Manawatu Farming Lifestyles, January 2020

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January 2020 Edition

Fletcher flight sealed topdressing career

0800 466 793

Farming and governance work together

Breeders produce brilliant blooms

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January 2020

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

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by Denise Gunn

community media

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is continuing to stay connected to federal authorities in Australia as devastating bushfires affect parts of the country.

The Manawatu Farming Lifestyles is published with pride by Integrity Community Media, a privately owned NZ company.

Phone: 0800 466 793 Email: info@integrity.nz General Manager: Deb Wright | deb.wright@integrity.nz | 021 639 696 Editorial: Ann van Engelen, Denise Gunn, Paul Campbell, Andy Bryenton Advertising: Monique McKenzie Accounts: accounts@integrity.nz Distribution: Laurie Willetts Website: www.farminglifestyles.co.nz

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Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor said MPI is using an existing transTasman forum for discussions on the agricultural impact of the fires and the future recovery phase.

“MPI has offered assistance if needed in the future, and will remain in contact should any support be required.”

Although the full extent of stock losses is not yet known, agriculture market analyst company Mercardo established close to 2.3 million cattle, and 8.6 million head of sheep were in the affected areas. These figures make up around nine per cent of the national cattle herd and 12 per cent of the sheep flock. The National Farmers Federation estimates thousands of cattle and sheep perished in the bushfires.

Fires also wiped out entire crops, and downed power lines are affecting milk production. With vast areas of grazing land burnt, some farmers have resorted to shooting surviving stock to avoid their animals dying of starvation. To avoid potential biosecurity hazards, the Australian Defence Force has been called on to bury stock in mass graves.

Westpac has calculated the bushfire crisis costing Australia up to $5 billion in direct losses. It will cut between 0.2–0.5

Over the cattle stop feature What’s happening over the cattle stop? As any farmer knows, the answer is — ‘everything!’ — as you can see in our light-hearted front page cartoon. This January the Manawatu Farming Lifestyles is a little different, as we’ve matched all of the top

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Funded by the Parliamentary Service and authorised by Ian McKelvie MP, 47 Manchester Street, Feilding.

agricultural support businesses between our covers with a bustling rural scene on page one.

The aim of the game is to match the numbers next to each little image of Kiwi farm life to the businesses who exemplify them.

Over the cattle stop map key 2

ianmckelvie.rangitikei@parliament.govt.nz

per cent from the country’s economic growth. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said assistance is being provided to communities under the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency Management David Littleproud said supporting farmers and small businesses was a priority.

“It will help life in these communities return to normal even sooner.”

He said funds could go into bridge and road repairs, so people working in these areas can get back to business.

“It will also pay part of the costs of fighting the fires and the cleanup afterwards.

“We will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with these communities and provide further assistance as it is needed,” said Mr Littleproud.

“It is an extremely challenging and distressing time for our friends in Australia,” said Mr O’Connor.

“I know that our agricultural sector, and all New Zealanders, care deeply and are concerned for their wellbeing.

“MPI has also been in contact with stakeholders in New Zealand, and has made them aware we are offering Australia our full support.”

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All about Vehicles and Machinery All about building All about farming Education & Training Fashion, Health & Beauty Fishing, Hunting, Outdoors

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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

Fonterra Responsible Dairying awards open The search is on for the nation’s top dairy farmers who demonstrate leadership in their approach to sustainable dairying.

The Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award, introduced by the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards, recognises dairy farmers who are respected by their farming peers and community for their attitude and role in sustainable dairying. Nominees must demonstrate a high calibre of performance and leadership in the areas of responsible and sustainable care of people, animals, ecosystems and communities.

New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards general manager Robin Congdon said it is important to showcase the good work farmers are doing within the industry as it does not always get the exposure it deserves.

“We have excellent, experienced dairy farmers creating and working on wonderful projects that have a positive effect on the environment.

“We want to hear about the people who are farming responsibly, both environmentally and socially, and showcasing excellence on a daily basis.

