Waikato Farming Lifestyles, August 2012

Wa i k a to

Farming Lifestyles

August 2012 Edition

Phone: 09 439 6933 | Freephone: 0800 466 793 | Fax: 09 439 6930

Page 2

Page 4–5

Page 6–7

Dr Stella Frances Scholarship

World Hereford Council

A passion for the Kiwi wilderness

GREAT CALF REARING DEALS See page 5

Charolais give a competitive edge Page 8–9

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August 2012

Waikato Farming Lifestyles

The Waikato Farming Lifestyles is published with pride by NorthSouth Multi Media Ltd, a privately owned NZ company.

Phone: 09 439 6933 or 0800 466 793 • Fax: 09 439 6930 Email: info@thelifestyler.co.nz • Postal Address: PO Box 474, Dargaville Physical Address: Lifestyler House, 107 River Road, Dargaville General Manager: Deb Wright Editorial: Denise Gunn Paul Campbell Advertising: Glyn Parker Betty Willetts

Waikato Farming Lifestyles Distribution area

Applications open for Dr Stella Frances Scholarship

by Denise Gunn

The scholarship, which is jointly sponsored by Waikato Regional Council and the Department of Conservation (DOC), was established in 2005 in memory of the highly respected environmentalist, regional councillor and conservator for DOC

Graphic Design: David Stevens Gavin Bainbridge Emily Stevens Jan Balcombe Production: Jenny Crundwell

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Dr Stella Frances — was one of the country’s leading conservationists

Dr Frances trained as a freshwater scientist with a Ph.D. in freshwater ecology. She held a particular interest in the Firth of Thames marine and estuarine ecosystem before her death in August 2003.

The scholarship is available to students in the final year of a Masters degree at the University of Waikato.

Eligible research themes include natural or physical sciences; human perspectives on the environment; environment management practices or economics; and technologies applying to conservation or environmental issues in the Waikato region.

Last year’s successful applicant, University of Waikato student Emma Chibnall, researched the ‘Contribution of dissolved organic carbon leaching to

an annual carbon budget of a grazed pastoral system’. The aim of her research was to provide information of the movement and cycling of carbon through pastoral soils that may contribute to improved management of dairy farm systems, both environmentally and economically.

Scholarship applications will be evaluated by DOC’s Waikato Conservator Greg Martin and Waikato Regional Council’s resource information group manager Tony Petch.

The scholarship, to the value of $5,000 per year, aims to assist with the successful applicant’s research expenses.

Applications close November 23 this year.

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Waikato Farming Lifestyles August 2012

3

Te Aroha meat works set to reopen

by Denise Gunn

The rebuild of Silver Fern Farms meat processing plant near Te Aroha is nearing completion with the official reopening expected in September

beef processing plant, which began in May last year, includes a number of fundamental improvements focussing on water usage and recycling, as well as energy conservation.

“Progressively over the next month or so we will process a few animals and get the regulatory licensing ticked off,” he said.

Mr Graham said the total number of staff expected to be employed at the Te Aroha plant will be around 350 when full capacity is reached.

Mr Graham said the new technology would increase production by 30 per cent.

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or ring Colin Monk P 07 843 7983 M 0274 831 041 Silver Fern Farms meat processing plant near Te Aroha is expected to officially reopen in September

A fire in December 2010 seriously damaged the former plant, leaving it out of operation.

Silver Fern Farms Waikato hub manager Jason Graham said a number of staff then took the opportunity to temporarily relocate to other Silver Fern Farms plants in Napier, Hawera and Dargaville.

Staff also took up employment at the Paeroa and Waitoa beef plants. Silver Fern Farms purchased the Wallace Corporation’s meat processing plant at Waitoa in May last year.

“We’ve progressively increased there,” said Mr Graham.

When the peak of the bobby calf season has finished, staff from these plants will then be able to return to the Te Aroha site.

Construction of the new Te Aroha

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August 2012

Waikato Farming Lifestyles

World Hereford

By Cliff Taylor

From Matamata to Kazakhstan, Waikato woman Jan Wills has travelled the world over the past eight years to extol the virtues of Hereford cattle

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an and her husband Barrie have been involved with Herefords since 1968. After experimenting with various breeds on their Matamata sheep and beef farm, they settled on the distinct red and white cattle for their quiet temperament and easy finishing ability.

Council

assist with marketing, present awards and advise on rules and regulations.

I also advise countries on research programmes which have been carried out or are in progress.”

Travel is a big part of the job, although the internet has made it possible for

an enthusiast from this part of the world to lead such an international organisation.

“This is the first time a woman has been Secretary General and it is also a first for a New Zealander,” says Jan. “It would have been impossible for a New

Jan became the first woman to be elected to the New Zealand Hereford Council in 1992 and became the New Zealand President in 1999. She is nearing the end of her second term as secretary general of the World Hereford Council.

Herefords came into prominence in the English county of Herefordshire in the 18th century. They were the cattle of choice for pioneers leaving Britain to emigrate to America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. They have since spread to farms around the world. As Jan says, “The sun never sets on Herefords.”

So, what does her job actually entail? “The best way to describe my position is to say that I am the ambassador for the breed,” Jan explains.

“I visit member countries to meet breeders and discuss their programmes.

