Coast & Country - November 2018

The meaning of the saying is simple: If someone is as ‘free as a bird’ they are completely free and have no worries or troubles.

Ironically, many birds – or hens in this case – are not ‘free’ in New Zealand. But some are rescued from battery farm life thanks to Aisha Lichtwark, who has taken over the Free as a Bird sanctuary and shifted it from Mamaku toWhatawhata.

Read about her need to help on pages 6-7. Photo: Catherine Fry.

Effluent Expo PAGE 12-17

Dairy PAGE 19-25

Maize & Feed Mgmt PAGE 27-29

Farm Machinery PAGE 34-35

Country Living PAGE 44-47

Avocados PAGE 49-51

Lifestyle Farming PAGE 56-57

Page 2

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Making the masses biosecurity troops Earlier this year when interviewing a kiwifruit grower at his home, he plucked a magnet off his fridge and asked me: ‘Do you know what this is?’

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and Kauri dieback – now is the time for every New Zealander to stand up and take action on biosecurity,” says Minister for Biosecurity and Primary Industries Damien O’Connor.

“Biosecurity keeps safe everything that shapes our unique way of life, from Looking down at the the great outdoors we farm, brown marmorated stink fish, hunt and play in, to the bug pictured, I confidently biodiversity of our unique said: ‘Yes, I do know of ecosystems. this bug and I realise the “The campaign includes huge threat it poses to your a beautiful and thoughtindustry if it was found provoking video featuring a to be established in our kuia looking back on her life country’. and urging New Zealanders to But on the drive home it understand that everything that got me thinking, do those shapes our way of life is finite outside of the primary and fragile and that we must all industries know or really play our part in protecting it care? I asked my partner from pests and diseases.

An image from the campaign video. that night. He’d heard of “It also focuses on approprithe brown marmorated stink bug – but thought every ate biosecurity behaviours and actions in three core stink bug looked like it. So how could he potentially areas: moving people and goods, vigilance and readiidentify one? Should I get one of those magnets? ness, and pest and disease control.”

And I also thought how can we inform the masses of The video is being played in ad-breaks on television – NZ’s biosecurity threats – and get them to actually go here in Tauranga we’ve gone one step further. that step further of acting if they see something?

Mid-October the region officially became Tauranga Well, the Government has bigger plans than Moana Biosecurity Capital. Those involved believe magnets. It wants to create a biosecurity team of 4.7 global warming and sea level rise present risks of more million New Zealanders. invasions – and protecting the marine and on-shore It’s launched the ‘Ko Tatou This Is Us’ campaign – environments is the group’s aim. See our story by an independent biosecurity brand aiming to connect former editor Elaine Fisher on pages 4-5. all of us with the many ways we can help protect Damien says together we can make a difference.

Aotearoa from pests and diseases.

“Together we can keep Aotearoa safe from pests and “With biosecurity in the spotlight – as we attempt diseases. Ko Tatou This Is Us.” Well said. But I would to eradicate Mycoplasma bovis, turn away ships to still like one of those magnets. keep the brown marmorated stink bug out of NZ, Find out more at: thisisus.nz and deal with the emergence and spread of myrtle rust Merle Foster

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 3

Psa found on Seeka orchard in Australia The same type of vine-killing disease Psa-v which hit the New Zealand kiwifruit industry in 2010 has now been detected for the first time in Australia – on an orchard owned by Te Puke-based company Seeka Industries.

Seeka CEO Michael Franks confirmed Psa has been detected and verified last month on an orchard under development in the Victorian state, owned by its Australian subsidiary – Seeka Australia.

Seeka is the largest kiwifruit grower in NZ and Australia, is the second-largest packhouse operator, and has Australian operations that include extensive nashi and European pear orchards.

“Testing of the Psa in Australia has confirmed that it is PSA 3, the same type as found in NZ but the testing has not confirmed its source,” says Michael.

There are two Psa strains – Psa-lv, which is less virulent and thought to be relatively benign, was detected in Australia in 2011. But this is thought to be the first time Psa-v – the virulent and more deadly strain – has been detected in Australia.

New variety areas

Michael says the Psa-v strain was found in an orchard in development rather than an orchard in production – and detected in new variety areas where gold and red kiwifruit have been grafted.

Seeka declined to name the new varieties but Michael confirmed the varieties being trialled in Australia were all sourced from within Australia “and no plant material has been introduced to Australia from NZ by Seeka”.

Seeka has 93ha of mature Hayward in Australia, predominantly sold domestically some is exported.

“Seeka is also developing 61ha of kiwifruit, of which

47ha is rootstock and un-grafted and 14ha group of 212 growers for damages. grafted. “Of the 14ha, 4.5ha has been cut back The judge did not uphold the claim to root stock.”

by Seeka, saying post-harvest operaMichael says Seeka has indicated no material tors were one step removed from the impact to earnings is expected by the detection direct harm suffered by growers, so but indicates future earnings growth will be were less closely connected to the slowed as the developments will take longer to consequences of ministry negligence. get to production.

The Crown appealed the High “Seeka has worked extensively with Victoria Court decision that found MPI negAgriculture over the detection and continues ligent – then the Kiwifruit Claim to work closely with them.” group filed a cross-appeal over the The detection is déjà vu for Seeka, which was High Court decision. hit extensively when the vine-killing disease Now, the Court of Appeal will was found in Te Puke, NZ, in 2010, resulting hear both the Crown’s appeal and Workers on a Seeka orchard in NZ in 2015 – in orchards across the country removing vines the Kiwifruit Claim group’s cross fi ve years after Psa-v was detected here. Now the appeal at the same time – possibly of gold variety Hort16A in following months company faces the same threat in Australia. and years to replace with the more psa-tolerant in early-2019.

Merle Foster variety SunGold.

However Michael says being experienced in Psa CHRISTMAS CLEARANCE ON NOW! management, Seeka has moved proactively ahead of the problem in Australia and has a full monitoring and ALL SPA FLOOR MODELS HEAVILY REDUCED! containment programme underway.

“We’ve sent people over [from NZ] to help establish the protocols of orcharding in a Psa environment. And staff in Australia are monitoring the orchards every day or two with no significant progression of the outbreak.”

Court battle back home

Back home Seeka is still fighting a court battle – with the Kiwifruit Claim group – against the Crown to be compensated over the Psa outbreak in NZ in 2010.

A High Court decision this year found the Ministry for Primary Industries negligent in allowing the vine-killing Psa-V disease into NZ in 2009, which devastated the kiwifruit industry.

But the court only partially upheld the claim by the

Reaccreditation of US plant centre critical Nursery and fruit-growing companies at the heart of legal action against the Ministry for Primary Industries over seized plants and plant material have been working hard to facilitate rebuilding the relationship between MPI and the USA-based Clean Plant Centre North West.

Industry member and McGrath Nurseries owner Andy McGrath says this facility has supplied NZ orchards and nurseries with new plant varieties for more than 30 years and plays a critical role in the future of the NZ apple and stonefruit export industry.

As part of MPI’s recent review and audit, accreditation of the facility was withdrawn.

Andy says as discussions continue regarding the release of 48,000 apple and stonefruit plants and improvements to outdated MPI standards that apply in this area, industry group members have been working at an international level to patch up the relationship between MPI and CPCNW. “We’ve successfully brokered a face-to-face meeting between MPI and CPCNW to take place in midNovember, at the facility in Prosser, Washington.”

Andy is encouraged the group and industry have been able to bring the parties together and hopes a meeting of the minds will be the first step towards the rapid reaccreditation of CPCNW. “The group will continue to liaise with both parties

with the aim of achieving an outcome that will be in the best interests of all in the New Zealand apple and stonefruit industry.”

The issue stems from MPI earlier this year issuing a directive to 32 orchardists, nurseries, and importers in the Hawke’s Bay, Waikato, Nelson and Central Otago to contain and/or destroy 48,000 Malus (apple) and Prunus (stonefruit) plants derived from plant material imported into NZ from the CPCNW. Five industry members – including Andy – challenged MPI’s directive and lodged a Judicial Review with the High Court in Wellington. The judge found MPI’s directions, issued under s116 of the Biosecurity Act, were unlawful and directed MPI to reconsider.

The judgment also encouraged MPI to work with industry to develop and agree a more appropriate set of directions that address their key biosecurity concerns.

Late-September MPI allowed the release of 20,000 apple plants and 400 stonefruit plants from containment after tests conducted came back clear of pests or diseases.

MPI’s revised directions now apply to the balance of stonefruit plants (Prunus), which will remain in containment and be subject to further testing this summer, with MPI saying testing should be complete by June2019. But the group considers it should be possible to release further plants progressively before then.

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 4

Wanted: Better biosecurity for BOP Tauranga Harbour, already invaded by more than 45 exotic marine organisms, is under threat from future incursions, says Carlton Bidios, co-chair of Tauranga Moana Biosecurity Capital.

“I believe the estimate of 45 is at the lower end of what is really in the harbour,” he told people at the launch of TMBC last month.

Global warming and sea level rise also present risks of more invasions and protecting the marine and onshore environments is the aim of

TMBC – one of the lead initiatives of the Government’s ‘Ko Tatou This Is Us’ campaign.

In mid-October the region officially became Tauranga Moana Biosecurity Capital when it was launched by Minister for Biosecurity and Primary Industries Damien O’Connor.

TMBC aims to be an exemplar for other regions to emulate, all with the aim of enlisting New Zealand’s 4.7 million citizens into a biosecurity team to keep the country safe from unwanted pests and disease.

It was appropriate that Tauranga, as New Zealand’s export trade capital, should become its biosecurity capital too, the Minister told around 80 representatives of iwi, local and regional councils, industry bodies, community and business groups with an involvement or interest in biosecurity at TMBC’s launch.

‘Worse than Rena’

Among speakers was marine ecologist and environmental scientist Professor Chris Battershill, who is director of the University of Waikato’s marine field

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He spoke of the many exotic species already established in NZ waters, and the near-miss the Bay of Plenty had from further invasions when a barge

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Unwanted pests could affect us all arrived to help in recovering the wreck of the Rena cargo ship on Astrolabe Reef in November 2011.

The hull of the crane barge, Sea-Tow 60, sent from Gladstone Harbour in Queensland to assist with the unloading of Rena containers, was not cleaned before it left Australia.

Fortunately, the unintended oversight was identified when it got to Auckland and the barge was cleaned before sailing for Tauranga. “If it hadn’t been cleaned, the potential impact on water around Motiti Island could have been worse than the damage caused by the Rena itself,” says Chris.

He believes marine invaders have the potential to seriously damage an environment they colonise because they alter it to suit themselves, while making conditions worse for native species.

As an example, he quoted what happened in Europe’s Black Sea when invaded in 1987 by the voracious comb jellyfish from North America (Mnemiopsis leidyi).

“The jellyfish was introduced through ships’ ballast water and led to the collapse of the Black Sea fisheries within 10 years.”

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A demonstration by MPI in Tauranga last month.

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“It’s about a pretty powerful, knowledgeable group standing shoulder-to-shoulder and saying: ‘It’s absolutely essential we pool our expertise and resources for the sake of the environment, our taonga, our economy’.”

Ministry for Primary Industries deputy director of general strategy performance and engagement, John Walsh, told attendees that major biosecurity breaches have the potential to irreversibly change New Zealanders’ way of life, but only around two per cent of the population recognise that threat.

Medical use “Around 96 per cent of New Zealanders get that Ship-borne invasions are also a threat to NZ but biosecurity is important but when those surveyed the current practice of ships de-ballasting in midwere pressed for more specific details it revealed most ocean, new anti-fouling paints that are less toxic to did not think that if biosecurity the marine ecosystem and a went wrong it would have a big recognition by shipping compaimpact on their lives,” says John. nies that clean hulls increase the In fact, invasions of unwanted efficiency and speed of vessels, pests and diseases have the help reduce the risk. potential to affect every aspect of However, exotic species have Kiwi life from gardening, to food, become well established in NZ primary production, recreation, waters and attention is turning industry, employment, to the to ways of finding a commernatural environment, which is why cial use for them, off-setting or the campaign ‘Ko Tatou This Is Us’ reducing costs of eradication or has been launched. control. While some seaweeds The campaign, which includes are edible, many have interesta television commercial designed ing chemistry which could be of to build an emotional connection benefit. This includes potential MPI’s John Walsh encourages treatments for carcinoma and everyone to use the brand ‘Ko Tatou among the public with the things they value, is augmented by social ovarian cancer, and a possible This Is Us’ and come on board media blogs, newspaper and radio treatment for kiwifruit vine with the biosecurity campaign. advertisements and a website. All disease Psa-V. Photo: Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media. designed to raise awareness of However, exciting those prosbiosecurity. pects might be Chris says preventing new arrivals is “We invite everyone to use the brand ‘Ko Tatou crucial and this involves constant surveillance. While This Is Us’ and come on board with the campaign,” shipping lines and marina companies are vigilant in says John. checking hulls of vessels, there are many recreational boats left on moorings with fouled hulls that he urges Grow awareness owners to check.

TMBC’s aims are to grow biosecurity awareness and TMBC programme director Andrew Harrison says social licence, including running joint campaigns. the coalition’s aims is to increase local awareness It aims to advocate for better biosecurity for the about biosecurity and “why it matters deeply to all of us who live here and just what would be lost if exotic region and be a catalyst for action. Enabling collaboration to achieve better results, sharing inforpests enter or establish here”.

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mation and lessons, and taking opportunities to grow the regional team committed to biosecurity excellence, are also aims.

Founding members include range of government organisations, businesses, industry bodies and councils.

Find out more at: www. tmbiosecurity.co.nz and www.thisisus.nz Elaine Fisher

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Rescuing chickens at Whatawhata Cambridge Primary School’s Teachers in Charge of Chickens Erin Bracken, with students Emmalyn Brough, Margaux Loyer, Alon Rachmani and Sophie Kelly with rescue chickens Hei hei, Spring, Primrose and Big Bird.

The initial feeling when you arrive at Free as a Bird’s sanctuary in Whatawhata is one of heartbreak.

Photos: Catherine Fry.

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The enclosure contains numerous hens, devoid of feathers, with pale drooping combs and a somewhat lost demeanour.

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by Aisha Lichtwark, the current organiser of Free as a Bird.

Free as a Bird was started by Kelly Phelps of Mamaku in 2014. She rescued thousands of hens from local battery farms before handing over the reins to Aisha in early 2018.

Raglan born and bred, Aisha was raised on a lifestyle block and developed a passion for animals at a young age.

Having seen the conditions in a battery farm, she was already driven to do something to rescue some of these hens.

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“When I saw Free as a Bird needed someone to take over, I put my hand Specialising in up,” says Aisha. “They already had a Specialising in large following and I wanted to help.”

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mum with two young boys, she gives as much as her time as she can to the project.

After each rescue, Aisha has her hands full with the new arrivals. They are usually around 12-18 months old and have never seen the light of day before. They have no idea how to behave like chickens and have health problems associated with sitting on a cage floor, with little room to move, and being exposed to constant light so they lay twice-a-day.

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nails, treats skin complaints, worms them, and feeds them high protein diets.

“Those first couple of days, we have to literally show them how to go to bed and perch, and encourage them to peck food from the ground, and how to find the water,” says Aisha.

It gives Aisha the greatest pleasure to see the hens starting to behave like hens. At two weeks after rescue, most are ready to go to loving homes. It may be some time before their feathers grow back completely and they are laying daily again, but the hens have a good two to three more years of laying in them if they are treated well.

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Page 7

When new arrivals remember how to be hens

fish and smiled: ‘I know, but I can make a difference to this one’.

“People have a choice to do nothing, or do something, we’re trying to do something,” says Aisha, who says the poem is adapted from ‘The Star Thrower’ by Loren Eiseley.

To learn more, see ‘Free as a Bird Rescue’ on Facebook or phone: 027 688 6877.

Catherine Fry

continued...

Aisha, Archer, 3, and Chase, 18 months, with the chickens.

Many people donate over and above the requested amount, something Aisha is most grateful for as she often dips into her own pockets to fund the venture.

“I hope that what we are doing raises awareness of what is happening with animal welfare and makes people think about where their food comes from,” says Aisha.

She’s also committed to educating the next generation about animal welfare. Several schools have taken rescued hens, including one in Rotorua that did a Chicken Club day this year and is keeping the 84 hens to lay eggs for fundraising.

School chickens

Cambridge Primary School recently rescued four chickens as part of their Enviro Schools projects. Teachers in Charge of Chickens, Erin Bracken and Mitch Pettit explain how the chickens have impacted the school.

“The whole school community has got behind this project and have been amazing. Our wonderful caretaker Ian Lewell built the enclosure to the children’s plans, and we have a class in

charge of their day-to-day care.

“There was distress when the sad, featherless chickens first arrived, but so much joy and empowerment among the students as the chickens have grown feathers and started laying. It’s been an educational journey in sustainability, animal welfare, and a positive experience for everyone involved.”

Archer, 3, and Chase, 18 months, playing with the chickens.

A choice

Aisha posted a moving piece on Facebook, after a particularly gruelling rescue, where she lamented that she could only take a handful of the 1600 birds there in appalling conditions.

“An old man walking along a beach came upon a boy sifting through debris left by the night’s tide. Every so often, he would pick up a starfish and toss it back into the sea.

“When asked what he was doing the boy said: ‘The tide has washed the starfish onto the beach. They will die unless I throw them back’.

The old man looked around and said: ‘There are more starfish here than you can ever save, you can’t make a difference’.

The boy bent to pick up another star-

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RURAL BUILDING & FENCING

Page 9

Prevent theft by securing farm buildings Residents in rural communities are being reminded to vigilant in securing all farm buildings and homes to protect vehicles, machinery, farm equipment, firearms and household contents from being stolen.

The call comes as seasonal and working conditions change with the increase in hours of daylight and farmers becoming tied up postcalving, lambing and milking.

“This is an opportune time for criminals to take advantage of any lapse in security on rural farms,” says NZ Police Senior Sergeant Cynthia Fairley.

Be vigilant

“We would like to remind the community to be vigilant and look out for one another.

“Please look out for your neighbours and your community, and let Police know if anything or anyone looks out of place. We need the public to help us by being our eyes and ears.”

and let each other know if you notice anything unusual.

“Neighbourhood Support groups can be particularly useful for this purpose.

“Importantly, we ask residents to not put themselves in danger or take the law into their own hands if confronted by offenders – but to instead contact Police.”

Home security tips “Note down registration numbers of suspicious vehicles and descriptions of suspicious people, and let us know.”

Cynthia says burglar alarms and security cameras attached monitoring buildings or vehicles can deter potential thieves and also “help Police identify criminals”.

She also reminds the rural community keep all buildings and vehicles secure, including farm buildings and machinery, is key.

“Keep in contact with your neighbours too

No horsing around with fencing An amusing video is doing the rounds on social media of late – of a horse cleverly taking two electric fence gate hooks from a post using only its mouth and setting itself free.

But fencing to restrain and contain horses is a serious matter – it’s even outlined in the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Code of Welfare for Horse and Donkeys, updated on October 1 this year when new animal welfares rules came into play.

The code outlines that construction of suitable fencing is vital to ensure horses do not become entangled in the fencing material, or escape and become injured roaming away from the property.

And suitability of fencing varies according to horse breed, sex and disposition, as well as stocking density and paddock size.

“It is important that fences are readily visible to horses and are well maintained, with no sharp protrusions from the fence on the inner side.”

The Code suggests post-and-rail type fences painted with non-toxic preparations are an ideal visual barrier for premises designed mainly for horses.

“A popular alternative to post and rail fencing, which also provides a good visual barrier, is a single top rail attached to a conventional postand-wire fence.

“If electric fencing is used to contain horses, it needs to be designed, installed and maintained so the fence does not cause more than a momentary discomfort to the animal.

“It is important that power units are earthed correctly and fences checked daily to ensure they are taut and not posing a risk to the horses.”

If barbed wire is used to contain horses in paddocks, an inner fence can be used to reduce the risk of a horse making direct contact with the barbed wire.

