Waikato Farming Lifestyles, January 2022

January 2022 Edition

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JANuARY 2022

WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES

Welcome to a prosperous 2022 Sonnie Teesdale is the Waikato Farming Lifestyles’ advertising coordinator, ensuring that a wide range of rural businesses reaches our readership all across the region each month.

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: Sonnie Teesdale 027 525 8223 Accounts: accounts@integrity.nz Distribution: Laurie Willetts Website: www.farminglifestyles.co.nz

Distribution details Print run 20,766. DELIVERED FREE to every rural delivery address in Waikato and King Country.

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“Welcome to a year of new possibilities and new stories from the rural heartland of New Zealand,” says Sonnie, who is back into the business of promoting local enterprise and entrepreneurship after a well-deserved Christmas break.

“It is a year of opportunities for all of us. I’d like to invite any of our readers who stand beside our local farmers, with innovations, technology and support, to reach out to us and, through this publication, to our massive Waikato readership.

“We have big plans for 2022, and we are sure you do too. Let’s take the opportunity to work together and get your message out to the community.

“At the same time, if you know of successes to be celebrated and individuals with a tale to tell, we’d also love to tell your stories in print. Know of a local farming legend or good sort? We’d love to talk to them and you.

“If you know you should get your name out there, we can help get your message across. Print media remains the most trusted way to source information that’s important to the farming sector, and our aim is to help your business grow.

“If you’re innovating, expanding, succeeding or doing something special, we should talk and make a plan to let the Waikato farming community know about it!”

Over the cattle stop feature What’s happening over the cattle stop? Our front cover this month is a holiday colouring page as well as a ‘match the numbers’ map to modern Kiwi farming.

Show us what you can do with your coloured pencils and pens, bringing

some colour to our cartoon farm. Then scan or snap your finished picture, add a selfie of you holding it up, and email it to info@integrity.nz.

We’ll publish the winner in our next edition, so get creative and you could be in print!

Over the cattle stop map key 1 2 3 4 5 6

All about Building All about Farming All about Vehicles and Machinery Education & Training Fashion, Health & Beauty Fishing, Hunting & Outdoors

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Forestry Horticultural & Orchardists Interior & Exterior Leisure, Travel & Accommodation Professional Services

WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES

The importance of wetlands

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January 2022

With World Wetlands Day occurring on February 2, it is a good time to reflect on the benefits that wetlands provide.

“Wetlands are like giant kidneys, protecting the health of waterways by helping to dilute and filter harmful material,” says Waikato Regional Council sustainable agriculture adviser Bala Tikkisetty.

“Wetlands once covered large areas of the country. Now they are some of our rarest and most at-risk ecosystems. They contain a diverse range of plants and animals and are home to many rare and threatened species that are remnants of the original biodiversity of the area.”

Wetland is a generic term for the wet margins of lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, estuaries, lagoons, bogs and swamps.

“It is estimated that about 90 per cent of New Zealand’s wetlands have been drained over time, with wetlands now occupying only about two per cent of the country’s total land area. This is one of the largest wetland losses anywhere in the world.

“Natural wetlands have been appropriately termed the kidneys of the landscape because of their ability to store, assimilate and transform contaminants lost from the land before they reach waterways.

“One of the practices for reducing the effects of intensive agriculture is to strategically incorporate wetlands into farming systems. Sometimes it may be as simple as fencing out existing wet areas, or it might involve creating one with a low bank.

“Many farms have low-lying and wet areas that can be managed as small wetlands with minimal impact on farm production, but potentially major benefits for water quality and biodiversity.

Bala Tikkisetty — Waikato Regional Council sustainable agriculture adviser

“Nitrogen, phosphorus, sediment and pathogens enter waterways through groundwater and surface run-off.

Wetland vegetation uses these nutrients for growth.

“Research indicates that wetlands remove up to 90 per cent of nitrates from groundwater through a process called denitrification. Plants trap sediment suspended in water, improving water quality. In riparian areas, their roots hold a stream bank together, reducing erosion.

“Nutrient loss from farms is greatest when the volume and speed of run-off water is greatest, either through surface run-off or through the soil profile. Slowing down and controlling water movements across farmland is a critical factor in reducing nutrient loss into waterways.