I promote success stories for the breed, Jan Wills with champion Canadian Hereford cow Medonte Nina, a winner of many awards in Ontario State. Jan was visiting a Hereford display at the Orangeville Fair near Toronto

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Waikato Farming Lifestyles August 2012 Zealander to hold this position prior to the Internet. Isolation is a slight handicap. Travel is expensive so my travel is limited to approximately four countries a year and then hopefully the countries are in close proximity to one another.”

Even when she arrives in a country Jan sometimes has to go the extra mile to inspect cattle. “I usually view the cattle from the farm ute, but when I was in The Netherlands I rode a push bike to the bull paddock, and I carried a few kilograms of bull feed in my saddlebags,“ she laughs. “It was quite an experience, as was my visit to a herd in Estonia which was only accessible by Kayak.”

il

This is the first time a “ woman has been Secretary General and it is also a first for a New Zealander

”

Here in New Zealand, Jan sees the Hereford as playing a vital role in future development of the beef industry. “It has been acknowledged by research that the Hereford breed is the best breed to achieve all benefits from cross-breeding,” she explains. “Pressure on land use, particularly from the dairy industry, has resulted in a decrease in beef cows in New Zealand and the future of our prime beef industry will depend on the ability of our dairy cows to incubate a suitable cross bred calf for calf rearers.”

While she may be ending her tenure as secretary general in December, it is certain that Jan Wills will keep a learned eye on the develop ment of Herefords here and around the world into the future.

While visiting a Hereford ranch in Queen Charlotte Islands, Canada, Jan hooked a 24 pound Chinook salmon

Calving

Herefords are proving popular in the unlikeliest places. Jan recently visited Kazakhstan where she says the government is keen to invest in a new beef industry and hopes to become a major beef exporter by 2015. The country has already imported 10,000 registered Herefords from Ireland, Canada, Australia and the United States, and it plans to import 70,000 more in the near future.

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August 2012

Waikato Farming Lifestyles

s s e n r e d l i w i w i K

Sharing a passion for the

Inspiration can strike in odd times and places.

Hunting, fishing and outdoors adventure guide Pete Evans heard the call of the wild while sitting in front of a computer monitor — and he hasn’t looked back as his Waikato-based Troutstalker business has grown from the seed of an idea and into a way of life The Constant Angle Knife Sharpening System

“I’d been working in corporate security,” says the Canterbury-born outdoorsman, “and it just got to the stage where I was looking for something that would satisfy me. The outdoors was my passion, so I decided to turn it into my profession!”

the wild back country of the South Island, hunting rabbits with his dad and catching bait fish — until the ‘lure’ of trout fishing got him hooked. That was in his teenage years, and it went along with the newfound thrill of deerstalking.

It wasn’t a case of ‘executive on Friday, Barry Crump on Monday’. Pete grew up in

“In my last year of school my mates and I would plan trips during the day when

we should have been studying. On Friday nights we’d head into the mountains in search of deer and chamois. The earlier trips were mostly unsuccessful but they were great adventures. I knew then that I was destined for a lifetime of outdoors pursuits.”

When the demands of full time work brought Pete to the Waikato a whole new vista of wild places, rugged hills and trout-filled streams opened up. It was only natural that when he chose to make the outdoors life his job that he chose to introduce this area to his customers. Now

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living on a small farm with his partner Liz, he also offers farmstay accommodation to his guests.

The unique twist to his Troutstalker tour business (trout fishing and deerstalking make up a big part of what the public want to do in the Waikato wilderness) is his relationship with farmers, who often keep their land off limits to hunters.

It’s a relationship built up by Pete’s understanding of the farmer’s point of view.

“Because of this, I can get access to areas that are otherwise private, as well

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Waikato Farming Lifestyles August 2012

end of the day,” he says proudly — as letting my guests experience some “You start as complete strangers proper Kiwi farm hospitality. There’s and end up as mates.” also a great chance of success when you’re hunting on private property,” The camaraderie of the says Pete. That good old hospitality outdoors is something fathers comes in the form of hearty meals and and sons often want to share in, a place to sleep for some of his guests, and Pete has seen many families while others simply prefer a tent, a real bond over a weekend with rod and ‘outdoor’ adventure and the chance to gun. He offers the chance for firsthunt free-range game among stunning timers to hone their skills, provides scenery. equipment to keep the costs down The relationship between farmers and emphasizes safety and fun Pete Evans with a tahr and hunters has sometimes been a over going for the big trophies.

Frida fraught one, but never where Pete and his tour customers Pete still gets a huge thrill when he introduces someone are involved. In fact, he’s breaking down barriers between to the joys of the great outdoors. ear people with every trip — and even helping international “The enjoyment I get seeing someone catch a rainbow ut the diplomacy, as many of his guests are Australian! trout for the first time is as good if not better than landing “Every person I take out becomes a friend at the one yourself!” utdoor

e wor le ne

It w o mak

Keen for a sharp knife?

The Scary Sharp system is now over a year old with sales steadily increasing with the recreational fishermen in Australia being the area of greatest export sales.

How did the idea start?

It all started in an endeavour to make a simple system that worked — people are completely astounded how fast a clean sharpening stone will remove metal if the angle between the stone and blade are constant. The angle is not critical, but to achieve sharpness the consistency of the angle is critical. Man has been shaving with a sharp metal blade for over 2000 years — so shaving sharpness is nothing new.

