Manawatu Farming Lifestyles, December 2015

Manawatu

FARMING Lifestyles

December 2015 Edition

15,060 copies DELIVERED FREE to every rural delivery address in Manawatu

Fonterra’s new milk powder plant officially opened P3

Small–scale dairy farm provides balance

‘Time to act’ on water report

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Outdoors lifestyle shapes career path Page 4–5

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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

December 2015

Latest dairy statistics released

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New Zealand may be the world’s largest exporter of dairy products but only ranks eighth on the global stage, producing three percent of all the milk in the world.

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FARMING Lifestyles

The team at Manawatu Farming Lifestyles would like to thank everyone for their continued support and wish you all a safe & happy holidays.

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Manawatu has a total of 555 recorded dairy herds

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DairyNZ has released these figures and the latest dairy farm statistics for the 2014–15 season covering the nation and each region.

Dairy farming contributed to 29 percent of the total value New Zealand earned from its merchandise exports in the past season. This figure makes up 37 percent of the nation’s total primary industry with dairy exports earning $13.2 billion.

Over the 2014/15 season, the value of milk production to the Manawatu’s economy was $408 million.

With the total effective area of dairy land in New Zealand now reaching 1.8 million hectares, five percent of this is situated in the Manawatu with 79,950 hectares.

Waikato boasts the largest area of dairy land with 28 percent (486,319 hectares) of the nation’s total with Canterbury following on 15 percent.

The majority of New Zealand’s dairy herds are found in the North Island

with a total of 74 percent compared to 26 percent in the South Island. From these numbers, 60 percent of the North Island’s dairy cows produce 59 percent of the nation’s milk solids. Five million cows are milked in New Zealand with the total number of herds at 11,970.

Waikato has the largest number of the nation’s dairy herds with 34 percent, followed by Taranaki on 14 percent. The Manawatu has a total of 555 herds with a typical herd size of 396 cows, milked on an average-sized dairy farm of 144 hectares. This compares to a national average of 419 cows on a 146 hectare farm.

The number employed in the dairy industry contributes 1.8 percent of the total regional employment in the Manawatu. This includes 1,642 employed on-farm, and a provisional figure of 730 involved with processing and wholesaling. The number of farm owners/operators is now 415 along with 140 sharemilkers.

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Fonterra’s new milk powder plant at Pahiatua was officially opened this month with more than 300 people, including the Minister of Primary Industries Hon Nathan Guy, gathering to celebrate.

Since processing its first milk from the Co-op’s lower North Island farmers in August, the plant has already produced more than 30,000 metric tonnes of high-quality whole milk powder. The milk powder is destined for more than 20 markets around the globe, including Sri Lanka and Algeria.

Fonterra chairman John Wilson said the new $235 million high-efficiency dryer is one project in a $2.4 billion investment programme to accommodate milk growth and allows the co-operative to make the most out of its lower North Island farmers’ milk.

“This new plant will help us process large volumes of milk in a way that delivers the most value to our farmers and will also help us to meet the growing global demand for dairy nutrition.

“Last year, milk production in this region was up 4.3 percent on the previous year and we can expect volumes to increase in the future.”

Close to 3,000 people worked more than 800,000 hours to finish the project which was completed ahead of schedule and under budget.

Fonterra managing director global operations Robert Spurway said the commissioning of the plant was one of the cooperative’s smoothest and

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most efficient. “The team produced some of the best commissioning figures we’ve ever seen and the plant has been operating well above budgeted performance.

“The new dryer was a valuable addition to our asset base ahead of this season’s peak, providing more capacity which allows us to drive greater efficiency and value in our product mix.”

New infrastructure has also been added to the site which allows it to manage additional milk volumes. This includes a new wastewater treatment

plant, a reverse osmosis plant that allows the site to reuse its own condensate, a new gas-fired boiler with a number of heat recovery systems, and a new distribution centre covering the size of three rugby fields.

“It’s this supporting infrastructure that is helping to reduce our environmental impact while also making the dryer one of the most efficient in the world,” said Mr Spurway.

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December 2015

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

OUTDOORS LIFESTYLE SHAPES CAREER PATH

BY DENISE GUNN

Growing up on a farmlet in Wanaka and spending time in Central Otago’s outdoor playground helped lay the foundation for Erica van Reenan’s career path as an agricultural and environmental consultant.

