Taranaki Farming Lifestyles, July 2017

Taranaki

FARMING Lifestyles

July 2017 Edition

9,541 copies DELIVERED FREE to every rural delivery address in Taranaki

Taranaki’s Ayrshires perform well

Career change proves successful P2

P4

Maintaining focus achieves goals Page 6–7

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July 2017

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

Taranaki’s Ayrshires perform well

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For the third year in a row, Gordon and Shona Glentworth’s Ayrshire herd has been recognised as the breed’s top-performing dairy cows in New Zealand.

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This award, announced at the 108th AGM of the New Zealand Ayrshire Association held in Christchurch recently, was among several won by Taranaki Ayrshire Club members.

As the top performing Ayrshire herd in the nation, the Glentworth’s Sanrosa stud won the Mayfield Trophy with an average production figure of 579kg/MS per cow. The Smith Family Trophy, for the top producing Ayrshire cow, was also awarded to the Glentworth’s Sanrosa Royal 0714, with 884kg/MS. The Kaponga farmers successful run continued winning the Agri Feeds Don Hutchings Memorial Trophy for five daughters by Ojaniityn Rumba, and the Dalemere Farms Trophy for 10 daughters by Asmo Tosikko. They were also runnerup with their homebred Sanrosa Royal Phillip.

Albie and Hilary Jane won the CEC Webb Memorial Trophy for breeder of the highest breeding Robyn Gordon is one of Taranaki Ayrshire Club’s youngest members and has had considerable success in the worth (BW) bull (New Zealand show ring bred) with Southwind Inkkari. The couple’s 59ha farm, which sits at 1,500 Eighteen-year-old Robyn Gordon feet altitude on the slopes of Mount of Kenmure Ayrshires won the Taranaki, is run on an all-grass system. Frederickson Trophy for North Island They have found the Ayrshire is the ideal Senior Young Handlers Award. Robyn, dairy cow for their farming situation. one of the club’s youngest members, Peter and Lisa Megaw of Fernview also placed second in the Ayrshire Youth Ayrshires won the Dairycare Somatic Achiever Competition.

Cell Count Competition in Ward Five.

Hilary Jane received the Graeme The winners of the top BW herd award Knight Memorial Trophy which is awarded for Ward Five went to Dennis and Audrey for a published article promoting Jacobsen of Skyline Ayrshires. the breed.

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July 2017

Awards nominations open Nominations have opened for the Taranaki Regional Council’s annual Environmental Awards, which recognise those who protect and enhance the region’s environment.

Council chair David MacLeod said award winners are always great examples of the Taranaki ‘get on and do it’ attitude.

“The awards celebrate the fact that the region’s generally goodquality environment is the result of hard work across all sectors of the Taranaki community. They highlight the importance of sound stewardship and give Taranaki the opportunity to celebrate its environmental achievers.”

The council has presented 249 awards in five categories since the programme began in 1993 — environmental leadership in business, dairy farming, land management, the community and in education Among last year’s winners in the land management category were Ken and Sandra Sandford. Sustainably farming their 386ha sheep and beef unit at Hurleyville, the Sandford’s have planted trees, retired grazed land, native bush and manuka forestry to help control erosion on steep hills whilst maintaining their stocking rate.

The other winners in this category were the McLean and Tuffery families who jointly own a property bordering the Mimi estuary. The families have voluntarily worked alongside the council and other agencies for more than 30 years, helping to protect and

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From left: Donna and Philip Cram were among the winners in the ‘Environmental leadership in dairy farming’ category — Photo Credit: Taranaki Regional Council

enhance this estuary, its tributaries and surrounding wetlands.

The Taranaki Agricultural Research Station Trust and the Luff family were recognised in the dairy farming category.

Almost all waterways and wetlands on the 120ha research farm, owned by the Luff family and operated by the trust, have been fenced. The streambank has also been planted with riparian plants.

Over the past decade, Philip and Donna Cram have fenced the streambanks on their 117ha dairy farm at Awatuna, and planted more than 4,500 native plants. Along with

enhancing the native environment and protecting water quality, the fencing and planting assists with stock management.

The couple also received a leadership in dairy farming award.

An online nomination form is available at www.trc.govt.nz with nominations closing on August 23.

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July 2017

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

PROVES SUCCESSFUL

BY DENISE GUNN

A LATE DECISION TO STUDY TOWARDS A BACHELOR OF COMMERCE (AGRICULTURE) LED SHAUN NEAL TO MAKE A CAREER DECISION AND RETURN TO HIS DAIRY FARMING BACKGROUND.

A

ll through Shaun’s secondary school years, he had his sights set on a plumbing apprenticeship.

“In my final year of school, I couldn’t find a job, and so I made the late call to study at Massey University in Palmerston North,” he said.

“During my second year, I had decided that I was going dairy farming at the end of my studies as I could see great opportunities within the industry.”

Shaun grew up on the family farm in Opunake where his parents, Mark and Paula, milk 320 cows. The majority of his extended family are also involved in the dairy industry. After graduating from university in 2015, Shaun began work as

a trainee manager on Simon and Gillian O’Connell’s 330 cow farm at Auroa. This past season, Shaun worked as farm manager and decided to enter the 2017 Taranaki Dairy Industry Awards to help improve his theoretical knowledge.

“I wanted to learn through questioning, why I am doing what I’m doing,” he said.

“This competition has forced me to evaluate both my short and longterm goals.”

“I also entered the dairy manager contest to move out of my comfort zone and gain some feedback from experienced farmers and industry professionals.” The 23-year-old came out on top, winning the 2017 Taranaki

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

July 2017

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Next goal is a 50:50 sharemilking position with 250–300 cows by the 2020 season

Dairy Manager of the Year title. He believes the strengths of the business lie in the basics.

“The farm has good fertile free draining soils, this base allows for maximum pasture growth and utilisation year-round when combined with good rainfall and correct management.” he said.

Shaun is now in his first season contract milking 320 crossbred cows on a 112 hectare (effective) dairy farm in Opunake. The farm is equity owned by his parents and Nola Hickey.

All cows are wintered on the farm and winter temperatures are still mild enough to allow for growth rates of 15 plus kilograms of dry matter per day.

Shaun said the average rainfall is approximately 1,300mm per year and with 30 hectares of river flats, the farm can become summer dry.

“An area of silage will be conserved on the farm to allow for this, along with four to six hectares of turnips and four hectares of fodder beet.

“The remaining gaps in feed supply will be filled with palm kernel (eight to ten per cent of cows feed intake). Facial eczema can be an animal health issue

so pastures are sprayed and zinc is dispensed to cows.”

He said production is targeted at 1,200kgMS per hectare from a system two farm while maintaining a low cost structure and focusing on profitability.

Between eight to ten percent of feed is brought in.

Shaun takes satisfaction from getting the basics right, hitting production targets and maintaining pasture quality.

“I also enjoy feeding cows well and seeing the benefits from this, along with working outdoors and the challenges this can create.”

His short term plans are to successfully run the farm and maintain the high standards that have been set.

Saving up for his own herd is also on the list. Shaun’s next goal is a 50:50 sharemilking position with 250–300 cows by the 2020 season. He would then like to move to a 500 cow plus sharemilking job when finances allow. Farm ownership is his longterm ambition.

“My overall farming goal is to run a simple, profitable system that allows for a balance between work/life and is sustainable for the future.”

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

MAINTAINING FOCUS

BY DENISE GUNN MIKE AND CHEREE HITCHCOCK BOTH GREW UP ON DAIRY FARMS BUT INITIALLY BEGAN URBAN-BASED CAREERS.

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owever, after working as a diesel mechanic for several years, and following the arrival of their first child, Mike was ready for a lifestyle change. He took up work as a farmhand on his parent’s Inglewood dairy farm before he and Cheree applied for a 50/50 120-cow sharemilking position in Egmont Village at the end

of the 1998/99 season. “We were there for two years with a Jersey herd and achieved 46,000kgMS on the selfcontained all grass unit,” said Mike.

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A position on a 160-cow, 56ha farm at Midhurst followed and Cheree gave up her part-time position to focus on family and farming. She took on a part-time sales representative position with LIC which worked in with farm commitments.

“The last of our children was born here,” said Cheree.

The family moved to a 65ha farm near Waitara, starting with 220 cows. Over three years, they increased their herd size to 250 cows with a top production figure of 80,000kgMS. The farm’s location, surrounded by lifestyle blocks and market gardens, enabled Mike and Cheree to lease small pockets of land to graze extra young stock. They left that position with 300 cows.

They then took up a 50/50 sharemilking position on a 220ha farm in Opunake. Milking 580 cows, they increased the farm’s production from 160,000kgMS to 180,000kgMS. During their six season stay on this farm, the couple bought a 40ha, 120cow dairy farm in Inglewood as a going concern and employed a manager. Two years later they sold this property to buy a 56ha farm in Kaponga, employing a couple to manage it. The 200-cow herd produced a total of 72,000kgMS. In their sixth season on the 580-cow sharemilking position, the Opunake farm was sold.

