Coast & Country News - December 2023

Nestled under the Te Miro foothills in Cambridge is The Forest ECE. This is where children learn out in the bush, alongside nature. Read more on pages 30 and 31.

Photo: Catherine Fry.

December 2023 Issue No.278

Dairy PG 8-10

Fertiliser PG 12-13

Farm Vehicles PG 14-15

Water Services PG 16-21

Avocados PG 22-23

Kiwifruit PG 24-25

Country Lifestyle PG 28-31

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Weird and wonderful on the farm It was the most perfect of times, but also the spookiest.

Summertime, inland mid-Canterbury on 150 hectares of sheep farm where the grass is forever fighting for survival against river stones, thistles, the shimmering heat and the big dry.

Helping hand

The grass needed a hand, so it was my job to crank up the old Bedford truck and head to the top of the farm to do the irrigating. Throw a timber frame across a race, bed a canvas sheet against it, watch the water dam up and spill into the parched pastures.

You could almost hear the earth whisper “thank you” as it drank its fill. An hour later, you would repeat the process. Easy.

In the meantime, you soaked up the sun and the isolation. You surfed the surging turquoise mountain waters of the main irrigation canal that fed our races. Huge fun. You dried off while scoffing door-step lamb and mint jelly sandwiches, pickled onions and Louise cake, you read steamy books of the time, and you had those two fags you nicked from the farmers tobacco proud.

Blissful stuff. Boy pretending to be man.

The farmer always had a cigarette stub rooted to the corner of his mouth. He could talk, eat, whistle, and sleep with it there, I am sure. Then to light the stub, he would cock his head at a bizarre angle to avoid starting a wildfire of beard, nasal hair and eyebrows. There was always another couple of puffs in that stub.

Weather craze

And while his neck was bent he would gaze up, see the nor’west arches in the sky and rue the arrival of the foehn winds that bring heavy rain to the mountains on the West Coast of the South Island and then blow ferociously hot, dry and gustily across the Canterbury plains for four to five days. It’s spooky, bends the pine groves, silences the birds, cicadas, sheep and people, and blows clouds of dust and detritus from the roads and bare paddocks. It’s eerie.

Ngai Tahu called the nor’westers Te Hau Kai Tangata - the wind that devours humankind.

That absolutely captures it. Because the hot, strong, dry winds have the reputation of driving people slightly crazy. Spooky stuff.

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 3

Zespri discusses illegal kiwifruit plantings Zespri and its board advisor Sir John Key have met with China's foreign minister to discuss the illegal plantings of Gold3 kiwifruit in the country.

Zespri owns the rights to Sun Gold, or G3, and growers in New Zealand pay hundreds of thousands of dollars per hectare to grow it.

A grower took clippings to China in 2016 and since then the amount being grown has been increasing.

Zespri chief executive Dan Mathieson says the unauthorised plantings remain a significant challenge with around 8000ha in the ground in China, putting at risk the significant investment by growers through the potential for oversupply.

Discussions

Sir John met with Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Beijing last month. Dan says the meeting involved discussions around the importance of IP protection.

"We have been encouraged by the support we've received from within China as we've sought to address the challenge of unauthorised Gold3 kiwifruit plantings in China. This includes the steps taken to amend its Seed Law to grant stronger protections to investors in plant varieties."

Dan says Zespri continues to work alongside New Zealand industry leaders on a constructive way forward, and looks forward to continuing these discussions with growers and with China and to delivering long-term, mutual benefits for both industries.

"Strong IP protection would be critical to any such partnership, which would rely on New Zealand grower support. Zespri has also launched legal action in China as part of our efforts to address the issue."

Zespri owns the rights to Sun Gold, or G3.

Greater China, with more than 100 staff."

Sir John Key says the meeting was constructive and reflected the standing of Zespri in China.

"Zespri is one of New Zealand's leading companies and certainly one of our most prominent in China. The foreign minister was very complimentary of Zespri's track record here and commitment to the China market and of New Zealand's high-quality produce.

"He was reassuring that New Zealand could have confidence in China. We also respectfully raised the issue of the unauthorised plantings and the foreign minister was very understanding of the issue and committed that the matter would be handled according to the law."

-RNZ

Export markets

He says the meeting was also a chance to highlight the strength of the relationship between Zespri and China - one of Zespri's largest export markets.

"Zespri is proud to have been operating in China for more than 20 years now. The market is incredibly important to us, making up around 25 percent of our sales volume with approximately NZ$1 billion of fruit sold in China every year.

"Last month's meeting was an opportunity to discuss our commitment to China and our significant investment over the years, with Zespri now operating from offices in five locations in

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Page 4

Goat milk products are in demand Following many years working in the dairy industry, both in production and then management, Rupert Soar oversees a thriving Waikato dairy goat operation and a small scale fresh milk and artisan cheese business, Cilantro Cheese.

In 2005, Rupert and his wife Catherine Taylor met local goat farmer, (the late) John Gommans, and they went into business together.

“John and I went to Australia to buy equipment for our venture, and we ended up buying a dairy factory over there instead!” says Rupert.

John and his family relocated to Australia to set up a goat farm to supply the factory… but that is another story.

Setting up in Gordonton

Cath was brought up on the farm and she still had a flat 70-hectare block that was leased out for pasture as it was too small for dairy farming.

“It was suitable for a dairy goat operation, so we set up the goat shelters and built a 100-bale dairy goat shed.

“Most of the other land is used for pasture, a mixture of rye grass, plantain and chicory. We’ve also been experimenting with lucerne as a feed option.”

Rupert Soar and goat farm manager, Dan Griffin. Photos: Catherine Fry.

They currently milk around 2000 goats but there are 3000 in total on the farm.

The farm is managed by Dan Griffin, with six other staff. The staff share a diverse skillset covering farm management, pasture management, milking, tractor work, breeding and kidding.

The goats’ main diet is pasture, cut fresh up to seven or eight times a day and fed to the goats in their shelters.

They also receive a silage, canola and barley grain mix. As pasture harvesting is so weather and season dependent, grass silage is used as the backup.

Breeding

Operations manager Suli Laomahei with fresh goat’s milk.

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Saanen milking goats originate from Switzerland but are a popular milking breed worldwide.

The farm finds their hand-picked billy goats are very effective, with >95 per cent pregnancy rates. Sometimes good milkers are brought in from other New Zealand farms to add to the genetic pool.

“Our goats are separated into four herds and that are on different cycles so we can kid three or four times a year, producing milk all year round.”

Kidding is weighted towards the warmer months when there is more pasture available, and kids are raised in kidding sheds with increased staff over those periods.

“It’s a simple model as possible given the high cost farming and staffing, but also higher prices for each kg/MS compared to cows, which hopefully covers those costs!”

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As an independent producer, NZ Nutritional Foods uses factories in Ruakura to process their milk. Their main product is powdered milk for the Asian markets, and fresh pasteurized milk for a niche New Zealand market. Milk is also bought from other producers and processed with their own.

“We also use our own milk powder to feed our kids on the farm.”

As a response to diversification, Rupert took over Cilantro Cheese in 2018.

“The business was already well set up for our needs and we were able to continue with our fresh pasteurized milk at these premises.

“That’s our main product here, and we are the only consistent supplier in the North Island. It’s considered a gentler option for those with milk intolerance.”

Cilantro also produces chèvre cheese, a soft, spreadable goat cheese, which is hand produced in small batches weekly by operations manager, Suli Laomahei and staff member Sheryl Searancke.

“We expanded our range to make cajeta, a caramelised goat’s milk with a floral hint of spice. It’s our take on dulce de leche, a sweet treat with South American origins. Shortly we will be launching chèvre in marinated in oil with different herb flavours.

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Page 5

Horticultural consultant director Ruth Underwood, Kat Robbie, Malcolm Howard, Phoebe Scherer, Sophie Twigley, Sara Cassie, managing director Sandy Scarrow and Ryan Akers.

Ruth Underwood and Sandy Scarrow are two of the co-founders of a company which have worked for the past, the present and the future of horticulture in the Bay of Plenty and New Zealand.

The company recently celebrated its 20th anniversary, leading processes of consultancy, technical services, education, and research for the benefit of the horticulture industry.

Fruition is a company which started in 2003 as a horticulture consultancy, says managing director Sandy Scarrow.

“Prior to Fruition forming, we worked within the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, now Ministry for Primary Industries and Wrightson Ltd. The company was established with ‘cuzzie’ companies in Hawke’s Bay and the South Island.

