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Jerseys delight Pages 8–9
Taking the highway to farm ownership
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October 2026 MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
THE MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES IS PUBLISHED WITH PRIDE BY RURAL MATTERS LTD, A PRIVATELY OWNED NZ COMPANY. Phone: 0800 466 793 Email: info@rml.nz Postal Address: PO Box 474, Dargaville
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RMA replacement’s third reading by Andy Bryenton
Parliamentarians are calling it the most significant overhaul of New Zealand’s planning system in more than three decades: the Resource Management Act is to be no more, as the bills replacing it pass their third reading in the Beehive. “Today is a major milestone. After 35 years of the RMA, Parliament has passed legislation for a fundamentally different way of planning for New Zealand’s future,” says RMA reform architect Chris Bishop. “For too long, the RMA has made it harder and more expensive to build the homes and infrastructure New Zealand needs, develop renewable energy, produce food and fibre, and invest with confidence. “At the same time, it has failed to deliver the environmental outcomes New Zealanders should expect. We have ended up with the worst of both worlds: a system that is costly, complex and difficult to navigate, without delivering effectively for either growth or the environment.” More than 100 planning documents, required under the RMA and varying wildly in their provisions across regions, councils and civic boundaries, will be replaced with 17 regional combined plans. The upshot, say supporters of the new Planning Bill and Natural Environment Bill, will be a dramatic reduction in variation of the rules, duplication of the rules, paperwork proliferation, and the ‘open to interpretation’ nature of regulations that saw the RMA bloat into what opponents called an ‘unworkable’, ‘Frankenstein’ piece of unwieldy legislation. “Officials estimate around 45 per cent of consent and permit applications currently required under the RMA could be removed under the new system. Based on 2023/24 volumes, that represents between 15,000 and 22,000 applications that would no longer be required,” says Mr Bishop. “The new system will also give much greater recognition to the enjoyment of land, and require a more deliberate and proportionate approach when planning rules significantly restrict what people can do with their property.” Mr Bishop and parliamentary undersecretary Simon Court opine that better
Simon Court (right), pictured with fellow ACT campaigner Paul Henry, is buoyant about the prospects of a new resource management system
regulation means less time and money spent navigating unnecessary processes, and more investment going into homes, infrastructure, businesses and productive activity. They’ve run the numbers on how the RMA’s demise and replacement might impact the economy, and estimate significant gains. Independent analysis projects the new planning system will boost GDP by an additional 0.56 per cent every year by 2050, worth up to $3.1 billion annually. A cost-benefit analysis also estimates $13.3 billion in savings over 30 years through lower administrative and compliance costs. As resource management affects the fundamental primary production engine room of the New Zealand economy — and this is the sector seeing the greatest fiscal traction in the ongoing economic recovery — replacing this one piece of legislation could leverage a disproportionate impact. The transition will happen in stages. Existing RMA plans, consents and processes will continue while national instruments, regional plans, digital tools and data systems are developed, with the new system intended to be operational by 2030.
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Preparing for El Niño by Andy Bryenton
Farming advocacy and support organisations are rallying behind their constituents to prepare for the unpredictable outcomes of the most extreme El Niño weather event ever seen. ‘The 2026-27 El Niño is forecast to be one of the strongest in decades. This means that early preparation is needed for potentially extreme weather — from flooding to drought-like conditions — and other impacts like potential transpor t disruptions,’ said Horticulture NZ, which has dedicated a section of its website to address preparedness. With information about irrigation resilience, water storage capacity, and how to interpret meteorological data as the predicted hot, dry summer approaches, this uptick in interest is not confined to the horticultural sector. DairyNZ has analysed the fiscal implications of an Meteorological data has been collated from around the extended or severe El Niño, world to determine the extent of the coming El Niño summer and its modelling shows that a hot, dry weather scenario this summer the long view, B+LNZ has pioneered the could push farm working expenses to Catch the Rain research project that has $6.78/kgMS and the national breakeven yielded valuable data. “The value of Catch the Rain is that it has milk price to $9.07/kgMS. DairyNZ head of economics Mark Storey tested practical management changes in noted that the dairy sector is currently real farm environments. Farmers can now in a strong position and dairy farmers see where there is potential to improve are adept at overcoming challenges rainfall infiltration and, importantly, have such as El Niño. However, forewarned a way to test what works for their own farm,” says B+LNZ head of science and is forearmed. “Pasture will take the first hit, creating research, Dr Suzi Keeling. Longer recovery periods for pasture the biggest driver of the additional cost pressure, with national feed expenses were shown to produce the best results, modelled to increase from $1.56/kgMS over and above methods that required under the baseline scenario to $2.02/ additional capital investment. On three farms, infiltration rates kgMS under a very strong El Niño,” almost doubled on average within nine Storey said. “Milk production is also expected to months compared with control areas. dip rather than collapse, with national Longer recovery periods are a relatively production modelled to be around 2.1% low-cost change that can be introduced lower under a strong El Niño and around into existing farm systems without capital 3.3% lower under a very strong El Niño.” investment. During the trials, farmers Similar pressures will fall on the red compared standard rotation lengths (for meat sector, prompting Beef + Lamb New example, 30 days) with extended recovery Zealand to deploy scientific know-how to periods ranging from 60 to more than make every drop of rainfall count. Taking 90 days.
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October 2026 MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
o t y a w h g i h e h t g n i k Ta
FARM OWNERSHIP by Denise Gunn
A goal of farm ownership is driving Hayden and Anna Tristram forwards as they hit the road with their two young daughters next month, picking up farming-related work as they travel around New Zealand. The Tristram family is ready to hit the road, picking up farm-related work as they travel through New Zealand
A
lready, the pair have jobs lined up through to March 2027, starting with farm-sitting in Dannevirke, followed by work in the Coromandel and Waikato, before they head to the South Island. A 9.5-metre Jayco caravan, shipped from Australia to Auckland, will become a full-time home on wheels for Hayden, Anna, Ariela, 4, and Kiara, 2. In August, the family drove to Auckland in their Ford Ranger towing vehicle, collected the caravan and are making preparations to live in it. Hayden said the girls have already settled in with flying colours. “The caravan is quite spacious, but laundry with two young kids might be a challenge.” The couple met while serving as medics in the New Zealand Army. “Then about 10 years ago, we decided to go farming, and Anna studied teaching.” Hayden was raised on his parents’ 400ha hill country sheep and beef
breeding farm in Hawke’s Bay, while Anna grew up in Wellington. In 2020, the couple began leasing the hill country farm, purchasing 1,500 Romney ewes, 60 Hereford-Friesian breeding cows and 100 R1 bulls. In addition to running the farm, the couple established Floating Peaks, a woollen gardening gift range using their own ewe wool clip. Anna also taught at Central Hawke’s Bay College in Waipukurau. Although the farm eventually sold, the lease continued until May this year. Meantime, Hayden moved to Manawatū in 2025 to take up a farm management position near Halcombe. Anna and the couple’s daughters remained on the Hawke’s Bay farm to finish up before joining him. “When we moved to Manawatū, Anna started relief teaching at Feilding High School up until the end of term two this year. At the beginning of term three, she started with Agri Futures.”
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While juggling farm management in different regions over the past 18 months, and raising a young family, Hayden felt they were both burning the candle at both ends. “We tried looking at buying a house in town, and buying 20ha at Halcombe, but nothing sort of felt right. We needed a way to step back and recharge the batteries before making a significant life decision.” Initially, the couple considered buying a caravan for weekends away. “Then we thought, why don’t we do farm contracting out of it, meet other farmers around the country, hear their stories about what they’ve done, and set a goal to buy our own farm. We are going to find the golden bits of advice and piece it all together.” Through this, the couple hopes to also discover which region of New Zealand they would like to buy a farm
in, and what type of farm they want to chase. While travelling around in the caravan, and when they aren’t working, Hayden and Anna will make the most of opportunities to show their daughters different areas in New Zealand. “The biggest highlight we are looking forward to is spending time with the kids.” Through using social media accounts named Caravan2Farm, the couple is lining up jobs and hoping to experience a wide range of agricultural and horticultural work. “As soon as we put our first post on social media for anyone who wants work done, the support was really cool. Putting yourself out there on social media is quite daunting. We are open to trying everything. “The goal is to learn and figure out what sort of farm we would like to chase. Then we can focus our efforts in that area,” said Hayden.
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The couple’s two young daughters are settling in well to life on the road
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October 2026 MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
by Denise Gunn
Manawatū’s City to Sea Rail Trail has taken another step closer with the clearing of the old stock route near Longburn, forming a vital link.
