Cows,sheepandArabianhorsesaresharingthesamehomeintheTaumarunuihillcountry.FarmerStruanDuncan,pictured,andwifeJuanitarun MakahiwiStation–aventurethatcanbedescribedaskeepingfamilytraditionsalive.Readtheirstoryinfullonpages4-5. Photo/CatherineFry
Corriedales,flocksofthemean-spirited sods.AllovertheSouthIsland.Nodanger ofthembeingsheepishaboutit.
Becauseit’saboutnowthey’llbehooking intowinterfeed,cropsofswede,paddocksand paddocksofthem.Millionsofthem.Andthey’ll bemunchingfornothing.Chewingsidewaysas theydo,thatweirdlateralgrindingmotion,and laughing.Kindofaddstotheinsultreally.
Becausewhattheyenjoyfornothing,Ipaythe thickendof$7akilo–$7forjustoneswedeat theduopoly,thesupermarketonSaturdayevening.
Idevelopedalife-longhankeringforswedeafter beingtoldbyafarmer–youknowhim,“The Hat”–thatthethick,heavy,earthy,slightlynutty andnotunpleasantstenchintheairoverthetop paddockwassomethingknownintheindustryas “brassicabum”,orsheepfarts.
Thenhewouldmumbleandchuckle incomprehensibly,anddelightfully,tohimselflike PawRuggfromtheTVcartoon‘HillBillyBears’. Settingupthecityslickerwasonethejoysof hisday.
AndwhatkeptaCorriedaleregularwasalsogood
WinterRepairs, SummerResults Winter is a great time of the year to get varicoseveinstreated,aswell asmore intense laser resurfacing work on the face, hands neckanddecolletage.
Duringthecoolermonthsof theyear,the compression stockings worn after vein treatmentsdon’t getsohotandsticky, and with the sun less intense, resurfaced skin heals better, says Cosmetic & Veins founderandmedicaldirector,DrAnuya Deshpande.
the leg veins and if treatment is required theycan be donenon-surgicallyunder local anaesthetic Patients can walk out following treatment and get back to work the next day if they choose to
When it comes to treatment of the skin, themoreintensethetreatment, the better the long-term results in terms of rejuvenation.
acoupleofswedesfordinnerthatnight.Make sureyoupullthemfromthemiddleofpaddock,” TheHattoldme.Why?Whatdifferencedoesit make?“Wellsheeplove‘emandthey’llbep****d offiftheyfindanymissing.”MorePawRugg chuckles.Iwasleftponderingcheatedandangry sheep.Itwasliketheapprenticebeingsentfora left-handedscrewdriverortartanpaint.
Thatnighttheswedewasboiledtoalmosttender, pressedthroughsieve,splashedwithcreamanda generousknobofbutterandseasoned.
“Getitdownyuh,”saidtheHat.“It’lldoyou good.”Swedehadhelpedshapethisfinemodelof amanfor66years,soIdidasIwastold.Andhe eventookthesoggyfagbuttfromhismouthto eathisportion.Itwasatthatmomentanenduring unionwithrutabaga,astheSwedescallswedes, wasformed.
So,Saturdaynight,whenotherswereinvestingin Lotto,Iinvestedabout$7,aboutaquarterofthe hourly“livingwage”,inoneofthosebigrough, goldenandpurplebaubles.Aswede.Doyousense howpeevedIamatthecost?Iamnowwaitingfor saidswedetoassaultmyolfactoryorganslikethe swede-fuelledCorriedalesofmid-Canterburydid.
One of the comments I heara lot from veins patients after treatment is how muchtheylovewearingshortsagain. Thosepatientsusuallyalsofindtheyget muchbettersleep,aslegswithuntreated varicoseveinscanfeelheavy,crampy, restlessandachyoritchy.”
Ifyouhavethesesymptoms,anultrasound mappingwillrevealwhatisgoingonin
Cosmetic & Veins Clinic treats skin with a mixture of medical devices and dermatologygradeskincaresystems.
“Weaddedamulti-platform,medical gradelasertothecliniclastyearthat’s greatfortreatmentofpigmentation, redness,spiderveinsandfinelines.”
Aninitialconsultationgivesyouthe opportunitytodiscusssymptoms andfindoutaboutwhat’spossible.
What’sgoingonunder theskin?DrAnuya Deshpandeultrasound mapsapatient’sveins.
HunterWells
They’ll be mercilessly mocking me Those Corriedales flocks of the mean spirited
for humans it seemed, and I was dispatched to get a couple of swedes for dinner that night “Make
Primarysectorgrowthfeedstradesurplus NewZealand’smerchandise tradesurplusinApril2025 was$1.4billion,compared withadeficitof$12million inApril2024,accordingto figuresreleasedbyStatsNZ.
“NewZealandhashaadonly fourmonthlysurpluses s over $1billion.Thelasttwo o werein 2020andtwooutofthhefour werealsoinAprilmonnths,” saysinternationalaccounts spokespersonVikiWarrd.
Surplus
“Theoverlapoftheddairy andfruitindustryseasoons contributedtothishiggh.” Thegoodssurplusis calculatedbysubtractinngthe valueofgoodsimports s from thevalueofgoodsexpoorts.
NewZealandimported$6.4 billionandexported$7.8billion ofgoodsinApril2025. Increasesinourprimary productsexportsinApril2025 comparedwithApril2024 contributedtothissurplus,
including:
-milkpowder,butter,and cheeseup$601million,to $2.2billion
-fruitup$265million,to$1.2 billion
-meatandedibleoffalup$269
million,to$1.1billion -logs,wood,andwoodarticlesup $141million,to$481million. IntheApril2025month,these productsmadeup63percentof NewZealand’sgoodsexports, comparedwith58percentofgoods e exportsinthesamemonthlastyear.
M Milkpowderwasthelargest conntributortoexportsinApril 20225,reaching$1.0billion,an incrreaseof$247million(32 percent)comparedwithApril2024. Fruuitexportsincrease Thevalueoffruitexportsincreased by$1.4billion(36%)intheyear
Woodprooduct exports contribute to record Anincreaseof42%inexportsoflogs, wood,andwoodarticlesforApril2025 whencomparedtoApril2024asreported byStatisticsNZiswelcomedbytheWood ProcessorsandManufacturersAssociation ofNewZealand.
“Itispleasingtoseewood productsandlogexports contributing$481million towardsthe$7.8billionrecord surplus,anincreaseof$141 millionfromayearago,”says WPMAchiefexecutiveMark Ross.
“Thisincreaseisencouraging foranindustrythatisdoingis tough,butweneedthistrendto continueasameansofreignitingand growingourdomesticwoodprocessing sector.”
Thisrisecomesonthebackofanationaltrade surplusdrivenbyprimaryproductexportsof $1.4billion,withNewZealandimporting$6.4 billionandexporting$7.8billionofgoodsin April2025.Besideswoodproductsthemain exportcontributorsweremilkproducts,red meatandfruit.StatsNZhighlightingthatthe topgrowthexportmarketsinthelast12months includedASEANcountries,suchasVietnam, SingaporeandMalaysia,alongwithEuropeand China.
Whenlookingatthe$141millionincreasein woodproductexportsinmoredepththekey
articlescontributingtothisincreaseincluded woodintherough,railwaysleepers,sawnwood, veneersheets,densifiedwood,alongwithparticle board,orientedstrandboardandfibreboard. “Mostoftheseexportsarevalue-addedwood products,”saysMark,“topurposefullygrowour industryweneedtoworktogetherand investindomesticprocessingoflogs, whichthenallowsforthecreation ofhigher-valueproductslike sawntimber,engineeredwood, andotherfinishedgoods”. Afterallathrivingwood processingandforestry industrywillcreatemorejobs andeconomicopportunities intheregions,supportour localcommunitiesandbuild economicresilienceforNew Zealand.MoredetailsontheStats NZreportcanbefoundat:https:// www.stats.govt.nz/information-releases/ overseas-merchandise-trade-april-2025/
endedApril2025,comparedwith theyearendedApril2024.Sixtyfivepercent($3.5billion)wassent tofourmaindestinations. Kiwifruit,apples,andcherrieswere thelargestcontributors.Demand differsacrosseachdestination. Allotherdestinations(excluding thefourabove)weresent$1.9 billionoffruitintheyearended April2025,anincreaseof$400 million(27%)comparedwiththe yearendedApril2024. Intotal,1.2milliontonnesof fruitwasexportedintheyearended April2025,comparedwith910,000 tonnesintheyearendedApril2024.
Hillfarmingandhorsebreeding g Taumarunuihillcountryfarmers
StruanandJuanitaDuncan arecontinuingthefamily traditionofsheepandbeef farmingandbreeding CrabbetArabianhorses.
DaughtersCalahandGeorgia, alongwithGeorgia’shusband Marshallandtheirtwochildrenlive onthefarm.CalahandMarshall workwithStruan,andJuanita istheinternationaldirectorat TaumarunuiHighSchoolalongside
ProvenPollen. TrustedResults. Kiwipollen-supporting orchardsuccesssince1989
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Withrigoroustestinganda proventrackrecordinorchards nationwide,KiwiPollenisyour partnerinpollination.
her involvement with the farm The couple’s s son, Chase,andhiswife,Tarin,havetwochildrenand visitregularlyfromThames.
TheDuncanfamilycameoverfromScotlandin themid-1800s.
“Theymovedaroundthecountryalotand settledinPiarere,aftermygrandfatherColin DuncanlosthisfarminAwakeriduringtheGreat Depression.Mydad,Sandy,wasashearerandmy uncle,Lachie,ashepherd,”saysStruan.
Arabianhorses
“AArabians are well known for their superior stamina,agilityandbalance,makingthemideal forhillcountrywork.Theygoalldayandareloyal horses,”saysStruan.
Everybatchiscarefullyprocessed andtestedbyourin-houseQuality Managertoensureoptimalviability andgermination.
and tested by our in-house Quality Manager to ensure optimal viability
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Thebrotherspooledtogetherandboughtthe originalMakahiwiStationintheKirikauValley, Taumarunuiin1960.Ontheadviceoftheirfather, theypurchasedArabianhorsestouseasstockhorses ontheirhillcountrysheepandbeeffarm.
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SandyandLachiepurchasedtheirownstallion, Nomad,whowentontosiremanyfoals. NeighboursusedMakahiwistallionstobreedtheir ownstockhorses.SandymarriedPhyllisandLachie marriedAnninthe1960swhilelivinginKirikau. Sandytookaninterestinenduranceriding in1970,completingan80kmrideinTokoroaon oneofhisArabiansandalsotooktwohorsesto competeinthe1973TomQuiltyRideinAustralia. SandyandPhyllisweresomeofthefounders oftheTaumarunuiEnduranceClub,thefirst enduranceridingclubinNewZealand.Other clubsstartedupslowlyafterthat.Although initiallyamale-dominatedsport,nowadaysthe sportisfemale-dominated Arabianhorsesarethepreferredhorsefor enduranceriders.
Keepingthefamilylegacy StruanandJuanitamovedtoMakahiwiStation in1993tosupportSandywiththefarm,moving Makahiwitoitscurrentlocationin1995.The family’sfarmingoperationsareownedbythe familycompany.
Afterthepurchaseofneighbouringproperty WaitangiStationin2022,StruanandJuanitaare responsiblefortheday-to-dayrunningof855 hectaresofmixed-contourcountry.
“Wehave4300RomneyewesusingWaimai Romneyramsforreplacementsandaresticking withwool.Dadlovedwoolandwouldhavebeen reallytroubledatthedeclineinthewoolindustry. Ourfive-year-oldewesarematedwithterminal polledDorsetrams.
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Juanita Duncan, left,with Makahiwi Lucillaand Struan Duncanwith Makahiwi Adelaide.
“Wehave200Hereford/Friesia cowsfromthedairyindustry whicharematedwithterminal Simmentalsires.
“Eightyto85dairygrazersare thefarmfromMaytoMayeach yearandwehave40to45regist Arabianhorsesonthefarmatan onetime,”saysStruan.
Thecattle,sheepandhorses areallcross-grazedandrotated overmuchofthelandinclosed paddocksandStruanfindsthis beneficialforboththepasture andthestock.
MakahiwiStudtoday TheDuncanshavefocusedthe interestontheCrabbetstrainof Arabians.
Thesebeautifulhorsesoriginat fromArabiawheretheywere bredbyBedouins.Duringthe late-1800s,WilfridScawenBlun andhiswifeLadyAnne,ofCrab ParkStudintheUK,travelledi Arabiabuyinghorsesfromthes TheirdaughterJudithBlunt-Lyt theirworkuntilherdeathin19
COAST&COUN “Ididn’t want to be the son who disrespectedhis dad’s legacy. He hadput so manyyears ofworkinto his breeding, importinggoodstallions from overseas ”
Struan’smare,MakahiwiAdelaide, isaround97%Crabbet.Suitable Crabbetstallionswillbesourcedfor bothmarespreferablyfromaNew ZealandCrabbetstud.
TheDuncanshavehostedthe MakahiwiChallengesince2018, thelongestenduranceraceinNew Zealand,withriderscompleting anythingfrom20to240km.
Makahiwihorsesfeaturestrongly inendurancecompetitions,both nationallyandinternationally. Thestudholdsthemostqualified kilometresinNewZealand enduranceriding.
It’safamilyaffairandsix-year-old granddaughterAlaskahasalready competedinherfirstleadreinclass enduranceridewithherdad,Chase.
“Bothofushavesix-year-oldmaresfrom ColoradoandmymareMakahiwiLucilla isfullCrabbet.Sheseemstosensemyfear andreallylooksafterme,”saysJuanita.
ttoncarriedon 71.
TheCrabbetbloodlinesstillcontinuetoinfluence thebreedworldwidetoday.
“Ididn’twanttobethesonwhodisrespectedhis dad’slegacy.Hehadputsomanyyearsofwork intohisbreeding,importinggoodstallionsfrom overseas,”saysStruan.
In2016,theDuncansboughttheirownCrabbet stallion,InshallahColorado,fromAustraliaandhe issought-afterasasire.
“We’relookingtobreedhorseswithagood temperament,goodfeet,legsandconformation, anicelowheartrate,andlessofthejumpiness thatpeopleassociatewithArabians,”saysStruan. Juanitahasafearofhorseswhichsheisovercoming.
CatherineFry
JuanitaandStruanwithamaretobeservicedbytheirstallionInshallahColorado. Photos/CatherineFry
Crabbetmare Makahiwi Lucilla.
Rural Women New Zealand has welcomed the Government’s announcement of new and improved urgent and after-hours healthcare for rural communities but says this must be the start of a commitment to improve rural access to health services
National president Sandra Matthews says the investment recognises some of the current issues faced by rural communities, but a sustained effort is needed to address the challenges rural people face in accessing their healthcare needs
“Rural communities should not be disadvantaged in our health system These new services, including on-call clinicians, access to basic diagnostics, and timely access to medicines, are a promising step We welcome the inclusion of trials that will be developed in partnership with rural providers, who know best how to respond to the needs of rural communities.
