Manawatu Farming Lifestyles, September 2014

Manawatu

FARMING Lifestyles

September 2014 Edition

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

Young shepherd off to world challenge

Call in the specialists

P6

Drovers’ lives retold in unique book P9

Free range farming – from paddock to plate Page 4–5

P19

See our advertisement and editorial

2

September 2014

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

The Manawatu Farming Lifestyles is published with pride by NorthSouth Multi Media Ltd, a privately owned New Zealand company.

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Five nominations for DairyNZ director position Five North Island farmers are seeking a new farmerelected director position on DairyNZ’s board following the resignation of current board member and Taranaki farmer, Barbara Kuriger.

Mrs Kuriger is standing down from the board to dedicate herself to her new role as the National Party candidate for the Taranaki-King Countr y electorate in September’s general election.

DairyNZ board chairman John Luxton said Mrs Kuriger has served on dairy industry boards for 11 years and has made a significant contribution through her links with the Dairy Women’s Network.

“She was the first person to win the Dairy Woman of the Year title in 2012 and was a founding member of DairyNZ’s board when it formed in 2007.

“She has been a passionate advocate for driving improvements in our industry’s training systems,” said Mr Luxton.

“She has also worked hard to increase understanding between urban and Barbara Kuriger is standing down from DairyNZ’s board rural communities.

“I’d like to sincerely thank Barbara for the DairyNZ AGM in Timaru on October all that she has done for the industry 16. Returning officer Warwick Lampp and we wish her the very best in her of electionnz is encouraging farmers to new challenge.” have their say.

The five farmers seeking a four-year “You can vote via the internet, post or term as a DairyNZ director are: Donna by fax — or in person at the AGM. Smit (Whakatane, Bay of Plenty); Murray “It would be great to see a strong Jamieson (Okaihau, Northland); Greg voter turnout this time.”

Maughan (Marton, Manawatu); Jim van Mr Lampp said anyone with queries der Poel (Ohaupo, Waikato) and Dirk or who hasn’t received their voter pack Sieling (Whitianga, Waikato). by the end of September can contact All farmers paying a levy on milk solids elections@electionz.com or phone 0508 to DairyNZ are eligible to vote in the 666 337. election. Voter packs will be posted out Mrs Kuriger will officially step down in September and results announced at from the board at the AGM.

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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES September 2014

Manawatu weedbusters recognised Weed combating efforts of Kimbolton School pupils and Rangiwahia landowner Richard Martin, were recognised recently by Horizons Regional Council in the biennial Weedbuster Awards.

where he’s been working to control Darwin’s Barberry for over 30 years. “His commitment, views and local knowledge have been invaluable to Horizons’ pest control efforts in the area.

“Weed control truly is a community effort and when we have people like Mr Martin and the Kimbolton School students on board, we can achieve so much more than we could in isolation.”

Manawatu-Rangitikei councillor Gordon McKellar presented the awards during a meeting of Horizons’ Environment Committee in Palmerston North on September 10.

Kimbolton School pupils and Rangiwahia landowner Richard Martin received Weedbuster Awards recently

The national Weedbuster programme aims to educate and raise awareness of the need to protect New Zealand’s environment from weed problems.

Awards are presented to volunteers as part of the programme.

This year Kimbolton School won the regional Education Award, and Mr Martin took out the Private Land category.

Horizons environmental management officer pest plants and regional Weedbusters co-ordinator Neil Gallagher said both Kimbolton School and Mr Martin are deserving of the Weedbuster Awards for their tireless commitment to weed containment and control.

“Kimbolton School students have been really active in the Kimbolton Reserve on Forest Road and are now setting up a monitoring system to check the impact of their weed control efforts.

“This has been aided by Horizons officers who have provided support with facilitation, plant identification and other technical advice.”

Teacher Heidi Morton said the school’s students have taken responsibility for the forest and use it for many outdoor educational experiences and adventures.

Kimbolton School has been weeding in the Kimbolton Bush Reserve for over 10 years.

Teacher Heidi Morton said the school’s students have taken responsibility for the forest and use it for many educational experiences and adventures.

Mr Gallagher said Mr Martin is an asset to the Rangiwahia community

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September 2014

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

FREE RANGE FARMING

FROM PADDOCK

TO PLATE

BY DENISE GUNN

THE ADOPTION OF A RESCUED DOG NAMED WOODY CHANGED DANIEL TODD’S ENTIRE LIFESTYLE AND CAREER DIRECTION.

O

riginally from the United Kingdom, Daniel worked as a buying director of a multi-national consumer electronics company. In 2006, a move to Sydney saw Daniel take on the role of managing director for the Australian division of the same company.

Last year Daniel and his wife Claire moved to New Zealand, and in November bought an 80-acre farm between Otaki and Levin. Although the pair had no previous agricultural experience, Daniel held an aspiration for pig farming.

The following month, the arrival of ten rare breed Devon Large Black piglets

set the foundation for the couple’s free range pig farm.

“When we started the farm, I could think of no better name to signify our new direction than to name it after our faithful friend,” said Daniel. “Woody’s Free Range Farm was born.”

The farm’s primary stock are free range pigs.

“All our pigs are rare heritage breeds and marketed as such,” said Daniel.

“We believe it is very important for our customers to know about our livestock breeds and farming practices.”

The property, located at the base of the Tararua Ranges, is made up from a diverse array of land types with flat paddocks, rolling hills and steep riverbanks. The Waikawa Stream runs

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through part of the farm. Daniel said although the rainfall is not significant, the farm sometimes experiences mild flooding from the Waikawa Stream. “The rising stream is our greatest problem on the farm as it stops us from reaching the breeding herd on the other side of the stream.

“To combat this, we have a flood management plan in place with strategies on feeding and alternative access.”

Plenty of hard yards have been put in since buying the farm. The old and damaged boundary fence line has been replaced with thousands of metres of electric fence lines to contain the pigs.

