Taranaki Farming Lifestyles, December 2020

December 2020 Edition

Beekeeping flows with farming Pages 6–7

World Soil Day marked with investment

Willing to run for charity

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DECEMBER 2020 TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

Integrity community media

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

Farmers sought for Open Farms Farmers are encouraged to open their farm gates to the public early next year as part of the nationwide Open Farms initiative.

Phone: 0800 466 793 Email: info@integrity.nz General Manager: Deb Wright | deb.wright@integrity.nz | 021 639 696 Editorial: Ann van Engelen, Denise Gunn Advertising: Braxton Epere 027 525 8217 Accounts: accounts@integrity.nz Distribution: Laurie Willetts Website: www.farminglifestyles.co.nz

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Open Farms aims to create a better understanding between town and country, providing interaction at grassroots level. It is also an opportunity to reconnect New Zealanders with the land, to view how and where food is grown, and meet the farmers involved.

Now running for little more than a decade, Open Farms gives the public an insight into what farmers do each day, every day of the year.

Feedback has shown that after visiting a farm, visitors felt more connected to farmers. Visitors also left with a better understanding of farming, the process taken to grow food, and a deeper knowledge of environmental sustainability.

Beef + Lamb NZ (B+LNZ) is one of Open Farms sponsors.

“Like Open Farms, we believe that providing Kiwis with the opportunity to have a genuine on-farm experience and better connect them with the people and places that grow their food, is hugely important for our country,” said B+LNZ’s CEO Sam McIvor.

“Our research has shown that a growing number of New Zealanders have never stepped foot on a farm before.

Urban and rural New Zealanders value the same things, but this physical and relatively new disconnect is leading to misunderstandings and misconceptions about how food is produced.”

This research has demonstrated that following farm visits, urban New Zealanders also alter their perceptions towards agriculture.

Farms of all sizes, from agriculture to permaculture, are eligible for Open Farms. It is an opportunity for farmers to showcase their farming operation, share their story and even promote products.

Hosts can choose the size of the event and how they would like to run it.

An Open Farms Host Handbook is available, providing an overview of what is involved in hosting an event. Guidelines, suggestions, health and safety, activity ideas and tips are included. A useful kit will also be supplied.

Farmers interested in finding out more about hosting during Open Farms, can contact the Open Farms team at info@openfarms.co.nz to request a call or visit www.openfarms.co.nz/hostan-event.

Open Farms will be held on Sunday, February 21, 2021.

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commissioned Manaaki Whenua — Landcare Research to work with councils over the next five years. Manaaki Whenua and those councils who choose to take up the opportunity will also contribute to the project.

The project could add approximately 1.5 million hectares of land to S-Map, which is already the highest resolution and most detailed source of soil information currently available in New Zealand.

Manaaki Whenua chief executive Dr Richard Gordon said soil information from S-Map is important for Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor marked World Soil Day with a $6.25 million investment in mapping New freshwater modelling and Zealand’s most valuable soils nutrient limit setting.

“We know there is strong demand regional councils. The S-Map expansion for greater S-Map coverage, to inform project will reduce the cost for councils decision making on a range of national to use and invest in S-Map, and will also issues including climate change, food create employment opportunities for the production and meeting new freshwater next generation of soil scientists, and regulations,” he said. other work and training benefits through Soil mapping for S-Map has Manaaki Whenua and councils. historically been carried out by central government agencies and individual

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Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor marked World Soil Day on December 5 with a $6.25 million investment in mapping New Zealand’s most valuable soils, which are vital to the nation’s economic, environmental and social wellbeing.

Mr O’Connor said the more we know about our natural resources, including soils, the better we can make good sustainable land-use decisions.

“Understanding our soils and protecting their health fits with the Maori principle Te Taiao, of connecting with the natural environment. This underpins our government’s roadmap for the food and fibres sector, Fit For a Better World.

“Good farm planning advice and good data are both essential to the roadmap.

We are working to get farm managers and farm advisors to help them get the tools they need to make the best decisions about land use.

“That’s why our government is committing $6.25 million for a nationwide project to expand S-Map,” he said.

S-Map combines on-the-ground soil sampling with digital mapping technologies. It is used by rural consultants, councils, landowners and others for crop and pasture management, nutrient budgeting, erosion control, irrigation management, drought resilience and land valuation.