Cheree said they kept their focus during this time, went looking for the next opportunity and maintained contact with banks, accountants and farm advisors.

They took advantage of the elevated cow prices and sold their herd to the incoming farm owner. They then secured a lower order 1,000 cow crossbred herd position nearby.

Six months into their first season on the 317ha property, they also took on the adjacent 200ha drystock block.

This block grazed all the young stock, 100 holdovers, 60 bulls for the 1000 cow dairy plus the young stock for the owner’s other 250-cow dairy farm down the road.

“We achieved 370,000kgMS on this farm,” said Cheree.

Four seasons later the couple sold their Kaponga farm and purchased a 150ha dairy farm adjacent to Mike’s family farm.

July 2017

7

MAINTAINING THEIR FOCUS HAS HELPED THE COUPLE ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS Mike and Cheree lease the 100ha family farm and run the two units as one with 550 Jersey cows. The high altitude farm, nestled beneath Mount Taranaki, has high rainfall of up to three metres per year which can make managing winter pasture and minimising pugging difficult.

Grass silage, pit silage and hay are grown on the farm. A lease block grazes half the young stock and also grows additional supplementary feed.

Three fulltime and one part-time staff members are employed.

“We have opted to run this farm as a system one grass only unit which has to date averaged 170,000kgMS,” said Cheree.

Due to the dairying downturn, the owner of their lower order farm position opted for a structure change which disestablished Mike and Cheree’s position. The couple secured another lower order position for the 2016 season in Kakaramea. With 650 crossbred cows, the Hitchcock’s are targeting 260,000kgMS with calves on.

“We have a very supportive farm owner who is prepared to feed the cows well to help achieve top production and good cow condition.” Throughout their dairying career, the couple found raising

a young family while both full time farming challenging, but they worked daily farm life around their children.

Supportive parents close by also helped out when required.

Keeping good budgets in place, maintaining their focus and ensuring systems are simple and low cost have minimised setbacks. “We didn’t

increase our costs in the high payout years which made us resilient in the low payout years,” said Cheree.

The couple have found the opportunity dairy farming provides to be their own boss and in total control of their own direction appealing. “We love working on the land, the lifestyle and the money,” said Mike.

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July 2017

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

Years of service

BY ANN MORGAN

Wendy McGowan boasts a curriculum vitae of astonishing detail, a record of accomplishment which is probably unrivalled among rural women in New Zealand, and has been acknowledged for her efforts by receiving the New Zealand Order of Merit.

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endy has been a member of Rural Women New Zealand since 1975 and says RWNZ

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was instrumental in the continuation of her education.

“I strive for knowledge and RWNZ kept my mind going. As a child I always joined things and kept busy. I was a St John ambulance cadet, a girl guide, I played tennis and belonged to the swimming club. Perhaps it is something in me — I was always busy,” says Wendy.

“I came from a small rural community in Fairlie, South Canterbury. My father was in the service industry and would take us children to open the gates for him to the farms. I never thought I would end up farming myself.”

Wendy is a twin, and one of eight siblings who all helped their father on his runs. “From there I applied to do my nursing in Timaru hospital and was

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“When I was younger I didn’t aspire to be a farmer. I was encouraged to do

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“I worked in the wool shed where you not only fed the shearers, but you learnt to handle the wool. I was taught to put a post in so I knew how to do it, with our three little girls trailing behind and then

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a son — it was a neat lifestyle. “I joined RWNZ along with a group of younger women in the district — they were all incredible. As a national organisation they were looking after our health and education, getting school buses for the areas, and keeping schools open and organising things like getting breast screening done.

“It was amazing to be with the older generation. Last year, RWNZ turned 96 years old and I was reading back on the history. In one year they had 139 submissions presented to government. They were all things I take for granted today.

“When you look back you realise how wonderful they were, why did they hide it, why didn’t they celebrate everything they did?

“I encourage other wives to join an organisation and get together. There are times in your life where you need to be together. In our case, in one year our income dropped down to a quarter.

Things happen and if you are on your own, it is insurmountable — all you can see is how high up others are, but if you meet up with others, you eat cake, have a cup of tea, bitch about how bad life is, but you go home feeling better — that’s women — we need that.

“RWNZ put on a day for the ladies affected by PSA in kiwifruit and 180 women turned up. One day they had an income, the next day they didn’t — in times like that, is where RWNZ steps up.

“We get ladies together and then we step away and let them get on with their lives. When an adverse event or disease happens, you need to be mindful that people need each other.

“RWNZ isn’t joining an old girls club that are in their 60s like me, it is about helping get people started and us being mentors and encouraging others.

“I have nine grandchildren and during my time with Federated Farmers, I was flying backwards and forwards to Wellington for 18 years. As each grandchild was expected I started a project for them and now I am finishing those projects. The eldest is 20 years old and the youngest is seven months.

“I am giving myself a little break this year and will finish my projects so they can have them for their children. I am still the treasurer for Region 5, Gisborne to Colville, and trustee for New Zealand Institute of Rural Health.

“I would like to thank RWNZ for nominating me for this honour, to the office staff and the National president Fiona Gower, Margaret Pittaway, Marie Appleton QSM and Sue Vowell, and anyone else involved for the wonderful words they must have put together for me to become an Officer of the Order of Merit.

“I could not have achieved this without the love and support of my husband Rusty, and my family. Without their support I would not have been able to do so much.”

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Wendy has always helped in the wool shed, and does numerous other jobs on the farm

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We take tinnitus seriously Call today to learn how we can help

Tinnitus, that annoying ringing or buzzing in your ears, affects millions of people. A tinnitus support solution can help ease its effects. There are a number of solutions available and Central Audiology Taranaki can help you find the one that will work best for you. We take tinnitus seriously. Don’t tolerate it any more, call Central Audiology Taranaki to book an assessment and experience the difference today! Phone 0800 751 000.

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10

July 2017

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

ADVERTORIAL

Natural immunity, key to health

by John K Morris CEO of Agrissentials

Here at Agrissentials, the game plan is increasing as more producers look seriously at moving towards Organx™ production and BioGro certification.

Farming is a natural system which over the last 30 years has changed dramatically as corporate science dominates the scene with synthetic soluble products which lead onto health problems and more synthetic solutions via vets and medical centres – the money

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is in the problems created by synthetics.

After 33 years down the natural track I see a move back to “traditional farming” with Mother Nature and all the “free-capital” she brings to the table, which will release the farms production into a certified system of safe, certified, nutritiously dense food, all eco-friendly and fully sustainable enhancing both farm and environment. Each farm will have its own independent auditor to help them through to full certification, within a 3 year period, with an estimated annual audit cost of around $1,800.00 (eighteen hundred dollars).

Making the move away from “agrochemical” production and back to “traditional farming” will encourage you and your family to feel strong about operating a “certified” farming system.

It’s not complicated, it’s all about getting your soil right and Agrissentials can take you there. Agrissentials have the key to regenerate new top soil through our

Pay attention!

around road works

multi-mineral, microbial rich fertilisers, bringing health and vitality back to soils. Over the past 33 years I have committed my working life to improving the health and vitality of soils. I need to take this opportunity forward. I need to build a soil driven culture surrounded by integrity, determination, innovation, persistence and responsibility.

The challenge is to bring the soil back to life. To manage the soil by attaching the farmers personal meaning of soil to a higher purpose, for the farmer to become a steward of this ”soil-culture”, to lift the game, to make him the best farmer in the world!

Top soil is sacred, the more we care and look after it, the more wealth it will return to us.

For the past 60 odd years we have been bombarding our soils with synthetic nitrates, phosphates and a plethora of synthetic toxic chemicals. The chemical age has been detrimental to all life upon the planet and also in the sea, rivers, lakes and streams.

The situation is reversible, but we need to work on it now!

In late 2015, the Australian Grain Board, a government department made a statement that they were leaving the “chemical age” in an endeavour to increase falling production and to increase the quality of the grain.

From my perspective, having worked on both sides of the fence I learnt

early that chemicals don’t work and in reality create their own market – A major chemical producer has admitted that they have run out of chemicals to fight pest and disease. This shows just how strong Mother Nature is, with pest and disease becoming immune to toxic chemical sprays.

Agrissentials are producing a BioGro certified natural sea based product ET250, to repel pests, disease and other bugs. There is no point in trying to eradicate pest and disease, as they are part of Mother Nature’s system. ET250 is designed to chase those problems out of the orchard and it’s working. Better than that, if you are using a multi-mineral fertiliser like RokSolid or Oceans 100, packed with minerals, the plant will fix its own immunity to pests, disease and bugs.