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rica’s father worked as a veterinarian and she often accompanied him on farm visits around the district. His passion for conservation also inspired Erica’s interest in the natural world, leading her to volunteer work for the Forest and Bird Society, and the Department of Conservation (DOC). Her mother, an agricultural journalist, was the first full-time executive officer of the New Zealand Deer Farmers Association.

“So agriculture has always been part of my upbringing,” said Erica.

When her secondary schooling was completed, Erica headed to Massey University to complete a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Science.

A Masters of Science in Agricultural Science followed in 2008.

“My thesis was mid-pregnancy shearing Merino ewes and looking at

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Checking out a fodder beet crop in Marton the impact on the wool quality of their progeny,” said Erica.

“Throughout both degrees I did several ecology, conservation, and natural resource management papers as I could see that there was a divide building between agriculture and conservation.”

The first step on Erica’s career path was as a policy analyst with the Ministry

of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) in Wellington. Her role entailed providing the analysis to bring agriculture into the Emissions Trading Scheme.

“I was also involved with developing the new rental system for Crown pastoral lease land in the South Island high country,” she said.

“After three years with MAF in Wellington, I moved to Hamilton and

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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES December 2015

continued in the Sector Performance Team where I did a broad range of policy including farm monitoring, adverse events and animal welfare.”

In 2011, Erica took on the position as Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s extension manager for the mid-northern North Island. Here she was involved with providing tools, resources and services to farmers across the region via extension activity. Together with farmerelected councillors in each region, she ran field days, workshops, seminars and various other projects.

Two years later, she accepted an inaugural position as the environment extension manager, primarily concentrating on the entire country and later centred on the North Island.

“My role was to ensure that environmental risks can be managed by sheep and beef farmers and support them with this, as well as look for the opportunities for farm businesses in addressing environmental concerns,” she said.

During Erica’s years as a university student, and into her career, Erica has been involved with Young Farmers. She joined the newly-formed Wellington Young Farmers Club in 2008, became vice-chairperson in 2009 and then chairperson in 2010-11. When she moved to Hamilton, Erica and a friend, Tim van de Molen, established the Hamilton City Young Farmers Club. She is now a member of the Marton Young Farmers Club. Erica began competing in Young Farmers district finals in 2009 with the aim of proving a strong farming background wasn’t necessary to

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Competing at the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Young Farmers regional final compete, learn and enjoy the event. At a district final in Hamilton two years ago, she placed second, securing a spot in the regional final and finished runner-up.

“I far exceeded my own expectations and got the bug.”

Last year, Erica competed in the Taranaki-Manawatu district final and again earned a position in the regional final, finishing fourth.

“While I would love to have another go, I am unfortunately near the end of my Young Farmers’ career, so am now hoping to help other young farmers who want my help to compete, particularly women.”

Throughout Erica’s career and her involvement with Young Farmers’ clubs, meeting and working with people in the farming community has been a huge highlight.

“I love that every day I am meeting and working with different people with different personalities and motivations for what they do.

“I really enjoy helping farmers solve tricky challenges like farming sustainably and profitably at the same time.”

Recently, Erica left Beef + Lamb NZ to become an agricultural and environmental consultant with a newlyformed business, AgFirst ManawatuWhanganui. This new role provides Farmax and Overseer modelling, assistance with human resource management and succession planning, as well as farm environment planning with a focus on sustainable development within the farm system.

“I hope to be working with farmers as well as industry-based clients across the region,” said Erica.

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December 2015

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

DAIRY FARM PROVIDES BALANCE

BY DENISE GUNN

Two years ago, Rudolf van Dijk and his partner Carlie Brouwer made the switch from milking 1,000 cows as contract milkers, to setting up their own boutique dairy farm.

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ow the couple, along with their three children, own and operate a Village Milk franchise on their 30.5ha farm in the southern Rangitikei.

Rudolf and Carlie’s farm is the sixth in New Zealand under the Village Milk franchise.

Rudolf’s family has a long history of milking cows in The Netherlands, dating back to the early 1880s. His father milked cows for 55 years and Rudolf grew up on the family farm.