“Expanding S-Map will have lasting benefits for our regions,” said Mr O’Connor. To carry out the project, the Ministry for Primary Industries has

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DECEMBER 2020 TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

Willing to run FOR CHARITY

BY DENISE GUNN

Taranaki shepherd Jorge Coplestone has swapped her gumboots for running shoes, raising money for mental health awareness campaign Will to Live.

J

orge was raised on her parents’ three sheep and beef farms east of Stratford, helping out whenever possible.

“Whatever Mum and Dad were doing on the farms, so were we. We spent countless hours on the farm helping out. Mum and Dad called it character building.”

The family’s three farms are located at Stratford, Pukengahu and Ararata, running Raupuha Romdale ewes, Angus cows and 70 Friesian bulls. All stock are finished on the farms which cover a total of 14,000 acres.

Jorge said her love for farming started from a fairly young age and growing up with an older brother gave her thick skin.

“Dad says I still hit like a girl.”

Now working on 3,600-acre Raupuha Stud in Mahoenui, Jorge takes on

everything from mustering, tractor work and shearing, as well as planting seedlings in the nursery.

Raupuha Stud runs Perendale, Romdale, Suffolk and Suftex sheep as well as Shorthorn cattle. In addition to the stud stock, there is also a flock of commercial ewes, trade cattle, dairy grazers, heifers, bulls, ewe hoggets and two-tooth rams. The nursery houses 50,000 native plants.

Recently Jorge took up marathon running and is raising funds for mental health awareness campaign, Will to Live.

She first heard about Will to Live when founder Elle Perriam visited Taranaki on a Speak Up tour of New Zealand last year.

“I decided that I needed to do my bit to help the cause, rural mental health.

When one of our closest mates decided

Jorge’s love for farming began at a young age growing up on her parents’ sheep and beef farms

to take his life, it shook a lot of us. The way I dealt with it was taking up running to help the mind. So I took that as I’ll help my mind and train for a marathon and raise money to help other minds.

“I had a pretty strict training programme that I researched and altered to fit me,” said Jorge.

So far Jorge has completed two marathons, one in Auckland and the other in Queenstown.

“It was all going well building up to the Auckland marathon, training was

going well and I was in a good mental state. A month out, I dislocated my shoulder. I still felt like I owed it to the cause to run the marathon, so I didn’t train for the whole month and was just on a stationary bike in the garage. Then I headed into the physio a couple of days before the event to get it taped up so it couldn’t dislocate and did my first run in five hours and 22 minutes.

Two weeks later I had the Queenstown marathon, which I did in five hours and one minute.”

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

DECEMBER 2020

5

Crossing the finish line at the Auckland marathon Jorge works as a shepherd on Raupuha Stud in Mahoenui

Dislocating her shoulder has been Jorge’s biggest challenge while training, along with fitting the training schedule into her life and finding balance.

Jorge said she’s not heavily interested in the running aspect but she does enjoy it, especially the mental aspect and meeting people.

“It’s the people you meet while running and realising that everyone has a story to tell about why they are out running or training.”

A Givealittle page, set up on the fundraising website, is operating until the end of December and still accepting donations givealittle.co.nz/cause/

running-for-a-bloody-good-cause. So far, Jorge raised $2,600 for Will to Live.

“It will go to help Ellie and the team at Will to Live, getting behind our rural community and get people to start speaking up about their mental health.”

Jorge’s employers, Russell and Mavis Proffit, have also donated to the cause after holding their annual ram sale on-farm. They donated the average of $1,500 between three charities; St John ambulance service in Piopio, the Piopio fire brigade and to Jorge’s Givealittle page.

Jorge has more marathons planned for 2021.

Jorge works as a shepherd on Raupuha Stud in Mahoenui

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DECEMBER 2020 TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

Beekeeping �lows with farming

by Denise Gunn The introduction of the Collier family’s newly-established manuka-honey-producing business, Bee and Flow, is integrating well with their sheep and beef farm.

PHOTOS GEORGE COLLIER

F

ive generations of the Collier and Beard family have farmed their 2,200ha property in southeastern Taranaki. Ben Collier and his wife Julia, together with Ben’s younger brother Tom, are the fifth generation to run the farming operation. Ben and Julia met while studying in the Netherlands in 2008, moving to Auckland two years later. Julie, originally from Mexico City, was employed in marketing while Ben balanced working in corporate finance and playing hockey for the New Zealand Black Sticks.

Five years ago, when Ben’s father passed away suddenly, the couple

decided to move to the farm, start a family and a new career. Tom, who had studied at Lincoln University and gained further experience working on Australian and Hawke’s Bay farms, joined them on the property three years ago.