“A series of small, shallow sediment traps or sediment retention dams can be constructed throughout the catchment to take some of the energy out of the water.

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If these are managed to remain wet for most of the year, they will replace those kidney-like functions and enhance the farm’s environmental outcomes.

“Wetlands also regulate the flow of water by soaking up excess floodwater and slowly releasing it to maintain summer flows or recharge groundwater.”

Waikato Regional Council can offer free advice to landowners on managing wetlands, including fencing, planting and weed control.

“It is important to check the rules and regulations and to seek good quality advice to ensure our wetlands are properly cared for as complex, delicate ecosystems in a productive agricultural landscape.

“Before undertaking any excavation work, always check with your local council on regulations regarding earthworks in and around natural waterways and wetlands.”

To read the Farmer’s Guide to Environmental Rules go to waikatoregion. govt.nz/for-farmers.

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JANuARY 2022

WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES

CREATING THEIR

DREAMS

BY ANN VAN ENGELEN

Amanda Wilson and Tim Sloss have turned their three-year-old son Cooper’s desire to dress like his dad on the farm into a reality.

“I

grew up in Southland on a sheep and deer farm that was in my family for 64 years. Tim grew up on a North Canterbury sheep farm,” says Amanda.

“When I met Tim, he was dairy farming, and we later decided to go contract milking. We have 800 dairy cows and also lease a sheep farm running 2,000 stock units, some of which are calves we are rearing and the rest being sheep.

“Cooper is quite a farm boy and wants to dress like his dad, and I was struggling to find quality clothing for him. He was going up in sizes rapidly, so I decided to make my own as there was nothing really around for children in moleskin pants.

“Then, I thought other children may like to dress like dad too in moleskins, nice shirts and workwear. I worked alongside a manufacturer on my designs and made a massive plunge for a bulk order.”

Amanda called her range Dusty Shepherd Clothing.

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“There are multiple reasons I came up with Dusty Shepherd. The shepherd is what sheep farmers are called worldwide, and I wanted to represent all farmers in New Zealand. We are farmers caring for the land and animals.

“Dusty to me represents dusty days, dusty yards, hard-working and tired farmers. For youth, it could be the day after a big night and they feel pretty dusty.

“The dog is in my logo because he is your loyal working companion that helps with the day-to-day jobs.

“The clothes are timeless pieces, made to be hard-wearing, using good-quality cotton so you can pass along to other children. Cotton makes the clothes good for both summer and winter.

“Cooper is fair-skinned, and I know he won’t get sunburnt or overheat in his work shirts as the material breathes and the long sleeves protect him.

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Amanda says her designs make working on the farm a whole lot more fun for everyone

“The moleskin pants are unisex and look just like dad’s. They have a hidden elastic to tighten the waist if you need and they look tidy for special occasions.

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Cooper and other farming children are enjoying being able to dress like their mum or dad on-farm

“The girl’s shirt turned out really pretty, and I loved it so much I made one for myself. I used a gingham print for girl’s shirts and dresses as it is timeless. They are really popular.

“I found beautiful colours for my classic rugby jersey. Made from 100 per cent cotton, they have the classic white collar and rubber buttons. I added an Italian leather belt with a solid brass buckle for children to create the finishing touch to their outfit.

“I think my range makes the day on the farm that much more fun. I had the help of two outstanding photographers, Rory Hamilton from HC Photography and Kerri Back Photography. I am so grateful to them as I couldn’t capture my vision as they have.

“My grandad made the shepherd crooks for my photos out of mānuka, and the shepherd’s whistles came from a lady who sells them on behalf of her father.

Cooper is really getting the knack of using his whistle.

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“It is so nice to use so many New Zealand people to help get my idea off the ground. Tim is my main supporter and thinks it is awesome Cooper dresses like dad. Every day Cooper requests to wear his Dusty Shepherd clothing.

“My favourite thing about creating my brand is that the children look so smart in their clothes.

“I have a wee sleepout I work from, and I am so pleased I took the risk. It is still hard as I rely on social media to get it out there because we live rurally. I am always grateful when people share photos of their family in my designs on my Dusty Shepherd Clothing Facebook page.

