Northern Farming Lifestyles, February 2012

Northern

Farming Lifestyles

February 2012 Edition

Phone: 09 439 6933 | Freephone: 0800 466 793 | Fax: 09 439 6930 | www.farminglifestyles.co.nz

Page 6–7

Page 18–19

Easy care sheep

Quick maturing Devons

Here for the long haul.

Northland Field Days 1–3 Mar 2012 Lifestyle Pavilion 3, Site 912 All the flavours of liquorice you love.

Special deal on again: Raspberry Nougat Free Large pottles $10 ea.

Sample Eftpos available

See page 5.

Featuring the 2012 Northland Field Days Site listings and map on Pages 25 — 28

tractors and machinery ACRES OF NEW & USED EQUIPMENT ON DISPLAY – CALL IN TO VIEW

Vicon CM2400 6 disc mower.

Krone AMT5000CV, 5m folding trailed mower conditioner.

Vicon 632T mower conditioner.

UFO Hydraulic lift mowers.

Hay rakes, good selection.

Tortella E6 3.5m powernarrow with packer roller.

Celli K305 120" rotaryhoe.

Walco 12.75, PTO, 3 pt fert spreader.

Mulchers All used stock reduced to clear.

Berti Eco-Forestry, 1.8m heavy duty scrub mulcher.

Nobili BNU230 Y flail mulcher.

Tortella TP15-250, 2.5m Y flail mulcher.

John Deere 550 round baler.

New Holland 376 conventional hay baler.

Hustler CH8000, trailed multiple bale/ silage feeder.

Duncan Sidewinder, round bale feeder.

Feeder Leader feedlot bale feeder.

Bucktons SD83, tandem axle, side feed silage wagon.

Giltrap MSX100, tandem axle, side feed silage wagon.

Webco CF800 T/A, side feed silage wagon Trioliet 15m³ mixer wagon, side elevator, load scales.

Sam 10m³ tandem axle, side feed silage wagon.

Duncan 734 triple disc seed drill, 19 row, twin box end tow kit.

Aitchison 1414 grass farmer seed drill with discs.

Aitchison 8122 Professional seed drill, disc opener, twin box, hydraulic transport wheels.

Connorshae 18 row trailing seed drill.

DAL-BO AXR-E300 trailed, tandem 26" discs, transport wheels, roller.

Kinghitter hydraulic post driver.

Cub 8T T/A trailer, steel deck, hyd trip.

Tortella RPT6-320 3.0m spike rotor hoe with Aitchison seedbox and packer roller.

Buckton 6t trailed fert spreader.

Sam 4T tandem axle fert spreader.

Case CX80 Cab, 4WD, loader, 3500h.

Case CX70 ROPS, 4WD, pearson loader.

Case MX90C, 4WD, pearsons H/D Loader, 5300h.

Claas 696RZ cab, 145hp, hyd shuttle and 4 speed power shift.

International 674, 2WD, loader, 70hp.

Iseki 6500, 4wd, rops, loader, 65hp.

John Deere 2130, Loader, 2WD, 75hp, tidy.

John Deere 6300 cab, 4wd, loader, 90hp.

John Deere 8400, 250hp, 7920h, near new tyres, dual wheels.

MF5465 DYNA4 4wd cab, stoll loader.

500h, be quick.

www.northlandmachinery.co.nz

✓ we trade ✓ we deliver ✓ we demo

Northland Machinery Dargaville 0800 699 688 • Wellsford 0800 555 005

McCormick MTX140, speed sequencer trans, 4700h, loader.

Massey Ferguson MF3075 CAB, 4WD, pearson loader.

New Holland TM190, super steer, 4700h, tidy.

CAT 304.5 Digger, Cab, 4.5T, Blade, Swing Boom.

Kobelco SK70 digger, blade, cab, hyd tilt hitch, thumb.

Kobelco SK100-3 Digger, 5330h, 2 buckets, tidy.

Sumitomo SH100-2, ROPS frame, thumb, piped, quick hitch, rock bucket. yanmar Vi050 ST digger, cab, blade, piped.

Takeuchi TB53 digger, cab, tilt bucket, blade, aux piped.

Komatsu D20PG bulldozer, 6 way blade, |tidy.

Sakai SW700 and SW25 road rollers.

VALTRA TRACTORS Call in and view the latest Versu model

KRONe HAy eqUIpMeNT Indent Order Discounts Available Limited Offer

Dargaville 104 Jervois Street, Phone 09 439 3333 Jonathan Cashmore A/h 09 438 8555, Arne Stewart 09 431 8296 WellsforD 20 Port Albert Road, State Highway 16, Phone 09 423 7736 Grant Walton A/h 09 423 8356, Ken Marchant A/h 09 423 8950

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February 2012

Northern Farming Lifestyles

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

Phone: 09 439 6933 or 0800 466 793 • Fax: 09 439 6930 Email: info@thelifestyler.co.nz • Postal Address: PO Box 474, Dargaville Physical Address: Lifestyler House, 107 River Road, Dargaville General Manager: Deb Wright (dw@thelifestyler.co.nz) Editorial: Annette Lambly-Robinson Paul Campbell

Graphic Design: Greer Mackay Gavin Bainbridge David Stevens Emily Stevens Janet Balcombe

Advertising: Betty Willets

Production: Jenny Crundwell

Northern Farming Lifestyles Distribution area

The people that bring you the Northland Agricultural Field Days Behind the scenes at the 2012 Northland Fields Days, a hardworking and dedicated committee has been working all year towards the success of the event

Managing Editor: Allan Mortensen (am@thelifestyler.co.nz) Accounts: Lesley Robinson (accounts@thelifestyler.co.nz) Front Cover: Children’s tractor race Northland Agricultural Field Days action Website: www.farminglifestyles.co.nz

We specialise in

Wooden Portal Farm and Lifestyle Buildings Add value to property with our quality buildings We can build to your requirements Shell barns and liveable lifestyle buildings Timber portals – easy for lining 45 years building experience

Dave Phillips Dave has been a committee member for 24 years and is on the Employment subcommittee.

He also spent 17 years as president.

Colin Finlayson Vice President and one of the original founding members, Colin has been a member for 28 years and organises the sound systems, lighting and electricity.

Ned Stevens A member for 16 years, Ned is the field days registered electrician, responsible for the overall supply.

Staff Members: Deborah Parkinson – Assistant Administrator.

Gwenda Reid – Sales and Marketing Co-ordinator.

Ph: 09 438 8391

14 Gumdigger Place, Whangarei info@roddouglasconstruction.co.nz

www.roddouglasconstruction.co.nz

Septic Tank Owners

How you can save money by keeping your septic system effective and healthy Septic tanks and multi-stage septic systems are delicately balanced environments. It does not take much to upset them.

Common practice is to ignore the septic system until problems occur.

Good and best economical practice is to always keep your septic system well maintained.

A malfunctioning septic system can become a health hazard.

When a system is not maintained or operated as a delicately balanced environment, problems occur.

These problems include nasty odours, leach line blockages, untreated liquid rising to the surface, toilets gurgling and taking time to empty.

At this stage your septic system is a serious health hazard to you and your children. Human waste produces faecal coliform bacteria, a source of viral and bacterial gastroenteritis as well as Hepatitis A and other diseases. Hepatitis can be a debilitating condition and cause long-term harm to children.

There are only three remedies.

One: stop using the septic system until it recovers.

This can take over a month and is not normally practical. Two: excavate your septic system and relocate it. This is very costly and time consuming, sometimes requiring new resource consents and different systems. Three: treat your septic system with Septi-Cure™ every six months.

Septi-Cure is Cost effective.

By far the most cost effective solution is to pour one litre of Septi-Cure™ down each toilet bowl every six months. This simple action will help keep your system working at top efficiency by reducing solids and scum. Instead of emptying your tank frequently, the reduction in solids and scum saves you expensive pump out costs. Your irrigation field and leach lines will become clear of slimes and

Lew Duggan It’s Lew’s second year as president.

He has been on the committee for nine years, is chair of the Employment subcommittee, and is on the Marketing and Finance subcommittee.

b blockages so nature can handle the gradual seepage and evaporation for you. When this is happening your system will be operating effectively and not endangering you or your family’s health.

What is Septi-Cure™ Septi-Cure™ is a concentrated mixture of selected naturally occurring microorganisms. These harmless tiny organisms live and multiply by feeding on waste material. When introduced to your septic tank system, they go to work straight away digesting waste material, reducing solids and scum, allowing your septic system to start operating to its maximum efficiency. As they progress through to your irrigation field they feed on the slimes that prevent seepage and evaporation. When seepage and evaporation return to normal, you have reduced the risk of contaminating groundwater and the environment as well as reducing the chances of infection for you and your family. Eventually, they get washed out of the system and have to be replaced to continue their work. This is why you introduce Septi-Cure™ to your septic system every six months for maximum efficiency.

A satisfied customer in Hamilton has been using Septi-Cure™ for three years.

He says this allows them to have an odour-free septic tank with low maintenance costs. He also says that his service person is amazed at how well Septi-Cure™ works, keeping their tank in very good condition.

Problematic septic tanks – treat with Septi-Cure™.

Prevent septic system problems – treat with Septi-Cure™.

For Septi-Cure™- Call: 0800-109-202 Website: www.ecoworld.co.nz Also Available in Farmlands

Patron: George Montgomery has been actively involved with the Northland Field Days for many years. He was a committee member for several years also.

In 2003 he was elected as patron in recognition of his long term involvement over the years.

Sales, Repairs, and Installations on all kinds of pumps Water Filtration, UV Systems, Membrane Filtration, Water Testing, Pool Accessories, Water Tank Accessories and Disinfection, Hansen Fittings, MagnaPool Retrofitting, Swimming Pool Repairs and Valet Services 28b Silverdale St, Silverdale 0932 enquiries@pumpland.co.nz Freephone 0800 244 377 Fax 09 426 1204 Open Monday – Saturday

Authorised Grundfos Agents

Authorised Davey Water Treatment Centre

Official Poolrite Plus Store

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Private Sale

41 FRANTOIO RIDGE ROAD MANGONUl, NORTHLAND

Great place to retire and enjoy the farming lifestyle | Stunning views | Land in two titles Total 20.75 ha | Approx. 950 J-5 olive trees Bordered by Oruaiti River

Council Valuation $1,090,000 MAKE US AN OFFER

For More Information and Photos:

e-mail nturney99@gmail.com, or phone Nancy at 09 406 2268

Northern Farming Lifestyles February 2012

Syd Pull A member for 14 years, Syd is on the Catering Exhibitor, and Grounds subcommittees.

Jason Kena Jason is on the Grounds and Compliance sub-committees and has been a member for 12 years.

Mark Nichols A member for six years, Mark is chair of the Grounds subcommittee, and on the Marketing sub-committee.

Brian Jackson A member for six years, Brian is on the Catering Exhibitor, New events and Grounds subcommittees.

John Withey John is on the Grounds subcommittee and has been a member for five years.

Julie Geange A member for four years, Julie is on the Marketing, Compliance and Food subcommittees.

Craig Rowland (not pictured) A second year member, Craig is on the Tractor Pull, Grounds and Compliance subcommittees.

Chrissie Robinson A member for two years, Chrissie is on the Finance sub-committee.

Sue Kernot A member for two years and treasurer, Sue is also on the Marketing, Employment and Finance subcommittees.

John Phillips A second year member after many as an associate, John is chair of the Tractor Pull subcommittee.

Ernie Dawes A member for three years, Ernie is on the Grounds sub-committee.

Anne Pull A member for three years after many as an associate, Anne is the Minutes Secretary and is on the New events subcommittee.

Committee Associates: Basil Cole, Glen Stevenson, Mark Phillips, Michael Groome, Robbie Yates, Ross Newlove, Tina Stewart, Luke Beehre, Mike Kissick.

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oolrite e

For all your Agricultural needs. * Spraying * Bulk & Bag Fertiliser * Heli-fishing & Charter Give us a call for competitive prices!

Ph: 09 431 8590

Providing Rural Dreams Since 1938 New Homes AvAilAble Now for immediAte delivery Keith Hay delivers a range of homes for the New Zealand way of life and with over 20,000 satisfied customers and a five year personal guarantee, Keith Hay is still New Zealand’s trusted home builder.

0800 KEITH HAY 534 844

www.keithhayhomes.co.nz

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February 2012

Northern Farming Lifestyles

Everything on the doorstep

by Annette Lambly-Robinson

Vegetation Management • Free quote on all aspects of Vegetation Management • Anywhere in the Country

Includes...

Tree felling / chipping Forest to pasture conversion Shelter Belt Removal / Tree Pruning Transplanting

Driveways Mulch Sales / delivery Woodlot purchase / logging Consultancy Stump grinding

For a Free quote please contact: Chris Sheffield – Tel: 0276 108 540 Or our Head Office on 0800 TREEWORK (873396) Take a look at what we do at www.treescape.co.nz

It’s been more than six years since Julia Geljon and Chris McIvor purchased the 21 acres on Mountain Rd, Kaiwaka now known as ‘Muddy River Organics’ — a fully certified organic farm on the Kaiwaka River The couple had moved south from Kerikeri out of a desire to have a larger goat herd and to be closer to Auckland for family reasons.

Julia says the driving principle is to be “reasonably self sufficient and to farm sustainably using permaculture techniques, organic principles and biodynamic preparations.�

Yardlab Electric Wheelbarrow Yard labour doesn’t have to be hard labour

They grow, raise or catch a lot of their food — mullet and kawahai from the river used fresh or smoked.

The farm is peaceful and quiet surrounded with large stands of beautiful native bush protected from grazing animals.

$1235.10 GST incl.

FOR ALL YOUR

• Tare Weight 36kg • Load Capacity 150kg • 48 volt, 500 watt hub motor with plug in charger. • Thumb throttle with variable speed. • Regenerative braking (charges while going downhill) and handbrake. • Freewheels as a normal wheelbarrow with power when you need it. • Unit comes with six month conditional warranty on all parts.

For more information on this amazing new product or to place an order, please contact Steve Baldry

Email: sales@yardlab.co.nz

CONCRETING WORK Phone

Mike O’Halloran Concreting

021 88 22 86

Non-toxic, Eco friendly.

WATER ���� TANK ����� VACUUM ����� CLEAN ������ No ���� need �� to ����� empty ����� tanks �• �� Waste ���� only �������� 500-1000 ���� ltrs �������� (200-450 �������� gallons) �• �����

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from Henderson to Far North

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Phone

Phone ��� 437 ���� 3936 �� or ������ Mobile ��� 021 ��� 932 ��� 225 �����

www.walsholes.co.nz Email: walsholes@xtra.co.nz

OFFAL HOLES

Wal’s Holes

Base price

0 $200.0 nts for

Discou bulk lots & Gold Card Holders. ble Payment options availa As at September 2010

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AVAILABLE FROM

09 437 3936 or 021 932 225

www.walsholes.co.nz Ph: 437 3936 or 021 932 225 www.walsholes.co.nz

While it’s an idyllic lifestyle, it’s hard work and they admit to at times wondering why they do it. Really the doubts are only fleeting moments, the kind one has at the end of a long or difficult day because both see the benefits far outweighing any little molehills that force their way to the surface.

Between the two there is considerable experience with plants, farming and organics. Julia confesses to be ‘a nurse in a former life,’ but she has owned and operated a herb and lavender nursery and a garden centre while Chris, a teacher, tutors horticulture and sustainable rural development at tertiary level. She currently tutors part-time for NorthTec. The goats are a passion of Julia’s. She currently has 21 Saanen or Saanen-Sable crosses — these are a New Zealand developed dairy goat.

Currently she share milks (the kids are run with the mother until weaned) seven goats by hand — the milk is used for the house and to make cheese — any excess milk being frozen to ensure supply throughout the year when the goats are ‘dry’.

DAM WEED GUARD A WINNING INVENTION TO KEEP YOU WATER THE BEST IT CAN BE FOR YOUR STOCK “Screen filter now fitted with stainless steel mesh�

Winning invention - 1997 Northland Field Days + Ribbon

• Floats in your water supply (Dam/Creek) • Protects filter from weeds & floating debris • Prevents blockages & algae build up with a chlorine tablet dispenser

Screen Filter

Floating DAM WEED GUARD

Come and see us at Site 281 WAL’S DIGGERS, HOLES & BOBCATS Serving Northland for 26 Years Diggers • Track & Wheel Bobcats with Tilting Buckets • Hiab Truck - 4 wheel drive

• Tip Trucks T • Landscape

Rake • Holes to 1 metre re diameter - up to 13

metres r deep • Tree & Scrub Mulching • Vibrating V Roller &

Plate Compactors

• All Grades  Metal, � �

Scoria & Topsoil T • Pot Hole & Corrugation Removal

• Concrete Concr & Rock Breaker r • Offal �f� Holes • Trenching Tr  • Excavation ­€ • Retaining Walls

Ph/Fax 4373936 Mob 021 932 225

www.walsholes.co.nz

Driveway DRIVEWAY anD AND race RACE StabliSation STABLISATION We will rotary hoe cement into the surface wet down and roll with vibrating roller.

Please phone for a quote

09 �� 437 ��� 3936 ���� •� 021 ��� 932 ��� 225 ��� and see it on our website

www.walsholes.co.nz

The surplus whey is splashed over crops such as garlic, courgettes and citrus trees to prevent fungal problems and to give them extra fertiliser.

Young goats are sold on or in the case of wethers are slaughtered (by the mobile butcher) for the house.

The cheese making is a hobby, used as a main staple in the house, “with any failures providing food for the chickens.”

“You’d be surprised just how much cheese you can use when its available” Some of the cute babies to be seen at Muddy River Organics laughs Julia.

She makes, feta, camembert, ricotta, haloumi — a The animals are kept healthy with herbal traditional Cyprus cheese which has a higher melting point drenches, homoeopathic remedies and than other cheese making it suitable for frying and grilling, rotational grazing. and a hard long-keeping cheese.

The goats are drenched monthly and Muddy River Organics also grows garlic — Takahue Red, a pinkish variety and an early white variety known as Kaiwaka Gold — a very round and firm type which grows well in the area.

They sell the garlic, processed products made in their own commercial kitchen such as garlic sauce, marmalade, chilli sauce and seasonal chutneys at the Waipu and Mangawhai markets.

Currently Muddy River Organics is developing a ‘dun’ Dexter herd.

Dexters are popular with lifestyle holders as they are a small bred cattle ideally suited to small blocks. The predominant colour is black, but red and dun coloured cattle do also exist.

Again the cattle are bred for sale income, but also for the freezer. The desire to breed a dun coloured herd is purely for pleasure and to have something a little more unique than the common herd.

The breeding is in its early stages and the purchase of a purebred dun bull should up the ante. It will take time, but crossbreeding the current five Dexter females, along with selective culling will have eventual results.

We’re here for the long haul.

And I don’t mean flights to London.

Your Complete Local D Helicopter Service

EEP AN CK

Northern Farming Lifestyles February 2012 5 fed cider vinegar, garlic, kelp and molasses daily.

“Obviously when a vet is required or conventional antibiotics required we put the animal’s safety first but then separate this animal from the herd or flock” Julia said.

The other rarity on the farm is Chris’s Silver Appleyard ducks. They are her passion and a rare breed both nationally and internationally. Chris breeds them for slug and snail control, the table and egg supply, but also to sell them on.

Predators are an issues for the ducklings. They are confined until they are fully feathered at around six to eight weeks of age, but even then life is not assured as eels have been known to bite off the legs of unsuspecting ducklings as they enjoy a swim.