“However, real equity will only be achieved when every rural New Zealander can access quality healthcare, no matter their location ” Rural Women New Zealand has long called for universal access to high-quality primary
Investment in ruralhealthwelcomed and urgent care in rural communities
The Government’s announcement includes extended after-hours and 24/7 on-call clinical support, as well as improved access to diagnostic services and medicines
The Government claims that this announcement will ensure that 98% of New Zealanders will be able to access urgent and after-hours healthcare within an hour’s drive from home
“We welcome this commitment but achieving it will be a significant challenge, particularly when it comes to ensuring the sustainability of our rural health workforce,” says Sandra
“We continue to hear from rural women about long travel times to access basic healthcare, including effective care for mothers and babies, difficulty getting prescriptions filled after hours, and the stress of accessing diagnosis services These are fixable problems but require sustained investment and planning
“We commend the Government for listening to our rural communities, but more will need to be done to ensure rural people have the same access to healthcare as other New Zealanders Geographical equity in healthcare coverage must remain the overall goal ”
Farmers praise A Bay of Plenty company has gone from pipe and paper to cutting edge mastitis detection technology
Bovonic, which started life in the garage of founder Liam Kampshof, is signing up dairy farmers around the country for its QuadSense system
Liam says QuadSense incorporates a milking sensor in each cup liner, allowing it to test each quarter individually rather than the entire cluster
“It’s a small sensor that farmers can install themselves by simply cutting the liner and inserting the sensor and it runs on AA batteries, eliminating the need for an electrician ”
QuadSense starts measuring milk as soon as the cups are on, then gives a result after just a minute, he says
“It can be installed by farmers into any milking cup liner and gives a redlight alert when mastitis is present. ”
DairyNZ senior animal care specialist Penny Timmer-Arends says mastitis – inflammation of the
mammary gland (udder) in dairy cows – is the costliest disease in the industry, estimated at $180 million per year
Costly disease This inflammation can result from infection or injury, but it is most commonly associated with bacterial infections, she says
“Mastitis leads to substantial financial losses for farmers due to discarded milk, veterinary costs, increased culling, reduced milk production, and penalties for poor milk quality”
Penny says mastitis affects udder health and milk quality, which impacts both farm productivity and profitability, so a focus on prevention, identification and treatment is important for a healthy herd
“We encourage farmers to work with their farm vet and farm team to develop a management and prevention plan for mastitis, suitable for their herd,” she says
SeamlessIntegration QuadSenseusesourpatentedmilk sensorandlatestdetectionalgorithm toidentifymastitisinitsearlieststages
Weunderstandthateveryfarmis unique That’swhyQuadSensehasa universaldesignforself-installation intoanydairyoperation
QuadSenseautomatesthedetection processsoyoucanforgetabout time-consumingmanualinspections likeherdstrippingorRMT
Wevedoneawaywiththefrills,and theresultisatoughproductthattells youwhatyouneedtoknowtogetthe jobdoneatanaffordableprice
Mastitis is a costly disease for the dairy industry.
game-changingmastitistechnology Fieldays’launch FromadairyfarmingbackgroundintheBayof Plenty,LiamKampshoflaunchedBovonicin2021 andfeaturedaprototypeofQuadSenseatFieldays thatyear.
“Istartedwithaprototypemadefroma Bunnings’pipeanda3D-printedsensor,”hesays. Between1700and1800QuadSenseunitshave nowbeeninstalledonabout70farmsacrossthe countryincludingtheBayofPlenty,Waikato, Taranaki,PalmerstonNorthandSouthland. WaikatofarmerGeoffSutherlandhasbeenusing QuadsensesinceNovember.
Geoffisa50/50sharemilkerona320hablock splitintothreeunits,nearMatamata,runninga totalof940cows.
Quadsenseisusedina30-asideherringboneshed milking470cowsona150haproperty.
GeoffsayshereadaboutQuadsenseonline lastyear.
“Stripping[manuallyremovingthefirstfew streamsofmilkfromeachteatbeforethemilking machineisattachedtodetectsignsofmastitis]is alwaysacurse.”
Subclinicalmastitis,whichhasnovisiblesignson theudderorteats,wasidentifiedinanumberof cowsintheherd.
Geoffsaysifmastitisisdetected,Quadsense “lightsup”toindicatewhichanimalisaffectedat thestartofmilking.
Aphoneappisusedbymilkingstafftorecord alertsviathecow’seartagnumber.
Asampleistakenfromeachofthefourquarters and“grown”onagarplates.Photographsaresent toFarmMedixinHamiltonforanalysis.
“Wecanpickupcaseswehadnotsuspected,” saysGeoff.“It’sjustlikeanearlyindicator.”
Treatmentofcowsidentifiedwithmastitisis undertakenviaveterinaryadvice.
Ifantibioticsareused,cowsaremilked separatelyandtheirmilkwithheldfromcollection andprocessing.
Dairycompaniesbothrewardandpenalise suppliersforloworhighmastitislevels.
Medicalbackground
LiamKampshofleftthefarmleasedbyhisfamily tostudybiomedicalengineeringatAuckland University,thenspentfour-and-a-halfyearsworking inthehumanmedicalfieldinLondon,developing toolsfordetectingcancerandsepticaemia.
Heunderstoodthatmastitiswasthemost significantdiseaseaffectingfarmers,prompting himtoinvestigatehowitwascurrentlydetected
anddiagnosed.“Iwasquite surprisedtodiscoverhowoutdated mastitisdetectionmethodswerefor mostfarmers,”hesays.
Hadtobeaway
“Theywererelyingonmanual techniques,andtheavailable technologieswereontheexpensive side.Iknewtherehadtobeawayto makeautomationmoreaccessible.”
Heembarkedonhisjourneyinto productdevelopment,leadingtothe establishmentofBovonicandthe creationofQuadSense.
Thesensorsmeasuretheconductivity ofthemilk–anincreaseinsalt (sodiumandchloride)concentration thatoccurswithinfection.
Liamsaysthisallowsthe determinationofsubclinicaland clinicalmastitisinadvanceofvisible changesinforemilkoruddertissue “Conductivitydetectsmastitistwo ormoremilkingsbeforevisiblesigns becomeapparent.”QuadSensetrials arebeingconductedonfivefarms intheUKandIrelandfollowing visitsbyLiaminJuly,Octoberand February.
GeoffSutherlandcheckingouttheQuadSensemastitisdetection systemwithherdmanagerMaryannO’Rourke. Photo/SteveEdwards
Protectingewesfromparasites BoehringerIngelheimhasannounced thereturnofBionicPlustothemarket thisMay.Bionic(R)Plusisalong-acting, controlled-releasecapsuledesignedto protectewesfrominternalparasites duringthelambingperiod.
Withapprovalfromthe AgriculturalCompounds andVeterinaryMedicines (ACVM)andNew ZealandFoodSafety (NZFS),BionicPlus re-entersthemarket followingacomprehensive assessmentincluding updatedproduct specificationsandlabel, bothensureconsistent performanceand informeduse.
DrCarlEden,technical servicesveterinarianruminantatBoehringer Ingelheim,saysthe product’stimelyreturn providesanotheroption thatwillgreatlybenefit NewZealandsheep farmersaheadofthe lambingseason.
informedandarepreparedtouseBionicPlus appropriately.Weknowthatfarmershave beenmissingthisproductandarekeento haveitback.Tosupportthereturn,weare alsocommittedtoequippingveterinariansand animalhealthadvisorswiththeknowledgeand toolstosupportfarmerstomakeconfident, best-practicedecisions.”
“ThereturnofBionic Plusgivessheepfarmers ascience-backed,reliable tooltohelpsupportatrisk ewesduringlambingby reducingparasiteburdensthroughtheearly springperiod,andthereforemakesavaluable additiontoparasitemanagementprograms.”
BionicPlusisdesignedtobeused aspartofanintegratedparasite managementstrategy.
Theproductisdesignedtobeusedaspartof anintegratedparasitemanagementstrategy, inconsultationwithaveterinarianoranimal healthadvisor.Thisstrategyincludesgood nutritionandeffectivestockandpasture managementpractices,alongsidetheuseof BionicPluspriortolambing.
“Wewanttoensurethatfarmersarewell-
Calvesthrivingon Goodwood’spremium animalbedding. Photo/supplied Prioritybookings takenNOW
Theproductdelivers anaverageof100 daysofinternal parasiteprotection (range85-115days) viaasustainedrelease capsule.Itsdualactiveformulation ofAbamectin(ML) andAlbendazole(BZ) targetskeyparasite stages,helpingreduce pasturecontamination andprotectlambs throughearlygrowth. Thereturnfollowsa voluntarywithdrawal in2022precedingan industry-widereview ofcontrolledrelease capsuletechnologyby theACVM.Theproduct ismadeinAuckland byArgenta(the manufacturer) anddistributedinNew ZealandbyBoehringer Ingelheim.
WhileBionicPluswas notsubjecttoaformalrecall,theproductwas proactivelyremovedfromsaletoenablefurther regulatoryreassessment.
“There’snosilverbulletwhenitcomesto parasitecontrol,andnotalllong-actingtools aremadeequal.Usedstrategically,Bionic Pluscanhelpreducerelianceonfrequent drenchingandsupportlong-termparasite managementgoals.”
Formoreinformation,seeBoehringer Ingelheim’sadvertonpage8.
Healthier cal es, smarter bedding Healthy calves start from the ground up For dairy farmers, that meanschoosingbeddingwhich supportscalfhealth,comfort,and longtermproductivity.
Goodwood’spremiumwoodchip animalbeddingisdesignedtodo exactly that, using 100%recycled, untreatedwoodthatdeliversreal resultsintheshedandinthebank account.
Unlikesawdustorfineshavings, Goodwood’slargerwoodchip particlesallowbetterairflowand moisturecontrol,saysaspokesperson forthecompany.
“Thiskeepsbeddingdrierfor longer,helpingtopreventrespiratory issuesandinfectionsthatcanslow growthorleadtoexpensivevetbills.
“Fewerhealthissuesmeanfewer treatmentsandfarmerscansave
thousands each season in reduced veterinary costs alone ” The durabilityof theirproduct meansfewerbeddingchanges,less compactionunderfoot,andamore comfortablelyingsurface.
“Thissupportsbetterrestand encouragesweightgain,settingcalves upforstrongerperformancelater in life. Farmersusing Goodwood beddingoftenreportreducedlabour, fewerhealthconcerns,andbetter outcomesacrosstheherd.
“Everychipofpremiumbedding ismadelocallyusinguntreated, kilndriedwood.It’snotonlyan environmentallyresponsiblechoice thatalignswiththevaluesofmodern dairyfarming,butalsotheadded bonusofmoremoneyinyourpocket seasonafterseason.”
Formoreinformation,see Goodwood’sadvertonthispage.
Recognitionforaninnovativeberryfarmer ACambridgeorchardisprovingthat youdon’thavetobealarge-scale operationtobesuccessful.
AtBruntwoodGardens,RobertTealhas builtathrivingbusinessonarelativelysmall pieceofland,demonstratingatalentfor high-qualityproductionandaresourceful approachtohorticulture.
Bob,asheisknown,wasafinalistinthe 2025BallanceFarmEnvironmentAwards –WaikatoRegion.OntheWaikatoawards night,hewalkedawaywithtwoawards; theRabobankAgri-BusinessManagement AwardandtheNZFETInnovationAward.
Bob’srelationshipwithhispieceofland startedin1980whenhewasadairyfarmer andboughtthe32hablockwiththe intentiontoconvertittoahorticultural enterprise.
“Afteralongdairyfarmingcareer,Iwas readytostopgettingupearlyandbeingout inallweatherconditions.”
Diversification Bobsaysthatnothinghappensovernightin horticultureand10-yearplansareessentialas mostnewplantingstakefourtofiveyearsto produceaprofitablecrop.
“Theadvantageofhavingacreagegave metheopportunitytocontinuewithother streamsofincomewhilewaitingforplanting toestablish.”
Theseincludedbringinghisin-calfyoung stockandgrowingthecalvesontosell, whichprovidedcashforthefirstyear.
“DuringthosefirstyearsItriedseveral othercropsincludingmaizeandsunflowers, andgrowingonproteaandblueberryroot cuttingstosell.Ihad20acresinasparagus
andoneplantinglasted20yearsinthe ground!”
Meanwhile,theberryplantingsthat wouldbecomehismainbusinessfor30 yearswereestablishing.
Today Bobhassubdividedafewtimesandthere arenowfivehousesontheland.
“That’sfivefamiliesusingthetown,the schools,theservicesandprovidingworkers forthedistrictandIthinkthat’sagood thing.”
Bobnowhas1.68haoftheoriginalland left,includinghishouseandgroundsand 1hainberries.
Hehasthebusinessofberry-growingdown toafineartandmaximisesthepotentialof availablespaceandtakesadvantageofthe demandforearlyberries.
“I’vegotthreevarietiesofblackberry whicharegrowninpolytunnelsand arereadybyLabourWeekendand finishedbythefirstofJanuary.My raspberriesarealsoearlyandfinished aroundthesametime.”
Bobhas“twofailedretirements” underhisbeltandat80,isstillthe mainworkerontheproperty.
Labourandinnovation Theearlyberriesmean thatthereislittleneed forirrigationasthevines arefinishedbythetime droughtsetsin.Thevines arecutbackassoon astheyhavefinished fruiting,allowing newgrowthtoutilise
availablewater.
Bobandoneworkertieup growthonthevinesthrough winter.
Oldcutvinesarespreadou withapitchfork,goneoverw aslashermowerandthenfin mulched.Themulchissprea aroundthevineswhichhelps keepweedsatbay.
“I’vecomeupwithperman polytunnelsonwoodenfram thathaveflexibilityintheir hoopsandbirdnettingfrom waistheightdown.Theyrea taketheweatheroutofthe equation.”
Theraspberriesgrowoutsid andeachyear,as
p the h the ut with nely ad s nent mes m ally de ches, ected ng l
h w an an for H u
harvesting,seasonal workernumbersswellto10.
Bobspraysforweeds,pests anddiseases(mainlyfungal) andsaysit’sanecessity forberrygrowing. Heseeksto usethesafest productsand isalways looking atnew products astheyare released.
Hehas adapteda golfcart
topullanautomatedsprayerunitandis delightedwiththeresult.
“It’stheperfectwidthforthetunnelsandI canmakeitgoslowenoughtoensureanice evencoverage.”
BobspenttimeonTradeMebuying10 oldpushchairsandhasconvertedeachone intoatrolleyforcollectingharvestedberries. Dependingontheworker,eachtrolleycan accommodatefourtosixtraysbeforebeing takentobeprocessed.
Bob’sawardsreflecthisexpertiseatmaking aonehectareberrygardenaviableand profitableventureandalsohis“cando” attitudewhereheinventshisownsolutions toproblemsthatariseinhisberrybusiness.
CatherineFry
BallanceFarmEnvironmentAwards WaikatofinalistBobTeal.
Horticulturalist Bob Teal training autumn blackberry vine growth ready for next spring
Photos / Catherine Fry
NZcolonylossesease,buckingglobaltrend Acalltoactionfor sustainablepracticesthat supportbees,improve foodsecurity,andprotect biodiversityinthefaceof mountingclimatepressures isbeingmadeinNew Zealand.
