Waikato Farming Lifestyles, January 2020

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January 2020 Edition

Honey makes a home

Commitment brings reward

Children deserve necessities

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January 2020

WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES

Wire art competition open

Integrity community media

The annual call is out to turn an iconic farming product into art with kiwi ‘number eight wire ingenuity’ with entries now open for the Fieldays No 8 Wire National Art Award, with nearly $10,000 in prize money on offer.

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

Phone: 0800 466 793 Email: info@integrity.nz General Manager: Deb Wright | deb.wright@integrity.nz | 021 639 696 Editorial: Ann van Engelen, Paul Campbell, Andy Bryenton Advertising: Teresa Steed, Leanne Anania Accounts: accounts@integrity.nz Distribution: Laurie Willetts Website: www.farminglifestyles.co.nz

Distribution details Print run 24,983. DELIVERED FREE to every rural delivery address in Waikato and King Country.

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Waikato artist Gaye Jurisich, last year’s winner of the Fieldays No 8 Wire National Art Award with her work Snare

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The annual award, hosted by Waikato Museum, partnered by Farmlands, and supported by the New Zealand National Fieldays Society, challenges artists to create artworks made from agricultural products, predominantly number eight wire.

“The award exhibition, now in its 24th year, embodies New Zealand’s rural heritage and culture, and entries should take that into consideration,” says Waikato Museum director Cherie Meecham.

“Number eight wire is a tough, practical material, and we have had some really creative winning works during the years that have exploited its properties with amazing sculptural effects.”

The New Zealand National Fieldays Society president James Allen says the organisation is proud to support an award that reflects the entrepreneurial spirit and Kiwi ingenuity of the New Zealand agricultural sector.

Nick Baylis, director of Marketing at Farmlands, says the competition embodies the Kiwi values that

Over the cattle stop feature What’s happening over the cattle stop? As any farmer knows, the answer is — ‘everything!’ — as you can see in our light-hearted front page cartoon. This January the Waikato Farming Lifestyles is a little different, as we’ve matched all of the

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The aim of the game is to match the numbers next to each little image of Kiwi farm life to the businesses who exemplify them.

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Farmlands was founded on. “It is a unique challenge that demonstrates how creativity and fresh thinking can reinvent the way we use and think about functional, every-day farm products.”

The finalists are selected by viewing photos of the work and artists’ statements on a digital judging platform, with the entrants’ identities kept confidential. The winner receives $7,000, with prizes of $1,000 and $500 for the second and third placegetters respectively and further prizes awarded for People’s choice and President’s choice.

Entries close 1pm, Friday, March 13 and finalists will be notified the week of March 23. Winners will be announced at the award ceremony on Thursday, April 23 at 5.30pm and the award culminates in a month-long exhibition at Hamilton’s ArtsPost Galleries and Shop, from Friday, April 24 until Monday, 25 May 2020.

To read the competition criteria and access the entry form, go to waikatomuseum.co.nz/no8wire.

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WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES January 2020

Restricted fire season

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RURAL SECURITY CAMERA INSTALLATIONS

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has declared a restricted fire season, effective from January 13 2020 for the entire Waikato district at the time Waikato Farming Lifestyles went to print.

To check if this relates to your area and to apply for a fire permit visit checkitsalright.nz/, visit the Fire and Emergency New Zealand website, email firepermit.enquiries@fireandemergency. nz or phone 0800 658 628.

There are three fire seasons — open, restricted and prohibited. The selection and dates of the fire seasons vary depending on the conditions, and are the responsibility of the Principal Rural Fire Officer.

During the restricted fire season, a fire permit is required to light any fire in the open air. The exemptions are barbecues, traditional cooking fires, braziers and outdoor gas heaters.

Responsibilities when lighting a fire include checking if you need a fire permit before lighting a fire. Make sure the weather conditions are suitable for lighting a fire. A strong breeze can carry sparks for a considerable distance, and you must ensure the intended fire location is adequately separated from other surrounding combustible materials. Don’t think that only bonedry ‘brown’ vegetation will burn.

Never leave fires unattended because a change in wind direction or other unexpected behaviour can occur quickly.