When Ben and Tom’s grandparents and parents moved on to the farm in 1985, from a property in the Paraparas, they developed the farm’s back flats where the main woolshed and homes are now located.

“My grandad owned a Cessna and would fly, with his dogs, between the two farms before moving up to Taranaki,” said Ben. “Mum is originally from

England and came to New Zealand with my dad in 1976. She has a passion for her horses and dogs and is an integral part of the farm and its story.”

The 1,400ha effective farm covers 80ha of river flats with the remainder steep to ver y steep, papa-based hill country.

A 400ha area of mature, native bush is protected by a QEII covenant and another 400ha is planted in pine trees.

Erosion-prone sections of the farm are being retired for manuka planting.

Close to 6,000 ewes and hoggets, along with 720 cows, heifers and steers are wintered on the farm. The majority of

lambs are sold store, either at weaning or in late summer.

“We have introduced a new cattle policy where we are implementing a once-bred heifer system. All of our R2 heifers, over 300kg, meet the bull and calve on our river flats.

Once calved, these heifers continue to grow-out on the hill country during summer before finishing in the autumn/early winter.

We also trade our R1 steers for traditional or dairy beef R1 heifers that also enter this once-bred system. The offspring from the R2 Heifers are mostly sold on the weaner calf market. When Ben and Julia returned to the farm in 2015,

“It’s hard to get established when you have a small scale”

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Close to 6,000 ewes and hoggets, along with 720 cows, heifers and steers are wintered on the farm they recognised an opportunity to make manuka honey as a viable part of the farming business. They started with five hives four years ago and now have 70.

“We developed some great relationships with our local commercial beekeepers, Tony and James Annabell, who put their hives on the farm while also allowing us to join them for a few days to learn the craft.”

Julia also took a part-time beekeeping course through Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre.

This year, the couple established Bee and Flow. The entire beekeeping operation is run by the Collier family and two employees, as part of the farm system. Julia works on developing the brand while taking care of the couple’s two young sons.

“From a farming perspective, I have found bees are a great indicator of the changing of the season. They often indicate when the grass is about to start to come away in the spring or slow down in the autumn,” said Ben.

In their first commercial season, Ben and Julia produced manuka with an MGO rating of 390. Their 2019 harvest is currently ageing and has a forecasted MGO level of 920.

The majority of the bush honey is fed back to the bees in autumn and the couple has found this is great for the health of the bees and the best way to help them get through the winter. Mostly Italian bees were chosen due to their good nature and strong honey production.

Ben said both Egmont Honey and Naki Honey have helped them with the extraction and honey packaging.

“It’s hard to get established when you have a small scale. To be able to work with these guys has helped make this project possible. It has been fun to share our product, story and brand with the world.”

The Bee and Flow team are currently working with a distributor in Europe who loves the brand and hopes to help the family establish a market there.

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DECEMBER 2020 TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

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DECEMBER 2020

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Taranaki’s property market has shown no signs of any negative effects from the Covid-19 impacted year and like many regions, Taranaki came out “emotionally bruised but far from physically battered” by the impacts of lockdowns.

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SMOKE ALARMS Some property sectors are faring better than others and median residential property values now at an all-time high.

Bayleys Taranaki general manager Dean File said activity within the region since around May was generally reflective of what was going on elsewhere in the country.

“Once the bulk of the population got over the initial forecasts of how Covid-19 was predicted to negatively impact on the economy, people have shaken off initial fears and returned to a more balanced approach to life.

“For those whose employment has remained intact, life has returned pretty much to what it was in January or February. That can certainly be said for the residential property market.

“Additionally, we have also seen a trickle of expats returning back to Taranaki as part of the wave of Kiwis returning to their birthplace. We are seeing the flow on from this with strong enquiry from outside of the region, particularly in the middle and upperend price ranges for residential and lifestyle property.”

Bayleys has a strong auction culture and is certainly achieving impressive results for those selling with this competitive and transparent method of sale.

“We do however sell properties by other methods, but always looking to get the best possible result for our vendors.”

Bayleys offers a full-service real estate experience both locally and across

New Zealand, as well as international exposure through its affiliation with Knight Frank. Bayleys is also involved in supporting numerous groups and organisations in the region.

“We are proudly a part of this community and enjoy giving back to it,” says Dean.