The “chemical-cowboys” have made a fortune from their toxic chemicals, without any thought about the ramifications of their products on plants, animals, birds, bees, rivers, soils, food and ultimately humans. This is the real problem!

Call us today on 0800 THE KEY for a FREE INFO PACK, that’s 0800 843 539 to find out how we can partner with you to find a better way of farming.

Alternatively you can contact your best on earth fertiliser representative Ben Tippins on 021 738 601 to grab your special deal today.

rokman says “Your soil can perform better”!

Plants/pasture require 15 essential elements for optimum growth not just n,p & k Since 1995 we’ve specialised in producing multi-mineral & microbial rich fertilisers that get results!

BIO G RO #5

91

Best on earth Organx™ fertilisers

www.agrissentials.com

0800 843 539 rok@agrissentials.com

same great products! new & improved Management!

Roksolid Full Spectrum Fertiliser

Oceans100 Roketlime Fish & Kelp Liquid Fertiliser

Rok & Lime Fertiliser

Rokultra ET250 Seabrew Rok + P,K,S,Mg,B,C Fertiliser

Fertiliser with Insect Deterrent

Animal Health Tonic

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

DAFFODIL DAY

July 2017

11

FRIDAY 25TH

AUGUST 2017

Care, compassion, and the search for a cure

by Andy Bryenton

Every day, on average 60 New Zealanders are faced with a diagnosis of cancer. No matter whether it’s a case of simple surgery or a protracted fight with this most dangerous of diseases, such news always comes as a shock, for both the patient and their family.

However there is help — a tireless organization advocating for better care, for research into a cure, and for hope for cancer sufferers since 1929.

In Taranaki, the Cancer Society was incorporated in 1937, campaigning for a radiotherapy centre in the province.

From day one the society was very active in the central districts, raising awareness, educating the people and working with other charitable groups to establish better facilities — such as Ozanam House in Palmerston North, built with the help of the St. Vincent De Paul society to give the families of cancer patients a place to stay near the Palmerston North Hospital.

Throughout the decades the Cancer Society has carried forward a joint mission — to offer practical support for those being treated for or living with cancer, and also tackling the emotional impact of this disease on families and individuals. Practical support encompasses services such as providing transport and accommodation, through to massage therapy and reiki, and sourcing prosthetic hair for chemotherapy patients — a big morale boost at a time when it’s greatly needed.

The other aspect of support bridges the gap between the emotional, intellectual and even philosophical facets of a cancer diagnosis. Support groups have become a key component of helping people cope with cancer, and being able to talk to other patients and survivors of cancer can provide valuable moral support. The Cancer Society operates a helpline as a first point of contact for those seeking answers and for those who simply need to talk about the diagnosis which has in many cases turned their life upside down.

As the scientific and medical community

“Proudly supporting the NZCS this Daffodil Day” 34 Hurlstone Dr, New Plymouth P: 06 759 0630

R BARRON B &Registered Master BUILDER work hard to discover a cure for cancer — or, as it now seems likely, a variety of cures for a number of different kinds of cancer — the need for a knowledgeable, well resourced and compassionate support service for cancer patients and survivors is stronger than ever.

The lessons learned and the skills gained since the 1920s make the Cancer Society of New Zealand an irreplaceable resource for the entire

nation, and this time of year is the only time they reach out to the general public for assistance. When you see the yellow flowers of Daffodil Day on sale, please give generously — every dollar goes to one of the worthiest causes imaginable.

With our help, there is hope for all those whose lives are touched by a cancer diagnosis — and with the support of the Cancer Society there will be a helping hand there in their time of need.

“Proud to support the search for a cure.”

Ph/Fax: 06 752 4044 - Mobile: 027 444 8106 E: barronz@xtra.co.nz

Service and Excellence You Can Trust!

“Supporting the search for a cure.”

240 Devon Street East, New Plymouth Ph: 06 758 0981

“Proud to stand beside our community and support Daffodil Day 2017.”

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“With respect & support for the NZCS and all their work bringing hope.”

50 McAlpine Rd, Hawera P: 06 278 7170

STANDARD MACHINERY & HIRE “Proud to support the search for a cure” Call: 06 764 5172 or 027 452 6617 Email: annette@lovecakes.co.nz www.facebook.com/annettescakes www.lovecakes.co.nz

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265 Ihaia Road, Opunake 4681 Home: 06 761 8757 | Workshop: 06 761 8159 Mobile: 027 445 7164

“Proud to support the search for a cure.”

06 765 7807 132 Regan St, Stratforda

12

July 2017

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

ADVERTORIAL

Therapy for osteoarthritis Part 2 Nutritional therapy can be effective in helping osteoarthritis. For example I have been helping someone with osteoarthritis (OA) in one knee which affected her mobility. She also had hypertension and swollen ankles from poor lower leg circulation.

We used a combination of therapies to target all the problems.

We added my joint supplement at a double dose delivering 1500mg of high grade chondroitin sulphate with the same of glucosamine sulphate and 200mg of a proprietary 95% curcumin extract (from turmeric).

To this we added 6000mg of Omega 3 fish oil and a bullet blender recipe I have developed to assist circulation to help her swollen ankles.

This included raw beetroot to dilate blood vessels. The result is that after three months the pain has reduced by about 50% and her ankles are less swollen. I expect these improvements to continue.

High levels of chondroitin sulphate (CS) are important as it is a major constituent of cartilage.

At therapeutic levels this can help with cartilage function and has antiinflammatory activity.

Studies, including J P Pelletier (Arthritis Research and Therapy, 2016) demonstrate that chondroitin sulphate at high levels has the ability to modify joints affected by osteoarthritis. In particular there was a marked reduction in further cartilage loss with overall joint improvement.

There are several ways CS can improve arthritic joints. Firstly it seems to inhibit a number of inflammatory compounds that are associated with OA. The second is previously mentioned reductions in cartilage loss.

The third is even more promising.

According to research by Y Herotin (2010) CS appears to stimulate the chondrocyte cells that produce cartilage. High levels of CS seem to increase the collagen needed to make the cartilage matrix.

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 423 559 or email john@abundant.co.nz.

Join his full weekly newsletter at www.abundant.co.nz.

Abundant Health Bettaflex Super Joint Formula What is Bettaflex?

• 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.

• Each capsule of Bettaflex contains 382mg of high grade chondroitin, 425mg of glucosamine and 50mg of curcumin extract.

How can Bettaflex help?

BEST BUY! $79.95 for 3 bottles free freight or 1 bottle for $28.95 plus $4.99 postage.

• Chondroitin and glucosamine are building blocks of cartilage.

• Supplementation with correct levels can support healthy cartilage function and cartilage repair processes.

• Curcumin from turmeric helps to balance joint immune function to support joint health.

• Research suggests chondroitin is effective only at levels of over 700mg daily.

Scientists are warning that alpine plants are at risk of extinction as climate change, skiing and mountain tourism spread weeds to higher altitudes.

Professor Philip Hulme of the Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University

The latest research shows that as temperatures have risen, plants have spread up mountainsides, with weeds being the fastest movers, spreading to higher altitudes twice as fast as native plants.

“We know native plants are moving up mountains as climate warms, but until now no-one had looked at how non-native weeds might respond,” says Professor Philip Hulme of the Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln University.

The international team of researchers discovered that weeds quickly outpaced other plants. It seems that roads are amongst the culprits, with traffic helping to transport seeds further.

“These findings should raise concerns for New Zealand’s unique alpine environments.

“I suspect the situation is possibly more dire in New Zealand given that our lowland regions are far more invaded by non-native weeds than similar regions in Europe. Our montane (mountain ecosystems) regions are coming under

increasing pressure from tourism, skiing developments and other infrastructure such as roads.”

The research, published in Nature Climate Change, used more than 130,000 records of 1334 plant species collected over 20 years in a single region of the European Alps.

“The challenge for New Zealand is that we are no longer collecting the systematic, long-term data on how our flora are changing in these environments,” he says “Such data are essential if we want to keep our glorious mountain landscapes free of weeds such as gorse, broom and wilding pines.

The authors of the study point out that such rapid spread into vulnerable habitats is a further threat to species already stressed by higher temperatures.

“We must take action soon otherwise our native alpine plant communities are likely to suffer dramatic changes with ongoing warming and increasing human activity in mountain regions.”

John Arts comments: “I formulated Bettaflex based on the latest research into natural compounds that can help with joint support and function. The normal dose is 2 capsules daily but I recommend a double dose for the first 1-2 bottles to saturate joint tissue.”

(John Arts, Founder Abundant Health Ltd)

Abundant Health

Weeds head for the hills

Cautions: Always read the label and use only as directed. See your health care practitioner if symptoms persist.

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

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

July 2017

Holiday Guide

Fun,

Vietnam, Laos & Cambodia

Golden Road to Samarkand

East Europe

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23 Days– 3—25 November, 2017

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The unforgettable highlights of Indo-China. Including fascinating Angkor Wat, Cambodia.