It is a chance for people to nominate their neighbour, their employer or someone in their community.”

“This award gives us the opportunity to recognise farmers that have progressed to ownership, demonstrate leadership in their farming practices and are a role model for our younger farmers coming through” he said.

Taranaki farmers Damian and Jane Roper won the 2019 Fonterra

January 2020

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those around them. Nominations for the award opened this month with forms available at dairyindustryawards.co.nz.

Three finalists will be selected from these nominations and interviewed by a panel of judges on Friday, May 15 at the national final in Auckland this year.

The winner will be announced at the awards dinner on Saturday, May 16.

Nominations for the award will close on Friday, March 20.

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January 2020 MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

FLETCHER FLIGHT SEALED TOPDRESSING CAREER

BY DENISE GUNN A FARM UPBRINGING, COUPLED WITH EXPOSURE TO AGRICULTURAL AEROPLANES AT A NEIGHBOURING TOPDRESSING STRIP, STEERED PETE HARDING TOWARDS A CAREER AS A TOPDRESSING PILOT.

PHOTOS TIM GORMAN

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ete’s interest in flying began at a young age.

“I remember jumping off the woodshed roof, around six years old, with mum’s umbrella,” he said. “It worked well for a dozen sorties, but it gave way, and I learnt a valuable aviation lesson about maintaining one’s aircraft.

I wasn’t the brightest kid, obviously, but I was very determined to fly from a young age.”

At the age of eight, during a flight in a Fletcher FU-24 piloted by the late Kevin Roberts, Pete became hooked on flying.

“From that moment on, my future was sealed.” Pete was employed as a builder when he began working towards

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his pilot’s licence. His commercial pilot’s licence training was completed through the late Arthur Whitehead at Air Charter Taupo. Pete described Arthur as an old school bush pilot who knew how to challenge his students.

“That involved landing on his short bush strips and flying in really challenging conditions.”

After two years working as a loader truck driver in Taupo, Pete moved to Australia to work for Shane McNaul of McNaul’s Crop Services in New South Wales. Pete found it was an ideal environment to learn the ropes and gain valuable flying skills. He flew a 300 HP Piper Brave, solely spraying herbicides

PETE WITH TONY BROWN ON HIS AIRSTRIP AT KIMBOLTON

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PETE ALWAYS AIMS TO START WORK AT DAYBREAK, FLYING BEFORE IT GETS TOO WINDY

and insecticides. A lot of the blocks were small with big gum trees and wires presenting the biggest danger.

“I remember one rice block, in particular, that was only 20ha, where, in one run, I would go under three wires.

It really tested the nerves and taught us the importance of being totally focussed on the job.”

From his first day of work at McNaul’s Crop Services, Pete used GPS. “The GPS systems back then were pretty average and often failed.”

When Pete returned to New Zealand seven years later, he took up work for Hallet Griffin of Griffin Ag Air. In February 2018, Aerospread Ltd bought the topdressing business from Griffin Ag Air. Aerospread is privatelyowned by Bruce and Helen Peterson,

PETE FLIES A NEW ZEALAND-BUILT PAC CRESCO, POWERED BY A 750HP

and governed by a board. The business has bases in Napier, Waipukurau and Palmerston North with two full-time operations managers, five full-time pilots, and seven loader drivers/ground crew. Pete flies a New Zealand-built PAC Cresco, powered by a 750hp Pratt and Whitney turbine, anywhere between Cambridge to Wellington.

“It’s a massive area, but with the technology using remote weather stations and Cresco aircraft, it makes servicing this area a lot easier.”

Aerospread uses Trackmap GPS, which is linked up using TracLink.

“It allows the operations managers to allocate jobs directly to the aeroplanes anytime and anywhere. The system can be linked back to the farmer, providing them with proof of placement. Farmers

can also place orders directly through the TracLink system by selecting the paddocks they want applied, and setting the rate. That saves them sending maps and can be done effortlessly from logging in to their own TracLink account.

