returning home.

Late 2002 the brothers invested in a new truck and bin. Their first job, under the banner Brooks Bros Spreading, was in February 2003. Demand saw them quickly purchase a second truck.

In 2009 Dean and Sarah purchased Jim Turnbull’s Murchison spreading operation and at

the same, a joint decision for Jason to be brought saw Dean and Sarah rename the company Brooks Spreading and continue spreading.

Their fleet now consists of four Iveco spreader trucks. A Case Optum tractor with a 3-point linkage spreader. A specialised Fendt 209v tractor and trailing spreader for horticulture work.

A Mack Trident 6x4 and 4-axle trailer bulk unit. Plus, side tip-

ping and automatic trailers for self-unloading into the spreaders, manitou telehandlers, and a mobile elevator for loading bulk deliveries into the spreaders.

“Technology has changed a lot in this time and is a handy tool for ensuring fert is being used responsibly,” Sarah explains “As well as being able to wirelessly control information to ensure we are in the right place, doing the right job. We can send our

clients data so they can view it straight away and have records to refer to for the future.”

Long-time team member Toby Evans is now a shareholder which Dean and Sarah are thrilled about. They also say that while the work is seasonal, they employ their staff all year round.

“Employing staff who are untrained is not a risk we would take, it’s just not safe. It takes a long time to get the experience needed to work on steep slopes.”

Dean says.

Steep land is something the team is used to as they service a wide area covering just about everywhere heading north from Springs Junction up.

“There are gullies we go up and once you get to them the land just opens up and is vast, it’s amazing,” Sarah adds.

The couple explains that fertilizer is just another word for nutrients “Whatever you’re producing it needs nutrients just like humans do. Think of your vegetable garden when you dig in compost you feed the ground, the same process applies when fertilizing and if you don’t feed the soil then it’s hard to produce from it, it’s really that simple.”

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Farming TOP SOUTH

Fertilizer

MONTHLY

November 2023

fertilizer Greatest value close to home PETER BURTON In the 32 years I’ve been involved in the dolomite business the most common objection has been its price.

That’s a fair and reasonable objection assuming that all magnesium inputs are equal at limiting debilitating calcium/magnesium disorders in animals during spring. However, due to reduced incomes and ever-increasing costs the priority right now is the ability of farming operations to pay their way.

Dolomite is a magnesium fertiliser and unless there is a requirement for magnesium it is not essential.

The next consideration is the amount required and work over many years indicates that an annual application rate of 200 – 250kg/ ha replaces losses and largely eliminates calcium/magnesium issues.

The loss of muscle control

and inability to stand and walk is seldom just due to a lack of magnesium. Calcium is also involved and it’s the balance between the two elements that is essential for animals to give birth, get back to their feet and immediately produce the volume of milk required.

The Golden Bay dolomite deposit, NZ’s only, contains 24% calcium and 11.5% magnesium. It is a natural seabed deposit and, due to the movement of the earth’s crust, it is now available for mining.

Once applied to soil there is a steady release which is why a single annual application provides at least twelve months protection against Ca/Mg related metabolic disorders.

Nothing is as effective in ensuring no cows are down behind hedges at five in the morning, and now because of the marked recent increase

in the price of imported magnesium oxide, dolomite provides magnesium at a lower cost.

The cost per kilogram of magnesium in dolomite delivered to farms in the Canterbury region is currently around 20% less than the purchase cost of magnesium oxide.

All farms require an annual top up of calcium, particularly where synthetic nitrogen is regularly applied and dolomite contains 240kg of calcium per tonne, around 80% that of high grade ag.lime.

Over a five year period that’s the equivalent of 1.0 tonne of lime per hectare and when that is added to the equation, an annual application makes even more sense.

And there’s more. Soils compress under the pressure of cows’ feet and when that doesn’t recover naturally, compaction takes place.

Compacted soils are a gen-

uine cost with a reduction in growth often in excess of 50% for the following season. Physically aerating the soil is an option, however a costly one particularly when dolomite, being a natural soil conditioner, may well be sufficiently effective.

Earthworms and other beneficial soil dwellers respond positively to inputs of calcium and a constant environment provides best results, a further reason for an annual light application.

Ultimately the reason for there already being such a loyal client base is the reduction in stress on operators over spring.

Although autumn is the time when dolomite is often applied a spring application will enhance pasture and milk production over the remainder of the season.