Marvel at the cultural treasures on the famous Silk Road in Uzbekistan.

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13

14

July 2017

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

H O L I DAY G U I D E ADVERTORIAL

ADVERTORIAL

The House of Travel Dreaming of cruising the world, relaxing on the beach, exploring ancient ruins, shopping ‘til you drop’, or cycling in Cuba?

If you love ease, holidays in the South Pacific benefit from short flight times. You can be there, unpacked, and sipping a cocktail before the sun even sets. Heaven.

Wherever you want to go, our passion is travel. Our goal is to create unique experiences that enrich people’s lives through travel. Get in touch, and together we can make your travel dreams a reality.

Whatever you crave, we live and breathe travel, and we know everything from the traps and pitfalls to the tricks that can save you money and ensure you have an easy journey. We are here to help.

Like the idea of unpacking once while visiting many varied places?

Cruising allows you to explore a dozen spots in a single trip. And all the while, your clothes stay in the same wardrobe.

Pay attention!

Giving back to nature

Dunnys — and what we do during our ‘daily visit’ are a bit like that other subject our mother never talked about — we were given our potty training, the nappies were removed and from then on we did our own learning!

And since having our nappys taken off us we have all learned that ‘go and flush’ is what we do. Every day — or at least most days for most of us. That’s a lot of flushing. Imagine for a moment the immense infrastructure that our local councils have provided for this simple convenience — pun intended — where water is either captured in purposemade dams or taken from existing rivers, piped for miles, chemically treated to drinking standard, and piped for more miles to our place so we can simply push the appropriate flush button — 1 or 2 — to send it for more miles to another treatment plant where it is again reconstituted chemically and piped yet again out to sea — or to a river — or somewhere on the planet!

It is estimated that every one of us has flushed away 6,500 litres of treated water a year since our nappies were taken off us. Imagine the proportion of the council rates that we pay that goes to pay for our flush button convenience.

But like so many other aspects of daily living the economic and ecological cost of the ‘daily visit’ has been re-visited.

In 2001 a composting toilet was produced in the USA specifically for

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Composting Toilets No consents required Waste is turned into compost IDEAL FOR SLEEP-OUTS, TINY HOMES & OFF-GRID HOMES

Uses no chemicals Uses no water

No plumbing No smell

BOATS

CARAVANS & MOTOR HOMES

“your waste need not be wasted”

Complies with NZ Self-Containment Standards

www.enviromarine.org

Enviromarine (NZ) Ltd Sole agent for Air Head Composting Toilets in New Zealand

Contact John m: 021 175 6686 e: info@enviromarine.org

boats. They called it AirHead. Boats call their toilets ‘heads’ in recognition of the historic use of a simple plank at the head of the ship back in the sailing ship era.

‘Going to the head’ was sometimes a hazardous necessity.

And the USA development used air instead of water. Air head.

This was certainly a different way to go. The toilet employed a compost medium to process the human waste and it worked. The toilet is effectively its own treatment plant. No water, no pipes, no smell.

It is not surprising that the concept has been accepted world wide and has spread from boats to caravans and motor homes. Off-grid living is gaining a huge following world wide and the Airhead toilet offers this community an economic alternative that is totally in tune with nature without involving the permitting requirements of conventional dunnys.

These toilets give back to Mother Earth. They retain our body’s natural separation of liquid and solid waste and each is treated separately. Both elements benefit the environment when applied correctly as many tiny home and off-grid cabin dwellers are learning. Naturally.

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

July 2017

H O L I DAY G U I D E ADVERTORIAL

ADVERTORIAL

Travelsmart New Plymouth wins prestigious award Travelsmart New Plymouth recently won the 2017 Top Shop award at the annual conference in Nelson.

The award, presented to Bev Ellice, was judged on professional service, sales growth, marketing initiatives and local community involvement. In addition, the award recognised the outstanding levels of service and knowledge that Travelsmart New Plymouth provides to the travelling public.

Bev Ellice said “We are delighted to have won this award which reflects our commitment to delivering the best travel

service to our community in the Taranaki region and beyond. This award is also a tribute to the excellence and quality of staff we have here. On behalf of my team both in Strandon and Waitara, I want to take this opportunity to thank all our wonderful clients that continue to choose Travelsmart New Plymouth and Waitara. Our aim is to keep delivering great travel service and to help people fulfil their travel dreams.”

Travelling solo to paradise has never been better!

Travelsmart New Plymouth recently won the 2017 Top Shop award at the annual conference in Nelson.

Aranui 5 welcomes many solo travellers and they offer a matching service, in an Ocean View Stateroom, where you can be paired with another person of the same gender to avoid paying the single occupancy surcharge.

New in 2018, we would like to invite you to an exclusive cocktail function on your first full night in Tahiti so you can meet other likeminded passengers before you join the ship. This offer is only available on five special departures – 08 March, 03 May, 28 June, 23 August and 18 October.

These seventeen night holidays include luxury car transfers to/from your relevant regional airport, four nights pre/post accommodation including continental breakfast in Tahiti, an exclusive cocktail function, a 13 night cruise on Aranui 5 from Tahiti to the Marquesas and all airport to ship/hotel transfers.

The shared cabin package price is only $11,119 ex Auckland and for just 30% more you can enjoy sole use of the cabin. Discover more at ultimatecruising. co.nz or call 0800 4 ULTIMATE (0800 485 846) to make a booking.

THE KUROW HOTEL Based on Kurow's main street, Kurow Hotel is an 1864 historic hotel located within walking distance of Waitaki River. Explore the hydro dams or just relax with excellent fishing and boating on the door step. Sky TV available in the bar. Function room, restaurant, bar meals. Cooked breakfasts available. Laundry facilities on site. Guest lounge with tea/coffee-making facilities. 17 rooms. Come and enjoy a quiet meal in the garden bar; maybe stay a night on your way up or down the Valley.

Avoid Drink Driving

PHONE 03 436 0850

Amsterdam

WASHPOOL COASTAL RETREAT

Cologne Brühl

LODGE MOTEL

Exclusive Farm and Coastal Holiday Accommodation situated on the historic Palliser Bay coast. Enjoy views of the Cook Strait towards the South Island either inside beside the roaring fire or relaxing on the verandah.

We are not just the newest motel in the Waitomo District but possibly the best! Waitomo Lodge has 14 studio units and 6 one-bedroom units. Daily housekeeping is included in the room rate.

Enjoy walks to the Pinnacles where the famous Lord of the Rings were filmed. Visit NZ’s only red and white lighthouse and watch the seals playing around the rocks.

• Super King size beds in all units • Free Wifi • Sky TV Guest Select 50+ Channels • Spa bath units available • Air-con units available • Corporate and Long Term Rates

www.washpool.co.nz • 06 322 8352

Ph: 07 878 0003 E: info@waitomo-lodge.co.nz 64 Te Kumi Road, Te Kuiti

TAHITI + THE MARQUESAS ABOARD ARANUI 5

SAVE 10% ON USUAL CABIN PRICE* VOYAGE 5 - DEPART 27 MAR 2018 19 nights from $9,299pp ex AUCKLAND VOYAGE 9 - DEPART 10 JUN 2018 VOYAGE 15 - DEPART 30 SEPT 2018 18 nights from $9,199pp ex AUCKLAND Fly/cruise packages ranging from 17 - 19 nights sailing aboard the “Aranui 5”, to one of the world’s most remote and beautiful regions. Includes 13 night cruise to the spectacular Marquesas Islands with all meals and shore excursions, plus return economy class airfares, transfers, and pre/post cruise accommodation. Call for full 2017 and 2018 schedule.

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WAITOMO

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*CONDITIONS APPLY: SEE: www.travelsmart.co.nz/ holiday/7971/Travelmarvel-Europe-River-Cruising-2018-Special-Deals for full terms & conditions.

FIORDLAND AND THE SUBANTARCTIC ISLANDS AN EPIC SOUTHERN WILDERNESS EXPEDITION from $14,599 pp* twin share for a Prestige Stateroom Deck 5 (with balcony) Voyage departs Dunedin 5 January 2018 Discover the wild isolation of Macquarie Island and the Subantarctic Islands on a 16 night luxury voyage with Ponant Expeditions. Teeming with wildlife, including fur seals, elephant seals, king and yellow-eyed penguins, Gibson’s albatross and more, these remote islands will hold you spell-bound not just for their unique flora and fauna, but also for their primitive beauty. Cruise includes all meals and beverages aboard & zodiac expeditions with professional guides.

BONUS: One night pre-cruise accommodation at Dunedin Hotel

DISCOVER MORE AT ULTIMATECRUISING.CO.NZ OR CALL 0800 485 846 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A BOOKING! *Conditions Apply. Subject to availability at time of booking. Aranui price based on Ocean View Stateroom per person Twin Share. Luxury car transfers limited to 35 kilometres from AKL/WLG/CHC Airports. We are open Monday to Friday from 9:30am to 5:30pm.