T
he former stock route, where stock were driven to the Longburn Freezing Works, interconnects the Palmerston North shared pathway with the City to Sea Rail Trail. Initially the vision of a group of Bainesse community members, the rail trail concept has grown from building an off-road pathway for school students travelling to and from Bainesse School. In 2018, the Bainesse and Districts Community Development Trust was formed, taking the initial plan further to focus on developing the City to Sea Rail Trail. Over the past four years, the Central Economic Development Agency (CEDA) has also been involved in the project. CEDA enabled the trust to have a business feasibility study completed in 2022. The Manawatū District Council, Manawatū Community Committee (Himatangi)
Several working bees have cleared the historic stock route to form a link to the City to Sea Rail Trail
and Foxton Futures have all endorsed the project. The proposed rail trail will advance in five sections. The first section includes the former stock route and the old Foxton railway corridor on SH56, Longburn. Section two runs from Rangiotu Road junction to Rangiotu Hall and section three continues to Himatangi corner. From there, the rail trail will branch in two directions: westward to Himatangi village, including Wylie Road, and south from the Himatangi corner to Foxton. Currently, the trust’s focus is on the first section. Working bees and spraying operations have seen the 850-metre-long and six-metre-wide stock route cleared of knee-high grass, large toetoe bushes, ivy, blackberry, fennel and overgrown trees. Fences, which had either disappeared or been pulled down by the weight of grass,
now border most of each side of the route. Trust chair-secretary Alice Williams said this project provides a safe alternative to travelling over Longburn’s railway overpass, enabling walkers, cyclists, commuters and school children to journey from the city to the rail trail off-road. “People can now walk along the lane quite comfortably. Cycling it isn’t quite as comfortable unless you have fat tyres.” Just over six kilometres of the trail alongside SH56 has been mowed, sprayed, branches trimmed back, trees removed and rubbish cleared. “We have been supported in this endeavour with funding from Ground Effect and Pub Charity (Rongotea Tavern). With their support, we have sufficient working bee equipment to effectively tackle every job. Ivy and blackberry will take up to seven years to eradicate.
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Fonterra enabled us to purchase the necessary spray.” Alice said volunteer efforts during working bees have shaved over $20,000 off the original construction fee of $73,000. Rano Community Trust has contributed $24,622, and the community has donated $670 so far. “So now we only need to raise $45,378.00. However, we are aiming for $45,500 to cover the unexpected costs that are likely to occur, or the additional funds will be used for fencing.” Donations can be made through the trust’s website citytosea.co.nz/donate. The trust is now entering the stage of scheduling working bees and maintenance work or spraying. Working bees are scheduled monthly and more volunteers are welcomed. Prior to each working bee, information is posted on
MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
Eddie Millard is the longest serving trustee on the Bainesse and Districts Community Development Trust
October 2026
Lynne Moore is the trust’s minute secretary
Alec MacKay, Kevin Kelliher, Lynne Moore, Eddie Millard and Stew Hickford during a recent working bee
the City to Sea Rail Trail Manawatū’s Facebook and Instagram pages. The trust also meets monthly at 7pm in the Rangiotu Hall on the second Wednesday of each month. Alice said now that the stock route is cleared sufficiently, the next step is construction. A fence, approximately 300 metres in length at the Ngaire Street South end of the lane, needs to be constructed to ensure people don’t wander on to the railway line. “All constructed trail will be levelled, then all surfaces will have a compacted top course aggregate. Due to the trail’s
flat, even surface, the gradient sits at grade level one. “Grade one is the most sought-after trail option for families as it is very inclusive of everyone’s fitness level. It also means the trail is suitable for adaptive users. “The only time the trail may move to grade two, will be approaches to bridges.” The rail trail is intended for a wide range of users, including walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Information boards, sculptures, and native flora and fauna along the rail trail are also in the pipeline. “Our aspiration is to have sections one to four finished by 2035,” said Alice.
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October 2026 MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
Jerseys delight BY DENISE GUNN
Christina Stuart’s passion for Jersey cows began at a young age when she spent as much time as possible on her grandparents’ Horowhenua farm.
A
number of prize-winning dairy cattle have been born and bred on the 74ha dairy unit, owned by Bryan and Shirley Phillips. In 1965, while farming alongside his brother, Bryan established his herd under the prefix Awalea. Shirley had her own herd with the prefix Shirlett, formed in 1968. When the couple married in 1969, they continued with the Shirlett Stud. At that stage there were 23 cows in the herd, three under the Shirlett stud name and 20 with the Awalea prefix. Bryan and Shirley went sharemilking in Taranaki, ending up with a herd of around
130 Jerseys and Ayrshires. The couple moved back to the Manawatū in 1979, to sharemilk with 160 Jersey cows. They bought half of the current farm in 1982, milking 120 cows including 30
“
cows are milked, depending on the season. She said the herd has improved over the years through Bryan choosing purebred bulls from the Kereru, Golden Oak, and Beledene studs.
It’s generally mum and I who take the animals out into the ring now
Friesians, for town milk supply. Around 20 years ago, they bought the other half of the farm. Christina now lives and works on the farm where 160–175 pedigree Jersey
”
“In recent years, he has introduced some purebred bulls from Lilac Grove Stud, Lindale Stud, Ferdon Stud, Harvest Glen Stud, and some bulls from Jersey New Zealand stud, Kuku and Allandale.
He still continues to use the older bulls, too.” Bryan gave Christina her first Jersey calf, Shirlett Dexter Lily, in 2021. “He could see how much I love the girls, and I had been coming down to help every school holiday for 10-plus years before I finished school and started working here full-time.” Not long after, Christina established her own Jersey stud with the prefix Taraview. “I decided to call it that because I have grown up looking out to the Tararua Ranges which I love.” Three years ago, following the euthanasia of Christina’s favourite cow,
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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
Christina enjoying cuddles with some of her cows
Gracie, due to illness, she was given Gracie’s daughter, a rising one-year-old named Shirlett Bryan Grace. Christina also bought two in-calf heifers from a Jersey breeder in Taranaki that went on to produce two heifer calves in 2022. One of those calves and a calf out of Lily were the first two registered under the Taraview prefix. “From then on, I have just kept all the daughters out of these cows and their daughters’ daughters.” Since then, Christina has bought two calves from a Jersey breeder in Feilding and two cows from a purebred Jersey breeder’s dispersal sale up north. Bryan and Christina regularly exhibit their dairy cattle at the nearby Horowhenua AP&I Show, often competing against each other. “It’s generally mum and I who take the animals out into the ring now,” she said.
Taking a break after showing Shirlett Supernova Gracie at the Horowhenua AP&I Show in January 2022
At the 2016 Horowhenua AP&I Show, the Phillips’ cow, Shirlett Troy Supercow, won their first supreme Jersey championship. Two years later, Christina’s cow, Shirlett Supernova Gracie, won champion as a four-year-old at the Manawatū Jersey Breeders Club show. As a two-year-old and again as a threeyear-old, Christina’s cow Taraview Owl Lola won her age class two years in a row at the Horowhenua show. “I work with such amazing, beautiful animals,” she said. “I also like that I get to work outdoors and be active.” Since an autoimmune disease diagnosis three years ago, Christina has noticed her energy levels haven’t been the same. “Some days, I’ll have so much energy that I don’t know what to do with myself, and other days I just have to do my main
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Christina with Shirlett Supernova Gracie, and Christina’s grandfather Bryan Phillips with Shirlett Fame Galaxy at the 2017 Manawatū Jersey Breeders Club Show
job of milking the girls and sleep all day in between milkings.” Joining Fitzherbert Young Farmers in 2023 has provided opportunities for Christina to socialise and meet people with similar interests. She is currently chairperson after 18 months in the role of health, safety and wellbeing officer. “There are so many opportunities that you can take through Young Farmers to help you through the industry you are in. Everyone is so encouraging of each other, and we try to help each other out when we can.” Christina’s long-term plans include buying a herd and taking on a sharemilking role. “Whether it be this herd or cows from multiple herds, all I’m certain of is that if I’m able to buy a herd, I want it to be a full Jersey herd.”
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Aussie has a win by Paul Campbell
Two blade shearers have saved the day for Australia after the Bledisloe rugby disappointment with a historic win in a trans-Tasman shearing test match at the New Zealand Spring Shears contest. Despite the Wallabies’ demise against the All Blacks in Auckland, Johnathon Dalla, of Warooka, South Australia, and Daniel Rogers, from Telangatuk East, West Victoria, were celebrating Australia’s first win in a blade shearing test match in New Zealand in the South Canterbury town of Waimate. “It was a particularly triumphant series debut for Rogers, who first represented Australia at the Golden Shears World Shearing and Woolhandling Championships in Masterton in March,” said Shearing Sports New Zealand spokesman Doug Laing. “They beat the New Zealand team of former world individual champion Allan Oldfield, from Geraldine, but recently moved to Melbourne, and Scott McKay, of Clarence, by 2.813 points. “The two teams are now headed for a rematch at the Australian National Shearing and Woolhandling Championships on October 29–31 in Warrnambool, Victoria, where there will also be machine shearing and woolhandling test matches.” As for the rugby, Rogers said they didn’t watch, but were reminded of the score “quite a few times last night”, and as for a hero’s welcome, he said: “Yeah,
that would be nice. I don’t think people in Australia care enough about blade shearing, though.” The Spring Shears woolhandling provided the second surprise in two finals in the new season, with the biggest career win for long-time competitor Kelly McDonald, now based in Waimate, kicking back into life a competitive career on which she had all but turned her back. Starting in a field of 23, she scraped into the final as the fourth qualifier from the semi-finals. “I wasn’t going to enter the competition in the first place, as I’d been having thoughts about giving up competing,” McDonald said. “When I eventually decided to enter, my intention was for it to be my last show and to leave competitive woolhandling behind.” She said she’s now got a big decision to make before the next woolhandling competition in the Canterbury show’s New Zealand Corriedale Championships in Christchurch on November 12. North Island competitors claimed two of the three South Island Woolhandling Circuit titles, with open honours to Cushla Abraham, of Masterton, and senior to Tia Manson, of Piopio.
MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
October 2026
ADVERTORIAL
Berberine: Supporting healthy blood sugar by John Arts
A concerning New Zealand health statistic is the number of people who have type two diabetes. The 5% of us that have type two diabetes is bad enough, but there are another 20% who have uncontrolled blood sugar. The tragedy is that poor blood sugar control is treatable with a diet low in sugar and carbohydrates, yet high in low-starch plant foods, good fats and protein. Please contact me if you would like an email copy of my Healthy Eating Guide. While diet is the priority, wellformulated supplements can support blood sugar control. Two nutrients that have received growing attention in this area are berberine, derived from Indian barberry, and chromium polynicotinate, a vitamin B3 (niacin) form of the trace mineral chromium. Berberine is recognised for its influence on AMPK: an enzyme needed to enhance use of glucose, reduce overproduction of insulin and to inhibit liver over-production of blood sugar (glucose). Helping balance glucose use and glucose production is central to blood sugar control. This often brings improvements in long-term blood sugar reflecting in better HbA1c levels — a blood test familiar to those with poorly controlled blood sugar.
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COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS NEWS YOU CAN TRUST
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October 2026 MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
MANAWATU
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With his hands in the soil by Amy Fifita
A man with an interest in soil and nematodes, Gregor Yeates remains a notable figure in the history of Manawatū and even in farming. The son of the respected John Stuart Yeates, who founded the Agricultural Botany Department at Massey Agricultural College, now Massey University, Gregor followed in his father’s footsteps. Taking up his scientific interest, Gregor pursued education before travelling abroad for postdoctoral research. His overseas travels saw him research at Rothamsted Experimental Station in England for a year and at the Aarhus Museum of Natural History in Denmark for another year. His focus was on nematode community ecology, energetics and production in a Danish beech forest. With a particular interest in nematodes and other soil health research, Gregor
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pest management, and the need for soil fertiliser because of the effects of climate change. This groundbreaking research led to other discoveries in understanding how high CO² helps plant roots grow quicker, but also die and decompose faster, too. His career spanned 39 years working for the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research and Landcare Research. Retiring in 2009 in his hometown of Palmerston North, he continued his scientific research up until his death. A man whose life was deeply rooted in scientific intrigue, Gregor helped build knowledge for generations of farmers, ecologists and soil zoologists. Mr Yeates passed away in 2012, but his vast research remains a reminder of what his life was dedicated to.
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is remembered as the world’s leading authority on soil nematode ecology. Before long, Gregor began stepping into carbon dioxide enrichment for pastures, becoming the first to show indirect effects of increasing CO² on soil food webs. What was discovered was that it created underground pathways that enhanced how CO ² could alter communities through complex interactions. Dr Yeates’ pioneering research showed how climate change affects the invisible world beneath our feet that provides good soil for pasture growth. This vital information opened up the field to understanding crop health,
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Manawatū-based scientist Gregor Yeates left behind a legacy for the farming community, with his research into nematodes and carbon dioxide enrichment for pastures
MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
WHO’S WHO IN
October 2026
13
MANAWATU
ADVERTORIAL
Where expertise is central by Paul Campbell
Manawatū is a fast-growing province, and the construction sector and skills are central to the trend. Paul Gillaly is the director of Gillaly Construction Limited, an established residential and light commercial building company based in Palmerston North. Gillaly Construction offers a full end-toend build service and advice. “We specialise in lifestyle properties, with our focus on delivering a quality finished product,” says Paul. “The contemporary house designs we offer as a starting point can be adapted to fit any size section or visions you have for your dream home. Contact us today for an initial site assessment or plans review. “You dream it — let’s build it. Whether you have an existing plan or need something designed from scratch, you can rest assured your investment is in safe hands.” In addition to running his independent construction firm, Paul operates as the co-owner of the local Sentinel Homes Manawatū and Horowhenua franchise, specialising in custom new home builds, renovations, rural projects, and comprehensive house and land packages across the wider region. Incorporated in June 2014, Gillaly Construction handles a versatile range of
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18 years, and has been a Licensed Building Practitioner and Trade Qualified Builder for 14 years. In 2014 he founded Gillaly Construction, which is also a member of the Registered Master Builders Association. “Based in Palmerston North, we are privileged to have a team of experienced and dedicated staff large enough to manage commercial projects, yet agile enough for you to have a personal relationship with your builder.”
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October 2026 MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
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FAMCO WATER Household Drinking Water Delivery FAMCO Water Cartage delivers drinking water in the Manawatu, Palmerston North, Tararua, & Rangitikei Regions. We aim to deliver the very day you call us! We deliver to household tanks, pools & schools.
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COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS NEWS YOU CAN TRUST
MANAWATU
Nature’s playground by Amy Fifita
With spring finally settling in with finer weather and drier ground, people can get out and about more to venture to the region’s natural attractions. From the mountains to the sea and native bush in between, Manawatū is abundant with stunning scenes and outdoor adventures. The region is rich with opportunities to enjoy nature and local settings. Te Āpiti — Manawatū Gorge is a river canyon surrounded by a native reserve and is a sight to behold. Meaning ‘narrow passage’, Te Āpiti is the divide between Hawke’s Bay and Manawatū; hikers can walk the paths alongside the river and ancient stands of native bush. Those wanting to take advantage of the sunshine can wander the garden paths at one of the many gardens located in the region. From Chatswood Garden to the Urban Eels Sanctuary, there are plenty of picnic spots to enjoy with family and friends. Visit manawatunz.co.nz/explore/ nature for a full list of garden locations. A great way to educate yourself and the children, the Great Tōtara Reserve Whānau Challenge on November 7 promises plenty CA A BET LL FOR TER D EAL
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Follow the pathways along the Manawatū River surrounded by native bushland
of fun activities. Challenges include photo bingo, identifying pest animal tracks and native trees, emergency bag preparation and much more. Each team can consist of four people: the cost is $5 an adult and under 14-year-olds are free. Free bus transport will be available from Palmerston North, Feilding and Ashhurst, and participants will need a phone for some activities. Awahou School will be doing a sausage sizzle fundraiser on the day. The event begins at 10.30am. Explore Palmerston North’s
surroundings by bike or foot on the He Ara Kotahi Pathway. With plenty to experience, adventurers can view the forest, rivers, streams, dairy farms, pā sites and military camps, plus discover an educational hub across the He Ara Kotahi Bridge, designed to resemble a karaka tree. With plenty of events and heaps of idyllic scenes, Manawatū is a natural playground for those who want to bask in the beauty of nature. The region is there to be enjoyed and explored, and there is a lot more on offer.
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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
WHO’S WHO IN
October 2026
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MANAWATU
Hui educates students Three schools participated in the Forgotten Fauna Student Hui hosted by Horizons Regional Council at Tōtara Reserve in Pohangina Valley recently. Horizons deputy chair and Tōtara Reserve Advisory Board chair Fiona Gordon says the hui was designed to teach students about our unique, but often overlooked, native fauna, such as bats and lizards. “The Forgotten Fauna Hui has been run a few times for school groups across the region, including earlier this year in Taumarunui. “Students learn about these special native species, which are not often seen in the wild, and take away knowledge of how they can actively make an impact to preserve these animal groups and ecosystems.” Approximately 90 students from Takaro, Awahou and Palmerston North Boys’ High schools attended over the two days, with many never having visited the reserve before. “Tōtara Reserve’s unique visitor areas make it the perfect place for bug hunting, bat investigation and close encounters with lizards. “Students even found a peripatus, otherwise known as a velvet worm — a rarely seen invertebrate — on their bug hunt,” said Ms Gordon.
Horizons’ biodiversity team and Alastair Cole, a native lizard enthusiast with a DOC permit to hold lizards for education purposes, facilitated this learning through interactive activities and hands-on experience with some animals. Senior environmental educator Sarah Williams said the students love the handson experiences the hui provides. “A vote is held at the end of the day for the students to express which activity was their favourite. It’s no surprise that the interactive lizard rotation was the winner.” “Tōtara Reserve is a great area that has a lot of opportunities for students to get out of the classroom and do some practical learning.” “Being able to immerse yourself in nature puts classroom knowledge into perspective, empowering young people to take action in areas that are important to them,” said Ms Williams. Currently, the park is mainly used for day visits, a range of nature walks, and as a seasonal campground. However, the Tōtara Reserve — Reserve Management Plan highlights the goal of diversifying what is offered at the reserve to increase the utilisation of the place.