Read the Code of Welfare for Horse and Donkeys at: www.mpi.govt.nz

Ensure your house and garages are a hard target for thieves – with alarms and sensor lighting. Lock valuable items away and lock your houses. Photograph and register the details and serial numbers of important items in your home. You can register these on: www.snap.org.nz Also be wary of posting too much information on social media about travel plans.

Remove keys and lock vehicles when not in use – and do not leave valuable items or equipment in vehicles overnight Quad bikes, trailers and tools such as chainsaws are expensive to replace, so reduce theft by

taking extra security measures, says Cynthia.

“Remove keys from unattended vehicles, secure the quad bike with a padlock or anchor and chain the bike. And mark or engrave tools with your driver’s licence number.”

Firearms

Cynthia says firearm ownership and licensing comes with a responsibility for safety “not only when out hunting but at home as well”.

“Do not leave firearms in vehicles and make sure you record serial numbers of each firearm.”

Also ensure fuel tanks are secure and locked to restrict theft and tampering, says Cynthia, who recommends installing security lighting in the area.

For more useful advice, see the NZ Police Rural Crime Prevention website at: www. police.govt.nz/rural.

If you see a crime taking place, call 111 immediately. Report any suspicious activity to Police.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Page 10

RURAL BUILDING & FENCING

RURAL BUILDING & FENCING

Page 11

Protect assets and animals

“We enjoy helping our customers by providing solutions to protect their assets and animals,” says Lincoln Wallace, owner of Sheds4U. “With our own team of qualified builders in the office, we are sure we can provide an economical solution to most requirements,” says Lincoln.

With their main office in Gisborne, Sheds4U has found a successful way of supplying sheds nationwide from this remote location, without incurring large freight costs. “Most jobs can be supplied freight-free,” says Lincoln.

By specialising in supplying kitset sheds, costs can be kept down and they can cater for a larger cross-section of shed requirements.“Farmers invest a lot of money in large machinery and herds of animals, so we love the

challenge of coming up with an economical solution to protect them – it’s what we do,” says Lincoln They provide kitsets for hay barns and calf-rearing sheds as well as covered yards and feed pads. Whatever use the farmer wants the shed for, Sheds4U can come up with a design fit for purpose.

They also cater for lifestyle farmers who want something smaller such as a workshop, stable, garage or small barn. They can even supply a hangar for an aircraft. Or if you want to live on your block, Sheds4U has that covered also.

Lincoln says they’ve been designing and building sheds for more than 20 years and only use top quality materials and all products and services are guaranteed.

“The poles and frames are guaranteed for 50 years, which is twice as long as most steel-framed buildings.”

New advisory group for building industry The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is launching the Building Code Technical Risk Advisory Group to engage with a wide range of building sector participants.

As the building and construction regulator, MBIE says it wants to obtain expert building sector advice to increase its awareness of new emerging risks or changes to existing risk settings in the NZ Building Code system.

“This advice will help MBIE make decisions on what Building

Code regulatory changes may be needed,” says a statement from MBIE. BCTRAG will focus on identifying technical risks in the BC system, and provide strategic advice to MBIE on risks related to BC technical A to H clauses.

The group will also give feedback on building sector technical trends and innovations, and advice on the wider impacts of Building Code performance settings.

MBIE says the group will have

nine permanent members representing technical organisations in the building and construction sector.

The group will also interact with a number of organisations representing more specialist areas in the building sector. These organisations will be able to provide input and expertise to group discussions and give feedback on how BCTRAG is functioning.

The first BCTRAG meeting will be held this month to set out how the group will function.

Proposal to build chicken farm near Waharoa A new six-shed commercial free-range chicken farm is being proposed for rural land near Waharoa – but first the company wanting to build it has to obtain consent from two councils.

Matamata Poultry Limited has applied to Matamata-Piako District Council for consent to establish and operate the proposed new facility. And the company will also need to gain consent from Waikato Regional Council for air discharge.

The proposed 26.7 hectares farm would be at 466 Maiseys Rd and have a rearing capacity of about 242,000 birds per production run.

Chickens raised at the farm would go to Inghams, which already has a factory in Matamata.

Chicks would arrive at the farm at one-day-old and be fed pellet food and supplied water through automatic systems.

Matamata Poultry Limited proposes the birds would remain indoors for about 19 to 21 days, and then be freed to roam the shed and yard areas. Harvest cycle would be between 31 and 38 days of the birds’ growing cycle. The joint Waikato Regional Council and Matamata-Piako District Council hearing was to be on October 24.

Before

After

Page 12

EFFLUENT & IRRIGATION

Further certainty on water policy required by farmers IrrigationNZ supports the new Essential Freshwater strategy, but says further certainty on water policy is critical to ensure farmers continue to invest in on-farm environmental improvements to achieve water quality targets.

Agricultural, Horticultural & Landscape Irrigation.

Call Our Experts on 0800 130 905 www.irrigationexpress.co.nz

Government Ministers David Parker and Damian O’Connor announced the new Essential Freshwater strategy in early-October, with the plan aiming to have new rules in place by 2020 to stop degradation of waterways and to achieve noticeable improvements in freshwater quality within five years.

IrrigationNZ chief executive Andrew Curtis says farmers need certainty around what rules will be in place today, and in 10 or 20 years’ time.

“We urgently need a framework which enables timely decision-making,” says Andrew.

“It will also be important for the Government to

engage with primary sector organisations to work through the impact of policy changes ‘on the ground’ to ensure changes are achievable and able to be implemented on farms.”

Andrew says IrrigationNZ supports the direction of the new strategy including the focus on at-risk catchments and the Government’s plans to carry out consultation with advisory groups around nutrient allocation options.

However, changes in policy on nutrient allocation and water takes will have a significant impact on farmers and growers – so IrrigationNZ wants to see government narrow down the areas of focus further and clarify how advisory groups will work together.

Positive

“It was positive to note in the announcement recognition of the importance of Farm Environmental Plans and support for these being adopted nationwide,” says Andrew. “FEPs are contributing to improvements in water quality seen in the recent LAWA data.”

Andrew says the Government’s target to achieve improvements in water quality by 2023 “is ambitious but can be achievable by building on the environmental improvement work already underway through FEPs and community decision making models in place in regions such as Canterbury”.

“Irrigation schemes hold the biggest consents in the primary sector and farmers connected to the larger schemes all have FEPs. The schemes also carry out their own monitoring and education of farmers and they will continue to play a key role in leading changes on the ground.”

Options

Andrew says it’s good to see the Government’s new strategy acknowledging environmentally responsible water storage and distribution, managed aquifer recharge, and technology will all be considered to resolve water allocation issues.” These are all options that are being used internationally.”

More information on the Essential Freshwater work programme is at: www.mfe.govt.nz/fresh-water/whatgovernment-doing/freshwater-work-programme The plan includes a focus on improving water quality in at-risk catchments, adopting a new National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management and a new National Environmental Standard for Freshwater Management by 2020, and amendments to the Resource Management Act to review consents in order to more quickly implement water quality and quantity limits.

New advisory groups have also been established.

Seeking new irrigation CEO IrrigationNZ is seeking a new chief executive officer, with current CEO Andrew Curtis stepping down from the role to pursue new consultancy ventures.

IrrigationNZ Chair Nicky Hyslop says Andrew will stay in the role until March to allow time to appoint a replacement.

“Andrew has a huge breadth of knowledge in water and irrigation and has led a number of projects to improve irrigation practice and training opportunities over the past decade.

“We are grateful for the significant contribution he has made to INZ and we wish him well for the future.”

The not-for-profit organisation is now seeking a new CEO to be based at its head office in Lincoln.

EFFLUENT EXPO

Page 13

Turn effluent into water Matamata company Forsi Innovations Ltd will be showcasing their effluent filtration system at the Effluent Expo at Mystery Creek near Hamilton this month.

“Our filtration system is the only one in the world that can filter dairy shed effluent into water that meets New Zealand’s drinking water standards,” says Forsi Innovations Ltd operations manager Craig Hawes.

“At the end of milking when the yard is hosed down the effluent is divided into liquid and solid and in between milkings the liquid is filtered ready to reuse at the next milking,” says Craig.

The development of the filtration system was started in 2007 and was unveiled at Fieldays in 2015.

After a few minor adjustments the first one was installed at number one dairy at Massey University near Palmerston North in 2016.

“Our filtration system allows dairy farmers to reuse two valuable resources; water and fertiliser,” says Craig.

“The separated solid effluent can be stored until ready to be applied on to pasture as fertiliser and the clean, chemical-free water can be used in irrigation or washing down the yard.”

The cost of the Forsi filtration system is approximately the same as digging an effluent pond and putting in a pond liner and it takes up less room, allowing for more land to be made available for pasture, says Craig.

The water filtration system is also used in com-

Forsi’s effluent filtration system. mercial operations such as car washes and drycleaners where the clean water can be recycled, saving on water costs.

View Forsi Innovations Ltd’s effluent filtration system at The NZ Effluent Expo Event, from 8.30am-4pm on November 27-28, at Mystery Creek in Hamilton. Entry is free.

Same seminars will run both days A full day’s worth of seminars will be run both days at the NZ Effluent Expo Event from November 27-28 to give farmers the chance to take full advantage of them in between perusing the expo.

NZ Effluent Expo event coordinator Amanda Hodgson says the seminars promise to provide food for thought for farmers running

all types of dairying operations.

Four different seminars will cover sustainability and the future of good management practice, Farm Environment Plans, and the Dairying For Tomorrow Strategy; the importance of adequately sized effluent storage and the Dairy Effluent Storage Calculator; water efficiency on dairy farms and the importance

of water metering; and effluent system options for small herd dairy farms.

And there’s a guest speaker Q&A panel with Agricultural Minister Damien O’Connor and Rabobank dairy analyst Emma Higgins talking on the topic of ‘Who is driving the regulation – the regulator or the consumer?’

Visit our website for more on how the

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EFFLUENT EXPO

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Free effluent expo not to be missed

Farmers nationwide are invited to the NZ Effluent Expo Event this month – offering almost 100 exhibitors that specialise in intensive farm systems, effluent, its design, management and application from all over the country in one spot for two days – and free entry.

Taking shape under new management, the event, from 8.30am4pm on November 27-28, is going national this year, promising a comprehensive look at all aspects of effluent management.

NZ Effluent Expo event coordinator Amanda Hodgson says the event will cover education around effluent and its management, access to regional rules and regulations, how to futureproof farm systems, plus representatives from a range of service providers, the dairy industry and regional authorities will be on-site.

“We’re absolutely passionate about our industry and seeing people doing things right and taking the industry forward. There are some awesome-yet-simple systems going in out there.

“So we encourage farmers to come and learn how to de-risk their current effluent system from labour, weather events, compliance and the consumer.”

Along with exhibitors and experts onsite, there’s a full-day seminar programme running both days, and a guest speaker Q&A session with Agricultural Minister Damien O’Connor and Rabobank dairy analyst Emma Higgins on the topic: ‘Who’s driving regulation – The consumer or the regulator?’

“The same seminars run both days so attendees can see seminars and

peruse exhibitors without missing out,” says Amanda.

Another ‘first’ this year is a social function on the Tuesday afternoon, Every aspect of dairy effluent, from how November 27, it is cleaned from a shed, is transported to starting 4.30pm how it is stored and used will be covered at to encourage this year’s NZ Effluent Expo Event. networking and collaboration between exhibitors and farmers alike.

“Often a farm solution requires more than one company to fulfil the whole project so networking is essential and we just don’t do it enough,” says Amanda.

“With this function being at the same venue we can all go in our gumboots and attend a fun, low-key event to get everyone together because we’ve got a real focus on everyone collaborating.”

Amanda says farmers nationwide can access the new venue, Mystery Creek near Hamilton, by road, bus or air – and take the full two days to attend seminars and talk with all exhibitors.

“So please lock the NZ Effluent Expo in to your dairies – as this is an event not to be missed on the rural calendar.

“If you’re looking at starting, upgrading/modifying or futureproofing your farm effluent system, then this is the event for you.”

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EFFLUENT EXPO

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New effluent cover to be showcased at expo Presco Infrastructure will be showcasing their new cover for the highly regarded Prosump effluent storage system at the Effluent Expo at Mystery Creek, Hamilton, later this month.

“The new cover will help farmers, especially in high rainfall areas, save considerable time and money when it comes to storing and pumping their effluent as there is no rainwater caught,” says Presco’s marketing manager Felicia Prestidge.

There are more than 40 Prosumps around the Taranaki, Waikato and Manawatu regions. “Every Prosump is designed and built to suit that particular farm’s requirements,” says Felicia.

Prosumps can be configured to any size from 58,000 litres to 8,000,000 litres-plus. The panels are made with 150mm thick, high-strength, reinforced concrete and sealed with a three-stage sealing process.

The Prosump has been designed by a certified IPENZ engineer to suit New Zealand’s rugged weather and seismic conditions and comply with both dairy company and regional council requirements and the FDE Code of Practice, says Felicia.

“Prosumps can be installed above ground, inground or anywhere in between. They require zero maintenance and come with a 50-year minimum build-life guarantee.”

A Prosump system can vary in price depending on several factors such as size and site work requirements. And Felicia says they offer a great long-term value to farmers who want to do the job once and do it right.

“Presco’s two consultants are effluent system design accredited, and have the expertise and qualifications to design a system for any farm. “ Find them at the effluent expo site: Indoor 8. The NZ Effluent Expo Event, from 8.30am-4pm on November 27-28, at Mystery Creek in Hamilton.

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Page 17

Page 18

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Waking up to demand better transparency Recently we were travelling in America with all the noise around Dr Christine Blaisey Ford versus Brett Kavanaugh with Trump in the background – and, it inspired me to think about the meaning of truth.

It seems that lies and dishonesty are now acceptable. Or are they?

I know someone employed in organisational psychology. She’s employed to look at the issues, seek out the key people and after getting their express permission, tell them the “truth” about her findings. She tells them what’s really

happening in that business, not just what they want to hear. Organisations seem to run on myths and beliefs, but nobody wants to face the truth.

Dare I talk about Fonterra? It was revealed last month New Zealand’s largest company suffered a historic $196 million loss – the worst performance and first ever loss in its 17-year history.

Bureaucracy

Former Fonterra chief executive Theo Spierings has exited after being paid millions and we still do not know the truth! The bureaucrats in Fonterra don’t really want us to know the truth either. What about the losses in China? And then you have the Shareholders’ Council, which is just another layer to listen and placate the suppliers. It is just another level of bureaucracy.

Fonterra, as a monopoly, takes the farmers’ supply, manufacturers it, sells it to the world, banks all the proceeds and then – and only then – decides how much they will pay the farmers.

One could say local community boards, by and large, are another layer of bureaucracy protecting councillors and council from the truth – which the ratepayers are trying to find. I think the public are starting to wake up and demand better transparency.

Fake news

Once I travelled to the South Island to claim my fees after helping a farmer out of an incredible hole and saving his business, but he refused to pay my costs. So, off the Small Claims Court I went to witness him telling bare-faced lies. I was dumbfounded and speechless so much so that I couldn’t even yell out: ‘You are lying’ – and he got away with it. No fees for Fraser. I felt gutted that I’d allowed this client to beat me with a bunch of lies.

And now there is fake news. How does that work?

Who are the perpetrators? You see politicians fudging the truth all the time and when they get cornered they employ media consultants and public relations companies to cover their tracks. Mr Trump, in charge of the world’s largest economy, is full of lies – but he uses them to his advantages and he attacks by overstating the position then retracts to something more palatable. Sadly, there’s politicians in this country copying his style. It now seems lies are acceptable in politics.

In my years as a consultant I refused to work for anybody who ever slightly fudged the truth.

So go in peace and always tell the truth, you can sleep easier and you don’t need a big memory to cover the last lie.

Disclaimer – These are the opinions of Don Fraser of Fraser Farm Finance.

Any decisions made should not be based on this article alone and appropriate professional assistance should be sought. Don Fraser is the principal of Fraser Farm Finance and a consultant to the Farming Industry. Contact him on 0800 777 675 or 021 777 675. A disclosure document is available on request.

Changes to DIA programme Those pondering entering the 2019 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards have until midnight November 16 to make their applications online.

The awards include Share Farmer of the Year, Dairy Manager of the Year and Dairy Trainee of the Year categories, with the competition aiming to give entrants the chance to challenge themselves, connect with others, earn a regional or national title, and to share in substantial regional and national prize pools.

NZDIA general manager Chris Keeping says this year visa criteria for the Dairy Trainee and Dairy Manager categories have changed. Entrants are now eligible to enter as long as they hold a valid NZ work visa at time of entry and at each stage of judging and have been employed full-time for two years on a NZ dairy farm when entries open.

“This reflects the multi-cultural landscape of dairy employees,” says Chris. “We’re excited by these changes and intrigued to see who will enter because of them.”

“We’ve also removed the qualifications clause in the Dairy Trainee category – where a potential entrant could not have completed an NZQA Level 5 or higher qualification in any field of study.”

Chris says the changes acknowledge the awards as a learning platform “where people can learn and grow, both personally and professionally”.

“We don’t want to cut out a large chunk of potential Dairy Trainee entrants just because of previous study.”

To enter the awards, see: www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz

DAIRY

Page 19

Change needed in farm employment practices Calf-rearing survey Farmers need to change their employment practices if they want to attract and retain good staff, according to experts at a recent DairyNZ people expo.

Manawatu farmer Stuart Taylor, who gave the keynote address, says a change in mindset about what farmers can offer their staff is key.

“I realised that I was hiring young people to make them fit into my system rather than running a system that fitted around the people.

Stuart’s team are now all paid an hourly rate at liveable wage level and work a maximum 55 hours per week.

Staff are guaranteed a minimum of 45 hours per week, and the aim is for 50, says Stuart. More people work fewer hours, and rosters are geared to suit the needs of staff.

“Paying an hourly rate rather than salary provides flexibility around hours worked and transparency around rostered hours,” says Stuart.

Good, safe employment practices are a necessity rather than an optional extra as socially-aware consumers seek to better understand the provenance of their purchases, says Fonterra manager social responsibility Matthew Trent.

New Zealand farmers are taking their products to market on the international stage and there is increasing scrutiny on employment practices throughout the supply chain, says Matthew.

“Our consumers and customers care about how all the people in our value chain are treated – as do we.”

Fonterra manager social responsibility, Matthew Trent.

“As an industry, we need to lift our focus on safety to the same level as these other important activities,” says Debbie.

Improving safety on-farm is about building buy-in and engagement between management and staff, and about having conversations. Safety can’t afford to be an optional extra, or simply viewed as a compliance issue – otherwise it is difficult to develop a team culture where safety is valued, says Debbie.

“You can’t get behaviour change without repetition, without review. We need to consciously make decisions about safety on-farm, and it needs to be ingrained.”

Safety needs to be part of our regular conversations, says Debbie, and positive reinforcement, like vouchers, for great ideas or risk identification, can also be useful tools for building buy-in.

Josephine Reader

Paying people a fair wage and managing working hours so they don’t exceed safe levels is the minimum standard, says Matthew.

“Treating people well makes good business sense. If you care about your people, they will care about your business.”

Building a belief-based safety culture is also part of being a good employer, says Rural Safe managing director Debbie Robertson.

“Farmers want to operate safely, but it’s often not given the same priority as production, animal health or getting farm accounts sorted.

The Ministry for Primary Industries and its farming industry partners have taken the next step in the phased eradication of Mycoplasma Bovis by starting a survey of about 200 calf-rearing properties nationwide.

MPI national controller Geoff Gwyn says MPI started contacting owners of the selected calfrearing properties in early-October. The test involves a simple one-off nasal swab on calves at the property.

Geoff stresses the properties selected are not suspected of having M.bovis – rather, it is an opportunity to provide further assurances to these farmers. “The identified properties have no co nection to other properties which are being tested or at risk of having M. bovis,” says Geoff.

“This [survey] will give us some indication about the prevalence of M. bovis in beef herds.”

DAIRY

Page 20

Leaving the land better than we found it More than 25 years ago Matamata farmers Sandra and Rod McKinnon committed to the ongoing protection of the Mangawhea Stream that runs through their property, Oakstone Hinuera Ltd.