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DECEMBER 2020 TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

SPOTLIGHT ON

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Each council in New Zealand may have slightly different rules for effluent spreading, but generally the main issues for compliance are: keeping waterways effluent free, making sure effluent is kept within a farm’s boundary, and staying within the limits for nitrogen application.

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intend to expand in the near future, and the other parts to your effluent management set up. If you’re unsure, talk to an effluent management specialist.

When choosing a method of spreading effluent, look for machinery that allows you to have control over your application. The ideal effluent spreader can be adjusted to suit the conditions, and also provide a consistent spread as well as more control over how far and where the effluent is going.

For general situations where a dairy farmer is storing effluent and spreading when appropriate, a slurry tanker with RainWave spreader is a popular choice because it’s adjustable and requires no

pipes or reticulation. Large droplets also cut down wind drift, which is good for making good neighbours! With laws evolving that restrict the amount of nitrogen applied to pasture, dairy farmers are needing a smarter way to spread effluent. We recommend adding a natural supplement like AddGreen to the effluent before applying with a RainWave slurry tanker. AddGreen is specially formulated to utilise the nitrogen you are able to spread, creating a more balanced nutrient application — basically you’ll get more bang for your buck.

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SPOTLIGHT ON

DECEMBER 2020

11

HAWERA

A town full of stories

by Andy Bryenton

Hawera may be the epitome of an old-fashioned provincial Kiwi country town, but there’s a tradition of great writers being born in this gem of the Taranaki heartland.

In fact, one of the nation’s best ever investigative journalists and one of our top satirical and societally critical novelists come from Hawera, along with the ‘father of modern political cartoons’ in New Zealand.

Journalist Pat Booth may be remembered by some for this polarising, articulate opinion columns of the late 1990s and early 2000s, but his incisive pen was best put to use when he delved into the Arthur Allan Thomas murder case and the events around the fall of drug kingpin ‘Mr Asia’. Booth fronted a seven-year-long campaign to repudiate the guilty verdict for Thomas, publishing the book The Fate of Arthur Thomas: Trial by Ambush in 1975, which won the National Investigative Journalism Award that year. Booth was exonerated when Thomas was pardoned and received an OBE for his dogged pursuit of justice. He went on to have a long career in print journalism, but it all began with a job on the Hawera Star in 1947.

Ronald Hugh Morrieson was controversial during his lifetime, a novelist who exposed the rambunctious and raw underbelly of Kiwi life in small country towns. His novels have all been made into films, with the most well

known being the Billy T James classic Came a Hot Friday. Morrieson also wrote The Scarecrow, which was filmed with horror icon James Carradine and was the first Kiwi film selected for Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight, a showcase of the state of the cinematic art. Morrieson presented a satirical, dark take on his home town, and annoyed many Hawera locals with his portrayals that cut close to the bone in the 50s and 60s. Now, he’s more respected as a pioneer of biting social commentary in New Zealand.

Alan Stuart Paterson was the first staff artist for the national New Zealand paper The Dominion, starting in 1925 and working until 1950, with a brief break during the second world war.

Paterson produced daily cartoons for the paper, taking a comic path of social observation and humour rather than the ‘on the nose’ style of political cartoons seen in foreign magazines like Punch.

His beloved style has informed the choices and tone of political cartoonists ever since, and he’s the creator of the now well-imitated concept of a map of New Zealand with cartoon figures placed on and around it to highlight landmarks and historic events.

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Acclaimed crusading investigative writer Pat Booth was born in Hawera; one of many literary stars from the Taranaki town

There are many more examples of men and women of letters and the arts coming from Hawera; too many to list

in one story. Perhaps there’s something in the water down these ways which inspires creativity?

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DECEMBER 2020 TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

ADVERTORIAL

Creative journey through Artists Open Studios Artists will open the doors to their studios in March, giving the public an opportunity to meet them, view their art, and look behind the scenes.

Now into its 21st year, Artists Open Studios is considered to be one of the largest, longest-running and diverse art trails in New Zealand. Starting with seven artists taking part in 2001, next year’s event has 89 studios listed in Whanganui and Marton, showcasing a wide range of works.

Event coordinator Ness Radich said Artists Open Studios will give art lovers the opportunity to meet the artists behind the art.

“To not only get a sneak peek into how art is created but also build a personal relationship, and story, with the artists themselves. What visitors learn quickly is that Whanganui is an art hub; we have 89 studios participating this year.

Although the art culture of Whanganui may still be unfamiliar to some, the event has been running for 21 years so has built its reputation over a long time.

