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NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
August 2019
A utopia began beetopia by Ann van Engelen Grass Esposti fell in love with bees the moment she opened a beehive for the first time some seven years ago and has not looked back.
“I
had a utopia moment when I saw these hard-working insects in their hive and was surprised how serene and calm they were,” says Grass. Grass and her husband Anthony opened Beetopia NZ Ltd in July 2018 with daughter Michelle and the support of Francis and James of F&J Honey NZ. “When we relocated from Italy to New Zealand, we received the wonderful opportunity of managing lifestyle properties and decided to learn about pollination and bees to improve our orchards’ health and productivity. We have since started an Airbnb and were recently chosen as the first Honey Tasting and Bee Experience in New
Zealand. We also support Wainui and Ahuroa Primary Schools providing hives and training on-site, so children gain beekeeping experience and then spread awareness to other students. Children are far more understanding and in tune with nature than we give them credit for. Thus through education and raising awareness about pollinators, in general, our children become advocates for their environment. We feel inspired children are the future of Aotearoa. “Our Airbnb experience is unique and includes learning about bees and tasting 30 different varieties of honey from the Far North, deep South, Great Barrier and Niue. You get to taste what clover tastes like throughout New
Learning about honey bees is a part of the unique adventure Grass offers as part of her Beetopia Airbnb experience
CROSSINGS CREATE EASY ACCESS AND EFFICIENCY ON DAIRY FARM. Around New Zealand more than 99% of all regular stock crossing points on dairy farms have bridges or culverts. That equates to more than 40,000 stock crossings nationwide. Young dairy farmer Hamish Robinson has carried out a range of projects over the last year to upgrade existing crossings or implement new drainage solutions on the Wyndham farm that he co-owns with his family. “For me it’s about making sure there is easy access to the paddocks for our stock and for all the farm machinery and equipment.” “With one of the pipes I put in there was already a bridge in WHAT: WHERE: PROJECT: WHEN:
EUROFLO® large bore culvert pipe Dairy farm, Wyndham Installation of stock crossings 2018
0800 99 77 33 www.pandfglobal.com sales@pandfglobal.com
“Plastic pipe was definitely the way to go for us. Its relative lightweight makes for much easier transportation and installation around the farm and that makes our work faster and simpler.”
Quality, dependable drainage systems are essential on the farm. EUROFLO® is a tough, multi-arched HDPE pipe, made in Europe and fit for purpose in New Zealand. In sizes from 160mm to 2150mm, we have the culvert pipe for you. EUROFLO® – Ask for it by name. BENEFITS • Easy to handle
place, but it’s about looking for opportunities to improve the farm.”
• Maintenance and rust free
“We’re making it easier to move stock around the farm, keeping our paddocks drier and protecting our waterways at the same time.”
• Resists chemically aggressive soil conditions
Hamish says a lot of work has gone into recent projects which have included tidying up water courses, resolving overflows and improving drainage on the farm.
• Highway culverts
• Ribbed exterior for strength • Smooth bore for faster flow
USES • Farm culverts • Forestry culverts • Mine culverts • Cut in ½ lengthways for stock troughs and fluming
Online Culvert Pipe Calculator www.pandfglobal.com