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Senior biodiversity adviser priority habitats Zoe Stone leads the conversation with a group of secondary school students
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the reserve as a place of learning,” Ms Williams said. The education kits can be booked by emailing Horizons’ education team at education@horizons.govt.nz.
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October 2026 MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
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Photo credit: EA Phillips, Manawatū Heritage, Ian Matheson City Archives
by Denise Gunn
Foxton grew to become one of New Zealand’s major flax-milling producers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as it served the region’s thriving flax industry.
M
āori discovered the healing properties and practical uses of flax soon after arriving in New Zealand. The root of the plant cured infections, the gum healed burns, its sap helped to relieve pain, and the leaves were used to bandage wounds. Fibres were woven and plaited to create eel traps, fishing nets, clothing and ropes. Flax plants were plentiful in the Manawatū and early settlers soon recognised the potential of flax fibre, particularly for manufacturing rope. With a growing export trade, Foxton became home to several flax mills, providing
employment for many men. Following a meeting, chaired by Colonel Wakefield in Wellington on January 4 1841, a cash reward was offered to anyone able to construct a flax-stripping machine. As a result, several machines were invented throughout New Zealand, transforming the country’s flax industry. Previously, flax was stripped by hand after being cut with a sickle in the field, tied into bundles and transported to the mills. With the introduction of mechanisation in the 1860s, a machine could produce around 250 times more flax fibre in a day.
After being fed through a flax stripping machine, the fibre was washed and hung out to dry. Around 10 days later, when the
the fibre industry, previously managing a mill near Enniskillen in Ireland. When he immigrated to New Zealand, Pownall
Flax plants were plentiful in the Manawatū and early settlers soon recognised the potential fibre was dry, it was put into a scutching machine for further refinement. The fibre was then packed into bales, ready for export. Pioneer flaxmiller Charles James Pownall had extensive experience in
worked as a manager of the Kopu flax mill in Thames. He designed a flax stripper machine, installing it in the mill he opened in Foxton in 1869. Foxton, with its deep river port, became the central hub to
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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
October 2026
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MANAWATU
WHO’S WHO IN Manawatū Heritage, Ian Matheson City Archives
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Flax being loaded onto a train by hand for transportation to a mill
Flax mill workers taking a break
transport processed fibre and other goods down the Manawatū River, out to the Tasman Sea and further afield. New Zealand’s flax industry experienced a period of prosperity between 1869 and 1873 due to demand and high prices paid by rope manufacturers in Great Britain and the US. This was due to a scarcity of manila fibre from the Philippines. A second boom time for the industry, which spanned 1888 to 1890, was also due to a shortage of manila fibre combined with an increased demand from the US for binder twine. In 1898, a third
upswing in demand began, again caused by a reduced manila fibre output. The first world war saw Foxton’s flax mills in peak production with more than 40,000 bales of fibre exported. A slump followed, however, when disease damaged flax plants in parts of Manawatū. When the export market collapsed during the Great Depression, the flax industry almost ground to a halt. The government stepped in, establishing the New Zealand Woolpack and Textiles Company in Foxton. Mark Perreau was Foxton’s mayor during those years, and he played a
central role in establishing a scheme producing flax woolpacks for the country’s wool industry. In 1940, the New Zealand Woolpack and Textiles Company bought the remaining local flax mills. The company was also the country’s last flax mill to produce numerous products, which included underfelt, floor coverings, twine and mats. With the increasing competition from synthetic fibres, and the removal of government subsidies, the town’s commercial flax industry drew to a close in the early 1970s.
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October 2026 MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
MANAWATU
WHO’S WHO IN
Room for the River investigations continue
Horizons Regional Council has completed its nature-based solutions investigation into the Pohangina and Ōroua rivers, initiated postCyclone Gabrielle. Integrated Catchment Committee chair, councillor Peter Wells said Horizons was granted $300,000 from the Ministry for the Environment through NatureBased Solutions for Resilience Planning to conduct a feasibility study looking at management practices such as channel symmetry. The study’s purpose was to see whether alignment and confinement were still relevant and to further explore the concept of mobility corridors for the Ōroua and Pohangina rivers. It also looked at how nature-based solutions, commonly known as the Room for the River approach, could be applied. This approach is being successfully delivered in the Rangitīkei River catchment. Cr Wells acknowledged that landowners in this area have been heavily impacted by flooding events in recent years. “Further engagement with them will be required before implementing anything from the report. This report is one component of the work. There is also important economic analysis and
work on social implications to consider, with input from impacted landowners also required. “The council has committed to invest further into physical works in the catchment as a priority, with the council voting this year to dedicate additional resources to the PohanginaŌroua Scheme. We are also working with a new landowner sub-committee to guide works.” At this stage, there is no further work planned on the Pohangina-Ōroua Room for the River approach while the council and landowners focus on the physical works required. Horizons group manager catchment operations Dr Jon Roygard said the Room for the River approach comes from a flood management strategy where natural river floodplains were allowed to move and shape over time. “Various parts of New Zealand are investigating the approach and some are implementing it. Implementation is quite unique for each catchment. The
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strategy allows rivers space, increasing their capacity for safely handling higher flow rates, and has seen success in providing better resilience planning for flood events overseas.” The Room for the River concept looks at historic channel positions, geology, river processes, community and cultural values, and existing infrastructure within the floodplains to develop a river management envelope containing lines, and channel and buffer zones. “Inside the envelope, lines are drawn to give the river space to move, and minimal works are undertaken to increase management efficiency. Outside the lines, the river can be more intensively managed — for example, by using hard engineering to protect key infrastructure. “This strikes a balance between allowing space for the river to move, while still allowing for investment into hard engineering to protect people, property, businesses and infrastructure,” said Dr Roygard. “Essentially, each river would require its own river management lines report because it depends on the river system,
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how it behaves and what we are trying to achieve through river management.” Dr Roygard said it’s important to understand that the Room for the River approach is not Horizons drawing lines to secure land and enforce them. “Rather, this is a way to understand where multiple data sources say the river may end up travelling in a flood to provide guidance around how we manage the scheme into the future. “It is not designed for us to stop people using land, but to help people to do so in a way that is sustainable.”
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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
WHO’S WHO IN
MANAWATU
Support builds communities
Edible Inspiration
by Andy Bryenton
Statistics from a survey of small-town US retailers are borne out by personal experience when it comes to volunteering A recent study conducted across several US states aimed to illustrate how mum and dad retailers and tradespeople outperform big corporate chains when it comes to acts of charitable giving. What was discovered, however, is that there’s not just a small difference in this field. Locally-owned companies on average commit 250% more to causes in their areas, and it doesn’t stop with payments of cash. The finding of the study, conducted by UCLA at Berkeley, was that people employed by or owning small businesses are the most likely to be volunteers for those same causes they donate to. Sports coaches, volunteer firefighters, lifeguards, youth mentors, and carers for the elderly all come from the ranks of small local businesses. While a study in the same depth has not been compiled in New Zealand, there’s a wealth of evidence that the main streets of regional towns are much the same when it comes to generosity. Take the nation’s volunteer firefighters, for example: a cadre of dedicated men
and women who have to leave work when the siren sounds, and must have the full support of their employers, giving up profit to save lives. It dates back to the first firefighters who suited up to protect Kiwi towns more than a century ago. They, like their present-day counterparts, had to make their apologies to employers and foremen when the siren called, and all acknowledged that it was a very worthwhile thing to do. That survey we mentioned earlier proved that this spirit is alive and well among US smallbusiness owners: 42% regularly give to their local first responders. Here, the figure may be even higher. The ambulance service and surf lifesavers, for example, are largely made up of citizens who want to give back. They are backed up by donations from the business community, many of which go unseen and humbly unheralded. That’s all worth thinking about next time you go shopping. Supporting your local retailers and tradespeople doesn’t just grow the economy — it also helps to build safer, more caring communities.
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October 2026 MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
QUALITY PLUMBING SOLUTIONS Rural? Remote? Hard To Access? Then call us today!
