Northern Farming Lifestyles, September 2019

DEBBIE EVANS re-elect

VOTE NO.1 33,144 copies DELIVERED FREE to every farm and rural delivery address from Albany to Cape Reinga

Council prepares for loss

September 2019 Edition

Health Board Authorised by D Evans, 53 Purvis Rd RD8 Whangarei

Dung beetles to the rescue

Encouraging Farmstrong’s vision P4

P3

P8

Progressing the electric fence Pages 6–7

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NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES

Integrity community media

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

Phone: 0800 466 793 Email: info@integrity.nz General Manager: Deb Wright | deb.wright@integrity.nz | 021 639 696 Editorial: Ann van Engelen, Paul Campbell, Andy Bryenton

Refreshed Action Plan launched The refresh of the Tai Tokerau Northland Economic Action Plan is set to drive growth in Northland and build on the significant progress made during the last two years.

Advertising: Betty Willetts, Lorraine Allardyce Accounts: accounts@integrity.nz Distribution: Laurie Willetts Website: www.farminglifestyles.co.nz

Distribution details Print run 33,144. ABC audited circulation 32,975, audited Jan–Dec 2014. DELIVERED FREE to every farm and rural delivery address from Albany to Cape Reinga.

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VOTE

GREG MARTIN Hikurangi/Coastal

Experienced, effective Councillor. High attendance. I speak out and ask the hard questions. Sensible spending is crucial, with vision for the future. Intelligent budget allocation is essential. The health and safety of our people is critical. Our infrastructure, (roads, footpaths, drinking water and waste water), must be maintained and improved to ensure this, including seal extensions and dust mitigation.

I have chaired Council’s Infrastructure Committee for 9 years and have essential understanding of how Council works. WDC representative on the Regional Transport Committee, Director of the Joint Venture Landfill, Trustee of Northland Road Safety Trust, Ngunguru Retirement Village Trust and Tutukaka Marina Management Trust.

Married to Diane for 47 years, we have 4 married children and 10 grandchildren. Farming at Matarau since 1977, family running the farms.

No secret agenda. People have valued my hard work and fulltime commitment on Council. I stand on my record.

It’s about the people.

PLEASE VOTE Authorised by Greg Martin 130 Rushbrook Rd, RD1, Kamo. 0185

Fletcher Tabuteau, Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development

“The $200,000 Provincial Growth Fund investment is consistent with the PGF’s commitment to support all regions across New Zealand with their regional economic development capability,” says Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Regional Economic Development Fletcher Tabuteau.

“This latest PGF funding is in addition to PGF projects totalling over $217 million already announced in the Northland region as at 31 July 2019.

Northland benefitted from early PGF investment as several projects identified in its original action plan were ‘ready to go’, and many are now underway.

It is a good time to refresh the plan and stretch the region’s ambition even further. The upgrade of the Bay

of Islands Airport and the Wairau Maori Art Gallery are examples of PGF funded projects included in the original action plan. The refreshed Tai Tokerau Northland Economic Action Plan has an added emphasis on Maori economic development and identifies a number of priority areas for investment, including digital connectivity, water storage initiatives and skills and employment.

“I commend the significant work done

by Northland’s leaders to collaborate and come together to produce an updated local plan and agreed priorities to grow Northland’s economy. This coalition government is proud to be working in partnership with the Northland region to contribute to strong growth and deliver on the next phase of their plan.”

Matt King Northland MP Meet Matt your local MP I’m here to help you I’m here to represent you in the electorate and in Parliament.

Please phone my office to make an appointment.

09 407 7219 @ Northland@parliament.govt.nz fb.com/mattkingmp

Authorised by Matt King, Parliament Buildings, Wellington.

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES September 2019

Council prepares for loss A combination of factors, including a big jump in local log prices, is behind the potential loss of almost $820,000 invested in a Marsden Point-based timber processing start-up according to the Northland Regional Council.

In August, councillors voted to record the amount owed by Resource Enterprises Ltd, due to be paid by March 5 next year, as what is known as an ‘impairment loss’.

Council CEO Malcolm Nicolson says doing so is a prudent accounting and risk management measure, but also a pragmatic move, on council’s part.

“REL’s Marsden Pt operation has not traded since May 2017 due, among other things, to the adverse impact of a significant rise in local log prices and the company had not paid its last two quarterly interest payments.”

At the end of July REL’s lease had been cancelled and possession of the site returned to its landlord Marsden Maritime Holdings Limited. Council is uncertain if it will recover the outstanding money, but says the loan technically does not fall due until March 5 next year, so it won’t know for sure whether it will be defaulted on until then.

“Recording this sum as an impairment loss doesn’t in any way discharge REL of its legal liability to repay the loan and council is working hard to protect its interests. The council is the ‘second secured party’, and the current market value of REL’s assets is estimated to

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be less than what it owes to the first secured party.

“Recording the loan as an impairment loss now ensures the uncertainty over its status is signalled well before the new council, that would be in place after this year’s local body elections in October, takes office.

“The loan to REL, made in a previous term of council, was made in the wake of the global financial crisis when there was a real need to stimulate the Northland economy.

“Council agreed to provide REL a five-year loan from the Investment and Growth Reserve (IGR) in October 2014 to assist with the establishment of its Marsden Pt sawmill operation.”

“The decision to invest was not made lightly; and a raft of investigation and due diligence was done, including advice being sought from a reputable forest wood processing consultancy.”

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September 2019

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES

Dung beetles to the rescue

by Ann van Engelen

Dr Shaun Forgie grew up travelling the world and is now helping New Zealand farmers transform animal dung into a useful product through dung beetles.

“M

ost of my childhood was in New Zealand, and as an adult, I lived in places like Argentina and South Africa,” said Shaun.

Shaun gained his bachelor’s degree majoring in marine biology and master’s degree in zoology with honours in entomology, which is the study of insects.

“I investigated dung beetles here in New Zealand, then completed my PhD in Pretoria, South Africa on ball-rolling dung beetles. Dung beetles here are restricted to native forests and bush habitats. When we started importing livestock, no one thought about needing

the dung beetle to clean up the poo, and that is where the problem started.

We have an abundance of poo, creating a loss of productivity as it just sits on the paddock.

“Hawaii and Australia pioneered the way and imported exotic pastoral dung beetles as the native ones were not going in to demolish it. Cow’s poo about 10 times a day creating a habitat for nasty flies such as the biting flies in Australia. Dung contains disease pathogens and gut parasites that get shat out to complete their cycle.

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off pastures getting into the waterways.

In many instances, it may contain contaminants like pesticide residuals plus disease pathogens such as E coli, salmonella and giardia — mainly because dung is not getting buried into the soil rapidly because of lack of the beetles.

“I could see there was a problem here and set about improving my understanding and establishing a solution. We went through a very fastidious process applying through the government and the Environmental Protection Authority to bring in 11 different types of beetles suitable to our conditions and climate. Ours are mainly from South-West Europe and Southern Africa.

“Dung is a 24/7 — 365-day problem and the beetles get rid of a pile in around 24 hours to a few days. Different beetles are active at different times of the year, giving year-round dung control.

They fly from dung pat to dung pat and set about making tunnels 30cm and 90cm in the soil underneath the pats for nesting. These are filled with the dung and made into balls or sausages each containing an egg. The hatching larvae feed on the ball and what is left in the soil once the new adults emerge is organic carbon and nutrients.”

Tunnelling, excavating subsoils to the surface opens up the soil, greatly improving aeration and soil structure, allowing greater infiltration of fertilisers and urine.

“Burial of nutrient-rich manure means nutrients go into the ground instead of running across the surface to our waterways.

“We are getting more than 80 per cent reduction in the surface flow of waterway contaminants like sediments following

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dung beetle nesting activity. Improved soil structure and nutrient loading deep in the soil enables grass roots to grow down deep, which is great for improving drought tolerance.

“We are finding earthworms that we introduced have increased fivefold and a greater depth they can occur at. This is nature’s solution to pasture management — the process was busted when we added livestock onto our farms with no beetles to transform the manure. Many studies report dung beetle activity results in at least 70 per cent reduction in gut parasites.

“A four-seasons pack comprising seeding colonies of three to four different types of dung beetle is required for roughly 300 cows or 2,000 sheep, and beetle saturation off manure from this many stock happens by year nine.

You release them and leave them to reproduce.

“The economic saving through dung beetle use in Western Australia alone is estimated to be one billion dollars per annum. New Zealand is just waking up to them.

“Australia started introducing dung beetles in the 1960s, and every farmer knows how important these beetles are as nature’s solution to solving many pastoral problems.

“My single purpose is to fix the many problems with a common-sense solution. We have fencing and planting, but we need a self-sustainable lowcost solution on-pasture at the root of the problem. We owe it to the next generations to sort it out now with sensible solutions. Dung beetles to my mind are the best tool out there to do the job.”

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September 2019

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES

PROGRESSING THE ELECTRIC FENCE

by Ann van Engelen Alex Macmillan is a beef cattle farmer in Pipiwai and to help life on-farm be easier he has developed a game-changing device for electric tape gateways.

“I

am appreciative of the companies that created the current designs of gate tape handles, but they eventually fail for a number of reasons. I always felt there had to be a better way to operate gateways that are controlled by electric tapes,” says Alex.

“Rather than complaining, I designed a bullet-proof model — based on my observations over the decades of my farming career to helping advance the industry. My sturdy gateway hinge spring uses marine-grade stainless steel, which won’t rust and is the first of its kind in New Zealand. I officially launched my product at the National Fieldays in June.

“The product has a positive environmental impact by taking plastic and degrading wire springs out of the

equation. The more volume of the invention we get on farms to displace the traditional option means more positive results.”

The 81-year-old was a member of NZ Young Farmers in the 1950s and has decided to donate a portion of all sale proceeds to the organisation.

“In the early 1960s, I got a job working for the Milk Marketing Board in the United Kingdom as an artificial insemination technician and was the youngest technician they ever employed.

When I returned home, I spent more than four decades working for the Livestock Improvement Corporation as an AI technician. One of my biggest days involved inseminating cows in 29 herds, and I travelled more than 209km that day.

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Alex Macmillan with his son Michael has launched Alex’s invention helping farmers with electric tape gateways

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“I was a former Patumahoe Young Farmers club member, and the thing I remember most fondly were the interclub debates. There was some fierce competition in our area. It is a great way to expand your knowledge, share ideas and socialise. We enjoyed getting off-farm for various activities and knew our way around a dance floor regularly attending Saturday night dances in local halls. It was fun, and people need to do it now days too for time out and get away from it all.