Rod and Sandra McKinnon walking down the main race next to the Mangawhea Stream. Photos: Catherine Fry.

It was in their original mission statement. Today the McKinnons are proud their first generation farm won the 2018 Regional Supreme Award at the Ballance Farm Environment Awards for the Waikato Region.

In addition to this they also took home four other awards, acknowledging their efforts with their water and effluent management.

Oakstone is the first and only farm the McKinnons have owned as they’ve been

commented on the commitment to looking after the environment alongside the business growth.

“We take great pride in caring for the land, and believe you should look after it,” says Rod. “It’s all about future-proofing and leaving the land better than we found it.”

“We see ourselves as guardians of the land,” says Sandra. “We are hoping that by sharing the work we have done here, we can be a role model to other farms.”

This ideal is also backed up by their decision to only run 2.7 cows per hectare.

“We still have a way to go, as it is of course dependent on time and money,” says Rod. “It is important to us that our farm continues to be an attractive, profitmaking, environmentally responsible operation.”

Rod using his mobile phone to control and monitor the on-farm effluent system. fortunate enough to add further land over the years from neighbouring properties to grow their business.

The original farm of 44 hectares is now 194ha, with 370 cows producing 168,000kgMS. The judges

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Guardianship concept

The DairyNZ Sustainability and Stewardship Award, and the Miraka Farm Stewardship Award, both acknowledge this guardianship of the land concept.

The judges were impressed with the couple’s persistence with realignment of fences, and replanting riparian areas after flooding and stream bank erosion.

While Sandra has pursued a successful off-farm career in teaching, she’s always very much been part of the day-to-day decisions of running the farm.

“At times, it’s about focus and sacrifice,” says Sandra.

“I’ve done my share of calf-rearing and relief milking, while raising children, and holding down a teaching job. But we enjoy the land and we enjoy looking after it, so for us it was worth the hard times at the start.”

Sandra has taken the lead in planning and planting of riparian strips and wetland areas. This high standard of riparian management, and the 100 per cent fencing around waterways, was commended by the judges. The couple hope to restore and regenerate native bush and attract wildlife to the area.

The WaterForce Integrated Management Award, and the Waikato Regional Council Water Protection Award, acknowledge the couple’s commitment to effluent and water monitoring and management.

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Page 21

Becoming guardians of the Mangawhea Stream continued...

spread on poorer pastures or cropping ground.

Water usage is monitored through water meters, with water supplied through two bores. The farm is fully reticulated, with troughs in every paddock, so livestock have no need to use the streams.

“If there are any leaks in the water system, the sudden rise in water usage gives us an early warning,” says Rod. Mindful of using too much water, the farm is run using water efficiently as possible, with water regarded as a precious commodity.

Rod was a founding member of the Piako River

Rod has enthusiastically adopted the state of the art, hi-tech, Yardmaster Halo electronic monitoring system to the extent of helping improve and extend the mobile phone application.

“Any alerts of problems come straight to my phone,” says Rod. “I can shut down the whole system or monitor what everything is doing, from wherever I am.”

Effluent

Effluent is stored in a large pond and irrigated over 30ha in drier months.

Effluent management includes GPS monitoring of the irrigators, pond level indicators and geo-fencing of drains, rivers and wetlands. The geo-fencing stops the irrigators 50 metres from any waterways so there is no risk of contamination.

The green water in the effluent pond

Catchment Forum, and the farm has been a case study for the Fonterra Tiaki Sustainable Dairying Programme. The judges said the farm is a leading example of a measured approach and consistently doing things well. “Both Rod and Sandra are very passionate about doing things once and doing it properly, and the farm is inspirational for improving aesthetics and enhancing biodiversity.”

Entries to the next Ballance Farm Environment Awards closed last month, with entrants and award winners to be showcased in regional functions in autumn 2019.

Catherine Fry

The pristine cowshed at Oakstone Hinuera farm.

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is also recycled back up to large water tanks near the dairy shed. After milking, this water is released in a rather spectacular way, surging down the feed pad, sweeping all solid matter away with it. The liquid is diverted into the pond, and the solids collect in a bunker. This is emptied around three times a year and

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Science, according to the Concise Oxford Dictionary, is systematic and formulated knowledge. Primarily it’s about measures, and when it comes to fertiliser it’s about performance measured over time.

Soil fertility programmes here were developed initially from measures taken in the 1940s and 1950s by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research – known as DSIR – later to become the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, or MAF. A cornerstone of the work carried out by the various research institutes throughout the country prior to 1990 was providing farmers with the best and most up-todate information. There was no commercial influence then, and trial work required the co-operation of several disciplines for a minimum of 10 years.

We regularly now hear of an imminent science breakthrough that will reduce nitrate-N losses and greenhouse gas emissions, while removing excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Even if such a breakthrough was discovered right now, it would be several years before sufficient measures could be made in enough practical farm situations to know that it provided a viable alternative to current practice.

No miracle cures

There are no miracle cures about to be released, which means we either continue with current practices and suffer the environmental and financial consequences; or far-reaching regulation is introduced, slashing animal numbers and depriving farmers of their livelihoods.

One possible miracle would be if long-term data from alternative soil fertility programmes were examined to see whether there’s anything of value. It would take maybe 90 days for a team of researchers to carefully analyse the data, and take enough measures from the properties of long-term users, to know what of value there is to be learned.

There is plenty that can be learned from the work of those outside mainstream, although it will come too late for at least one of the first people to appreciate that a calcium, rather than phosphorus-driven soil fertility system, provided superior results in all respects.

Vaughan Jones, who died recently, was

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a vociferous advocate of higher-than-usual inputs of lime and soft phosphate rock along with elemental sulphur as the basis for clover-dominant permanent grazed pasture, and time will show he was ahead of his time.

The advantage of the system Vaughan pioneered was steadily increasing pasture growth over time, in contrast to the results from the urea-driven system embraced by many today.

There are plenty of measures to show annual pasture growth has steadily declined with increasing nitrogen use during the last 27 years. It’ll be looked back on as a failed strategy, with damage caused taking decades to recover.

Nitrogen

Nitrogen is an essential growth requirement, as important in calcium-driven systems as in systems reliant on regular N applications. The difference is sufficient N can be made available naturally for pasture growth in excess of 18 tonne DM/ha per year.

And the claim that nitrogen, whether applied in the form of bag N or fixed by clover, is the same doesn’t stand close scrutiny, due to the short length of time, 1994-1996, the study was conducted.

Most pastoral soils on which dairy cows currently graze naturally contain 5000kg-15,000kg N/ha. Only a small percentage is required for plant growth throughout the season with the majority recycled via dung and urine.

As with all nutrients only one to five per cent of the total amount is available at any given time for plant uptake. The key to success of the clover-based system is it is fixed in response to declining plantavailable levels, a far more efficient way of supplying N to plants.

When ideal grazing intervals are adopted plants contain more protein and less nitrate, further reducing the amount of N lost to groundwater. The measures are available, and those wanting to scrutinise dispassionately may have access to them.

Total N leached may still be above the strictest standards demanded.

However, compared to losses from fertiliser N-dependent systems, the reduction is significant. Not perfection perhaps, but possibly a starting point for scientists aware that there is no single magic button in a multi-factored natural system.

Our experience is that scientists seldom stray far from their centres of work, even when invited. Those of us in the field can assist by providing essential field observations required – if rapid progress that allows farmers to remain viable now and into the future, and the fresh water standards are to be met. For more information, contact Peter on 0800 843 809.

DAIRY

Page 23

Discussing ‘alternative’ approaches to soil fertility As the recipient of the Ray Brougham Trophy for 2018, Dr Ants Roberts, the chief scientific officer for Ravensdown, gave three lectures – at Ruakura, Massey and Lincoln – in August.

The Ray Brougham Trophy is awarded each year by the New Zealand Grasslands Trust to somebody who has made a significant contribution to pastoral agriculture in New Zealand.

Dr Roberts talk was entitled ‘Soil Fertility Finangling: A Curmudgeons View’.

The talk itself can be viewed online at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eCnFZ9Tros In the last few decades there’s been a number of articles in the farming press on sustainable and regenerative agricultural practices by self-proclaimed experts, who are critical of conventional fertiliser practices.

In his talk Dr Roberts discussed a number of these ‘alternative’ approaches to soil fertility, yet which have failed to show merit when put through scientific rigour.

His criticisms included Fine Particle Application or liquification of mainstream fertilisers, the Base Saturation Cation Ratio theory – sometimes referred to as Albrecht theory – the use of humates to build soil organic matter levels, and dicalcium phosphate compared to using superphosphate and lime.

Fine particle application

With FPA he referred to trial work which showed that regardless of whether a product is sprayed on or applied in dry granular form, there is no difference in overall production – and it is the quantity of nutrient applied which determines the response.

The Base Saturation Cation Ratio theory was promoted by Dr William Albrecht from Missouri State University in the 1940s and 1950s. The theory is there is an ideal ratio of the positive elements –cations – calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium which are attached to the negatively charged soil particles where calcium should make up 60-75 per cent, magnesium 10-20%, potassium 2-5% and sodium 0.5-5% of the exchange sites of the soil’s CEC (Cation Exchange Capacity). Later trial work showed there is no ideal ratio, but that these elements should be applied to the soil based on whether they were deficient or not using the SLAN method (Sufficiency Level of Available Nutrients) which we use here in New Zealand (MAF Units) for calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium.

Overseas research showed that sufficiency levels are a better predictor of crop responses compared to using base saturation ratios. After Dr Roberts gave his talk in Hamilton I mentioned to him some recent research done by Dr Tim Reinbott of Missouri State University which he presented at the American Society of Agronomy and Soil Science Society of America annual conference last year. Dr Reinbott’s research showed that using the Albrecht system gave improved yields in corn and soya bean crops and that there were some soil health improvements using the Albrecht approach

Robin Boom

compared to the conventional fertiliser input approach.

Humates

For me personally, when advising farmers, I consider both base saturation ratios and sufficiency levels as I think there is some overlap in terms of production and quality and in the case of livestock, particularly dairy cows, that having correct calcium-potassium and magnesium-potassium ratios can improve animal health.

When it came humates, which are extracted from lignite and leonardite coal seams, Dr Roberts showed most of our soils already have large quantities of organic matter and soil carbon, and how adding a small amount of humate products (humic acid, fulvic acid and humin) would make very little difference.

He stressed the importance of trying to maintain good organic matter levels as it provides so many benefits including improved moisture and nutrient retention, reducing soil compaction and surface crusting, improving water infiltration, providing food and a valuable home for important soil micro-organisms and earthworms, preventing soil erosion and nutrient run-off, and improving the macro and micro porosity of the soil.

phate products could be more beneficial than superphosphate are the Pakihi sand soils of the West Coast, the podsol soils of Northland and raw peat soils in the Waikato where the Anion Storage Capacity is very low, and phosphorus

Blends

As for reverted and dicalcium phosphate fertilisers, Dr Roberts showed there was no greater value in using these compared to applying lime and superphosphate separately. The only exceptions where dicalcium phos-

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DAIRY

Page 24

Kiwi agricultural values and beliefs How many times, during the last 15 years of my farming writing career, have I been told or read that farmers just want to leave their land in better shape than when they took it over.

Then why, during those 15 years, have our freshwaters got more polluted, in many cases our pastures have grown less tonnage each year, animal health bills risen, profitability declined, and the level of farm debt skyrocketed?

In two words, it is ‘fertiliser usage’, particularly urea, or Bag N. I’ve been reading ‘A Matter of Fact – Talking Truth in a Post-Truth World’ by Jess Berentson-Shaw.

It discusses how and why people get to believe ‘facts’ when they are presented in certain ways, despite their basic beliefs saying otherwise.

No urea

Seemingly, everyone in NZ, from the Government down, measures success only against growth, and the cries of ‘more, more, more’ are heard on everything, including farming. And it could be said that with millions more cows, better genetics, and a largely uncounted amount of supplementary feed, we are

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producing more milk. But farm costs keep rising, our biggest firm makes a huge loss, farm profitability is not something to be counted on, so what use was all that extra milk to our dairy farmers?

In the early 1980s New Zealand farmers used almost no urea, and grew enough grass to fully feed our cows.

In the era of New Zealand’s ‘Think Big’ we were suddenly inundated with Maui Gas and had to think up ways to use it, and one of those ideas was the Kapuni Ammonium Urea plant in Taranaki. We’re now the biggest users of urea in the world, and every one of our farmers is exhorted continually, to keep doing so.

The figure quoted to me recently wa 750,000 tonnes used last year, and it goes up every year, while European countries are managing with considerably less than before. And I won’t go into the fact that we are Morocco’s last two clients for the phosphate they annexed in the Western Sahara, putting half a million former residents into refugee camps.

Soils



I don’t think our coastlines have expanded, although our skinny cow population has certainly grown.

Our business leaders and, seemingly, most of our scientists have plumped for the so-called benefits of chemical farming. Our small population of soil scientists were pensioned off, and the view these days is on how much green stuff can be produced and immediately

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eaten, without ever looking at what is happening to our soils. They seem to be able to ignore the fact that everything alive in the world survives on what goes on in the top few inches of our soils.

Instead these days we grow great algal green crops on our freshwaters, and nature’s teeming trillions of soil-life are ignored.

In some countries overuse of chemicals has seen that soil-life just give up – it won’t grow anything, no matter what gets strewn on top. Obviously, it couldn’t happen here, could it?

Advice

Yet, when I mention to those handing out advice that there might be a better way of doing things, and helping Mother Nature to achieve sustainability might be possible, I get sneered at and told I’m wrong. Meanwhile those doing the sneering are being handed millions of dollars to embark on ‘research projects’ to fix our waters, which never even consider the urea that might be causing the problems.

Some even decry as ‘frauds’ any small company that dares to offer a different alternative, even when years of measurements and proof of profitability are produced.

If the farming belief is to ‘leave things better than when found’, what are the values held about sustainability, or the alternate catch cry that: ‘It’s my land and I’ll do what I like on it’.

I’ll go on backing Nature. She’s been at it longer than we have, very successfully until our recent tinkering. And I do know how she does it. You just need to ask.

Sue Edmonds

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Combatting weeds and pests – and updating health and safety We’re well into planting now – thanks to a good run of weather.

Tauranga just had its third driest September in 77 years, according to the MetService.

This has meant a better start to the season than 2017. Last year we planted our swamp blocks on November 2 – this year it was October 18.

And last year we had to plant parts of paddocks due to ground being wet and return to sort the rest – this year we’ve planted whole paddocks at once.

The only thing is soil temperatures aren’t as good as last year. But if we get some warm days this will pick up.

Some farmers are still struggling with feed. A heavy frost on September 19 didn’t help so there’s not a lot of surplus around. So for future supply they need to be vigilant with weeds and pests attacking their crops. Once the seed is in, don’t shut the gate and walk away. Check seed is coming up evenly and nothing, like rats, pukeko, pheasants and even pigs, are taking out seed.

Weeds

With maize crops you’ll have to use a post-emergent spray to combat weeds, and for turnips a post-emergent spray will keep weeds and white butterfly at bay. This should be done the same time you put on a side-dressing of nitrogen – about six weeks after planting.

The weeds might not look very big – or there might not be many – but once they take hold they soon change.

Summer grass is also not good at the base of maize – as it can be host plant for army caterpillar. They lay eggs on it, hatch; then start chewing away at your crop.

The recent death of a mother and son, killed in a tractor accident in Otago, really gives us all a stark reminder of the need to keep on top of health and safety on-farm.

Now calving has past it’s a good time

to ensure your operation’s health and safety policies are all up-to-date. Revise your Safe Operation Procedures and make sure staff are following them.

And while operating one piece of equipment might mean having 10 SOPs they’re worth it – so if someone new comes along they can read the procedures to operate the gear safely with appropriate training.

with bait stations .We’ve got nice leafy silage for sale and a bit of maize silage for sale. So get your orders in early before the potential dry spell arrives, so you don’t have to stress about feed shortages.

We’ll have hay and straw later on in the season.

Potential hazards

Be mindful of where potential hazards are and ensure people aware of them. Especially contractors coming on-farm – because if a slip, hole, tomo or low powerline is not pointed out it could cause injury or fatality. And it can come back at you. Nowadays Google maps are handy to write hazards on and stick up in the shed.

Fonterra’s huge $196m loss and recent forecasted payout drop is a concern. It’s certainly hard on farmers when they’re trying to budget – it’s like trying to hit a moving target. Traditionally, the Global Milk Auction price does dip in spring when there’s more milk and lift later on as supply drops. It’s not abnormal but farmers need to keep an eye on budgets.

When making supplementary feed – go for quality not quantity. Make silage out of short, leafy grass with no more than 15 per cent seed-head emergence.

If you want to have back-up feed in the corner, in case it turns dry, and you want to milk cows from it – you have to go for quality.

Ensure plants have high sugar levels, they’re wilted properly, and stack it or bale it as soon as possible after cutting.

Use inoculants to increase bacteria required for speeding up the ensiling process, and cover well. Seal the stack and fence to keep stock out. Set up bait stations to keep rats at bay. And put netting/shade cloth over stacks to stop pukekos and ducks from getting in.

Monitor your stacks and bales regularly for pests. Rats at one of our blocks took three weeks to slow down

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DESIGN – SUPPLY – BUILD

Page 25

Page 26

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Cyril Yearbury at his Cambridge property.

Photo: Catherine Fry.

New Zealand Royal Agricultural Society stalwart Cyril Yearbury grew up with dairy farming, but he had showed horses and show-jumped as a child.

He’s also had a long association with the society, receiving a life membership of the Mid Northern Area with his late wife Anne, and the couple’s children have followed his interest in horses. Late daughter Sue achieved considerable success in showing.

He’s been a founder riding member, committee member, judge, and now a Patron of the Cambridge Pony Club and the Cambridge A&P Society. He was the driving force behind establishing the North Island Pony Club Show Jumping Championships.

But when Mid Northern area district measurer, Ken Peake, retired in the 1970s it was the role of horse measurer that Cyril stepped into for the next 40 years.

Horse measurers use a Metcalfe measuring machine, with days organised several times a year at venues around the region for horses to be measured.

“All horses that are to compete in the NZ A&P shows need to be measured and issued with a certificate of height to establish which classes they may enter,” says Cyril.

He reckons the secret to accurate measurement is knowing when a horse is relaxed, finding the knob

on the withers, and measuring to that with the machine.

“The horse has to stand square and relaxed.

Sometimes they need calming, but that is down to horse-handling experience – and I can usually win a horse over.”

Cyril says measurers know every trick in the book owners to use to cheat the system. In his role as national convenor of measuring for the NZ RAS during the 1990s-2000s, Cyril travelled the country settling height disputes between owners and measurers.

All horses need an annual certificate of height until eight years old, when they’re given a certificate for life.

With measuring machines in Te Aroha, Hamilton, Te Puke, Rotorua and Taupo, the Mid Northern Area has half a dozen measurers.

Cyril has “retired” from what he describes as his “hobby”, but still acts in an advisory role and a backup measurer.

He’s thoroughly enjoyed supplying this service to the equestrian sport for more than four decades.

“I’ve watched many different horses and riders rise up through the ranks and it’s so rewarding watching their development from season to season.”

When not involved in horse-related activities, Cyril can be found working on his Cambridge farm.

Catherine Fry

MAIZE & FEED MANAGEMENT

Page 27

Giving growers an even better choice for weed control Following the launch of two new herbicides into the maize market this spring, Orion AgriScience general manager Peter Westaway is proud of the contribution Orion continues to make in the maize industry.

“Orion’s maize portfolio is comprehensive – and represents the best of value and choice in a very competitive market.”

Peter says Orion has been, and continues to be, instrumental in bringing new products to the market.

He offers gives Cutter as an example. “Cutter is a highly effective product combining both herbicide and insecticide for pre-emergent grass weed and

insect,” says Peter. “It’s unique to Orion and is a world-first.”

Other standout products in the Orion maize range include Atraflow and Dominator, a tried and trusted combination for wide-spectrum broadleaf weed control.