While each day brings a new challenge Muddy River Organics provides a stimulating lifestyle envied by many and enjoyed by few.

Servicing Northland & Far North and now based in Dargaville and Kerikeri

esh”

bbon

s a

Gorse/Scrub Spraying, From $190+GST per ha

A lot has changed in farming since we started way back in 1962. But some things never change – we’re as committed to delivering quality supplies

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at a fair price to rural New Zealanders as we were

81

back then. That’s why Farmlands exists. It’s a well known fact: whenever we open a new Farmlands the cost of rural supplies comes down. And the appreciation for our great service and knowledge

Fertiliser Application from $160/tonne We specialise in bulk and bagged delivery and application

goes up! Ask about how you can become a Shareholder – and share the good fortune of rural

We Know Farming!

Agricultural

Whangarei 09 433 2300 | Wellsford 09 423 7145 Dargaville 09 439 0015 | Kerikeri 09 407 7004

Drop into your local Farmlands store today, Farmlands Trading Society Limited TRACTA38876-NF

For ALL your helicopter requirements

New Zealand.

call 0800 327 652 or visit www.farmlands.co.nz

Lew Duggan Northland Regional Manager

6

February 2012

Northern Farming Lifestyles

EASY CARE SHEEP

— no shearing, no drenching, no flies, just great meat

by Annette Lambly-Robinson

A rare and ancient breed of sheep, which requires no shearing will once again be making an appearance at the Northland Field Days DR & BA

GRANT ENGINEERING • Milking Machinery • Cowshed Pipework • Lathe & Milling Machining • Milking Machinery testing & quality control (same day repairs) • Aluminium & Stainless welding

Ph 09 439 8248 Beach Rd, Dargaville

What we haven’t got we can get!

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SHELTER STATION

Dave Holdaway Builders Ltd High Quality Workmanship by TRADE QUALIFIED BUILDERS

For all residential building work incl maintenence, decks, fences, farm sheds & buildings P.O. Box 283 Silverdale 0944, North Auckland

Dave: 0274 471 593 A/hrs: 09 420 3318 Fax: 09 420 4640 E: dhbuilders@xtra.co.nz Registered Member CBANZ - No: AR00802 Licensed Building Practitioner No: BP 106583 Always check the LBP register to ensure your building practitioner is licensed

SHELTER and SHADE

Le Petit

Two Car Garage

Cars, Boats, Trailers, Firewood, Hothouse.

L5.1m W2.77m H2.36m $800 + GST

Cars, Caravans, Storage, Construction Sites.

L6.7m W6m H3m $1,850 + GST

I

t is the second time Bev Trowbridge and husband Dave Crabb will be exhibiting their Wiltshire Horn sheep at the event.

The couple own Muriwai Valley Farm

Enterprises — a certified organic farm near Warkworth.

They have been breeding Wiltshire Horns since 1998 having imported purebred stock from the best studs in

NORTHLAND RED DEVON CATTLE BREEDERS Come and see Docile Devons at our site No. 127 Arthur Beazley 09 405 0690 President Sue Dreadon 09 439 2154 Secretary

™

6m 40' Shelter

The Barn

Calf Shelter, Tractors, Equipment.

L6m W6m H1.8m $1,850 + GST

Hay Barn, Equipment Storage, Trucks, Motorhomes.

L9.15 W8m H4.2m $4,600 + GST

See us at Northland Field Days – Site 060

®

SHELTER STATION

Visit our Website www.shelterstation.com 0800 RAINING - 0800 72 46 46 Email: shelterstation@xtra.co.nz

Convenient Superfast Trench Digging at a Low

Cost

Terrasaw Industries Ltd Matakohe West Road, Matakohe, Northland

Su

Phone 09 431 6400, Fax 09 431 6420 Email: enquiries@terrasaw.co.nz www.terrasaw.co.nz

B

“Terrasaw” is a registered trademark of Terrasaw Industries

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38 E-m

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ent

Northern Farming Lifestyles February 2012 means the sheep put all their energy into growing fine-textured and flavoured meat of the highest eating quality.”

The breed has a natural high fertility, twins being the norm, and the mothers are very protective of their young. Lambing problems are very rare as the lambs are born small with long legs.

“With its many unique attributes, it is an Bev and Dave picking our rams at ideal breed not only for Byarlea Stud in South Australia in 2006 commercial farms, but organic systems and for small farmers Australia to improve the genetics of their stud flock. The couple felt this important who don’t want all the usual hassles as they wanted to obtain founding stud involved with keeping sheep,” said stock which retained the unique traits Bev. of the breed rather than using only “Wiltshires, used as a terminal sire New Zealand stock which have all been over any other breed, generate a strong crossbred with wool breeds. hybrid vigour in the lambs because they Originally developed in the rough hill are genetically far removed from other country of middle England the breed was breeds,” she said. able to range widely to forage without “The resultant first cross lambs are any shepherd supervision. fast growing and meaty.” Muriwai Valley Bred for meat the Wiltshire Horn Farm runs a certified organic flock. (both sexes have horns) has only a Wilshire Horns are considered a rudimentary fleece which it sheds every rare breed in New Zealand and in their spring. native Britain, but are in good numbers With a bare face, legs, belly, crutch in Australia, where they are farmed and under-side to the tail, the lack of commercially. any real fleece means that they don’t A selection of stud rams will be on get tangled and caught up in vegetation display at the Northland Field Days, like blackberry or gorse.

March 1–3.

They also don’t usually need dagging, are not prone to flystrike and have a strong facial eczema resistance and a high immunity to intestinal parasites and local sheep diseases, especially if kept on an organic management regime.

“A big bonus here in Northland,” says Bev. “Shedding begins in August, goes through to around Christmas and peels off in thin layers like onion skin fluff. In autumn, the coat begins to thicken again in preparation for A Wlitshire ram surveys his domain winter. The lack of fleece

7

Northern

F������ L���������

Read the paper online

www.farminglifestyles.co.nz

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE FOR SUMMER SPECIALS Visit us on Stand 190b at the Northland Field Days Importers and Distributors of Lubricants for…  Automotive  Industry  Marine  Agriculture  Food  Cleaning 0800 ANGLOMOIL

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visit our team at site 342 opposite the food court

Come and find out about Airfoam and our show specials, to help you have your home insulated before the winter chill strikes again

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Supporting Field Days See us at Sites 63 to 69

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8

February 2012

Northern Farming Lifestyles

The best coiffured dolls are wearing

Fantail Farm

mohair

by Annette Lambly-Robinson

When Aucklanders Stephanie Bristol and her partner Chris Morrison purchased four acres at Paparoa seven years ago they were looking at it as an investment

T

hey planned on clearing and developing the steep and gorse covered acreage and selling it off — hopefully at a profit.

But Stephanie now has a dream — of lovely paddocks, all fenced with wooden fences and a herd of lovely white curly angoras munching away.

Soon after starting, the little spot had captured their hearts and imaginations

and instead of an investment, Fantail Farm — so named because of the numerous fantails flittering everywhere — is now home.

Stephanie and Chris were both city born and neither had any agricultural experience.

Nevertheless the pair have set about developing the property and building themselves a niche market selling

Some members of the family

mohair for dolls’ hair, carding, felting and craft work.

eight purebred angora goats.

They admit it’s been a big learning curve. “The first years we kidded it was very scary,” said Stephanie. “I had read about so many things that could go wrong! But so far we have delivered 12 kids with no problems.

“I’d seen angoras at both the National and Northland Field days and fell in love with them.

Family (Chris’s two brothers are farmers) tried to convince us otherwise, but we decided angoras had much more character than sheep — and very practical when it came to clearing the gorse organically.

They started off with two grade one does and mated them with suitable bucks. The progeny have now been bred and improved enough times over so they currently have

“We sold six young goats before Christmas because I worried we might get short on grass over the summer.”

Stephanie has deliberately kept numbers to a minimum until the pasture is properly developed.

Each of the goats has a name and its own personality — they are a pretty

But Stephanie now has a dream — of “lovely paddocks, all fenced with wooden fences and a herd of lovely white curly angoras munching away

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Northern Farming Lifestyles February 2012 much members of the family. The couple can even tell who is bleating and whether it’s a want attention bleat, someone’s through the fence bleat — or just a talking to each other bleat.

The goats are given a pedicure at the beginning of each a month — goats naturally live in rocky terrain so when kept in paddocks their hooves don’t get worn away and need to be trimmed to prevent infection or lameness. They are hand shorn twice a year and Stephanie lays them on top of a hay bale while she does the shearing. “It saves my back by not having to bend over too far,” she laughs.

Stephanie processes all the fleece herself, except for the bulk carding which she contracts out. The top quality fleece is retained to make dolls’ hair. Stephanie washes it, sorts it, dyes it, packs it and ‘ships’ it.

Stephanie and Chris — living their dream

She says one of her first clients gave her the idea of making the dolls’ hair. When buying the mohair the woman said she used it to make dolls’ hair. I was intrigued and asked her lots of questions.

She kindly gave me advice on how and what to do along with other contacts.

Most of the mohair is sold online. That sold for carding is the biggest money earner at the moment, but the dolls’ hair and craft fleece ‘ticks over nicely’.”

It’s been hard work — they’ve built fences, cleared the paddocks, put in driveways and a barn, but are yet to build a house. A caravan is home for now.

And future plans?

“Life would be idyllic if we both didn’t hold down ‘day jobs’.

“Ideally we would like to build an off the grid house and become self-sufficient but know this won’t happen in the near future. We love the place, the district and the people.”

There is one more thing.

“Maybe I could master that spinning wheel I have yet to bring out of its corner. Its a pity you can’t do it by osmosis” she laughs.

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9

10

February 2012

Northern Farming Lifestyles

Breeding big and beautiful in Northland

by Annette Lambly-Robinson

Awanui’s Judith Matthews has been around horses almost all her life after having begged a horse from her dairy farming parents at age nine The beautiful head of German imported Hanoverian mare St.Pr.St. Wel Kantje owned by New Zealand breeders Judith and Peter Matthews

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s a child she lived in the Murapara / Galatea area and it wasn’t long before she became a regular participant at numerous hunts and showing events throughout the Bay of Plenty.

By the time she was an adult she had progressed to top level dressage and had developed a keen eye for quality horse flesh.

The passion has never left her and today she is a well-known breeder and trainer of Hanoverian horses which are sold for both local and international dressage performance.

Judith and husband Peter purchased the property at Awanui thirty years ago.

Today the picturesque post and rail farm with its clean lush pasture is nothing like

the run down property the couple bought all those years ago — it is a testament to the hard work they have put in over the years (and the fact we also owned the 90 mile service station to prop up my habit laughs Judith).

It now boasts 17 stables and a 20x40 metre covered, all weather arena which allows the horses to be worked every day.

Judith says around 1988 frustration at not being able to buy a suitable Hanoverian warmblood horse in New Zealand turned her to breeding. “I initially bought a couple of thoroughbred

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nutrition for growth

Peter and Judith Matthews have been breeding Hanoverian dressage horse for almost 30 years

mares and bred them to top Hanoverian lines.”

At the time there were few Hanoverians in New Zealand so breeding was mostly through imported semen or by crossbreeding.

The Hanoverian, originated in Germany and is one of the most prominent riding horses in the world. It’s good temperament, athleticism, good conformation and big movement makes it suitable for all disciplines, particularly dressage.

In 1996 the couple went to Germany and purchased St.Pr. St. Wel Kantje a 16.3hh black mare by Weltmeyer whose genes also carried other top European Dressage bloodlines Initially ‘Angie’ was successfully competed by Louisa Hill, then Judith before becoming the farm’s foundation broodmare.

Northern Farming Lifestyles February 2012 11 Instead, “We import frozen semen from internationally acclaimed (and more recently top imported) stallions and use it with our own mares.”

Interestingly Judith sometimes likes to use Hanoverian jumping sires to improve movement qualities. Judith’s careful selection of genetic matings has proven successful with many of the horses bred at Awanui becoming star performers for their new owner.

“We have bred the top New Zealand Young Dressage Horse of the Year(4-6 year old) for five out of the past six years — being placed second in the year we didn’t win”, said Judith.

At aged 65, Judith no longer rides. She now employees a rider and a German trained ‘stud groom’ who under her guidance trains the youngsters.

Careful feeding is a priority for Judith, with mares (even pre-breeding) being fed selected minerals every day to ensure good bone structure and growth.

It’s hard work and an expensive business to own but Judith, and Peter who manages the non-horse side of the farm, enjoy the lifestyle.

Dante MH - Wel Kanje’s grandson Seeing the new season’s foals on the ground is an annual that won NZ Young Dressage Horse 2011 highlight as is the feedback Judith receives from her customers. “We feel we are still part of our babies lives — then of course there are the winning achievements, both by new owners and Buy Your Sires Locally the stud itself.”

Stud Est. 1990 Any horses retained by the stud are competed to test their ability and • Maternal worthiness for future breeding — it’s also a way of promoting the stud.

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In due course two other mares were imported from Germany and three others from a German stud in Australia joined the breeding stock at Matthews Hanoverians.

Hanoverian, originated “inTheGermany and is one of

Nowadays there are 40 horses on the farm — 15 are broodmares — although not all are bred each year. Matthews Hanoverians point of difference is their stud doesn’t stand any stallions.

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12

February 2012

Northern Farming Lifestyles

AlpHa — the perfect partner for lime Dr Bert Quin, fertiliser and soil fertility consultant

We all know that lime is necessary to maintain the fertility and health of the soil, and to provide vital calcium.

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In New Zealand’s acid soils, most of the lime needed to maintain production is used to overcome soil acidity, that is, to increase the pH. In most soils, the biggest acidity problem is not the hydrogen ion (H+), but multivalent metallic cations of aluminium, manganese and iron. These are far more toxic to plants, and plant root growth in particular, than hydrogen.

However using lime is an inefficient and very expensive way to control these toxicities. Once a soil has became sufficiently acid to be suffering some toxicity, typically indicated by a pH of 5.5 or below, or a KCl-soluble aluminium level of three or more, treating the problem with lime requires a heavy capital application of at least 2-3 tonnes per hectare.

‘AlpHa’ provides a targeted solution to the problem.

AlpHa is a patented combination of polymers and silicates that very efficiently binds the soluble, toxic forms of aluminium, manganese and iron, mimicking the action of chelates excreted by roots of some aluiniumtolerant plant species, and enabling high production to be maintained at a lower soil pH. It is also important to

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understand that the soil pH, and with it soluble aluminium levels, vary considerably over very small distances, spatially and vertically. Much of this variability is believed to be caused by urine deposition. Initially, the pH rises — by 2 pH units or more — in the affected area, due to the heavy content of nitrogen in the form of urea, which also greatly increases pasture growth.

However, as the urine-N is converted to nitrate it is easily leached, taking cations with it, and acid is produced. The end result, over 1-3 months, is a soil pH 0.5 — 1 units below the starting point, and frequently low enough to increase soluble aluminium to toxic levels.

Normal soil testing, in which 15-20 soil cores per paddock are taken and mixed together to get a ‘representative’ sample, can easily mask the presence of aluminium toxicity.

It can also be present below the standard 0-7.5cm soil test core, inhibiting root growth below this depth, and consequently restricting nutrient uptake and greatly increasing susceptibility to drought and pulling.

Essentially, AlpHa allows the optimum average soil pH to be lowered from 5.5 to 5.0. This greatly reduces, in fact can altogether eliminate, the requirement for a capital lime application, and allows production to be optimised with far less maintenance lime in the future.

Combined with 100 kg/ha of FertME zero-coarse lime, as little as two litres per hectare annually of AlpHa will maintain a healthy, non-toxic soil and ensure maximum response to fertiliser nutrients, especially if these are applied in fluidised form, to allow both foliar and root uptake.

AlpHa is produced by Advanced Agricultural Additives Ltd, and is available for aerial application through Futurespread.

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Gordon Speedy — farmer and inventor

by Annette Lambly-Robinson

Gordon Speedy — a seasoned exhibitor

Former Arapohue farmers Rosie and Gordon Speedy are seasoned exhibitors at the Northland Field Days.

There association goes back to 1997 when Gordon entered his ‘Dam” Weed Guard in the new inventions contest and not only won at Northland, but also won at the National Field Days at Mystery Creek the same year.

Like many Kiwi inventions — necessity was the mother of the concept. Sick and tired of constantly having to clear his water lines after they became clogged with weeds from the dam Gordon set about finding a solution.

Having got “some advice” from the engineers he worked on the concept for a couple of months — “it was sort of trial by elimination,” says Rosie, but Gordon soon perfected what he saw as the best option.

He had a prototype made up at McInnes Manufacturing in Waipu and once satisfied with its performance had the same company manufacture products for sale though a number of stock and station agencies.

The ‘Dam’ Weed Guard floats in your dam, creek or other water supply protecting the filter or inlet from weeds or any floating debris.

A chlorine tablet inside the dispenser also prevents building up of algae which can block pumps, inline filters, water lines and trough valves and this helps ensure a reliable water supply at all times.

The couple now live on a 10-acre block at Whatitiri — its entire acreage one great garden with a reputation renowned throughout the district.

They will be on site again at the upcoming Northland Field Days.

Read the paper online

www.farminglifestyles.co.nz

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Northern Farming Lifestyles February 2012

13

New stable for our horses Ain’t nothing like great friends who’ll help you build your stable!

We were on the look-out for a building we could use as a shelter to protect our horses from the weather. We hoped to find something that could also be used as a holding stall/stable for grooming and feeding etc. Outpost Buildings had a design that was a great size and they were able to include some variations to the building to suit our requirements.

The building design was ‘skid mounted’ which we really liked the idea of. It meant that if we wanted to, we could easily shift the building to a different paddock or a new property if we were ever to move house. The building can be towed or lifted by crane. We chose to get a dividing wall added in the middle so that the stable is separated into two. This wall is all just screwed in so that if we want to remove it in the future it can be easily dismantled.

It came as a kitset, and we were lucky enough to have some great friends and neighbours that would help us to get it built. It was a great project that we could build with just basic hand tools and we really enjoyed it. One of our neighbours had a digger so we used that to get the site ready, spread and roll the crusher dust for the pad so we had a nice level site that provides excellent drainage.

Outpost Buildings were able to match the colour of our existing buildings with the colorsteel cladding in a nice red (Scoria). The wooden parts of the building we just left natural although we could have chosen a wood stain if we had wanted.

We are very happy with our stable and our two horses seem to be enjoying it too! If you want to take a look at some more photos go to the Outpost Buildings website: www.outpostbuildings.co.nz/product_pgs/products_horsepg.html and click on Testimonial. For more information about Outpost Buildings call them on 0800 688 767.

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February 2012  Northern

Farming Lifestyles

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Northern Farming Lifestyles February 2012

15

Love of wood leads to toy making

by Annette Lambly-Robinson

Hikurangi’s Royd Pawson has always had a love for wood and it’s seemed only natural when his children were small to make them some wooden toys Good, solid, chunky toys that would stand up to child’s play and realistic enough to spur young imaginations, the toys were popular with his kids and also with their friends.

He uses untreated pine — it wears well he says.

“If they not left out in the weather and are looked after they should last into the next generation and more.”

The bulk of his toys are trucks, tractors, milk tankers and trailers, cattle trucks, logging trucks and ride-ons such as a sand pit digger although he does do some commissioned work.

He paints most of the toys, but the diggers are oiled for a little more protection.