For more information talk to Peter on 0800 436 566 or 027 495 0041.

Essential elements in spring JOHN BARNES

Fertiliser New Zealand

In every industry there are certain things that make a difference and at times it is quite possible to overlook the obvious.

In almost all types of farming one of these is the use of magnesium.

The amount of magnesium in soils has a big impact on how well a farm will perform. It is hard to think of another element (apart from calcium) that influences a farm’s profitability so much.

True, every single element is important whether it is a trace element or a major element such as N.P.K.S. In the soil, magnesium rates alongside calcium. Both are major cations, but while they are important care must be taken to apply the correct rates. Magnesium ate right rate will help keep the soil friable. Too little magnesium and soil will tend to be compacted. Too much, and the soils will be equally unworkable.

Most magnesium sourced from NewZealand mines will take months to start working. Because of this soil applied magnesium will need to be applied well ahead of time.

Magnesium is an important element for rapid plant growth. Magnesium is important for photosynthesis because it forms The central atom of chlorophyll.

Therefore without sufficient amounts of magnesium, plants begin to degrade

the chlorophyll in the old leaves causing chlorosis, or yellowing between leaf veins, which stay green.

Magnesium is mobile in nature, the plant takes the magnesium from the older leaves and transfers it to the younger leaves which have greater photosynthetic needs.

Magnesium is an extremely important element for all stock. It is defined as a macro element, which means it is required in large quantities.

Magnesium is vital for a number of different functions in the body; including relaxation of muscles and nerves, utilisation of calcium and converting sugar to energy. Magnesium is not stored well as a reserve in the body, therefore stock need their daily requirement from feed intake.

Often Farmers blood test for elements including magnesium.

However, some magnesium can be stored in limited amounts in various parts of the body. If magnesium is short in the blood, it with transfer this element from other areas to the blood. The only conclusion is if magnesium is deficient in the blood, there will be none anywhere

else in that animal. Minor deficiencies in the blood will show as a sub-clinical problem. Sub-clinical deficiencies will lose10 percent production.

There are some indicators for sub-clinical symptoms that farmers should look for in cows, these include; the head down, lack of energy and flighty when shifting or in the shed.

For more information on this give us a call on 0800 337 869.

www.hogarths.co.nz

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November 2023

local

Farming TOP SOUTH

Forestry

MONTHLY

forestryupdate

Regional advice on trees in productive landscapes BARBARA STUART

or less accessible land. Howev- their tree planting aspirations. we do now has effects far into the most of that opportunity. “By er, it can be confusing to know Having previously worked in the future. It’s a time of change linking riparian, erosion, and Trees serve many different what to plant to best address land management and envi- across the sector, with more fo- small woodlot plantings, much purposes in a rural landscape all these issues in a productive ronmental roles at Nelson City cus on forests as long-term car- of the planting work already whether helping mitigate ero- landscape, and how regulations Council for eight years, includ- bon sinks, exploring options for happening on farms can enter sion, providing shade and shel- such as the Emissions Trading ing project management of Jobs alternative forestry species to the ETS, with just a small adter for livestock and people, Scheme might help support the for Nature projects, Susan says pine, and how forestry residues justment on species used, or by creating habitat for birds, or longer-term aspirations of land- that working directly with land- can help fuel the future energy planting only a few more trees owners is one of the highlights of needs of the country.” than might have been intended. potentially providing an income owners.

Susan has a particular interest Landowners are interested in unby retirement of unproductive Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand the role.

Forest Service “I always feel it is a privilege and passion for indigenous trees derstanding how different types check approve submit corrections the Fina has estab- when a Please landowner sharesyour theirproof and carefully ecosystems,and but says she alsoit or of trees fit into the ETS, andby how lished a team vision for their land with me. appreciates the landscape, utility, to achieve a very long-term goal, You can now approve or submit changes to your ad within the ATOL system at a time that suits you. Ju of registered People work hard to protect and economic benefits that exot- often with the thought of the legin forest your advisers ad proof their email to by view your ad, good then click APPROVE or CORRECTIONS from there - n land implementing ic treethe species bring, whether for acy thatbutton they areright leaving for fuwho arePF availenvironmental erosion management customer OLSEN & CO LTDpractices, (RMD) and in publishing 06/24/21 or as for- ture generations. booked size CS able to help the wider region there is a lot estry species.