NewZealandhasaflourishing populationofhoneybees caredforby8190registered beekeeperswhomanage 520,000hivesacrossthe country.
Atthistimeofyear,withthe hardworkofproducinghoney done,honeybeesarefocusedon storingupfoodtokeeptheir hivesfedandhealthythrough thewinter.
downwardtrajectorysincethe20212022surveys. “Thestoryofthe2024NZColony LossSurveyisaboutvarroa,”says surveydirectorPikeStahlmann-
thepest.ApicultureNZsaysKiwis canhelplocalbeepopulationsby plantingforaging favouritestohelpbeesstockupon foodforwinter. Goodthingstoplantforbees thismonthincludeherbssuch andoregano,andshrubssuchas Micheliayunnanensisandthenative Thosewithlargerpropertiesmight liketoconsideryellowgumtrees,
ColonylossratesinNew Zealandoverthecoldwinter monthshavelessened.
Whilesomecountrieshave struggledwithdramaticcolony lossesoverwinter,Kiwibeesare buckingthetrend.
ResultsfromtheNewZealand ColonyLossSurvey2024show
thatlossratescausedbyvarroa mites,thenumberonethreatto beesoverwinterfortheprevious threeyears,fellto4.6%during winter2024,comparedto6.4% duringwinter2023. Thiscontinuesageneral
England, like Join hosts
John&Robyn Cooney…for 20daysJune/July2026
Next time you ’ re in London, once you ’ ve eyeballed Big Ben, Trafalgar Square and BuckinghamPalace, you’ve gotta getoutin thecountry.Why?Becausethere’smoreto YeOldeEnglandthanjustLondon.
Imean,notfaralongtheM4aresomeofthe sweetest,loveliestcornersyoucanfindinthis “greenandpleasantland”.Andwhenyouwander offthebeatentrackthroughleafy f woodlandlanes, you’resoonoohing-and-aahingatfairytalevillages, thatch-roofedcottages,flower-smotheredgardens, pubswithweirdnames,cathedralswithpointy roofs,medievalcastlesandknightsinshining armour.
Wefellinlovewiththehoney-colouredvillageof Woodstock…exploredstunningBlenheimPalace …feltthe‘DowntonAbbey’vibesinoldBampton town…wentwalkaboutinexoticgardensat
BlenheimPalaceEstatein Woodstock,Oxfordshire.
Hidcote Manor … got all floral in Kiftsgate Court, created by green-fingered women stumbled uponmagical Broadway, horse-chestnuttrees lining its streets and immersed ourselves (like theRomans)inhistoricBath.
WemeanderedthroughidyllichamletslikeSt Ives,PortIsaac,Bourton-on-the-Water,and(grislysounding)LowerSlaughter.Wekickedbackinthe seasidemagicofPadstow.Andweroamedmore bloomin’gardensthanyoucouldshakeagumboot at:Trebah,Heligan,SissinghurstandGreatDixter (tonamejustafew).
TofinishwithaMidlifeMadnessflourish,we crossedtheChannelforasensationaloutdoor concertinAndreRieu’shometownofMaastricht, Holland–yeehaa!
We’redoingitallagaininJune/July2026–don’t missout!
SeeMidlifeMadness’advertonthispagefor moreinformation. JohnCooney
•
•
Meanderwithusthroughsomeofthesweetest,loveliestcornersof YeOldeEngland–theCotswolds,Cornwall,Devon,Dorset,Sussex: oohing-&-aahingatfairytalevillages,quaintthatchedcottages, cobbledseasidetowns,castles,cathedrals,historicestates,and gardenssogorgeousthey’llknockyergumbootsoff!
Weathertightinspectionsalsoavailableformonolithic-clad properties,suitableforlendingpurposes
New Zealand has a flourishing population of h
T Touring the high countryin2026 HighCountryHeritagetoursareapopulareventforNZAdventures.
Thelongestrunningandone ofthemostpopularoftheNZ AdventurestoursistheHigh CountryHeritagemulti-daytrip across1200kmfromBlenheimto Cardrona.
“Highlightsofthesetripsaremany andvariedandincludemanylarge sheepandcattlestationsalongtheroute andDOCConservationParks,”say owner-operatorsofNZAdventures4x4 Tours,RobbieandConnieCrickett.
“Stationsvisitedincludeiconic MolesworthinSouthernMarlborough andprivatelyheldpropertiesacross CanterburyandOtago.”
NZAdventuresofferstheHigh CountryHeritagefor2026inFebruary, AprilandDecemberasasix-daytrip
andinMarchasasevenday.
Theseven-daytourendsintime forWarbirdsoverWanakaatEaster weekendin2026.
Accommodationeachnightisin Motelsintownsalongtherouteand lunchesareeithercateredpicnicor stationhomestead.Eveningmeals andbreakfastsarerestauranttype generallyonsiteorclosetothe accommodation.
NZAdventuresprovideparticipants withatwo-wayradioforeach vehicleandmaintainacommentary throughoutthetourdescribingthe propertiesandhistoryofthearea beingtravelledthroughandasthe radiosaretwo-way,thereisample opportunityforquestions. Formoreinformation,visitNZ Adventures’advertonthispage.
WestockacomprehensiverangeofPoultry Feed&Treats,HealthSupplements, Pest&Parasitecontrols,Feeders &Drinkers,HeatingPlates,Incubators, Coops,PineShavings&more!
TheWomen’sHealthStudy isoneofthemostinfluential medicalstudies.
asifMagnesiumcanhelpmany conditionsincludingcramp,heart rhythm,mood,sleepingany manymore.
53 Reid Road, Glenbrook, Franklin. Ph: (021) 049-0138 OpenTues-Fri12pm-6pm&Sat10am-5pm. thechookyardnz@gmail.com
Tourdates for2026are nowavailable onrequest.
Formoreinformation pleasecontact NZAdventures
Pleasephone 032188569 Mobile 0275506727 or 0274354267
Email:info@nzadventures.co.nz Orvisitourwebsite www.nzadventures.co.nz Lookforwardtohearingfromyou
Thisfollowednearly30,000 femalehealthprofessionals whoareaged45-plus. Itisstillgoingnow after30years.Oneof themanyobservations wastherelationship betweenMagnesiumand Hypertension(highblood pressure). Thestudyshowed thatMagnesiumintake wasinverselyrelated tohypertension;that thosewithlowMagnesiumhad muchhigherchancesofdeveloping hypertension.Indeed,itseems
Thisshouldnotsurprise becauseofthespecialroleof Magnesiumingoverning musclesandnerves. Calciumisthemineralthat causesmusclestoworkand nervestocarryimpulses. Magnesiumhelpsreturn musclesandnervestoa restingstate. HowdoesMagnesium helphypertension?Our bloodvesselshaveaspecial typeofmusclecalled smoothmuscle.Justas Magnesiumdeficiencycancause cramportightnessinourskeletal
muscles, so low Magnesium causes smooth muscle tolloseiitsnatural l supplleness.ThThiscaniimpedde bloodflowandforcesthehearttopumpharderto circulateblood.
ThemainmechanismisthatMagnesiumis apowerfulcalciumchannelblocker(many hypertensionmedicationsarecalciumchannel blockers).Thisallowsthesmoothmusclein bloodvesselstorelaxthusallowingforenhanced bloodflow.
Thechallengeistogettherightformsof Magnesiumintherightdoses.Mypreference istousethreedifferentformsofMagnesium: NaturalmarineMagnesiumfromseawater,well provenMagnesiumCitrateandprobablythemost effective,Magnesiumglycinate.Wethenneed togettherightdoses.Thisiswhereone-a-day supplementscanbedifficultasyoucannotmodify thedose.MyMagnesiumhasadosagerangeof1-4 capsulessocanbecustomisedtoaperson’sneeds. JohnArts(Adv.Dip.Nut.Med)isanutritionalmedicinepractitionerand founderofAbundantHealthLtd.ForquestionsoradvicecontactJohnon 0800423559oremailjohn@abundant.co.nzJoinhisnewsletter atwww.abundant.co.nz
WaikatoPoultryand PigeonClubpresident FionaTaylorwithone ofherBlackSilkies. Photos/CatherineFry WaikatoPoultryand PigeonClub presidentFionaTaylorwitha home-bredAustralian Saddleback Tumbler pigeon.
TheWaikatoPoultryandPigeonClub wasestablishedin1902.
Overtheyears,allsortsofpeoplefromserious breederstohobbyistshavebeeninvolvedinpigeon andpoultryfancying–theartandscienceof breedingdomesticpigeons,poultryandwaterfowl.
CurrentclubpresidentFionaTaylorhasenjoyed alifelongpassionforpoultryanddescribes growingupasthe“typicalquarter-acreKiwikid withbantamsrunningaround”.
“AsanadultImovedtoalifestyleblockandgot chickens,ducksandpigeonscreatingasustainable, moreself-sufficienthobby,”saysFiona.
FionajoinedtheWaikatoPoultryandPigeon Club(WPPC)andtookanactiverole.Afterbeing mentoredbyolderclubmembers,shebecamea stewardandthenajudgeandshebreedsseveral heritagebreeds.
Thirty-threeyearslatertheclubisabigpartof herlife,andherdaughterKatiesharesherhobby.
“I’vemadeamazingfriends,travelledallover NewZealandtoshows,whereIjudgeandshow myownpoultry,ducksandpigeonsandvisited poultryshowsoverseas.”
TheWPPC
Intheearlydays,poultryweremostlikely broughtintothecountryaslivebirdsand fertilisedeggs.Thiswasstoppedaround60years agoamidfearsofimportingabirddiseasethat couldthreatenNewZealand’smultimillion-dollar commercialeggindustry.
“Theownersofallthepurebredbirdshaven’thad
anyaccesstonewgeneticsfor60years.Theclubs worktogethertoprotectthebreedsandbloodlines withcarefulcrossbreeding.”
Theheritage-breedchickensarethegenetic blueprintofthehybridbreedsoftoday.Without accesstofreshgeneticsfromoverseas,these heritagebreedswilleventuallybecomeextinctin NewZealand.
“OurpoultryclubsinNewZealandreachoutto peoplethroughourshows,educationaldisplays, andsalesofbirdsandfertilisedeggs.
“Therearepeopleouttherewhoarebreeding heritagebirdsbutaren’tknowntous.We’dlove themtomakecontactandconsiderhelpingwith ourbreedingprogrammes.”
The2024NationalPoultryShowhad130 breedersinattendance.Poultryareclassified intodifferentsections,includingheavy,light, waterfowl,bantamandgamebirds,withsubbreedsbeneaththem.
“Severalbreeds,particularlyinthewaterfowl section,arebredbyveryfewpeopleinthe country.Wehavetoquestionifthosebreedswill beherein10years’timeassomearerarerthanthe iconickiwi.”
Heritagebreeds
TherecentGovernmentdirectivetophaseout batteryhensresultedinmanyeggfacilitiesunable tomaketherequiredchangesandshuttingdown, triggeringaneggshortage.
FionasaysalotofpeopleapproachedtheWPPC aboutgettingtheirownchickensforeggsandthe clubwashappytoassist.
henasitdoesahybrid,sothiswasa greatopportunityformanypeopleto takeonabreed.”
Unlikesuppliedall-femalehybrids, withheritagehensyoucansita broodyhenonaclutchoffertileeggs orincubateandhatchfertileeggs, helpingpreservethebreeds.
“Peopleneedtochecktheirlocal councilbylawstofindouthowmany chickenstheycankeepontheirsection andwhethertheycanhaveroosters.
“Chickenseatyourkitchen scraps,producenaturalfertiliser, turntheground,controlgarden pests,produceeggsandcanbe friendlypetsforchildren.Theyare
asustainablehobby.”
Fionasaysthepreservationofthe heritagebreedshastobeviewedas anationwideproject.Anyonewho breedsanytypeofpoultry,waterfowl orpigeonismostwelcometojoin aclubandhelpdiversifythegene pools.
TheWaikatoPoultryandPigeon Club,123rdAnnualChampionship ShowwillbeheldattheWaikato IndoorTennisCentreonOldFarm Rd,HamiltonEastfromFriday,July 11,toSunday,July13.
Formoreinformation,seethe WaikatoPoultryandPigeonClub Facebookpage.
Preventswaterdamage
Suitableforanytypeofroof
Quality Showers Inspectionofavocados isimportantto makesurethe fruitisofgood quality.
The101onAvoGreen Ask anavocadoorchard ownerwhatAvoGreenis, and youwilllikelygeta variedresponse.
Most knowit’sacompliance task forthosewantingto export theirfruit,andmany would sayit’sreallyallabout pests andpesticides.
hatisAvogreen
AvoGreenisanauditable avocadoproductionsystem which usestheprinciples
ofIntegratedPestManagement (IPM),aninternationally recognisedapproach,to ensurepesticidesareusedonly whenneeded.
AvoGreenisarequirementof export,andallgrowersmustbe AvoGreencompliantinorder fortheircroptobeexported.
TobeAvoGreencompliant aGrowermusthavean accreditedpestmonitor monitoringtheirorchard forpestsundertheindustry AvoGreenProgramme.
Thiscanbedonebycontracting anAvoGreenOperatoror becominglicensedasanOwneroperator.Owner-operatorsundertake theresponsibilityforAvoGreen monitoringforaPPIN,usingan accreditedpestmonitor.
Growerprotection
“OurviewisthatAvoGreenisa responsibleandauditablesystem thatprotectsagrower’sassets(the fruit)andprovidesanopportunity toincreasethebottomline,”saysa Trevelyan’sspokesperson.
thedemandforavocadosin2026in anoffshoremarketisinsatiable;the per-traypaymentisthebestithasever been,butyourfruitisn’tcompliant…
“Alternatively,theNewZealand marketgoeswildforguacamole, butyoufailedtomonitorforthrips andleafroller,andnowyouhave aninfestation.Youcannowonly contributeathirdofyourorchard fruitduetofruitdamage…”
Attheendoftheday,growerswant choice:whentopick,andtheoption ofkeepingthefruitlocalortakingit global,saysTrevelyan’s.
“Noonecan100%correctlypredict themarket,butasanavocadogrower, considertwoscenarios:
“Youareanavocadogrower,and
“IfyougetFOMO(fearofmissing out),signthenextAvoGreen AgreementfromyourlocalAvoGreen operator,you’llbegladyoudid.”
Avocado,casheew anddate smoothie Method
Season Complete Andthat’sawrapforthe currentavocadoseason, whichforDMSstartedin May2024andwasalso completedinMay2025.
Witharecordnumberofbins tippedfortheseasonand arecordnumberoftrays packedatDMS,ithasbeena seasontoremember.
Amajorpositivefortheexport seasonwasgrowerreturns climbingbackabove$20per tray,withsomeDMSgrowers earninganadditional$2–$5 pertraythroughthelateseasonharvestingincentive.
The2024seasonsawthe installationofanewavocado waterblasteratDMS,setting anewindustrybenchmark. Commissionedataspeed below500psi,theblaster performedexceptionally well.Thecombinationof itseffectivenessandlow
Lookingforahealthyoptionto useavocados.Theversatilefruit canbeusedinmanyrecipes. AvocadoNZhasavarietyonline andbelowistheiravocado, cashewanddatesmoothygemif youwanttogiveitatry.