When Rudolf completed his agricultural degree, majoring in dairy farming, he travelled to New Zealand and worked as a farmhand for a year. On his return to The Netherlands, Rudolf met Carlie and the pair made the move to New Zealand 11 years ago.

Rudolf and Carlie initially took up work as farmhands, then employment as herd managers before moving into CARLIE BROUWER AND RUDOLPH VAN DIJK

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a lower order sharemilking position in the Waikato. Nine years ago, the couple took up a contract milking position in the Rangitikei, milking 1,000 cows.

With the concept of selling raw milk as the couple’s starting point, they visited several raw milk outlets prior to joining up with the Village Milk franchise.

In 2013, a bare block of land between Bulls and Marton caught their attention.

“We were looking for a suitable property, not too big, not too small, close to town, but still rural because we do not want to be a nuisance to anyone,” said Carlie.

The couple decided to approach the entire conversion of the block and construct a shop, dairy shed, implement shed, effluent pond, and a home.

“We wanted to be able to start our own business and enjoy that together with our kids, which we now can.”

Rudolf and Carlie now milk 25 Kiwicross cows although not all of them are in the dairy herd at the same time.

Calving is all-year-round, and currently the couple has a dairy herd of 19.

Carlie said six of their cows are dried off and on a break before they calve again.

“With our system we don’t push the cows. It doesn’t matter when they are in calf again — they are ready when they are ready, no hormones or anything here.”

A Hereford bull runs in their dairy herd all-year-round to service the cows. The herd remains on the property throughout the year and all supplementary feed requirements are grown on the farm.

“We don’t feed palm kernal, and this way we know exactly what we feed the cows.”

No chemicals are used on the pasture either.

“We use some organic mixes like seaweed/fish mix but most of all just irrigate our land with our effluent.”

7

CARLIE’S HAND-PAINTED COW IS USED FOR VISITING CHILDREN TO ‘HAND-MILK’ AND IS ALSO TAKEN TO FAIRS

A large 750,000 litre effluent storage pond, in compliance with Horizons Regional Council’s One Plan, is well utilised.

“Over summertime, we spread a lot of effluent over freshly-grazed paddocks with our small slurry tanker,” said Carlie.

Once a day milking takes place in the morning and a high hygiene and cleaning regime kept. A custom-built plant inside the eight-aside herringbone shed carefully pushes the milk through the system without agitating. When milking is completed the mobile milk vat is transferred from the small vat into the on-farm shop’s milk dispenser.

Open from 5am — 9pm, the small selfservice shop was also custom-built and designed to suit the business.

Customers can fill their own bottles or buy one of the glass reusable one litre bottles from the bottle dispenser.

Although Rudolf works off the farm in the afternoons, the couple likes to be

around to catch up with their customers as much as possible.

“We really enjoy our customers,” said Carlie.

“Instead of just sending milk away as on a factory-supplying farm, we have direct contact with the consumer and the feedback we get is extremely motivating.”

When time permits, Carlie combines her love for cows with painting. She has sold a couple of her cartoon-style cow paintings, covered a children’s kindergarten wall in cows, and painted a handmade cow that the couple have taken to the local harvest fair for children to ‘hand-milk’.

The couple believe they have found an ideal balance between and Youfarm can family life.

“In the long term, hopefully we can make a living off our small farm,” for can your You said Carlie

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December 2015

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

WATER MATTERS ‘Time to act’ on water report

With the summer farm forecast causing concern across the country, IrrigationNZ, the national body representing the irrigation industry, has called on government to heed the advice of the report of the fourth Land and Water Forum released at the end of November.

“The LAWF report has resulted in constructive advice to ministers for the development of freshwater policy.

It’s now time for the government to act,” said IrrigationNZ chief executive Andrew Curtis.

“Freshwater is a natural and recurring resource we need to protect, and is a national asset which needs to be properly and carefully managed to bolster our agricultural-led economy.

“This is recognised in the report.

There are recommendations for the government to fund and facilitate the development of environmental infrastructure like water storage and wetlands.

“Storage means freshwater can be captured for environmental benefits such as managed aquifer recharge and augmenting rivers in dry seasons.