A new water system has been installed, animal housing constructed, and farm tracks improved.

“We still have a great deal of other improvements to carry out, including building accommodation for guests, a free-range meat chicken paddock, goat fencing, and potentially events facilities.”The farm is run as a paddockto-plate operation, and Daniel manages

ALL OUR PIGS ARE RARE HERITAGE BREEDS AND MARKETED AS SUCH all aspects of the business from fielding customer’s calls to feeding the pigs. And with just one helper on the farm, Daniel considers his biggest challenge has been the steep learning curve and lack of time to get everything done.

“I work alone and this is sometimes extremely stressful. Luckily, I have a very supportive wife who helps me to calm down after a bad day, and move onto the next day with a positive attitude.”

Daniel’s daily routine starts with checking emails and responding to customers and suppliers. Livestock and inventory records are verified to ensure all are in order, and measurements taken of the produce fridges and

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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES September 2014

DANIEL TODD ON HIS FARM NEAR OTAKI

We’re a

bought in from various suppliers. Daniel also has plans to set aside around 10 acres to grow crops. The pigs are taken to Landmeats in Wanganui for processing and then delivered to a butcher in Otaki where the cuts, cure and ingredients are discussed.

“We prepare all cuts of pork from trotters to rib, and from butterfly steaks to rolled belly.

“We also produce Manuka-smoked middle and streaky bacon, and specialise in Manuka- smoked, leg-cut gammon steaks.”

Woody’s Free Range Farm also produces a range of gluten-free sausages containing over 90 percent of rare breed heritage pork. Every other week Daniel attends the Feilding, and Thorndon farmers’ markets. Plans are

big part of your business

THE FARM’S MEAT PRODUCTS ARE SOLD AT TWO FARMERS’ MARKETS also in place to sell products online, and Woody’s Free Range Farm products will soon be available in restaurants and cafes too.

He’s found interacting with his customers and their respect for ethical farming is the most rewarding aspect of running his business.

“Farming is a physical job with sometimes little financial reward, but my customers make it all worthwhile because they support the whole ethical vision.

I think without the vision I would never have started farming.” Although the couple’s key focus will always be pigs, there are also plans to incorporate other animals into their free range farm operation.

“In addition to the traditional farming, we are also looking to have courses

on the farm, from pig management, to cookery, and corporate days out.”

The farm is also open to visits from charities, schools and not for-profit organisations for an interactive experience.

“We are hoping to help people to realise that pigs are intelligent animals and we should respect them like we do other animals,” said Daniel.

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freezers. Farm work then begins with feeding out, filling water troughs, and checking the electric fences are all in working order.

“The middle of the day tends to be either collecting feed, completing a plethora of jobs such as building stock houses and fencing new paddocks, and preparing the farm for new potential.

“Finally my day ends with feeding out again and ensuring all the animals are healthy.”

Daniel’s previous role as a managing director has given him a deep understanding into running a business, creating a brand, and marketing products.

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September 2014

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

Young shepherd OFF TO

WORLD CHALLENGE For most of Katey Craig’s life, she was convinced that working as a veterinarian would be her ideal career choice ...

H

owever a change of plans has seen Katey take up training as a shepherd at Otiwhiti Station.

And after much encouragement from her employer, Charlie Duncan, she recently took part in the preliminary round of the World Young Shepherds Challenge, earning herself a trip to France to represent New Zealand in the final.

Katey grew up on her family’s sheep and beef farm in the backblocks of

Taranaki. Her family own and lease a few blocks around Taranaki, running an overall total of close to 14,400 stock units.

Through her secondary education at Stratford High School, Katey geared her subject choices towards pre-requisites for veterinary studies. Work experience at the Eltham Vet Clinic during her school holidays also gave her experience in this field.

“It wasn’t until Year 13 that I started second-guessing this choice,” said Katey. “I couldn’t bear the thought of completing five years of high school only to sit in a classroom for another five years.”

A large student debt was another disincentive.

“I love working with animals and being outdoors so shepherding was the next best thing for me, and I’m really happy I changed my mind,” said Katey. “I do not regret not going to uni at all, plus I’m still studying towards my Diploma in Agriculture now, currently working through level four.”

Katey was working as a wool handler in Western Australia when she found out she had an interview, and had been shortlisted as a cadet at Otiwhiti Station. She took up a cadetship at the station in 2013, and this year is continuing her studies whilst also employed as a junior shepherd on Otiwhiti. As a recent recipient of the JD Bashford and Royce Nicholls Agricultural scholarships, Katey has used these to fund her training. Prior to going to Otiwhiti, Katey had no experience around horses and was considered a rookie rider in her first year. Now, after clocking up many miles in the

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saddle, she has become more confident. “I’m not very graceful and have no style whatsoever but I manage to stay on most of the time,” she said.

“I don’t have my own horse but I always ride a young mare called Sassy, one of the station hacks.”

“In my opinion Sassy’s easily the best horse at Otiwhiti because she gets you places quickly and is very powerful on the hills, even though she sometimes gives you a bit of attitude.” Katey currently has a team of six working dogs of her own, along with another that she is looking after for a friend. She has found South Island dog trainer/trialist Lloyd Smith’s training days at Otiwhiti invaluable.

“Myself and other cadets all got one-on-one advice which is really helpful to make sure you’re on the right track with your dogs and discuss/solve any issues.”

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The combination of being out on a horse with her dogs, on a ridgetop watching the sun rising, is one of the special moments Katey treasures in her work as a shepherd.

“Completing a muster of a paddock I’ve never done by myself before is cool too,” she said.

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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES September 2014

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In-lamb mixed-age ewes on Otiwhiti Station

In the lead-up to the World Young Shepherds Challenge held in Christchurch, Katey took on extra study and was able to put her skills and experience to good use.