“Artists Open Studios gives visitors the chance to explore this beautiful, vibrant river city by taking a journey around the art studios,” she said.

“Make sure you check out the Starting Point Exhibition; a multimedia showcase of displays from all the studios participating in the 2021 event. This is

Visitors view artistic creations in Bedford Avenue Studio in Gonville, Whanganui

the perfect place to begin to map out your journey. It is also open during the week of Artists Open Studios and works on display are available to purchase.”

Studios will be signposted and an event trail guide, available for $5, lists all the studios that will be open with

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background information on each one.

There is also a free trail map available.

“There is no fee for visitors but an invitation to support local art,” said Ness.

“Incredible workshops and events are on during the event too. It’s a fantastic opportunity to gift an experience to your

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Meet the artists behind the art in Whanganui & Marton 20 - 28 March 2021

Add it to your calendar and make a weekend of it.

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loved ones this Christmas.” Artists Open Studios will be held on the weekends of March 20–21 and 27–28 from 10am to 4pm. Some of the studios will also open between those weekends.

Visit openstudios.co.nz for further information.

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

DECEMBER 2020

WATER MATTERS

13

New technology on show

by Paul Campbell

Educating landowners about different types of smart water use by showcasing innovative irrigation technologies is a programme underway in Kaipara with two demonstration sites now being developed.

The Kaipara District Council has approved the Kaipara Water projects, which will serve as real-life working examples of the best ways to irrigate high-value horticultural crops. Kaipara Water is part of Kaipara KickStart, led by the council and funded by the Provincial Growth Fund to the tune of $740,000.

The scheme will have input from Think Water Northland.

Direct access to practical examples, expert advice and local knowledge, will provide information and education for all of the Kaipara community in water, crop and irrigation solutions.

The first demonstration site is on iwi land at Maunganui Bluff north of Dargaville. The council is working with Te Roroa to showcase irrigation that can be easily scaled up or down, depending on what crops are being watered.

The site includes an in-ground irrigation system managed remotely via a web application to deliver water and fertiliser to vegetable crops in precise amounts. First crops on this site include watermelon, squash and sweetcorn.

Water supply is from a farm creek, captured in a tank and gravity fed to the demonstration site. Demonstration site two is in Te Kopuru where a centre pivot irrigator is being installed, which has a 242-metre span and will irrigate

roughly 10 hectares. First crops include sorghum, maize and sweetcorn. Water will be gradually taken from a nearby creek under an existing resource consent and stored in a pond that will be built as part of the project.

The Te Kopuru site is also located within the future water storage scheme area being managed by Te Tai Tokerau Water Trust. The teams from both projects are working closely on the interlinked projects, sharing guidance on water infrastructure solutions and what they learn from their involvement.

As well as regular community events and guided site visits, a time-lapse web camera will be set up to capture crop growth and site development. As well as the set-up costs, the funding covers the management and maintenance of the sites for their lifetime.

There were multiple applications from landowners wanting to be involved in the project, and the project applied strict criteria for evaluating potential sites. Among other things, sites had to have existing access to a consistent water supply, and landowners had to be willing and able to host visitors on their land. Landowners will not be paid for their participation.

Project Manager for Kaipara Water and Kaipara Kai, Diane Miller, is looking forward to seeing the projects in action so that everyone across Kaipara can learn from real-life working examples.

“The information and data gained from these two demonstration sites will enrich research already available from Kaipara Kai and being used through the Kai Hub work.”

General manager of Te Roroa Development Group, Snow Tane, is excited about the potential of the sites to provide much-needed skills to iwi as well as the wider community.

“The sites will directly benefit our iwi, through education, new skills and creating jobs.”

Kaipara Mayor Dr Jason Smith believes the demonstration sites will be immeasurably valuable to better understand how to use precious water resources.

“Smart and innovative use of our water resources is critical for our community wellbeing and for our economy. These demo sites are huge opportunities to learn about new irrigation technologies and how they can be used across Kaipara, from Mangawhai to Maunganui Bluff.”

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DECEMBER 2020 TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

ADVERTORIAL

Stories of the wild west coast The Kauri Coast, that region of forest giants, wild surf beaches and old colonial townships in the far north-west, is a very different place to the rest of Northland.

With a history far removed from the planned and careful colonisation of the east coast, away from the guiding hand of the British Admiralty, the region centred on Dargaville has seen amazing stories unfold during the centuries.