“With so many different considadvert CH-8994297AA (100%) Supp NEM 12 l a nID dow n e r s of love for trees and what they publication “As a rural Adv landowner myself, erations facing rural dimensions communisection proofed 9/0 navigate these bring. Now that I have moved to while I feel CUSTOM really luckySQUARE to have ties at this time, though we can’t Independent decisions. a new role with a wider regional some original native forest on provide financial advice, we can Log Buyers S u s a n focus, I am learning much more my land and have spent many help by providing trusted and Moore-Lavo is about the different eco-systems, hours working to protect and local information to help in deForest Managers the Forest Ser- and the issues that people extend I alsoand have planted cision corrections making and Pleaseacross check your proofthis, carefully approve it or submit by making the Final the Proof Alter vice Advisor Marlborough, Tasman and Nel- exotic trees for utility purposes, complex regulatory system more Harvesting You can now approve or submit changes to your ad within the ATOL system at a time that suits you. Just follow the based in Nel- inson including beautiful autumn colours understandable.” yourare ad experiencing proof email to view your ad, their then click the APPROVE or CORRECTIONS button right from there - no new emails son but work- climate impacts such as slips and and biodiversity benefits they 06/24/21 booked size CSQ QUART VE Marketing & ing across the customer floods.”PF OLSEN & CO LTD (RMD) bring,publishing and just for the love of difID CH-8994297AA (100%) publication Adv Supp NEM 12.3X12.4, cms whole Top of advert “I recently became a grandparent ferent species.”

If you would dimensions like to contact a Establishment section CUSTOM SQUARE proofed 9/06/2021 12:22 the South Re- for the first time, and the future Susan has found that rural land- registered forestry adviser at Te gion and is of our children and that of their owners have an interest in un- Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest no stranger children is at the forefront of my derstanding the Emissions Trad- Service, you can email forestserto supporting thinking about how we manage ing Scheme, particularly in how viceadvice@mpi.govt.nz landowners in the land, as the impact of what planting on their land can make

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Farming TOP SOUTH

Forestry

MONTHLY

local

November 2023

forestryupdate

Peter Besier’s Totaras FARM FORESTRY FIELD DAY On a fine mid-winter day, we visited Peter Besier’s Totara Forest located in the heart of Lower Moutere.

Over the years at field days, Peter has mentioned his efforts, in a somewhat deprecating manner, as we looked over vista valleys and hillsides of major forest species and had no idea what he was up to.

During one of Peter’s periods at home, whilst serving as a ship’s caption a position he held for many years, he transplanted six Totara seedlings from a site in Golden Bay to their Lower Moutere acres. Peter was inspired to Totara by Philip Simpson, a native tree authority, who assessed the age of the older trees at Pākawau Grove to be four hundred years old.

Ten years after the initial planting Peter retired from sea and

passed the next fifteen years as an orchardist.

The original six Totaras spotted in a much-neglected garden were now surrounded by seedlings that have provided economical transplant stock for thirty years, close to nine hundred Totaras. Mixed in throughout are occasional Matai, Rimu, kōwhai, and Kahikatea, as finances permitted, and all sorts of second growth mainly spread by vibrant bird activity.

Peter now plants at a 1-meter spacing in 2-meter rows as even young-age tree diameter is hampered by a neighbour closer than 1 meter. He has also planted a small block of Kahikatea, in the damp end of a shrinking meadow at this same high stocking.

Tree form is mostly perfect for all species, but he does form prune and is experimenting with half-height pruning the

Totara to compare the effect on stem diameter. Peter is aware of the tables, and stocking vs. diameter for Totara, but doesn’t consider this relevant, at least currently. He is leaving a lot of options for the next guy, but he thinks in terms of selective extraction. In the meanwhile, it is an attractive park forest.

There are no great conclusions from Peter’s efforts, mostly experiments in progress, always questioning pruning, thinning, and purpose. The major take is that you can make any sort of forest, allowing plenty of options for the next caretaker but you had better get cracking!

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HIGH RES LOGO TO COME

November 2023

Livestock

Farming TOP SOUTH

MONTHLY

Gh�Mdhk+�H�g` ud�addm�r t ookhdc�sghr �ax�@kkh̀ mbd�sn�t r d�oqnuhcdc�v d�bqdchs�sgdl �enq�sgd�

livestock

bnmsdms-�Sg` mj �xnt �Dknhr d�

ALLIANCE GLOBAL MARKET UPDATE

Alliance Global Market Update

31st & Final

The veal market remains firm as processing now significantly reduces, which is in line with normal seasonal trends.