She said meeting young like-minded people from all over the country was a big highlight of the event.

“We all got along really well and no one was openly over competitive.

“For example, we would discuss our answers with each other after each section. There was a light, fun mood throughout the day.”

Katey was looking forward to the shearing module and felt confident until she found out contestants were shearing crossbred hoggets with Merino in them, and using a cover comb which she had never used before.

“This threw me off as it was very unfamiliar and knocked my confidence right back,” said Katey. “My hands were shaking with nerves as I dragged the first one out, but I just slowed myself down to make sure I didn’t cut and did a quality job. I think I did pretty well in the end, just had to sacrifice speed a bit.”

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She attributes her skills and success to her family, friends, employers, and tutors for their day-to-day teachings and help in preparations for the competition.

When the World Young Shepherds Challenge finals kick off in France in September, Katey will be competing against other young shepherds from England, Australia, Argentina, France, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and Uruguay.

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September 2014

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

ADVERTORIAL

Old strategies to lift farm profits

by John K Morris, CEO of Agrissentials

With tighter payouts farmers will need to look for opportunities to save money and keep the farm moving forward.

A big percentage of farming operates on natural capital such as topsoil, rain, sunshine, carbon dioxide, oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen. These gaseous elements make up 97.5 percent of the pasture’s mineral requirement, so a shift to accessing all the farm’s nitrogen directly out of the atmosphere for free, would be a good move to reduce one of the major spends on farms, today.

Agrissentials’ customers have been doing this for years. This atmospheric nitrogen has always been there for plants.

Once you install this natural system on your farm, clover will become abundant and you can’t beat clover for production of milk and meat. Ruminant animals thrive on it and it doesn’t damage our environment. So you save money, your production increases, your animals are more content and healthier, soil and animal fertility increases, so you won’t be concerned about next year’s ban on inductions and the Regional Council will love you. What a fantastic deal!

Another cost saver is not to grow maize. Grain is for birds. Ruminant animals are grass converters. The top price for beef in the USA is all grass

fed beef and the top money for milk in Europe is all grass fed milk. Ruminants are good at it. Agrissentials’ system encourages you to increase the mineral content and microbial mass in your soil.

This is paramount for production. The less you interfere with your soil, the better the soil operates. You will get far more nutrition from your grass on our system than growing grains, which is a cost that doesn’t make sense when you’re farming ruminants.

Another money saver is not to regrass. The trials on ten irrigated dairy farms in Canterbury and North Otago were carried out to determine the value of regrassing on long-term production and persistence of new pastures. After three years, the average production over all farms, surprisingly, showed the ‘new’, ‘control’ and ‘good’ paddocks all reproduced the same amount of grass.

(Trial work was led by Lincoln based Anna Taylor and funded by Dairy NZ).

From Agrissentials’ point of view, the grasses that grow well and have adapted to their particular environment are the ones to go for, as we believe that the most important part of the plant is its

Team Agrissentials gearing farmers up for spring

mineral make-up. When you are working with a multi-mineral fertiliser which is full of micro-organisms which naturally build a symbiotic relationship with the plants, the uptake of minerals all happens at the cellular level, the ultimate level for mineral uptake.

As a college student back in the late 50’s I helped my next door neighbour who was a relief worker on a dairy farm.

Back then the only questionable product in the shed was maybe the lubricating oil for the cream separator.

Today, through our advancement of science, there is a plethora of toxic products locked up in cages in dairy sheds.

Agrissentials has been one of the early leaders in a move away from the chemical age.

Everything recycles and we are part of that recycling movement back to working with nature rather than against her.

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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES September 2014

RURAL WHEELS

Call in the specialists

by Andy Bryenton

Innovations in tractor technology for crop and livestock farmers have seen machines destined for a life on the open paddocks evolve over the years.

The air conditioned, GPS guided and incredibly powerful machines which now ply the pasture in rural areas worldwide bear only a passing resemblance to the primitive tractors of yesteryear.

What about those specialised agricultural industries in which a barnsized 400HP monster is not the right tool for the job? New Holland have been hard at work designing some new tech for just such an application, revealing their new T4 range of FNV tractors earlier this

year. The acronym is the key, because that FNV designation means that these T4s are designed for orchards, vineyards and narrow spaces where a big openfield tractor can’t go.

Orchardists and winemakers need tractors, too,and their sector of the primary industry is a growing one — all the more reason that New Holland’s management are excited about the possibilities for the T4 in New Zealand.

But it’s the high power output from a

diminutive machine which really defines the T4 range — allowing for more versatile operations among the trees and vines.

All three specialist variants — narrow, orchard and vineyard spec — boast a 4.5 litre turbocharged and intercooled Nef engine that is fully compliant with pure biodiesel. Maximum power of 106hp is achieved at 2,300 rpm, and a 31% torque rise means the T4060 is able to tackle the most demanding tasks, such as power harrowing, in the most challenging of environments.

Special attention has also been paid to safety for tasks such as pruning and mowing on the steep gradients which often accompany viticulture and orchard operations.

New Holland claim that they have been leading the game when it comes to specialist tractors for over six decades, and the knowledge gained from this pursuit has all funnelled down into the T4 range, making these new, versatile tractors just the ticket for those ‘hard to reach places’ where sheer bulk and horsepower must give way to a little more finesse.

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around road works

UXV 500 – UXV 700i

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excl. gst

9

excl. gst

WE HAVE AN ON FARM SERVICE VEHICLE & TECHNICIAN THAT CAN CALL OUT TO YOU FOR REPAIRS AND SERVICING. NO NEED TO LOAD UP THE TRAILER AND DRIVE TO TOWN. WE ARE HAPPY TO SERVICE ALL MAKES AND MODELS OF ATV AND 2 WHEEL BIKES.