Ingredients 1/2cupFreshLifenatural cashews 4FreshLifeSilverPlatter MedjoolDates,pitremoved 1ripeNZavocado,scooped 1/2Lemon,juiceandzest 500mlunsweetenednatural almondmilk 1tbspmaplesyrup,ortotaste (optional) 1cupice
AVOCADOS •ExceptionalPackingFacilities
•CompleteOrchardManagement
waterpressureprovided growersandmarketerswith addedreassurancethattheir fruitwasbeingshippedto customersinthebestpossible condition.
Ahugethankyoutoeveryone involved—fromourdedicated harvestingandtrucking contractorstotheincredible marketingteams.Special thankstoSouthernProduce LtdandPrimorProduceLtd formanagingeverything locally,andtoAVOCOfor exportingouravocadosto marketsaroundtheworld.
DMSlooksforwardto thankingallourgrowersin personattheupcomingEndof-SeasonGrowerAwards Dinner—alwaysafantastic eveningthatcelebrates outstandingon-orchard achievementsandthepeople behindthem.
HamishMcKain
•AvoGreenService
Contact:
HamishMcKain -GeneralManager/AvocadoGrowerServices 0272202005•hamish.mckain@dms4kiwi.co.nz
WillieHerder -AvocadoGrowerServices 0276673849•willie.herder@dms4kiwi.co.nz
IvonaKopecka -AvocadoGrowerServices 0272664901•ivona.kopecka@dms4kiwi.co.nz
Thishealthy smoothie has cashewsand avocado so youcanstay fuller for longer.It’ssweetened withMedjool dates
Placecashews in a smallbowl and cover withboiling water
Leaveto soak for 10 minutes, then drain, discarding the water
Add all ingredients to a blender and blend on high until smooth
Pour into glasses and enjoy
Proudtobeassociatedwith
•HarvestFlexibility
•Newwaterblasterfacility
•TechnicalAdviceandSupport
WarrenSargent -AvoGreenManager 0279000292•warren.sargent@dms4kiwi.co.nz
MattRoyackers -AvocadoGrowerServices 0272000788•matt.royackers@dms4kiwi.co.nz
ToniMorrison -AvocadoGrowerServices 0272654469•toni.morrison@dms4kiwi.co.nz
Aconfidentstarttothe2025avocadoseason Aswemoveintothestartof the2025-2026avocadoseason, there’saquietbuzzamong growers–asenseofcautious optimismgroundedinthe realitiesofthepastfewyears.
Afternavigatingchallengingseasons markedbycyclonesandprolonged wetweather,there’sarenewedfocus acrossorchardsonsettingupfor successearly.
Seasonpreparation Junemarksthestartofharvestinearlymaturing orchards.Whilemuchoftheworktogrowthis season’scropisalreadydone,vigilanceincrop compliancecomestotheforefront.
Pestanddiseasecontrolremainsessential.For exportgrowers,nowisthetimetoensureallmarket accessrequirementsaremetaroundchemical choices,rates,andtiming.It’sworthremembering thatthedecisionsmadenowwillinfluence outcomesmonthsdownthetrack.
Exportmarkets Thisseason,DarlingGroupwillmaintaina presenceintheAustralianmarket,whilealso progressingourpartnershipsinAsia,withourearly seasonharvest,with fChiH
focuson China, Hong Kong, and Korea
USAwilljoinCanadainourNorth Americanexpansion.
Despitesteppingawayfromavocados inAustraliaasakeyfocus,our relationshipsremainstrong.JHLeavy &Co.,ourAustralianfreshproduce business,continuestosupplyarange ofotherfreshproducecategoriesinto retail,meaningourassociationissteady, ourriskislowandourabilitytoact decisivelyishigh.
TosupportourgrowthinAsia,we’re excitedtowelcomeBenYingasour newlyappointedmarketmanager basedinShanghai.Benbringsdeep experienceintheperishablegoodstrade,having workedininternationalseafoodmarkets.Hewill operatefromthePrimaryCollaborationNew Zealandoffice,whichhousesseveralleadingNew Zealandprimarysectorexporters–placingusatthe heartofregionaltradeandopportunity.
TheUSAwillplayanimportantroleinour marketexpansion,thoughthepoliticallandscape andimpendingelectionseasonbringuncertainty.
Atthisstage,wearenotexpectingdirect disruptiontoavocadotrade,butweare watchingclosely.Globalavocadosupplychains aretightlylinked.
It’simportanttonotethatourinvolvementin globaltradeisn’tseasonal–weareactiveacross Asia,Australia,andNorthAmericaeveryday.That
insightintoshiftingmarketdynamics andnewopportunitiesandreinforces ourleadershipinexportstrategyand Asiamarketdevelopment.
Maximisingvalue Beyondmarketexpansion,we’realso focusedonextractingfullvalueacross thecrop.Lastseason,wemarketed themajorityofNewZealand’sexport Class2,3,andprocess-gradefruit. Thissupportsamoresustainable supplychainandhelpsensurethat moregrowerscanachievecommercial returnsacrossabroaderfruitprofile.
JustAvocados Operationally,wehavesignificant developmentsunderway.Thisseason, wearecompletingoursiteroading
improvements,expandingcoveredbin storage,andaddinganewcoolstore. Withincreasedpackingvolume confirmed,anexcitingupdateisthat JustAvocadoswillberunningnear tocapacityandworkingourmachine atthepaceitwasmadefor.Wewill operatetwoshiftsandleverageour technologytodrivethishighoutput efficiently.
Theoutlookforthe2025seasonis shapingupwithablendofpromise andpragmatism.There’snodenying thepastfewyearshavetestedour resilience–butthere’salottobe optimisticabout.
Withsteadyorchardmanagement, clearplanning,andstrong collaboration,thisseasonoffersareal chancetoresetandgrow.
•AgriculturalSeeding
•AgriculturalSpraying
•AgriculturalTopdressing
for FacialEczema Spraying AVOJECT® SYRINGE Theprovenlowpressuremethodforeffectivephytophthora controlinavocadotrees.TheAvoject® arehighquality syringeswithasmalltiptominimisetreedamage. E:info@avoject.co.nz|W:avoject.co.nz
Yourlifestyleblockneedsfertiliser AtFertco,weoftengetphonecallsfrom lifestyleblockowners.Theconversation usuallygoessomethinglikethis… “Wedon’tseemtohavemuchgrassandwhatwe dohaveisabityellow-lookingapartfromafew patcheswhicharereallygreen.Also,thepaddocks areweedyandwhenyouwalkacrossthem,there arelotsofbarespots.Doyouthink somefertiliserwouldhelp?”
Ifyourplacelookslikethis,then yes,youabsolutelydoneedfertiliser.
Fertiliserworries
We’realltooawarethatfertiliser canbeconfusing,difficulttosource inthequantitiesblockownersneed, andawkwardtoapply(butseeour advertonthispageforsolutionsto thesechallenges).
Addtotheseissuesthenegative publicityandmisconceptions circulatingabouttheimpactof
fertiliseronsoilbiologyandtheenvironment,and it’snowonderthatmanyblockownersquestion whethertheyshouldapplyit.
However,we’reguessingthatyouchosetoliveon alifestyleblockbecauseyouwanttogrowhealthy foodandfarmhealthyanimals.
Youjustcan’tdothatwithoutfertiliser.
Ifyoutakeaway,youmustputback
Thenumberonereasonthatyou mustputfertiliseronyourblock(and yourgardenandorchardtoo)isthat wheneveryouharvestplantsandcrops orremoveanimalproductslikemeatand eggsfromit,youaretakingnutrientsout ofthesystem.
Pasturethatlookslikeapatchwork quiltduetorandompatchesofgreen isasuresignthatit’stimetoputsome nutrientsback.Thegreenpatchesare growinggrassonlybecausethey’vebeen fertilisedbyanimalurineanddung. Theremainingpasturestilllookssickly
COSTEFFECTIVERETRACTINGROOFSYSTEM Canberetrofittedtoexisting concretewoodorblockbins Uniquespacesavingsectional design
Canvasorsteelcladdingoptions Winchsystemforeasyaccess Keepsfeedorfertiliserdry Kitsetoptionsavailable
LifestyleRange Fertiliserforhorticulture,smallfarms, lifestyleblocks,orchards,andhomegardens
OrganicBoost Theperfectmultipurposeorganicfertiliser. OrganicBoostdeliversall essentialplantnutrients, traceelements,andhumates whileprotectingthesoil’s naturalbiodiversity.
Alsoavailable:
•EquineMix
•AvoMix
•CitrusMix
•Guano
All-In-One Smallblockfertilisermade simpleatasmallblock price!All-In-Onecontains allessentialnutrients, traceelements,andultrafinelimeforhealthysoil andplantgrowth.
Chooseyouramount:
•20kg/25kgbags
•500kgbags
•1000kg
•Bulk
Needadvice?
ContactCharlotte M:0298608000
G-Lime Anofuss,nodust,ultrafine,granuatedlime. G-Limeisthenatural waytoreducesoilacidity quickly.Appliedregularly, itimprovessoilstructure andstrengthensplants.
Findtheseproductsandmoreat:
•Farmlandsstores
•FalloonStockfoodsLtd,DairyFlat
•ElthamFarmSupplies,Taranaki
•LivingRural,Pāuatahanui,Porirua
becauseitisnutrientdeficient. Ifyourblockwasoncepartof alargerfarm,itwouldhavebeen fertilisedannually.So,thepasture wasprobablyokayforthefirst3-4 yearsafterthesubdivision.However, manynutrientswillnowhavebeen usedupandthesoilfertilityreduced tothepointwhereplantgrowthis poor,andyouranimalsnolonger lookashealthyasyou’dlike.
NZsoilscanbedeficient
Anotherreasonyouneedtoput fertiliseronyourblockisthatmany soilsinNZareinherentlyshort ofplant-essentialnutrientslike phosphorus(P)andpotassium(K). So,pastureplants,whichrelyon thesemacronutrients,donotthrive unlesstheseareaddedtothesoil. Seasonaldeficienciescanalso affectpasturegrowth.Nitrogen(N) isamacronutrienttypicallyshort inNZpastureduringspringwhen cloverisnotactivelygrowing.Ifthe grassisslowtogetgoinginspringat yourplace,youmaywanttoboost thingsalongwithafertiliserthat includesnitrogen.
Increasingsoilbiology
Ifyou’reworriedthatfertiliser impactssoilbiologyandworms, don’tbe.Long-termresearchtrials
inNZhaverepeatedlyproventhat applyingmineralfertiliserson grazedlandincreasessoilmicrobial massandearthwormnumbers. Thisisbecausemorepasturemeans moreanimaldungandurine,and moredeadanduneatenherbage,so morefoodforeverythingthatlives inthesoil.
Nowadays,thereisnoneedto worrythatyouaredamagingthe environmentbyapplyingfertiliser. Byheedingthefertiliserindustry’s 4Rsofnutrientstewardship(the rightproduct,attherightrate, intherightplace,attheright time),youcanavoidproblemslike leachingandrun-off.AtFertco,we livebytheseRs.We’recontinually sourcingandmanufacturing fertilisersthatreleasetheirnutrients inamorecontrolledwayandare saferandmoreaccuratetoapply.
Ouradvice Finally,youmightliketosetup anannualfertiliserprogrammefor yourblock.
Includewhatfertiliseryouapplied, whenyouappliedit,andwhat changesyou’venotedoverthepast year.Addsomephotos,andanysoil testresults.Thiswillallowyouto trackprogressandensureyouget thebestvalueforwhatyouspend.
E:charlottew@fertco.co.nz fertco.co.nz
BallanceAgri-Nutrients announcedearlierthisyearthatit hasenteredintoconsultationwith someofitspeopleonaproposalto ceasemanufacturingofsulphuric acidandsinglesuperphosphateat itsMountMaunganuisite. Ifadopted,thiswouldhavean impactonsomespecificroles associatedwithacidandphosphate manufacture.
Underthisproposal,68roles wouldbedisestablishedand6new rolescreated,resultinginanet reductionof62roles.
Theintentionisforthe co-operativetoremainonsite utilisingtheproximitytothe portfornutrientstorageand distribution,andforitsnational supportoffice.
Undertheproposalthe co-operativewouldcontinueto manufacturephosphateatits
AwaruafacilityinInvercargill andureaatitsKapunifacilityin Taranaki.
CEOKelvinWickhamsaysthis proposalispartofawiderprocess theorganisationhasbeengoing throughduringthepastyeartoget aheadofchangesinthesectorand identifyfutureopportunitiesto supportNewZealandfarmersand growers.
“Inthecomingyears,weexpectto seeanincreasedrangeofproducts andservicesthatmoreefficiently andeffectivelydeliveressential nutrientsforfarmersandgrowers, whichwillresultinreducedoverall demandforsinglesuperphosphate fromhistoricalpeakvolumes,”he says.
“Thenumberofexistingfacilities currentlymakingthisproductin NewZealandmeansthereisan overcapacityofsupply.”
Today In2021,Fertcoexpandedits operationbypurchasingTerraCare anditsTeAwamutufactory.Thissite nowhousestheMineralBoostplant, andasecondfertiliserfactory. WhenaskedhowFertcohas survivedwhenmanystarts-ups fail,Karlsaystheyweren’tafraidto
changethingsandtoinnovatewhen thingsweren’tgoingright.“Andwe hadthedeterminationtofaceupto anyproblemsthatrearedtheirheads andnotgiveup.”Kingsuggests thatthekeytoFertco’ssucccesswas passion:“Ourheartswereinit.You see,a companydoeswellbecauseit’s runbythepeoplewholoveit.”
Inthelate-1990s,whenthefertiliserindustry inNewZealandwasundergoingasignificant amountofconsolidation,dairyfarmersRoss Karl,RobPhillipsandKenTitchenerbucked thistrendbyformingtheirownfertiliser companytomakedicalcicphosphate.
“Iwasgrowingverysmallclover,hadcompacted soil,andIjustwasnothappywithwhatwas happeningwithmystock,”saysKarl.“Iwasalso usingDAP[di-ammoniumphosphate].Thestock wasn’tthrivingonwhatIwasgrowing.”
AftervisitingPhillips,whohadbeenusinga dicalcicphosphateonhisOtorohangafarm,Karl wassoimpressedwiththequalityofthepasture thathedecidedtogivedicalcicphosphateagotoo.
Threeyearslater Threeyearslater,Karlnoticedarealdifference inhisherd.“Iactuallygotaringfrommyvet, wantingtoknowwhytherewasnothingonmy Octoberaccount.Thatwasahugething.Iusedto havecowsgoingdownwithmilkfeverandstaying downanddying.Acowthathadbeenmilkingfor aweekor10dayswouldbedowninthepaddock. Andthatstartedtodisappear.”
Origins So,in1999,KarlandPhillipsgottogetherwith TitchenerandformedFertco.Theyopenedtheir firstfactoryatMountMaunganuitomanufacture dicalcicphosphate.
Rightfromthestart,theywereveryhandson andkeptatightreinonthebudget.
