Apparently,itwasthiscityboy’stimetobe acquaintedwith“thesledge”. Soundedlikesomemedievalimplementof torture.LiketherackintheTowerofLondon –victimsstretcheduntiljointspoppedand dislocated.Excruciating.AndIwasn’twrong. Thesledge,liketherack,wasamodern-day torturedevice.
Myfarmhost,‘TheHat’,mumbledintohis lumpyporridgethatmorning,doinghisbest impressionofPawRuggfrom‘TheHillbillyBears’ –somethingaboutthesledgemakingamanof thisboy.Hewastakingsomeperversepleasure.
Winterforage Thesledgeasitturnedout,wasaplatformon runners,draggedalongbehindabaler,inturn draggedbytheredMasseyFerguson.Thebaler interminablyspatoutheftybalesoflucernehay, winterforageforhisCorriedales.Ijustknew themassheep.Andsomehaplesssod,me,had thebackbreaking,soullesstaskofstandingonthe sledgestackingthebales.Threeoneway,threethe otherwayuntiltherewasanicetidystackwhich wouldbetrippedoff ff thheslleddgeand d loadded d on trucksforthehaybbarn.
Allthisin Canterbury’s notoriousnor’wessters –debilitating, blistering,hotand d dry windsthatliterally y drivepeoplecrazy y Suicidesand domesticviolence e ratessoarand citykids,likeme beingtransformed d
intomen,getutterlypissedandresentful. “Howyuhgoing?”askedTheHatfromthe tractorseat,feigninginterestandconcern.“Haven’t hadsomuchfunsinceGrannydied,”Ireplied. HechuggedonhissoggyParkDrivecigarette buttandnoddeddismissively.“Weirdkid,”hesaid. AfterhalfanhourIdidn’treallycareifTheHat’s Corriedaleshadanythingtoeatnextwinter.I burnedupinthesun,thesweatstreamed,Iwas dehydratedandthereweremassiveblistersinthe jointsofmyfingersfromthetwinebindingthe bales.Iwasmiserable.Mynostrilsandthroat neededminingforthelargedepositsofdust anddirtthathadaccumulatedthere.Iwouldbe gobbingoutgrimeandmudforthenextweek. Upanddowntheendlessrowsofhaywewent untilthepaddockwasdone.
Thentherewasanotherpaddock.
Praise
Iwantedtocry.Ihadn’tbeenmadeaman. ButIhadbeenmadeaverysore,brokenand embitteredboy.
ButthatnightTheHatsetthingsright. Ijjustaboutcriedaggainwhenherubbed methylatedspiritsintomyblisterstoharden themforthesledgethenextday.Andthenhe saidcomfortingly:“Youdonewelll todayboy.”
“YouDIDwell,”Icorrectedhim m “No,YOUdonewell,”he re-corrected.Whatthehell.
Therackmighthavve beeneasier. Atleastyou knewdeathwas s theend.
HunterWeells
Quadbikesfocusafterfatalfarmincidents Aseriesoffatalaccidentsinrecentmonths havetragicallyhighlightedsafetyneedswhen operatingfarmvehiclesandmachineryon farmingoperations.
Lastmonth,apersondiedandthreeotherswere seriouslyinjuredafteranAll-TerrainVehiclerolled onafarminCentralOtago.
Earlierthisyear,twopeoplediedinATV accidentsinHaurakiandWaikato,whileafarm workerwascrushedtodeathbyahydraulictailgate onatrailerinafarmshedinCanterbury.
InJulylastyear,fourfarmerswerekilledin separatequadbikeaccidentsinjustthreeweeks. Allfourincidentscoincidedwiththestartof lambingandcalvingseason.
ATVsandquadbikes
WorkSafeNewZealandsaysfivepeoplehave alreadydiedinagricultural-relatedaccidents betweenJanuaryandMaythisyear,consistent withlastyear.
WhileWorkSafe’sinvestigationsarestillongoing, centralregionalmanagerNigelFormosasaysit appearsthateveryoneofthesedeathsinvolveda farmvehicle,mostlyATVsandquadbikes.
“Theimpactofthesedeathsonthevictim’s whānau,friendsandcommunitiescan’tbe measured,”hesays.“Inmanyinstances,it’sthe farmer’sownfamilywhomakesthecallattheend ofthedaywhentheyhaven’treturnedhome.”
FollowingaWorkSafeinvestigation,afarm managerwasrecentlysentencedforhealthand safetyfailuresafteraquadbikeflippedatlowspeed andkilledafarmworkeronaEketāhunadairy farminNovember2022.
Nigelsaysthebikewaspurchasedsecond-hand andhadnocrushprotectiondeviceinstalled.Worn brakes,uneventyrepressureandpoorsuspension wereamongthedefectsfoundon thebike.
Noexcuse
“There’snoexcuseforlettingyourfarmvehicle maintenanceslide,”hesays.“Ideallymaintenance checksaredoneregularlybyamechanicinline withmanufacturer’srecommendation.”
“Thistragedyshouldbethelightningrodthe agriculturesectorneedstoupitsgameonquad bikesafety,”saysNigel.
ThisfollowedWorkSafeissuingaSafetyAlerton theimportanceofcheckingandservicingquad bikesafterafarmmanagerdiedofinjurieswhen thewheelsofhisquadbikesuddenlylocked, causingthemachinetorollandcrushthedriver, onanAshburtonfarminJune2022.
Apost-accidentinspectionshowedthequad bike’sdrivebelthadbroken.
“FarmingisawayoflifeformanypeopleinNew Zealand,andhealthandsafetymustbepartofthis wayoflife,”saysNigel.
Hesaysslopedsurfacesandsteepterraincanalso
beespeciallyproblematicandhave,sadly,beena factorinmanycases.
“Doingariskassessmentofterrainandtasks mustbethetoppriorityforfarmworkersbefore gettingonafarmvehicle–especiallyatthistimeof theyear.
“Thisisatimeofyearwhenweareexperiencing variableweatherandgrowth,andvariableground conditions.Sadly,basedonthelastcoupleofyears, whenweseethis,wealsoseeaspikeinthenumber offatalities.
“Decisionsyoumakeinaninstantonthefarm canbethedifferencebetweenlifeanddeath.
“Farmvehicleincidentsareoneofthetoptwo causesofworkplacedeathsinAotearoa,which iswhyagricultureisaprioritysectorunder WorkSafe’snewstrategy.
“Wearetargetingthebiggestrisksandworking withthesectortoimprovehealthandsafetyin agriculture.“Butthepeoplewiththemostpower
toinfluencethisarethoseonthe groundeachdaydoingthework,” saysNigel.
Statistics Agricultureaccountsforaround 25%of“seriousacuteharminNew Zealand,whilehavingonly6%of employment.WorkSafedatashows 668seriousharm,injuryorillness notificationsconcerningquadbikes between2010and2022.Coronial statisticsrecorded99peoplewere killedinquadbikeincidentsbetween 2007and2019,themajorityof whichhappenedatwork.
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Debateovercolony-cageeggs Therearerenewedcallsfrom animalrightsadvocatesforan endtocolony-cageeggfarms.
TheOpenWingAlliancelaunched aninternationalcampaignabout conditionsincagedeggproduction farms,whichtheysaidwereharmful forchickens’welfareandcreated conditionsthatincreasedtheriskof diseaselikeavianinfluenza.
However,theEggProducers FederationofNewZealandrejected suchclaims.
MichaelBrooksoftheEgg
ProducersFederationofNew Zealandsaidcolonyeggfarmswere a“crediblesystem”.
MPI’sdirectorofcomplianceand response,GlenBurrell,saidofthe sevencomplaintsreceivedbythe ministrythisyearaboutthewelfare oflayerhensoncommercialfarms, nooffendingwasfoundinsix,with onecasestillbeinginvestigated. Burrellsaidfollowingthebanof conventional,orbatterycages,egg producershadtheoptiontomove tocolonycages,barnsandfreerangesystems.
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Themissionto saveaspecies February14,2013. Photos/Supplied
ForAlisonSutherland,itwaslove atfirstsight.
“They’rejustsopretty,”sheexplains,describing thesmallstatureanddistinctivebrownandblack markingsofArapawagoats.“Dependingontheir whakapapa,somearecreamandtanandavariety ofbrowns.WhenIrealisedthattheirDNAis unique,Ifoundthemincrediblyappealing.They existnowhereelseintheworld.”
Itwasbackintheearly-2000s,livingonalifestyle blockintheWairarapaandalreadykeepingrare breeds,Alisonhadapassingthought;“Allweneed nowisagoat.”Itwasthestartofatwo-decade journeyintohistory,genetics,andpreservation, leadingtoherbecomingapassionateadvocatefor oneofourmostendangeredspecies.
Goatsbreeds Arapawagoatsareunlikeanyother.DNAtesting hasconfirmedthey’regeneticallydistinctfrom morethan70othergoatbreedsworldwide.
“Theirancestorswerebelievedtobeamixof
now-extinctOldEnglishgoatsandarareSouth Africanbreed,introducedtoArapawaIslandin theMarlboroughSoundsduringCaptainJames Cook’ssecondandthirdvoyagesinthe1770s,” explainsSutherland.
Cook’sjournalstellofgoatsbeinggifted, smuggledashore,andevenbeingtakenhometo England.OnefemalegoataboardtheEndeavour reportedlycircumnavigatedtheglobetwice, supplyinghigh-cream-contentmilkforthecrew andeventuallyretiringinCook’sgardenasapet forhissons.
“Thesegoatsarepartofourcolonialhistory,”says Alison.“Theyrepresentthefirstcontactbetween MāoriandEuropeans.Theydidn’tchoosetobe here;likemanyofus,theyadaptedandmadea life.”
Formorethan200years,theArapawagoats livedinisolation,evolvingintotheirown distinctbreed.Theyadaptedtotheisland’s environment,formingtight-knitherds,dispersing andregrouping,developinguniquecolourings dependingontheirlineage.
Savingthegoats Butinthe1970s,conservationistssawthem asathreattonativeplantsandaneradication programmebegan.Whentheirsignificancewas realised,peoplestartedtakinggoatsofftheisland tosavethem.
“Ittookmetwoyearstofinallygetapair–aboy andagirl,”Alisonrecalls.
Realisingthattheirfutureneededstructure, shefoundedtheNewZealandArapawaGoat Associationandlaunchedalivingregister.
IslandBabeandIslandGirlwerecapturedbyDOCshuntersfromArapawaIslandon
AlisonSutherland(PhD) withanArapawaGoat.
“Attheirpeakinrecentyears,over400goatswere registered.Today,only248remainonthenational registry–manyaging,withjust182knowndoes.” SeveralarelistedasbeinginBayofPlenty–including‘Rosie’atTheOneandaHalfAcre WoodanimalfarmatWhakamarama.
“Rosiewasthesizeofachihuahuawhenwefirst sawherinherbreeder’sarmsatadayold,”says ownerDianneAmott.“Weboughtherforourson tohandrearnearly10yearsagoandshe’sstilla starattractionforvisitorshere.Herfavouritetreat isseaweedcrackers.”
DiannedescribesRosieashavinga‘sassier personality’thanmostothergoats.
“She’shighlyintelligent,”saysDianne.“Sheis alwaysgettingherselfintosomesortofmischief.” Withoutanewgenerationofbreeders,the Arapawagoatisatgenuineriskofextinction.
“Thesegoatssymboliseoursharedstory,”says Sutherland.“AsaEuropeanNewZealander,fora whileIfeltasthoughIdidn’tbelonghere.Justlike thegoats,Iadaptedtotheecologicalenvironment. Theybelongtoo.Theyadapted.Theysurvived.”
Formoreinformationortojointheeffortto protectArapawagoats,email:arapawanzgoats@ gmail.com
DebbieGriffiths
Itisoftenasaddecisionfor farmingfamiliestoretiretheirloyal huntawayorheadingdogafteryearsof musteringandyardwork.
AcharitycalledRetiredWorking Dogssaysithasrehomedabout1800 farmingcaninesduringthelastdecade, butadeclineinthenumberofpeople adoptingthemthisyearmeansthey willsoonhavetostopacceptingthem fromfarms.
PresidentMarie-ClaireAndrews saystherewasaconsistentsupplyof workingdogs,butfindingtheirforever
homeswasgettingharder. Shesaiditwasgut-wrenching, buttheonlyotheroptionforolder workingdogs,iftherearen’tenough peoplewantingtoadoptthem,was euthanasia.
Andrewssaysalldogsarepairedup withtheir“right”retirementhome, and,ifitdoesn’tworkout,thecharity willtakethembackon. Ifneeded,thefarmdogsarehousetrainedbeforebeingrehomed,andare suppliedwithbeddingandfood.To help,visit:retiredworkingdogs.org.nz
SummerwineBlondieandhertwins,Beckie &Bella,werebredbyMichaelTrotterin Christchurch.
The buck, Underwood Farm Zack, is 8 years old and owned by Caro Stanners in Warkworth
FarmerlaunchesAI-drivencowbreedingtool Onlinedatinghascometo dairying,withAI(artificial intelligence)helpingAI (artificialinsemination).
WaikatosharemilkerMatthew ZonderoplaunchedPerfect CowBreedingSolutionsat Fieldaysandwasafinalistinthe a A
Hisnewbusinessfeatured intheEarly-Stagecategoryat MysteryCreekwhichhighlights innovationsthathavemoved beyondtheconceptualphase andlaunchedcommerciallyas “practical,real-worldsolutions” inthelastyear. Insimpleterms,Matthewsays
PCBSreplacestime-consuming spreadsheetsmatchingbulls tocowswithafastonline conversionviaartificial intelligence(AI)conversational toolChatGPT.
Heusesapubliclyavailable RAS(RankingofActiveSires) listupdatedmonthlybyNew ZldAnimalEvaluation d,anindependent diaryofDairyNZ.
ditionally,Matthewsays wouldtakeamonth,postving/pre-mating,todevelopa readsheetofthebestbullsfor is380-cowherdatTePoi,near Matamata.
Thiswouldinitiallyinvolve thumbingthroughdairyherd improvementcompanies’bull catalogues.
Hesaysfarmerswould sometimesselectmultiplesires tocovertheirherds,orsimply the“bulloftheday”fromthe WithPCBS,hecaninputdata onbullsandcowscoveringa varietyofpreferredtraits.
“Everythingistheindividual farmer’spreference.Whatweare
alllookingforthoughispeakmilk production.”Mattewhasnarrowed thefielddowntoeightbullsthis seasonforhishomeherd,with PCBSproducingareportinless thanaminute.
Ideahatched
CorrectingamistakeviaAIwhile usingseveralworkbooksfora spreadsheetsawthebusinessidea hatchedtwoyearsago.
Matthewinitiallyusedthesystem forhisownherd,butdecidedto createabusinesswhichwouldhelp otherdairyfarmersachievegreater herdefficiencyandmilkproduction.
Hepaysamonthlysubscriptionfor theAIprogrammeandon-charges farmersforinputtingdataand generatingareportonthetopbulls fortheircows.
Matthewsaysapartfromaquick conversionofdata,hissystemalso usessimplelanguage…farmer-speak”.
“Itisdesignedtohelpdairyfarmers makeprecisebreedingdecisionsfor theirherd,bothnowandintothe future,”hesays.
“Themissionissimple:tomaximise herdperformance,improvemilk production,anddrivesustainable profitsfordairyfarmersusing cutting-edgescienceandtechnology.”
MatthewsaystheRASdatabase containsalistofabout27,000bulls availableforusebyNewZealand farmers.
Thisisnarroweddownbythe preferredbreedofbullfarmerswish touse.
Desiredtraits UsingtheRASdatabase-and farmers’individualpreferences–a bull’sdesiredtraitstobepassedon areidentified.
Matthewsaysaclearbreeding strategyisvitalinbuildingastronger herd.
LeadingbullsareselectedinPCBS ontheir“geneticmerit”through establishedbreedingindexes.
TheseincludeBreedingWorth (BW),whichrankscowsandbulls ontheirabilitytomeettheNational BreedingObjective:tobreeddairy cattlethatefficientlyconvertfeed intoprofit.
Desiredtraitsforbullstopass onincowsincludemilkvolume, liveweight,milkprotein,milkfat, gestationlength,somaticcellcount, udderconformation,bodycondition scoreandfertility. MatthewsaysdatausedinPCBS alsoincludesProductionWorth, whichranksacowbasedontheir expectedlifetimeperformance. Addedtoallevaluationsis genomics,thebreedingofdairy cowsusinggenotypes(DNA)to predictananimal’spotentialfor futureprofitability. Hesaysthisexamineshowgenes interacttoinfluencetheanimal’s developmentandgrowth. Farmershaveanideaofacow’s traitsfromherparentsbutare dependentonherproduction informationtodeterminehow reliablethisinformationis,hesays. Matthewsaysgenomicinformation canbetterpredictwhichproduction qualitiesananimalhasinherited andprovideamuchmorereliable BreedingWorthatayoungerage. Thefinallistofpreferredbullsissent bythefarmertoaherdimprovement companywhichsuppliesthe associatedsemen,administered on-farmbyanartificialinsemination technician.
PCBSdataforeachfarmis reviewedannuallyandchangesmade asrequired. Hesaysitwill“takegenerations” forresultstocomethrough,ascalves graduateintothemilkingherd. Henowalsousesartificial intelligenceforallhisgrazing plansandfeedbudgeting,while soiltestresultsareputintothe systemforfertiliserapplication recommendationsonhisproperty. Inanotherextension,PCBS processesdataoncowhealthinhis herdwhichhereceivesfromasensor insidethestomachofeachanimal. Matthew,whoistheWaikato andMatamataFederatedFarmers’ DairySectionchair,wason-sitein theRuralAdvocacyHubatFieldays andsaysvisitorshadlearntabout PCBSeitherthroughword-ofmouthoronline.“Theyseemedtobe impressedandenthused,andkeento knowmore.”