Man and the modern rush of daily activity has grabbed at systems that are quick fix gadgets — the pull through process nearly always creates an equal angle but removes metal fast leaving minor serrations.

ner Liz

All sharpening stones wet or oiled do produce serrations — these serrations are the size of the particle in the stone. So the smaller the particle size the smaller the serrations. The next step as we progress will be a microscope with a digital camera facility.

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We‘ve had coaching from guys at the freezing works — prompting a total rethink on the use of a steel.

unter Pete’

as w

OUT WITH THE OLD IN WITH THE NEW...

A part of the sales pitch is very simple — No man will admit he can’t sharpen a knife. Admitting you can’t sharpen a knife is like admitting you are not the head of your household or that you can’t provide for your family.

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We can restore your manhood — man is the hunter gatherer, he kills it and cuts it up. Generally, the wife cooks it. The man of the house has another sharp knife to carve the evening roast.

If you are hunting or fishing — the sharper your knife the greater respect you’ll have from other blokes.

We have made many sales locally where the husband forbids the wife to touch the Scary Sharp tool, that’s OK as many men aren’t allowed in the kitchen either. Several wives have come into my workshop wanting lessons on the use of the system that their dearly beloved guards so closely.

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It’s not just hunters who come out to enjoy the wild side of the Waikato. Photographers have just as much fun and challenge stalking deer with a camera as with a rifle, and for those who simply want to take in the beauty of the Waikato, Pete is happy to arrange walking tours.

Another drawcard is Pete’s working relationship with the owners of some of New Zealand’s most prestigious thoroughbred horse studs. Those who love the equine world simply can’t say enough about the experience of visiting famous names like Cambridge Stud, Windsor Park and Trelawney to meet the dedicated breeders and the horses themselves.

All in all, Pete Evans has put the computer monitor far behind him and turned his passion into a thriving business — one which helps both hunters and farmers, anglers and tourists get the most out of the amazing Waikato. It’s a prime example of the old saying — ‘if you do what you love, you’re guaranteed to love what you do.’

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August 2012

Waikato Farming Lifestyles

e g d e e v i t i t e p m o c a e s giv

Charolai

By Denise Gunn

inner Paul w rs a e h S n e ld o G When former earing, he h -s w o h s m o fr d Grainger retire titive outlet e p m o c r e th o n a needed

P

aul and his wife Claire were already running sheep and beef on their 600ha King Country farm, as well as managing three shearing gangs and raising their family. They’ve also used the property for dairy grazing.

But the couple decided they wanted to try something a little different on their farm.

“It had to be profitable and it had to be functional,” said Paul.

“I also thought if this is going to be a venture, it’s got to be a successful venture.”After looking at several options they settled on breeding stud Charolais cattle, establishing their Kia Toa Stud in June 2003.

“With stud breeding, there’s still that competitiveness as you are always striving to improve.”

“It’s [Charalois] a breed that always appealed to me,” said Paul.

“We think it’s a great breed to cross with.”

The Graingers’ property in the Waitomo district is a mixture of rolling and hill country with free-draining limestone.

Paul said there’s not much flat land and despite fencing to make paddocks safe, the sudden appearance of tomos has caused problems.

“We lost a good stud heifer just last year.”

“She was in a safe

Above: The couple’s main aim is to have one of the best Charolais studs in the North Island, producing top-performing cattle Below: Claire and Paul Grainger established their Kia Toa Stud in June 2003

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paddock but we found her upside-down about three metres down — dead,” he said.

The property was a former rehabilitation farm allotted to Paul’s father — a returned serviceman.

“My father had Angus originally,” said Paul.

Since taking over the farm, the couple have raised the P levels in the soil, and improved fencing and water supplies.

“We predominately use phosphate fertiliser and lime,” he said.

“And we’ve laned everything so we now have 230 paddocks.”

“It’s reasonably intensive.”

Paul and Claire are currently running 100 cows on the property and aim to produce Charolais with good temperament, size, longevity and yield. They cull their stock rigorously.

“Our stock are not pampered,” said Paul.

“They are commercial stock and have to be able to handle hill country.”

Two-thousand ewes are also farmed on the property and lambing starts in July.

“We like to get the early lambs away

by October or November when they are at a premium.”

“We got $170 plus last year,” said Paul.

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Waikato Farming Lifestyles August 2012

9

Looking after your blood vessels Blood vessels are a lot more than pipes to hold blood.

They are living tissues and can be greatly affected by disease. If the lining of blood vessels becomes damaged by free radicals or inflamed, the surface of vessels offers greater resistance thus increasing blood pressure.

Research by Rodrigo, R et al. (Hypertension Research, 2007) concluded that free radical damage to blood vessels is one cause of essential hypertension. In a following paper they conducted a double blind placebo trial on 110 people with essential hypertension and found a close relationship between antioxidant levels and blood pressure. Of real interest they noted significant decreases in blood pressure after giving antioxidant supplements. I have found that many people with essential hypertension can respond well to intensive nutritional therapy aimed at restoring the health of our blood vessels.

I am regularly contacted by people with various problems caused or worsened by poor circulation in their legs. These Two thousand ewes are also farmed on the property include general muscle weakness and pain, cramps, swollen ankles and feet, restless legs, and chilblains. People with Paul and Claire have set a number of goals for the farm “It’ll be a different story this year with cardiovascular disease, diabetes or people who smoke are at and work steadily to achieve those. the big drop in schedules.” much higher risk of these common circulatory problems.