It wasn’t too long and the friends parents were asking him for similar toys — “that’s how it all started — I’ve been making them for about 25 years now.

“I will paint them (the toys) really whatever colour the child wants — the girls (yes, girls love them too) quite often want their truck pink.”

“I’m now making them for my grandchildren, but we’ve still got the ones I made for my children when they were little — my grandchildren are playing with these now. They last well if you treat them properly.”

Patrons of the Northland Field Days may have seen Mr Pawson on site — Grand Dad’s Wooden Toys.

Once when he was a laid up with diesel poisoning and unable to work he bought a toy business in Auckland which supplied childcare centres and kindergartens.

“They wanted toys that had a story — such as those from movies or books. While I did it, I didn’t really like it so I gave it up and found other employment.”

The former agricultural contractor and jack-of-all trades has now retired and the toy making is a way of keeping him ‘out of mischief’.

He has been going for the past 13 years — it’s the only event he goes to and reckons initially he attended to sell a few of his ‘very big’ logging trucks.

It’s a logging area and they have forestry competitions at the event so I reckoned there might be some interest in the logging trucks,” he says.

It’s not a business — but a labour of love. “I usually make enough to cover the cost of the site and material. I go really for the children — most kids love them so I get pleasure from that fact,” said Mr Pawson.

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16

February 2012 Northern

Farming Lifestyles

The Science behind the Neal Kinsey NZ group

The Neal Kinsey NZ group has been recently formed to bring superior fertility to as many farms as possible. It is responding to a trend of declining results, particularly with pastures, but it is very relevant to all crops. It strongly recommends using the expertise of Kinsey Agricultural Services to assess the soils’ needs Kinsey Agricultural Services specialises in building and maintaining soil fertility for optimum quality and yields. As a consultant, Neal Kinsey’s job is to advise those who want guidance on how to improve their soils, crops,

pastures and animals, so the clients’ production targets are better achieved.

Certain fertiliser materials are recommended; they may not be the cheapest materials to buy, but they are the best, when considering the

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superior results achieved.

Recommendations are solely focussed on improving each client’s specific soils and crops.

The soils’ needs are determined by a specific set of tests that may differ from other labs, but are based on mimicking the plants ability to extract nutrients from the soil.

Neal Kinsey studied soil science under Dr. William Albrecht, Emeritus Professor of Soils and former Chairman of the Department of Soils at the University of Missouri; College of Agriculture.

Dr. Albrecht was born on a farm in Illinois. He grew up with an intense interest in the soil and all things agricultural.

These he approached, however, through the avenues of the basic sciences and liberal arts. As he and his associates unlocked the secrets of nature, they recorded their findings over the decades between the 1930s and 1970s. Dr. Albrecht held four degrees — BA, BSc, MSc, and PhD. from the University of Illinois. He travelled and studied soils in Great Britain, Europe and in Australia.

During his long teaching and learning lifetime, Dr. Albrecht wrote no less than 445 papers on sound agriculture, and almost all have been reprinted in the world’s major languages.

Each agricultural practice is now being rightly questioned as to sustainability.

Despite that, many diverging parties claim to occupy the moral high ground, leading to farmer confusion.

Soil Scientists are not familiar with all laboratories, tests and procedures that exist. Like everyone else, they only know what they know. Sometimes they feel threatened by certain developments, because it challenges what they believed and what they still believe. Time after time we hear “Where’s the proof?” Put simply, lack of proof for these doubters is a lack of effort on their part to do the research and find out for themselves.

They simply do not take the time or effort to educate themselves to understand the science behind the programme, and

have therefore failed to correlate such testing with actual field results in terms of yields, stock health and production.

Some, from our institutions in New Zealand even claim that overseas soil tests do not work for NZ soils. If that were true, then how can they explain the superior results we obtain?

We are committed to encouraging farmers to understand the “true science” behind soil testing and fertiliser application. So what is that real science?

Dr, Albrecht emphasised that to be true science, it must be highly repeatable.

What science does the growers or farmers need to know to produce the best possible result? To begin with, the soil test must be accurate. If you can’t measure it; you can’t control it. It controls you. In these circumstances, you are subject to the whims of nature and fluctuating yields, diseases and results.

A worthy soil consultant, working with a truly scientific soil test must be able to differentiate between soils that produce top quality crops and those that don’t; and be able to tell why. Furthermore, he must be able to improve the situation for the client.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating. You can only prove what is being said here by doing it in the field. In some cases, the complete response may take up to three years to achieve. In most cases, results are evident within a month or two, but almost certainly within the first year. If you still have doubts about the effectiveness of the programme; try it on a small scale. You will not regret it. The results you get will prove; this is true science.

“Principles of Building Soil Fertility”

Neal Kinsey, by popular demand is returning to NZ in 2012 for the third time to present his three day courses.

Peter Norwood, well known animal nutrition expert from Australia will be joining Neal at these events

N

Course Venues & Dates: TAUPO Huka Falls Lodge Taupo March 5th - 7th 2012 INVERCARGILL Ascot Hotel Invercargill March 12th - 14th 2012

eal of Kinsey Agricultural Services, Charleston, Missouri is a soil fertility specialist who lectures and consults to farmers and horticulturists world-wide serving 66 countries.

Golden Bay Dolomite Limited and the Neal Kinsey NZ group is pleased to inform that again in 2012 we are to sponsor this “dean” of soil fertility to visit Taupo, Bay of Plenty and Invercargill, Southland to present his three day “Principles of Building Soil Fertility” workshop.

Neal is one of the foremost practitioners of the Albrecht – style soil fertility balancing and is the author of his book “Hands on Agronomy.”

Many of the attendees of the previous years’ courses followed up on Neal’s teaching and advice. As a result they have proved to themselves and others that biological farming is the

new way forward. Many have reported positive changes to pasture, animal health and profit! This is especially pleasing considering the challenging seasonal weather conditions and recessionary times.

Neal conveys the message of soil fertility in a simple to understand manner that just makes sense to his audience.

Often farmers become bogged down in the detail of a sophisticated soil audit and are confused as to whom to believe.

Neal conveys the message of soil fertility in a simple to understand manner that just makes sense to his audience.

Neal offers world-wide examples

of how and why the system works including examples from New Zealand.

What we learn from the successful Albrecht system of soil balancing is that when calcium and magnesium and all other nutrients including the micro-nutrients are in proper balance in the soil, crops thrive, animal health improves, weed and insect pressures lessen and yields and soils improve season after season.

This year’s sponsors Golden Bay Dolomite Limited and the Neal Kinsey NZ group would like to extend an invitation to you to attend this course.

We believe that the investment of $560.00 (plus G.S.T.) and the time in attending these three days will enhance your knowledge and perhaps the knowledge of your colleagues into the future – we look forward to you participating in a three day course.

We are passionate about the services

and products we provide as healthy soils are a prerequisite for healthy crops, healthy animals and healthy people. It is the informed farmer who is at the forefront of this chain.The goal of all farming operations must be to produce top quality nutrient dense food for our generation, our children and our grandchildren.

To check out Neal Kinsey’s credentials: • www.kinseyag.com To check out our website containing further information and to register: • www.nealkinseynz.co.nz • seminar@goldenbaydolomite.co.nz • www.goldenbaydolomite.co.nz Or Contact: Anna Mayne 0800 546 739 anna@nealkinseynz.co.nz Ron McLean 0800 549 433 ronmac@goldenbaydolomite.co.nz

Northern Farming Lifestyles February 2012

Education partners keen to connect with farming community

17

by Annette Lambly-Robinson

Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre and NorthTec partnership will have plenty to talk about at the Northland Field Days this year.

Their educational partnership, announced at the end of 2011, has opened up opportunities for agricultural training to school leavers and those looking to up-skill across the region.

“We’re really looking forward to talking to the Northland community about the study programmes we have underway.” says Ceres Sharp, Taratahi Regional Manager for Northland.

“I am sure we’ll meet potential students who are looking for a career in agriculture, smaller farm block holders or those looking to gain practical rural skills, such as ATV, tractor, agrichemical, or animal handling skills.”

Ms Sharp said many would gain real value from the General Farm Skills course which offers the learner the choice of part or full-time study.

Two weeks ago the very first Taratahi/ NorthTec students began the full-time programme from a base in Whangarei.

Those participating have travelled from as far south as Auckland and as far North as Kaikohe.

They have already started learning some basic fencing, ATV and chainsawing skills and will also learn among other skills stock handling, pasture management, and the safe use of farm vehicles.

“They've made a great start and are

well on their way towards a career in farming,” said Ms Sharp.

Taratahi’s philosophy of ‘real training on real farms’ relies on training students in a wide range of farm systems and environments.

“The response from the Northland rural community has been so positive. We are thrilled to have already linked with several farmers to enable students to get practical landbased experience — and we will be looking to access more farms so students can benefit from learning on a farm and at scale,” she said.

“We know that one of the major barriers for young people to access training is often the distances they have to travel.”

Taratahi have already established locations at Whangarei, Kawakawa, Rawene, Ngataki, and Kaitaia.”We plan to meet the needs of rural Northland by bringing the learning to where it is needed.”

There are also campuses at Rodney, Wairarapa, Taranaki, Rodney and Hawke’s Bay. Visit the Taratahi/NorthTec stand at Field Days to hear about enrolling on the mid-year intake of the full-time National Certificate in Farming Skills (Level 3) or the Certificate in General Farm Skills (Level 3) which has start dates throughout the year.

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18

February 2012

Northern Farming Lifestyles

Quick maturing Devons can tough out hard times

by Annette Lambly-Robinson

Dargaville farmers Sue and David Dreadon have been promoting Red Devon cattle at the Northland Field Days for the last 25 years.

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Sue and David Dreadon — promoting Red Devon cattle for 25 years

S

ue and David have owned Pencarrow Red Devon Stud near Tokatoka since 1985. Prior to that they worked the farm with David’s father Bert, for at least 20 years.

Sue says the attraction for the breed firstly came about because of its association with Devon in Cornwall, Britian where the Dreadon ancestors worked the land as tenant farmers.

The stud name ‘Pencarrow’ was the area in England the Dreadon’s farmed so it seemed well suited as a name for

when Bert started the Devon herd in 1961.

The Red Devon is considered to be one of the oldest recognised breeds.

Originally a dual purpose animal it was not only used for meat and milk production, but also used as draught animals.

The modern Devon is a medium sized animal with a deep red coat and although originally a horned animal polling has been bred in over the years.

Sue says the cattle are well suited

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Northern Farming Lifestyles February 2012

19

History of Red Devon beef cattle in New Zealand Red Devons are one of the oldest recorded breeds of purebred British cattle to come to New Zealand and Australia. Established in New Zealand in the 1880s the Red Devon came from the North of Devon, and are not to be confused with the South Devon breed.

to Northland conditions especially the limsetone country where they farm, which can pug badly during wet conditions.

“Their ability to thrive in hard conditions, their size kinder to the land, their docility and easy handling aspects, ease of calving, high fertility rates and quick maturity, results in more beef per hectare.

“People tend to think the bigger the animal the better. Not only do Devon mature much quicker that most other breeds, but they are excellent foragers which means even during drought times they don’t lose much condition.”

The Pencarrow herd was built up from a milking Shorthorn base and has been constantly improved and developed over the years.

They currently run 80 registered and commercial Devons and their offspring.

Sue says in the earlier years cows and bulls were shown at the Whangarei, Paparoa and Warkworth A and P shows with considerable success, gaining Supreme Champion Female of All Breeds at Paparoa and Warkworth one year.

In 1992 a 20-month Pencarrow Devon steer won first prize in the Hoof and Hook competition which is now known as The Steak of Origin.

The Dreadons will once again be promoting the traits of the Red Devon on site at this year’s Northland Field Days.

This year Arthur Beazley of Matauri Bay will have his Devons on site for the public to view.

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Imports however from UK have been prohibited in the past because of Foot & Mouth disease regulations.

Pioneers used Devons in bullock teams to haul kauri logs and cultivate the land as well as providing milk and meat for the settlers.

Today there are approximately 50 studs registered with the NZ Society and there are also Devon Cattle Breeders Societies established in Australia, UK, USA, Canada and Brazil with animals very recently being sold to South Africa.

In 1972 the late Mr Darcy Gilberd of Whangarei formed the first Devon Breed Society in New Zealand and endeavoured to re-establish Devons throughout New Zealand by reinforcing the natural attributes of this mid-sized beef breed. Not only is the breed good for commercial size herds but its temperament and size makes it an ideal choice for the lifestyle farmer.

A world conference is held every four years with Brazil hosting the 2012 conference in May.

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Nowadays AI semen and embryo transplants from Australia, USA and Brazil has boosted the genetic lines of this breed here in New Zealand.

Descendants of the original James Busby cattle were still being farmed in 1975.

With progress and invention of modern machinery and vehicles, the Devon went into decline and only a small numbers of herds remained scattered around New Zealand.

Docile with good fertility rates and ease of calving — Red Devon thrive in Northland conditions

Using a Devon for cross breeding is known to enhance the best features of both breeds.

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20

February 2012

Northern Farming Lifestyles

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Northern Farming Lifestyles February 2012

21

Successful tree establishment

by Bob Cathcart, Land Management Specialist, Northland Regional Council

With plenty of rain recently, the trees you planted last winter should be growing well — but so will the weeds. Grass can smother your seedlings and outcompete them for nutrients and soil moisture. You should have released your young trees from weeds before Christmas, and another release will be needed during late January-February.

Now is also the time to start planning this year’s tree planting. Successfully establishing your trees requires thorough planning, careful land preparation, good quality tree stock that has been carefully handled (from the nursery right through to planting), the correct planting techniques, and ongoing maintenance until the young trees dominate the grasses and weeds.

Careful land preparation will reduce the frequency with which you need to release your young trees and greatly increase the strike rate. Aggressive plants like kikuyu, gorse and wild ginger should be brought under control before you plant your trees and, like it or not, you will likely have to use herbicides.

Start work now, and spray before planting if necessary.

Be very careful using herbicides that leave a residual, like metsulfuron for wild ginger, and avoid over-spraying and runoff from the leaves, as this can kill the young trees you plant. If in doubt, seek advice from a forestry consultant, an agri-chemical representative, spray contractor or the council’s land management staff.

You should be ordering your tree stock within the next few weeks. For natives, chat to your small local nurseries — they may be able to supply eco-sourced varieties of plants endemic to your area. Check where their seed stock came from as local stock have, over thousands of years, adapted to the local climate and soil types.

Bob Cathcart

Whether buying native or exotic trees, it pays to shop around. Quality is key and there are still bargains to be had if you get in early. Plant as early as you can in June — the young trees will extend their root system during winter and early spring, making them more resistant to dry weather in summer.

Don’t try to plant too many trees in a year as you will have at least two years of releasing before the trees can fend for themselves. It’s better to plant and care for a few trees well than to plant more than you can care for properly.

If you plan to plant poplar or willow poles for erosion control you should place your orders as soon as possible.

The Northland Regional Council has access to a limited number of poles and lighter wands for soil conservation work. For more information and advice, contact Wayne Teal on 0800 002 004.

Bob Cathcart is a Land Management Specialist with more than 45 years’ experience in land management and soil conservation. He is a registered Farm Management Consultant, a member of the NZ Institute of Primary Industry Management and the NZ Association of Resource Management.

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22

February 2012

Northern Farming Lifestyles

Beyond pH Feeding Soil Microbes for Fertility, Productivity

by Neal Kinsey (reprinted from Acres, USA) Far too many farms, and it is not just those with pastures and hay meadows, suffer from a failure to consider and feed all of their livestock properly. You would think any successful beef or dairy operation would never entertain the idea of starving their livestock to reduce the feed bill — at least not knowingly. Surely most would think this could never apply to those farms and ranches that are interested in building and maintaining biological activity in the soil, but in many cases, it actually does!

BEST SEAT AT THE TABLE

Soil microbiologists tell us that measuring all the life in an acre of soil is equivalent to the same weight as that of an average-sized cow.

What’s more, this life in the soil always eats at “the first table” and the crops or stock get what is leftover. If there is not enough for the life within the soil and whatever is to be produced there, guess who gets the first choice. The soil microbes take what they need first and the plants eat at “the second table.”

How many farmers and growers consider the need to feed an average-sized cow per acre even before the crops they are trying to grow there or the animals feeding there are able to acquire what is needed to properly grow and produce? This is why Dr. William Albrecht always advocated, “Feed the soil and let the soil feed the plants.”

Even so, the soil does not just operate on the biological laws of science. It is also subject to the physical laws of science that determine the pore space for water and air in each soil which provides the proper environment for biological activity. The amount and type of lime you use or fail to use generally determines this air and water relationship. And this same land is subject to the laws of chemistry that determine whether each element will remain adequately available in the soil for use by the plants that grow there. All of these laws are important and do not change in any part of the world where plants are to be grown. The combined effects that each of these laws will have on the others must be considered in order to have the most productive soil and grow the best crops and livestock.

There are very influential people in agricultural thinking who strongly disagree with what is being written here next. Some seriously believe the points being advocated here are just another ruse to try and be different enough that farmers and growers will think they should send soil tests to our company instead of some other consultant. However, our business is not about seeing how many people we can get to send us soil samples. We are a consulting company, not a soil laboratory or fertilizer company. We want to locate and educate clients so that they know the value of doing what needs to be done for building and maintaining the fertility of each different soil.

GENERAL DIRECTION One of the biggest mistakes made when building up fertility for cropland and pastures is to rely on the use of a pH test to tell whether the soil should be limed or not. Most conventional wisdom for agricultural production places great emphasis on soil pH. But ask those who insist on using pH and they will tell you that such a soil test is only meant to provide a general direction for the fertility of each field. And pH does provide a general direction. Just about everyone acknowledges that a pH of 6 is better than 4.5. But just using pH to determine when and how much to lime can cause the grower relying on achieving the utmost productivity from that land a serious shortfall in terms of both yield and/or quality.

You won’t likely hear or read this from an agricultural university — more likely the exact opposite would be true. But you can learn by experience that what is given here is actually the case. And as Will Rogers once pointed out, some people learn the facts by reading, some learn from seeing the experience of others, and some just have to touch the electric fence for themselves. Such experience can be especially meaningful for those who have been led to believe that when growing crops on a field with a pH of 5.5 liming does not pay.

To prove to yourself what actually is required, just take one field that is not producing well and split it. Test both sides separately to be most accurate. Then treat according to what the pH would indicate as needed on one side and treat based on actual nutrients shown to be required by liming on the other. On field after field where the testing has been done correctly and a proper analysis has been performed to establish the presence of the nutrients that most affect soil pH, providing the correct type of limestone, but only in the proper amount, will always pay.

This is true on soils that test both below a pH of 6.0 and above a pH of 8.0 based on the soil analysis advocated and used for testing soils by Dr. William Albrecht. And more often than not, the pH does not provide a complete picture of what type of fertility a soil actually contains.

FARMING FACT

When the soil pH is in the 5.5 to 8.0 range its principle make up is determined by four elements — calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium. The problem is a combination of too much of one or more of these elements and too little of one or more of the others can cause the pH to look good when in fact the soil is lacking what it needs to provide good nutrition for the plants growing there and those that consume them. On some tests from near the coast and in parts of the western U.S. the sodium will have an undue influence on the soil pH. On other soils farmers may cause problems by using only one particular limestone to maintain the pH, not considering the need of providing an adequate supply, but not an excess or too little of either calcium or magnesium contained in that limestone.