16

July 2017

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

H O L I DAY G U I D E

New Plymouth Taxis ADVERTORIAL

Whanganui – a little city with a lot of soul!

When’s the last time you went to Whanganui? If it’s been a while you ought to stop and catch up, enjoy the peaceful natural environment, the pretty city by the river, the numerous heritage buildings, art galleries and studios and have a go at some of the more exciting things on offer as well.

• Sightseeing, Airport transfers, Enclosed trailer available • Serving the Taranaki region since 1955 • EFTPOS and credit card facility

06 757 3000 | 0800 228 294 NEW PLYMOUTH TAXI SOCIETY LTD

Oi! DON’T TXT & DRIVE

Want to relax at a café with a coffee before strolling along a boulevard of boutique shopping and a river cruise?

The mighty Whanganui River entices and charms with a relaxing flow. Love the coast and sound of the waves and sand beneath your feet? Visit South Beach, for a wild west coast beach experience, walking, driftwood and a 4x4 Canam tour over the dunes.

Want cycling, fishing, forest walks and a return to nature? Cycle ways and boardwalks line the river for friendly family cycling and Whanganui is spoilt for parks and reserves. Paloma Gardens and the Bason Botanic Gardens are wonderful wide open spaces for picnics and exploring the different features and quirky artworks.

Visitors come for many reasons but whatever these might be it’s a brilliant place to visit.

With one of the most temperate and settled climates in the North Island the average summer temperature is 26°C and perfect for meandering the markets and cafes while you decide what to do next.

Whanganui is so close to central North Island locations — it’s under three hours

from Wellington, Hawke’s Bay, Taupo and New Plymouth.

What more could you want for a weekend away?

Enjoy arts, music, the landscape and our rich heritage.

Whanganui is big enough to entertain and small enough to keep it real.

Spend a weekend.

See much more at:

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

CARBON LOCKUP

1 tree

=

1 sheep

Planting forests is a simple and effective way to offset greenhouse gas emissions from livestock, while at the same time creating a financial investment for the future.

Trees take surplus carbon out of the atmosphere and turn it in to wood.

Just one 20 year old Pinus radiata tree will lock up all the carbon a single sheep will have emitted in its entire lifetime.

One tree would also lock up all the carbon emitted by one beef animal in one year and 1.5 trees will capture a dairy cow’s emissions in one year.

New Zealand foresters plant more than 50 million trees a year.

www.nzwood.co.nz

LOVE OUR FORESTS OUR ENVIRONMENT DOES

July 2017

17

18

July 2017

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

SPOTLIGHT ON

HAWERA

BUSINESS PROFILE

Putting wellness first

by Joanna Manson

Sarah Wilson has lived in Hawera for 12 years and operated her day spa business Serenity Wellness Spa for the last seven as a retreat that offers one-on-one time for each client.

Sarah prides herself on offering a personal service where she is the only staff member and you the only client during your booking.

“The reason why I set up the spa is because we all need down time. A lot of us lead such hectic lifestyles and unfortunately we can’t eliminate this but we can help to reduce it,” says Sarah.

She believes that the spa gives her clients an opportunity to have a relaxing break away from their busy life meaning the nerves can be recharged and the time can also be spent re-focussing.

It’s not just about beauty it’s about wellness and health — a lot of studies show massage can reduce stress and can increase circulation. In this day in age we live in a toxic environment and

most people don’t get enough time for a zone out.”

Sarah says upon having a treatment her customers are able to enjoy a herbal tea in the relaxing lounge afterwards.

Her two most popular treatments are a hot stone massage for the ladies and ‘the best of four’ massage which is combination of hot stone, bamboo, harmonic and Swedish massage for the men.

Another favourite amongst her female clients is the detox wrap.

“All treatments I do at the spa are purely to encourage well being and alleviate stress. It’s about getting rid of toxins to help your body rejuvenate and replenish — an hour of rest can do a lot for the body — it’s not just

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06 278 5831 | 027 444 0384

about the physical it’s about mental wellbeing. Sarah said the secret is to start scheduling in time for ourselves and “actually giving appreciation back to our bodies.”

Serenity Wellness Spa customers come from as far as New Plymouth through to the outskirts of Whanganui to seek her services.

“People resonate and they come back.” As well as running the clinic by herself she also offers a number of

ongoing courses generally offering oneon-one training to those interested in taking them.

Because she is so busy Sarah recommends using her 24/7 booking system on her website serenitywellnessspa.webs.com Her monthly specials from July to September include a hot tiger shell massage, one hour pamper package, body scrub and a 30 minute head, scalp, neck and shoulder massage.

MONTHLY SPECIALS (Available July 1st–Sept 30th 2017)

1 Hour Hot Tiger Shell Massage $56 1 Hour Pamper Package $56

Reiki, Chios, Harmonic Balancing, Crystal & Colour Therapy.

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

SPOTLIGHT ON

July 2017

19

HAWERA

Winter ‘must do’s’ in Hawera Don’t let the cold temperatures be an excuse for staying inside, enjoy the best activities on offer in Hawera this winter.

1. Visit the Tawhiti Museum: The masterpiece of Nigel Ogle is a unique part of South Taranaki history and boasting life size exhibits and scale models it is often acclaimed as the best private museum in New Zealand. During the winter season of June, July and August the museum is open on Sundays only from 10-4pm along with Mr Badger’s Cafe — perfect for a sit — down coffee or meal after winding your way through the collections.

2. Ohawe Beach: It may not be optimal conditions for swimming just yet but when the sun decides to show, a trip to this rugged west coast beach is worth it. It’s a great spot to watch the sun set with fish and chips in hand. If you’re planning on going for a walk make sure to check the tides in advance and if you’re a keen fisherman it’s a favourite spot among the locals.

3. Hawera Water Tower: Take in the views from the 55 metre Hawera water tower that stretch as far as

Mt Taranaki and out to the coast on a clear day. The foundation stone for the tower was laid on December 11, 1912 and when the neon lights were fitted to the Tower in 1932, it was billed as the tallest lighthouse in New Zealand. It’s no leaning tower of Pisa but today it has a lean of three inches. The tower is open every day apart from Christmas and admission to the tower can be paid at the nearby i-Site Visitor Centre.

55 High Street, Hawera 4. The Gelato Caffee: This local Hawera gem offers great coffee, food and dessert located right in the heart of Hawera centre, on the corner of High and Regent Street.

The eatery has a varied menu including German specialities such as the bratwurst. However, brunch remains a popular choice for diners including Belgium waffles and sweet pancakes. Owners Holger and Annett Zabel have even developed their own gelato brand Zabel and have over 40 different flavours to choose from.

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5. Elvis Presley Memorial Room: Kevin David Wasley or more fondly known as KD has been an avid Elvis Presley collector since 1959 and his private collection is one not to be missed. The memorial room is a celebration of Elvis’s life and houses extensive rare and expensive recordings plus souvenirs from the king. KD is a natural storyteller and keeps his visitors entertained with his knowledge. If you would like to visit the museum a telephone appointment is necessary. There is no entry charge for visitors, however a donation towards the upkeep of the museum is appreciated.

Kevin can be contacted on 06 278 7624.

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July 2017

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

SPOTLIGHT ON

HAWERA

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Bizlink Hawera Incorporated is the business association for Hawera. With offices in the centre of town and the energy of two town coordinators working 50 hours a week, it’s been going since 2010.

Bizlink is involved with town promotions, business support seminars and town beautification projects.

“We are very proud of the relationships we have formed with both our members, community groups and local government.

Being open to conversations with people and embracing their ideas of what our town needs,” said one of the town coordinators, Margie Jones.

“We have run a very successful business awards, have grown our annual Christmas parade, are supportive of the South Taranaki District Council initiatives to upgrade our town, including walkways and a new Centre for Heritage, Arts, Library, Culture and Information centre. Wherever appropriate we engage in conversations with the wider business and community groups regarding proposed projects and initiatives to keep our town vibrant.” Coming up, Bizlink has an “exciting collaboration

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Hawera from the Water Tower

with the Hawera Community Board, business partners and PrimoWireless to have free wifi throughout our main street. This is not only great for our locals but a great attraction for visitors to our town. Also our Christmas parade and Street Festival this year is themed ‘Christmas around the World’ embracing as many cultures as we can.”

Bizlink is funded by a targeted rate through the South Taranaki District Council on all commercial property within the Hawera ward. So any business

owner leasing or renting a commercial property, along with the property owner, are automatically members.

Margie says Hawera is a town where you can get to know your customers and clients and build strong business connections. It also has lower start-up costs to many larger towns or cities.

“Its friendly people and can do attitude, no traffic lights and close proximity to everything makes for a relaxed pace of life that is inclusive of cultures and demographic groups.”