“Aerospread has also developed an additional system that sends every load that is weighed, directly to the cockpit. It adds additional safety so the pilot can see the exact weight of each load. This system goes a step further and adds the loads up progressively and shows the pilot the exact hectares that should have been covered. The pilot can see at a glance by cross-referencing against the GPS that the rate is set perfectly.”

He credits the role of the loader driver in making an agricultural pilot’s job easier.

“Joel Bland is my current driver. He’s very reliable and knows how to get accurate weights every time.”

Pete said his biggest concern is the sale and conversion of quality sheep and beef farms into forestry.

“It is a really disturbing path to be doing down and that I believe hasn’t had enough consultation with both science and rural communities it’s adversely affecting.”

As the weather is the most challenging aspect of the job, Pete aims to start work at daybreak and fly until it either gets windy or dark.

He said no two days are the same on the job.

“You never really know where we’ll end up. I really enjoy being involved with farmers and the rural sector.”

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January 2020

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

Farming and governance work together

BY DENISE GUNN Gordon McKellar’s passion for farming has led him to several governance positions, alongside running the family farm.

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he McKellar family’s 200ha farm near Feilding was initially purchased by Gordon’s grandfather in 1925. Gordon’s father, Hew, began running the farm at the age of 20, facing many challenges as he developed the property into a productive farming unit.

Hew also held a strong interest in farm forestry, fencing the stream and placing an area in a QEII National Trust covenant to protect native and other tree plantings.

In 1994, Gordon bought his father’s majority shares in the company, then his uncle’s 12 years later.

After high school, Gordon gained a trade certificate in farming, followed

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by a Diploma in Farm Management (Distinction) and a gold medal in agriculture from Lincoln University.

Gordon spent the next two years with the University of Minnesota’s agricultural student training programme. It took him, and other students, to various locations around the United States. Every three years the students hold a class reunion in different areas of the world.

“It’s a great opportunity to keep in contact with others from around the world in the agricultural sector, learn new ideas and understand different markets,” he said.

Gordon completed the Kellogg’s Rural Leadership course in 2004 and has

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also undertaken many other overseas study tours.

The McKellar farm, Woodchester, currently operates as a sheep and beef unit on 172ha, after a recent restructuring of the business with Gordon’s brother and two sisters. His siblings now own separate blocks of land.

“There are 1,000 breeding ewes and up to 100 beef heifers, and various numbers of trading lambs, throughout the year.”

Gordon was an original producer group member when ANZCO established their North Island sheep business, helping establish their payment guarantee and farm quality assurance. It included freerange pasture-fed lambs with a lifetime free of antibiotics.

“The farm has a contract with ANZCO, supplying Waitrose supermarket in the United Kingdom.”

This year, due to changes in that market, Waitrose is switching to UK lamb. Gordon said there are still many other well-paying offshore lamb and beef markets, with the current season record lamb prices for high-quality naturally raised lamb meat.

Tetraploid perennial ryegrass, along with red and white clover, is the main pastures species on the McKellar’s farm. Thirty hectares of plantain and clover is mainly used for sheep. A further 20ha is in kale and five hectares in summer brassica. All are directdrilled or seed broadcast. Gordon has found vast improvements in animal health from reducing worm parasites,

January 2020

The McKellar’s 172ha farm runs sheep and beef facial eczema, ryegrass staggers and impressive growth rates with the crops and new pasture species.

“Currently, there is irrigation for 30ha of land along the stream; it has been in place for the last 47 years.”

A new travelling irrigator system is also being installed to increase the efficient delivery of the limited water supply. Gordon said this would also have the ability to apply liquid nutrients and to trial out different products. As a former member of Marton Young Farmers and local president, Gordon enjoyed many club activities. He entered the Young Farmer of the Year competitions and was a grand finalist for two years, placing third overall each year. He

then became involved with Federated Farmers, serving as vice president for Manawatu/Rangitikei for three years, followed by president for a further three years. While serving as provincial president, Gordon had many legislative challenges to address, including the proposed One Plan.