BOPRC:Keepyourmachineclean Weedscaneasilyhitcharideon machineryifnotcleanedproperly.
Photo/Supplied
Haveyoubeentemptedbythe Fieldays2025dealsfornew machineryorequipment? Beforeyouselloffyouroldkit, it’simportanttoensurethatit’s thoroughlycleanedsothenew
ownerdoesn’tinheritanunwanted ‘hitchhiker’intheformofan agriculturalweedinfestation, writesBayofPlentyRegional CouncilbiosecurityofficerNicky Oliver-Smith. Agriculturalweedscaneasilyhitch
Livestocknumbersfall,saysStatsNZ
Thetotalnumberofsheepwas23.6 millionatJune2024,afallof6.2 million–or21%–comparedwith10 yearsago,accordingtofiguresreleased by Stats NZ
The total number of dairy cattle also fell by 861,000 – or13% – during this period to 5 8 million “Bucking the trend of falling livestock, however, is
beefcattle,”saysagriculturalstatistics spokespersonTehseenIslam.
“Therewere3.7millionbeefcattlein 2024,similartothetotalin2014.”
Deer had the highest percentage fall of all livestock types, down 26% in the 10-year period Numbers are down by 250,000 since 2014, bringing the total to 709,000 deer
arideonmachineryorequipmentthathasn’t beencleaneddownproperly.So,whenmoving properties–regardlessofwhetherthemachinery isoldornew–pleasemakesurethatit’scleaned toagoodstandardfirst.
Onceintroduced,seeds,roots,stems,and crownfragmentsofagriculturalweedspecies canpropagatequicklyandcanoutcompete crops,pasture,andnativeflora.Theyarealso unpalatableoreventoxictostockandcan overcrowdanddamagefreshwatersystems.
Damagingweeds Agriculturalweedsofparticularinterestinthe BayofPlentyincludealligatorweed,noogoorabur andSenegaltea.Regardedasoneoftheworld’s mostdamagingweeds,alligatorweedcanthrive onbothlandandinthewater,hasadeeproot systemandisnoteasilykilledbyherbicide.There areseveralknownsitesintheBayofPlentywhere alligatorweedisbeingactivelymanagedbyusand includestheRangitāikiRiverandterrestrialsites inTauranga,Katikati,ŌpōtikiandtheEast Capearea.
Preventionisthebestformofdefenceinavoiding thepotentialenvironmentalandeconomicdamage causedthroughthespreadofpestplantsand weeds.
Whatcanyoudotohelp?
•Everyonehasaroletoplaywhenitcomesto stoppingthespreadofagriculturalweeds.You canhelpby: •learningtoidentifythekeyweeds.
•visuallyinspectallmachineryusedonsitefor organicmatter,evensmallsoilsamplesmay containseed,rootorcrownfragments.
•ensurealltyres,tracks,undersides,grillsand filters,andothermachineryorequipmentthat hasbeenusedarethoroughlycleanedbefore leavingthesite,andpriortoenteringnew environments.
•contractorsshouldlookatestablishingweed managementplanstominimisethespreadof pestplantsintheBayofPlentyRegion.
•applythe‘cleanin–cleanout’philosophy andaskyourcontractorstomakesuretheir machineryisthoroughlycleanbeforetheycome ontheproperty.
Ifyouareconcernedaboutapotentialpestplant, orifyouwishtoreportaninfestation,getintouch withBayofPlentyRegionalCouncilBiosecurity teamon0800884880.
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NickyOliver-Smith, BayofPlentyRegionalCouncilbiosecurityofficer
TaniyaCoxhead withtwoofher Siberianhuskies.
S Siberianhuskyracing: I In1995,SiberianhuskybreedersTaniya andSteveCoxheaddidtheonethingthat theynowadviseotherpeoplenottodo–buyapuppy.ItwasanAlaskanMalamute, abreedTaniyahadalwaysadmired.
“Wefellforthecute,cuddlylittlepuppywith the impressivekennelnameofSeawolfKazmaier Tuffenuff,buthewascalled‘Kaz’.By10months old wenearlygavehimback.Wehadprevious largedogexperience,buthewasuntrainable, r restless,andwouldn’tlisten,”saysTaniya.
Th The Coxheads decidedthey hadtolearn tomanage himas
theyhadaresponsibilitytowardshim.
“WejoinedtheNorthernAlaskanMalamute Clubandwenttoaworkingweekendinthe forest,”saysSteve.
DuringthatweekendKazwasintroducedtothe worldofdrylandrunningdogracing.Taniyasays heabsolutelylovedit.Theyracedhimthroughthe winterseasonof1996.“Thisbreedisaworking dogandneedstorunandhaveapurpose.”
Theworldofhuskyracing
Stevewantedtotaketheracingfurther.
“ItoldTaniyathatIwouldlovetogeta racingteamtogetherusingSiberianhuskiesas Malamutesarebig g andfeistyy.TheSiberianhuskies aresmallerandareverygoodpackdogs,with fewerpowerstruggles.”
Whilewaitingfortheirfirsthuskies,thecouple preparedtohavetheirownpack.
“Weneededharnessesandequipmentincluding chariots, or rigs as theyareknown.Webuiltour own using parts from all sorts of thingsandwere able to race from 1998 onwards ”
They initially raced their first husky Malinka
REF1.McPherson,W.B.,etal,.2001.Effectofperiparturienteprinomectintreatmentofdairycowsonmilkproduction.NewZealand VeterinaryJournal49(3):106-110.2.Lawrence.K.E.,etal,.2017.Theeffectofmid-lactationtreatmentwithtopicallyapplied eprinomectinonmilkproductioninnineNewZealanddairyfarms.VeterinaryParasitology:RegionalStudiesandReports10:95-101.
Tonguesoutandslowing downaftertheirrun.
CoxheadsprepareforNZsleddogfestival asasingledog,then borrowedadogtorace atwo-dogrig.In2002 theyranafour-dogrig.
“Drylandrunningis withonedogtoeight dogs.InNewZealand themajorityofraces arerunonforesttrails usingwheeledrigsor scooters.”
SteveandTaniyaare nowintrainingfor theannualSledDog FestivalheldatWairau
SnowFarminthe
CardronaValleyfrom September2-6.This locationistheonly venuewheredogscan berunonsnowinNew Zealandastherest ofthesnowareasare NationalParksanddogs arebanned.
Stevesaysracingtheirhuskiesonsnowisthe ultimateexperienceandexactlywhattheyarebred todo.“Whilesnowisn’tanecessity,huskiesjust lovethecold.”
Taniya’sfather,Gary,hand-craftedabeautiful woodensledfortheTimberlinepacktorace onsnow.
Breedingtheirownhuskies
Duringseveralyears,theCoxheadsbought 10pupsfromthenowretiredRayandDianne Holliday’sCheechakoKennels.Thesehuskieswere fromtwobreeding g lines–NorthomeKennels fromDuluth,Minnesota;andAlaskan Kennels-AnadyrSiberians. CheechakoArky’sTopaz
orTimberashewas known,wasa“great allrounddog”.
“In2010welooked atbusinessoptions neartheSnowFarm butdecidedthatthe snowseasonwasn’t longenoughand weneededamore sustainablebusiness modelthatwould workyear-round. TimberlineRacing SiberianHuskies KennelandTours wasborn.”
Astheywere comingtoTaupō fromTauranga around20timesa year,theydecided theCentralPlateau wastheplacefor theirnewbusiness tobebasedandfoundtheircurrentBroadlands propertyin2016.It’sneartheKaingaroaForest wheretheycandrylandtraintheirdogs.
Stevewasabuilder,andTaniyaisadata administrator.
Theywantedtheirtourbusinesstoshowvisitors whattheycandoandeducatethemaboutthis uniquedog’sneedsandtraits.
“Weboughta10-acrebareblock,andIbuilt allthekennelsandruns,theshed,ourhouseand outbuildings,”saysSteve.
Theybuiltan800-metrefullyfencedtrack enabling g thehuskiestobeexercised daily.Oncolddaystheycanrun further,butonhotdayshuskiescan overheatveryeasily.
“Theygetveryexcitedwhenthey realisetheyaregettingarun.They howlintruehuskystyleuntilwe setoff.
“Iruntheminfrontofmy quadbikeandwhileitlookslikethey arepullingme,I’mactuallyletting themrunattheirspeedandIkeep upwiththem,”saysSteve.
UsingfrozensemenfromTimber andAI,theCoxheadsbredfive puppieswithRiverovertwolitters in2019/2020andanotherlitter
ofsixfromanaturalmatingwith ShawneeandTorin2022.
“Thesepuppiesaresolelyforusto keepourracingpackgoing.When theycannolongerrace,weretire themandkeepthemuntiltheypass away–theyhaveahomeforlife withus,”saysTaniya.
TimberlineuseK9Petfoods rawmeatdiettomeettheirdogs’ nutritionalneeds,togetherwitha frozenhighperformancefood.
Taniyaand SteveCoxhead. Photos/CatherineFry
CatherineFry
Pack members howling with excitement before they are exercised.
FederatedFarmers’ nationalpresident WayneLangford.
Ruralmoodboostedwith Fieldays2025hasbeenhailed“a cracker”byFederatedFarmers’ hierarchy.
“It’salwaysagreattimetocatchup withourmembersandotherfarmers, butthishasdefinitelystoodoutas oneofthemorepositiveFieldaysI’ve attended,”saysnationalpresident WayneLangford.
“Inoticedarealshiftinthemood thisyear,nodoubthelpedbybetter commodityprices,lowerinterest rates,andsomeredtapebeingcut.”
Waynesaysitwillbeinterestingto seeifthatistranslatedintofarmers
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openingtheirwalletsandmaking somepurchasesthisyear.
Thisyear’sFieldaysattractedmore than110,000visitorsthroughthe gatesatMysteryCreek,up4000on lastyear.
The1200exhibitorsrepresented 99%capacityoftheFieldays’site.
Astronginternational representationwasalsoevident,with atotalof66exhibitors,upfrom49 lastyear.
Internationalrepresentationalso included23embassiesand1054 supportingvisaletterswereprovided.
“Globalisationisakeypillar
forFieldaysandsupportingour exhibitorsindevelopingglobal connectionsandsharingourstoryon theworldstageisakeyaspectofthe event,”saysNationalFieldaysSociety chiefexecutiveRichardLindroos.
“Confidenceintheruralsectorwas apparent,withexhibitorsreporting goodsalesacrossarangeofproducts andservices.
“Ithinktheindustryasawholeis ontheup,”Richardsays.
“Itfeltreallypositiveoutthere andearlyindicationssuggestthat ourexhibitorshadagoodevent deliveringrealmomentumfor
Discovermore,experiencemore SeemoreToursisahomegrownbusinessthatspecialise insmall-grouptravelfor maturetravellersthatgo beyondtheordinary,offering immersivejourneysacross NewZealand.
“Wedon’tjusttakeyouto stunningdestinations–we introduceyoutothepeople, history,andstoriesthatbring themtolife,”saysNikkiClerke, directorandmarketingfor SeemoreTours.
WhyTravelwithSeemoreTours?
NikkisaysSeemoreTourscater tomatureNewZealanderseager toexploretheirownbackyard.
“Weprioritiseaccommodations withwalk-inshowersandeasy access,comfortablevehicleswith handrailsandsteps,andflexible experiencestailoredtoyour pace.Daysaredesignedforboth adventureandrelaxation.”
Nikkisaystheirphilosophyis simple:ifyoucaneasilybook ityourselforfinditonline, thenwe’renotdoingitright.
Shesaysthemostmemorable momentscomefromunexpected encounters-whetherit’s afarmersharinghisland’s history,anartistrevealingtheir inspiration,oraguideleading youoffthebeatenpathtoa hiddengem.
Nikkisaystheyshowcasethe bestofNewZealand,from thebirdsong-filledsanctuaries
ExperiencingtheicebergsandGlacierWallonTasman GlacierLake.FeaturedintheIcebergs&LupinsTour (departingNovember2025).
ofKapitiIslandtotherugged coastlinesofWestCoastSouth Island.Wineloverscanindulge intheworld-classvineyardsof Martinborough,whilehistory buffswillbeenchantedby Māorilegendsandcolonial heritagesites.
“Wedon’tjustbreezethrougha townorskimoveraregion.We takethetimetotrulyexperience eachplace,appreciatingwhat makesitunique.Forexample, inMotueka,wherethefruit industrythrives,wenaturally includeavisittoapackhouseto gaininsightintothisimportant localtrade.”
Forthoseseekingatrueescape, theIcebergs&LupinsTour offersarareglimpseintosome
ofNewZealand’smostremote andbreathtakinglocations capturedinthepurpleglowof Lupins.“Wealsoofferselect internationaladventures,taking travellersonexclusivejourneys tocaptivatingdestinations –thisyearit’sa12-day adventureinTasmania!”
Whetheryou’reanaturelover, historyenthusiast,orfoodand wineconnoisseur,Nikkisays there’saSeemoreTourwaiting foryou. Withlimitedspacesoneach exclusivedeparture,now isthetimetosecureyourspot andexperiencethejourney ofalifetime.
Formoreinformation,seetheir advertonthispage.
Photo/Supplied
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betterprices,govtsupport NewZealand’sprimaryandfibre industries,whichisforecastedto reacharecord$59.9billion.
“Althoughtheweatherwasnot alwaysonoursidethisyear,itdidn’t deterourvisitorswhocameprepared fortheconditions.”
Governmentannouncementsmade atFieldaysincludedanewRural WellbeingFund.
Thefund,$4million,across thenextfouryears,supports organisationstodeliverwellbeing initiativesinruralcommunities.
Theinitiativeisjointlyfundedby theMinistryforPrimaryIndustries andHealthNewZealand.
Wayne,whohelpeddrivethe project,saysitis“agreatwin”for ruraladvocacygroups.
“It’shugelyrewardingtogetthis
acrosstheline.I’mabsolutelystoked theGovernmentaremakingsucha meaningfulinvestmentinthemental healthofourruralcommunities.”
FederatedFarmerswassupported byotherruralorganisationsincluding DairyNZ,Beef+Lamb,Young FarmersandRuralWomen.
Waynesaystheextra$4million announcedatFieldaystoexpand theinvestmentincommunity-based wellbeinginitiativesmaybematched byindustrypartners,foratotalpool of$8million.
“Theinvestmentissignificantin termsofthedollaramount,butthe realvaluewillcomeinhavingamuch morecoordinatedapproachthat bringsalltheenergyandfocusinto oneplace.
“Inpractice,we’regoingtoseethe sectorcomingtogethertoensure
we’reinvestingintheinitiativesthat bringthebestresultsandmakeareal differenceinpeople’slives.
“Thatwillcutoutawholeheapof waste,removealltheduplication,and makesureeverydollarinvestedin ruralmentalhealthisworkingashard asitpossiblycan.”
Waynesaysthatasacountry,New Zealandhasmovedpastthestageof simplyacknowledgingandbuilding awarenessoftheimportanceofstrong mentalhealth.
“It’sgreatthatwe’vecomesucha longwaywithruralmentalhealth awareness,butnowit’stimefor action.”
HesaysanotherkeyGovernment announcementmadeatFieldayswas KāingaOradecidingtousewool carpetinitssocialhousing.
TreeplantinginnovatorsreturntoFieldays Aftermakingtheirdebutin theFieldaysInnovationHub in2024,Gartoreturnedto Fieldaysthisyearshowingin themainpavilionalongside thebignamesofNZAgri.
Theshowmarkedthefirst fullyearinbusinessforthe Southland-basedcompanyand itsinnovation,theGartoTree Protector.
SpecificallydesignedforNew Zealand’suniquefarming conditions,theGartoTree Protectoraddressesacommon challengeinnativeplantingon farm–fast-growinggrassesthat smotheryoungtrees.Engineered tocreateaweed-suppressedzone aroundeachplanting,theguard
hadfirstseentheproductinthe 2024InnovationHubandhad beenusingitduringthepast year.Thosetheymetmentioning bettergrowthandlesstime spentonmaintenance.“Itwas encouragingtohearhowthe guardisworkingfortheminreal conditions,”saysaspokesperson forthecompany.
completelyreducestheneedfor hand-sprayingorweedreleasing maintenancevisits.Thismeans lesscost,lesslabour,andhigher survivalratesfornativetrees.
TheGartoteamappreciated reconnectingwithvisitorswho
ManufacturedinAuckland andbuilttolastmorethana decade,eachreusableguard supportsatleastfiveplanting cycles,providingsignificant economicadvantageinthelong run.Sincecommercialreleasein 2024,uptakehasbeenstrong, withmanyfarmersdeclaringthey won’tplantanothertreewithout it.Formoreinformation,see theiradvertonthispage.
Customers at the Garto Tree Protectors site at Fieldays.
Photo/Supplied
A A family’s s tiny homeonwheelsmission missiontobuildatinyhomeonwheelswouldexpandinto somethingmuchbigger. Photos/Supplied
FreedomCabinsNZbeganwithasimple mission:tobuildatinyhomeonwheelsfor ourownfamily.
“Weneverimaginedthatsmallstartwouldgrow intosomethingmuchbigger,”saysownerDrew Donovan.“Whilewestilloffertrailerisedbuilds forflexible,transportableliving,ourjourney hasexpandedintoafull-scalebusinesscreating consented,code-complianthomesrangingfrom10 to84squaremetres–designedformodernKiwilife andbuilttomeetthedemandsoflong-termliving.” Drewnsaystheirbackgroundmightsurpriseyou. Beforeconstruction,theywereprofessionalracing drivers.