“Each of these companies have grown in response to strong demand for our services.”

Growing over the years

Horticultural consultant director Ruth Underwood says the past 20 years have been full of challenges and good times.

“When we just started we didn’t think about our future and here we are celebrating our 20th anniversary,” says Ruth.

“The industry has been facing tough times in the last few years, the shortage of labour, and the increase

in prices and inputs, besides the weather affecting the growing season, but we are optimistic about the years to come, our region is called the Bay of Plenty for good reasons.”

The work is both consultancy based.Which includes technical services to growers, but the organisation also has a big focus on education, says Sandy.

“Part of our role is developing the skills and talent which is coming into the industry or is already in the industry,” says Sandy.

Education

“We have been registered and accredited with NZQA since 2006. We are an education provider with strong links to the horticulture and viticulture industries.

“We are offering education on Level 6 diploma in horticulture for people who want to expand their knowledge in horticulture but also have a Level 2 certificate which focuses on those who want to engage in this industry and develop a career in it.”

Ruth says their commitment for the future is to continue working to make New Zealand growers more successful.

“We are deeply grateful for all the people we have worked with in the past and with all of those involved in this process now,” says Ruth.

“Watching all these new generations interested and getting involved in the horticultural industry gives us a good feeling for the future of the Bay of Plenty and New Zealand.”

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Environmental passion Great things can happen when you get likeminded, passionate people working together.

Care group volunteers are often unsung heroes, but we’re in a privileged position to see their work in action. Care groups are community-led, volunteerbased groups that do mahi in their own corner of the world, with a view that what they do in their own

Working with landowners in the Bay of Plenty for a better future The small actions of many can make a big difference to our environment.

In addition to working with individual landowners, our role is to work with passionate locals through care groups, and empower them with the knowledge and tools to take care of their own backyard. Together, we can work to restore and protect our environment, ensuring that it is rich in biodiversity for future generations.

Find out how we can help: Visit us online boprc.govt.nz/volunteer or email caregroups@boprc.govt.nz

Waiōtahe Water Care Group in action. ‘backyard’ can have a big impact on it was in a declining state, largely due to environmental and biodiversity wins land use practices in the catchment. for the whole community.

Farmers in the area were keen to work The great thing about these groups with us and, together, aim for significant is that they start from the ground ecological improvements. up. They are often born out of an Since then, we and other partners environmental challenge that the (such as Fonterra and NZ Landcare community wants to address – for Trust) have helped create and example, poor water quality, a implement a set of environmental reduction in native programmes that biodiversity or a include clean-ups, decline in sites that riparian planting, are culturally or the fencing of socially important. water ways, Those who form raised awareness the group come of nutrient with lots of passion and effluent and ideas, but management don’t always know effects and where or how to options, pest start. That’s where control and we can help – by numerous working with a local volunteer Volunteers at a recent Waiōtahe planting days.

Land Management Water Care Catchment Group It’s also been a Officer from planting day. great way for the Regional Council, landowners in that area to come together care groups can access planning advice regularly to share knowledge and form and guidance, technical expertise, important relationships. They’re now resources (such as plants or traps) and working to help landowners in the funding through either us or Central neighbouring Nukuhou area form a care Government agencies (such as Mfe).

By working alongside these groups, we group, and we look forward to seeing can support and guide them, ensuring this mahi progress. the work they do will have meaningful They are just one group of the 82 outcomes, while enabling them to build we work with across the region. The capability and connection within their commitment and hard work of care own community. groups is highly valued by Regional A great example of this is the Waiōtahe Council, and it’s a pleasure to work Water Care Group. In 2015, a group with people who feel passionately about of Ōpōtiki farmers banded together their part in the big picture. If you’d with a common goal: To improve water like to get involved in a local group, or quality in the Waiōtahe Estuary. Our want to start one of your own, get in monitoring found that the estuary, touch – we’d love to hear from you. which hosts a very popular and extensive Coastal catchments manager pipi bed, had high levels of bacteria and Pim de Monchy

WEED CONTROL

Page 7

Precision thistle control New Zealand’s stunning landscapes are renowned for their beauty and biodiversity.

However, the regular invasion of thistles is a constant threat to pasture productivity, maintaining healthy stock, and preserving the environment.

Weedwipers are a valuable tool in modern agriculture, offering a sustainable and precise approach to weed control, says a spokesperson from Redback Weedwiper.

“Delivering the herbicide directly to the weed, they minimise the amount needed, reduce the contamination of nearby water sources and decrease the risk of herbicide resistance.

“But while weedwipers are highly effective, there are some important considerations to keep in mind when tackling your thistles.”

Timing

Target thistles when they are most vulnerable.

Consider growth stages and seasonal conditions.

In New Zealand, weedwiper season is traditionally Oct – Jan each year.

Redback Weedwiper in action.

Herbicide selection: Choosing the right herbicide and concentration is critical for success.

“Chat to your local herbicide specialist to find out what product is best for your application.”

Design Take the time to research weedwiper design and choose a product that can produce high kill rates.

“For example, Redback Weedwipers have a double steel braced wick wiping system producing better results than other similar designs.

“They also have the thickest wicks on the market to maximise chemical retention and protect pastures.

“The thistle problem in NZ poses a significant on-going challenge for farmers.

“Without regular targeted action, they will continue to disrupt crop yields, reduce the quality of agricultural produce, and increase the cost of production.”

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DAIRY

Mixed results for agriculture In the lead up to Christmas, most dairy, sheep and beef farmers can hopefully look back on a productive calving and mating period and will now be focused on maintaining or building liveweight and, in the case of dairy farmers, production.

Market news has been mixed for all sectors.

Despite predictions that, after four increases in the Dairy Trade Auction, the November market price futures would be back significantly, the actual decline was less than anticipated at 0.7 per cent. We can count that a good result.

The beef sector is tracking on a five year average while sheep farmers are faced with a 25 per cent decline in the price of lamb. As the son of a sheep farmer, I know only-too-well that this is where the profit lies. They will be feeling the pressure of the higher on farm costs and interest rates more than most.

Initial impressions

Some relief, however, could be on the horizon with interest rates swaps coming back significantly – nearly 50 points in the past few weeks following a lower than expected Q3 CPI adding to speculation that the markets are finally correcting.

Hopefully this will materialise and translate to reductions in bank lending rates going forward.

My initial impression of Fonterra’s announcement of a 30 per cent intensity reduction in on-farm emissions by 2030, from a 2018 baseline, was a bit of a shock as I was thinking this will continue to add more costs to the average dairy farmer and reduce production.

However, when you understand this is an intensity reduction and not an overall reduction target, as well as understand how this will be achieved (by reductions through such things as improved feed quality and herd performance and new technologies like a solution to methane), I then realised this was a pragmatic approach. It is about emissions per kilogram of milk solids and therefore in some instances high input farms can be more efficient due to the dilution effect (emissions spread across more solids).

It is also better that the dairy industry take the bull by the horns and dictate what will be done rather than leave it to bureaucrats, lobbyists and city folk with their own agenda to tell us what to do.

On the weather front, there has been a fair bit of localised rain over the past few weeks, holding up the final crop plantings of lower lying paddocks. I saw some report that the dry effect of El Nino will not fully hit till the other side of Christmas now, so maybe on-farm production might end up being better than expected.

Rainfall and soil temperatures:

• 2023 Average temp Nov 1-15: 17.4 °C vs 2022 Average temp Nov 1-15: 18.2 °C • 2023 Rainfall Nov 1-15: 61.5mls vs 2022 Rainfall Nov 1-15: 77.5mls • 2023 Rainfall Jan 1-Nov 15: 1410.5mls vs 2022 Rainfall Jan 1-Nov15: 1681.4mls On the feed side we have decided to plant more of our normal maize area into maize silage hybrids rather than grain as silage demand has been greater than expected. Some farmers have decided not to plant maize on farm given the results from last season and are preferring to buy in.

There isn’t a great supply of milking quality grass silage - we have some on hand in bales and have access to some yet to be cut.

Whether it is maize silage or grass we are confident we will be able to fulfil demand but urge farmers to get their orders in as soon as possible.

DAIRY

Page 9

Clover in a field.

Short grazing intervals markedly reduce total pasture cover over summer as well as limiting the amount of pasture grown between now and the end of autumn.

Just as the amount of feed on hand going into winter dictates pasture covers in spring, the amount of feed at Christmas largely determines growth prior to winter.