This captured water can also relieve

problems of over-allocation and provide efficient water for new users.

“In the report, regional and local government are advised to investigate, cofund and help develop this infrastructure on a catchment scale,” he said.

IrrigationNZ also supports the report’s recommendations for greater flexibility regarding transferability of water take consents. “Transfer is already happening, particularly within irrigation user groups where they work together to share the available resource, but a better resourced and more transparent system would lead to greater fluidity in exchanges. This would result in efficiency in water distribution to where it is most needed and it would also allow for allocation to new users. Regarding Iwi rights and interests in water, it is essential that whatever is decided is

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done quickly but in doing so that we don’t solve one grievance by creating another — that way New Zealand can progress to optimal water management with the necessary community mandates, legislation, systems and implementation methods to make the most of the water we have.”

IrrigationNZ continues to roll out its SMART Irrigation training to help farmers improve their water efficiency on-farm while also releasing its first ever annual snapshot of New Zealand’s irrigation sector.

It has been estimated that irrigated farms provided a $2.7 billion contribution to New Zealand’s economy, and more than double this in terms of the benefits to the wider community.

IrrigationNZ Chairwoman Nicky Hyslop said launching the snapshot cements a great year.

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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES December 2015

DAIRY

Soil Matters with Peter Burton

Something old, something new The financial situation that dominates activities of the farming community right now is not new. In the late 1980s the dairy and sheep industries were in similar straits, compounded by interest rates of 15–20% at that time.

As if the present financial pressures are not enough, there are rapidly approaching environmental regulations that will further stretch farmer resilience and adaptability. It’s an unfair burden to place on farmers when there is such a shortage of long-term research work to provide them with practical everyday answers.

However, there are alternatives, which an increasing number of farmers have been implementing for the last fifteen years. They don’t come from mainstream industry and research groups, but from the edge, where significant and far reaching change always comes from.

Science will in time work out why it works, and likely claim it as their own. In the interim both science and farmers need to be aware that alternative systems to the current heavy applications, and subsequent losses of nitrate and phosphorus from intensively farmed pastoral land are

Selenium Drench

steady increase in pasture production.

With clover being more nutritious and digestible, as well as containing several times the calcium content of grass, animal production lifts, without reliance on worm drenches and other ill-health remedies. There are management changes to be made to maximise the benefits of the system, but they are logical and easily learned, and when embedded, result in a peace of mind that comes when working in harmony with natural systems.

A question often asked by farmers as they begin to appreciate the benefits is: ‘why do not more farmers do this?’

The answer is fear. Apprehension at the thought of change can often be a natural safeguard against unnecessary diversion. But it’s fear of ridicule by, and isolation from, peers that is the tough one to overcome. Change is always challenging. However the right to clean fresh drinking water is a right of every citizen and stock animal, and there are only upsides to steadily implementing the steps to a healthier future. For more information call Peter on 0800 843 809.

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In one sense it was easier to handle then, because the hole being so deep, and money so expensive, there was little an individual farmer could do — it was just a case of box on and hope for the best. In the case of the sheep industry the landscape changed forever. Many small efficient farms were amalgamated and skilled diligent farmers were lost from the industry. Productive pastoral land was planted in pine trees and whole communities simply disappeared.

Research changed from an industry and farmer focus, to a short-term commercial focus, and people with much knowledge and expertise went elsewhere, along with vast amounts of historical data. Farmers being a resilient and resourceful bunch, battled on, but the loss of important research, along with the pathways that ensured wisdom was handed from one generation to the next, have never been recovered and our industry is the poorer for it.

already available. These solutions result in an increase in pasture grown, with the benefits immediately available. The reason the process works so efficiently is that it focusses on building humus, by modifying both soil chemistry and biology.

Gaining sustainable increases in production through modifying soil biota is not new. Thirty years ago government invested significantly in this work, and the results were positive. That revolutionary technology and some of the people involved at that time are still around, with a commitment to seeing the work come to fruition. Humus is the filter that effectively stops excess nitrate and phosphorus being lost to waterways.

It’s formed by a wide range of fungi, bacteria and earthworms that adapt and change activity throughout the seasons.