Karlrecallserectingthestankingwalls,neededto formbinsforholdingthefertiliserinthefactory. Butratherthanusingconcretewalls,whichwere expensive,theydevisedacheaperalternative involvingmetalholdersandplanks.Thissystem alsoallowedthemtoputthewallsinbutremove themifneeded.
“Weneverreallyexpectedit[Fertco]tolastthat long,”saysPhillips.
Butlastithas,andFertcoiscelebratingits25th yearinbusinessthismonthwithfoundersKarl andPhillipsstillatthehelmasboardmembers.
Peoplethekeytosuccess Therehavebeenmanypeoplealongthewaywho havecontributedtothecompany’ssuccess.
OneexampleischemicalengineerFrankKing, whowasbroughtintodevelopthedicalcic phosphate“recipe”andtheplanttomakeit.King’s approachwastokeepthingssimpleandnotusea lotofmoney,especiallyatthebeginning.
So,togetgoing,theyboughtandreengineered second-handequipment,astrategytheystill employtoday.Andtheyhiredacrewofex-farmers toweldthingsupandfixwhatbrokebecause,as Kingsays,“theywereadeptatturningtheirhand toanything”.
Thenextmove Thingsprogressedwell,andthenextmovewasto abiggerwarehousearoundthecornerfromtheir firstlittlebuilding.Again,theDIYphilosophywas totheforeduringthemove.
“Igotholdofascissor-hoistandgotupthere withablowercompressortotryandknockthe dustofftherafters.Whatajob!ItblewitfromA toB,thenfromBtoA,”saysKarl.
Innovation Thesuccesswithdicalcicphosphateencouraged furtherinnovation.Theytriedgranulatinglime andcoatingureawhichnooneinNZwasdoingat thetime.
Whenthe“big”companiesbegantocopythem, theyknewthattheywereontosomething.But, asKingsays,“that’sokay–that’showscienceand thingsprogress”.
Arelativelyrecentinnovationis“Mineral Boost”,afeedsupplementtoovercomemineral deficienciesinlivestock,andthebrainchildof currentCEOWarwickVoyce.
FertcoffoundderRRossKKarll,llefft,currentCCEO Warwick k Voyceand d chhemical l engineerFFrank k King. Photo/Supplied
Abeastofabulldozerstillgoingstrong RobinHillwasbornin LondonduringWorldWarII andhadhisfirsttasteofrural lifewhenhisfamilymovedto TheFensinCambridgeshire toavoidthebombing.
Heembracedthefarminglife atayoungage.Atfivehewas breedingandfatteningrabbits toselltotheuniversitiesand byeighthewasfatteningpigs tosell.
requiredyoutoworkonafarmfor twoyears,sowewentdairyfarming.”
Aman’smission
Robin’smissionwastobuyanew car,marryaKiwigirlandbuya farm.Usinganinheritancefromhis grandmotherandsavinghard,he boughtanew1963ChryslerValiant, marriedtheofficegirl,Margaret,from thecardealershipandtheybought theirfirstdairyfarm.
“WhenIleftschoolIwentinto arablefarmingworkingforacontractorgrowing wheat,barleyandsugarbeet,andspentmany hoursbehindthewheelofatractor,”saysRobin. Robin’sparentsimmigratedtoNewZealandin 1961,and20-year-oldRobincamewiththem. “Wewerepartofanimmigrationschemethat
“Iretiredfromthephysicalsideof farmingwhenIwas58andstarted collectingtractors,whichthenseemed tobreedovernight!”
Oneofthevehiclesinhisextensivecollectionis alate-1940sBritishmadeFowlerVFbulldozer, designedforgeneralbulldozerwork.
Heboughtitfromadealeranddescribesitas “rustybutrunningbutthetrackgearhadhadit”.
Thetrackgearwasreplacedwithcustom madesteelrunners,buttheoriginaltracks arestillfitted.Theheavycastironchassis andbodywerecleanedupandpaintedin Brunswickgreen.
Email:info@diggersales.co.nz Phone:0279100500 www.diggersales.co.nz PICKYOUR POWER
ZD1221
30HPKubota3-CylinderDieselEngine CuttingHeight25-127mm,reardelivery ShaftDriveDeck&HydraulicDeckLift
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FittedwithLA344Loaderand RCK60Mid-mountmower 23HPKubotadieselengine
Switchingbetweenmowinglawns& frontendloaderworkhasneverbeen easier.TheBXloadercanbeattached withoutleavingthedriver’sseat
075739107 4TePukeQuarryRoad,TePuke www.rrtractors.co.nz
Deluxereclininghighbackseat,spacious operatorarea,cruisecontrolandeasyto reachcontrols *Imagewithoutmowerdeck.Price includesmowerdeck.
Apointofinterest TheFowlerVFhasasinglenineinchcylinder,twosix-inchpistons anda350-poundflywheel. ApointofinterestfortheVFisit requiresamanualcrankstart. “Iuseapieceofblottingpaper soakedinpotassiumnitrate (saltpetre)andthendried,asafuse. Irolltheblottingpaperintoa cylindershape,lightitandblowit out.ThenIinserttheglowingfuse
intothefuseholderinthecylinder headoftheengine.”
Thenextstageofsmoothlyand consistentlyrotatingthemanual crankhandleengagingwitha flywheelontheenginetomakeit starttakesbrutestrengthevenfora youngman. Robinisanavidtractortrekker andhasseenagreatdealofNew ZealandwithotherHaurakiVintage MachineryClubmembers.
CatherineFry
Brasspllateiinstructiions.
Therustyoldlate-1940sFowler VFbulldozerwhenRobinfound it. Photos/CatherineFry
The rusty old late-1940s Fowler
RobinHillwithhis restoredlate1940s FowlerVFbulldozer.
L Lighhtiingthheffusefforthhecrank k start.
Newweatherseason,newfarmingseason NowthatwehavepassedJune1, weareofficiallyinwinter,andin anewdairyfarmingseason. Hopefullyallthosewhohave recentlyshiftedfarmarenow settlinginwelltoanewhomeand potentiallyanewcommunity.For thosewhoarespringcalvingand havedriedoffthecows,doyour mentalhealthafavourandgetoff farmforadecentbreak,oratleast takeachancetohavelookatthe FieldaysatMysteryCreek. Itisnicetoseethatmostareas haveenjoyedanautumnflushof grassfollowingthedrysummer. Ihadn’tbeentotheWaikatosince Marchandwaspleasedtoseefarmers havesomereasonablegrasscovers againfollowingtherainandsome favourabletemperatures.Herein Paengaroa,thegroundtemperature inthefirsttwoweeksinMayheld
anaverageof12.8degreesCelsius, just0.4degreeshigherthanforthe sameperiodlastyear.Therehasbeen abigdifferenceinrainfallthough –followingthehuge downpoursaddingupto 314.5mlinAprilthisyear, therehasonlybeen31mlto dateinMay.Aprillastyear was53.5mland122.5ml inMay.Annualtotalto dateis535mlcomparedto 447mlforthesameperiod lastyear.
Financialresults NewZealand’sruralsector isdefinitelyenjoyingsome much-improvedfinancial results,withtheexceptionofthose areasthatgothitwiththedrythis summer.Beefanddairyprices remainatall-timehighs,thelamb priceisprettygood,andthekiwifruit
growersareenjoyingbumpercrops andpricestoo.However,theurban dwellersarestillfeelingthepinchand arelikelytodosoforabitlongeras theeconomicgrowthin ourcitiescontinuesto bouncealongthebottom withunemployment (orunderemployment) remainingelevated. Talkingaboutfeeling thepinchandhighdairy prices,thepricefora standardblockofbutter inthesupermarketis startingtohurt.Mywife toldthekidswewere goingtohavetocutback onbakingduetotherise! Thereductionininterestrates havenotyettranslatedintoanyreal recoveryeconomically.Muchofthis comesdowntoalackofconfidence duetotheamountofuncertainty outtherewhenyouhavepeoplelike Trumpthreateningoutrageoustariffs, onlytobacktrackonthemdayslater.Thephrase Ihearbatteredaroundfrequentlyisthattheonly thingthatiscertainisuncertainty.
Backontrack AsIwritethisitisBudgetDayandthe Governmentisdoingitsbesttogetthecountry backoutofthedoldrums.
Theplanappearstobeoneofbuildingour wayoutofitwitha$2.7billionboostfor
infrastructure.The$6.6billiontaxincentive forbusinessownerssuchasmyselfiswelcomed, allowingmetopotentialdeduct20%ofthevalue ofmynextcapitalpurchase(probablyatractor) frommytaxreturn.However,thereisgoingto besomemorepainforsometobearuntilweare firmlybackinagrowthphase.
Forthosewhoarespringcalvingitwillcome aroundalltooquickly.Weareagainofferingour qualitycalfmealproducedfromlocallygrown maizegrain.Wearetakingordersnow.
Biologytrumpstechnology,always Theclosureofthe superphosphate manufacturingplants hereinNewZealand isongoing.
Theyareoldandthe costofupgradingtomeet modernenvironmental standardswillbecome prohibitive.
Theyarearelicofthe dayswhenhighquality rockfromNauruand
ChristmasIslandwasavailable atlowcost.
Pasturesresponded positively,Britainwasa guaranteedmarketforfarm produce,andlowestcostper unitofnutrientwasasound philosophy. Timeshavechanged. Pasturesnolongerrespond astheyoncedidand thedemandforsoluble phosphoruswillnecessarily declinetomeettrue maintenance.
Replacementandresearch Thereplacementforsuperphosphate issoftphosphaterock.Phosphaterock suitablefordirectapplicationtopasture containsaround30%calcium,much thesameasag.lime.
Researchshowsthespeedatwhich phosphorusisreleasedisdependenton thedemandforcalcium.
Thereasoncalciumisessential isthatallbeneficialsoil biologyisstimulatedby asteadysupplyofplant availablecalcium. Researchonlime anditspositiveeffect ontheactivityand populationofearthworms iswelldocumented.Where beneficialearthwormsthrive sodoallotherbeneficialsoil dwellersincludingfungiand bacteria. TheOlsenPtestmeasures around5%oftotalsoilheld phosphorus.AdditionalResinandTotal Ptestsarerequiredtobetterascertain thetruephosphorusstatus.Therate atwhichphosphorusmovesfromless availablesitestobecomeplantavailable isdependentonsoilbiology.
Theidealaircontentofsoilis25% andintensivelyfarmedpasturesseldom containthatamount.
Calves feeding on calf meal Photo / Mangorewa Pastures Limited
Knowingwhereyoustaand –findingyourboundary pegs Outhere,whereneighboursareoftena paddockawayandagoodfencekeepsthe peace(andthestockin),oneofthemost commonquestionswegetassurveyors is:“HowdoIfindmyboundarypegs?” Whetherit’sforputtingupa newfence,planningadeck,or clearingupabitofastandoffwith aneighbour,knowingwhereyour boundaryliesismoreimportant thanmanypeoplerealise.
Whyboundariesmatter
spot,they’llbesteelpinsorlittlemmetal discs On newerproperties,they’reoftenstiillvisible But on olderland,theycanbeburiedunnderlong grass, compostheaps,ortuckedinbehiindsheds
Howtofindthem
Eveninthewide-openrural spaces,propertylinesmatter.If you’readdingashed,fencinganew paddock,orplantingtrees,staying insideyourlegalboundarykeepsyou ontherightsideofcouncilrules–andyourneighbours.We’veseentoo manysimplemistakesturninto drawn-outdisputes.Andwhenastructure endsupacrossaline–byaccidentor otherwise–thecost,time,andstressinvolved infixingitcanbeconsiderable.
Startwiththepaperwork–your r property title andsurveyplanwillshoowyou where thepegsshouldbe.Your r lawyer or local surveyorcanhelpyoou getacopy
Haveacarefulllookaround – walk the boundariesannd checkcorners and fence lines.Aspaddemighthelp,but take care –pipesandccablesmaybeclose.
Usecounncilmapssparingly–online mapsand d googlecanbehandy,butin ruralareaasthey’reoften not preciseover aerialimmagery.
Whatyou’relookingfor Boundarypegs–alsocalledsurveypegs–are usuallysquarewoodenpegspaintedwhite. Sometimes,ifthey’reinaconcreteareaortricky
Talktoyourneighbours–theymay havehadasurveydoneorknowwhere themarkeersare.
Callinthe e experts–ifpegsaremissing, oryou’reunsure,aliceensedcadastralsurveyorcan locateorreplacethemprroperly.
Whateveryoudo,don’tmmoveorplacepegs yourself.It’sillegal,andthereccan befinesfor tamperingwithpegs.
Ifindoubt,haveachatwithyourneighbourand giveusacall.We’reheretohelplandownersacross theWaikato,BOP,andCoromandelfigureout wheretheystand.
SurveyingServicesworkingwithaclienttofindtheboundarypegs.
This negatively impacts pasturegrowth,andthe commonresponseisto applysyntheticnitrogen.
SyntheticNspeedsthe removalofcalciumand beneficialsoilbiology declines.It’sasteady downwardspiralresulting inwhatisnowrecognised asanoverall20% decreaseinannualpasture productionsincethelate 1980’s.
Soilfertility
Acceptingthatsoil fertilityiscalcium,not phosphorus,drivenis essential.Extraclover growthisstimulated resultinginmorenitrogen beingfixedreducingthe necessityforsynthetic nitrogen.
Cloverishigherin calciumandenergy thangrasseswhichis whyanimalsfatten morequicklyandmilk productionincreases whenanimalsgrazeclover dominantpasture.
Formorethan25years topperformingintensive grazinganddairyproperty ownershavereliedon CalciZestandDoloZest asthefoundationoftheir
farm performance
CalciZestcontainshighqualitylime alongwithsoftcarboninoculatedwitha widerangeofbeneficialsoilbiology. Wheremagnesiumisrequired DoloZestcontainingthesamesoft carbonandmicrobeswiththelime contentreplacedbyGoldenBay dolomiteisapplied.
Phosphorus,sulphur,potassiumand traceelementsareaddedasrequiredto ensureatotalnutrientpackage. Autumnandwinteraretheidealtimes
t to apply as pasture growth is often restrictedbythebuild-upofdung,old rootmatterandlitteronthesoilsurface.
Digestionalwayscomesbeforegrowth andwinteristhenaturallydesignated digestionperiod.Applyingnowensures springproductionismaximised. Increasedgrowthalsoliftsfeedquality asgreaterleafsurfaceareabuildsextra energy,amustforallanimalsinspring.
FormoreinformationcallPeteron 0800843809,or0274950041.
0800268632 surveyingservices.co.nz
Impressiveautumnpasture.
‘Youdon’thavetobeffromaffarm’ ’ : YoungFarmerswelcomes all YoungFarmersclubsarenot limitedtothoseontheland.
CaseinpointisPiarereYoung FarmersClubchairAbbeyThompson, asustainabledairyadvisorforFarm SourceintheSouthWaikato.
“Anyoneagedfrom16-31canjoin; youdon’thavetobefromafarm,”says Abbey.“We’vegotabitofeverything inourclub.”