When liming is being considered, care should be taken, especially in lighter, sandier soils, to assure that sufficient magnesium is present. Studies have shown that magnesium in the soil actually helps to attract and hold more water there. Soils that are too low in magnesium will tend to dry out more quickly. It is not just the kilograms of magnesium shown to be available in the soil that determines how the plants will take up and utilize it. Uptake also has to do with the amounts and concentrations of other elements like calcium and sodium in that same soil. If the soil is lacking magnesium it will cause specific problems and if the soil contains too much it will cause another set of problems.

This is where sampling and the use of the soil’s cation exchange capacity to measure both the actual and the needed saturation of magnesium will most accurately identify and determine how to correct the situation.

When a soil has too much of one element, it will not have enough of something else. A good soil test should tell farmers what is causing the pH to be where it is. Such tests should enable farmers and their consultant or fertilizer dealer to identify any excesses and deficiencies in each field.

To control any nutrient that is excessive in the soil, begin to make any corrections first by supplying any required nutrients that are shown to be absent in the correct amounts.

Supply any deficient nutrients to control any excessive nutrients. This is the true beginning for building balanced soils. The soil is the plant’s stomach. This balancing is not just for supplying the needs of livestock, but to supply the needs of all that will benefit from what is being produced there. When a fertility program is employed that only considers the needs of the crop, and not the needs of the soil, that neglected soil, the crop and whoever or whatever consumes it will all pay a steep price.

Far too many farmers assume that the soil they have can never be changed for the better.

However, once the nutrient make-up of the soil is considered and not just the pH, even problem soils can be changed for the better.

A good example in pastureland is pugging, or soils that are easily tromped down by livestock especially when wet. Note that some fields, or in some cases, even areas of the same field, tend

to have the problem more-so than other areas.

Check the areas that have the worst problem with pugging as compared to those that do best under the same conditions.

Use any good soil test that shows the percentage of calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium. Compare the numbers and see what they show. The closer each one of these specified elements are to the needed percentage the less pugging should be evident there. The correct amount of each nutrient in the soil, in particular that of calcium and magnesium, actually form a stronger support system to better withstand the foot traffic of cattle or any other livestock grazing there. The same principles apply to help fields better withstand wheel traffic needed for planting and harvesting. Such needs are not solved just by knowing the pH, but by measuring the percent saturation of the elements that most affect how the soil holds up and performs under wet conditions.

For example, many of the soils in parts of Eastern Europe, Ireland and New Zealand have quite good levels of calcium, but are very low in magnesium which shows more trampling or pugging damage. Yet on the other hand, many heavy clay soils have extreme levels of magnesium and insufficient calcium to allow proper drainage and they too suffer inordinately from pugging problems. Though both situations are related to two major elements (calcium and magnesium) contained in limestone, the needed solutions are quite different.

There are several factors to consider when determining the need for liming each soil (principally supplying needed calcium and magnesium) and how much is enough. These include the nutrient holding capacity of the soil, the calcium and magnesium content of liming material to be used, the fineness of grind of the lime to be applied and how much is needed to supply what each soil is lacking, and yet at the same time assuring the lime used will not cause an excess of either one. All of these factors should be considered for each different type of soil. Furthermore, the amount of lime to be used there must be properly measured and its use managed accordingly. The soil test and a good limestone analysis should be considered as absolutely necessary to assure both accurate and sufficient information is available to make any needed corrections or changes. More growth, better moisture utilization and higher nutritional values are all possible when the correct amount of calcium and magnesium are maintained in the soil.

For more information on soil testing and other aspects of soil fertility contact our office directly (Neal Kinsey NZ Group – 0800 546 739) for your specific needs. And for those who consider the points made above of utmost importance, we encourage the establishment of a test area to help determine whether a fertility program such as the one mentioned here can provide the needs for building better soil, building more life in that soil, and increasing the yield and value of crops to be grown there to benefit all the “livestock” in the soil and all those depending on the results.

INCREASED PROFITABILITY STARTS WITH HEALTHY SOIL

By simply correcting your soils calcium and magnesium base saturation levels with a calculated application of fine ground dolomite you will significantly reduce your farms liming/animal health & fertiliser outgoings.

For a no obligation consultation of your farms soil contact:

RON MCLEAN | 0800 549 433

ronmac@goldenbaydolomite.co.nz

www.goldenbaydolomite.co.nz

Northern Farming Lifestyles February 2012

Economic benefits of the

‘Friendly Field Days’ Kaipara Mayor Neil Tiller says The Northland Field Days contributes direct financial benefits and positive spin-offs to both the local and wider Northland economy

23

Northern

Farming Lifestyles

Read the paper online

www.farminglifestyles.co.nz

The ‘Friendly Field Days’ held in Dargaville is Northland’s largest annual event says Mr Tiller.

“It puts Northland on the map as an agricultural centre of some significance and showcases agricultural and rural lifestyle products. It is a major undertaking and attracts more and more visitors and exhibitors and their staff each year.

Rural Lifestyles

“The direct and most immediate benefit is to the accommodation and food outlets in and around the towns of Dargaville and Whangarei — not only during the event, but in the lead up to it as exhibitors and their staff, many from outside the region arrive to set up their sites.’’

“One of the key things in determining the direct benefits of an event like the Field Days is the amount people spend.

Greater visitor numbers hopefully equals greater visitor spend.”

Mr Tiller said in spite of technology and communications advances, increased transport costs and the perception new practises are similar to those already in use on a modern farm, attendance has not dropped off.

“Each year attendance seems to increase and the

Kaipara Mayor Neil Tiller

organisers are expecting this is going to be their biggest and best year yet.

“It is an important date in the agricultural calendar, it’s great fun with something for everyone. I invite you to come along and enjoy some of our Kaipara hospitality and the reason this event is known as the ‘Friendly Field Days’.”

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24

February 2012

Northern Farming Lifestyles

NORTHLAND

FIELD DAYS

1-3 March 2012 STATE HIGHWAY 14 DARGAVILLE

Field Days gate prize soars The innovative gate prize pool on offer at the 2012 Northland Field Days has soared to $35,000 Organisers had arranged a $20,000 package, working with a number of sponsors to put together two packs, including a quad bike and many other products.

“That prize total has now risen to $35,000,” said spokesman, Gareth Gillat.

The organising committee is hoping to attract a record crowd through the gates, with field days president, Lew Duggan, saying generosity of sponsors for the gate prizes Is special.

“There are some very special businesses out there that are more than happy to share their good fortune.”

He added that because of stable farm product prices and a good season, compared with last years’ drought, patronage could be up 20% on last year, at around 26,000.

“Anybody heading to the field days in Dargaville on March 1-3 will have

more than ever to do and see this year.

There’ll be a wide and varied program, with all the events of previous years, plus brand new events and attractions to ensure there is something for everybody of every age.

“Events included lawn mower races, a tractor pull, chainsaw carving, quad skills, the junior tractor pull, sheepdog trials, and fire and police service demonstrations.

The tractor pull competition carries $2,000 in prize money. “That kind of money attracts serious competition and has always attracted some of the top tractor drivers from all around the country.”

Alongside competitions will be equestrian events, dog trials and other more traditional ruralshow activities.

Visitors can also take in the Kaipara sights from the air, with helicopter rides.

“It will be even easier to find the things that you want, thanks to a massive redesign, Mr Duggan added.

While wide corridors, well-marked lanes and strategically-placed maps have always made it easy for people to

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Lawnmower Races Lawnmower racing imade it’s debute at field days last year, and the event puts a new spin on that weekend chore of mowing the lawns.

Chainsaw Carving The chainsaw carving competition has been held for more than 20 years and attracts top chainsaws scupltors from all over the country. Stop by between two and three in the afternoon each day where two pieces will be auctioned off, or buy a sculpture from the artists themselves.

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Junior Tractor Race Budding petrol heads will have a chance to show off their skills again this year. Fieldpower has made several kids sized tractors available for anybody aged between five and 12 show off their driving skills:

Sheep Dog Trials Watch the top sheep trialists in Northland and New Zealand face off against each other to find out who is the best in the North.

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Northern Farming Lifestyles February 2012 get from one feature to another, he said the layout had been redesigned to make sure that amenities were even more accessible than previous years.

“This year people should only be 20 meters away from food at any given time.”

The sites had also been grouped in interest-based sections to ensure that people didn’t have to walk too far between them. The change was made because the site was so large and the exhibitors were so varied that people often were not able to take in everything, even after coming to the event on multiple days.

“This year you will be able to walk less and see four times as much,” said Mr Duggan. “And this is more important than ever thanks to all the events and competitions that have been scheduled.”

And as visitors walk the grounds, or take a passing Clydesdale carriage ride, they’ll get a glimpse of new technology in action.

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Quality Assurance

3M Water Filtration 347 A - A & R Pumps 269 AB Equipment Limited 141 Able Catering Food Court 2 Able Solar Ltd 322a Absolute Concrete Ltd 174 Access Rural Women NZ 928, 930 ACO 193 Advantage Feeders 288 Afikim Mobility Scooters 302 Ag & Earth Ltd 89 Ag Brands Products Ltd 248a AG HUB 191 Ag Research 622 Agricom 237 Agriculture Industry Training Organisation (ITO) 162 AgriFert 640, 641 Agri-Mat 107 AgriSea NZ Seaweed Ltd 300 Agrissentials NZ 187 Airfoam Wall Insulators (Northland) Ltd 342 Alpego 120 Altum 96 Ampro Quality Tools 344 Anglomoil NZ Ltd 190b Angus Pure Burgers 143 ANKA 98, 347 Anthony Preston Ltd 601 ANZ 235 Apex Valves 347 Arag 269 ARC Security Solutions 637 Arnold Franks Ltd 98, 100a ASB Rural 197 Auckland Mobility Wharehouse 302 Autex 153a B - Bailey Tanks 170 Ballance Agri-Nutrients 191 Barfoote Construction 81 Bargan Sprayers 269 Bay Audiology 220 Bayer Animal Health 254 BdMax Ltd 112 Beacon Heat Detectors Pty Ltd 648 Bee Kind Ltd 705 Bell-Booth Ltd 237 Bertolini Australasia 147 Betacraft Apparel 148 Big Country Outdoors 319 Big Fun Events 350, 352 Blue Wing Honda 275, 277a BNZ 246 BNZ Save the Kiwi 249 Bogballe 120 BOSCH 306b Bourbon NZ Ltd 922 BP Solar 322a Bradford Gold Insulation 654 Briggs and Stratton 285 Brookes 207a Brookings Agencies Ltd 896, 898 BRP (Aust) Pty Ltd 266 Bryant Tractors/Renton Machinery 63, 65, 67, 69 Bugatti Valve 347 Bullseye Direct Ltd 264a BullShirtNZ LT 728 Bushman Saws 881 C - Cable Price Ltd 7 Café Latino Food Court 2 Carruth Hostel, WBHS 901 Carters 135, 137 Case 95, 99 Cato Bolam Consultants Ltd 271a Cattlemaster 186 CBEC EcoSolutions 153b C-Dax Ltd 279 Continued on page 26 . . .

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February 2012

Northern Farming Lifestyles

NORTHLAND FIELD DAYS 2012 – MAP & SITE LISTINGS Celestial Wines Chainsaw Outdoor Power CHAOS SPRINGS Chapel Grove Chapel Olive Oil Ltd Chemz Products Civil & Site Ltd Claas Harvest Centre Northland Classic Builders Clearlite Industries Clic Wheel Systems Ltd Coin Jewellery New Zealand Ltd Compass Trailers Corkill Systems Ltd Coronary Health Improvement Project Cotec Paint Country Dawn Quilting Craigs Investment Partners Croplands Equipment Northern NZ Cropliner CRV Ambreed Cub Cadet Mowers Cuddle Buddy NZ Ltd D - D&A Wordsworth Contracting DAE Group Dairy Build Dairy Care NZ Dairy Flo Dairy Wall Coatings Dal-Bo Dargaville Ford Dargaville ITM Building Services Dargaville Realty Ltd Dargaville Sewing & Curtain Centre Davey Davey Water Products Daytech Engineering DeLaval Ltd Denz Co Ltd Department of Conservation DOC DEUT 2 Devan Plastics Ltd Diesel Performance Solutions Ltd Dinerite Ltd DLF Seeds DogMaster Trainers Donaghys Industries Ltd Double Batty Products Doug McFarlane Ltd Doug the Digger Dow AgroSciences NZ Ltd Duncan Duracrete E - Eco Insulation Northland Ecoat Floor Finish Systems Ecolab ECU Chips Ltd EINBOCK Elanco Animal Health Elders Merchandise Electrolux Elite Mobility EME Communication Emuology Ltd Endraulic Ltd Engineered Timber Solutions ENJO Envirolock NZ Ltd Environmental Fertilisers Eternal Flame Jewellery ETN Eurocorp Eurocorp Profence Exhibit Group Extreme Boats F - Fairbrother Industries Ltd Farmers of New Zealand Inc. Farmgard Farmlands Trading Society Ltd Farmquip Woolaway Const Ltd

894 285 112 868 868 344 240 27, 29, 82, 84 625 245 322b 918 3 247b 905, 907 245 865, 867 194 269 269 264b 268 917 118 111 201 220 347 160a 120 196, 198, 200 245 151 900 98 312 61 207a 205 249 91 209 152 890 250 364 35 875, 884 310 349 237 89 201 924 638 148, 237 78 86 237 250 306b 302 344 862 76 245 864 240 728 932 125 250 148 246 222 72 175, 177, 220 104, 106 148, 150 286

FarmSafe 629 Federated Farmers of New Zealand 223 Feed Pad Solutions 123b Ferrari 283 Fiber Fresh Feeds Ltd 273 Fieldpower Northland Ltd 37, 39, 92, 94 FIL 241 Firestone 283 Fisher & Paykel 306b FMG 192 Fonterra Co-operative Group Limited 272, 274 Freemasons of New Zealand 903 Fudge It 2007 Ltd 885 Future Spread - Fertiliser Technologies (Heliag) 603 Fyran Boats 222 G - Gallaghers 148, 250 Gaspardo 91 Genetic Technologies Ltd 643 Gilmore Brown Ltd 607, 608 Giltrap Engineering Ltd 25, 80 Gliderol 203a GME 306b GME Marine Radios 222 Go Vertical 351 Godfrey’s Chainsaws & Mowers 285 Good Ground Real Estate Ltd 134b Gourmet Mussel Fritters and Smoothies Food Court 1 Gourmet Shuttle Food Court 2 GPS Pumps 88 Grandpa’s Feeders / Windsong 632 Gravel Lock NZ Ltd 240 Great Plains 120 Greenwood 242 Grundfos 312 Guest Agricultural Contracting 175 Gunson McLean Ltd 188b Gutter Solution North 304b H - Habipax Industries Ltd T/A Farmgate Direct 142a Hansa Chippers 189 Hansen Products (NZ) Ltd 224 Hardout Kiwi 735, 736 Harvest Farm Advisory Ltd 636 Hatuma 191 Hatzenbthler 120 Health Options 915 Healthy Homes Taitokerau 153a Hectan Products 61 Helinorth Agricultural Ltd 211 Hella Lighting 344 Herd Homes Systems Ltd 271b Hi Tech 98 Hi Tech Enviro Solutions 248b Hi Tech Irrigation 88 Homeopathic Farm Support Ltd 631 Hopkins Farming Group 70 Hot Dog Express Food Court 1 Hot Shots Coffee Food Court 2 Huddleston Hypnotherapy 882 Hydroflow Distributors Ltd 347, 372 Hynds Pipe Systems 164 I - IC MotorGroup 183, 185, 226, 228 Ideal Buildings 909 Iglu Online Solutions 323, 325 Inghams Nutrition 237 Insulpro 153a Interbloc Limited 284 Invacare 302 Iplex Pipelines 148, 193 Irri Max Ltd 283 Irripod Flexible Irrigation 181 ISD 312 Iseki 63 ISL Animal Health 158b Isusu D-Max 156 J - James Engineering Ltd 61 Jaylor 91 Just Diggers Ltd 116a Just Horse ‘N’ Around 307 K - Kaipara District Council - KDC 231

Kaipara Workwear & Safety Kaiwaka Clothing Kauri Park Nurseries Keenan New Zealand Keith Hay Homes Keri Cell Nursery King Springs King’s College KIOTI Kippers Mussel Fritters Kiwi Kai Kart Knauf Earthwool Koru Fashionz Kotte Garant Krone KSN Products Kuhn NZ Kuhn NZ KYB & KONI Shocks L - L2 Apparel Lawrence Electronics Leafbusters Northland Leafscreen NZ Ltd Leisure Therapy Lely LIC (Livestock Improvement)

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221, 260 237 220 102 117 252b 344 190a 91 Food Court 2 Food Court 1 924 734 211 86 299b 95 99 344 714 222 872, 874 642 305b 89 244

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Northern Farming Lifestyles February 2012

27

NORTHLAND FIELD DAYS 2012 – MAP & SITE LISTINGS

Ltd

626 21 212 322a 222 120 85 en 83, 85, 87, 136, 138, 140 237 877, 879 91 285 tre 202 ,204 s 863 175 153a 129 Hunting & Fishing-Dargaville 339 91 gineers Ltd 61, 114 008 Ltd 312 906, 908 91 ur Steel 203a 193 269

Mike Bags Ltd Mike Pero Mortgages Milk Bar (McInnes Manufacturing) Milk Hub Mimico MK GEL Batteries Model Barn Ltd MONOSEM Morgan Engineering Ltd Motorola Mountain Fresh Ltd Mr Whippy (Whangarei) MTF Orewa Muriwai Valley Farm MYEBIZ International N - Name Art Nanave Healthcare National Animal Identification & Tracing Native American Crafts and Music Natural Insulation New Zealand Bed Co New Zealand Blood Services New Zealand Fire Service Newman Engineering (2004) Ltd Ngahiwi Farms Ltd Nitrosol/Rural Reseach

NKV Coastguard 179a Noel Remnant Filtration 601, 602 Normanby Fibreglass Ltd 68 North Country Grains 158a Northable Disabilities Services 925 Northern Honda 303 Northern Truck & Bus Ltd 5 Northern Wairoa Hire 163 Northern Wairoa Voice for Life 876 Northland Autos 172 Northland Boating Centre 222 Northland Dairy Development Trust 280 Northland Farm Services Ltd 88 Northland Farm Water Solutions Ltd 248b Northland Kia Ltd 156 Northland Red Devon Cattle Breeders 127 Northland Regional Council 251, 253 Northland Toyota 259, 261, 294, 296 Northland Tree Works 324 Northpower Ltd 218 Norwood Farm Machinery Centre 71, 73, 124, 126 NRM 148 Nufarm NZ 148, 237 Number 46 LTD 75a Nuplex Industries 639 Nutritional Services Ltd 630 Nuttz Gourmet 914 NZ Agriseeds Ltd 148, 237 NZ Fudge Farm Partnership 861 NZ Historic Places Trust 655, 656 NZ Institute of Rural Health 622 NZ Landcare Trust 249 NZ Police 232, 234a NZ Vehicle Sales 149 NZ woodproducts 245 NZAgBiz Ltd 237 O - Ocean Organics Ltd 300 O’Dwyer’s Butchery & Homekill Service 142b OEX Electrical Spares 344 Oil Seed Products 250 Ombro Leather Goods Ltd 708 Omnistar 645 One Spice 889 Open Wananga 305a Origin Agroup Ltd 120 Orion 250 OSIM NEW ZEALAND 871, 873 Outback 322a Outgro Bio Agricultural Ltd 315 P - Pacific Motor Group 129, 131, 133 Pacific Seeds 250 Palm Co 252b Palms Lifestyle Village 899 Pam and Stan Torkington 713 Panasonic 153a Paslode 148 Pearson Engineering Ltd 81 Penguin Sea and Surf Ltd 308 Performance Products Ltd 306a Persona Beauty Aotearoa 916 Pfizer New Zealand 237 PGG Wrightson 199 PGG Wrightson Seeds 148 Philips 153a Phillips Audio 344 Pink Solution 923 Plasma Biotec Solutions 282a Plunket Car Seat Rentals 354 Poland Motors 268 Polaris Motorcycles 258 Poppa G’s Food Court 2 Pottinger 120 Power Farming Wholesale Ltd 91, 93, 144, 146 Power Tarps 43 PPI Corporation 193 PPP Industries Ltd 270 Precision Automobiles 346, 348 Precision Planning 220 Pride Mobility 302 Printing . Com Whangarei 649

298 267b 243 623, 624 31 302 297a 86 43 306b 886 Foodhall 149 127 145 715 169 604 701, 702 654 902, 904 883 232, 234a 90 134a 277b

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Continued on page 28 . . .