“Butthelessonswelearnedonthetrack–precision,planning,andperformanceunder pressure–areexactlywhatwebringtoevery build.We’vecreated astreamlined,reliable processthatmakesgetting intoyourownunitfast, simple,andstress-free.
“We’reproudtohave helpedhundredsofclients acrossNewZealandinto
homestheylove–whetherthey’reseekingincome, flexibility,orindependentliving.”
Thebuildssuitawiderangeofreal-worldneeds includingAirbnbandguestaccommodation,rental orinvestmentproperties,workerhousingandselfcontainedunitsforfamilymembers.
Rentalreturnpotential:Manyclientsearn $450–$650perweek,withminimalmaintenance andfastsetup,saysDrew.
“Unlikemass-producedcabinsmadefromEPS orrefrigerationpanels.Webuildwithtraditional buildingmaterialsthatarehealthy,sustainable, anddurable.
“AtFreedomCabinsNZ,webuildthekindof spaceswe’dbegladtocallhome–craftedwiththe samecarewelearnedthroughracing.”
Formoreinformation,seetheiradvertonthispage.
Unlockingyoursoil’spotential Since2006,NewZealand Humateshaschampioned humicproductsfor enhancingsoilbiology andnutrientuptake.
Asacompletelynaturaland organicsubstance,humates arerichincarbon,humic,and fulvicacids,vitalforbuilding soilorganicmatterand enhancingsoilfertility.
Humicmaterialhelps fertiliserapplicationsbecome moreefficientandboostsdry mattergrowth.Italsoassists inreducingandcontrolling nutrientleaching,ensuring
nutrientsaremorereadilyheld inthesoilforplantuptake.
FulvicExpressLiquid,our BioGrocertifiedproduct, boastsanexceptionallyhigh CECof1400,enhancingthe deliveryofchelatednutrients. Additionally,NitrogenExpress Liquidisdesignedtoextend thelifeofnitrogen,allowingfor moreeffectiveplantuptakeand helpingfarmersreduceoverall nitrogenapplications.
Todiscoverhowsolutions thatcanhelpyouachieveyour farminggoals,seeNewZealand Humates’advertonthispage.
JuliaUffindellandFredHarveyfrom NewZealandHumates. Photo/Supplied
DrewDonovansaysheneverimaginedthatasimple
TheDonovanscomefromaprofessionalracingbackground.
Agrowingwillingnesstodiscussmentalhealth SpecificFieldays’hubswereagain well-receivedatthisyear’sevent.
“Iwasdefinitelyhappyinallareas,with theengagementandawarenessofthehubs andourcuratedprogrammeofeventsand activities,”saysprogrammemanagerSteve Chappell.
“[We]willdebriefandreviewwithour externalpartnerstodevelopandevolvethe offeringfor2026butpleasedinitiallywith theresponsefromvisitorsandexhibitors.” Newaspects
Hubsatthisyear’sFieldaysfocusedon healthandwellbeing,ruraladvocacy,and careersandeducation.
Addedtothemixwerenewaspects–Tent Talks,DroneZoneandSectorSpotlight –It’sWool–whichStevesayshadareally positiveresponse,andgeneratedgreat coverage,attendanceandbuzz.
MarkEager,chiefexecutiveof Health&WellbeingHub leadpartnerMobileHealth Group,sayswhilethe overallmoodacross ruralcommunities feltmorebuoyant thisyear–perhaps helpedbyamild autumnandabreak fromtherain–health concernsremainfront andcentre.
Thenumberofvisitors throughthehubwas consistentwithpreviousyears, sittingaroundthe30,000mark, butwhatstoodoutmostwasthedepthof engagement,Marksays.“Wehadanumber ofpeoplecommentthatthey’dbeen comingtoFieldaysforyearsbuthadnever steppedinsidethehubbefore.Thisyear,
theydid–andmanystayedforquite sometime.”
Marksaysthefeedbackfrom exhibitorsreflectedashift too:conversationswere morepersonal,more meaningful.
“Peoplewereopening upabouthealthissues they’dbeenputtingoff orworriedabout–not justforthemselves,but forpartners,parents,or teenagekids.”
Mentalhealth Marksaysmentalhealthcontinuesto beatheme,butthewayitshowsupisoften layered–peoplespeakaboutfinancialstress, uncertainty,orclimateimpactsonthefarm, andthenloopbackaroundtohowit’sreally affectingthem.“What’sencouragingisthat
Didyouknow…54%oflife insuranceclaimsaremaadeby peopleabovetheageoof60 yearsand79%oflifeinssurance policieshavelapsedbythhetime peoplereach59yearsolld?
“Thecustomerswe’retryingto protectarelapsingtheircoverwhen they’remostlikelytoneedit!” saysNZSure’sprincipalfinancial advisorRajHarike.
Oftenthecostofthelifeinsurance becomesprohibitiveassomeonegrows older,andthepremiumsincrease yearlybasedintheclient’sage.
“AtNZSure,wecanalsooffer levelpremiumswherethepremium islockedinforthelongtermand doesn’tincreasewithageunlessthe coverischanged.”
Traditionally,alifeinsurance payoutmaybeusedforpaying offdebt,funeralcostsorboosting theremainingpartner’sretirement income.
“Withrespecttofarmsbeingpassed downtothenextgeneration,alife insurancepayoutcanassistwith situationssuchasonechildneeding tobuyoutsiblingsiftheywishtotake overthefamilyfarmorreducingdebts afterparentspassaway.”
Rajpointsoutthatthisisnot stockstandardlifeinsurance,andthe policycanbetransferredtothenext generationwithchangesifrequired.
“Eachclient’sneedsaredifferent, andwecarefullydiscusstheir requirementsandstructuretheir policyandpremiumsaccordingly.”
Formoreinformation,seeNZSure’s advertonthispage.
morepeopleseemwillingtotalkaboutit, evenifonlyinpassing.
“So,whilesomeofthecorechallenges remain,thewillingnesstoconnectand askforhelpseemstobegrowing.That’sa positivesign–andabigpartofwhythe hubexists.”TheRuralAdvocacyHub, acollaborationbetweenFieldaysand FederatedFarmers,returnedforitssecond year.FederatedFarmersnationalpresident WayneLangfordsaysthehubprovedtobe ahugesuccess–“goingfromstrengthto strengthsincewelauncheditlastyear”. Thehubagainprovedtobeacritical platformfordiscussingtheindustry’s mostimportanttopics.”Thebiggest talkingpointscentredonforestry,Waikato RegionalCouncil’sPlanChange1,which wouldsetrulesforagriculturallanduseto improvewaterqualityintheWaikatoand Waipacatchments,methanetargets,and youngfarmers’KiwiSaver.
Forthosethathaven’theard ofthem,aMenzShed,as describedontheirwebsite, is“ashedthatbringsmen togetherinonecommunity spacetosharetheirskills, havealaughandworkon personalprojectsorgroup projectsfortheshedor community”.
Therearearound130affiliated MenzShedsinNewZealand butasMikeGastfoundwhen hemovedtownsin2021,there wasn’toneinCambridge.He missedthecamaraderieof hisoldshedinTeKūitiand quicklyputthewordoutinto theCambridgecommunityto gaugeinterest.
CambridgeMenzShed
thecommunityandusemoney madeonlytocoverourcosts andbills.”
CambridgeMenzShed secretaryandproperty developerMylesPrebble, alongsideMike,becamethe projectmanagerstohunt forasuitablepropertywith reasonablerentfortheshed.
“Afterretirement,many couplesfindbeingwitheach othereverywaking(and sleeping)hourcancause friction.TheMenzShedsoffer escape from the stresses of ‘underfoot syndrome’, resulting in women being their m ardent supporters ”
“Theinterestwashighwith 41mensupportingstarting aCambridgeshedunderthe MenzShedparentbody,”says Mike,whoisnowCambridge MenzShed’schairman.
“We operate as a registered charity, which allows us to
“Afterafruitlesssix-month search,webegantalking toWaipāDistrictCouncil, whowerereallyhelpful andsuggestedusingtheold LeamingtonDairyFactory buildingonCarlyleSt,”says Myyles. The site has played a significant role in
the the area In
he 3rd Waikato
Leamington Dairy Factory after its 2025 restoration into a MenzShed Photo / Catherine Fry
LeamingtonDairyFactoryaftermorethan100yearsofadditionsandarestorationin2025.
Photo/CatherineFry
Regimentcampedthereandbuilta garrisonfor1000men.
Thesitewasleasedbythe CambridgeCo-operativeDairy Companyfrom1901to1941for useasaskimmingstationandlater,a cheesefactory.
JDWallaceContractingLtd ownedthebuildingfor50years from1941andRossToddMotors leaseditfrom1946to1954.
Agriculturalcontractor,Arthur (Ross)Paton,boughtthebuildingin 1991,andsoldittoWaipaDistrict Councilin1996.
Therestoration
“Thelandhadbeenleasedby SchwitzerContractingfrom1998, butthecouncil-ownedbuilding hadn’tbeentouchedfordecadesand wasfallingintodisrepair,”saysMike. Nonetheless,thebuildingwas suitable,therentlow,andafive-year leasewassigned.
“WaipaDistrictCouncil,the Mayor’sofficeandtheCommunity TrustBoardallcontributedfundsto theproject.TheMenzShedraiseda totalof$110,000,independentofthe Council’scontribution,fromcharities andtrustsandsomegenerousprivate donations,”saysMike.
Thejobstartedwithahugeclean-up, clearingoutdecadesofpigeon droppings,strawfromnestsand generalrubbishbeforewaterblasting thehighexposedtrussesintheroof andreplacingtheconcretefloor.“We couldonlychangetheinsidedueto itshistoriclisting.Oneexteriorwall requiredstructuralreplacements,and theoriginalwindowsneededalotof work,”saysMike.
Thecouncilcontributionpaidfor twohugerollerdoorsandsomeroof repairsandreplacement.Thewalls wereinsulatedandlinedandonce thebuildingwassealed,theinside workbegan.
“Alltheconstructionworkwascompletedby MenzShedmemberswhocontributedthousands ofhoursinlabourtotheproject,”saysMyles.
thelivesofsomanyCambridgeresidents.
“Overseveralmonthsalargecrewofmembers couldbeseenrepairing,sandingandpreparingthe exteriorforpainting.”
Thepower,plumbingandexternalpaintingwere bigjobs,andlocalcompanieswereusedtobring thebuildinguptomoderncodes.Internalwalls werebuiltbymemberstohouseahobbyshop, engineeringroom,astorageareaintheoldcheese storageroom,awarmsmokoroomandkitchen, andtwotoilets.
Communityspirit “Whathasreallyblownusallawayisthe incrediblesupportfromthebusinessesinthe district.Manycameforwardofferingfreeor discountedlabourandmaterialstohelpusgetthe buildingfinished.
“Peopleofferedmachinery,toolsandgear.Other MenzShedsgaveusmachinery,andwebought someourselves.Wehaveanextensiverangeof machineryandcombinedwiththeskillsofour members,wecancarryoutawiderangeoftasks,” saysMyles.
Therewashugelocalinterestinwhatwasbeing donetotheolddairyfactory,whichhadbecome abitofaneyesore.Peoplere-toldtheirstoriesof longagoandthebuildingseemstohavetouched
TheCambridgeMenzShedformallyopenedon February15,2025,andisalreadytoservingthe community.TheLeamingtonDairyfactoryis protectedbyaCategoryClistingundertheWaipa CouncilHeritageItemsList.
*ThankyoutoPennyPickettfortheuseofherresearchonthe LeamingtonDairyFactoryforhistoricalreferences.
TheoriginalLeamingtonDairy Factoryasitlookedintheearly-1900s.
Photo/CambridgeMuseumCM1611/7
CambridgeMenzShedchairmanMikeGastandCambridgeMenzShedsecretaryMylesPrebbleatthe restoredLeamingtonDairyFactoryinJune2025. Photo/CatherineFry
CatherineFry
g BUILD & RENOVATE The Government is making changes to
TheGovernmentismakingchangesto energyandbuildingconsentsystems todrivegreaterresidentialsolaruptake inNewZealand,accordingtoEnergy MinisterSimonWattsandBuildingand ConstructionMinisterChrisPenk.
“NewZealand’sresidentialuptakeofrooftop solarislowerthanmanyothercountries,” saysSimon.
“ThisGovernmentwantstochangethatsomore Kiwiscangenerate,store,andsendtheirown electricitybacktothemarket.Thiswillallow
them to save on their power bills and contributetoamoresecureelectricity system.”Todothis,theGovernmentis expandingthepermittedvoltagerangefor electricitynetworks,soKiwiswithsolar panelscouldsendmorepowerbackto thegrid.
ItwillalsomakechangestotheBuilding Acttoclarifythatabuildingconsentis notneededtoinstallrooftopsolarpanels onexistingbuildings.
Lastly,itplanstorequirecouncilsto processbuildingconsentsfornewhomes withsolarpanelswithin10workingdays, downfromthestandard20workingdays.
a and reducing emissions
“Butournetworksneedtobeable tobettersupportthegrowingflowoof electricityfromconsumers,whilealsso dealingwithgrowingdemandformmore electricvehiclecharging.
“That’swhyweareexpandingthe voltagerangefrom+/-6%to+/-100% to managethechangingflowofelectricity fromrooftopsolarandEVcharging g This willfutureproofourelectricitysystem m and helpelectrifytheeconomy.”
Simonsaydrooftopsolarwillplaya crucialroleinsupportingenergysecurity
Chrissaysthebuildingconsentsysstem canhelpacceleratetheshifttowards s renewableenergy.“Weneedtherighht incentivesinplacetomakerooftopsolar arealisticoptionforKiwis.”
Workingfromapurpose-builtyardinHorotiu,just northofHamilton,AdvantageDesignerHomes(ADH) andsistercompanyModularSpacesareattheforefront oftransportablehomesinNewZealand.
CoveringthewholeoftheNorthIsland,theyhave30-plusyearsof experienceandcanmanageyourprojectfromstarttofinish.
ADHtransportablestandardhomesrangefromtwotosixbedrooms andareverycosteffectivecomparedtoon-sitebuilds.Clientscan expectafastturnaroundandoptionstocustomisetheirdesign.
The“designeroption”allowsclientstochooseanexistinghouse size/shapeandworkwiththedesignteamtocompletelyreconfigure theinternallayoutandexternaljoinerypositionstosuittheirsiteand lifestyle.
ModularSpacesofferssmallertransportablebuildingssuchas homes,cabinsandoffices.Foralargerhouse,modulescanbebuilt intheyardandconnectedonsitetocreateaunique,architecturally designed,efficientfamilyhome.
Everytransportablehomeisfocusedonhighquality,affordable modularhomeswithtimelyturnaroundbuildsanda10-year structuralwarranty.
ADHandModularSpacesarebothextendingtheirFieldaysoffer (termsandconditionsapply).
Formoreinformation,seeAdvantageDesignerHomes’adverton thispage.
The beautiful internal/external flow of The Oakley Photo / Supplied
Just like your ‘Justlikeyourgrandfather’: Famil tractorreturnstooriginalowner NeilDalgety’s familyhasalong
thelandaround Mangataratainthe HaurakiPlains.
Theyweresomeof thefirstsettlersonthe Plains.
Hisgreat grandfathercleared largeblocksofland andhadeightsons andafewdaughters towhomhegave land.Atonepointthere wereseveralfamily farmsinthearea butnowonlytwo remain,including Dalgety’sCorner.
onthe farmas akid.I
preferredthem tothenewones,” saysNeil. Whilehehasfully restoredseveral machines,Neil enjoysthechallenge ofgettingthem upandrunning ratherthanthe restorationside.
Neilgrewup onaNgātea dairyfarm andhisbrother thenfarmedat Dalgety’sCorner whileNeilbought250 acresofsheepandbeef countryupinthehills.This propertyisthehomeofNeil’stractor andmachinerycollection.
NeilDalgety’sfamilywere
Neil’sgrandfather JimDalgety boughtanew1949 FordsonMajorE27N tractor,whichNeil rememberswell.
The‘E’standsfor Englandwhere theyweremade inDagenham.
“I’vealwayslovedtheoldertractors
The‘27’stands forthe27hp fromthefourcylinderpetrol engine.Ithasthree forwardgearsandone reversegear.
“Itwasageneralfarm tractorandwasagoodsizefor thattime.Itwaswellusedonthe familyfarms.”
Originallythetractorhadrearcastiron wheelswithsteellugsandwasperfectfor cleearingtracksuponthehillproperty.
“Myfather,Selwyn,thentookoffthesteel wheels s andputonrubbertyrestouseitdownon theplaains.”
U Unfortunately,therearsteelwheelswere stolenwhileupatNeil’sMangataratafarmand thefrontsteelwheelswererolleddownthehill bythethieves.
“Afterthatmygrandfathersolditanditsadly wentoutofthefamily.”
WhenadultNeilbecameinvolvedtheHauraki VintageMachineryClubInc,herealisedthatone ofthemembershadhisgrandfather’sFordsonin theircollection.
“Weallthoughtthatithadbeenabandonedup inthehillswhenitwassold,butafterallthattime ithadbeensafeandlookedafter.”
Whentheownersoldhiscollection,Neil didn’thesitatetobuytheFordson.Hisownfather Selwynsaid:“You’rejustlikeyourgrandfather”. Neildoesn’tseeitlikethat,asfarashe’s concerned,thetractorhasjust“comehome”.