Gary Worsley Motorcycles Still serving the district after 43 years 38 Weld Street, Feilding (06) 323-6256 • www.garyworsleymc.co.nz • Call Scott 0274 431 612 or Blair Worsley 0274 779 737

10

September 2014

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

IT’S A $500 TWO-WHEEL $500

STEAL!

But you won’t have long to grab those so get in quick.

TF125

CASH BACK

DR200SE

MUDBUG

TROJAN

$3,039

$4,778

EXCLUDING GST WITH $500 CASHBACK APPLIED

EXCLUDING GST WITH $500 CASHBACK APPLIED Available in black or white

FARMBIKE

FARMBIKE

Offer valid until 30 September 2014 or while stocks last. Not provided in conjunction with any other promotional activity. Price shown excludes GST, Cash back amount is inclusive of GST. Cash back paid by dealer at the time of sale.

0%

As if ruggedness, reliability and the backing of Suzuki’s extensive dealer network wasn’t enough – now you can throw a $500 cash back onto the list of why you should buy a brand new Suzuki Mudbug or Trojan this August or September. Plus – we’ve got a special shipment of Trojans in BLACK.

INTEREST 1/3 + 1/3 + 1/3 DEPOSIT

IN 12 MONTHS

IN 24 MONTHS

Early starts, late rides home, day in and day out. The KingQuad LTF300 gets the job done and more. Whether you’re bringing the cows in to milk, or just chasing a herd down from the back of beyond, this rugged quad tackles it all. KingQuad 300 has been around since the early nineties and with solid refinements has stood the test of time on New Zealand farms.

Abundant low-mid range torque and the unique versatility of a 3-speed sub-transmission with high, low and super-low ranges means there’s a gear for every situation. The three drive modes – 2WD, 4WD and front diff-locked 4WD – are all easily accessed via control levers just forward of the seat.

$8690 ex GST

Power away on a new Suzuki KingQuad for 1/3 deposit and you’ll pay no interest at all on the balance! Then simply pay a 1/3 in 12 months time, and the final 1/3 another 12 months later.

KINGQUAD LTF300

THAT’S A FULL 24 MONTHS TO PAY! You could even use your old bike as a trade in. Offer available 1 August – 30 September 2014 or while stocks last.

WE HAVE AN ON FARM SERVICE VEHICLE & TECHNICIAN THAT CAN CALL OUT TO YOU FOR REPAIRS AND SERVICING. NO NEED TO LOAD UP THE TRAILOR AND DRIVE TO TOWN. WE ARE HAPPY TO SERVICE ALL MAKES AND MODELS OF ATV AND 2 WHEEL BIKES.

Talk to Gary Worsley Motorcycles today!

LT-F/A400FL4 KINGQUAD 400 MAN/AUTO

LT-A500XL4 KINGQUAD 500 AUTO

RRP $12,695 – DEPOSIT $4,365

RRP $13,995 – DEPOSIT $4,798

LT-A500XPL4 KINGQUAD 500 AUTO POWER STEER

LT-A750XPL4 KINGQUAD 750 AUTO POWER STEER

RRP $15,995 – DEPOSIT $5,464

RRP $16,995 – DEPOSIT $5,798

Our Price on Service – With 44 years of continuous family ownership Gary Worsley Motorcycles have worked hard to provide the very best possible service to the Feilding and districts farming community, through good times and bad we have always tried to make sure that you the customers are looked after to the best of our ability. *Suzuki finance available. Normal lending criteria apply.

Gary Worsley Motorcycles Still serving the district after 43 years 38 Weld Street, Feilding (06) 323-6256 • www.garyworsleymc.co.nz • Call Scott 0274 431 612 or Blair Worsley 0274 779 737

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES September 2014

RURAL WHEELS

11

Suzuki’s king reigns on

by Andy Bryenton

18 MONTHS NO PAYMENTS AND NO INTEREST! ON PURCHASES OVER $499

One of the easiest mistakes to make when designing a new ATV quad is to scrap components and features which made people like the original model in the first place.

Q Q Card Card terms terms and and conditions conditions apply. apply.

Chainsaws Starting from $339 #Refers to model 236

Trimmers Starting from $299

#Refers to model 122C

Lawn Tractors Starting from $3599

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Ask us about our 5 Year Domestic* Warranty!

Buy genuine Husqvarna engine oil with your Husqvarna product purchase and receive a 5 Year Domestic* Warranty.

*Offer available until 31st December 2014. See in-store for full terms and conditions.

City Honda 487 Rangitikei Street, Palmerston North Ph: 06 357 7027

Sophistication may seem like a fine thing in a brochure, but in the rough and tumble world of farming there’s something to be said for the tried and true approach.

Take the no-nonsense old Land Rover Defender for example. The ‘new money’ in rural England might get about in Porsche Cayenne turbos, but when the Lord of the Manor wants to shoot game, he gets out the knobbly-tyred old series 2. Many a fancy machine has been dragged out of the mud here, too, by something more rough around the edges.

All of this analogy is leading up to a compliment for the hard-working little 300cc King Quad. You see, it hasn’t been overhauled in a few years now, and the Suzuki R and D boys have a reason for that. Or two. One is the fact that the ruggedly competent 2004 model has been a steady seller with farmers, who tend to vote with their wallets on what is durable and gets the job done. The second is that, in terms of a sweet balance between fuel economy, lightness and agility the King

Quad 300 hits the nail on the head for Kiwi farming conditions.

The willing little 280cc mill with it’s single Mikuni carb is not in the domain of rocket science, but it has proven awfully hard to kill. Likewise, the transmission’s addition of a super-low range for bags of pulling power has become a farm favourite. A big hearty reserve of midlow-range torque in general is just what cattle farmers need to navigate muddy fields, and this is what the little Suzuki delivers, making chores like shifting the herd that little bit easier.

The King Quad made it’s debut in the early 1990s, and very little has been changed in terms of the basic platform.