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February 2012

Northern Farming Lifestyles

NORTHLAND FIELD DAYS

2012 SITE LISTINGS Schaad Bro’s - Switzerland 322b Scooterworks 302 Seales Winslow 191 Seasole 250 Semex NZ Ltd 658 Shaw Diesels Ltd 21 Shed Boss 203a Shelter Station Northland 60 Shoprider Mobility 302 Shuzi NZ Ltd 887 Sieraden Designs 913 Silvan 63 SIMBA 91 Sime 283 Sinopec Lubricants 344 Skin and Vein Clinic 919, 921 Snap Happy Marketing 891 Sock Lady 206a Solarpeak Waikato/Pratts 155b Sovrano Limoncello 869 Speedy Corporation Ltd 281 Stallion Equipment Ltd 601 Stallion Plastics Ltd 148 Steel & Tube Roofing 245 Steel Shed Systems 179b Steelfort 95, 99 Stihl NZ Ltd 285 Stoney Creek 148 Strainrite Fencing Systems 254 Strautman 211 Sunz Ltd 229 Super Air 191 SUPREME 86 Surface Protect 906 Surprising Discoveries 893, 895 Suzuki New Zealand Ltd 178, 180, 182 Sweepa NZ Ltd 650 SWWP 322a T - Taege Engineering 74 Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre/Northtec 647 Tatoma 120 Taupo Native Plant Nursery Limited 207b Tbfree New Zealand 604, 605, 606 TechniPharm New Zealand Ltd 173 Teeter Hang - Ups 169 Telecom Accessories 306b Telford Rural Polytechnic 220 Tewalana 153a The Better Back Company 646 The Drench Company 250 The Feeder Leader Company 122 The Liquorice Lady Ltd 912 The Little Green Kitchen Food Court 2 The National Bank 233, 235 The Watt Shop 322a The Wrangler Ltd 247a Tiaho Trust 927 Tifone Sprayers 269 Tiletex Ltd 910 Tint a Car Whangarei 203b Tokoroa Engineering Ltd 119 Tongue Hammer Food Ltd 870 Toolwares Sales 245 Total Flooring 639 Total Span Northland/Gunadoo Ltd 41 TracMap NZ Ltd 651 Trailblazes 353, 355 Trans Diesel Ltd 100b Tree Wise Northland 121 Trojan 322a Trueform Products LTD 340 Tulloch Farm Machines 86 Turiwiri Produce LTD 220 Tuturu Products Ltd 252b Tyres 4 You 139 U - UDC Finance Ltd 233 Urban Adventure 729 V - Vanson Northland 33b Veronica’s Delights 301 Versatile Homes and Buildings 230 Vertex 306b Viafos Importing Ltd 252a VICON 91 Vitality Sales Tupperware 929, 931 Viterra 148 Vodafone NZ 309, 311 W - Wade Concrete Products Ltd 184 Waikato Milking 88 Walker Mowers (Stevens Products) 64, 66 Warren Hay Marine 166, 168 Waterways Environmental Services 249 WES 306b Westpac New Zealand 280 Whangarei District Council WDC 249 What Power Crisis ltd 223, 262 Whites Handcrafts 297b Williams 98 Williams Engineering 248b Wilson Plastics 193 Windows & Doors Services 911 Winter Gardenz (Greenhouses) 267a Women on Wheels 149 Woodcraft Creations 62a Wrack Auto Electrical 344 Y - Yamaha / Outboards 222 Yamaha Motor NZ Ltd 171 Yamaha Motorcycles 258 Your Health Naturally NZ Ltd 920 Yovich & Co 267b Yovich Hayward Pevats Johnston Ltd 267b Z - Zero Pak Vacuum Sealers 609 ZTR Dixon 89

Dr. Julian Waters proudly sponsored by...

Improved profitability through better feeding

by Dr Julian Waters

The regular rainfall across much of the country during late spring and early summer has been estimated to be worth more than $100 million to the dairy sector, from a predicted 5% increase in milk production over last year. The increase would have been higher but for the exceptionally dry weather during December in the south and east of the South Island.

The increase in milk production has been largely driven by feeding cows better over a longer period during lactation, as opposed to a dramatic improvement in genetic merit. Higher genetic merit cows increase their milk production in response to higher nutrient intakes than lower genetic merit cows, so there is a benefit in improving herd genetics. However, few if any farmers feed their cows to their genetic potential, so feed intake and quality, as well as nutrient balance, are the major constraints to milk production, not genetics.

Profitability can be increased by spreading farm overheads over more litres or milk solids. Therefore, increasing milk production from feeding cows better,

to attain flatter lactation curves and more days in milk, results in higher profits, as long as the value of the additional milk produced is higher than the cost of the inputs to achieve it.

If pasture growth is favourable, then this extra production may be achieved from efficient utilisation of pasture. Under less favourable conditions, such as in the lower South Island this year, then bought in feeds (forage or concentrates) should be considered. The additional benefits of improved cow condition and in calf rates also need to be factored in, as these are a direct responses to better feeding.

As always, diets need to be properly balanced to ensure efficient utilisation of feeds, with the primary response being increased production as opposed to improving body condition. This includes energy yielding nutrients, effective fibre, protein, minerals and vitamins. The easiest way to achieve this is to make use of an appropriate, user friendly feed rationing program.

Better feeding of cows also requires tackling issues associated with anti-

The power of nature with the reliability of science.

nutritional factors such as mycotoxins, which can reduce feed intake and adversely affect health and metabolism, thus milk production and fertility. The two major sources of mycotoxins for grazing cattle are; Neotypodium lolii endophyte which produces ergovaline and lolitrem-B, and the saprophytic fungus Pithomyces chartarum which produces sporodesmin the toxin associated with facial eczema.

The AR1 and AR37 ryegrass varieties were developed or mycotoxin binders have been used to overcome the endophyte issue. Facial eczema prevention relies heavily on zinc being dosed at near toxic levels to reduce the harmful effects of sporodesmin toxin.

Zinc helps prevent sporodesmin producing free radicals which cause liver damage. The production of free radicals is dependent on the presence of suitable transition metals, such as iron and copper, which may be an issue in areas with high iron levels in soil and water. Copper is the more reactive of these two metals, which is why farmers are advised to supplement with organic copper sources as opposed to copper sulphate during high zinc dosing periods.

Hi

2

Zinc dosing should be well under way before sporodesmin spore counts spike, and several organisations provide weekly regional forecasts from early January. However, spore levels vary widely between farms and individual paddocks, so regional forecasts are of only limited use, so using a simple kit test on-farm would be advisable on high risk farms.

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Northern Farming Lifestyles February 2012

Artist creates matches made in heaven

by Annette Lambly-Robinson

For glass artist Hana Easton creating jewellery is ‘all about discovery and rediscovery’ As the owner of Eternal Flame Jewellery she is a regular exhibitor at the Northland Field Days each year.

An artist with many talents she describes her journey from clay to glass and jewellery and the pleasure her work brings her.

“It’s not all about the sale for me.

It’s much more than that. When a piece of jewellery ‘calls’ to someone and they can’t go past it, it’s for a reason.

The person wearing the piece actually completes the final act of creation — their personality, face, hair, and skin adds to the picture and creates a new work.

“I rediscover my own work through a different context,’’ she says.

Hana doesn’t try on her work as she creates it, “so seeing it on different people gives me a completely different perspective as it becomes a part of them. It is quite amazing, and at the end of a long day standing on my feet meeting the public, is hugely rewarding.

I feel likes a successful matchmaker,” she laughs.

She says she puts a huge amount of love and care into each piece, creating only one of each design because she

want the person who buys it to have something unique — something of lasting value and beauty.

After more than a decade overseas Hana returned to New Zealand in 1999.

For the first years she returned to her first love — sculpting in clay, but when approached by Annie Rose Limited to tutor, she began sculpting in silver.

For years the accomplished portrait sculptor had taught both children and adults in New Zealand to do clay sculpturing but silver was a new medium.

“I had my hands full with a baby, but I was intrigued and love a challenge.”

That heralded a move into glass as she began exploring the combining of both silver and glass, drawing on her training in glaze technology.

She says she never stops experimenting, working on several pieces at once, sometimes shelving one idea to try another, then returning to it, not wanting to leave any path unexplored.

Five years ago, a back injury led to an enforced career change for her boilermaker husband. The couple wanted something they could do together so Hana stopped teaching and set up their

own business Eternal Flame Jewellery.

“It was a leap of faith, selling my work directly to the public,” she laughs, “I wasn’t at all sure I could make it financially viable as I am such a perfectionist. I never let a piece of jewellery leave my studio until I am totally happy with it.’’

But the venture has paid off and now Hana has regular return customers from all around the world.

She works in Italian glass (developed over 700 years ago on the island of Murano in Venice) with a range of precious and semi-precious metals, and metal oxides.

“This is what creates the fabulous rich colours that are trapped in the glass. In practical terms, the pieces don’t fade or breakdown.’’

Hana is emphatic she doesn’t create costume jewellery, but heirlooms that will be “around for hundreds of years to come,” and this adds to her sense of pride.

She says much of her business is return customers, who often pop by or email to tell her how much pleasure her pieces have given them.

Knowing this inspired Hana to donate jewellery to women who had

29

Glass artist Hana Easton uses Italian glass for her work

lost everything in the Christchurch earthquakes.

“We sent the pieces with a whole wad of handwritten notes written by many Northlanders who wanted to show they too cared. We were told that in moments of despair, these simple messages of support from total strangers made all the difference, and were often shared from person to person.

“Things made with love, give love,’’ says Hana.

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February 2012

Northern Farming Lifestyles

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31

Controlled feeding cuts costly wastage

by Annette Lambly-Robinson

Peter Tonkin grew up on the family sheep and beef farm at Matakohe.

After managing the farm he and his wife Sheryl purchased the 260-hectare property 20 years ago.

They farm around 1,000 Texel breeding ewes — 800 commercial and 200 stud ewes — and around 200 mixed breed cattle.

Two years ago while at the National Field Days in Hamilton they were impressed by a mobile paddock feeding system being marketed in New Zealand for the first time.

Gerard Roney, an Australian from Central Victoria had developed the feeders while studying at university.

What impressed the Tonkins the most about the feeders was the ability to move them around without having to wait for all the grain or hay to be eaten.

This meant sheep and cattle could be moved to new grazing at any time and eliminated wastage.

The other main feature was the grain feeder could be regulated so sheep could access only 250g per head, per day.

Previously the lowest ration that could be set was 600g per head, per day — far more than what was required in many circumstances.

Gerard had grown up on a sheep and cropping property and in 2005 had purchased 1,000 ewes of his own. He knew over feeding was costly and so spent six months making and testing prototypes.

His dual adjustment system, when set on the restricted setting, allows sheep and cattle to eat only when they have saliva on their tongue. Once the saliva has dried up — usually after about five minutes eating, the animals have to wait for it to build up again before revisiting the feeder. The restricted feeding means sheep are fed approximately 200g/ head/day and cattle 2kg/head/day.

While talking to Gerard the Tonkins learned he was planning to travel north to the Northland Field Days to further promote his products.

Being true Northlanders Sheryl and Peter offered him a ‘bed’ if he needed one and while Gerard never made it to the Field Days, a year later he approached them to see if they would be interested in becoming their New Zealand agent.

From their own use they had found the feeders to be good products and decided to give it ago.

“We weren’t afraid to sell something that works well, so agreed to take on the agency,’’ said Peter.

A chance meeting saw well-known Northlanders Sheryl and Peter Tonkin become the sole New Zealand agents for Advantage products.

Sold through a website, the feeders are flat packed and freighted free of charge to around 40 Mainfreight depots nationwide.

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The Tonkins will be exhibiting Advantage Feeders for the first time at this year’s Northland Field Days to be held March 1–3 at Dargaville.

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32

February 2012

Northern Farming Lifestyles

Natives for shelter and bird life

by Annette Lambly-Robinson

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ments designed by Farmers in N equip ew ing ndl Ze ha ala le n

EASYBAIL ©

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It will be the second time the Taupo Native Plant Nursery has exhibited at the Northland Field Days.

Established at Taupo in 1961, as part of the Department of Conservation to grow and supply native plants for the restoration of scenic reserves, forests and national parks, it was the first specialist revegetation native plant nursery in New Zealand.

Now, privately owned since 1993, the nursery’s primary objectives are to grow and provide hardy ecologically sourced plants and promote conservation by providing rehabilitation of the natural environment.

“We do our own seed collecting,’’ says sales and marketing manager Sheryl Hickey.”

The seed is eco-sourced, hand collected, hand-sorted, propagated, and then nurtured into seedlings and in some cases larger trees and plants.

Currently two million seedlings and 1.7 million plants, annually are despatching to nationwide destinations.

Sheryl says the company is making the trip north to let people know who they are and what they have to offer.

They didn’t attend last year preferring to exhibit only every second year.

The company has two nurseries, one at Taupo and one at Waiuku which was established about six years ago.

This year apart from offering expert advice to patrons, they will also be promoting bird and shelter packs.

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LEVER FORWARD (Anti Backing) RATCHET Fits between railspace from 125mm to 220mm.

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Images from Albertland Silver Edition now available William Harold Marsh, farmer, father, early Albertlander and adventurous photographer captured a time of enchantment, when life was lived at a slower pace and governed by a different set of values, priorities and ambitions.

The selection of 20 plants in each carry bag has been chosen as suitable for Northland conditions.

Each pack will contain at least five varieties of plants including kowhai, coprosma, flaxes, pittosporums cabbage tree and ake ake sold at wholesale prices.

Taupo Native Plant Nursery undertakes contract work for councils and landscapers, but also supplies

private individual with deliveries available nationwide.

Apart from Northland they also attended the National Fieldays in Hamilton and the Central District Field days in Palmerston North “It will be good to be back in the north again and we look forward to meeting new and returning customers.

Visit Sheryl and Michael (Watts) at site 207B.

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Northern Farming Lifestyles February 2012

Dog’s tail . . .

Alla world’s a movie set

“World’s blimmin a crazy place, eh Dog?” The Boss was sittin’ on a woolshed steps readin’ tha paper I bring from a cattil stop. So I prickt up me ears. I kin tell from’ is tone of voyce wen Boss has a bee in his bonnit, an’ this was one of tho’s times.

“Seems we are makin’ a new Hollywood movie in New Zilland,” tha Boss went on.

“Musta been ’cos of that Lord’o the Rings pictcha, y’know wen John Ki gave the pictcha company a big tax handout, and changed tha lore for Kiwi workers ta keep Hollywood happy?

Now I see we’re gettin’ Hollwoodized all over.”

Boss’s girlfren’ Sharlene came ova froma house then with a cupa tee.

“What do ya meen deah?” she asked.

“Well Sharlene, look it this bloke wot got arrested in Orklind. ‘Parently, there was 70 odd cops, a couple a bloody choppers, guns every wich way, all landed on ’is front lorn. Bloke bein’ grabbed reckin’s he didn’t know they was kops, and did a runner inside.

Thena kops say there wuz one bloke in unyform, so he shuda known eberythin’ wuz ok. Ha! The rest wuz in mufti, an’ I reckin that wuz so know one wood no who was a kiwi kop an’ who wuz frum Hollywood, y’no, FBI actors frum Crime Seen Invesigating ona telly. Bloody overkill, if ya asks me.

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But before you strip off your clothing to the bare minimum, spare a thought for your skin.

They reckin’ kiwiland’s a grate place ta make movies, so I reckin Hollywood’s now lookin’ at doin’ reality TeeV. Keep tha FBI ratin’s up eh?”

Sharlene grabbed a bita tha paper then, wile she sipt her tee.

“Don’t no about that deah,” she sed. “But looky hear. That nice Piry Weepu’s bin gittin’ a whole lotta stick for feedin’ his babe frum a bottil. Blimmin’ wimmins thort police in aktion hear, neva mind tha FBI.” Boss lookt ova her sholda an’ reda story too. “Yep deah. That might mean we gotta problim.”

“Hows ’at deah,” sid Sharlene.

“Y’now yore sista’s bringing her mates in a varsity debatin’ socyity up for a weekend frum Orklind? Well, if I no her, she’ll be on her hi horse about breast-feedin’. Now, I jus’ wunder if we shud ’ave a bit ofa tidy up round tha farm.”

Sharlene lookt a bit puzziled. “Why for deah?”

Thena boss pointed ta tha calf-feeder he bort frum a last feeld days. “She’ll be havin’ ago agin ’bout animil rites.

Rememba last tyme she wuz hear, she let alla pigs outa the sty. Reckind they wuzn’t getting’ fresh air. All we need is fer her ta get inta tha wine an’ decide tha cows ’as bin deprived of teat-feedin’ there calves. Gawd no’s wot would happin then!

She’d probly call ina FBI. They don’t seem ta have much ta do ona crime-fitin’ front.”

Sharlene gave tha Boss wot I calls THE LOOK, and pict up tha cups.

33

“Deah,” she sed. “Why don’t ya go fishin’ fer tha weekend — keep outa her, and my way fer a cupla days?”

Yep — gotta admit. Boss is pritty bloody cunning eh?

Se ya ata beach — Billy

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supportive collagen and elastin. All of this is accelerated by UV exposure. Peter says pigment spots, red veins and scaly sunspots may develop in sun exposed areas, and may lead to skin cancer. Northland has the highest rate of melanoma in the world.

The Skin and Vein Clinic offer scientific skin care, laser rejuvenation or photodynamic therapy (PDT) which can remove bothersome sunspots and most non melanoma skin cancer non-surgically, all while reversing unwanted sun damage effects.

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To do this, Peter and Jill undertake a laser closure of varicose veins, with local anaesthesia, and this is often covered by private insurers. Spider veins are lasered or sclerosed, and these are walk in walk out procedures, with an immediate return to work for patients.

W

hangarei’s Dr Peter ChapmanSmith and Dr Jill Gibson provide skilled assessment, diagnosis and preventive advice at the Skin and Vein Clinic.

Every day they see skin that has been damaged by the sun but say there are a few easy ways in which people can avoid letting harmful rays get in the way of enjoying summer.

“Through December to March, the sun develops more bite, with a higher midday sky beaming damaging UVA and UVB radiation onto us.

“But sun avoidance measures and using protective broad spectrum sunscreens is a no brainer, especially with paler, more Celtic skin.”