Rubbertyresreplacedtheoriginal steelluggedcastironones.
KUBOTA’S LIFESTYLERANGE Deluxereclininghighbackseat,spacious operatorarea,cruisecontrolandeasyto reachcontrols *Imagewithoutmowerdeck.Price includesmowerdeck.
Inlastmonth’sarticlethepossible, evenlikely,retirementofthelocal superphosphatemanufacturing operationswasmentioned.
stimulateactivity,particularlythatofearthworms. Regardlessoftheforminwhichnutrientisapplied, itisbiologythatultimatelydeterminesthespeed andsustainabilityofgrowth.
Whenfirstestablishedbeingsitedin harboursmadeperfectsense.Largeships couldunloaddirectintoshedswithout therequirementfortrucks.Unloading wasfast,efficient,andlowcost.
Largeamountsofsulphuricacidare requiredtomakethephosphorusin hard-rockwatersoluble.Thereisalways thepotentialforthecontaminationof surroundinglandandwater,afactorthose opposingtherenewalofresourceconsents willhighlight.
Theseconcernshavegreater validitynowthatthepositiveimpact oflargeapplicationsofimmediately availablephosphorustopastureno longerexists.
Thebig“P” Thedevelopmentphaseof nearlyallgrazedlandisover withmaintenance-onlyinput nowrequired.
DrTimJenkinswroteinthe articleThebig“P”,thatthetrue maintenanceinatypicalsheepand beefoperationmaybearound4kgto 8kg/ha,andindairying10kg to16kg/ha.
Nutrients CalciumandasoilpHofaround6.3 isessentialfortherapidcyclingofall nutrients.Relativelysmallamountsof regularlyappliednutrientispreferableto largeamountslessfrequently,asbiology andplantsperformbestinaconstant environment. WithallthoseaspectsinmindCalciZest andDoloZestweredevelopedby FunctionalFertiliser25yearsago. Bothproductscontainsoftcarbons inoculatedwithawiderangeof selectedbeneficialmicrobes.
Checkingthesoilprofile.
Thatwaspublishedin2007and sincethenmostfarmershaveappliedatleastdouble thatamountannually.
Bacillusensuresrapiddigestionof oldplantmaterialwithmorerapid recoveryofpastureaftersummer. Trichodermaarewellknownfor theirdiseaseresistantpropertiesand arealsoincludedasaremycorrhizal fungifortheirnutrientand moistureharvestingactivity.
Thereisnowoftenasmuchas1000kg/haheldin thetop15cmmeasuredbytheTotalPhosphorustest withonlyapprox.5%plantavailableatanytime. WhenPisappliedinthewater-solubleformit onlystaysinthatformforashortperiod.Itrapidly combineswithiron,manganese,andotherelements withthespeedatwhichitisreleasedforplantuptake dependentonbeneficialsoilbiology.
Beneficialsoilbiologyiseverpresentandperforms bestwherethereis25%airandthesameamount ofmoisture.Higherthannormalcalciumlevelsalso
DoloZestcontainingGolden Baydolomiteistypicallyapplied inautumntoensurecalcium/ magnesiumrelatedmetabolic disordersinspringareminimized. OnpropertieswhereDoloZest isappliedeachautumnlittle magnesiumsupplementis requiredduringearlyseason,withtheprovisothat animalsarefullyfedonthepasturetowhichproduct hasbeenapplied.
Anotheroftenoverlookedbenefitistheincreasein plantenergylevelsduetoplantsphotosynthesizing moreefficiently.Ahandheldrefractometerisan effectivewayofmeasuringsolublesugarlevelsin thepaddock.
DoloZestcanbeappliedatanytimethatissuitable forgroundspreadvehiclesandarapidresponsein animalperformancecanbeexpected. FormoreinformationtalktoPeteron027495 0041or0800843809
A guide to understandinglimitedtitles Whatisalimitedtitle?
Ifyou’rebuyingorsellinga propertyandnoticethatthe titleismarkedas“limited,”it’s naturaltohavequestions–and rightlyso.Whatexactlyisa LimitedTitle,andshouldyoube concerned?
Abitofbackground TounderstandLimitedTitles, weneedtolookbackto1870, whenNewZealandintroduced theTorrenssystem–theland ownershipsystemwestilluse today.Thissystemreplacedthe oldDeedssystem,withthegoal ofmakinglandtransferssimpler, morereliable,andguaranteedby theState.
WhentheLandTransfer Act1924requiredallDeedsbasedtitlestobeconverted intotheTorrenssystem,some uncertaintyremainedabout theownershiportheexact
boundariesofcertain parcelsofland.Todeal withthis,twoforms of“limitations”were introduced: LimitedastoTitle –whenownership wasuncertain; andLimitedasto Parcels–whenthe boundariesorland areawereunclear Bythe1950s,most ownershipissueshad beenresolved,and “limitedastotitle”becamerare. However,LimitedastoParcels –nowcommonlyreferredto simplyasLimitedTitles–isstill inusetoday.
buildonalimitedtitle,yourlocal councilmayalsorequirecertified boundaryinformationbeforeissuing consents–whichmaynotbepossible untilthelimitationisremoved. Howdoyouremove?
Toremovethelimitations,you’ll needtoengagealicensedcadastral surveyorto:Reviewhistorical records,surveyplans,anddeed documents;carryoutafieldsurvey ofthelandandfeatureslikefences, buildings,andboundarymarkers; andconsultwithneighbouring landownerstoconfirmtheaccepted boundaries.
Legalboundarypegs arisesfrom:incomplete orinaccuratehistoric surveyrecords,vague legaldescriptionsin theoriginaldeeds, lostordamaged documentation–sometimesdueto eventslikefires. Inmanycases,the differencebetween therecordedtitle boundariesand what’sactually onthegroundis small.However,duetothis uncertainty,LimitedTitles canaffectpropertyvalueand complicatematterswhenselling orbuilding.
Whatdoesitmean? ALimitedTitleisstillavalid, state-guaranteedtitle–butthere issomeuncertaintyaboutthe exactboundariesofthelandit describes.Thisdoubtusually
Whyitmatters Somebuyersmaybecautious aboutLimitedTitles,offering alowerpriceorrequestingthe limitationberemovedbefore settlement.Ifyou’relookingto
ThesurveyorwillprepareaLand TransferSurveyPlan,whichisthen
submittedtoandapprovedbyLand InformationNewZealand(LINZ). Thisprocessformallydefinesthe extentoftheland,removesthe limitations,andgivesyoufullclarity andconfidenceinyourtitle.
Planningtobuildorsell?
IfyouownapropertywithaLimited Titleandareconsideringbuilding, selling,orsimplywantcertaintyabout yourboundaries,it’sbesttoactearly. Theprocessofremovinglimitations cantaketime,sospeakingwitha licensedsurveyoristhesmartfirst step. ContactusatSurveyingServices forprofessionaladviceandsupport–we’llguideyouthroughtheprocess andhelpyougainfull confidencein yourlandtitle.
Know what yourcowsareeating Knowthenutritionalvalueof yourpasturewithaherbagetest.
Doyoousoiltest?If youdo,thenyou alreadypractice smaartnutrient managgementbyonly applyyingfertiliser basedonwhatyour soil actuallyneeds. Howevver,asoiltestis only parrtofthepicture. Whileittellsyouabout the nutrrientsavailableinthesoil,it can ’ t telllyouiftheplantsthatgrow there arreactuallytakingthemup. That’saproblembecauseyoustill mightbbeunder-applyingoroverapplyingfertiliser,leadingtoplant deficienncies,orenvironmentaland economicwastage.Andifyoudon’t know thhenutritionalvalueofyour
COSTEFFECTIVERETRACTINGROOFSYSTEM Canberetrofittedtoexisting concretewoodorblockbins Uniquespacesavingsectional design
Performslong aftertheothers haverunout ofpower!
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pasture,youdon’t reallyknowwhat yourlivestockare eating.
However,getting aherbagetestalong withasoiltestisa simplewaytogeta fullerpicture.
Herbagetests Althoughwedon’t currentlyherbage testasmuchaswesoiltest,herbage testingisnotanewpractice.For welloveracentury,scientistshave beenmeasuringpasturequality. Nowadays,herbagetestscanreport onawiderangeofnutrientlevels formixedpasture,clover,and foragecropslikelucerne,maize andturnips.Becauseplantsmay notshowvisiblesymptomsuntil it’stoolate,testingregularlyis goodpractice.
Tellsusalot
Herbagetestsanalyseplanttissues fornutrientdeficiencies,toxicities, andimbalancesthatcanaffectplant growthandlivestockhealth.They excelatidentifyingdeficencies oftraceelementssuchascopper, selenium,cobalt,iodine,and sodium.Thisisbecause,asstated before,whatcanbemeasuredinthe soildoesnotdirectlyrelatetowhat plantsabsorb. Twoothertraceelements successfullymeasuredbyherbage testsareboronandmolybdenum. Thesetracesarerequiredbythe rhizobialbacteriainlegumeslike clovertofixnitrogen.So,ifyour cloverandmixedpastureisn’t thriving,testingthecloveriswell worthit.
Apartfromtraceelements,herbage testscanclarifywhatishappening withmajornutrientslikenitrogen andsulphur.Becausenitrogenis mobileinthesoil(itmovesthrough quickly),itisdifficulttogeta precisepictureonanygivendayof howmuchisavailabletoplants. Forsulphur,it’smoreaboutthe accuracyofteststomeasurewhatis availableandwhatisstoredinthe soil.So,measuringtheactuallevels
ofnutrientsintheherbagehelps sortthesekindsofissuesout. Somelabshaveextrateststhat measurechlorideandcrudeprotein levelsofthepasturesampled alongwithitsdigestibilityand metabolisableenergylevel.Forage cropscanbemeasuredforfeed qualityintermsofsolublesugars, starch,andcrudefats. So,ifthisinformationisso useful,whydon’tweherbagetest moreoften?
Notcostly Ifyou’vewonderedaboutherbage testingbutyou’reconcernedabout theaddedexpense,youneedn’tbe. Somefertilisercompaniesoffer samplingservicesatnocost,so youonlypayforthelabanalysis. Agoodbasicherbagetest,analysed specificallyforNZconditions inaNZlaboratory,costsabout $175+GST,soit’srelatively inexpensivewhencomparedwith theinformationyouget.
Samplingissimple Sincethebesttimetoherbagetest isinearlyspringandautumn,you mightbethinkingthataherbage testisanextrademandonyourtime whichyoujustdon’tneed. However,yourcompanyfieldrep, trainedinlabprotocol,cancollect thesamplesforyouatthesametime theysoiltest.So,herbagetesting needn’tbeanextrajob.
Addsvalue Ofcourse,gettingthesampling doneisjustthefirststep.You needtointerprettheresults.Once again,thisiswhereyourlocalfield repcanhelp.Theywillexplain theresultsandmoreimportantly, workouthowthefindingscanbe integratedwithyoursoiltestand yourownvisualassessmentofwhat ishappeningonyourfarm.This meansyougetthebestpossible valuefromyourfertiliserspend. So,getyourlocalfieldreptotake herbagesampleswhenthey’reout therecollectingsoilsamples andfindoutwhatyourcowsare reallyeating!
Weareexpertsindesigningandbuilding artificialorchardprotectionstructures andwindbreaksthatallowyourorchard toreachitsfullgrowingpotential.
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N New fertiliser spreadingstandard FederatedFarmerssaysthelaunchofanew fertiliserspreadingstandardisakeystepin effortstoimprovenutrientmanagement acrossNewZealandfarms.
“Fertiliserisasignificantlylargespendfor farmers,”FederatedfarmersboardmemberColin Hurstsays.
“Havingconfidencethatit’sbeingapplied accuratelyandresponsiblyisessential–for productivity,profitabilityandformeeting environmentalexpectations.
“ThelaunchofamodernisedSpreadmark AssuranceProgrammeatFieldaysisa milestonemomentandwefully supportit.”
Spreadmark,foundedby GroundspreadNZandnow managedbytheFertiliserQuality Council,isthenationalfertiliser spreadingassuranceprogramme.
ThenewSpreadmarkCode introducesupdatedstandardsthat willhelpfarmersandcontractors liftthebarevenfurtherwhenit comestonutrientprecisionand environmentalcare.
Fieldayslaunch “WeseethismodernisedSpreadmarkProgramme asastrongexampleofhowthesectorcanlead fromthefront-deliveringbetteroutcomesfor farmers,theenvironment,andthecommunities theysupport.
“We’reproudtobepartofitscontinued evolutionandsuccess.”
WhatisSpreadmark? Spreadmarkisanutrientspreadingquality assuranceandriskmanagementprogramme. Itcertifiesspreadingequipmentandauditsthe operatorsassuranceandcomplianceprocesses.
Thepurposeistobeabletoprovide assuranceofaccurateandeven placementoffertilisers/nutrients, optimisingnutrientuseforthe benefitofagricultureandthe environment.
ColinsaysFederatedFarmerswasproudtohost theofficiallaunchatitsRuralAdvocacyHubat Fieldays.
“We’vehadalong-standingconnectionwiththe FertiliserQualityCouncil,whichwasformedby FederatedFarmersin1992.
“It’sapartnershiprootedinpractical,farmerdrivensolutions–soit’sfittingthatwehelped launchthisnextchapterattheheartofNew Zealand’sfarmingcommunity.
“ItwasalsogreattohaveNationalPartyMP BarbaraKurigertheretolaunchtheCode.” Hurstsaysassuranceprogrammeslike Spreadmarkwillplayanimportantroleasnew regulatoryrequirementscomeintoeffect.
“Asfarmplanningandenvironmentalstandards becomemoreembeddedacrossthesector, programmeslikeSpreadmarkwillbeessential.
“They’renotjusttoolsforcompliance-they’re
Theprecisionplacementof fertiliser/nutrientsrequires anumberoffactors;trained operators,considerationof environmentalconditions–for example,windandterrain,careful integrationofoperatorskillsand technology,regularlycalibrated, maintainedandauditedequipment andFertmarkaccreditedfertilisers. Itistheintegrationofthesefactors thatisattheheartoftheSpreadmarkscheme. Registrationisvoluntarybutitispromotedtoall operatorstoencouragethemtobecomeinvolved.
WhySpreadmark? Theexpectationsonfarmerstomanagenutrient usepreciselyareincreasingandSpreadmarkhelps ensurethatresponsibilityismetbyproviding assurancetofarmer/growers,regionalcouncils andprocessorsthatfertilisers/nutrientshavebeen accuratelyspreadbyahighlytrainedoperator.
TheSpreadmarktickmeansthat:thespreader operatorshavebeentrainedtospreadaccurately, theequipmentisindependentlyassessedand systemshavebeenaudited,fertilisers/nutrients arebeingappliedatanevenrateanddistribution patternandaSpreadmarkoperatorwillplace fertilisers/nutrientswheretheuserwantsit.
TheSpreadmarkschemeoperatescloselywith itssisterscheme,Fertmark,toensurethathigh
qualityfertiliserismanufactured, mixedandspreadinordertodeliver thebestoutcomesforagriculture, theenvironmentandtheeconomy. What’sinvolved
InordertobegrantedSpreadmark certificationacompanymust demonstrateithasthefollowing:a soundbusinessmanagementsystem, spreadingmachinerywithtesting
performancedataasprescribed bySpreadmark,driverstrained toanacceptablestandardanda documentedmanagementsystem showinghowtheCodesofpractice willbemet.
Systemswillbesubjecttoan independentaudittoensurethat bothfarmers/growersandregional councilscanhaveconfidenceinthe programme.
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FederatedFarmersboard memberColinHurst.
ShouldItakeCoEEnzymeQ10? Imaginetryingtodriveyourcar aftersomeonehadcrimpedthe fuellinefromyourfueltank toyourengine.Thecarwould stillrunbutwouldquicklylose poweronahillorunderload.
Thisismuchlikeourbodieswhen theyhaveinsufficientCoEnzyme Q10(CoQ10).CoQ10actslikethe fuellineinyourcarbytransporting energywithincellenergyfactories calledmitochondriatomakethe energyweneed.
CoEnzymeQ10(CoQ10)isan essentialvitamin-likesubstance mostlymadeinourliver.Whilewe normallymakealltheCoQ10we need,somepeoplebecauseofage, healthproblemsormedications canbenefitfromtakinggood qualityCoQ10.Beawarethatthe marketisnowfloodedwithlow costsemi-syntheticCoQ10which ischemicallydifferentfromthe naturallyfermentedCoQ10thatI recommend.
Themostcommonreasonfor CoQ10supplementationisfor
thoseusingcholesterollowering (statin)medicaation.The sideeffectsofsstatinsareso commonthatthey arediagnosable e diseasescalledstatin myopathyand d statinneuropaathy. Themostcommmonside effects aremusclestiffffness,pain and weakness.This s canalsocause generalfatigue e whichoftenfeels likealackofmmotivation. Statinsinhibittheenzyme neededtomakecholesterol. Unfortunately,thisenzyme (HMG-CoAreductase)is alsoneededtomakeCoQ10. Restrictingthisenzymereduces
cholesterol but also CoQ10 by as much as 50%
Drug companies are aware ofthisproblemandhold patentsforcombiningCoQ10 withstatins.Untilsuchdrugs areavailable,Irecommend thoseonstatinssupplement with100-200mgofnaturally
Torunaprofitablefarmingoperation, youneedtokeepyourmachineryrunning andfixlittleproblemsbeforethey becomebigbreakdowns.