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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
October 2026
21
MANAWATU WHO’S WHO IN Four titans go for gold by Andy Bryenton
The finalists for high-horsepower tractor of the year are in, and 2027 seems to be a year of massive power and technological change at the top of the industry. First off the bench is the Claas Axion 8.290 Cmatic, a refined machine boasting 313 horsepower delivered using the Claas dynamic power system; the tractor adjusts its output to the task at hand, delivering better economy and versatility. It’s also a bonus when it comes to maintenance, as the big green and red machine only needs to visit the workshop every 750 hours. As has come to be expected from Claas, operator comfort is paramount. The new Axion’s cab drastically reduces noise levels, provides supreme temperature-controlled comfort for long days in the field, and offers exceptional visibility. Up next is a heavyweight contender, which offsets its massive power with tracks to float over the soil and reduce compaction. The big Fendt 1167 Vario MT Gen2 is the flagship of the Fendt fleet, with a massive 680 horsepower coming from a 16.2-litre MAN diesel. Getting that power to the ground smoothly is the name of the game, and the Vario 1167’s continuously variable transmission provides a seamless drive
Claas won Tractor of the Year for 2026, and is in the running for the 2027 award with another Axion model
to a set of immense tracks, aided by a self-levelling chassis system and twinpoint cab suspension for operational comfort. The biggest of implements will be mastered effortlessly thanks to all those horses under the hood and 440 litres a minute of hydraulic flow capacity. The Steyr Cervus CVT is the third tractor in the top bracket of power for this year’s Tractor of the Year awards. It has several highlights in common with its competitors, boasting a CVT transmission,
big horsepower numbers (in this case 435), and heavy-duty hydraulic flow rates to tackle big farming tasks. With a combined gross vehicle weight of 18 tonnes, there’s very little this sharply designed modern tractor can’t manage. Steyr matches right up to the Claas Axion with the same greatly extended 750-hour service interval, and the Cervus adds a handy central tyre inflation system, which allows tyre pressures to be adjusted for different surfaces, all from within the cab. The final name in the top four may be new to some, but Zoomlion, which has entered the TOTY challenge with a diesel-electric hybrid for 2027, has a wide portfolio of earthmoving construction and heavy-lifting machines. The DV3504 develops a massive 119 kilonewtons of traction, using a combination of diesel and battery power of a kind first seen in submarines. That means up to 550 horsepower on tap, with 26% better fuel economy and emissions than comparably sized diesel-only machines. Those who have seen the difference a hybrid drive system makes in cars such as
the Toyota Prius or Nissan Note e-Power will be paying attention to this one. Zoomlion may be new to the TOTY finals, but the company has been innovating since 1992.
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October 2026 MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
Practicality takes flight by Andy Bryenton
Colin Chapman, the legendary Lotus designer and company director, famously exhorted those seeking motoring perfection to simplify, and add lightness. It’s a mantra which served him well across generations of racing machines and road cars, but there’s more than one arena of internal combustion competition. The Formula One track may be gritty and
gruelling, but talk to any farmer and they’ll tell you that Monaco has nothing on Maungatūroto or Morrinsville; specifically the hinterland where real rural work gets done. Since back in the days when a horse was the only option for riding the fence lines and herding livestock, farmers have needed to get to some gnarly country, and they’ve wanted to get there reliably. The advent of petrol-powered machinery may have replaced the trusty steed on most farms, but that’s where Colin’s famous words come in. In an era when more horsepower, bigger tyres, more space and more displacement can seem tempting, there’s a light, simple solution to getting about the paddocks and races. Of course, it’s been under our noses forever; the simple, low-displacement farm bike. Sometimes you really do need four wheels and a tipping tray to tackle the tough jobs, but often two will do. A little battler of a bike with good ground
clearance, a willing, frugal small engine and reliable performance fits the bill. If it can come into the fleet at a neat price, that’s even better. That’s where the CFMoto Cflite 230 arrives to tick all the boxes. At less than $4,000, this little single-cylinder trooper features a 229cc air-cooled engine and a weight of just 132 kilos, making it light and nimble. There are no extras to go wrong; the Cflite has a carburettor and the minimum of moving parts, not banks of computers and electronics. The
design has a hint of modernity, and disc brakes have replaced the old drums, which used to be a farm bike staple, but in other respects the Cflite 230 represents a bit of the old school. It’s a tool that works because it’s simple. There are knobbly tyres with proper spokes, because spokes are easy to pressure wash. There’s a headlight for early morning starts and engine protection bars and a bash plate to take the knocks. You’ll ride high enough to clear rugged terrain, but the saddle is comfy enough for a long day of work. Every opportunity to make things more reliably durable has been taken. Saving fuel is a big deal right now, and nothing sips the explosive juice like a tiny little one-pot carburetted bike. At the same time, few things can get around the farm so adeptly. If you’re looking at mobility options and want to work to a budget this year, there’s plenty of value represented in this modern reinterpretation of a total rural classic.
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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
October 2026
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Dual-cab electric UTV — so many uses Introducing our all-new, Tuatara DC2500E dual-cab, all-electric, off-road utility vehicle (UTV). The exciting thing about this vehicle is the dual motor configuration, with the motors being mounted directly on the front and rear axles respectively. This means no drive shafts and no transmission, resulting in an exceptionally quiet operation as well as a significant reduction in servicing requirements. Unlike many other dual cab UTVs on the market, the Tuatara DC2500E is a genuine six-seater, while most of our competitors offer only four seats. Added to this is the huge 26.5kWh lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery installed in the DC2500E, providing a range of up to 160km on a single charge. Furthermore, this battery comes with a remote diagnosis capability, which means that it’s possible to connect to the battery from virtually anywhere, check battery health, diagnose faults, and even upload programs. The DC2500E is also equipped with regenerative braking. This essentially means that whenever there is any forward momentum and no accelerator activity, the electric
motor converts to a generator and delivers electricity back to the battery, thus increasing vehicle range. Regenerative braking typically occurs when the vehicle is descending a hill. At the same time, this process also causes an electromagnetic resistance that creates a form of ‘engine braking’ that reduces the need for the use of conventional brakes and therefore the frequency in which brake pads need to be replaced. Electric vehicles have a number of advantages over combustion enginepowered options. The first one is the cheapness of operation, which many customers are further enhancing by installing solar systems to allow battery charging off-grid. Added to this is the considerably reduced maintenance requirements, which are accentuated in the case of the DC2500E by the dual motor configuration. The fact that electric motors develop full torque at any
speed should also not be understated. This is what allows us to run the vehicle without a transmission, but also makes the DC2500E a good towing and cargo-carrying vehicle, as well as providing exceptional capability on steep terrain. If you are looking for a vehicle for adventure tourism, servicing farm stays, or just
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October 2026 MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
AG CONTRACTORS Big boots, small footprint by Andy Bryenton
In 1959, Sir Alec Issigonis was tasked with making a small, compact car that did everything a big and bulky one could, but with a tiny footprint and turning circle. His concept was the Mini, and with these little machines selling in their millions, you might say it was a bit of a hit. Beatles-era bands toured in them, ute versions carried whole tradies’ businesses, people were conceived and born in Minis — which might be too much information. Now, New Holland has asked the question: What happens if we do the same thing with a tractor? In reality, that’s probably not the design brief for the new T7 Standard Wheelbase, but it’s the exercise in less-is-more cleverness New Holland engineers have undertaken. The formula is the same as that of Sir Alec’s: Take something that works well — in this instance, a powerful 225-horsepower tractor with all the digital mod-cons — and make it smaller. What came out of the New Holland R&D department is a range of T7 options, from the 190 through to the 225. All of them emphasise a tighter footprint and nimble turning radius, hitting a sweet spot for versatility on modern farms. They’re
powerful enough to handle some of the hefty and power-intensive implements needed for 21st-century cultivation, but small enough to manoeuvre in the confines of a barnyard. “Mixed farming businesses need tractors that can handle a range of jobs across the day,” says New Holland product manager Seamus McCarthy. “The new T7 Standard Wheelbase delivers more lifting capacity, greater carrying capacity and a tighter turning circle, giving operators more flexibility without sacrificing manoeuvrability.” That means the same T7 that can dominate chores with the loader on the front, is able to do the business when it’s cutting and baling time in the paddocks. The same machine feeding out for livestock or wielding a seed drill can tuck down a country lane without giving oncoming motorists pause. It’s not just improvement by increments, either. The whole front end of the T7 has been rebuilt, delivering a 20 per cent better turning circle. Think of the
difference between your daily driver and a drift car. A reimagined CVT trans mission also delivers a 10 per cent improvement in efficiency, while rear linkage capacity is up by 20 per cent. More agile, fuel efficient, and greater capacity for hard work? Why isn’t New Holland designing my next ute, you might ask? The answer is, they’re laser-focussed on tractor advancements. In fact, between fettling the drivetrain and handling of the T7 and its launch, they found time to reduce noise in the cab by several decibels, and achieve a whopping 64 per cent more coverage with the tractor’s windscreen wipers. It’s here now if you want to take a closer look; call your New Holland dealer and find out why a little T7 goes a long way.
The New Holland T7 range has a new member, with the Standard Wheelbase model offering nimble, compact power
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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
October 2026
25
AG CONTRACTORS A century and Stihl going strong by Andy Bryenton
In 1926, forestry was a hard profession for tough workers, who wielded big two-man saws to manually topple tall timber. In Germany, one man saw the possibility of making life easier for foresters, and the industry more modern and productive. He was Andreas Stihl, born in Switzerland but raised in Germany. He was a veteran of the first world war, injured in battle, who had retrained in engineering after the war’s end. His first foray into design came with a device to pre-fire steam boilers, cutting down on the time it took to get these big machines up to power. As steam was a major motive power for the timber milling industry, it’s likely that his research brought him into contact with saws and lumberjacks. In 1926, the same year as his steam-engine company was active, he invented the ‘cutoff chain-saw’, but it wasn’t powered by steam, or even petrol. Leapfrogging technology by 80 years, Stihl’s first saw was electric. However, unlike the compact batteries and motors of the present era, electrical components of the 1920s were heavy and large. It took two people to run the big Stihl saw, but it nevertheless provided a big advantage over muscle power alone.