Fires should not be ignited or have a naked flame visible during the hours of darkness.

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Make sure there is sufficient access for firefighting vehicles. Access tracks around your property need to be maintained so that a fire appliance can get into your property within a timely manner.

Special attention is required for areas where peat soils exist as these fires can spread undetected and can be extremely difficult to control. The open season is the best time to carry out safe burns reducing the need for fires during summer. It is the responsibility of the person lighting the fire to ensure

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To report a dangerous fire you are aware of dial 111.

For information about the fire season status throughout the country visit checkitsalright.nz.

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January 2020 WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES

Honey makes a home

Rory and Hannah O’Brien began their rapidly expanding Hunt and Gather Bee Co as a result of changing from the dairy industry to do something different.

by Ann van Engelen

“W

e started out dairy farming but couldn’t see much of a future in it, so Rory applied for a job working with bees, and enjoyed the change and we have never looked back,” says Hannah.

“The original job was in Queenstown, and he loved it from the start, so we sold our house, bought some hives and started our own operation on a smaller scale. We moved from Cromwell to Coromandel where Rory had secured a new beekeeping job, and we had a baby on the way.”

It wasn’t until they relocated to Raglan that they focussed more on their own brand, which has become very successful. “We now have more than 200 hives and sell our honey

at various Hamilton, Cambridge, and Raglan farmers’ markets, retail stores and we also make beeswax food wraps.

This summer, we introduced a half-day beekeeping experience where people learn about the hives, put on a bee suit and work first-hand with bees.”

Starting out wasn’t short of hurdles with Hannah discovering she is severely allergic to bee stings when she is pregnant.

“I had a severe reaction to a sting and the nurses told me to ‘stay away from bees’, but we had just bought 24 hives. I was never going to do the fieldwork anyway but focus on the sales distribution and marketing. A bee never stings for no reason. It is, generally, because you have hurt it by standing on

The O’Briens are careful to manage their hives to allow for maximum health of their bees

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WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES January 2020

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Having the hives in various locations gives the family a wider variety of honey flavours it or touching it. This is our fifth summer.

The first two seasons had unusual weather, and we had budgeted on the honey averages of other bee companies, but we got quite a bit less. It taught us to budget on the worst-case scenario and then we had two really good seasons.

“We love that honey is a sustainable industry, and the bees are doing good things, you are not really taking anything from the land.

“We cold process our honey so it still has a lot of nutritional value. We use glass jars as we are keen to stay away from plastic and only use wooden frames. This season we are selling honeycomb as well. We take a whole comb from the hive and cut it to size.

It is a culinary experience older people remember it as children and constantly ask for.

“Our hives are on other people’s land.

Half are in the Coromandel and half are around Raglan as a safeguard if a season is bad on one coast the other may be fine. This year Raglan was super

windy and didn’t perform that well — but the Coromandel did great. It also provides other varieties of honey as well.

“At times, volunteers help to harvest the honey. They are usually people interested in beekeeping that come and stay with us to gain experience. We had about 20 people visit in the past year. One man comes for his holidays from overseas as he enjoys being busy and learning.”

The honey is taken to be extracted and packaged in Katikati and distributed by the O’Briens.

“Our packing runs are a few thousand jars at a time. For anyone wanting to get into the honey industry, look at the setup costs, triple them and don’t expect to make a lot of money for a couple of years. If you don’t really love it, then it will feel like you aren’t getting much reward. If you do really love it, stick at it.”

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The O’Briens are careful to manage their hives to allow for maximum health of their bees Rural Woman NZ Business Awards and runner-up for the best honey in the New Zealand Farmers’ Market Awards.

“The key to good honey is bees that are well cared for, happy and have everything they need. Make sure through the spring they have plenty of food available so when honey season starts they are strong, and the queens can lay well.

“Manage against the varroa mite to avoid getting the disease in the hives and during summer, make sure they have plenty of room to store the honey.

Keeping it small scale is helpful as you can get around them easier.