TheteamatCosmetic&VeinsClinicoftenhear theirveinspatientssay:“IwishI’ddoneitsooner” inthemonthsfollowingtreatment.
They’reoftensleepingalotbetter,andtheirlegs feellighter,lesscrampyandlessswollen. Itchy,heavy,achy,discolouredorrestlesscan beasignofproblemswithlegveins--andthese symptomscanstartevenbeforeropeyleg veinsform.
Varicoseveinsareachronicprogressive disorder.Leftuntreated,theconditionwillkeep gettingworse,resultinginvaricoseeczemaand eventuallylegulcersthatdon’theal,says DrAnuyaDeshpande.
“Whywaitforthatsortofmajorbreakdown though?Ifyoursleepandcomfortisaffected,your operation’svitalmachineryisalreadyslowingyour productivity.”
Ifyouhaveanyofthesymptomsmentionedin thisarticleyoucanmakeanappointmenttosee DrAnuyaDeshpandeandtheteamatCosmetic &VeinsClinicforaninitialveinsconsultation.
OneofNewZealand’smostqualified phlebologists–adoctorspecialisingintreating
fermentedCoQ10.Ifpeople havelowenergyorhaveother healthissues,Iooftenadda Mitochondrialcomplexthat includeshighgradeCoQ10.
JohnArts(Adv.Dip.Nut.Med)isa nutritionalmedicinepractitionerand founderofAbundantHealthLtd. ForquestionsoradvicecontactJohnon0800 423559oremailjjohn@abundant.co.nz. Joinhisnewsletteratwww.abundant.co.nz.
Keepyourlegsrunningright Dr Anuya Deshpande using an ultrasound machine on a patient’s leg.
varicoseveins–DrAnuyacanassessyourveins usingultrasound,eliminateotherpossiblecauses ofsymptomsandgooveroptions.
Cosmetic&VeinsClinicisrecognisedbythe majorhealthinsuranceproviders,including SouthernCross,NIB,andPartnersLife.Your consultationandtreatmentmaybecoveredby yourhealthinsurer.
Modernveintreatmentsaredoneunderlocal anaesthetic,andyoucangetbacktoworkthe nextday.
Formoreinformation,seetheiradverton thispage.
RegionalInfrastructureFundbackssolarenergy Regional Infrastructure Fun ABayofPlentyprojectisoneof threesolarprojectsinregional NewZealandwhichwillreceive loansofupto$28.1million combinedfromtheRegional InfrastructureFundtoensure securityoflocalenergysupply andcommunityresilience.
InTeKaha,BayofPlenty,aloan ofupto$4.75mwillbemade toTeHuataCharitableTrust tobuildan804kW-peaksolar farmtoensurereliableelectricity
supplytoabout320homesand businesses,RegionalDevelopment MinisterShaneJonesandEnergy MinisterSimonWattsannounced lastmonth.
Reliablepower TheTeKahaprojectwillprovide morereliable,competitivelypriced powerforaMāoricommunity thatregularlysufferselectricity outages.Thesolarfarmbattery willhavestoragecapacityforup to72hourswhichwillprotectthe communityfrompoweroutages.
Reliablepowerwillalsohelpthe Ōpōtikiregionwithitsbidtobe anaquaculturecentreofnational significance.Duringconstruction, upto12peoplewillbeemployed.
AsecondprojectinRakiura/ StewartIslandisasuspensory loanofupto$15.35mto SouthlandDistrictCouncilto buildthefirststageofasolarfarm, andnetworkupgrades,replacing high-cost,diesel-generated electricityfortheisland’s494 permanentelectricityconnections.
TheRakiura/StewartIsland
Callingallexperiencedknitters Ifyouareanexperiencedknitterwitha passionforusingluxurywoolsandcreating exclusive,timelesspieces,thereisan opportunityforyoutobecomepartofthe skilledteamofhandknittersforthe
readyfortheshelves.Thegender-neutralknitwear isdesignedtoreflectthecoloursandpatternsof Aotearoa’sincrediblelandscape. Everydesigntakeshourstoplan,andevery garmenttakestimetocomplete–notwoare exactlythesame.Theyarewearablepiecesofart thatlastalifetime.
projectisexpectedtoreducediesel consumptionby200,000litreswithin twoyearsofbeginning.During construction,about40high-skilled workerswillberequired. Whencomplete,morecompetitive energycostswillhelpbusinessgrowth ontheislandincludinginaquaculture, tourismandhospitality.
Networkresilience
InOngaonga,Hawke’sBay,aloan ofupto$8mwillbemadetolocal linescompanyCentralinesLtdto builda35hasolarfarmtogenerate 52GWannuallyandprovideabout 9000electricityconnectionsinCentral Hawke’sBaywithalocalsourceof generation.
TheOngaongasolarfarmwill improveelectricitynetworkresilience andsupportmorecompetitive pricingforresidentsandcommercial customers.Powercouldalsobe suppliedtothenationalgridat
peakgeneration.About80-100 rolesareexpectedtobeneeded duringconstruction.
“Theloansfortheseprojectsin BOP,Hawke’sBayandRakiura/ StewartIslandwillallowthemtoget underwaythisyear,helpingthem toimproveeconomicprosperityand resilience.Theywillalsocreateupto 150jobsduringconstruction,”Shane says.“Theseprojectssupportthe CoalitionGovernment’sobjectiveof doublingrenewableenergygeneration by2050andenablingamorereliable andaffordableelectricitysupplyfor regionalNZ.”
Simonsayssolarpowerisplaying anincreasinglyimportantrolein increasingelectricitygeneration inAotearoa.
TheRegionalInfrastructureFundisa capitalfundwiththeprimarypurpose ofacceleratinginfrastructureprojects, particularlywithafocusonwater storage,energy,andresilience.
am are contracted knitgarmentsfor toresand m
TheWoolRoomteamarecontd tohandk BONZst workfrom their homes allover New Zealand.Ea handknitted woolyarn,c warmth,soft Beforethey acompletew –blendingco includingallmdfor thefinishedgarment.Thefinished jumpersarethencourieredbackto BONZinthesuppliedcourierbag,
achpieceislovingly d usingtop-quality carefullyselectedfor ftnessanddurability. yarnreachesaknitter, woolpackisprepared oloursandtextures, materialsneeded for
In1983,thefoun h jump smallNewZealan touriststoppedher,am designandquality. Th sparkedanidea–tobu apparelbrandaround knitwear,designedand NewZealand.BONZ soonafter.
nderofBONZ waswearing oneof herown handknitted persata ndairport.A mazedbythe atmoment uildaluxury handcrafted dmadein wasborn
TheWool Room is th f
“CountryDrive”oneofBONZ lRoomistheheart ofBONZ’shandknitstoryand ifyouwouldliketobepartof thatlegacy,email:woolroom@ bonzgroup.co.nzorseeBONZ’s advertformoredetails.
mostpopularhandknitted jackets. Photo/Supplied
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NZAdventuresoffersawiderangeof toursacrosstheSouthIslandofNew Zealandandoneofthemostpopular andlongestestablishedistheHigh CountryHeritageTourinitssix-day formatwhichwillberunFebruary, AprilandinNovember2026.
Tourdates for2026are nowavailable onrequest.
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Email:info@nzadventures.co.nz Orvisitourwebsite www.nzadventures.co.nz Lookforwardtohearingfromyou
Theseven-dayformatwillberunin MarchfinishingintimefortheWarbirds overWanakaatEasterWeekend,say owner-operatorsofNZAdventures4x4 Tours,RobbieandConnieCrickett.
Thesix-daytourstartinginBlenheim hasovernightsinHanmer,Methven, Fairlie,Omarama,Cromwellandthefinal nightattheiconicCardronaHotel.
Theseven-daytourstartingin BlenheimhasovernightsinHanmer, Methven,Geraldine,Twizel,Omarama, Cromwellandalsofinishesatthe CardronaHotel.
Daythreeonthistourisslightly shorterallowingsomerest,visitingof museumsorshoppingonthatafternoon, saytheCricketts.
Accommodationprovidedis hotel/motelstaysandforthemostpart eveningmealsandbreakfastsarein restaurantson-site.Lunchesareamixture
Drivinga4WDthroughNZisanuniquewaytoseethecountryside.
ofpicnicorstationfare.
Thistourincludesawiderangeofhigh countrystationsandconservationestate, andtracksalonga1250kmrouterunning alongtheEasternAlpinefoothills.
Four-wheel-drivevehiclesrequirealow rangetransmissionandall-terraintyresin goodcondition. Ifyouwouldlikemoreinformation,see NZAdventure’sadvertonthispage.
CouldspiderssaveNZfarms? Unravellingneewinformationabout spiders couldbbethekeytounlocking productivityinthehorticulturesector, accordinngtoscientists.
An article publishhedinthe‘NewZealand Journal of Ecologyy’foundtherehadbeenno research on therollespidersplayinmanaging pests on horticultuuralfarmshereinAotearoa.
Lead author andPhDcandidateNicola Sullivan, from PlanntandFoodResearch,says spiders could helpincreasefruitproduction through predatingpestinsects,butmore information isneededtoattractspidersto these environmentts.
“Spiders are themmostdiverseand most abundantgenneralistpredatorsin horticultural systemmsthathavebeen seen overseas.”
She says theycouuldplaya“beneficial role” within horticculture,thoughshe acknowledgesitmmightbemoredifficultto rear them and intrroducethemtosystems. Part of this isthaatmostoftheNZresearch
todatehasfocusedonspidernumbersin specificfarmecosystems.
“Wecanlookatwaysthatwecanenhance andencouragethemintothosesystems,” saysNicola.
“So,ifwecanunderstandwhatitisthatthe spiderslikeaboutahabitat,dotheylikethe complexbranchstructureasthey’vefound overseas,dotheylikenativeplantings.
“Wecancreatethoseconditionswithinthe productivesystemtoencouragethosespiders inandperformthatecosystemserviceof consumingpestinsects.”
It’sbeenestimatedthatspidersconsume upto800milliontonsof(mostly)bugs globallyperyear,andoverseasstudies haveshownthepositiveimpactsofthison horticulturalfarms.
“Ithinkit’sanapproachweshouldbe lookingatinAotearoaNZ.”
Nicolasaysmorefundingisneededto studyhowspiderscanbeusedformore eco-friendlypestcontrolpracticesinthe horticulturalsector.
GianinaSchwanecke,RNZ
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Anewwinterbattalionforthedungbeetlearmy Asthemajorresistancetochemical drenchesagainstgutparasites increasesamongNewZealand’s grazinganimals,entomologist andscientistwithDungBeetle Innovations,DrShaunForgie,is pushingtheGovernmenttolookata nationaldungbeetlereleasestrategy.
In2024Shaunwasinvitedtospeaktoa parliamentaryselectcommitteeregarding dungbeetleuseinNewZealand,butno actionhasbeentakentodate.
“Overseasandlocalstudiesfoundatleast 76%reductionofre-infectionratesofgut parasitesincowandsheeppasturesthat havedungbeetles,”saysShaun.
Entomologistandscientist withDungBeetleInnovations, DrShaunForgie.
“WeshouldbefollowingAustralia’slead withanationaldungbeetlereleasestrategyatthistime whennationalproductivityissolow.”
Dungbeetlesdisruptthegutparasiteslife cyclesthatoccurinthedung,Forgiesaid.
“Theyphysicallydamagetheparasiteeggs duringnesting,accidentallyeattheireggs, burythedungballssodeep–upto60cm –thatanysurvivingparasitewormscan’t migrateuptothesurfaceforre-infection. Remainingeggsaredesiccatedinthe shreddeddung.
DungBeetleInnovationscurrently breedandsellsixspeciesofdungbeetle effectivelycoveringthree-quartersof theyear.Theyareexcitedtointroducea seventhspeciesforcommercialsale,Bubas bison,whichcoversthewintergapasother specieshibernate.
ShaunsaysBubasbisonareregardedasa silverbulletinAustraliafortheastounding amountofdungthatthenewadultsbury whentheyemergefromundergroundinMay.They hibernatefrommid-springwhentheotherspeciesstart comingtothesurface.
HaurakiCounciladoptswateroption HaurakiDistrictCouncilconfirmsa unanimous‘headandheart’decisiontogo withtheWaikatoWaterDoneWellsubregionalcouncil-controlledoptionforthe futuredeliveryofwaterandwastewater servicesinthedistrict.
Counciladoptedthedecisionlastmonthfollowing feedbackreceivedfromthecommunityafterpublic consultationinMay.
“Wecrunchedthenumbersandwe’reconfident thatthisdecisiontoformaCouncilControlled OrganisationwithothercouncilsintheWaikato catchmentareawillgivetheeconomiesofscaleand serviceefficienciesweneedforourcommunities goingforward,”saysMayorTobyAdams.
“Holistically,it’salsotherightapproachfor managingwaterwaysasawholeintheWaikato.” SevenWaikatocouncilssignedaHeadsof Agreementin2024toexplorearegionalCCOas oneoptionforthemanagementofwaterservices tomeettherequirementsofcentralgovernment’s
LocalWaterDoneWellpolicy.ŌtorohangaDistrict CouncilhasconfirmedWWDWastheirway forwardwithdecisionstocomefromMatamataPiako;Waipa;Waitomo;andSouthWaikatodistrict councils.TaupoDistrictCouncilhasconfirmeda stagedapproachforjoiningtheCCO.
ItisrequiredthattheCCObeestablishedin July2025withHaurakiDistrictCounciland ŌtorohangaDistrictCounciltransferringinfrom July1,2027.HDCchiefexecutiveDavidSpeirs saysthatthisdecisionhasbeenalongtimecoming, duetomanythingsoutofHauraki’scontroland itfeelsgoodtobeabletomoveforwardwith increasedcertainty.Stormwatermanagementwill remainwithcouncil.
TheCCO,onceestablishedwillmanagethewater andwastewaterservicedelivery–includingassets andliabilities–ofitsshareholdingcouncilowners andwillhaveindependent,qualifieddirectorswho areappointedbytheshareholdingcouncils.
CouncilwillnowfinalisetheWaterServices DeliveryPlanthatmustbepresentedtothe GovernmentbySeptember3.
Itisestimatedthat100,000,000tonnesofcowandsheep dungisdepositedonNewZealandpastureseachyear. “Dungbeetleactivityreducesdrenchdependencewhich retardstherateofresistancetothem.It’s
quitesimple,getridofthedung efficiently,getridoftheparasite problem.”
AwinterdungbeetleBubasbisonis nowcommerciallyavailable.
15YearGuarantee Keepsoutleaves,birds, pests&hail Preventswaterdamage Suitableforanytypeofroof CallMartin on 0275787807
NewZealandKiwifruitGrowersIncorporated chiefexecutiveColinBondsaysthecountry’s largestkiwifruitharvestisnowlargelycomplete, withmorethan215milliontrayspicked fromorchards.
between 2024 and 2029 Potential tariffs on exports, including kiwifruit, to the United States remainontheNZKGIradar,Colinsays.
“Whileconfidenceindemandforourkiwifruit remainsstrong,werecognisethatthecurrent environmentweareoperatinginishighlyvolatile.
“TheUnitedStatesisacountrythatwe arelaunchingourkiwifruitinto,anddespite thecurrentuncertainty,thereisalong-term strategytohaveaconsistentsupplyoffruit onshelvesthere.”
“Boththegrowingseasonandharvest wentrelativelysmoothly,withgoodgrowing conditionssupportingcropproduction.
“Growersarenoweagerlyawaitingtheprices inmarketsthattheywillachievefortheirhard work,”saysColin.
Whileitwillbesometimeuntilforecastscan bemadeforthe2025/2026crop,hesaysthe industrypredictsa17%increaseoftotalsupply
ZesprichiefexecutiveJasonTeBrakesays kiwifruitmarketerZespritookstepstoprepare forthetariff,workingwiththeNewZealand GovernmentandpartnersintheUS“toensure wenavigateiteffectivelyandminimisethe impactonourgrowersandtocontinuetogrow themarket”.
Despite question marks over United States’ tariffs,kkiwifruit growers have enjoyed a highlypromisingseason.
More than 215 million trays have been picked from kiwifruit orchards this season Photos / Supplied
recordhighdespiteUStariffconcerns “Whileit’sunfortunate,wetakea long-termviewofkeymarketswitha focusoninvestingtobuildourbrand alongwithdemandandvalueinthe categoryovertime,alongwithinvesting todevelopnewmarketstocreate newopportunitiesforgrowersand theindustry.
Growthmarket
“NorthAmericaisanimportantgrowth marketforZespriwithstrongdemand, andwe’recommittedtogrowingit further,”hesays.
“Salesaretrackingwellthisseasonand demandisstrongerthanwethoughtit wouldbe.”
JasonsaysZespri’s2025/2026sales programmeshavestartedwell,particularly inEuropeandNorthAmerica.
InitsindicativeJuneforecast,Jasonsays Zespriis“ontracktodeliverstrongvalue togrowersinanotherrecord cropyear”.
Thisincludesaverageperhectare returnsforGreen,SweetGreen,Organic GreenandOrganicSunGoldKiwifruit nowforecasttoexceedlastyear’srecord returns.
“Eachseasonwe supplycustomers andconsumers inmorethan50 marketsaroundthe worldwithgreat tastinghigh-quality fruitaspartofour missiontosupply Zesprikiwifruit12 monthsoftheyear.”
JasonsaysthemajorityofNewZealandgrownfruitisexported,withthebalance availableonthedomesticmarket.
Harvest TheNewZealandharvestusuallystarts inmid-February,peaksinmid-April andrunsthroughuntilJune,withfruit shippedtomarketbetween MarchandNovember.