By 1929 Andreas had developed a small, light petrol engine for his second attempt, the ‘tree felling machine’. In the interim, as often happens with inventions, another German engineer, Emil Lerp had developed his own petrol saw, but Stihl’s machine was superior. Without the need for an electrical plug, it could be used out in the forest as well as in the mill, and it wasn’t long before Andreas cut down the size of the motor again, making it possible for one person to use the chainsaw. The productivity of the workforce all but doubled at this stroke. By 1971 Stihl was the biggest chainsaw manufacturer in the world. The company went international, and recognised that it wasn’t just forestry where chainsaws were valued. Construction and landscaping professionals also wanted machines, and a growing home-user market wanted smaller, lighter, more easily operated chainsaws. Stihl delivered, and leveraged the technology needed to make small but punchy and reliable motors into a range of other tools too. Today, Stihl manufactures machinery in seven nations, spanning
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Germany, the US, Brazil, Switzerland, Austria, China and the Philippines. The company has regularly featured as one of the most trusted brands in New Zealand, and is a respected tool for farmers, forestry workers and even emergency crews. As Stihl celebrates 100 years of success, its range is bigger than ever, and features battery-powered electric tools reflecting that first-ever saw from 1926, reimagined.
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October 2026 MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
AG CONTRACTORS The ‘big guns’ of spring farming by Andy Bryenton
It’s the management of the land, whether for crop or pasture, driving the engines of the economy. This season, you’ll see plenty of big machines out there in the fields doing their bit, bringing together more than 1,800 years of inventions. To get oxygen deep into the soil and help promote a healthy biome underground, you’ll see powerful tractors drawing tine harrows through the earth. This method was, of course, once horsedrawn, and the earliest picture of it is in the background of the Bayeux Tapestry, from 1066. William the Conqueror put images of his farmers on the famous tapestry next to his knights and soldiers because it was efficient agriculture that allowed medieval armies to march; grain was the wealth of ancient kingdoms. Next, you may notice disc harrows breaking up the soil and preparing for fresh seeding. They chop residue, break up clumps, and promote aeration. This kind of machine was also developed for
horsepower, but the advent of hydraulics has increased their size, portability and capabilities in breaking up soil. Hydraulics play a big part in many of the machines, allowing for massive strength. The hydraulic principle has been known since ancient times but was perfected into a modern form by William Armstrong. He developed the giant hydraulics for Tower Bridge in London. Nowadays, the mobile trucks of hydraulic repair experts are a force that keeps farming moving during this busy season. Another motive power behind spring farming comes from Rudolf Diesel, with the compression engine that bears his name. The idea of mating this up with a high-traction machine to pull farming
Thanks to local engineers and mechanics, a whole fleet of pasture and soil preparation machines can work hard all spring
implements goes to John Froelich of the United States. Why is his name not on more modern machines? Apparently, Froelich was ahead of his time and was told that his tractor would never replace steam traction engines. He patented the idea in 1890, but by 1895 he was out of business and turned to inventing other farming implements. A duo named Hart and Parr revisited the concept in 1903 when fuel was cheaper and coal more expensive; their number three engine is
on display in the Smithsonian. We can only imagine what Mr Froelich had to say about that. The final big machine combining all of these principles is the seed drill, a modification of an idea 1,800 years old from China. There, seeds were poked into the soil using a hollow bamboo tube. Here, a symphony of fertiliser and seed mixers, hydraulic and pneumatic parts combine to place each seed at just the right depth with just the right nutrients.
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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
October 2026
27
AG CONTRACTORS Comparing apples to apples by Andy Bryenton
Apple exports and a burgeoning local market for the sweet fruit have prompted a government investment in new technology, which can look inside individual apples and provide data on their ripeness and condition. Auckland agritech company Hectre may have cracked the code, and the government is backing them to the hilt with a $1.84 million grant through the Primary Sector Growth Fund. That’s just part of a three-year programme, costing $4.6 million, to develop a scanner that can see inside fruit without damaging it at all. “The project will develop hyperspectral imaging technology (light-based scanning that sees inside fruit without cutting into it) to understand what is going on under the skin of an apple, as it enters the packhouse and during storage,” says Agriculture Minister Todd McClay. “Better information about internal defects and fruit quality could help exporters make earlier decisions about storage, packing and when to ship them
out. That means a better chance of fruit reaching markets in top condition with less waste.” Hectre is not new to the fruit data game. Their technology already collects information about the size, colour and quality of billions of pieces of fruit flowing through Kiwi packhouses each year. The leap into deep scanning with light will enable growers to look beneath the skin to assess factors such as maturity, firmness and starch content. With this knowledge, it will be easier to plan for supply-chain logistics, with the end result being fresher and tastier fruit on shelves. Hectre plans on developing a proof-ofconcept algorithm with a target accuracy of 80 per cent by winter 2027, followed by a working packhouse prototype by 2028.
The billion-dollar apple industry will be armed with more knowledge to deliver fresher fruit in a timely fashion
WW FENCING and Rural Development wiltonweeks@hotmail.co.nz
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Serving the Horowhenua since 1924 Trotter Contracting Ltd - Agricultural Contractors - Levin Contact - Garry 027 232 2380 Rowan 027 452 2562
28
October 2026 MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
Honda Honda Farm Farm Offers Offers On Now! On Now!
BES BESST ST ON ON EARTH. EARTH. PROVEN PROVEN ON ON FARM. FARM.
BEST BEST ON ON EARTH. EARTH. PROVEN PROVEN ON ON FARM. FARM.
CASHOR OFF OR
C OR OFF CASH OR
PA PA*
PA PA*
4.95 FINANCE
4FFINANCE 4.95
% *
% *
SAVE SAVE $450 $450
** **
XR150 4,404 XR150 4,404 ELECTRIC START | 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION NOW $ NOW $ ONLY ONLY
EXC EXC GST GST
ELECTRIC START | 5 FUEL SPEEDTANK TRANSMISSION 12 LITRE 12 LITRE FUEL TANK
** SAVE SAVENOW $400 $400** EXC
1/3, 1/3, 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 1/3 OVER OVER 24 24 MONTHS MONTHS
** ** SAVE $300 SAVE $300 NOW EXC
NOW $$6,734 EXC CT125 ONLY GST CT125 ONLY 6,734 GST STEP THROUGH DESIGN | CENTRIFUGAL CLUTCH
NOW $$5,847 EXC XR190 ONLY GST XR190 ONLY 5,847 GST ELECTRIC START | 5 SPEED TRANSMISSION ELECTRIC START | 5 FUEL SPEEDTANK TRANSMISSION 12 LITRE 12 LITRE FUEL TANK
STEP THROUGH DESIGN CENTRIFUGAL CLUTCH CARGO |RACKS CARGO RACKS
** SAVE $1,725 SAVE $1,725**
NOW $ EXC NOW $14,295 EXC TRX420FM1 ONLY GST TRX420FM1 ONLY 14,295 GST 4 WHEEL DRIVE | MANUAL TRANSMISSION
** ** SAVE ** SAVE $700 SAVENOW$200 $200** EXC SAVE $700 $ $ NOW $4,121 EXC XRM125 ONLY GST TRX420FM2 $16,786 XRM125 ONLY 4,121 GST TRX420FM2 16,786 FUEL-INJETCED 125CC | CENTRIFUGAL CLUTCH POWER STEERING | MANUAL TRANSMISSION NOW ONLY NOW ONLY
FUEL-INJETCED | CENTRIFUGAL STEP125CC THROUGH DESIGN CLUTCH STEP THROUGH DESIGN
1/3, 1/3, 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 1/3 OVER OVER 24 24 MONTHS MONTHS
4 WHEEL DRIVE | MANUAL TRANSMISSION SOLID REAR AXLE SOLID REAR AXLE
** SAVE SAVE $700 $700**
NOW $ EXC TRX420FA2 ONLY GST NOW $17,786 EXC TRX420FA2 ONLY 17,786 GST POWER STEERING | AUTO TRANSMISSION
EXC GST EXC GST
POWER STEERING SOLID| MANUAL REAR AXLETRANSMISSION SOLID REAR AXLE
POWER STEERING AUTOAXLE TRANSMISSION SOLID |REAR SOLID REAR AXLE
SAVE SAVE $800 $800
NOW $ EXC NOW $19,799 EXC TRX520FM2 ONLY GST TRX520FM2 ONLY 19,799 GST POWER STEERING | MANUAL TRANSMISSION
POWER STEERING SOLID| MANUAL REAR AXLETRANSMISSION SOLID REAR AXLE
** SAVE SAVE $800 $80000**
TRX520FM1 TRX520FM1 NOW $ EXC ONLY $17,799 EXC GST NOW ONLY 17,799 GST FUEL INJECTED ENGINE
FUEL INJECTED ENGINE MANUAL TRANSMISSION MANUAL TRANSMISSION SOLID REAR AXLE SOLID REAR AXLE
** SAVE SAVE $800 $80000**
TRX520FM6 TRX520FM6 NOW $ EXC ONLY $20,199 EXC GST NOW ONLY 20,199 GST POWER STEERING
POWER MANUALSTEERING TRANSMISSION MANUAL TRANSMISSION INDEPENDENT REAR SUSPENSION INDEPENDENT REAR SUSPENSION
NOW $ EXC TRX420FA6 ONLY GST NOW $18,286 EXC TRX420FA6 ONLY 18,286 GST POWER STEERING | AUTO TRANSMISSION
POWER STEERING |REAR AUTOSUSPENSION TRANSMISSION INDEPENDENT INDEPENDENT REAR SUSPENSION
BEST BEST ON ON EARTH. EARTH. PROVEN PROVEN ON ON FARM. FARM.