“We shear early — around Labour “We’ve broken it in and done what we could,” said Paul.

The most important nutrients to help blood vessels are Weekend then we shear again in March some antioxidant vitamins especially vitamin C and vitamin “I want to leave it to my kids in a better state”. prior to the rams going out,” he said.

E and a wide range of botanical antioxidants including The couple’s main aim is to have one of the best Charolais flavanols found in grape seed extract, ginkgo biloba, acai Each year around 200 bales of studs in the North Island, producing top-performing cattle. berry, bilberry, resveratrol and citrus bioflavonoids such haylage and 400 conventional bales are “The main thing is to produce a quality animal,” as hesperidin. These nutrients help blood flow by reducing made on the farm. said Paul. blood platelet aggregation and additionally help to maintain “It’s a bit of a safety thing really,” the integrity of blood vessel walls. These antioxidants said Paul. strengthen the walls of blood vessels by ensuring that the “It’s there just in case.” proteins collagen and elastin are protected from destructive Quality that has stood the testthat of time.

Quality has stood the testenzymes of time. and from free radical damage.

“If you feed them well, they’ll return the favour.”

Circulatory problems can respond very well to increased nutrient intake through careful food selection and appropriate All stock are wintered on the property supplementation. Once you have had medical advice it and the Charolais cope well with the is worthwhile considering a complementary nutritional conditions. programme to help restore healthy circulation and in doing “That’s the beauty of the King so you may gain a real improvement in your quality of life.

Country,” he said.

Give me a call if you need help.

“We don’t get the really big floods, frosts and droughts and we’re reasonably sheltered.”

The grass continues to grow so well during the colder months on the Graingers’ property that the couple are able to take advantage of this period by fattening stock during the winter, before sending them off early to be killed.

“We try not to do everything when ever yone else is,” he said.

John Arts is the founder of Abundant Health Ltd. If you have questions or a free health plan contact John on 0800 423559 or email john@johnarts.co.nz. You can join his weekly email newsletter at www.johnarts.co.nz or visit www.abundant.co.nz.

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Farm Wheels – Waikato Farming Lifestyles August 2012

11

FA R M W H E E L S

Kiwi riders take part in world’s toughest enduro race

by Denise Gunn

This year’s Redbull Romaniacs extreme enduro ride drew a group of New Zealand riders which included Waikato’s Sean Clarke and his 16-year-old son Jesse Considered the world’s toughest enduro race, the Redbull Romaniacs takes place over five days with riders covering daily distances of up to 180kms per day through the mountainous region near Sibiu in Romania.

Each year the course is designed to include difficult obstacles and extreme elements over rocks and fallen trees, through mud and rivers, and up steep climbs.

Sean has been racing dirt bikes since he was 12 years old.

“I started in motocross and then rode enduros and cross country events since I was about 16,” said Sean.

“Jesse started riding bikes when he was about five and has only ridden in cross country and enduro rides.”

The pair used the forestry around Tokoroa to train in the lead-up to the event. They also undertook a lot of fitness training each night for a couple of months before they left.

Sean and Jesse were able to hire enduro bikes from a dealer in Romania — the same type of bikes they ride here. Sean rode a Sherco 300 and Jesse a KTM 200 EXC. “We arrived about four days before the event started and had a ride on the bikes beforehand,” said Sean.

Both Sean and Jesse have taken part in similar rides in New Zealand.

“We run one each year called the ‘No Way in Hell’ extreme enduro out at Oparau near Kawhia,” said Sean.

This year’s Redbull Romaniacs drew 205 entries from all over the globe.

“That’s the best thing about going to Romania is the countryside,” said Sean.

“You get to ride in the mountains up to 2500 metres and there is no fencing so you can travel 150kms and not have to stop to open a gate.”

In 2011 Sean finished ninth in the Pro Class at the event but this year he was unfortunately hit in the leg by another rider during the prologue.

Jesse and team mate Mark Newton came in seventh place in the Experts Class. Jesse was the youngest to ever finish the event.

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August 2012

Waikato Farming Lifestyles

Base saturation explained

by Brett Petersen

Under our current system of soil fertility, we are being encouraged to under-fertilize. This state has existed for many years, but the degree of under fertilizing is getting worse. Applying so called maintenance levels of nutrients is not even ensuring soil fertility is static — it is declining Base saturation is simply the percentage of exchangeable cations. Cations are the positively charged soil fertility elements. Base saturation is used to identify and measure the % of each cation to determine the soils’ available relative mineral makeup.

Total Exchange Capacity is the sum of the total exchangeable cations. A light soil — eg Volcanic — having a smaller sum than heavy, alluvial silt loam.

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The balance of cations determines soil structure, nutrient holding capacity, and fertiliser requirement for optimum production. Economic decisions can then easily be made to prioritise fertilizer applications.

Some cations are: calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, manganese, cobalt, copper, iron, zinc, hydrogen, and ammonium.

What we try to achieve (according to a Perry Agricultural Lab test), is calcium to be about 68%, magnesium 10-12%, potassium 2-5%, sodium 0.53%, hydrogen 10-15%, and other bases to be about 5%. Don’t try to fit these numbers around another test — it won’t work.

If the cation balance is close to this ideal, we will get good soil structure, moisture movement and retention, drainage, and maximum crop and pasture production and quality. All elements work together without antagonism, with pH being ideally

constructed. Pasture and crop palatability and consequently, animal performance will all excel.