Indeed, a radical redesign is actively resisted by Suzuki, who have learned the big lesson of the VW Beetle. The original was built from the 1940s up until very recently. It was the national taxicab of Mexico and Brazil, survived in the Amazon and the Sahara — but the new Beetle already looks a bit last century. Suzuki hope that the King Quad — like the DR200 Trojan 2-wheeler — remains evergreen in Kiwi pastures.

www.husqvarna.com

DAIRY FARMER SPECIAL

2.49% FOR 36 MONTHS

OWN A JOHN DEERE 6105M TRACTOR AND H310 LOADER FOR

$105,000 + GST

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0800 333 734

* CONDITIONS: Price is GST exclusive. Finance available through John Deere Financial Ltd to approved applicants only. Fees and charges payable. Interest rate current as at 15 July 2014 with a 30% deposit. If not amended or withdrawn earlier, the promotion expires 30 September 2014. Image is sample only.

QUAD BIKE SAFETY STATIONARY FUEL TANKS

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Custom Built Ute Boxes, Dog Cages and Canopies Designed to suit your requirements 53 Bridge Street, Bulls | Ph 06 322 1575 | www.roadrunnerltd.co.nz

12

September 2014 MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

RURAL WHEELS

Good things in small packages

by Andy Bryenton

Around the world inner city congestion charges, fuel prices and parking issues have seen a huge upswing in popularity for the small car — the kind of vehicle which traditionally sacrifices power for practicality. willing and able to an extent even it’s more weightily endowed predecessor won’t match. Dynamics are the key here — feedback through the steering wheel and pedals, a neat turn-in through the corners, and a spurt of extra power which comes from who-knows-where to carry you past any lumbering left-lane obstacles. You’re left looking at that little engine block — nearly smaller than the battery — and wondering at the wizardry of Ford’s engineers. Because not only is the little Fiesta peppier than many cars with far more iron under the hood, it hasn’t been pared back ‘superleggera’ style to achieve that neat precision of

Which is exactly why Ford’s vision of the road ahead — the fiery little Fiesta Ecoboost S — is such a welcome one.

Because rather than build their latest small car down to emissions targets, safety levels and fuel consumption figures, they have put together a small car which is light, nimble and fun to drive. While incidentally ticking all of those previous boxes. Take a drive in the Ecoboost and you’ll swear that it runs primarily on witchcraft. A look at the ultra-frugal 999cc mill with its little turbocharger under the hood simply does not prepare the driver for the pick-up and go of the new Fiesta, which seems

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Courtesy Ford’s

Spicy - the new Fiesta Ecosport, seen here in top Titanium trim specification, packs a punch

handling. Inside you’ll still find a well appointed cabin with Ford’s distinctive new control layout, centred around a colour screen. The chunky, tactile ‘cogs’ which are the dials for entertainment and climate control are intuitive enough to step in and command without even looking at a manual.

So, here we have a supermini well worthy of the name — practical, comfortable, a pleasure to drive, with the will to attack every apex and more power than its diminutive cc rating would suggest. A contender which punches above it’s weight in a very literal sense, delivering a more balanced performance than rivals such as the Barina and

STUNNING

SPRING

Polo, for a very reasonable price. And this is all before we even touch on the little Ford’s knockout punch (to tax the boxing metaphor).

At less than 4 litres per 100 kilometres, the new Fiesta seems all but teetotal. And it really is more of a ‘little brother’ to the slightly mad, totally engaging Fiesta ST than it is a workaday commuter tool.

The only way to appreciate what Ford have achieved here is to take it for a drive. You won’t have had more fun with less than 1,000cc since the last time you saddled up a mid-range GSXR or Ninja. And the best part is, this time you don’t have to wear a leather speed suit.

DEALS

OFFERS MUST END 30th SEPTEMBER

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TERRITORY TITANIUM RWD

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RANGER XLT 4WD Double CAB Manual $ 49, 990 RSP

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P. 0800 367 333 | sales@courtesyford.co.nz | www.courtesyford.co.nz

Palmerston North 180 John F Kennedy Drive Phone: 06 356 8089

Levin

336 Oxford Street Phone: 06 368 8379

Feilding

97 Manchester Street Phone: 06 323 8202

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES September 2014

PASTURE management Soil Matters with Peter Burton

Is science missing the point?

Our experience of late is that if data is not from a science fraternity initiated project, collected by trained technicians, and evaluated by scientists with the same belief systems then the information is invalid.

Our focus has been on measuring pasture growth rates and Nitrate N under grazed pasture on intensive dairy properties applying total nutrient programmes where fertiliser N for the last 10 years has been almost entirely replaced by increased beneficial fungi and bacteria activity.

The measures show that the two monitored properties grow around 30% more total pasture than conventional properties relying on regular applications of fertiliser nitrogen.

The measures from the property monitored for Nitrate N indicate that losses are around 30% (70% less) of those from a neighbouring property regularly applying urea.

The concentrations from the biological property are close to the acceptable Ministry for the Environment standard.

An independent performance analysis of these properties stated: “Based on the 2011–12 season it appears the Biological farm had an advantage over the Conventional farm in all areas analysed. The Biological farm had a lower stocking rate and grew more pasture per hectare therefore had a reduced reliance on grazing off and applying nitrogen … It also had a significantly smaller environmental footprint in terms of nitrogen leached from the farm and nitrate concentration in groundwater.

Nitrogen conversion efficiency was also elevated’.

Both properties produced in excess of 1300kg milksolids per hectare. The Biological property grew 19,300kg DM/ha based on Overseer, while the Conventional property grew 14,800kg DM/ha based on the same model.

We’ve been told that the Overseer figures for pasture grown are not accurate, however, with regular upgrades we’re confident they will be become increasingly precise.

Overseer was never developed as a regulatory tool, but with standards rapidly becoming tighter a useful model is required. A single analysis of one season isn’t proof but its only one part of the jigsaw. It’s easy to dismiss the validity of any single piece of data that has been shared however when viewed collectively the independent report makes sense.