“Bees are a cool type of livestock to work with. They generally stick to themselves and are easy going most of the time. The tourism idea helps us diversify the business. We enjoyed dairy farming but moving to beekeeping was a good choice as it is still agriculture, seasonal and working together. It is just a different type of animal and industry.

The returns are not as good as dairy farming but it has been a good family lifestyle change.”

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January 2020

WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES

Commitment brings reward

by Ann van Engelen

Life Member of the NZ Dog Trial Association, Merv Cameron, was born at Invercargill and in 1952 moved to a small dairy farm in Kaitaia until leaving at 15 years old when he was offered casual work.

“I

did farm work, fencing, forestry and other jobs until the late 1980s when I took a job at the new, to-be-built Juken Triboard Mill and stayed there for 31 years,” says Merv.

“I always had an interest in working dogs and was a foundation member of the Mangonui Sheepdog club.

“My first dog was Cap, and he was a very capable animal, and I now realise he knew more than me.

“I trained him from a youngster, and he gave his best and rarely failed to complete the event. It got me hooked on trialling.”

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Merv has owned many dogs in the past 61 years, mainly Heading dogs as he didn’t have the right type of work for Huntaways.

“I only have 1.7 hectares, and for 40-years, I used a treadmill to exercise the dogs, and they loved it. Three at a time would jump on and stay on at a fast walk for an hour at a time. That kept them fit for the hill trials, which I always competed well in and was fairly successful. I had wins at every trial in Northland and gained placings in many New Zealand Championship finals, which have been very satisfying.

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Merv Cameron with his dog Grace and pups, Honey and Rose

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“I breed most of my dogs and either sell pups or train them to sell on. I know of at least 12 dogs that I bred competing for other trialists. I have also exported dogs to Sweden. One dog, Midge, was runner-up in the Swedish Championships some years ago. Others went to work on farms including with reindeer successfully.

“Although I am now retired, I still have nine dogs — five, which I trial with two older retired dogs and two pups. I will possibly be selling three to be able to keep raising young ones.

“When the club was formed at Kaitaia, I was part of the team, and in 1959 we became a standard trial at Victoria Valley. I didn’t have a dog but helped with the chores, and that was when I was given Cap, who was a young dog.

He scored my first open win in either 1960 or 1961.

“I also reluctantly agreed to take over, as after the first year and fifty-nine years later was still the club secretary. We removed an old shed that was gifted to the club, and we rebuilt it on skids. It became our clubhouse for many years until it was falling to bits, but with not much money to play with I decided to raffle a five-month-old heading dog I had bred. We made up books of 10 tickets at $2 each and sent some to every club across the country, and as a result, our club made $4,000.

“Kaitaia Hospital had some corrugated iron advertised, and I was successful in buying it. My brother and I had poles and timber, and with voluntary labour, we built a new clubhouse, which still stands beside number one highway

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Merv has been involved with breeding and competing in sheep dog trials for more than 60 years

today albeit as a farm shed. As our club is the most northern in New Zealand, we always aimed to have workable sheep so competitors would come back and I feel we have certainly achieved this.

Most years, I have sold a dog or pups to help the club survive financially. One year my dog Harry ran at Tux Kaitaia at eight and a half months and scored 94 points.

“He was immediately auctioned off for $3,200 to Neville Child and has gone on to win two NZ titles. Six years ago we bought calves, which we raised to rising two-year-olds to raise funds for the club as well.

“I have been at most levels of the NZ Dog Trial network, was Northland president for 10 years and on the NZ council. Helping younger people has 2

always been a priority, and it is amazing to see so many ladies joining the sport, they are quick learners.

“I have done my very best in helping young judges across the country and wrote a Judges’ Guideline booklet and have received a NZ Dog Trials Lifetime Membership, which I was not expecting.

Age is catching up with me, and although the spirit is still there, it is time to sit back and keep a dog to run when I feel like it and not be too involved in running trials.

“I have been very fortunate that my wife Gail and daughter Carey have given me their wholesome support all these years and allowed me to follow my dream. We have made many friends throughout New Zealand, and that is something that we will always treasure.”