Calcium When calcium is present in the correct amount with other cations, the soil is at its most productive and efficient state. If calcium is deficient, other cations — eg Potassium — will dominate the herbage to the detriment of animal health. If Ca is in excess, soil will drain and dry out faster.

Phosphorus, trace element and, magnesium availability will be low. Crops and pastures may show clinical symptoms of magnesium, iron, manganese and zinc deficiency. An application of ferrous sulphate will help.

Magnesium Magnesium excess is not common in NZ. However, too much or too little in the soil results in too little Mg in the plant. Nitrogen efficiency is

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Waikato Farming Lifestyles August 2012

13

also affected, taking more N to achieve the same result. Soils stick to machinery when wet and set hard when dry. They take more HP to work. It is far more common to find Mg deficiency in the soil, particularly as a result of over liming.

Potassium If potassium dominates, pasture palatability will be poor.

Stock will require salt to compensate or metabolic problems will develop. Leaf carbohydrate can also break down, leading to lower yields. High K suppresses manganese, cobalt and magnesium. Potassium causes the most angst among farmers who are reluctant to apply it. The dilemma they have is high K in the herbage, while at the same time it is low in the soil. Most farmers are used to potassium chloride, not potassium sulphate. Potassium sulphate should be used instead. Low soil K leads to lower pasture production. Keep calcium, magnesium and potassium soil levels up, and high plant K will not be an issue. Some areas of NSW have very high K, but growers following this system manage to grow high yielding crops by getting Ca, Mg and Na to the correct levels.

The soil under those crops is as hard as concrete.

Sodium

Sodium must always be lower than potassium. We find in a surprising number of cases, it is the other way around.

That situation leads to excess sodium uptake. Plant cell walls can then burst on hot days, leading to dehydration. Perhaps that situation arises if farmers neglect the potassium, but apply sodium to raise pasture palatability. That is attacking the problem from the wrong end and will never solve it. ty andAlways try to solve a problem by removing the cause, not by xcel. removing symptoms.

pH

Cattle standing on the last break

Practical considerations In the short term, balancing the BS can be an expensive exercise. The alternative is to put on fertilizer to get your crop or pasture through the season. Remember, chemical agriculture is a selfserving, input-driven system. You are advised to apply an unbalanced fertilizer to an unbalanced soil to sustain a state of imbalance, which will then require constant chemical intervention.

After 20 years of doing that, the chances are you will be no better of in year 20, than you were in year one. Many farmers are complaining they are worse off.

the property not doing so well. Over time your farm performance will increase, while eventually, your fertilizer applications will decrease. The point at which the fertilizer spend will decrease, depends on how long it takes to reach that balanced plateau.

Once there, it is plain sailing down the other side.

The system we use at Kiwi Fertiliser is proven all over the world. This system has produced a world record yield of wheat in NZ, best quantity and quality wheat in Germany, 37-42t+/ha maize silage in USA, best quality and quantity raspberries, best quality and quantity bananas in Guatemala Balancing will require extra fertilizer. For some, and South Africa, 20t+/ha of lucerne all over the the way to approach that is do a portion of your world, and growers being paid US$10/kg for their yielding grapes by wineries in California, to farm at aRM31912_Trident_North time. Hill farmers South needAd_OL.ai to look at 1 their 1/08/12high 10:57 AM flats, flat farmers, their silage paddocks, or parts of name just a few successes.

The above four cations influence pH. The closer they are ductiveto balance, the closer the pH will be to the optimum, being , otherwhat it should be. Say that is 6.4, however, a 6.4 pH may be te theobtained by cations out of balance. For this reason, never use . If Cafertilizer to change pH. Only add it to change the proportion faster.of the cations. pH should be the result of your fertilizer programme, not the cause of it. s ma Why use the Base Saturation percentages? , • They give a logical explanation of your soil.

• They give a total blue print of your soil.

• They allow you to solve problems.

• Farmers can relate data results to both good and problem areas.

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14

August 2012

Waikato Farming Lifestyles

Stimulating soil biological activity — how and why?

Part 1

Dr Bert Quin, fertiliser and soil fertility consultant

The importance of soil biological activity is being realised by more and more farmers and farming organisations, and many companies are now promoting products that are claimed to stimulate it and by doing so increase production

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In the next article we will look at whether these products are possibly effective or basically fit into the ‘snake-oil’ category, but in this article let’s take a step back in history and look at what happens when we introduce the ryegrass/clover grazed pasture system.

Under the pre-European natural forests, scrub and native grasses, soil organic matter levels were typically very low. This is because the input of new nutrients — almost solely from the weathering of soil minerals — was very slow. This greatly limited the rate of growth of vegetation, so plant species evolved that could cope with this by growing very slowly themselves. Likewise, the soil organic matter had a slow rate of turnover, because the soil microbes that do this require nutrients also. Nutrient losses from this system were extremely low.

Then the ryegrass/clover pastures and many different crops were introduced. These had far more growth potential, especially in our growth-friendly climate, but it was soon discovered that to achieve this growth

potential required ‘capital’ applications of fertiliser and subsequent annual ‘maintenance’ applications of several major and trace elements.