The science approach to date has been to ask for the analysis of the inputs so judgement may be passed on the likely outcome. The resultant finding has been that any improvement can be attributed to better management.

The refusal of the scientists we’ve approached recently to become involved in any part of the monitoring process is based on analysis of the inputs.

Because current models don’t explain the performance it is deemed there is nothing worth investigating.

13

Science is about measuring, and in order to measure firstly there has to be observation. With the refusal to be involved in that part of the exercise the decision to dismiss is sound, but what if there is something of value.

Our work over the last thirty years has been based on observation first and foremost and reworking our understanding to incorporate fresh information before measuring to see if the effect is real.

The demand that New Zealand lessens its reliance on fertiliser nitrogen is gaining momentum.

Local body authorities would like this issue sorted and because so much groundwork has already been done cooperation with the science fraternity could quite quickly ascertain whether a biological approach to this problem has genuine merit.

For more information contact Peter on 0800 843 809.

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FIELD ROLLER

ALSO AVAILABLE IN 4-5-12-16 TONNE

DIRECT $14,900

DIRECT $19,900

DIRECT $26,000

DIRECT $11,000

Comes with tail gate, auto tail gate release, spreading chains, single 4 stage ram, swivel tongue, deck size 3.6 x 2.4 shiplap decking with 400 high sides.

This is a contractors unit, very heavy duty, on 11.5x80x15.3 wheel assemblies.

Retail $18,625

Comes with tail gate, auto tail gate release, spreading chains, swivel tongue, 1 x 5 stage ram, 500 high sides, on 400 x 60 x 15.5 wheels, deck size 4.2 x 2.4, 2 piece sides and tool box. Extras available: Steel deck, brakes, hay extension, safety chains.

Retail $26,250

Comes with tail gate with lifting eyes, auto tail gate release, swivel tongue, front ladder, tool box, decksize 4.4m x 2.4m, on 500x50x17 tyres, 1 x 5 stage ram, 600mm high 2-piece sides. Extras available: Trailer extension, steel deck, brakes, tail lights, safety chains, hydraulic tail gate release. Retail $32,500

Water filled, pivoting draw bar for ease of transporting, swivel tongue, 3m drum x 12mm plate, 1400 diameter, 1.6 tonne empty, 6.3 tonne full, centre partition for even weight distribution. Other sizes made to order.

Retail $13,750

BALE FEEDER

3 POINT LINKAGE WOODSPLITER

5 TONNE FLAT DECK

HYDRAULIC TOP LINK RAM & HOSE KIT

Burkhart top near new,

Cat 2 both ends, 1–1/4” shaft,

Giltrap bottom, low deck height DIRECT $7,500 Burkhart Bale Feeder. Comes ready for work, no bearings, 400cc motor will turn even the ugliest bales round or square. Good for the next 20 years.

Extras available: Roll bar for square bales.

Retail $9,375

(non tipper) DIRECT $3,750 3pt linkage. These splitters won’t stop for anything.

Large table to work from, auto return lever on bank.

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14

September 2014 MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

If you want extra weight on your livestock, you’ll need to protect the clover in your pasture with Pulsar®.

Pulsar is the selective, post-emergent herbicide that controls a wide range of broadleaf weeds and phenoxy-resistant thistles but, unlike some other herbicides, Pulsar is really soft on clover. It’s also easy to use, with no pre-grazing required.

With the combined power of two active ingredients, MCPB and bentazone, Pulsar is now the only herbicide you’ll need on new pasture this season.

That’s very cost effective!

Pulsar is available from selected rural supply distributors.

For further information, contact your local rural supplies rep or BASF pasture man, Wade Paterson, Territory Manager 03 202 7829, 0275 347 498 email: wade.paterson@basf.com

www.agro.basf.co.nz

Pulsar® is a registered trademark of BASF. Pulsar is registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997 P4961.

Always consult the product label before use.

BSF7735 07/13

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES September 2014

PASTURE management

Win the battle for greener pastures With spring well and truly here, farmers are turning their attention to raising a bountiful crop of grass to fuel milk production.

It’s all about maximising that all important DM or dry mass (pasture minus water) — the crucial tonnage of feed which keeps the herd healthy and productive.

But green pastures have many enemies, and this time of year it’s time to take the offensive to these pests, guaranteeing good pasture growth.

Pests take two major forms — insects and weeds. Weeds can be insidious — many were in fact introduced species, and still flourish in country gardens, spreading their seeds via wind and birds to ruin paddocks.

Knowing how weeds such as gorse, thistle and ragwort spread is key to eliminating these plant pests from your pastures. As well as being windblown or carried by water, the seeds of noxious plants can also sometimes be found amongst benign grass seed — check the certification of any seed you’re planting to make sure it’s weed free. Another vector pertinent this time of year is the very machinery used to destroy weeds. The tractors, harrows and rollers visiting your land may be carrying weed seeds in like the old ‘trojan horse’.

To stop weeds, take care of the land from the ground up. Cultivate with deep tines and harrows to aerate the soil, then seed a certified weed-free, hardy form of grass appropriate to the moisture content and drainage of your pasture.

Pugged paddocks won’t grow the best crop, so the roller may come into play as well, before nitrogen is spread for maximum soil fertility. Regular grazing throughout the season and the year helps too — your herd can do their part by nipping some of those shoots literally

15

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in the bud, and by preventing overgrowth.

Insect pests, such as weevils (these attack clover, and as such are high on the hit-list), grass grubs, army worms and the like are also best managed by taking care of the pasture from a ‘grass roots’ level. Chemicals can be effectively used to quash infestations, but even better is the more natural approach as practised since the middle ages. Consider planting a ‘break crop’, especially in summer. Valuable dry mass for feed can be gained from, for example, a turnip crop in summer, breaking the pest’s life cycle by depriving it of its favourite food — and as a bonus, alternative cropping and rotation of the paddock has been proven to help reduce pugging damage and fix soil nutrients.