CASHOR OFF OR
C OR OFF CASH OR
PA PA*
PA PA*
BEST BEST ON ON EARTH. EARTH. PROVEN PROVEN ON ON FARM. FARM.
** **
** SAVE SAVE $700 $700**
4.95 FINANCE
4FFINANCE 4.95
% *
% *
1/3, 1/3, 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 1/3 OVER OVER 24 24 MONTHS MONTHS
** SAVE $4,000 SAVE $4,000**
1/3, 1/3, 1/3, 1/3, 1/3 1/3 OVER OVER 24 24 MONTHS MONTHS
PIONEER PIONEER 1000-5P 1000-5P RANGE RANGE
** SAVE SAVE $800 $80000**
TRX520FA6 TRX520FA6 NOW $ EXC ONLY $20,699 EXC GST NOW ONLY 20,699 GST POWER STEERING
POWERTRANSMISSION STEERING AUTO AUTO TRANSMISSION INDEPENDENT REAR SUSPENNSION INDEPENDENT REAR SUSPENNSION
** SAVE SAVE $800 $800**
TTTRX520FA7 TRX520FA7 NNOW $ EXC OONLY $21,299 EXC NNOW GST OONLY 21,299 GST PPOWER STEERING
PAAUTO TRANSMISSION POWER STEERING AAUTO TRANSMISSION INNDEPENDENT REAR SUSPENNSION INNDEPENDENT REAR SUSPENNSION
** SAVE SAVENOW$1,000 $1,000** EXC
$ NOW $21,625 EXC SXS520 ONLY GST SXS520 ONLY 21,625 GST 2 PERSON SEATING | NARROW WIDTH 1270MM 2 PERSON SEATING NARROW WIDTH 1270MM 2WD /| 4WD MODES 2WD / 4WD MODES
** ** SAVE $1,500 SAVE $1,500 $
NOW EXC NOW $25,191 EXC SXS7002P ONLY GST SXS7002P ONLY 25,191 GST 2 PERSON SEATING | 454KG TRAY CAPACITY
2 PERSON SEATING | 454KG TRAY CAPACITY 2WD / 4WD DIFF-LOCK 2WD / 4WD DIFF-LOCK
** SAVE SAVE $1,500 $1,500**
NOW $ EXC NOW $27,791 EXC SXS7004P ONLY GST SXS7004P ONLY 27,791 GST 4 PERSON SEATING | FOLD DOWN REAR SEATS
4 PERSON SEATING | FOLD DOWN REAR SEATS 2WD / 4WD DIFF-LOCK 2WD / 4WD DIFF-LOCK hondamotorbikes.co.nz hondamotorbikes.co.nz
*Farm-4.95% p.a. Over 24 Months - 1/3 deposit, 1/3 after 12 months and 1/3 after 24 months. This Honda Rider Finance offer is based on a 4.95% p.a. interest rate fixed for the 24-month term of the loan. This offer applies to eligible new Honda motorbike models only (XR190, XR150, XRM125, *Farm –CT125F, 4.95%TRX250TM1, p.a. Over 24TRX420TM1, Months - TRX420FM1, 1/3 deposit,TRX420FM2, 1/3 after 12TRX420FA2, months and 1/3 afterTRX520FM1, 24 months.TRX520FM2, This HondaTRX520FM6, Rider Finance offer isTRX520FA7, based on aTRX700FA5, 4.95% p.a.Pioneer interest rate fixed700-2P, for thePioneer 24-month term the loan. This offer applies eligible new Honda motorbike CRF300F, TRX420FA6, TRX520FA6, 520, Pioneer 700-4P andof 1000-6P), financed on orto 30 November 2026 (or while *Farm – 4.95% p.a.deposit Over 24of Months - 1/3 deposit, 1/3 after 12plus months and 1/3 after 24 months. This Honda TRX420FA2, Rider below. Finance offer is based on aof4.95% p.a. interest rate fixed for one-year the 24-month term ofPioneer the loan. ThisPioneer offer applies tobefore eligible new Honda models (XR190, XR150, XRM125, CRF300F, CT125F, TRX250TM1, TRX420TM1, TRX420FM1, TRX420FA6, TRX520FM1, TRX700FA5, 520, Pioneer 700-2P, Pioneermotorbike 700-4P stocks last).only An up-front one-third (1/3) of the RRP is required the cost of any accessories fitted, TRX420FM2, and the fees detailed Two further payments 1/3 ofTRX520FM2, the RRP are toTRX520FM6, be paid on theTRX520FA6, loanTRX520FA7, anniversary and the two-year loan anniversary. A $130 UDC establishment fee, $10.35 models only (XR190, XR150, XRM125, CRF300F, CT125F, TRX250TM1, TRX420TM1, TRX420FM1, TRX420FM2, TRX420FA2, TRX420FA6, TRX520FM1, TRX520FM2, TRX520FM6, TRX520FA6, TRX520FA7, TRX700FA5, Pioneer 520, Pioneer 700-2P, Pioneer 700-4P PPSR monthly maintenance fee of $2 dealer origination fee applies Hondastocks motorbike can tell you their applicable fee). (1/3) This offer is available at participating Honda dealerships only andand is not in conjunction anyfurther other finance offer, of promotion, or discount. andfee, Pioneer 1000-6P), financed on and or before 30 November 2026 (your (or while last).dealer An up-front deposit of one-third of the RRP is required plus the costmotorbike of any accessories fitted, theavailable fees detailed below.with Two payments 1/3 of the RRP Honda Rider Finance provided by UDC Limited. Any the loan two-year is subject to responsible lending UDC’s loan eligibility criteria, fees, terms andRRP conditions apply.plus **Bike exclude GST, saving includes GST. This offer motorbike cannot used inpayments conjunction with other offers. and 1000-6P), financed onFinance or before 30 and November 2026 (or while stocks last). An up-front deposit of one-third (1/3) of the is required theprices costofshown of$2any accessories fitted,amount andfeethe fees detailed below. Twobefurther 1/3their of the RRPOffer can tell of you applicable are30/11/26 toPioneer be paid on isstocks the one-year loan anniversary loan anniversary. Ainquiries. $130 UDC establishment fee, $10.35 PPSR fee, monthly maintenance fee and dealer origination applies (your Honda dealer ends while last. For full and conditions go totwo-year hondamotorbikes.co.nz. are to be paid on the one-year loanterms anniversary and the loan anniversary. A $130 UDC establishment fee, $10.35 PPSR fee, monthly maintenance fee of $2 and dealer origination fee applies (your Honda motorbike dealer can tell you their applicable
fee). This offer is available at participating Honda motorbike dealerships only and is not available in conjunction with any other finance offer, promotion, or discount. Honda Rider Finance is provided by UDC Finance Limited. Any loan is subject to responsible fee). Thisinquiries. offer is available at participating Honda motorbike dealerships and**Bike is not available in conjunction with any amount other finance offer, promotion, discount. Honda Rider Finance is provided by UDC Finance Limited. while Any loan is subject responsible lending UDC’s loan eligibility criteria, fees, terms and conditions apply. prices shown exclude GST, saving includes GST. This offer or cannot be used in conjunction with other offers. Offer endsOxford 30/11/26 stocks last. Fortofull terms and 116only Main Street, Pahiatua 108 Street, Levin 5510 lending inquiries. UDC’s loan eligibility criteria, fees, terms and conditions apply. **Bike prices shown exclude GST,4910 saving amount includes GST. This offer cannot be used in conjunction with other offers. Offer ends 30/11/26 while stocks last. For full terms and conditions go to hondamotorbikes.co.nz. Phone 06 376 8829 Phone 06 367 9951 conditions go to hondamotorbikes.co.nz.