The earliest work undertaken measuring the difference in total growth between rotationally grazed pastures compared to those set stocked indicated that with well managed grazing intervals, total yield could be more than doubled.

This is particularly the situation over summer when heat and a lack of moisture can negatively impact pasture performance.

Reliable growing

As a rule of thumb for intensive dairy operations, and the same applies to any highly stocked enterprise, a genuine 30-day grazing interval by the end of December provides the best safeguard against tough summer growing conditions.

December, as mentioned in the last article, is the most reliable growing month in the year and a 30-day rotation means that pastures are grazed once in January, once in February, with half the property grazed in March prior to autumn rain arriving.

Over that time there will almost certainly be some rain to stimulate growth especially where pasture covers are sufficient to protect against the worst of the heat and wind.

The alternative to this approach is to shorten the grazing intervals to grab what is available now with the consequence of shorter intervals and lower covers and a sense of chasing one’s own tail.

Not a pleasant experience over summer.

Longer intervals and covers also ensure maximising growing conditions that do occur over summer.

Should a genuine long dry spell occur and some of the feed stored ahead is lost there’s the knowledge that best possible grazing management has been followed.

Initial regrowth after grazing is slow as there is little leaf surface area to generate the energy necessary for optimum growth.

Over summer, it’s only during the last 10 days of

the cycle that plant growth reaches its maximum, and grazing prior to simply means less total pasture grown.

Farmers maximising clover growth find this philosophy and practise highly effective. Tall clover dense pastures retain quality where grass dominated pastures become stalky, lose digestibility and are increasingly unpalatable.

Should strong summer growth occur due to sufficient moisture, and that is possible, dropping an area out of the round and making top quality hay or baleage provides extra feed that can be utilised in autumn to further the increase grazing interval prior to winter.

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Clover is also a prolific seeder and a large drop of seed, a portion of which will remain viable over time, ensures that expensive seed in the future is unnecessary, just the soil conditions and grazing management is necessary for the system to be truly sustainable.

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Rachel Numan.

When dairy farmer Rachel Numan started writing Tractor Dave children’s books for her sons, it soon turned into a positive initiative giving back to Kiwi communities nationwide.

Tractor Dave is a colourful character having adventures on a dairy farm. Rural children get to see their lifestyle in the books, and Rachel hopes to inspire children from towns and cities to consider farm life. A portion of the proceeds from the books go to charity.

Rachel is also involved in a wide range of local community and environmental initiatives in Pokuru, where she farms with husband Chris – between Te Awamutu and Pirongia.

“I love working with family, neighbours and community groups – we achieve so much more working together,” says Rachel.

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Charity

For every copy of the first Tractor Dave book sold, Rachel donates 50 cents to the charity Meat the Need. The charity supplies meat and milk donated

by Kiwi farmers to food banks and community organisations nationwide.

“It’s great contributing to a positive initiative that’s making a real difference in people’s lives.” Meat the Need was founded by dairy farmers Siobhan O’Malley and Wayne Langford, to help families in need.

For every copy of the second book sold (Tractor Dave – Digger Disaster), a native tree is planted on the Numans’ farm – to help protect waterways and enhance native birds and insect biodiversity.

“I’ve been inspired by nature and conservation since I was young and hope my story might inspire others to get involved in their own communities.

Rachel and Chris call their sons Jack, six, and Oscar, four, tiny farmers, so have their eyes firmly fixed on progressing a positive future for dairy farming and New Zealand.

“All Kiwis want their children to grow up in a healthy environment and supportive communities,” says Rachel.

The Numans pay the Pirongia Te Aroaro o Kahu Restoration Society to help plant trees on their farm, with more than 5000 planted so far. Another 1000 will be planted every year. The couple donate to the

society to support work to protect native kōkako on Pirongia mountain.

The Numans also receive trees from Trees that Count, a charity that matches seedlings gifted by Kiwis to planting projects nationwide. The goal is to strengthen projects in every corner of New Zealand – from community groups, schools, iwi, hapū and whānau projects to local councils and farms.

Rachel says many farmers get involved in local communities because they want to see them thrive.

“Farming can be isolating so it’s great to get out and develop strong community connections. I find the more I give, the more I get back.”

Conservation

The Numan farm lies between Mt Pirongia and Mt Kakepuku in the Waipā district. Rachel volunteers with the Kakepuku Mountain Conservation Society to re-stock bait-lines on the mountain several times a year, as part of the pest management programme.

A goal is to ensure the native birds and chicks are safe during nesting, so the bird population continues to grow. Native birds on Mt Kakepuku include tūī, kererū and North Island robins.

Rachel Numan with her sons Jack and Oliver.

“Going up the mountain makes me feel really connected to my community.

“It’s great for me – I’m out in nature, enjoying the beauty of the bush and getting exercise!”

Ensuring there’s never a dull moment, Rachel helps run the Pirongia Playcentre. She works alongside other parents and teachers to ensure the playcentre runs smoothly. She strongly encourages others to

get in touch with their local community.

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Get your yard ready for Christmas.

12C

Page 11

FERTILISER

Page 12

PRECISION SPRAYING

Fertiliser prices tipped to rise if Middle East war spreads After extreme market volatility and record-high prices in recent years, global fertiliser prices are expected to settle in 2024, despite uncertainty posed by the Israel-Hamas conflict as it currently stands, Rabobank says in a new report.

In its just-released Semi Annual Fertiliser Outlook, titled What is next?, the agribusiness banking specialist says while escalating tensions in the Middle East create some uncertainty in the outlook for fertiliser markets, the current impact for the food and agri sectors is manageable.

Report co-author, RaboResearch farm inputs analyst Vitor Pistoia says overall, farmers around the world may feel some negative impact due to potentially rising costs of energy and

fertilisers, at the margin, as well as says the initial analysis suggests an slightly lower import demand and increase in global fertiliser use of prices for grains and oilseeds due to close to five per cent. the Israel-Hamas conflict.

“All this is aligned with our “However, if the conflict spreads affordability index which shows a to the broader Middle East/North much higher value than a year ago.”

African region, impacts on fertiliser supply – as well as grain, meat, and dairy demand – could be notable.”

The report says Israel is an important exporter of potash and phosphorus – in 2022 exporting six per cent of the world’s potash and eight per cent of its phosphate fertilisers.

It remains to be seen how much of those trade volumes will be impacted in the coming months, A graph showing the affordability index Rabobank says. heading into next year.

The bank says the broader MENA region accounts For New Zealand for about 30 per cent of the world’s Vitor says local fertiliser prices were nitrogen fertiliser exports, more than significantly lower than a year ago, 25 per cent of global mixed fertiliser but this would not necessarily lead to exports, approximately 10 per cent of increased fertiliser usage across New potassic fertilisers and almost half of Zealand farms over coming months. the phosphatic fertiliser exports.

“Farm margins are incredibly tight Affordability index across the majority of New Zealand farming businesses due to lower “While we are still some months commodity prices and ongoing away from 2024 – this year has elevated costs for other farm inputs – been a much calmer year for the like fuel and feed – as well as higher fertiliser market – and 2023 can be interest costs. seen as a transition year, even with “And a key question is how some remnants much the recent of all the market drop in the New complications from Zealand dollar will 2022,” says Vitor. offset the reduced The bank’s models cost of fertiliser in indicate a recovery farmers’ budgets. in global fertiliser “When this lower usage in 2023, dollar is combined up by around with the recent crude three per cent, oil hikes, how much compared to the is left in those budgets seven per cent RaboResearch farm inputs to increase fertiliser drop in 2022. analyst Vitor Pistoia. application rates?”

For 2024, Vitor

FERTILISER

Frozen phosphate reserves Within six weeks of application, about 75 per cent of applied soluble phosphate is inactivated.

In fact, the CSIRO estimate that $10 billion dollars of applied phosphate now lies locked up in Australian soils.

Phosphorus has three negative charges, meaning it is strongly attracted to cations with two or more charges. When it bonds to these cations, it becomes insoluble and no longer available to the plant.

Key minerals

In soils with a pH above 6.4, the casualties of this pairing are both calcium and phosphorus. Calcium and phosphorus are two of the key minerals for photosynthesis, the most important process on the planet. In more acidic NZ soils the triple negative P binds with minerals like iron, manganese and aluminium.

The first step in improving phosphorus management is choosing the most suitable phosphate fertiliser. If you are dealing with a 100-day crop, where you need an immediate phosphate hit, along with some nitrogen to kickstart root Year 1 2 4 6 8 10 12 13

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growth and vigour, then DAP/MAP has a role.