RONGOTEA ph (06) 324 8426 • Pumps for all purposes • Irrigation Systems • Bore Pumps • • Water Purification • Farm Dairy Equipment • New Milkplant & Upgrades • Rotary Milking Platforms • FEEDTECH in Shed Feed Systems & Silos • • REPOROA Herd Gate Service Agent • Farm Effluent Systems • • Accredited water meter installer • Leaders in Pump Technology

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16

September 2014

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

LIVESTOCK

Be my Guest

Bill Guest Farmers of New Zealand Membership Services: 09 439 5219 • 09 430 3758 www.farmersofnewzealand.com Email: newzealandfarmers@xtra.co.nz

A farming view of policies The Green Party election plank that all farmers must fence off rivers, lakes, waterways and wetlands from stock with a buffer zone for vegetation by mid-2017, and the way their policy is worded, would seem to suggest farmers are the biggest polluters in the country.

In actual fact, the overwhelming majority of farmers are hugely conscious of the health of waterways and the land.

It is good to see Fonterra’s defence that their dairy farmer members now have 95% total stock exclusion from waterways, with more than 23,000 kilometres of fencing and planting complete.

The Labour Party and the Greens believe all New Zealand rivers should be clean enough to swim in, not just clean enough to dip your toe in.

Well, Northland’s tidal Northern Wairoa River could be very challenging for them if they try and change its reputation of being “the upside down

2

1

river” due to its muddy silt nature. Still on water issues, their proposed policy of charging irrigation users for the water they use is a matter for some debate. In the majority of cases, freshwater flows from its catchments into the open sea and the general public benefits from the fact that irrigation users contribute to New Zealand’s economic sustainability by way of paying taxes and compliance fees, which would surely decline if the viability of irrigating productive farm land was made uneconomic. Dairying in the South Island has made a huge contribution to the New Zealand dairy industry and from farmers reinvesting in their communities. We should all remember the story of the goose that laid the golden egg and what happened to the goose after someone had the bright idea of killing the goose with the idea of grabbing more golden eggs.

The Labour Party’s Capital Gains Tax and the fumbling of David Cunliffe in explaining this policy has not helped Labour’s cause.

New Zealand already has income tax legislation which has detailed and complex provisions bringing many gains into the tax net. This was introduced progressively to counter the situation whereby land developers and builders became, in effect, untaxed occupations.

In broad terms, we tax gains on the sale of land acquired with an intention of resale, gains made by land dealers, developers and builders and gains arising from the rezoning, subdivision or development of land.

There are exceptions for private residences, business premises and

farmland. In short profit or gains from the sale of property where the taxpayer is a dealer in such property is already taxable.

As a farmer, after listening to some politicians in this election, I get the clear impression that these politicians believe that tax revenue should be increased and the net be spread more widely into New Zealand’s farming industry which is the backbone of the economy.

Farmers live with great uncertainty. On one hand we are encouraged to produce more. We are told that China has the capacity to take all of our dairy produce and that our incomes will continue on the up and up. We are well aware that our fortunes can change dramatically as they are currently doing, with Fonterra’s huge reduction in payout performance this current season and the Westland Dairy Company revealing its payout forecast well below Fonterra’s forecast.

History has provided some very valuable lessons. Some of us can remember the then Dairy Board chairman Jim Graham telling dairy farmers that they would receive a record payout, only to have he and his Board later encouraging dairy farmers to take up a subsidy to reduce cow numbers because of a dairy surplus world-wide.

We New Zealanders sometimes bemoan our lot, but when we look at the rest of the world currently in the turmoil of revolutions, wars and anarchy, we have got a lot to be thankful for.

That includes electoral choice and it behoves the rural voter to look closely at policies which affect their livelihoods, as well as the nation’s bank balance.

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Meet Your Local Wool Representative at PGG Wrightson Wool

Want to find the best way to market your wool?

Expertise is only a phone call away PGG Wrightson Wool Ltd handles in excess of 350,000 bales annually through its wool store network strategically positioned around New Zealand and its export company Bloch and Behrens.

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MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES September 2014

17

MONO™ PUMPS WE GREW UP IN NEW ZEALAND TOO! We’re proud to be the company New Zealand has trusted to pump, screen and grind its wastewater for over 35 years.

We are equally proud to be the first and only progressing cavity pump manufacturer selling its pumps throughout New Zealand and providing the most professional and reliable nationwide service.

Its for these reasons farmers are using the Mono™ HSE Dairy Effluent pumping range to give them considerable cost and energy savings when compared to centrifugal pump systems, while irrigating further.

Made for New Zealand conditions

For information on your nearest Mono™ dealer, contact: 0800 659 012 or visit www.monopumps.com.au/effluent

Detonate Concentrate

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18

September 2014

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

WATER STORAGE PROBLEMS?

DAIRY

In the shed with Megan Fowlie We have the solutions for you

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Pay attention to young stock Honing the genetics of dairy cows only goes so far in raising a healthy productive milking herd. The impact of the external environment can temper the best genetic make-up.

Hence regardless of exemplary breeding efforts, events encountered early in life (including pre-birth) can have short and long-term consequences which will influence an individual animal’s predisposition to disease, its resilience combating disease, growth patterns, fertility and milk production.

Scientists studying early development in animals, humans and agriculture refer to this as ‘epigenetics’ and it presents the opportunity to change what we might have considered to be hardwired.

For example, factors such as nutrition (how much an animal eats, what its mother eats when in-calf, what it eats in the early growth stages to a yearling) and mating weights can affect how

effective and efficient that animal will be at converting feed to milk throughout its entire lifetime. It can affect ability to get in-calf, length of gestation, and the health of its offspring.