And while harm done to our skin isn’t always seen immediately, over time our skin thins and dries, meaning a loss in

And for those who have a lot of socialising on their calendar over the next few months, Peter recommends some minor procedures that require little or no recovery time.

“Combining dermal fillers and Botox, known as ‘the liquid facelift’, allows softer fresher faces, addressing a loss of volume, wrinkling and shadowing. Subtle changes are popular to allow down-aging with confidence. Fat transfer is also an option.”

Peter also specialises in surgical removals of moles and tags, performs flaps and grafts, and is also an affiliated provider for Southern Cross Healthcare.

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34

February 2012 Northern

Farming Lifestyles

Mulched Instantly!

4m high gorse…

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Past Field Days Action From Top: Exceptional skill with chainsaw carving.

Plenty of fun in the mud — with lawnmower racing and the ubiquitous tractor pull

Prolan natural quad bike protection and general farm lubricant With the general day to day running of quad bikes along dairy farm treks, near coastal areas — or any other corrosive environment — manure, dirt, sand or mud — or simply long term storage — the underside of bikes quickly corrode. Prolan NZ specialises in the manufacture of environmentally friendly lanolin lubricants, corrosion inhibitors and anti-seize greases.

Prolan once sprayed underneath quad bikes, will last on a bike frame from 9 months to 2 years (depending on use) and won’t wash off — so bikes can be waterblasted and the frame and product remain intact — providing excellent protection. Many quad bike frames rust out within 3 years.

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Use Prolan to preserve, lubricate and protect your assets to ensure their longevity. Use Prolan on tractors, quad bike and 4WD chassis, harvesters, feeders, chains, conveyors, irrigation, spraying equipment, fertilisers, trucks and electrical hardware.

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It is at this time of the year that a lot of Agricultural harvesting is being carried out. A squeak in the mower or the elevator can soon be resolved with Prolan. One spray and the noise disappears, parts are protected and Prolan stays on. Once harvesting is complete haymaking equipment can be sprayed with Prolan to protect whilst in storage till the following year.

For seized hinges or padlocks out on the farm Prolan can save a lot of time. One spray can save months of continual maintenance and headaches. Gates swing freely and the Prolan continues to lubricate and protect.

The ability of Prolan to ‘STAY-ON’ and its environmental friendliness, safeness and versatility ensure assets are well protected and time is saved on maintenance.

Site 282B Northland Agricultural Field Days.

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Protect your farm assets long term • Stops corrosion by preventing air and moisture attack.

• 9-12months of lasting protection saving time on multiple reapplication.

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Northern Farming Lifestyles February 2012

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February 2012

Northern Farming Lifestyles

Golden Shears to host 2012 World Shearing Champs With the countdown on to this year’s World Shearing Championships, shearers, wool handlers and wool pressers will be brushing up their skills and refining their techniques.

Hosted by the Golden Shears Society, this year’s World Shearing Championships will see 25 countries from across the globe represented at the event. That’s almost double the number since the previous World Shearing Championships hosted by Golden Shears in 1996.

Golden Shears president Mavis Mullins said interest in the event has been growing over time.

Save the hassles and dodge the ticket queues at the Northland Field Days by going online — purchase an e-ticket then slip through the new express line.

“We’ve had a really good dedicated team consistently planning towards the event for the past two years,” said Mrs Mullins.

“It’s going to marvellous event.”

be

The Northland Field Days — one of the first of the regional field days’ organisers to offer this method of booking has teamed up with iTicket to let people buy on-line tickets.

a

According to Northland Field Days’ president, Lew Duggan, farmers and agricultural businesses are starting to move online so it is important that they are able to interact with the Northland Field Days in the same manner.

Over 200 volunteers are involved in all aspects of the competition to ensure the event runs smoothly.

The availability of online ticketing is just part of a digital overhaul of the Northland Field Days website.

This includes farmers and other sheep owners presenting

Visit the KINGHITTER Site No. 072 at Northland Field Days 2011

2008 Open winner, John Kirkpatrick

their animals in the best condition possible.

“No matter what the weather, they will have their sheep at Masterton when needed,” said Mrs Mullins.

“The work that the Wairarapa community has been doing has also been marvellous. We’re pretty committed to making this special.”

Come see us at site #72

Beat the queues with e-tickets

Anybody interested in going to the field days can now see the upcoming events, exhibitors’ maps, a list of competitions and a list of giveaways and free activities and services available. As there is constant updates from the organisation’s Facebook page.

To celebrate the new website organisers are giving away entry and a meal for four as well as a helicopter ride for one of the first 1200 people to ‘like’ the Northland Field Days page on Facebook.

Visit www.ww.northlandfielddays.co.nz/ or go to their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/ NorthlandFieldDays

The 2012 World Shearing Championships takes centre stage in Masterton from February 29 to March 3.

Wales held the previous World Shearing Championships in 2010.

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Northern Farming Lifestyles February 2012

Possum pies are back on the menu

37

Tasty ‘Pipiwai possum pies’ will be on offer to visitors to the Northland Regional Council marquee at next month’s Northland Field Days in Dargaville.

The pies are a follow on gimmick from other wild food treats which have included wasp larvae ice-cream (last year’s offering) and goat meat pies offered by NRC in recent years.

“We’ve also had crackers topped with possum pate, wild rabbit sausages and breakfast sausages flavoured with the peppery native plants kawakawa and horopito,’’ says regional council events

and partnerships co-ordinator Katherine Mabbitt.

regional council’s work,’’ says Mrs Mabbitt.

The ‘pest’ pies fit in with this year’s ‘Back to Basics’ theme and previously proved themselves popular at the council’s marquee in 2005.

As their name suggests, most of the possum meat for the pies comes from the rural Pipiwai area, near Whangarei.

“It’s a light-hearted way to boost visitor numbers to the council marquee to view displays and speak with staff about the more serious side of the

The bulk of the meat has been sourced by Pipiwai local George Niha, a member of Te Kaiakiri Mai O Te Orewai Trust, which last year joined the regional council’s increasingly popular Community

Pest Control Area scheme.

More than 50 possums trapped by Mr Niha and council biosecurity officers were boned and minced at Whangarei’s O’Dwyer’s Butchery — yielding about 20kg of meat.

They will be baked into 1,500 bitesized gourmet pies by Regency Pies and served over the three-day annual event held in Dargaville.

Do you suffer from BACK or NECK PAIN? If you suffer from back or neck pain come along to

the Northland Field Days Site 169 and try the Teeter Hang-Ups Inversion Table.

A three and a half year medical study recently completed at the Regional Neuroscience Centre in Newcastle by one of the UK’s leading Neurosurgeons and authorities on back care, found that Inversion Therapy reduced the need for spinal surgery by 77% compared to 22% with traditional methods of treatment.

We will set the table at a slight angle of 20 degrees, which will gently take the pressure off your spine and relax you in a way you have never felt before.

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Come along for a free stretch! You will love it!

After four years in NZ there are now enough people using the Teeter Hang-Ups to dispel the last of any doubts, these really do work. We have helped thousands of people get ongoing relief from their back pain, do yourself a favour, come along and try for yourself.

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0800 62 62 83 | www.teeter.co.nz Pipiwai trapper George Niha with some of the possums destined to become gourmet pies at the regional council’s marquee at next month’s Northland Field Days at Dargaville

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February 2012

Northern Farming Lifestyles

Holistic health for animals and humans Natural health enthusiast Sasha Clark is enjoying learning about homoeopathy not only for humans but also for animals

Sasha Clark will offer homoeopathic remedies for animals and people

The Dargaville woman who took over the local natural health store, Health Options, from previous owner Pam Baldwin, last September is currently studying animal homeopathy.

Sasha, who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in psychology and anthropology from Massey University, is also a qualified Reiki

(Japanese stress reduction technique) practitioner, will be a first time exhibitor at this year’s Northland Field days.

She wants to use her new-found homoeopathy skills to help the whole community, especially its animal kind and is aiming to become a fully qualified alternative health consultant so she can provide these services to the people of Kaipara and wider Northland.

“I want to do both animal and human alternative health because I’ve always been interested in and had a preference for natural health,” she says.

She likes the concept of being able to help a number of body ailments by bringing the health back into balance.

The rural scene has always featured in Sasha’s life in some way and this coupled with a love of animals has led to her interest in their total, balanced health.

She is looking forward to stocking a range of natural and homoeopathic remedies and products geared towards farmers and their livestock needs.

For example there are many homoeopathic products for cattle that have a ‘no milk with-holding period’. She said she intends developing animal orientated merchandise in the near future.

“Animal nutrition is also one of my passions and I soon will be offering nutritional programmes for cats and dogs.”

Currently Sasha works at the business part-time, with the previous existing staff still running it. She expects to go into the store full-time at sometime in the future.

nutrition “Animal is also one of my passions and I soon will be offering nutritional programmes for cats and dogs

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Water a theme for family company

Northern Farming Lifestyles February 2012

39

by Annette Lambly-Robinson

Jeanette and Andrew Wade say the Northland Field days is their major promotion opportunity “Farmers from all over the north and even further afield can view our products and range,” says Jeanette.

“We also get a feel for what type of products are in demand and what might sell better than others — it’s marketing and research rolled together in a great atmosphere.

“It’s never about what you sell on the day — it’s about exposure to returning or potential clients.

Wade’s Concrete site is well known to regular patrons as it always has a number of competitions, open to the public.

Guess the amount of water in the trough, a horseshoe throw and a hula hoop competition (the family are involved with Circus Kumarani so they like to have a circus theme) are some of the competitions the punters can have a go at.

It’s a lot of fun and well received with product vouchers as the prizes.

Andrew, a former plumber and farm worker started up the company 21 years ago when he saw there was a possible need for concrete products.

“He came home one night and said he was going to make concrete farm troughs,” laughs Jeanette.

“I voiced my concern — after all I wondered just how many troughs you could sell — when you consider they last for more than 20 years I couldn’t see they needed to be replaced often.”

Nevertheless in spite of Jeanette’s initial doubts, and the availability of plastic products Wade’s concrete products are still in strong demand.

Initially Robin Adams who had concrete manufacturing experience showed Andrew how to make the troughs.

Andrew and Jeanette unable to get bank support, could only borrow some of the funds required to purchase the building from lawyers.

Support for the couple came from local icon and Dargaville businessman — the late Tom McKay, (the then current owner of the premises).

Mr McKay left money in, interest free for two years to give them a go in getting established.

So they set about doing the hard yards in building not only the products but the company’s markets.

“Andrew made the first 100 troughs by himself — with a pile of sand, metal and cement and a little concrete mixer,” says Jeannette.

Every six or seven years Andrew comes up with a new product to meet changing demands such as the portable concrete silage feeder he and Te Kopuru farmer Ben Zwaans designed and built.

It has been popular with farmers. They also make and sell a number of products such as store traps for cowshed, cattle stops, septic tanks, water tanks, culverts and various sizes and shapes of paving stones and offer numerous plastic and alkathene pipes and fittings.

It’s a family business with Swissborn Jeanette managing the office

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and 16-year-old son Daniel helping out during the school holidays.

Andrew and Jeanette have long recognised that having a good working relationship with their staff is an important ingredient in business and acknowledge for the last 10 years foreman Mark Russell has been a definite benefit for them.

This field days Wade Concrete will be showing off a new product — check it out.

SITE test drive today!

Whichever way you look at it.

The new CLAAS ARION mid-range tractor is a brilliant performer when it comes to putting power on the ground.

A combination of advanced technology engines, super efficient transmissions and clever ballasting options gives ARION a true edge in fuel economy.

CLAAS HYDROSTABLE four point cab suspension, a long wheel base, optional front axle suspension and all new ergonomic controls help complete the picture. CLAAS ARION. Speak to your nearest CLAAS Harvest Centre or dealer today.

Suitable for repairing damaged dairy floors or slippery areas Applied by contractor or supplied as a DIY kit Come see Bruce at Field Days site 160A

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Ean, Chantal and members of our experienced team will attend our stand each day in Rural Pavilion One at the

82

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New or existi lied Able to be app ings during between milk s summer month

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Wade Concrete foreman Mark Russell, and proprietor Andrew Wade

Northland Field Days – 1, 2 and 3 March

Call in for a chat and enter our daily draw for a $500 credit on professional services for two lucky winners each day

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Northland

40

February 2012 Northern

Farming Lifestyles

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Northern Farming Lifestyles February 2012

41

Chopper service has the North well covered Kirsty Jessop, co-owner of Helinorth Agricultural Limited says the Northland Field Days is a great way of meeting clients face to face — whether they be new or returning clients

Helinorth offers a diverse range of aerial operations

“It’s a good way for farmers and others in the industry to see our equipment, meet with us personally and talk about what we can offer,” she said.

Kirsty and her husband Allan have owned the business since 2007 having purchased from the local Reiher family whom originally formed Helinorth in early 2000.

The couple along with their two children, Blake 10, and Paige 7, live at Tangiteroria and it’s from this home base Kirsty manages the administration side of the business.

Both bring to the business a comprehensive knowledge of farming — Allan has a background in farming and Kirsty grew up on a local sheep, beef and deer farm, so they have a a good

understanding of farming and seasonal needs.

It was in 2006 when Allan who was having flying lessons, got roped into helping out with the ground crew for the Helinorth company, and not too long after that he was working full time for the company.

During this time Allan broadened his knowledge extensively on pasture management and weed control.

In March 2007 the couple were offered the chance to purchase the business and three months later they found themselves in the aviation industry.

While Allan is now a qualified agricultural pilot, he still manages to get his hands dirty when situations require his help on the ground, while former

owner Barry Reiher remains as chief operations manager and pilot.

With helicopter bases now in Dargaville, Kerikeri, Whangarei and Wellsford, Helinorth can now provide their local customers with a more efficient service. Helinorth operates from Auckland to Cape Reinga and has managed to build up a substantial client base over this area.

Late last year Helinorth purchased a Bell Longranger seven-seat helicopter. It has joined the fleet of Robinson R44’s currently in use. This larger helicopter will also be used for all agricultural,

forestry, lifting operations and firefighting as well as scenic flights.

Whilst agriculture services remain the backbone of the company Helinorth also offers a diversity of aerial operations including scenic tours, photography, airport transfers, pilot training and a wedding service — what bride hasn’t dreamt of arriving at her wedding in a helicopter?

Helinorth has been attending the Northland Field Days since early 2000 and are located at site 211.

See our ad on page 5

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42

February 2012

Northern Farming Lifestyles

Upskilling those involved in the farming industry Read the paper online www.farminglifestyles.co.nz

by Annette Lambly-Robinson

SCRAP METALS WANTED Scrap Cars All Trucks and Farm Machinery All Heavy Steels All Light Steel Whiteware/roofing Iron etc *Collection & Skip Bins Available Non Ferrous Scrap Copper, Aluminium, Brass, Lead, Batteries etc Top Prices Paid Ph: 09 426 1552 or 0800 Tin Men

LOCATION - TAVERN RD, SILVERDALE

The Northland team at the Field Days last year, from Left it is Tania Matheson (Customer Relations Adviser), Kate Alexander (Territory Manager), Sarah Searle (training Adviser North West Northland), Jewel Matheson (training Adviser South East Northland)

EADON HIGHLAND CATTLE

Sarah Searle, one of two Northland training advisors for The Agriculture Training Industry Organisation says she will be on site at the Northland Field Days spreading the word about what the organisation can offer farm workers and owners.

Mrs Searle, who lives at Te Kopuru says the AgITO now offers farming courses, modern apprenticeships and a National Diploma in Agribusiness Management to those already working in the industry.

“We hope to promote our farm training plan which ranges from the very basics suitable for a ‘brand new farm worker’ through to the more skilled courses such as the diploma suitable for experienced farm workers, sharemilkers managers and farm owners.”

To enrol on an apprenticeship, the student must be aged under 22 years of age, selected by the AgITO and already be working on a farm.

A farming modern apprenticeship is similar to that previously only available to trade professions such as building or plumbing.

Those trainees unable to enrol on an apprenticeship can enrol on a course suitable to their level of knowledge.

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Weaner halter-trained calves, heifers, cows and bulls for sale from our Fold of over 100 Highland Cattle. All cattle registered with NZHCS. Inspection by arrangement is invited.

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All sectors of the farming industry are covered, from poultry, pork and goats to sheep and beef and dairying.

Once we have a three-way agreement between the employer, the trainee and the AgITO representative — we can begin training says Mrs Searle who travels long distances to lend support.

Currently 24 students are undertaking a modern apprenticeship in the NorthWest Northland region — the largest number of farming apprentices in New Zealand. It also has 150 enrolled trainees.

“Our role is to support those already in the system and help them further their farming career,” said Mrs Searle.

She says she gets a great deal of satisfaction from seeing people who were not as keen as they could be enrolling and within a short time become motivated and pressing to do more.

“That’s pretty awesome,” she said.

Her regional zone runs from Pouto Point to Cape Reinga. She is assisted on the eastern side by Jewel Matheson whose region is Whangarei, south to Auckland.

She has been with the organisation for 18 months and says it is very rewarding to see the achievements realised by each student.

Mrs Searle encourages anyone interested in a career in farming to give it a go.

In the next few months the AgITO is rolling out a pilot adult literacy programme which will help those with literacy problems improve their ability to undertake study.

VISIT US LJ Hooker Site, LJ Hooker Highway at Northland Field Days

Contact Environmental Fertilisers for the restorative biological approach to soil fertility.

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With 25 years combined experience in biological agriculture, Grant Paton and Dr Greg Tate provide quality technical advice & tailored programmes for farmers, horticulturists and life-style blockers Biological or carbon farming involves a paradigm shift currently benefiting many conventional farmers. Don’t miss out on its long term health, economic and lifestyle benefits.

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It uses the process of ionisation to combat algae and bacteria in the water.

Having a FLOATRON in their own pool for over 16 years has made a world of difference to family life for company owners, Craig and Melissa. They have a passion for this product because they have a 6-year-old daughter with eczema and allergies. She is unable to swim in chemicalladen pools, but they are thrilled that she can swim in their pool all day, with no skin or health issues at all.

FLOATRON comes with a MONEY BACK GUARANTEE. After years of success, why not Join the thousands of happy customers with a FLOATRON...and a clean pool. Get a FLOATRON for yourself by ordering now, or request a FREE info pack at www.FLOATRON.co.nz or 0800 161 181.

We can’t be at the Field Days, but want to give you Field days prices!

0800 161 181 www.floatron.co.nz

SAVE $150 Expires 10.03.12

H Th

TA

Northern Farming Lifestyles February 2012

Gas Works has the experience

43

Gas Works & Plumbing Ltd is a family business, based in Whangarei and serving the Northland region with an experienced team of plumbers, gasfitters, solar installers, and sheetmetal fabricators Originally started as a plumbing and gas fitting business supplying and installing a range of gas fires and gas waterheaters, Gas Works has continued to expand and has now branched into other areas, including solar water heating, water filtration systems, sheetmetal fabricating etc.

The showroom has a great selection of gas fires and a gas waterheater setup on live display. The sheetmetal workshop is in the same building where we fabricate to order, air-conditioning and ventilation ducting, custom-made roof flashings, spouting, chimney caps/ cowls etc in stainless steel, galv, copper, zinc, colour steel etc. All work is of high quality, made to last, guaranteed to please.

At Gas Works we employ a team of Licenced Craftsman gasfitters and

plumbers who are qualified to issue you with a Gas Compliance certificate on completion of project.