“I want to support NZ Young Farmers and help the next generation reach their goals.

“The organisation helps to nurture young people in primary industries, and I personally received immense benefits from being a member when I was young. It was one of the best ways to make friends.

“My devices will be installed in the near future at the Auckland dairy farm gifted to NZ Young Farmers by the late Donald Pearson.

“They will help with sustainability in the long term. We have also had considerable interest from farmers in coastal areas who are tired of replacing their current gate components every couple of years due to rust.”

The Lomacs gateway hinge spring will solve this problem and other issues.

Marketed by Lomacs New Zealand, it has generated interest from the Australian states of Tasmania and Victoria.

“Dad’s invention is permanently mounted on a post and all of the componentry, apart from the plastic anchor, is marine-grade stainless steel. It should last a lifetime and save money, frustration and broken gateways along the way,” said Alex’s son

Alex is now 81 years old and his granddaughter Madison often helps him around the farm learning from him along the way Michael Macmillan, a director of Lomacs New Zealand.

“He has dedicated his life to the agriculture sector, and this product is different from anything else on the market.

“It is a significant cost when every three to four years you are replacing the current product. He set out to design something that would last for decades and given there is no plastic in the mechanism, it is more environmentally friendly.

“The swivel design allows it to move from side to side — essentially eliminating damage. It gives a consistent spring compression on the tape attachment every time so it shouldn’t stretch beyond the barrel.

The barrel is protected from contamination such as mud, organic matter and water and being permanently

attached removes the risk of someone running over the unit.

“More innovations are in the pipeline, and in time may enhance this invention because dad wants to give farmers access to a quality product. The exciting thing is that the unit can be applied to sectors outside of farming, including the

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September 2019

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES

ENCOURAGING FARMSTRONG’S VISION

by Ann van Engelen A group of ladies are learning the ropes of the shearing trade as they join together from different occupations to compete at the Hawke’s Bay A&P Show to raise funds for Farmstrong.

“W

e want to support Farmstrong’s vision and get the word out there that there is help for farmers that are struggling,” says Maureen Chaffey.

“We are from different industries and have never shorn before. It is very exciting, and we are extremely surprised by the amount of support we have. We are called Woman and Wool — Farmstrong Fundraiser, and we have a Facebook page for people to follow our progress.

“We began training in March with shearing contractor Colin Watson-Paul of Shearing NZ, and Pura Smith — agriculture tutor from Turanga Araru. Our training is every Saturday from 7.30am until midday.

“There is an accountant, a police officer, optical technician, wool representative, dental therapist, rural insurance manager and a loans manager, and we will compete against each other on October 23 at the show.”

On the competition night, there will also be an auction, and some amazing products have been donated.

A chartered fishing trip for six, three tonnes of Ravensdown fertiliser and Farmers Transport have donated the service of a stock truck and trailer unit, just to name a few.

“Anaru Wakefield of Lifestyle Shearing Hawke’s Bay is donating to us all of the wool he obtains through his business leading up to our event. We can’t believe the generosity — supporters have been

The Women and Wool team are competing at shearing against each other in support of Farmstrong Health and Wellbeing

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A GOOD OPTION FOR NORTHLAND Spring is upon us and with that comes spring fertiliser applications. Phosphate is the most important nutrient in our farming system as it is the plants energy source and helps develop healthy roots.

Northland soils, however, are very vulnerable to Phosphate loss. These soils often have a low anion storage capacity which means that the soil has low phosphate binding sites increasing the risk of phosphate fertiliser loss by leaching and runoff.

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NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES September 2019

unreal.” Maureen was brought up on a sheep and beef farm and gained a diploma in wool and wool technology at university that led her into a career in the wool industry.

“Growing up, I was always fascinated with all aspects of farming, and it was only natural to end up in the ag industry, and I have never looked back. I help clients increase the value of their wool with wool preparation and shearing regimes. When picking rams to breed from, we not only look at the wool fibre, but also the sheep’s structure for growing meat.

“We need to continue preparing for the future of wool. People are thinking differently now and realise natural fibre is better for our health. Woollen products are becoming more sought after and clothes are now easier to care for, and the wool isn’t itchy like in the days gone by.

“Wool carpets are so much better for our health as well as blankets — they are natural and warm, and wool doesn’t easily burn.

“It keeps you cool in summer and warm in winter. Consumers are very aware of environmental factors, and they want more natural products.

Kells Wool owner Richard Kells says “we are proud to support such an enthusiastic initiative that has a direct benefit to the rural community. This matters to us and our own wellbeing should be at the top of everyone’s list.

We were inspired by our representative Maureen and her commitment to this project.

“It is an awesome opportunity to get off-farm and have some fun and meet new people. Rural mental health and the wellbeing of farmers is important and under the big Farmstrong umbrella we can support each other.”

The aim is to let farmers know that it is ‘OK’ to speak out if you are struggling.

“Farmers have deadlines to get stock off to the works and weather situations that they have no control over, which

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can put undue pressure on them and their families. Through Farmstrong we are seeing good things happening, including awareness and discussions and we are really excited to be involved,” says Maureen.

“People are amazed that we are learning to shear a sheep as it is a very physical job, but there is so much more to it as well. “ You are working with a live animal and making their life easier by reducing the wool they have to carry, and they can grow better without the weight. It prevents lice and ‘cast sheep’, which is when they can’t get up due to the weight

they are carrying, especially when they are pregnant.

“Pre-birthing shearing also means the mother will seek shelter to have her lamb, meaning a better survival rate of newborns. Less wool means easy movement, and shearing doesn’t hurt the sheep — it helps them.

“We are all so excited to be doing this and appreciate the support Farmstrong offer people. As they say on their website when you look after yourself, you are looking after your farm too.”

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NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES

September 2019

CATALOGUE INSTORE NOW!

TRIMMERS

122C TRIMMER 21.7cc

STARTING FROM

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45cm Bar Teeth opening 28mm

Valid 01/09/19 - 31/12/2019

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449

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was $549 SAVE $100

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125B BLOWER

45%

*Refers model AM105.

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LAWN TRACTORS FROM $ 3,799*

0.6kW

WATER POWER WITH PRECISION AND EFFICIENCY

Valid 01/09/19 - 31/12/2019

was $349 SAVE $20

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*Refers model Z246. Valid 01/09/19 - 31/12/2019

*Refers model R216. Valid 01/09/19 - 31/12/2019

WITH GENUINE HUSQVARNA OIL! For full terms and conditions, visit husqvarna.com or ask instore.

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24 months interest free is available on Flexi Payment Plans & Flexi Payment Purchases for instore purchases from 01/09/2019 until 31/12/2019.

Minimum spend $2999 Annual Account Fee of $50 applies. New Cardholder fee - $55 Establishment. Existing Cardholder fee - $35 Advance. Minimum payments of 3% of the monthly closing balance or $10 (whichever is greater) are required throughout interest free period. Paying only the minimum monthly payments will not fully repay the loan before the end of the interest free period. Standard Interest Rate, currently 25.99% p.a or 22.95% p.a. (depending on your card) applies to any outstanding balance at end of interest free period. Lending criteria, fees, terms and conditions apply. Rate and fees correct as at date of publication, subject to change. Mastercard is a registered trademark and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Available at your local authorised Husqvarna Servicing Dealer, Albany Dargaville Kaikohe Kaitaia Kaiwaka Kumeu

Albany Mowers & Machinery 09 415 9756 Farrand & Mason Ltd 09 439 7335 Kaikohe Lawnmowers & Chainsaws Ltd 09 401 0151 Kaitaia Tractors Ltd 09 408 0670 Kaiwaka Motorcycles Ltd 09 431 2127 Kumeu Chainsaw & Mower Services 09 412 8109

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NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES September 2019

New CEO for Vets New Zealand Veterinary Association president Dr Peter Blaikie has announced former industry training organisation leader Kevin Bryant has been appointed NZVA chief executive officer.

Mr Bryant will join the NZVA on September 23 and will be based at the NZVA’s Wellington office.

“Kevin brings a wealth of leadership experience in similar organisations over a number of years. I’m delighted he will join us during a critical time of change and growth for the organisation,” said Dr Blaikie.

“Kevin has demonstrated in numerous roles that he is a great people leader.

He has an excellent understanding of leading industry organisations through times of growth and change. His leadership skills will be put to good use in the near future as we progress our change project.

“He led the Agriculture Industry Training Organisation for more than 10 years and was founding CEO of the Primary Industry Training Organisation, which merged training organisations from several diverse sectors to create New Zealand’s largest industry training organisation.”

Prior to joining the NZVA, he led a programme at Corrections New Zealand that brought together industry organisations and companies to create work opportunities in prisons, help prisoners develop vocational skills and connect them with job opportunities upon their release from prison. He says he is looking forward to the challenges

11

ADVERTORIAL

Libby Jones — Northland District Health Board A current director on the Northland District Health Board and chair of the Community, Public Health and Disability Advisory Committee I am standing again for re-election.

Kevin Bryant, newly appointed NZVA chief executive officer

and opportunities that lay ahead. “I have always thought of veterinarians as occupying a special place as trusted advisers in the communities they serve. I look forward to supporting our members in the important work they do and advocating for the value of a profession that contributes so much to our society and economy.”

Dr Blaikie said with the appointment was well-positioned to complete a change project involving a significant structural reorganisation that would make it fit for the future.

“I would like to thank interim CEO Michelle Thompson, Acting CEO Elise Adams and also our senior leadership team for stepping up since Mark Ward resigned as CEO at the end of 2018.”

I live near Paparoa with my husband Pete Hames where we farm bulls and are active community members. I am the manager of Jigsaw North Family Services, assisting children and families in Whangarei and believe the health board role aligns well with my social services work and passion for people and improving their lives.

For 30 years I have worked in the health and social services in clinical, leadership and funding roles, and have 18 years’ sound governance experience in a range of roles including school boards of trustees, Northland Rural Support Trust, Paparoa Medical Society and local government. I see working together more effectively within the health sector, and with other agencies as critical to improving access to quality health services.

The focus needs to be on the prevention of ill health and promoting primary health care close to home, as we look for a balance between limited funds and increasing demand. “Living rurally and listening to the views of

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September 2019

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES

ADVERTORIAL

New owners at Watertech Plus Hamish and Georgia Hoyle took ownership of Watertech Plus with the shop based in Wellsford and an office based in Maungaturoto in June.

“Georgia and I are excited to be able to expand our services as Maungaturoto locals, and we want to ensure our community and beyond get the best service possible from us,” says Hamish.