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January 2020

WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES

Children deserve necessities

BY ANN VAN ENGELEN

Julie Chapman formed KidsCan NZ in 2005 after hearing children across New Zealand were going without the basic necessities of life such as food and rain jackets to get to school.

“P

eople were telling me that due to the cost of living many families were going without food and children didn’t have jackets to stay warm on wet or cold days,” says Julie.

“These children don’t want to shame the family, so they stay home, which means they miss out on education. I asked 80 low decile schools if they had children lacking the basics of life.”

That included small rural schools, and the results were so high that Julie immediately took action to help.

“In the early days, it was about making sure whatever we did was practical, like introducing food and raincoats because the lack was impacting the children’s ability to learn. They can’t concentrate on an empty stomach or

being cold. From Kaitaia to Invercargill, north to south, east to west, KidsCan NZ now distributes raincoats, food, health and hygiene products and much more to 740 decile one to four schools and preschools.

“Thanks to our distribution partners, we reach deep into rural communities who are also affected. It can be due to seasonal work or families have to travel long distances to shops, and if they have transport issues, it is hard to put food on the table. It is not budgeting badly. It is the reality of how difficult it is on low incomes with high living costs.

“We believe every child deserves to live with dignity, and it is unfair and unjust for them to miss out on the basics of life. Education equals the opportunity to lift themselves out of poverty in the

Schools that are supported by the charity are able to use their school funding for other educational purposes

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WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES January 2020

future and providing food, clothing and shoes enables them to participate and learn.” In 2019 KidsCan NZ provided 30,000 children a day across New Zealand with food.

“We distributed more than five million food items, added 4,000 hot meals in winter, provided 40,000 raincoats, 25,000 pairs of shoes and 50,000 pairs of socks. Our health and hygiene programme provided more than 30,000 feminine hygiene packs.

“The majority of poverty simply comes down to the high cost of living, including housing prices and a low wage economy.

It isn’t bad budgeting — many families are paying 50–60 per cent of their income to keep a roof over their head.

Parents have to decide to pay for power, car registration and petrol to get to work or buy food. It is actually no one’s fault.

They have done nothing wrong — the cost of living is just too high.

“People move to the country for affordable housing. It is often some distance to school and because of transport children are at school at 7.15am.

“They are often tired from waking up early and haven’t had time to eat, let alone get food ready if there is any. Our breakfast programme supplies baked beans and fruit, and the teachers sit the students down to eat and chat before starting their school day.

“We increased our food programme for school camps — so all children have a better chance of attending.

Rural schools have smaller rolls, and we provide whatever it is they need. So they can use their funds for other educational things such as a school trip showing children the outside world. Some older children go to higher decile schools for boarding but are from a low decile area.

Some are born for farm work and thrive

Julie Chapman established KidsCan NZ to help provide basic necessities such as food and rain jackets for children

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// SHADE SAILS // UMBRELLAS // AWNINGS // MESH OR CLEAR OUTDOOR SCREENS Rural children are supported as much as urban students with breakfast often being the start to their school day

on the outdoors, but others are not that personality type but don’t realise what they can aim for career-wise at first.

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“They put the money back into positive experiences and helping encourage the children with options.

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“We have seen and heard many positive outcomes that have happened as a direct result of KidsCan sponsorship. Together we have changed the lives of thousands of children.

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WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES January 2020

Lambing percentages low

6

On average, sheep and beef farmers achieved a lower lambing percentage in spring 2019 than in 2018, according to Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s Lamb Crop 2019 report.

B+LNZ’s Economic Service estimates the number of lambs tailed in spring 2019 decreased by 2.4 per cent or 552,000 head on the previous spring to 22.7 million head. Most of the decline occurred in the South Island.

The lower number of lambs tailed in the South Island is expected to have reduced the number of lambs processed for export in the first quarter of the 2019–20 season, from October to December.

Lambs from ewe hoggets also fell, as fewer ewe hoggets were mated and the number of adult sheep processed is expected to increase 9.2 per cent from 3.4 million head in 2018–19 to 3.7 million head in 2019–20.