Bailey 027 420 2166 116 || Phone 116 Main Main Street, Street, Pahiatua Pahiatua 4910 4910 Phone 06 06 376 376 8829 8829 || Email Email sales@bissethonda.co.nz sales@bissethonda.co.nz sales@bissethonda.co.nz Phone: Bailey 027 420 2166 | www.bissethonda.co.nz www.bissethonda.co.nz Phone: Bailey 027 420 2166 | www.bissethonda.co.nz
Dan 021 0588 307 dan@hondahoro.co.nz www.hondahoro.co.nz
MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
October 2026
29
Livin’ in Levin ADVERTORIAL
Ride into spring with quality
by Andy Bryenton
With spring well and truly sprung, the grass is growing and mowing chores are piling up — it’s time to talk to the specialists to chop them down to size. Horowhenua Outdoor Machinery is the only locally owned and operated outdoor power centre in Levin, and there’s a reason for their ongoing popularity. They’re the ones to talk to if you want good advice on fitting the right mower to your land. Not all lawns are created equal. Some are small and flat, others are vast and rolling, and yet others are dotted with garden beds, trees and other obstacles. The right mower for one job might be too big or too small for another. The only way to ensure that you’ve got a tailor-made fit which will last season after season, and take all the stress out of yard work, is to consult with a team who live and breathe mowers. That goes double for ride-ons, a top choice when springtime growth puts lawns into overdrive. All the options are on the table at Horowhenua Outdoor Machinery, from the compact and economical side-discharge Mountfield 1543H-SD to the Mighty Challenger 4x4 zero-turn, and everything in between. If you’re looking for a ride-on which hits a sweet spot between power and manoeuvrability, perhaps the Masport TTM108-SH V-twin is right for your lawn. It’s got a wide cutting swathe, a punchy V-twin
motor like a big motorcycle, and the trusted Masport build quality too. A little larger, and a great choice for small lifestyle block owners, is another Masport — this time the ZTM42 zero-turn. It’s a fantastic entry into the precision and power of a larger style of mower, and will really make those acres fly by. As mentioned, there’s a terrain-tackling big option at the top of the list: the Challenger 4x4 boasts four drive wheels for maximum grip, and enough Come down to 13 Prouse Street to talk about which power to dominate the biggest ride-on mower is the right fit for your home or farm lawns. What’s more, its inherent stability gives you the confidence will back up your investment with after-sales to tackle sloping ground, up to a steep 20 service, parts and a full workshop. Book your existing mower in for a service, degree angle. Add to these choices a whole range of or come and see what you could step up to refurbished ride-ons from top international this spring with the help of Levin’s ‘home of brands, and you can see why the first outdoor power’. Mother Nature is out and step toward a manicured and managed growing, so there’s no time like the present to backyard is a trip down to Horowhenua stop by and have a chat. Outdoor Machinery to talk to the very knowledgeable team. They won’t just make sure you get the right tool to effortlessly accomplish the job — they
Nodlew Industrial Ltd t/a P.W. Contracting
• Landscaping • Earthworks • Septic Tanks Servicing • Drain Clearing • Subdivisions • Peculation Testing • Auger Hire Site Works • Digger & Truck Hire • Driveways & Roading
M 021 400 485 P 06 210 2595 E paul@nodlew.co.nz
www.pwcontracting.co.nz
PW CONTRACTING Certifying Drainlayer PAUL WELDON | Director
Ph: 06 367 0557 levinglass@xtra.co.nz www.levinglassworks.co.nz 154 Oxford St, Levin. “Windows and Windscreen Repair Specialists”
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New Cars/Service Department: 15-19 Bristol St, Levin Used Cars: 360 Oxford St, Levin 06 368 7169 www.hmlevin.co.nz
13 Prouse St Levin • 06 3688899 email: service@homl.co.nz
30
October 2026 MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
Livin’ in Levin A rural service centrepiece by Paul Campbell
Essentially the capital town centre for the Horowhenua District in the Manawatū-Whanganui region, Levin has a population exceeding 20,500 and is the economic, logistical, and social hub for the surrounding horticultural, pastoral and dairy farming communities. The town is the centrepiece of the fertile southern Manawatū plain and its hinterland relies heavily on dairying, sheep, market gardening, and berry-fruit growing, with the town providing essential agricultural hubs that supply vital food, fibre and fencing inputs to regional farmers. The area has historically been a focal point for agricultural science, notably through institutions like the former Levin Horticultural Research Centre, which pioneered research into fruit, vegetable and ornamental crop production. Unlike pure commuter towns, Levin maintains a robust secondary economy driven by light manufacturing that directly supports or processes the
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outputs of the rural sector. This includes engineering, apparel, concrete products, and processing facilities that service the broader wholesale agricultural trades. The Levin shopping centre serves as the primary retail node for rural families coming into town for weekly supplies. The town is physically framed by Lake Horowhenua to the west and the rugged Tararua Range to the east, creating a contained, rich alluvial pocket ideal for intensive cultivation at the intersection of major regional highways and the North Island Main Trunk railway, connecting Wellington, 95km south, to Palmerston North and the central North Island. There is also plenty of lifestyle appeal as its central rural role is expanded and regional developments, such as the Peldhurst Country Estate on Kimberley Road, leverage Levin’s ‘country calm’
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environment to attract retirees from Wellington and the Kāpiti Coast who want a rural setting paired with close proximity to town services. Long before European arrival, the district surrounding modern Levin was inhabited by several Māori iwi. The Waitaha are believed to be the earliest inhabitants, followed later by the Ngāti Mamoe and the Muaūpoko. In the early 1820s, the region experienced significant upheaval when the Ngāti Toa chief, Te Rauparaha, led devastating raids alongside allied northern tribes. These invasions shifted
territorial dynamics, leaving the Muaūpoko primarily based around resource-rich Lake Horowhenua, while the southern Horowhenua area fell under the territory of Ngāti Raukawa. The first European settler in the immediate district was Hector McDonald, a whaler and trader who leased a large coastal strip of land from local iwi in the early 1850s to establish a sheep farm. The catalyst for the actual town was the construction of the Wellington–Manawatū railway line in the 1880s, which saw the sale of 4,000 acres of land to the Crown for a township.
(06) 368 2891
Your choice is Clear DOUBLE GLAZING NEW & RETRO FITTED WE CAN PROVIDE “WHOLE OF HOUSE” CONSTRUCTION SERVICES. - Pre-fabricated & Finished Products - Supply & Install Services - Site & Project Services Free no obligation quantity estimates. Come in and see the team at Crighton ITM, with THREE stores strategically located throughout the Lower North Island.
ASH BOYD ALUMINIUM & GLASS Ph: 06 368 3296 Email: ash.boyd@xtra.co.nz SHOWROOM
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Store hours: Monday - Friday 7.00am - 5.00pm Saturdays 8.00am - 12.00pm | Sunday CLOSED 15 - 19 HOKIO BEACH ROAD, LEVIN
• PH: 06 368 4057 • sales@crightons.co.nz
201 MAIN STREET, GREYTOWN
• PH: 06 304 7193 • sales@crightonsgtown.co.nz
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• PH: 04 568 3896 • sales@crightonslh.co.nz
BY PROFESSIONALS IN YOUR COMMUNITY NOT “EXPERTS” ONLINE
MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
October 2026
DAIRY & LIVESTOCK
31
ADVERTORIAL
Data-driven breeding delivers resilient hill-country Romneys Genetics, data and commercial performance are driving Paparata Elite Romney’s breeding programme, with the King Country stud selecting sheep that can survive, perform and reproduce under demanding hill-country conditions. Based at Tatu, near Ohura, Paparata has been breeding Romney sheep since 1983. Its 1,500 recorded ewes run alongside the station’s commercial flock of 24,000 Romney ewes, 6,000 lambing ewe hoggets and 400 rams. The 8,400ha property also carries 2,800 beef cows, 2,400 R1 cattle, 550 R2 steers and 120 bulls — around 65,000 stock units in total. Owner Trevor Johnson says the Romney’s dual-purpose qualities and ability to handle North Island hill country make it the obvious choice. The stud’s breeding decisions are backed by data, with selection focussed on facial eczema (FE) tolerance, worm resistance, reproduction, lamb growth, eye muscle development and lower methane emissions. Paparata has been FE testing since 1998, with Johnson saying the programme has delivered significant results. “I haven’t seen a sheep with eczema on Paparata for well over five years. We have got FE beaten.” The stud sources outside sires from flocks with a long history of FE testing, while CARLA saliva testing is used to identify sheep with greater resistance to internal parasites. Commercial performance remains the ultimate measure. Lambs are growing at
around 300g/day, while recorded ewes are scanning at 185% for the coming season. Eyemuscle scanning provides another measure of lean-meat yield and muscle area. DNA parentage technology, introduced in 2000, has eliminated the need for a daily lambing beat, allowing the recorded flock to lamb under commercial conditions without shepherding. Johnson says the goal is continuous improvement. “Our goal is straightforward: every year we want to leave the flock a little better than the year before. Small gains, backed by good data and careful selection, add up over time.” Paparata Station’s annual ram sale will be held on November 19.
Lamb Growth Paparata Priority
300gm/day liveweight growth rates achieved Lambs killed at 40kgs & above www.paparata.co.nz 38th Annual Ram Sale
Thurs 19th Nov 2026
All Rams Sold With
A FE INDEX
FE
Testing for 26 years
CARLA Testing:
For worm resistance
Methane Testing:
Selecting for lower emissions
Eye Muscle Scanning
32
October 2026 MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES
POLE SHEDS, DAIRY SHEDS, SILAGE BUNKERS, STOCK YARDS, FEED STORAGE AND FEED PADS With a wealth of experience and knowledge when it comes to all farm style buildings, we can build new or upgrade existing structures to suit. No matter the size or the style, we can project manage the entire process for purpose built requirements.
Palmerston North | 027 218 0302 | info@gillalyconstruction.co.nz