“I have been involved in the industry growing up on farms and have been around pumps all my life. I have come from the wastewater industry and am a qualified drain layer by trade. We have four staff and offer our services to people in the Kaipara and Rodney region as well as beyond as required.

“We value our customers and pride ourselves in a fast and efficient quality service. Our staff have the technical knowledge and support base to help with any queries people may have, with a wide range of projects for water movement, water testing, treatment and irrigation. We supply products for all pump needs, including

installation and ongoing maintenance.

It includes pumps, filtration systems and irrigation, for farms, orchards, lifestyle blocks and residential properties in both urban and rural environments.

“Watertech Plus carries a large range of pipe, culverts and fittings including Hansen fittings, brass, copper, galvanised and stainless products as well as a wide range of spa and pool cleaning chemicals and equipment. We supply and service filters, including cartridge and UV for urban and rural settings.”

The team at Watertech Plus is available for emergency call-outs for water pump issues and have a range of loan pumps for emergency situations.

“We look forward to meeting new customers and continuing to work with our existing clients. For more information call us on 09 423 8061 or 021 245 664.”

Watertech Plus

Time to get that prostate check!

Blue September is all about raising awareness, and fundraising to support men and their families living with prostate cancer.

Organise a Blue Do and get family, friends, mates and colleagues together to have some fun, and share the message.

Here are some critical reasons for men over 50 to get a prostate check: One in eight men will get prostate cancer It is the number one cancer in Kiwi men — more than 3,000 are diagnosed every year One man is diagnosed every three hours of every day of the year It is the third-highest cancer killer of Kiwi men — more than 650 every year.

Currently, there are more than 40,000 Kiwi men who have been challenged with prostate cancer at some stage in their lives.

Men with a family history of prostate cancer are at higher risk and testing should begin at 40 years. Research shows that our rural men in New Zealand

are not good at getting checked. That needs to change. Early detection is the key.

Don’t wait for symptoms. A recent survey has shown that 61% of men diagnosed had no symptoms, so getting that routine check is very important. It can save your life.

Family members can be a great incentive and encouragement for the men in their family to go to the GP and get a check. Don’t leave it to the men — they are often a bit slack in looking after their health.

If they won’t go to get a check themselves, make an appointment and get them along.

Find out more and register your Blue Do at blueseptember.org.nz.

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Pumps - supply and maintain New & reconditioned, household pumps, farm, irrigation, 12V, bore pumps, diesel pumps Filtration - supply and maintain Cartridge filters, UV, Water softening. We stock a full range of Puretec filter housings, replacement cartridges, UV lamps & Quartz tubes.

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This Blue September, join me in the fight against prostate cancer Whether you go little or large, it’s time to get your blue on for Blue September. This year, we’re asking you to get together and have a Blue Do – that’s right, a Blue Do – to help fund the fight against prostate cancer.

1 in 8 Kiwi men will get prostate cancer – so let’s go blue for our boys.

Find out more at blueseptember.org.nz

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES September 2019

Clever Ideas Portable Power Mini Trencher

Low Cost The Patented Terrasaw is a dedicated Portable Power Mini Trencher that provides quick, easy, and versatile trench digging when and where you need it.

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REVOLUTIONARY TOXIN-FREE POSSUM TRAP

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Passes Nawac humane guidelines!

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Rapidly digs a trench 40mm wide, and up to 700mm deep, with little turf or ground disturbance, which allows for rapid back-filling and quick site cleanup.

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Phone 09 431 6400

Email: enquiries@terrasaw.co.nz www.terrasaw.co.nz “TerraTrencher” is a registered trademark

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Easy to catch and kill stoats, rats, weasels and hedgehogs. Fitted with a Doc 200 approved Humane Trap.

Trapinator™ Mustelid Trap has been designed to humanely kill stoats, rats, weasels and hedgehogs.

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It is lightweight, durable with flip open top for easy access. Perfect for large or small operators, this Mustelid trap makes pest kill and removal easy work.

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To place your order or request more information email: sales@trapinator.co.nz or visit: www.trapinator.com

or ph 09 579 4089 or stop in to our factory 7A Carmont Pl, Mt Wellington, Auckland

It’s a seriously clever idea to call us as we have an experienced and friendly team available at EQ8 Accounting offering a wide range of expertise and experience in the world of business and taxation.

“At EQ8 Accounting we understand that every business situation is different and require different solutions which is why we are dedicated to providing timely and accurate solutions designed to suit each business’s needs.

We work alongside you not only solving problems that may arise, but helping you reach your financial goals.”

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14

September 2019

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES

WHATS WHAT IN WAIPAPA Waipapa’s pioneering spirit The expanding small rural township of Waipapa has become a convenient stopping place for locals and travellers heading north and is a short drive from the tourist hub of Kerikeri.

The infrastructure of the area is progressing in a positive way with the shopping centre expanding over time and beautification of the parks and gardens of the township being established. Waipapa is home to many rural businesses bringing the convenience of service to farmers and lifestyle block owners alike.

Ace Equipment specialises in providing high-quality construction equipment for long or short-term hire to smaller contractors and farmers.

With a background as a heavy diesel engineer, company director Clem Simpkin understands the importance of a ‘can-do’ attitude.

In addition to selling new and used heavy machinery, Ace Equipment has developed a range of attachments designed specially to meet the rugged New Zealand conditions.

For all your drainage needs, Entire Drainage has experience with excavations, footings, stump grinding and retaining walls. The team at Entire Drainage can supply aggregate, help create driveways and establish house sites.

When it comes to landscaping, Waipapa Landscape Supplies prides itself on quality products at great prices for all your landscaping needs. They are the suppliers of ReadyFence NZ

• EXCAVATIONS • • FOOTINGS • • DIGGER HIRE • • HOUSE SITES • • STUMP GRINDING • • RETAINING WALLS • • TRUCK HIRE • • DRIVEWAY FORMATION • • AGGREGATE SUPPLY • • AUGER HOLES •

Aggregate and Sand Bark and Mulch Compost and Topsoil Green Waste Disposal Growing Media

REG. DRAINLAYER P. Steve 0274 991 546 E. entired@xtra.co.nz

EITHER WAY IT’S 20K

Kauri Timber Company’s timber train at Waipapa, laden with logs, 1912

innovative ground spikes for light fence work, standing posts and whether it’s a top-notch smokehouse for the keen fisherman or a built-tough trough for the animals on the farm Waipapa Landscape Supplies can provide a range of precast concrete solutions.

Waipapa Earthmovers is available for all your earthmoving needs, from clearing sections, creating roadways,

parking bays and establishing drains.

Waipapa Earthmovers is available for all of your earthwork projects.

The commercial retail centre is growing together with Kerikeri and with Farm Source, Farmlands and the Gull service station, the township is in a valuable position offering cafes, shops and resting places for those having a break or passing through.

WAIPAPA EARTHMOVERS Phone 407 1452 – house sites

www.waipapalandscapesupplies.com

– driveways

09 407 6668 12D Pataka Lane Just off SH10 in Waipapa Turn off by PGG Wrightsons

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NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES September 2019

15

CROP & PASTURE PREP BUSINESS PROFILE

Contracting with Ryan Thomas Ryan Thomas has been in the agricultural contracting business for more than 16 years, originally starting with just a tractor and fertiliser spreader, and has expanded the business including services and machinery.

Based in Ohaeawai, Ryan Thomas Ag Contracting is central to the Bay of Islands and are available from the Whangarei area to the Far North.

The business has nine tractors, two forage harvesters and two bulk truck and trailers for fertiliser and metal cartage.

“We start the spring season off with fertiliser, cropping and planting, which includes maize chicory and turnips.

“It then rolls into silage both bulk, which the team does with loader wagons or the forager and bales for which we run three balers — a round, square and conventional. The season finishes up with maize harvest and regressing and another round of lime and fertiliser spreading.

“We have a portable weighbridge for weighing grass silage and maize, so everyone has an accurate measurement of how much supplement they have got.

“From a big job to a small job we can accommodate all.

“We run a fairly big team made up of locals and family we keep on all year round. We also employ extra people over the busy parts of the season. My wife Kelly takes care of the paperwork and administration side of the business, as well as health and safety making

Ryan Thomas — Ryan Thomas Ag Contracting

sure we comply with the ever important OSH regulations. It has become a real family business.

“With spring here maize planting and spreading fertiliser will keep the team busy. We are a one-stop-shop and can do everything that is required through one

firm. Looking after our clients is always a priority, and we believe in completing our tasks in the most efficient, professional way possible while still producing a quality product.”

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• HAY • SILAGE • SPRAYING • CULTIVATION • SEEDING Office: 09 433 1733 Eden: 021 0842 6587 Warren: 027 391 4777

TURIWIRI GARDENS CONTRACTING SPECIALISING IN:

YOUR RELIABLE LOCAL FARM CONTRACTOR • Silage Loader Wagons • Fusion 3Plus Baler/Wrapper • Grass seeding • Triple mowers • Conventional Baler • Medium Square Baler CONTACT STEVEN WOOD 021 456 247

» Pit Silage » Bulk Cartage » Maize Planting & Harvesting » Round, Square & Conventional Hay and Silage Baling » Fertiliser Cartage & Spreading » Cultivation & Undersowing Office: 09 405 9376 | Ryan: 021 455 098 office@tractorthomas.co.nz

High quality yields with custom

fertiliser blends CALL US FOR A SOIL TEST TODAY!

Scott Parker 021 453 442 or email scott.parker@parkerlime.co.nz

Healthy soils, healthy returns

16

September 2019

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES

C RO P & PA S T U R E P R E P ADVERTORIAL

P & D Duncan Seed Drill

100

Found among the dozens of cars, classic motorbikes and heavy machinery is a scattering of early agricultural equipment.

IT’S NOT A TARGET

Hedge Trimming | Crop Cultivation Seed & Fert Triple Disc Drill | Round Baling | Square Baling | Trailer Cartage | Agricultural Contracting Round Bales and Square Bales for Sale – Baled to Order.

All bales are Dairy farm pasture.

Coastal Contracting 2012 Ltd Mathew Sandford (Owner/Operator)

MOB: 021 179 5462

One such piece is the P&D Duncan seed drill manufactured in Christchurch.

In the past, if you took the time to look around old implement sheds on New Zealand farms, you would probably have found that every second farmer owned one.

The Duncan drill was manufactured so it could plant various types and sizes of seed. It was designed with two boxes on the top, the back one for the seed and the front one held fertiliser that was fed down tubes and into the ground.

The drill was known as a spoon feed seed drill because dozens of little spoons picked up individual seeds and planted them a set distance apart. Even though each spoon only planted one seed, a large number of spoons and the speed of the drill meant planting was relatively quick. The drill was also quite wide for its time, and this also increased the speed of planting.