But you need to buffer the acid burn with humates and counter the lockup.

If you grow pastures, orchards or vine crops, there is little reason to use water soluble, super-unstable phosphate fertilisers.

You are much better off using a slower release phosphate source like Sechura RPR.

USDA study

If phosphate is needed for a spring flush, then apply the slower release inputs six weeks beforehand. There is a USDA study, where triple-super was compared to rock phosphate in order to contrast P release over a 13-year period. RPR won handsdown. Another major problem with water soluble phosphate is the extreme burning potential of phosphoric acid.

Many will be familiar with the evidence of acid burn on the roots of young crops.

Mycorrhizal fungi are similarly affected.

They are massive fungal root extensions involving a network of filaments attached to roots. The filaments increase root surface area at least tenfold, so everything 330 kg/ha Triple Super 38.5 11 9 8 6 5 5 <4

The table shows an equivalent application of phosphate units as Rock Phosphate hugely out-performs acid phosphate. The inactivity in year one was on alkaline soils. This does not occur on acidic (NZ) soils with sulphur added.

Rock Phosphate is a cheaper way to build P in the soil.

Acknowledgements: Graeme Sait, NTS.

the roots are offering is multiplied many times.

This hyphal “root” offers greater access to nutrients and moisture, while constantly releasing supportive biochemicals to nurture its host. Root knot nematodes are unable to coexist on a plant colonised by mycorrhizal fungi (AMF).

The hyphae also release mild acid exudates, which break the bond between locked up calcium and phosphorus, then transport them to the plant. The least mobile of all minerals are phosphorus and zinc.

They do not go into soil solution and must be retrieved by the roots. Fungal extension allows much greater access to both these nutrients.

Finally, AMF produce a sticky, carbonbased substance called glomalin.

Glomalin is the triggering mechanism for humus building in soil. A total of 30 per cent of all organic matter is created by the stimulatory power of glomalin.

But we have lost 90 per cent of our AMF in the agricultural soils across the globe. A major contributor to the demise of AMF, is unbuffered acid phosphate.

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FARM VEHICLES & MACHINERY

Page 14

A man with a tractor for trekking Stu Cox was brought up on a dairy farm and as a young man tried farming for three years to find “the money just wasn’t there for a young fella!”

Semi-retired truck driver, Stu Cox enjoys tractor trekking.

Photos: Catherine Fry.

The rear of the Fordson 3000 Model X.

The vintage tractor enthusiast turned his attention to truck driving and has “pretty much covered New Zealand” during his career.

Having always worked either around or driving machinery, Stu has always had an interest in it. When he semiretired, he joined the Otorohanga Vintage Machinery Club, even though he didn’t have a tractor himself.

“I used to go on their tractor treks with my four-wheel drive ute,” says Stu. He found a suitable tractor in 2019, after a friend saw one sitting in a paddock and enquired about it.

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“It had been there a while and the owner was going to put it in a hole!

“My friend rescued it and got it up and running before I bought it from him.”

The 1965 Ford 300 Model X has a diesel, three cylinder engine delivering 45 HP, with a 10 speed gear box consisting of eight forward and two reverse gears.

“It would have been used as a general Stu won the 2022 Otorohanga Vintage Machinery Club mounted plough section.

agricultural tractor. It wasn’t 100 percent but with a hand, the motor and hydraulics were tidied up.”

Stu really enjoys that side of the club, “if there’s something I can’t do, there will always be someone happy to help”.

He is a patient man, “waiting for all the mechanics to be finished, including some modifications to the clutch, before tackling the body work.

Currently the nose cone isn’t correct for the Model X and was only put on so there was something to hang the radiator from.

FARM VEHICLES & MACHINERY

Page 15

New stock has arrived SPECIAL prices on OLD STOCK while it lasts !

Stu Cox with his 1965 Fordson 3000 Model X.

Waiting for a shiny new paint job.

Stu had to use a nose cone from another tractor model to hang the radiator.

Stu has his ear to the ground and his eyes peeled, hoping to locate one.

He can then sandblast and paint the whole tractor himself and refresh what he describes as a temporary rescue paint job to cover the “slight patina” the tractor arrived with.

“You can get many parts for the Ford

3000 as New Zealand still imports them from the UK. Anything I can’t get, such as the front axle pin, I got an engineer to lathe one for me.

“It’s definitely a labour of love rather than a money making venture!”

Stu and his Ford 3000 have already been on a few treks, and he looks

forward to more.

Despite farming not being his career, Stu won the Otorohanga Vintage Machinery Club mounted plough section last year. He proudly showed off his shiny trophy and you can be assured that he will fiercely defend the title again, hoping to hang onto the trophy!

Tyre recycling scheme regulations announced Regulations have now been approved that will change the way New Zealand manages the 6.5 million tyres that reach their end of life every year.

Regulations under which tyres will be imported into and sold in New Zealand, and how these tyres are managed when they reach end of life is the final step that breathes life into the regulated product stewardship scheme, Tyrewise.

According to Auto Stewardship New Zealand chair Mark Gilbert, the regulation will reduce the environmental, economic, and societal harm posed by end-of-life tyres that would otherwise be dumped, illegally stockpiled or landfilled.

Auto Stewardship New Zealand is the not-for-profit charitable trust which provides governance for the accredited product stewardship scheme, Tyrewise.

A key part of the regulation is replacing the existing ad hoc ‘environmental’ or disposal charges New Zealanders currently face when

disposing of old tyres.

Tyre importers now have until March 1, 2024, The tyre stewardship fee will be to prepare for the first phase of the regulation to come into effect, with the second phase in effect charged on eligible tyres imported from September 1, 2024. into the country, whether loose or attached to a vehicle.

“It is excellent news to have the regulation published,” says Mark.

“It outlines how regulated product stewardship will work for the first time in New Zealand – enabling an entire industry to effectively manage their product from import to end-of-life.”

According to Mark, it has been well over 10 years since the Tyrewise project began and three years since the Declaration of Priority Product Notice 2020, which includes tyres.

“The timeline will see the regulation come into effect from March next year.”

The regulation means that all participants in the tyre supply chain from the point of import to end-of-life must be registered with Tyrewise and will have to abide by a code of practice which will be audited by the scheme delivery manager.

“This will reduce the chance of illegal stockpiling and tyre fires which impact negatively on our communities and turns a tyre from being wasted into an available resource.”

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WATER SERVICES

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WATER SERVICES

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Water reform: What does is all mean Stormwater

The Three Waters Reform, or Affordable Waters as it was rebranded to back in April, has been a hot topic in New Zealand since its introduction.

Water Services Programme will change and improve the way NZ deals with the water collected from rain through pipes, drains, and channels to prevent flooding and pollution of our drinking water.

Stormwater networks are increasingly under pressure with severe weather events, climate change and population growth.

The final two pieces of legislation setting up the government’s Three Waters programme passed their third readings under urgency in Parliament ahead of the October general election.

The election was then supposed to help decide whether the system will remain or go.

Under National’s plan, councils will retain the ownership of water assets under stronger government oversight, including requiring councils to put aside money for water infrastructure.

However, at the time this story was written, that was all up in the air as National had yet to meet with NZ First and ACT in order to form a new government.

But what does this all mean?

This is what will happen if this goes ahead without any changes.

Also known as “Affordable Water” after a rebrand in April, the suite of laws put management of drinking, waste and stormwater management systems in the hands of 10 purpose-built entities. They aim to repair and upgrade ageing assets and prepare for future challenges like climate change, while keeping the eyewatering sums required to do so manageable.

The Water Services Economic Efficiency and Consumer Protection Bill passed its committee and third reading stages earlier this year. It sets up an economic regulation regime overseen by the Commerce Commission acting as a watchdog over service quality and efficiency, and sets out mandatory information disclosures.

It passed 71 votes in favour and 46 opposed, with the support of the Green Party, but with opposition from National, ACT, and Te Pāti Māori.

The Water Services Legislation Bill also passed both stages under urgency, setting out the duties, functions and powers of the new entities - which are set to begin operation no later than 2026, some earlier.

The bill also sets up monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, and went through more than 300 changes after going before the select committee.

It passed 62 votes in favour and 57 opposed - with Labour the only party supporting it.

The two bills follow the passage of the Water Services Entities Amendment Act last week, which put in place changes proposed in April - including a shift from four massive entities to 10 smaller ones at a cost to ratepayers.