During winter organic matter from the growing season is digested, with nutrient stored, and then released on an ondemand basis as soil temperatures and sunlight hours increase. It’s incredibly efficient as lengthening daylight is also the trigger for an increase in pasture growth.

Humus also acts as a sponge holding moisture for uptake during drier periods, and with plant roots able to delve deeper into the soil, dry summers are more easily managed. Without the regular application of fertiliser nitrogen long-stemmed large-leafed clover steadily dominates the summer sward, fixing more than enough nitrogen for a

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Ewes / Rams (50 - 75kg) 1 - 1.5 mls Calves (100kg) 2 mls Cattle (250 - 300kg) 5 mls Adult cattle (over 300kg) 6 mls Adult horses 2 - 5 mls (depending on size and selenium status) Dose every 3 -4 weeks unless directed otherwise by a veterinarian. Do not exceed the recommended dose.

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December 2015

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

ADVERTORIAL

Merry Christmas Everybody Holy Toledo! Another year has zoomed past without even a blink of the eye, incredible! That’s how it feels anyway.

To me it was one of the most interesting years in agriculture and probably the bumpiest ride ever, all decisions needing to be calculated to the nth degree; with survival in mode.

We need to stop what we are doing — commodity markets are a slippery slope.

We need to look seriously at natural certified production methods to increase farm efficiency, better returns, a healthier farm and a top quality environment; this is paramount, if we want to survive.

There are silver bullet solutions out there that ensure compliance without impacting on productivity and profitability; with environmental sustainable farming offering

the best opportunities. The way forward is probably the way back: when dairy farmers produced all their supplement feed directly from the farm and when stocking rates for dairy was one cow per acre (2.5 cows per hectare). Go online to Lincoln University’s site and look up more milk, less cows; with less cows you will have more grass. The premium price for milk on the planet is for all grass-fed milk, which includes all grass supplements. You don’t need to throw your money away by growing maize. Maize is for chickens — not rumen animals.

When it comes to nitrogen, plants have been fixing nitrogen directly out of the atmosphere for millions of years. This

source of nitrogen is ecologically friendly and has no cost factor. The natural forests, jungles and savannahs on our planet, fix their carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and

nitrogen directly from the atmosphere.

All producers growing plants or pasture, without a thought, rely on their plants to fix these free minerals directly out of the atmosphere, carbon as carbon dioxide, oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen which together make up 97.5% of the plants mineral requirements — that’s what you call free natural capital.

Combine the atmospheric minerals with the other essential minerals, such as, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, silica, iron sulphur, manganese, boron, copper, zinc, cobalt, molybdenum, selenium and chromium and you have the formula for strong healthy plant growth that transfers onto animals and humans.

All life on the planet is dependent upon minerals. These minerals are essentials to our survival. Pest, disease, sickness and weeds all indicate mineral deficiency. The mineral or, minerals missing are extremely difficult to target, but compensated by applying a full complement of the above minerals. With all these essential minerals life functions well — in reality, minerals are your “silver bullet” providing they are in a completely natural form — i.e. not synthetic Agrissentials’ release of minerals to a plant available form is based around the soil micro-organisms. These creatures are the first to dine at the mineral table, converting the minerals into a plant available form, wrapping the minerals in humus, so that they won’t leach from the soil. The plant takes up the minerals from the humus, as they are required. The humus also holds water, from which the plant will draw. The more humus in the soil, the more water retention to help the plants through those dry periods. When the plant takes up the mineral it is instantly recognised at the cellular level, the ultimate level for plant uptake, development and growth. So, we have finally discovered that the silver bullet is contained within a multi-mineral microbial rich fertiliser namely Rok Solid full spectrum fertiliser.

In the spirit of Christmas, Agrissentials have loads of amazing specials to get your soil pumping and things growing. Whether you’re a home gardener, lifestyle block owner, commercial grower or farmer — there’s a deal for you AND some limited edition Christmas packs that make a fantastic Christmas gift for that someone special. Call 0800 THE KEY (0800 843 539) or your local best on earth fertiliser rep Ben Tippins (North Manawatu) 021 738 601 and Lyn Woodcock (South Manawatu/ Wairarapa) 021 0204 3028 to redeem your special Christmas deal today! (Please note that over the Christmas break the office will be closed from the 18th of December and fully operable again on the 5th of January. Urgent calls will be monitored on 0800 THE KEY during this time.) Wishing you health, wealth, happiness and a prosperous 2016 — bring it on! From Team Agrissentials

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES December 2015 ADVERTORIAL

Boost for log export prices New Zealand export log prices jumped to a seven-month high in November as demand picked up in China, the country’s largest market.