On noticing some disconnection between Horizons’ governance and management, Gordon decided to stand as a regional councillor. He was elected in 2010. During his time as a councillor, he also observed the relationship between the regional council and the general community improve through working together in a constructive and cohesive manner. He chaired the

hearing panel developing the new pest management strategy at Horizons as well.

“It brought renewed focus controlling or eliminating listed plant weeds and animal pests that threaten our environment and economy with increased funding in this important area. The good neighbour rules in the new plan put some expectations on the likes of non-rate paying crown land to help control weeds and pests from Crown land.”

Gordon served three terms as a Horizons councillor and although wasn’t re-elected in the latest voting round, will continue to devote his time to running the family farm.

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January 2020

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

BREEDERS PRODUCE

brilliant blooms

BY DENISE GUNN

Derek and Theresa Halford’s property began as a blank canvas, but now boasts the largest number of tree peony varieties in New Zealand, along with a vast range of irises.

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he couple moved to their 33-acre Rangiotu property in 1980, using the land to rear cattle and train racehorses. Gardens were added after the house was built.

As a schoolboy, Derek worked in a rose nursery in Wanganui, and his horticultural passion never faded.

The couple started growing roses on their new property but when the bottom fell out of the market, new plants were needed to replace them. The Halfords chose peonies, buying their first plants in the early 1990s. Irises followed when looking for a companion plant to flower with the peonies.

Derek said the garden then just exploded.

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Now more than 400 different varieties of tree peonies put on a stunning display during October and November. New varieties appear each year as seedlings reach the flowering stage.

The Halfords find breeding new colours, and colour combinations with the two types of plants they grow, a rewarding process.

“We also grow Aril iris species, which we were told by many people would not be successful growing in New Zealand.

We have proved them wrong again.”

The Aril iris originates Iran, Syria, Israel, Turkey and some of the former Russian states. In the past, the couple entered iris competitions with a large measure of success.

Theresa and Derek Halford on their Rangiotu property

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“We were very successful winning Queen of the Show, along with numerous class wins. We don’t compete now as the show is only for registered irises.

Although I am one of the very few who have bred a number of irises, which are attracting very high comments from people who visit the garden, we haven’t bothered to join the iris society again.

There is no competition in New Zealand for peonies that we know of.”

Throughout February, Derek is busy grafting tree peonies with a narrow time frame to complete this complicated method. Pollination of seed is easier, but to get a seed to the flowering stage can take between 6 to 10 years. The success rate sits at around 50 per cent.

Derek said it’s a long wait and if the flower isn’t of sufficient class to keep, it gets thrown on the compost heap.

“Herbaceous plants can take up to a year longer than tree peonies. You cannot grow peonies from cuttings.”

In 2017 Derek and Theresa travelled to China, visiting several peony gardens and the Luoyang Peony Festival. In 29 of the 30 provinces in China, the peony is the national flower. In the other two provinces, it is the lotus.

“I was asked over there to make a speech to the invited guests at the festival, numbering about 2,000, on behalf of New Zealand. Among the guests were mayors of cities in China and members of the government who we were introduced to.”

Producing the world’s first orange tree peony has been a major highlight in Derek and Theresa’s plant breeding programme.

“The Chinese garden offered a large number of their peonies for 10 grafts of this peony. To our dismay, we cannot bring them into the country so the deal cannot go forward.

“MPI told us when we came back from China that they did not have a trade agreement with horticulture between the two countries.”

Derek said if they were able to bring in plants from China, the peony colour range availability would increase.

Although new peony colours are produced every year, this is usually in combinations. Until very recently there was no true blue, no black and no orange.

“The orange is the only one that is now in existence,” said Derek.

“There are black reds; Black Panther being the darkest, along with Black Pirate and Thunderbolt. The so-called blues are various forms of lavender purple and violet.”