“Where grass weeds are more of a problem, the launch of two new products – Orion Nico Ultra and Corvette – give growers an even better choice for weed control.”

With post-emergent spraying just around the corner, Orion’s team of experienced field representatives are always on-hand to provide advice, says Peter.

For more information, contact Orion on 0800 674 668 or visit: orionagriscience.co.nz Atraflow, Cutter, Corvette, and Orion Nico Ultra trademarks of Orion AgriScience Ltd.

With post-emergent spraying just around the corner, Orion has a range of weed control solutions.

Communication key to working successfully with contractors Most dairy farmers will need contractors to assist with some or all of these processes of growing maize.

So communication and good planning are key to working with contractors and technical advisors.

Growing maize requires a range of operations from cultivation through to harvest. Most dairy farmers won’t have the specialist equipment required for growing maize, so will therefore need to employ contractors for these tasks.

For those with limited time or experience, technical advisors from a range of merchant companies are available to offer crop management services and/or advice.

There are specialist contractors and advisors who concentrate on only one

aspect of maize Production – for example, spraying or fertilisers – while others provide a complete service from sowing to harvest.

You will need to talk with your contractor and technical advisor regarding your specific requirements, which may include spraying, cultivation, sowing, fertilizer, and harvesting.

But most have several hundred clients requiring the same service at much the same time.

So giving notice of your intentions well in advance and then regular updates will improve the service they can provide.

Source: ‘Best Management Practices for Growing Maize on Dairy Farms’ booklet from Dairy NZ.

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Page 28

MAIZE & FEED MANAGEMENT

The machinery and expertise for all contracting needs Any sort of contracting that needs doing – d’Emden Contracting Ltd at Tauranga are the people to do it.

“With the machinery and expertise we have, we can tackle any sort of contracting work from ground clearing to cultivating and seed sowing,” says David Keherly, who with George d’Emden, is one of the directors of the company.

One of their latest contract-

ing jobs is clearing forestry land, mulching the debris, discing the ground and then sowing the grass in readiness for dairy cows. They also cultivate the land for sowing oats, kale, turnips or any other winter feed crop.

David says spring is the time that farmers start cutting grass for baleage and this can carry on until late-April. Sometimes farmers get several cuts off one paddock in a year.

“We cut the grass, rake it, bale

and wrap it and then stack the bales neatly wherever the farmer wants them stacked.

“I’m a sharemilker and I know how tidy I like to keep things on the farm and I apply this same strategy to our clients,” says David.

D’Emden Contracting Ltd has a two-loader wagon, six tractors, excavators and a digger and employ five to six staff during the busy summer season.

Keeping the six tractors and

d’Emden Contracting Ltd on the job.

other machinery in tip top condition is George’s job – as he’s in charge of the workshop.

“His job is to keep the machinery working and mine is to just keep working,” says David. With those combined skills and reliability d’Emden Contracting Ltd are kept busy all year round.

Don’t let army worms invade Those growing maize this summer are encouraged not to let summer grass grow at the base of their crops – as it can become a host plant for army worm caterpillars.

During summer eggs hatch within a week and the caterpillars take about three-four weeks to fully develop. The pupal stage lasts about two weeks and the female moth begins laying eggs about four days after it emerges from the pupa.

Several generations can occur during springautumn, depending on the average temperature.

Two types of caterpillar can cause this kind of crop damage; tropical armyworm (Spodoptera litura) and cosmopolitan armyworm (Mythimna separata). Colours vary and caterpillars grow up to 50mm long.

The name army worm comes from the way the caterpillars ‘march’ across a field in formation, eating all suitable plant material in their path.

Insecticides, applied at first sign of caterpillars and damage, are an effective way to control tropical armyworm.

MAIZE & FEED MANAGEMENT

Page 29

Chemicals used on the land to be reassessed Chemical use in New Zealand – including herbicides and insecticides used in horticulture and agriculture settings – is being reassessed to ensure risks to people and the environment continue to be managed effectively.

The Environmental Protection Authority is ramping up its reassessments programme and, working with international counterparts, has identified a priority chemicals list of 40 chemicals that require review and scrutiny. The list includes a number of herbicides, fungicides and insecticides used in horticulture and agriculture.

But the EPA – which independently manages regulation, approval and reassessment of chemicals classed as hazardous substances under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act – will not immediately reassess glyphosate, neonicotinoids, and methyl bromide as they don’t meet priority criteria.

Future generations

and up-to-date evidence and data, and which aligns with the standards, knowledge and practices recognised by our regulatory partners globally.

“Industry groups, importers, manufacturers and our trading partners will also enjoy greater consumer and international confidence in the way NZ manages its chemical regime.

“Our worldwide knowledge about chemicals and their effects increases every day through advances in science and technology.

ardous substances are in use in NZ, with around 9000 individual approvals and 210 Group Standards covering 150,000 substances. The EPA assesses about 100 new hazardous substance applications, and decides whether

to approve them with appropriate input from WorkSafe NZ. Agcarm, the industry association representing crop protection, animal health and rural supplier businesses, says the regulator’s approach is reason-

able. Agcarm CEO Mark Ross says it’s sensible to retain low-risk products to manage pests and diseases, especially when there are no better alternatives.

“In fact, often, the alternative options are worse.”

h e l p i n g yo u g r o w

New information

h e l p i n g yo u g r o w

“At times, new information may indicate a chemical poses more risks than existed, or that we knew of, at the time it was originally approved for use in NZ.” But Allan says when an approval is granted for a chemical to be used in NZ that approval does not expire.

“The only legal way it can be amended or revoked is when the EPA, or an interested party, takes formal action.

“The EPA did this in April 2017 when it reassessed five approvals for the pesticide chlorothalonil.

As part of the programme, grounds for reassessment have already been established for the herbicide paraquat, and a call for information has been completed, says Allan.

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EPA chief executive Dr Allan Freeth says the reassessment will involve reviewing the rules that apply to Use Rorisons Lime and LimeMag to address Calcium chemicals on the priority list to ensure and Magnesium needs of your soil. risks to people and the environment continue to be managed effectively, Funding providing greater confidence for New Rorisons AgriBlend custom blend soil conditioners “Further grounds for other chemicals Zealanders the EPA is properly managon the priority list are being prepared ing their health and environmental and fertilisers to your specifications. for consideration by an EPA decisionconcerns on their behalf and on behalf making committee in the near future.” of future generations.

Allan says the EPA is funding this “This is an extensive and important initial reassessment work by reprioritisprogramme of work that goes and to theyou can’t Farming’s hard work afford to muck around.

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Page 30

Research to develop easy-to-use freshwater sensor Enabling farmers to have more individual control over monitoring of their freshwater and subsequently adjusting their land management practices for individual pasture – to reduce nitrate and phosphate leaching – is the crux of research being undertaken by Thomas Corbett.

The Waikato University PhD student was awarded a Ministry of Primary Industries’ postgraduate scholarship

worth up to $50,000, to develop a nitrate/nitrite and phosphate freshwater sensor earlier this year.

After a three-year travel break – including a stint running a bed and breakfast in Wales – Thomas returned to New Zealand and applied to Waikato University to study for his Masters.

When discussing his research interests with his now supervisors Professor Louis Schipper and Dr Adam Hartland presented him with a research proposal and opportunity to undertake a PhD

extending the Diffusive Gradients in Thin Films – known as DGT – technology.

Development of DGT technology began in the 1990s, and extended to nitrate/nitrite more recently, but it has not widely been taken up, says Thomas.

“Current testing involves taking a water sample and sending it to a lab for analysis,” says Thomas.

“This method only gives farmers a reading of that moment in time. A heavy rainfall Thomas Corbett. event or even the time of day, for example, could mean the same water gives a different reading hours later.”

He is looking at using a passive sampler, which sits in the water body for an extended period of time. “This means a whole range of conditions and fluctuations are captured, giving a more representative result.”

The research focuses on extending the technology so analysis can be undertaken in-field, enabling farmers to have more individual control over the monitoring of their freshwater.

“The tricky bit is incorporating the chemistry that would enable in-field testing into the DGT device,” says Thomas, whose academic’s credentials include a BA/BSc was in politics, philosophy and chemistry “because he felt the mix was “good for his critical thought and writing skills” followed by a First Class Honours degree in computational chemistry.

Thomas says DGT technology is a passive sampling technique whereby dissolved species diffuse through a diffusion layer, and are selectively bound by an inner resin, the accumulated mass is then used to calculate a time-weighted average concentration.

“Finding an easy-to-use, accurate and affordable field test will give landusers better control of their water and land.”

Alongside lab development, Thomas will conduct trials in the field as he continues to develop the final tool.

Catherine Fry The DGT technology. Photo: supplied.

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How precision agriculture can help deliver results could address them.”

“And you may not pick them all up and turn them all into very profitable or high-yielding areas, but they need to stop costing you money.

“This was a wake-up call for us. And if you’re going to be efficient and environmentally sustainable – it’s very hard to be green where you’re in the red.”

Craige says farmers and growers also need to water wisely. “We need to measure, model it – if you don’t, you can’t mitigate what’s happening.

COSTS And these good farming practices and the most profitable ones do go hand-in-hand.”

CUT WASTE, REDUCE COSTS

CUT WASTE, REDUCE

Utilising precision agriculture systems to maximise nutrient efficiency in his farming operations is how Craige Mackenzie increases their productivity and profit.

And he says it’s not about high, intensive farming or broad acre – “it’s about putting the right product in the right place at the right time.”

The agronomist and head of Greenvale Pastures/Agri Optics NZ Ltd runs two irrigated farm businesses in Canterbury – an intensive cropping operation with specialist seeds, and a pasture and grain-based dairy farm, milking 1200 cows on 320ha.

“One thing to think about is while tools of technology are part of the solution it’s actually you guys sitting here and how you implement the technol-

ogy that’s important,” says Craige, who addressed delegates of the 2018 NZ Avocado International industry Conference recently.

He encouraged delegates to grab hold of technology to take a real hard, datadriven look at their operations using precision agriculture technologies: “Because if we stand still we’re going to go backwards”.

Craige started with mapping his properties to show where they were losing production and profit. “And the production was one thing, but what actually mattered was the profit. If all of you go to the back corner of the farm or orchard you probably know it’s not producing that well. But who actually maps it?

“It’s easier to remember where the best pieces are but you tend to leave the bad bits alone. Well, we wanted to know where the bad areas were so we

Craig, who was awarded a Nuffield Scholarship in 2008 that focused on understanding carbon footprint, says precision agriculture can become a solution to this, in lots of ways.

“If you can reduce your inputs by 30 per cent and maintain your outputs – you’ve just reduced your carbon footprint by 30 per cent.”

He talked of his operations’ use electromagnetic soil mapping for soil nutrients, soil variability, elevation maps, soil and moisture monitoring – but also said that “before you step into any technology you need to do the basics right”.

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FERTILISER

Getting nitrogen without opening the chequebook Kiwi Fertiliser prides itself on delivering fertility as close as nature intended as practicable.

Certain commonly used products have been found wanting, leading to serious pollution and eutrophication problems. Farmers have been led to believe urea is essential for high production.

We contend that is not true. Nitrogen can be sourced from the air by plants if the correct conditions are met. After all, the urea manufacturers obtain nitrogen from the air, convert it to urea, and then sell it to farmers. Farmers can get free nitrogen in the same manner without opening the cheque book. All he must do is to ensure he has the following conditions.

An appropriate calcium and magnesium percent of soil base saturation. Available phosphorus and iron. Plus, Molybdenum and Cobalt.

In our general experience, the majority of properties do not have the correct calcium and magnesium percentage. For most properties, from a lab test from Perry Agricultural Laboratories, this should be 68 per cent and 12 per cent, although the range is 60 per cent and 20 per cent. Each property has a correct percentage.

Deficient

We find most properties are either deficient or excessive in calcium and deficient in magnesium. Most properties have available phosphate. In fact, excess phosphate – very few are deficient, at least on cultivable land. Iron is variable with most having sufficient on the flats, but not necessarily on the hills. Molybdenum is generally in excess and cobalt is either low or deficient. We often find higher amounts of nitrogen in our soil tests, than in soil tests taken on farms not using our fertiliser system. That means nitrogen is where it’s supposed to be. It’s in the soil, not in the water.

Our recommended phosphate products are alkaline. Alkaline P does not have the same propensity to complex in the soil as acid superphosphate does.

Further, acid P is harsh on soil fungi.

One of soil fungi’s functions is to hold calcium in the soil. Without those fungi, calcium is not held in the soil at all.

To make matters worse, urea can take calcium, magnesium and copper out of the soil profile. Some fungi increases

plants’ ability to uptake phosphorus by up to 1000 times. It is a huge loss to lose them, but that is the current situation. Some of you may remember large parts of the countryside used to support vast populations of mushrooms during the “mushroom season”. Not anymore.

Potassium

Potassium is not considered an issue by regional councils. However, since potassium chloride can be harsh on soil microbial life, we prefer potassium sulphate. The chloride form is the main culprit that hardens soil.

Hard soils are dead soils with less humus in them than living, productive soils. When it rains, hard soils shed water much faster than soft, spongy living soils. This leads to erosion and nutrient loss. A soil with one per cent organic matter can only retain 20 per cent of the water that a five per cent organic matter soil can. That has serious implications in heavy rainfall events and in drought situations. Where possible, we add a carbon source to most fertiliser mixes.

Higher yields

Properties we fertilise can produce higher yields of higher quality pasture, herbal leys, Lucerne, kale, sorghum and all other crops. The nutrients are in the plant, in an organic form, and therefore exactly where they should be and not in the soil in a leachable form or worse still, in the water. The health of those crops is transferred to the animals consuming them, leading to lower veterinary costs and less disease.

All nutrients are addressed as necessary and within budget constraints.

Kiwi Fertiliser uses Perry Agricultural Services for soil tests in Missouri, USA. Any figures mentioned above will not be relevant to any other laboratory. More importantly results will not be the same nor as good in the field if formulae relevant to PAL are used to work out fertiliser requirements from any other soil tests

FERTILISER

Page 33

Continuing to hit Kiwis where it hurts The Government continues to show it doesn’t understand the pressure ordinary, hard-working New Zealanders are under and it continues to forge ahead with policies which drive up the cost of living.

Kiwi families are being forced to dig further into their pockets as the Government makes ill-thought through decisions against expert advice.

The Government’s own officials confirmed recently that gas and electricity prices will rise because of the Government’s harmful ban on new offshore oil and gas exploration.

Officials warned the Government that this decision will cost New Zealanders billions of dollars. And that’s before you take into account the loss of jobs and the economic impact on Taranaki communities in particular.

Petrol prices have once again hit record highs, topping $2.40 a litre in many centres, but the Government has pushed

ahead with its planned petrol price hikes, with another four cents per litre tax added.

It is irresponsible to increase fuel taxes when crude oil prices are at a four-year high, but this is just the latest act in a pattern of poor decision-making by a government which thinks it knows best.

But not only are New Zealanders going to be paying even more at the pump, new data shows the median weekly rent in NZ reached a record high in August, further adding to the burden placed on our households.

In what has become a trend for this Government, it ignored expert advice and forged ahead with its decision to reform the legislation that governs renters and landlords.

Officials advised the Government that this move would drive landlords out of the market and hike rents up further – despite Housing Minister Phil Twyford insisting this wouldn’t happen.

Look after horses and paddocks If you’re wanting to fertilise your horse paddocks, there’s now a limebased fertiliser that can look after your soil and your animals.

Achieve lush pastures for your horses with Equi-lise.

Sarah Morgan from CP Lime Solutions says for horse paddocks that need lime, Equi-lise is ideal. “Not only does this pelletised form of fine lime reduce application rates to 250kg/ha, it also contains magnesium, phosphate, sulphur, and a bit of selenium.

“All key ingredients for keeping horse paddocks healthy and palatable.”

And because Equi-lise is finely ground and made into a pellet, it

makes it highly plant-available meaning you need much less to do the job.

Plus, the pellets reduce the dust and mess of fertilising your paddocks.

“Equi-lise is super easy to apply by yourself, no big trucks are needed and there’s no white dust flying everywhere,” says Sarah.

“Equi-lise can be applied with a small tow-behind, walk-behind spreader, or by hand.”

Sarah with it being hard to sometimes get advice suitable fertilisers for horse paddocks – due to lifestyle blocks usually too small for any fertiliser company to be bothered with and fertiliser trucks having trouble manoeuvring around small paddocks – Equi-lise is the perfect solution.

“We love how Equi-lise is an allin-one lime and fertiliser, it helps to sweeten the pasture and encourages the horses to graze the paddocks more evenly, recycling nutrients from dung and urine patches.

“It is also comforting for horse owners to know that Equi-lise contains no synthetic chemicals or acids,” says Sarah.

It is a super easy, convenient and costeffective way of looking after paddocks and making the most of the nutrients that horses deposit there. Helen Wilson

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These decisions all result in increases to the cost of living that will hurt all New Zealanders. And they will hit our poorest the hardest because they are most likely to rent, drive older, less fuel-efficient cars; and have less flexibility around household cooking and heating costs.

National understands the pressures hard-working Kiwi families are under, and we’ve got the skills to manage the economy to keep the cost of living down.

We believe in doing things to grow the economy, not

slow it down – because that’s how New Zealanders will get ahead.

We believe New Zealanders should be able to keep more of what they earn. We think New Zealanders are taxed enough as it is.

But unfortunately taxpayers are being used to bankroll the Government’s bad ideas, which are driving up the cost of living, slowing down the economy and reducing the opportunities for Kiwis to get ahead.

Page 34

FARM MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT

Specialty crops need more agtech investment “And what’s becoming one of the biggest issues? The labour challenge.

This year – for the first time – 1200 workers short for kiwifruit harvest.

I’ve been in the kiwifruit industry for 25 years – never heard of that until this year. It’s really starting to impact,” says Steve.

He’s built innovative robotics and automation tech company RobiticsPlus, founded Newnham Park innovation centre, WNT tech incubator and Tauranga’s new regional research centre PlantTech, and spoke at the 2018 NZ Avocado International industry Conference.

He talked of how robotics and automation and new technologies might impact avocado growers’ futures regarding long-term sustainability, orchard structures, labour requirements, crop estimation – and the need for R&D investment.

Driving this is the estimated 10 billion mouths to feed by 2050 – and challenges of ageing farmers, reducing labour, limited natural resources and environmental impacts of the way we farm.

Steve says technology is moving so fast that it’s becoming more affordable “so you can start to look at how these technologies can be adapted into the environment we work in”.

“RobiticsPlus can map a kiwifruit orchard as we drive through it – we can look at layers, structures, vine structures, leaf areas, we can see if a person is going to run in front of the robot – and stop. This is becoming more affordable – five years ago we wouldn’t have dreamed of having the sensors on our robots today.”

Plus artificial intelligence, with machine learning, is also allowing greater data insights of what’s going on in our environments.

“And in the US I went a course on how to drive a forklift in the virtual reality world. So you start to imagine how VR can be used in training your staff to operate machinery.

“You also start to imagine if someone can be sitting in India in augmented reality, with real camera feeds and a hydroladder here in NZ – they’re actually, with a robot hand, picking your avocados. Those sorts of realities can happen.”

But Steve says if industries want this technology going forward, they’ve got to start thinking about it now and how they invest “because the pathway to get to this technology is not short because you’re dealing with an adverse environment”.

Specialty crops like avocados, strawberries and kiwifruit need more research and investment into agtech solutions.

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When a tidy-up becomes a total restoration “Half the people reckon you’re silly,” says Bruce. “It definitely costs a fortune and you don’t get your money back!”

Bruce and Warren are keen new members of the Otorohanga Vintage and Veteran Machinery Club, and participate in tractor treks, tractor pulls and haymaking. “She needs a good run every so often,” says Bruce.

Her most recent adventure was being on display at the 50th

National Fieldays, where she had an amusing life story from her point of view pinned onto her. A little gesture of appreciation by Bruce for the initial hard work, and now pleasure that the Dexta has given him over the years.

Does your farm or your boss have a pet tractor? Or maybe a pet digger or bulldozer? If so, we’d love to hear about it! Email: merle@sunmedia.co.nz with a photo of it and a contact name and phone number. We might even throw a prize your way for a good yarn.