The initial legislation setting up the transition of water services from councils - the Water Services Entities Act - was passed in December last year, while the Water Services Act

Why are these changes happening?

“After decades of underinvestment, our water systems are under pressure,” says a statement on the Water Services website.

“As a country, we’ve been talking about changing the system for some years – now is the time to act.”

It’s estimated that between $120B and $185B is required to maintain and improve NZ’s water infrastructure.

The legislation passed under urgency in parliament ahead of the October elections. back in October 2021 established drinking water quality regulator Taumata Arowai.

The bills’ passage marks the completion of a government project that began after the Havelock North water crisis in August 2016, but attracted heavy criticism from councils over a wide range of concerns - not least that the government was forcing them all to take part.

National and ACT have both promised to repeal the entire suite of reforms - but keep the water regulator Taumata Arowai - if elected in October.

What’s the water services programme?

Water services programme refers to the infrastructure and services that deliver our drinking water, wastewater and stormwater services.

Drinking water

Waters Services Programme will make the necessary changes to ensure the water we drink is safe and clean.

Safe and reliable drinking water is essential for the health of our people and our environment.

Taumata Arowai is New Zealand’s water services regulator and has been set up to strengthen our regulatory environment to ensure New Zealanders have access to safe drinking water that won’t make them sick.

Wastewater

Water Services Programme will change and improve the way we collect, process and release the water we use in things like toilets, showers, and sinks, as well as industry.

Network failures like burst pipes and sewage spills on our streets and beaches are signs that our wastewater system is in trouble.

We need to grow, maintain and upgrade wastewater networks to meet community expectations and environmental standards.

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Freshwater health monitoring results The Land, Air, Water Aotearoa project has released freshwater quality and ecological health monitoring results from more than 1500 river sites and around 200 lake sites across New Zealand.

Scientists and statisticians with the LAWA project analysed the comprehensive freshwater dataset and updated the River Health National Picture and Lake Health National Picture for 2023 to reflect this new information.

The results span river and lake health indicators measured in monitoring programmes operated by regional and unitary councils and NIWA.

Cawthron Institute Freshwater Ecosystems manager and scientist with the LAWA project, Dr Roger Young says the annual World Rivers Day release of updated freshwater monitoring data on the

Regular evaluation

LAWA website serves as a valuable prompt to regularly evaluate the health of New Zealand’s water.

“While the risk of toxic effects from nitrate and ammonia is limited to a small percentage of sites, data up to June 2022 reveals that impaired ecological health and elevated E. coli contamination is evident at almost two-thirds of monitored sites.

“We know that indicators of ecological health take some time to respond to restoration efforts, while some indicators of river

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Water quality and the wellbeing of aquatic ecosystems are largely influenced by surrounding land-use activities, including farming. water quality can respond more “We have taken a fresh approach quickly to change. to understanding lake condition “We are seeing encouraging signs of nationally by evaluating the Trophic improving clarity and phosphorus in Level Index of lakes by depth and our rivers with an increased number altitude. A key observation is that of monitored sites in the A and B state the vast majority of monitored bands and fewer sites in the poor D lowland shallow lakes are in poor or band over the past 10 years.” very poor condition. There is not a single monitored lake shallower than Aquatic ecosystems 10 metres in very good condition. We take heart in our upland lakes, most of The LAWA project calculates the them are in a fair or good condition. state of a river health attribute in line “For the first time, we have with the National Policy Statement for sufficient data to present state bands Freshwater Management 2020 (NPSover time for lake health indicators FM 2020). This requires five-years of including chlorophyll a, phosphorus, regular sampling to generate a state nitrogen and ammonia toxicity at the band score. It therefore takes time for national level. positive or negative changes in water “Looking at the state of lake health quality or ecological health to show up. indicators at a national level, more At the individual site level, than 60 per cent of monitored lakes communities working to restore [92 lakes] have ecological communities waterways and other interested impacted by algal and plant growth people can explore all the individual arising from elevated nutrient results from regular council concentrations, with subsequent monitoring of more than 1700 river reduced water clarity.” and lake sites up to the end of 2022 on the LAWA website.

Physical sampling Dr Roger Young explains water quality and the wellbeing of aquatic LAWA project chair Dr Tim Davie ecosystems are largely influenced says these findings are backed by more by surrounding land-use activities, than 1,800,000 data points. “Each individual data point is a result from with urban areas and pastoral lands physical sampling that is then analysed showing signs of pollution and by an independent laboratory, and degraded habitats. reported by the council through to “With urban streams typically LAWA for the public to access. receiving the worst health scores, the “The commitment of regional and impact on our urban communities unitary council staff to get strong state becomes pronounced. of the environment records has been “Although urban streams make up demonstrated by the way they worked just one per cent of the country’s total to return to regular sampling as soon river length, their wellbeing directly as was safely possible throughout the affects a majority of New Zealanders, Covid-19 pandemic and many recent given that nine out of 10 residents live extreme weather events.” in urban areas.”

Dr Davie says a new LAWA website Waikato Regional Council Senior topic is under development for release Water Scientist Dr Mafalda Baptista in 2024 that will share freshwater has been leading the work to analyse improvement actions captured by a the lake health monitoring results national Healthy Waterways Register. available on LAWA at a national level.

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Anticipating an exciting year Infrapipe is gearing up for an exciting year as they prepare to introduce a ground-breaking new machine in early 2024.

“We’re eager to expand into new markets to serve a broader range of customers, including merchants and contractors,” says a spokesperson for the company.

Currently, Infrapipe serves New Zealand’s water industry in three primary ways.

“Our Infrapipe Spiral, with a large diameter of up to DN/ID 3200, is designed for sewer, wastewater, and low-pressure applications. Our second product line, Ecopipe, caters to the stormwater sector and is manufactured using recycled materials, including civil trade waste. Ecopipe exemplifies our commitment to responsible and sustainable business practices.”

The latest addition to Infrapipe’s product range is the Pressure Pipe, launched in the second half of this year.

“Our pressure pipe products are suitable for both potable water and wastewater applications.

“All our product ranges are strong and durable, with an asset life of more than 100 years.

“Infrapipe is dedicated to providing the New Zealand market with a comprehensive plastic piping system,

in New Zealand, offering our customers cuttingedge solutions and a sustainable approach to water management. Infrapipe is at the forefront of progress, innovation, and economic advancement within New Zealand.”

The Infrapipe team laying a pipe on a rural property.

offering a superior alternative to concrete, PVC, steel, AC, earthenware, and other pipe materials used across New Zealand.

“We are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to expand and venture into new markets with the introduction of our cutting-edge machine. These remarkable additions to the water industry will play a pivotal role in how we serve our customers.

“We’re thrilled to diversify our services across various projects and markets, enhancing our ability to address a wide array of customer needs.”

Infrapipe is revolutionising manufacturing in New Zealand by producing products locally, eliminating the need for imports.

“Our commitment to local production not only supports the economy but also ensures the highest quality standards.

“Moreover, with the introduction of ground-breaking technology early next year, we will bolster the manufacturing sector’s growth in the country.

“Beyond manufacturing, we’re dedicated to expanding the water sector

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Hot demand for water bores An HP rig in Galatea.

The extremely dry conditions which have been experienced across the North Island have led to a growing demand for deep water bores.

Ryk Hermsen, one of the Project Managers at Barham United Welldrillers (2021) Ltd, says historical droughts have adversely affected the volume and quality of water in shallow bores.

“As a result, our team (who are renowned for well drilling and environmental services) are increasingly summoned to create deep water bores for a variety of

A view inside the workshop.

purposes - domestic, commercial, and rural.

“Our approach is methodical.

“We follow a standard approach for all well-drilling enquiries starting with an indepth knowledge of the intended use of the water and location. We then undertake extensive research which includes such things as what drilling has occurred in the region, existence of underground aquifiers etc. “ Ryk says each project is customised.

“We recently worked with a dairy farmer requiring a 10’’ bore 120m deep for center pivot irrigation, and for an orchard where we constructed

a 10” bore 170m deep.

“In both cases, the outcome delighted the clients as the bores delivered the necessary volume and quality of water.

“The success of these projects underscores the necessity for adaptation to environmental conditions, the importance of comprehensive planning and research in drilling ventures, and the tailored approach taken by Barham United Welldrillers to ensure dependable water sources for their clientele.”

AVOCADO

Page 22

Growing avos from seeds Avo good time in Katikati

Avocado seeds are relatively easy to sprout and is a great project for kids. Keep in mind that trees grown from seed often aren’t as productive as the tree the fruit was taken from.