“My dad taught me everything I know about sheep, and when I was younger, I worked on farms in Australia. Producing a range of hardwearing adaptable clothing for children and adults that love getting out there in all environments adds to my experiences.

“Being in the farming world is the best place to be. I can’t imagine myself being anywhere else.”

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JANuARY 2022

WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES

A COUNTRY THEME

BY ANN VAN ENGELEN

Shane and Angela Wright, along with their son Kieran have established a special area on their property to create a garden of native and older style plants and flowers.

“S

hane was brought up on a farm and ended up being a shepherd for many years, but he always wanted to build,” says Angela.

“We relocated to the Hamilton area around 20 years ago so he could follow his dream. I work for a government department and am lucky to work from home now. As I have a food and gardening interest, Shane built me a room outside the house for my hobby.”

Angela is partial to sweet things and constantly comes up with recipes and ideas.

“I used to make cakes and treats for people, but I never do things in half measure, and it took up too much time, and I had to stop. I now focus on gardening and have managed to get flowers blooming for the last couple of years.

“I discovered dahlias growing last year after purchasing a couple of plants from Palmers Garden Centre. I discovered

there are more types of tubers than I realised and now have a collection of more than 100.

“I had to research how to look after them, and they are flowering well. I think my raised garden has a lot to do with my success as they are free draining. I think some are more susceptible to rot, as I had a couple rot.

“A friend told me they put urea on their dahlias, so I do that fortnightly along with tomato fertiliser, and I stake them well too.”

Angela also grows hydrangeas and Japanese maple trees.

“I love things with colour, that we can look out at them from our deck. We have citrus trees right up our driveway, as well as red plums, guava and Luisa plums. I think Luisa is the best plum you can eat.

“Hydrangeas have many colour choices and are easy to grow. You don’t have to do too much for them to survive. I fertilise and water them and give them a good prune after they bloom.

The country-themed garden also has a many of other older-style flowers such as hydrangea

“Most people think they are old fashioned, but they actually are beautiful.

I love how you can get purples, whites, and pinks now — years ago, they were just blue.

“It is the same with dahlias being an older flower. I used to laugh when we saw people placing umbrellas over them to protect them from wilting, but now I find

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I do similar. If you compete in shows, you need to stop the rain and the heat from wilting them.

“The other reason I grow flowers is because they are so encouraging for people.

I love giving homegrown bouquets to people for birthdays or to cheer them up and bring a little bit of sunshine to their day.

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WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES

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JANuARY 2022

Pruning, watering and fertilising are the key factors Angela believes help encourage a successful garden

“Making up your own arrangement is always fun. I think that is why I started making my own cakes as well. It is so nice being able to design and decorate them for each individual person.

“My secret to a good garden is fertiliser, watering and pruning. You have to be prepared to put the time in and effort with love. In summer, I can spend an hour

out there amongst my plants watering the garden.

“People are often shocked when they walk past our garage and into our garden.

It suddenly hits you, and the amount of bird life is amazing. We have all sorts of birdlife, including tui, grey warbler and rosella.

“We planted cherry blossoms in the middle of my dahlia garden to attract

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more tui. Our son Kieran is into native plants, so we have a lot of native ferns, trees and bonsai. One bonsai is a pine, and one is a Japanese miniature maple that is 40 years old, and we have another from my dad.

“My father was into plants, and it has obviously continued on through Kieran.

He has an incredible amount of house

plants alongside his native garden and grasses with kōwhai, punga, kawakawa and much more.

“Having such a beautiful garden is lovely. You can go outside and sit among the different plants all year round. We have created a beautiful sanctuary and I am looking forward to sharing my tubers with people.”

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JANuARY 2022

WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES

A

CULTURAL JOURNEY

BY ANN VAN ENGELEN Brody Runga grew up in Tūākau township with a truck driver dad originating from Māhia Peninsula, and his mum, who was from a local early settler family.

PART ONE

“W

hen I was a child, I never knew what it was to be Māori,” said Brody.

“My dad was from the generation that didn’t acknowledge their culture as it wasn’t recognised back then, but he was a carver.