The lambing percentage was 127.1 per cent, 1.5 percentage points lower than in spring 2018. That means 127 lambs were born for every hundred ewes, compared with an average of 123 during the prior 10 years. For spring 2019, a one percentage point change in the New Zealand ewe lambing percentage is equivalent to 170,000 lambs.

Andrew Burtt, Chief Economist of B+LNZ’s Economic Service, says that while the record high lambing percentage achieved in spring 2018 was always going to be difficult to match after conditions were favourable overall that year, there were some regional declines that were a little surprising

in spring 2019 and a reminder of the natural systems that farmers have to work with.

“2018’s result was such a fantastic achievement that proved farmers were efficient and doing more with less. It was going to be difficult to set another record. The South Island, and Otago in particular, really struggled in 2019 due to drier conditions leading to lower feed availability.”

Otago recorded an average lambing percentage of 116.6 per cent, a decrease of 5.4 percentage points from 2018, continuing the decline since the 142.3 per cent achieved in 2017. It was also the lowest result since 2010.

There was a strong regional variation in spring 2019, and lamb growth rates were better in the North Island than in the South Island.

“When considering these numbers, we need to keep in mind that not all regions experience the same conditions for weather and pasture growth, and other challenges occur. We shouldn’t expect regions to perform exactly the same.”

Early schedule prices were exceptionally strong, with some regions achieving record-high prices for lambs.

Farmers were under little pressure to send lambs to processing early, but despite the high prices, farmer morale is low as they contemplate the impact

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of proposed government regulations and tighter bank lending conditions.

The tonnage of lamb produced is expected to decrease 4.4 per cent due to a combination of fewer lambs and a slightly lower average carcase weight.

B+LNZ Economic Service’s Lamb Crop survey is drawn from its Sheep and Beef Farm Survey, which covers a statistically representative sample of more than 500 commercial sheep and beef farms.

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WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES

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WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES January 2020

Child author releases second book

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by Ann van Engelen

One year after publishing her first book The Good Baby and the Bad Hippo, Northland’s eight-year-old Madison Macmillan has published her second book The Good Baby and the Hairy Monster.

Madison donates a portion of every book sale to the Northland Rescue Helicopter Service for which she is an ambassador.

“Northland’s Rescue Choppers is one of the busiest air ambulance services in the country.

“My dad works for them, and they work very hard. I donated $750 from the sales of my first book to them last year,” says Madison.

“It is important to teach children to call 111 if anyone has an accident because not all children know how to do this.

“It is very exciting having another book published. This book is about the shadow of a cat. I love writing adventurous stories. The Good Baby is very funny and has many curious adventures and experiences in lots of places. I am now working on my sixth Good Baby story.”

Madison teamed up with Whangarei firefighter and illustrator Adam Anderson for her latest story. It is the first time he has illustrated a book and is now

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working on more stories in the series.

“It has been great fun bringing Madison’s story to life. The Good Baby character has a unique view of the world. She is the product of an eightyear-old’s unconstrained imagination,” says Adam.

“The good baby is a great character to draw because it is no big deal that she lives in a cave but owns a steampunk telescope.

“That is just how it is, and kids love that. The best kid’s stories have the least rules.”

To order the books email steve. macmillan@northpower.com.

If you would like to win one of two sets of The Good Baby books, find the five icons representing rescue helicopters around the country. Email the page numbers and publication name with your name and phone number to competition@integrity.nz.

Employees of Integrity Community Media and their immediate family members are ineligible to enter. Judge’s decision is final.

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Eight-year-old author Madison Macmillan with her second published book The Good Baby and the Hairy Monster

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January 2020

WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES

End of the road for Commodore

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We grew up together, went to school together, ended up being flatmates for a while in those university days; no surprise, as we both came into this world in 1978. That’s where the similarities between this writer and the Holden Commodore end, however. Nevertheless, I’m only one of the millions who are sad to see it disappear.

Holden’s flagship sedan hit the roads as the oil crisis gave way to the decade of excess. However, it was lighter and therefore more economical than its rivals, or its HQ predecessor.

New blue series engines came in with the upgrade to the VC Commodore in 1980, with the SS badge returning the year after, and the third-generation VH seeing the debut of Peter Brock’s HDT group one, two and three highperformance packages.