Front Line Ram Sale

The veal market remains firm as processing now significantly reduces, which is in line with normal seasonal trends.

Held on Irvine property 80 Clover Road East Brightwater Nelson Date: Friday 8 December 2023

BEEF BEEF LAMB LAMB There has little change in the Chinese hasbeen been little change in the ChiThe Chinese market remains challenging There market as the country takes a break for its Chinesestock market remains challenging in- market as the country nese takes a break asThe in-market volumes remain above as National Day celebration with the market closed market for stock above average for Vendors: M Irvine Ph 03 542 3754 or 027 4224 353 its National Day celebration average thisvolumes time ofremain year. Market ac- for BEEF for seven days. The US market is also in a with the Front Line Ram Sale market closed for seven days. The US tivity, as we buildMarket towards the Chinese pattern as importers are carefully this time of year. activity, as we buildholding There has been little change in the Chinese 38 Suffolk 18 Texel-Suffolk cross 10 Romney managing their inventory with most talking down market a aholding New Year,thewill determine future towards Chinese New Year, willcondetermine market asis thealso countryin takes break for itspattern as the prospects despite the data indicating a lift in importers are carefully sumption and pricing.and In the EU and UK, National Day celebration with the managing market closed their future consumption pricing.

In the EU and confidence. We expect imported lean beef to be All rams E.M.A. scanned and purebred rams S.I.L. recorded. for seven days.

The US markettalking is also in adown the with most market sentiment is improving as we ap- inventory in value with pricing expected to increase UK, market sentiment is improving as we stable Only the top rams from each of on the studs sale. holding pattern as importers are carefully Held Irvineonproperty thelong-term data outlook indicating a proach the critical Christmas selling peri- prospects in the monthsdespite to come. The for Catalogues available from stock agents or vendors. managing their inventory with most talking down approach the critical Christmas selling period.

China isconfidence. for pricing to stabilise and demandimported to be in We expect od. Consumption is the key as opposed to lift the prospects despite the data indicating a lift in steady.

For North America, the outlookpricConsumption thein key as opposed to any lean 80 Clover Road East Brightwater Nelsonany beef to stable inlong-term value significant is shift price.

The Middle confidence.

We be expect imported lean beefwith to be is for demand to firm with prices stable, and Selling Agent PGG Wrightson significant shift in price.

The Middle East stable in value with pricing expected to increase ing expected to increase in the months to East continues to provide alternatives for slowly improving.

Peter Taylor - Nelson 027 444 9596 • Peter Barnes Blenheim 027 5918 415 in the months to come. The long-term outlook for Date: Friday 3 December 2021 come. The long-term outlook for China is continues toproducts provide previously alternativesdestined for commodity commodity China is for pricing to stabilise and demand to be pricing to stabilise and demand to be for China. previously destined for China. for products steady. For North America, the long-term outlook steady.

For North America, theand long-term Time: 1.30 pm Inspection: 12 noon is for demand to firm with prices stable, slowly improving. outlook is for demand to firm with prices stable, and slowly improving.

Time: 1.30pm

Inspection: 12.00 noon 29th Annual

Nelson at your fingertips

MUTTON MUTTON MUTTON SOLUTIONS, INGREDIENTS & Demand out of China remainsremains subdued, however, Demand out of China subdued, Demand out of China remains subdued, however, MATERIALS the true test will come when seasonal volumes lift however, true test will volumes come liftwhen the true test the will come when seasonal MUTTON from New Zealand and Australia over the coming Vendors: M Irvine 40 Suffolk from New Zealand and Australia overNew the coming seasonal volumes lift from Zealand Demand out China remains subdued, remains however, months.Our Ourof strategy of diversification months. strategy of diversification remains SOLUTIONS, INGREDIENTS and Australia over the coming months. the true testaswill seasonal volumes lift important wecome targetwhen Taiwan, Malaysia, theEU, EU, SOLUTIONS, INGREDIENTS & important as we target Taiwan, Malaysia, the Ph 03-5423754 20 Texel-Suffolk cross from New Zealand and diversification Australia over the coming Our strategy of remains AND MATERIALS andNorth North America.