From fierce battles, trade and seagoing exploration in pre-European times to the era of the hardy gumdiggers and the kauri bushmen, this is a place apart; New Zealand’s ‘wild west’. Capturing its tales of shipwrecks, adventures, innovations, adversity, cultures and colonisation is the job for a very special museum, largely run by passionate volunteers.

No random collection of artefacts, the Dargaville Museum is designed to tell a story with each piece on display. From giant sawblades once driven by steam to slice through kauri as wide around as a locomotive, through to the original lighthouse which guided ships away from the dangerous Kaipara Harbour bar, each display comes with a tale or two from the rich history of this area.

The volunteer guides who often accompany visiting parties are engaged with the heritage passed down from

History brings the land a new dimension — travellers to the north-west are well advised to stop by Dargaville Museum to learn more about the fascinating history of the Kauri Coast

their great-great-grandparents, from carefully preserved old records and from the community.

The museum’s collection brings to life the hard work of the gum fields, the busy industry of the mills and shipyards, and the coming together of many peoples; Maori, Dalmatian, Scots, Irish, English and many others who journeyed here to make their fortune, when kauri gum

was literally ‘as good as gold’. The Dargaville Museum’s collection spans everything from a giant pre-European waka carved from a single tree, to a working steam-powered gum-washing plant, the nation’s smallest heritagelisted building, and the masts of the Rainbow Warrior, the antinuclear protest ship destroyed by French agents in the 1980s. The surrounding

Harding Park contains a separate vintage machinery club, mountain biking trails, an authentic pa site, walking tracks and great views of the riverlands.

If you’re visiting the Kauri Coast, add a new level of appreciation to your journey; stop by and delve into the history of this unique corner of New Zealand.

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

Eliminating Mycoplasma bovis positive

Eradication of Mycoplasma bovis is going to plan, but the industry still has a way to go for the disease.

“Although we are on track to achieve eradication, there is still a lot of hard work ahead of us, and we expect to find more infected herds as the M bovis programme continues,” says a DairyNZ spokesperson.

DairyNZ is still actively involved in the programme, at both the governance level and on the ground supporting farmers.

As of November 12 2020, there have been 257 confirmed properties to date, with seven Active Confirmed Properties and the remaining cleared.

“Of these, 137 confirmed properties have been beef, 63 dairy, and 57 classified as others such as calf rearer, grazing and lifestyle. $184.9 million has been paid out in compensation.

“Screening is continuing on dairy farms. Each month, a sample is taken at the point of collection, as part of the normal milk collection process. As at November 12, there were six new properties confirmed with M bovis as a result of Bulk Tank Milk screening.

“One dairy in Canterbury’s Selwyn District, three dairy farms in Ashburton District, and a further two farms in this area were linked by cattle movements.

Recent BTM screening gives confidence that this is an isolated cluster connected by animal movements. These newly

DECEMBER 2020

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identified properties show the national surveillance programme working as it should detecting possible cases and showing where to look to eliminate the infection.

“The National Beef Cattle Surveillance Programme covers screening of beef cattle not connected to the known network of infected properties, sampled at meat processing or alongside TB testing.

“As of November 12, samples have been collected from about 86,600 animals, from over 4,000 farms. No beef farms have been confirmed as infected from the surveillance programme. As we

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continue to find fewer cases, the M bovis programme’s efforts will be focussed on national surveillance to provide confidence that the disease is absent.

An independent technical advisory group has been commissioned to review the existing performance measures and surveillance programme. The group will provide technical advice to support the next stage of the programme.”

The programme partners DairyNZ, Ministry for Primary Industries and Beef + Lamb NZ are considering how to ensure the lessons learned from dealing with M bovis can help improve future responses to other diseases.

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Merry Chrismas HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON, FROM ALL OF US HERE AT THE TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

BRAXTON EPERE

DENISE GUNN

ADVERTISING ACCOUNT MANAGER

JOURNALIST

Special thanks to all of our loyal advertisers, and those who have come on board in 2020 to help spread the message for their businesses.

After a year of challenges, you all deserve a relaxing and festive time with friends and family. We will return again in the new year to get 2021 off to a happy, positive and profitable start.

After such a turbulent year for many of us, 2020 is now drawing to a close. Through it all, I thank those who have given their time to feature in our publication. It has been an absolute pleasure to share the stories of those working on the land in this region. I wish all of our readers a wonderful, safe, festive season with the opportunity to relax and to spend time with family and friends.

braxton.epere@intgerity.nz

16

DECEMBER 2020 TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

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