Remove the seed from the avocado and clean the flesh from it.

Orientate the seed so the more pointed end is facing upwards and insert four toothpicks around the middle

of the seed. Push the toothpicks in far enough that they feel stable. Place seed on a jar, or glass, of water with the tooth picks resting on the rim, ensuring the bottom half of the seed is submerged.

Sprouting can take between two and eight weeks. Ensure the bottom of the seed remains in contact with the water by topping up the water in the glass as required. Once the sprout reaches about 20cm, pot in soil.

The Black Seeds. Photo: David James.

The Bay of Plenty’s favourite summertime festival, the Katikati Avocado Food and Wine Festival, is back in 2024.

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Katikati, the Avocado Capital of New Zealand, has hosted the festival since January 2004 drawing crowds from all over the Bay of Plenty and beyond.

“The Festival is the highlight of the local summer event calendar as it always delivers a good time, delicious food and outstanding wine,” says Kirst O’Rourke, Katch Katikati events manager.

“The 2024 festival will be another unmissable event with groovy summer sounds and a familyfriendly atmosphere.

“We’re thrilled to announce reggae-inspired band, The Black Seeds as the main act,” says Kirst.

“They’re well known for rocking dance floors with their raw energy and good vibes.”

Described by Clash Music as “one of the best live reggae acts on the planet”, The Black Seeds have numerous sold-out tours behind them and have performed at the world’s leading festivals.

The Black Seeds eight-piece live show seamlessly blends funk, soul, dub and Afrobeat into their reggae foundation, along with their own South Pacific influences.

With more than 63 million Spotify streams since 2015, their music continues to connect with audiences young and old around the world.

Rounding out the line-up of non-stop live music is Midnight Fizz and Jacob Scott.

The festival is family-friendly with activities for the kids, along with avocado-inspired cooking demonstrations in the kitchen gazebo and a diverse range of avocado-themed food and beverage vendors on site.

“The festival is such a great opportunity to sit back and relax – or get up and dance – while settling into the summer holiday vibe,” says Kirst.

“Everyone has a great time and leaves with a smile on their face. It’s the perfect way to enjoy a summer’s day.”

The festival will be on Saturday, January 13, at the Uretara Domain, Katikati from noon until 6pm.

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Page 23

Training opportunities across Bay of Plenty New fruit production training from Primary ITO | Te Pūkenga promises to make it easier for Bay of Plenty employees and businesses to get the skills they need.

The updated New Zealand Certificate in Fruit Production Level 3 offers on-the-job training with options designed to mean that people can get the training best suited to their region and business.

In the Bay of Plenty, new learners will join the 119 other people learning on the job, across the region’s most widely planted crops like kiwifruit, avocados and apples at 99 orchards and other growers.

Primary ITO horticulture production section manager Hamish Gordon says the new programme makes it easier to focus on the

particular skills needs for the region and business.

“For example, where frost protection is very important in the South Island, it’s much less the focus in the far north.”

He says while there are new training options for things like pruning younger or mature trees, frost protection and how to interpret weather maps, the key principles set people up for a career in fruit production. “It’s very broad and does fit into a lot of systems, whether that’s blueberries, kiwifruit on vines, or tree fruit.”

Hamish says the industry needs to focus on upskilling people as it can’t rely on being able to employ people already fully skilled.

“It’s an aging industry, with managers and directors in their 60s and we need more skilled people coming through to fill those managerial positions.

“Even when people are trained, they’re not necessarily choosing to step up into management so investing in training is critical.”

The new Level 3 New Zealand

Certificate is available now and a new Level 4 certificate was launched earlier this year. They can be combined into a New Zealand Apprenticeship.

It’s the Level 4 where people will learn management skills, says Hamish.

“It involves a lot of critical thinking about why you do things within a production system, as well as how to supervise and talk to your team.”

Avocado mayo – something new to try this summer Looking for something different to put on your plate this summer.

Introducing Avocado Mayo - the keto and vegan-friendly spread that you never knew you needed!

Easy, delicious and nutritious.

This keto and vegan friendly mayonnaise will take your salad, sandwich or wrap to the next level.

It can be used as an amazing hero dip on an appetiser platter with vegetable sticks and chips.

See below on how to make it for yourself.

Ingredients

• 1 Cup Olivado extra virgin avocado oil • 1/4 cup of chickpea water (aquafaba) (brine from tinned chickpeas) • 1 tsp DYC white wine vinegar • 1 tsp mustard • 1 NZ Avocado • Salt and pepper

Avocados can provide a low-carb alternative to mayo this summer.

Method

Place all ingredients in a small food processor except for avocado and seasoning. Blend until creamy.

Add avocado flesh and process until smooth. Season to taste.

Serve as a dip or enjoy as a dressing.

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KIWIFRUIT

Page 24

The NZ fruit you probably won’t find in garden stores If you’re getting ready for a bit of summer gardening, you might be thinking about loading up on fruit plants.

Kiwifruit Vine Health chief executive Leanne Stewart says the sale of plants from certified nurseries and sellers is legally controlled with a National Kiwifruit Pathway Management Plan.

Svetla Sofkova-Bobcheva, a senior lecturer in But while you might pick up a few lemon trees horticulture production at Massey University, or some tomato plants, what you probably won’t says the biosecurity protections for kiwifruit are find in the shops are kiwifruit vines. now also designed to tackle other threats as well There are two main reasons for that. as PSA. For the basic green variety, you can blame – in She says kiwifruit plants can disseminate PSA large part – the PSA virus, which struck the even if they don’t have symptoms. country in 2010.

“The whole scheme is really to make sure every A spokesperson for King’s Plant Barn says plant is produced securely... economically, this concerns about the kiwifruit virus, and its ability single pathogen could be very detrimental, it to spread widely, means commercial growers took could cause significant losses. Kiwifruit is a major steps to protect themselves, and decided to stop export for horticulture in New Zealand.” home gardeners from purchasing plants There are other restrictions on gold and for domestic use. red varieties.

There were concerns at the A Zespri spokesperson says a time that the industry could be licence is required to grow these. wiped out.

“Zespri owns the plant variety Incredible Edibles, which rights for SunGold Kiwifruit, produces a lot of the fruit as well as RubyRed. This trees and other edible plants means growers must purchase for sale in plant shops around a license to be able to grow the country, says that means Zespri’s proprietary varieties that most, if not all, growers and are bound by a Zespri chose not to produce kiwifruit Kiwifruit Variety Licence which plants anymore, because of gives growers the right to acquire the regulations. plant material for growing a variety The production and sale of kiwifruit within the licensed area.” is now Gardener Pai Cunningham says she has M7040 SUHD - WITH QVX26 plants M9540 DHcontrolled by the Kiwifruit Vine MGXany SERIES LOADER M7040 SUHD - WITH QVX26 FRONT END M9540 DH Health Authority, which has to licence nursery always wanted to grow kiwifruit but has been told FROM $79,500 + GST MGX SERIES Optional QVX36 Front End loader $13,139 FRONT END LOADER that wants to grow kiwifruit. about the rules by a friend who grew FROM $79,500 + GST Optional QVX36 Front End loader $13,139 100-135HP common rail engine with Powerful performance with a 95HP, 4-cylinder of certified 68HP E-CDIS engine There are only a small number plants commercially. massive torque turbo charged engine common rail engine with 100-135HP Powerful performance with a 95HP, 4-cylinder 68HP E-CDIS engine 8-speed mechanical synchro shuttle nurseries around theworkcountry that sell for powershift home transmission “I the need to protect our massive torque turbo charged engine 24-speed with understand auto shift Designed for heavy duty and equipped with 8-speed synchro shuttle M9540mechanical DH 1500kg lift capacity on the M7040SU hydraulic shuttle, Creep Speed and Autohitch for automust and people who buy from them maintain 24-speed powershift transmission with shift biodiversity but it would still be nice.”

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KIWIFRUIT

Page 25

Trialling biocontrols

UC senior lecturer Dr Heather Hendrickson has been awarded MBIE funding valued at $8.9m.

‘Nature’s ninjas’ could help protect kiwifruit and bees from dangerous pathogens if new research by a team of Canterbury and Otago scientists pays off.