Membersincludetheclassicfarm
worker(dairyandbeef),farm manager,contractmilkerand sharemilker,plusruralprofessionals andareasofthesectorincludinga technicalsalesrep,meatprocessor, fencer,herdimprovementrepand agriculturalcontractors.
“Previouslywe’vehadanengineer andateacher,”saysAbbey.
ShesaysYoungFarmersprovides agreatoutletformembers,away fromwork.“Gettingoffthefarmisa
bigoneforus,takingtime outandhangingoutwithlikemindedpeople.
“Meetingnewpeopleand creatingfriendshipsaswellas gettingtoexperiencethingsyou mightnototherwise,”saysAbbey.
“Wealsoliketodoplentyof funactivities.”
Summerseesclubmembers coversilageandmaizestacks aswellaspickuphaybales forfundraisers.
“Thisishowwecanaffordtodo allthecoolstuff,”saysAbbey.
“Ourmembersthatshowup tothejobgetashareofhalfthe moneywhiletheclubgetsthe otherhalf.”
Thishelpfundactivities includinganannualmystery bustrip,luging,bowling, paintball,indoornetball,squash andgokarts.
Regularinterclubclashesare ahighlight,providingforwhat Abbeycalls“abitoffriendly competition”.
TopDog ThereisalsotheWaikato-Bayof PlentyTopDogTrophywhereany ofthenineclubsintheregioncan challengethetrophy-holdertoan eventoftheirchoice.
InNovember,thePiarereclub organisedandwonindoornetball, whilethismonthseesthetrophy challenge–mechanicalbull-riding –takentotheannualHamilton CityYoungFarmers’Club Fieldays’Party.
YFCmemberscanshootforthe starsattheannualYoungFarmer oftheYearcompetitionandtake partinregionalevents.
ForthePiarereclub,thepath topotentialnationalglorystarts withtheWaikato-BayofPlenty YFCregionalfinal.Abbeywason theorganisingcommitteeforthis eventinApril2024.
dairygiantFonterra,PrimaryITO (IndustryTrainingOrganisation) andtheRuralSupportTrust. Othershavemadepresentations onspecificareassuchasan accountantformentoringand adetergentrephighlighting mastitis.
PiarereYFCalsohaslinksto ag-basedorganisationssuchasthe RuralSupportTrust,DairyNZ, DairyWomen’sNetworkandBeef +LambNewZealand.
AbbeyisaMatamata“local”, growinguponafamilyfarm.
ShejoinedYoungFarmerswhen studyingatMasseyUniversityand linkedupwiththePiarereclubin 2021afterreturningtoMatamata thepreviousyear. Paintballwasaclubactivityat thetime,whichgother“hooked”. Abbeywastreasurerforayear, thenvice-chairforthesame periodbeforeassumingthetop joblastyear.
“I’vemetsomegreatpeople andhadalotoffun,”shesays.” Italsogetsmeoutofthehouse andinvolvedinsomethingthat isbiggerthanjustmyselfandmy life.”
Piarerehasremainedaconstant. Abbeysaysitcurrentlyhas membersspanningfromTokoroa toMatamataandtheKaimai RangetoHorahora.
Piarere’sneighbouringYoung FarmersClubareSouthWaikato, TePuke,TeKawaWest,and Morrinsville-Ngarua.
AbbeysaysPiarereYFChas42 members“whichisawesome”. “Wewerelookinglikewewere headingforabitofalull,but wehavehadabunchofnew memberscomeonboardlately. “Wehadoneofourbiggest meetingsinApril.”
Meetings PiarereYFCmeetsatthe OkoroireHotSpringsHotelon thefirstMondayofthemonth from7pm.
“TheneveryotherMondaywe haveacasualinformalcatchup forthosewhowantto.”
Peoplecansignuptojoin viatheNZYFwebsiteormessage PiarereYoungFarmersClubon socialmedia.
Abbeysayssheisnotsurewhat thefutureholds,“butI’vegrown uponadairyfarmandthatwill alwaysbeabigpartofmylife”.
AsoneofNewZealand’spremierhelicoptercompanies,wetakepride inofferingprofessionalaviationservicestoclientsintheagricultural, commercialandrecreationalsectors.Ifyouneedsafeandefficient helicopterservices,withateamthatwilldeliverontime,lookno furtherthanHeliA1.
Thesevenregionalfinalistsgoon tothecovetednationalgrandfinal.GuestspeakersatPiarere clubmeetingshaveincludedMPs, alongwithrepresentativesfrom
Constant WhileYoungFarmersClub havecomeandgoovertheyears,
“Wehavealotofpeople whowanttocheckouttheclub beforetheysignupandwe definitelyencouragethat.Wehave someawesomeclubssurrounding us,soifyouarelocatedinthe middleofusandanotherone wedefinitelydon’tpressurepeople tojoin.”
SteveEdwards
PiarereYoungFarmersClubchairAbbeyThompson.
Photo/Supplied
Friendshipsandgrowwth InvolvementwithYoung Farmerscanevenleadto participatingineventsoverseas.
Morrinsville-Ngaruaclubchair CarladeWetrecentlyspenttwo weeksonanexchangewithRural YouthTasmaniawhichallowed hertoattendAgfest(Tasmanian FieldDays).
“Whatmakesthiseventuniqueis thatitisownedbyandcompletely runbythemembersofRuralYouth Tasmania,”saysCarla.
“Itwasaneye-openingexperience toseewhattheyaccomplishwithan averageageof21.Itwasalsoheaps offunasexchangeeswereusedas volunteers,helpingtoruntheevent andsomadetofeelpartoftheteam fromdayone.”
Leadershipopportunities
Carlasaystherearealsoleadership opportunitiessuchasattending workshopsandbeingonaclubor regionalcommittee,whichisagreat opportunitytoupskill.
OriginallyfromSouthAfrica,the 28-year-oldisashareholderand employeeofafamilysharemilking operationinvolvingthreefarms–Manawaru(150cows/50ha)andtwo atTirohia(both300cows/110ha).
CarlaisfarmmanageratManawaru.
Shehasbeeninvolvedwith Morrinsville-NgaruaYoungFarmers forthreeyearsandsaysithasbeena “life-changingexperience”forher.
“Icouldn’thaveaskedforabetter, moresupportivegroupoffriends thantheonesI’vemetthrough YoungFarmers.Ididayearasjusta member,ayearassocialmedia/new member’sliaisonandhavenowdone ayearaschairperson.
Greatconnections Carlahasalsocompleted12 monthsontheWaikato-Bayof PlentyYoungFarmers’regional committeeaseventsco-ordinator.
“I’vemadesomegreatconnections andbeentosomecoolevents suchasthePrimeMinister’s FarmerConfidenceTour.It’sbeen anincredibleexperienceandso unexpected,”shesays.“Anyonewith agoodattitudewho’skeentoputthe workinhasthepotentialtoprogress throughtheorganisation.”
CarlasaysbeingaNZYFmember putsyouinagreatpositionforother opportunitiesintheruralsector.
Aprimeexampleofthisis
Morrinsville-NgaruaYFCmember DanielleHovmandwhohasgone ontobecomeFederatedFarmers Waikatosharemilkervicechair.
Carlasayscurrentmembershipis justabove50,plusseveralalumni andadvisers.
“We’realarge,diverseclubwith manyofourmembersfromoverseas, withabout40%women.”
NZYFisopentothoseaged between16and31.
“Youdon’thavetobeafarmer
orevenaruralprofessionaltojoin,”saysCarla. “Anyonewithakeeninterestinfarmingandrural lifeiswelcome.”
Morrinsville-NgaruaYFCmeetsonthefirst MondayofeachmonthattheTopPubin Morrinsville(catchupfrom6pm,withthe meetingstartingat7pm).
CarlasaysMorrinsville-NgaruaYFCwelcomes anyonekeentocometoameetingfor“alookfirst” toreachoutviatheclub’sFacebookand Instagrampages.
Morrinsville-Ngaruabranch chairCarladeWet. Photo/Supplied
Ser ingthewider BoP TePPukkeYYoungFFarmersCClub b hasspreaditswingstocapture moreoftheBayofPlenty.
ChairShaniceYoungsaidsince astherewerenootherclubsinthe region,TePukeYFChas“opened ourselvesup”toŌhoperight throughtoTauranga.
I It also has strong connections with closestneighboursPiarere andReporoa.
WhenShanicefirststartedwithTe PukeYFCthreeyearsagotherewere justsixmembers,butthishasnow growntomorethan30.
“Itisalwayschanging,andnew membersarecomingineach month,”shesays.
Y Young Farmers is open to anyone aged16–31withaconnection n to or interestintheruralsector.ThThisincludes thoseworkingonfarms,agribbusiness professionals,vetnurses,andothers involvedinruralenterprises.
ShanicesaidjoiningNZYouung Farmershasofferedheraranggeof valuablebenefits,especiallyas s someonewhowasnew areawithnofamilyo friendsaroundher.
“Throughthe club,I’vegained asupportive andwelcoming communitythat nowfeelslikea secondfamily.
JC SLURRY SPREADING “It’salsoprovided amazingnetworking opportunitieswith like-mindedindividu passionateaboutagriculture, aswellasaccesstoleadership development,hands-onexperiences, andnationalcompetitionslikethe FMGYoungFarmeroftheYear.
“BeingpartofNZYoungFarmers hashelpedmegrowpersonallyand professionallywhilestayingconnected tothefutureofNewZealand’s farmingindustry.”
Events
TePukeYFCrunsawidevarietyof events,frommentalhealthawareness, skillsdaysandbackyardtourson-farm tofunsocialactivitieslikebeachtrips, riverfloats,go-karting,andlugedays.
Theclubalsoenterslocalsportsevents includingfootballandnetball.
“We’vehostedpeoplelikeTangaroa WalkerfromFarm4Life(afreeonline videolearningplatform),andhavea closerelationshipwithRuralSupport,
while elping alfarmers jobslike silage stacksandregularly engagingwiththelocal communitythroughrunning gumbootandtug-of-war competitionsattheannual TePukeA&PShow,” saysShanice.
Theclubalsoenjoys friendlycompetition, includingbattleswithother regionalclubsandstriving fortheWaikato-Bayof PlentyYFCBOPTopDog Trophy,whichTePuke currentlyholds.
AtWaikato-BayofPlenty level,theTePukeclubalso takespartintournament daysfeaturingclaybird shooting,fencingandstock judging,whileattendingthe annualregionalball.
ShanicejoinedTePuke
YoungFarmersin2022and quicklygotinvolvedfirstas healthandsafetyofficerand eventscoordinatoronthe Waikato-BayofPlentyYFC RegionalCommittee. Thefollowingyearshe becamechairofTePukeYFC andremainsintherole. Shanicehasalsohelpedrun the2024Waikato-Bayof PlentyFMGYoungFarmer oftheYearcompetitionas partofthecommittee. TePukeYoungFarmers Clubmeetsonthelast Tuesdayofeverymonthat 6.30pmattheJellicoeStBar &Eatery. Eventsandupdatesare postedontheclubFacebook andInstagrampages. Shanicesaysnewcomersare welcometoattendamonthly meetingandgettoknow moreaboutthecluborvia thewww.youngfarmers.co.nz website.
Experiencedeffluentpondpumping JCSlurrySpreadinghavebeenservicing theWesternBayofPlentyareasince2014 whenJamesandCarlaWiltonbought thelong-establishedbusinessand re-brandeditastheirown.
Broughtuponafarm,Jameshasalways enjoyedthemachinerysideoffarmingandisin hiselementprovidingslurryspreadingservices. Whetherit’saone-offoraregularbooking, servicingyoureffluentpondiseasywithJC SlurrySpreadingand freesyouandyour staffuptodoother j jobs
The company brings all the required gear on one truck transporter ready to
getstraightintothejobandremovingtheneed foryoutoinvestinallthemachinerytopump andspreadeffluent.
“Weareabletostirpondsusingapondstirrer, includinganew10metreone,topickup maximumsludgetospreadonyourpaddocksand gainbackyourpondcapacity.Wealsoutilisethe farmtractorforstirringtokeepthecostdown,” saysJames.
“Byusingacagearoundthestirrer,wecan safelyandeffectivelyemptyirrigationponds, linedpondsandtankponds.Bladdereffluent storagecanalsobepumpedout.”
Jamessaysthathecanspreadoverallterrains, usingupto1200metresoflayflathose.
“UUsing a hose of this length ensures rotation of the paddocks each time we come and service your pond ” For more information, see JC Slurry Spreading’s advert on this page
TePukeYoungFarmers hardatwork.
Farmerschallengelocalcouncilsondistrictplans Thewidescopeof FederatedFarmersis illustratedbythehome operationandbackground oftheBayofPlenty provincialpresident.
BrentMountfortandhis wifeAntoniarunsheepand beefon145haoftheir267ha propertynearMatatā,with thebalanceincommercial pinetreesandnativebush.
TheytookouttheBeef+ LambNewZealandLivestock FarmAward,theNZFET BiodiversityAwardand theBayofPlentyRegional CouncilFarmingforthe FutureAwardatthisyear’s BayofPlentyBallanceFarm EnvironmentAwards.
Withabackgroundof 25yearsinbanking,Brent overseesaFederatedFarmers’ provincestretchingfrom WaihīBeachtoŌpōtiki. Hesaysabulkofthe500 membersareindairying,some includingamixofkiwifruit andavocados.
BayofPlentyFederated Farmershasmeatandwool, arableanddairysections.
“Weareworkinghard ongettingmorefarmer engagement,”saysBrent.
Theorganisationadvocates onbehalfofitsmembersto localauthoritiesand,withthe nationalbody,togovernment onmattersaffectingthe ruralsector.
Brentsaysthishasincluded workingcloselywithBayof PlentyRegionalCouncilonits freshwaterpolicyandWestern BayofPlentyDistrictCouncil onitsstockmovementpolicy.
Catchmentgroupshave alsobeenupfordiscussion withtheregionalcouncil andtheMinistryfor PrimaryIndustries,while Brentrecentlymadeatrip toWellingtontolobby ParliamentformoreQueen ElizabethII(QEII)National Trustfunding.
Ahardyannualis submissionstoconstituent localauthoritiesondistrict/ regionalplans,particularly aroundassociatedratingofthe ruralarea.
BrentsaysBayofPlenty FederatedFarmersscrutinises theseverycloselywithan‘isit affordable,sensible,practical’ approach.
Submissionscentreon plannedratesincreasesby manycouncilsthatarewell beyondinflation,hesays.
Elections AsitisLocalBodyElections year,FederatedFarmershas puttogetherablueprintfor moreefficiencyandfairnessin localgovernment-Restoring ConfidenceinLocalDecision Making.
Thisrecommendsseven changesincludingremoving the30%caponuniform charges(uniformcharges enablecouncilstomorefairly/ evenlyspreadcostsamong landownerscomparedto
property-valuedbasedrates) andliftingthegovernment subsidyforcouncilsonlocal roadandbridgerenewaland maintenancefromaround 50-60%to90%(tobepaid throughusercharges).
AlsoundertheBayof Plentyfarmers’microscopeis landusechange,specifically relatingtourbangrowthand a“proliferation”oflifestyle blocksintheprovince.