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

SPOTLIGHT ON

July 2017

21

HAWERA

New farm research underway To ensure Taranaki continues to have access to targeted and regionally relevant research, DairyNZ has changed the way it plans, funds and implements research at its demonstration farms, including the Westpac Taranaki Agricultural Research Station in Hawera.

DairyNZ will continue their involvement and funding with research in the region, but instead of managing this directly, it will work with Dairy Trust Taranaki to manage the research process from planning through to implementation.

“We welcome the formation of Dairy Trust Taranaki and the commitment to lead, consolidate and coordinate activity in Taranaki. We look forward to talking directly with more Taranaki dairy farmers in the research process,” said DairyNZ general manager of research and development David McCall.

“DairyNZ will fund Dairy Trust Taranaki research priorities and assign its best scientists to work with the trust to execute and publish research results. In that connection, Dr John Roche will fulfil the role of Taranaki regional scientist.”

Established in late 2016, Dairy Trust Taranaki is made up of local dairy farmers, rural professionals and representatives from DairyNZ, Fonterra and local and regional councils.

The trust brings together the three entities that had operated the Stratford Demonstration Farm, the Waimate West Demonstration Farm, and the Westpac Taranaki Agricultural Research Station, in Hawera. It will also lease a 213ha farm adjacent to the Westpac Taranaki Agricultural Research Station. In total, the four farms will operate across 408 hectares and milk 1,240 cows.

Two major issues relevant to Taranaki farmers have been identified will be supported by DairyNZ are the role of winter milk production (especially in the coastal zone) and a potential future

The Westpac Taranaki Agricultural Research Station in Hawera, one of three existing research entities that Dairy Trust Taranaki are bringing together

after palm kernel extract — or at least within guidelines set by the industry.

“These are important local issues but they also have a wider national importance...DairyNZ is working with Dairy Trust Taranaki to help ensure these projects answer local questions, demonstrate important principles and contribute to the national pool of science knowledge,” said David.

Dairy Trust Taranaki chairman Brendan Attrill says the trust’s creation represents the start of a new chapter of

groundbreaking research in the region.

“Taranaki has long been a centre for dairy science and Dairy Trust Taranaki will give us a platform to build on that, and to do research that Taranaki farmers want now and in the future,” says Brendan.

“This carefully planned move has allowed us to come together as one trust to create better focus and effectiveness for Taranaki regional research and development.” For updates visit dairynz. co.nz/taranaki.

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22

July 2017

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

AKI TARAN

AROUND S T AFERSTI2V0A1L7 TARANAKI ST -

Around Taranaki sees a number of festival shows tour the region, performing at venues in Pihama, Kakararmea, Oakura, Urenui, Opunake, Stratford, Inglewood and Hawera.

You can book tickets through the local outlets listed for each performance, at the TSB Showplace Box Office in New Plymouth, or online from www.artsfest.co.nz

U 17 AUPGTEMBER 3 SE

BEN HURLEY’S EARTH PLANET WORLD

DY

COME

NEW ZEALAND/AOTEAROA

Beloved New Zealand comic Ben Hurley is ready to take on the world.

In Earth Planet World, the 7 Days star has given himself the global task of writing a joke about every country in the world.

In his biggest challenge to date, the multiaward-winning funny man stops off at 195 sovereign states in just 60 minutes.

From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, Taranaki-born Ben takes us on a journey around our planet using his trademark humour as a highly efficient vehicle.

And what a ride.

This face-paced show is more bullet train than motorway traffic, and things will ramp up heading towards the countdown.

MA

PIHA

K & OA

OPUN

ORD RATF T S E&

AK

“He roars onto the stage with child-like energy and manages to keep himself – and the audience – buzzing throughout the entire hour.” – Metro magazine WHEN, WHERE & BOOKING Thurs, Aug 17, 7pm – Pihama Hall Buy online or book at Pastimes Giftshop, 87 Tasman St, Opunake, Ph 06 761 8151 Sat, Aug 19, 7pm – Oakura Town Hall Buy online or book at The Crafty Fox, 1145 Surf Highway 45, Oakura, Ph 06 752 7291 DURATION 60 minutes ADMISSION service fees apply General admission $32

ANZAC EVE NEW ZEALAND/AOTEAROA

SUPPORTED BY

Having already written a play set in World War I, Dave Armstrong didn’t want to write one about Gallipoli, until he had the idea of a modern-day tale.

Anzac Eve is about four young backpackers from Down Under going to Gallipoli for the Dawn Ceremony, complete with selfies and smuggled vodka.

Are they there for patriotic pride or a possible hook-up?

In this poignant but funny rite-of-passage story, Maia, self-confessed ‘Brizzie bimbo’ and Lizzie the Mozzie (a Ma-ori Australian) meet Kiwis Ben, a graduate of New Zealand history, and Phil, a graduate of the Munich Beer Festival.

Audiences will laugh and cry at Dave Armstrong’s (Niu Sila) modern take on the Gallipoli story which asks what we have learned in the last 100 years.

URA

MEIA A R A K AKURENU &

DURATION 60 minutes ADMISSION service fees apply General admission $32 SUPPORTED BY RE

THEAT

THAT BLOODY WOMAN NEW ZEALAND/AOTEAROA

E INGL

D WOO

SAL VALENTINE AND THE BABYSHAKES NEW ZEALAND/AOTEAROA

MUSIC

AN DÉISE WITH SPECIAL GUEST ROESY IRELAND

Some of Ireland’s top musicians are teaming up to bring you the finest sounds from their shores.

Lovers of Irish music are in for an all-round treat with this show of original folk music, starring An Déise and Roesy.

An Déise is a trio made up of Paddy Tutty, Derek Morrissey and Caoimhin O Fearghaíl.

Best known for their work with Caladh Nua, they have performed at many of the world’s leading folk festivals.

They are joined by sharp-witted, contemporary singer songwriter, Roesy, a critically acclaimed Irish musician whose lyrics are poetry.

WHEN, WHERE & BOOKING Fri, Aug 25, 7pm - Everybody’s Theatre Opunake Book online or at Pastimes Giftshop 87 Tasman St, Opunake, Ph 06 761 8151 Sat, Aug 26, 7pm – Kings Theatre, Stratford Book online or at the Stratford i-Site Prospero Place, Stratford, Ph 06 765 6708

This master singer-songwriter pens tunes that are honest and heart-felt and his seven albums have landed him a string of awards for his offerings WHEN, WHERE & BOOKING Fri, Aug 18, 7pm – Kakaramea Hall, South Taranaki Buy online or book via Marie Dwyer, Ph 06 273 8564 Sun, Aug 20, 7pm – Waitoetoe Hall, Urenui Buy online or book at Mud Bay Café, 18 Ngatoki St, Urenui, Ph 06 752 3881 DURATION 75 minutes ADMISSION service fees apply General admission $32

After years of earning a place as one of New Zealand’s favourite live acts, Sal Valentine is ready to start a new chapter with an expanded band and a huge new repertoire of original material.

Sal and his road-tested 10-piece band The Babyshakes are bursting at the seams with horns, backing vocals and an explosive rhythm section.

Together they create some new material that is equal parts tight grooves and intimate sincerity, as showcased in the Sal’s latest EP, Church.

Expect this live show to be brimming with new songs that are equally at home rousing a crowd, or soothing a broken heart after the night is over.

WHEN & WHERE Thurs, Aug 31, 7pm – Inglewood Town Hall Buy online or book at Fun Ho! Toys, 25 Rata Street, Inglewood, Ph 06 756 7030

Kate Sheppard steps off our $10 note and into a punk rock musical that is loud, proud and in your face.

This riotous show celebrates a feminist firebrand, who helped New Zealand become the first country in the world in which women got the vote.

In That Bloody Woman, Kate takes on the patriarchy, public opinion and even Prime Minister Richard “King Dick” Seddon.

The suffragette movement and punk rock may seem unlikely bed fellows, but they both share a revolutionary spirit and staunch attitude, reflected in this show.

With one foot in the late 1800s and another firmly in the 21st Century, this musical of a New Zealand icon has had sell-out shows, rave reviews and embodies the glorious and gutsy history of Kiwi women.

WHEN & WHERE Sat, Sep 2, 7pm - Hawera Memorial Theatre Book online or at the South Taranaki –iSite, 55 High St, Hawera, Ph 06 278 8599 DURATION 80 minutes ADMISSION service fees apply General admission $32

ERA

HAW

DURATION 60 minutes ADMISSION service fees apply Premium $48 (includes gourmet shared platter) Premium friend $43 (includes gourmet shared platter) (Premium tickets include cabaret style seating)

General Admission $32 (upstairs seating) SUPPORTED BY

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TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

July 2017

LIVESTOCK

23

ADVERTORIAL

Over the moon with alpacas When Amanda Bethune and her parents, Murray and Ruth Prankerd, first saw alpacas at the National Alpaca Show in Hamilton two years ago, they were well and truly hooked on these charming, inquisitive creatures.