Catherine Fry

Bruce Shaw driving his 1962 Ford Dexta. Photos: Catherine Fry.

Tractor and vehicle enthusiast Bruce Shaw, from Hamilton, enjoys sharing this aspect of New Zealand’s heritage – and appreciates the effort people put into preserving some of the fine old vehicles. His own contribution is a 1962 blue Ford Dexta, with a three-cylinder Perkins engine.

The ‘Dexta’, as she’s known, was delivered by Burgess Ford in Otorohanga. She started life on the family farm in Te Kawa, working in the hayfields, hooked up to a Kuhn mower, with a New Holland crimper behind that. At baling time she towed the Bamford long baler.

When Bruce left home for his own farm in Hamilton, he took the Dexta with him, and bought a Ford 4000 with a front-end loader. Bruce married Lyn, and had three children. The blue Dexta remained

with the family as they moved to a dairy farm in Pokuru in 1971, and then to a 25 acre block near Te Awamutu in 1988.

“She’s a great hard worker,” says Bruce. “When I only needed one tractor, I sold the 4000, and kept the Dexta.”

By 2013 both Bruce and the Dexta were retired, and she was showing her age and looking a little neglected.

Bruce now lived in town in Hamilton – but luckily his son Warren shares his passion for tractors and took the family tractor to his Pirongia home with the intention of restoring her.

“Initially we meant a tidy up,’ says Bruce. “But she ended up spending 18 months in the workshop being totally pulled apart and put back together, and every part of her being re-painted.”

Bruce is the first to admire the shining Dexta Blue paintwork, and appreciates the end result of his son’s enthusiasm. His thoughts on restoration are pragmatic.

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KIWIFRUIT

Regional fuel tax should be put on hold On July 1, 2018, the first Regional Fuel Tax allowed under law came into force in Auckland – and confusion reigned. The law was passed only a matter of days before, on June 26, 2018, and how it would work in practice for growers and farmers in the area – and beyond once other regions adopt the tax – was unknown. Today it remains very much a mystery.

Growers who have attempted to make monthly rebate claims on fuel used “off road” and therefore, not subject to the fuel tax, have been denied and told they can only make quarterly claims.

The New Zealand Transport Agency’s electronic rebate system only went live on October 9, past the end of the first quarter during which growers incurred considerable costs for tax paid on fuel for vehicles used on their farms only.

The complexities and consequent costs of making claims is seeing a number of growers deciding not to apply for a rebate as that just adds even more cost.

This is despite Horticulture New Zealand hearing Ministers, and Members of Parliament, who had been on the Select Committee considering the law, publicly say that it was never intended to capture off-road, or “behind the farm gate”, fuel use.

HortNZ is trying to get the gap between what Ministers said they intended and the reality of the law closed. Why? Because unlike a lot of farms, for horticulture we are talking about considerable numbers of vehicles and machinery used to produce healthy food for New Zealanders, both in Auckland and beyond.

In the Auckland region there are more than 400 growers – feeding the Auckland population of 1.5 million people. For one grower alone, the stock of mainly diesel-powered vehicles and machinery used off-road includes around 100 tractors, as well as self-propelled harvesters, self-propelled sprayers, two and four-wheel motorbikes, generators, irrigation pumps, and flood pumps, using about 1 million litres of diesel off-road per year.

HortNZ contends the law-making process was so rushed, the full

democratic process was unnecessarily truncated and the end-users are the losers. This tax is designed to improve Auckland’s transport system, and therefore must exclude vehicles not used on those roads.

Growers have had to pay the RFT plus GST for three months before being able to claim a rebate, and that money has been sitting in a Government bank account earning interest.

This affects growers’ businesses and costs considerably, to the point of hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.

Those costs will have to be passed on to consumers, making healthy food more expensive at a time when many households are already struggling.

Artificial pollination is an efficient tool to utilise

Artificial pollination is an efficient and cost effective tool to maximise size, shape and total first class trays of kiwifruit.

Gold kiwifruit are relatively easy to pollinate but flowers only have a viable fertility of two days – so to assure full pollination,

artificial pollination should be employed, says Grant Luscombe, director of All Terrain Pollination in Katikati.

“Good pollination for both gold and green kiwifruit is essential to maximise taste in gold, and taste, size and shape in green,” says Grant.

“Recent research in gold kiwifruit has shown that large count size fruit can be grown with minimal pollination.

“The result being low dry matter having a major effect on grower returns and in the worst scenario fruit unable to pass the minimum taste threshold.”

All Terrain Pollination applies a wet pollen directly onto the flowers using a patented process designed, tested and proven in New Zealand for the kiwifruit industry, says Grant.

“The other major advantage is the application can be applied in almost all weather conditions, ensuing max-

imisation of pollination through adverse weather conditions where both dry application and bees are ineffective.”

Grant says green kiwifruit are difficult to pollinate and if there are any alternative flowers bees will go elsewhere.

“Recent trial work has shown that to maximise size, shape and total first class trays, artificial pollination is an efficient and cost-effective tool to achieve this.

“In a recent trial wet pollen application was run alongside dry pollen application. The results demonstrated significantly better results were achieved using wet pollen application resulting in bigger, better shaped fruit producing a larger number of first class trays,” says grant.

All Terrain Pollination will travel between the Hawke’s Bay and Northland, ensuring a full coverage of kiwifruit pollination requirements within the North Island.

KIWIFRUIT

Page 37

A passion for horticultural reporting recognised Coast & Country News’ former editor Elaine Fisher has been recognised for producing excellence in agricultural journalism on New Zealand’s horticulture industry for a fourth time, at the 2018 New Zealand Guild of Agricultural Journalists & Communicators Awards.

Elaine says the horticultural industry is diverse in the variety of foods it produces and how it’s grown, from indoors, to orchards, to market gardens, to covered cropping.

“I find this diversity and the research and development, and innovations surrounding it, very interesting.”

Inspiring people

“The people are inspiring – they range from orchardists or growers running their own businesses – such as organic kiwifruit growers Mark and Catriona White – to enthusiastic young people like Erin Atkinson, to post-harvest company leaders to industry leaders including local fruitgrower association members, to product group board members, CEOs and staff.

“The common theme is a pride in and commitment to their industries.”

Elaine says there are so many good stories within the primary industries and such great people involved that it’s not hard to write good stories.

“But all the stories are not positive – there are issues to be addressed including animal welfare, environment impacts, labour shortages and working conditions, and the ever-threat of biosecurity incursions.”

Lastly, Elaine says she’s grateful to HortNZ for continuing to sponsor the award established by NZ Guild of Agricultural Journalists and Communicators, to encourage and recognise excellence in agricultural journalism, focused on New Zealand’s horticulture industry.

All Guild awards’ winners are listed at: www.nzgajc.org.nz/awards/2018guild-agricultural-journalism-awards

Elaine Fisher recently won the Hort NZ Journalism Award for a fourth time, for stories in Coast & Country News.

Elaine was presented the prestigious Horticulture New Zealand Journalism Award for 2018 at the Guild’s 60th anniversary celebrations and awards night last month – after winning it back in 2011 while working at a daily paper, and collecting the accolade two years-in-a-row, in 2014 and 2015, for articles in Coast & Country News when she held the editor’s role.

First woman

Elaine left Coast & Country News early this year to write a book about the pioneers of the kiwifruit industry. But before she left entered the guild awards one last time for the publication, with two stories.

One covered Erin Atkinson of Tauranga becoming the first woman to win the New Zealand Young Grower of the Year award, in September 2017.

The second was profiling Opotiki organic kiwifruit growers Mark and Catriona White, who were entrants the 2018 Bay of Plenty Ballance Farm Environment Awards. They subsequently won the awards’ BOP regional title and the supreme national title, and went on to become the 2018 National Ambassadors for

Sustainable Farming and Growing.

Elaine, who is currently president of the NZ Guild of Agricultural Journalists & Communicators, says it’s a real honour to win this national award because there are some excellent journalists writing about horticulture.

“Entering the awards is one way of benchmarking myself to be sure I’m doing a good job both for readers and the industry.”

My Name is Neil Woodward.

I am a director of Z-Contracting- we are family run business, our team consists of three, being myself, my son and my brother.

Our organisation has been established for over 18 years. I have been involved in applying crop protection programmes within the horticultal industry since 1966.

We specialise within the kiwi fruit industry, We have the equipment to spray orchards with our two Atom sprayers and one recently purchased Tracatom Formula tractor which is also available for mulching and mowing.

My Name is Neil Woodward.

I am a director of Z-Contracting- we are family run business, our team consists of three, being myself, my son and my brother.

Our organisation has been established for over 18 years. I have been involved in applying crop protection programmes within the horticultal industry since 1966.

We specialise within the kiwi fruit industry, We have the equipment to spray orchards with our two Atom sprayers and one recently purchased Tracatom Formula tractor which is also available for mulching and mowing.

Our Atoms are set up with radar speed sensors, this combined with fully automated sprayer controllers and three nozzle rings enhances application efficiency and accuracy.

We also use a quad bike for strip weed spray applications.

We hold all certificates needed to meet Globalgap compliance.

We look at all challenges to help ensure we protect your crop with excellence.

Our Atoms are set up with radar speed sensors, this combined with fully automated sprayer controllers and three nozzle rings enhances application efficiency and accuracy.

We also use a quad bike for strip weed spray applications.

We hold all certificates needed to meet Globalgap compliance.

We look at all challenges to help ensure we protect your crop with excellence.

216 Pongakawa Bush Road Te Puke

To contact us: Phone: 021 907 621 E-mail: zcl@zanadu.co.nz

216 Pongakawa Bush Road Te Puke

To contact us: Phone: 021 907 621 E-mail: zcl@zanadu.co.nz

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Page 38

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The $400,000 project began for the owner of Edgecumbe Spreaders in May and has finally come to fruition, with the JCB system having been operational for four weeks.

It’s a change he says has not only been necessary, but beneficial.

“They used to convert these fastracs into spreaders in New Zealand 15 to 20 years ago, then they stopped as four-wheel-drive trucks became more popular.

“Operating within the business of spreading fertiliser, we need to be offering farmers the best thing we can and I felt this was a step forward in technological development so we’ve invested into it.

“We’ve set this machine up with the

latest technology we know is available so as things change, we adapt with them.”

The unit was sourced from CLAAS Harvest Centre in Australia, a process Dave says took six weeks from his order date.

“It came to us as a complete kit with all of its hydraulics and we just had to cut a piece off the back of the chassis, take the rear wheels out, fit the new chassis and reassemble it all.”

It’s created a way to extend cash flow for Dave’s business and more importantly, its services to the farmer.

“It costs more than a truck, but it’s been more supportive with what we are offering.

“There’s a lot of low-lying ground around here and it’s also peat, so the benefit of this unit is it doesn’t make the same mess trucks do.

“When it gets cold and the grass stops growing farmers typically start putting nitrogen on the grass; and usually when it’s cold, it’s wet, but because we have a softer footprint it means we’re able to extend our ground spread season.” continued...

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If you’re dreading the extra grass that summer grows – you need to get your hands on a BigDog zero-turn mower, says Patrick Redward from Stihl Shop Whakatane

impossible with a traditional ride-on.

“All zero-turns are not created equal.

To drive the best, test drive a BigDog,” says Patrick.

Plus, the convenient integrated park brake – where you simply return the control levers to the neutral position to halt, then spread them to engage – ensures a BigDog is safely parked anytime a rider exits the mower, even on a hill.

Patrick says all mowers come predelivery serviced ready to go. “There’s also a free on-site demonstration available, and we do an after-sale services complimentary.”

“For a limited time only we are offering a $1000 trade-in deal on zero-turn BigDog machines – so get in touch now,” says Patrick.

They are gentle enough for lawns but tough enough for tanker tracks – so are ideal for home or commercial use, says Patrick.

“BigDog zero-turn mowers have made a home in New Zealand and these premium quality machines can mow up to twice as fast as a regular ride-on, so you’ll spend less time mowing.”

BigDogs come in eight models from 21 to 35 horsepower, with cutting deck widths from 36-72 inches – and they’re available at Stihl Shop Whakatane.

Patrick says a big feature is the BigDog’s zero-turn mechanism that has a much lower centre of gravity, allowing you to mow with complete control up, down and along slopes BigDog zero-turn mowers can mow grass that are dangerous or up to twice as fast as a regular ride-on.

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Having the ability to adapt ...continued

The unit is equipped with the latest technology and a better design including TrackMap software and a bottom chain return bin, designed specifically for organic products.

“Traditional bins have a spine through the centre and are quite narrow so while normal fertiliser will flow freely like sugar, chicken manure and bark just sits there and clogs. The wideness of the new bin means the organic product doesn’t bridge like this.

“Because the spinners on the new model are also bigger the product is thrown further, making for less travel up and down the paddock.”

Sam Gardner

Above: The JCB unit (left) features a wider bottom chain return bin compared with older models (right).

Edgecumbe Spreaders owner Dave Warren.

Page 39

Kaituna bar camera goes live A new camera – installed above Bay of Plenty’s most dangerous bar, the Kaituna Cut – is now giving boaties an up-to-date look at conditions.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council Harbourmaster Peter Buell says this is good news for boating safety as crossing a bar is one of the riskiest things you’ll ever do on a boat.

“Bar crossings can be dangerous due to the often shallow water, breaking

seas and reduced stability,” says Peter.

“This live feed will help boaties judge conditions, especially with current works happening as part of the Kaituna re-diversion project, affecting access to the groyne and fishing platform.”

Not only will the bar be safer, there’s also added convenience, says Peter.

You can view the live feed at: www.boprc.govt.nz/barcam.

Page 40

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Versatility of sub-compact tractor The John Deere 1025R is ready for any job. think you need a bigger tractor because you need a It may be small in size, but don’t underestimate the amazing versatility of the loader, think again. “The R series Quik-Park loaders are designed for easy, tool-free mounting and John Deere 1025R sub-compact tractor, removal. To attach, just drive up, turn off the engine, release the hydraulic pressure and safely hop down says Graham Sara, Hamilton branch sales from the tractor to plug in the colour-coded hydraurepresentative of AGrowQuip NZ Ltd. lic hoses. Get back on, close the latches onto the “This machine can mow, dig drains and trenches, loader frame on either side and adjust into position load mulch or lift and carry garden waste with ease,” with the joystick. And you’re done.” says Graham.“And with plenty of implement and Plus, with the 1025R you can connect a mower attachment options available to fit the three-point deck without even leaving your seat. hitch, plus ample power to tackle the tough jobs, you “The John Deere AutoConnect mowing deck does can do it all with great just that. The deck and comfort and driveability driveshaft automatically too.” connect when you drive The 1025R boasts over it. Listen for two 24hp, three-cylinder clicks and you’re ready to diesel engine, giving mow.” the operator 18KW of Graham says this subpower – add a hydrocompact tractor is the static transmission with ultimate tool for business Twin Touch pedals and or lifestyle needs. transition between for“It has all the quality, ward and reverse makes versatility, performance precise use of this tractor and comfort you’ve come child’s play. to expect from a John Graham says if you Deere.”

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Page 41

Page 42

EDUCATION & BOARDING

The best of education and accommodation Scotlands Hostel provides a safe and nurturing environment where each New Plymouth Girls’ High School student can grow in confidence and independence, says principal Victoria Kerr.

“Scotlands Hostel is our ‘home away from home’, a place where young women hope to build long-life friendships.”

The hostel sits proudly beside New Plymouth Girls’ High School, which provides quality education and has proven academic excellence in sport, visual and performing arts, vocational pathways, and cultural pursuits, says Victoria.

“We are surrounded by hectares of attractive greenspace with Mount Taranaki as our exquisite

backdrop. Our school is built on traditional values with innovative approaches to teaching and learning.

“Together we offer the best of education and accommodation to support and encourage students to follow their passions and achieve to their full potential.”

Victoria says the school’s values of whakamana – respect – haepapa – responsibility – and whanaungatanga – positive relationships – create an envi-

ronment where students can discover and develop the necessary knowledge, skills and values that help build young women of outstanding character.

“We welcome your girls to come and join our family here at Scotlands and New Plymouth Girls High School.”

Scotlands Hostel offers a safe and nurturing environment for New Plymouth Girls’ High School students.

Enable your daughter to flourish Centrally-located in the heart of Taranaki, St Mary’s Diocesan School has been raising amazing Year 9-13 girls for 104 years, says principal Fiona Green.

“Parents tell us that they choose Taranaki Dio because they want an all-girls setting for their daughter’s secondary education; an environment where she will be nurtured as an individual, and given opportunities inside and outside the classroom to realise her full potential.”

St Mary’s Diocesan School is the only school in the Taranaki that specialises in boarding, with fantastic girl-centred facilities and caring and supportive staff who foster a ‘family feel’, says Fiona.

“We offer unique boarding options tailored to the individual needs of your family including seasonal boarding for the farming community. Your daughter will make best friends forever as a Taranaki Dio boarder.

“And we work hard to take girls to bus connections between Taranaki Diocesan and home; we ensure that girls can enjoy weekly boarding and be home with family during the weekends.

“They might also be eligible for Ministry of Education Boarding Bursaries and qualify for travel subsidies.”

Fiona says the school’s outstanding NCEA results show their students excel across a broad range of subjects on offer.

“Their academic studies are complemented by co-curricular choices as varied as an environment

St Mary’s Diocesan School Year 10 students Ella Coulton and Maia Henderson in the classroom. committee, kapa haka and a young writers group as well as traditional whole-school sports and music events.”

And leadership and service opportunities are key components of school life, says Fiona.

“Our points of difference from larger schools include small class sizes, spacious grounds for girls to enjoy, passionate teachers and high academic expectations grounded in our Taranaki Diocesan positive education philosophy that nurtures the holistic wellbeing of each and every girl and is reflected in our ‘special Anglican character’,” says Fiona.

“Your daughter will flourish in our unique environment where she will leave us as a resolute, courageous and successful young woman, confident in herself and willing to contribute back to society.”

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

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COUNTRY LIVING

Honouring soldiers and families from the farm Wendy Baker with her honourable bale art created as an Armistice Day tribute to farmers who fought in WWI.

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“From the soul” is how Wendy Baker describes her efforts to honour and remember New Zealand soldiers who fought in World Wars.

Now the former Bay of Plenty/Waikato resident has now shown her respect in a new way.

Painting art onto round hay bales is her way of honouring NZ’s rural men and women who left their farms and properties to defend their country – and had no idea what they’d face.

Her respectful motive? To encourage those who live in the provinces today to honour rural folk who served in the World Wars in a commemorative creative way this Armistice Day on November 11.

“This Armistice Day is the 100th anniversary since the end of WWI – this makes it even more integral that we reflect and to try and do the best for our country – like they did for us,” says Wendy.

“That’s why I put the art on the hay bales. I want others to be innovative with their tributes to our rural war heroes.”

the Waikato, which her father Trevor owned after the war. “Dad was a dedicated hardworking farmer.”

Wendy’s grandfather Edward Baker farmed in Hunua. “And my great uncle William was also from up that way.”

Wendy wears her late father’s war medals, and replica medals for her great uncle and grandfather at commemorations.

She believes the rural side of the story of the Great War needs to be told more. Young men left their wives and young children at home to keep farms going while they went to war and sometimes never returned.

Follow in their footsteps

“This side of the story does need to be told more but I know my father – he didn’t like to talk about it because war would not have been nice.

“So I think you have to pick up the emotions that come through – you’ve just got to follow in their footsteps and make sure their history is not forgotten.”

RNZ RSA national president BJ Clark approves of Wendy’s artistic endeavors, including her respectful war history poetry Great uncle she’s presented at Anzac Day services.

Wendy’s great uncle William “Wendy’s done a lot of work off her Torode Baker, a farmer, was killed own bat, through her poetry, ensuring at Passchendaele in WWI, 1917. her local memorials are cleaned up, “He was only 20, it was awful.” and with her artwork on hay bales.”