The first of these drills were produced in the early 1880s and were designed to be pulled by horses through a pole; much later models were fitted with a drawbar and towed by a tractor.

The designers of the drill were brothers Peter and David Duncan,

originally blacksmiths from Scotland.

From 1870 they ran a blacksmith shop in Christchurch, but after this burnt down, they concentrated on repairing and then designing farming equipment. The seed drill was one of a number of prizewinning pieces of farming equipment that the brothers produced. They also

designed two and three furrow ploughs, attachable potato planters, hay rakes; along with other farm implements. After the brothers died, their sons continued the business.

In 1986 the business of P&C Duncan closed after a century of contribution to the New Zealand agricultural industry.

“Time to get growing”

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Phone Brad Henty: 0274 28 24 26 or 09 433 7654

• We apply what you need, where you need it • Ravtrak advanced guidance • Proof of placement maps • Application history stored online • Experienced local operator • Options for all terrain

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NORTHLAND

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES September 2019

C RO P & PA S T U R E P R E P

Odds and clods busted down to size

by Andy Bryenton

Unlike with other agricultural implements such as the plough, we know who invented the harrow in ancient times. As the growth of grains other than rice was popularised in the northern Chinese empire in around 500AD, new tools were needed to create a good seedbed, and break up the earth without causing the formation of hardpan.

Enter Jia Sixie, an ambitious official in the equivalent to our modern department of agriculture, Jia wrote about a plan to use a specialist tool to break up the clods of earth disrupted by ploughing, creating a finer tilth layer, preventing the growth of weeds and the spread of insect pests. The first such advancement in Europe was brought to England by William the Conqueror with his French knights in 1066. So important was the harrow to improved farming (which, of course, fed and paid for more knights) that it’s depicted in the Bayeux tapestry, alongside the battle of Hastings itself.

Following this came the spring-tine harrow, developed by the Germans in the 1600s. Its creator, by the surname of Ecker, was granted a title and coat of arms for his innovation, which took the concept of a horse-drawn harrow further than the mesh of wooden staves and metal claws, or chains with spikes that had come before. Still, the aim was to follow after the plough, breaking up large lumps of heavy earth into a peasized, less dense consistency to make a perfect seedbed. These bigger, heavier harrows also covered up seed after sowing and could be used to roughly disrupt weed growth, giving seed a better chance.

Mighty disc harrows, larger again, were used in the plains of the early

17

DRIVE SAFE On Rural Roads

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FINE LIME The Ultra Fine Lime Co. is now the authorised distributor of PFP fertilisers wide range of high quality Ultra fine ground lime & fertiliser products. Using the high quality fine particle products at our recommended rates will boost production while reducing transport and application costs by a considerable amount.

United States to break-in previously unfarmed land. However, it’s thought that their overuse in soils unsuitable for western-style farming may have contributed to the dust bowl disaster so vividly written about in The Grapes of Wrath.

With the advent of the tractor and hydraulic power, the modern harrow was born, incorporating several sets of independently turning tines. Since the 1960s, the use of this kind of harrow

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has exploded. It comes with the benefit of not turning over the layers of soil but keeping them stratiated, thus keeping dormant weed and pest seeds from competing with precision-sown crops.

We operate our depot out of Kaikohe and our office from the Redwoods Centre SH10, Kerikeri.

Book now for your late autumn and early winter requirements.

Contact Bruce Sisley mob 021 308466 or email bruce@rgfs.biz

Spraying out for Crops?

Call your local guys TEAM Vegetation.

BELLINGHAM QUARRIES LTD KAITAIA • www.bellinghamquarries.com Phone: 09 408 1340 • Cell: 021 848 098 • Email: bellingham.quarry@xtra.co.nz

ProBlast & Coatings Ltd Automotive & Marine Protective Coatings | Abrasive Blasting SERVICES OF PROBLAST & COATINGS LTD: Large scale wet or dry abrasive blasting using either garnet, glass, walnut shells etc. Come to us or we can come to you: • Paint removal • Graffiti removal • Road markings removal (parking bay lines etc) • Blasting of all marine vessels • Historical structure blasting (very low psi as to not damage the integrity of the structure) • Abrasive blasting on vehicles that will not damage the panels nor distort or warp the panels Anticorrosion treatments: Corrosion X applications for automotive, agricultural and marine. This stops all forms of corrosion on metal surfaces and electrical and electronic items and not harmful to plastics etc.

Protective coatings: Protective coatings for new automotive and marine, these include but not limited to - rust converters, primers, top coats, anti fouling, polymer coatings. tion Men and Contact hours: Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm ad s % i 0 h t 1 ve a t i 021 0200 3226 | duran@problast.org | www.problast.org e c re un o

disc

We are putting on a new truck this season with: • 15m hydraulic boom • Full GPS guidance with auto shut off nozzles • Floatation tyres • 3000lt capacity

DER N U L STIL RUCTION CONST THE R O F READY SEASON NEW Call today for competitive spraying rates, or advice

FREEPHONE 0800 933 326 www.teamvegetation.co.nz

18

September 2019

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES

C RO P & PA S T U R E P R E P

Heavy duty with a light tread

by Andy Bryenton

When John Deere began work on their 9RX series of large, powerful tractors, they committed to starting with the customer and working backwards. Rather than producing the biggest and most powerful four-wheel-drive machine possible, they asked what contractors and farmers wanted from a high-output tractor.

The answer was less about raw power and more about a reduced footprint, both literally and figuratively. Exceeding strict emissions standards, consuming less fuel and additive, and spreading the weight of the machine to have less impact on the substrate of the soil during operations were all core factors plumbed in from day one.

The difference, therefore, is not in the size of the 9RX, which is available either as a four-wheel-drive variant or as a wide-tracked ‘crawler’, but in its performance figures.

Under the hood, John Deere has partnered up with Cummins, one of the top diesel engine manufacturers in the world, selecting their X15 turbo diesel

as the top of the range power plant for the nine series. This 15-litre engine comes equipped with an electronically actuated, infinitely variable boost turbocharger and advanced exhaust

Colin Hawken

Mulching & Farm Project Management

Round bale silage Small square bale silage Round bale hay & conventional hay bales FOR MORE THAN 25 YEARS

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recirculation technology, filtration and selective catalytic reduction to cut particulate matter output down to near zero. Despite its size, the big X15 is economical, tackling the seriously big jobs and handling seriously big implements with effortless reserves of torque.

Outside, it’s all utility, with ease of access for maintenance another key takeaway from farmers, now plumbed into the design of the biggest Deere.

There’s a versatile three-point hitch and 1,000 rpm PTO to hook up with even the largest of harrows, seed drills or bale and silage ordnance, but the

eye is drawn, at least on the 9620RX model, to those triangular treads with their innovative suspension system.

This system increases the contact patch of the whole machine, spreading the weight and achieving a twofold outcome; less disruption and compaction of the soil, and a smooth ride for the operator, who also enjoys the benefits of the very comfortable and well laid out CommandView III series cab. Lessons from making this giant John Deere step lightly will no doubt flow through to the rest of their range as well, making it a fitting flagship for the green and yellow brand.

rac ROBERT ALISON CONTRACTING

We now offer chain trenching service, 150mm wide to a depth of 1200mm and side discharge drainage metal trailer • 3 round balers & wrappers • Cultivation • 3 conventional & round hay balers • Seed Drilling • Rakes, tedders, mowers • Mulching • Chain trenching • Power/Air Seeder Servicing Ruatangata/Purua & surrounding areas for 45 years • Duane: 021 243 3399 • robertalisoncontracting@gmail.com WANTING TO BUY STANDING GRASS

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19

Get your waste away Maintaining septic systems It is important to have a maintenance programme in place to maintain your septic and wastewater system at its optimum level of performance.

A maintenance programme is not only good for your system but is also a requirement of your local territorial authority and the system manufacturer.

All septic systems must be maintained by suitably qualified and experienced contractors. Cleartech Installations Ltd has extensive experience in the field and service, maintain and repair most systems currently on the market.

Septic systems use anaerobic and aerobic bacteria to process the wastewater. To allow these bacteria to thrive and carry out their intended function a balance is required of what enters the system from your dwelling and the correct adjustments of the mechanical processes that occur.

There are a number of mechanical items within your system, which require regular checks, and if ignored, can lead to costly repairs. All secondary processing systems either include an aeration device of some description, such as a blower unit, venturi air injector, or a media filtration bed. The systems

will also include a submersible pump to deliver the treated effluent to a dripper line field.

The mechanical processes are not ‘set and forget’ which means if a system is not set up correctly, this will lead to an imbalanced system that will produce offensive odours and ultimately toxic water emitting from your dripper lines.

This can lead to a sludge build up inside the pipe network, and if not maintained, a failure of the irrigation field will occur, making it necessary to replace your dripper lines.

A well-maintained system needs not only a maintenance programme but also ongoing care and attention from the homeowner. Careful consideration of the use and avoidance of particular cleaning products must be made. It has a direct effect on the balance of bacteria in the system.

Maintenance must include all treatment beds to be maintained and kept tidy with regular inspections of the septic tank and dripper fields. Septic

tank needs to be emptied approximately every five years, and effluent filters need to be regularly cleaned. Arkal dripper line filter should be cleaned every three months with aeration treatment systems

serviced every six months and textile treatment systems service every 12 months. As some systems require sixmonthly service plans and others annual service plans.

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If you live in the country, coastal area or in a small rural town your household effluent (toilet, shower, kitchen and laundry wastewater) probably drains into an on-site effluent disposal treatment system and from there into the ground somewhere in your backyard. The on-site treatment systems are usually a mixture of historical septic tanks found on properties with older dwellings or the newer aerated type wastewater treatment systems for newer dwellings.

Each effluent disposal field is designed to suit different site conditions and soil types.

The continued operation and maintenance of your on- site system is very important. If neglected, they can pollute ground water and streams, alternatively they can put you and your neighbours health at risk and the systems can be expensive to repair or replace.

The Council’s Wastewater Bylaw Team have identified a number of properties throughout our District that have either domestic or commercial wastewater issues. These wastewater systems either require repairs or possibly a new system to prevent sewerage that are currently causing a nuisance on your or your neighbour’s land, or flowing into our streams, lakes and harbours.

If your sinks and toilets are slow to drain; your treatment system overflows; there is a “bad smell”; black and slimy areas are forming on the ground where your system is located or if there is lush green grass especially in summer near the disposal system it’s time to call your Suitably Qualified Person (a drain layer or service technician) to service your system.