“Inaddition,wehave ourZespriGlobalSupply operations,wherewe partnerwithgrowers inItaly,France,Japan, KoreaandGreecewho producekiwifruitduring theNorthernHemisphere growingseason,with thissoldinthenonNewZealandseason,” saysJason.“Thisallows Zespritohavecounterseasonalsupplyinplace tocomplementtheNew Zealandseasonanddrive valueforNewZealandgrowers.
Topcrop “This2025/2026seasonwehaveacrop ofmorethan200milliontraysfrom NewZealand,withmorethanhalfofthis alreadyshippedtomarket.Wesupplied 196.8milliontraysfromNewZealandin 2024/25,”saysJason.
Zespriisexpectingtodeliver13.2 millionofthesetraystocustomersin theUnitedStatesthisseason–upfrom 11.3mlastseason.
“TheUSisoursixth-largestmarket intermsofvolume–followingChina, Japan,Spain,GermanyandKorea–and wealsolaunchedRubyRedintheUS forthefirsttimethisyearwithpositive feedbackfromcustomers.”
Agrowervotelastyearsawmorethan
AllTerrainPollination(2017)Ltduseawetpollenapplication systemforsprayingpollendirectlyontothefloweranddeveloped specificallyfortheNewZealandKiwifruitindustrytoassistgrowers inachievingmaximumresults.
90%supporttheexpansionofZespriGlobal Supply,approvingtheallocationofupto420 additionalhectaresofSunGoldkiwifruitperyear oversixyearsacrossItaly,France,Japan,South KoreaandGreece.Previouslyitwascappedat 5000ha,whichwasfullyallocated.
Jasonsaysthemovereflectstheabilityofthe kiwifruitindustrytocometogetheronpressing issueswithafocusondeliveringstronggrower returnsandmaintainingZespri’spositionasleaders inacompetitivecategory.
“Ourindustryiscreatingsignificantvalue forgrowersandgrowershareholdersandthe communitiestheysupport,andtheoutlookis positivewithstrongdemand,”hesays.
“Wearecurrentlydevelopingour2035strategy tosetoursightsonthenext10yearsandhowwe ensurewearebestpositionedtodeliverthegreatest valuetoNewZealandgrowers,”saysJason.
WesternBaySpraying 0212354075 | paul@wbspraying.co.nz wbspraying.co.nz
ZespriCEO JasonTeBrake.
Outstandinghorticulturalleadercelebrated FormerKatikatiresident
RebeccaFisher–anoutstanding horticulturalleaderknown forturningstrategyandideas intorealityonthegroundfor growers–hasbeenawarded the2025AnimalandPlant HealthNewZealandLifetime AchievementAward.
Theawardrecognisesexceptional long-termcontributionstoresearch, innovation,advocacyorleadershipin theanimalandplanthealthindustry.
Thehighestawardpossiblefrom herpeers,itwasalsothefirsttime sinceAPHANZ–formerlyAgcarm –wassetupin1948thatthe LifetimeAchievementAwardhad beenawardedtoawoman.
APHANZchiefexecutiveDrLiz
ShackletonsaidFisher’soutstanding skillsandleadershipledtoher induction.
“Bycoincidence,thisisthefirst timeawomanhasreceivedthis award,buthightimetoo.
“Rebeccaisanoutstandingleader androlemodelforwomenin agriculture,sowearedelightedto recognisehercontributionover manyyearswiththisaward.”
Rebecca,43,joinsanelitegroup whohavebeenrecognisedfortheir contributiontotheagricultureand horticulturesector.
PastawardrecipientsincludeNoel Fitzgerald,RossHore,DonMcPhail, FelixO’Sullivan,RichardPaxman, FergieSumich,PeterFisher,Dave Lunn,andMarkChristie.
Everylevel LizhighlightedFisher’scontributionatevery leveloftheAPHANZmembershipandprimary sector.
“Fromboardrolestoofferinginnovative ideasandsolutionstoprovidinghands-on supporttotheteamandouremerging leadershipcohort,Rebeccahasdemonstrateda relentlesscommitmenttopromotetheinterests oftheindustry.
“Herenthusiasmforthesector,tenacityand abilitytogetstuffdoneissecondtonone.
“Rebeccaisaninspirationforwomenin theprimarysector,andshehasquietlypaved thefoundationsforthenextgeneration,” saysLiz.
Rebeccaisgeneralmanager,projectsand programmesforHorticultureNewZealand.
sectorcanthrive”.
Fisherwaspresentedwiththeawardat ParliamentbyMinisterNicolaGrigg.
“AsMinisterforWomenandAssociateMinister ofAgriculture,it’sanabsoluteprivilegetopresent the2025AnimalandPlantHealthNewZealand LifetimeAchievementAwardtoRebeccaFisher forheroutstandingachievementsintheprimary industries,”saysNicola.
Incrediblecontribution “Astheworthyrecipientofthisaward,Rebecca hasshownwomenacrossthecountrythatacareer inagricultureissomethingtobedesiredand celebrated.
“IhopemanyyoungwomenacrossNewZealand canbeinspiredbyRebeccaandjoinmein congratulatingherforherincrediblecontribution toagriculture.”
HerfamilymovedtoadeerfarmonWork Roadin1993andsheatten PrimarySchoolandKatikat beforeleavingin2000toun BachelorofScienceinHort ScienceatMasseyUniversit PalmerstonNorth;andwor withkiwifruitandstrawber pickingduringschooland universityholidays.She wasdrawntohorticulture “becauseit’saboutgrowing healthynutritiousfood forpeople”.
HorticultureNZchief executiveKateScott says:“theimpactof Rebecca’sworkhasbeen broadandprofound –strengthening horticulture’s foundations,ensuring smootherpathways forinnovationand sustainabilitysothe
er farm on Work ndedKatikati tiCollege ndertakea ticultural tyin rked ry
APHANZ’sann andawardstoo Wellington, w fortheircon theindustry Rebecca awardah annua was wh aw
nualconferencedinner okplaceonJune11in whereotherswererecognised ntributiontoAPHANZand y. waspresentedwithher headoftheAPHANZ alconferencebecauseshe unabletoattendtheevent, hichhostedadinnerand wardsceremony.
AnimalandPlantHealth NZarethepeakindustry associationofcompanies thatmanufacture, distribute,andsell productsthatkeep animalshealthyandcrops thriving. Formoreinformation aboutAPHANZ,visit: animalplanthealth.co.nz
ReebeccaFisherwithher liffetimeachievementaward.
Animal and Plant Health NZ chief executive Dr Liz Shackleton, Rebecca Fisher and Nicola Grigg. Photos/Supplied
TheWesternBayofPlentyDistrictCouncil hasagreedtosellitsshareholdingsin kiwifruitmarketerZespriGroupLtdand packhousebusinessSeekaLtd. Councillorsmadethe decisioninlastmonth’s Audit,RiskandFinance Committeemeeting,the councilsaidinamedia statement.
Themoveformedpart ofthecouncil’sfinancial strategytoreviewnoncoreassetsandensure fundswenttowards activitiesthatdirectly benefitthecommunity. Accordingtothe agendafortheJune4 meeting,thecouncil holds26,490shares inZespriand11,247 sharesinSeeka,withacombinedvalueestimated at$207,000.
withsuchastronghorticulturalsector,andwe absolutelyrecognisetherolethatZespriandSeeka playinourlocaleconomy.”
Hesaystheseparticularshareswerenotacquired aspartofadeliberateinvestmentstrategy,and rathercameabout throughpastlandand orchardtransactions.
WesternBayofPlentycouncillor
MurrayGrainger. Photo/JohnBorren
TheZesprishareshadamarketvaxlueofabout $164,500andtheSeekasharesabout$42,500, basedontradingpricesattheendofApril.
Thecouncil’sdividendstotalledabout$100,000 fromZespriand$3100fromSeekaoverthree yearsto2023/2024.
Economy Horticulture,andkiwifruitinparticular,isa significantpartoftheWesternBayofPlenty district’seconomy.
Committeechairman,councillorMurray Grainger,saysinthestatementthatthedecisionto sellwasmadecarefullyandwithastrongawareness ofthedistrict’sruralandhorticulturalheritage. “We’reveryproudtorepresentadistrict
“Whiletheshares haveprovidedsome dividendincome,they’re notdirectlylinkedto thedeliveryofcouncil’s servicesorstrategic outcomes,”Murraysays.
Theproceedsfromthe salewouldbeallocated tothecouncil’sgeneral ratesreserve,“helpingto strengthen[the]council’s financialpositionand providingflexibilityto fundpriorityprojects, reducedebt,orenhancefinancialresilience”.
“Intoday’seconomicclimate,it’simportantwe stayfocusedonsoundfinancialmanagementand makedecisionsthatbestserveourcommunities,” saysMurray.
Markets Hesayssellingthesharesnowwillhelpthe councilreduceexposuretomarketvolatilityand focusondeliveringservicesandinfrastructurethat matteredmosttoitscommunities.
“Aswithanygoodhousekeeping,it’simportant weregularlycheckwhatwe’reholdingandmake surethoseassetsarestillservingapurposeforour community,”Murraysaid.
“Inthiscase,sellingthesharesmakesgoodsense andallowsustoputthefundstobetterusewhere theywilldirectlysupportourratepayers.”
ItcomesaftertheBayofPlenty RegionalCouncillastyearagreed tostartsellingdownits
shareholdinginthePortof Taurangafrom54.14%toa minimumof28%.
IMPROVES •OrganicMatterPercentage
•WaterHoldingCapacity
•MacroandMicroNutrient Availability
•AerationByProviding Habitat(Carbon) ForMicrobialBreeding
•RootingDepthCapability
•SoilFoodWebPopulations
CreatingFoodForWorms
•TextureByReducing Compaction
•FoodChainandAnimal ForageSafety
TelarcRegistra onNo2847means:
•Compliantwiththe NewZealandComposting StandardNZ4454:2005
•Compliancewith ISO9001:2015 QualityStandard
RobinBoomCPAgMBSPC–IndependentAgronomyandSoilConsultant Ihaveasanindependentagronomistbeenevaluatingfertiliser materialsandindustrialby-productssoldtofarmersand growerstohelpthemgrowpasturesandcrops.Analysesof WaitoaComposttakenthisyearhaveshownextremelygood Carbon:Nitrogen(C:N)ratios,below20:1whichissuperbfor anycompost.Thereisalsonoissueofdangerousheavymetal amountscontainedinthese.IrateWaitoaCompostasthe goldstandardforcompostmaterialsandhaveyettoseea betterqualityproduct.
WaitoaCompostSales lyn.fause @wiel.co.nz
-COMMERCIALSALESONLY-
HINT: Onefeedsyoursoil.Theother transforms it.
Ifyou’restillrelyingonbulkcompostalone, itmightbetimetorethinkyoursoilstrategy.
Soilhealthiseverythinginasuccessfulkiwifruitorchard.Andwhile composthaslongbeenago-toforaddingorganicmatter,more growersareswitchingtovermicast(wormcastings)forareason.
Why?Vermicastdelivers:
Moreconsistentnutrients
Higherlevelsofbeneficialmicrobes
Superiorbioavailability
Improvedsoilstructureandlong-termfertility
Compostcanvarywildlyinqualityandmicrobiallife.Vermicast,on theotherhand,isnature’sprecisionproduct–createdbyearthworms tobemicrobiallyrich,fullofnutrients,andplantavailable.
Strategicapplicationsofvermicast–especiallyatkeypoints intheseason–canreducerelianceonsyntheticinputs,improve vinehealth,andboostyourcrop’sresilience.
CONTACT CONTACT US Call0800MYNOKE(0800696653)tospeakwiththeteam. info@mynoke.co.nz | www.mynoke.co.nz
“Manyorchardmanagersare movingfrombroadcompost applicationstofocused vermicastuse.Theresults? Strongervines,betterfruit, andbettersoils.”
DavidGreen,MyNokeVermicastSalesManager
Scantodownload comparisonsheet
Tolearnmore,visit www.mynoke.co.nz todownloadthefreeVermicastComparison SheetorscantheQRcodeabove.
NZ horticulture e sectorhitsrecord$8.5billion New Zealand’shoorticulturesectorisset to smash recordswwithexportsforecastto reach $8.5 billionbyJune2025 – and Bay of Plenty growwersareattheheartof this remarkaablesuccessstory.
Tom Rutherford,MMPforBayofPlenty, says the phenomenal l 19%growth reflects the dedicatioonandexpertiseof local growers who arreleadingtheworld in horticultural innovation.
“This is fantastic newsforourregionandour growers The Bay ofPlentyisthepowerhouse of NZ’s kiwifruit industry,andtheserecord-
breakingfiguresshowjusthowvitalourlocal growersaretothenationaleconomy.
“Kiwifruitexportsaloneareforecastto jump36%to$3.9billion,withmuchofthat productioncomingfromourorchardsherein theBayofPlenty.Thisrepresentsthefastest growthofanyagriculturalsector.”
Thestrongperformanceextendsbeyond kiwifruit,withappleandpearexportssetto surpass$1billionforthefirsttime,reaching $1.1billion–an18%increase.
“Ourregion’sgrowershaveshownincredible resilienceandinnovation,particularly followingchallengingseasons.Theseresults areatestamenttotheirhardworkandthe
Vermicast(wormcastings)orcompostforKiwiorchards? Soilhealthandnutritioninkiwifruitorchards arevitallyimportantforagoodcropandorganic amendmentslikecompostandwormcastings (vermicast)arepopularoptions.
MyNokecanexplainthedifferencebetweenthemandhelp youselectthebestchoiceforyourorchard.
“Compostisbrokendownorganicwastesuchasgreenwaste, woodwaste,manure,andfoodscrapsthroughmicrobialand fungaldecompositionathigh(65oC-plus)temperatures,”says MyNokelogisticsandmarketingmanagerJennyFord.
“Wormcastings,orvermicast,arecreatedwhencomposting wormsdigestorganicmatter,producingafine,crumblymaterial, richinnutrients,beneficialmicrobes,andhumicsubstances.”
Whenitcomestosoilhealthinkiwifruitorchards,both compostandvermicastoffervaluablebenefits.Bothareused toaddbulkorganicmatterandtoimprovesoilstructureand moistureretention.
Dependingonthecompost,therecanbeahighdegree ofnutrientcontentandmicrobiallifevariability.Vermicast isaconcentratedsoilbooster,richinmicrobesandbioavailable nutrientsatamoreconsistentlevel,enhancinglong-term soilfertility.
“Manyorchardmanagersfindthebestresultsbyswitching frombulkcompostapplicationstotargetedvermicastuse. “Applyingvermicastatkeytimesintheseasoncanimprove soilfertilityandreducerelianceonsyntheticinputs,leadingto healthiervinesandbetterfruitquality.”
MyNokeproducehigh-qualityvermicastdesignedtosupport thrivingkiwifruitorchards.Formoreinformation,seetheir advertontheoppositepage.
world-classqualityofBayofPlentyproduce. Lookingahead,exportrevenueisforecast toclimbevenhigherto$9.8billionby2029, positioninghorticultureasakeydriverof NewZealand’seconomicgrowth.
“TheBayofPlenty’ssuccessinhorticulture createsjobs,strengthensruralcommunities, andshowcasesNZ’sagriculturalexcellence totheworld.I’mproudtorepresentaregion that’sleadingthisincrediblegrowthstory.” Thesector’sgrowthisexpectedto continue,drivenbyincreasedexport volumes,higheraverageprices,andstrong internationaldemandforNZ’spremium horticulturalproducts.
Vermicastistherichby-productcreatedwhenwormsdigest organicmatter. Photo/Supplied
Vermicast is the rich by-product created when worms digest
BayofPlentyMPTomRutherford.
Photo/AlexCairns
Black synthetic twine ideal for outdoor use, gardening, horticultural & packaging
Growingabusiness inblueberries Sixyearsago,DesSamuels admitshewouldbethelast personyou’dcallontolookafter yourplants.
Astheschoolcaretaker,hisjob involvedsimplywateringthegardens andpullingouttheweeds.
Butafterhe“wingedit,learned itandGoogledit”the60-year-old nowmanagesnearly11,000plants onatwo-hectareblueberryfarmon MatakanaIsland.
Thisisthesweetsuccessstoryof howSandhiswhānauhavebuilta businessoutofblueberries.
ItwasneverDes’intentiontoget intoblueberries.
Hewashappyworkingaskaitiaki kura(schoolcaretaker)ofTeKurao teMoutereOMatakana.
“Myideaoflookingafterplantswas Roundup,”hesays.“Onpaper,Iwas themostunder-qualifiedperson.”
Oneday,hewashelpingbuild aplantnurseryonthewhenua–ownedbyHamioraWhānauTrust –whenitwassuggestedhetry growingblueberriesonasmaller sectionofthefarm.
Knowinglittleabouthowtogrow them,Desstartedresearching Research
“Wejustwingedit,learneditand Googledit,”hesays.“Ouradvantage isgrowinguphereontheisland.We havethecan-do,fix-itattitude.”
By2019,thewhānauhadplanted theirfirstblueberryplants.Butit wasn’teasy.
Inthebeginning,cowsbrokeinand rippeduptheplantsandhowling windstoredownaboutfourblueberry tunnelsjusttwomonthsafterplanting thefirsttrees.
Des,however,wasdetermined.
“Ifyouhadtoldmewhatwe’dbeen throughIthinkIwouldhaveturned itdowninaheartbeat,”headmits.
“ButIwasnevergoingtostart somethingIwasn’tgoingtofinish.”
Sixyearsonandthe2hafarmhas nearly11,000blueberryplants, growingworldleadingvarietiesthat standoutduetotheirjumbosizeand sweettaste.