The average wharf gate price for New Zealand A-grade logs rose to $92 a tonne from $83 a tonne in October, marking the highest level since April, according to AgriHQ’s monthly survey of exporters, forest owners and sawmillers.

The AgriHQ Log Price Indicator, which measures log prices weighted by grade, increased to 92.51 from 88.41 last month.

Chinese demand picked up to 70,000 cubic metres a day towards the end of October, and about 50,000-60,000 cubic metres a day in November. The pickup in demand comes after log exporters reduced shipments to China following weak market conditions, and has caused inventory levels on Chinese ports to fall to between 2.3-to-2.6 million cubic metres from about three million cubic metres last month and 4.7 million cubic metres in August, AgriHQ said. Some now expected inventories to drop below two million cubic metres.

Prices are expected to firm through December, although the market remains volatile. “The market has the potential to overshoot in its price recovery, in which case prices will need to drop for the market to find the right balance,” she said. “Improved market conditions mean supply to China is likely to increase which would place downward pressure on prices,” said Emma Dent, an analyst at AgriHQ. Lower shipping rates and a favourable New Zealand exchange rate were helping underpin the local export market, she said.

Meanwhile, prices for New Zealand domestic logs were steady with pruned logs at $167 a tonne from $164 a tonne last month, and structural logs at $103 a tonne from $105 a tonne.

Domestic log processors are struggling to source supply in some regions due to competition from the export market, Dent said. Logs, wood, and wood articles are New Zealand’s third-largest commodity export behind dairy products and meat. Meanwhile, there is already

11

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12

December 2015

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

LIVESTOCK

Hoof Print with Fred Hoekstra

HOOF TRIMMING SERVICES, EQUIPMENT & TRAINING

What’s the best surface?

There are many publications out there about lameness and how bad tracks and bad animal handling cause lameness, that we regularly get asked the question…

‘What do you think is the best surface material for tracks?’ Even though claims of the above are, in principle, correct, it seems that most people don’t have a clear understanding of what it is about bad tracks and animal handling that increases the prevalence of lameness.

Often the explanation goes something like this: ‘When cows stand on stones they get bruising in their hooves and that makes them lame’. If you push cows on tracks and they can’t see where they put their front feet then they encounter more stones causing more bruising and therefore more lameness.

When you improve the tracks and you stop pushing cows you do end up with less lameness and so this theory seems very plausible. The problem with this explanation is that it is based on assumption and there is no evidence to support it.

I agree that improving tracks and animal handling decreases the prevalence of lameness. But what I

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am saying is that there is no evidence that the stones are the culprit. If you are interested in doing a hoof trimming course with us I can show evidence for the opposite.

So, if it is not the stones on the track that is the problem, then what is it?

Well, it has a lot to do with stress. The reason why cows are under more stress on bad tracks is that it takes longer to get to and from the cowshed which means that they spend less time in the paddock doing cow things. When you look at a well fed herd in the paddock, cows are grazing, drinking, socialising or lying down.

This is normal, natural behaviour for a cow. When cows are walking on the tracks or standing on the yard they are not showing any of that ‘normal’ behaviour. This means that cows are being forced to take on activities that are not natural to them.

This, in itself, is not a problem as most cows adapt themselves to that

routine, but, if you force them to do it for a long time it will become a problem.

If you have muddy tracks or there are a lot of stones on the track you will find the cow flow a lot slower therefore this increases the time out of the paddock and places more stress on your cows.

The added stress of pushing cows will make it even worse.

So, when I am asked what surface material I would advise for the tracks I say concrete. Concrete is easy to clean, it doesn’t hold puddles, cows don’t sink into it and it doesn’t need sunshine to dry up.

You may think this is a ludicrous suggestion, but some of our clients that have done it love it. I know it is expensive, but in the long run it is probably the cheapest option. If you can find a material that is as hardy as concrete go for it.