Water Guard NZ Ltd have appointed Gas Works and Plumbing as their supplier of the ultimate UV water filtration system. These amazing ‘Water Guard’ triple filtration UV water sterilisation systems provide protection from any water-borne bugs and diseases, which can come from any water collected from tanks, bores or springs. By fitting one of these Water Guard filtration systems, your household is guaranteed healthy clean water at its best, free of any contaminants

Heating water “accounts for

Tineke Verkade’s passion for natural health and wellbeing with people and animals, has led her to create a unique business prescribing homeopathy and herbs to all aspects of farming industries.

Homeopathic Farm Support was founded in 1997 in response to repeated requests from farmers for quality homeopathic products and professional information, education, guidelines and support in the safe and effective use of homeopathy.

Teneke is now well recognised in livestock and dairy farming communities. In November 2009, HFS won the Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) Enterprise Award while Tineke won the Enterprising Rural Women Award 2010.

“Many conventional farmers also

Solar water heating is a rapidly growing part of our business and Gas Works are approved suppliers and installers of several reputable solar water heating systems. Our staff are ‘Wintec accredited Solar installers, and we will be present at the Northland Field days on the ‘Sunz Solar’ stand. Sunz Solar offer a great range of robust, low-maintenance solar water heating options for dairy farmers.

over 30% of your dairy farm’s power costs

Farm-based homeopathy now use homeopathy for animal health in their farming operation,” she said.

“More than a quarter of Fonterra’s dairy farmers and a significant number of sheep and beef producers use homeopathy, exclusively or along with conventional medications, due to the success they have experienced in the health of their animals and the productivity of their farms.”

Tineke is the author of Homeopathic Handbook for Dairy Farming, Alpaca - a Homeopathic and Natural Approach, and Homeopathy for Horses.

HFS Ltd promotes its products and services primarily through a quarterly newsletter and attendance at organic and lifestyle expos, farming conferences and field days.

HomeopatHy The complementary system of health for all your farming livestock

TALK DIRECTLY TO THE EXPERTS

phone 07 858 4233

See us at Northland Field Days site 631 HomeopatHic farm support

Phone: 07-858 4233 • Fax: 0800 367 437 email: hFs@xtra.co.nz • Web: WWW.FarmsuPPort.co.nz

or bugs. These easy to service, low running cost systems are very popular.

”

Top: The shop frontage.

Above: An assembled gold unit water filter

As heating water accounts for over 30% of your dairy farm’s power costs it’s worth looking at the Sunz Solar option which can provide up to 75% of your farm’s hot water requirements. Visit the Sunz stand at ‘Site No. 229’ and discover the great savings that are to be made here.

44

February 2012 Northern

Farming Lifestyles

The new 2012 market

GREAT LIFESTYLE LIVING WITH THREE OPTIONS Located at Ruatangata, Whangarei is this 27.8ha (approx 70ac) of rolling contoured land, mainly good pasture with a small area of pines. Excellent fencing with post & rail from the road to the house. The 204m² brick & tile home is 5 yrs old with 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, double glazing, internal access double garage. Lots of parking space & extensive views. 3 bay lock-up shed and also heavy duty stockyards & loading race. Situated 30km North West of Whangarei handy to limeworks & quarrys. Fenced into 12 paddocks with good water supply.

Options to purchase: Purchase complete property 27.8ha; Purchase 7.6ha with house, shed & yards or Purchase 20.18ha bare block. www.northlandre.co.nz Ref NRE11160 Brian Marsh a/h 09 432 2248 or 027 498 3809 Northland Real Estate Ltd MREINZ Licensed REAA 2008

Welcome back to this regular column.

As with last year it’s my intent to give a little feedback on the rural property market coupled with any trends and notable Tony Grindle sales. At the time of writing we are buoyed by a spell of positive activity, a period in which our team sold eight farms in the period pre and post Christmas.

The most exciting news is one surrounding ‘confidence’. I am referring to the confidence being displayed by prospective purchasers. All our agents are reporting a sharp lift in enquiry.

Enquiry levels for all things dairy are up by as much as 45% over the same period last year. This new found enthusiasm is being tempered by some vendors not being able to find a farm suitable to replace their own property.

Let me qualify that by saying that there is no indication of a return to purchasing with gay abandon, rather a realisation that dairy commodities are in a favourable place, interest rates are low and the forecasts are relatively solid.

Buyers are certainly not overly aggressive, they are being encouraged on all fronts to establish the real farm production and budget accordingly, that said the last four farms sold have all done so as a part of a multiple offer.

A multiple offer being where the property is the subject of one or more SIGNED offers. I think this simple fact gives a clear indication of the state of the current market.

One of the challenges facing the rural market at present is the lack of new listings. In past years we have sold more farms in the autumn than in the spring. Certainly the buyers are there, the properties are all presenting well and the proven production is there for all to see.

If you take your property to the market now, you are dealing with a set of known and certain market influencers — who knows what will be influencing the market in eight months’ time?

Since the conception of the new look ‘Bayleys Northland Country’ our mantra has been constant, ‘We want to be the best we don’t necessarily want to be the biggest’ and in keeping with that phrase our small close knit team has achieved impressive sales figures. By value for the months of October, November and December 2011, Bayleys Northland Country was responsible for 84% of all property sold in excess of 20ha.

(Verified by the REINZ statistics our market share sold in the Kaipara and Whangarei districts)

AN ABSOLUTE BEAUTY - SHORT NOTICE AUCTION

Whakapara

Puhipuhi Road

Auction

This stunning small dairy unit is poised below the Puhipuhi plateau, renown for its high seasonal rainfall. An exceptionally attractive 81.87ha dairy unit, the ample water and fertile free draining volcanic soils are another jewel in the crown. With a five year average of 65,000kgms, milking 255 cows the property has the use of a neighbouring 23ha lease block. Complete with a good four bedroom home, tidy sheds and cattle handling facilities, this property is a quality unit in a high producing area.

The first to inspect may well purchase!

Tony Grindle M 021 432 308 B 09 430 0032 tony.grindle@bayleys.co.nz

12.30pm, Thurs 8 Mar 2012 (unless sold prior) Bayleys Auction Room, Laurie Hall Lane, Whangarei View by appointment www.bayleys.co.nz/185769

Tony Grindle M 021 432 308 B 09 430 0032 tony.grindle@bayleys.co.nz MACKYS REAL ESTATE LIMITED, BAYLEYS, LICENSED UNDER THE REA ACT 2008.

www.bayleys.co.nz

All companies within this composite are Members of Bayleys Realty Group

Excited about energy efficiency Alternative power systems and equipment will be showcased at Rumble Electrical and Solar’s second year at the field days.

Phil Rumble has been a registered electrician for 17 years and he and the team are seeking to raise awareness of their local Northland business — selling and installing quality alternative power systems, with material and installation guarantees.

Rumble Electrical and Solar will have three qualified solar electricians on site to answer any questions about system design, solar panels, generators, batteries — anything about alternative power. There will also be hot deals on generators, and many other products for the duration of the field days.

“Are you aware of the savings alternative power can provide?” Phil asks. “Not only will you lessen your carbon footprint, you can provide and enjoy sustainable energy. In the farming industry installing a grid tie system will potentially provide you with a passive income for the life of the system — that’s 25 years generating power and income.

“Rumble Electrical and Solar is excited about electrical energy efficiency and generating cleaner, greener electricity.

Services include sales, advice, system design, installation, upgrades, serviced maintenance contracts through to after sales support. Visit our website today at www.rumbleelectrical.co.nz and find us at 313, Vodafone Lane.”

Northern Farming Lifestyles February 2012

45

Innovative dust suppressants on display Waipu company Gravel Lock NZ LTD, will be showcasing their hydroscopic soil cement on several of the walkways and roads around this year’s Northland Field Days.

According to Gravel Lock NZ LTD Director, Grant Lewis, it will be one of the general public’s first chance to see this innovative technology in situ.

“Outside of a few tests on local roads it will be the first time this product has been seen in public,” said Mr Lewis.

The company has made a name for itself with farmers, councils, construction companies and logistics companies

worldwide with its durable, easy-to-use dust suppressants and soil cements.

Dust, particularly from summer roads is the bane of many rural dwellers.

Gravel Lock products may be a solution for some.

Northland Field Days President, Lew Duggan, says has had a long history of bringing new and innovative products to the attention of the public.

“People come to the field days expecting to see the latest things available and the most current things on the market,” said Mr Duggan. “From alternative energies to the latest in animal medicines we’ve got it all.”

See us at Northland Field Days

Looking to increase your profitability?

#627

RDS On-board weighing systems can help!

LOADER SCALES

DRILL CONTROL SOLUTIONS

Rumble Electrical & Solar

E DRIVE & MULTI FUNCTION KITS

Domestic Installation & Repairs www.rumbleelectrical.co.nz • All Alternative Power needs – Solar/Wind/Hydro • Electrical installation and maintenance • Guaranteed workmanship – ECANZ, SEANZ • Energy efficient lighting design • Northland based

Other Agriculture Monitoring & System Controllers available

SYSTEMS LTD

See us at the Northland Field Days — Site 313

A MEASURE OF QUALITY

Call Phil 027 436 5445 A/H 436 5442

Contact Pat on 021 712 902 info@rdssystems.co.nz www.rdssystems.co.nz

WE MAKE HARD LOOK EASY! Gravel Lock delivers a high quality, hard wearing road surface across gravel driveways, tanker roads, feedpads and races.

Say goodbye to corrugations!

Say goodbye to dust!

Forget the expensive maintenance cycles.

Gravel Lock is the Kiwi-Made system that’s changing how the world builds roads and YOU can’t afford to miss out!

READY TO LOCK IN THE SAVINGS? CALL 0800 199 199 NOW! Silverdale & Helensville Areas Jason Peters Contact 027 44 55 308

Warkworth Area J.M. Sutherland Contractors John Sutherland Contact 021 621 802

Wellsford Area Civil and Site Ltd Adam Jane-Rashleigh Contact 022 133 5635

Email info@gravellock.co.nz | Web www.gravellock.co.nz

Kaipara District EnviroLock NZ Ltd Don Jamieson Contact 021 158 2009

Mangawhai – Ruakaka Areas Fraser Smith FD Smith Contractors Contact 027 492 8593

Far North District Kaitaia Contractors Contact 09 408 0085

46

February 2012

Northern Farming Lifestyles

An invitation to experience King’s College....

KING’S COLLEGE

King’s College offers an independent education, catering for boarding and day students. Our mission is, “In every way, King’s aims to provide the best all-round education it is possible to obtain.”

We pursue excellence in everything we do towards the development of balanced, mature young adults, well-equipped to lead New Zealand into the future.

Academic: Cambridge International Exams (CIE) and NCEA | 99.4% of all 2011 CIE leavers qualified for University Entrance | Students awarded Top of New Zealand and Top of the World Pastoral Care: Eleven Houses with strong House structures and pastoral programmes | Peer mentoring system between Year 13 and Year 9 students Sports: 24 sporting options | Many King’s students represent New Zealand in their chosen sport | King’s First XI cricket 2011 Gillette Cup National Champions | First XV rugby 2011 Auckland Secondary School semi-finalists | First XI hockey 2011 national champions Cultural: 26 cultural endeavours available | Strong music, drama, kapa haka and debating groups Community: “Faith in action” - 400 students voluntarily engaged in Community Service every week Leadership: A robust leadership programme for all students | Attendance at Ahuroa Outdoor Pursuit Centre compulsory for Year 9 and Year 10 students

Meet King’s College staff at the Dargaville Show 1, 2, 3 March 2012 or join us at a Campus Tour Girls’ only Campus Tour - Friday 2 March at 2.00pm Information Evening for prospective boys - Wednesday 7 March at 7.00pm Campus Tour for boys and girls - Wednesday 21 March at 4.00pm To register for a Campus Tour or for more information please contact Admissions Director, Mr Mark Kennelly Tel: 09 276 0677 Email: admissions@kingscollege.school.nz www.kingscollege.school.nz

Erma approvEd FuEl StoragE tankS

Notes from the shed with Mark With the payout McKewen high and interest low, it’s a really good time to

fix the things that are causing some grief around the Dairy.

Before you upgrade to new Milfos cup removers or a Milfos Variable Drive Vacuum System it would be sensible to evaluate things that could impact on your proposed upgrade.

Sparkies generally do a great job, however, we regularly come across wiring of all sorts that has been installed incorrectly.

For instance we see the right cable used on say, a milk pump controller, but still bundled with everything else so it creates interference with the controller and bingo, slightly crazyit’s controller. know what look your for it can a painful It’s afair to say not a Unless cheapyou once they to know herdbesize, any process to find as it looks like a faulty controller. exercise, but one that can save you increases you are planning, and This is important for all sorts of systems from pulsation controllers to cup removers money, not only on grades etc., but size and type of parlour. Easy! and the more sophisticated the system the more careful you have to be. We also in ongoing costs. recommend keeping data cables as far away from poweryou as possible.

When contact your Milfos Large dairies with big herds are We have all heard about stray voltage, yes it does exist and can cause all sorts Service Partner ask about the Special no problem; twin found filtersawith isolating of issues, we have major source is the cable and terminations between Variable(use drivesone and at Motors. valves the start of the Milk Filter Upgrade Deal!

There is a and lot of documentation the of season, in the flush supplied change with variable While drives we’rewith onregard the to subject cable to be used and metalorglands for terminations etc, these are minimums and a filters between herds) maybe a upgrades, we’ve had a tremendous good Sparky will follow manufacturer’s recommendations or better. If in doubt large top load option. response to our iCR cup remover get it checked.

But the bulk of dairies are smaller promotion.

Thanktheyou!

Don’t forget the effluent or water pump, same deal, and move electric fence and a good few years older.

Most unit to the implement shed, they can be an interference nasty in the dairy.

Because of the huge response will have one or two small filters For sensible advice on Upgrades, findthat your local Milfos dealer or Area Sales Manager we’ve decided to offer the iCR deal have been okay until now. at www.milfos.com.

We have had a lot of enquiries lately about milk filters, compliance with the regulations and the filter size that is suitable for your dairy

With two small filters you use two filter sleeves per milking. While upgrading your shed we can install a larger single filter, which would halve the number of filter sleeves used, saving you money and of course meeting regulations.

Your local Milfos Service Partner can advise on the filter size required

again. Register your interest now as it’s for a strictly limited time.

Find your local Milfos Service Partner details or Milfos Area Sales Manager at www.milfos.com.

We look forward to hearing from you soon, Mark

Read the paper online www.farminglifestyles.co.nz

OverheAd dT TANKS petrol/diesel • 590 to 1950L • Single and dual compartment tank – 3mm mild steel • Sandblasted & epoxy painted, legs, ladder & stays, hot dip galvanised • Containment bunds to suit

1400L Overhead Tank

aCCessories • Filters & Elements • Meters • Hose & Tails • Dipsticks (sold separately) • Ball Valve Covers • Some assembly required • Nozzles Tanks priced from $2,290.00 + gst • Hazchem Signage

ON GrOUNd/BUlK TANKS

dieSel TrAiler iler T TANKS Latest compliance features available in: 700L, 1100L, 1350L and 1900L units 3x pump options: k3 hand pump, 12 volt electric, WX15 honda.

Priced from $4,990.00 + gst and orC 1350L dieSeL TraiLer Tank T Tank

See us at CD Field Days® Site O39 Certified fabriCator of erma approved fuel storage tanks

www.mainline.net.nz Est 1987

0800 TANKS-4-U (0800 826 574)

manufacturers of chook houses, grain silos, dog kennels & carriers, hayracks, farm fuel tanks & general sheetmetal work

Supporting the farmers of Northland for over 130 years The National Bank has stood by the farmers of this region through thick and thin. And, once again, we’ll be right by your side at the Northland Field Days. You’ll find The National Bank, ANZ and UDC Finance representatives in our marquee on the corner of RD1 Road and Fonterra Whey.

The National Bank lends more to the rural sector than any other bank, so if you’re looking to take your farm to the next level, come visit us at the Northland Field Days or call today on 0800 80 77 11.

ANZ and The National Bank are part of ANZ National Bank Limited. UDC Finance is UDC Finance Limited.

12-0207

5000L W 5000L WiiTh 230 230 v v v viiSiOn P Pum umP P

We manufacture 500L home heating tanks through to 10,000L bulk tanks with fittings to suit your requirements.

• Single Skin Tanks • double Skin Tanks • dual Compartment • POa

Northern Farming Lifestyles February 2012

Farmers oF New ZealaNd

Phone 09 439 5219 — Fax 09 439 5719 — P.O. Box 484, Whangarei, Northland email: newzealandfarmers@xtra.co.nz — www.newzealandfarmers.com

Dairy farm effluent systems liability warning for employees

Read the paper online

www.farminglifestyles.co.nz

by Bill Guest, Farmers of New Zealand

Farm employees and managers could face bankruptcy through large dairy farm effluent prosecution fines, if recent warnings given by the Environment Court are upheld, that farm managers and employees could be held liable

12-0207

nd

A Northland dairy farmer was recently prosecuted in the Environment Court for effluent spillages that occurred on his farm. His defence was that his farm manager was the person responsible for the operation of the effluent system and therefore the farm owner was not responsible and liable. The Judge did not agree with the employer’s submissions, However, he stated that dairy farm managers could be held legally responsible and liable to prosecution for unlawful effluent spillages resulting from any breaches of the farm resource consent conditions, resulting in substantial fines which recent prosecutions have shown, may exceed their annual remuneration package as an employee. The Judge’s comments raise a number of interesting issues as to whether the farm manager should be responsible for such breaches when the employee is not an independent contractor, such as a variable order or 50/50 sharemilker. There is case law which clearly demonstrates what the status is of an independent contractor and an employee. Under the Employment Relations Act employees are not required to have Public Liability Insurance as they have no ownership stake in the business and do not share in the risk of the business.

Employers are required under the Employment Relations Act to give very clear directions to the employee, providing a Job Description showing the employee the required standards to be met. Employers are also required to provide the necessary training as to operation and maintenance of plant such as effluent systems.

It is the farm owner/employer, who must obtain the necessary resource consent from the local authority to dispose of effluent and provide the systems for the disposal of that effluent and provide to the farm manager (the employee), a farm effluent disposal operational and maintenance plan that meets the resource consent requirements.

The farm manager is required to lubricate the pump and spray unit and notify the employer of any defects immediately. It is the farm owner/ employer’s responsibility to meet the

cost of maintaining the farm effluent system and to rectify any defects immediately and record it.

The issue of whether a farm manager or employee is responsible will be tested no doubt, in future Environment Court proceedings.

Employees and farm managers should be aware Bill Guest, that they should ensure that Farmers of New Zealand they receive qualified third party advice before they sign their employment agreements.

Farmers of New Zealand employment agreements specifically deal with this farm effluent disposal issue.

Enjoy New Season Kumara

NOW AVAILABLE COME SEE US AT NORTHLAND FIELD DAYS FARMERS OF NZ TENT SITE 220

PH 09-439 7774 SH12, Dargaville

EXPERIENCE KNOWLEDGE EXPERTISE As a Lister Petter Dealer we can supply diesel engines from 11.5 HP to 35 HP. These engines can be used for: *Water pumps *Generator sets *Construction equipment *Water blasters etc.

Environmental Systems

Lister Genset • 4.4kW - 34.8Kw depending on model • Available as single or three phase, air cooled or water cooled • 66 litre fuel tank • Anti vibration engine Standby generators are often subject to the harshest treatment with months of neglect. Lister build their gensets with this in mind. Everything is designed and tested for durability. The first choice where reliability is paramount.