If you would like a free booklet on how to look after your on-site wastewater sewerage system please call us or email wastewater@kaipara.govt.nz

20

September 2019

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES

SEPTICS

Upgrading septic standards If you live in the country, coastal area or a small rural town, your household effluent including toilet, shower, kitchen and laundry wastewater, probably drains into an on-site treatment system, and from there into the ground somewhere in your backyard.

The standard on-site household effluent system has two parts — treatment and disposal. Treatment systems commonly used for household effluent include septic tanks and a group of treatment plants known as Aerated Wastewater Treatment Systems (AWTS). Treatment plants that use sand and textile filters to provide advanced treatment of effluent are also becoming increasingly popular.

When the effluent leaves a treatment system, it is only partially treated. Final

treatment is carried out by the bacteria that are in the soil below the effluent disposal system. The main purpose of the disposal system is to keep the effluent in the soil within the disposal area, so this final treatment happens.

A variety of disposal systems are available, with each being designed to suit different site conditions and soil types.

The correct operation and continued maintenance of your on-site system are very important. If neglected, it can

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pollute groundwater and streams, puts you and your neighbours’ health at risk, and these issues can be expensive to fix.

Information is available on your local council website outlining the way the various systems work, what is required to keep them operating effectively, and how to look after your effluent treatment and disposal system.

Guidelines on what is required to keep them operating effectively can also be found. Information is available on topics such as discharges to land and water,

on-site domestic wastewater discharges, wastewater network and treatment plant discharges, production land discharges, stormwater discharges, industrial and trade wastewater discharges.

Each council has its own rules and guidelines, and it is important to note that you must ensure your septic system meets the requirements specific for the region it is in.

Each district council may have their own bylaws regarding on-site sewage systems and property owners need to be aware of these requirements.

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Avoiding system failure

SEPTICS

21

Septic tanks prevent the suspended solids in household effluent from entering the disposal system. The escape of excessive suspended solids from a septic tank causes clogging of the disposal system and is the most common cause of early failure.

There are three main processes that take place in the septic tank: 1. The heavier, solid particles settle to the bottom of the tank forming a sludge layer.

2. Lighter materials such as fat and grease float to the surface forming a scum layer.

3. Within the septic tank, there is little or no oxygen, and anaerobic bacteria (bugs that can live without oxygen) break down some of the solids. This helps to reduce the build-up of sludge in the tank.

The effluent that leaves a welloperating septic tank contains only the smaller particles that are less likely to rapidly clog the disposal system. An effluent filter will allow only the smaller solids to enter your disposal system and is a relatively cheap way to significantly reduce the possibility of the early failure of your disposal system.

Most modern septic tanks should have a filter installed on their outlet.

With very little modification, effluent filters can be installed on the outlets of older septic tanks. When the effluent leaves the tank, it is only partially treated. The natural processes occurring within the soils below the disposal system carry out the final treatment.

The type and size of the disposal system used are normally determined by the site conditions, groundwater level and soil type.

Soakage trench and bed systems are the most common type of effluent disposal systems used in association with a septic tank. Perforated pipes, or in older systems field tiles, are laid in shallow trenches filled with gravel.

Effluent flows out of the holes in the pipe and soaks into the surrounding soil. Beds are wider and shallower than normal trenches, but should only be used where it is not possible to use trenches.

Every trench or bed system that has more than one pipe for effluent disposal will have a distribution box for even distribution. It is important that all the outlets from the distribution box to the disposal pipes are at the same level. Even a small difference can result in the failure of a trench or bed due to overloading.

Evapo-Transpiration Seepage Systems are normally installed where soils have poor soakage and are designed to use both soil soakage and selected plants for effluent disposal. The plants must like wet feet as they take up some of the effluents and use the nutrients to grow while the liquid evaporates through their leaves.

The disposal area needs to be properly planted to prevent effluent from running off during wet periods and causing a problem.

A list of recommended plants can be obtained from your local council.

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NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES

September 2019

SEPTICS

From sewer to table?

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For most users, water once contaminated, in the bathroom, toilet and washing machine, is disposed of down the pipes and into the sewage disposal system, and a fresh source is sought.

However, science and technology now dictate otherwise.

While recycling is a term we use for the green bag at the gate for old cans, bottles, paper and glass, water can be recycled as well, reusing treated wastewater for beneficial purposes such as agricultural and landscape irrigation, industrial processes, toilet flushing, and replenishing a groundwater basin (referred to as groundwater recharge).

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irrigation, it requires less treatment than recycled water for drinking water.

No documented cases of human health problems due to contact with recycled water that has been treated to standards, criteria, and regulations have been reported.

Water is sometimes recycled and reused onsite. For example, when an industrial facility recycles water used for cooling processes. A common type of recycled water is water that has been reclaimed from municipal wastewater or sewage.

Around the world, the use of recycled water, either from stormwater or from treated wastewater, is gaining in popularity.

Here at home, the Auckland Councilcontrolled Watercare has been looking at the possibility of reusing treated sewage for either human consumption, industry, agriculture or reinjection into the aquifer, despite the fact New Zealand has been endowed with fresh sources aplenty.

Moreover, Watercare has a long-term view. The United Nations says by 2030,

nearly half the world’s population could be facing water scarcity, and that is already being hugely evident in India.

To combat scarcity issues, treated sewage was already being used in Namibia, Australia, Belgium, Singapore and the United States.

Treated wastewater has had the organic and inorganic solids separation from a liquid waste stream. Currently, once treated, it is discharged into waterways.

Watercare says its current infrastructure plan, which goes from 2016 to 2036, did not plan for supplying the public with treated wastewater.

Currently, large volumes are used for on-site processes such as flushing, cooling and cleaning.

The volume of treated wastewater at its Mangere and Rosedale treatment plants was equivalent to the demand of 240,000 people.

Wastewater reuse is regarded as viable in New Zealand, particularly for agricultural purposes. However, wider use, while possible, is probably a long way off for now.

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HORTICULTURE Safeguarding growing soils Horticulture New Zealand has welcomed the government’s draft National Policy Statement on Highly Productive Land, saying it will help ensure that New Zealand can grow its own vegetables and fruit.

“The policy statement recognises that New Zealand needs its best soils for domestic food production,’ says HortNZ natural resources and environment manager, Michelle Sands.

“Once you build houses on our best soils, you cannot get them back. With good planning and buffer zones, houses and horticulture can co-exist, which is important for three main reasons. One, so growers can make the best use of available land. Two, so growers can quickly get fresh produce to market and three, so growers have access to workers, given how labour intensive horticulture is.”

Michelle says, keeping our best soils for producing food is also important in the transition to a low emissions economy.

“As the Paris Agreement states, countries need to find ways to adapt to climate change in a manner that does not threaten food production. New Zealand needs to ensure that it is able to grow all the fresh and healthy food that it needs in a world where it will be difficult to import fresh food due to climate change.

At the moment, poor rules are preventing new vegetable gardens

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being established to replace land lost to housing in Auckland.

“We know the country needs more houses; however, the current situation means that horticulture land lost to houses cannot be replaced.

That is why HortNZ is supporting growers in several regional government

plan changes, such as Waikato Regional Plan Change 1.

“This situation is also why we need central government to guide regional and district councils through policy statements like highly productive land, which recognise horticulture’s critical role in the domestic food supply.”

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September 2019 NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES

Whitebaiting season has begun

The Department of Conservation is reminding whitebaiters to follow the rules to protect the whitebait fishery.

There are no changes to the regulations for the 2019 season, which runs from August 15 until November 30 everywhere except the West Coast of the South Island, where it runs from September 1 to November 14.

Whitebait are juveniles of six species of native fish: giant kokopu, banded kokopu, shortjaw kokopu, inanga, koaro and common smelt. Those that escape the whitebait net grow into adults ranging from 10 to 60 centimetres long.

DOC freshwater scientist Jane Goodman says whitebait are iconic in New Zealand.

“Unfortunately, four of the six whitebait species are categorised as either threatened or at risk of extinction. We need to ensure we protect their habitat, especially spawning areas and fish for them responsibly and sustainably.

“It’s good to see work being done to protect and restore whitebait habitat, such as planting and fencing off spawning grounds from stock and the restoration of adult habitat.

“People can also help these fish by contacting their local DOC or regional council office if they see overhanging culverts or other barriers that stop whitebait migrating.”

During the season, whitebaiting is permitted between 5am and 8pm or between 6am and 9pm when daylight saving starts. DOC administers whitebaiting regulations that cover

methods of fishing, location of whitebaiting sites, legal fishing times and net size. Illegal whitebaiting carries a maximum fine of $5,000, and whitebaiting equipment can be seized.

DOC will be patrolling whitebaiting sites and talking to whitebaiters throughout the season to ensure people are

complying with the regulations. Whitebait regulation pamphlets are also available at sporting shops and DOC offices. Later this year, DOC will consult with the public on improving whitebait management, including reviewing the whitebait fishing regulations. It follows public engagement in 2018 and early 2019 on improving

the whitebait management to restore whitebait populations and provide for a sustainable whitebait fishery.

The engagement included a DOC survey, where 90 per cent of respondents said changes were needed to make New Z e a l a n d ’s whitebait fishery sustainable.

ALL OVER THE TODD SKUDDER A background in Rural Northland is a real asset to Todd in his specialist field of real estate - lifestyle blocks and farms.

Just one of the aspects of the rural life which Todd knows all about is the wide-spread and far-flung nature of the amazing properties and farms he wants to showcase to (and for) his vendors. To really get to know a place, you need to get boots on the ground and to see the lay of the land.

Todd has invested in a side-by-side to assist in getting prospective buyers over the properties he is marketing for his vendors. Todd’s Can-Am can traverse rural terrain smoothly, allowing a real view of the whole property in a way that others just can’t offer. To ensure biosecurity, the machine is washed and sterilised between uses, meaning it’s fresh and clean for each farm visit. Todd even takes care of health and safety, with a briefing and appropriate Mark has a wealth of experience in real estate sales. He understands that your home is very likely your most valuable asset and once the safety features forsell,all passengers. decision has been made to choosing the best person for the job is of vital importance. Mark is professional, respectful and polite. He is able to think quickly on his feet, is extremely creative with marketing and has an uncanny ability to pull the deal together.

Born and raised on the family farm in the UK, Mark has travelled extensively before settling down in New Zealand in 2003. Mark and Maggie It’s a free service which lets people really get to know a property moved up from the Waikato in 2009 and is the very proud father of Tristan & Rosina. and soak itsa potential, views and unique character.