Thevarietiesarelicensedthrough Tauranga-basedglobalberrymarketer BerryCoNZandmarketedunder the‘BlueRoyal’brandacrossNew
ZealandandSouthEastAsia.
BerriesgrownbyDesandhis whānauonMatakanaIslandhave beensoldasfarasVietnam’sHo ChiMinhCity.
Peakharvest
AtpeakharvestfromOctober toDecember,theblueberryfarm hasabout50workers.Mostare backpackersfromArgentina, ChileandGermanyaswellas localswholiveontheisland.
“Theblueberrieshavebeena tooltohelpbuildrelationships andwearereallybigonlooking afterpeople.
“Wehavelotsofhangis,we cooktogether,wefishtogether. It’sanopen-doorpolicy.The importanceiswhānau.”
startingsomethingupformy childrenandgrandchildren,not justmyownbutotherstoo.”
Afamilyaffair Theisland’syoungestblueberry pickerisDes’niece,MiaSamuels. The14-year-oldbeganpicking blueberriesonthefarmlastyear tofundraiseforarugbytrip toHawaii.
Mialivesonthemainland withherparentsLeonand LyndaSamuelsandtravelsto MatakanaIslandbyboatabout threedaysaweektopickberries duringharvest.
“Ilikepickingblueberries,andI likebeingoutdoors.It’snotlikea normaljoblikeinastore.”
Des’wifeKristysaysupto1.5 tonnesofblueberriesarepicked eachdayduringthepeakseason, averagingabout4.5kgpertree. Theberriesarethendeliveredto thepackhouseinPaengaroa.
“Thereisnotypicalday.During peakharvestit’sfullon.It’sa 7amstartandweworkuntil lunchtimewhenitgetstoohot.
“Thepickersusuallygohome orhaveaswimatthebeachand comebackat4.30pmandwork throughuntilabout7.30pm.”
Lookingback,Dessayshe’s proudofwhatheandKristyhave achieved.
“Allwedoisblueberries.Even theofficeisinthelounge,” laughsKristy.
Buttothem,it’saprivilege.
“Becauseit’sonourownland, wehaveasenseofownership,” Dessays.“It’salegacy.I’m
Kristysaysit’sa“whānau-run” multi-generationalblueberry business.
“Itgivestheolderonesan opportunitytohaveaholiday job,especiallyontheisland wherethereisn’ttheusual supermarketorcafejob.It’scool toknowthatforthemitwill foreverbetheirfirstjobpicking blueberriesonuncle’sfarm.”
Asidefromtheblueberries business,Desrunsschool campsonMatakanIslandto givechildrenthechanceto disconnectfromscreensand schedulesandreconnectwith natureandislandlife.
“Ourcampsarealotoffun andhelpbuildresilienceand relationships.
“Somekidsdon’tgetthechance toswimorjumpoffthejettyand justbekids.”
It’ssomethingDessayshe
learnedfromhislatemother MereMatekinoPalmer(nee Samuels).RaisedonMatakana andneighbouringRangiwaea Islandinthe1930s,Merelater receivedanMBEinthe1990 Queen’sBirthdayHonoursfor herservicestoKōhangaReo. Specialmoment Merealsoonceworkedwith theTabulamandLismore Aboriginalcommunitiesasan EarlyChildhoodEducation advisor,sharingthesame communityasMountainBlue Orchardblueberryfarms,whose berryvarietiesDesgrowson theislandtoday.“Thatwas aprettyspecialmomentof discovery,”Dessays.“Whatmum demonstratedthroughherwork iswhatwassowedintome.”
Asforthefuture,Deshopesto continueexpandingtheblueberry business.
“Wehaveapassiontobethe bestwecanbe.That’swhatgets usupinthemorning.”
ZoeHunter
Ridley Bell and the Samuels whānau Photos / Ant Low DesSamuelsandRidleyBell.
OperatorsoutragedoverconditionofSH2 EasternBaytransportation operatorsare“ropeable” aboutthesurfaceofthe PekatahiBridge.
The100-year-old,single-lane bridgeisonthemainState Highway2routebetweenthe PortofTaurangaandtheEast CoastandGisborne.
WarrenSherborne,who operatesWozHiab,saysthe conditionofthebridgehad become“critical”despite frequentclosuresforworks.
“Theykeeponshuttingthis bridgedownbutmakeno improvement,”hesays.
Warrenfrequentlytransports portablebuildingstoŌpōtiki andtheEastCoast.
“It’slikesendingyourlittle transportablehomethroughan earthquake.It’sjustridiculous.” Hesayssomeofhisloadswere “quitefragile”.
“Thebridgeisrattlingthe absolutelivingcrapoutofthem. We’reidlingacrossthebridgein thelowestgear,takingupmany phases[ofthetrafficlights] becausewe’retryingtolookafter ourloads.”
Havingoperatedthebusiness forfive-and-a-halfyears,hesays hehasneverseenthebridgeina
worsestatethannow.
“Atthemoment,thisisjust insane.Theirlatestbridge shuts[duringApril]have beenpointless.Theboardsare indentednow.”
Safetyfears Heexpressedfearsforthe safetyofhisloads.
“Whatifoneofourloads wasdislodgedandcameoff afterthatbridgeintransitand hurtsomeone?”
Healsofearsfortheeffect heavyvehiclesvibratingacross bumpsonthebridgewouldhave onthefoundations,likeningit toa40-tonneplatecompactor goingacrossthebridge.
Hesayshewasreportingthe issuetotheroadtransportforum IaAraAotearoa–Transporting NewZealand,ofwhichheisa member.
Deckreplacement
NewZealandTransportAgency saysPekatahiBridgeisnotonits EndofLifeBridgeRegisterfor replacementbecausethetimber andsteelsub-structureisingood condition.
Designworkisunderway forafulldeckreplacement. However,constructionissubject
tofundingandtheexisting 2024-2027NationalLand TransportPlanbudgetwas currentlyoversubscribed.Bridge replacementsareprioritised accordingtotheageand conditionofthebridgeand suitabilityforcurrenttraffic volumes.PekatahiBridgedid notrateashighlyassimilar bridgesacrossNewZealand.
DomKalasih,chiefexecutive ofindustryassociationIaAra AotearoaTransportingNew Zealand,toldtheBeaconthe industryhadrealconcernsabout howworkswerebeingcarried outonthebridge.
DomKalasihsaystheaverage vehiclecountforthesection ofSH2fromAwakeritothe PekatahiBridgewasroughly 2300Vehiclesperdaywith around900ofthembeing heavyvehicles.
“Everyrepairdonetodatelasts onlyamatterofdaysbeforeit startstofailagain,andinonlya matterofweeksit’sasbadasit wasbefore,andwedon’tthink thistimewillbeanydifferent.
“Doingthisseveraltimesayear lookslikefalseeconomy,notto mentiontheadditionalfreight costsrelatedtothedetourare intheorderof$100,000every
day.”Domsaystheaveragevehiclecountforthe sectionofSH2fromAwakeritothePekatahiBridge wasroughly2300Vehiclesperdaywitharound900 ofthembeingheavyvehicles.
Topping7m-12m
Largedifficulttrees
Chipping/mulching
Stumpgrinding
Landclearing
Loggingsmallwoodlots (allspecies)
DianeMcCarthy, LocalDemocracyReporter
WozHiab transportation operator Warren Sherborne says deck conditions of the Pekatahi Bridge are shaking his loads to bits regardless of how slowly he drives P Photo/ / TroyBBakker
Farm-to-forestlimitssettoprotectruralland Governmentmovestorestrict large-scalefarm-to-forestry conversionshavebeen welcomedby FederatedFarmers.
Rotorua-Taupobranchpresident BraydonSchrodersaystheregion hasseenfirst-handthechallenge betweenmaintainingproductive pastoralfarmingandthefinancial incentivesdrivinglandusechange toblanketafforestation.
“Thislegislationisapositive stepforwardinaddressingthat challenge.”
AgricultureandForestryMinister ToddMcClayannouncedat Fieldayslegislationtolimithow muchfarmlandisconvertedto exoticforestandregisteredinthe EmissionsTradingScheme.
“Thesechangesaretopreservehigh andmediumversatilityfarmlandfor agriculturaluse,”saysTodd.
BraydonsaystheRotorua-Taupō region,amongothers,hasamix
ofhigh-performingsheepand beeffarmsandmarginalland, makingitanareaforattractive forestryinvestment.
“Whileforestryhasauseful placeinourprimarysector,the rapidconversionofentirefarms hasraisedconcernsamongst thecommunityaboutrural depopulation,lossoffood production,andtheerosionof localcommunityinfrastructure.
“Theproposedlegislationgoes somewaytogettingthebalance right,”saysBraydon.
TheGovernmentplanting proposalischieflybasedon landusecapability,ranging from1(highest)to8.
Legislationwouldrestrict conversionstoexoticETS forestsonhigh-to-medium versatilityfarmland(LUC classes1-6)andintroducea limitof15,000haperyearfor exoticconversionsonmedium versatilityfarmland(class6).
Theannuallimitwillbe allocatedbyaballotprocess, whileallowingforupto25% ofafarm’sLUC1-6landtostill beplantedinexoticforestryfor theETS.
Landprotection BraydonsayscappingETS eligibilityonLUC6landand excludingLUC1–5from conversionhelpsprotectthe mostproductiveland.
“Allowingupto25%ofafarm tobeplantedinexoticforestry meanslandownersstillhave theflexibilityandchoiceto
Rotorua-TaupoFederatedFarmers’presidentBraydonSchroder.
diversifyandmanageerosionproneareas.
“However,the15,000ha annualcapmaystillallow significantchange,andthe ballotsystemcouldcreate uncertaintyforlandowners,” hesays.
BraydonsaysiftheETSmade aclearerdistinctionbetween long-termcarbonstorageand forestryplantationsforharvest, itmightbeeasiertobalance environmentalgoalswiththe needsofruralareas.
FederatedFarmersseethe valueinmaintainingflexibility forlandowners,hesays.
“Thislegislationdoesn’t opposeforestry; itsupportsmore strategiclong-term thinkingabout howweuseour land.
“Thechallenge isprotectingthe futureofrural communitieswhile stillallowingroom fordiversification whenitmakes sense.
“Thislegislation isamorebalanced approachandis apositivestep forwardforrural communities,”says Braydon.
Long-time
forestryconsultantJeff Tomblesonsaystheproposed legislationhadbeensignalled priortothelastelectionand “imposeslittlesurprise”onthe industry.
Sincethe1990s,hesaysfarm forestryhasnotoccurredon anyscale.
“Italmostceased,”says Jeff.“Landpricesbecame prohibitive.”
BasedinRotorua,hesaysthe currentharvestofthe1990s plantingsis75%complete.
Landinvolvedhaslargely beenre-planted,alongwitha secondplanting“spike”ofup to300,000haofnewforestson sheepandbeefcountryfrom 2018-2025.
Withrelativelyhighreturns forcarbon,Jeffpredictsthis “spike”wouldhavecontinued ifrestrictionswerenot introduced.
Hesaysthelargestareasof newforestsinNewZealand isinAuckland/Northland, SouthlandandtheCentral Plateau(Rotorua/Taupō). TheGovernmentBillproposes astartdateofOctober31. “Wewillprocessapplications toregisterintheETSunder thecurrentrulesuntilthe restrictionscomeintoeffect,” saidToddMcClayatFieldays.
Thegoodtimescontinuetoroll Themoodinthefarming communityiscertainly buoyant,andthatwas obviousattherecent Fieldaysat MysteryCreek.
Fromconversationswithafew salesreps,itsoundslikesales werestrongacrosstheboard. Someofthehighlightsforme werethenewinnovationssuch asKiwiEconetbalenetwrap –anediblebalenettingg,and LazerWeeder – an agricultural
robotthatuseslaserstokillweeds ratherthanchemicals.
ThenightbeforeFieldaysinTe Puke,wecopped140mlofrainin justsixhours–wellabovethe30ml forecast!We’djusttakenonourlast herdofwintergrazersthatday,andthe downpourcreatednewstreamsand lakesthroughsomepaddocks,causing temporarychaosandnearlymakingme missanotherFieldaysevent.Overat ouryardeastofTePuke,wedidn’tget quiteasmuchrainandarenowsitting at140.5mlforthemonth–771ml y year-to-date,comparedto610mlfor thesaameperiodlastyear,despitethe drougghtduringsummer. Witthbeautifulsunnyskiesandfrosty mornings,soiltemperaturesdropped siggnificantlylastweek,averaging 7.7°C.Thewet,overcastweekprior avveraged11.4°C–thesameasthe avverageforallofJunelastyear.
H Harvest AtFeedCo,likemanyother grrowersandcontractors,we’vebeen tryyingtofinishourmaizegrain harvest.RainaheadofFieldays createdrealheadaches.Wefinally wrappedupbytheendofJune,but itwasahardslogatthetailend withdownmaizeandwetpaddocks. W Withouttracksonourcombine,it wasnearimpossible.
I I’vementionedinearlierarticles thatNewZealand’sprimarysector wouldleadthecountryoutofthe economicslump–andthenumbers arebeginningtoreflectthat.GDP
• SANDTRAPS
• SILAGEBUNKERS
• SUMPS
• WEEPINGWALLS
holdingnearrecordlevels.Beefis goingfromstrengthtostrength. I’vespokenwithseveralveryhappy farmerslatelygetting$8.40perkg carcassweight(cwt)fortheirprime animals.Asaresult,weanerbeef calvesareattractingpremiumprices. I’mlookingtobuysomemyself, thoughwaryofpotentialprice dropsthatcouldwipeoutanygains fromweightgain.
Fromthemaizegrainwegrow,one ofthekeyproductsweproduceis calfmeal–availableinboth16% and20%proteinblends.It’smore
thanjustagoodold-fashioned product;it’sspeciallyformulated, packedwithessentialmineralsfor earlycalfdevelopmentandincludes acoccidiostat.Manyofourclients havemovedfromhigher-costpellets toourcalfmeal,thankstobetter intakefromcalvesandamore affordableprice.Onaperunit ofnutrientbasisthepriceishard tobeat!
Forafreesample,simplyscan theQRcodeinouradand we’llarrangeatrialbagforyou (conditionsapply).
Excesscolostrumturnedinto health An“excess”dairyproductisbeingturned intohealthcommoditiesdestined forexport.
Hamilton-basedFoodWaikatocollectscolostrum –thefirstformofmilkproducedbyamotherafter birth–fromfarmersafterithassatisfiedtheneeds ofnewborncalves.
ColostrumsupplymanagerEmmaVoorend saysthecompanyonlywantswhatisnotrequired forcalves.
“It’stheexcess,”shesays.“Animalwelfareisvery importanttous.”
DairyNZsaysgold(firstmilking)colostrumis
toppriorityforfarmerswith newborncalves.
“Itismosteffectivetofeed colostruminthefirstsixto12 hoursoflifeasantibodiescannot beabsorbedafter24hours.
“Everyhourcountswhenit comestofeedingcolostrum.”
Immunity
DairyNZsayscalvesareborn withanon-developedimmune systemandmustabsorbmaternal antibodiesfromgoldcolostrumto helpfightdisease.
Atone-day-old,thecalfgut “closes”andbecomesunableto absorbantibodies.
DairyNZsayscalvesthatfail toabsorbenoughantibodiesin thefirst24hoursaresaidtohave suffered‘failureofpassivetransfer’.
Allcalves,includingbobbies, mustreceiveadequatefresh colostrumwithinthefirst 12hours.
DairyNZsaysnewborncalves needatleast10%percentoftheir bodyweight(4litresfora40kg calf)ofgoldcolostrumwithinthe firstsix-12hours.
“Calvescanonlytake1.5to2 litresintheirstomach,sotwo feedswithinthefirst12hoursis thetarget.”
Farmersarenotpermittedto putcolostrumintothemilk supplyuntileightmilkingshave beencompleted.
Itismosteffectivetofeedcolostruminthefirst6-12hoursoflife,saysDairyNZ.
Colostrumcollection Emmasaysexcesscolostrumgoesinto aseparatevatonfarmsinvolvedinthe FoodWaikatoinitiative.
Itiscollectedbytankeranddriedby atInnovationParkinHamiltonbefore beingsenttoparentcompanyNewImage GroupinSouthAucklandforprocessing intoapowder-baseddrinkandcolostrum capsules.
“It’sverygoodforguthealth,forallages.”
TrevorLock,headofproductinnovationat NewImage,says26yearsagothecompany producedtheworld’sfirstcolostrum-based nutritionalsupplement.
Colostrumpowderwassourcedfromthe formerNewZealandDairyGroupand
processedintoabreakfastdrink,exported,and alsosoldonthedomesticmarket.
Fast-forwardto2023andhesays FoodWaikatoundertookatrial,collecting colostrumfromagroupofOtorohanga farmers,“hiringtime”onthedryerin Hamiltontoturntheproductintopowder. LaterthatyearNewImageGroupacquired FoodWaikatoandthedryer. Theoperationinitiallyconcentratedon nutritionalpowdersbeforebranchinginto colostrum.
Trialresults The2023trialproducedtwotonnesof colostrumpowderproduced,increasingto 10tonneslastyear.
BIGGERGAINS LOWERCOSTS productsforexport Locksaysthebusiness nowsourcescolostrumfrom thousandsofcows,chiefly fromtheWaikato,butalso someinSouthland.
Thecompany’svisionisto growthisfiguresignificantly inthenexttwoyears,taking inmostoftheNorthIsland andalargeproportionof theSouthIsland.