The term ‘nature’s ninjas’ has been coined by scientist Dr Heather Hendrickson, a senior lecturer from the School of Biological Sciences at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha University of Canterbury, to describe phage biocontrols – viruses that attack specific bacteria in an organism.

agricultural pathogens. Targets include the kiwifruit vine canker (or Psa), and the American Foulbrood (AFB) virus that attacks honeybees.

While Aotearoa New Zealand’s primary sector faces a dwindling supply of sustainable solutions to combat such pathogens, our geographical isolation does deliver an advantage, Dr Hendrickson says.

“If we take the example of the King Salmon native to the North Pacific, it’s affected by far fewer pathogens in New Zealand than in its native habitat.

is especially relevant given the prevalence of Māori-led businesses in the primary sector.

Dr Hendrickson says the project to date has received valuable support from stakeholders.

She particularly appreciates the beekeepers who provided researchers with soil samples — a contribution that hasn’t gone unrewarded.t “They got naming rights on the High performance fans for High fansfor for Highperformance performance fans phages that were discovered in their high performing growers. highperforming performing growers. high growers. samples. So far, we’ve had people High performance fans for KIWILINER name them after Dame Jacinda KIWILINER KIWILINER High performance fans for Designed for for lowest profile high performing growers.

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This capacity sets them apart from antibiotics, which often kill beneficial bacteria as well as harmful ones.

“Phages have a fairly limited host range,” Dr Hendrickson says. “This means that if you gave a phage to a honeybee, it could infect the pathogen being targeted without being likely to infect other important micro-organisms in the same bee, such as the good gut-bacteria keeping the bee healthy.”

Her interdisciplinary research team has been awarded $8.9 million from the 2023 Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Endeavour Fund over five years to trial phage ‘cocktails’ designed to combat key

If there were hundreds of different pathogens affecting these industries, it would be much harder for us to design a combination of phages that would be effective against all of them.”

Her project’s co-lead, University of Otago Professor Peter Fineran, will lead research into phages that affect pathogens of cherries and kiwifruit.

Other collaborators include Plant and Food Research, Cawthron Institute, BioSouth Ltd, and Apiculture New Zealand, while Māori scientists and researchers will contribute valuable indigenous perspectives on the implications for the taiao (environment). Their mātauranga

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Longer term, Dr Hendrickson believes the platform will be ideally positioned to address emerging threats to food production, and even to medically relevant human pathogens.

“If we build the intellectual and physical infrastructure to use phages safely in agricultural industries, we’ll be well positioned for potential future applications, including those targeting human pathogens.”

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.

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We hold all certificates needed to meet Globalgap compliance.

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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.

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COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

Page 26

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Page 27

Joy as industrial activity may stop A rural Western Bay of Plenty community are “enormously reassured” that consent for non-compliant industrial activity in their area has been declined.

Tinex Group Ltd applied for retrospective resource consent for non-compliant activity at its property on Te Puna Station Road in the Te Hakao Valley.

The consent from the Western Bay of Plenty District Council was for renovation of relocatable houses, storage of empty skip bins, portable fencing and building materials. The group also wanted permission for swimming pool shell storage and storage of large earthmoving machinery tyres.

Declined application

they are enormously reassured that the structure plan requirements were being applied.

“We’re not celebrating, dancing around with champagne, it’s just thank goodness planning rules have been applied and upheld.

“People are feeling so uplifted that there is some way for them to have a voice,” she says.

“Nobody is anti-business, but they’re definitely concerned about the environment, the roading, the stormwater.

“Just basically the appropriateness and preservation of the environment and the cultural impact.”

Safety concerns

The incorporated society, Priority Te Puna, was formed in March last year by locals who were concerned about the industrial activity at Te Puna Business Park and its local impact.

“People are genuinely worried about traffic safety.

“The number of accidents we see is just enormous,” says Alison.

A car ended up upside down after a crash at the Te Puna Road/Te Puna Station Road intersection last month, she says.

There were also lots of incidents where vehicles crossed the intersection into oncoming traffic, says Alison.

The Te Hakao Valley is also culturally significant to mana whenua as Pirirakau occupied the Pukewhanake Pā at its headland and the wetland was once an important food source for them.

In the 1940s, extensive earthworks occurred in the valley and the Minden Stream was diverted, draining the wetland that meets the Wairoa River, for pastoral land. Pirirakau kaumatua Neville Bidios previously told Local Democracy Reporting the Tinex development is “culturally insensitive” to Māori.

Asked what the declined resource consent meant for the applicant, council environmental consents manager Natasha Ryburn said the industrial activity

esperson Priority Te Puna spok Evans. ha Alis to: Alison Cowley. Pho

The activity was non-complaint because the required development and infrastructure was not in place before the activity began.

The requirements that had not been met included wetland planting, acoustic bunding, landscape planting, and stormwater ponds and management.

Submissions were sought on the consent application, with 194 received, and hearings were held in October.

Independent hearing commissioners James Whetu and Rob van Voorthuysen declined the application.

The commissioners weren’t satisfied the effects of stormwater runoff on water quality and safety issues at the intersection of Te Puna Road / Te Puna Station Road and the site access were minor or less, said their written decision.

The 12.2ha site owned by Tinex Group is one of three land titles that make up the Te Puna Business Park structure plan area.

The business park is 26 ha of land on Te Puna Station Road and is zoned industrial under the Western Bay of Plenty District Plan.

Priority Te Puna spokesperson Alison Cowley says

The 12.2ha site owned by Tinex Group is one of three land titles that make up the Te Puna Business Park. Photo: Alisha Evans/ SunLive.

ADDLINE TRANSPORT LTD

must cease.

The council has also issued four abatement notices to Tinex Group because the required infrastructure was not in place.

Tinex Group appealed this, which was heard through the environment court in August.

Natasha says the council is still

waiting for the court’s decision.

“The outcome of this will determine when the activities must cease.”

The court was advised of the decision to decline the resource consent, she says.

Tinex Group has been approached for comment.

Alisha Evans, Local Democracy Reporter

Page 28

Touring New Zealand’s vast country

Sea views are also on offer during the tours.

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NZ Adventures owner/operators Robbie and Connie Crickett have a good line up of trips for 2025.

Demand is high on all trips with the High Country Heritage six and seven day tours which travel down the spine of the Island from Blenheim to Cardrona filling quickly. The six day tour will be run in November 2024, February and April 2025.

The seven day tour will be run in March 2025. The seven day tour has a slightly shorter day on day three and an overnight in Geraldine on that night. The ever popular West Coast Explorer Tour is a five day tour which will be held in April 2025.

“This trip is completely different from the other NZ Adventures Tours as this trip takes in the Beech Forest Tracks and mining history of the Tasman, Buller and Grey districts as it winds from Hanmer Springs to Greymouth,” say Robbie and Connie.

“Trax of Gold, a six day tour starts in Fairlie and is the celebration of the pastoral and mining heritage of the South Canterbury and Otago Regions.

“This trip will run in January 2025.

“Overnights are in Oamaru, Otematata, Ranfurly times two, Mosgiel and Alexandra. Big Sky is a six day tour, our most challenging, starts in Fairlie south of the Mackenzie Basin and Central Otago. A visit to Macetown is always a real highlight on this trip. Overnights are in Omarama, Cromwell, Cardrona and three nights in Alexandra. This tour will be in March 2025.” Last, but certainly not least, 46 South is a five day tour and still remains extremely popular.

Robbie and Connie say this tour follows an imaginary line across the far South from the Catlins to Fiordland before turning north to end in Cromwell. This trip will be run in February 2025. For more information, see their advert on this page.

Page 29

and digestive health

I recently spoke to a long-term client during a regular health review.

While we have been able to help several problems, she was still battling long term digestive issues that had been diagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

I cautiously added my curcumin (from turmeric) supplement that also includes OPC (grape seed extract). While OPC is well tolerated, traditional curcumin extracts are not.

Researchers have known about the benefits of curcumin for digestive health. However, the only way to lift and maintain therapeutic levels of curcumin was to add piperine, an extract from black pepper. However, piperine is a known irritant especially of the oesophagus and stomach.

I have used curcumin in supplements for more than 15 years. I started to get regular feedback from clients that the supplement worsened or caused reflux/heartburn type symptoms.

The only option was to stop treatment meaning a return of arthritic pain. A few years ago, I became aware of research into a 100 per cent water soluble curcumin extract with greatly improved absorption that did not need piperine.

After careful analysis I started to use this in my supplements; initially in Curcumin Plus and this year in Bettaflex. The results have been impressive. Clients could get the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits of curcumin without digestive upsets.