“Mum and dad had a mixed-race marriage, and Tūākau in the 1970s was a racially divided town. Dad’s carving was my only cultural identity, and I didn’t know how to find pathways into understanding what being Māori meant.

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“I now live in Whakatīwai on the Firth of Thames. Growing up, it was our family weekend place to come to. In 1986 dad was in a tanker accident and could no longer drive trucks. Then we tragically lost my sister in a car accident in 1988, and my parents moved here to heal in the early 90s.

“When I left school, I went on a colourful journey and worked in many career pathways trying to find who I am in the world. I eventually struggled with addiction and mental health issues and 15 years ago had to find positive motivation for a better life outcome.”

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Brody says he realised he needed to make healthy life decisions and take ownership of his future.

“I decided to invest in discovering who I am and what that means. I enrolled in the Manukau School of Visual Arts and graduated with a level five diploma. It was the first time I seriously applied myself to anything.

“As part of my recovery journey, I worked in mental health and addictions and had a goal to become an artist. Looking back, I realise every emerging artist in New Zealand has to have another career up their sleeve. It was quite serendipitous.

“In 2018, I lost both parents five months apart. Until then, I had been trying to support them, myself and my relationship. I explored tā moko,

In keeping with tradition, Brody often includes colour and pāua shell to enhance each taonga he creates

the permanent marking or tattoo as traditionally practised by Māori, ceramics, charcoal and carving with wood.

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WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES

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JANuARY 2022

Attention to detail is an important part of Brody’s skill set when working with the wood Brody Runga discovered his talent of carving while on a personal journey to find where he fits into his cultural heritage

“I decided carving was where my passion lies as it is a calling that really speaks to me. After mum and dad passed, I needed a break, so I quit my job and gained contract work with an organisation called Blueprint for Learning — teaching on mental health and addictions.

“Three years ago, a friend heard that there was swamp kauri in the ground at a subdivision site being cleared in Auckland, and the contractors were going to burn or mulch it.

“We said we would take it and were given all the root and stump stock. We milled some into slabs, which are resting,

and now when I am home, I am ankle deep in sawdust sculpting.”

At present, Brody is exploring carving a series of whale and stingray with the wood.

“2020 was the best year of my life with the lockdowns. Financially, it was difficult as my income was cut in half like a lot of other people, but it allowed me to explore who I am as a carver.

“I started creating a series of humpback whales and stingrays. I love how humpbacks work. They eat the krill, and their expelled waste feeds the plankton. Plankton creates a third of the oxygen we breathe by drawing the carbon out of the atmosphere.

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“The stingray has special memories for me. As a child, I went fishing a lot, and I developed a love of marine life. I found stingray to be spectacular and majestic.

“Now I get sad when I see dead stingray on the beach from being caught in set nets or people fishing who don’t release them back into the water. It is almost killing for the sake of killing, and it hurts my heart.

“A couple of years ago, I did a carving of Te Wheke, octopus, and it was my first biggest piece I sold. It was inspired by a

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hui I attended where the late Dr Rose Pere spoke, and she had a big octopus staff.

“Dr Pere was a taonga and wrote a book around Te Wheke on an ancient holistic health model. I now do commissions of objects like taiaha and 21st keys.

“I love being able to use my own creativity to work and earn money. It is a lifestyle choice for work-life balance, and I wouldn’t change it for anything.”

Read more on Brody’s cultural journey next month.

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JANUARY 2022

WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES

ADVERTORIAL

Slurry tankers versus irrigators

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The main downside to irrigators is they’re limited by the length of your pipeline and can only move in straight lines, which most sections are not.

Additionally, there’s less control over the spread, with a higher chance of wind drift than a slurry tanker with RainWave applicator. So they need to be kept at least 25 metres away from any waterways for compliance. Not to worry – this is where a slurry tanker comes in.

Slurry Tankers Your slurry tanker can do what the irrigator can’t — making them a great pairing. With a slurry tanker, you can take it anywhere, anytime, and depending on the applicator, you may be able to get closer to waterways.

Due to its control, many councils have

Michael Prestidge — Nevada Effluent Management Specialist

approved the use of a RainWave slurry tanker closer to waterways than what they would allow for an irrigator.