Various forms of flowers are also available with doubles the most popular, followed by semi-doubles and bombshaped doubles.

Peonies and irises are sold to clients who visit their garden, along with cut flowers ordered for weddings and other celebrations.

In addition to the tree peony, Derek and Theresa also grow the herbaceous, and Itoh or Intersectional peonies.

The Itoh peony, introduced in 1964, is a cross between the tree and herbaceous peonies.

Although a difficult cross to produce, the plant grows close to 50 flowers in about five years.

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January 2020

More than 400 different varieties of tree peonies put on a stunning display

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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

Children deserve necessities

BY ANN VAN ENGELEN

Julie Chapman formed KidsCan NZ in 2005 after hearing children across New Zealand were going without the basic necessities of life such as food and rain jackets to get to school.

“P

eople were telling me that due to the cost of living many families were going without food and children didn’t have jackets to stay warm on wet or cold days,” says Julie.

“These children don’t want to shame the family, so they stay home, which means they miss out on education. I asked 80 low decile schools if they had children lacking the basics of life.”

That included small rural schools, and the results were so high that Julie immediately took action to help.

“In the early days, it was about making sure whatever we did was practical, like introducing food and raincoats because the lack was impacting the children’s ability to learn. They can’t

1

concentrate on an empty stomach or being cold. From Kaitaia to Invercargill, north to south, east to west, KidsCan NZ now distributes raincoats, food, health and hygiene products and much more to 740 decile one to four schools and preschools.

“Thanks to our distribution partners, we reach deep into rural communities who are also affected. It can be due to seasonal work or families have to travel long distances to shops, and if they have transport issues, it is hard to put food on the table. It is not budgeting badly. It is the reality of how difficult it is on low incomes with high living costs.

“We believe every child deserves to live with dignity, and it is unfair and unjust for them to miss out on the basics

Schools that are supported by the charity are able to use their school funding for other educational purposes

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of life. Education equals the opportunity to lift themselves out of poverty in the future and providing food, clothing and shoes enables them to participate and learn.” In 2019 KidsCan NZ provided 30,000 children a day across New Zealand with food.

“We distributed more than five million food items, added 4,000 hot meals in winter, provided 40,000 raincoats, 25,000 pairs of shoes and 50,000 pairs of socks. Our health and hygiene programme provided more than 30,000 feminine hygiene packs.

“The majority of poverty simply comes down to the high cost of living, including housing prices and a low wage economy.

It isn’t bad budgeting — many families are paying 50–60 per cent of their income to keep a roof over their head.

Parents have to decide to pay for power, car registration and petrol to get to work or buy food. It is actually no one’s fault.

They have done nothing wrong — the cost of living is just too high.

“People move to the country for affordable housing. It is often some distance to school and because of transport children are at school at 7.15am.

“They are often tired from waking up early and haven’t had time to eat, let alone get food ready if there is any. Our breakfast programme supplies baked beans and fruit, and the teachers sit the students down to eat and chat before starting their school day.

“We increased our food programme for school camps — so all children have a better chance of attending.

Rural children are supported as much as urban students with breakfast often being the start to their school day

Rural schools have smaller rolls, and we provide whatever it is they need. So they can use their funds for other educational things such as a school trip showing children the outside world. Some older children go to higher decile schools for boarding but are from a low decile area.

“Some are born for farm work and thrive on the outdoors, but others are not that personality type but don’t realise what they can aim for career-wise at first.

Prior to us partnering with a school, the food often came from the school budget.

We have stories of children sharing one

sandwich between four at lunch, a child wearing her mother’s oversized shoes for a nature walk because she had none. Her teacher taped the footwear on to the girl’s feet so she could walk in them. With us helping, schools don’t have to worry about where the food is coming from.

“They put the money back into positive experiences and helping encourage the children with options.