Through to the VK and VL generations, motor racing legends were built and consolidated. Many a V8 Commodore was adorned with the stickers and paint jobs of racing icons from the tarmac of Bathurst.

Commodores took many of us to school and many more on holiday. Big Commodore wagons were the family hauliers of the day, before the advent of the SUV and the people mover.

The shape of the distinctive VR and VS car’s noses, especially in white, can still cause a pang of worry in drivers of a certain age, who have developed pattern recognition in their brains that identifies them as traffic cops. It all came to an end with the launch of the ZB Commodore just a couple of years

10

ago, with construction moving away from Australia.

Now comes the news that the Commodore badge is history, with Holden confirming that both their big sedan and the Astra will be discontinued in 2020.

That will leave Holden in a position akin to Nissan, with nothing on offer but SUVs and utes, barring hardcore sports cars. For Holden, this will mean the powerful new mid-engined Corvette.

Arch-rivals Ford, who axed the Falcon

badge two years ago, has moved into a different position.

With a strong showing for their Fiesta compact, Focus hatch and Focus RS hot hatch, Mustang front-engined sports car and Mondeo sedan and wagon combo.

Is the sedan really dead and gone, considering the continuing popularity of powerful European four doors? Only time will tell.

Time will be on the side of Commodore collectors, who now own a piece of history.

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WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES January 2020

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OPINION

We were once proud farmers

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2

THE SHORT DROP LIMITED

by Mark Cameron

The rural sector in New Zealand is in crisis. Our way of life on the land is now being emotionally and fiscally evaporated and expunged, eroding away in the face of a pontificating political machine that is bloated on grandstanding.

In the rural sector, I see palpable despair at a frequency that I believe this country has never seen before.

It has become abundantly clear that there is a real feeling of loss, frustration, fear, sadness and looming capitulation.

Farmers that routinely had high esteem now, all too often, walk around with their heads below their belt buckles, disillusioned, their pride once held true and dear slipping away — all too often to emotional oblivion.

Front and centre in all of this is the dire nature of the government and bureaucratic machinations of industry leaders and their overreaching interference into rural lives.

The levels that we see out of this current government and its proposals feel emotionally cataclysmic.

There are ideological pipe dreams to mitigate global warming with no practical or pragmatic solutions to offer, other than to add monumental compliance costs and create a palpable fear of ‘what’s coming next’.

Farming is being left at impossible fiscal and emotional levels. The bureaucratic machine keeps turning, and farmers’ lives are irreversibly changed to a point they leave the land or at worst case, take their own lives.

Moreover, what of the banks?

They increasingly have turned their backs and retrenched their faith in an industry they once lauded as front and centre to the nation’s economic health. That once inspirational attitude is now a metaphorical malignancy.

Where are our industry leaders in all of this? They seem to have deserted their posts and their very shareholders in lieu of cosying up to politicians to get their next caffeine fix at yet another expensive meeting.

The more I shy away from this truth, the more I’m brought back to earth by the court of public opinion — rural families.

We must have a front and centre dialogue with those on high about the truth of where rural New Zealand sits in the overall New Zealand scheme of things, to find a way forward in this mire of confusion and despair.

To look and seek out what once was and hold it again dear to our hearts. Rediscover our appetite to succeed; our drive and ambition, our self-belief, and a resurgence of rural pride.

The time for that is right now!

Mark Cameron is an industry activist leader who farms in Kaipara District.

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Australian bushfire support

The Ministry for Primary Industries is continuing to stay connected to federal authorities in Australia as devastating bushfires affect parts of the country.

“MPI is using an existing transTasman forum for discussions on the agricultural impact of the fires and the future recovery phase. MPI has offered assistance if needed in the future, and will remain in contact should any support be required,” said Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor.

“It is an extremely challenging and distressing time for our friends in Australia. I know that our agricultural sector, and all New Zealanders, care deeply and are concerned for their wellbeing. MPI has also been in contact with stakeholders in New Zealand, and has made them aware we are offering Australia our full support.”