“We bought our first females, who were all in cria, not long after that,” said Ruth.

A herd of more than 60 Huacaya alpacas now run on their Moonacre Alpacas Stud, along with 500 dairy cows, a small mob of Wiltshire/Dorper cross sheep, two goats and a couple of miniature horses.

The alpaca herd consists of mostly breeding females and cria with some pet males. Youngstock and also older females are generally available for sale.

“We stand four stud males at the moment — two white, one light fawn and a dark brown,” said Ruth.

Since opening a shop on their property last year, the trio stock a wide range of alpaca products from 100 percent hand and machine-knitted alpaca and merino apparel, through to unique handmade gift boxes and cards. Most of the store products are also available online and the website is continually updated.

Wool and cloth made from alpaca fleece was worth its weight in gold in ancient times. And the Incans referred to alpaca fleece as ‘the fibre of the gods’.

Ruth said due to the alpaca fibre’s soft texture, it is often compared to cashmere.

“The fibre also has the lustre of silk, making it even more coveted.”

Alpaca fleece comes in 22 natural shades and can also be dyed any desired shade. It is warmer than wool but much lighter.

“Alpaca fibre contains no lanolin and is also naturally hypoallergenic,” said Ruth.

“Most people who are sensitive to wool, find that they can wear alpaca without the itching or irritation they feel from wool because alpaca fibre is smooth.

“Additional performance characteristics include stretch, waterrepellency and odour reduction.”

Moonacre Alpacas shop is located at 506 Rawhitiroa Road, approximately 10 minutes from Eltham on the way to Lake Rotokare.

“We are open Sundays and Wednesdays from 10am–4pm,” said Ruth.

The shop is also open other days by arrangement only.

FEELING THE COLD? We have a wide range of • Beanies • Scarves • Gloves • Socks • Adult wear • Hand knitted baby wear • Craft supplies • Cards • 100% Alpaca yarns • Alpaca/Merino Yarns • Toys made from 100% Alpaca • Hand knitted toys We are open Sundays and Wednesdays 10am till 4pm

A herd of more than 60 Huacaya alpacas run on Moonacre Alpaca Stud

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24

July 2017

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

DAIRY

Uncommon sense

David Law, Managing Director of Forward Farming Consultancy

Animal health problems Last year, a farmer asked me if I would help his mate up the road. His friend had started with 500 cows to calve, and with peak milking soon to begin, he now had a little over 460 with which to complete the season.

Twenty-two cows had died from metabolic problems, 63 had clinical milk fever, and some had aborted. He was losing milking profit and spending more on medical bills. Before I talk about the cause of his problem, I’d like to talk about the farmer’s profit window. September to December is the period where milk production is at its maximum. It’s when most of the money is made. Because of this, farmers should be gearing up to take maximum advantage of it. Ideally, in that profit window, a farmer wants each of his cows to be producing 2.2kgms/ day from September to December. But getting an animal to hit the magical 2.2kgms/day depends entirely on the condition they arrive in at the time of

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milking. That means preparing cows to be in peak health at the start — so that they can maintain good condition throughout the calving, milking and mating periods.

Preconditioning is the transitioning period of four weeks prior to calving.

The goal is to bring animals up to a 5.0 level of conditioning and this is achieved through a careful combination of diet, trace elements, and supplements. Will a farmer need to spend money to get animals up to a 5.0 condition? Yes, but spending here will be rewarded in two ways: 1. with increased milk production 2. with reduced health problems and naturally better mating results. Think of preconditioning as an investment: you spend money to make more money.

If a cow comes into calving with an average to low condition level, she will calve in a tired state. This state will drop further as she expends energy and resources to cope with calving. In her tired state, she may have difficulty pushing out her calf due to low muscle

strength. With her immunity levels compromised, she is more susceptible to metabolic sickness.

But even if the cow avoids illness, her reduced conditioning means she has less energy to give to milk production.

The farmer may even have to milk her less to avoid making her weaker. In the case of my farmer, that scenario was true of all 500 cows. None had a hope of reaching 2.2kgms/day. If a cow comes into calving with an elevated level of conditioning (5.0), she will be able to calve with relative ease. With strong muscles and high energy levels, she can push out the calf without compromising her own health.

That means she can immediately produce 2.2kgms/day straight after calving. Being healthy, the cow also possesses a strong appetite. Her desire to continually feed enables her to maintain good conditioning throughout the Profit Window and beyond and is far less susceptible to sickness. What was the problem with our farmer? When the LABARONNE

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Forward Farming team was called in to help, we went through the key areas, looking for causes for the herd’s poor health. The management plan was sound. The feed balance was good.

The problem was in the feed quality, or more precisely, the soil from where the feed came.

Our soil test revealed several key problems that accounted for the poor animal health: nitrogen levels were far too high.

One effect would have been the suppression of calcium in the soil which had left magnesium too high and out of balance with calcium. Sodium was also too high in relation to potassium. If I had seen these soil readings without first knowing the herd’s condition, I would have deduced that their health was compromised.

This soil/feed nutritional imbalance was only ever going to hurt these cows!

If you feel you are interested in unlocking more of your farm’s potential and maybe an answer to your frustrations and questions we can help with the big picture.

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

DAIRY

July 2017

25

Avoid Drink Driving

Dairy product prices eased

BE THE SOBER D FOR A NIGHT

Fonterra’s Global DairyTrade auction saw dairy product prices ease again, posting two straight declines for the first time since March, as prices slid for most products except whole milk powder and butter milk powder.

“Butter prices are still more than double what they were this time last year and anhydrous milk fat prices are 80 per cent higher.

“The large stocks of skim milk powder available from Europe continue to overhang the market,” she said. Bucking the trend, butter milk powder jumped 10.8 per cent to $US 2,264.

There were 127 winning bidders out of 165 participating at the 19-round auction.

The number of qualified bidders rose to 523, up from 522 at the previous auction.

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The GDT price index fell 0.4 per cent from the previous auction and the average prices to $US 3,303 ($NZ 4,526) per tonne. Some 28,574 tonnes of product was sold, up from 21,171 tonnes at the previous auction but whole milk powder gained, rising 2.6 per cent to $US 3,111 a tonne.

“Prices for nearer-dated contracts lifted more than prices for later-dated ones, suggesting some buyers need whole milk powder more urgently than others,” said AgriHQ dairy analyst Susan Kilsby.

At the latest GDT auction, skim milk powder fell 4.5 per cent to $US 2,090 a tonne, while anhydrous milk fat declined 3.5 per cent to $US 6,596 a tonne.

Lactose retreated 3.3 per cent to $US 839 a tonne, while cheddar gave up 3.2 per cent to $US 4,051.

Rennet casein eased 2.7 per cent to $US 6,133 a tonne, while butter slipped 0.1 per cent to $US 5,775.

Ms Kilsby said there has been concern that buyers would no longer be able to absorb the record prices that butter and anhydrous milk fat have been hitting, though it is too early to tell whether this is the start of a longer-term downward trend.

Functional Fertiliser Sin

ce 2010

You’ve got a WOF for your ute, right?

What about your milking machine?

Book any make of Milking Machine to be tested with us in August and get a FREE mini vacuum and pulsation check between October & November 2017

0800 843 809 www.esi.org.nz

&&CalciZest CalciZest

The soil-biology based fertilisers that promote longer deeper roots, increased pasture growth and carbon sequestration.

99 Ridgway Street, Wanganui Ph: 06 348 9239 or 0800 667 867 www.machinerymaintenance.co.nz Proud service partner of:

Claims backed by years of on-farm data collection

CONCRETE

SAFETY GROOVING

for the farm

• Happier cows with more stable footing • Improved water runoff • Better flow through the cowshed

Contact Mark Stevens CONTRACTING Phone: 027 223 6100

CALF MILK PUMPS $180.00

$99

.00

+GST

90A0101095 12v

+GST

9003106088 239v

$180

.00

+GST

9003106095 230v

Farm Solutions

Ph 06 761 7265 | 23 Tasman Street, Opunake

GIVE US A RING IF YOU NEED YOUR CALF SHEDS CLEANED HOURS:

MONDAY – FRIDAY 7.30AM – 4.30PM

CORNER OF HUNTER ST & SOUTH RD, HAWERA

PH: 06 278 7974

gea.com

26

July 2017

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

RURAL WHEELS

Ready for anything

EGMONT VILLAGE BIKE PARTS Motorcycle Dismantler & Service Centre We also have a fert spreader and harrow for hire OR You can hire Bill and the equpiment and he will do the job for you.