“We have seen and heard many positive outcomes that have happened

13

January 2020

Julie Chapman established KidsCan NZ to help provide basic necessities such as food and rain jackets for children

as a direct result of KidsCan sponsorship. Together we have changed the lives of thousands of children.

“To help counteract the needs of families in our very own country, for as little as $30 a month, you can provide food, a raincoat, shoes and socks and basic health and hygiene items for a New Zealand child living in poverty. We appreciate every penny we get to help these families.

“To join us on our mission, go to kidscan.org.nz.”

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January 2020

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

Dog law shows system works

OPINION

We were once proud farmers

by Mark Cameron

The rural sector in New Zealand is in crisis. Our way of life on the land is now being emotionally and fiscally evaporated and expunged, eroding away in the face of a pontificating political machine that is bloated on grandstanding.

by Ian McKelvie MP for Rangitikei

People, either rural or urban, would be amazed to know how often dog issues come up in politics.

That’s why I was very pleased to have my member’s bill, officially named The Dog Control (Category 1 Offences ) Amendment bill pass its final reading in parliament and so, pass into law.

As Manawatu District Mayor for nine years and as MP for Rangitikei since 2011, I saw, at close range, the concerns of dog owners and council animal control officers over frustratingly long waiting times to get these cases resolved. Not good for the owners, and certainly not great for the animal.

This amendment means that the lower level or Category 1 offences will now be heard by community magistrates or Justices of the Peace rather than clogging up the district court system.

The nett result will be about 400 animal cases taken away from district courts across the country, so the

resolution time will be much less.

The law covers both penalties against owners who lose control of their dogs or who do not look after them. More serious offences would still be dealt with by the courts.

More than just a practical change to improve the court processing times and to improve the welfare of the dogs themselves, the couple of years that this member’s bill has been at parliament does show the democratic process at its best.

A pragmatic approach comes out of heartland New Zealand, it goes through the Select Committee process and fortuitously gets drawn out of the ballot.

As a member’s bill I was able to garner support across the chamber and the rest, as they say, is history.

A local problem is addressed at a national level.

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In the rural sector, I see palpable despair at a frequency that I believe this country has never seen before.

It has become abundantly clear that there is a real feeling of loss, frustration, fear, sadness and looming capitulation.

Farmers that routinely had high esteem now, all too often, walk around with their heads below their belt buckles, disillusioned, their pride once held true and dear slipping away — all too often to emotional oblivion.

Front and centre in all of this is the dire nature of the government and bureaucratic machinations of industry leaders and their overreaching interference into rural lives.

The levels that we see out of this current government and its proposals feel emotionally cataclysmic.

There are ideological pipe dreams to mitigate global warming with no practical or pragmatic solutions to offer, other than to add monumental compliance costs and create a palpable fear of ‘what’s coming next’.

Farming is being left at impossible fiscal and emotional levels. The bureaucratic machine keeps turning, and farmers’ lives are irreversibly changed to a point they leave the land or at worst case, take their own lives.

Moreover, what of the banks?

They increasingly have turned their backs and retrenched their faith in an industry they once lauded as front and centre to the nation’s economic health. That once inspirational attitude is now a metaphorical malignancy.

Where are our industry leaders in all of this? They seem to have deserted their posts and their very shareholders in lieu of cosying up to politicians to get their next caffeine fix at yet another expensive meeting.

The more I shy away from this truth, the more I’m brought back to earth by the court of public opinion — rural families.

We must have a front and centre dialogue with those on high about the truth of where rural New Zealand sits in the overall New Zealand scheme of things, to find a way forward in this mire of confusion and despair.

To look and seek out what once was and hold it again dear to our hearts. Rediscover our appetite to succeed; our drive and ambition, our self-belief, and a resurgence of rural pride.

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Mark Cameron is an industry activist leader who farms in Kaipara District.

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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

Tax hit unfair

6

Federated Farmers is seeking ministerial support for a change to tax legislation, so farmers whose breeding stock are culled as part of the Mycoplasma bovis eradication effort are not disadvantaged by the tax regime.