A slurry tanker can manage thicker slurries, making it useful for feed pads, barns, stone traps, underpass sumps, as well as pig or poultry effluent. They can also be used to clean your trough.

Your annual pond empty is also made a lot quicker and easier with a slurry tanker — suck it up fast and spread all over the farm.

Slurry tankers are very low maintenance and a good contingency should anything go wrong with the irrigation system. You can even make some money back by contracting out to neighbouring farms.

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WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES

Command from the front

by Andy Bryenton

11

JANuARY 2022

Can-Am has started 2022 the way they mean to go on, revealing a range for the new year that emphasises power as well as utility and fun.

The Maverick sits at the top of the range for off-road adventure, while the redoubtable Defender remains the pick of the bunch for heavy-duty off-road work. However, sitting at the crossroads of these models is the revitalised Can-Am Commander. This machine has undergone some subtle cosmetic changes during the years to become an amalgam of both work and play capabilities.

This year marks the tenth birthday of the Commander, and it’s good to see that substantial evolution has come from Can-Am listening to customer feedback. It means a lot of upgrades during the life of the Commander.

It shows through in this year’s more refined, quieter CVT gearbox, more powerful, low-mounted 700cc or 1000cc engine choices, and a large list of add-ons to customise individual vehicles for work, hunting, trail riding or the beach.

Work is still very much on the agenda, though the Commander’s new look hints broadly at the rakish lines of the Maverick. Pointedly, the Commander boasts the biggest tipping cargo tray in its class and the ability to haul more than 900 kilograms, both key indicators of good on-farm versatility.

Ten years of advancements have also been felt in the suspension and handling department, where ground clearance and grip have been put to the fore. The 2022 Commander comes with double A-arm front suspension and torsional trailing arm suspension to the rear, both equipped with sway bars for stability. That doesn’t just mean fewer lumps and bumps through the bucket seats. It also means better grip and more rubber on the ground in tight spots, lending the driver confidence.

Being a crossroads model, the 2022 Commander is also highly customisable, with boxes, racks, clips and tiedowns all over, and a more powerful magneto to generate the voltage for spotlights, light bars, winches and even stereo systems. How far you go with making the Commander your own depends on how far you want to go off the beaten track. Different builds can make this a hunter’s companion, an angler’s best friend or simply a rugged and dependable runabout for farm chores.

Ten years on, the Commander is going strong and deserves to be on your list if you’re looking for a new multipurpose off-road machine in 2022.

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WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES

Fire ban in force

January 2022

13

The Northern and Central Zones of the Waikato Fire District moved into a prohibited fire season on January 19 until further notice.

Fire seasons are used to inform people about the requirements for or restrictions on lighting fires in the open air and manage the use of fire to keep communities safe.

“This change is about reducing the risk of potential fires, especially with the current conditions,” says Waikato District manager Daryl Trim.

“We have had some very dry conditions over the past few days, which means the risk of wildfires is just too high.”

All open-air fires will now be prohibited, no permits will be granted, and all previous permits will no longer be valid.

“Everyone at Fire and Emergency wants people in Waikato to enjoy the rest of this summer period safely.

“While open-air fires are banned, there is still a range of activities that you can undertake.

“It is important that you know what the current fire season is and understand

how you can comply with the safety requirements before lighting any type of fire.”

People are also reminded to check their smoke alarms are working. Recently, a Huntly family discovered that they do save lives when their house caught fire in the early hours of the morning.

If you are wondering if you can still have a hāngī, umu and lovo, the answer is yes.

You don’t need a permit in a restricted or prohibited fire season if you meet the following conditions. Your hāngī, umu or lovo must be less than two square metres in size and must not be within three metres of a building, hedge or anything else that could catch fire.

You must have a hose or another way of putting out any unplanned fire within five metres. If you can’t meet the conditions, you will need to apply for a fire permit.

For more information and fire safety tips, head to checkitsalright.nz.

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The Northern and Central Zones of the Waikato Fire District are now in a prohibited fire season

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WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES

Beware of facial eczema

With warm summer temperatures and high humidity creating the perfect conditions for Facial Eczema, Beef + Lamb New Zealand urges farmers to be vigilant.