Just remember — the main aim is to get cows back in the paddock as fast as possible in a stress free manner.

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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES December 2015

RURAL WHEELS

13

The pony express

by Andy Bryenton

There are some events in 2015 which have been much anticipated — a long time coming, and carrying, for the masterminds behind them, the weight of expectation, tradition and nostalgia.

One of them — JJ Abrams’ new Star Wars episode seven — will be released in mid-December. But the other — the new Ford Mustang generation six — is already among us. And Ford have left the world in no doubt that with this car, their global programme has reached a new apogee.

Once the very icon of Americana, the ‘pony car’ is a movie star in its own right, to rival the likes of Han Solo. Gone in 60 seconds, for example, elevated the Shelby variant to the status of something to die for. Now, the looks and the performance of that lineage are back on forecourts around the world, this time coming fresh from the factory with the controls on the correct side of the car. We got our first look at the Mustang as part of Ford’s nationwide Blue Oval Roadshow, and its presence is undeniable. With the aggressive grille, long bonnet and classic Mustang stance, hunkered down low over fat tyres — this car would not look out of place on screen with Steve McQueen.

That’s a big check for style, then — and a large aesthetic improvement from the brutally squared fifth generation

Mustang which polarised critics.

Everyone has their favourite classic Ford, and this shape hearkens back to the Mach 1, though without the ostentatious louvered back window. But is this new offering up to spec when it comes to speed and handling? The answer, in short, is yes. And it’s not the big 5 litre V8 which truly surprises, though a commendable 306kw and 530nm of torque won’t fail to deliver smiles. It’s the combination of losing that live rear axle in exchange for modern suspension tech, and the light, punchy twin-scroll-turbo ecoboost variant which is a revelation. Now, I can already hear the V8 purists opine that there’s no replacement for displacement, and if you want a burbling, rumbling muscle car this is true. It’s just that the ecoboost option is far away from being watered-down. In fact, it makes the new Mustang two very different cars — one a thunderous homage to a great tradition, the other a glimpse of the future. The ecoboost’s 233kw is nothing to sneeze at, either, especially as the switch-out lightens the whole car. Really, this is one pony which deserves a test ride.

It’s the only way to compare the two very different systems which have been tucked under that rakish bonnet. And

unlike watching Star Wars, when the echoes fade out, you’re still left with something beautiful to look at.

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December 2015 MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

RURAL WHEELS

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23 Manchester Street, Feilding

by Andy Bryenton

The trusty off-road bike used to be the last word in tackling mud and harsh terrain. Then it was replaced, briefly by the off road trike, before that evolved into the ATV quad. Recently, the ATV has given rise to the two-seater UTV, in all its farm-ready and sporting variants.

But all this time — since the 1960s, to be exact — there’s been another breed of off roader in the background.

It’s one which doesn’t rely on one wheel drive like a bike, or even four like a quad.

And it hasn’t evolved into anything so prosaic as a simple dune buggy.

Like the shark, it may have been perfect for its own extreme environment from day one.

The Argo — named for the fartraveling adventurers of classical mythology — has been about in one shape or another since 1967. Born of the need to handle every kind of terrain from deserts to swamps, the Argo does away with traditional steering, adopting the same kind of controls as a military tank. That’s the first clue to its intention.

The second comes when it runs out of land entirely.

Because, like the big armoured personnel carriers it did its bit to inspire, the Argo doesn’t just wade — it swims.

Argo’s latest creation is the culmination of all those years of research and field testing with farmers, hunters, foresters and emergency personnel.

The 8x8 750 XTi can carry 450 kgs on land and across water, with a four stroke,

750cc liquid-cooled v-twin doing the hard work under the hood.

Add a towing capacity of over 900 kilos, and the massive traction afforded by eight driving wheels, and it’s easy to see why there’s ver y little that can stop this machine in its tracks.

Argo have made the move to modern direct fuel injection, offering both more power — 30hp at the wheels — and better fuel economy. Considering the type of terrain where Argos tend to work, the long distance between fill-ups is going to be very handy. Other small stylistic tweaks — and the addition of the now-obligatory USB output on the dash — round out a design which is pure Argo.