“My late grandfather, Edward BJ says Wendy makes us think outVictor Baker, was in WWI, side of the circle when remembering and my late father Trevor Wilthose who served. liam Baker was in WWII.” “She’s focused on the farmers that Wendy was brought up on served, which is a great thing because farms at Kerepehi and Waihi in the farmers and those that were back here to ensure the country kept going and were Wendy Baker wearing fed – while all the labour had disappeared – is some of the medals of her another side of the story.” late relatives.

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“And we also forget about the animals that served. The large amount of horses dispatched overseas and were killed or never repatriated.”

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Page 45

Sanctuary job keeps Chelsea busy Driving Creek Conservation Park won’t be a hidden gem for much longer, if conservation team leader Chelsea Kokshoorn has her way.

animals like possums or cats getting a grip, and the fence goes below ground to stop burrowing animals.

“Maintaining a 2m distance between the fence and nearby trees stops jumping animals making it into the sanctuary, so I walk the perimeter at least once a week looking for A few hundred people visfallen branches or debris,” says ited the 1.6ha predator-fenced Chelsea. wildlife sanctuary last year.

Ink tunnels are stationed But with plans to increase inside the fenced area to visitor numbers, introduce record the presence of predaguided tours and network with tors like rats, stoats or mice. local schools and community Chelsea uses her horgroups to raise awareness about ticulture background to conservation, more visitors are propagate native plants in expected at the Coromandel the large nursery. Plants are sanctuary in the coming year. used in an extensive native The sanctuary sits within Chelsea Kokshoorn with a sculpture by Erik bush regeneration programme 24ha of regenerated native within the sanctuary and wider Omumdson at Driving Creek. bush and was established by Driving Creek property. renowned potter and conserva“Seeds are collected and seedlings saved from around tionist Barry Brickell, who died a few years ago. the property. With 24ha of land, we have no shortage of seeds or seedlings. No two days are the same here, Native ecology and I really enjoy the variety of the work,” says Chelsea.

Josephine Reader “Barry had a soft spot for native ecology – we want to keep his vision alive for a place where people can come and experience a natural ecosystem,” says Chelsea.

The park features wetlands, native forest and is home to a pair of native pateke ducks, tui, bellbirds, kereru, lizards, geckos, skinks, eels and a variety of fish.

Limited information exists about the number of each species, so one of Chelsea’s jobs is to develop a more comprehensive catalogue of the sanctuary’s wildlife.

Maintaining the conservation park’s predator-free status is a team effort, and Chelsea works with volunteers and locals like the Moehau Environmental Group to maintain the park, including checking the nine traps outside the predator fencing.

Keeping debris clear of the 1.97m fence, erected in 2008, is important. The specially designed fence has a smooth slanted lip at the top to prevent jumping

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Page 46

Growing kumara in Rotorua Food grown locally, by locals, is at the heart of Kai Rotorua’s work.

Founding member Jasmin Jackson says Kai Rotorua, and its predecessor the Rotorua Food Network, came about from a shared passion for sustainable food.

One of their main projects this year is to grow kumara – a vegetable not commercially grown in the region – and teaching locals how to do it.

In October, Rotorua Boys’ High School and Mokoia Intermediate students will help with the mammoth task of hand-planting two acres of land in owairaka red kumara, riwai (Maori

New enhanced formula

potato) and red rascal potatoes.

“The best way to learn how to grow things is to do it,” says Jasmin.

Vegetables will be sold through a local farmers’ market and organic shop to provide Kai Rotorua a source of income for other projects, says Jasmin.

“Te Puea Orchard is kindly allowing us to use two acres of their land for planting, which is fantastic. They grow organically, which is a great fit with our sustainable food philosophy,” says Jasmin.

In April, a trial planting was conducted to identify which kumara would grow the best.

Fourteen kumara varieties were planted including modern and ancient types, says Kai Rotorua member Te Rangikaheke Kiripatea, who is leading the planting programme.

“We didn’t have much luck growing ancient varieties, but owairaka red – the red kumara you get at the supermarket – did really well.

“There’s quite a science to getting growing conditions right for the taputini and hutihuti [ancient kumara]. The environment is quite different now, and it was challenging to replicate those conditions. We need to do more work on growing these,” says Te Rangikaheke.

Bay of Plenty Regional Council is also on board with Kai Rotorua’s kumara growing plans. The council has contributed funds to further trials that will allow Kai Rotorua to scale up production of Owairaka Red to commercial quantities.

The trials investigate several different growing mediums – worm cast, compost and charcoal basedbiochar – to see which produces the best results. Te

Locals assisted with a trial plant of kumara in raised planter boxes.

Te Rangikaheke Kiripatea and Jasmin Jackson of Kai Rotorua.

Rangikaheke says growth, yield, weight and other key variables will be recorded by local horticulture students from planting through to harvest to give the group good data about what works best.

But kumara planting is only one of many sustainable food projects that Kai Rotorua has on the go.

Last year, they successfully planted 66 free backyard gardens for local whanau.

“We found that it’s a bit hard for people to get to community gardens, and also they aren’t that good for teaching people how to garden.

“But if it’s literally in your backyard, you’ll pull a weed out, and get more out of it,” says Jasmin.

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Most older-style formulas will have up to 20 per cent CS in the formula, typically about 200mg in a daily dose.

Chondroitin is a structural component of cartilage adding strength and resistance to compression.

The study that changed it all for me was published in the ‘Annals of Rheumatic Diseases’ (Wildi et al, 2011) under the title ‘Chondroitin sulphate reduces both cartilage volume loss and bone marrow

lesions in knee osteoarthritis patients starting as early as six months after initiation of therapy: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study using MRI’.

Eighty people with similar grades of knee osteoarthritis were chosen. Half the participants were given 800mg of CS as 400mg twice-daily for six months. The other group was given a placebo. The two groups were then compared after six months. The group using CS had much less cartilage loss.

The next phase then gave all the participants 800mg of CS for another six months. The same results occurred.

Those on the placebo showed a reduction in cartilage loss while the group that had continued with CS now for 12 months continued with much less cartilage loss.

As a consequence I re-formulated my joint support formula and lifted CS to the levels used in the study. I also added a potent antiinflammatory 95 per cent curcumin, from turmeric, extract.

Even joints that show signs of degeneration can improve. One man I’ve been helping noticed significant improvements in mobility and comfort after only a few months and is now even able to ski again.

John Arts (B.Soc.Sci, Dip Tch, Adv. Dip.Nut.Med) is a nutritional medicine practitioner and founder of Abundant Health Ltd. For questions or advice, contact John on 0800 423559 or email: john@abundant. co.nz Join his new newsletter at: www.abundant.co.nz

COUNTRY LIVING

True rulers of our world Newly-released title ‘Minibeasts – True rulers of our world and the key to our survival’ by Alan Henderson contains more than 100 macro-photographs of weird, wonderful and fascinating insects in their natural environment.

Accompanied by informative text, it will help you recapture that childhood sense of wonder you felt when you first discovered this tiny world of life that surrounds us all.

Lavishly illustrated with breathtaking macrophotography, this stunning insight into the world of the minibeasts reveals the critical role these true rulers of our world play in our survival.

Topics covered include the jobs invertebrates (insects) perform that enable life on earth to exist, as well as how they have evolved to suit their environments. From

O U NT R

FU

Tauranga 3140 to arrive by December 3. Winner of the September Country Funnies caption is Don Roberts of Te Kuiti for his caption: “Does vintage really mean ice age?” He wins a copy of the book ‘Word to the wise’

by Mark Broatch.

N NIE

S

C

new medical drugs to hi-tech robotics, minibeasts provide a wealth of material for humans to draw on to help solve our 21st Century problems.

Thanks to Exisle Publishing, Coast & Country News has a copy of ‘Minibeasts’ by Alan Henderson to give away.

To be in to win, email captions for the photo below and send with your name and address with Country Funnies as the subject line to merle@sunmedia.co.nz Or put these details on the back of an envelope and post to Country Funnies, PO Box 240,

Y

Without insects, you would not be able to survive. Life on earth – not to mention modern medicine and high tech science – is dependent on these little creepy crawlies that so many of us find terrifying.

Left: ‘Minibeasts’ is the book prize for November. Just caption the photo above to be in to win.

Journey deep into the real New Zealand A journey deep into the real New Zealand – travelling over areas far from the main tourist routes – is what NZ Adventures’ Eastern Explorer five-day back-country tour offers.

“It captures a scenic, historic and pastoral wonderland,” says Connie and Robbie Crickett, who own and run NZ Adventures tours.

The Eastern Explorer is a very popular tour Robbie added to the NZ Adventures line-up back in 2013.

“The tour route generally follows the Eastern Alpine foothills south from the starting point in Geraldine through two overnights in Ranfurly, then one each in Mosgiel and Lawrence before reaching Alexandra in Central Otago at the tour’s end on the afternoon on day five,” says Connie.

Highlights include spectacular tracks and views on the Four Peaks and Hunter Ranges in South Canterbury and St Mary, and Hawkdun Ranges of northern Central Otago.

The trip turns more to the south through the old and the new gold mining of the Strath Taieri region, following the Taieri River out to Mosgiel at the end of day three.

“A brief glimpse of the South Pacific on day four at Brighton is followed by a complete contrast as the trip turns inland through native bush-covered gorges to the vast tussock-covered high country of the Lammermoor and Lammerlaw Ranges.

The overnight on day four is in quaint and historic Lawrence.”

On day five the tour follows the mighty Clutha River before heading away into the Central Otago hill country following little-known old mining and bullock tracks to Alexandra.

“This tour is suited to genuine four-wheel-drive vehicles driven by people with at least some experience of operating their vehicles on variable dirt and grass surfaces,” says Connie.

The Eastern Explorer tour is suited to 4WD vehicles and drivers with offroading skills.

Page 47

POOLS & SURROUNDS

Page 48

Long-awaited complex step closer for Cambridge Waipa District Council has entered into a $17.6 million fixed-price contract to build the long-awaited Cambridge pool complex – an increase of $1.6 million on the construction works forecast 18 months ago.

But the council says cost increases for the project will be covered from property sales and will not increase rates. Material and fuel price increases, a stretched sub-contractor market and an unwillingness to take on risk have pushed up the price of the project.

The project includes an upgrade of the existing outdoor pool, a new 10-lane indoor

pool and learner’s pool, hydrotherapy pool, spa and sauna, a children’s splash pad, increased seating and community room, plus carparking and landscaping.

The contract has been awarded to Naylor Love and the new complex will now open March 2020.

Total budget

The total project budget is now $20.7 million – this includes all professional services, planning and consent costs, fit-out of furniture and equipment, and solar power for the building.

Of this, $2 million will come from external fundraising, says Waipa District Mayor Jim Mylchreest, who is reassuring the community council won’t be turning to ratepayers for

help. “Extra money needed will come from planned property sales in Cambridge, which have already returned $2.7 million more than expected.

“Let me be very clear. We won’t be coming back to ratepayers and asking for more money to fund the pool.”

Jim says Waipa is caught up in construction challenges being felt nationwide A concept image of the Cambridge Pool redevelopment. across both commercial and “And more than half of the contractors declined to residential sectors. even quote, advising there was plenty of work elseAccording to the council, more than 29 packages of work for the pool were tendered where without the same levels of risk or complexity.”

A shortage of skilled labour and high demand for involving more than 200 sub-contractors. tradespeople meant 13 packages of work were quoted on by two or less contractors. In all instances, prices quoted were far higher than what they were 18 months ago, says Jim.

Planning a Pool for Next Year?

Contact your nearest Barrier Reef Pool retailer to discuss your Pool today!

Find your nearest retailer at www.barrierreefpools.co.nz

‘Get on with it’

“The advice we’ve had, and we’ve tested it, is that the market won’t soften in the short to medium term and that if anything, prices will go up and not down. “ “Given that, and the very clear message from the community to ‘get on with it’, we’ve pushed the go button but locked the price down via a fixed price contract. It means the price cannot change – that’s it.”

Council did consider re-tendering the project, hoping for better prices. Another option was a formal peer review of the project budget.

“Both would have added at least six months to the construction timetable and the independent advice we’ve had is prices are likely to go up, not down. We could have waited and ended up in a worse position,” says Jim. Council also considered rescoping the project and removing components like the hydrotherapy pool or pulling the plug and putting the entire project on hold.

“I don’t think either of those would have been remotely acceptable to our community which has already been waiting a long time,” says Jim. “After considering all options, we’ve chosen to bite the bullet knowing that we still have Cambridge property in our back pocket to sell, with the proceeds already earmarked for the pool project.”

Jim says re-testing the sub-contractor market meant the project was three months behind schedule. “Given the market, there’s not much we can do about it.”

Demolition work at the old Cambridge pool complex earlier this year.

AVOCADOS

Page 49

The power of fruit set is in the pollination Spring is one of the busiest times on avocado orchards and, for growers, the to-do list seems endless. One of the most important tasks is ensuring you have enough pollinators at the right time, to optimise pollination and fruit set.

Ensure you have your bees in the orchard no later than between five per cent and 10 per cent open flower. Often growers will be conservative on bee hives in orchards but when you have put in all the hard

work and expense to ensure good flowering, don’t stumble at the last hurdle – it’s important to do everything you can to ensure the best possible pollination and fruit set.

The only way for fruit to set is for pollinators to move pollen onto the flowers. It’s a numbers game and the more players you have on the field, the more goals you will score. We recommend between eight and 12 hives per hectare, depending on flowering intensity and tree density.

To cover all of your bases, have bumble bees in the orchard as well at a ratio of 25-50 per cent to honey bees, depending on weather conditions during pollination.

It’s important that your bees work as many hours as possible, so place them in groups around the orchards

in the sunniest, most protected spots so they will be active earlier and work the flowers that will be in the female-functioning phase and ready to receive pollen.

Place a source of water close to the hives so that bees don’t have to travel far in search of water, which would mean less time working in your trees. Place

a branch or something similar in the water trough so bees can safely drink and not drown. Pheromone products can also be used to enhance pollination and are sprayed onto flowers to attract the bees and encourage them to work more intensely.

Erica Faber, orchard productivity manager, Just Avocados

Erica Faber recommends between eight and 12 hives per hectare for pollination of avocados.

Growing avos: The story of two halves The first half of preparation in growing avocados is getting ready for flowering.

Preparation has been happening all winter and included adjusting the nutrient status based on an annual fertiliser programme, completing winter pruning, injecting and making sure pest control is up-to-date.

Now for the second half. And here, the devil is in the detail. Do we have enough micro-nutrients? Do we have time to adjust them? And how will we do that?

You need to get your timing right.

This year flowering appeared delayed. While we may have had a slightly mild winter, a late cold snap in early-spring slowed flowering down. I put it two weeks later than other years, yet the industry is talking maturities are ahead and fruit size appears to be bigger.

At Aongetete Avocados Ltd we’ve been trying to get a first pick across most of our orchards prior to flowering. The crop-load reduction will help with our next flower set – and success to fruit – and also enable us to carry out our second pick later. Given the market conditions the industry has posted this may have been a good strategy. Reducing the load earlier will help size the remaining fruit, with our aim being to use the first half of the season to set up the valuable second half.

In the second half it’s all about execution of the final plan. If we’ve done our job right we’re collecting all the pre-planned runs from the first half.

Using a select or size pick strategy will add about 20 per cent more fruit value and help us to a return crop in the next season. While our pack out to export may drop as fruit hangs longer, the trade-off is the small

fruit sizing and increased value from a late season harvest programme in some export pools.

Recently, we reviewed our harvesting strategies for the second half of the season. We, like many other industries, are challenged for finding seasonal harvesting staff.

AAL is lucky enough to have a core field team who are excellent at their jobs, they have a very good understanding of pruning and crop management. This has been built up over a number of years. In the next half of the season we’re thinking about our crop loading, our pest management and about the next winter activities for setting the tree up two seasons ahead.

Regular pruning, injecting and nutrient management are again key parts to this season’s second half.

Tony Bradley of Aongatete Avocados

WHEN DO YOU WANT TO PICK? At Just Avocados, we are committed to providing a model that allows flexibility around harvest while maximising returns.

Talk to us about how we can deliver what you want to achieve on your orchard.

Jarrod Redwood

John Emett

GM Operations and Grower Services

Orchard Management and Grower Services

027 200 0295 jarrod@justavocados.co.nz

027 476 9087 john@justavocados.co.nz

@justavocados info@justavocados.co.nz www.justavocados.co.nz 07 549 3027

Page 50

AVOCADOS

Devoted to selling avocado orchards Horticulture runs in her blood and as a real estate agent, she wields a wild passion for orchards, so call Eves Realty’s Durrelle Green first if you’re marketing your avocado orchard.

An experienced real estate professional based in Katikati, Durrelle prides herself on being the only dedicated avocado orchard sales specialist in the country.

“I grew up on orchards – I’ve always loved avocados and been interested in them,” says Durrelle.

Since then she’s worked hard to gain knowledge and experience in avocado orcharding and marketing horticultural properties.

Constantly learning

“I’m constantly learning about avocados so I can share this expertise with my sellers and buyers.”

And Durrelle’s commitment is producing great results. Recently she sold an avocado orchard at Cooks Beach, Coromandel, for $7.2 million.

“Where I really add value for my vendors is unlocking their property’s true worth. I know avocados. And I know how to present an ordinary orchard to become a great orchard – so I understand my product.”

Durrelle says her market appraisals surpass registered evaluations – she breaks down the value of each component of the land, buildings, equipment and their features – and can dress houses to sell orchards, and give key advice on home clean-ups.

“House-dressing often adds considerable value to your property

Dedicated avocado orchard sales specialist, Eves Realty’s Durrelle Green with her work pug ‘Charlie’.

– I do this at no charge to the vendor.”

So if you’re ready to exit the avocado industry or put your feet up and enjoy retirement, get in touch with Durrelle.

“REINZ rural statistics for June-July-August 2018 versus the same period in 2017 show

even though we’re selling less, and dairying land sales are down about 18 per cent, horticulture land sales have gone up more than 60 per cent,” says Durrelle.

“My job is to ensure you can retire comfortably off the sale of an avocado orchard. So now is the time to sell.”

Stand out

from the crowd at the 2019 Avocado Food & Wine Festival Do you have an avocado orchard that you are considering selling?

List your avocado property with me in December/January and have it launched at the Katikati Avocado Food & Wine Festival on the 12th January. The Avocado Festival is a celebration of everything avocado, the event will attract over 5,000 avocado loving visitors, held in the heart of the avocado capital – Katikati.

So make sure your property stands out from the crowd and have it launched at the 2019 festival! Specialised marketing campaign tailored for avocado orchards for any properties that list with me for the festival.

Contact Durrelle today for more details.

Durrelle Green - your avocado property specialist 027 949 3725 durrelle.green@eves.co.nz Licensed under the REAA 2008

AVOCADOS

Page 51

Avocados an oasis for Zespri director been masked and misdiagnosed as a lack of nutrients.

“We started injecting all the trees twice-a-year and that really was a critical decision. I had tried different ideas prior to that but they didn’t work.”

Aggressive pruning

Linda and Peter McBride in their award-winning avocado orchard in Te Puna. Photo: Supplied.

Peter McBride is best known for says Peter. “The Grower of the Year is his association with the kiwifruit pleasing though. We’ve improved the orchard and learnt a lot.” industry, but avocado trees The couple bought the property, an established block with 400 mature surround him at home. trees, 15 years ago. Previously based at It’s a private love affair that he shares Paengaroa, Peter and Linda had been with wife Linda at their orchard in searching for an avocado orchard for Te Puna, a property that Peter fondly some time. describes as their “oasis”.

The orchard had a history of irregular It’s a sprawling setting that welcomes bearing but that didn’t dissuade the the couple and their visitors on arrival couple who decided to transform it – a feature that Peter never tires of and build a family home. seeing.

“When we took over, it had a big “I enjoy the trees and their park-like crop on it. But we took out half the qualities. They’re very different to trees and started re-engineering the kiwifruit.” place,” says Peter. “We bowled whole As productive as they are attracrows, taking out about 200 trees and tive, the trees are proven performers, built a house in the middle of the collectively earning the Zespri board orchard.” chairman an award at this year’s Avoco It was Peter’s first experience manGrower Conference. aging an avocado orchard, but he’s enjoyed overseeing its re-development.