MATERIALS and America. months. Our strategy diversification remains important as we oftarget Taiwan, Malaysia, Woolskins: due to the poor quality (coimportant as we target Taiwan, Malaysia, the EU, 12/10/2023 Sale Date: D Irvine 12 Romney the EU, and North America. lour, matted) and extreme length of the C15 Sale Number: and North America. wool (solely due to the time of the year), 28/09/2023 Movement compared with sale: 0.6021 SOLD South Is. NZD/USD we continue to see weak demand for this Ph 03-5442635 5 Texel Romney Cross 26/10/2023 Next South Island Sale Date: SWI product.

Hides: we are maintaining inventory veVENISON South Island Strong Wool Indicator (SWI) VENISON locity with calf skins driving revenue.

VENISON 400 Petfood and Offal: there has been a mixed Gameseason season chilled seafreight freight shipments areshipGame chilled sea shipments are Game season chilled sea freight 380 continuing with the due later continuing with thefinal finalvessel vessel dueto todepart depart later VENISON response to the new season tender with ments are continuing with the final vessel 360 this thismonth. month.Market Marketdemand demandand andpricing pricingare arefirm firm positivity in key markets andRES coolingLOGO in due to depart later this month.

Market Game season chilled sea freight shipments are 340 HIGH T with well ofofdemand. withsupply supply wellshort short demand.Manufacturing Manufacturing All rams E.M.A. scanned and purebred demand rams S.I.L. recorded. continuing with thepricing final vessel duefirm to depart later sup320 others. and are with items itemshave havebeen beenchallenging challengingbut butrecent recentretail retail this month. Market demand and pricing are firm 300 Meal: there has been Gh steady shipping.

The �Mdhk+�H�g` ud�addm�r t ook hdc�sghr �ax�@ ply well short ofproviding demand.

Manufacturing sales ininthe US a adegree ofofstability sales the USare are providing degree stability 280 with on supply well short of demand. Manufacturing Only the top rams from each of the studs sale as market conditions improve. as market conditions items have been improve. challenging but recent ovine market is cooling with low demand 260 items have been challenging but recent retail bnmsdms-�Sg` mj �xnt �Dknhr d� for new season production.

The mixed retail US are providing 240 sales insales the USin arethe providing a degree of stabilitya deSuffolk Terminal Worth figures range from 1,033 to 1,812 220 as market conditionsas improve. gree of stability market conditions im- meal market is steady.

200 Tallow: there is lower demand in the prove.

Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun ALLIANCE GLOBA Romney Maternal Worth figures range from 2,120 to 2,825 market with softening prices.

2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 Casings: pricing is cool and there is high Mid-Micron Crossbred Fleece Avg Price Kg Cln Catalogues inventory in-market. available from stock agents or vendors

↑10c

Hbd Fleece (28 mic) Hbd Hog (23 Mic)

↑ 2% ↓ 8%

$4.05 $9.20

Merino Merino Fleece (16 mic) Best Style Merino Fleece (16 mic) Avg Style Merino Fleece (18 mic) Best Style Merino Fleece (18 mic) Avg Style Merino Fleece (20 mic)

↓ ↓ ↓ ↓ ↓

$21.20 $20.25 $16.40 $15.70 $13.85

Clean cents kg

90%

↑ 4% ↑ 5% ↑ 5%

BEST STYLE GOOD STYLE AVERAGE STYLE POOR STYLE

$4.05 $3.80 $3.30 $2.60

Crossbred Second Shear 50-100mm Length - GOOD STYLE 50-100mm Length - AVERAGE STYLE 50-100mm Length - POOR STYLE

↑ 5% ↑ 4% ↑ 2%

$3.48 $3.25 $2.85

Crossbred Oddments

↑ 3%

$1.65

VEAL VEAL

VEAL VEAL The veal market remains firm as processing now significantly reduces, which is in line with normal seasonal trends.

NC = No Change N/A = Not Available

The crossbred market continues to improve, breaking fresh ground mainly as a result of new business written out of the sub-continent.

The mid-micron market is struggling to find favour with buyers, who are showing an absence to support for these types.

The merino's continue to lose ground reflecting the lower demand coming out of China.

Dave Burridge, South Island Auction Manager

Got something to buy, sell or promote?