This has meant that I can confidently advise curcumin for common digestive problems, especially IBS and digestive tract inflammation.

My client has noted a significant improvement in digestive health with less discomfort. I expect this to continue to improve over time as research has shown that curcumin can positively impact gut health by improving the health of gut bacteria likely by improving

the gut-brain axis by regulating the nerves that connect the gut to the brain.

For more information give me a call 0800 423 559 or email john@abundant.co.nz John Arts is a qualified nutritional medicine practitioner.

ric Turme C P O h wit

Grant to search for new battery materials As the world moves to more sustainable forms of energy, efficient rechargeable batteries are becoming more and more important.

At present the lithium-ion batteries used for everything from mobile phones to EVs include materials such as cobalt, which are in short supply and are also toxic to the environment.

New materials that are less expensive, less toxic, provide more energy for the same size, and make it easier to recycle lithium could bring sustainable energy a step closer.

Lincoln Agritech Research Scientist Joseph Nelson has just been awarded $360,000 from the Marsden Fund to find some of those new materials – using his computer.

“Finding new, improved materials that hopefully lead to more efficient batteries and lower environmental impact can happen in one of two ways.

“In the past, we’ve used mainly lab-based experiments, but that takes a lot of time and a lot of labour, so is quite expensive.

“The other way is by using computers to search for

likely compounds with the required properties.”

Theoretically, it should be possible to mix any combination of elements to create a new material.

For example, mixing copper and tin gave us bronze, while mixing carbon and iron gave us steel.

The key is to find new compounds with the right thermodynamics and structure to use in batteries.

By the end of the project, Joseph aims to have created a comprehensive database of new compounds.

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the Forest

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Cambridge couple Jo and Craig Maddison have fulfilled a dream, offering their community an early childhood centre with a difference.

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At The Forest ECE in the Te Miro foothills, tamariki and their kaiako spend their days out in the bush, learning alongside nature.

“We were thrilled to join the wonderful Forest Education movement that’s sweeping the world,” says Jo. Base camp in the bush.

The Maddisons have already had 12 years’ experience running bush that day. Jo says that very high another early childhood centre. winds, torrential rain or thunder are “It took us two years to find just about the only things that stop this 10-acre property which them venturing out. ticked all our boxes. It has the “Rain or shine, we go out, usually wonderful Waitakaruru Stream for up to five hours a day. Our running through it, beautiful tamariki have lots of layers of warm native bush, plants and birdlife, clothes and wet weather gear and open sunny clearings and room they take their packed lunches and for our animals.”

Owner and director of Forest snacks. We often cook over the fire, The Maddisons and their especially on cold days.”

ECE, Jo Maddison. seven children were also able to The “base” in the bush consists of purchase the large house next door. Jo and Craig canopied areas amongst the trees and a clearing work full time on the property with Craig kept for the fire pit surrounded by fallen logs for busy with maintenance and building resources seating. There is a composting toilet and a hut and both for the centre and out in the forest. hammocks where the younger children can rest.

The centre is a re-purposed motocross clubroom There are several different routes to the base from Rotorua and was completely refitted using camp. Various colour coded tracks have been recycled timber. marked out and ropes assist with the steeper areas.

“We stop along the way and look at things as the Learning in the bush day is led by the tamariki. We look for learning Every morning the teachers carry out a risk opportunities in every situation. The seasonally assessment on the safety of heading out into the changing landscape offers constant new ideas.”

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Education movement

The children are taught the safety rules when they start at the centre and older children help younger children remember. Replacing “be careful” with skills and strategies to test risky situations, they are more confident and trusting in their own abilities.

An “emergency” bridge back to the centre provides a short cut if needed. Otherwise, depending on the season, the day is spent whittling wood, building using tools, learning about flora and fauna, paddling in the stream, climbing trees, bush walking, making a fire, and a favourite activity, playing with mud!

“We have adapted the New Zealand Te Whāriki curriculum to suit our context and we take every opportunity to include science, literacy, numeracy and art into the activities our tamariki choose.

“We act as resources and scaffolding around what they are doing.”

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Flora and fauna

As ex-farmers, the Maddisons are keen to promote animal welfare and husbandry at the centre. The animals include Daphne the mini galloway, Marigold the miniature highland cow, Oreo the rescue goat, Barney the kunekune, Lolly the miniature donkey, chickens and ducks.

Spice the miniature pony and Baabra and Nigella the two Valais blacknose sheep are pregnant and everyone is patiently waiting for the births.

“Many of our tamariki are from farms but some are from

curriculum vitae

Playing in the mud is a favourite pastime.

Photos: Catherine Fry.

Marigold the miniature highland cow.

town, so these close encounters with the animals are really important for them.”

One part of the day that is structured is feeding the animals and cleaning out their pens. The children are all involved in the animal care along with egg collecting and fruit and vegetable picking.

“In spring we also plant different vegetables and the tamariki also tend them and pick the produce, cooking a variety of foods over the open fire.

“We’ve been planting natives from seed and planting seedlings with one of the parents who has a nursery, and the tamariki are very involved in that project.”

Bugs, animals and insects found in the bush become temporary pets. Large friendly eels in the crystal clear stream gather expectantly when they hear voices and are a great hit with the children who feed them.

The centre has honest and open relationships with whanau. Part of their vision is to help raise adaptable, confident, resourceful, resilient children, who understand their culture and the culture of others, and have a sense of connection to others and their environment.

“Our environment is especially beneficial to our diverse learners as it is a way that frequently suits their unique ways of learning.”

Judging by the 18 month waiting list for children’s places, and a constant flow of job applications in the hope of getting a teaching position, it would seem that New Zealand is embracing the Forest Education movement.

Love Your Guts!

6.30-8pm, includes demonstration of making fermented foods, Tauranga Library, free. See tinyurl. com/6xzfm3vx

Dec 9

Eat Street Food Festival, 10am-3pm, Memorial Domain, Te Kauwhata, free (part of the A&P Show). See tinyurl. com/4neyeuvw Christmas Make & Give, 11am-1pm drop in, Te Awamutu Museum, free. See tinyurl.com/ yyudkzdt

Dec 10

E-waste Collection, 8.30am-1pm, Cambridge Lions Market. See urbanminers.nz Steam Day, 10am4pm, Settlers & Steam Museum, 43 Robinson Ave, Rotorua, $10, under 16 free. Ph 07 345 9525.

Dec 10-24

Christmas Lights Extravaganza, 8.3010pm, Maritime Park, Paeroa. Adults $15, school age $5, pre-school

for sale

PULLETS HY-LINE BROWN, great layers. Phone 07 824 1762 www.eurekapoultryfarm.weebly.com

* your listing *

DO YOU HAVE something to sell or looking to buy or promote your business? List it here for only $23 for up to 20 words. Email office@ thesun.co.nz or call 07 578 0030.

$2. See tinyurl.com/ bdzuy2yh

Dec 16

Kiwi-aversion Dog Training, Kuaotunu, Coromandel. Ph 07 867 9080 to book. Each dog takes about 10 minutes to train.

Dec 16-17

Bonsai Show, 9am4pm, Hamilton Gardens, $5. See tinyurl. com/3mm29vmh

Dec 17

E-waste Collection, 9am-11am, Cambridge High School, Cambridge.

See urbanminers.nz

Dec 18-22

Christmas Crafts, 11am-4pm, Waikato Museum, 1 Grantham St, Hamilton, free for all ages. See tinyurl. com/3wc9z8ct

Jan 6

Waihi Beach Summer Fair, 10am-4pm, Wilson Park, $5. See weekendevents.co.nz Eagles Tribute Twilight Concert, 6pm, Haiku Reserve Katikati, $25.

See tinyurl.com/3kakjrsn

Jan 14

Steam Day, 10am4pm, Settlers & Steam Museum, 43 Robinson Ave, Rotorua, $10, under 16 free. Ph 07 345 9525.

Situations Vacant

Page 32

COAST & COUNTRY NEWS

NEW HOLLAND T4 Series Orchard Tractors in stock now!

Reid, three, helping his opa feed the calves out on the Hauraki Plains.

Interest rates from *

0%

*Finance terms & conditions apply

• LOW SEAT • COMFORT PLUS PLATFORM • 78 HP, 88 HP, 98 HP, 105 HP Ph 07 573 9107 Main Road, TE PUKE www.rrtractors.co.nz

Riekert, five, loves interacting with all the animals in Cambridge.

Anakiwa, 20 months in Taupiri, Waikato.