When he is not up chasing deal Mark can be found out on the water sailing, in the garden growing healthy organic food or just being a super dad. Mark is very passionate about property and helping people. Knowledgeable and familiar in Lifestyle, Residential and Coastal property in and around Paihia, Opua & Kawakawa.

And it’s one he offers to you if you list your rural property with “Welcome to the Bay of Islands, this truly is paradise. Yes you can live the dream” him.

Call Mark anytime for a confidential chat.

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NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES September 2019

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26

September 2019

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES

Wearable Arts 2019 Dargaville

For three shows across two days and nights, the Dargaville Town Hall will be transformed by technology and light into a fantastic alternate world.

Dr. Maggie Buxton of AwhiWorld, acclaimed creators of visual ‘lightscapes’ and multilayered, immersive projections, have joined the team bringing you Dargaville Wearable Arts 2019 to craft surroundings which befit the creative flights of imagination on stage.

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NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES September 2019

Proposed power pricing will hit Northland

ADVERTORIAL

A pain in the …

by Matt King, Member of Parliament for Northland

by John Arts (B.Soc.Sci, Dip Tch, Adv.Dip.Nut.Med)

The Electricity Authority is a Crown entity responsible for the regulation of the New Zealand electricity market; as such, it holds a lot of power — literally and figuratively.

The best part of what I do is to hear back from clients who have less pain and more mobility. If you are in pain, the first step should be a visit to your health practitioner for an accurate diagnosis.

Most of us would hope that it wielded that power, with supporting and protecting consumers as its primary focus.

It appears not, and we in Northland need to be concerned at the authority’s persistence in pushing an agenda supporting commercial interests in a transmission pricing methodology that is unprecedented worldwide and been roundly condemned by consumer interest groups and even electricity line companies.

Essentially, what the authority is proposing, and have been doing since 2012, is moving to a “benefitsbased” charge levied on a selection of transmissions assets (most of which provide grid security to Auckland) and the depreciated cost of existing benefits, (which conceivably have already been paid for).

What makes it bad for Northland is that under this proposal the new charge will not be applied universally.

Regions such as Northland who can least afford yet another

increased charge will pay more whereas ‘sweetheart deals’ with big companies in the south will see them pay less.

In its report, the government’s own Electricity Pricing Review Panel said that “the extent to which transmission or any other shared national infrastructure prices should vary between users or regions is best settled with clear guidance from elected governments” and that it “was unaware of any other country undertaking retrospective reallocation of past grid investments.”

In other words, there seems to be a lack of clarity around this issue.

Except for one thing: it seems fundamentally unfair — on us. The Electricity Authority is asking for our feedback. Let’s give it to them.

Interested parties can write to miranda.chetham@northpower.com for a copy of the draft Northland stakeholder submission. Further submissions can be made up until October 1.

For the next few editions, we will look at the most common causes of pain and the measures we can take to help. In all cases, these measures are designed to help restore your body’s natural healing processes, which can be greatly affected by disease.

Most pain is either caused or worsened by tissue inflammation.

For example, in osteoarthritis, the immune system response to cartilage loss is inflammation. It can cause fluid accumulation, swelling, loss of function and invariably pain.

An anti-inflammator y diet combined with well-formulated supplements can help.

My preference is to have equal amounts of chondroitin and glucosamine with a potent curcumin (turmeric) extract and solid doses of fish oils.

Of these chondroitin, sulphate is the most important as it helps support several joint healing processes damaged by arthritis. In most cases, I start with 1,600mg of chondroitin and glucosamine plus

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curcumin to help improve cartilage function. Chondroitin is so effective that it is now available in Europe on prescription.

During the past six months, I have been helping a man in his 70s with long-term knee osteoarthritis with some damage from his rugby years.

He was really struggling with pain and mobility and in his own words is now 95% better. All he has now is a few niggles.

The key is to use multiple measures that target the processes that help maintain healthy joints. The answer is not diet or supplements. The answer is to stimulate dormant healing processes overwhelmed by degenerative changes to joints. Your body does the rest.

John Arts (B.Soc.Sci, Dip Tch, Adv.Dip.Nut.Med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health Ltd. For questions or advice contact John on 0800 423559 or email john@abundant.co.nz. Join his allnew newsletter at abundant.co.nz.

Abundant Health Bettaflex Super Joint Formula New What is Bettaflex?

enhanced formula

∙ Bettaflex is a joint support formula to promote healthy joint cartilage function. ∙ Bettaflex combines high grade chondroitin sulphate, glucosamine sulphate and a potent 95% Curcumin (turmeric) extract. ∙ New Bettaflex (per cap) has 400mg of high grade chrondroitin 400mg of glucosamine and 100mg of rapid absorption 95% Curcumin.

How can Bettaflex help?

∙ Chondroitin and glucosamine are building blocks of cartilage. $89.95 for 3 bottles ∙ Supplementation with correct levels can support healthy cartilage function and cartilage repair processes. free freight or 1 bottle for $32.95 ∙ Curcumin from turmeric helps to balance immune function to support joint health. plus $4.99 postage ∙ Research suggests chondroitin is highly effective at 800mg daily.

BEST BUY!

John Arts comments: “My latest Bettaflex formula with more chondroitin and over double the Curcumin is based on the latest research into joint-support compounds. The normal dose is 2 daily but I recommend a double dose for 1-3 bottles to saturate joint tissue.”

John Arts, Founder Abundant Health Ltd

Abundant Health

Cautions: Do not take with anti-coagulant/platelet medication. If in doubt please consult your healthcare professional. Not suitable during pregnancy or lactation.

TO ORDER PHONE: 0800 423 559

Or order online at www.abundant.co.nz or post a cheque to Abundant Health Ltd, PO Box 4347, Mt Maunganui South, 3149

Pay attention!

around road works

28

September 2019

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES

DAIRY

Taking the bad and good Federated Farmers congratulated the dairy industry on another robust environmental report, which shows there are good things to celebrate.

ERIES

S PRECISION

The indexed rotating clamping system 3 Angle adjustments 12°, 20°, 25° Your knife is always in the same place • High Grade Stainless Steel • Hygienic • Easy Care

Deluxe Precision Kit Pictured

See our website for the full range www.scarysharp.co.nz Talk to the manufacturer toll free 0800 175 720

Chris Lewis, Federated Farmers dairy sector chair

100 IT’S NOT A TARGET

The release of the now five years running Sustainable Dairy: Water Accord report shows there are still areas that need work, but overall dairy farmers should be proud of what they have achieved in a very short timeframe.

Amongst those matters that need further work is the 6.15 per cent of significant non-compliance with effluent management requirements. Overall, Federated Farmers wants to give a

big positive shout-out to what hardworking farmers have achieved for the environment in the last 12 months.

“This is a positive way to head into this spring,” Federated Farmers dairy sector chair Chris Lewis says.

“I know most farmers like myself, will be head down, bum up working hard at the moment, but they should take the time to give themselves a pat on the back tonight, after work. This report quantifies the awesome results they have achieved.”

Federated Farmers encourages all Kiwis to read the report. “I encourage farmers, journalists, government

kawakawa E n g i n e e r i n g

G r o u p

ministers, regulators and environmental NGOs to read this report. Our dairy farmers have a bit more work to do on riparian plans, better effluent compliance and installing water meters.

This is happening,” says Mr Lewis.

“We are in a fast-changing industry, and farmers have moved a lot in a better direction, but some people’s memories and perceptions haven’t caught up.

“Anti-farming lobby groups play up these out-of-date impressions to score political points, so farmers need to keep talking about the work they are doing and the improvements we are all achieving.”

Westfalia and Milfos Parts and Servicing

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Feed Pads for Dairy & Beef Covered & Uncovered Dry Scrape Option Clear Plastic Roof Covered Effluent Storage Customised Design from Experienced Feed Pad Builders

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■ Dairy effluent management ■ Water reticulation, pumps and filters ■ Milking systems ■ Solar water pumps Whangarei 09 438 7038 Dargaville 09 439 8415 Wellsford 09 423 8674

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES September 2019

LIVESTOCK

29

ADVERTORIAL

A little-known breed succeeds Lowline is a beef cattle breed that most people know little about.

Although they have been a separate breed for only 25 years, they are, in fact, genetically 100% Aberdeen Angus and like all Angus cattle, they produce outstanding beef and are hardy, fertile and docile.

Many people think that they are ‘miniatures’, but they are in fact around two- thirds the size of standard Angus cattle. Adult cows weigh 350kg to 450kg, bulls 500kg to 650kg. Their size is close to the original Aberdeen Angus imported from Canada and Scotland nearly 100 years ago.

Today, Lowlines are a perfect breed for lifestyle blocks, as they do less damage to winter pasture and are easy to handle. They grow a smaller skeleton, so mature quickly as compared with traditional dairy cross cattle.

They produce a higher percentage of quality cuts, and the shorter fibre length ensures tenderness.

Lowline bulls are highly fertile and have no problem getting tall cows, such as Friesian or Charolais in calf. A tall, bony cow crossed with a short beefy bull results in a vigorous fast-growing calf, well worth rearing for beef. Some farmers believe that Lowline bulls can only be used over Jersey cows, but this is not the case.

Lowlines have a gestation period; about 10 days shorter than full-sized

cattle. When crossed with dairy heifers they will produce beefy, low birthweight calves with a gestation three to five days less than the average, allowing earlier milking.

We have met many dairy farmers who have had bad experiences with ‘low birthweight bulls’.

A genuine DNA-certified Lowline bull will always produce small calves.

A Lowline is not a Lowline unless there is written proof that it has been DNA verified and shown to be a purebred Lowline. Any so-called Lowline without this documentation may contain genes from a larger breed, risking a large calf and loss of a valuable heifer.

David and Christina at Rancho Radiata produce only purebred Lowlines — they welcome no-obligation visits to their stud. They can deliver young bulls, steers and heifers in the lower north region. Please visit our website lowlines.co.nz.