LAMB

Contact us: sales@nmf.co.nz

Farming TOP SOUTH

MONTHLY

The Chinese market remains cha market stock volumes remain abo this time of year. Market activity, a towards the Chinese New Year, w future consumption and pricing. In UK, market sentiment is improving approach the critical Christmas se Consumption is the key as oppos

Farming TOP SOUTH

November 2023

Horticulture

MONTHLY

horticulture

Why Aspect?

“Aspect are aligned with our values of providing value for money for our clients.

They stand by their work and will ensure that expectations are met.”

Sam Nuske – Branch Manager, PF Olsen Nelson

Nadine Tunley, CEO HortNZ. Photo: Supplied.

RSE announcement too little and too late NADINE TUNLEY Horticulture has nothing to celebrate in the announcement by Minister Little to increase the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) cap by a mere 500 people to 19,500. This decision does not recognise the important part horticulture plays in strengthening New Zealand’s economy.

This decision does not give growers confidence to continue to invest as they go into the next harvest season. Horticulture has plenty of work available for kiwis and our Pacific partners. This work creates jobs for New Zealanders and boosts the economy.

Other parties have recognised the importance of our sector and committed to much larger increases in RSE access.

Our growers need a government that understands our requirements, will help us grow sustainably and meet the needs of our domestic and export markets.

We are watching policy commitments closely and will work with any government that is committed to helping our growers and the wider sector.

Like many others, our growers have had a challenging time recently dealing with severe weather events, rising costs of production and closed borders affecting the workforce.

Earlier this year when we worked with Government to set the Aotearoa Horticulture Action Plan, the sector set a challenge for Government.

Horticulture has plenty of work available for kiwis and our Pacific partners We set an aspirational direction for the horticulture sector and the goal of a long-term policy to assist existing horticulture businesses and new entrants to have the confidence to invest in and grow the sector, in doing so contributing significantly to the growth of the New Zealand economy.

The cap increase announcement fails that challenge.

Industry requested the cap be increased by 1,600 to accommodate employers’ requests for the coming season.

It is equally disappointing that the RSE policy review has not progressed – instead its stalled within the bureaucracy of Wellington. Industry has been working closely with our Pacific partners and Government for years to

progress the policy review to enable certainty. We, like the Government are focused on prioritising workers’ wellbeing and the long-term sustainability of the scheme. This further lack of progress is creating more uncertainty for growers.

The horticulture industry is eager to work with Government on the implementation of the policy to make swift and practical progress in improving the RSE scheme, starting with the most pressing issues that will have the most benefit to our growers as well as Pacific countries that are part of the RSE scheme.

The horticulture sector has always been a willing partner to ensure the scheme is fit for purpose and delivers for the Pacific and New Zealand. This is a balancing act.

Throughout this review, we have gathered feedback from growers that employ RSE workers and made it clear to MBIE and the immigration minister what needs to occur for the scheme to be viable into the future.

We look forward to the Government concluding the policy review and getting stuck into the implementation phase to ensure positive outcomes for the horticulture sector as well as our Pacific workers.

At Aspect we’d love to hear your story. We can offer an all-inclusive service whether it be a forestry operation or land development. In this economic climate, we know costs must come down and value needs to increase. Where do you have hidden value in your forest or land? Work smart, create certainty, and build resilience.

Start by giving us a call and we’ll put the jug on.

Earthworks Services

Forestry Services

• Land Development

• Forest Harvest Planning

• Land Clearing and Mulching

• Resource Consents

• Dam Construction

• Road and Skid Site Construction

• Effluent Ponds

• Debris/Slash Management

• River Protection

• Forest Fire Protection

Support local and give Mitch a call to see how we can help you!

021 502 429 | info@aspectforestry.co.nz

0800 296 324 www.awcorp.co.nz

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November 2023

Farming TOP SOUTH

Motoring

MONTHLY

motoring So much change to come KEN STRUNGNELL Election day has come and gone, and we have a change of government, though frustratingly we need to wait until sometime after the agonizingly slow process of special votes have been counted.

So, this month I thought it appropriate to vary the column and highlight some of the changes.

The election signals dramatic shifts in direction for the farming sector. One of those is the dropping of the clean car fee and rebate. While some have benefited, the taxpayer and farmers largely have been penalised, unjustifiably with the Ute Tax given even now there are no real alternatives.