Generator sets available in open or acoustic units SERVICE, REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE OUR SPECIALITY Shaw Diesels Ltd, 13a Douglas Alexander Parade Albany, Auckland, NEW ZEALAND Ph: + 64 9 414 7360 Fax: +64 9 414 7365 www.shawdiesels.co.nz

Site 154 at the 2012 Northland Field Days

47

48

February 2012

Northern Farming Lifestyles

A crush on recycling

A Northland couple have invested five years of work into helping keep New Zealand ‘clean and green’ Ryan Taylor and his wife Teresa have lived in the North for over 20 years and love the lifestyle. Ryan had more than nine years’ experience in the rock crushing industry, through working for local quarries, and when the opportunity arose for the couple to purchase a mobile rock crusher on tracks five years ago, they jumped at the chance.

“We have never looked back,” said Ryan.

“A rock crusher is a machine designed to take large rocks and reduce them to smaller rocks, gravel or rock dust, producing aggregates and readyto-process mining ores, as well as rock fill material for landscaping and erosion control.

“They can be used with virgin rock, or other materials, such as reclaimed concrete. Our Komatsu BR350JG Rock Crusher has a jaw size of 36" by 24",

For all things beautiful in your home Fabrics...Wallpapers Mirrors...Floor Rugs Cushions...Throws Lamps...Furniture Santa Fe Shutters...Blinds Interior design service Hand made curtains using traditional methods A high standard of workmanship

Creating unique interiors for unique people Give me a call...

Robyn Pevats 09 434 6447

Come visit us at site 324 at the Field Days Have a climb • Interactive site • Prizes

meaning rocks as large as 750mm can be crushed down to anything from 250mm to 65mm.”

Ryan’s projects range from crushing metal in quarries, and paddock stone on farms and lifestyle blocks, to crushing concrete, bricks and cobblestones for the growing, and hugely important, industry of recycling.

A magnetic separator is an invaluable compenent of the operation. “It’s all in the name. The magnet will separate

AVAILABLE FOR HIRE Mobile Crusher (on tracks) with Magnetic Separator

steel from concrete, giving you two separate products. Steel is a very valuable commodity these days, and it makes sense to recycle it.”

Ryan uses a digger to ‘feed’ the crusher hopper and the product can be used for anything from landscaping, driveways, farm races or fill.

“It’s a good feeling to know my line of work is doing something to help the environment,” he adds.

Small & large quarries or small farm blocks

All types of rock crushed including paddock stone and concrete rubble

NORTHLAND LIMITED Contact Ryan for a PROMPT quote

Ph 027 443 7925 – A/hrs 09 401 9910 Email gohrd1@xtra.co.nz

Northern Farming Lifestyles February 2012

Fishing, Hunting

Outdoors

Ensure a great catch Kontiki fishing is a popular pastime in Northland, with anglers embracing this innovative technology to ensure a great catch. But not all kontikis are created equal — design and development make a big difference to the top models on the market, and there are few which equal the brand new Predator 54.

This sleek and deadly-looking device takes its cue from 100 million years of evolution, with the form of a shark giving it natural stability and a profile which slices through rough seas with ease.

Travelling up to 2.3 kilometres offshore to harvest its catch, the Predator is designed to run smooth and true, with its unique tail, fins and rudder working in combination. In fact, it dives under breaking surf to get clear of the shore, powering through waves which would cause other kontikis serious trouble.

The heart of the Predator 54 is its powerful motor with 54 pounds of thrust. It’s backed up by a safety cut out system to prevent snag damage too, and driven by not two but three batteries, ably accommodated by a wide, streamlined body.

Many other manufacturers of kontiki fishing equipment have experienced problems recently with automatic guidance systems — so-called GPS and autopilots intended to stop the kontiki from drifting off line. Predator have adopted a prudently measured approach to this issue, with their own

automatic guidance system still undergoing rigorous tests to make sure it’s up to the biggest seas and the most challenging conditions.

For this reason, the Predator 54 offers the best of the both worlds… it’s not only naturally more stable and hydrodynamic because of its unique shape, but it will also be able to be retrofitted with automatic guidance when Predator’s research and development team are 100 per cent sure that their tests have proven conclusive.

That means you can get fishing this summer, and upgrade if and when you feel it’s needed. If you buy a Predator 54 today, you can choose to upgrade at a special price of $649, all-inclusive, when the autopilot becomes available. And what a summer of fishing it’s going to be with one of these mean-looking machines at your command!

With a quick turnaround and a host of features to assist whether you’re fishing day or night, the Predator is sure to bring in a big catch every time… hassle free and with bulletproof reliability.

Watching one of these kontikis in action, you can see why this form of fishing is fast becoming a favourite for anglers all over New Zealand.

SALTY DOG always the best Available throughout Northland

Look for a bait sign near you

49

Affordable Trailers Box trailers 6x4 to 10x6 Boat Trailers 12ft to 27ft boats

162 Foundry Road, Silverdale

Free Phone 0800 162 500 Mobile: 027 228 8803 Email: sales@xpresstrailers.co.nz

www.xpresstrailers.co.nz

Put the fun back into boating

• Ideal for fishing, diving, hunting & cruising the lakes, rivers, harbours • Good rentals

Retails at $26,000 Mention this advert and

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This distinctive catamaran is affordable – comfortable – manoeuvrable

Contact Paul on 0280 CRAIGCAT • www.craigcat.co.nz

Come view the new Predator at Nola Sports 126 Victoria Street, Dargaville Thursday 1st March – Sat 3rd March Field Day Special Predator 54 $1,650

Field Days Specials Call Mike 09 439 8624

50

February 2012

Northern Farming Lifestyles

Northern Rural Marketplace AFFCO LIVESTOCK Terry North

Smart new homes…

Enquire today: 0800

Phone 09 439 5902

www.advancebuild.co.nz

Mobile 027 484 1823 • Fax 09 439 1320

N DY M AC K AY

Anlyn Piling & Contracting Ltd

Visit:

A

FAST BUILD | 0800 327 828

CONTRACTING AGRICULTURAL & FENCING

Ph/Fax Andy 09 423 7339 or 0274 956 674

Whangarei

Andy Payne

• Pile Driving & Drilling • Farm & Rural Bridges • Dams • Retaining Walls • Earthmoving • Drain Cleaning • House Sites • Races & Driveways • 12 T & 5 T Diggers • 6 Wheel Tipper • Bulldozer & Sheepsfoot We dig your dirt

027 543 7244

email: anlynpiling@value.net.nz After hours & Fax 09 436 2982

C&C Contract Electrical

Free parking and we don’t run late

Neil Johnson P: (09) 438 4273

EFFLUENT SPREADING Reliable, On Time, Every Time, Weather Permitting.

Complete Council Compliant Nutrient Spread Report. competitive rates loyalty discounts

Fireside Bellows Handcrafted using timber, leather and copper these high quality fireside bellows are a great addition to any home

Phone Mike or Robyn 09 4227782 or 022 1090764 or 022 1220722

www.elementsofnature.vpweb.co.nz

$20 plus p&p

GORDYS FLYTRAP FITTING 21 LITCHFIELD ST, BLENHEIM

Email: elaine.gordon@xtra.co.nz www.gordys-flytrap-fitting.com Patented in New Zealand/Australia

Home Cheesemaker Classes

Refer to the Cheesemaking page on www.homebushview.co.nz

Gift Vouchers Available Sherryle Bennett

www.homebushviewcheesemaking.blogspot.com

ATS

ProPerty Maintenance & rePair

Fences & Repairs • Kitchen/Bathroom Fit Outs Wet Wall Lining • Flooring Repairs • Decks • Water Blasting & Chemical Washes • Windows & Latches • Plus Much More

10% discount for senior citizens

No job small Ringtoo Andrew

Ph/fax 09 439 8628 Cell 027 455 7750

Better Health

phone 0800 4 DOLOMITE 0800 436 566 Bio-Gro certified

FENCING SERVICES LTD Solo KnapSacK SprayerS partS, SaleS & Service Wire netting cut to length WaratahS 1.5m to 2.4m long galv WaratahS 1.5m to 1.8m long CALL GRANT PH/FAX 09 438 9330 113 LOWER CAMERON ST, WHANGAREI

Phone Robyn (07) 888 1521

Available from CRT, PGG Wrightson, Farmlands UV Protected Polycarbonate. Fits on any container with a flat surface.

Instructions supplied with the fitting.

Ph 027 483 9996 John or 022 059 5166

Less Metabolics

Elements of Nature

GORDYS FLYTRAP FITTING®

Pump water on your farm or to your house 24/7 NO Electricity Bills.

Spec i Also Available 15-2 al Price f 5 m $700 m M or Solar Water Pumps odel .

0 (No Batteries) until 0 Inc .

31/0 1/20 GST 12.

Enquiries: harrisons@actrix.co.nz,

4 Models

More Milk

Commercial • Industrial Domestic • Dairy

Phone Craig 021 440 634 09 439 6465

Harrison Water Ram Pumps

INSULATING NORTHLAND HOMES • 100% Locally Owned and Operated • 100% NZ Made Polyester Insulation • Ceiling and Underfloor Specialists • EECA Registered Service Provider • Energywise™ Insulation Subsidies Available For a Free Home Assessment Call:

0800 738 763

www.healthyhomesnorth.co.nz

Implements irect for tractor attachments visit us online

*Post hole borers *Box Graders *3 pt Scoops *Concrete mixers *Wood Chippers DEMO VIDEOS AND MORE PH 0800 733 355

Galvanized Towbar BUY ONLINE $195 Inc GST

www.implementsdirect.co.nz

YOUR WATER SOLUTION SPECIALISTS CALL FREE 0800 MCQUINN SEE US AT THE 0800 627 846 NORTHLAND

Water Treatment and filtration to FIELDDAYS movingFrom Water, we have the solutions for you.

SITE 312 FREE THE WATER FROM YOUR EFFLUENT

www.mcquinnpumps.co.nz

Your NO POWER Waste Water Solution THE SXL5000 WORMORATOR Contact us today

0800 628 356

naturalflownorth@xtra.co.nz Mobile: 027 274 8262

Northern Farming Lifestyles February 2012

Make Your Life easier! use our services now!

Northland Laser Drainage Ltd Neil Carter Trading as

• Pipe & Steel Supplies • LTNZ Approved Workshop • General, Agricultural & Structural Engineering • Mobile Welding Services • General Repairs & Maintenance • 2 Ton Gantry Crane • Plate Roller, Profile Cutter & Press Brake • de-CRAP-it®, Landplane®, Serious Incinerator® • Field Rollers, Water Carts • Kumara Gear

Doug Wilson Manager Phone: Fax: Mobile: Email:

Newman Engineering (2004) LTD Ph 09 439 5065 Dargaville www.newmanengineering.co.nz

MARGARET & JOHN BISHOP

09 430 2934 09 430 2936 0274 302 934 dougw@nrh.co.nz

Subsurface Drainage Specialists (Nth)

Specialising in Fertiliser and Metal cartage.

30 Tonne units available.

We cover your country!

All Services & Maintenance Available PO Box 1174, Whangarei Ph 09 434 7741 • Mobile 027 273 6865

1279 S/H 14, MAUNGATAPERE

See us at Site 90

Pat’s Healing Centre

Waipu

Rumble Electrical & Solar

NEW ZEALAND DISTRIBUTORS FOR

Solutions for control of fleas, ticks and worms

Domestic Installation & Repairs www.rumbleelectrical.co.nz

with WashBar products, Diatomaceous Earth, Flee Flea

and Herbs and Homeopathics for your animals

www.animalherbs.co.nz

PORTABLE GENERATORS – DIESEL GENERATORS LOAD TRANSFER PANELS – DEEP SEA ELECTRONICS DISTRIBUTION BOARDS – DEWATERING PUMPS – PARTS & SERVICING

• All Alternative Power needs – Solar/Wind/Hydro • Electrical installation and maintenance • Guaranteed workmanship – ECANZ, SEANZ • Energy efficient lighting design • Northland based

www.powerplantsupplies.co.nz • sales@powerplantsupplies.co.nz Ph: 0800 800 837

Call Phil 027 436 5445 A/H 436 5442

TANK WATER TESTING

Trans-Tune Automotive

Himalayan Salt Lick with 80+ minerals Orijen Organic Dog and Cat Food—no grains Ph 09 432 0820 or come for a visit

High Quality, Reliable Microbiological Testing Of Tank and Bore Water.

Power Generation

Pumping Equipment

Windy Ridge ContRaCting Phone Colin 09 439 7266 ~ Mob 021 882 857

Our Services

• Round Bale Hay and Silage • Medium Square Baling • Conventional Baling • Cultivation • Undersowing • 8 Tonne Tip Trailer • Mulching • Fencing

Mechanical Repairs New Car Servicing Petrol & Diesel Servicing Wheel Alignment Fault Diagnosis Brake & Suspension Repairs Fuel Injection Servicing

Collected samples are tested at a MOH Certified Laboratory and a printed report (with recommendations) issued.

Ph (09) 422 9345 or E-mail tankwater@xtra.co.nz

51

09 438 2892  147 Cameron St

Servicing the Kaipara and Whangarei Districts

NORTHERN FARMING CLASSIFIEDS Reach 33,300 Rural Homes — Phone 0800 466 793

For Sale

For Sale

ATV MATS from $89 – Come in & see us at Rouse Motorcycles, King Street, Hikurangi. Phone 0800 963 636 www.atvtyres.co.nz. Be quick offer ends 29/02/12.

SINTERED BRAKE PADS – for MX & FarmBikes – from $39 at Rouse Motorcycles, King Street, Hikurangi. Phone 0800 963 636 www.atvtyres.co.nz.

ATV SAFETY HELMETS – from $119 accessories from $15. The law has changed! Have you got yours?

Come & see us at Rouse Motorcycles, King Street, Hikurangi. Phone 0800 963 636 www.atvtyres.co.nz.

Subject to availability.

WEED EATERS & CHAINSAWS – GET 10% OFF STOCKED ITEMS at Rouse Motorcycles, King Street, Hikurangi. Phone 0800 963 636 www.atvtyres.co.nz.

Be quick – offer ends 29/02/12.

BOAT TRAILERS, full range to suit 12ft to 27ft boats, very competitive prices and immediate delivery for most models now. Call us to discuss free on 0800 162 500 Xpress Trailers.

BOX TRAILERS, single and tandem axle trailers at very competitive prices, full range of sizes, 6x4 $1695, 7x4 $1895, 8x4 $2095, 8x5 tandem $2795, 10x5 tandem $3395, 10x6 tandem $3795 Ph 0800 162 500 Xpress trailers.

CHAIN & SPROCKET KITS DIRT OR FARM BIKE. SAVE 10% off RRP If you get them fitted at Rouse Motorcycles, King Street, Hikurangi. Phone 0800 963 636 www.atvtyres.co.nz. Be quick – offer ends 29/02/12.

CHICKEN MANURE $20 per cubic metre plus freight.

Supply, cart and can spread. Call Jeff 09 432 2444 or 027 476 5458.

NEED NEW ATV TYRES? GET 20% OFF RRP & FREE FITTING at Rouse Motorcycles, King Street, Hikurangi.

Phone 0800 963 636 www.atvtyres.co.nz. Be quick – offer ends 29/02/12.

NEW YAMAHA FARM ATVs – 5.9% interest & 3 year warranty. Only at Rouse Motorcycles, King Street, Hikurangi – phone 0800 963 636 & Yamaha MC Whangarei – phone 09 438 0804. Offer ends 29/02/12.

ATV SERVICE. Receive 10% discount off RRP for standard service parts* with this voucher when you get your ATV serviced at Rouse Motorcycles, King Street Hikurangi. Phone 0800 963 636 www.atvtyres.co.nz. *Conditions apply, offer ends 29/02/12.

WINDMILL WATER pumps by Ferguson Windmills Company. www.windmills.co.nz. sales@windmills. co.nz. Phone 09 412 8655.

ATV FARM BIKE MX SPARES INTRODUCTORY OFFER. New Customers Receive 7.5% discount off RRP for all stocked items with this voucher at Rouse Motorcycles, King Street, Hikurangi. Phone 0800 963 636 www.atvtyres.co.nz. Be quick – offer ends 29/02/12. Conditions apply.

For Sale

Services

MX FARM BIKE SERVICE. Receive 7.5% discount off RRP for standard service parts* with this voucher when you get your MX / Farm Bike serviced at Rouse Motorcycles, King Street Hikurangi. Phone 0800 963 636 www.atvtyres.co.nz. *Conditions apply, offer ends 29/02/12.

FARM BRIDGES Phone Pat now 0800 222 189, visit www.bridgeitnz.co.nz. Bridge It NZ Ltd. FURNITURE MOVING Around NZ or around the world. Single items or house lots. Pro Packing, moving, insurance. Via trucks, containers, shared loads.

Ph 0800 496 753 www.worldmoving.co.nz. “Experience & Advice You Can Trust”.

NZ MODERN SCHOOL OF MUSIC Looking for students for: • Keyboard • Piano • Guitar

Northland Wide Contact: Alexis Westlake Phone 09 433 0298 or 027 341 9535 email: jacwestlake@clear.net.nz

Wanted WANTED. HUDSON & Terraplane Car parts. Any condition considered (mainly 34) Contact John by email: johnbowman@slingshot.co.nz.

Farm Supplies FREE STAINLESS BBQ TOOL SET! When you spend over $350.00 – February only. Tanks, pipes, fittings, buteline, troughs, valves, irrigation... PLUMBING SOLUTIONS online. www.nzplumbingsupplies.co.nz or 0800 428 376.

House for Sale WARKWORTH LIFESTYLE, 4.2acres, 3Bdrm + study, B&T home, trade me ref #437442652, $780,000 Ph 09 425 0252 or 021 492 939.

Part Time Work NO STARTUP costs. Your own business, with free training and support. Have fun, meet people while you earn. Sales Managers also required. Must be self-motivated, goal setters. Phone/text: Tracey (09) 436 2055 / 021 02377 501.

Arrive Alive

.....

Don't Drink and Drive

Situations Vacant

WANTED DAIRY FARM

ASSISTANT

Ruawai area, 2012-13 season.

Stud jersey herd of 150 cows.

Must be honest, reliable and have a current Drivers Licence.

Remuneration will reflect your ability and effort. New three bedroom house.

Please send covering letter and CV to: lostahilljerzys@hotmail.com

contact

Murray or Annette Williams phone 09

439 2439

Applications close

15th April 2012

52

February 2012  Northern

Farming Lifestyles

BEST PRICES EVER ON SELECTED POLARIS ATVs AND RANGERS.

See us at the Northland Field Days Site 258 If you spend countless hours on an ATV seat, you want the smoothest riding ATV money can buy.

Whether you want an ATV for working on the land, or just for fun on the weekend, Polaris has the models for you. Available in Petrol, Diesel and Electric models, the Polaris Ranger Side by Side (SXS) vehicles offer class-leading combinations of performance, towing, carrying, traction and ride quality.

ROUSE MOTORCYCLES

1 KING STREET, HIKURANGI. PH: 09 433 8471 OR 0800 96 36 36.

KUMEU CHAINSAW & MOWER SERVICES

377 377 STATE STATE HIGHWAY HIGHWAY 16, 16, HUAPAI. HUAPAI. PH PH (09) (09) 412-8109.

412-8109.

www.polarisindustries.co.nz