“Currently, farmers whose dairy or beef breeding cows are valued on their books under the National Standard Cost scheme and whose cattle are culled as part of the Mycoplasma bovis response will most likely end up with a hefty tax bill.

“That is not a fair outcome for affected farmers, and we believe it’s an unintended consequence of the tax legislation,” says Federated Farmers economics spokesperson Andrew Hoggard.

“Farmers owning cows culled under a Notice of Direction from MPI will be liable for tax on the difference between the total proceeds received (slaughter returns plus top-up compensation) and their book value. For farmers on the Herd Scheme, there should be no significant tax issues.

“Farmers valuing their cows on the National Standard Cost Scheme the difference between total returns each animal and their book value can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars. They cannot offset this taxable income by writing the value of the replacement cows back down to the value of the cows they replaced in their books.

“One solution would be to allow farmers to write them down to the

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same values as the animals they replaced. Thereby, restoring the livestock values to where they would have been, had the forced cull not occurred.

“What we are requesting is not about reducing a farmer’s taxable income as any farmers who do not replace their animals will not get tax relief and those who do replace them would claw back what they paid during the next few years.

“It’s about preventing an unexpected tax windfall for the government.

“The provisions Federated Farmers is seeking work on similar principles to the tax relief provided for owners of buildings destroyed in the Christchurch and Hurunui K a i ko u r a e a r t h q u a ke s .

Federated Farmers has asked that the Minister of Revenue also consider whether these changes should apply to any events where animals are culled as part of a future biosecurity event as well as Mycoplasma bovis, so in the unlikely event of a future event this solution has been provided for.”

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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

End of the road for Commodore

by Andy Bryenton

We grew up together, went to school together, ended up being flatmates for a while in those university days; no surprise, as we both came into this world in 1978. That’s where the similarities between this writer and the Holden Commodore end, however.

Nevertheless, I’m only one of the millions who are sad to see it disappear.

Holden’s flagship sedan hit the roads as the oil crisis gave way to the decade of excess. However, it was lighter and therefore more economical than its rivals, or its HQ predecessor.

New blue series engines came in with the upgrade to the VC Commodore in 1980, with the SS badge returning the year after, and the third-generation VH seeing the debut of Peter Brock’s HDT group one, two and three highperformance packages. Through to the VK and VL generations, motor racing

5

legends were built and consolidated.

Many a V8 Commodore was adorned with the stickers and paint jobs of racing icons from the tarmac of Bathurst.

Commodores took many of us to school and many more on holiday. Big Commodore wagons were the family hauliers of the day, before the advent of the SUV and the people mover. The shape of the distinctive VR and VS car’s noses, especially in white, can still cause a pang of worry in drivers of a certain age, who have developed

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pattern recognition in their brains that identifies them as traffic cops. It all came to an end with the launch of the ZB Commodore just a couple of years ago, with construction moving away from Australia.

Now comes the news that the Commodore badge is history, with Holden confirming that both their big sedan and the Astra will be discontinued in 2020.

That will leave Holden in a position akin to Nissan, with nothing on offer but SUVs and utes, barring hardcore sports cars. For Holden, this will mean

the powerful new mid-engined Corvette.

Arch-rivals Ford, who axed the Falcon badge two years ago, has moved into a different position.

With a strong showing for their Fiesta compact, Focus hatch and Focus RS hot hatch, Mustang front-engined sports car and Mondeo sedan and wagon combo.

Is the sedan really dead and gone, considering the continuing popularity of powerful European four doors? Only time will tell.

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Global cars of the year

January 2020

17

by Andy Bryenton

There’s been a worldwide trend towards the sensible and forward-thinking in the annual ‘car of the year’ sweepstakes. In a year notable for the nativity of some big horsepower and sporty new generations of classics past, the winners have universally been of a different stripe.