Thisseestheorganisation workwithaconstituent districtcouncils,Bayof PlentyRegionalCounciland TaurangaCityCouncil.
“Mostyearswe’resubmitting ontheplansandstrategies ofmorethan45districtand regionalcouncilsaroundthe country,”saysBrent.
“Ourapproachwithnational andlocalgovernmentisto getalongsidethedecisionmakersearly,tohelpshape legislationandregulationthat willworkforfarmersand ruralcommunitiesbeforeitis enactedandinforce.”
Brentsayshisprovincial teamhasawealthof experiencethatmemberscan tapintowhentheyarehaving difficultieswithacouncilor governmentagencyorwant adviceoracontacttotacklea farm/agriculture-relatedissue.
“Therearefactsheets memberscancalluponour websiteandweorganise webinarsandworkshopson topicsofinterest.”
Brentisalsoamemberofthe BayofPlentyRuralSupport Trustandhaslinkswiththe farmforestryindustry.
Areturntofarming
GrowingupintheMatatā area,hereturnedtothefamily farmin2008afterhislong stintinthebankingworld.
BrentandAntonia Mountfortboughtthe propertysixyearsago.
Hesaystheyhavealways focusedonconservationaswell asproductivityintheirfarming operation.
Morethan80haofnative bushisfencedoff,including 29haprotectedbyQEII covenants.Inaddition,6hahas deerfencingtokeepdeerout, andafurther32haisplanted inpine.
Hesaystheyhaveactively restoredwaterways,planted nativetrees,andimplemented robustpestcontrolmeasures.
Todiversifytheirincome andfurtherintegrate conservationintothebusiness, theMountfortsaredeveloping atourismventure–building alodgethatwillallowvisitors toexperiencethefarm first-hand.
Hesaystheyactivelysupport thewidercommunityby allowinggroupstovisitthefarm forprojectsanddemonstrations ofgoodfarmingpractices.
Hisassociationwith FederatedFarmersbegan throughattendingameetingof theformerManawahebranch withhisfather,andultimately becomingsecretary.
HeattendedtheannualmeetingofBayofPlenty FederatedFarmersin2015,takingontheroleof meatandwoolsectorchair.
SteveEdwards
-DairySheds -New/Alterations -Lighting -Houses -Workshops -WaterPumps -ImplementSheds -OrchardSystems
Farmers’groupchampionsmmember needs Rotorua-TaupoFederatedFarmerscontinues to“fightthegoodfight”foritsmembers.
ProvincialpresidentColinGuytonsays membershipisaround300,witha“goodcore ofenthusiasticpeople”.
Oneofitskeyrolesisemploymentscontracts, advocatingforcontractmilkersandlower ordersharemilkers.
“Asafarmowneryoushouldmakesurestaffare okay,financiallyandmentally.”
HesaysFederatedFarmerscanseeklegal adviceforfarmownersandstaffrelatingto employmentcontracts.
Earlierintheyearhisgrouporganiseda seminar,alsoinvolvingDairyNZ,atReporoa onemploymentcontractsforfarmownersand contractmilkers.
Hesaysadvocacytogovernmentandlocal authoritiesonbehalfofitsmemberscontinuesto beamajorroleforFederatedFarmers.
“Wealsowanttogetfarmer groupssuchasDairyNZ,Fonterra andBeef+LambNewZealandon thesamepage.”
OSPRI
Onthehomefront,Colinsays hisprovincialbodyhasbeen workingwithOSPRI(Operational SolutionsforPrimaryIndustries) afterthreeherdswereidentified withbovinetuberculosis(TB)and livestockmovementrestrictedin EastTaupo.
“It’saffectingalotofguyshere,” saysColin.
OSPRIisapartnership betweenprimaryindustriesand government,managingthree nationalprogrammes–NAIT (NationalAnimalIdentification andTracing),TBfreeandMBfree (mycoplasmabovis,abacterium whichaffectscattle).
Itisbelievedthatthe“disease pathway”toaffectedfarmsinEast Taupowasduetocontactwith infectedpossums.
“Earlyandpositivecollaboration givesusconfidenceofreturning EastTaupōtoaTB-freestatus,”
saysOSPRI.Rotorua-Taupo FederatedFarmershasalsobaacked nationalandWaikatoprovinccial submissionsontheWaikato RegionalCouncil’sPlanChannge 1 AnEnvironmentCourtdeccision ispendingontheplan,which h wouldsetrulesforagriculturaal landusetoimprovewater qualityintheWaikatoand Waipācatchments.
Long-serving Fromafarmingfamilyin Reporoa,Colinhasbeeninvoolved withtheFederatedFarmers’ provincialgroupfor10years. Hegraduatedfromfarmwoorker tosharemilkerandownerin22002, running600cowson190ha.
HisfirstcontactwithFederaated Farmerscameviaafarmer engagementgroupinTokoroa lookingattheWaikatoRegioonal Council’sPlanChange1.
Movingthroughtheranksiin theRotorua-Taupoprovinciaal organisation,hewasdairysecction chairbeforetakingonthetop p job sixyearsago.
Makingsurefarmequipmentandmachinery iscleanandreadytogoforthenextseason isgoodpracticeforanyfarmers/sharemilkers planningtomovefarmsordistricts. Cleananddisinfectvehiclesandmachinery thoroughlytoreducetheriskofspreadingdiseases, pests,andweeds,saysDairyNZ.
Clean,andthendisinfect,anyequipmentthat isusedinoronanimals,forexampledrenching equipment,advisesthefarmingorganisation.
“Fixanymaintenanceissuesthatareyour responsibility.Iftheyarenotyourresponsibility thenensurewhoeveritisknowswhatneedstobe done,inwriting.
“Ensureeffluentinfrastructureisleftasyou foundit,and/orisleftaccordingtoyour contractualobligations(e.g.effluentpondis requiredtobenomorethanonequarterfull ofeffluentasatJune1).Ifthisisunlikelytobe achieved,haveaproactiveconversationwith appropriateparties.”
Rotorua-TaupoFederatedFarmersprovincial presidentColinGuyton. Photo/Supplied
StrengtheningtheEasternBayfarmingcommunity Itseemsrathherfifittiingthhatakkeyiiniitiiatiive oftheBayofPlentyRuralSupportTrust iscalledTurningoftheTide.
Theevent–heldinWhakatāneacrossthree evenings–wasbilledas“Apaddock-to-pointbreaktrivianight”.
RegionalcoordinatorJodieCraigsaysthis evolvedfromtheSurfingforFarmersinitiative whichtheBayofPlentyRuralSupportTrustalso partneredin.
Asthenamesuggests,farmersandgrowersmeet throughoutsummeratvariousbeachesacross theregionforafreesurflessonandsurfsession, followedbysponsoredbarbecue,yarnanda BBQ.Simple,fun,easy.
LocationsincludeŌhope,Pukehina,Mount MaunganuiandWaihīBeach,plusRuralRiders inRotorua.
Morethanfarming Jodiesaysitisimportantforfarmersand growerstotakeabreakfromtheirall-consuming businessesandengageinoutdooractivities, enjoyfreshair,exercise,andconnectwithfellow farmers,ruralfamiliesandindustryprofessionals.
BayofPlentyRuralSupportTrustalsolinksin withothercommunitygroupsandactivitiessuch as“Welcome-In”andTePukeYoungFarmers Club(profiledinthisfeature).
ComingupattheendofAugustistheannual BrunchonUsinitiative,coincidingwithcalving inthedairysector,whichseesRuralSupporthost 7-8breakfastsforallprimaryindustriesacrossthe BayofPlenty.
“Thesearealwaysverywellattended,”saysJodie. Primaryindustriesarealsocateredforatan annualgolftournamentrunbyBayofPlenty RuralSupportTrustinNovemberatWhakatāne. Fornewcomers,Jodierecommendscheckingout thetrust’sFacebookpageeventinformationand alsothoseofitsstakeholders.
“It’sagreatwayfornewcomerstoconnect withtheirlocalcommunity,”shesays.“Wealso encouragepeopletoexploretheeventspostedon ourwebsite.”
Edgecumbeconnections LivingintheEasternBayofPlenty,Jodiegrew upinEdgecumbeandlinkedupwiththeRural SupportTrustin2017whentheEdgecumbe stopbankbrokeandfloodedthetownand neighbouringfarms.
ThetrustischairedledbyEdgcumberesident MilesMander,witheightfacilitatorsacross theBayofPlenty.Jodieservesasbothregional coordinatorandfacilitator.
IthasrepresentativesdedicatedtoFederated Farmers,RuralWomanNewZealandand horticulture.
SheisalsosecretaryofthePrimarySector CoordinationGroupintheBayofPlentywhich similarlyinvolvesFonterra,FederatedFarmers, Beef+LambNewZealandandtheMinistryfor PrimaryIndustries.
ShesaystheRuralSupportTrust’s0800help line,overseenbyexperiencedfacilitators,willhelp choosetherightpersontoassistinresolvingthe challengeathand.
Trustfacilitatorsarelocatedthroughoutthe
regiion,saysJJoddie. “Theyarerural l peoplewithlocalknowledge andexperience,”shesays.“The facilitatorwilltraveltowherethey areneeded.Contactisone-on-one ataplacethatsuitstheindividual.”
Throughgreaterawarenessofthe freeservice,Jodiesaysdemandis increasingeveryyear.
“RuralSupportisabsolutely ingrainedinthecommunity.”
Toughtimes Regularissues/challengesfacedby farmersincludecompliancewith governmentandlocalauthority regulations,finances,weatherand “normallifepressures”,saysJodie.
Shesaystheprimaryindustries’ sectorhascomethrough“some reallyhardyears”,particularly throughweatherevents.
BayofPlentyRuralSupport Trusthasanumberofkeypartners includingFonterra,FMG,
BayofPlentyRuralSupport Trustregionalcoordinator JodieCraig. Photo/Supplied
LambNewZealandandDairyNZ.
Creatingrelationships Jodiesaystheorganisationalso hasaccesstoadvicefromrural professionalsuchasaccountantsand bankers.“Creatingrelationshipsisa bigpartofwhatwedo.”
RuralSupportfocuseson providingconfidential,impartial andfreepracticalandemotional supporttofarmersandgrowers facingchallengesandchange. Inparticular,theorganisation offerssupportformentalhealth, financialstability,employment, ruralisolationandadverseevents.
JodiesaysBOPRuralSupport Trustdeliversinthreemainareass: -One-on-onesupportforfarmers andruralcommunitiesinneed. -Adverseeventresponse,providing criticalassistanceduring challengingtimes.
Effluent&irrigation Feedsystems
Frostprotection Animalhealth Detergent Rubberware&Consumable Trenchingservice
-Communityresilience,helpingtostrengthen connectionsandwell-beingwithinrural communities.
ThetrustcoversanareatakinginWestern BayofPlenty,Rotorua,Kawerau,Whakatāne andŌpōtiki.
Jodiesaysitsupportsorchardistsaswellas farmers,with82percentofthekiwifruit orchardsinthecountrywithintheBayofPlenty.
“OurvisionistosupportandstrengthenBay ofPlentyruralpeopleandtheircommunities throughchallengingtimes
“TheBayofPlentyRuralSupportTrustisa charitableorganisationsetuptoworkwiththe ruralcommunitywhentimesaretoughonthe farmorinthefamily.”
Jodiesaysitispartofanationwidenetworkof ruralsupporttruststhatassistruralindividualsand communitiesduringandafterextremeweatherand otheradverseevents.
ServicingtheBayfor over25years
• SANDTRAPS
• SILAGEBUNKERS
• SUMPS
• WEEPINGWALLS
F FarmsttrongNNewZZeallandd,BBeef f +
Celebratingwomeninminingandquarrying Awatermanagementengineerandanalluvialgoldassistantminemanager, bothfromtheSouthIsland’sWestCoast;aWaihiprincipalmetallurgist;and ahealthandwellbeingmanagerfromBlenheimarethefourwinnersofthe miningandquarryingindustryawardspresentedinChristchurch.
Straterra,AQA,andMinExhostedtheKomatsu NewZealandWomeninExtractiveslunchand awardsceremony.
Anewaward,theAccessMineralsLimited ExtractivesTrailblazer,wenttoKirstyHollis, principalmetallurgistwithOceanaGoldCorporation, basedinWaihi.
Kirstyhasspentmorethan35yearsinthemining industryandinthattimehasknockedoffanumber of‘firsts’includingbeingthefirstfemaletograduate withaBachelorofMineralProcessingdegreefrom AucklandUniversityin1988(shealsoholdsanMBA fromDeakinUniversity);firstfemalemetallurgist hiredatwhatisnowOceanaGold’sMacraes Operation;andfirstfemaleprocessmanagerat WaihiGold.
“Whenshestartedinthelate-1980s,itwasillegal forwomentoworkinundergroundmininginNew Zealand.Mininghastakenhertojobsaroundthe worldandhertrailblazingexperienceisusedto mentorthosewhofollowinherfootsteps,”saysan awardsspokesperson.
Emergingstar RubyJohnstontookouttheMITOEmergingStar awardforherworkasassistantminemanagerat BRMDevelopments’alluvialgoldoperationatLake IantheontheWestCoast.
“Rubyisaself-motivatedgo-getterwhoworked herwaytoanA-grademinemanagerqualification quicklyandsheistheassistantminemanager, alongsideowner-operatorAndrewBirchfield,”saysan awardsspokesperson.
“ShecanoperateallthemachineryatLake Ianthe,thelargestalluvialmineinNewZealand, andtobemanagingsuchanoperationatage32 isatestamenttohernaturalleadership,attention todetail,diligence,andproblem-solvingskills.
Rubyworkstogetthebestoutofpeoplearoundher, enablingthemtorealisetheirfullpotential.”
Adrivetoimprove JodiMurraywasnamedHanga-Aro-RauWorkforce DevelopmentCouncilLeaderoftheYearforher “outstandingleadership,vision,anddedication”in thefieldofwatermanagementforBathurstResources atStocktonontheWestCoast.
“Hertechnicalskillsanddrivetoprotectand improvetheenvironmentarebackedbyleadership skillsthatseehersharingherextensiveknowledge toleadandinspireherteamtosuccess.Herstrong interpersonalskillsmeanshehasapivotalrole incoordinatingwithstakeholdersandoneofher standoutqualitiesisherabilitytoworkeffectively withadiverseworkforce.Shebalancestechnical expertisewithexceptionalpeopleskills,alongsideher commitmentstofamilyandhercommunity.”
Diversity JoPrigmore,nationalmanagerhealthandwellbeing forFultonHoganinBlenheim,wontheKristy ChristensenMemorialAwardforbeingadiversity champion.
“Jotakesaholisticapproachandputspeopleatthe heartofeverything.Shehascreatedasafetymanual calledLivingSafely,whichiseasyforallstaffto readandunderstand.ShepushedFultonHoganto employtheirownnurses,providingearlyintervention forinjurieswhichreducestimeoffwork,”saysan awardsspokesperson.
“Shecaresaboutthewellbeingofstaffandhas introducedanumberofmeasurestoensurethat includinghealthmonitoringandheartchecks,as wellasmanagingfatigueandpromotingagooddiet andstayinghydrated.Johasalsohelpedimplement MatesinConstruction,anexternalsupportsystem formentalhealthconcerns.”