Two in a row “Avocados, like many other horticulThe McBride Family Trust was tural crops, have their challenges and named Team Avocado’s Grower of the they’re very different to kiwifruit. But Year in recognition of consistent proin owning the property for a number duction for two successive seasons. of years now, I’ve achieved a much The award was the first of two better understanding of the nuances of presented to Peter this year. At the what works here.”

Horticulture Conference in July he Irregular bearing remained a probreceived the Bledisloe Cup, horticullem for the first decade but changes ture’s premier award, recognising his adopted during the last five years have outstanding leadership in the kiwifruit led to significantly healthier trees, industry, which he’s been involved with boosting production. for 40 years.

“It wasn’t immediately obvious but “I’ve never received any awards before most of the trees were suffering from so to get two in a row was a surprise,” sub-clinical phytophthora. This had

An avocado orchard on the Coromandel Peninsula has sold for a record-breaking price at $7,320,000 under the hammer last month.

The Cooks Beach property offered 45ha of land, with 15 canopy ha of Hass avocados in nine blocks, plus 7ha of grazing land, and a stunning home.

Eves Realty’s Durrelle Green, who markets herself as an avocado orchard sales specialist, sold the property.

Durelle says the sale is a record-breaker for her company in terms of an avocado orchard sale – and signals people are keen to enter the avocado-growing industry.

“REINZ rural statistics for June-July-August 2018 versus the same period in 2017 show even though we’re selling less, and dairying land sales are down about 18 per cent, horticulture land sales have gone up more than 60 per cent,” says Durrelle.

REINZ chief executive Bindi Norwell says the Cooks Beach property is virtually incomparable in terms of sales records on their database – but that doesn’t make it any less notable. “This property sounds like a unique sale that can’t be compared to anything else as it’s a large horticulture farm that also includes a grazing farm and a lifestyle block.

“The median size of horticulture farm sales in NZ is 8ha-9ha whereas this property was nearly twice the median size for horticulture farms.

“The most expensive horticulture farm sale in REINZ’s records in the Coromandel, is for $1.6m in April 2001. Horticulture farm sales are fairly rare in Coromandel – there’s 50 in our database since 1996.”

season and grower larger, in line with overall improvements in tree health. It’s no surprise then that Peter wants to remain disciplined in his orchard management approach and “stick to what works”.

“The formula isn’t rocket science. The focus is on injecting and pruning. If you don’t, there’s a much higher risk of heavy cropping one year and that’s when you get those massive swings in production.”

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And he’s getting hungry.

We’ve extended our international reach this season. Fruit carrying the AVANZA label is now sold in eight key Asian markets where consumption is growing fast. These markets are the ‘ace up our sleeve’ in big crop years especially. Smart growers know this, and have joined AVOCO with the view to securing their industry’s future by lending their support to market development that adds value outside of Australia.

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A sale like no other

Their proactive management approach also extends to pruning. The McBride’s contract Mike Dillon to prune late-autumn and again in November most years.

The strategy is to target a tree

height that means fruit can be picked from a 6m hydralada and prune to allow more light into the centre of each tree.

For Peter, it’s all about getting the balance right to enable more efficient harvesting. Aggressive pruning also makes it easier for sprays to penetrate the orchard canopy. As a result, the number of sprays they’ve had to apply each year have reduced.

Although their area isn’t known for early maturity, their fruit is maturing slightly earlier each

Page 52

FORESTRY

New guides provide clear direction on best practice The Forest Owners Association has launched a series of 28 Forest Practice Guides as part of a joint venture between the forest sector and the Ministry for Primary Industries.

The guides are part of implementation of the National Environmental Standards for Plantation Forestry, which came into force on May 1 this year.

The NES-PF – a set of nationallyapplied rules and conditions for plantation forestry – has been developed to better protect the environment while also increasing operational cer-

tainty for foresters. It was also designed to provide rule consistency for forestry across the country.

FOA president Peter Weir says the FPGs will help industry and councils by providing standard practice guidance to include in management plans as part of requirements under the NES-PF. “The guides will be especially useful for smaller companies with less specialist in-house expertise because the information is standardised to enable the forest industry to meet the NES-PF rules and conditions.”

And the guides will help contractors and forest managers implement best practice across all regions.

“They’re freely available and will direct forest owners and managers to other resources and technical specifications,” says Peter.

“The aim of the guides is to provide clear direction on best practice, and to be inserted into harvest plans so the resources are standardised and easily accessible.”

The FPGs offer guidance in areas of forest operations including earthworks and construction, erosion and sediment control measures, construction of river and stream crossings and tracks, vegetation measures to manage erosion, and slash management.

Peter says the FPGs take information from

earlier work completed by FOA and update it with reference to new regulations, and to reflect changing and improving practices of forest operations.

“The guides themselves are not regulatory, but can be used as references in management plans.”

When used in this way, the guides will support part of the compliance obligations under the Resource Management Act. “Foresters will still need to work closely with contractors and regional councils to ensure compliance.”

Download the guides at: https://docs.nzfoa.org. nz/forest-practice-guides/

FORESTRY

Page 53

Forestry exports expected to remain stable Forestry exports are expected to remain stable at $6.4 billion for 2019 – and log prices are forecasted to stay at near-record levels as Chinese construction activity is thought to remain strong, according to the ‘September 2018 Situation and Outlook for Primary Industries’ report.

Released by the Ministry for Primary Industries last month, the report predicts forestry exports will only fall 0.3 per cent to $6.4 billion for the year ending June 2019.

“This decline reflects a drop in log prices, which is thought to be mainly be due to China’s lower purchasing power following their weakening currency.”

“Whether demand from China is also playing a role in prices is unclear. Port inventories in China have been relatively high since March 2018, although daily port off-take is still strong.

“The possibility of China placing tariffs on US forestry products may also favour NZ log exports in the future.

“Despite this, there continues to be strong demand for logs in China, driven by high construction activity, and this is expected to offset most of the reduction in export value,” says report.

The majority of NZ’s export logs are sent to China. The country currently sources nearly 20 per cent of its logs from NZ, a large increase from the three per cent NZ captured a decade ago.

Meanwhile, the report says harvest volumes are expected to remain high with the maturing of forest plantings established in the 1990s, although production is unlikely to extend past current levels due to labour

constraints. And the proportion of wood supply coming from small foresters will increase during the next harvest cycle due to the 1992-2002 new planting ‘spike’ by small forest owners. These owners tend to be more price-sensitive than larger forestry owners, so future harvest volumes are likely to correlate with log prices.

Sawn timber production in NZ is expected to continue to slowly increase alongside domestic construction, with 10 per cent more building consents issued in the year ended July 2018 than the previous year. A high proportion of these consents were for homes in Auckland and Wellington.

The report says China remains our biggest export partner for sawn timber. “Strong construction activity in China and Aus-

Focusing on technology in forestry Representatives from New Zealand’s forestry industry will descend on Rotorua this month to attend the 2018 ForestTECH conference.

ForestTECH is NZ and Australia’s leading forest management technology series, providing companies with the latest technologies, innovations and practical tools to increase forest operations productivity, with two conferences – Rotorua on November 14-15 and Melbourne on November 20-21.

Running since 2007, it draws the attention of forestry managers,

owners, technical foresters, forestry consultants, researchers, resource managers, inventory foresters, technology and equipment suppliers, harvest planners, and forest GIS and remote sensing specialists.

Key themes for this year’s Rotorua event include storage, processing and management of ‘big data’; the practical application of automation, robotics and sensors by forest managers; integrating virtual and augmented reality into forestry operations; results and lessons from reconciling remote sensing

data into the field; new innovations in mobile forest apps and collection tools; mobile communications advances in more remote locations; results from remote sensing research and in-forest trials; workflow solutions for data collected from airborne and UAV systems; new mapping and GIS applications; and changing skillsets required by today’s forest resource managers.

For more information about the conference, see: https://foresttech. events/ft18/

tralia is likely to offset labour constraints in the US construction industry, leading to stable sawn timber export activity in 2019. Longer term, sawn timber exports are forecast to increase.”

Page 54

CARTAGE & EARTHWORKS

Helen gives back to rural contractor industry The new vice president of Rural Contractors New Zealand, Helen Slattery, brings nearly 20 years of first-hand rural contracting experience to the role, and a depth of academic knowledge which she’s continually adding to.

She’s been on the Rural overseas workers when they Contractors board, are unable to find locals to representing Zone 1 since employ.

2014, and bringing a “It’s no secret that rural contractors struggle to female presence back after employ suitable staff for this a two-year break. very seasonal work.

This voluntary role has its share of travel“We need people who are trained, capable, will work ling as Helen will attend long hours, and can pass a local zone meetings plus pre-employment drug test.” national board meetings.

Helen is particularly pasFurther meetings with sionate about rural health groups such as the Federstaff levels, which ties in ated Farmers, Ministry with other rural issues, for Primary Industries such as schooling and roadshows and discussions further education, and with government also internet and cellphone require her being away coverage. from her Matamata home “Rural GPs are under a and business. lot of pressure, and prac“I have an extremely tices struggle to replace supportive family, my staff when someone husband Roger runs our retires. Rural areas don’t own rural contracting have the same level of supbusiness while I’m away, Helen Slattery with one of her rural portive health care as urban and our staff deserve a contracting machines. Photos: Catherine Fry areas,” says Helen. special mention too,” says “If we train them rurally, they’ll stay and live and Helen. work rurally. With 500 RCNZ members and their Helen’s been familiarising herself with the Health staff, there are 2000-plus families needing rural and Safety at Work Act 2015, and has taken that healthcare and schooling, so it’s an issue close to our portfolio on board, with a view to ensuring training and information is filtered down to the 500 members hearts.”

Helen is also studying for a Bachelor of Health of the RCNZ. Science Occupational Health and Safety, via Massey RCNZ is the only national association and leading University. She’ll add this qualification to her Level 3 advocate for rural contractors in NZ. It represents and Level 5 Certificates in Rural Contracting. the interests of contractors engaged in a wide range Helen thoroughly enjoys the challenge and the of activities from land development to sheep dipping. opportunity to help and give back to the industry Another role Helen embraced is working Immithat has been her livelihood for so long. gration NZ, helping RCNZ members to employ

Catherine Fry

Check rules first when planning earthworks With the consented earthworks season upon us, as contractors take advantage of settled weather, landowners are being reminded to check the rules as they may need to apply for resource consent first.

In the Bay of Plenty the consented earth-

works season runs from September to April, as this is when ground and weather conditions are most favourable for contractors.

Management

But without careful earthworks management, mobilised sediment can

make waterways murky, smother wildlife, silt up harbour channels and encourage algae or mangrove growth.

That’s why it’s key that those undertaking consented or permitted earthworks check they have all the right structures, diversions

and sediment retention devices in place to effectively deal with the works. Check first at: www.boprc.govt. nz/media/31235/ Plan-100301-OperativeRWLP-Chapter9-Rules. pdf Or access free advice by calling BOPRC’s Pollution Prevention team on 0800 884 880.

Waikato Regional Council advises different land uses can affect water quality, land stability and the incidence of flooding.

Soil disturbance

As a result, you may need a land use consent to carry out soil disturbance, vegetation clearance, roading or tracking; to build or alter a bridge, well, culvert; drain a wetland area; drill, tunnel, excavate or otherwise disturb the bed of a river or lake; place cleanfill onto land; erect an erosion control structure; construct or alter a ford across a waterway; remove sand or gravel from the bed of a watercourse; carry out soil cultivation near a watercourse; or carry out a nitrogen discharging activity within the Lake Taupo catchment area.

See: www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/services/ regional-services/consent/

SHEEP & BEEF

Page 55

Questioning drench routines Replacing the much-used 28-day drench routine with smarter choices on when and how often lambs get drenched could help reduce resistance development and improve livestock productivity.

issue in some areas. Good management can help push out that risk.”

Seeking vet advice, and using Faecal Egg Counts results can often cost significantly less than a round of drenching, and pay off for many seasons afterwards, says Abigail.

“It may be a case of doing a FEC check before launching into a weaning drench, and getting more Dr Abigail Chase, veterinary parastrategic about it.” sitologist for Boehringer Ingelheim Farmers not comfortable with not Animal Health New Zealand, Dr Abigail Chase of BIAH NZ. drenching at all could get selective believes on the whole Kiwi farmers on which animals they drench. have picked up well on messages on drenching prac“It could be you elect to draft off the lighter half of tice that came from research done in the 1980s. a lamb mob and only treat them, and possibly decide “The research is that preventing larval build-up to up their feed levels. on pasture will always result in more effective worm “You just have to be quite clear about how you control – rather than waiting for levels to actually want to go about pushing that resistance risk out, rise and then trying to deal with them.” and what the simplest management options are in As a result most NZ farmers have adopted regular front of you.” four-weekly drench programmes, but her concern is Another option to help this is almost too much so. reduce parasite loadings is working on how parasites “What we tend to see now is we’re going in early to are controlled in older stock, such as ewes. control worm levels, especially when we use capsules “Older stock may be left out of the drench equain ewes, but not reaping the rewards of a pasture tion, when in reality their worm loadings can have a with low larval challenge by drenching less often. compounding effect upon young stocks’ loadings.”

“There may be a need there to just think a bit Using a long-acting capsule treatment in ewes can harder and smarter about whether drenching this contribute directly to improving lactation levels, in time around is really such a good idea.” turn boosting lamb growth rates and improving their The result of more drenching is greater exposure immunity levels to parasites. to drench actives by parasites than may be necessary “If you reduce exposure to lambs you shouldn’t and almost complete elimination of any refugia para- have to drench as often. Less larvae on pasture site populations within the livestock being treated. means less disease for the lamb, but also less refugia “Maintaining these refugia – another reason not to reduce refugia more with (undrenched) parasites becomes possibly an unnecessary drench.” vital as drench resistance grows as an

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LIFESTYLE FARMING

Page 56

Health and safety signage for horticulturalists

Nexus Signs & Graphics owner Kyle Stevenson, his right-hand man Lincoln Edwards and ‘Thor’ the shop dog at the Kawerau-based business.

A wide range of health and safety signs for farms and orchards is what Kyle Stevenson has made the focus of his Kawerau-based business Nexus Signs & Graphics – and he supplies them nationwide.

Since floodwaters ripped through his home-based business in Edgecumbe in April 2017, Kyle has relocated Nexus Signs to Kawerau and set upon a new direction.

“About 2.5 years ago we saw a need in the market for health and safety signage for the horticulture industry – and it has grown from there. We’ve done signs for more than 1000 orchards now.

“We’ve developed into a horticultural sign specialist – we cater to any sign requirements of any type of orchard,” says Kyle.

Today Nexus Signs has some of the biggest customers in the kiwifruit industry – including Seeka and Eastpack – and avocado orchards, vineyards and much more. type owners of worktoreally us bounce back With new Health and Safety requirements changing, there is a real demand on farm “This & orchard keephelped compliant. the floods,” says Kyle.

Kyle from Nexus Signs has been assisting owners by creating a very effective from interchangeable H&S Site Sign tailored to each farm or orchard.

The sign consists of separate modules that can be updated as and when details or maps change.

It also features areas in which staff can fill in and wipe off temporary or new hazards.

Signs are made of Composite Panel Board, 1220 X 800 with high performance vinyl and Laminate.

Also available is a kitset with posts and fixings to keep things simple.

This H&S Solution has been so popular that he is rolling them out across farms and orchards all over the Country.

Contact Kyle @ Nexus Signs today to order yours.

Nexus Farms Ltd: 62 College Road

Nexus Signs Orchard: 62 College Rd

Site Emergency Information

Site Emergency Information

GPS Location: 176.944558, -37.978164

Contact Details for person in Charge of this orchard are:

This Site Address:

ents changing, there is a real demand on farm & orchard owners to keep compliant. ing owners by creating a very effective interchangeable orchard.

ASSEMBLY POINT s that can be updated as and when details or maps change. n fill in and wipe off temporary or new hazards. oard, 1220 X 800 with high performance vinyl and Laminate. d fixings to keep things simple. that he is rolling them out across farms and orchards all over the Country. order yours.

Te Rahu Farm Ltd

Name:

220 Te Rahu Road

Cam Bierre

Ph:

027 2999 239

3193

Position:

Manager

Remember the emergency telephone Number for:

Nearest Medical Facilities:

Whakatane

Farm Health & Safety Rules:

AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY! DO NOT ENTER WITHOUT PERMISSION AND NOTIFICATION OF THE HAZARDS WITHIN

COMMON SITE HAZARDS

Medical Centre: The Doctors Phoenix

Fire:

Phone:

Police:

Ambulance: Power:

07 307 0586

Hospital:

Whakatane Hospital

Phone:

07 306 0999

farm safe.

GENERAL

- Live electric fences – Do Not Touch.

- Open waterways (fenced off) and hidden

- Dairy Shed – slippery surfaces, pinch points,

Treat all fences as live.

rotating platform, hazardous substance

- Effluent pipes may be hidden by grass

- Slips, trips and falls

in effluent area.

the yellow letterbox.

- It is your responsibility to report all hazards / accidents / near miss to the Farm Manager have been trained

- If you open a gate, shut it. All road gates MUST be shut.

ORCHARD HYGIENE RULES

- Abide by the speed limit of 20Km/Hr, 15Km/Hr for tractors.

- Covered footwear must be worn at all times

ACCIDENTS

- Report all accidents, including all near misses that could have resulted in an injury,

-Vehicle movement – Motor bikes, tractors

- Dust

and feed wagons

4. First Aid Kit is located in the Dairy Shed in the toilet cupboard.

- First Aid Kit is located in the Dairy Shed in the toilet cupboard

PHONE: 027 2999 239

PLEASE REPORT ALL NEW UNIDENTIFIED HAZARDS TO MANAGEMENT

Notes

PERSONAL HYGIENE

This is a smoke free workplace

- Always wash your hands before eating and drinking - Toilet facilities are located at the dairy shed

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES PROVIDE FIRST AID, CALL 111

EVACUATE WORK SITE IF REQUIRED

LIST OF NEW HAZARDS FOUND ON SITE

Bas Overdevest

Ph:

021 224 0732

Position:

Manager

AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY! THIS IS A MULTIPLE HAZARD AREA

Remember the emergency telephone Number for: Fire: Police: Ambulance: Power:

Nearest Medical Facilities:

HAZARD

DO NOT ENTER WITHOUT PERMISSION AND NOTIFICATION OF THE HAZARDS WITHIN

COMMON SITE HAZARDS

Medical Centre: Riverslea Medical Cen Phone:

07 304 9106

Hospital:

Whakatane Hospital

Phone:

07 306 0999

National Poison Centre 0800 76 47 66

In case of any emergency, it is important you.....

1. Remain calm 2. Listen to your supervisor 3. Move quickly to the Evacuation or Muster point identified below 4. Ensure you stay together with your group and take others with as you go 5. Remember to take your Orchard Health and Safety Folder 6. First Aid Kit with Supervisor (This Contains the names of everyone in your group. When you get to the muster point Check this list to make sure everyone is accounted for)

ORCHARD HEALTH AND SAFETY RULES While on site, All workers shall take all practicable steps to ensure their own safety and the safety of others. They shall carry out work in a manner that will keep themselves

DATE

Persons entering this property must comply with all Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and its amendments

- Accident Register is located in the yellow letterbox.

-Stock

VISITORS REPORT TO: CAM BIERRE

5. Farm Manager is a qualified First Aider

Name:

- First Aider – Cam Bierre 027 2999 239

2. Contact the Farm Manager Cam Bierre as soon as possible – 027 2999 239

3. Move quickly to the evacuation point located opposite the vat stand at the dairy shed

Edgecumbe

- This is a drug and alcohol free property. Zero Tolerance.

immediately.

In case of any emergency, it is important you.....

1. Remain calm

62 College RD

- All people entering the property MUST sign in and out.