Dealers tell me some orders have been postponed till the changes take place; promised within the first 100 days. The taxpayer has also forked out on what was heralded as a neutral tax being that the rebates would be balanced by the fees payable for ‘dirty’ vehicles.

Of course they weren’t with a huge take up in electric or hybrid vehicles while fee paying buyers reduced. So millions of extra dollars were paid by hard working New Zealanders. With its abolition the market will shift back to allowing those who want an EV or Hybrid to buy them while particularly farmers won’t have to absorb extra costs on their work vehicles.

The A+P show season has begun

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A gathering of 14 Traction Engines In Rangiora for their 150th show. Four of them were the ‘big’ 10hp McLaren’s along with 6 and 4 hp brands and a 1/5 miniature fully operational model complete with a Ransom Thrashing Machine. and one of my local shows celebrated its 150th anniversary.

One of the many spectacular displays was the 18 traction engines, a reminder so graphic of our farming past, when 14 of them were driven in the mid afternoon Grand Parade. Lining up in front of the grandstand it was an awe inspiring sight and thanks must go to the owners who keep alive our history in such dramatic fashion.

Not only did they drive quietly in the parade several also showed what a turn of speed high pressure steam can muster. Their final salute came with an ear-splitting sound off of the engines whistles.

There was also the largest muster of Clydesdales in many years including the Erewhon Wagon pulled by just three beautifully turned-out heavy Clyde’s. A photo on the wagon depicted it pulled through a deep river with 14.

Finally, this month October saw the sad passing of the 85-year-old father of New Zealand’s premier aviation spectacular Warbirds Over Wanaka, WOW. Sir Tim Wallis put Wanaka on the map

with the first Air Show in 1988 that has been held every two years since then except for 2020 and 2022 due to lockdowns and immigration issues for overseas visitors and Pilots. Sad because he was so looking forward to seeing his ‘baby’ return in 2024. My thoughts go to his widow Pru and their two remaining sons.

I am quite sure that Ed Taylor the WOW GM will be working on a really impressive tribute. Brilliant though the air show is Tim was a pioneer in live deer capture from helicopters. He saw the governments culling from the air and on the ground as a really wasted opportunity and set about to both find a way to capture and then farm wild deer. Today deer farming provides both meat and antlers as income streams to the hundreds of farmers who now farm them

and to the pioneers such as Sir Tim and his Criffel Park Station.

Tim Wallis had several helicopter accidents flying first the Hiller UH 12 that was working hard to lift two fully grown Red deer.

Later he acquired a Hughes 500, a model that remained with his family through several upgrades and a name change to MD500. I watched Tim Fly his original 500 in the late 80s. In his hands it almost danced turned on the proverbial American 10 cents and showed why he remained loyal to it for all these years.

Here’s something the media has missed on that first 500 was registered ZK HOT. His subsequent purchases have kept that designation and I’m guessing the reports of “his favourite Helicopter was parked outside his bedroom” would have to have been HOT.

Ken has attended every Warbirds over Wanaka since 1998. The image he took with the then new Peugeot 5008 was used by overseas media on several occasions and shows two Vampire fighters in NZ colours and an Albatross eastern Bloc Trainer.

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Rural Community Noticeboard www.tas man hon da.c o.nz

The Rural Noticeboard is for local not-f or-profit community groups and organisations to advertise community events or projects that will be of interest to our 35,000 rural readers over the top of the south. Thanks to the team at Tasman Honda for making this noticeboard possible. If you have an up-and-coming project or event that you wish to place on this noticeboard, please contact eloise@t opsouthmedia.co.nz

NAIT support sessions

What to expect: This support session covers a variety of topics related to NAIT and TBfree, includ • meeting your NAIT obliga ing: tions • TB testing queries • signing up to MyOSPRI. Session locations WESTCOAST: These sessions are happen ing across a few different times between Wednesday October 2023 to Tuesday 4 14 November 2023: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on the West Co and there are limited spaces ast so book in advance to sec ure a spot.

West Coast Email: Danielle. holland@ospri.co.nz or ww w.ospri.co.nz TASMAN: These sessions are happen ing across a few different times between Wednesday November 2023 to Thursda 22 y 23 November 2023: 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM for the Tasma Region and there are limite n d spaces so book in advan ce to secure a spot.

Tasman Region Email: Heath er.Alexander@ospri.co.nz or www.ospri.co.nz

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