Under this system, pasture production typically reached its potential within 3-5 years, whereas soil organic matter levels tended to increase over a 10-15 year period before reaching a new plateau, typically 50% higher than the original level. Essentially, the new plateau is reached when increasing soil microbial activity finally ‘catches up’ with the new higher rate of addition of organic matter — plant residues and excreta mainly — into the soil. These provide carbon, protein and energy for soil microbes to feed on.

So why does it reach a new plateau, instead of coming back down again? Simply because it would be counter-productive for the soil microbes for this to happen.

View it as a term bank deposit. It makes sense to grow this to a size big enough to live on the ‘interest’ — in this case the pool of mineralisable organic matter.

Once you have to live on the capital as well, it’s eventually going to be over Rover.

The 10-15 years it takes for the soil organic matter to reach a new plateau can be greatly reduced if, and it’s a big if on hill country properties, there are outside sources of soil organic matter such as chicken manure that can be brought in (as in a vege garden), or effluent irrigated. Farmers are aware how much more soil organic matter there is in

animal campsites, which receive high inputs of excreta.

Many farmers have noted that the best paddocks on their farm have twice the pasture production or crop yield of the poorest paddocks, even in some cases if total soil organic matter and nutrient levels are similar. When this is the case, and slope, aspect, drainage and soil types are the same, it is a safe bet that the difference is soil microbial activity. It always surprises me that the addition of earthworms at least isn’t given as much attention as fertiliser in pasture development, and in dairy farm conversions.

The most efficient earthworm species for pasture systems are not native to New Zealand. They were introduced widely but not exhaustively in the 1930s-1950s, and some modern farming practices — such as high N use and inadequate control of soil aluminium levels — can make life hard for them and other soil biology.

So, given a certain-sized pool of soil organic matter, is their any advantage — to production or sustainability — of increasing the rate of cycling of this organic matter; that is, in increasing soil microbial activity? And what products or practices can do it? Also, there is anecdotal evidence that both the amount and activity of soil organic matter is declining on intensive dairy farms. Why is this happening, and what are the implications? In the next article, we look at these questions

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Waikato Farming Lifestyles August 2012

F or

Rural Women

15

Bra business a winner

Kylie’s efforts and the growth of Emkay Girl were recently recognised at the Rural Women of New Zealand’s Enterprising Rural Women Award ceremony, where Kylie took out the Telecom North Island Award.

by Denise Gunn

It was through her own personal experience searching for a well-fitting bra that led Kylie Gibbard of Emkay Girl to design her own. Kylie wanted a bra that provided support, was comfortable all day, wouldn’t rub or chaff, and with shoulder straps that didn’t fall off or leave large grooves in her shoulders — especially after a busy day on the farm.

Three prototypes later, Kylie had a bra she could wear comfortably all day.

us seriously when we said we wanted to make our design and sell them, so we had to start our own factory,” she said.

Kylie and her partner Darrell Stratton soon realised that a large percentage of the female population were suffering the same problems from ill-fitting bras. So the couple decided to have brassieres professionally made and start a business marketing them.

Farm buildings were converted into a sewing factory and other segments of the business operation.

Kylie said it took a further three years of testing fabric, elastics, components and sizing bras to fit all different shaped ladies until they had a final marketable product in a full size range.

“No one within the manufacturing industry in New Zealand would take

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“It has been an amazing experience to take product from idea to market success, and extremely satisfying after all the hard work that has gone into it, to have a brand that we created be recognised by others and asked for by name,” said Kylie.

The couple were dairy farming at the time with several run offs, but in recent years have moved into specialist service bulls and dairy feed cropping. They also run a rural supply transport company.

She also points out that the business has been very much a joint effort between her and Darrell.

The search for a well-fitting bra led Kylie Gibbard to design her own then develop a business manufacturing brassieres and camisoles

Since that initial bra design, Emkay Girl has now been operating for two years and the collection marketed for the past 18 months. The business employs six staff members and manufactures several brassiere styles and camisoles.

Kylie said the expansion of the range

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August 2012

Waikato Farming Lifestyles

Dairying

Hoof Print With Fred Hoekstra

I still come across a lot of people who struggle to believe what I am saying in my articles It seems to be so ingrained in people’s mind that a bruise in the hoof comes from standing on a stone. The scientists and advisors who make that claim have done a good job in telling their story but it just simply isn’t true. There is no evidence to support that claim.

If anything I believe I have disproven it (see my previous articles) yet it is so hard to get people to take it on board.

Why is that? I can only speculate for an answer but I wonder if it just feels safer. I guess if we have a multimillion dollar business, and we experience a high incidence rate of lameness with a high price tag attached to it, then we want to play it safe and do the things that reduce the lameness as quick as possible.

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as you like on the track or in the yard and it wouldn’t make any difference. That would be a dumb thing to say especially when it is quite obvious to see that you do end up with more lame cows when you do that.

So is that enough to prove that pushing and standing on stones causes lameness?

No! If I see a person walking on a gravel road with a bit of a limp then I haven’t got enough information by just looking at this person from a distance to know what makes this person limp. If I conclude that this person is limping because of a very uneven walking surface and so I let this person walk on a tar sealed road, then they will still be limping if an ingrown toe nail is the cause of the problem, even though they may be walking easier on tar seal.

In the same way, a cow with laminitis will walk easier on a well-drained smooth track than on a stony track, but it is still not the track that caused the problem.

It only aggravated a problem that was already there. So why then do we see a big improvement when we upgrade the tracks?