The organisation has started publishing weekly spore counts in its weekly e-diaries and will be launching a regional text service in the near future to alert farmers of high spore counts.

Will Halliday, B+LNZ’s senior adviser for Biosecurity and Animal Welfare, recommends that farmers in high-risk regions undertake weekly monitoring of their own property, and when spore counts start to rise, put management strategies in place to prevent stock being affected by this production-limiting disease.

These strategies could include avoiding hard grazing, feeding ‘clean’ forage crops such as chicory or plantain, dosing sheep and cattle with zinc oxide boluses or drenches, or adding zinc oxide to cattle water troughs.

“Facial Eczema (FE) is caused by the spores of the fungus Pithomyces chartarum, (which grows on litter at the base of pasture), and affects more than just an animal’s face,” says WIll. “The spores release a toxin, which can damage the liver resulting in photosensitivity and sunburn that are the clinical signs of the disease.

“The fungus is ever-present, but when temperature and moisture levels are high, the fungus grows rapidly, releasing huge numbers of toxic spores.”

When monitoring indicates rising spore counts, he urges farmers to keep

“The spores release a toxin, which can damage the liver resulting in photosensitivity and sunburn that are the clinical signs of the disease.” a close eye on stock, looking out for signs of discomfort, photosensitivity and skin lesions.

“For every animal with clinical signs of FE, which are obvious skin lesions, there will be many more with subclinical disease, which is the invisible on-going liver damage that can cause major productivity losses including reduced live-weight gain especially at mating resulting in lower lambing and calving percentages.”

B+LNZ has a number of resources to help farmers understand and manage FE in both the short and long term. In sheep, genetics (buying FE-tolerant rams) offers a long-term solution to limiting the impacts of this disease.

11

Will Halliday, B+LNZ’s senior adviser for Biosecurity and Animal Welfare

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WAIKATO FARMING LIFESTYLES

15

JANuARY 2022

ROSES WITH

HERITAGE

BY LIZ CLARK

Since the advent of the garden in ancient times, the rose has been an integral, fragrant and timeless standout.

I

n recent years a resurgence of interest in growing roses in home gardens has had nurseries developing new cultivars for their customers. However, modern varieties aside, heritage roses have also made a strong comeback. They’re found along roadsides, old gardens and around heritage properties thriving on neglect.

Heritage roses come in a multitude of forms, colours and cultivars, and many are available in New Zealand. They’re worthy additions to any garden, even in a large pot — a statement is made.

One of this writer’s favourites is the Gallica rose. Initially from central and southern Europe and eastward to Turkey and the Caucasus, this subspecies has been cultivated for more than 2,000 years. Gallica roses have relatively few thorns and can be propagated from suckers.

The plants thrive in several soil types, including clay, as long as it’s free-draining.

Bloom colouration ranges from white to

pink and deep purple. It flowers only once each season. Cultivars available include Charles de Mills, Duchesse de Montebello, Tuscany Superb and Beau Narcisse.

One of the hardiest of the rose family, the rugosa rose has a high resistance to black spot and other common diseases affecting modern cultivars. The species originated from Asia, mainly China, Japan and coastal Siberia.

This rose is ideal for mass planting for hedging or as a stand-alone shrub in coastal areas. They are salt and wind tolerant, easily propagated from suckers and fragrant. Bloom colourations range from dark pink to white, and the hips are edible. Cultivars include Alexander Mackenzie, America, Campbell, Eugenie Ombler’s Rose and Frimbriata.

A climbing heritage rose is a must-have for fences, walls or a decorative arbour.

The thornless Lady Banks’ Rose Lutea has a mass of soft, yellow blooms that flower throughout the growing season. Another

STOP

variety to consider is Black Boy (1919) a thornless rose with deep red, almost black blooms. A vigorous grower, it will provide colour and fragrance for months.

Also, consider Chaplin’s Pink Climber, Daily Dream and Leonide.

While we’ve only covered a small portion of the heritage rose range, others include damask, moss, rambler, floribunda and many more. For more information about heritage roses, visit the Heritage Roses New Zealand website heritageroses.org.nz.

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