The full extent of stock losses is not yet known, agriculture market analyst company Mercardo established close to 2.3 million cattle, and 8.6 million head of sheep were in the affected areas. These figures make up around nine per cent of the national cattle herd and 12 per cent of the sheep flock. The National Farmers Federation estimates thousands of cattle and sheep perished in the bushfires.

Fires also wiped out entire crops, and downed power lines are affecting milk production. With vast areas of grazing land burnt, some farmers have resorted to shooting surviving stock to avoid their animals dying of starvation.

To avoid potential biosecurity hazards,

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the Australian Defence Force has been called on to bury stock in mass graves.

Westpac has calculated the bushfire crisis costing Australia up to $5 billion in direct losses. It will cut between 0.2–0.5 per cent from the country’s economic growth.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said assistance is being provided to communities under the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency

Management David Littleproud said supporting farmers and small businesses was a priority.

“It will help life in these communities return to normal even sooner. Funds could go into bridge and road repairs, so people working in these areas can get back to business. It will also pay part of the costs of fighting the fires and the clean-up afterwards. We will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with these communities and provide further assistance as it is needed.”

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WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES January 2020

Tax hit unfair

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Federated Farmers is seeking ministerial support for a change to tax legislation, so farmers whose breeding stock are culled as part of the Mycoplasma bovis eradication effort are not disadvantaged by the tax regime.

“Currently, farmers whose dairy or beef breeding cows are valued on their books under the National Standard Cost scheme and whose cattle are culled as part of the Mycoplasma bovis response will most likely end up with a hefty tax bill.

“That is not a fair outcome for affected farmers, and we believe it’s an unintended consequence of the tax legislation,” says Federated Farmers economics spokesperson Andrew Hoggard.

“Farmers owning cows culled under a Notice of Direction from MPI will be liable for tax on the difference between the total proceeds received (slaughter returns plus top-up compensation) and their book value. For farmers on the Herd Scheme, there should be no significant tax issues.

“Farmers valuing their cows on the National Standard Cost Scheme the difference between total returns each animal and their book value can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars. They cannot offset this taxable income by writing the value of the replacement cows back down to the value of the cows they replaced in their books.

“One solution would be to allow farmers to write them down to the same values as the animals they replaced. Thereby, restoring the livestock values to where they would have been, had the forced cull not occurred.

“What we are requesting is not about reducing a farmer’s taxable income as any farmers who do not replace their animals will not get tax relief and those who do replace them would claw back what they paid during the next few years.

“It’s about preventing an unexpected tax windfall for the government.

“The provisions Federated Farmers is seeking work on similar principles to the tax relief provided for owners of buildings destroyed in the Christchurch and Hurunui Kaikoura earthquakes. Federated Farmers has asked that the Minister of Revenue also consider whether these changes should apply to any events where animals are culled as part of a future biosecurity event as well as Mycoplasma bovis, so in the unlikely event of a future event this solution has been provided for.”

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January 2020 WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES

Global cars of the year

by Andy Bryenton

There’s been a worldwide trend towards the sensible and forward-thinking in the annual ‘car of the year’ sweepstakes. In a year notable for the nativity of some big horsepower and sporty new generations of classics past, the winners have universally been of a different stripe.

Take the winner of our own Kiwi Car of the Year, as chosen in December 2019. In a field, which included some major players, including the much-feted Toyota Supra, the winner was Ford’s all-new Focus hatchback — a car well within the grasp of the average motorist.

When this latest model of the Focus was launched, Ford was enthusiastic about its combination of economy, performance and safety, and Ford’s spokespeople followed through when it was shortlisted, saying: “This all-new generation has the best combination of the well-renowned Focus character, performance all with the latest technology throughout. Being a Top Ten COTY Finalist is further recognition that our Ford engineers and designers in Europe aced it!”