We need to ask this question: is it because of less physical force on the hooves or because of something else?

I believe it is something else because I still don’t see any evidence of trauma

to the foot. A cow needs about 21 hours per day in the paddock for eating, resting, socialising and drinking.

That leaves three hours per day to walk the cows from the paddock to the cow shed, milk them and walk them back again twice a day. So that is only 1.5 hours per milking all up. Most farmers don’t manage that.

If you have rough tracks and you improve them then you also improve the cow flow on the tracks. Cows spend less time on them so there is more time in the paddock which means less stress therefore less laminitis.

I believe that this is of far greater consequence than most of us appreciate and therefore to be a much more important factor than the actual physical force.

COVERED BY N.Z. PATENT APPLICATION No. 591985

Working Smarter with your attachments r All plant and pumps very low kW r Self cleaning screen r Self cleaning ponds r Effluent is clean enough to be pumped into a pivot system if required r Screens out everything bigger than 1 mm

Pluck’s can adapt our ADR 500 and twin pond effluent system to work with your current effluent set ups, keeping your upgrade costs down.

At last: A Travelling Effluent Irrigator… PATENT No. 578084 Covered by:

That:

r Meets even the toughest New Zealand Effluent Enviro Standards r Has the Most Even Rain Cover over wetted width in New Zealand by far r Has a Rain Rate of 5mm or less across total wetted width, not just the centre area. (please see in the independently proved graph) The new irrigator is still backed up by our very tough and well proven drive system, no blockage mast, booms and nozzles.

Applied Depth – Depth 5 4 No 0–5 32 Overlap mm 01

just 5 mm applied depth!

Test 1

Test 2

Test 3

••••

••

•

•

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•• •

• • • •

• •

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• • •

• •

•

–20

–16

–12

–8

–4

0

Distance (m)

4

8

12

16

•

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3 Guarantee 3 Robust 3 Versatile 3 Quality 3 NZ Made 3 Freight Free 3 Dealers NZ Wide

Take your Effluent Pond from crusty to aerobic from this …

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to this …

Log Fork Applications

3 Posts 3 Logs 3 Stumps 3 Tree removal

Rem Grapple Applications

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3 Logs 3 Rocks 3 Root rake

This pond took only 12 weeks to go from crusty and stagnant to aerobic and biologically active.

The EPS Stirrers come in a All the bearings are above the water line and are number of different Hp sizes and all of them fitted with auto greasers that grease for 12 months are very low kW/Hr, starting at .75kW. unattended. www.plucks.co.nz Call us now to find a distributor and installer in your area enquiries@plucks.co.nz Main South Road, Rakaia 7710 0 8 0 0 7 5 8 2 5 7 Mid Canterbury

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with

Waikato Farming Lifestyles August 2012

17

Dairying

Taming the effluent pond — the natural way Effluent — it’s not the most fragrant of subjects, but it’s one which every dairy farmer has to deal with one way or another Traditionally the ‘brown stuff’ has been used in its role as a fertiliser, sprayed back onto pastures to add nutrients to the soil. But in recent years concerns about runoff into waterways, has led to wider adoption of technology such as separators to split the effluent into solid and liquid components.

But a third way now exists — one which combines efficiency with eco-consciousness to provide a soil-enhancing sprayable finished product from wash-down water. It’s not about adding machinery to the effluent pond process, but about enhancing the natural process of waste digestion in the pond itself.

Impact, from Biomagic NZ Ltd, takes the form of an easy-to-apply additive, tipped onto the yard during wash down after initial treatment of the pond itself. Impact turns the content of the pond from slow-acting anaerobic bacteria to the faster-digesting aerobic form… a recipe for efficiency which removes several effluent pond problems.

Dairy EffluEnt 9 Good Reasons to talk to Lindsay and the Team Patented Franchised System (561997-562216-573232)

When the more efficient aerobic bacteria get to work they leave behind less waste minerals, dissolving the ‘crust’ which forms on the top of ponds and the thick sludge which settles to the bottom. No more digging out foul smelling muck with these little dynamos on the job — and that helps the bottom line.

Impact’s aerobic bacteria achieve in six hours what anaerobic bacteria struggle through in 70 days!

If you’d like to see the end of pungent odours, green slime, thick sludge and costly digging out, Impact from Biomagic is just what you need. Effluent solutions have never come up smelling so sweet!

• • • • • • • •

No Storage Ponds required ¼mm coverage per 24hrs Unique “K” Line System K-Lines moved once per 21 days Less effluent to irrigate Fully Automated System Eliminates environmental issues Big saving on man hours

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attention

YARDSCRAPERS From 2m Wide to 4.8m Wide Fixed or Oscillating available FEL or 3pt Linkage fittings From: $2,000 + GST

calf rearers great deals

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E N G I N E E R I N G

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with only monthly doSing & at a gReat low pRiCe

• Solids reduced to as low as 5% of original amount (Dredging or stirring often not necessary) • Almost no pond crusting

Impact is biodegradable and designed to be safe and easy to use.

Please contact us for more information

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• Nutrients are more plant available • Improve your soil and pasture health • Only monthly dosing

Animal Feed Supply Brokers “working for the farmers”

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Book a PKE Contract from June through to September and you will go into a draw to win Two Free Tickets to fly with the ALL BLACKS to Argentina for 8 days including the Test aboard the ‘Crazy About Rugby Black 777-300’ Aircraft plus much more. Check our website for details.