This translates to treating your girls well and paying particular attention to them when they’re young, when they are mated and when they’re in-calf.

Therefore farmers who are able to exercise control over the nutrition of their cattle and track target weights for mating have the potential to reap long-term rewards. These rewards will include better milk production and disease resistance and may even carry over positive effects which flow on to the next generation of milkers.

Read the paper online farminglifestyles.co.nz

MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES September 2014

RURAL WOMEN

Drovers’ lives retold in unique book

by Denise Gunn

19

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Meeting and interviewing old-time drovers gave author Ruth Entwistle Low a direct link to the stories that went hand-in-hand with droving cattle around New Zealand.

In her book, ‘On the Hoof: The untold story of drovers in New Zealand’, Ruth has gathered and retold a unique aspect of this country’s history.

With a Masters in History and part of her thesis involving oral histories, Ruth began interviewing drovers in 2003 while she was living in Feilding.

“This opened my eyes and ears to a whole other world — to those who had worked moving stock ‘on the hoof’,” said Ruth.

“It simply captured my imagination — the life on the road, the hard-case characters, the down-to-earth humour.”

Through further research around New Zealand’s agricultural history, Ruth realised the drover had been overlooked.

“Considering the significance of their role, particularly before trucking, it seemed to me that their part in the grand scheme of things needed to be recognised.”

Following a move to Timaru, Ruth and her family travelled to carry out further interviews with drovers in different regions of New Zealand “I’m still in contact with a few of them now,” she said. “I even have one old guy, Ray Stevens from the Waikato, who calls in each year for a coffee after he’s been down for the Glen Lyons Station

companionship and communication drovers had with the tools of their trade — their horses and dogs. “I hope that everyone enjoys reading the book,” said Ruth.“But I especially hope that all those who moved stock ‘on the hoof’ that read this will sense that they are included in this story, and take pride in the part they played in our agricultural history.”

‘On the Hoof: The untold story of drovers in New Zealand’ is published

by Penguin Group (NZ) — $45.00

Ruth Entwistle Low with her book ‘On the Hoof: The untold story of drovers in New Zealand’

muster — he’s 83.” Ruth said she always wanted the book to be something that old timers would want to read and could relate to.

Through original research, colourful storytelling and the voices of the drovers themselves, Ruth describes the story of their life on the road — where and how they travelled, the problems they faced, and the ups and downs of the lifestyle. The book also conveys the

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September 2014 MANAWATU FARMING LIFESTYLES

Discrim nation Discrim nation NZ: A bicultural nation?

There was a time when New Zealand was predominantly made of just two cultures – Maori and European. We were bicultural and we took faltering first steps to make it work.

But bicultural is not who we are any more.

Who we are is a nation of peoples from all over the globe. Maori. Europe. Asia. Africa. The Pacific Islands. Australia. The Americas.

We all call New Zealand home – the place where we raise our families, where we watch our kids play sport, where we work and vote and try our best to do right by each other.

New Zealand is our country. We are a multicultural nation of equals.

Stuck in the past?

How do we honour New Zealand’s historical past without being continually defined by it?

How do we shape a better future?

There are no easy answers. But fundamentally, we must live by the principle of equality that underpins all human rights and underlies the Treaty of Waitangi: “he iwi tahi tatou – we are now one people.”

The Maori seats

New Zealand’s Parliament contains a number of seats reserved especially for people of Maori descent. These seats guaranteed Maori a direct voice in Parliament.

The Maori seats were first introduced in 1867 and for good reasons. Despite the Treaty promising full equality in terms of the rights, privileges and duties of citizenship, the land ownership requirements of the day denied many men – both Maori and European – the right to vote.

To address this, protected Maori seats were created as a temporary measure to give parliamentary representation to Maori men until they were able to vote on the common roll.

Although full voting rights for men were

granted in 1879 and for women in 1893 – giving all New Zealanders of age equal rights to vote – the reserved Maori seats were retained.

Parliament, a law change is needed to abolish the Maori seats and establish a common electoral roll.

This continues even though Maori representation in Parliament now disproportionately exceeds their relative national population.

The process must involve every voter – not just those who enjoy the present constitutional privilege.

Unintended discrimination

Only if enough New Zealanders help persuade politicians that doing so is in the best interests of the country, and that our future must be ‘One people. One nation. Together.’

As a result, the seats that once preserved equality are now a form of discrimination based on race. By reserving this privilege for Maori alone, it suggests that one race is worthy of more consideration than all the others.

As New Zealanders, do we truly believe this is right?

The Royal Commission

To ensure that our Parliamentary system provides fair and effective representation for all New Zealanders, the 1986 Royal Commission on the Electoral System made a series of recommendations.

In their report “Towards a Better Democracy” the Commission recommended our First Past the Post voting system be replaced with MixedMember Proportional representation, or MMP. They also proposed that the Maori seats and the Maori electoral roll be abolished on the basis that separatism is not the answer to Maori advancement. Equality is.

Their recommendation was ignored.

One people

The time has come to reshape things to reflect the many races-one people-all equal nature of our nation. If we want that change, one common electoral roll for all is an essential starting point.

Where to from here?

To move forward, we must convince our politicians that during the next term of

Will the new government do it?

What you can do today!

R Contact MPs and candidates and ask

if they will support the change to a common roll. Ask them for their party’s commitment to abolishing the Maori seats, with all New Zealanders involved in the process.

R Share this call to action with your

friends and ask them for their support for our campaign for change.

R Visit the website to find out more: www.Campaign4Change.org.nz

R Send a donation so we can publish this

message throughout the country. You can donate online at Campaign4Change.org.nz – or clip and post the coupon.

&

Yes, I would like to support this advert being published in newspapers around the country with a donation:

r $50 r $100 r $500 r $1000 r Other.........................

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Please post to C4C, PO Box 984, Whangarei