“Thisisaboutsecuring supplyforthefuture,” saysTrevor.
TwinPeaks
Hesaysthecompanyhas twocolostrumcollection peaksfromfarmers–February/MarchandJulyto theendofSeptember.
A“smallfraction”ofthe finishedproductissoldinNewZealand,withthe bulkexportedtomarketsincludingSouth-EastAsia, Africa,andEurope.
FoodWaikatoandNewImageGroupfollowstrict MinistryforPrimaryIndustriesprotocols,asdo farmerswhosignupforcolostrumcollection.
VincentArbuckle,deputydirector-generalof MPIbusinessunitNewZealandFoodSafety,
saysNewZealandprocessors ofcolostrummaterialand productsforexportarerequired tooperateunderaregistered andindependentlyverifiedrisk managementprogramme.
“AregisteredRMPisalegally bindingdocumentthatsets outhowtheoperatorwill identifyandcontrol,manage, eliminateorminimisefood safetyhazardsandother processingriskfactors.
“Hazardsmaybebiological, chemicalorphysical.
“AnRMPmustalsoensure productsaretruthfullyand correctlylabelled.”
Vincentsaysexportersof colostrumproductsfromNew Zealandarerequiredtoregister withtheministryandmeet requirementsthatenableittogiveofficialassurances tooverseas’authoritiesoverexportedanimalmaterial orproducts.
“Compliancewiththeregulatoryrequirementsis regularlymonitoredandenforcedbytheministry.”
NewZealandFoodSafetyhaseightdairyfarms registeredwithanRMPforcolostrumcollection.
POWERTARPSARE NEWZEALAND’SLEADING RETRACTABLETARPSUPPLIER
Wespecialiseinhighquality,meshand PVCcoverstosuittrucks,trailersand farmbunkers.Allofourcoverscanbe easilyoperatedfromthegroundusinga silkysmoothcablesystem,eliminating
Probioticsreducingsomaticcellcounts Overseasresearchhasshownthatprobiotics willlowertheSomaticCellCountsofcows whentreatedpre-calvinganddaily throughlactation.
Basedonthisinformation,ProbioticRevolution hasstrengthenedthecomponentsintheirprobiotic feedadditivesthatwereoriginallydesignedto improvefeedconversionandproduction “Animportantstepth dairyfarmercandoisu SuperStartLeadfeedto springers,”saysChris CollierofProbiotic Revolution.
“Itcanbe incorporatedintoa transitiondietorby dosingthespringers watertrough.We arenotjustboosting immunity,but researchsuggestwe arecuttingdownon sub-clinicalketosis.”
“Andresearch alsopointstoan associationbetween
n and production. hatnearlyevery use o
calvingmastitisandketosis.Ifsub-clinicalketosis isreducedcow’sappetitesshouldbestimulatedand weightlossaftercalvingreduced.Instrumentation ononefarminNewZealandusingProbiotic Revolution’sproductsshowedanintervalfrom calvingtofirstheatsofaslowas24days.This compareswithanationalaverageof42days.”
modifications to their milker su Rumicelltomimicth counts t
ProbioticRevolutionhasalsomadesomemajor mdifitintthirmilkrupplement–hereductionincell achievedinoverseas trials.“Wehave alwaysadvocated theuseofRumicell toincreasefeed conversion efficiency,but thislastseason long-termusers ofRumicellwere notinggood reductionsin SCC.”
ChrisCollieradvocatesprobioticstoreduce mastitisandcellcounts.
Formore information,see theiradvertonthis page.
I STOPPEDUSINGANTIBIOTICSFORMASTITISLASTAUTUMN. FEEDTHERUMEN.POWERTHECOW.
AFTERDOSING25HIGHCELLCOUNTOVER 900,000COWSWITHBOVINEBOOSTAND FOLLOWINGUPWITHRUMICELL,CELL COUNTSDROPPEDBELOW250,000.
BYOCTOBER,MASTITISCASES FELLFROMOVER20%TOJUST 5%– WITHA90%CURERATE USINGPROBIOTICS
CLASSLEADINGPROBIOTICSTRENGTH MULTIPLEINTERNATIONALLYRESEARCHEDSTRAINS LIVE YEAST AND YEAST METABOLITE OPTIONS
AFFORDABLEANDEFFICIENTPROBIOTICSOLUTIONS NILMILKWITHHOLD OPTIONSTOSUPPORT: ✓Immunesystemsupport&mastitiscontrol
✓Improvedgrowthandperformance
✓Digestiveefficiency–potentialtoreducefeedcosts ✓Supportsmilkproductionandquality MORETHAN JUSTAYEASTSUPPLEMENT
FoodWaikatocolostrumsupplymanager
Photo/SteveEdwards
Avocadoindustrypredictsexportboom Afteracoupleoftough seasons,theavocadoindustryis predictingbettertimesahead.
PickingbeganlastmonthandNZ AvocadochiefexecutiveofficerBrad Siebertexpectsexportstobe“well underway”bynow.“Earlyestimates haveoverallindustryvolumesslightly downfromlastseason,”saysBrad.
“However,thebettergrowing conditionsexperiencedareexpected toimproveexportpack-outs
andfruitquality,pointingtothe potentialofsimilarorevenimproved exportvolumesfrompastseasons.”
Hesaysthecropfortheseason aheadhashadstrongfloweringand fruitsetacrosskeygrowingregions throughspring.
“Whileex-CycloneTamwilllikely havesomeimpactinNorthland andWhangārei,cropestimatesare expectedtobesimilartowhatwas lastharvested.”
Bradsaysexportrevenueisforecast
todecreasemarginally(0.3%)to$107millionin theyeartoJune2026.
Growerswillcurrentlybetestingtheirfruit maturity,ensuringexportcompliancestepsare undertaken,andbeginningdiscussionswith theirpackhouseandexporterasharvest approaches,hesays.
“Globaldemandfor avocadosisincreasingas consumersseekhealthyfats andplant-basednutrition, withNewZealanduniquely positionedtosupplyavocados duringoff-peakseasons.”
WithNewZealand’sseasonal competitorWesternAustralia expectingalargecropforthe 2025-2026season,Bradsays theindustryispreparedto directincreasingvolumesto NorthAmerica,withreduced volumestotheeastcoast ofAustralia.
Diversemarkets “Exporterscontinuingto growrelationshipsinadiverse rangeofmarketswillsupportthelong-term growthofthesector.”
[likefreshproduce]thatmeettheUS-MexicoCanadaAgreement(USMCA).”
Hesaysthenew10%tariffisan“advalorem” rate–apercentageofthetotalvalue–calculated onthefreeonboardsalepriceofNewZealand avocadosenteringtheUSandwillbeinaddition totheUS11.2c/kgimport dutythathasbeeninplacefor severalyears.
ThisyearNewZealandsuppliedthemostdiverse setofcountriesyet,saysBrad.
ExportrevenuefromAustraliaincreased320%to $63mintheyearendingMarch31,2025,when comparedwiththepreviousseason,becauseofa highernumberofexportfruitbeingavailable.
TheNorthAmericanmarketsdeliveredstrong growthinNewZealand’ssecondseasonexporting totheregion.
ExportrevenuefromCanadaincreased619% to$3.8m,andfromtheUnitedStatesitwasup 596%to$500,000intheyeartoMarch2025.
Braddoesn’tbelieveproposedtariffswillgreatly affecttheAmericanmarket.
“Mexicoisthedominantsupplierofavocados totheUSandthey,alongwithCanada,have exemptionsfromthe10%baselinetariffforgoods
“Thenew10%tariffbeingan ‘advalorum’rate[apercentage ofthetotalvalue]calculatedon theFOB[FreeonBoard]sale priceofNewZealandavocados enteringtheUSandwillbe inadditiontothepre-existing US11.2c/kgexistingimport dutythathasbeeninplacefora numberofyears.”
Bradsays,excludingMexico, avocadosfromNewZealand areona“reasonablyequal playingfield”withmostother originsenteringtheUSforthe seasonahead.
Asianmarketscontinueto growinimportance,with exportrevenueup96%to$40mintheyear endingMarch2025.
Domesticsales NewZealand’savocadoindustryisshaped byabalancebetweenexportdemandand domesticconsumption.
“Theratioofexportversusdomesticvolumes variesovertimebasedonanumberoffactors. Oftenthisisdominatedbytwomainfactors, exportpack-outratesinfluencedbystorm eventsandseasonalgrowingconditionsand, secondly,whethertheindustryasawholeis havingahighorlowerfruitproductionseason, apredispositionthatavocados(andmangos) experienceworldwideduetothenatural phenologyoftreesinfluencedbyenvironmental factors,treemanagementpracticesandcultivar characteristics.
NZAvocadoCEOBradSiebert. Photo/Supplied
BravadototheNZavoocado Theavocadotreeisaplentyin theBayofPlenty!
Mostofususuallyhaveacoupleof avocadoshangingoutonthekitchen counterandaforgottenbrowning oneinthebackofthefridge–either way,theyareastaplepartofour diet.But,didyouknowthatfor uslivinginNewZealand,theonly avocadoswewilllikelyevereatare NewZealand-grownavocados;New Zealanddoesnotimportavocados fromothercountries.Thatmeans growingavocadosinNewZealand isabigdeal,andasconsumersand NewZealanders,weshouldprobably knowalittlemoreabout(and support!)theindustrythatisliterally inourownbackyards.
Therearebenefitsforacountryto buywhatitgrows.
Economiccontributions Avocadogrowersprovidelocal jobsandstrengthencommunities; theyalsorelyonlocalsuppliers forinputslikeseedlings,fertilisers, andequipment.Localproduce reducesrelianceonglobalsupply chains,whichcanbedisruptedby factorssuchastradewars,political instability,ornaturaldisasters.For example,haveyouseenthepriceof oliveoillately?!Additionally,our growerscontributetofoodsecurity byensuringNewZealandershave accesstofresh,healthyproduce.
Theglobalavocadomarketis experiencingcautiousgrowth,driven
“Overthelasttwodecades,wehave seenaround70%exportedbutwith agrowingconsumptioninthelocal marketthiscanbecloseto50%in morerecentseasons.
“Fruitenteringthedomesticmarket, primarilyasaresultofexportpacking, goesthroughretail,e-commerceand localsales,withlowergradefruit beingsentforprocessingtoproduce avocadocookingoilandothervalueaddedproducts.”
Bradsaysthepasttwoseasons (2023-2024)resultedinexport volumesfallingbecauseofweather events.“CyclonesDovi[2022]and Gabrielle[2023]bothhitavocado
byanincreasingdemand forhealthyfoods.New Zealand,ingeneral,hasa strongbrandreputation forbeingcleanand green,whichresonates withmanyconsumers whomakemindful purchasingdecisions. NewZealandisactively reducingitsrelianceon theAustralianavocado marketandexpanding intoAsianmarkets, includingSouthKorea,Thailand, China,Taiwan,Singapore,and Malaysia,whereexportstotheregion haveincreasedfromapproximately 7%ofallavocadoexportsbyvaluein 2012to44%byvaluein2023. Beingasignificantexporter contributestoouroverallGDP, whichisbasicallyhowweunderstand our“ranking”ofeconomic performance,sothatpolicymakers canmakeinformeddecisions.
Reducedrisks shortertravel l distance to get tomarket,wwhich reduces the chancesofcoontamination during transportatioon or storage Ashortertrravel distance means less carbonemisssions during transport aswell,sobuuying local reduces “foodmiles”and the associated environmenttal impact Locally sourcedprodduce often requires less packagingcoompared to imported produce,furtther reducing waste BayFarmshhas been a key player in distributingaavocados in the New Zealanddomesticmarket t since 1995 BayFarms benefitsfromexcellentloong-term relationships andcaterstothreeprimaary markets: major supermarketchains,wholesalers and direct-tohomeconsumers.Today,BayFarms supplies avocadosfrommorethan n 200 orchards, which is about15%ofthedomesttic avocado supply Doyourpartfortheinddustry in your backyard andbuythatbagofavocaados today
Itseemsalmostannuallythat wereadaboutsomesortoffood safetyoutbreaksomewhereinthe world.Foodsafetyshouldalways (andliterally)remainunderthe microscope.WhenyoubuyNew Zealandlocal,it’seasiertotrace theoriginandfarmingpractices oftheproduce,andyoucanrest assuredthefoodhasbeenhandled tostringentrequirements.Local produceobviouslyalsohasa
growingregions,damagingfruitand causingmajorimpactsonexport volumes.
“Thechallengesofthepastseason’s LaNinaweatherpatternsarenow intherear-viewmirrorandmore favourableconditionshavereturned.”
Bradsaysoptimalconditionshave ledtoalarge,high-qualitycropfor thecurrentseason.
Asaresult,exportvolumes increased190%to3.9milliontrays intheseasonendingJune30,2025.
HalfofNewZealand’savocado hectaresinproductionareinthe BayofPlenty,witharound45%in Northland.
•ExceptionalPackingFacilities
•CompleteOrchardManagement •AvoGreenService
Contact: AVOCADOS
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
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
Afarmer-ledinitiativeis helpingfeedtheneedyacross thecountry.
MeettheNeedisnowinitsfifth yearof“joiningthedots”between farmerswhowanttodonatemilk, meat,ormoneytofoodbanksand similarcommunitygroups.
Justonelitreofmilkcanprovide fourservesofdairyforsomeone inneed,saysgeneralmanager ZellaraHolden.
“Around2.4percentofNew Zealand’stotalmilkproduction isrequiredtofeedourwhole countryperyear.
“Ifdairyfarmerscoulddonate onelitrepercow,everyyear,we couldallhelpchangetheface offoodinsecurityinthiscountry bygivingimportantnutrients tothosebearingthebruntof foodinsecurity.
“It’sthecollectivethatmakes adifference,andtogetherwe havethepowertonourishNew Zealanderswhoneeditmost.”
y p y organisation “Foodbank needsofthei andit’sthro andmilkis needit.” Throu withFo donate and d Zell Far ro
Zellarasaysproduce,intheform ofminceandmilk,isdonatedby farmersandputintothehandsof thosealreadyonthe“frontlines offoodinsecurity”inthiscountry -foodbanksandcommunity organisations. ksalreadyknowthe irlocalcommunity, ughthemthatmince sgiventofamiliesthat ughitspartnerships onterraandMiraka, edmilkisprocessed distributed.Likewise, arasaysSilverFern rmsplaysacrucial oleinturning donatedlivestockcattle,sheep,ordeer -intopremiumqualitymince.
Zellarasaystheinclusionof meatinfoodparcelshelpsfamilies enjoybalancedmealstheywould otherwisegowithout,stretches theirfoodsupplies,andprovides essentialprotein.
Feedback
Thefeedbackfromfoodbanksis oneofimmensegratitude,with manycallingtheinclusionof qualityprotein“agamechanger”.
“Weknowthatbeingableto providemeatintoourfoodparcels isliterallychangingpeople’slives, givingthemnutritionthatthey aremissingoutonotherwise.”
donation-givingopportunitiesand networkingwithfarmers.
Shesaysbyregularlyincluding meatinfoodparcels,these donationshelpaddressnutritional gapsandimprovetheoverall healthofrecipients,ensuring individuals,families,and communitieshaveaccessto nourishingmeals.
Sinceitsformation,Meetthe Needhassupplied2.1million minceandmilkmealstofamilies inneedandsupportedmorethan 130foodbanksandcommunity organisationsnationwide. However,thereisawaitinglistof asimilarnumber.
Thelong-lastingUHTmilk meetseveryone’scircumstances, shesays.
“Wearetrulygrateful.”
About2000farmershavebeen involvedinMeettheNeedsince itwasinitiated,saysZellara Holden.But,withmoresupport, theorganisationcanfurther itsmissiontoensurenoNew Zealandergoeshungry.
“Meatisone ofthemost requesteditemsby foodbanks,asitis oftenanexpense thatfamiliesin needcannotafford.”
MatamataCommunity Foodbankisoneofthoseon boardwiththeprogramme.
Co-ordinatorJaneneWilcox saysthequalityoffoodisgreat andthosefromtheMeetthe Needorganisationareveryeasy todealwith.
Volunteerswanted MeettheNeedisalsoonthe lookoutforvolunteerstohelp achieveitsgoalsthrougha Championprogramme. Zellarasaysthisisan opportunityforpeopleacrossthe countrytobecomeinvolvedwith MeattheNeed,drivedonations and,mostimportantly,helpfill thefridgesandfreezersoftheir localfoodbanks. Championsrepresentthecharity ateventsandfielddays,lookfor
Coast&CountryNewscaught upwithMatamataChampion GeorgievanHeuvenattheMeet theNeedsitecoveredbyZellara Holdenandstakeholderliaison DanielleWilliamsattherecent NZDairyExpoinMatamata. Georgie,a50/50sharemilker withhusbandGlenn,saysshe learntaboutMeettheNeedonline twoyearsago.
“Wegetalotofrequestsfor sponsorshipordonationsbutfelt thatthisissuchagreatinitiative.”
ThevanHeuvensdonatedvia theMeettheNeedwebsiteand havecontinuedtosupportthe programme.
Donationscanbemadethrough theMeettheNeedwebsite,while ruralbusinessescanalsoback theinitiativebyjoiningthehost organisation’sRuralBusiness Supporters’Scheme.
GRANULATED GYPSUM TOSUPPORTSOIL ANDPLANTHEALTH NEWGYPELLETS Meet the Need stakeholder liaison Danielle Williams, left, with Matamata Champion Georgie van Heuven at the NZ Dairy Expo Photo / Steve Edwards
Meet the Need general manager Zellara Holden Photo / Supplied