EADON HIGHLAND FOLD

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Phone 09 420 4065 / 021 938 641 email jenny@eadon.co.nz

Closed herds / Closed breeding groups • TB Status C10 BVD Tested negative and vaccinated • All 5in1 / 7in1 treated Easy calving / Suitable for heifer mating • Quiet and easy to handle All bulls raised on Northland Hill Country with mum for 6/7 months Some bulls registered with (ADCS) • Nait tagged and registered

50% OF ANIMALS CURRENTLY OVER 300KG Broadwood — Gavin Cooper 021 052 4667 / 09 432 3098 Kaikohe — Rose and Carl Cookson 021 026 03230 / 09 401 1957 Maungakaramea — John and Michelle Cameron 027 6441143 / 09 432 3736 Tomarata — Aimee Lenssen 027 246 7727 / 09 431 4498

SIS BALL COCK VALVE LOWLINE STUD

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www.lowlines.co.nz

• 3 models available – all the one price • Nearly indestructible • Only NZ Manufacturer providing lifetime guarantee on the body of the ballcock

www.sisballcock.co.nz | 0800 175 720 Only available direct from manufacturer

30

September 2019

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES

®

WE’RE BUILT FOR THIS

OFFER ENDS SEPTEMBER 3O

OUTLANDER 450 (INCLUDES MAX)

MY18/MY19

$1,250 REBATE ON 2018 MODELS

+ 3 YEARS WARRANTY + FREE SAFETY KEY* DEFENDER HD5

MY17/MY18/MY19

3 YEAR WARRANTY

OUTLANDER 570 (INCLUDES MAX)

MY18/MY19

OUTLANDER 1000 (INCLUDES MAX)

MY17/MY18/MY19

$500 REBATE

3 YEAR WARRANTY

+ 3 YEARS WARRANTY + FREE SAFETY KEY DEFENDER HD8 (INCLUDES PRO & MAX)

MY18/MY19

DEFENDER HD10 (INCLUDES PRO & MAX)

MY17/MY18/MY19

$750 FREE GENUINE ACCESSORIES

+ 3 YEARS WARRANTY + FREE SAFETY KEY

3 YEAR WARRANTY

MAVERICK X3 (INCLUDES PRO & MAX) MY19

$3,000 REBATE MAVERICK TRAIL MY18/MY19

$3,000 REBATE

FARMLANDS CARD EXCLUSIVE REBATE 2.5%

OFFER APPLIES TO ALL CAN-AM DEFENDER

REBATE 5%

OFFER APPLIES TO ALL CAN-AM OUTLANDER

Hikurangi: Rouse Motorcycles Ph: 09 433 8471 | Kaitaia: Kaitaia Tractors Ph: 09 408 0670 Dargaville: Randells Motorcycles Ph: 09 439 6952 | Warkworth: Warkworth Motorcycles Ph: 09 425 8535 VISIT AU.BRP.COM/OFF-ROAD/ FOR MORE INFORMATION © 2018 Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP). All rights reserved. ®, ™ and the BRP logo are trademarks of BRP or its afliates. Always ride responsibly and safely.

Always wear protective gear & approved helmet. BRP reserves the right to change the promotion at any time. *Terms and conditions apply. Free safety key not available on Outlander 450 Base.

®

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES September 2019

RURAL WHEELS

31

Superhero cross over

by Andy Bryenton

100

Those of us who are fans of comic books and the current crop of superhero movies will know all about Hugh Jackman’s portrayal of a rugged, tough character who was raised in the harsh Canadian wilderness, upgraded with bones stronger than steel, and equipped with superhuman resilience. Funny, then, that Yamaha’s tough and powerful new side-by-side is also called the Wolverine.

A new, more compact model for the Yamaha range, the Wolverine plays to the strengths of the company’s design history, with a powerful 847cc parallel-twin motor boasting all the advancements that Yamaha has made in road bike engines during the years.

The harsh proving ground of racing has also paid dividends; this engine, with its long stroke and buckets of torque, is a nice fit for even the four-seater variant of the Wolverine, with ample power to carry four full-grown adults.

Interestingly, this is a throttle-by-wire system, eschewing mechanical linkages in the manner of modern sports cars.

It’s also fuel injected, delivering reliable power and ease of maintenance.

Underneath, you’ll find another handy feature; self-adjusting rear shocks, which level themselves according to the load on the tray or in the passenger compartment. Little things like these add up, creating a very competent and advanced all-round package.

Perhaps most importantly for a trailgoing four seater side by side, the seats are big, tall and comfortable. No carbon-

fibre breadboards here; in fact, Yamaha, who do not make a single conventional road car, could teach some automakers a lesson in seating design with the Wolverine, which boasts sliding, tilting, space-saving configurations that would

Need a tractor for the beach or the lifestyle block? $5,750

New Arrival

$7,475

New Arrival

IT’S NOT A TARGET

make a family van jealous. It’s also a fair bet that the comic book Wolverine would think his motoring namesake was tough enough, and fit for duty in the battle against super-villainy!

USED TRACTORS & MACHINERY 2018 CANAM SSV DEFENDER DPS HD8 SIDE BY SIDE ���������������������������� $14,780

2015 YAMAHA VIKING SIDE BY SIDE ������������������������������������������������ $11,296

2016 CASE IH FARMALL 95C ROPS TRACTOR & LOADER ����������������� $64,000

2015 YAMAHA VIKING SE SIDE BY SIDE ������������������������������������������������ $13,913

2013 STOCKS T JET 8 240 LTR AIR SEEDER WITH ELECTRONIC RADAR RATE CONTROL ����������������������������������������POA

2017 YAMAHA WOLVERINE SIDE BY SIDE �������������������������������������������������� $9,130

2001 SAM 4�75T TANDEM AXLE FERT SPREADER�������������������������������� $14,500

John Deere 445 Ride On

24HP // 2214 hours // 54” mowing deck

$4,400

Bonus $200*

AgSpares parts credit

Kubota B7100 HST

2006 KUHN MDS82 SPREADER ��� $4,500

BERTI TSB 200 MULCHER ������������������������������������ARRIVING SOON

All prices exclude gst

16HP // 2230 hours // 4WD // Carry Tray

$6,900

FORD 4000 2WD AND FRONT END LOADER������������������������ARRIVING SOON

Bonus $300*

AgSpares parts credit ®

PH 408 0670 or Evan 027 481 2188 FX 408 2949 • North Road Kaitaia

EM sales@kaitaiatractors.co.nz • www.kaitaiatractors.co.nz

Ford 3600

45HP // 2WD // Goes well

$10,500

Bonus $500*

AgSpares parts credit

International IH454

50HP // New BKT Tyres // Lowered

$22,500

Bonus $1,000*

QUADBAR

595

$

+GST Deliver

ed

AgSpares parts credit

“I have no doubt that if I did not have a Quadbar fitted, my accident would have been fatal!” — Rozel Farms

Agrimaster RMU2550

110HP // 2.5M Cut // Heavy Duty // Italian Made

Lamborghini 1106DT

110HP // 6 Cylinder // Solid & Simple

*Credit is for the purchase of AgSpares parts and accessories. The credit value is at retail price including GST. Credit valid for 12 months from date of purchase.

Prices include GST 0800 788 788 • sales@agspares.co.nz 30 Pipiwai Rd, Kamo, Whangarei

“The Quadbar saved our employee from significant injuries.” — Colin van der Geest

RECOMMENDED BY WORK SAFE, ACC SUBSIDY AVAILABLE

For a Quadbar, call me, Stuart Davidson, owner of Quadbar NZ on 021 182 8115, Email sales@quadbar.co.nz or for more info go to www.quadbar.co.nz

32

September 2019

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES

PLUS FREE ACCESSORIES VALUED AT $1,000

6,990

$

EX-GST

RIDE AWAY

• 400CC EFI ENGINE • CVTECH TRANSMISSION • ENGINE BRAKING • 2WD/4WD & DIFF LOCK • L-H-N-R RANGE • IRS • POWER STEERING • ALLOY WHEELS • WINCH

Gatmans Mowers & More Silverdale | P: 0800 800 960

SAVE $1,000

SAVE $1,000

RRP $6,990

5,990

$

EX-GST

RIDE AWAY

• 500CC EFI ENGINE • CVTECH TRANSMISSION • ENGINE BRAKING • 2WD/4WD & DIFF LOCK • L-H-N-R RANGE • IRS • ALLOY WHEELS

Northland Powersports

Whangarei | P: (09) 437 5451

Maungaturoto Motorcycles

Maungaturoto | P: (09) 431 8555

RRP $11,490

10,490

$

EX-GST

DRIVE AWAY

• 500CC EFI ENGINE • CVTECH TRANSMISSION • 2WD/4WD & DIFF LOCK • L-H-N-R RANGE • ROPS CERTIFIED ROLL CAGE • TIP TRAY • IRS • POWER STEERING • ALLOY WHEELS • WINCH • ROOF

15,490

$

EX-GST

DRIVE AWAY

• 62HP, 800CC V-TWIN EFI ENGINE • CVTECH TRANSMISSION • ENGINE BRAKING • 2WD/4WD & DIFF LOCK • L-H-N-R RANGE • ROPS ROLL CAGE • TIP TRAY • IRS • POWER STEERING • ALLOY WHEELS • ROOF • GLASS SCREEN & WIPER • MUD FLAPS • REAR SCREEN • 2YR WARRANTY

Rob Titter Farm Services

Kaikohe | P: (09) 401 1774

AVAILABLE ON SELECTED MODELS *Ride away prices quoted exclude GST. Total cost for CFMoto X400 EPS LE is $8530.41 paid via three equal instalments of $2843.47. Total cost for CFMoto UForce 800 EPS Farm Spec is $18,582.45 paid via three equal instalments of $6,194.15. The second instalment is payable after 12 months where the third (final) instalment is payable after 24 months. These totals equate to the cash price including GST plu pluss a $235.60 application/documentation fee and $10.00 PPSR Lodgement (Total charges of $245.60) plus interest costs calculated at a rate of 2.99% per annum. Finance offer excludes CForce 520 and UForce 550 EPS. Normal lending criteria apply. Offer ends 30 September 2019.

www.cfmoto.co.nz

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES September 2019

RURAL WHEELS

Get the toys ready before Santa

MUFFLER SERVICES

by Andy Bryenton

Spring is here at last, with summer following hard on its heels, dragging a sack of holidays behind it. For many of us, that means it’s time to whip the tarp off those summer ‘toys’ and tools, ready for the tight schedule — three weeks to daylight savings, seven to Labour Day, a mere 15 to Christmas.

Well, that is, if any of those not-socarefully stored jet skis, dirt bikes, weed whackers, ride-on mowers and boats actually start. Shooing away the winter’s harvest of resident creepy-crawlies who love to scuttle under a tarp is only stage one when it comes to getting the arsenal of summer ready to go.

At least now, when a small child asks you where slaters and roaches (not to mention large, angry-looking gloss-black spiders) come from, you can tell them in all honesty that they come from boats stored under wraps for the winter.

Batteries suffer the most from idleness, degenerating into heavy chunks of plastic and lead.

Tyres gently flatten as our attentions focus away from boat trailers and caravans, and onto pressing winter concerns such as splitting firewood and wondering why it seemed like such a good idea, last December, to buy a convertible. Then there’s rust.