0800 142 453 | 06 752 2862 E: evbp@paradise.net.nz

1.5M please

by Andy Bryenton

The venerable Yamaha AG 125 has been a common sight on Kiwi farms for so long now that it’s almost part of the scenery. Simple, easy to maintain and able to take a lot of good-natured punishment, the little blue machine is easy to compare to other hard-wearing rural classics like the swanndri and the gumboot.

As an upshot, there’s a whole generation out there who know how to ride an AG 125. Many kids from farming families would have mastered the diminutive single-cylinder bike with its distinctive knobbly tyres well before it was time to learn to drive the family car. And that means there’s a huge crossover market for Yamaha’s street-ready version of the Ag 125 — the YTZ125.

Really, it’s just common sense.

Adding the necessary bits and pieces to allow a number plate and road legal status was a snap for Yamaha, who after all have a stable of road bikes ranging from the commuter practical to the blisteringly fast.

And there are numerous times when zipping down from the homestead to the local shops, around to the neighbours, or indeed down the highway to another block of grazing land is on the cards.

The YTZ125 allows, if nothing else, the ability to do this without changing vehicles.

But there’s more to this machine than just convenience. With the same 125cc of power from an air cooled

FIELDAYS FINANCE

Cross purposes — the Yamaha YTZ125 can handle the farm, the highway or the trail with equal ease

four stroke single cylinder motor, the same terrain-busting ride height and suspension, and a similar feel to the AG 125, the YTZ125 inspires on road confidence and still allows dirt-trail and paddock work.

Perhaps like nothing else, this machine bridges the gap between two worlds of motorcycling — that of the serious workhorse and that of riding for the sheer pleasure of it. Coming out of a heritage of real farm endurance — the YTZ has been extensively put through its

paces in the South Island back blocks — there’s nimble balance and lightweight handling here which fosters confidence.

Those who have experienced the open road as well as the trail may very well be tempted to look at Yamaha’s other offerings — a selection which will have true petrol heads salivating.

In the meantime, the learner approved, farm tested YTZ125 offers practicality as well as a taste of the ‘other side’ of motorcycling — and all for a very neat price.

TRACTORVILLE TRACTOR PARTS FAST AND CORRECT

LT-A500XPL7

KINGQUAD 500 4x4 POWERSTEER

GST SAVE $900 INCL.

0800 23 23 44 TRACTORVILLE TRACTOR WRECKERS RUGBY ROAD, INGLEWOOD

www.tractorville.co.nz

$13,995 EXCL. GST

• Liquid cooled fuel injected 4-stroke • CVT transmission with Hi/Lo ratio and reverse • Push button 2WD/4WD select with diff-lock option • Independent front and rear suspension • Disc front brakes • Fully sealed oil-bathed multi-plate disc rear brake • Comfortable T-shaped seat • 24 Month/15,000km warranty

LT-A500XPL7 Finance offer is based on $5,437.16 deposit or trade-in equivalent, a $369 documentation fee and $13 PPSR (total charges $382), then 1 payment of $6,124.14 after 12 months and another payment of $6,124.14 after 24 months at 6.99% interest. Total cost of purchase $17,685.44. Normal lending criteria apply. Price excludes GST. Offer not available in conjunction with any other promotion. Offer ends 31 July 2017 or while stocks last.

DARYL SEE DARYL OR ZANE Phone (06) 278 4160

141 Glover Road Hawera • 027 456 7875

ZANE

Mon-Fri 8am-5pm Sat 9am-12pm

Mike the Mobile Mechanic Strandon Automotive ltd.

Specialising in breakdown, fault diagnosis, petrol + light diesel vehicles.

Covering a 20km area of New Plymouth 0800 100 674 477d Devon St East, New Plymouth Ph: 06 769 6585 • M: 027 453 7933 A/H: 06 758 1360 • E: mobilemike@xtra.co.nz

TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

July 2017

RURAL WHEELS

27

The whole nine yards

by Andy Bryenton

For decades, Deutz Fahr have been perfecting their range of tractors to meet stringent European emissions controls while still delivering maximum power and performance.

With numerous awards in their trophy case and a team of engineers to rival that of fellow German manufacturers like Mercedes Benz and Porsche, their claim to the title of top agricultural machinery fabricators has only been strengthened by the arrival of their latest offering — the ultra powerful Nine Series.

Built on the premise that there’s no substitute for raw power — except raw power under precision control — the heat of the new Nine Series is an uncompromising 336 horsepower intercooled twin turbo six cylinder diesel. High injection pressure and computerised engine management deliver 90 percent of max torque well down the rev range, allowing this tractor to tackle even the most heavy-duty tasks when mated up with serious machinery.

The on board computer system optimises injection for efficiency no matter if the Nine Series is moving from

field to field or engaged in serious power harrowing, undersowing or cultivation.

Front and rear PTO with multiple selectable speeds comes as standard, because efficient large-scale farming demands big implements. And it’s all commanded from a cab which has been designed as both comfortable and intuitive, with controls easily at hand. In fact, innovations such as Deutz Fahr’s continuously variable TTv transmission mean there are less things for the operator to worry about — the Nine Series is also built with modern satellite navigation and mapping in mind.

With the ability to conquer long days in the field comes the necessity to ensure operator safety and comfort — so extra care and attention has been lavished on making the cab of the Nine Series roomy and well ventilated, with acres of glass and a clear view down the sloping bonnet to make precise turning as

Deutz Fahr combine massive power with computerised precision in their Nine Series

simple as possible. In fact, it’s amazing how easy it is to place and handle such a large and powerful machine, even on uneven terrain in the field.

This combination of power, precision and the ability to adapt to multiple roles

on the farm saw the Nine Series win the ‘Golden Tractor’ award for design on its initial release — further tuning and fettling have only made it a better machine. In the order of high-horsepower tractors, this is the benchmark to beat.

• Car servicing • WOF’s • Automatic transmission servicing • Brake repairs • Car air conditioning • Cambelts • Batteries • Exhausts and mufflers • Suspension, shocks & steering • Engine management diagnostics • Tyres & wheel alignment

Auto Super Shoppe New Plymouth | 06 759 4370

mechanicsnewplymouth.co.nz | 133 Molesworth Street, New Plymouth

Taranaki Rural Marketplace DRIER. CLEANER. HEALTHIER SOUTH TARANAKI & WANGANUI

Chem-Dry is the world’s largest carpet cleaning company 24 HOUR FLOOD & URGENT STAIN REMOVAL 3 Carpet and upholstery cleaning and 3 We specialise in stains, odours & hard protection to clean carpets and fabrics 3 We move the furniture 3 P.U.R.T. Pet urine removal treatment 3 Free quotes, residential and commercial

06 278 4756 | 309 South Road, Hawera facebook.com/baileymotorcycles baileymotorcycles@xtra.co.nz baileymcparts@xtra.co.nz

0800 22 78 22

email: wanganui@chemdry.co.nz

mobile: 0272 999 605

www.chemdry.co.nz

Independently owned and operated under a Chem-Dry License Servicing “THE SOUTH TARANAKI AND WANGANUI REGIONS”

Need farm shelter?

Karo: Top coastal windbreak. Makes a nice hedge — $4.80.

Norfolk Island Hibiscus: Top shelter tree. Pyramidal shape — $6.50 Golden Ake Ake: Attractive hedging — $4.80 Griselinia : Fast growing. Always looks good — $6.00 Prices are for 10 plants or more and include GST.

New Life Nursery

Phone: (06) 761 8067 • email: murraybaylis@gmail.com 183 Tasman St Opunake.

List available of other shelter species www.newlifenursery.co.nz

est. 1981

DRIVE TO THE

All Types of Drainage, Earthworks & Roading Undertaken Contract Driving/Operating (Class 5) Cartage of all Grades of Metal Soil Contact Nigel MOBILE 027 443 1864 | PH/FAX (06) 752 330 | EMAIL crawfordnd@icloud.com

Servicing the Lower North Island for all rental equipment

FREEPHONE 0800 447 392 Wellington | Palmerston North

CONDITIONS THIS WINTER

www.hireways.co.nz | E: hire@hireways.co.nz

TARANAKI FARMING CLASSIFIEDS Phone 0800 466 793

Financial

Animal Health Products

BANK SAID NO? We specialise in Farm Finance, working capital and debt consolidation. Also welcome applications from property developers, builder’s and first home buyers. Call 0800 888 449 or email bill@gfbl.co.nz.

HIGH CELL Count? Apple Cider Vinegar, Garlic & Manuka Honey 20L $49.95, 200L $450 or 1000L $2,000 +GST with free delivery. Black Type Minerals Ltd. Phone 021 185 1501. blacktypeminerals.co.nz.

28

July 2017 TARANAKI FARMING LIFESTYLES

We can construct them for you anywhere in New Zealand

Steel framing

or wood framing

New Zealand’s most popular & economical farm sheds!

0800 86 20 10

WE’VE GOT NEW ZEALAND COVERED! email: info@sheds4U.co.nz