Contact Details for person in Charge of this orchard are:

- Always be aware of hazards on the property you are working on. Full register is located in

- Do not perform any task, operate any machinery, or deal with any substances, unless you

- Slippery / uneven surfaces and tracks

drains in some paddocks

National Poisons Hotline: 0800 764 766

While on Farm, all persons shall take all take all practicable steps to ensure their own safety and the

safety of others. They shall carry out work in a manner that will keep themselves and all others on

THIS IS A MULTIPLE HAZARD AREA

Persons entering this property must comply with all Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and its amendments

This Site Address: Nexus Signs Orchard

CONTROL

and other workers or visitors safe.

GENERAL - Never undertake a task if you feel it is unsafe.

- Always be aware of all hazards on the property you are working on.

- It is your responsibility to report all and health and safety related issues to your Supervisor.

- Do not perform any task, operate any machinery or deal with any substance, unless you have been trained.

- SPS’s must be available at all times.

ACCIDENTS - Report all accidents, including near misses that could have resulted in injury, immediately.

- Make sure you know who your first aider is.

- MOVING VEHICLES - TRUCKS, TRAILERS

- BEES AND HIVES

QUAD BIKES, SPRAYERS OR MOWERS - RABBIT HOLES, UNEVEN OR STEEP

- OPEN WATERWAYS / DRAINS / PONDS

- Keep your first aid kit in your work area at all times.

ORCHARD HYGIENE RULES

GROUND - DUST

- SPRAY DRIFT / CHEMICAL SPILLS, CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION

PERSONAL HYGIENE - Do not eat or smoke under the canopy.

- Always wash your hands after eating, smoking and toilet breaks.

- KIWIFRUIT CANES AND DEBRIS

- NOISE

- PERGOLA WIRES AND PROTRUDING

- ELECTRICITY

LIMBS FROM VINES

- Always cover cuts or grazes.

- Cover mouth and nose if you sneeze.

- Only use designated toilet facilities provided.

- No rubbish is to be left on the orchard or placed in harvest bins/bags.

- Appropriate clean clothing and enclosed sturdy footwear shall be worn.

- SECATEURD, LOPPERS, POWER AND

- SLIP, TRIPS AND FALLS

- Any jewelery likely to be a hazard must be removed.

- Where required clean footwear and sanitise your hands prior to leaving and entering Orchard.

HAND TOOLS

VISITORS REPORT TO:............................................PHONE........................

PLEASE REPORT ALL NEW UNIDENTIFIED HAZARDS TO MANAGEMENT

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES PROVIDE FIRST AID, CALL 111 EVACUATE WORK SITE IF REQUIRED

OPERATIONAL HYGIENE - Grazing of livestock under the canopy is prohibited during harvest or at spraying times.

- Animals must be kept away from harvest bins, including load out pads.

- Any risk of contamination to product must be reported immediately.

SICKNESS REPORTING - If you are feeling unwell, report it to your supervisor before it becomes an issue.

LIST OF NEW HAZARDS FOUND ON SITE

DATE

ege Road

mation

Full Hazard Register located in H & S folder in dairy shed.

HAZARD CONTROL

Site Emergency Information

This Site Address: Nexus Signs Orchard

able steps to ensure their own safety and the

62 College RD

hat will keep themselves and all others on

Edgecumbe

Name:

Bas Overdevest

Ph:

021 224 0732

Position:

d out.

Manager

Remember the emergency telephone Number for:

or deal with any substances, unless you

.

t cupboard

ng

AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY!

Fire: Police: Ambulance: Power:

ASSEMBLY POINT

Nearest Medical Facilities:

THIS IS A MULTIPLE HAZARD AREA

DO NOT ENTER WITHOUT PERMISSION AND NOTIFICATION OF THE HAZARDS WITHIN

COMMON SITE HAZARDS

Medical Centre: Riverslea Medical Cen Phone:

07 304 9106

Hospital:

Whakatane Hospital

Phone:

07 306 0999

National Poison Centre 0800 76 47 66

In case of any emergency, it is important you.....

1. Remain calm 2. Listen to your supervisor 3. Move quickly to the Evacuation or Muster point identified below 4. Ensure you stay together with your group and take others with as you go 5. Remember to take your Orchard Health and Safety Folder 6. First Aid Kit with Supervisor (This Contains the names of everyone in your group. When you get to the muster point Check this list to make sure everyone is accounted for)

ORCHARD HEALTH AND SAFETY RULES While on site, All workers shall take all practicable steps to ensure their own safety and the safety of others. They shall carry out work in a manner that will keep themselves

DATE

Persons entering this property must comply with all Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 and its amendments

rance.

idents / near miss to the Farm Manager

could have resulted in an injury,

LIST OF NEW HAZARDS FOUND ON SITE

Contact Details for person in Charge of this orchard are:

are working on. Full register is located in

e shut.

r tractors.

ENE RULES

MANAGER: BAS OVERDEVST PH: IF ANY ONE IS HURT PHONE AMBULANCE: 111 Advise - Location, Number involved, Chemicals

FIRE INVOLVED PHONE FIRE SERVICE: 111 Advise - Location, Nature of incident, Type and quantity of chemical involved

SPILLAGE INVOLVED

Contain spillage, warn others, advise H&S Manager if waterways Land contaminated National Poison Centre (03) 477 7000

Nexus Signs Orchard: 62 College Rd

GPS Location: 176.944558, -37.978164

afety Rules:

EMERGENCY ASSEMBLY POINT

IN THE EVENT OF EMERGENCY OR SPILLAGE

HAZARD

CONTROL

and other workers or visitors safe.

GENERAL - Never undertake a task if you feel it is unsafe.

- Always be aware of all hazards on the property you are working on.

- It is your responsibility to report all and health and safety related issues to your Supervisor.

- Do not perform any task, operate any machinery or deal with any substance, unless you have been trained.

- SPS’s must be available at all times.

ACCIDENTS - Report all accidents, including near misses that could have resulted in injury, immediately.

- Make sure you know who your first aider is.

- MOVING VEHICLES - TRUCKS, TRAILERS

- BEES AND HIVES

QUAD BIKES, SPRAYERS OR MOWERS - RABBIT HOLES, UNEVEN OR STEEP

- OPEN WATERWAYS / DRAINS / PONDS

- Keep your first aid kit in your work area at all times.

ORCHARD HYGIENE RULES

GROUND - DUST

- SPRAY DRIFT / CHEMICAL SPILLS, CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION

PERSONAL HYGIENE - Do not eat or smoke under the canopy.

- Always wash your hands after eating, smoking and toilet breaks.

- KIWIFRUIT CANES AND DEBRIS

- NOISE

- PERGOLA WIRES AND PROTRUDING

- ELECTRICITY

LIMBS FROM VINES

- Always cover cuts or grazes.

Ph: 07 323 6608 M: 022 674 9339 41 Liverpool St, Kawerau kyle@nexussigns.co.nz

- Cover mouth and nose if you sneeze.

- Only use designated toilet facilities provided.

- No rubbish is to be left on the orchard or placed in harvest bins/bags.

- Appropriate clean clothing and enclosed sturdy footwear shall be worn.

- SECATEURD, LOPPERS, POWER AND

- SLIP, TRIPS AND FALLS

- Any jewelery likely to be a hazard must be removed.

- Where required clean footwear and sanitise your hands prior to leaving and entering Orchard.

HAND TOOLS

VISITORS REPORT TO:............................................PHONE........................

PLEASE REPORT ALL NEW UNIDENTIFIED HAZARDS TO MANAGEMENT

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES PROVIDE FIRST AID, CALL 111 EVACUATE WORK SITE IF REQUIRED

EMERGENCY ASSEMBLY POINT

OPERATIONAL HYGIENE - Grazing of livestock under the canopy is prohibited during harvest or at spraying times.

- Animals must be kept away from harvest bins, including load out pads.

- Any risk of contamination to product must be reported immediately.

SICKNESS REPORTING - If you are feeling unwell, report it to your supervisor before it becomes an issue.

IN THE EVENT OF EMERGENCY OR SPILLAGE MANAGER: BAS OVERDEVST PH: IF ANY ONE IS HURT PHONE AMBULANCE: 111 Advise - Location, Number involved, Chemicals

FIRE INVOLVED PHONE FIRE SERVICE: 111 Advise - Location, Nature of incident, Type and quantity of chemical involved

SPILLAGE INVOLVED

Contain spillage, warn others, advise H&S Manager if waterways Land contaminated National Poison Centre (03) 477 7000

Ph: 07 323 6608 M: 022 674 9339 41 Liverpool St, Kawerau kyle@nexussigns.co.nz

“It helped us take Nexus to the next level. It used to just be myself and Lincoln Edwards; now we have another two staff.”

Kyle says the signs can be custom-made with the name, and if required, the GPS location of the property, a plan of the property, information about evacuation and assembly points, and any identified hazards.

“Most clients place the signs at entrances to their properties, alongside a book for visitors to sign as they enter and leave.”

Clients generally email Kyle with the information they want on their signs, including the property map.

Once complete, the signs are delivered to the owner for installation.

Nexus Signs is now specialising in health and safety signage for the dairying industry too. “This is a bit more difficult as some operators don’t have maps of their farms – but we’re getting there.”

Kyle says Nexus Signs can cater to all individual requirements of all horticulture and agriculture industries. “Even if an operator just needs ‘No Smoking’ Merle Foster signs – we can sort it out for them.”

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“Quality breeding is the lifeblood of the New Zealand racing industry. Better tax rules will encourage new investment in bloodstock breeding, and affirms the Government’s commitment to New Zealand’s racing industry to reach its full potential.”

Winston says Cabinet has now approved the final design of the bloodstock rules, which were first signalled in Budget 2018.

“Investors new to bloodstock breeding will be able to claim tax deductions for the cost of horses, even if they don’t own an existing horse breeding business.

“We expect this will encourage new entrants as the industry becomes more financially attractive,” says Winston.

To be eligible for tax deductions, new investors will have to provide Inland Revenue with evidence that they intend to derive a profit from breeding high quality bloodstock.

“This way we know we’re incentivising genuine entrepreneurial activity that

improves the quality of the industry’s stock,” says Winston.

The amendments will be introduced by way of Supplementary Order Paper to the Taxation Annual Rates for 2018-2019, Modernising Tax Administration and Remedial Matters Bill being considered by a Parliamentary Select Committee.

Legislation will be enacted in early-2019 and have a start date of January 1, 2019 – meaning it will apply retrospectively to yearlings acquired at the NZ National Yearling sales series at Karaka in January 2019.

Leptospirosis vaccination of young calves Leptospirosis is a serious threat to the health and livelihood of all people who either work with or simply come into contact with animals on-farm.

Leptospirosis is a known human health risk with disease transfer well recognised from a variety of animal species to people. Those most at-risk include farm workers, vets, meat workers and hunters.

While routine control of leptospirosis in NZ dairy cattle has improved, thanks to widespread vaccination, evidence shows there is still room for improvement on all types of rural properties. Every year almost 100 cases of leptospirosis are reported in humans, and it is estimated the numbers of unreported or undiagnosed cases are even higher.

Leptospirosis vaccination of young calves is very important to protect those most vulnerable

on-farm. It is also a formative part of evaluating risk factors on-farm and undertaking preventative measures to manage this easily transmissible disease.

Current recommended precautions based on recent NZ studies include: Vaccinating all livestock under advice from your veterinarian; it is essential calves are vaccinated and protected before they become infected as vaccination will not clear an established infection. For spring-calving herds, two doses of vaccine before Christmas are recommended.

Do not keep pigs on dairy farms or have unvaccinated pigs or their effluent in contact with other livestock.

Control rodents and wildlife: seek advice on baiting and trapping, vermin-proof buildings and feed

stores. The emergence of Leptospira tarassovi and presence of Leptospira ballum suggest rodents may be involved in spreading infection to livestock.

Minimise contact with animal urine through use of personal protective equipment, good hygiene practices and taking care to avoid any other risky exposures such as effluent, aborted material, assisting calving, home kill, hunting.

Be aware and share your awareness with visitors who could be exposed when on your farm. If you have a ‘flu-like’ illness be sure to seek medical help early and raise the suspicion of leptospirosis to your doctor.

For further information about early calf leptospirosis vaccination and leptospirosis control on your property, speak with your local vet clinic today.

800 843 809

For For application by by application For application by groundspreader or aerial groundspreader or aerial groundspreader or aerial

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 58

classified listings CV’s THAT STAND OUT. Don’t let your C.V. get lost amongst all the others. Get the WOW factor. A C.V. For You can provide you with a personal and professional touch.

From scratch or update existing ones. Check out samples on www. facebook.com/acvforyou or Ph/text on 021 27 27 912.

for sale

Also a complete Radial rig and sail, never used. Would suit aspiring racer as this boat has plenty potential. $5000. No beach trailers.

Both Lasers in Tauranga.

May deliver in BOP-Coromandel.

Ph 0274 996 747.

PULLETS HY-LINE BROWN, great layers. Phone 07 824 1762 www.eurekapoultryfarm.weebly.com

wanted

LASERS FOR SALE, two to choose from. One classic older beach boat, perfect for cruising around the harbour/lake. $1,000.

MCCONNELL HAY ELEVATOR Chain phone 027 748 5191.

Another highly spec’d Laser, former national champs boat. Been in storage for several years. Heaps of gear, several sails and spares.

REACH OVER 31,000 HOMES Only $20 for up to 20 words. Email us today or call 07 928 3053 kathy@sunmedia.co.nz

your advertising

trades & services

November 7-11

Pacific Rosebowl Festival,

Hamilton Gardens, free.

Public vote decides the various rose trial titles. See: https:// hamiltongardens.co.nz/events

email your listing to: elaine@thesun.co.nz with ‘Rural Event’ in the subject line.

November 2

November 8-11

11.30am-3.30pm, Presbyterian Church Hall, Canada St. Gold coin.

See: tinyurl.com/y8mfc5fe

Thames Steampunk Festival.

Morrinsville Rose Show,

November 3

November 9 Bat Tour, 6.30pm-8.30pm,

meets at Waikato Museum, Hamilton, family $35, bookings essential. See: tinyurl. com/yb3kj4ld

Tauranga Rose Show,

11.30am-4pm, Greerton Hall.

November 10

Silage and pasture, Tirau,

Bromeliad Display & Sales

$55. See: www.lals.nz

Day, 8am-noon, Matua Hall, Levers Rd, Tauranga, free entry. Bromeliad display, plants for sale, growing advice.

Ph 07 576 7711.

November 3-4

Plant Sales, 10am-4pm, Hamilton Gardens.

Poverty Bay Horticultural

November 10-11

National News online.... including business, sport, politics & more!

Society Show, 1.30pm-4pm Saturday and 9.30am-3.30pm Sunday, Gisborne Showgrounds, $5. Includes novice and children’s sections, floral art, flowers and veges. Ph Gillian: 06 863 1310.

Major International & Regional News updates

November 4

Ramble and Christmas Market, 10am-4pm Drury, Ramarama, Tuakau, Bombay Hills and Pukekohe area. See: www.franklinhospiceramble. org.nz

Altrusa Garden Ramble, Te Awamutu, $25. Tickets from the Te Awamutu i-Site, ph: 07 871 3259.

Scarecrow Festival, 11am3pm, free entry, Hamilton

November 11

Download your free App now!

BOP Iris Show, 10am-4pm, Tauranga Boys' College gymnasium, $3. Parking from Devonport Rd entry.

Waikato Rose Show, noon-

5pm Saturday; 10am-4.30pm Sunday, Hamilton Gardens, $5. See: tinyurl.com/y7ancs38

Franklin Hospice Garden

Quarryfest, 10am-4pm,

Te Puna Quarry Park (near Tauranga), gold coin entry fee.

November 12

wanted to rent

trades & services

Katherine Mansfield

Garden Opening, 4pm-7pm, Hamilton Gardens, free. See: tinyurl.com/y76k5dmz

November 15-18

Bay of Plenty Garden & Art Festival, Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty. See: www.gardenandartfest.co.nz

November 17 Pakaraka Farm Tour,

9.30am-12.30pm, near Thames, $25.

See: tinyurl.com/ y854oy5o

November 17-18 Tauranga Fuchsia Show,

noon-3pm Saturday and 9am3pm Sunday, Arts & Crafts Centre, Elizabeth St West, $3.

Fuchsia plants for sale. Ph Pat: 07 579 1655.

November 18

Cambridge Garden Festival, 10 gardens for $40 and a lily

farm tour $10. See: www. cgf.nz

Plant Propagation Through the Year, 9.30am-2.30pm, Whakamarama near Tauranga, $45. See: tinyurl. com/y8hjdoc6

November 22

BER TR TIM E

November 25 Bonsai Workshop,

2pm-4pm, Bunnings, Hamilton, free.

Nov 28-Dec 2

Waikato Horticultural

Society: Lilies, 7.30pm, Hamilton Gardens, $5. Ph Carmel: 07 859 0158.

NZ Flower & Garden Show, Trusts Arena, Auckland. See: nzflowergardenshow.co.nz

November 24

December 1-2

Wander, 10am-3pm, visit 12 homes. For tickets ph 07 864 7101.

Hamilton Gardens.

Pauanui Christmas Home

Plant Sales, 10am-4pm,

December 2

Home Composting

Workshop, 1.30pm, Taupo/ Turangi, free but registration essential. See: tinyurl.com/ ycnl6x6n

November 24-25 Waihi Garden Ramble,

9am-4.30pm, gardens of east

Waikato & Rotorua Botanical Societies Field Trip, 9.30am at McLaren’s Falls Park near Tauranga. Ph: 07 570 3123.

December 9

Koanga Institute Tour, 1pm4pm, Wairoa area, $25. See: tinyurl.com/y7lfh2wt

Events for young farmers North King Country Young Farmers is on a mission to double its membership. The active Te Kuitibased club has a diverse member base of shepherds, dairy farmers and local rural professionals.

“Our aim is to help connect people and provide opportunities to socialise and upskill,” says member Christin Bentley.

She’s a shepherd on a property near Pio Pio that runs dairy grazers and 3000 sheep. The 29-year-old is spearheading a number of events to help build the club’s profile and attract new members.

It’s holding a skills day at Te Wharua Station at Matiere, northwest of Taumarunui, on Wednesday November 10.

“A local fencing contractor will be there to help people learn new skills or hone their technique.”

Experienced shearer Mickey McDonald will teach people how to set up a handpiece and shear a sheep.

“Everyone will be at different skill levels,” says Christin.

“Some people might want to learn how to crutch a sheep, others will be after tips to improve and get faster.”

Christin says a district qualifying event for the FMG Young Farmer of

Mark Hey.

NT ME AT

S

Waihi, $20. Tickets from Mitre 10, Seddon St, Waihi.

Ph Liz: 07 863 6962.

November 20

North King Country Young Farmers’ member Christin Bentley is spearheading events to attract new members to the club. the Year is coming up “so it’s perfect timing”.

Plus, the vocal skills of King Country working dogs will be put to the test that night at a Bark Off at the Matiere Cosmopolitan Club.

“Entrants bring their dog inside and if they can’t get it to bark they have to get up on the table and howl instead.

It’s a really fun event,” says Christin.

Entry is $10 per dog, with a maximum of two dogs allowed per person.

The club’s also organising a speed shearing event at The Riverside in Te Kuiti on December 8.

North King Country Young Farmers meets the first Wednesday of the month at The Riverside in Te Kuiti.

BOAT | FISH | WAT ER SPO R T N Z

PEPP ER

curriculum vitae

Gardens. See: https:// hamiltongardens.co.nz/events

LIST YOUR RURAL EVENT HERE!

DECEM B ER 2 017

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 59

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Page 60

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Jack Henry, 4, is helping his dad to get the cows and calves in on a foggy Waikato morning in Morrinsville.

Lilyin Meredith, 2, loves everything about the farm at Waimana.

BS! PRIZandEdetUailsPcan beFemOaileRd (higGh resRolutionAjpgy,s)POto Box 240,

Pictures to Coast & Countr untry Camera” or posted every entry. kathy@thesun.co.nz “Co e a name, address and phone number with lud inc ase Ple ga.

Tauran

Hayley Quigley, 4, having fun with the kids on her grandparents’ farm in Gordonton.

Saxon Butcher, 5, visiting the newborn calves in Cambridge.