Function is king here, and the form of the whole Argo range is built around offering simply the toughest, most unsinkable, unstickable vehicle on the market.

A tough roll cage keeps passengers safe, in a style similar to modern UTVs. If you have rough terrain to tackle — and we’re talking more than just a damp paddock or some paltry mud puddles — then this new 8x8 is the way to handle it in style.

After a bash through the rough stuff — and across the wet stuff — in the 750 XTi, conventional four wheel drive may begin to feel a bit like a sad compromise.

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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES December 2015

RURAL WHEELS

15

NZ SURPLUS TRUCKS

Economy class flying high

NZ Wide Service

0800 33 33 98

by Andy Bryenton

WE PAY CASH!!

Farming these days is a matter of balancing the books as much as it is cultivating the land.

FOR TRUCKS MOTOR HOMES

Margins can be thin, and savvy operators are always looking for a way to pare down those overheads. In this environment it’s easy to slash the budget for high tech ‘toys’ — but there’s still the necessity for certain modern amenities on the farm.

Take the simple matter of getting about — herding livestock, running errands, checking fences and the like. In the current economic climate, investing tens of thousands into a brand new quad or UTV may seem daunting. But less than 2k for a tough-as-nails two wheeler that can do the same job? If it can take the hard knocks, that’s genius.

The same philosophy which informs popular utes like the Foton and Great Wall is at work with the Jialing 150, a small, nimble farm bike made with a no-frills approach. Then again, it’s also made by a company which specialised in building military motorbikes for the vast Chinese armed forces, and which then teamed up with Honda in the early 1980s to build the off-road-bike equivalent of the AK47.

Able to deploy in harsh terrain, hard to break and easy to maintain, this early Jialing has been changed only slightly to the present day, with the addition of electric start.

What the buyer gets for that sub 2k price tag is a 150cc four stroke, single overhead cam purpose built farming bike, geared for mud and rough terrain. Generously sized racks front and back pack on the tools and equipment, while bars protect the engine, chain and grips. Having ridden one of these machines extensively on mud, dirt and sand, I can claim first hand that they are willing and able little bikes —

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no flat-out speedsters, and definitely not for the road. But for high-torque, low speed chores on the paddock, they weigh up against competitors three times the price. There was a time when most all farms had a two-wheeler in the shed — a versatile and often mud-caked machine which could be relied upon to fire up first time, even on those dark and damp mornings in winter. Think of the Jialing Farmer 150 as exactly that bike, rebuilt with no fancy upgrades, but ready to work.

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BUY FORESTRY PLANTATIONS BIG OR SMALL MECHANISED HARVESTING PROVEN TRACK RECORD

CONTACT ALISTAIR 0275 37 22 88 109 Taikorea Rd, RD3.

abcforestharvesting@xtra.co.nz

Palmerston North

Mauways Nursery

NOW the largest nursery in the Rangitikei!

MANAWATU FARMING CLASSIFIEDS Phone 0800 466 793 Animal Health Products

• Wholesale Prices • Direct to the Public Shop Online and EARN FREE PLANTS or call at our nursery on SH1 10km NORTH of Hunterville

HIGH CELL Count? Apple Cider Vinegar, Garlic & Manuka Honey 20L $49.95, 200L $450 or 1,000L $2,000 +GST with free delivery. Black Type Minerals Ltd. Phone 021 185 1501. blacktypeminerals.co.nz.

Phone 06 322 9863 for all your • Perennials • Hostas • Grasses • Natives • Camellias • Ornamental Shrubs

DRIVE PHONE FREE!

www.mauways.co.nz

HAVE A SAFE & MERRY XMAS

16

December 2015

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

Sick of paying too much for brass trough valves?

Why Pay

40.00

$

Plus

only

• Valve fits 20/25mm • Massive 205 L/min @ 500 kPa • High flow rate compared to other similar valves • Suitable for top and side entry • Every valve individually tested to ensure leak free performance

no limits

•

19

$

.95 incl GST

FREIGHT FREE!

available while stocks last!

BRASS

BESTFLOW TROUGH VALVES

Available exclusively through

BITS4FARMS

www.bits4farms.co.nz/products/?t=bestflow