Take the winner of our own Kiwi Car of the Year, as chosen in December 2019. In a field, which included some major players, including the much-feted Toyota Supra, the winner was Ford’s all-new Focus hatchback — a car well within the grasp of the average motorist.

When this latest model of the Focus was launched, Ford was enthusiastic about its combination of economy, performance and safety, and Ford’s spokespeople followed through when it was shortlisted, saying: “This all-new generation has the best combination of the well-renowned Focus character, performance all with the latest technology throughout. Being a Top Ten COTY Finalist is further recognition that our Ford engineers and designers in Europe aced it!”

In North America, it was a similar story. Ford had reason to anticipate a win there too, with their Mustang continuing to dominate and a Shelby 500 sports model crushing the competition. Chevrolet’s new corvette, the first to mount its engine amidships like a supercar, has also been called ‘sublime’. The winner was the allelectric Hyundai Kona, a small SUV that runs on batteries and originates from South Korea. Finally, the last bastion of horsepower and bombast should surely

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have been Europe, where the annual Top Gear top ten is awaited with trepidation by the makers of supercars. Their choice, in a list that included offerings

by Bugatti and Lamborghini to name but a couple, was another all-electric car.

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There’s certainly more surprises in store for 2020, as the advent of a new decade is sure to make carmakers look ahead with some truly out of the box concepts for this year’s motor shows.

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Sustainability tops resolution list

January 2020

19

Tackling climate change, caring for waterways and reducing the use of plastic packaging, the New Zealand dairy industry, and food producers are grappling with significant challenges around sustainability.

“These challenges will continue in 2020 and through the next decade, and decades, to come,” says Fonterra’s Global Director of Sustainability, Carolyn Mortland.

“Globally, food production systems are facing a transformational challenge.

New Zealand dairy farmers feed around 40 million people globally. As the world grows, food producers will need to find new ways to feed 10 billion people by 2050.

“We need to meet these demands while protecting and restoring the environment. It is being driven by consumers becoming increasingly discerning when it comes to the products they buy and the food they eat.”

Recent market research found that 75 per cent of millennials, those 20–35 years old, are altering their buying habits with the environment in mind.

Thirty-four per cent of baby boomers are willing to change what they buy if it means purchasing more sustainable products.

“These present unique challenges for New Zealand food producers and Fonterra is no different. There is no easy or quick fix, so as a co-operative, we are deeply invested in New Zealand’s success and take a long-term view. We are a business built from farms passed down from one generation to the next, and that means ensuring the land and natural bounty of our country are preserved for generations to come.

“Agriculture depends upon a stable global climate and is particularly impacted by environmental effects. Our farmers are close to the land and will feel climate change hard.

“That is why we have put sustainability at the heart of our co-op’s new strategy. It means doing what is right and expected of us for the long-term.

It means producing dairy nutrition in

a way that cares for people, animals and the land, and brings value to our communities. That is not only the right thing to do but has become increasingly important as more consumers choose environmentally-friendly products.

“As a country, New Zealand has got a head start. We are already one of the best and most sustainable places in the world to produce milk.

“Our farmers can make a litre of milk for 60 per cent fewer emissions than the global average.

“We are known for producing some of the best food in the world, and balancing this production with our green, clean reputation.

“We have got innovative people working to reduce our environmental impacts, from cutting water use through to researching world-leading science to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. No one can do this alone.

“Tackling complex issues like climate change, improving biodiversity and freshwater, and addressing plastic waste will take a collective effort by government, local and regional councils, the business community, scientists, iwi, community groups and consumers. By working together and focussing on ambitious common goals, the power of collaboration can find solutions.

“With New Zealand’s natural environment and some of the world’s most efficient farmers, we are wellpositioned to lead change.

“We must find ways to achieve food and agriculture sustainability for New Zealand and our export markets.

Fonterra doesn’t pretend to have all the answers.

“We have got a long way to go on our own sustainability journey but believe we can make positive change. We have committed to doing our bit.”

Carolyn Mortland, Fonterra’s Global Director of Sustainability

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