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August 2012

Waikato Farming Lifestyles

Dairying

Notes from the shed with Mark McKewen

When it’s all said and done the machine is only as good as the sum of its parts and how well it is maintained.

If you treat your Milking Machine like any other piece of complex equipment, like your tractor, it will run properly and give few problems.

If you are inclined not to maintain your Milking Machine?

Well, don’t be surprised when it costs expensive callouts, seriously.

So get your gear serviced regularly... don’t hesitate, call your local Milfos Service Partner (or other), book in the Machine Test (and remember this is a test, NOT a service) and YES, definitely book in a SERVICE!

fix what they can and lube all the important parts.

If you really want to be on to it, and take the worry out of getting the timing right yourself, get an iCARE Scheduled Maintenance programme to suit your farm through your Milfos Service Partner. This will look after your machine right down to filters and inflations.

Well, this is the last time I am writing these notes for you, I am heading off for pastures new and you will have a new Milfos face on this page, penning the notes from now on.

What your Service Partner will Thank you for your custom and do is replace the worn out stuff, all the best for the future.

Woolover Calf Covers are a natural thermal protector

• Easily fitted in seconds • No flapping or chafing • Keeps body heat up • Improves weightgains • Generates and retains heat when damp • Ensures quickdrying wicking moisture away

Available through all leading stock and station agents Contact David Brown

03 354 4123 027 434 1606 website: www.woolover.co.nz

Waikato Farming Lifestyles August 2012

19

Waikato CLASSIFIEDS Reach 30,000 Rural Homes • Phone 0800 466 793 Services

Rural Supplies

COMPLETE ENGINEERING & Hydraulics. We can manufacture your rams for your project of any size & any number. Call for a free quote on 07 8471514 or contact Craig on craig@completehydrulics.co.nz.

CONCRETE TANK Specialist. Water, effluent, septic tanks. Price quoted, delivered to site. Buy Direct.

Phone 0800 487 633.

FREE SOCKS WITH YOUR WEBSITE ORDER THIS MONTH!! Novaflo, Buteline, Tanks, Pipes, Valves, Bathroomware. PLUMBING SOLUTIONS online. Value for money, Saving you Time. Visit www.nzplumbingsupplies.co.nz or Phone 0800 428 376

FARM BRIDGES Phone Pat now 0800 222 189, Bridge It NZ Ltd. Visit www.bridgeitnz.co.nz.

FURNITURE MOVING Around NZ or around the world. Single items or house lots. Pro Packing, moving, insurance. Via trucks, containers, shared loads. Ph 0800 496 753 www.worldmoving.co.nz.

“Experience & Advice You Can Trust”.

STOLEN QUAD-BIKES? — You won’t find any listed here, but you can pre-empt this kind of thing happening and protect your fuel too. Visit www.parabeam.co.nz or call 0508 727 223 for more information.

Animal Feed Supplies MILKPOWDER MADNESS. Buy a tonne of calf milkpowder and receive one FREE 20kg multi mineral salt block. Visit www.mirofeeds.co.nz.

YOU CAN have your hydraulic rams resealed & repaired at Complete Engineering & Hydraulics, with no stress and in a time frame that suits you call now and book them in on 07 847 1514.

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Pickup & delivery service available. Phone Steve 829 3431 Hamilton.

If you are reading this then so are your Waikato customers Farming Lifestyles

Sales Representative Are you a proven sales hunter?

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Does the idea of uncapped commission get you excited?

NorthSouth Multi Media is looking for an enthusiastic sales rep to join the team. Your role will involve introducing businesses throughout the Waikato to the benefits of advertising in our publications.

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Australian-made Hydraulic Woodsplitters Setting new standards in Safety, Design and Performance Call for a Free Brochure or DVD

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20

August 2012

Waikato Farming Lifestyles

There’s our quality, reliable MM4 4-stroke range featuring easy start, no messy fuel mixing, reduced fuel consumption, emissions and noise and spanning brushcutters, trimmers, blowers, sprayers, pumps, concrete cutters and post hole borers. We also have a great range of 2-stroke brushcutters, blower vacuums and hedge trimmers.

There’s our exciting new MM4 4-stroke split shaft multi-function power head with a choice of attachments - trimmers, a pole hedge trimmer, pole saw and a cultivator.

We have 4-stroke and 36V lawnmowers, domestic to high end, heavy duty professional water blasters and your choice of sixteen 2-stroke petrol chainsaws from lighter work 22cc 10" bar to heavy duty 90cc 29" bar models.

And when all else fails, there’s our 4-stroke petrol generators 2,400W or 3,200W with recoil start or 6,000W recoil/electric start for any standby situation, remote location or blackout.

pictured From top leFt: HW151 150 bar HigH pressure WasHer, ux361dz 36v multi-Function Head WitH Hedge trimmer attacHment *, ebH341u 33.5cc 4-stroke petrol brusH cutter, ex2650lH 4-stroke WitH cultivator attacHment *, bHx2500 4-stroke bloWer, dcs4630 45.66cc 18” cHainsaW, plm5116p 20” petrol laWnmoWer, eg322a 4 stroke generator - 3,200W (also comes in 2,400 and 6,000W). *attachments come separately to multi-function head.

242 Peachgrove Rd Hamilton 07 855 7100