In North America, it was a similar story. Ford had reason to anticipate a win there too, with their Mustang continuing to dominate and a Shelby 500 sports model crushing the competition. Chevrolet’s new corvette, the first to mount its engine amidships like a supercar, has also been called ‘sublime’. The winner was the allelectric Hyundai Kona, a small SUV that runs on batteries and originates from South Korea. Finally, the last bastion of

2

horsepower and bombast should surely have been Europe, where the annual Top Gear top ten is awaited with trepidation by the makers of supercars. Their choice, in a list that included offerings

by Bugatti and Lamborghini to name but a couple, was another all-electric car.

In this case, the deservingly victorious Porsche Taycan.

The name comes from Turkish and means a ‘spirited young horse’, but the Taycan is as far from a horse and cart as one can get in terms of modern tech. It’s been touted as ‘the best way to embarrass a Tesla driver’ with its blistering acceleration. Porsche’s styling department has, for once, hit the nail on the head with a design that

echoes the classic 911 while still being original. Three signs, then, of a changing landscape in auto appreciation.

There’s certainly more surprises in store for 2020, as the advent of a new decade is sure to make carmakers look ahead with some truly out of the box concepts for this year’s motor shows.

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WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES January 2020

Responsible Dairying awards open

19

The search is on for the nation’s top dairy farmers who demonstrate leadership in their approach to sustainable dairying.

The Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award, introduced by the New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards, recognises dairy farmers who are respected by their farming peers and community for their attitude and role in sustainable dairying. Nominees must demonstrate a high calibre of performance and leadership in the areas of responsible and sustainable care of people, animals, ecosystems and communities.

“It is important to showcase the good work farmers are doing within the industry as it does not always get the exposure it deserves,” said New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards general manager Robin Congdon.

“We have excellent, experienced dairy farmers creating and working on wonderful projects that have a positive effect on the environment. We want to hear about the people who are farming responsibly, both environmentally and socially, and showcasing excellence on a daily basis. It is a chance for people to nominate their neighbour, their employer or someone in their community.

“This award gives us the opportunity to recognise farmers that have progressed to ownership, demonstrate leadership in their farming practices and are a role model for our younger farmers coming through.”

Taranaki farmers Damian and Jane Roper won the 2019 Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award, receiving the John Wilson Memorial Trophy. At the time of judging, the couple were milking

Taranaki farmers Damian and Jane Roper won the 2019 Fonterra Responsible Dairying Award

425 cows on their 200ha (148ha dairy platform) property and running 150 ewes to produce lambs for the summer market. The Ropers restored bush on their farm to its former natural state and also created a lake where they monitor water quality. A range of native trees, planted on artificial islands, which were

added to the two-hectare lake, attract birds to the area. Judges described the Ropers as passionate, enthusiastic and energetic with an ability to motivate those around them.

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Nominations for the award close on Friday, March 20.

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January 2020

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WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES

Country Craftsmanship New Pukekura show home opening 22 February

Artist impression only.

Pukekura show home. Visit urban.co.nz for details.

Building Rural Excellence Step across the threshold of the latest masterpiece by National awardwinning master builders, Urban Homes. Pukekura, the latest show home offering from Waikato’s most awarded master builder, epitomises country craftsmanship and showcases the company’s passion for perfection.

Designed for rural living, this expansive home ensues modern comfort in a rustic country style and has been built with the growing family in mind.

The modular design, enhanced with timber features, gloss brick interior

and copper amenities, incorporates iconic features that pay homage to this masterpiece’s rural setting.

Rustic country living meets high end design in this show stopping Cambridge home, crafted by none other than the 2019 National Show Home Award winner, Urban Homes.

Experience rural excellence. Visit urban.co.nz for more information.

Meeting Lifestyle and Budget At Urban Homes, we believe your home should suit your lifestyle and budget, and that begins with the right floor plan. Our range of great value predesigned plans can be tailored to your requirements and designed to match your specifications. See some examples below or view our website for an extensive range of floor plans.

Karapiro168

4

2

2

2

$319,855*

Wairere215

4

2

2

2

$367,477*

Richmond233

4

2

2

2

$396,885*

Parkview253

4

2

2

2

$453,935 *

* Urban Classic specification: rural services additional costs, cartage fees may apply.

Waikato’s Most Awarded Master Builder 0800 MY URBAN | sales@urban.co.nz | urban.co.nz