Neil Young had its number because it really does seem averse to taking some shut-eye. It gnaws away at all that’s fine and good until its nasty handiwork is revealed by the cold, hard light of the

33

62 CLYDE STREET

WE CAN

1. Fix any size exhaust system 2. Fit or supply all your exhaust requirements 3. Provide you with FREE NO-OBLIGATION QUOTES 4. Tube bending 5. TRUCK & CAMPERVAN REPAIRS 6. Small MIG welding repairs WE SPECIALISE IN ALL TRUCKS, TRACTORS & HEAVY MACHINERY So for your cars, vans, utes, imports, light and heavy trucks, tractors and heavy machinery...

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www.mufflerservices.co.nz Some will enjoy classic cars this summer; others want to go boating — with a little planning, there’s time to achieve it all without resorting to extreme measures like this

WOF inspector’s work lamp. Leaving repairs or a check-up to the last minute is a recipe for disappointment at best, and unprintable swearing might follow.

The good news is, there are plenty of locals who can help you get your weed eater whirring and your ride-on mower gently turning what looks like a tiny rainforest into Lord’s cricket pitch.

They can even turn what your significant other is calling the ‘whirlpool’ (a hole in the water into which you lose money, ie, your pride and joy, the boat) into a

Pay attention!

powerful and resplendent vessel feared by fish everywhere.

It’s amazing what a little maintenance can do; this might even work vis-a-vis the old wardrobe if crocs and stubbies feature heavily in your summer collection.

On a serious note, take care and be safe with all your summer tools and toys. If it looks broken or it’s not up to code, get it looked at by the professionals. Please don’t forget the right safety gear on and off the water this year either!

around road works

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Make the MF 7614 part of your team. A proven high performing tractor with straight forward ard technology and easy-to-use controls. Whatever the job, get it done with the straightforward and affordable Massey Ferguson 7614.

• non SCR 6-cylinder engine • 16 x 16 Dyna-4 transmission • Multifunctional loader joystick with integrated transmission controls • Heavy duty loader Sam Whitelock, Massey Ferguson ambassador.

YAMAHA WHANGAREI 30 PORT ROAD, WHANGAREI CITY | 09 4380 804 | YAMAHAWHANGAREI.CO.NZ

BRYANT TRACTORS LTD

38 Rewa Rewa Road, Raumanga, Whangarei | P: 09 438 1319 E: sales@bryanttractors.co.nz | Web: www.bryanttractors.co.nz Murray 027 490 9379 | Ivo 027 368 3920 | Rex 027 490 9826

*Payments are based on finance with an interest rate of 0.99% p.a. on minimum 30% deposit, the equipment GST component repaid in the third month and monthly repayments in arrears over a 36 month term. Offer available until 30 September 2019 or while stocks last to approved purchasers, registered for GST,TT, for hire purchase finance and business purposes only, made and subject to terms and conditions and credit approval by AGCO Finance Pty Ltd GST No: 88-831-861.

Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer.r.r Fees and charges may apply. ~Price based on standard specification MF 7614 tractor & FL4227 loader. Offer valid for deals with no customer trade. Image used for illustration purposes only.

MASSEYFERGUSON.CO.NZ

A world of experience. Working with you.

34

September 2019

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES

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NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES September 2019

35

Northern Rural Marketplace ATJ

Acraflex Dairy Wall Coatings

SELF DRIVE MACHINERY HIRE

Colourcrete Dairy Floor Resurfacing System

Call the team at ATJ for your hire needs

NOW AVAILABLE – GRADER AND 12 TONNE DIGGER + 2 AXLE TIPPING TRAILER ALSO AVAILABLE – WOOD CHIP AND SAWDUST FOR ANIMAL BEDDING

Andrew Simpson

Steers | Bulls | Heifers | Weaner

TUESDAYS 11:00am - Sheep 12:00pm - Prime Cattle

Your Carrfields Agent for Kaipara/Rodney area

• Rollers 1.5 - 13 tonne • Diggers 1-20 tonne • Site dumpers 1-10 tonne • Loaders, Trailers, Plate Compactors etc Warkworth 09 425 8845 or Aaron on 021 210 0493 4 Morrosion Drive, Warkworth

WELLSFORD SALE MONDAYS 12:00pm - Store Cattle

Suitable for repairing damaged dairy floors or slippery areas Bruce Cameron 027 498 8412 / 09 235 8263

Steers | Bulls | Heifers | Boners

CONTACT Andrew Simpson

11:00am - Calves (seasonal) 12:00pm - Dairy (seasonal)

PH 027 449 1228 EMAIL andrewsimpson.ns@hotmail.com

BEEF / DAIRY / SHEEP 100% NZ owned

DARGAVILLE SALE THURSDAYS 11:30am - Feeder Calves 12:30pm - Store Cattle

Golden Bay Dolomite NZ’s most loved magnesium.

110HP 4WD Tractor and Slasher.

Phone now for pricing and bookings.

Dempster Digger s Ltd PH: 027 262 1848

Call 0800 436 566 or visit www.dolomite.co.nz

A/H: 09 433 7325 www.dempsterdiggers.co.nz

IES CONSTRUCTION LTD. CONCRETE AND TILT SLAB CONSTRUCTION • • • •

Bridges Farm buildings Feed pads Bins

PO Box 448, Kerikeri, 0245 • PHONE: 09 407 8784 FAX: 09 407 8770 • EMAIL: ies@concrete.net.nz

Northland Laser Drainage Ltd Neil Carter Trading as

Doug Wilson Manager Phone: Fax: Mobile: Email:

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

Specialising in Fertiliser and Metal cartage.

30 Tonne units available.

We cover your country!

Subsurface Drainage Specialists (Nth) All Services & Maintenance Available PO Box 1174, Whangarei Ph 09 434 7741 • Mobile 027 273 6865

1279 S/H 14, MAUNGATAPERE

www.animalherbs.co.nz

Pop’s Chainsaws and Mowers, Napier

We courier to your door!

4 Models

A big range of Health Solutions for you, your family and animals

• Solutions for control of fleas, ticks • Consult with Pat for solutions and worms with WashBar products, to skin problems and other Diatomaceous Earth and Flee Flea health issues for your pet • Herbal and Homeopathic remedies • Orijen Organic Dog and Cat Food — no grains for you and your animals

*TreeGuyz* Arborists & Tree Contractors • Tree Felling/Dismantling • Winching • Stump Grinding/Chipping • Digger/Hiab/Grapples • Storm Damage Removal

• Free Quote/ Qualified & Insured

Email: treeguyz@outlook.com

www.popschainsaws.co.nz

15-2 0mm $895 prices froMmodel .0

0 Inc

Enquiries: harrisons@actrix.co.nz, Ph 027 483 9996 John or 022 059 5166

. GST

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

www.treeguyz.co.nz

Phone ALAN 027 227 5095 or 09 435 0399

0800 TREEGUYZ “We just love your trees to bits!”

* House Wash * Concrete Clean * Gutter Clean * Roof Treatments aaron@washrite.co.nz

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

Also Available Solar Water Pumps (No Batteries)

Ph 09 432 0820

Email: homeopat@ubernet.co.nz Visit: www.animalherbs.co.nz to buy online

Harrison Water Ram Pumps

* Cowshed Wash

022 438 8838

For Sale

Garden

ATV MATS from $89 — Come in & see us at Rouse Motorcycles, King Street, Hikurangi. Phone 0800 963 636. www.atvtyres.co.nz.

SEED POTATOES, New Seasons, FERTILISER – Organic Blood & Bone, Citrus, General plus more from Northland Seed, Okara Drive, Whangarei. Phone 09 438 0884.

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.

BACK 2 Wood Demolition. We buy & sell renovation materials.

Servicing Northland — Auckland. Specialising in Windows, Doors, Ranchsliders, Kitchens, Vanities, Roofing and More! Check out our website back2wood.co.nz or Phone 0800 10 98 77.

HERITAGE APPLE Trees from $25 – Hardy root stocks – Diversify your Farm with an Orchard tree pack www.tastytrees.co.nz, mobile 027 346 7645.

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.

Farming & Lifestyle LAWN SEED / PASTURE SEED / FENCING Reels and Standards from Northland Seed, Okara Drive, Whangarei. Phone 09 438 0884.

Livestock LUCERNE CHAFF plus more HORSE FEED, CALF REARERS get your Milk Powder and Meal from Northland Seed, Okara Drive, Whangarei. Phone 09 438 0884.

FREE-FLOW FROZEN DOG CHUNKS / MINCE. DOG / PUPPY BISCUITS – no artificial colour or preservatives, CHICKEN FEED / BIRDSEED / RAT BAIT from Northland Seed, Okara Drive, Whangarei. Phone 09 438 0884.

36

September 2019

NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES

BACKED BY 2-YEAR WARRANTY 4X4 WITH LOCK DIFF AND TURF MODE FULL DOWNHILL ENGINE BRAKING

TIGHT TURNING RADIUS - 4.2M

The ALL-NEW Mule Pro-MX’s 700cc powerplant features a quiet roller rocker valve-train for reliability and ease of maintainence. Combine this with a constantly tensioned CVT providing full engine braking and unparalleled stability through an advanced Shinari-tuned chassis. Add operator comforts such as contoured seating, speed sensitive electronic power-steering and quad headlights with LEDs and you have the most capable mid-sized Mule ever built.

$17,995

+GST

BACKED BY 2-YEAR WARRANTY 4X4 WITH LOCK DIFF AND TURF MODE DURABLE U.S.A QUALITY

TIGHT TURNING RADIUS

The Mule SX Bigfoot’s reputation for robust American quality and precision Japanese engineering makes the Bigfoot the 1st choice for New Zealand farmers who demand a Side x Side that goes the distance long after the cows come home.

Experience the Kawasaki Farm range at www.kawasaki.co.nz/farm Not in conjunction with any other offers. Offer available at participating Kawasaki dealers nationwide.

Offer ends 31st October 2019. Model shown may not be model available.

DARGAVILLE

KAIWAKA

HIKURANGI

KAIKOHE

WARKWORTH

WHANGAREI

C A Motorcycles - 725 Pouto Rd | 09 439 0170 Rouse Motorcycles - 1 King St | 09 433 8471 Warkworth Motorcycles - 22 Whitaker Rd | 09 425 8535

$13,909

+GST

BIGFOOT. BIG VALUE.

NOW WITH FREE CAB KIT

Warkworth Motorcycles Kaiwaka - 1916 SH 1 | 09 431 2123 Rob Titter Farm Services - 55 Station Rd E | 09 401 1774

Shaw Motorcycles - 111 Cameron Street | 09 438 1183