“Wewereoverwhelmedbythenumberandquality ofnominationsfortheseawards–27entries–so wewantedtoacknowledgeeveryoneofthem,”says AQAandMinExCEOWayneScott.
WayneScottandJoPrigmore. Photos/Supplied
Anita Wise and Kirsty Hollis
BerrygoodlivingintheBayofPleent It’swithacertainquiet satisfactionthatDaveGuyTaylorsharesfeedbackfrom acustomerwhodescribed productsfromFlameLily Orchardas‘thebestI’ve evertasted’.
“They’resprayfreeandpeople justlovethat.They’rehandpickedatexactlytherighttime, they’regradedandpackedbyus andgostraightintothechiller. Myblueberrieswilllastthree weeksormoreinthefridgeand thetasteisthedifference.”
Eightyearsaftermoving fromAucklandtotheTanner’s PointRoadproperty,northof Katikati,theorchardistisbuoyed bycomplimentsthatshowhis focusonqualityandnaturalpest controlispayingoff.
“Webringinamitethateats thripsaswellastheeggs.It’s oneofthewayswecontrolpests biologically as muchaspossible,” he explains, beforepointingout an elderberry bush planted near the tidy rows of blueberries
“There’satinywaspthatloves elderberries.Theylivethereand nailanycaterpillarsthatwehave withinthecrop.”
Earlylife It’sbeenalifeofextreme changesforZambia-bornGuyTaylor,whosefamilymovedto neighbouringZimbabwewhen hewasfive.
“Myunclehada5000-acre cattlefarminZimbabweandI’d spendholidaysthere.Thenhe decidedtodoacoffeeseedling nurseryandthatwasaroundthe timeIwenttouniversity.They gotadiseasewhichmeanthe couldn’tsellthem,soheplanted them,andIwentbackinmy vacationsandhelpedhim.I finisheduniwithaBachelorof ScienceinAgricultureandspent twoyearswithhimgrowing coffee.”Davemadeamove intooffice-basedwork,first accountingthenprogramming.
A AftermovingtoNNZ,hheworkked forFirthin Auckland for 18 yearsas a business systems analyst before
hefelttheneedtobeworking outsideagain.
Kiwifruitorchards
“Mybrother-in-lawwashere managingkiwifruitorchards, includingthisone,andthe ownerswantedtosellandretire. Ijumpedinandboughtthe threehectaresthatincludeshalf ahectareofavocadosanda canopyhectareofgreenHayward kiwifruit.Iworkedpart-time forFirthfromhomeforthefirst sixmonths,butIfoundmyself workingintothenighttryingto keepupwitheverything.”
Withhisfullfocusonthe orchard,heremovedmost ofthefeijoaandreplacedit withblueberries.
“Theorchardhasitsown weirdmicroclimate,sofruit doesparticularlywellhere.It’sa littlebasinthatgetsreallycold andreallyhot.Iparticularly likegrowingcropsthatstayin the ground for years, I’m not into annual cropping I grew coffee previously and now I have blueberries, avocados, kiwifruit
andoranges.ThThey’re all cropsthatyoucan visibly seetheresponssethat your managementaand input intothemhas,so when they’relooking g a‘bit off’ thechallengeis s getting thembacktobbeing happy andhealthyagain ”
BeneaththecanopyofDaveGuyTaylor’sgreenHaywardkiwifruit.
M9540 ROPS
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DaveGuy-Taylorwalksthe blueberryrowswith‘Roxy’ thedog. Photos/DebbieGriffiths
Debbbie Griffiths
MaleKiwifruitPollen
Whenyouthinkabout kiwifruit,youoftenthink oforchardistshardatwork gettingthefuzzyfruitready forthemarket,butthereis oneimportantlogisticalstep thatcanbeoverlooked.
That’swhereTKLLogisticsLtd (formallyTaurangaKiwifruit Logistics)stepsin.
TKLco-ordinatesthearrival anddispatchofallZespri-branded kiwifruitthroughportsaround NewZealandtokeyinternational markets.
TKLisacompanyowned byNewZealandpost-harvest companiesandcontractedby themtooperateroadtransport servicesandportlogistics.
Ittransportspalletsofkiwifruit frompackhousestotheirsiteat theMountMaunganuiwharf, wheretheyoperatea5200-pallet coolstoretobothfacilitatethe loadingofspecialisedreefervessels andforconsolidationofcargofor containerloading.
Transportfleets Inaddition,TKLhasbeen contractedbyZesprisince2006 toprovideprofessionalservices relatingtotheplanningand loadingofships.
IntheBayofPlenty,TKL’s contractedtransportfleetconsists of90trucks,ofwhichtwo-thirds arecontainertrucksandone-third
Onaverage6,771,600,000piecesofkiwifruitishandledbyTKL LogisticsLimitedeachkiwifruitseason,priortobeingexported aroundtheworld.
curtainsider,enablingTKLto handle200containersadayon average,equatingtoanaverageof 4000palletsofkiwifruitdaily.The curtainsiderfleetalsotransports around3500palletsofkiwifruita daytothePortofTauranga.
Newrecords Withtheshippingpressures ofthisseason,TKLhashandled morethan250truckloadsin a24-hourperiod–allwithout incident–checkedandsafely loadedontotheships.
Thecompanyhasalso loadedtwochartervesselsat atimeonsomedays–allof whichhascontributedtonew loadingrecords.
“We’veseenanincreasein volumethisseasonandhearing thatthetotalisgettingcloseto
sevenbillionpiecesofkiwifruit isastonishing,”saysTKLchief executiveIanMearns.
“Itisgreattobepartofthe processandindustrythatsees ournationalfruitdeliveredto consumersaroundtheworld.”
Lastmonth,thecharter operationmanagedtoloadand dispatchsixvesselsineightdays andthecontainerteamsent1014 containersouttocoolstoresto loadinonly4.5days.
WhileTKLisbasedin Tauranga,itsoperationsare alsoundertakeninNorthland, Auckland,Waikato,Gisborne, NelsonandMotueka.
“Anywherekiwifruitispacked forexportinNewZealand,TKL isresponsibleforthelogisticsof gettingitfromthepackhouseon tovessels.”
An extra $18,000 for kiwifruit growers and accesstointernationalfundingtofurther developanewlineofsustainablesportswear.
ThesearetwoBayofPlentyresultsofthe EuropeanUnion-NewZealandfree-trade agreement,signedoneyearago.
TheEU’sAmbassadortoNewZealand,Lawrence Meredith,visitedRotoruawithTradeand InvestmentMinisterToddMcClaylastmonth, promotingtheagreementtobusinessesand markingitsfirstbirthday.
“Afree-tradeagreementis,attheendoftheday, justapieceofpaper,”saysLawrence.
“WewantedbusinessesinNewZealandtoknow whatthebenefitsare.”
Hesaysthedealresultedinthekiwifruitindustry nettinganadditional$18,000ayear,pergrower, sinceitwasratifiedinParliamentlastMay.
Todd,alsoMPforRotorua,saysexportsofKiwi goodstotheEUsurgedby28%inthefirstyearof theFTA.
“Inthelast12months,ourgoodsexportstothe EUsurgedfrom$3.8billiontoover$4.8b.”
TheFTAimmediatelyremoved91%ofdutieson NewZealandexports,climbingto97%afterseven years.Wine,seafoodandarangeofotherproducts alsobenefitedfromsignificanttariffreductions.
“Ourgrowingnetworkoftradeagreements meansexportersnowhavemorechoicesabout wheretoselltheirworld-classproducts,” saysTodd.
FTAbenefits WhiletheFTAbenefitedagricultureand manyofNewZealand’sprimaryindustries,it alsosignificantlyfocusedonclimatechangeand renewableenergy.
“TheEuropeanUnionisgloballyleadingon climateandrenewableenergies,animportantpart oftheenergymix,muchdiscussedhereinNew Zealand,”saysLawrence.
NewZealandisalsoseenasabigcontributor
in several industries, including finance and phharmaceutiical l techhnollogiies, “leaddingthhegllobbe” withrocketlaunches,hesays.
“I‘vebeenblownawaybywhat‘shappeningin aerospaceanddefence.”
HesaystheFTAwillincreaseeconomic partnershipsandofferexchangesofculturaland educationalvalues.
Scionvisit DuringLawrence’svisittoRotorua,hevisited CrownResearchInstituteScion,whichspecialises inforestry,industrialbiotechnologyandadvanced manufacturing.Itwillsoonbemergedintothe newBioeconomyScienceInstitute.
ScionalsohostedmembersofTeamEurope,a groupofinvestorsinterestedinNewZealand’s bioeconomy,whichderivesproducts,servicesand processesfromnaturalresourcessuchaswood.
LawrencesaysScionscientistsworkwithfiveEU memberstates:Belgium,France,Italy,Portugal andSweden.
Oneinnovationtocomeoutoftheinternational collaborationwasSciondevelopingsustainable sportswear.
Itwasmadeofelectricallyconductivetextiles, creatinghigh-performanceclothingforbiking, saysScionchiefoperatingofficerFlorianGraichen.
“Sothatisabrasionandtear-resistant,waterproof andultimatelybiodegradable.”
TheFTAmeantScioncouldtapintothe$179b (€95b)HorizonEurope,ascientificresearch initiativetohelpdevelopsustainableliving, Floriansays.
Scionalwayshadawideinternationalnetwork thatallowedittorunmultimillion-dollar,multiyearprojectsbecausefundingcouldmovefreely acrossborders.
HesaysnewopportunitiesarisingfromtheFTA willallowNewZealandtocontributemore.
NewEuropeanfundingalsomeansclassicKiwi ingenuitycouldbetakentotheworldstage.
PortofTaurangaLimited,Zespri andTaurangaKiwifruitLogistics havesignedafive-yearpartnership togrowcargovolumes throughthePort.
Kiwifruitexportsareexpected toincreasemorethan2%ayear throughto2029asthesizeof Zespri’sannualharvestcontinues toexpand.
PortofTaurangachiefexecutive LeonardSampsonsaysthe partnershipputsthekiwifruit exportindustryintheperfect positionforgrowth.
“Theagreementsolidifiesour sharedinterestinthesuccessof thesectorandensuresweare collaboratingtomanagepeaksand otherchallenges.”
TomEley
ZespriheadofNewZealandsupply,
LorryLeydon,saysthestrategic agreementbetweenZespri,the PortofTauranga,andTKLis criticalindeliveringthegrowththe kiwifruitindustryhasplannedover thenextfiveyearsandensuringit continuestodeliverhigh-quality kiwifruittoglobalmarkets.
Weareexpertsindesigningandbuilding artificialorchardprotectionstructures andwindbreaksthatallowyourorchard toreachitsfullgrowingpotential. ArtificialOrchardShelters OverheadCanopies OrchardNetting
AllTerrainPollination(2017)Ltduseawetpollenapplication systemforsprayingpollendirectlyontothefloweranddeveloped specificallyfortheNewZealandKiwifruitindustrytoassistgrowers inachievingmaximumresults.
RepresentativesfromthePortofTauranga, ZespriandTaurangaKiwifruitLogistics followingthepartnershipsigning. Photo/Supplied
Kidsenjoynewfishingandhuntingcomp! Agroupoffriendswhogotanewfishing andhuntingcompetitionforchildrenoffthe groundinjustthreeweeksare“blownaway” byhowtheKatikaticommunityembracedit.
ScottandSarahAdamson,whoarekeen fisherpeople,wereencouragedbyfriendsata barbecueinMarchtohostafishingcompfor youngsters.
“Friendssaid:‘Youguysshoulddoonesincethere’s isn’talocalcompthisyear.Wejustkindofwent:‘Oh wellthere’snotonehappening,solet’sdoone!’”
ButwithEaster,Anzacandduckshootingfast approaching,theyhadtochooseadatebefore then.“Wewantedtohaveacompetitionbefore theharbourfishingquietenstoo–sowethought: ‘Okaylet’sdoitinthreeweeks’time!’” 153kids!
Withacommitteeofsix–plustheirpartners–theAdamsonsgottoworkgettingwordoutand organisingtheinauguralKidsHunting&Fishing CompetitionforApril11-13.
“Wehonestlydidn’tthinkwe’dget100kids–our signwritermadeenoughmaterialfor150goodie bags[oneforeachparticipant]soweaimedforthat. Andwegot153kidsentered!”
Thecommitteealsomanagedtosecure$10,000 worthofprizestogiveawayfromavarietyof businesses–mainlyfromKatikati.“Wemadesure wehadaheapofprizessoeverykidwalkedaway withaspotprizeatprizegiving.”
Thecompetitionwasopentokids 13andunder,andofferedcategories foryoungsterstohuntpossums, rabbits,hares,magpies,andfishfor snapper,kahawai,trevally,Kingfish, spottyandpiper.
Whatwasweighedinandcounted waswellbeyondexpectations.“We had13magpies,330fish,55rabbits, and85haresentered,”saidSarah.
300possums
“Forthepossums,wehad115 weighedin–butbecausetheprizewas fortheheaviestpossumweestimateat least300possumswereshotaspeople onlybroughtintheirbiggestone[for weigh-intotrywintheprize]butitseemedlike everyoneshotatleastfive.”
Foreachcategorythecompetitionwassplitinto twosections–forthoseaged6andunder,and childrenaged7-13.
Atprizegiving,heldtheafternoonofApril13at theAdamson’sTrailorMadeNZpropertyonState Highway2,hundredsofpeople–youngandold–showeduptowatchyoungsterclaimprizesforthe heaviestpossum,hareandrabbit,thehighesttally ofmagpies,andtheheaviestandaverage fishspecies.
Organiserscouldn’tbelievehowmanyfamilies turnedup.“Itwasquitehardtotellhowmany
werethere–butthere couldhavebeenup to450,”saidSarah.
“We’reallstill thinking:‘Howdid wefitthatmany peopleinthatshed?’.Itwas incredible.Weareveryproudof whatweachieved.”
Pesteradication Sarahsaidtheideaofthe competitionisnotsomuchabout winningprizesbutencouraging familiestogetoutdoors,spendtime togetherandeducatetheiryoungsters aboutlandconservationand pesteradication.
“It’saboutteachingthenext generationlookafterourpartof
theworld.Soforfishingit’sabout utilisingthefishtheycatchand onlytakingwhattheyneed.Andfor hunting,it’saboutteachingchildren thatweeradicatethesepeststolook afterournativetreesandanimals.
“Wetookourownfour-year-old possumhuntingforthefirsttime andexplainedtoherwhywewere shootingpossumsandshewasso on-board.”
Sarahthankedthecompetition’s committee,theirpartnersandthe manyfriendsandfamilywhosimply showeduptohelpout.
“We’vealreadygotbusinesses wantingtore-sponsorandnew sponsorscomingon-board,sowe willbehostingthecompetitionagain nextyear.”
MerleCave
Willow Gould, seven, with her winning average snapper
Makaira Adamson, four,with herfirst possum.
Four-year-oldsOllieHaywardandHugo Roweoutharehunting!
